The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-02-25

II yet RENAME / a forest. There Was a gilt.
teriug ia The atmosphere, as II il WIRE in.
ed with inniimerable shining particles. aud
the n1ble bay horses that drew The sl.irb
were covered, in many parts with a coat OF
frost. The vapor from their nostrils was
seven To issue like smoke and every OH
lect IN the view, rs well rs every arrange
nent of the travellers, denoted the dep,k
Of IA winter in the mountains. The har-
ness, which WAS deep dali black. differ
inS from the glossy ,arltist, of the present
day, was ornamented with enormous plates
and buckles of brass, that shone like gold
in the transient beams Of the sun, which
found their way ohllTfcly through the
tops o. tire trees. Huge saddles, studded
with nails of the same material, and fitted
with cloth that admirably served AZ blan-
kets 10 the shoulders OF the animals, SUP.
ported four high, square topped tnrrcts,
through which the stout rcins led from the
mouths of the horses tn the hands of the
driver, who was negro, of apparently
twenty years of age. His face, which ma
tire had colored with glistrning black
was now notified with the cold, aud his
large shining eyes were moistened with IA
liquid that flowed from the same cause; still
there was a smiling expression of good hui
NOR IN his happy countenancc, that was
created by the thoughts of his home, aud
a Christmas Preside, with its lrolrs The
! sleigh was one of those large comfortable
old fashioned conseyances, which would
admit whole family within its bosom,
but which now contained only two pdsscn-
gers besides the driver. Its out, ie was
of modest green, and its inside of a ic-
| ry red, that was intendedto convey the idea
! OF heat IN that cold climate. Large bulla-
10 skins, trimmed around the edges with
led clota, 'tnt ITO testoOn, covered the
back OF the sleigh, aud were spread over
its bottom and drawn up around the feet
of the ira, elieis--onc of whom was man
of middle age aud The other fem,Ie
| Just entering upon womauhoud. The for
| MIR was Of large stature bat the pre-
| cautions he had taken t. guard against
The cold, left but little of his person expos
ed to view A great coat, that was album
dainty ornamenied, if it were not made
more comfortable by profusion Of furs,
developed the whole of his fig Ire, except
ing the head which WAS covered with n
cap of martin skins, lined with morocco,
| the sides of which We're made to fall, il ne
| cessary, and were now drawn close over
| The ears, and Were fastened beneath his
chin wi h back ribbon its top was sur
mounted with the tail of the animal whose
skin had furnished the materials for the
cap, which fell back not ungracelully, il
! few inches behind the head. From be
| meath this masquc were to be seen part oi
n fine manly face, and particularly pain
of expressive large blue eyes, that promls-
ed extraordinary intellect, covert humor
aud great bcnevolence.-The form OF his
companion was literally hid beneath thu
multitude and variety ofgarmrnts which
| she wore. There were furs, aud silks
pcetting from under large campbell cloak
with thick flannel lining, that by its Cut
and size, WAS evidently intended for :
masculine wearer. A huge hood of Black
silk, that WAS quilted with down, conced
cd the whole Of her head, except at a
small opening in front for breath, through
witch occasionally sparkIcd "A pair o.
animated eyes Of the deepest black. PIP
Sc.
The second, third and fourth chapters
are unexccptlonablc as TO manner ant
| style. Those who have enjoyed the Plea
| sure of being thrown from sleigh som,
twenty feet down hll into snow bank
will no doubt relish the following scent
which occurred on meeting with a sleigh
and four, as the party first named was de
scendng the mountain
The Germans muscles were unmoy'
| ed, but his quick sight scanned every
movement with an understanding expires
sion, that was a mixture of amusement al
| Richards dilemma, and of care at Their
situation. Mr.. Grant placed his hands OF
the side of the sleigh, in preparation for :
spring, but moral timidity deferred hin
from taking the leap, that bodily apprehen
sion strongly urged him to attempt
Richard by a sudden application Of his
whip, succeeded in forcing his leaders init
the snow bank that covered The quarry
but the instant the impatient ANIMALS SUI
fered by the crust through which they
broke at each step thu took they positively
refused Ia move an inch further III hat d.
rectiun. On the contrary, finding that The
cries and blows OF their driver, were re-
doubled at this iuncture, the leaders hack-
ed upon the pole horses, who, IN their turn
backed the sleigh. Nothing but single
log lay Above the pile which upheld the
| road, on the side towards the valley, ano
this was now buried in the snow. Thu
sleigh was easily forced across the slight
impeachment, and before Rcha d became
conscious of his danger, one half of the We
hicle was projected over preclpIce, WhIcl
fell nearly petpendicniariy, more titan
hundred feet. The Frenchman, who, by
his position, had full view of their threa
tened hight, instnciveIy threw his body
J as far forward as possible in the sleigh, ant
cried, "Ah Mon cher monsieur Deck
mon tiieu prenfz gardez vous ~
D0hncr and bitten, Richart," exclaim