Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-04-12
PoYuIAR TALES.
THH aEozUT BANDIT.

II
suitors, both for her beauty ard smiable
qualities, aud for the lands she would
one day inherit: but among them all she
selected one who was no less distin-
| guished by bis handsome person aud gal
liant bearing, nor less SO for bis appa-
rsntriches, although he was stranger
in those parts, and no one could tell
where lay his possessions, or whence he
came. In short the day was fixed for
their betrothment, upon which occasion
magnificent entertainment was to be
given by the aohleman.
II CHANGED, however, that on the pre-
| cedjng eve the msidsa walked out, un.
accompanied By any attendant; and ere
| she was aware Of the distance she had
wandered, had lost herself 10 the intri-
cacies of a deep wood. At length meet
ing with what seemed to be path, she
pursued the track, out found that it con.
Quoted to dismal cavern, that extend
ed for some way beneath the ground
Struck with wonder at its romantic ap.
pesrance, she determined to explore IL;
| and advancing onward, soon discovered
a spacious vault, that had every APP
pearance Of being inhabited, and that,
too, not by hermit or religious recluse,
but by one who had taste for wealth
aud luxury. She next proceeded into
an inner chamber, where she saw
shining heap of gold and silver, which,
on examination, she found 10 consist of
richly chased gobiets and other costly
vessels, and gold coiu. Continuing her
search, she came to q third chamber,
where, to her exceeding disnay and
horror, she beheld the remains ofhuman
carcases, dead meas bones, and hide.
Gus Gkulis She was now certain that
| she was in retreat of robbers and MUIR
derers, and was about to make her es-
cape as soon as possible, when sound
| OF approaching footsteps warned her to
conceal herself instantly behind kind
of projecting pillar at the extremity of
| this chamber of death. Hardly had she
screened herself before robber enter
ed, bearing in his arms the dead body OF
a lady, richly alfred, from which he be.
gan to strip the jewels and valuable or
naments. While the barbarian was thus
employed, the maiden caught Il glimpse
of bis festores, and cry of horror near.
y escaped her lips, as she discovered
them to be those of her lover. He had
now plundered the body Of all but a very
beautiful ring, when in his impatisncs
to get it, he cut off the finger with his
sword, but with such violence tina. il few
to some distance, very near the spot
where the maiden was concealed. For.
tunately, however, be did not stay to
search Tor it, but having heard a signal
from without, hurried away to rejoin his
comrades. For some minutes, the mai
den stood rooted to the spot with horror
at what she had thus witnessed, and
dread for her own fate; at length, hear
ing nc noise whatever, she yentured
from her hiding place, and sooa after
stole out of the cavern, having frat
picked up the finger that had been Gu,
of, and succeeded ia finding the way
home, whers she found her father await.
ing her retsrn in the greatest anxiety.
She excused herself by saying that she
had wandered much farther than she in
teaded, bat mentioned not word of the
cavern, or the scene she had witnessed
there.
On the following day the bridegroom,
arrived at the castle, attended by several
companions, all splendidly attired, and
the lady welcomed him as beftted one
who was to be her future lerd. AS thew
afterwards sat at the festive board and
the goblet passed around, each guest
recitsd some legend or wondrou, tale.
At length it came to the lady's turn to
be the narrator; wbereupon she began
40 relate the adventure of damsel. who
having lost herself in a forest, took shsl.
Ter that was used by bsnditti for the pur-
pose Of ceRcealing their booty. The
bridegroom listened with the utmost
anxiety. within this cave, continued
the lady, were many fair chambers. in
one Of which we're heaps of gold and
silver: IN smother were hands and leg..
and other remains of dead bodies.' The
bridegroom could scarcely conceal his
agitation; yet seemed to lend an ear of
uneoncerned attention 70 the story.
which proceeded to state how the damsel
was surprised by The return of robbers:
how she concealed herself, and the
shocking scene she oeheld. @Ha! a
pleasant tale truly,' exclaimed he. when