The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-12-11

rs possible drew out their loading,
which having secreted, she returned
them to their cases, and resumed her
seat at the foot of the table. Here she
had barely time to recover from the
agitation which the fear of the mans
awakening during herrecent occupation
had thrown her, when the old woman
returned with the water and having
taken draught of which she stood
much in need, she settled her account,
much to the lady's content, by paying
for the water the price of a pot of beer.
Having then carelessly asked and ascer-
tanned how much longer the other guest
was likely to continue his sleep, she left
the house, and mounting her horse, set
off at trct in q different direction from
that in which she had arrived.
Making circuit of two or three
miles, she once more fell into the high
road between Belford and Berwick,
where she walked her horse gently on,
awaiting the coming up of the postman.
Though all her faculties were now abb
sorbed in one aim, and the thought of
her fathers deliverance still reigned
supreme in her mind, she could not help
figuring to herself the possibility OF her
tampering with the pistols being discov-
cred, and their loading replaced, in
which case it was more than likely that
her life would be forfeit of the act she
meditated. When she at length saw
and heard the postmau advancing be
hind her, the strong necessity of the
case gave her renewed courage and it
was with perfect GOODNESS that on his
coming close up, she civilly saluted him,
put her horse into the same place with
his, and rode on for some way in his
company. He was strong, thickset
E
nance, which did not seem to Miss Coch-
rane, as she looked anxiously upon it,
to SAVIOR much of hardy daring. He
rode with his mail-bags strapped firmly
to his saddle in front, close to the hol-
sters (for there were two), one contain
| ing the letters direct from London, and
| the other those taken up at different
postoffices along the route. After rid
| ing a short distance together, Miss
| Cochrane deemed it time, as they were
half way between Belford and Berwick,
to commence her operations. She there
fore rode close to her companion, and
said in a tone of determination ::
'' Friend, have taken a fancy to those
mail-bags of yours, and / must have
them; therefore, take my advice and
deliver them up quietly, for am pro-
vided for all hazards. ] am mounted,
as you see, OF feet steed I carry fire.
arms, and, moreover, am allied with
those who are stronger, though not
| bolder than myself. You see yonder
wood" she continued, pointing to one
at the distance of about mile, with an
accent and air meant to carry intimida-
ton, "Again, say, take my advice,
give me the bags, and speed back the
road you came for the present, nor dare
to approach that wood for at least two
or three hours to come"
There was in such language from a
STRIPPING something SO surprising that
| the man looked on Miss Cochrane for
an instant in silent and unfeigned
amazement. '' If" said he, as soon as
he found mis- tongue, "you mean, young
master, to make yourself merry at my
expense, you are welcome. L ana no
| sour churl to take offense at the idle
| words of a foolish boy. But if" he
| said, taking one of his pistols from the
holster and turning its muzzle toward
her, "you are mad enough to harbor
one serious thought of such matter,
I am ready for you. But methinks, my
| lad, you seem at an age when robbing
q garden or an old woman's fruit stall
would beft you better, if You must turn
thief, than taking his Majesty's mails
| from stout man such as am upon his
highway. Be thankful, however, that
you have met with one who will not
| shed blood if he can help it, and sheer
off before you provoke me to fire.
''Nay," said the young antagonist,
81 am not fonder of bloodshed than
you a1e; but if you will not be per-
| suaded, what can I do? For I have
told you truth-tHe mail I a0iu and
| mast hare. So now choose" she con-
tinued, as she drew one of the small
| L. III la
hberately cooking it, presented it in his
face.
''Nay, then, your blood be on your
own head" said the fellow, as he raised
his hand and fired his pistol, which,
however, only flashed in the pan. Dash
ing the weapon to the ground, he lost
not moment IN pulling out the other,
which he fired with the same result.
In transport of rage and disappoint-
ment, the man sprung from his horse.
and made an attempt to seize her, but
by al adroit use of her spurs she eluded
his grasp, and placed herself out of his
reach. Meanwhile the horse had moved
forward some yards, and to see anC
, seize the advantage presented by thil
, circumstance was one and the sa mt
to the heroic girl. who, darting towart
it, caught the bride, and having lee
her prize off about a hundred yards
stopped while she called to the thunder
struck postman to remind him Of he
advice about the wood. She then pu
both horses to their speed, and on turn
ing to look at the man she had robbeC
had the pleasure of perceiving that he
mysterious threat had taken effect, AM
ne was now pursuing his way back t.
Belford.
Miss Coehrane speedily entered tn
!, wood TO which she had alluded, and
tying the strange horse to tree, out o
all observation from the road, pro
ceeded to unfasten the straps of tn
mail. By means of a sharp penknife
} which set at defiance the appendet
: locks, she was soon mistress of the con
: tents, and with an eager hand brok,
open the government dispatches, whicl
, were unerringly pointed out to her b,
i their address to the Council in Edin
burgh, and the imposing weight ant
Z broad seals of office. Here she foun,
j not only the fatal warrant for her faith
! er's death, but also many other sen
r tences inhicting different degrees O
| punishment on various delinquente
These, however, it may be readily sup
] posed. she did not then stop to exam