Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-06-21
THE LAND PIRATE.
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.

BY y. II. ID.
During the war of the Revolution, the
district Of country lying between the
American lines on the Hudson, and the
British outposts above New York, called
familiarly the neutral ground, was infeo-
ted by a set Of wretches known as cow
boys, skinners, and land pirates, who
preyed at will on the wings. A party of
them long carried on their outrsges un-
checked in close vicinity to the British
lines; leader of redoubtable courage,
who had once been colonist of some es-
tate; but having squandered it in riotous
living, had taken TO his present irregular
life on the breaking out Of troubles. Ac-
counts of his atrocities had long before
found their way to the American lines;
and the evil at length became SO great that
it was determined at any cost to extirpate
his company. But this was found easier
to threaten than to achieve. Keeping
close to his secret haunts, or moving with
astonishing celebrity across the country, it
was impossible to discover or overtake
Harding, for such was the name the mis-
creant bore.
A young officer at length volunteered to
enter Harding's company as a spy, in or.
der to obtain such information as would
lead to his being entrapped. Lieutenant
Vaughan knew that his life hung on a
thread in such difficult mission, fer dis
covery would be instant death; but he had
a personal interest in the destruction of
the land pirates. His heart had long been
in possession of Emily Headley, the only
daughter of wealthy farmer, who, though
hitherto neutral, was suspected of leaning
towards the American cause, and the anx-
ieus heart of the lover began to fear that
Harding, attracted by the wealth of the
father, or the beauty of the daughter,
might, sooner or later, make Headley S
farm the scene of his lawless atrocities.
1t was dark and stormy night on
which Lieutenant Vaughan, disguised as
deserter, found his way to a low tavern
near the Hudson, where the land pirates
were known sometimes to harbor. With
great difficulty, and not without exciting
some suspicion, he was enrolled as one Of
their number; but his story was so we'll
concocted that all doubt after while was
removed, One morning comrade ap.
preached him.
"You are to accompany us for the first
time, to night, said he. "The captain ba,
resolved to attack old Headley, who you
may have learned lives up among the hills
and is almost as rich as an English lord
They say, too, that he has pretty daugh
ter, but of that know nothing, though il
he has, I'll venture to say the captain will
not forget her."
Vaughan could hardly conceal his agi
tation during these words. The blow
which he had long feared was about to fall
and he neither had the time to warn his
friends nor the power to avert the catas-
trophe. What could he do2 His first
thought was to desert and hasten to Head.
ley farm, but he knew he was watched
close, and that this could not be effected.
In a few minutes, however, Vaughan
managed to steal away from his comrade
and sauntered into the inn, for they were
then at another low tavern similar to the
one where he had first joined the free
hooters. The bar-maid was there alone
The words in which she spoke surprised
him.
"And SO Captain Harding is going to
attack old Mr.. Hcadley's house to night, u
she said, pettishly. ~ can tell him il
will come to no good. Mr.. Headley has
done him or the king no harm. But it's
the daughter, and not the father, Harding
is after. She refused him once, when he
was gentleman, and now he has deter
mined to have her on his own terms, the
villain -
At this confirmation of his worst fears
Vaughan could not withhold muttered
curse. The girl looked up. He saw that
his indignation had betrayed him, and hi,
eyes quailed beneath her searching glance
But he was relieved by what followed.
"Lieut, Vaughan" said the girl, bend
ing over and whispering in his ear, "you
see you are known; but you have nothing
to fear. / was brought up near your
fathers, and saw you many a day. My
parents farmed the little place at the foo
cf the hill Do you know me nOv2 !
am Kitty Gray"
The recognition was mutual. But tn,
pleasure derived from it was alleged Il
Vaughn by what he now heard of Har
dings intentions Kitty, it seems ha(
IiistOh0u, PiONOhuihb " 10 oSiOCP III wv
bar, while the leader had diVulged to tive
of his confidential followers, the evening
before, his purpose in taking the Headley
farm, and it appeared that he had hoard
ed up his old rejection, and had now re
solved to avenge himself by carrying of
the daughter of the old man by force
The blood of Vaughan ran cold at tn,
narration. Fortunately Kitty was dis
posed to assist him, for her woman's nstur
was not so far debased but what she coulC
feel for the peril Of Miss Headley.
"If 1 could obtain a trusty messenge
and fast horse, we might send word t,
the outpost at -" said Vaughn,
force could march for the farm and inter
copt our band"
at would be impossible to send off
messenger while Harding is here, sale
Kitty. "Besides we have no body t.
trust; but I'll tell you what can be done