Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-08
GAZETTE.
A THRILLING TALE.

AuS tOhVWius W'Ht'bS Wv 20 oo'e w "s'~
been related by Sir Walter Scott, and furnished
by correspondent Of CampbelI's Magazine:
"It happened several years ago. when [ was
traversins the Highlands, along with much be
loved, but now departed friend; one Of the true
men Of the old school; one who was rich IN clds-
steal and legendary lore, but still more in ster-
ling and moral virtues. for it has been my lot to
possess friends and companions from whom have
been ever gaining, till my store has become some
what bulky. Alas! there are so many deSefters
from my corps by this time, who shall no more re
turn that wish to cherish the persuasion. thai to
be gone and be with them will be far better. Ny
friend aud were among the thtky strewn
mountains and ragged rocks Of the widest branch
of Highlands, where there is remarkable ra-
vine, which we visited and explored. Ii is, ra-
Their than rayne: fearful pit or dungeon, de-.
sceuding deep among the yawning rocks. Ii is
as if volcano had boiled there, but in course Of
time had .pouted out his lava. forming strange ad-
jaceut peaks all around, thus leaving the furnace
or crater dry and empty. 1t is terrible throat
wide open, on the very edge OF which one may
stand aud look down to the bottom.
There is mode Of descent into its depths
which visitors may command. This isby means
of rope aud windiass, as it were into coal PIT,
which are fixed and woIked from ptominent
brow Of the highest fro"nlsg peak. 10 the
main rope machine Is attached, called era
die, by f,ur shorter cords. that tie to dshnct
corners. He tina, dcsrendS takes MS stand or
seat in the cradle, within the stretch OF the four
drvrrslns cords that meet bls head. A roayh
old Highlander presided a, the wlndiass, who
appointed my friend first to go down. Ere the
cradle came Up for me again, pre,entiment OF
OH, ha.,n N IN mo nj
US began 10 take hold OF my nature, ana could
not resist inquiring if all was right with my
friend below. "Hoo, surely" Vas the answer.
" And tue cradle will be ready for you IN mln-
ute: ye are as heavy as twa o'hinI.' Is The
rope frails" ''No very ava; the last one was
rottener; IL broke, and let a man ta," vas the
alarming reply. Was he killed. say youF'-
I" Killed though he had hundred lives, he wad
hae been killed; he was smashed to pieces
down on FOUNDER jagged rock" qusth the hard
hearted Celt. l examined the rope, and 1t appe f.
ed much worn, and to be old. How old lsn!"
inquired l. "Just five years old; the last was
a mouth aulder betore it brake" was the next
piece of tan;alizns in formation. With some
Irritation Of manner, put it to HIN, why he h; d
not been provided before any risk could attend
descent; and to make things worse, ne ptoso.
kingly announced, awe are to get new ane IN
the morn; yen likely be the last one to try the
auld."
Blu, already the cradle waited for me to step
into it; | could not disappoint my companion by
not DOING as he did; and ashamed to seem to hes
ita,e before the Highlander, at once took my
seat. 1t was perhaps to encourage me that he
SAID, as he let me utf, "a far heavier man than
you gaed down yesterday" "TheD he strained
the rope" cried |; BUTT was too late to return,
and, after all, l got safe down. The sun
shons brightly, and made every intrlcacy. even
in the deep crater, clear and open to the eye
The floor might allow a hundred and fifty peO.
pie 10 stand on il at once; and consists 1T fine
sand that sparkes With pebbles, which have
dropped from the surrounding and impending
rocks. The face of these rocks Is also gemmed
by thousands Of the same sort that glittered
beautifully in the sumbeams, all OF which has
naturally suggested the idea Of work Of en-
chantment, for it is called the Fairy's Palace
But confess, though palace, it had tew attrac.
tions for me; for besdes the dishear Jennings the
Highlander fined me with, ere my descent, my
trend, now that was down, though without any
mischeyous intent crowded my fears. by giving
with startling effect, the following narrative: GA
young man once assembled from this, but when he
Game to the top, he incautiously stood bold. up
right, in the cradle, aud the moment ere it.
was landed, being inpatient to get out Of IT, he
made an adventurous leap for the breast OF the
rock. But the cradle being still pendant in the
air, without stay, He'd back on the impulse Of
his spring, aud fearful to think, let him fall be.
tween it and the landing place" " HorritE!
most horrible" was INV most natural exclama, !
ton. But" continued my friend, "keepy We
your seat in the cradle ill it be firmly Ianned
ON the rock, and all will be safe" He assembled
and prepared TO follow.
Thought Of the young mans leap and fall;
figured 10 myself the spot where he alighted, aud
the rebound he made when he met the ground, |
never more to rise. And as took my seat. uy |
limbs smote one another, and my teeth chartered |
with terror. When had descended kept my |
;, es bent dowuwards, and was encouraged the
nearer got to the bottom. But on my ascent,
hoash looked all the while upwards. ! was
trembling alive to the fact, that was ever get
,us into higher danger. Iheld the spread cords
IS With the grip Of death, never moving my eyes
rom the backened creaking main rope. There!