Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-19


hI the rate OF seven knots per hour. Sill did
the stronger gain; and although every msneu.
vre was tried by which 10 escape, she was al
eighl bells, within haiing distance.
Render, shall we endeavor To paint the scene
which soon followed Shall bring to your
mind the deadly clang Of conhicl-the lhrol.
tied groans Of the yiciim-and The frantic and
hendlikey yels ofihe vicioriousl Many shroud
that morning did the ocean wave, when to ils
depths they plunged the manged forms Of the
noble and the brave; and many dirge was
sunk by the murmuring winds above the final
sleep Of those who, at nighIialI, had walked the
Proudess Neplune's sons.
But forbear. Ye who may derive pleasure
and satisfaction from the perusal Of tales of suf.
ierlng, and woe and death, may ponder over
pages and volumes that have too ofle n been Civ.
en- TO lull the iiinerant fancy Of The grovelling
in heart and in soul; and reve. if We can, ia
the offspring Of some more lucky author, while
The noble and exalted Of human nature wi,l ask
il not.
Pass we on. Bright and glorious were the
descending beams Of the morning sun, as they
rested on the YET smoking wreck Of the gallant
craft which. on the preceding day, might have
bid proud defiance TO the elements.
Pale, wounded, and exhausted; when return.
ing reason assumed iIs sway, Frank Slewar
found himself stretched within strange cabin
and strange were the faces around him. Ye
one there was whose countenance seemed moi
unfamiliar; he was lean and hsggard, and hi:
dark hair, as il hung in long and massive lock.
about features Of ashy Paleness, gave hun &
singularly wild and attractive aspect. All see
med TO dread alike his lrown or smile: anC
when he spoke, there was no one who did no
listen. He drew near the couch Of The woun
ded sufferer-bent softly over him, and calet
him by name. Stewart started at the sound o
the voice, and who can imngine his surpris
when he recognized, in the wan features of tht
pirate captain, the maniac hunter of the forest
With a convuIsive effort, Stewart grasped hin
by The hand, and gazed long and searchingly il
his eyes.
"Why," said he, in loud voice, "why lik
grim GHOST Of the mouldt ring dead do yol
haun, me lhusl Why has fate consigned m,
TO the lawless clutches Of one who has long beel
the hated companion of my wakefuI Thoughts
and the dsturJer Of my midnight dreams!-
Your demoniac Iaugh-your mysterious Prophe
cy hath an echo yet in my soul, where it vii
reverborate until that soul shall have flung for.
ever away its now deteslable feuers!"
"Soflly, softly, my dear fellow" replied tn,
captain, am much obliged 10 you for the vau
with which you prize my acquaintance, but sin
cerely request ihatyou will not give yourself III
trouble TO inform The whole ships crew of it,
The loss Of a lille clarel, and close confnemel
withal, has rrtaIed your feelings little; pei
haps you would like TO go on deck and take tn
morning air."
"Ask me not" replied the other in a suppress
sed tone, "Ihe lreshing breeze Of The sea ma
cool the brow, but its influence cannot reacl
the fevered brain. Know you not," continue,
he, laying his hand on his forehead, "that there
is burning frenzy here that no chill, save tha
Of death, can desIroyl Have you never acknow
edged the communicating influence of that dream
which corrodes The heart ere iIwakes TO reality
STEPPED to the brim in smiles, may the enIicinI
chalice seem; but woe, damning misery, anC
DEATH to him who sips"
He paused, and burying his face with hi
hands, seemed lost within the excited agony o
his feelings. Suddenly starting, as from
dream, he exclaimed with wild gesIiculations
"Pirate, do your worst! let your steel find
home in this bosom--ll shall be welcome--an
the latest throb OF riven heartshall bless you'll
Exhausted and senseless, he fell back on hi
pillow. The chehain spoke not, but stoo
with folded arms, and quivering lip, gazing Ion
and intcntly on The Pallid form before him; 500
recollecting HIMSELF he ordered re'toralves t
be administered 10 the wounded prisoner; the
retired to his own room, shut himself in, an
spent the remainder Of the day in solitude.