The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-01
plished, and our hero brought up for recogni-

plISAeu, aHu OuI neTo pIou8nt up IoT TecOSHl-
tion.
why! it's the majors boy'' exclaimed one
of the group. ..su
tNed Mcdonald! as I lve!' cried another
from their midst.
81 reckon the old major will be glad to give
round sum for him,-he seems to be nice
looking lad.''
.'And all rugged up in his regimentals too, he
was probably on his way to join the .pesky re-
bels,ss' exclaimed the leader Of the gang. ssI
guess as how it will go hard with him if the
old major refuses to pay his ransom" ~
e.Look here my fine fellow continued the
captain, wouldn't you like to join US. Good
business, make money like Dirt
81 have no such aspirations, y answered Ed
ward somewhat coldly. -#
''Very well!' rejoined the captain 'just as
you choose. Only would warn you not to put
on any of your airs, around here, for they won't
suit
One Of the men had prepared meal Ed
ward was offered share, but the manner in
which it had been prepared, did not attain to
his ideal Of good cooking and he respectfully
declined. &.
After they had finished their suppers Edward
was taken up 1ightof stairs, into large, empty
room and told that he might consider that as
his present, if not his future domicie. i.
The room was about twenty feet from the
ground, with but one window, and he saw, at
glance, that escape in that quarter was I'M
possible and any such attempt would be worse
than madness. @.6st yEs ttf&GG
Major Winslow had joined his company. Mrs.
Winslow and Grace were sitting alone in the
same room in which we first met them, when a
messenger arrived with note addressed to the
ma or. 1t was directed in an unknowns scrawl-
ing hand and on one corner were the words Sin
haste" Thinking it might be something Of i'm
portance Grace broke the seal.
The contents were somewhat unintelligibe
to her It went to state that Edward was ga
prisoner of war; in charge of the writer and
could not be released WITHOUT the payment of
ransom. That he would meet the ma or at the
cold block house" to arrange the price to be
paid, was signed "Ephraim Crimes" comman-
der Of his majesty's "independent volunteers. ="
After perusing the letter a second time she
gradually comprehended that which she did
not at first. Edward was a prisoner to that
lawless set Of desperadoes, who under the pre-
tence of serving the king, made it business to
rob the peaceably disposed citizens of what
plate and jewelry they happened to possess,not
refusing to take all the money that should meet
their eyes.
edward was prisoner!'' This was enough
to arouse all of Grace's heroism. Her father
as not at ho1ne, and she knew TO manner
of obtaining the money to pay the amount
which would probably be demanded, so other
means must necessarily be resorted to, if she
thought to succeed in rescuing Edward. By
the situation of the room in which Edward was
| confined without exciting the least suspicion. A
happy scheme entered her mind. How well 1t
succeeded the sequel will show.
It was near the hour Of midnight. The sill
very moon was shining calmly on the devil laden
grass-plat in front of the cold block house. Pin
which Edward Med Donald was imprisoned. The
independent volunteers were safely ensconced
in the lower rooms. The weary sentinel, who
had been placed son duty to guard the priso-
ner, tired Of the dull monotony to which he was
subjected, had retired within doors to obtain a
few hours repose.
! Edward was sitting on an old stool, the only
article of furniture that his room contained. We
need not say that his thoughts wandered to the
neat cottage of major Winsow and its inmates.
Perhaps Grace was the object of good share
of his reverie. He had remained IN this stu
alton for half an hour, when he was startled by
the crash of something through his window,
evidently thrown by some person from the out
side Picking up the object, so unceremon-
| ously introduced into his room, he found stone
with small cord attached running outside. He
hastily drew in the line, and at the other end
found it attached to stout rope ladder, this
fastened to the ground. He tried it to the win
dow casing and proceeded to descend. Hesaw
figure on horseback, it swiftly erode away at
| his approach. ......
t Edward thonght he could recognize the horse
road by his deliverer, and seeking his own
noble charger, followed after at speed that
threatened soon to overtake the other. But the
stranger had equally as fast horse and evi-
IDENTIFY did noe wish to be recognized. As he
did not wish to appear rude he sackened his
speed to a moderate pace. @I#f
| Coming to turn in the road, which would
be nearer than to follow the stranger, Edward
turned in, and directed his horses steps in the
direction of major Winslow's residence. He
had proceeded for some distance, and as he was
coming into the road he had previously left, he
found himself, "vis a vis'' with his Eberator.
Coming together in so sudden manner, he had
fair view of the long concealed features.
"Grace WinslowH' he exclaimed, s'can it be
possible that you are the person who assisted
me to escape?"
"A deep blush overspread her finely moul-
ded features, as she answered: .h
edward, you did not think would remain
idle, and let the villains murder you?"
''But why didyou try to escape me?' rejoined
Edward.
She did not Immediately reply. He ap-
preached and took her hand within his own: It
trembled violently, he continued: s,ra ....s
"Grace! would it have caused you one pang
of sorrow if they had murdered me before
could have attained any assistance"'
/ But we must not weary the reader. Suffice
it to say, that on the following day, Grace ap-
peared far lyeer than she had for many a one
! before.
Edward Mcdonald joined the army under
general Wayne, and after fighting long and
| faithfully in the cause of liberty came to claim