The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-03-11
THE SECRET BaNDIT.-, LEGEND.

THE SECRET BANDIT.--A LEGEND.
There lived formerly in Denmark wealthy no.
/ bic, who-had an only child, fair daughter-The
maiden lacked not suitors, both for her beauty and
her amabIe qualities, and for the lands she would
one day inherit; but among them all, she selected
one who was distinguished by his handsome person
and gallant bearing, nor less so for his apparent
riches, although he was stranger in those parts
and no one could tell where lay his possessions
whence he came. In short, the day was fixed for
their betrohment, upon which occasion a magnifi-
cent entertainment was to be gwen by the nobleman.
1t chanced, however, that on the preceding eve
the maiden walked out, unaccompaned by any at
endant and ere she was aware of the distance she
had wandered, had lost herself in the nricacies OF
a deep wood. At length, meeting with what seemed
to be path, she pursued the track, and found that
II conducted to adsmal cavern, which extended for
some way beneath the ground. Struck with won
der at ITS romantic appearance, she determined to
explore 1t and advancing onward, soon discovered
spacious vault, that had every appearance of be-
ing inhabited, and that, too, not by hermit or q
religious rccluse, but by one who had a taste for
for wealth and luxury.
She next proceeded to an inner chamber, where
she saw large heap of gold and silver, which, on
examination, she found to consist of richly chased
goblcts and other costly vessels and gold COIN Con-
tInulng her search, she came to a third chamber,
where to her exceeding dismay and horror she be-
held the remains Of human carcass, dead mems
bones, and hdeous skulls. She now certain
that she in "A retreat of robbers and murdercrs,
and about to make her escape as quick as pos
sble, when a sound of approaching footsteps warn
ed her to conceal herself behind kind of projecting
pillar at the extremity of the chamber of death.
Hardly had she screened herself, before robber
entered, bearing in his the dead body of n la
dy richly attired, from which he began to strip the
valuable Jewels and ornament. While the barbarian
was thus employed, the maiden caught glimpse of
his features, and cry of horror nearly escaped her
lips, as she discovered them to be those of her low
cr. lie had now plundcrcd the body of all but a
very beautiful ring, when, in impatence to get it,
he cut off the finger with his sword, but with such
violence that it flew to distance, very near the
spot where the maiden was concealed. Fortunately
however, he did not stay to search for it, but hav
ing heard signal without, hurried away to reion his
comrades. For some minutes the maiden stood
stunned with horror at what she had witnessed and
dread for her own fate but at length hearing no
noise whatever, she ycntured from her hiding place.
and soon after stole out of the cavern having first
picked up the finger that had been cut off, and sue
cccded in finding the way home, where she found
her father awaiting her return in the greatest anx-
lcty. She cNcuscd herself 10y Saying that she had
wandered much farther than she intended but mem
toned not n of the cavern, or the scene she
had witnessed there.
On the following day the bridegroom arrived at
the castle, attended by several companions all spcn-
didly attired, and the lady welcomed him as one
who was to be her future lord As they afterwards
sat at the festive board and the goblet passed round
each guest rcccd some legend or wondrous tale
At length 1t came to the ladys turn to be the mar
ra,or; whcrcupon, she began to relate the adventure
of damsel, who having lost herself in forest took
shelter IN a cave that used by bandltti for the
purpose of conccang their booty. The bridegroom
listened with the utmost anxiety. within this
cave, continued the lady, " were many fair cham
bcrS IN one of which were heaps of gold and silver
III another were hands and legs and other remains
OF dead bodlcs.' The bridegroom could scarcely
conceal his agitation, yet seemed to lend an ear of
unconccrncd attention to the story, as she proceeded
to state how the damSc was surprised by the return
OF the robbers-how she concealed herself, and the
shocking scene she hchcld IIa pleasant tale tru-
ly,' exclaimed he, when the lady had finished " vet
mcthlnks better for an old crone's hrcsidc, than a
hanquctllkc ours. -" have reason to believe, how
ever rcturded the lady, d" thai is not gosSps
legend, but fact" =" fact ~ exclaimed several
oi the guests. Yes: one does not care to vouch
tor the truth of stories of the kind in general, but
am inclined to believe this bccausc-'tis indeed
very odd circumstance happen to have the very
hnger aud ring that the robbCr cut oh"-What now
followed may be easily couiccturod. He who had
entered the castle as welcome guest, was detained,
along WIN ms comrades, prisoner, and shortly
after, delivered up 10 the arm of Justice. As for the
lady, she thanked Heaven for having rescued her
from imminent peril, and from union with a guilty