The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-05-07
The Panthcr's Leap.
A WESTERN SCENE.

twas fine morning in August, when
little Samuel Eaton was about seven years
old that he was making a dam in the
brook that ran before his fathers door
lie was an only and beautiful child, his
mother almost idoliZing him. There he
was with his trousers tucked up above
his knees; working like beaver, his
mothers bold eye cleaning out from be-
meath his sun-bnrnt hair, and with some
of his fathers strength Juggling at large
stone in the bed Of the stream. Sammy
you'd better come in, hadn't YEP said
Hannah, in tone half mother and half
mate. 'No-o-o, guess not yet,' said Sam
uel.
An acorn came floating down the wa
ter. The boy took it up-looked at it
was pleased, and 'reckoned' in his mind
theer wer e more pthe gully and when
his mothers back was turned, of he star
ted for the acoms. The gorge Of the
mountain into which he was about to en-
ter had been formed, (the work of centu-
ries) by the attrtion Of the stream he had
just been playing inland walking on a
level that bordered each side Of the wa
ter, he boldly entered the ravnc. An al
most perpendicular wall or bank assembled
on each side, to the height of hundred
feet composed Of crags and rocks lriltered
by decay and storm into fantastic shape
and position. A few scattered bushes and
trees sought nourishment from the earth
that had fallen from the level above, and
excepting their assistance and the unseen
surface of the rock, this natural parapet
seemed inaccessible, but to bird and
beast. About all eighth of mile from
the entrance, a cataract closed the gor.e,
throwing up its white veil of mist in SEEM
ing guardianship Of the spirit waters The
vcrdant boughs hanging over the bank
cast deep gloom upon the bed below;
while so lofty was the distance, they seem
ed to grow out Of the sky, blue patches
Of which were to be seen peeping between
them.
Hannah Eaton soon missed her boy,
but as he had often wandered to the fields
where his father was at work, she conclu-
ded he must be there, and checked COM
ing fears with the hope that he would re-
turn at The hour Of dinner. When he
came, Joseph nor any Of his men knew
where he was. Then the agitacd mother
exclaimed, He's lost! he's lost and my
poor boy will starve and die in the woods!
Gathering courage she hastily summoned
her family around her, and despatched
them all but her husband to search in diff
lerent directions in the neighboring forest,
To him she said, 'Scour every field you
can call your own, and if you can't find
him, join me in the gorge
'He wouldn't 60 to the gorge, Han
nah.'
'He would 60 any where She knew
not why, but pres ointment that the boy
had followed the course of the stream.
dwelt strongly on her mind.
4 can't find him, Hannah, said the hus-
band, as he reloined her not far from the
mouth of the gorge.
An eagle flew past the mother as she en-
tered the ravine. She thought to herself
the dreadful birds are icalirg my
child to pieces; and frantic, she fastened
on, making the walls of the cavern echo
back with the screams for her offspring
Her only answer was the eternal thunder
of the cataract, raging as if in mockery of
wo, and f!inging its cold spray upon her
hot and throbbing temples. Fool that
am, how can lie hear meg She strained
her eyes along the dizzy height that
peered through the mist till she could
look no longer, and her eyes filed with
tears.
Who but a mother can tell the feelings
of o mothers heart? Fear comes thick
and fast upon the Keeling brain Of Hannah
oh, my boy-my brave boy will die and
wringing her hands in agony, see sank TO
her husbands feet.
The pain Of 'hope Deferred had strain
ed her heart strings to the severest tell
sion, and it seemed as if the rude hand of
despair had broken them all.
The terrified husband threw water upon
her pale face, and strove by all the arts he
knew to win her back TO life. At last
she opened her languid eyes, started wild
ly around and rose trembling to her feet
As she thus stood, like a heart broken
Nlobe, all tears fragment, of rock rrme
tumblng down the opposite bank. She
looked up. A wild scream ofjoy burst
from her lips. She was herself once more
for half way up the ascent stood her own
dear boy.
But even while the glad cry was issuing
from her lips, il turned into note Of hor-
ror-.Oh mercy-mcrcy