Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-23
no lifted his light oar and waved his tur-

be no longer distinguished, and then she
looked with intense anxiety for the ap-
proach of the sun, that she might have
| a more distinct view Of the island. At
length the great luminary appeared in
the east and dispelled the mist which
arose from the waters. Canarissa was
ioyfully surprised when she Epund that
shc had not only complete view Of the
island, bm could plainly distinguish the
inhabitants moving about it. She sat
down in the shade of an olive tree. and
gazed intently Oh those scenes which
most powerfully agitated her mind
There was a great commotion on the
island, and knowing the cause, she shud-
dered lest Wenderum. should fall into
the power other enraged father. About
| midday she observed an unusual num-
ber of every age and sex running TO a
woody part Of the beach, when, sudden
| ly little barque emerged from tho thick
shade and rowed hastily towards the
cape. She knew this barque to be her
lovers as there was no one OF the kind
belonging to the island. There was
such a dead calm that the caiques could
not pursue him, and she hoped he might
reach her in safety. The crowd stood
OH the beach and several Intellectual
shots were discharged after him; at
length one sent by furious hand lodged
in the breast OF the unfortunate fugitive.
Canarissa, who had previously descend
ed to the edge of tho water, heard him
shrek and saw him fall forward on his
face; she lost no time in hesitation, but
leaped with desperate strength into the
doep.
1t is we'll known that the Israriot
females are no strangers to the art Of
swimming, and Canarissa had frequently
amused herself in this manner. With in
credible rapidity she now dared through
the waters and soon reached Wenderums
boat.
He looked upon her, smiled family as
she raised his bleeding body in her arms,
and then in low whisper said, | die
for thee Canarissa.' His eyes were still
fixed tenderly upon her, and she did not
know that no was gone until she felt that
his warm heart had ceased its beating
This was moment which called forth
al that deep fortitude possessed by wo-
man, and this young creature exercised
it with amazing power She placed her
lovers body in the bottom of the boat
and kneelng beside it, lifted her hands
in long and silent prayer. She some
times pressed her burning lips to his cold
cheek, and then she would cry out in
strains Of bitter lamentation, ooh Wen
derum, how could they slay thee in the
midst of thy beauty and strength"
Nearly all the Islanders were standing
on the beach, Witnessing this sorrowful
spectacle; some declared it was wrong
to seperate two such faithful hearts, while
the more unfeeling maintained that she
also ought to die.
At length the wretched girl again lift
cd Wenderum's body in her arms, then
slowly laying it on the surface Of the
clear water, said, sOh best of men, thy
sacred remains shall not be violated by
the vengeance of my father. Thou shalt
sleep in the billow and the hand that laid
thee low shall give grave to thy Cana
rissao She gazed mournfully downward
for some minutes, then lifted the oar he
had so lately resigned, and pushed for
the Island; when she reached the shore.
she stood upright, with her long black
ringlets flowing wildly over her shoul
ders, and her dark eye lightning up into
all the determination of her sire. Nov,
she exclaimed, brandishing tue ataghan
she had taken from her murdered lover
Let him who slew my best friend, come
forward, this bosom is barred to his blade
and this arm is lifted to avenge the brave
and innocent. Let him comc.' All was
silent as the grave. The crowd parteo
and she passed on expecting death a
every step, but no one molesled her.
At length a well known voice cried out
'stop, l am the murdererp She turned
and met the stern and settled face o
her father, she threw hes weapon OH the
ground, and reverently approaching him
he raised his ataghan to her bosom, when
she sunk on her knees, and clasping hi.
ieet, cried, 'Oh my father forgive me ere
| die, send not my soul 10 its great Judge
with an unforgiven crime upon it-slay
not thy child until thy curse is removed !!
His flinty heart was softened, and hi!
stern brow relaxed-he looked on hi
, beloved daughter, and extended his hant
, towards her; she grasped it, but woult
/ not leave the earth until he had forgiven
, her. 81 freely forgive thee he replied
but the honour Of our house demands
that thou should'st die! She attempted
r 10 rise, but so desperately had every fac
uIty been exerted to support her to tha
, moment, that she was altogether over
, come, and sank back upon the ground