The Hawks of Hawk-Hollow: A Tradition of PennsylavaniaBird, Robert Montgomery
History
The Hawks of Hawk-Hollow: A Tradition of Pennsylavania
Bird, Robert Montgomery
Pennsylvania -- History -- Fiction
What more she might have said and done, on the impulse which restored
her all her native energy, it is impossible to say; but just at that
moment her ears were struck by the wailing of a female voice; and
looking round, she saw, obscurely, for the night was very dark with
clouds, though a new moon was in the sky, a horseman ride by, bearing
a woman across his saddle-bow, and apparently greatly embarrassed by
her struggles. Her first idea was that she beheld her unlucky friend,
not yet snatched beyond her reach; and accordingly she darted
forward, and with extraordinary intrepidity, seized the bridle-rein
with one hand, while with the other she grasped at the captive's
garments, bidding her leap down, and crying out loudly for help.
"You are insane, Miss Falconer!" said Hyland, endeavouring to draw
her aside; "Catherine is safe, and this is but Phoebe, who follows
her."
"Oh! Miss Harriet!" cried the serving-maid, with a piteous voice,
"don't let 'em murder me; and oh! Mr. Hunter Gilbert! sure you won't
be so barbarous! and sure I never did you any harm in my life, and
sure"--
But her words were cut short by her ravisher suddenly spurring his
horse, as Harriet, in surprise and disappointment, let go her hold,
and immediately darting out of the park.
By this time there was a great flashing of lights on the porch, as if
the wedding-guests were recovering from their confusion, and
preparing to avenge the outrage, before it was yet too late. This
Harriet saw, and she observed besides that the dusky figures which
had, ever and anon, for the last few moments, been flitting by,
towards the road, one or two of them being on horseback, and who, she
doubted not, belonged to the refugee band, had ceased passing, as if
the last had already left the park. It was at this moment that she
felt the touch of Hyland Gilbert's hand on her arm, as he endeavoured
to draw her from Phoebe; and as she jerked away, she became sensible
how feeble was the grasp of this detested foe. An idea, worthy of an
Amazon, entered her mind; and forgetting the act of generosity which
had but an instant before relieved her own person from the clutches
of a drunken and lawless desperado, she laid hands upon her
deliverer, thinking only on vengeance. As she seized him, she
screamed loudly for assistance, calling upon her brother, Mr. Brooks,
and others, by name; and had they made their appearance, or any one
of them, it is certain she would have secured her prisoner. He was
confounded by an exhibition of spirit so unexpected; and not knowing
how to release himself, unless by such an exertion of his remaining
strength as he could scarce think of exercising at the expense of a
woman, he was reduced to extremity; when a horseman, coming from the
house, suddenly galloped up, stretched out his hand, and with a
single effort, jerked her from the ground to his saddle-bow.
"Quick," he cried to Hyland; "why do you tarry? To your horse, and
away."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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