Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-08-28

rel, lOWdTu Tie sPOl WleuCe tie souuu
had proceeded:
He had not gone many yards, when he
discovered two boats through the tall
reeds, but had not time 10 observe them,
for his attention was Immediately attracted
by ruslIing in The reeds, and the voice
of a man, mingled with the hard breathing
of some object.
"Carramba !" exclaimed the voice.
"Americano strong as llgress
Henry sprsng forward, and started, as
he beheld sight which made his blood
run cold. A young and beautiful woman
was struggling in the grasp of two guerilla
Mexicans, who had succeeded in gagglng
her, and were in the act OF dragging her
toward the river. Henry had not been
so many years in the wilds TO need con-
sideration as 10 how to conquer two foes.
His rifle was unsIung in moment, and,
bringing it TO his shoulder, he sent bul-
let, with unerring aim, through the brain
of one of the ruffians, and then clubbing
his weapon. the next instant il was crash
ing through the skull Of the other
Without pausing hardly to think, he
sna,ched The gag from the ma!den's mouth.
and held her in hls strong arms, until she
recovered from her fright, when she ex-
claimed
"Oh, noble, sir, | thank you. You
have saved my life, more, my honor. 70
the river-my father Oh, see if he is
qaile dead ~
Harry sprang toward the river, not even
waiting TO take second glance at the
lovely face, rendered dcubly beautiful by
The wealth ofloose, flowing hair As he
reached lAe bank, he discovered that one
of the boats which he had seen, had dril.
ted far down the river, and he could just
descry some object lying in its bow.
"Remain here, lady ~ he said, quick
| ly leaping into the Mexican punga that
was .moored TO the shore, "Bu, stop
and drawing pistol from his belt, he
handed ii to her, Take this, he contin-
ued and should either Of those copper
dogs wake up, don'i be afraid 10 use it,
You won't hurt 'em."
lie cut lhe rope with his bowie. knife,
as the maiden took The weapon, and, sell
zing The oars, sped Out into the river ike
an arrow. The boat was far in advance,
but the arms Of Harry Woodward were
strong and snuous, and he made the little
oars Quiver as he shot in pursuit, with a
strength that caused even the punga TO
| tremhle.
Twenty minutes brought him along
side the boat, which revealed 10 him, a
man Of forty years, covered with blood, q
deep, wide cash across the brow, and
several sliiieuo wounds in the breast. He
was in the last sgones Of death [; tut, as
Diary reached over and lashed the boat
to his own. he seemed TO revive with sud-
den energy.
"My child - he gasped, lainlingly,
MARY !"
"She is safe, my friend" said Harry,
'',hanks to a good knife and strong
arm - And stepping into the boat, he
let loose the punga, and bent over the dy-
ing man.
"Oh, you have saved her !" he gasp
ed. Thanks, thanks-ten thousand
thanks yon-you will protect her--she
has no friends now--none in the wide
world ~
Il riN protect her ~ cried Harry, with
feeling, for glance al the wounded man
was suficien, to convince him that life
was al It's last thrObbing.
"Thanks dying fathers ,ha-" a
gutteral sound i'll the throst-a few al
most imperccpiable bIealhings-a sudden
bubble Of blood from the wounds, as
thrown out by the last throb of The heart,
and then Harry Woodward looked into
the face Of the dead ~
He had looked in many such, slain in
the strife Of battle or the struggle of hate,
without passing Il ought. But, as he
sealed himself at the oars, and turned the
bow of the boat up stream, he could not
keep from gazing upon that face, ghastly
in lis gore. Ii was fathers face. the
father of lovely girl, whom he, IN dy-
ing. had consigned 10 his care. Who
could tell what fond hopes and bright
prospects Tor his child had been suddenly
blasted in that deah.chid brain ! The
heart that loved was fast growing cold, ,and
she-so young and lair-was fa'IeIiess'
(riendless now Her name was Mary.
MARY sweetest name OF woman =
name of the mother Of Jesus the spirit
of music, the type Of virtue. The symbol
of religion y
So wrote that great American romancer
George Lippard. And so let everypo,
et sing to the end of time, for they should
sing nothing but truth.
Henry Woodward felt it as he neared
the shore. and Seheld her peering anx-
iously from the chapparel, watching his
or III l. 4.