The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-03-04

hoofs sounded out plaiuly upon the mil
night as the band SWEPT down the bill
and entered the black pass. Here all be-
came dark, the tall trcss ghich grew OF
the side of the bluff efiectually screening
, the road and shutting out the moonlight
save where here and there stranglinl
ray fell athwart the path and lit up for
an instant the dreary road.
just half through the pass there is a
narrower spot than elsewhere. and ra-
vine comes down from the highlands and
empties into the Santee. Across this a
rude way bad been dug By exoavating
the bank, and the road. after gaining the
bottom turned down it as though going
directly into the river. The bottom OF
this ravine was as dark as pitch, and as
Langsford and his meu followed the ped
lar down into its depths they lost sight Of
him altogether.
Ordering halt, the captain hailed in
low voice, calling for the guide, but no
answer came. Again and again did be
summon the guide, each time in louder
key, bat in vain; and, with muttered
curse upon the stupidity Of the guide,
Lausford ordered his men to advance.
Scarcely had the body once more be-
gan to move, than loud crash was heard
! 10 the rayine above them; something came
tearing it's way through the brush which
lined the steep hill side, and large stone
bounded into the ranks, crushing horse
and rider as it fell.
A moment of confusion ensued, amid
which the groans of the wounded trooper
could be heard, when loud voice, which
thrilled like melten lead upon the hearts
of the British, was heard exclaimiug:
"Right, lads,--give them the others!'
And like the rush of destructive tor
nado large quantity of rocks came thun-
deriDg down the bill, landing with fear
ful accuracy among the excited troopers,
and creating sad havoc among the horse
men.
'Sold!" shouted Langsford, in a voice
which rose far above the din and tumult
around them, "sod by pedar! Retreat
in the rear there, and let all folio " as
fast as possible"
"Aye, sold," thundered a voice in re-
ply, as the captnin ceased, "and the
blood of those you have foully murdered
during cur absence calls loudly for ven
goance, Upon them comrades, and spare
not mani"
"Darned tew darnation if | give quar-
ters teW darned one," squcakcd out the
well-known tones of the pedIar. "Hurra
for Yankee Doodle Dandy, and won't We
dew 'em up SO hady. Shute, boys, and
be darned tew 'em!"
A volley of rifles followed the last or
der and blaze ran along the hill side,
while the messengers of death sped with
out mercy into the troopers ranks, killing
many and creating terrible tuDult and
dismay.
Some few of those farthest in the rear
made hasty retreat, among whom was
Langsford, he having pushed his way
back, when the first volley of stones was
rolled down upon his men, and fed as
fast as horses speed would carry him back
to Steel's, accompanied by about dozen
men.
Upon reaching the house be dismount-
ed from his steed and rushed to the door, I
which he found was fastened; but few
knocks brought person to it who threw
it wide open. displaying one of his own
troopers. The captain entered, followed
By the men who escaped with him, and
the door was again secured.
This done, Laugsford FASTENED up
stairs and knocked upon the door of Ma
ry Stecl's room No answer came, and
ne knocked more rudely than before, but
in vain; all within was as silent as the
grave He shook the door, but it was
firmly fastened upon the inside, and he
ordered man to bring bin an ak which
stood at the stairs. With this he soon
forced an entrance, by splitting the pam
1cls into pieces, and sprang like famish
ID tiger into the room. But it was empty
the prey had escaped; and cursiug ike
! fend, Langsford sprang to the open
window, out of which he thrust his head.
As he did so, the sharp crack of rife
vas heard, and staggering back, the Cap
ain fell upon the floor, with the blood I
lowly oozing from bullet hole in the
centre of his forehead. c
CHAPTER Y,
We must now return to the rebel lover {
,f Mary whom he left bound to the sap