Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-06-23
THE WILD nORsEMAN OF THE
ALLEGHANY;
Or the Phantom of the Haunted Vale.
by MARIE J. TAYLOR.

by MARIE J. TAYLOR.
During the last invasion of the United
States, by the English, and while the ter
on the midnight air along our flOntiers,
striking terror to the hearts of the defenc-
less, and causing the blood to creep cold
ly through their veins from fear; when
the disatfected stood aloof from the strug-
gle for liberty or with malignant depra-
witty, Joined the horrors of domestic in
surrection with that of a foreign invasion !;
there were instances, when persons carri-
cd away by enthusiasm, and forgetful that
it is the duty of the brave to obey, with
rash tcmerity, and regardless of conse-
qucnccs, would organize a force, and pro-
sccutc the war with fury that rendered
them ameanablc to their own government,
as well lasreprchensible in the eyes ofciyi-
lized nations.
Such was the character of Eugene Ara
mand. Born and reared on the frontiers
of Florida, Injured to toll, hardship and
danger, by his bold and fearless intrepid
ty, and dauntless courage, he was looked
upon as the bulwark of the infant settle
mcnt, and he deserved the title.
No band of dusky warriors, intent on
on. blood and spoil, could enter the
settlement undetected. No fugitive
slave could escape his vigilance, to bear
t;dings to the savage foe for habited and
painted in Indian style, his rifle upon his
shoulder, and his tomahawk stuck in his
belt, he would plunge into the gloomy
forest, explore every path, search every
dense hammock and fen; and the vigi-
lance that enabled him to approach the
watchful deer in his lair, also enabled him
to circumvent the vigiIant Indian in his
ambush, and if not able to punish, he
thwarted his designs. When the war
broke out, he strove to rally his country
men to meet the foe, but with rage and
shame, he found many of them more dis
posed to listen to the ovcrtures made by
the enemy, than to strike for liberty.
Fired with Indignation, he sought a
band of resolute young men, who had Of
ten followed him upon the trail of the In
dians, and to them he submitted plan,
as wild and visionary, as it was bold and
daring. 1t was to capture an English
schooner, and put out to sea, and there
carry on the war upon their own respon-
sibility, and wipe off the foul stain of their
countrymen's dishonor, or perish in the
attempt.
The plan so wildly formed, was boldly
execured Fastening to the bay, armed
with all the implements Of savage war
fare, they embarked in open boats, under
cover of night, and surprised the intoxi-
Gated crew of the vessel, whom they
bound hand and foot, and sent adrift in
their boats and before the sun had again
illumined the earth, the Sea Gull and her
gallant crew, were far out on the blue bo-
som of the wide Atlantic.
Here the reckless daring of Aramand,
soon displayed itself in such series OF
unheard of exploits, that his namR soon
became the terror of the sea, and his assu-
med name of Thunderbolt, was only
whispered, with lips white with fear.
1t was night in the gay city of Mobile ;
the rich lights streamed in radiant floods
from the large bay windows of friendly
mansion, while its spacious saloons were
crowded with the young and gay of both
sexes, and flood of sweet gushing mu-
sic, lent its exhilerating charm to the festal
hall, and sent the currentef life, dancing
through the veins of many an aspiring
beauty.
Lovely indeed was many form and
face in that bright assembly of Southern
beauty diyinely sweet was the Joyous
smile that lighted up the countenance oi