Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-12-17

10 SCSettsny oue<. On exaff1iuauon lounu MS
fears were but too well grounded. In his en-
deavors to assist the crew during the gale, he
had been standing near the mast, part ot which,
or the rigging, having fallen ON him, had dislo
Gated several Of his ribs, and injured his spine
beyond remedy. All that could now be done
was to afford little temporary relief from pain,
which did; and leaving him to the care of the
young lady and the priest, left the cabin.
On deck l found all hustle and confusion.
The ship still lying too, aud tue boats en-
pinyed in bringing, the goods out of the felucca,
both of which were the property of the wounded
gentleman. The body of tho old man Cemnel,
had been removed somewhere out of sight; no
trace of blood was visible, and captain Malone
seemed DESTROYS TO Danish all recolcCtions both
of our quarrel and IFS origin.
As the invalid was lying in the cabin, and my
state room occupied by the lady and hcr female
attendant, got q temporary birth iii the steer
age made up for myself for the night. had not
long thrown myself down on my cot, Which was
only divided from the main cabin by hulk head,
hen was awakened by the deep groans OF the
Spaniard. The violence of his pain had again
returned: and between the sras;i,s, | heard the
weeping ani gentle voice OF the lady soothing
his agony: and trying to i'npart hopes ami pros
acct, to him, which ier own historical sobs
told too plainly She did not herself feel. The
priest also frequently joined, aud urged him To
con ess. TO tins advice he remained silent for
awhile; but at length he addressed the lady:
''Ihe Padre says true, Isabella. Time wears
apace: and fee! that shall soon lee beyond its
hunts; and above its concerns! But ere go, l
would say that which It would imnaft PEACE to
my mind 10 DISCLOSED would seek to leave YOU
Il; least one human being tn bo!ricui and pro-
tact GU i'll Your utter helplesSne.s. Alas! that
Diego Iii Montalio's daughter should ever be
i,us destitute! Go, my iOve l would be alone
little while with the father" An agony itears
and scbs W." the only return made Nv the poor
girl, whilst the priest with gentle Violence led
her into the state room.
"Now," continued the dying man, ''l;sten' TO
me while have strength You have only known
me merchant ia Cuba, but such have not
always been. Mine i, an ancient and noble ia
nily of ataionia, though unlapriy --dsg raced
NJ, and have been estringed from Il long. had
the misfortune tn have weak and indulsrcnt pa
rents, who iiuZcd me as the helro! then house
an: did not possess resolution enough IL thyart
me III any Of my wishes or desires, however IN
reasonable. My boyhOod being thus spoiled. 1t
IS no matter of wonder that my youth should hay {,
proved Wild and dissolutc. My companions
were a. dissipated 81 myself. and much uC our
tine was spent in gambling and other extrava-
Sahcies. One evening at play, 1 quarreiled
with n young nobleman vi high rank ard inlu-
encc: we were both of us hot and passionate, SO
we drew on the spot 4 fought, and had the mis-
fortune TO run hiin through tho heart and leave
han dead. Not daring to remain any longer at
home, fed in Disguise 10 Barcelona, where
procured a passage in vessel for the Spanish
'iain.-On oar voyage we were taken by huc-
cancers; and the Tovirg ana ycnturous mode of
ne oil these bold AMI dariag suitins both my
INCLINATION am finances, | agreed to make one
OF their number. Fer many months we were
successful III cur enterprises; we ranged the
whole Of these seas, and made a number OF pri-
ktrI,. Il, 4. c
mes. In cousc OF time, aI!iasscd such a
quantity OF specie as to make us unwilling to
venture 1t iii one bottom: so we agreed 10 hide il
ashore, and divide 1; on return from our ex-
pedilion. But our good fortune ioisook us at
tins time. Turing 4 calm, the boats of the
Suarda-costa came on us, overpowered the ship,
ana made all the crew, except myself and two
Others, prisoners. We escaped with boat,
and succeeded III gaining tbe island of Cuba
where both of my comrades died of their wounds.
subsequent events induced me to settle at Juan
5uonarista, where married, and as aInerchant
prospered and became 4 rich man. But NV
happiness lasted not!-AIy wife caught the vel
low fever and died, leaving he only this one
child. now loathed the scene of my departed
happiness, and felt all the lonsings of an exile
to revisit my native country. For this purpose
converted my whole effects into money; ami
am thus far on my way to the hidden treasure
with which intended to return to Spain Bur
the green hills of Catalonia will never more
gladden. my eyes! My hopes and wishes were
only for my poor girl. IDLY father you know
not PARENTS feelins-its anxietie and its fears,
The thoughts OF leaving my child to the mercy
OF strangers or, 1T may be TO tlIeiI barbarites
IN this iawieas country is far more d eadful tn
the anguish oi my personal suiferings.-With
you rests my only hope. Promise me your pc
lection towards her, and the half of my wealth is
yours.n
"Earthly treasures" replied the priest "ayail
not with one whose desires are fixed beyond the
little handful of dust which perisheth-rpy life IS
devoted to the service of my Creators and the
conversion Of ignorant men, men who have
never heard of his salvation. On an errand of
mercy came 10 this land; and if the heather
receive 1t, how much more daughter OF our
most holy church, |, therefore, i'm bcbaIfoC our
community, accept of your offer, and swear on
this blessed emblem TO fulfil all your wishes TO
the best of my poor abilities.n
Enough, enough!n said MontaIdo. 81 am
satisfied! Among that archipelago of islands.
known by the name of the Roccas, situated ON
the coast of the province of Venezuela, in New
Grenada, there is one called the Wolf rock: il
is the longest and most northern of the group.
aud lies the most seward. At the eastern
point, which runs little way into the sea. there
stands an old vanilla, blasted and withered, and
retaining but a single solitary branch. On the
eve OF the festival of st. Jago, the moon will be
at her full in the west. AT twenty minutes
past midnight, she will attain to her highest al
tltude III The heavens, and then the shadow of
the tree will be thrown due east. Watch till
the branch and stem unite and form ONLY one
lima Tf al~