Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-24

falling when considerable commouoh at the
base Of the hill on the right hand attracted my
attention. A deep shadow was over the spot,
which hindered ME from seeing any thihg; Out
heard the tread Of mems feet, and the noise oil
sheep starting from their LARS, ana the iatter
soon ran out, as if scared, into the moonlight
kept my eye steadily fixed upon the OBSCURE
corner. which knew to be the gorge oil ra-
vine or guley in the hill side, and listened with
an anxiety quite dsproportlonate to the appa-
rent cause, for any other sounds which might
rroceed from It, Nor did long listen in vain
the ravine was but very short distance from
the paddock fence, and as the slight air that
stirred. blew inwards, had no difficulty in
catching the substance OF the following dia-
logue, though it was conducted with apparent
caution, and in no higher tone than whisper
as it the time YETI" said one voice. mot
quite, Think" replied another. III was one
o'clock they said, was 1t not! yes, and II
cannot be far from that now--it struck twelve
before we left the town "-"lush! whispered
the first speaker, "did you not hear something"
There was silence Of several seconds alter
this, but the alarm appeared TO be groundIeS5,
and the conversation was renewed
"a great pity; fine lad, but grown devi!ish
wild. Well, well, it will be good haul for US
but will they fight, think you! -" Can't say.
| have got my bulldogs though, and curse me
il don't use them. There they come, by
Jove-lct us mount.
At this moment, another sound caught my
ear, as of persons approaching the summit OF
the hill from the opposite side, and walking
with difficulty. looked up, and the figures OF
three men; each bearing burthen upon his
back, stood between me and the moon. They
paused for a moment, and as far as could
Judge from their motions, looked anXiously
round, then throwing down their loads upon
the ground, they seated themselves beside them
Having continued thus for about five minutes,
they again resumed their burthens and began TO
descend. They had proceeded about hall way,
when two men sprang from the shadowy ra'lne,
by the edge Of which they were walking, and
made towards them. Instantly their sacks were
cast from them, and the three figures He'd in
different directions, unpursued, however, by the
assaiants, who occupied themselves in gather
ing together the plumber. | now saw how the
case stood. Without doubt the three were
smu ggiers, and the two, officers OF the revenue:
and the matter being one in which was not
anxious 10 be involved, gently closed my win
dow and retired to bed.
had dropped into doze, but how long
had lain thus know not, when sleep was sud-
denly dispelled by the report Of firearms.
shout followed, and then loud shrek, as ii
from one in pain or deadly peril. ieaped out
Of bed again, and looking towards the place
where the seizure was effected, saw group
Of three persons, one lying at length upon the
ground, and two standing over hlm--a fourth
man was father up the hill, and was descend
ing. Though they were too far removed for
me 10 distinguish their words, 1t was evident
that the aforementioned person no sooner joined
the rest, than violent alteration began. What
the subject Of il might be, could not Vel!; but
il ended at length in their lifting the form which
Law upon the ground, and casting 1t over the
ravine. 4 horrible conviction now flashed
across my mind. Murder had been commit
ted. the murder, no doubt, Of an eXciSeman, and
these were the persons who had shed his blood.
felt chill creep through my veins, and drew
in my head TO recover, when looked out again
the figures had all disappeared.
1t will easily be imagined that the night pass
ed by without any refreshing sleep visiting
my pillow. lay wide awake indeed, till day
break, prey to the most agonizlng and fearful
surmises. There was no positive ground Tor
the suspicion: at least nothing had occurred
capable of creating more than suspicion, yet
could not diveSt mySeH Ol the. persuasion, thal
younp Brockman was somehow or another i'm
plicated in the business. Connected with this
idea, also, was the recollection of the measures
so frequently threatened by his mother; and
these combined, served to con jure up phantoms
more hideous and alarming than any which had
ever before taken possession of my brain AS
the best and only means of dispeing them |
resolved at last TO disbelieve the evidence ofmy
own senses; and by positive effort, succeeded
in doubling whether the whole scene might not
have been, after all, q mere creation oimy own
fancy.
Such doubt could not, however, be permit
ted to continue unsolveG. Dayligh: having at
length arrived, i hastily dressed myself, and pro-
ceeded towards the spot where l had seen, or
fancied that had seen, the deed Of violence
done. There were abundant combinations there
Of my worst fears. The grass was torn, as ii
by the hands and heels of men struggling, and
in various places it was dyed with blood
There was sprinkling Of the same foul stream
as far as he edge Of the precipice, and there II
ended The guey in question measures about
one hundred and fifty feet in depth; it is as
nearly perpendicular as can be, and narrow
footpath, or rather sheep-track, winds just
under It's ridge. At the bottom stands ruined
cottage, with heap Of loose stones, all over
grown with neltles and other tank weeds.