The Lancaster ledger. (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, February 08, 1854, Image 1
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St9 PTTI? AlVMTTiVr . chainkd td no partvs i we ci.eave to truth, where'er 1xt a a \tpit
*IPw 1 xjll llllil UlH. arbitrary sway, she leads the way." li> l\ I J \ iVlAvyXL/*
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NEl'TRAL IN POLITICS?DEVOTED TO LITERARY, COMMERCIAL, AGRICULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, GENERAL A.\D LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
VOLUME II. LANCASTER, C. II, SOUTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY MORNING.FEBRUARY 8.1851. NUMBER 61
I hard to-day. tuul must drive hard tumor- I of her birth which mii/ht Ix> hp??><l...i I ??:? *? "?> ? 1 - *' - ' ' 1
CH _ * * I *? i 1 }
aHii origin
WRITTEN EXl'RKSSLV FOR TI
?*
ALMETTA A
THE MAID OF
OR
fj p IB m n tp i
h h. r a li i j
THE ROBBER OF TI
A ROMANCE OF TI
15V WILLIAM CLIX
At'TIIOR or M'SCELLAKEOl'A Ior.MS UNI
Ten miles to the east a rough ami un- j V!
even road led |V< in Je Larson to Wilkes- ,r
borough. On this route, resided one <>f cr
the strikers, and whenever u wngon load- a!l
cJ with produce, or a ?lr??vo of beef-cattle |
would happen to pas* along to market, it : I*''
was his business to inform his co-laborers ^
of llio circumstance, who were always
like blood-hounds, ketn for an adventure.
As soon as information was received at
? the Iloek Home, tlu-y usually went off hi
in quest of the prize, leaving only two of e'
their number in the cave to guard it, and
to-give the alarm if any dauger threatened
them. S.nn??times after taking a herd of l,i
cattle in'this way, they wmtld slaughter m
one and lease it so haggled as to induce
the belief that wolves or other vermin ,a
h id destroyed the owner, whose clothes l'[
were rent into shreds, and rolled in the SiJ
gore ol the butchered bullock.
The heath and fern so densely covered n|
the earth that not a single foot-print hi
could ho distinguishable. From this se
place, without delav, they returned with lit
their acquired stock to Covo Creek, near 01
the Hock House, where they were enclosed ril
utitii the Mountaineer was ready to take ai
them otr and sell thoin. This was solely si
his business, lie had a share in the cap- in
lure, but he was no less culpable than rc
thev. He was on an exitodition of this v?
' i
kind, when U alt mot with liiiu at Mor- in
gait ton. lie alw ays sold their booty, and it
every three months nuide a return to the V
company, when there was a dividend ac- ! Fi
cording to the stipulations of the club, tli
Olio or inoro aided him to get to mar- la
ket with their stolen goods. The striker, pi
at whose house Watt and hi* "Chevalier lb
<Chonneur" refreshed llioint elves, had ill
Iteen in / nmnnno tatttl. ?l.~ ? l? 1 "
... nam VIIVJ lllliri, oill HilV- all
ing tuld out, was dismissed before Watt w
niHalo li'm iteipiaintance, however, ho wm cji
looking for the Mountaineer that evening, in
mi l era* not surprised at his appearing er
there at the lime, hut Watt of course was
n stranger. in
Near the Jlock House, on the west, wn>
another road, leading from Joneslrorough vv
to Morganton, which was a thoroughfare ( tj4
for horse-drovers. It was the most d'reet
route from that part of Tennessee to the ov
South, and generally afforded rich oppdr- m
itinilies for the e.\erii*e of high-way roh
hery. | ro
In the direction of Jefferson, however, ;
our hero first tried his skill as a robber; .
it..?..-i ?? 1 - **
.u.'Hg,i uiiM CMiiii, ii Min noi prove a vorv | *"
heavy draw. The case was a wagoner
from Ashe, hauling veniaoirhnins, hrnndy ""
and other articles of produce, which he ,
hoped, no douht, would yield him a sum
of money to hoard .ip for (he payment of
land that he formerly purchased to enlarge
his farm. \
True to his trust, the striker on that
road, as soon as lie discovered that the
wagoner had struck up camp, posted oil ??
for the Kock House to inform hie Captain. eR
Coining within one quarter of a mile of ?"
the cave, he gave the signal, which was
answered hy the sentinel at the Hollow
Chestnut. Immediately he was ushered t'1'
If?, arui lit great liaste relate* Till errand. *'K\ I
"Captain Watt," **y* he, "near tny hon?e, 10
tjr the rpriug, m wagoner from A?he is nn
camped, willi k load of various article*, 'T<
wod if yf?u mid fi-nr or five men go with b?
me, We can tako liim ?UJV* exuuwli U
emphaMxing the last? " t??.fm if he 'l''
weru wx'periwivccd in tenting his manhood. c'u
Tbe Captain, knowing on wlioin to 'n
rvly in n j?net,iT? of thirf kied, adect* **'
four of his choice men, and being soon
pntpneedy trora on ttic^r Jetniey, through
m mm\.
c
IE " LANCASTER I.EIKJER.
ii
IEADOWS,
L
WATAUGA.
t
X W IT T, :
HE ROCK HOUSE. ''
o
IE BLUE-ltlDdE. s
a
Ii
TON ('ASTON.
)KR THE SICMATURR OF "ETIWAS." t
II
V
ll
illojs and over ImI!?, often times their |,
uck led them in the very channel of the t
cek, which was decidedly in their favor, f
i no trail could he discovered. a
Al>out ten o'clock at night, the com
?njr 01 ma nrmeti hi mo camp cr the J
>nest teamster, who, f??r several Lour*, p
id Ik*?!! folded u the aennnolesceiU nnus r
' Morpheus. jl
The barking of h:s little dog interrupt- tl
g his slumbers, he raised up and listen- <?
I, hut hearing nothing, drowsily ntttt- f
re: ?
" llist! S uieho ! that's right. Keep a
ijht eye afloat; but I'd tliatik you to let (
ie sleep.*'
The little animal catne up, wagging his ^
iil, and looked towards the valley, where ]
ie banditti had halted, and seemed to j
gnify to his master, that all was not right. ,
he sleepv man patted his faithful guard ,
I ton the head, ami says to hint, for he (|
ltd no other companion: Perhaps yoti i
ent a wolf. 1 must examine my gun. (
tie Sancho." f?o Haying, he hissed him ' ,
it again, at the same time inspected his >(
lie, which he placed near to his side,
xl was hoou snoring again. 1>lit his (
millers were soon dispelled to return no
ore, only iit the sleep of death. The <
ihhcrs, after reconnoilering the camp, ad- .
meed a few paces, until they came as (
air as piudettco could warrant, whence ,
appeared that one, only, reeled there,
et, Captain Watt, if not altogether like
ulstart in his opinion of valor, thought <(
lat discretion was the safest, and would ^
? the most certain to aid hiiu iu accom
ishing his murderous design ; he there
resent two of his men to take purticar
notice of the owner or owners. They
e
d not positively know how many there
ere, but tho runner saw only one, who
une for ti e, and lie did not enquire how
any were along with him, lest lie would
eale suspicion.
The spies approached liiin, ami after
terchunging mock salutations, intern'ga
I liiin, as to where lie win going, and 1
liether lie I?a< 1 heard of any robber* in
e range of his travel*. lie replied:
" Not in this part of tl.e State; though
er in Tennessee, horsc-stealers were nu
eruiis. lint," added he, "wolves are
nro dangerous ih tn robber* on this
Ad I
" I see you have a gun," says one. " Is ti
a good one." ft
" Tolerable certain," answered the wag- ?
or. It
" |>o you not wish to trade il ?" further t!
jtlired the robl?er.
" No," was the impulsive reply; 411 h
ay need a gun yet, and this is um good v
one as any I'll get here; it's one of t
ennedy'a l?est." o
" Well, if you had a fair chanee, would ti
ii not join h secret club?one thnt lives n
*y ami free an mountain Urdu- -unin^r \
Iv u little million wben ninong Urati- v
r*T" tl
" 1 don't know what you menu P say* o
9 afttoniftlied wagon?-r. "I want to n
< }>; it'a ino*t luhmight. If you want n
Knv aiti'lLii.r# ! ? ii.? I
.'+.J o?. ? VV'UIO III Mio ?||UI lll|l^( n
d we will trade: 'lia too late to niglit. I;
t looked ? if he wanted them away, t
t only one left, while tlie oihere remain n
; meanwhile endeavoring to amttae h
n by chat, nntil the other part of their ?
ih rairte ^ip. Captain Watt, appeared A
the front, and a* ho *nrteycd the wimp, a
Med the tenant in a harp ton* : o
How are you, to night t *
"Very tired, friend. 1 Tmv* ilrivVn ,1
t.. .
ow."
" That is as I please!" thundered the
htptain, in a menacing voice. "I allow
10 man to pass this road, and if you make
lie least resistance, your own load shall
huso day-light to shine through you."
The unfortunate man was sufficiently
irave, yet the number against him, and
he tone of Watt, at once convinced him
hat resistance would only hasten hlsdes*
ruction, s:n e they possessed his gun, and
lis little dug hcing too diminutive to uf?rd
him any assistance, lie considered an
lujUitlified surrender the only hope, lie
ad a particular horse, which, if ho could
nlv get at. would carry him out of dan r's
roach, but they stood between him
nd Ins wagon, thereby entirely blighting
lis most distant prospect of escape.
Wat commanded his men to tie him,
dding at the time, "That we have no
line to lose, two of rou gear the horses
lid then hie away." Tho affrighted
vagnner gave one loud yell, but soon tho
mckskin strap was over his mouth, his
lauds were ti?d and he thus cot dined was
hrown in the wagon. The dog barked
nriously, and attempted to bite the assailnts,
but a stroke over the head with
, fire brand ipiickly disptrched him.
'he tent and bedding, with tlio other apleudagesof
the wagon, were all rolled up,
eady for a change of place. The road,
the truck could i>e termed litlcli, lay
liroutrh a very rough regi .it, and aUuindd
in laurel shrubbery so densely studded,
hut with the greatest difficulty they processed
homcwaid.
Tliat part of tha cargo whieli cbn*i?ted
if cheese and venison was conveyed to ths
amp. but the bran ly was Ivfr near the
dace where they captured their defenceass
victim, because the law of the Knck
louse forbade tlio intro<luetion of spiiits
rithin its walls, and drunkenness whs
itiuishable with death. The poor owner
if the team, after having travelled four or
ive milei over a tough roi.d, was strangled
.lid Ins head cut oil* and thrown a few
i.'ct from his body, which was placed in
i sitting po?tuie, near a clamp of lauiul;
he neck was haggled in a shocking maiiicr,
in order, that if ever found, appearuccs
would indicate that a wild cat or
atmnoiint had been his destroyer. Ills
ted clothes wore wrapped carefully around
he wheels of the wagon, that no track
ould be found. I't this manner they arived
at the lioek lJnu*e a little after simise
tho next morning, willing to rest until
mother opportunity of glutting their b.ir(arolls
propensities.
Tliis attempt was successful, and Watt
van encouraged in this heinous mode
if life, but ho afterwards learned that
very comjtiest Was n>>t so easily accoindished.
CIIAlTKIt IX.
IAMK IIOI.irilM AT Til K Ilf.'Jt'KST OK MKrTIE
MOVK.fi TO VALI.KV rilfCIfi.?CAPT.
WATT I'AHSVS Tl:v -
? ...? i.iic.n a I I lib.
SAJIS PLACK. BKCOM H ACQUAINTED
WITH MBTT4K, AND I'ltOFKSSCH TO LOVF.
HKK.? HIS I'AMSIOS Is UKC1PUOCATED.
Time rolls on, and Mettio still wishes
? go to tlio oM play-ground. She was
3iul of company, and as old Marg' fcnrd,
would gradually become |e?s inclined
a dwell in that retired and lone some setleinent.
I/OVO had never yet touched her heart
cyond a childish preference, but she
ins not long to rema'n free from the
yrant, whose penetrating shaft has pierced
very human heart, that is a heart. Met
ie a(l?T many entreaties persuaded the
[internal dainc to break upnnd go to the
'alley, where t>lm could be near her son,
those family w is small, and therefore,
lieir company v otdd not intrudv upon
r crowd him in the lenst. Thu old lady
?sented to the request of the hewibflliiig
iiaiden with seeming reluctance; yet, in
er sonl, ?ho was glad to be near herony
child, though the chcerfui Maid of Waugn,
whom she had nourished, was alliost
as dear t?> her iih he. It was the
eginn'mg of tW fifteenth your of Mcttie,
I ben ftliu lell ibe CoUagtf eft, Uio delightiit
rivor, u> lire at Valley Crucie, tho |>nrof
the liltio KiUgo One thought
nlj at i#tnvinjf, ma<l? her r?vd# ami that;
Hta th4 of l>er "erad!.-,* hut Mr
elighi in ,t . r m.HH*) bv the mystery
/' V. 4 " -
I ? "
I shame, or at least w is an extraordinary al
circumstance. li;
It is now tlie fall of of 1029. I>anie ,
Hollers had now become one of her son's !>
household at 'the Valley, and Mettie was w
1 e
j enjoying the reputation of being hand-, e<
| some and was, by far, the most charming t <1
; girl of the village where she resided. She ei
in truth, was the belle of the place, and in
was universally styled the "Maul of Wa- n
tauga." y i tl
lit-r education was. plain and simple, | U
by no means ornamented with the niani- y
fold accouipiifb merits that characterize the ti
hello of the prfesont day. Pianos, harps n
and guitars were never heard to vibrato w
their silver cords, within tlio hearing of h
the valley, yet, Mottio was not ignor- a
:uit of the divine art. Tiio cymbal was in
peculiar to that part of the mountains,In
i riginally settled by the Swiss, and aleltie gi
was well acqtnMQied with its music. In | m
j form, it resembles the violin, only instead si
I of a bow a cylinder is m ido to revolve a ol
: gainst tlie strings, whose tones are modu
, Iati'd l?y the finger, us other stringed in- ul
trirnents are. iii
Mi'vtie was. an adept, in performing on ib
the instrument, and Mrs. Holler- frequent- :n
ly hud vir.?<<jr*, w ho, charmed by the tliril- . V
ling strains from ' her cymh.il, expressed ol
their admiration of the performer. Her to
voice wiu exquisite, possessing none of
those j.irs and discords that accompany in
the efforts of our Southern voices; while In
it delighted you, it also, from its plaintive w
cadence, produced a sigh. si
'kite a vison had now approached, when st
Ithe totdrcv* Hock House left iKe'w-j <*l
1 riVoeritTOu, and returned to their own fain- c<
ilies. The winter was ahout to set in*
ana their predatory nets were suspended ?
until the following summer. This tempo- ei
rnl release, gave Captain Watt an oppor- a
tunity of riding about and passing his time ' u
its best suited his inclinations. The Val- v
I
ley was distant ten or twelve miles from I c<
liis head quarters, alid was within range j u
I of his circuit. A law of the club required ; ti
| ...... I .
each member to remain within fifteen i ci
' miles of the station, for the term of two 1 st
| years; therefore, he was compelled to ob- : n<
! serve tliis limit, as well as bis subordinate*. ! w
i lie had, however, only one year to rc- 1 oi
| main in these narrow bounds, and then I p
J ho could become one of the Grand Club, j t<
Although the Valley was near, ho nor j |"
| his men ever ventured within its vicinity, j tl
j The chances for booty were less certain 11
J than the ri-k of being discovered, there- I p
I fore, prudence induced them to observe a j p
regular system of turn intcrcouse. Watt I"
being now desirous of improving his know- 1}
ledge of the place, resolved, under the pre- *><
text of owning I ami in Beech Mountain, hi
where he had graziers attending to his w
herds to pass the winter at the Valley, li'
There was no tegular inn at the place, yet
ho found comfortable lodging* with a ni
family near Mr*. Hollers'. ! jy
In passing about the trjlluge, ho be- j of
j came acquainted with a number of the
j rcfi letits, among them ??# the above j cc
| named gentleman, who with true mountain at
hospitality, often invited him homo with , I
; him l>y this means he formed an at- | I
taehment that influenced him through ; lo
? I
life. The sound of the cymbal had its j
charms, lho narration of hair-breadth
escapes from the panther or bear, could M
excite ; but the voice and smiles of Almct- *'r
i ta Meadows, stirred up his latent energies b>
to livelv action. Hemorse had, for the I
first time, with her blackened gn.b, stood d?
before him ', he w as a plunderer, an aesas- j ol
sitt, and conscience hade him to hold his j !,t
peace, lie in war lly determined if rejnn- I
tence ootild calm his clamorous conscience, i hi
to yield no longer to the persuasive prom- I 'it
i.....?s??
| HM HM |lil|7? lllv?|rii.n MJW*I l?!
wa? not naturally of a deprared dispod- j
j lion, but was influenced more by impulse,
in tlie eonrsc lie bad taken, than by in- )'?
clinatioo. He bad de.vrted hi* paternal g<"
roof in a fit of jH-tulnnoe, and now was uni- 'o
ted to a banditti which bo *onld not safe- lo
ly d^ert; yet, to gain tbo adorable Met- tb
lie, was the absorbing desire of hie soul. to
Tlie nnsu?pccting maiden, now sixteen,
was not dreaming that the leader of that A'
clam of men, which sb? tniioh dreaded, J*
wn? framing in hi? bosom a plan to gain
her atfceiion*. 8b* received frequent via- "
its froin the enamored Captain, and a* )"<
no ono hilerttfJH, li? wax daily gaining \
favor in bcr sight. Ho bad l>ten inform- ol
ed by iJaroo Holler* bow she eaino among yt
theirl, aha told Ktn si* was not ber child, '
jyet i>Ut termed >?, "brother," and herself, ^
-she et .inreTaa, 44 mother {?*the kltowh
*v i ?( ^ "
. .iiw1t ?u ' &S)L? f* v*?aifc2k/LJha
*.???.-? ijwuicvi siri'iiguii'ii uie v/apiam !
Ltachment for die foundling, whose birtl
ml the appearance of romance.
Things passed on as usual at the Val
y, until nearly spring, when the clnl
ould be required to meet at their wont
1 station. Walt knew his stay at nt
is taut period would cease, and that soon
" or later he must give vent to his feel
ig. lie gained ascendancy over his re
lorse, and ventured to ask permission ol
10 old lady to address her foster daugh
r. She had no objection to bis visits
et thought it altogether out of the qiies
011 to poison the mind ot her child, will
oiions of love. Indeed, the goi>d oh
oman went l?Jni.rli' ltn?
cr composure, she replied, "She is l>nl
child vet, only a few years ago, I nursed
i these arms, ami think^to part witli
er now. 1 cannot, no, no! I canuol
rant any ono the privilege of winning
iy daughter's affections from mo;" then
le uttered a shower of praise in behall
'Mettle's kind and obliging dispositon.
Still, Walt was not discouraged by the
d lady's reply, but rather was put oti
in guard then in her presence. His vis
$ became more frequent at Mr. Hollers'
id it was soon rumored abroad that Mr
an Iloiulrick was iu love wftli tint Maid
' Watauga, and that sl.o was not averse
i his attentions.
The belle of the Valley was doomed to
udergo a trial as painful as that of Amci,
her mother, when Frank loft for the
ar; yet Mettic's honor was untarnished;
io dreaded no consequences from the
paratiou which would deprive her of on?
ie loved more than the nuroi loss of his
onipuny.
She now began to love him almost t<
deration. His manner towaids her wai
ngaging, his conversation was plcasan
ml sparkling, slio discovered that his ed
cation was of a high order, even be
ond her conceptions of intellectual ex
silence; yet she knew nothing of ini
lorality, and could not draw a distich
on between a renegade and an uprigli
tizeii. Watt was careful to observe tin
riciest watch over his temper. She luu
othing to fear fiom that quarter, lb
as a man of firmness, and whatever hi
nee resolved on, he was certain to nccoin
li>h. Ho had promised his conseicnci
? abjure his predutory life, and if onc<
assessed of M>tlie as a partner, In
lougl.t he might yet bo a bappy man
le was :.w a-e of her destitution of pro
i rly, yet it. produced no abatement of hi:
nssioii. Ho believed ho could suppor
or in a becoming style, and that paver
r was*no crime. He reasoned with him
df further; he was of the opinion tlia
is father would send for him if he onct
ould settle, and evinced a disposition U
re by his own efforts.
Having canvassed all this in his owi
iud, ho embraced the first opportnni
of making a declaration to the channel
'his heart.
Hoing left in company with her on fi
rtain evening, ho began thus : " Vm
'< certainly assured, M.ss Almettn, that
adore you above all things on earth
am hero only for your sake. Can yoi
ve a wretch like me."
"Indeed Mr. ilcudrick," said the con
vC/1 mitiiliMi u I Lrrw?%* ? l.o* ''
>i * r*11*??? nww n iint t?? rrjn\
y good old mother tells ine, I most ncvthink
of leaving her, and how can !
ve you ami still remain with her 1"
"On, talk not to mo of old womenV
at age. Speak to mo in the languag''confidence.
Tell mo, dearest, can y ?>.n
Teeth ns cling to a creature like me?"
Ah, Wnltf! if I lovo you, how can I
;ltcr your condition ? I'm a poor foundig,
with no other fortune than this lock
. I'n be ft burthen to you."
"Fear not, gentle Metti**,7 replied the
ipassioned Walter; "I may not need
?ur services, only as a companion ; your
iv and shining qualities would impart
i me an energetic fire, to l?ecoino a* be
vcu as my orouier?to figure yet in
io world a* one of her citizen* and not
' live ns an outcast."
" Why, Walter, how aol??r you talk if"
nwetred the confiding Met tie; "I thought
>ii were all sunshine ; have I not, though,
ven you reason to tliink I love you.
ave I not listened to you often when
>u sang those song* to ine. Did you
>t learn me a number of pretty pieces
> the cymbal; n?<1 r.ow ask if I love
>u. I have n? ror seen a living creature
admire. more than you, jet I Cannot
link of leaving my good old friend, who
r v
vkt - . m H
*' .? ' '-N.?* ?, '
Jk,
> " ftay you will l>o mine, and this fall |
i I will return, and take you homo with
me V \t
"Next fall, did you nay I <>! Walter,
> are you going away from the Valley ?" en
01 ireil the ladv eagerlv.
| * *
> 44 \es, dearest, I must leave next week,
and canuot be back until tiio unsuing
- fall." s,)
| 441 will he so unhappy," said she, 44 but ?"
ft I must not murmer?w ill you come again,
- I say Walter. I will tell you?1 will go H''
, I with von;" thus speaking, sho hid her
* nr
- hlushing face beneath her apron, to coni
eeal the tears that were acenmnhklitig '
I i ready to fall in showers form her lovely
r eyes. lie grasped her hand, and will. ^
, ," in
t a fervor of soul hardly to be described, he
I said : ,
i 44 As I hold this hand I will return. ,
Nothing but death can prevent me. ,
Fare.,II." I1'
be
r *
g'
CUAPTE11X. th
; ? f
TIIK ROltltKRS IIF.-ASSEMHLK AT THE ItOOK 1)1
HOI SE. WAIT GIVES PAUTtCl'I.AU OK- d<
DKtlS. HE UKCOMK8 CNII VIM'V. ImCOK- sit
TANT NEWS. HIS TIH A I. AND PONTIC- Oil
TION. HE IS SENT 10 THE I'ESITEN- hi:
TIAUY. T1
wi
' Sj'uing returns mul finds the clan of va
liock House ready for any adventure that ea
may he presented. Watt, after taking a
' leavo of Valley Crucis, commenced his
jaurnev in a southern direction, and fall- fu
ing into the Yadkin Road, which is now aj
' a splendid turnpike, turns his course to OI
wards Wilkesborongh, comes to the slri- v,
kcrs, where the honest wagoner met his
15 untimely fate; he learned from his ac- |t
L complice that the others had collected r
and were awaiting liini. He gave strict
orders with regard to the brandy, that h
still lay concealed in the thicket near hy. i>
Ho informed his man that an election was h
to be held at Wilkes Court House, ami o
1 that he, with the help that would come, v
mu>t carry the barrel over, the week pre- ?i
' viou*. He also told him to he pai ticular- ai
ly careful to color the liptor with hurnt w
: maple sugar, and n->tt<> forget to destroy n
every brand or mark that might lead to p
! discovery. Watt was shrewd enough t<> si
' I know," that detection was more certain hi
I from the use of ardent spirits than from U
auv other cause, and to that law of his at
clan that forbade llio introduction of spir- ; s.
s itiious liquors into the Hock House, he , o
L pertinaciously adhen-d. When ho arrived I t?
he found his men ready and in good spir- j tl
its. They had been elated hy the success j tl
of last year, and were fostering the hope j r<
s that the present might also a (lord the like , a
' opportunities to gratify their fiendish de- | a
sire of bloodshed and plunder. h
1 Watt was in a frame of mind different j a
front that of his companions. If ho was r<
1 unhappy In-fore he left his father, he now j it
was wretched ;* he could not abandon his j tl
' men with safety, unless to go tar out of it
1 j their reach, an I that would not answer 1 t<
J his purpose; nor could he disclose to j r'
1 Mettie anything relating to his profession j v
1 or his accomplices. What course must]"
I he inirsue dtirintr the nresont II.. ! c
I 1 n ? i ;v,M 1|
: he could not cx'er liint to the ruflians, with J 11
' i whom lie wax allied, that such a creature | a
; as Mettie, lived nt the Valley which was ' '
, then becoming a place of note; r.or could I
' he xx rite to her without apprehension of I
discovery ; yet otto hope xvas lively in his 1 ?
hosoiii ? the same fortune that thrnxv h'm ! l<
in Met tie's presence, might again prove j w
propitious, and place him in a more favor- I
h!o charaetor to litis fair exotic of the ' w
Valley. ol
In order to while away the unpleasant c<
hoars that hang so heavily over him he
would stroll off through the day to the riv- r"
e?, and sometimes would ascend a high
point, xvliere he could surx'ev the prowj?ect 1,1
wvilli Ills AffA fur niiUs arAiiml
...v., ..... ii.'.to rfiVIIUVI IIIIllj III 11119
wildornaa* blue hills and green valleys. ht
lie frequently, with pencil and pi?|>or, at- l'
I tempted to sketch sonr.e prominent peak a*
tlio " Grand father," or" lieech Mountain," nl
which roee with their lofty aoniniita above
the vapory clouds, hut before lie could fini*h
bin design, the bewitching image of Vl
the Maid of Watauga, rose Udbre hi* enraptured
eye and like the silver orb of ^
night among the stars, dispelled the en- ^ ^
' chantinent of thoacenory; with a diaay
sensation, he wotgfe drop bis pencil and
like one inspired,' gave uttcranoe to hie u
feeling* in Moor?fa plaintive melody thus : "*
1 u '<> **
deep in in v soul, the still prayer of devotiou
Unheard by the world, rises silent to thee.
? true to the star of its worship, tho' clouded,
The needle points faithfully o'er the dim sea,
my heart, in this wintry world shrouded,
I'nchuiigingund fond, turns trembling to thee."
"All, Mettiol tlion art a star in iny
manient, and as true as the magnet, my
ul turns to thee. One year! oh ! how
ig ; an age; vet it must ho ro. ltash'ss
might ruin, where patience worketh
1 things."
Unhappy man ! how unfortunate thou
t, aii'l yet liow willing to rush still into
tromes. If Futurity's veil could l>e upted,
what a medley of snares aiul dan rs
would appear; but short-sighted man,
ust by experience, learn his destiny.
A few months after the clan had colcted
at their station, a runner came with
i , -31
e information that a Tenncaaean with a
ove of horses was to pass along the Jonesiro'
road in a few days, and if they would
?ld themselves in readiness, he would
ve positively the time of their approach ;
is news was gratifying to them in their
escnt state of inaction. Captain Watt
id never been in Tennessee, and he
>ubted whether ho could with his usual
ccess entrap this trader, however withit
much hesitation ho selected eight of
s men to form a party for the excursion.
ie road which they travelled, was a
uding, dangerous way, at one sime, ele,ted
far above the common level of tho
rth, at others descending till it reached
long and darkly shaded valley beneath.
Near Jonesboro' on this route was a
rge old barn-like establishment which
lorded the only entertainment to be found
i the. dall and rugged way, aud here trailers
were accustomed to spend tho night
i order to have the advantage of tho fol>wi?g
day, to pass the mountains aud
aeh tlie Yadkin.
A short distance from the above named
otel "in rare," might he seen a dingy
ig hut, which was first reared to protect
unters from the frequent si owers, while
n their pleasure excursions hut which
(as, at the time that Capt. Watt and his
len were in their expedition occupied by
n old man, who was placed tberc to
ateh the road. Of this, Watt and his
ien were ignorant, and therefore used no
rceaution with a view to secrete them lvcs.
Only a few daya before the elan
id arrived there, a dreadful outrage had
jen perpetrated in that neigh hoi hood,
id the old spy was on the look out. No
lonerhad Watt and his followers passed
lit of sight, than the w atchful old squat i
(110 doubt made more assiduous by
to promise t?f a fair reward,) hurried
trough the woods by a blind path, and
>nched tlio voneratod inn long before the
ilventurcrs. He informed tlie host that
body of six suspicious looking fellows
ad called on him and enquired of him if
ny person or persous had travelled that
ind lately. The innkeeper eatehing the
lea. that they might possibly know somoliing
of the late murder and robbery, immediately
sent around the neighborhood
> inform his friends, who in a trice were
rady for the word to proceed. The droe?
had his fears aroused to the highest
egroe, and with a liberality seldom exerised
before, ode red to tuinish each foot- *
inn with a horse from his drove, lie
lso, with prudent forethought, inspected
is small arms and roj?oitod himself ready
>r the trip.
They had not proceeded far when they
hserved the rubbers advancing leisurely
iwards them. Watt and one of his men J
ere in the advance of the otheis some ten
r twenty yards. The officer who held a
arrant against the snpjioKcd jwrpetrator
I' tlio outrage that had been previously
nmnitted, reined in his steed, when he
tine directly opposite Watt nnd hiscomnie,
and after exchanging the usual saltations
enquired of Watt whom he had ^
et. Watt told him promptly that ho
tw no j?erson, and further, tiiat he was a
ranger in that part of tbo country. Ho
ten asked Watt his name. Watt, accoring
to the directions of the Mountaineer,
nswered that it was " Bill Fletcher."
* The se'f same pereon we are looking
>r," said the elated officer. "And by
rtue of this warrant you are my priso?r.
These inen who accompany yon, I
now not. 1 have no papers against
om, but fit for jrou, Mr. Fletcher, you
ire boon at lar^f long Ctwtigh, ?n?l if I
n nrtt mistaken in my knowlq^p of ths 1
wm of TtnnrtfM, you will fiml cotnrUment
in thn Penitentiary, nod perhaps 9
nnlnemnnt to* ^ ^Jaj