Nebraska advertiser., 1865-01-26

Of the turmoil of the times. aud of Ia
absence of most Of the male populano
in the continental army, they ravaget
the country at will, plundering and burn
ing farmhoases, and even, in some in
stances. subjecting the females 10 per
sOual violence. They were consequent
: the terror of the country.
! Of these men, David Rowel. or. a
he was tamIliarly called, from his con
pleKion, BLACK Davy." was the most no
;orious. Sometimes moving alone, and
sometimes accompanied by others, bu
always marking his track with some out
rage, he had gained for himself a n0to
rieiy as widespread as it was terrible
Il was The sight of this individual which
checked the steps of the young girl, and
drove' her trembling to seek refuge IL
her home.
Bu, her fear. il seemed, soon vanished
She had scarcely passed the threshold
before, as If acluatrd by a sudden reso
luton, she hastily turned back. and wItL
an un>hnBkIng face. though a beating
heart, confronted the refugee. What
ever was her motive, her fearless d.
meanor daunted him. He stopped, and
was silent.
What want you z what would you
have, sir why do you seek a lonely
house like this at such an hour 2" asked
the girl, wiki flashing eyes.
The abashed refugee had by this time
recovered his confidence, aud, with an
easy air, whlsIled aloud, and then he
answered the girl;
Not so fast, mistress, not so fast NE
are here after ynur good man. my dear,
AID, Though you have been married oniy
a fortnight or 30, we must settle our ac-
count with him. | have signalled my
men, and you see they are coming. We
must search your house. Come IN, boys, "
and, with these words, the refugee,
by three reu looking men.
VINO had just cnrne Up ia answer 10 his
Gail, passed into the house. The young
wlle-for such she was-gaz-d alter
nrm, and, lfuug her hands Oh high,
murmured thank >givIng thaI her hus-
tand had bot yet come.
Ir about ua rler of an hour The men
returned, and. swearing loudly at their
began TO search for The mast
rr Of the place among the few outhouses.
But their efforts were in vain. The
young wife. mranwhIle, though belray-
Ing no signs Of fear, stood there scarcely
knowing whether the enraged rufFians
would not the next momeu. take her lite.
This is TOO bad ~ said the leader,
with an oath after their unsuccessful
'.he viii certainly be here sotne-
ume to-nigh' Let us wait for The ras.
Ca ly rebel and shoot him down on his
own threshold -
This 6:utaI proposition just suited his
desperate followers, aud taking up their
quarters within. ordered lbe Youug wife
10 prepare hem some supper. Though
Iua hing The sight of her tormentor>. and
trembling continually lest her husband
should arrive. she vas forced TO OBEY
;hr,r commands. She continued, how
ever, TO keep always IN sight of the dnor,
50 as 10 obtain a view of her husband as
soon as be emerged from The wood, de-
lrrmrunng TO warn bim to fl"e al once.
though >iie should risk her life by the
generous acl.
Fly Fly, Richard, ay!"
Wha1 does the jade mean? g. asked
Black Davy. angrily, rushing afteT her.
Then, raising his piece, he continued,
GONE on, or you gre a dead man -
For an instant the husband paused =
He saw al a glance the situation of affairs.
aud though II was agony to leave his
wife in such hands. he knew II would be
certain death 10 appr each the house
His firm whig principles had made the
refugees and Tories bis political enemies,
AID be knew. that Black Davy had more
Than once sworn to take away his life.
His only hope, therefore, was in pre-
cipitate retreat That no personal IN
Jury would be offered 10 his wife, be fell
almost certain, for deeds Of that eharac
Ter had never vel been attributed to the
present leader of ,he refugees. These
RAPID thoughts caused i momenlary de-
lay, which we'll nigh proved his ruin
The refugee captain had already raised
his piece. aEd when be saw the huSbund
urn to fee he fired But The sell-devot-
ed wife at that very instant sprang for
ward, and struck up the musket at the
peril of her life. The ball whislled
harmlessy over her husbands head, and
IN anather moment be was lost in the
forest. The rufian tuned.
with the seowl Of denon en- bis face,