Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-30

dog announced u traveller and imme-
diatey a man in a herdsman's dress ad-
vanced and asked them, if they had OBJ
served drove Of cattle as they passed
Ms tavern?
THAT is the inn Of which we arc in
pursuit. replied julius; I'VE cannot have
passed it, surely
'Why, l rather guess you hare said
the herdsman, with quaint wink, 'you
have come about as good as SIX miles right
on, Of your way! You should have turn
cd Off at the 'jork'-you saw the fork in
the road, didn't ye' well, you should
have turned off there, and then few
miles riding would have brought 10 Ms
tavern.
"And have we all this distance TO re-
,racc!" said Rosnc, looking forth upon
the lcngthening shadows.
Yes marin, if you go straight back
again, you have-that's sariin! But III
tell you what you can do, mister" said
be, turning to julius Z" You can just
cut into that are COW path you see
there, and it will bring you right out to
the Jork,' aud save as good as four
miles travel. Besure the road is none
of the best, but ye must not mind the
scrushing of the bushes under the wheels.
Like the lady in Comus,' they accep-
ted with gratitude " his honest offer'd
courtesy and as he turned tho horse's
head into the woodland path, he bade
them keep up good heart, for he'd
warrant their Critter would make out
safe path, if they'd let him alone.
Aware Of tho surprising instinct Of
that noble animal, they proceeded seve-
raj miles without fear or difficulty, but
the path now began to narrow, and Ju-
lius was obliged to yield the reins 10,
his sister, in order to part the branches
ofthc trees, which were so thickIy inter-
woven over their heads, as in many pla
ces to render it impossible otherwise to
pass. Mile after mile they proceeded
through this wild and solitary path, with
out turning, and apparently without end.
One blessing was spared to them: the
moon shone in full unclouded Brightness,
by which Julius perceived it was nov
near midnighl! What situation for an
invalid youth and ti'.,id girl! Sudden
ly the roar Of waters met their ear, and
after proceeding few rods further the
horse came TO a full stand, on the brink
of tremendous gulf! above which, on
tho other side, the mountain cataract
fell, with dcafcning roar into the
chastn beneath. Endeavouring to cs-
cape this scene Of peril, Julius turned
into tho only path that presented itself,
with hope that it might end in safety,
when sound between yell and wlsis-
tie met their ears, while something i'll
human shape ("if shape it might be
caI!ed' bounded across their path with
the velocity Of hare, but was immedi-
ately lost among The bushes. Before
they had time to remark OH this sinSu-
lar object, it again appeared Oh dis
tant cliff, assuming the most grotesque
attitudes, and tossing its long arms as if
in defiance Of the travellers. 1t seem
ed not like any thing Of "earth's mould
Its wild and distorted visagc resembled
the sphynxhead of an Esygtian column,
moro than human face! while its large
light eyes, as they flashed with pale
phosphoric flame, were rendered more
hideous by an obliquity Of vision.
1t was difficult to decide on the sex
OF this strange object, as its dress par
took Of the characteristics of both. A
small straw hat, in which waved single
peocock's feather, was placed fantastic
ally on one side Of its head, from which
quantity Of coarse yellow hair stream
ed in elf locks around its long sinewy
neck; boys jacket, and Il peilicoat COM
posed of that striped material which our
country danes call linsey-woolscy, COM
pleted its costume. Notwithstanding
its questionable shape" Julius was
resolved to "speak to it," icho or
what are yon'" cried he-a shril de-
moniac laugh, rendered more fearful by
the wild solitude Of the scene, was its
only reply; even tho horse seemed con-
scious that the object who kept continu-
ally bounding across his path, and using
every effort to obstruct his progress,
was not of the human family Sudden
" it uttered wild unearthly shriek, aud
soized the reins Of the horse. this was !
the climax Of Rosine's fears; and twin
ing her icy fingers with those of her
brother, she sank almost lifcless upon
his bosom; but his surprise and appre-
hension were scarce less than hers, on
perceiving before them deep moat |
half filled with black and stagnant water:
by simple, though powerful effort, the
Goblin withdrew huge iron bolt, when |
a heavy platform descended with crash
so violent, that, but for the ready curb of
his masters hand both horse and car
riage would have been precipitated into
the gulph below. The moat being pass.
able, the strange being again seized the
rcins, and led the horse in safety over.