The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-30
THE srAoR-coAcH RosBxR.
EExshangNl

n was on S 0lSmA, stormy evening lN the year I6-, that rough looking trav- eler passed over the bridge and through the gate of the old English city ot BsE- wick. Approaching the sentinel, who vas patiently walking his lonely beat, be asked leave to seat himself on . setsee which stood near the guard-house. Re- ceiving favorable answer, be sat down, took a crust Of bread out of his pocket and commenced eating with an apparent relish. To the guard he seemed to be a young artisan, although he could not see the mau's features, they being entirely overshadowed oy the broad brim of h,s hat.
 The rain commenced coming down in torrents, and the wind to blow furiously, while the black clouds gathered as it pre- pared far regular tempest :; 1t was jus, the kind ot night brigands wosld select for the execution of their dark deeds.
 Heaven guide you, if yoa are going to travel on such night as this P said the sentinel, as the man arose from the settee 10 continue his journey.
 "Thank your' was the strangers only answer, and, taking his heavy cane, he was soon away from the city. on the des. oiate heath which stretches out for miles along the Tweed. Having worked his way through the mud and mire for an hoar or so, he stopped, and after looking round as fl to select place, he hid him. selt h the bushes along the road. After having spent an hour under his rather insufficient shelter, he heard the sound of horses hoofs approaching, at which sound he slightly raised himself, as if preparing for an attack. The approach. ing horseman was bent over the steed's $ neck to break the force of the wind, and was speeding along as fas, as the condi- tion of the road would permit. Sudder iy, however, he felt some one seize the reins and stop his horse. Raising himself, his hands were held and pistol pointed at his head, while a calm and rather mild voice told him to "Come downp AL though stff with cold and frightened through surprise, yet he made an attemp, to take out his weapons, but as soon as he did so he was unceremon nIousiy thrown from his horse, and before he recovered himself from the shock, his horse and the mailbag had disappeared with his as- sallant.
 The day following the robbing of the mail for the north of the British kingdom, was the day set apart for the execution of one of King James opponents, Sir John Cochrane, who was awaiting his death in dark prison cell at Berwick. Sir John had identified himself with the party which opposed James IT,, and, being one of the leaders, he had been taken by force and sentenced to death. He had taken leave of all his friends and relatives except his oldest daughter, who for some unknown reason had thus far refrained from making use of the privilege of visit ing him.
 As Sir John was speculating in his mind on the probable reason of his daughter s motives the door of his cell opened and the jailer, accompanied by a handsome young woman, entered.
 " Sir John," said the taller, "the mail bag which contained the kings warrant was stolen from the postman last night. and in consequence your execution will be postponed"
 "Thank you" said Sir John, hardly knowing what to say for oy of seeing his daughter, to whom he turned, saying:
 My dear Gertrude, my darling daugh- ter !'
 "Your visit must be short" said the jailer to Gertrude Cochrane, and went out.
 My dear father" said Gertrude, when they were alone, "take courage, you shall not die."
 We have no reason for expecting par dou, :ny daughter. My life may have been prolonged few days, but the king will sign another warrant"
 "A few days, fatherf Why, there is hope as long as there is life. Is no, grandfather friend ot Father Peters, the kings confessor and counsellor p
 Alas, yes; but that will not save my lie. Do not beguile your heart with a false hope. It is the Lords will"
 "Amen /" answered Gertrude "nev. ertheless, father, you shall not die."
 A few more words thev exchanged when the iailer opened the door, saying that the time allowed for her visit had expired, and Sir John was again alone.
 Two weeks had passed since the rob ping of the mail, and again it is night. It is a brilliant night, however, and the moon is throwing fantastic shadows. The mail carrier is again crossing the heath of the Tweed, approaching Der wick with alert eyes, and his rish, hand on his pistol.
 Just as he turned around bush in bend of the road a pistol-shot breaks the silence 1.-the night, and he feels the ball grazing his hair. He grasps his own weapon, but his trembling hold of it made it go of without aim. The sudden noise of the shots in such rapid succession frightens his horse, who throws his rider of and starts to run but it is checked by the hand of the same mysterious stranger 0! 2 fortnight ago.
 "Your weapons or your life ;" says the same mild voice; continuing, after having recieved the pistol Leave me your horse and bag, and de not stir until am out of sight if you value your life "
 The bandit jumped into the saddle and disappeared as if on wings.
 For the second time were all the pre- parations necessary tor Sir John Coch-