The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-07-07


footsteps. l hear them quite plain"
"No, father, it is the ice bursting in the
abyss, and the water dashing against the
rocks"
The old man, wrapped in gray surtout,
.clappedhis ear to the side of the rock to lis
ten, and presently cried "come on" The
path became more difficulty, and the rocks
more abrupt.
"Should any misfortune befal me to night,
my dear girl" said he, ''tell your mother
she must not give up the business; l have
made aproftable concern it, and should
not die content if believed it would drop
with my life. You are now old enough to
lend me hand, and when you have once
taken the sacrament, you will be able, |
should think, to carry on the thing we'll e.
nough."
He then directed her to conceal herselef
in small cavern in rock. "You may eat
your supper there" he observed, ''for we
are now upon the frontier; and up yonder
you would only be in my way. I'll whistle
when l come back. When you hear that
sign, look about and bestir yourself"
With these words he continued his ascent;
and the half frozen girl crept sobbing into
the snowy retreat to say paternoster. AT
dizzy depth below, the torrent roared mon
otonously, before the wind whirled the snow
in eddies from the rocks. She was alone in
this dreary spot.
After while the appointed signal was
given, and she heard footsteps. Her father
came with pack,s-which he dragged after
him.
Here" said he, "pull it in, it is butlight;
you will have no difficulty. IT'S worth a
good round sum, though"
The pack was deposited in the cavern;
and the smuggler went back again. The
girl meanwhile crouched behind the pack,
and rubbed her frozen limbs to warm and
keep herself awake. Some time again elaps-
ed; again whistle was given as before, and
the father returned with another load. He
babe her to take up the first, and made her
go on before him.
"Father, hear dogs barking don't your
"No, not is only the wheeling of my
old lungs"
"There, again! fancy hear something
behind u.s."
f "Go along, and hold your tongue"
"There is something moving behind us
father, down yonder; don't you see!'
"Good Patience! the sharpshooters! We
f are lost if we cannot reach the ravine."
A dog came up and threatened to seize
the man when clinging without other hope
of safety to the rock; he hurled his pack al
the animal which tumbled bowling, togetil.
er with mass of snow, down the preci
plce. "Give it to me-" he cried, taking
the lighter load from the girl, grasping hel
hand firmly, and drawing her with acceler
ated steps down the rocky path. Frigh
deprived her of the use of her limbs, an(
he dragged her along like thing. Destruc
: ton pressed closer upon their heels--voi
ces repeatedly cried "Halt." No answer
: was returned, aud the report of piece re
! verberated hundred fold by the echoes o
, the mountains. The ball struck the rock
and dropped at their feet.
| "Merciful God!' calculated the girl, q,
cannot go any further. Leave me, father
= they will not murder me-"
, "But you will betray me, girl" .,..,.
"No, no-leave me here, and make yor
escape"
"You will betray me and bring your faith
er to the gallows. Come, come along"
Filled with despair, he raised her from
the ground, and wound with his twofold bur
den round ledge of rock. 1t was to nc
purpose. The sharpshooters appeared a
bove and below, and the anxiety of tn,
smuggler increased every instant. TIL,
girl had sunk down as if inanimate; and al
the efforts of the affrighted father to arous