The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-08-16


limbs would piacc>the fell DESTROYER bofor,
+ his eyes. In theineap time the outlaw. a
voidlng the steep hroast of the mountain
turned short ihtosa rocky pass which cut
through the ridge, and which, although
dry at that time, in winter forms the bed O
torrent In tow minutes more, b,
found himself within sirht of place that
on former occasions of as great need, hat
STOOD hlm IN lieu OF friends and fortress
ana with renewed energy, he rushed dowI
the steep declviiy, which forms the cas-
slde oi The mountain he had ascended b,
the west, and leads direct to singularl,
situated rock, even at that time knexn by
The name of the Ravens Tower. o,f-lh,
side the mountain sweeps down for more
than hall way in a tolerablc smooth decivi.
! y--but then stops suddenly short, and with
irlghuul abrnptness descends, in an almost
perpendicular manner, for the remaining
space of nearly hundred and fifty feet.
It's rugged an, projecting points ovcrhang
The turbulent river below IN n manner which
precludes the possibility of mans. dc.
scending alive; and, although iordable
part OF the stream lies immediately under.
The traveller is thus obliged to make cir.
lcuit Of some miles before reaching il. The
! rock we have mentioned, although seeming
at little distance TO form part of the
Steep--only projecting in boder manner
than the rest, and surmouuted by capital
resembling slightly the battements of a
lortress-yet, on nearer approach is dlscoy-
cred to be, IN reality, quite distinct and So
paraie FROM the mass of mountain. II mis-.
es It's gigantic form from the bosom of the
dark waters below at distance Of n good
many feet from the main land but in the
corresponding shape of its landward side,
and the strata of its substance, n geologlst
might infer the traces of more Intimate
cOnnexlon subsisting at some remote peri.
cd, and look upon II as "A further token OF
Lhe great natural CONFUSION believed to
have once visited the elements Of our
globe
For neither rain, nor hail, nor thunder
Could wholly do away, ween,
The marks of that which once had been >
The outlaw whose fight wo are relating
bad good title TO bestow his name on the
Ravens Tower {; for he alone, even OF all
the desperate adventures who infest that
part OF the country, had strength of limb.
steadness Of brain, and boldness of heart
10 leap across the chasm which separates
i from the mountain. This feat he had
performed on several occasions of imminent
danger, and always successfully for, when
once he had gained the rock, a natural
path down the riNcfward side-~althouQh
one hlied with Danger even 10 him, and on
~ made available by the heath, brl,shwood.
ana projecting stones, which afforded points
OF precorious support-lcd the fearless ruf.
fan in safety To the ford below. On This
occasion, however, there was more daugo,
20 be apprehended in the leap than on any
former one. The length of his flight
which had lasted from the forenoon tlll the |
shades OF evening were beginning to fall |
had deprived his limbs of their wonted |
and elasticity and, perhaps, ev-
en- the few years oftoil, intempernnce, and
crime that had elapsed since his last visit
to the tower, had cast a weight upon his
head, 10 which, during the progressive in
fiction Of the bUrthen, he had been insen.
slble. II may be, too, that the dreadful
deeds ofthe morning, go different IN their
character from the usual tests of arms
which, however bloody in their consequen.
ces, appeared 10 these lawless men as
something honor hle and praise worthy
may have safe with more than common
weight upon his mind. But, however this
may be, it was with an unsteady step he
approached the brink Of the prccpice and
when a wild bird, which had built in the
cliff scared from her nest by the intrusion,
burst away with sudden scream, the bold
cut. law stared and grew pale: perhaps il
was the cry Of the devoted bride which it
brought 10 his haunted recollection. Con.
trolling his feelings, however he went close
10 the edge Of the cliff. and looked down
for moment into the abyss Objects Of n
similar nature, occurring IN the scenery OF
countries, do not usually i'm.
press the traveller with ideas furmingled
efror:--the trees bending acrossthe chasm,
md concealing with their foliage It's depth
Ind danger--,he heath and brusbwood
;linging TO the sldes, like topestry--and
he projecting points Of the rocks raising
heir grey heads at intervals through the
,urtain, give romantic variety TO the PIC
ure, and gild our fear with admiration
But these points Of pictorial beauty and ie-
ief were here wanting the naked sides of
he rock were only variegated by the col
)Urs ofthe different statra and by it's own
sharp and bare projections, stretched forth
rom either side like threatening knives, To
letter or to msngle while the river, rush
the comparatively narrow Chan.
bel below, although its voice was scarcely
heard through the distance--seemed to
light the dismal passage with its white
Toam. sound Of hasty footsteps behind
did not permit the outlaw to indulge long
IN contemplation Of this object and, sud
denly mastering up his resolution as well
ls he might, he stopped backwards few
PAGES. rushed TO the edge Of the cliff, and
.ook tie terrible leap. lie did not, as here
.ofore clear he chasm at single effort
rnr n WAS hia hreas. that first mel the rock