The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-09-23

must force the door!'
"On your life, Onegisus" said Arderic,
seizing him in his powerful grasp, and
drawing his sword: ''you stir not henccl
We must deal with this deed alone, Vala-
mir you are with me. Edicon, I can trust
in you, guard yonder doorway"
"What would the noble Arderic!" cried
Onegisus. "Why grasp you me so tight,
. kingl seek not TO oppose your will;
for if | judge by yon dark blood Alright,
there is none in all this camp greater than
Arderc. What would the mighty king
with his servant"
81 would nothing that is wrong, Onegi-
sus!" replied Arderic, freeing him from
his grasp, as soon as he saw that Edcon
had placed himself before the door which
led TO the outer halls. | seek nothing that
is wrong! I covet not the greatness which
thou talkcst of! demand no pre-cminence
VaIamir, my friend, are we not equal in all
things? If there be any difference, thou
art superior to me in calm, considerate
wisdom, and no way inferior 10 me either
in power or right! What seek, Onegi-
sus, is this-only this! that we who are
here present, may investigate this deed a.
lone, and take counsel together upon what
ever exigency we may find before us.
Thou art man of wisdom and of courage,
and true ever to thy word. Swear to me
that thou wilt bear partin whatsoever we
determine, in regard to the deed that is past;
thou wilt join in whatever report we make
regarding the dark secrets of ydh silent cha
maer; or we must find means to silence thy
tongue, lest it sow dissention among the
host, and give us over to the power of the
enemy"
"Willingly will l swear what you re-
quire, oh noble Arderic!" replied Onegi-
sus, $50 far as regards the present deed;
but if dissentions come-and see that thy
fears and mine look the same-I will not
pledge myself to take any part. will act
freely, as my judgment shall dictate, when
the time shall arrive! Rather than do 9TH
erwise, | would bid you plunge your sword
into my bosom even now, and let me die
before the doorway of my murdered mas
ter''
"Onegisus!" replied Arderic, in SOL
emn and melancholy tone, "we know not
vet what has befallen; but the oath that thou
hast pledged is enough. None loved Attila
better than Arderic, while Attla remained
himself but we all feel that Attla has been
unjust Now letus seek admittance here"
and he struck upon the door with his
clenched hand. exclaiming, "ho! does At
lila sleep! What ho within there! The
sun stands high at noon"
There was no answer. All was silent
as the grave.
There came an awful pause, while each
looked anxiously in the face of the other;
but then was heard sound in the outer
chambers, and voices in high dispute;-
the tone of a stranger, though speaking in
the Huinish Language we'll, demanded en-;
trance, the tongues of the attendants refu-
sing him admittance. Then again were
words spoken in the we'll known voice of
Theodore, the son of Poulnus--"Out of
my way! By the god of battles, ] will
cleave thee to the jaws! BE ton thine own
head fool! Thou strivest with madman!
Down."
Then came heavy fall.
"Give him admittance-give him admit
tance," cried Ardert and Valamir in a
breath. "Oppose him not, Edicon. Poor
youth he will find himself already aven-
ged," but as he spoke, the door burst open,
and Theodore, with his naked sworn all
bloody in his hand, rushed in.
"Stand all without" cried Edcon putting
back those who were following to seize
him. "Leave us to deal with him. The
king has not yet come forth!" and closing
the door upon them, he drew across it the
massive wooden bar that hung beside il.