The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-02-10
DU rcH COURAGE.
BY JACK LEATHERLuNGs.

Twas dreadful night. Dark clouds
chased each other with frigLtful velocity
through the murky Heavens. Vivid
flashes of lightning, like threads of fire,
rung along the sky--wbile the incessant
peas of thunder, rcyerberating from hill
to hill, caused the earth to shake and
tremble, and proclaimed that Heaven $
Royal Artillery was saluting its great
Chieftain. The rain descended in one
unceasing torrent, and the fierce wind
bowling through the trees made them
sway and groan as though sensible of the
blows given by the ruthless Storm King.
The wooden houses in the Dutch vii
lage Of Skiddendam tottcred to their
foundations; the green blinds were borne
from their fastenings, and chimney tops
swept away like chaff before the Wind
OIL it was fearful night. And old
and young, together clung in horrid fright
Dutch supplicalions We're uttered, and
prayers escaped the lips of many whose
hearts seemed indurated against the in
huence of religion.
Hans Nonderplankentam lay tossing
on his pillow. Thoughts of his beloved
Catherine, and her widowed mother, ban
ished sleep from his eyes. Unprotected
in their little farm, and away from any
assistance, what if thunderbolt should
strike their house! What if the robbers,
who had latterly caused such alarm
amongst the people of SAiddendan,
should visit them on this dismal night!
SO well calculated to screen robbers in
their predatory excursions.
The thought disturbed him much. In
vain he tried to Danish it. Already he
saw, in Imagination, the steallly step Of
the robber approaching lis beloved Cath
erina's door He saw him climb in at
the window. He heard the shreks Of
the unprotected woman, and Hans Won
derplalkeniam rose and dressed aud arm
ed himself, ami tn n resolved to go and
shield the widow Hosenechayer and her
daughter. Valiant Vonderplankentam.
Few indeed dare venture forth On such a
night, but love, with thee, was more po-
tent than the wind or the rain OF the thun-
der or the lightning.
Hans wrapped himself up and peered
forth. II was dark as Erebus, save when
the lightning flashed. The wind and
rain Increased in fury. The road to the
willow HIS was almost impossible. The
water was knee deep. But what cared
Hans. Ieander swan the HeileSpont to
meet his beloved hero; why shoul,ln
Vonderplankentam wade to his Catheri-
ma? Hans went boldly forth; he was
struck with awe at the grandeur of the
scene. Lightning Illuminated his way,
and his step beat time to the music of the
thunder. With slow and by no means
careless step he proceeded on, and arriv-
ed at last at the widows house. The
thunder ceased for time, but the rain
still came down in torrents. Hans knock
ed loudly at the gate, and cried ouk
"'1'is me, Vondeiplankentam; open !"
but his SUNNI rs was unheeded All was
silent he tried TO pierce the darkness,
but in vain. Then imagination set itself
to work. Perhaps he was too late, and
the robbers had already accomplished
their designs. Horrible thought; q
will see, said Hans, and he climbed over
the fence. There was at that moment a
fash of lightning followed instantly by a
loud clap Of thunder The place lighted
up only for an instant, but in that instant
Hans thought lie discovered right be
meath Catherina's window, the figure of a
man, and mingled with the thunder peal
a woman's scream. He sprang into the
garden. Flash after fash now followed
each other tn rapid succession; and
Hans could plainly distinguish the figure
Of a man, facing the window with ont
stretched arms, as though supplicating
his companion to hasten. q
1t was the robber, and perhaps at th}
moment Catherine was struggling with
his ruflian accomplice.
The thought was maddening. What
was to be donel Delay may be fatal
Hans acted as a brave man would
Springing forward, before the robber
could turn, he caught him by the throat
and plunged dagger in his breast. The
robber fell without groan. Not the
slightest sound escaped his lips to warn
his companion. This was fortunate.
Rushing up to the door with one vigo-
rous kick he sent it open. Scream after
scream now rnng on his ears.
A few rapid steps brought him into the
chamber where the frightened women
were. With the dagger clutche tightly
in his hand he sprang into the room, ex-
pecting to see the robber standing over
the body of his murdered Catherine. A
candle family burning ON the mantle
piece lighted up the room. He looked
around. There wls no robbers, but in
stead, the two women-in dishabille. frightli
ened almost to death, were clasped in