Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-04-07

IbuTTOu1OCu Ihf61l1uh CAIT1hb6s anu H6Ic
rifling it of its contents. A grey haired
man lay pale and bleeding by the road
side; slender female form was kneeling
by his side with eyes appraised to Heaven,
and hands clasped conYulsiYely on her hea-
wing breast, while the wild cries of her
servant rose piercing on the air.
The Chief paused for a moment to look
upon the scene. The stalworth leader OF
the bandits was quietly looking on, his
sinister eyes flashing with fendish delight,
as he gave his orders in quick sharp
tone, that struck terror to the heart of the
desolate girl.
Never, perhaps, did the eye rest upon
a more startling spectacle. There stood
the herculean leader, his gigantic form
clothed in yellow cloak with long flowing
ribbons of crimson hue, his long beard,
and istty moustache, lending additional
ferceness to his stern forbidding counte-
nance, while the night-breeze played fit
fully through his raven locks that rested
on his broad shoulders, and almost touch
ed the broad belt that glittered with dead
ly weapons. His men were all the coun-
terparts of himself, fierce and savage
countenances, eyes that glowed with hate
and defiance, characterized them all ;
while huge bowie knives, glittering Poin-
ards and murderous looking pistols, fear
fully reflected by the light Of the moon,
gave them an appearance at once awful
and impressive.
The Chieftain now exchanged feW
hurried words with Rodolpho, and then
drawing his broad sabre from its sheath,
he dashed forward while he shouted in
tones of thunder, "aWAy WrGtchos, from
this diabolieal work, off with you, this
moment, or dread the vengeance of Ros-
san Rea."
AT the mention of that dreaded name,
the boldest of the ruflian band was seen
to turn pale with fear, and the giant lea
der shrunk back aghast, as the clear ring
ing voice of the Chief, foil upon his star
tied senses.
For moment the work Of plundering
ceased, and terrified by the formidable
name of Rea, the bandits seemed to be
preparing for fight, but the quick eye OF
their leader soon discovered that his enc
mics were but two in number, and spring
ing forward, while his oyeE cleaned with
deadly hatred, he shouted:
"It is indeed, the hated Rea On
my boys, and slay the wolf, five hundred
pistolss to the man who first dyes his
hands in his blood See there, too, is his
guardian demon Rodolpho on your lives,
let neither of them escape"
"Your spirit shall first escape from its
polluted tenement, or this weapon fail to
perform it's part" shouted Rodolpho, al
his sabre flashed for an instant in the air,
and then descended with lightning speed
A heavy groAn burst from the lips ol
the bandit leader as he sunk to the earth,
bathed in blood. But scarcely had he
touched the ground, when Rodolpho felt
the sudden tWang of the lassO, and the
next instant he was hurled to the ground
Williams, strike if you dare !" he said,
in stern and dauntless voice, as he SAW
himself surrounded by hostile FORMS
" Strike if you dare, repeat and bring
upon yourselves the unsleeping vengeance
Of Rea !'
Feel that vengeance now," shouted
the Chief, as he sprang into the arena o.
combat, and opened a fiery circle around
the intended victim.
1uS DduultS ISbIC6IoO lIOLl Il0 opOG
covering beneath the fire that shot from hi,
dark eye and Rodolpho springing to his
feet, drew bugle from beneath his cloak,
and blew a shril and peculiar blast, which
was the well known signal for calling the
guerrillas together. With deep curses
the bandits sprAng upon their horses, and
the sound of their retreating hoofs soor
died away on the stiffness of the night.
"Hap' said Rodolpho with a light
laugh, the rascals thought that our com.
rades were within hearing, and they scam
pered off like frightened rats from barn
on fire. Well, we have long account tc
settle with them, and fearful will be the
reckoning day; but why so gloomy, my
Chief ? methinks We have great cause tC
be glad that we have escaped with life
from the bloodthirsty gang"
"We have indeed, Rodolpho ! but yon.
der unfortunate female, what will become
of her? l cannot abandon her to fall &
prey to those INSCRIPTIONS wretches, who
will doubtlessly return as soon as they
think we are gone dare not enter with
in the outposts Of the enemy, and to at
tempt to pass through the haunts OF the
followers of Gonsalvo, thus encumbered
would be madness"
"L Let us take her to the hermitage O
Tievo, the good priest will dOubtlessly
protect her until she can obtain assistance
from her friends, for 1 think she is ar
American from her appearance"
The Chief now advanced toward her
but with a faint cry. she sprang to her feet
and attempted to escape.
"Whither would'st thou go, lady Z?
said the Chief, as he tendsrly, but firmly
grasped her hand. Whittier would's
thou go? When dangers beset thy patti
on every side, thou Should'st not fly from
thine only friend"
"Ab. would To God that l had ever