The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-01-28
HE'LL. BRIDGE

There is n narrow pass between the
mountains in the ncighborhood of Ben
dcripg, in the Highlands of Scotland,
which at a little distance has the appear
ance ofa immense artificial bridge thrown
over n tremendous chasm but on a nearer
approach il is seen to be a wall of natures
own masonry, formed Of vast aud rugged
bodies Of solid rock, piled on each other rs
if in the giant sport of the architect. Its
sides are in some places covered with
trees Of a considerable size aud the pas
scngcr who has a head steady enough to
look down the preciplce, may see the ey-
RE Of birds ofprey beneath his feet. The
path across ~ so narrow that il cannot ad
init Of persons passing aud indeed, zone
but natives would attempt the dangerous
route, though II saves "A circuit of three
miles. Yet it sometimes happens that two
travellers meet, owing 10 The curve formed
by the pass preventing "A view across from
either side and when this is the case, one
lies down, while the other crawls over his
body. One day, a Highlander walking a.
long the pass, when he bad gained The
highest part of the arch, observed another
coming lcisurely up, aud being himself of
the patrician order, called TO him TO lie
down; the person, however, dIsregarded
the command, and the il%ighlanders met
on the summit. They were Grant and
Bendcarg, Of two families, in great en-
nifty to each other. 81 was first Mt the
top said Bendearg, and called out first /;
lie down that | may pass over in peace"
+" When the Grant prostrates himself be-
F... lArt1ilga4-. - ,ar.ya,i ti. til. g "a
must be with "A sword driven through his
body" "Turn back them said Bcndearg,
+" aud rcpass as you came" Go back
yourself il you like it," replied Grant, 81
will not be the first OF my name TO turn be-
fore MPhcrson."
They then threw their bonnets over the
p%reciplcc and advanced with a slow and
cautious pace closer to each other they
were both unarmed. Stretching their
limbs, Ike men preparing for Il desperate
struggle, they planted their feet firmly ON
the ground, compressed their lips, knit
their eye brows, and fixing fierce aud
watchrnl eyes on each other, stood prepar-
ed for the onsct.-They both grappled at
the same moment but being Of equal
strength, were unable for some time to
shift each others Notwithstanding fixed
on the rock, will suppressed breath, and
MUSCLES strained 10 the top of then bent
like statues carved out of the solid stone.
I At length M'Pherson, suddenly removing
his right foot 50 as to give him greater
purchase, stopped his body aud bent his
enemy down with him by main strength
ill they both leaned over the precipice,
looking downward into the terrible abyss.
The contest was as yet doubtful, for Grant
ha1 placed his foot firmly on an elevation
at the brink, aud had equal command oil
hi enemy-but at this moment M'Pher-
son sunk slowly on his knee, aud while
Grant suddenly started back, STOPPING to
take the supposed advantage, he whirled
him over his head into the gull. M'Pher-
son himself fell backwards, his body hang.
ing partly over the rock-a fragment gave
way beneath him, and he sunk further
! til catching with q desperate effort at the