American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-10-20

the Auto da Fe. But these pageanis these proces
sinns, no more the lofty and spacious edI
fee (at whose gate reposed) was now deserted IN
moon beams rested on the blackened stones, scathe
with the destructive death shot which had been lie
yelled agains, it the French had stripped the ne
,ior Of its splendid decorations the shrine OF tn
Virgin the crosier of the PRIEST the consecrate
images o! worship, formed of the most precou
metals, and frequently ornamened with gems, a
had vanished befure the rapacity Of the invading ar
my. But, though the votaries Of religion had bee
scared from their peaceful retreats, though nun
and iriars had been forced TO mingle with the com
mon mass Of The People, with many other encroacf
ments on religion that might have been as we
spared yet The terrors and cruel,es of the Inquis
ton were now repressrd, and the same tyranny tha
had laid waste kingdom. had likewise been the ori
ginal cause OF emancipang hundreds Of suffering
victims from long captivity and dreaded tortures
and had caused the light Of heaven to visit eye
which had long since closed on the hope Of earhl
freedom.
Once more was trying TO sleep, when foolstep
approaching, awakened my attention. 1raised my
self on my elbow, and observed, in the uncertain
moonshine, the tall figure of man. in the uniform
OF French Hulan his step was one OF iorcet
speed, and he supported unusual sight y on lh
arm oil woman, who, already burthened with tn,
weight OF a child, seemed unequal to the task
few PAGES Of my retreat, little further, Pierre,
said she, "and we shall gain the outposs. TAX,
courage If sentinel should see US, he will let u
pass; he will take pity on vile eDdeavourlng Il
prolong the life Of her husbands and well tho,
snowest Pierre, thou cansi die easier in my arms.
These affecting expressions awakened every feeling
Of sympathy in my breast bent forward, anxiou.
to catch every word, and glimpse OF counteEances
which hoped (and was not dlsappontedj to fine
interesting.
The unfortunate Pierre, if may guess from the
bandagcs around his forehead and arm, had been sc
yerely wounded in the late action death-lke still
ness rendered every feature CHASTITY his eyes were
glazed and almost fixed yet, what they retained o
expression, spoke oil his affection for the partner o.
his bosom, the sharer Of all his Affections, and they
seemed to have been many his ashy and quiyerne
llp Salnly tried 20 murmur an answer, and he could
only press her hand, and that but feebly The poor
woman spoke not; but could read in her wan and
anxious counlenance, tha, the little hope she had en-
tettsined was fast fading away her once lively dark
eyes rested with intense eatnestness on the lace ol
her husband could the caresses ol her child lure
her ore moment from the mournlul contemplation
IT'S Me hands with playful violence had torn her
CLOAK from her neck, which tanned with the sun
Of Southern cline her hair, escaping from the
handkerchief which coofned il, loated the night
Wind her liFs were parched with the fever Of anxl-
ETY. and her cheeks coloress with apprehension.
thought perceived il grow still paer she his
strength failing HIS step indeed ialtered, and he
could scarcely reach he spot near which reposed
ere he sunk exhausted BY her side. heard her ex-
aim 10 half stifed accents, {. O, speak, my belov
ed Pierre look ct your child once again''-and she
watched in mute distress hrs agonized countenance.
fant murmur escaped his lips. only audible to the
ear Of affection -" Oh that I had but one drop OF
thp hn Lns h,,
his side. A laceIious companion Of mine had Off
ciously hlied my cantecn with brandy, on learning
Ny determination to paes the night in the open air,
z You will mud oil use, Harry" said he I" il will
keep your heart warm in the cool lodging you have
chosen" now hoped il might warm another heart,
which death seemed nearly TO have chilled. started
up, and the poor woman with difficulty suppressed
scream oil surprise at my appearance. /, howev
en- presently dissipated her fears, by offering all the
assistance in my power. s. Assistance 70 repeated
she, +" rom you, who are English but have heard
that you Are brave" "And you shall find" said l.,
: that we are generous; if is not too late, will
conduct your husband to the French camp; the dis
tance is not more than three miles" She thanked
me by her looks: for words were denied her and
with the help Of the brandy, we restored the unfor
lunate Pierre sufficiently to make him understand
our intention.
Yet his reduced strength, and the overpowerng
influence OF his Joy at finding himself likely to be
restored TO liberty for some time deprived him Of
the power Of making The necessary fort. His step
even with my assistance was ialtering and slow and
en'eebled by suffering, he forced frequently to
stop, from fantness and fatigue. During these in
teIvals, the distress Of his afecionat- vile was ex
IRENE; every sound that met her ear, she fdncisd
the soldiers in pursuit; every moment she feared
her husband was about to breathe his last and
sometimes kneerg beside him, with clasped hands,
and streaming eyes raised to heaven, she offered up
a silent prayer, and sometimes, bending over him
with dsit acted anxiety she bedewed his cold fore
head with her tears. | was not ashamed Of those
that started to my eyes at the affecting scene nor
could mistake The feelings that agtated my heart,
as listened TO her tale. She bad encountered MANY
dangers in seeking her hushand,s place of cnn6ne.