The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-02-15


dark and underlined mass. In some
places, scathed trunk, whitened with
the moss Of successive centuries, stood
erect in spectral grandeur, like being
whom immense age and associations, riv-
cited to long past times, had isolated
from the sympathies Of his fellow NOR
tails. As the moon gradually rose on the
arch of heaven, her light fell at different
angles, and the aspect OF the woods Yves
continually changing. New and grander
groups of trees came into view, and Nigh.
~ oaks and chcsnuts seemed to STALK for
ward, with majestic slowncss, from the
surrounding obscuri,y, and, after a time,
to give place to succession OF others, by
retiring amidst the darkness from which
they had a, first emerged Tremoursoi
awe began to pervade my frame, and
almost expected that the tones ct some
superhuman voice would break the ap-
palling silence that prevailed in the will
derness around me- My mind. by de-
grees, became SO calm, that dropped
into half slumber, during which had
a distinct perception where l was, but to.
tally forgot the circumstances connected
with my situation. A slight noise at
length startled me, and awaked full of
terror, hut could not conceive why |
should feel such alarm, until recollection
made the form of 'rhakakaweren,e cash
upon my mind saw number oil in-
distinct forms moving backwards and for
wards, little way from me, and heard
something beating gently uponthe ground.
A small cloud fioatcd before the moon,
and waited with breatbisss impatience
Till ii was passed away, and allowed her
full radiance TO reach the earth. then
discovered that five deer had come to
drink at tie rivuiet, and that the noise of
them striking their fore-feet against its
banks had aroused me. They stood ga.
zing at me with an aspect SO meek and
beautiful that they almost seemed to in.
corporate with the moonlight, but, alter a
little time, started away, aud disappeared
among the mazes of the forest.
When | surveyed the heavens, per-
ceived by the alteration which had taken
place in their appearance, that had
slept considerable time. The moon
had began 10 descend towards the hori-
zen; new succession of stars glittered
| upon the sky; the respective positions
OF the different consultations were chang
ed; aud one of the planets which had
been conspicuous from its dazzling ius-
tire, few hours before, had set, and was
no longer distinguishable. TWAS over
powerins to think that all these changes
had been effected without noise, tumult,
nr nd hot NJ f.t.v n
their revolutions, and travelled through
the bounclessness of space, with 81
| lence too profound TO awaken AN echo in
the noiseless depths of the forest, or dis
tutb the slumbers of feeble human be.
ing
waited impatien,ly for the appear,
ance OF Outalisso, who had not inform
ed me at what hour | might expect to
see him. The stars nov lwinkIcd feebly
amidst the faint glow of dawn that hogan
to light the eastern horizon, and the set
ting moon appeared behind some pines,
and threw rich yellow radiance uoon
their dark. green bougbs. Gentle rust.
lings among the trees, and low chirpings
announced that the birds began to feel the
influence OF approaching day; and I
sometimes observed solitary wolf steal.
ing cautiously along in the distance
While engaged in contemplating the
scene, suddenly thought saw an Indian
little way of. could not ascertain
whether or not it was On,aIisso, but fear
ing 1t might he 'rbakskaw erente. whom
dreaded TO eDcouter in my unarmed state,
retired II om the roots Of the tree, &cup-
cealed myself among some brushwood.
remained there for some time, bu,
did not perceive any one near me, and
thinking that | had been deceived by
fancy, resolved to return TO my former
station, and accordingly set on, towards
the great tree, but shortly became alarm
ed at neither reaching i, nor seeing il so
soon as expected 1 turned back in
much agitation,and endeayored 10 retrace
my steps 10 the brushwo od, but all in
vain. l examined the most remarkable
trees around me, without being able to
recoliect Of having seen one of them be-
tore. l perceived that had lost myself.
The moment became aware of this, NV
faculties and perception seemed to desert
me one after another, and al last was
conscious Of being in existence only by
the feeling of chsoiick and iDsupportable
hopelessness which remained but after
a little time, all my intellectual powers
returned with increased yigour and acute.