Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-08

the forenoon till the shades of evening were brgipn;pr
TO ial-had deprived bis limbs of their woned strength
and elasticity; ard, perhaps, tbcfew years ofto
inteperance, and crime that had elapsed since bis
last visit 10 the tower, had cast weight pom his head
to which. during the progressive infection of the bur-
Then he had been insehsibe. Ii may Be- too that the
areaou deeds OF the morning, different in their cha
racter from the usual feats of arms--which however
bloody IN their consequences, appeared these law
less men az something honorable and praisewor,hy-
may have state with more than common weight upon
nis mnd. But, however this may be, il was with an
unsteady step he approached brink of the precpce;
and when wild bird, which had built in the cliff
scared from her nest by the intrusion burst away with
sudden scream, the bold OUTLAW started and grew
Pae: perhaps was the the devoted bride which
II brought to his haunted recollection. Controlling his
Iee,'ss, however, he went close tue edge of the
u anu iooHe' down for monent into the abyss
Cec's OF similar nature occurring in the scenery
OF mountainous countries. do not usually impress the
"a'eher with IDEAS of unmDgled terror;-the trees
pending across the chasm. ard concealiu with their
'oage MS depth and daDgcrthe heath and brushrood
ciiDging to the sides, like natural tapestry-and the
projecting points of the rocks raising their grey heads
at intervals through the curtain, give a romantic va
rely 10 The picture, and gid our fear with admraton
Du these points OF pictorial beauty and relief here
want,ng the naked sides of the rocit were only yarie.
gated by the colours of the different strata; and by lis
own sharp ann bare projections, stretching forth from
either SIDE like threatening knives, 10 deter or TO man.
gle; while the river rushing through the comparative
~ narrow channel below, although its voice was scarce
ly heard through the dstance-seemed TO lirl tho dis
,na' passage WIN us Wfite foam. sound of hasy
footsteps behind did not permit the outlaw to INDULGE
long i'll contemplation of this object and suddenly
mastering up his resolui as well as he mqht he
stepped backwards few ICES, rushed 10 the edre of
,he cii aud look tue terrible leap He did not, as
heretofore clear the cham at single effort for was
ms breast that first met the rock-his legs and the
greater part of bis body hanging over into the abyss
ne was as brave man, IN the vulgar accepation Of
the word, as ever faced foe; but, this moment the
cold drops Of mortal terror burst ov err his forehead b
dug his hands into the hard and scanty earth that CO.
Vered the surface of the landing place. chung con.
vus'e'y WITH ms feet to slight projection the sie
that must have nstantaneously given way to n less
pressure had it not been of the hardest granite Il
seemed for sometime if further effort was impossible
las IT his hearts sole aim and desire was 10 remain
liked forever in this frighul positions but as he found
ms strength gradually giving way, his hands relaxing
10 their grasp and his feet slipping from their hold
and The convection broke his mind that III few
m'nutes moro, he must give himself up 60 dea h
The imagination shuddered at-desperation came TO i,
aid OF courage; and stalking eyerr thine ON the even,
| OF single mos ement-wbCh if unsuccessful INNS,
plunge him into the gnlf--he caught will. his hands
sun closer TO The rock, aad pressing his feet uith all
MS might against their slender hold, succeeded bv
violent muscular effort in heaping himself uno, The
cii External curses my nevelcss liubs.n cried the
bridegroom arriving al the instant; the Raven has
| ,eaGned MS tower-and who may follow hir,.-Turn
oack continued he, raising bis voice into furious
shout, ''raVis!ier murderer. mpnste.al things bad
but coward!-Turn back! and swear BY cyery thing
oibdng on mans SOUL TO divide ain nv sword with
q lie
TO hight fair fight with thee on this hill side without
friend or witness, yonder setting sum- and Him
who made it," But the Raven was deaf then 70 so
courteous an offer he lay his back upon the cT
apparently without sense motion his Iers haDop0
over the sideseemng, like The poets decentralization
OF Danger, to have thrown hin
''o1 the rdsy steep
VI some loose, hanging rotI. 20 SLEEP
lake this, then, to rouse thee said tie tear
ing up by main force, fragment of the rock and hurlin,
nj
law breasts aud he raised himself up like chained
ill., al the pain and insutsho art thou" he cried
hardly seeming tn recolect his suation la 6ost Inn,
SEEK -"Wha do seek:O Gnd!--Iuok herc?'' replief
the bridegroom stretching his and body far over the
elm towards the destroyer, while his coke with
the opposite and yet combining emotions grief and rage
'' hat do seek? See'st thou this ha pdkerchie few
hours ago covered the faireS chasie bosom !,
broad Scotland: the red blo of urter and wrinkles If
Tuhan violence, 1t and the covering of the
bosom reproac, and foulnesS and ishonour. What do
sec' SEEK continued he Spreading through his c,enee5
eeh,-" seek to fulfil the oath made TO heaven and 10
herto steep this handkerchief, ravishe in thy HEARTS
blood -"Tempt mott" said the outlaw: lias, ,ho,
not tasted enough fmy vengeance already?
on 'fee-Get thee gnne-but no more the path If
enc who has neither fear mercy. The avencer
Tor an instant and then paced and by the ed-a of tine
rock, with the restless and impatient Of beast of
along the bars OF his cage but his brow grew,
aud his lips net with hTner resolution. "FIe is spent
With fatigue he said aloud, although comun;or o,I,
with himself; me is weary with muide ne would 1v ,
tine have sought tle ford What holds TIE op, eap:nn
his dem am younger than he; nv ,nfs 80 ,,nre
pie than his. What for the craven lay which Urea
tens death for the aitemppy vengeance shall rot ne
stayed with song. 1t shall b. the werht o dcsnsr
is surely not greater than the weight Of guit-And co
saying, he stepped backward to the proper darre
gan to prepare himself for the adventure. This he did in The
rst place. by striking his blade the ground
his hands, raising up is face towards heaven aud
short prayer io success; but although stood thus in
attitude OF Christian devoon he might have seemed IN re
sembic OF the ancient nj ,Iosn ont oi;, -
worship, as Amn'ianus Marcenus informs us uas a na
Eed sword stuck III the earth lie then drew forth his oooa
steel again. and planting his feet firmly in their pfoper
posture was abou; 10 spring forward the sros nde,
taking The outlaw, vino had apparently watched his
menis, md heard his words raised himself
uy Inmh reclining posureffst on his knees and then
as iis ehemys preparations seemed nearly com,Io
ted, upon his feet stop" he cricd "ness that
a. least, not sought this The on your own
confess 'na' am worn out ain alone and unarned:
but the visitor vino hrusts himself unbidaep m , 49,
shall never live 10 tell What welcome met with at the
Ravens Tower The reply of the avenger was to wave
the bloody handkerchief in the air, which he ben rIsc "a
his BOSOM and, clear the sp.ro