Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-08-02
From the New York Tribune.
A .TAlfw> NAnRAti0A.

over the mountains. My fellow passen-
gers were two gentlemen and lady,
The elder gentlemsn's appearance inter-
estea me exceedingly. Inyears he SEEM
ed about thirty-in air and manner, he
was calm, dignified and polished, and the
contour Of his features was singularly in
tellectuai. He conversed freely on DIFF
ferent topics until the road became more
abrupt and precipitous but on my direc-
ting his attention to the great altitude of a
precipice, on the verge Of which our coach
wheels were leisurely rolling, there came
marked change over his countenance.--
His eyes, lately filled with the light of
mild intelligence, beamed wild, restless,
and anxious the mouth twilched spas
medically ard the forehead was beaded
with a cold perspiration. With sharp,
convnlsive shudder, he turned his gaze
from the giddy height, and -clutching my
arm tightly with both hands, he clung
to me like drow ming man.
"Use this cologne said The lady, hand
ing me bottle, with the instructive good
ness Of her sex.
l sprinkled little on his face, and he
soon became somewhat more composed ;
but it was not until we had entirely
traversed the mountain, and descended
into the country beneath, that his fine fea-
lures relaxed from their perturbed look,
and assumed the placid, quiet dignity,
had at first noticed.
81 owe an apology to the lady," said he,
with bland smile, and gentle inclination
of the head, to our fair companion, 'and
some explanation 10 my fellow travellers
also; and perhaps | cannot better acquit
myself ofthe double debt than by recount
ing the cause Of my recent agitation"
sit may pain your feelings" delicately
urged the lady.
Having signified our several desires to
hear more, the traveller thus proceeded :
cat the age of eighteen, l was light Of
heart, light Of foot, and | fear, Che smiled)
light Of head. A fine property on the
right bank Of the Ohio acknowledged me
as sole owner. Twas fastening home to
enjoy it, and delighted to get free from a
college life. The month was October,
the air bracing, and the mode Of convey
ance stage-coach like this, only more
cumbrous. The other passengers were
few-only three in allan old grey head
ed planter Of Louisiana, his daughter, a
joyous bewitching creature, about seven
teen, and his son about ten years of age.
They were just returning from France,
of which country The lady discussed in
terms so eloquent, as 10 absorb my entire
attention.
The father was taciturn, but the daugh-
ter vivacious by nature, and we soon be-
came SO mutually pleased with each other
--she as a talker, and as listener--that
it was not still suddsn fash of lightning
and a heavy dash Of rain against the VIM
dows elected an exclamation from my
charming companion, that knew how the
night passed us. Presently there was a
low rtmbling sound, and then several tre-
mendoIs peals oil thunder accompanied
by successive flashes Of lightning. The
rain descended in torrents, and an angry
wind began TO howl and moan through
the forest trees.
/ looked from the window Of our vehi-
Gle. The night was dark as ebony, but
the lightning showed the danger of our
road. We were on the edge OF fright
FIJI precipice. I could see, at intervals,
huge jutting rocks far away down its side,
and the sight made me solicitous for the
safety OF my fair companion. ! thought of
the mere hair breadlhs that wefe between
us and eternity; single little rock in the
track Of our coach wheels-a tiny billet
of wood--a stray root Of tempest-torn
tree-restive horses, or a careless driver
ANY Of these might hurl US from our
sublunary existence With the speed Of
thought.
"'ris perfect tempest" observed the
lady, as l withdrew my head from the
window. elbow l love sudden storm!
There is something SO grand among the
winds when fairly loose among the hills.
never encountered night like this, but
Byron's magnificent :. description Of a
thunder storm in the Jura recurs to m,
mind. But are we on the mountains yet?''
Eyes, we have begun the aseent.'
us il not said TO be dangerous?"
by no lneans," replied, in as easy a
tone as could assume.
81 only wish it was daylight, that we
might enjoy the mountain scenery. But,
Jesu Marie! what's that ?" and she COW
cred her eyes from the glare Of sheet of
lightning that illuminated the rugged
mountain with brilliant intensity. Peal
after peal Of crashing thunder instantly
succeeded there was heavy volume Of
rain coming down at each thunder ourst,
and, with the deep moaning Of an animal
in dread agony breaking upon our ears, |
found the coach had come to dead halt.
Louise, my beautiful fellow traveller
became as pale as ashes. She fixed her
searching eyes on mine with look OF anx-
ious dread and turning 10 her father, hur-
riedly remarked
1--WE are on the mountains"
81 reckon we are" was the unconcern-
ed reply.
With instant activity l put my head
through the window and called to the dri-
yer, but the only answer was the moaning
Of an animal, borne past me by the swift
wings Of the tempest. seized the ham
die Of the door and strained in vain--it
would not yield jot.
At that instant / felt cold hand on
mine, and heard Louise's voice family ar.
ticulating in my ear the following appal-