The Wilmingtonian., 1824-02-19

aroused as from a stupor or revere.
was some time before his mind resumed
her empire, and he afterwards told me
that in all his danger, and perils, andl
when death stared him in the face, and de- (
liverance seemed impossible, he was ne
YER so impressed with the certainty oil he
as at that moment. AS lori
line shall never forget my feeling on that
|eventtul night, and cannot even now look
back without horror ON the danger oil my
situation.
THE Observation-Disclosures were in
1.-The regiment Of - two young soluiers
Iaboye the common level; both from the
same place, small town in I.ancashlre;I
land each had much friendship for the other.
They had enlisted together, though IRON
different natives; they marched together,l
and were inhabitants Of the same tent; onel
whom shall call the Lover, had enrolled
Ibis name through an uneasiness from ms
being disappointed in what he thought all
his hapniness was centrcdthe marrying
or sweet girl of his own town. by whom
i've was much beloved her relations where
aud his hopes in vain; the Other
a lad of spirit, believing soldiers lie as
lime as the recruiting sergeant had descriD-
ed it willing to see the world. accompany
his friend, and serve his country llkewi,e]
accepted the kings picture; and called th''
Volunteer. lie was the only son OF his
mother, and she a widow; she was much
grieyed at the step which he had taken
Without her consent; but being in an easy
l situation, and not wanting his assistance
flor her support, she lamented It only
Through her affection for him. The widow
sent forth her son with tears and blessings;
,lthe maid eyed her lover from distant
, window, beat time to his steps with her
.lheart, till he was out OF sight. then seat heI
J whole soul after him in deep fetched
: Sigh.
d They had not been long in camp before
rlthe Volunteer had woetul proof OF the wide
I difference between the ideal gentleman
! soldier which he had dressed up in hi
tlima gination, and the miserable half starv
j ed slave, the food for powder. AS Tor thu
: lover, he was insensible to the hardship
e If the body-the agitatons of his mind alb
d sorbed his whole attention; in vain hat
!, he endravored to fly from the object of hi
n love; he had brought away his persn'
&c only, leaving all his thoughts and hear
Y, behind him. and was as absent from him
'eiself in the noise and hustle of the day q
r. in the silent midnight watch, or whe
'r stretched upon his bed of straw. The
d communicated their sentiments to eac
q, other, and took the fatal resolution to de
sert. Thus winged by love, and urge
by fear, the hills of Scotland flew iror
their heels, and they had arrived at vi
'iage within mile of their own towr
n-lwhen they were overtaken by horse pul
Insult. and reconducted to their camp, !
ne court martial was held and they were COZ
demned to die but the general ordered
n las is usual in such cases. that they shoul
10 cast lots. and only one should suffer. Th
ed day following was to decide his fate. A
nj the appointed time the ring was forme'
IT. the drum placed in the centre with IL
ST boz and dice upon its head, and the IL
tn, llguents made to enter The horro
a. which had sat brooding on their souls Il
he preceding night, and we've now overwhelr
S Hing them at the awful crisis, were ,tron
10 Nv painted on their wan and pailid cou
Mt Itenances. Their friendship was real 81
W. sincere, but not of that fabulous aud hero
Ter kind as to wish to die for each other, Ell,
ar wished to live. and each was disquiet'
ollat the thought that his own safety must
omIbult on the destruction OF his frien
US. They alternately requested each other
tbeIbeeii. The lover looked earnestly at {
orlittle instruments Of life and death, 10,
t a them in his trembling hand, and quick
ub- laid them down. The officer was oblig
lip to interpose, and commanded the voIu
ne teer to throw. lie lifted the box in t
lie right hand, then shifted it into his lie
les then gave it to his right again, and, as
on ashamed of weakness or superstition, ca
in his eyes upward for moment, and in t
un- act to throw, when the shrieks of tema
yer sorrow struck his ear, and in burst, fra
,st- 0, posite parts of the circle, the Widt
ne and the Maid their hair disheveled a
int their garments travel-soled and TOT
' it What sight was this The mother a
indlher son on one side Of the drum, and
and maid and her lover OH the other. T
thirst transports of their frantic joy at fir
S aling them alive, were soon abated by thu
ing dreadful uncertainty of what must folio
our The officer was man and did not h
uldry the volunteer to throw. He put
~ - Iba nj IN tho hnv nf hic oup accord