Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1867-07-24
Vol. 81, No. 20.

been gracious, who walk uprightly ;
not OF those against whom thou art in.
censed, nor of those who 90 astray.'
The stronghold of the besieged free
oooter was wood, about two miles
long, by half a mile in breadth; impen-
etraDle IN many parts from the thick
orlers and close-set bushes. To at.
tempt TO beard the robber in his den
was considered too hazardous a deed !.
/ 1t was therefore determined to set fire
to the wood, in the quarter whence the
wind was blowing, and to lay in wait
Tor the fugitive on the opposite side.
thus they felt assured that, between
fire and sword, they were certain TO
destroy him. Kaid Mohktar now pro-
ceeded to station his men, in compa-
MES of six, at all the outlets of the
wood; then taking with him a few
chosen men, he rode round to the op-
poslte side to commence the work of
destruction.
Some dried leaves and branches hay>,
ing been collected, light was struck,
and the confagration commenced. At
first a small column of smoke curled
up IN the air: it was soon followed by
volume of flame towering to the
height of the tallest trees, and wither-
ing with its great heat every green
bush, ere it reduced it to dustand char
coal. The fire strided on: and what
was lately an impenetrable thicket be.
came a waste of smoking ashes.
The kaid, with his attendants, con.
tlrued busy firing the wood, wherever
the wind would favor the progress of
the flame. Success seemed to attend
the stratagem and all were waiting.
though not without fear, to discover
which outlet the terrible, and until
now unvanquished, Alec would choose
for his sally.
Then 1t was that a flame rose sud-
denly from the very centre of the wood.
at a spot some three hundred Yards
distant from the advancing fire, Il
bIazcd, it cracked, and rolled on with
headlong vigor of destruction and
at intervals was heard the rendinp
crash OF some giant tree, that had for
ages braved all the other elements. but
now lowered its noble head.
Who cried the Kaid in wild de.
spair, who but this accursed fiend
would have thought Of such scheme2
See he has fired the wood in the cen.
tre, and when all around shall be burnt.
he will choose his point of escape
Io prevent this, the Kaid had now
to change his plan and posted his men
all round the wood in parties of three.
They had commenced their attack
early IN the morning it was now about
noon. The fire they had first kindled
had just reached the yet smoking en-
bers OF the confagration in the centre.
and that, in its turn, had carried it's
ravages to the opposite border. One
small path still remained green all
around was mass of flame and smoke
The kaid had stationed himself in a
watercourse with three men. Birds
and animals were flying with terror
all around, needless Of mans presence;
and ever and anon frantic boar would
gallOp down the watercourse.
'Hush ! said the Kaid in a low voice.
he comes; and he comes our way!-
Be stead y and resolute.'
A mounted figure could now be seen
moving rapidly over the burning en-
oers. His pace increased as he near
I'd the ambuscade; and the slight fig-
Ire of a female, her garments black.
med with the fire and smoke, and her 4
ong hair streaming in the breeze. was
Ilnging to the waist of the robber.
lounted on a jet black steed, that with
iood red extended nostril and foan,
lg mouth, bounded as a deer overthe
uge rocks, Alec, with levelled gun.
ashed straight towards the party.
he kaid had now made sure aim, and
'ising shout to bring together the
ne OF valiants posted along the wood.
as about to pull the trigger, when a
eadly shot brought him corpse to
le ground. His three attendants
.ood firm, waiting with levelled guns
leir adversary's nearer approach, TO
i've him warm reception, and avenge
ne death of their chief.
Alec IN an instant had given the gun
o Rahmana, and, drawing his sword,
ow few like lightning on his oppo-
tents. The black mare, as if she knew
Ter owners danger, redoubled her
peed; and in an instant the robber
vas on them, and received their fire
lnhurt. Man after man rolled on the
ground; all fell who came within his
each, whilst he eluded every blow of
lis enemies.
The whole body of troops had now
pproached. The balls flew thickly:
ut, still unharmed, the hero and his
Fell-beloved pursued their course.
Alec having distanced his pursuers,
lacked his pace; he sheathed his
word, and reloaded his gun. One
orsemanye pursued him boldly. Alec
escended steep ravine, and, turning
lose round the side of the opposite
i'll, reined in the mare. The we'll
lounted pursuer was not many yards
/ his rear. Alec waited him, and
)on, with drawn sword and shouts of
he turned the corner.
'Fire? cried Rahmana, 'or we are
'stp
Let him come,' said her husband:
nd as the enemy approached, Alec
,cognlzed In him one of the Bokhary
lacks who had vowed vengeance on
Continued on last page.