The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-05
Inext minute retraced. Little was


most every head was turned towards
the cliff, at wild and shrill hollo that
rung from it.
"'Tis only Kate" cried one, here
and there, as the maniac rapidly de-
scended by a crevice, which few Of the
lookers-on would have attempted, and
that with wary feet.
"The crazy slut will break her neck"
carelessly remarked one to another.
But she was safe in her recklessness or
unconsciousness of danger, and in a
second or two stood among them.
ga lovely day! a fair, lovely day!"
she exclaimed to the first she came up
to. ''Good luck to you! Any thing
yet? No, no." she continued, replying
to herself; "whte to the north! white
to the west! white to the south! all
white not a speck upon the water!
But It's coming! tits comingl' she ret-
Grated, dropping her voice to It's low
est pitch, 81 saw it here last night! a
big, back hull! one mast standing out
of three! cannons and stores overheard
rising sinking! rocking and reeling!
driving full bump upon the reef where
the William and Mary was wrecked
seven cursed gears ago! | saw, it,"
she repeated, eyeing the standers-by
with look that dared incredibly; then
all at once, her voice sinking into a
whisper" "Hist! hist!7 she added "'twill
be handful or two for you, and a
!oadior you; and more than you can
carry for you;" addressing this person
and that successively; "casks, cases,
chests. gear and gold! but what will it
be for Black Norris9 1t will be a
brighter day for him than for any of
you. When do they say his time is
out!"
"Whose time is outl" inquired one
Of the group she was addressing.
ssOne-two-three;" she went on
without noticing the question, until she
had counted seven; "hIs seven years
were out last May; he was transported
three years before his hopeful son MUIR
dered my father.''
"Hu>h, you crazy wench,' exclaimed
those around her; ''if Norris hears you,
you may chance to take swim in the
creek where he is standing!'
"Crazy!' she echoed. "Yes: bless
heaven that made me so! 1t knows
best what it does! lsaw my father
murdered, though his merderer sew not
ME! they were struggling which should
keep possession OF the prey. Old
Norris knife soon decided it! | was
powerless with fright! | could not stir?
became mad and the judge would not
believe me! lcould tell my story bet
ter now, but it will be no use; for they
say am crazy still. There she is!''
vociferated she, pointing toward the
ofing at the southern extremity OF the
bay.
"Where-wh ere where9" inquired
the auditors.
:'No, no" she resumed, after min
Ute or two of silence, during which her
eyeballs kept straiing in the direction
toward which she had pointed. "No,"
she resumed, dropping her hand; "she
is coming, and Black Norris will neith-
er want roof nor board, gold nor gear
10 welcome back the father that bred
him up to his own trade. But, where
is he2" inquired she; "where, but upon
the long reef where | saw himr' saying
this she proceeded to the southern ex-
tremity Of the bay.
A stalworth figure, in advance of the
,eguTur Zine, sat stationed upon the land
ward-end of huge reef of rocks, that
gradually dipped into the sea. His
hair, black and iank, thrown hack from
a swarthy, ill-favored visage, hung
halfway down his shoulders; his eye,
dark, small and glistening bright, direc-
ted towards the sea, in quick and rest
less motion, was every where at once.
A long boat hook, clcnched tight
with both his hands, rested across his
knees; and in a belt which encircIed
his waist, were stuck clasp-knife of
more than ordinary size and hatchet.
The waves repeatedly washed more
than half way up his lower extremities
but he paid no more heed than if he
were part Of the rock that scattered
il into mist.
"a lovely day--a fair lovely dayw
cried the maniac, approaching him.
SHOW besst thou, Black Norris? Nay,
| am good now," continued she in
deprecating tone; don't look angry
iii never say again that it was you."
The wrecker moved his hand to-
wards his knife.
aStop, stop, Black Norris" cried she
coaxingly & aurriedly laying her hand
nr,,n hic cl,onldar ssLaan ~ f,r othar