Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-08
1atsreIIamen,,a Departmfnfs
THE BORDERER'S I-E.p

- "so, vi sucn VIA and desperate characters as
he'd m these districts The reigu of bloou and fer
ror, before the Union of the Kingdoms and for som,
ume alter. II was there that the Raveh of Horns
E"h' as he was called OF The last of the "horder
terminated his career in manner we'll wor-
Wy Oh MS lie. The crime which led to this catastre
phe although not unparalleled n the annals of the ne
'ioo OIL winch we write, would SEEM to the refinement
VI "odcrn taste, Too gross for historical deta:-it
may suhce therefore, 10 say that at the marriage of one
OF us enemies, which was celebrated that morong the
kaVan made his appearance-a guest as unlocked for
as unweicome, with a numerous train OF followers,
mastered great part of the company violated the
orde before the bridegroors eyes, and set FIRE 10 the
honse. Unexpected succours, however, arriyed-al
though not before the work of rev eppe had been hut
too we'll accomplished the asailants were ass,iled i'm
their turn, when least prepared for defence bride
groom liberated, whom they had intended TO carry off
as a pIisoner-and their chief obliged 10 betake him,
self to flight, alone and unarmed
was thoeNcrnoon when the outlaw arrived at the
borders OF the he@h and his breath came freer as he
ei' me cool AR from his own mountains and saw the
ueclning sun, which hung over the cliffs TO which
ms iusfiTe steps directed, pointing as it were
20 Inc place OF their mutual rcpose. He s,ackene3
DIS pace Tor an instant TO look around on the we'll
!ISnown scenes ais heart dated with kind of pride
as he felt his foot more on lis native heath which
IL pressed with an elasticity hardly diminished by the
meieht OF hity years; and his eyes sparkled " it'll a
Joy as he saw the approaching termination of
ms hsht.-Dut he was alone and unarmed for his
sword had heen broken off to the hi host of on
emes were behiod, and his place of refuge vet distant
lie looked back as he gained the summit of an emf
nehce; and although, to less experienced traveller
no sound would have been heard break the stiffness
OF the hour, and living form appeared TO rive an
aIion 10 the desolate heath save that of the wild
ORD now and then startled by his sudden steps from IFS
resting place, yet, when he had bent for moment his
keen eyes on the distance and then turned his ear in
the same drectioD if to catch some note of confirm
atlon the outlaw snutIed up Tie wind like fox pursu
Gu 10 ms covert, and bending his body forward TO
me mountains, darted on with renewed velocity He
,ob hal
mountains which forms the termination Of the heath
but his exertions during the latter part of the ,urnev
although not less steady than before were less violent
eerhaPs his long and rapid fight-or it may be the
pressure of approaching age-had contributed TO
stien his wcaried limbs and depress his stout heart
for perhaps 1t was only consideration of policy
mat induced him TO reserve his strength for the greater
hazard ana fatigue OF ascending the rocks but SO it
was that towards the conclusion of the race athourh
The foremost of his enemies then distinctly in sjobt
the pace oil the outlaw became gradually clover: and
at length he threw himself down by small stream If
wafer mat gushed on. OF the cliff, and turned his ewes
deliberately upon the heath As his pursrer apnroanh
ed nearer and nearer, it could be seen that he K.s
young man oil strong athletic make: in his right hand
was sword covered with blood, which the mid sun
NAG eaked INTO brown crust on the blade; and in his
eIt he hed costly handkerchief such as was at tina,
time worn on holiday occasions by females of wealth
or rank He was dressed more like chanbe,;no
gallant than rough warrior, who seeks the browo
nea'n WIN the naked brand; but the disorder of his
apParel, which was torn and daubed with marks nj
mortal stre-his long hair, hanging in clotted hears
on his bali naked shouiders-and his wild and -bas
aspect, where fury horror and despair were written
70 mingled oharacter-seefned ye, filter for The oaey
meath than the festive hall. When he saw his enemy
'a!l down by the side of the stream a l,ry but deem
cry broke from his lips resembling half The shout NJ
The tired forester, when the stag who had held him to
bay sinks poweriess al his feet and half the nrnodr
anu savage howl of the wolf dog over the o,iye,ug
carcass OF his quarry. The Rayan of DruuscI;f
smiled scornuy the sound broke on his ear throug
the distance; but when his puGsuer came within snace
when farther delay might have been danrerors ha
plunged his head into the cool stream tore omen h;e
Dress and sPiasned the inygorang element over bis
posom then springing upon lis feet threw back his
ar over his forehead, shook his limbs and retprnn
me premature cry OF triumph BY srill yell of def
ahce oegan TO ascend tue sides Of the mountain aud
speedily disappeared among the rocks The br;Ie
groom with his black lips and burning forehead rush
Gu past Tie stream without wasting n look on liza
reviyng waters. Guided either BY The preyous Inoo
edge OIL Inc outlaws hauns or by an instinct similar
to that which leads the bloodhound 10 his unseen nr,v
he threaded The maze OF rocks with underwriting accura
Cyl I'LL length The sound ofhs enemy's feet-be crash
os oil tie branches that we're laid hold of 10 assist his
asceht-and, finally the rushing OF stones and irag
mohts OF earth, dslodged By his feet down the stee
Pac'' convinced him that lie gained upon the object
OF hs pursuit, and that few more efforts oTs stron
ana yonthfo limbs would place the fell DESTROYER before
MS eyes In the meantime the outlaw avoidjnr tI,e
steep breast of the mountain turned slor, into n T,c
pass waich cuts through the ridge, and which al
though dry at that time, winter forms the bed Of
'orreh'. I'D lew minutes more, he found himself
'l'hin SIGHT OF place tat former occasions of as
great need had stood him lieu Of friends and fort
ress; and with renewed energy, he rushed down The
steep decliyy which forms the cast side of the NOM
tain he had assembled by the west and leads direct IN
singuiarl5 situated rock even at that time known
by the name of the Ravens Tower Co his aide the
mountain sweeps down fer more than half ,yav in
oieraby smooth dechvitt-but then stops sujdenIv
snort and with highfni abruptness descends in an
almost perpendcular for the remaining space
OF nearly Que 'nndrcad and City feet It's rugged aud
projecting points overlaDg the turbulent river below
va manner which precudes the possibility Of mans
descending alive aud, although ofdabe part of the
stream hes immediately under, the traveller is thus o.
oiiged TO make cifcuit of miles before reach
ing IT, me rock we have mentioned although seem
'"g S' niue distance to form part Of the steep
only projecting in boider manner than the rest and
snFnounted by csPta' resembling slightly the battle.
menus OF fortress: yet, on nearer approach is dcoV
cred To be- IN reality, quite distinct and separate from
The mass of mountain II raises its gigantic form from
tie bosom Of the dark waters below al distance of