The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-05-31

breadthS that were between us and eternity;
a single little rock in the track of our
coach wheels, tiny billet of wood, stray
root from tempest torn tree, restive
horse, or careless driver; any of these
might hurl us from our sublunary existence
with the speed of thought
''Tis a perfect tempest observed the
lady. How love sudden storm! There
is something so grand in the mournful
voice of the winds whan let loose among
the hills. | never encountered night
like this, but Byron's storm in the Juro
Immediately occurs to my mind. Butare
we on the mountain yet!'
Yes; we have began the descent
'lt Is not said to be dangerous?'
BY no means,' | replied, in as easy
tone as | could assume.
i only wish it were daylight, that we
might enjoy the mountain scenery. But
Jesu Marie! what's that?' and she cover
ed her eyes from the glare of a sheet of
lightning that Illuminated the rugged noun
tain with brilliant intensity. Peal after
peal OF crashing thunder instantly succeed
ed; there was an immense volume of rain
coming down at each successive thunder
burst and, with the deep moaning of an
animal, as if in dreadful agony, breaking
upon my ears | found that the coach had
come to dead halt. Louise, my beauti-
full fellow traveller, became pale as ashes;
she fixed her eyes on mine with a look of
anxious dread, and turning to her father,
hurredly remarked - We are on the
mountainsn Il reckon so!' was the un-
concerned reply.
With instant activity | put my head
through the window and called to the dri-
yer; but the only answer was the heavy
moaning OF an agoniZed animal, borne
past me by the swift wings of the tempest.
| seized the handle of the door and strain
ed at it in vain; it would not yield a lot.
At that instant | felt cold hand on mine,
and heard Louise's voice family articula-
ting in my ear the appalling words. The
| coach as being moUed 6ack1cards!'
God in Heaven! Never shall forget
the fierce agony with which tugged at
the coach door and called on the driver in
tones which rivalled the force of the blast,
while the dreadful conviction was burning
into my brain that the coach was moving
slowly backwards! What followed was
of such swift occurrence that it seems to
me like frightful dream.
| | rushed against the door with all my
force; but it Knocked my utmost efforts
! One side of our vehicle was sensibly go
ing down, down. The moaning of the
agonized animal became deeper; and |
knew from his desperate plunges against
the traces, that it was one of our horses.
Crash upon crash of hoarse thunder roll
ed down the mountain; and vivid flashes
of the lightning played around our devo-
ted carriage as if in glee at our misery.
! By It's light | could see for moment
the old planter standing erect, with his
hands on his son and daughter, his eyes
raised to heaven, and his lips moving like
those of one in prayer; l could see Louise
turn her ashy cheeks and superb eyes to-
wards me as if imploring my protection;
and l could see by the bold glance of the
young boy, flashing defiance at the de-
cendlng carriage, the rof elements, and
the awful danger that awaited him. There
was heavy ROLL desperate plunge, as If
an animal last throes of dissolution, a harsh
grating in the jar, sharp, piercing scream
of mortal terror, and | had but time to
clasp Louise firmly around the waist with
one hand, and seize the leather fastenings
attached to the roof with the other, when
we were precipitated over the precipice.
| can distinctly recollect preserving con-
sciousness for few seconds of time, OF
how rapidly my breath was being exhaust
ed; but of that tremendous descent | soon
lost all further individual knowledge. by a
conclusion so violent that | was instantly
deprived of sense and notion
The traveller paused: his features work
ed for minute or two as they had work
ed when we were on the mountains; he
pressed his hands across his forehead as
ing story.
'On low couch, in humble room ol
a small country house, next opened my
eyes in this world of light and shade, OF
JOY and sorrow, mirth and madness. Gen
tie hands smoothed my pillow, gentle feet
glided across my chamber, and a gentle
voice hushed, for a time, all my question
ings. | was kindly tended by fairy
young girl about fifteen, who refused foI
several days to have any discourse with
me. AT length, one morning, finding my
self sufficiently recovered to sit up, in.
sisted on learning the result of the acci
dent.
You were discovered said she, son a
ledge of rock mid the branches O. shat
tered tree, clinging to a part of the roof O
your broken coach with one hand, and tc
the insensible form of lady with tht
other
And the lady!' | gasped. scanning In,