The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-08-16

tneNe points oil pictorial beauty and fe
lrlewere here winning: thenated side Of
the rock were only varicoaied by the
colours oftle dillerc II strata; and by lis
ow sharp and bare projections. stretch
ing forth from either side Ike threaten-
ing knives, To deter or TO mancle while
the river, rushing though the cumpafa-
lively narrow channel below, although lis
voice scarcely heard though the distance
seemed 10 light the dismal passage
with lis white foam. A sound of hasty
footsteps behind did NOT permit the out
ilwto indulge long in CONCENTRATIONS this
object; aud suddenly mastering up his
resolution as we'll as he might, stepped
backwards aiew PAGES, rushed to the
edge of the cliff, and took the terrible
leap. lie did not, az heretofore clear
the cltasm At single effort for il was his
breast that first met the ruck--his legs
and the greater part ofhs body hanging
over inlo the abyss. lie was brave rs n
man, IN the vulgar aeceptaton of tho
word, as ever itced foe but, az this
moment, the cold drops of mortal terror
burst over his forehead he dug his hands
INTO The hard aud scanty earth thai COY.
cred the surface Of the landing place,
aud elong conyusyely with his feet TO
Slish projection on the side, thai must
have lnstanianeonsly given way to less
pressure had IL mol been Of the hardest
granite. Il seemed for some time As II
further effort vas imposslble---as il his
hcrt's sole am aud desire was to rr~
mann fixed forever in this irightlul posi-
ton hui, rs he found his strength grad
ly giving way, his hands relaxing in
then srnsp, and his feet slipping from
. Their hol --apd the convection broke on
his MN that, III few minutes more, he
must eve himself up 10 death The nm
agnauon sFu1dered at--desperation
came to aid courage and, staking every
thing on tie event of a single movement
which ii unsu fully, must plunpe
him into the guli---be caught with his
hands still closer TO the rock, aud press
ing his feet with all his mipht against
their slender hold, succeeded by vlo-
lent muscular effort, III he1ving himself
upon tho clilf. Eternal curses on my
neryoless limbs y cried the bridegroom,
arriving at the instant 'lhe Raven has
reached his towel--aDd who may fol-
low him Turn back continued he,
raising his voice into u furious shout,
ravisher murderer monster all
things bad but coward - Fun back anI
| swear by every thing binding on mans
soul, 10 divide III twain my sword with
thee aud, although thou descrvest die
Ike a dog, 10 fight fair fight with thee
on the bill SIDE, without friend or wit
ness, save yonder setting sun, aud II Inn
who made IL ! But the Raven WIS de II
even 10 50 courteous an offer he lay ON
his back upon the Cliff, apparently with
out sense OF motion, ms legs hanging o.
vef the side eemlng, like tic poet.
prrsouIhcallon oil Danger, to have
thrown HIM.
on thcrdrv steep
Ofsone loose hanging Iock to sleep
! Take tlns, tnen, 10 rouse thecp sait
The bridegroom, tearing up, by mait
iorcc, a fragment oi the TO- IA, and hur-
Img II al, IS the chasnI: II Tell with
dravY sound on tho outlaws breast; ant
Ie ralsed himself up, like "A chainea
mlstin, II the pun and insult Va,
irt tloai' 40 crled, hardly seeming I,
rccolleet ms sltuauon; what dost thol
seek - VIVA, do seek 20 God
---Looh here = replied the bridegroom
stretching his arms and body idl ovtI
the clii towards the destroyer, while In,
voice vas chDkcd win the opposite an
yet combining emotions OF grief ano
rage. " hat do | seek See'st thou
this hanakerchieli \ lew hours ago i
covered the taifest and tue chasicsl bo.
som n bread Scotland the red blois o
murder, tndt he wrinkles Of rulilan yIo.
lence, re ON II now aud the coyerinl
Of the bosom IS rrproach, and louness
aud dshonor. What 90 seek seek
continued ne, speaking tblo' has cIench.
ed teeth | seek 10 fulfil the oath
made 10 heaven and 10 her--to Slesp In,
handkerchief, ra,isher,. III Thy hearl'l
blood Tempt me not said the out.
law htst thou not tasted enough 0
my vengeance already | am slockenee
on the.--Get thee gone---but cross II,
more the path OF one who has nelthei
tear nor mercy The,avenger pausedfol
an instant. ana then paced TO aud fro b,
the edge Of the rock, with the restless i
impatient step OF beast of prey alone
the bars Of his cage but soon his brow
grew blacker, and his lips met with d
irmcr resolution He is spent with IA,
tigue,' lie said aloud, although commune
ing only with hlmself;' he rs weary witt
murder or he would by this time have
sought the ford. What holds me from
! Io....r,, L.. In 2 I an, ,tnun,,n- Il,