The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-05-02

sides, Ehe ran--he flew with the rapidly OIL
the winged lightning; bis impetuous ca
reer gave temporary calmness to my
horrorized feelings; my first thought was
to return to the spot where | had separat-
ed from my friend-my horse appeared
instinctively to know my intentions, and
participate in my feelings, he proceeded
with such rapidity, that Isoon found my
selfat the forks from whence | had COM
menced my lonely ride. | stopped, and
the white foam streamed from bis mouth; |
gazed around with a degree OF interest,
which would have given expression to the
marble features Of statue; the road had
just left, was that which my friend had
pointed out as the proper one for me to
pursue, the road he had taken, ] felt con-
vinced from the position of the sun, would
carry me far out OF my track; and the
third would but return me to the hOsplta.
bic mansion of our host OF the morning;
what to do l knew not, the extreme, nay
vital importance of my business, the lone
illness of my situation, the wants OF my
detected steed, and my own individual
suferings all combined, nearly bewilder.
ed me. The sun had just shed bis last
rays upon the surrounding hills, dark
clouds in the Eastern skies, look fearfulIy
portentuous ola coming storm; dismount-
ed from my horse, and fastening him to
tree. Something cried aloud, "some-
thing must be DONE" the sound of my own
voice seemed to awake me from lethar'
gic dream, all my energies were aroused
and brought into active exertion, | felt
with pride that Twas battling with the ele-
ments, and waging war with my own i'll
fortunes. / walked a considerable dis
lance around, hoping to find some track,
which under the influence of my agitated
feelings had previously escaped my atten-
ton. At last an humble pathway attracts
ed my eager notice; gazed upon it with
motionless delight, for it bore the impress
of the foot of man, and it looked human.
instantly returned to my horse, he seem.
ed to sympathize with me 10 the terrific
Loneliness Of the scene, and evidenced bis
pleasure at my approach, by such testlmo.
mails of Joy as are usual with animals o.
his kind, | mounted him, and took the
pathway had 80 fortunately found; weak
and exhausted as was my spirited steed.
be seemed instinctively to be aware of
present shelter and sustsnance; with the
lightness of the fawn be bounded along
the rude pathway, till female voice
sweet as the dying cygnets moan in ac'
cent, breathing melody, foated by my ra-
Wished ear. stopped felt the delicious
certainty of repose from fatigue felt
myself recalled to the world, and its en-"
joyments, my senses were charmed, my
soul was grateful dropt tear, and ne
yer in the brightest hours of social mirth,
or worldly enjoyment, did | experience
the hallowed rapture that little tear afford
ed.
A few short bounds, and my animated
(horse who seemed inspired by the same
cause which had afforded me so much
pleasure, turned a projecting angle Of the
mountain, and before me at few yards
distance sat female, industriously engag
ed in milking COW, with hands fair as
the delicious liquid she extracted. At
sight Of me she started, and the woods no
more reverberated to the melody OF her
voice; she blushed as approached, and
seemed like the young Curlew, on tiny
tiptoe, ready to take wing. alighted,
and complained of excessive fatigue; she
presented her pail. and asked me to par
take of its contents; drank, and the rural
present of the mountain maiden was sweet
er far than the honey Of Hybla. She was
of that happy size and form which is con-
sidered the neplus ultra of female lovli-
ness, her cheeks wore The deepest colour.
ing of the full blown rose. .her eyes OF
beamy blue, when from their beauteous
lids she modestly raised them, sbone with
an expression so bewitchingly tender. SO
unobtrusively sweet, that could have
sighed and gazed, and gazed and sighed
forever. She had silently resumed and f.
nished her evening labors, and taking the
nail in her hand with modest curtesY Was