The Arkansas advocate., 1830-12-22

ana silent us statue. He feared 10 breathe, almost, least he might lose any sound which would warn him of their coming. While thus listening, with ey- cry faculty Of mind and body strained to an agony of attention, it occurred to him he should be more sensible of the motion, probably, if he streaehed himself a long the iron floor. He accordingly laid himself softly down, and had not been long in that position when--ycs-- he was certain of it--the floor moved under him! He sprang up, and with voice saiioeated nearly with emotion, called aloud. He paused-the motion ceased-he felt no stream of air--all was hushed--no voice answered to his lie bust into tears; and as he sunk to the ground, in renewcdanguishexclaim ed: Oh my God, my God! you alone ] have power to save me now, or strength en me for the trial you permit!
 Another morning dawnedsupon the wretched captive, and the fatal index of his doom met his eyes. Two windows! and tseo days-and all would be over! l Fresh food--fresh water! The myste. rious visit had been paid, though ne had implored in vain. But how awfully was his prayer answered in what he now saw! The roof ofthe dungeon was with in a foot ofhis head The two ends were so near, that in six paces he trod tho space between them. Vivenzio snud- dered as he gazed, and as his tcps tra- versed the narrowed area. ButhisieeI- ings no longervented themselves II fran- tic waihngs. With folded arms, and clenched teeth-with eyes that were biood-shot from much watching, and fix l ed with 8 vacant glare upon the ground with q hard quick breathing, aud a l hurried walk, lie stTode backwards s.i1d forwards in silent musing for several hours. What mind shall conceive, what tongue utter. or what pen describe. tho dark and terrible character of .is thoughts? Like the fate that moulded them, they had no similitude in the wide range of this worlds agony for maIa.-e- Suddenly he stopped, and his eyes was riyeted upon that part of the wall which was over his bed of straw. Words arc inscribed there A humanlanguage, trac- ed by human hand He rushos towards them; but his blood freezes as he reads.
 si, Luaovico Storza, tempted by the gold off tic tic ot off, s5i.t ttiiIa years in contriving and executing this accursed triumph of my heart. When 1t was completed, the perfdious Toli, more devil than man who conducted mo hither one morning, to be witness as Ire said, of it's perfection, doomed me to be the first victim of my own pernicious skill; least, as he declared, should di- vulge the secret, or repeat the effort of my ingenuity. May God pardon him, as l hope he will me, that ministered tohis unhallowed purpose }! Miserable wretch, whoe'er thou art, that reads these lines, fall on thy knees, and invoke as have done, his sustaining mercy who alone can nerve thee to meet the vengeance of Tolfi, armed with his tremendous en- zine which, in a few hours, must crush you, as it will the needy wretch who made it!''
 A deep groan burst from Viyenzio. He stood like one transfixed, with diiat- ed eyes, expanded nostrils, and quiver- ing lips, gazing at this fatal inscription. It was as if voice from sepulcher had sounded in his ears, Prepare.' Hope foresook him. There was his sentence recorded in those dismal words. The future stood unveiled ba. fore him, ghastly and appalling. His brain already feels the decending hor- TOT; his bones seem to crack and crunl- ble in the mighty grasp of the iron walls! Unknowing what it is he does, he fumbles in his garment for some weapon of selEdestrnetion. He elen- l ches his throat in his convulsivo gripe, as though he would strangle himseif at once. He stares, upon the walls, and \ his warning spirit demands, sswill they net asttiieeiifate their office # dash my head against them2o An hystcrical. laugh chokes him as he exclaims, swhy shouldI? He was but a man who died first in their fierce embrace; and ! should be less than man not to do as l much?n
 The evening sun was decending, and Vienzio beheld its golden beams il streaming through one of the windows. l What thrill of joy shot through h:ss soul at the sights! It was precious link, that united him, for a moment.