Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-04-29
CHAPTER ".
IN THE SWAMP.

CHAPTER ".
IN THE SWAMP.
Casting anxious glances behind them, the
fair fugitiyes saw the flames Of their burning
home, and groups of men struggling in the
| light of the red glare 1t was a mournful,
thrilling spectacle, and they hurried on to
escape. Jupe, who had proved courageous
and active, encouraged them by precept and
example. Ruth Hayiland, being a little
behind her companions, heard the footsteps
Of pursuers and admonished her friends Of
the fact, who needed no new stimulus to OK.
cite them to the greatest effort of which
they were capable. They reached the
swamp and took shelter in it like frightened
birds. The laurel was well nigh impene-
trablo; innumerable vegetable arms were
stretched out to oppose them, net work of
vines and branches disputed their passage
Their hands were lacerated by contact with
continually projecting points, and shreds of
their garments were left upon brake and
brier. Urging their way along in the dark
ness and terrible intricacy, they soon and
unwilling became separated, while their at
|
new labarynths. Torn, bleeding, fainting
with fear and exhaustion, Jessie Burnside
sank upon tho earth.
For time her physical and mental fac
uties were in such wbirl of tempest,
that the consciousness of everything around
her seemed slipping away from her. There
remained with her n heavy realization of
something fearful and shocking. At length
the chillness Of the ground and the night
air cooled her fevered system and restored
her coherency of thought. She raised her
self and supported her head upon her hand.
Her dshevelled tresses, her disordered gar
ments, and her acerated person reminded
her of the ordeal through which she had
passed. There was lattice work of vines
around and above her. She thought of the
sudden change of her circumstances. When
the sun went down last, she had comfort
able and beloved home now she had none,
but was hunted, prosecuted fugitive COVER
ing in darksome swamp, the resort Of wild
beasts and lawless men. She could not be
so selfish as not TO think Of hercompanions.
Where wero they? She shuddered at the
possibility of what might have befallen
them. A painful recollection in regard to
her brave defenders added unspeakably to
the distraction of her mind. Far off in the
depths of the swamp she heard tho Shrek
of the panther, the howl of the wolf, and
the dismal notes of tho OWL Frightful con.
trast TO the peace and security Of Laurel
wood Looking upward through the tena-
cious foliage into the dim sky, she beheld a
black cloud Of smoke-all that remained o
her fathers mansion, save few eharred and
smouldering brands that still sent up mourn
ful incense from the family hcarthstone.-
She wept, sorrowed, prayed-for it is upor
, God, at last, that the tossed, stricken anC
disappointed mind turns. The instincts
: and experience Of the whole human race
prove beyond the shadow Of question, tina
He alone can confer blessing and consola
lation upon the bereavod, afflicted and world
crushed soul. Prayer to Him made he
, calmer. A strange, balmy influence, unex
/ pected and sweet, stole into her being, Sh
would not, she did not quite despair.
; There was sound in the laurel hedge
She listened with every sense awake. PEI
: sons were working their way through tn
tangled masses in the direction of the GOV
: ert. Their progress was slow and difficult
She heard muttered curses and implications
: Her fears were immeasurably increased, 70
: the voice Of Martin Vantassle was so odious
= and made 50 many disagreable Impression
upon her memory, that she could not bu
: recognize its slightest tones She shran
r and crouehed to mother earth for protection
! as the Aartled partridge hides itself beneail
! = bough or in the friendly brake, to escap
the hurting shot of the hunter.
Discovery appeared inevitable, for tn
q cracking Of the limbs aud the strugglin,
and the low-breathed curses came neare
! and nearer.
| 'Perdition seize these bramblesr exclaim
ed Yahtassle. 'OBe can neither stand ul
or lay down, 60 forward nor go back
Jessie heard the speaker cast himsel
recklessly upon tho ground few yard
! from her. The laurel bent and complaine,
beneath his weight, communicating wav,
of motion to the vines around her. A vol
ley of oaths followed the remark.
You're in bad temper, Cap'n, said an
other who proved to be Simon Arrowsmith
who wouldn't be in a bad temper to b.
J baffied in this wayf growled Vantassle.--
J Twice the gal seemed 10 be in my powe
! tonight, and twice have been defeated By
that unknown devil one-eyed Saul Of The
Swamp
Its the gal-lhere's where the sho,
piuches. The loss Of the silver plate i
what troubles me. Twas fools trick t.