Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-11-12
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE,

10
meuts," forming new edition Of tales and COO.
fessions-by Leigh Richie, Esq. The volumes
| contain a great number Of stories, adventures,
| and graphic sketches, all well written, and ma
ny depicting scenes Of the deepest interest. The
writer il one who knows how to enlist the feel
ings, and command the attention Of his readers;
and in this work he has exercised that power to
lite full extent.
From sketch in the second volume, we take
the following account Of fearful contest be.
tween the leaders Of two rival houses.
There is narrow pass between two mountains
10 the neishborhood Of Bendeaerg, well known to
the traveller who adventures into these wIds 10
quest Of the savage sublimities Of nature. At a
little distance it has the appearance Of an i'm.
mense artificial bridge thrown over wide chasm;
but, on nearer approach, IS seen to be wall Of
natures own masonry, formed Of vast and rugged
bodies Of solid rock piled on each other, as il in
the giant sport of the architect Its sides are in
some places covered with trees Of considerable
size, aud the passenger who has head steady
enough to look down the precipice may see the
eyrles Of birds Of prey beneath his feet. The
path across is so narrow, that il will not admit of
two persons passing alongside: and indeed mono
but natives, accustomed to the scene from infan-
cy, would attempt the dangerous route at all,
though u saves circuit Of three miles. Yet it
sometimes happens that two travellers meet in the
middle, owing to the curve formed BY the pass
preventing view across from either side; and,
when this is the case, one is Obliged to lie down
| while the other creeps over his body.
One day, shortly after the incident above men.
| toned, highlander Uas walking fearlessly
along the pass, sometimes bending over to watch
the fight Of the wild birds that build below, and
sometimes detacbing fragment from the top. to
see it dashed against the uneven sides, bound
ing from rock to rock, it's SQUAD echoing the
while like human voice, and dying in faint
murmurs at the bottom. When the highlands
had gained the loftiest part Of the arch, he OBJ
served another person coming ieisurely from the
opposite side, and being himself Of the patrician
order, called out to him to stop: the individual,
however, disregarded the command, aud the pas.
sengers met face to face on the summit They
we're Cairn and Bendearg.
The two hereditary enemies, who would have
gloried to have met in mortal strife on bill side,
turned deadly pale at this fatal rencontre.
81 was first at the top said Bendearg, "and
called out FIRST. lie down that may pass over in
| peace.
"When the Grant prostrates himseIf before
MCPHERSON, answered the other, cit must be
with sword driven through his body"
Turn back then," said Bendearg, "and
| repass as you came"
/" Go back yourself If you like it: will not be
the first Of my name to turn before NJ 'Pherson.
This was their short conference, and the result
exactly such as each had anticipated. They then
threw their bounets over the preclpice, and adj
van.ed Nth slow aud cautious pace towards
| each other: they were both unarmed. Stretch
-. ~. IL
they planted their feet firmly On the ground. CON-
pressed their lips, knit their dark brows, and fix
ing fierce aud watcbful eyeson each other, stood
thus prepared for the onset
They both grappled at the same moment; but
for some time, being Of equal strength, were IN.
able 70 shift each others position, standing as #
fixed to the rock, with suppressed breath and
muscles strained " to the top Of their BENT" like
statues carved out Of the solid stone. At length
NJ Emerson, suddenly removing his right foot, so
as to give him greater purchase, stopped his body
and bent his enemy with him by main strength,
till they both leaned over the precipice, looking
downward into the terrible abyss. The coDtest
was as vet doubtful, for Grant had placed his
foot firmly on an elevation at the brink, and had
equal command Of his antagonist; but at this mo-
ment M'Pherson sunk slowly and firmly on his
knee, and, while Grant suddenly started back,
STOPPING to take the supposed advantage. whirl.
ed him over his head into the gulf.
M'Pherson himself fell backwards, his body
hanging partly over the rock,-a fragment gave
way beneath him. and he sank further, I'LL, catch
ing with desperate effort at the solid stone
above, he regained his footing
There was pause Of death-like stiffness, & the
bold heart of M'Pherson felt sick and faint. At
length, as if compelled unwllhugly by some mys.
terious feeling, he looked down over the pre-.
eipice. Grant had caught with a death grip
by rugged point Of rock; his enemy was yet
almost within his reach! His face was turned
upward, and there was in it horror and despair,
but he uttered no word or cry. The next mo.
ment he loosed his hold; and the next, his brains
we're dashed out before the eyesof his heredita.
~ foes;-the mangled body disappeared among
the trees, aud its last heavy and hollow sound
arose from the bottom.
M'Pherson returned home an altered man.
He purchased commission 10 the army, and fell