Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-09-08

' What! is day breaking already 2" asked An.
toine. as he pointed with his finger 10 red streak
of light that struggling htfuify to penetrate
through the dark gloom that was hanging all
around us.
10 looking in the direction, very plainly dis
covered the object he had mistook for the irst
footsteps of morning, resting in tip.,oes on the
eastern hills. 1t was not morning, however, for
at the first glance | saw his mistake. A single
streak of light shot up into the air, fearfully terri
Bile gaze on, and simply observing, {. Don Pedros
house is on fire - we jumped into our boats, and
with sinewy arms. rcwed rapidly towards the
light.
Never did two men concentrate ON any occa sion
their physical energies more completely than we
did on that eventful night. Love, that most fear
ful of all passions, operating on the heart of An
ioine, and urging him on, strengthening him in
his strength, made him exert every nerve in his
body, as he urged rapidly the boat the
dark waters. Gratitude 10 Don Pedro made me
not slow also in my movements. Pulling with
our utmost strength, the two boats gided side by
side, onward and onward TO the island. AS our
oars dipped into the waters in quick succession,
at each stride arms were nerved 10 greater
vigor and renewed strength. The Iurid fame was
before us as beacon, guiding us 10 the proper
place. On, and still on we went, every thing else
being so completely absorbed in the one great sub
ject, that did not discover the shore, as our
boats plunged, heaving through the dark waters
high up on the land. Darling through the woods
We soon reached the broad avenue that led to the
house, and oh horror to relate, then discover
ed the buildings, seething IN one bright flame. 1t
was spectacle TO unnerve the stoutest heart, and
make it sink within Itself; yet we did not despair
OF saving the inmates from their impending fate.
nor did one nerve of our system relax in the high
endeavor.
As entered the yard, we saw Long Jim, ac.
companied by another. leave it in an opposite di-
recton. We did no; have time then to pursue
them. for matters of more Importance deiainec US
on The spot. Silently in my bosom, as saw the
bright flames curling and wreathiDg themselves
together, swore, deeply swore, that | would be
revenged on the perpetrators Of this hellish and
horrid deed, though they should escape to the far
thest portion of our country, and hide themselves
in the deepest caves of the earth. Every thing
was still around not being seen, voice
heard. The raging of the mad element, as it con-
sumed the dry shingles Of lhe roof, the only
sound. But bark! shrek is heard like wail
for the dead, in the second story of the building
We listened, and another borne ears,
more madly piercing, and ferce:y mad than the
other. A moment, and gaZed we q
form bending over the window, with her hands
cIasped upon her breast. IL was Neacena.
Antoine rushed to the door TO burst it open, but
IL was barred, doubly barred. on the inside, and it
resisted his every effort. assisted him, but it
yielded not 70 our united strength. Looking around
! discovered laying the ground, and
after repeated blows with this heavy instrument,
the docr was bursted from its hinges.
"Great God J" | exclaimed, as the smoihered
flames rushed out of The door, "the house is fired
below well as above," =
As the flames, 50 long smothered, found vent
IN the passage at the door, they soon subsidized
within, at least so much so that we could soon
ntScCu tban
OF the stalr-steps that led TO where Neacena was.
were .9 in one bright ams oeu. Oh how aarmng
only chance of saving Neacena through ,ha, BAR.
rer OF nre depended SO entirely on strong nerves,
that | doubted its feasibility. Not so, however
was Antoine. Death only could battle the rescue
Springng up the steps, watched him as he went,
on ascending half way up. he stopped, and then
believed that the hot ane, in getting up his los.
trIls had smothered him. Tha, was the most
painful moment Of my life for every thing mos,
terrible was crowded into single second Only
moment however, he stopped, for the next
he was seen ascending TO the topmost one, when
he lost from sight. watched for his return
with that painful interest only known 10 the soul
narrowed by intense feelings. Seconds, as they
passed away, seemed whole hours, and the pass
ing OF years seemed longer than the tardy mi
mules. lie returned, carrying in his arms Nea-
cena, enveloped ia thick blanket. Midway as
they came down, | heard the stairs crack. and
then thought that they were both lost Antoine
momcntary stopped, as if he too expected the
props underneath to give way, and be precipita Led
down into the seething flames. Only a moment
however, did he nger there, and then descended
with his precious burthen, the charred and black
ened steps, As The last step was gained, the voice
of Don Pedro was heard calling on Neacena, and
rushing rapidly down the fight Of steps in the rear
OF his unconscious daughter. Having placed Ne
acena on the grass underneath the Outsnreadino
arms Of tree. Antoine, by the over exertion Of
the body, relaxing the strong tension Of the mind,
tainted, and fell by her side.
CONCLUSION.