Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-04-27

bride rein of Lydias stced before the
young girl had gotten out Of the reach Of
his hand
A small slender whip dangled from the
lady's wrist, aud quick as fash, she drew
back her arm and struck her assailant
cutting blow across the face. Blood flowed
instantly, and the Englishman uttered 3
howl Of pain, but did not relnquish his
grasp Of Lydia's horse, as the young girl
calculated be would.
Let me pass at once, sir, or I'll repeat
the blow" she exclaimed boldly.
"Try it again, you she-devil, and I'll
show you no more mercy than l would a
dumb beastl" shouted back the enrnged
Briton.
ct know just what you are capable of
doing, and act accordingly" !" responded
Lydia, her head erect and her eyes fash
ing FIRE. "You wear a scarlet coat and
nothing further is needed !"
"You are cursed rebel, and, like all
rebels, deserve butlittle mercy !" responded
the Englishman, grinding his teeth with
rage.
"Yss, base Briton, If to hate, and every
way in my power oppose wrong, injustice
and tyranny constitutes a rebel am one
Of the worstl" rejoined the young girl,
wholly carried away by the deep indignity
Of her feelings.
"You talk bravely, my lady, and have
had a good teacher; but you can't frighten
me with high-sounding words !" replied the
officer, sopping the blood from his wounded
check, and glaring fercely at the dauntless
maiden.
81 talk as / feel, minion of tyrant
kingl and like my brave father, know no.
thing Of fear!" was the proud reply.
"Indeedr" reioined the Engiishman,
deeply and bitterly. "And, pray, my
pretty heroine, who might your brave
father be? Some rascally cur, I'll war
rant ~
"Contemptible Briton, my father occu-
pies place the likes of you could never
hope to aspire to, and no man living, friend
or foe, would dare to hint wrong and
couple the name of Colonel Moore with
such an act
"Colonel Moore, indeed the rankest
traitor that ever lifted his hand against his
lawful sovereignl' responded the English
man, between his set teeth.
"Liarl" cried the young girl, vehe-
mently ''My father is true patriot, and
as brave and honest man as livesp'
"a cursed rebel, who deserves hanging
and will get his due the first time he falls
into the hands of his majesty's soldiers |
We have been looking for him, and some
others like him, this long time. Come, my
lady, you 60 along with me into the camp !
With you in our power, VIC shall have
better chance of securing your rebel father,
and that will repay me somewhat for this
cut across the face"
My brave father is safe beyond your
reach, and so will his daughter be in few
moments |" rejoined Lydia, again suddenly
drawing back her arm and dealing the
Englishman another blow that for the in
slant fairly blinded him. At the same
time she urged forward her horse with
hand and voice. Obedient to the will of
his mistress, the noble animal gave a
plunge, jerked away from the wrthing and
bewildered Englishman, and dashed ahead.
With a cry of rage Lydia's assailant
spurred up his own good horse, and madly
darted in pursuit Of the flying girl. At
the top of their speed the animals tore along
the road. The race was determined and
exciting one, but everything seemed to in
dicate that Lydia would finally out distance
her pursuer.
On they sped for mile at least, and the
young girls heart bounded with her in
creasing prospects of escape. Suddenly,
however, her horse stumbled and threw
her from his back. Fortunately, the soil
was not very hard, and our heroine escaped
any serious injury. Stunned and insensi-
BILE, however, she lay stretched out upon
the ground. Her horse recovered himself
instantly, and, after running forward three
or four PAGES, stopped.
In few moments her pursuer reached
the spot. Bending down over the pale and
half unconscious girl, he muttered
"She's as handsome a woman as ever
put my eye on, and just as sharptongued
and bold as she's handsome BY my soul !
| | wouldn't have such a virago for the
crown Of Jewels Curse her ready hand :"
he added suddenly and hatcfully 81 owe
her deep debt and woman as she is, I'm
almost tempted to put bullet through her
proud heart But, no I'll take her into
the camp; she will serve as hostage for
her father. Come, my lady, you are past
using your whip now Perhaps, if you'd
not been quite so ready with your hand
and tongue, you would have been on your
way home now, if you have one, and not
into the camp Of the enemy"
Meanwhile Lydia had been slowly re-
covering consciousness but neither word
or sign indicated the favorable change,
With returning sensibility she fully real
lied the necessity of being careful and
cautious.
The Englishman bent forward with the
intention of lifting up the young girl, and
his position brought the butt of pistol
which he carried at his waist in tempting
proximity to Lydia's hand. With sud
den CLEAN in her bright and earnest eyes,
the young girl grasped the weapon and
sprang to her feet, almost overturning the
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