Year: 1869

The Demon Of the Swamp.


During the war Of the revolution,
that part of the country lying near the
Coosah river in the state Of South
Carolina, was infested with band Of
murdcrous wrctchcs who preyed on
both rich and poor. This band car
ried on their ourages in close proX-
unity to the British lines.


4 leader Of rcdoubtable courage
who had once been wealthy, and held
an office under the British government,
but having squandcred his wealth, and
betrayed his trust, was banished from
society, lad taken up his present
mode Of life o. the breaking out of
troubles between England and Amer
lea.


Accounts of his atrocities had long
before found their way to the Ameri-
can lines and the evil at length be-
came so great, that it was determined
to eXtirpatc his company; but this
was easier said than done.


Murdcn for such was the name of
the robber chief, was not a man to be
caught mapping, His retreat was far
hack in the swamp, where none not
acquainted with the route would ever
find it. Nurdcn would swoop down
on an unprotected plantation, rob and
pillage, and then carry off all the able
bodied negroes to his retreat and keep
them in a pen until he got a cargo of
them, send them to Jamaica and sell
them. And it is said that some of
the money found its way into the peck
cts Of the British officers.


A young man by the name OF Ralph
Bowden offered to enter Murdens 5
company as q spy, in order to obtain
such information as would lead to the
capture, or the breaking up Of this
band. He knew that his life hung by
a thread in such dangerous mission,
for discovery was death; but he had
a personal interest in the capture Of
the robber chief. His heart had long
been in the possession Of Annie Lea
ton, and his heiress. He was a kind
man, aud every one loved him that
knew him.


The anxious heart of the lover be-
gan to fear that Murden, attracted by
the wealth of the uncle, or the beauty
Of his niece, might make Lcaton's plan
tation the scene Of his lawless atroci-
ties.


1t was a dark and stormy night Oh
which Ralph, disguised as a deserter
found his way to a low town near the
edge of the swamp where he thought
he should be most likely to find some
Of the band. With great difficulty he
enrolled as one of their number, but
t his story was so well concoctcd thai
all doubt after a while was removed
One morning a comrade approached
him and acco5tcd him thus: " You arc
to accompany US tonight for the frs
time; the captain has resolved to at
tack old Leaton, who you know live:
about five miles up the river in that
big store house; he is said to be rich
. they say he has pretty niece TOO, bu
of that | know nothing, though II
venture to say that the captain vii
u not forget her


Ralph could hardly conceal his agi
IS tation at these words. The blow b,
e had long feared was about to fall, anC
he was helpless to avert it. Wha
. could he do. his first thought was t
desert and hasten to the plantation
and give the alarm, but he knew b,
y was closely watched, and that thi
a could not be done. In few minute
he managed to steal away from tn,
rest of the men and enter small cot
d tage where lived a widow and he
daughter. This cottage was in an ou
$ OF the way place where people seldom
came. They never liked to hav
Murden there, but he would come whel
he had mind to, and as he never ol
tcred them any harm, they were force,
to put up with him.


The widows name was Clay an


her daughters was Mary Clay
When Ralph entered, Mary was ther
alone. She looked up as Ralph er
tered and said:


4" So Capt. Murden is going to a


tack Leaton'S plantation tonight?


can tell him it will come to no gooC
Mr.. Leaton has done him nor hi
III king no harm, but it is the niece, no


the uncle, he wants; she refused hiI


once when he was a gentleman, an


now he has determined to have her o
= his own terms


At this confirmation of his wors
h. fears, Ralph could not Withhold a mu


tered curse. Mary looked up; h


saw that his Indignation had betraye


him, aud his eye quailed beneath he


searching glance. but he was relieve


10y what followed;


= Ralph Bowden," she said, viii
nd pering in his car, you see you ar
rs, rs known, but have nothing to fear.


was brought up near you; my fathe
D. was your fathers overseer till he diet
n, | know not what would have. becom


Of US if it had not been for the kinC
es ness of your father in giving US tn
IA q cottage. My name is Mary Clay


the recognition was mutual.
Il. Mary 1t seemed had overheard Mu
e, den tell one of his confidential me
- Of his plan to attack Leatons plant;
:, tion and carry Annie off to his r,
III Il