Maryland free press., 1867-02-14
THE OUTLAWS CRAG.
4 Legend OF the Revolution.
BY JAMES u. DANA.

~ f." s-HA BY JAxEs Y. DANA.
'' "' ''s - .--s
The Attle town Of Chester, situated on the
Il river, was once far more important than
khat present, for while everything else in this
wide country prospers, 1t is falling slowly but
surely to decay Many years have passed since
visited II, and even then It was q melancholy
sight, Houses which could remember as once
inhsbitsd were tenans'ess, fand often roofiess--
sse nelds when last saw them were waving
With corn now lay white and desolate, scorched
b the rays Of the August sun. Fences were torn
down, teuenasnts were tcttering to ruin-tbe
skeleton OF oldEloops lay bleaching in the shore
--even an ancient church hard by was turned
fnio7s desolats common, and over the whole
seens decay appeared to reign with melancholy
seeptre. ~ -~ .. ..af
II was different once, though that was years
ego. But I'only alluded to the place to call to
mind how feeting every thing 10 in this careworn
world. sa: u .. a..st ...
About mile back Of the village stands an old
weather beaten house, built of thick hswn logs,
and consisting ofa single room below, and mar
row garret above. It now forms the kitchen of
more modern structure, but at the period of the
Retaliation, and indeed, until within a few years
stood alone. 1t is plain old tenement and
glands at right angles with the road Behind it
10, or was . garden, stretching down to little
swamp, through which runs stream, of Gle
cool water, at which many time have drar
An sppls orchard once stood on the right of .e
md "A daofh ha~, ;,,c
may have ievelled both these.long since with the
dust. But that Is neither here nor there so
viii 60 on with my story.
II was a bright day in early summer, when
young girl stsod at the door of the house, look.
log anxiously up the road, as if watching for
ssme expected one. The sun was just sinking be-
hind the forest trees, pouring his mellow light
along the sandy road, and over the dark sombre
greene. the melancholy pines. Every thing was
IN rspose. Scarcely breath of air stirred the
laves-the believing of cattle was heard faint
fom sfar-ths ripple Of the little stream came
pleasantly to the ear, and of a shum of insects
growing every moment more los, died at last
away Still that young girl watched. She was
beautiful, but IT was the beauty ofa high resolve
looked At her second time, appear so young as
ihs first seemed She was perhaps eighteen, she
could not be over twenty, and yet had it not been
hrsn air ofwomanly dignitylabout her she might
have passed for a girl of sixteen only.
"what can detqin him7' at length she said as
ihsding her eyes with her hand she gazed anx-
iously from the dosr. 4.
The words had hardly been spoken before a
iaurs emerged fron::the woods up the road, aud
~ith glad smile, she was rushing forward a
rse or two to meet the conner, when suddenly
'hs checked her steps, she tnrned pale as de1th
and scarcely calculating 1.-THE Refugee" she
hurried back to the house. ....,t
1.-THE cause of her emotion was easily explained
By the characters of her approaching VISITORS
The Refugees were, ut that day, the brisands cf
ihs country Taking advantage of the turmoil
dthe times, and of the absence of most of the
male population in the continental army, they
nvsged the country at will, plunderiug and
burning farmhouscs, and even in some instances,
sommittiug persona! violence upon FEMALES
They were consequently the terror ofthe coun-
w. zee 9"''
Ofthese men David Rowei, or as he was fa-
niarly called fromlthe darkness of his complex
sn "Black Davy," was the most notorious
Smetimes moving alone and som shines accom-
Haied by others, bnt always marking his track
With some outrage, he had gainel for himself
hotsriety as widespread it was terrible. 1t was
height of this individual which checked the
aep' Of the young girl, and drove her trembling,
70 seek refuge in her home.
But her fear II seemed soon vanished. She had
Ssrcey crossed the threshold before rs If acua-
I'd by some sudden recollection, she hastily
turned back, and with an unshrinking face,
aaagh beating heart, confronted the Refugee.
Whatever was her motive, her fearless demeanor
ssashed the renegade. He stopped and was sir
hnt "
What want you-what would you have sir
ssy do ysu seek lonely house like this ct such
hhourr' asked the girl with flashing eyes.
The abashed Refugee had by this time recover
ahs confidence, and with an easy air he whis-
asd aloud, and then answered the girl.
mot so fast, mistress, not so "a ast-we are here
A'r your good man, my dear, and though you
h'e been married osiya fortnight or SO, we
ssH settle our account with him. I have sig |
sailed ny men, and ycu see they are coming -
"emust search the hou-e; come on boys" and
slA these words the renegade, accompanied by |
a'e rough looking men, who had just come up
han'wsr to his call passed into the house. The
!oang wifs-for such she was--gazed after them,
aa'uured Thanksgiving that her husband had
bot yet eoue. ..'
By--, this is too bad, }" said the leader, af-
"a their unsuccessful search, che will Icertainly
where sometime to-night-let ne wait for the
n'caly rebel and shoot him down on his own
aushold." '.. q. ..-...
The brutal proposition just suited his desperate
followers, and taking up their quarters within,
ne' ordered the young wife to prepare them
san' supper. Though loathing the sight of her
'Saentors, and trembling momeptarily lest her |
s'aaand should arrive, she was forced to obey |
as'f commands. She contrived, however, al
ssS' 70 keep in sight of the deer, so as to OBJ
ln view of her husband as soon as he merged