The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-08-21

has directed my feet this way homeward.
that it might be of service in an unex-
pected moment, and perhaps be employ
ed successfully in the deliyerance Of an
innocent being so will it Heaven
said Olnair; and, seizing the musket,
they both advanced with careful steps
to ascertain whence arose the sound
they had heard. BY the most strict at
tention, neither Olnair nor his compan-
ion could now distinguish the least mo-
ton, amid the breathless silence of the
hour, that might give them clew to the
existence of an animate being within
reach of hearing and, whether an enc
my was whiting them perdue, or flying
from them with the object Of their search,
or whetber'they had been deceived by
some beast Of the forest, bounding thro'
the close underbrush, they were equally
at loss 10 know. Still, they continued
to proceed with the utmost care, till
they arrived within few PAGES of an
open field, hemmed in on all sides by
encompassing woods. The mild prin-
cess of night, ascending the circIimam-
bient ethereal space, shed a placid efful-
gence upon the green turf before them /;
the spreading branches Of the forest were
still as the grave, the breeze not even
putting in motion their outrageous
leaves; and the Ger shadowing cliffs,
that rose on one side Of the field in
"dread majesty" seemed as If uttering
in language inaudable to man, their eye-
ming prisons TO the Eternal Deity.
There was in the prospect that sublime
appearance which bears the immortal
mind away into the empyrean fields of
Imagination, and wraps the soul in won-
der incffab!e. Olnair although he forgot
not the beautiful Closina Grey, or suf-
fered knowledge of his duty towards
her to escape him, could not but admire
the scene; and, while his eye roved back
and to along the whole extent of open
space to learn something of her fate, his
mind astonished ruminuted on the woE-
drous view.
Thus partly wrapped in meditation
stood the youth, his eye meanwhile scan
niag the rough outlines of the field, when
another rustling was heard at short
distance, and then tall, athletic savage
entered the opening, followed by two
others. A gleam of madness suffused
the dark eye Of Olnair, ms he beheld the
being most dear To his heart, bound fast.
and rudely dragged along by the two
latter. He almost rushed desperately
upon the fierce barbarian at such sight.
but second thought checked his rash
spirit and he waited more opportune
moment.--'There ! whispered the hardy
borderer, as the brnway sons Of the for
est advanced in line opposite them in
the field, 'now is our work to commence ;
that Indian, which leads tho party, must
fall by ono of our muskets, and then for
close work with tho rest The meteor
fash scarce swifter cuts tho upward
welkin, than did the blazing FIRE, from
Oluair's piece, answer to the bordsrer's
words and the hollow ground told his
aim sucrring as the fierce savage lifeless
fell upon its trembling surface. Instant
ly, then, both rushed from their conceal
ment, and rapidly advanced upon the
remaining two. Seeing themselves e
qunllyi matched in numbers, the red war
riors scorned 70 fy: but after recovering
from their irst surprise, they dropped
their fainting victim, and uttering most
terrific yell, flung themselves desperately
upon their antagonists!
Life was to reward the victor--and
fearful was the struggle for the desired
meed.--Olnair fought not only for his
own life, but the happy existence of one,
even dearer than that, hung on the suc-
cess Of himself and companion; and a
knowledge Of this, seemingly, braced his
youthful arm with more than mortal
6fmness, and half ensured him victory.
Aided by the moons calm sheen, he saw
the tomahawk Of his adversary raised to
spill his blood, then, straining every
nerve for tho most fearful exertion, he
caught the descending stroke on :he butt
Of his musket and with one blow laid the
brawny warrior lifeless at his feet
A different success attended the hardy
borderer. The closeness of the attack
rendering his loaded weapon dangerous
to use, he cast it on the field and Crap
pied with his savage opponent, ere he
could successfully employ bloody knife,
which he held in his dexter hand, and
with which he hoped to send the spirit
Of his pale foe down through the dreary
shades of death into black night eternal.
In moment the unshrinking Indian lay
upon the grassy turf and the knife was
wrested from his grasp. The borderer
waived it triumphantly in the startled
air, and then prepared to thrust the
crimson blade deep into his heart But,
at that instant the cunning warrior, rol-
ling like gliding serpent on the wary
deep, threw him on one side and with a
NJ nnla snrinn sfaod anriahf an hia faof