The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-06-06

submits of the lofty cliffs, which frowned over the gulf
'of Drontheim, when fisherman, who had come down
before the dawn to spread his nets opposite though at
wary distance from the cavern Of Waderhog observ-
ed, descending from the rocks figure wrapped in
flowing robe or shroud which pursued It's way with
stately STEP toward the groto and disappeared beneath
the gloomy vault which formed its enhance. Struck
with terror and amusement the simple inhabitant of
Saib committed his and his bark to the care of ST.
Usulph and hasened to tell his wife and ueghbors that
he had seen Of the speces that formed the court Of
She dead king Waders return to its mysterious home at
the break Of day.
This speclre-the subsequent theme of MANY Win
Vers tale was no other than Oroner the generous and
lon-heared son of the viceroy who instead Of prePar
ing for his joyous nuptas with the premers daughter,
as his counymen generally supposed, was Fastening
TO encounter moral peril for the sake of another and
TO sacrifice his e if need should be-; in the cause of
the prisoners child Of Monckhom. Sad pesages, evil
omens and sinister predictions had thus far accompan-
led him on his undertaking; all whom he had met upon
his dreary path, had seemed to look upon him asone
doomed to destruction The friendly fisherman, who had
afforded him shelter on the previous night had taken
leave of him, as of one whose face he should
more his kind-hearted wife while she commended him
to the protection of the saints showed by her looks that
her faith in his return was weak. The bold mountain
eer with his fellows, used as they were to dangers of
no common magnitude, stopped when they came in
sight Of the dreaded cave, shuddered he pointed out
the direction and when they beheld him depart entreat
ed him. for the last tme to orbear his desperate adven
ture
But vain were the terrors of supersiton-fuitess the
enreaes of friends; Ordoner viewed this abode Of mys
terry and horror the sea-ossed mariner does his long
wishedfor haven. Here his tedious wanderings were
10 cease-here the great deed of daring, to which his
brave heart had aspred to be donehere the chain
Of the prisoner TO be broken-here the hand OF her
he loved was TO be won or at the worst here he was
TO seal his devotion to his Ethe with the las! drop of
blood that coursed through his veins He was to en-
counter brigand, monster, or, as some believed, a
demon but no fghdul image of his terrible antagonist
filled his imagination; the contrary in mental vision,
he behed the sweet girl for whom he periled all, the
captive maiden of Monckhom, upon her knees in her
oratoy, praying for his success and his whole soul
was filled with confidence and courage he penetrated
with fearless step the recesses of the cavern
On every side were scattered and grouped about col
umns Of basalt, huge salgmes, and large masses of
quartz and pyrites while from above hung long stalac-
ttes with festoons of moss and lchen the whole form
ing scene, which lighted as it was, through the ere
vices in the rock afforded ample range for the super
stution of the Norwegian peasantry which had peo-
pied this picuresqe abode with whole hosts Of demons
and spectres dire. Slight was the notice, however,
which Ordoner bestowed upon the grotesque objects
which surrounded him; even the black tomb Of King
Walter failed to attract his attention. 1t raised no song
of welcome or warning at his coming and the only
sound which fell upon his ear, was the breathof the
wind moaned and sighed along the gloomy passa.
ges which branched in every direction from the main
path in which he readng while his eyes were bu-
sled with searching every recess for the mysterious being
whom he had come so far to meet No living form met
his sight but as he increased his distance from the en-
trance, he became aware that he was passing over
the remains of the dead for at shorter and shorter in
tervals the bones crushed and cracked beneath his feet
polished skulls slid from the path and white teeth,
whenever the light shone sufficiently strong were seen
scattered among the rocks like peoples upon the shore
of the sea.
Undsmayed by esetrightful emblems omortal0y, the
only emotion Ordoner experienced was disappointment
at the absence of the living object Of his search and
llS was lHCIedSeu Wllel pdtu CouuuClSu W
large apartment through the assures in the further side
oi which perceived the forest and the mountains be-
yond Satisfedhat he had explored the cavern to its
extent he commenced examination of the sort of hall
in which it terminated which proving unsuccessful;
Tar as the discovery OF his enemy was concerned he
began seriously 10 apprehend he had been deceived In
the centre ofhe open space in which he now Stood was
one Of those druidca erectons which QTdoner had of
ten met with in his travels in the North Of Europe and
Of which even France possesses some specimens; at
Jarnac and Lockmariaker- it was an altar. The ma
iure of its construction was simple, and to the great
weight and solidy Of its material its preservation from
tpSTearliest ages was doubtless owing. Three huge
blocks of granite placed in triangular order, were sur
mounted by fourth of corresponding torm and Of the
same imperishable substance; upon this foundation
placed cupical altar stcne in the upper surface of
which was excayated a circular bowl still black with
the blood of human victims which in times of old, had
been sacrificed to the demon gods of the north.
Against this ancient relic Of the early supersions of
his country now recIned the gallant descendants OF her
godke kings rnusng upon the i'll success which had
attended his chivalrous undertaking. and ponderng what
course remained to be pursued.
Suddenly voice coming as it seemed from the very
heart Of the altarstone, struck harshy upon his ear
"Young man" said, "your feet already rest upon
your sepuIchre"
Ordoner sprang up placed his hand upon his sword,
L.. l.. u