Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-05

mage of the rest Of the feathered tribes. lhe
little humming-birds especially glitter among
them like so many precious stones, and DART
from the flower-belIs with rapidity which rem
ders il impossible TO distinguish their forms, as
if the flowers were carrying on tiny warfare,
and shooting at each other with gems hidden
in their fragrant bosoms. The brilliant lizards,
with their golden hues, now gliding along the
banks, and now chasing each other with mere,
dible speed, add to the dazzling brightness oil
the valley. At night, when the splendid inhao'
itants are taking their repose, the fire flies sup
ply their place, and emulate the brilliant beams
of the sun with their dancing rays. small
bamboo temple, constructed with fairy light
ness, anG delicately carved, rises in the middle
OF the dell Over it grow three fan-palms,
which spread their leaves in The air, as it in ex-
ulta,ion OF shading The deity. Some large coral
trees, with their eternal blossoms, now OF the
deepest crimson and now OF the brightest scar
let, encircle the building, and sweet smelling
flowers are either planted around, or spontane-
ously climb up the slender pillars which sup
por, the roof. None but the head priest, who
delivers the oracles, and select few who attend
upon him, dare penetrate to the interior oil this
building, though all are called 10 assist in the
sells in the streamlet which flows past the door.
After the questions are put, a low hollow sroan
is heard, which is succeeded by screams and
and cries; and after a pause OF about minute,
the priest gives the answers in a low broken
voice to his assistants; these convey them TO the
strangers without the temple, who, after depo'
sitting The offt rings take their departure are a
gain blindfolded, and guided up to the spot
whence they descended.
The whole valley is intersperscd with nea.
bamboo houses, each surrounded by small
plantation, which affords food to the inhabit-
ants. 1t was in one Of these that Amba, awak.
ing from long stupor, found herself reclining
on large cushions, and a man, whose wrinkles
and grey beard bespoke him at the utmost
verge Of human life, was sitting beside her: he
gently felt her hand, and smilingly exclaimed to
some one on the opposite side, " she recovers!"'
Amba followed the direction Of his eyes, and
fixed her own on her beloved Tarbara. II could
not be reality. No, no! thought Amba, l am
no longer living; am with the spirits OF the
blessed. But when she felt the pressure Of her
husbands arm as he raised her head from the
| pillow, when she heard him speak to her in the
most endearing accents, she again raised her
eyclids in full consciousness Of reality. She
would have spoken, but the old man inlerfered,
and said, "You are safe; you are with your hus-
band and friends; il you talk, you will kill your
self: when you are strong, you shall hear all
Now take some nourishment, and it he Will
promise to bp silent, Tarbara shall remain with
YOU. now go to rest in the next room, and II
! I hear the smallest word, | shall separate you. I"
Amba nodded obedience, and fixing her eyes on
the dear form of which she again feared to lose
sight, quietly awaited returning health and
! strength Once indeed The INDUCTION was dis
oheYed By TaCbagas inasiriag far bis moths r;
his finger to his lips, and she resumed her tran
guilty. In a few days her submission was re-
warded by the power of sitting up, and permits
sion 10 hear an explanation Of all she saw around
her. Tarbara told her that he had indeed been
stunned by the handle of sword and left for
d cad upon the field; that the battle had taken
place not far from the dell In which they were;
and when the retreating horns and voices Of the
enemy announced their departure from The spot,
the priests of the valley, under cover of the
night, visited the scene of death. They found
life still remaining in himself and few others,
whom they carried to their homes, where they
have been watched and tended ever since. Tar
bara added, that he bad been wounded in seve-
raj places; but, thanks to these humane men, he
was now perfectly cured, and should have pro-
ceeded home ward, had it been safe for him to
venture from his hiding place. "But now did
I come hither, Tarbara?" inquired Amba-
"That you can best tell me-" he replied. "All
know is, that some Of the priests were wan.
dering in very distant part Of the dell, and
heard faint cry of Ninapoo! Minna,Doo! Pre-
senty something came falling through the
trees, and at length lodged upon projection of
the rock, which was covered with fern To
their great establishment it was the body Of
woman, who must have been precipitated from
a great height, and who could only have been
saved by the trees breaking her fall. A few mi
nu,es afterwards l met these fathers, bearing
the insensible form ofmy own Amba, and they
and l have watched by you till you have been
restored 10 animation. Various have been my
conjectures as TO your being so far from Addi-
na.'' Amha then eagerly interrupted him by
her own narrative; and the description Of her
sufferings caused many painful feeling in the
heart Of her husband, who, when she concluded,
exclaimed, "While the fathers looked at you,
they frequently said-She is not Fantce, nor
an Ashantee, but comes from long way of, e.
ven from beyond the great water; 'and now, AM
ba, you prove it, for no Addina woman would
have done for her husband what you have done