Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-08-27
EusCELLANY.
THI BRlGANp,s D.ucurrp

travels recently published in London.l
A young British officer Of the - re
giment, quartcred at Corfu. was in IN,
habit Of hunting frequently in Greece
He was well mounted on an English
hunter, whose wind and speed he hac
frequently tried among the mountains
One day, the hounds Of the regimen
to which he belonged, started roe
which led them long and weary chase
and the excellence OF his horse, and hi.
own skill, enabled him TO leave his com.
panions far behind.
They had started early, and like
James Fitz James, the sun was already
in the high heaven, ere the capture Of
his game enabled him to rein in his
steed. He was now in remote coun-
try, quite alone, having left his COM
panions far behind; and in the eager
ness of pursuit, caring not whittier he
went--he was also far from the shore.
The utmost he could do, from the high
est rock in his ncighborhood. was to
see the blue Mediterranean at q great
distance.
The few hounds which followed and
caught their game, were quite tired,
and his horse bloody and covered with
sweat from excessive riding. He de-
termined, however, not to pass the night
among the mountains; ADD, taking the
Mediterranean as his guide. he resolv-
ed to take his way as well as he could,
10 Burtrinito, from whence he had set
out.
He had not proceeded far, when his
horse becoming very lame. he was fore
ed to consider what he had best do
He was unwilling to leave him in
the mountains, as there appeared to be
no symptom Of a human habit6tion in
the neighborhood. He accordingly un-
girthed him and set to grooming him
himself. He then brought him some
water in his cap, to which he added
brandy from his hunting flask, which
the generous animal drank and seemed
to be revived.
He thus, after an hours slow travel
ling, got better view of the Ionian
sea, with its numerous and beautiful
islands. The day was now, however,
far spent, and it was with much de-
light. that, from the top of hill, he es-
pied the white walls Of Greek cottage
before him. He determined, at all
risks, to seek admission and an asylum
for the night. He approached the door,
which he found shut; he knocked loud
ly with his hunting whip; and quickly
the door was opened by a Greek fe-
male, the lovelicst his eyes had ever
rested on. The young huntsman made
his misfortunes and has wishes known
to her. in as good Albanian as he could
muster; to which she replied in Italian,
and invited him in.
The cause Of manhood and misEor-
tune seldom finds deaf ear among the
ladies; and this beautiful Greek yielded
to its influence, and readily offered him
an asylum; telling him, at the same
time, that he must depart at ay-break;
for if her male friends. who bore no
great love to the English, caught him
there, he might repent his intrusion.
Costello (foE such was the officer
name) readily assented, and ioyfully
took possession Of the small chamber
the beautiful Zoraida showed him for
the night. He even in the ecstacy OF
his admiration for his beautiful hostess,
nearly forgot his poor steed. His re-
collection, however, quickly returned;
and he sailed out TO the stable, and
made the necessary arrangements for
his comfort himself. The peculiarly Of
his situation not little surprised him.
Alone, amid the desert mountains Of
Albania, with the most beautiful wo-
man his eyes ever rested ON; and con-
lecture seemed at stand to account for
her solitary situation. II is true, she
had spoken Of male relations; but he
had as yet seen no human form in the
solitude. except herself. There was a
neatness about the cottage which scarce
| ~ belonged to a Greek peasant; and her
Language, although Greek in habit and
appearance, was pure Tuscan.
On bis return from the stable, he
found his beautiful hostess had prepar.
cd a suitable collation.; which, with q
cup Of good wine Of Thcssaly, made
him forget his fatigue. She seemed
not unwilling to enter into converse.
ton. Costello was a good linguist.---
Having been some time in Florence
be spoke the genuine Tuscan with suffi.
cienl Aucney. lie therefore willingly
seized the opportunity offered Of enter.
'inginto a conversation IN that language
10 which her soft voice lent an addition.
al harmony.
Her story was short. She belongct
to a party Of brigsnds, who occupies
this retreat among the mountaips from
whence thsy made excursions oa The
plains for plundcr. on one Of which
they were now absent. They hat
lately come from the opposite coast o
Calabris, and her father, (who was n.
bead d the gang,l was originally frou
Pisa, where she had been brought up
which accounted Coz tho purity 81 he
language.
7 'She was, she said. ''tired of tia
kind Of lie, which Was now doubil
odions 70 her, a. her father Waa foFcinl