Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-03-01

From 3 lackwood's Edinburgh Mag aEine.
THE ONYX rim G.
PART IT, CHAPTER |.

Hastings was lying on some straw, un-
der canopy Of blankets and canvass. with
a gypsy man and two or three boys beside
him. when he was reused by rough voice
excaiming Come, my lad, if you want to
see this job, you must be up and stirring"
He then remembered, that before his lying
down he had settled 10 accompany some
of the men Of the party, who were in
league with the smugglers, for the purpose
Of helping to land and run cargo. which,
owing to the shortness Of the nights, was
at this season difficult undertaking. The
party consisted Of four men besides Hast
lngs; and it was evident. from their tone
and manner, that he had contrived TO oh.
tain their entire confidence. They walked
for two or three miles at swift pace, till
they came out upon the further side OF
high bank, from which the dark line of the
sea was family visible between two cliffs.
Here they climbed up steep ascent GOV
cred with brushwood. at one side of the
road, and remained still for ten minutes,
ill their leader whispered, "Hush-ull
right" and pointed GU. light down be-
low them, apparently from cottage win
dow. They then crept along path above
we TeHu IUT Il UuUu|cu yuIus, tHCy
reached point where they again clam
bered down upon the highway. and after
| crossing it moved on in a field towards a
s'Ilc, where they all passed into the orch.
nrd Of farm house, and found there at
least fifty other men assembled for the
same object. Hastings perceived. by the
sounds from ncighbouring barn, that it
was full of horses. There was a good
deal Of whispering among the men, and
they evidently expected at every moment
10 receive the signal for rushing to the
beach. The gypsy leader felt his way,
with his followers, along the orchard
hedge-for in the shadow Of the trees it
WAS pitch dark-un,il they reached the
stood leaning against the door-post. Has
tings could not catch much of the CONVEX
satlon. but found that they were dlsputng
about him. Suddenly the gypsy took him
by the hand and pulled hiU, towards the
entrance when the other said, "COme in,
them" and opened the door. The gypsy
and Hastings followed him, and found
themselves in a low unfinished room
with a candle on the floor. The man
who was tall and bulky, and dressed as q
farmer, looked at Hastings, and said
"Who are YOU" Hastings answered
that he was nothing but a wanderer iol
amusement, who had known much o.
gipsies in his time, and continued to make
friends with all he met. The man looked
at him with sharp but quiet eye, ant
said, swell, dare say you are honest, bu
you are running in the way Of mischle
: that does not concern you. Go up there
and make no disturbance.
So saying he opened small door at thu
: foot of narrow staircase, and held TIT
. candle to light the way up. Hastings saw
that resistance would DO useless, and walk
ed up the stairs till he found himself il
another small room. where there wa
hardly trace of light.
! He heard the door locked at tho bot
q tom of the staircase, Feeling about hr
he found that there was no furniture With
+ his reach and his next object of interes
- was the window. Through he saw tn
= grey line Of the sea and the mass Of eli
y on one side, but could distinguish nothn
" more. The waves were plainly to b
heard breathing at regular intervals o
the beach. He had not spent five minute
!. in the room when he heard n whistle an
then swift ,ramplng OF men and horse
10 aud the whole throng seemed dashln
'downwards to the shore. Then came