Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-04
At this conviction, he lost all presence Of

bmind, so that he foresaw not how much he
might hasten his peril, and lessen his chance,
if there were any, Of finally avoiding 1t, IN be-
tray,ne his thoughts TO the prior, whose re-
venge might be accomplished in such place
without danger, as il appeared, from any hu-
man means Of discovery. He seized the lamp,
and holding it close to the chain, erlec out Ut
is the ,ame-there are the very links, that shape
the initials of his name" 'Ofwhose name"
said the prior, eagerly; and as he spoke, Wood.
reeve recollacted the voice of the very robber to
whom he had delivered up his own treasure
The prior, still without having changed his
voice, repeated the question. SONNY unfortu-
nate kinsman,' answered Woodreeve; 4 now
know you.' Instantly the discovered ruehan,
without one word, drew the dagger from the
imperfect grasp which Woodreeve had Of il,
and appraised his hand with fierce and deadly
intention; but the blow descended not; the
pognard fell from his hand, and his eyes SEEM
ed fixed upon some object beyond. The poor
merchant, who for an instant had been motion
less and confounded with terror, seeing this,
gathered courage, and turned 10 discover what
held his enemy in this trance; but nothing could
he perceive save the duskY avenue. Then,
looking not another moment, he fed, with the
, &
ecled 10 seize The dagger, which had fallen on
the ground, and might easily have been made
weapon for himself. He followed the avenue
till his breath failed, and he was compelled to
stop; but soon thinking he heard steps behind
him, he again went on, and flying for very life,
hope and fear supplied him with strength. He
had now gone grea, length of way, without
having discovered any thing like an outlet, and
he rested again for breath, and to revive his
failing lamp. He listened and thought he
heard no footsteps In pursuit, he remembered
The soundless steps with which his treacherous
conductor had, this night, passed along several
chambers, and he was not convinced that he
was distant, though unheard The intenseness
with which he listened for any remote or lone
sound seemed to sharpen his sense Of hearing
like as the seaman's sight discovers things
so small and distant as are unseen of Others
Thus now, while Woodreeve listened he thought
he heard-not footsteps but little strain of
music, so faint and fleeing, it was more like
the moonlight shadow of fiery cloud that
glides along the hills, and fades ere you can say
it is, than any certain truth. 1t served, how
ever, a, first, to revive his hopes; he Judged it
came from without the castle walls; but then,
perhaps, from soldiers on their watch, and SO,
his deliverance could not be nigh. STILL as his
only hope lay that way, he fastened forward,
and presently he again thought he heard music.
He stopped, and no longer doubted this; the
sound was nearer, and he gradually distinguish
ed faint, solemn swell Of voices and nstru-
ments. AS he advanced, they sunk and were
lost awhile, and then high and long continued
strain Of many mingling voices was heard -
Soon after il sunk away at a distance and he
heard it no more. But now he fancied steps
were coming behind him, and quickening his
own, he came 10 bend Of the avenue, and es-
pied door which seemed 10 close its dreary
length. Three massive bars secured il, but
there was also lock. While he stood before
it, and looked back on the long slopng avenue,
almost as far as his lifted lamp could throw It's
bluntec rays, he heard no sound Of either step
or breath from within, or from without that
door, nor saw the prior advancing through that
dim way behind him. The bolts gave way to
Woodreeve's returned strength, and even the
lock did not long resist. Already he thought
he felt thesfresh air from without the castle
walls; but opening the door, he stepped not up
on platform of grass, or under the boughs OF
the free forest; he stepped upon little winding
stair, that went up turret, as he verify be-
lieyed, Of another tower-some out posts Of the
CaS1le. Al thlS DIS heaft sunk nlSn 10 IalntlnP;
for how should he escape detection from those
who guarded it, and whose voices he now
thought he heard singing, in dreary chorus, on
their nigh, watch. Having considered mo-
ment, to little purpose, for he had no choice but
to go on, he went up the stair, and came to a
mother door. He listened for while, but all
within was still, and he undrew the bolt that
held 1t, and would have stepped forward, but
was baffled by what he thought curtain that
hung before it, In this he deceived himself, ii
was the tapestry Of chamber. Perceiy!ng
this, he stopped again, before he lifted it, to
consider how best he might disclose himself, if
any one were within; but all being silent, he
yentured TO lift the arras, and found himself in
a great arched chamber A lamp was burning,
near reading desk; but no person appeared,
anG he looked round with mixtuIe of terror
and curiosity, still holding up the arras with
one hand, and with the other his lamp, to sur
vey the limits Of the room; and he still kept one
foot on the threshhod-step as ready 10 retrea,
on tie first alarm Al length, percei,ing that
he was indeed alone in this chamber, he let the
hangings drop, and ventured forward in search
Of an outlet, through which TO escape; but he
saw none. The walls were covered with to
pestry, which concealed whatsoever doors
might be within them, and presented in colors
various good deeds. A large oriel window
Of fre,ted stone-werk rose in sharp arches,
closed with glass staiued in MOSAIC Of d.
- -, ~,lxo