Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-04-30
CHAPTER Nv.
IN THE SWAMP.

Casting anxious looks behind them' the
fair fugiiives saw The flames of their burn
ing home, and groups of men struggling
in the ligh, of the red glare. ltwas
mournful, thrilling spectacle. and they
hurried on TO escape it. Jupe, who had
proved courageous and active, encouraged
Them by precep, and example. Ruth
Havlland. being little behind her com
panions, heard The footsteps OF pursuers
and admonished hor friends ofthe fact,
who needed no new stimulus TO excite
them 10 The greatest effort OF which they
we're capable. They reached the Swamp
and took shelter in il Like frightened birds
The laurel was well nigh impenetrable;
innumerable vegetable arms were stretch
ed out TO oppose them, network o
vines and branches disputed there pas
sage. Their hands were lacerated by
contact with continually projecting points
and shreds of their garments were left up
on brake and brlsr. Urging their way a
long in the darkness and terrible in,ricacy
they soon unwilIingly became separated,
while their attempts 10 find each other in
volved them in new labyrinths. Torn,
bleeding, fain,ing with fear aud exhaus,
ton, Jessie Burnside sank upon the earth.
For time her physical and mental
faculties were in such a whirl of a TEN.
pest, that the consciousness Of everything
around her seemed slipping away from
her. There remained with her only q
heavy realization of something fearful and
shocking. At length the thillness of the
ground and the night air cooled her fe-
vered, system and restored her coherency
of thought. She raised herself and sup
ported her head upon her hand. Her
disheveled tresses, her disordered gar
menis, and her lacerared person remind
ed her Of the ordeal through which she
had passed. There, was latlce-work oi
vines around and above her. She thought
Of lhesudden change Of her circumstances
When the sun went down last, she had a
comfortable and belobed home; now she
had none, but was hunted, prosecuted
fugitive, covering in darksoms swamp,
the resort of wild beasts and lawless men.
She could not be so selfish as not to
think OF her companions. Where were
they ? She shnddered at the possibility
of what might have befallen them. A
painful recollection in regard TO her brave
defenders added unspeakably 10 the dis
traction of her mind. Far off in the
depths ofthe swamp she heard the shrek
of the panther, the howl Of the wolf. and
dismal notes OF the owl. Frighlful con-
trast to the peace aud security Of Laurel.
wood :! Looking upward through the
tenacious foliage into The dim sky. she
beheld black cloud of smoke. all .ha. re-
manned of her fathers mansion, save few
charred and smouldering brands that still
sen, up mournful incense from the lam
ily hesrihstone. She wept. sorrowed,
prayed for il is upon God, at last. that
the tossed, stricken, and disappointed
mind turns. The instincts and expert
ence of the whole human race prove be-
yond The shadow Of question. that He
alone can confer blessing and consolation
upon the bereaved, afflicted, and world
crushed soul. PRAYER to Him made her
calmer. A strange, balmy influence. un-
exoecied and sweet, stole into her being.
She would not, she did not quite despair.
There was a sound in the laurel hedges.
She listened with every sense awake.
Persons were working their way through
The tangled masses in the direction OF her
covert. Their progress was slow and
d;ff;cnl,. She heard muttered curses and
;mnteca,ions. Herfears were lmmeasu-
blv increased, for, The voice OF Mar'ln
W.n,as.le was so odous. and made so
many disagreeable impressions upon her