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

THE BoRDERER's LEAP.

Esselstone. Heath, on the northern sidl
Of the borders, is the entrance 10 one o
those jumbles of roc ks and mountains whicl
seem to have been destined by nature TO
the haunt of such wild and desperate char
acters as held in these districts the reigI
of blood and terror, before the union Of th(
two Kingdoms, aud for some time after. j
was there that the Raven OF Hornsclitf, a.
he was called, one OF the last Of the bor
der thieves" terminated his esreer in q
manner we'll worthy of his life. The crime
which led to this catastrophe, sic ough moi
unparalleled in the annals 81 tiie period oi
which we write, would seenS ot.se refine
ment of modern taste,- too grbss for histori.
cal detail 1t may suffice therefore, to
say, that at the marriage OF one OF his enc
mics, which was celebrated that morning,
Raven made his appearances guest as
unlocked for as welcome with numerous
train OF followers, massacred a great part
OF the company, violated the bride before
the brldegroom's eyes, and set ire 10 the
house. Unexpected succors, however, ar.
rlved--although not before the work Of re-
venge had been but too well accomplished:
the asSailants were assailed in Aseir turn,
groom liberated, whom they intended 10
carry off as prisoner--and their chief o.
bllged to betake himself to flight, alone and
unarmed.
1t was the afternoon when the oulaw ar
rived at the borders of the ha.th, and his
breath became freer as he feltthe cool ali
from his own mountains, and saw the de
clining sun, which hung over The ellis to
which his fugitive steps were directed,
pointing as IL were TO the place Of their
mutual repose. He slackened his pace ior
al instant, to look around on the well
known scene: his heart dllated with kind
Of pride as he felt his foot once more on
his native heath, which il pressed with @
Iasticlty hardly diminished blythe weight
of fifty years; and hls eyes spafkled with
fierce Joy as he saw the approaching ter
minatiou of his flight.----Buth he was alone
and unorned for his sword had been bro.
Ken of TO the hilt; a host of enemies were
behind, and his place of refuge yet distant
he looked back as he gained tie summit o
an emnence: and although, tea less expe
rienced traveller, no sound could be heard
TO break the Stiffness Of the hour. and no
living form appeared to give animation TO
the desolate heath, save that OF the wild
bird, now and then startled by his sudden
steps from its resting place, yet, when he
had bent for moment his keen eyes OF
the distance, and then turned his ear in the
same direction, as If To ca.ga g nute OF
confirmation, the outlaw sBuffed up The
wind like a fox pursued To his covert and
bending his body forward 10 the mountains.
darted on with renewed velocity. lie did
not rest again TIL he had reached the ridge
Of mountains which forms the termination
Of the heath; bat his eXertions, during the |
latter part Of the journey, although not less !
steady than before, were less VIOLENT. Per |
haps his long and rapid flight--or, 1t may
be the pressure Of approaching age---had !
contributed TO s,lilen his wearIed limbs |
md to depress his stout heart; or, perhaps, |
t was only some consideration OF policy |
hat induced him TO reserve his strength for |
he greater hazard and fatigue Of ascend !
ng the rocks but so il vas, that towards |
he conclusion OF the race, although the |
orenost of his enemies was then distinctly |
n sight, the pace Of the outlaw became !
slower and at length he threw |
himself down by n small stream Of water |
hat gushed out Of the cliff, and turned his !
yes deliberately upon the heath. Az his
'ursuer approached nearer and nearer,
t could be seen that he was young man.
f strong athletic make: in his right hand
vas a sword covered with blood, " hich the
MD day sun had baked into 4 brown crust
N the blade; and in his left he held a cost
y handkerchief, such as was at that time
worm on holiday occasions by females Of
wealth or rank. He was dressed more like
chambering gallant than rough warrior
.ho seeks the brown heath with the naked
rand but the disorder of his apparel,
,hich was torn and daubed with marks Of
Mortal strife--hs long hsir, hanging in
loued heaps Oh his hall. naked shoulders
nd his wild and ghsstly aspect, where fu-
V, horror, and despair were written in
lingled character-seemed yet filter for \
he lonely heath than the festive hall |,
When he saw bis enemy fall down by tho
ide Of the stream, low but deep cry broke
-om his lips, resembling half the shout Of
ne tired forester, when the stag who has
ED him 10 bay sinks powerless at his feet,
nd half the greedy and savage howl ofthe
'olf dog over the quivering carcass Of bis
uarry. The Raven Of Drumscllffe smiled
cornfully as the sound broke on his ear
trough the distance: but when hrs pnrsuer
ome within a space when farther delay
hight have been dangerous, he plunged his
cad into the cool stream, tore open his
ress, and splashed the inyigorating els.
lent over his bosom, then springing upon
is feet, threw back his hair over his fore.
cad, shook his limbs and returning the
rema,ure cry Of triumph BY sbrill yell Of
e6snce, began 10 ascend the sides Of the
and speedily disappeared among
he rocks. The bridegroom,wit his black
ps and burning forehead, rushed past the
treom without wasting even look on its
nriuinn ,,atnra Gnidnd either BIZ nra. |