Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-04-14

soIe' IN TINS wrapped myselfup; and,Watch-
ing my time, passed out BY small postern in
the wall that separated the pleasure Ground
from close wood which stood on the other
side. picked up small, round felt hat,at this
door, and put it on.
With a rapid step passed on among The
underwood, pansng now and then to look
around. soon reached the waterside if was
rugged and precipitous shore; in some places
lringed with bushes OF willow, oaken copse.and
here and there large tree, leaning out over
the water edge. mother spots these features
changed into narrow line of siivery sand and
pebble or shallow and muddy patch of bull
PUSHES, extending some way into the lake. At
one particular spot, about half mile on, where
the ground had sloped up into the base of
lofty hill, there was sudden declivity of con,
siderable breadth. though shallow it was
thlekly grown with furze, which rose 10 the
height OF seyeraI feet above it. 1t was preser-
we'd as a fox covert Through themiast of this
ran deep, PERCEPTIONS gorge, whichfeil down
perpencleuarly upon the deepest spot of the
lake. The water was black as night In its
beetlmg shade. Here stopped and took nv
station among the furze. The oath LAP through
the hollow,for close above it arose another aW-
ful height, unscaleable unless by the most ac-
tive and hardy mountaineer. For three long
hours tried to keep down the alienation Of
lear and tcyerlsh lmpatience. By bordering
over my emergent position, and the Justice of
my cause, reasoned myself into all the feel
mgs otlndlgnant innocence the ayenger of
my uncle, and the preserver of my brothers
rights.
At last, the shadow of the tall cone of
fell darkly over the broad lake, and while the
hnlinNT Of Hn Hsl IL, IL
country, the cold blue sky, cut across by the
upper line ofthe overhanging mountain-height
and broad eXpanse of water, which stretched
away from beneath, into the brown moor that
lay beyond, formed scene of most peculiar
loneliness and grandeur. In such lone and I'M
worldly-looklng scenes, the predominant pas
SION OF the mind Is easily sweIied into enthusi-
asm, and the heart never for leeds beyond the
common routine OF the world A romantic
sense of daring adventure was reused within
me, and from being ordinarily timid, triumph
ed IN the absence of fear. At length saw two
men advancing along the shore. "This will
never do" SAID | 10 myself; g am baf1led
STILL was sadly perplexed however. they
presently stopped, and one, whom could per-
celve to be O'Roorke, was pressing the other
to come on, while the other appeared equally
imagined, hung with breathless interest; and
strange TO say now that the critical moment
came so near, felt relieved by the apparent
| chance Of It's being deferred. This was not to
be; the accompanying person, after some fur
Their sparley, returned O'Roorke came on
alone.
My heart beat wildly, so as to render me
nearly GREATNESS. | stood in the middle of a
| fal
ces OF the steep. O'Roorke come on and as
he approached | felt my nerves steadied, my
| heart composed, and my whole spirit bent on
Que deadly intent. On the centre of the patti
was rocky step, about three feet high, ovel
which hung adecayed branch,which was gen
orally taken hold of IN passing over made
my determination TO fire into his heart when he
raised his left arm TO seize upon this. He came
| on fast; his face was flushed with excitement
rather than effort. The scoundrcl is enjoy
ing my fall" thought I, as his arm was lifted
over lis head at this moment drew the trig
ger The pistol hung fire, which disconnected
my aim, but the ball took effect somewhere il
his chest he turned upon me with convul
| sive smile, aud glared for few seconds IN m,
face; he then threw himself Unexpectedly for
| ward and clasped me around the neck,-I wa
|
only thought was, that some one might come
by, before had secured my purpose. Sudden
" he let me 90 with one arm, and began L
search in his pocket | guessed his purpose
and SEEING both skirts of his coat, colecte,
them with firm grasp. He now let 90 witt
the other arm, and tried TO seize me round tn
throat Imade violent and sudden effort.ant
had the relief to see him roll off: the brarche
gave way as he approached their extremities
f and with a heavy fall he lay upon his breast
vainly struggling to rise himself. =
The black abyss sent up heavy sound, as Ii
frothy and red-stained circles closed over tn
evil demon ofmy SOUL
| withdrew into the covert, and taking o
the bloody greatcoat, which thrust farintc a
old foxhole, | examined the documents which
f had drawn from the ruffian's pocket One we
, a regular deed, transferring Balloborough |
---- Esq. &c. &c. &C., The otht
struck me with silent horror as | read it.
was a scrawled and botted copy of depos
ton made by O'Roorke, of the circumstance
: of nv uncle's death. 1t was evidently desig
! ed to be copied and at the end was markt
g out the place for two attesting signatures, WI
/ these words, {. to be used ifrequred.'
q | will not weary your attention with the V
rious painful fears and conjectures to whi'
this discovery gave rise.
+ It now became rapidly dusk, land approach
ed the castle with the cheerful sense that
was now master ofmyself and it.
CHAPTER V.