The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-29

rock Of immense size, and looking exactly like
castle and Ambrose Carey almost believed him.
self in the neighborhood of some real and mighty
wizard Notwithstanding, however, the perfect
symmetry and lonely position Of the Pilot near
approach satisfied the young traveller that not
even Titan hands could have moved the pile be-
fore him and the longer he gazed, the more was
he impressed with a sense of the might of that
Deity who planted here this
" Dread ambassador from earth to HeavenD
Ne was taken with a strong desire to ascend it
and following a well-trodden path, he rode
up the sides until the activity became so alb
rupt that his horse could proceed no farther.
He therefore hitched his animal to a tree,
and concluding that he could go wherever
man had gone, still followed the path until
he reached the base of the rock Here his
courage nearly failed him, and it almost made him
giddy to gaze on the scene above. The rock was
several hundred feet high, in appearance; it was
.,ta7iy ',aTs, SRS vSs sS ~ : CO: - -:
When the young traveller had rested himself a
little, aud become composed, he observed that the
path turned to his left Immediately at the foot Of
the rock and again bracing himself for further
effort at climbing, he came to sort of channel
in the side of the rock, the side slopiBg gently
for some distance, and affOrding rough notches for
The fset and hands q those daring enough TO as
cend Ambrose Carey did ascend; and ere long
he found ladder lying against the side Of the
rock and firmly fastened to it Up this he went
until he came to another, hung perpendicular from
a projection above and with eyes shut cambered
on till he found himself on the projection, and
safe from danger. His progress now was easy I'M
iii he at length reached the summit, and found
himself on a broad platform, several acres in ex-
tent
He was, however, not in condition to enjoy the
scenes that were spread before him, illmitable,
varied, and beyond description grand and beauti
ful out erna~oYeu Doc p - 49,
himself upon the cool rock and was soon fast asleep
He was at last areua5 f"a'p bis sluqbers. and as
his eyes opened they encountered those of Coun-
Gil Redwood.
81 welcome you to my CASTLE said the latter
mo- it is profanity to say my castle, for this is
Gods altar, and here offer up my sacrifices"
"Where am |, and what does all this meant"
inquired Carey. looking wildly about him. Are
you truly a wizard, and am bewitched 2"
"You are not yet awake, Ambrose" said Red
wood, kindly give me your hand and follow |
me There he continued after they had advan-
ced few PAGES, there is spring of the purest
and coolest water battle your head and temples,
and your enchantment will be dissolved" Am
brose did as he was requested; but his perplexiy
was increased by the appearance of the fountain,
so tiny, SO tastefully built up with pebbles of
white red and variegated quartz, which the
Imagination of Carey converted into fairy gems
of the most exquisite finish and color. Wild
flowers, too, bad been made to grow out of the
rock whence gushed the limpd stream; and
willow. a strange sight there indeed, dipped its
branches in the fountain.
81 tell you, said Carey, i am wide awake. |
remember that | clambered up the sides of this |
huge mound, and remember that fell asleep; |
but is this wonderful hill reality and has it al
ways stood here?"
Undoubtedly this is the real Pilot Mountain"
answered Redwood "and thousands of people
live near it, and never saw it, or care TO see it."
~ did not know this gloomy world contained
anything so strange and beautiful" replied Carey
I" and suppose my exertons and the wonders
had seen filled my fancy with new and enchanting
images had most wonderful dream-a dream |
30 vivid that il still seems like reality, and per-
plexes me with unpleasant suspicious My lost
Mary appeared to me, and sOothed me with songs
as soft as the whispers of an angel, fairy forms
ministered around me, scattering flowers about
me, while the spirit of my Mary fastened an am
ulet about my neck as she sang. And by Heavens!
look therel see u cried the young man, as
he drew a golden locket from his bosom, and held
it up by the ribbon that was round his neck.
"For fear of HARM nj unrayel this mystery
said Redwood as Carey gazed wildly at the locket
" my children played about you whileyou slumbeTy
ed profoundly and long and they fastened that
charm about your neck. In it s paper and that
you NAV know tell the truth III inform you what
is on it, Her inscription ia, Give thy heart and
thy strength to thy country and Liberty, and
happiness shall be thy rewardr"
"But here is lock of hair" said Carey; " 1t
is the very hair of Mary, and exactly like q lock
have in my pocket. Are not those from the
same head ~
Certainly not" replied Redwood, little con-
fused this hair is from the head Of the living.
But you are now yourself again hope, and SO
look round Is not Gods earth beautiful
The trees were clad in the varied livery of au-
tumn and as the santng rays of the descending
sun fell upon them, the wide expanse glittered
like pavement of gold and silver and precious
gems Eastward the friends gazed first, the hor-
zon bounding their view, as they supposed, near
the Atlantic, distant more than two hundred
miles then Redwood pointed out peaks to the
south that were said to be in Georgia. and blue
SUBMITS to the north which he supposed to be in
Maryland. Finally they turned westward the
Blue Ridge like huge wall, with its thousand
turrets and towers, bounding the view in this d.
rection and they gazed for some time in silence,
each lost in his own thoughts
And now, Ambrose" said Redwood at length,
are you not ready on this mighty Altar, to take
the VOWS of Liberty Is not this indeed good
ly land Is not the earth too beautiful to be ruled
forever by tyrants? Shall despotsm be allowed |
to bring its Internal brood to this glorious coun-
try7 to turn Gods garden TO hell this majestic
palace with its floors of emerald and roof Of stars
and azure TO a loathsome prison ~
at is already loathsome prison to me-" re-
turned Carey "the dearest hopes of my life are
gone, and all the fair scenes of earth are to me
hut vain mockeries What care for Liberty, or
Despotsm either2 The canker is at my heart,
and while Tyranny cannot worst me, freedom can
awaken no happy emotions"
"Those are the words of a poltroon--of sick
boyn said Redwood
"You le!n cried Carey, in rage; you lie,
and dare you to make your words good Sir,
you need not smile; you must atone for this Of
fence, and now is AS good time as any. Here
are two pistols-take your choice"
"Not now, not now /" said Redwood
"But it must be aud shall be now continued
Carey al will not descend from this mountain
until wipe off the stain you have put upon me"
"Mr Carey" said Redwood, calmly, 4" am
delighted struck fire from the flint ut the first
blow You said that despotism could not hurt
you liberty not ennoble you and yet single
word throws you into phrenzy, and you are will.
ling TO risk your life to get satisfaction for it
Your SOUL young man can yst be touched By honor and
SHINE do you not sec how you are conquered 2"
IL yield myself your prisoner" said Carey,