Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-05-18
Written for the Register.
THE AVENGER.
BY MARIE JANE TAYLOR.
[coNTrNUED.

Now it was that the lessons of the Indi-
ans came back with full tide of power
to the breast of Andrews, and aroused all
the slumbering fires of his nature. Dash
ing his plumed cap to the ground, he
snatched the fatal tomahawk from his
girdle, and echoing the shrill war cry OF
the Mandan, he sent it with unerrlng force
into the brain of the foremost horseman,
who fell and expired without groan.-
Again, that fearful cry was heard, as like
two ambushed lions they broke forth up
on the disurdered ranks of the foe. Pro
tected by bushes and fallen timber from
the near approach of the enemy, the
pointed mace, the deadly arrow and fatal
hatchet, sent on their terrible errand by
such skilful hands as those of the assumed d
brothers, made fearful havoc III the enc
mv's ranks, while the terrific war cry OF
the Mandan, sounded upon their startled
senses like the bowling OF some inturlated
henA. The Texans beheld with awe and
astonishment the almost superhuman Ell
forts made by the friends, and blushlng
at their own momentary terpldatlon they
returned with double courage to the
charge The conflict was long and bloody,
and victory seemed hanging in balance,
when suddenly the piercing eyes of Prich-
ards fell upon his mortal foe, who WAS
STRIVING to free himself from Il lasso that
had been skitfuliy thrown around him,
binding his arms closely to his body.
The dueliSt gared upon him for mo-
ment, and then sprlnging from his horse,
he drew a bowie from its sheath, aud bend
ing over him he flashed it in the air, as II
to give force to the blow. Andrews be-
held the descending stroke which was 10
launch him into eternity, and with cold
shudder he shut his eyes.
'' The panther is caught, is he ?" said
Oceola, as with one blow of his war club
he laid the assassin at his feet, and spring
ing upon him, quickly pinioned his hands
and feet. Then cutting the laSso from the
arms of his de, he wiped the sweat
and blood from his face, while he said
tThe Mexicans fly from us let my
brother look and see how eager they are
to get away, and he will then TO: get how
near he was being sent to the fields where
his fathers hunt"
Andrews arose and gazeG after the re-
treating forms OF the few surviving Mexi-
cans, and then upon the loathsome face
of Prichards, and silently turned away,
muttering to himself, Il cannot kill a de-
fenceless man the moment he loses the
power of an equal chance for his life; my
soul revolts against the deed"
''You are right, friend" said Captain
Walker, the Texian leader, "you are
right. The brave are always generous,
and that you are brave this day has amply
proven; and the law will be your avenger,
for as Prichards has lived the life of a
traitor, traitors death shall he die. But
bark who is that coming in such great
haste? Soldiers, present arms, it may be
some stratagem of the enemy to take US
by surprise
As he concluded, pale. delicate youth
dashed up with haggard look, and face
streaming with perspiration, while the
foam that stood in snowy fakes upon his
steed, showed with what haste he had
rode.
"Please you Captain Walker he said
in broken sentences, your gentle cousin.
the beautiful daughter of Col. Priehards,
has been carried away by the notorious
Mexican robber. Urhiga, and your aunt
has sent me to beg of you to hasten IN