The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-02-14

forest, and came out at length in a bright
pool into the valley. Every thing, in
short, animate and inanimate, breathed
the same spirit of security and peace.
No putrefying carcases ofman or beast
lay around, to attract the kites and vul-
lures, or other birds of prey, from their
nests amidst the cliffs but thousand
little throats made the thickets ring
with a melody peculiar TO themselves,
and which more, perhaps, than any other
sound, bespeaks the presence of tran
quillity and repose. Norman was toe
much struck with the entire scene moi
to experience something like compunc.
ton for the necessity which compelled
him, to a certain degree, at least to In
terrupt it. But he determined that nc
precaution should he wanting on his
part, for the purpose of rendering the
interruption as little injurious as posi-.
BILE at all events. that no act of wan.
ton outrage should be committed by
his soldiers, either upon the inhabitant:
or their property. He accordingly halt.
ed his battalion at the outskirts of the
hamlet, and, riding forward by himself
proceeded to make such arrangements
as appeared best calculated 10 secure
the attainment of these objects.
The advance of Norman's battalion
had not been mobserved by the people
of Alanjuez, but they did not on thai
account abandon their houses. Whe
ther it was that by means Of some look
out parties they had been made aware
that the advancing troops were theil
allies, or whether, having no place
of safety to retire to, they resolved tc
trust to the clemency, even of their en-
emies, should such approach, | do no
know; but Norman no sooner appeared
in the hamlet than he was surrounded
by women and children, all entreatine
him to protect them from the violence
of the soldiers. This Norman readily
promised to do. and the regiment being
moved forward, chain of outposts was
planted, after which such companie!
as were not Immediately required foI
duty took up their quarters in the diff
ferent cottages.
Norman was still hesitating where t.
establish himself, when venerable ole
man, whose upright figure and stiff de
pertinent left no room to doubt as to the
station which he held in society, rode
up to him. The stranger introduced
himself as Don Fernando Navarette
and requested Norman, as commandan
of the detachment, to take up his abode
in the castle. To this the young sol
dier offered no objection. Carrying
with him force of two hundred men
Xbhiafho XSIbhsf diadiagssaA iiRchha tbahasnsh
sion. he himself readily consented to be
come the guest of Don Fernando; no
had many hours elapsed ere he foun'
himself as perfectly at home as II HI
| really formed one of the family.
Don Fernando's family circle consist
ed .of himself, three daughters, thei
duenna or governess, and priest. Tn
daughters were all of them strikingl
handsome but in the appearance q
Theresa, the youngest, there was some
thing which no young man, with a heal
wholly disengaged, could look upon wit
Indifference. Fairer, by many degrees
than the generality of Spanish maiden
Theresa Navarette retainedjust asmuc
of her national complexion as may b
| seen every day among the loveliest
those English beauties whom we ar
IN the habit of denominating brunette
Her ewes were large, full, dark and II
telligent = fringed with long silke
lashes and surmounted by brows, archie
indeed, but not so much as to give tn
slightest expression of weakness to n.
countenance her hair. not exact
+ black, but of the darkest brown, hun
in the richest curls over her neck ar
shoulders. Her little well-formed mou'
gave evidence, not less than the glant
Of her sparkling eye, of strong passion
high enthusiasm, and sensitive feelin'
. and her figure-Canova himself nev
, formed a statue more perfect or mo
, replete with elegance and symmetr
Add to all this, a loveliness of mannt
E occasionally tinctured with romano
and a tolerable accurate picture
Theresa will be placsdbefore the mlnt
eve Of him who desires to look upon
There is in the department OF torei'
I families generally, and in those OF Spa
, in particular, degree of confidil
. frankness, such as We rarely meet WI
! in English society. Of this Norm
: was speedily made sensible. The
!. man nv degrees laid aside as much
: his constitutional gravity as was pos
BILE; the priest became talkative a
I entertaining; the duenna, instead
! casting = cloud upon the intimacy whi
!. soon began to be formed between
) English soldier and her young charg
f appeared to promote it, and the q
! themselves were all life and animatl
!, AS the evening drew on, a huge pile
wood wasmad to blaze upon the hear
~ lamps was lighted, and, the guitars
3 ing produced, Norman was entertain
4 with . concert more pleasing to his Q
f than all the laboured performance:
n hired musicians, however skilful
a however celebrated. 1t has been S
Il that Norman was something of 7
d sician himself. His voice was cl
or and rich; and being, from his long r
,r. dence in the country, well acquain
!. with the favorite airs of Spain, he m
b;~solf more than ever agreeable