Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-05-23

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path which led up the mountain. In single
file We scrambled over rocks and fallen trees,
or picked our way through broken gullies
and along steep dcclivities, until we came to
apoint where we wero compelled to dismount.
The path led us along the very brow of
precipice, where, on our right, five hundred
| feet below us, with shallow stream foam
/ ing among the rocks in its bed yawned a
ragged fearful abyss; and on the left the
rocks rose from our very feet, and lowered
perpcndicularly in awful grandeur twice the
height. Isabella shuddered as she looked
over the brow Of the preeipice but turning
her eyes away, took Lauce's hand and fol-
lowed him around the point Here the crags
upon tho left receded, leaving space of a
bout an acre in extent between their base
and the cliff; and across this, springing
down the lodges, and sparkling in the sun
light, ran clear, cold stream. Directly
under the overhanging rocks upon the left
lay like mirror, giving back in duplicate
the greenery around, little mountain-lake |
of living water. From its lower side an
outlet, Ike thread, traced on the rocks
line of silver, and springing down the prcci-
pice was dissipated into mist. This little |
area we had called LII Esmeralda-for It'll
lay among the crags like giant emerald
in granite setting.
There was safer path to it than that
by which we came. leading over dip in the
southern cliff and reaching it through grove
of cedars and palms, which covered the side
opposite to the point where we paused but
we had purposely chosen the more difficult
/ way, became Of its union Of grandeur and
beauty. On reaching the edge of the lake
I. we threw the reins upon the necks of our
I horses, and prepared to spend pleasantly
! the hours of our stay. Ned set about build
: ing fire, against the rocks, and Lance and
! | seated ourselves upon seropes beside Tsa-
y bella, and lighted our cigars.
/! would be content, said Isabella, to
= live here all my life, if / could have around
I me those love-
! In our language. Lance answered thought
i fully, the same letters used in forming the
: word innate, with a little transpositien, will
m give the word unite and perhaps the same
! feelings which make you happy with those
N you love, in the haunts of men, might, witt
10 a change to solitude, render you miserable.
aS Not if my friends-not if those / love
N were with me 7 she eagerly rejoined. 4
can understand how change
Of We were interrupted by a cry Of warnin,
,r- from Ned, who had wandered to the grow
ol- in search Of wood Lance and | sprung t,
le- our feet but at the same moment volle,
ut was fred from the grove-Lance threw hi
". hand to his forehead, and fell heavily to tn
Of ground Ten men, with Vasca de Monta
ok verde at their head, sprung from the cove
to and rushed upon us ! l had time to fir
rd but one shot, when 1 was knocked dow
es- and pinioncd. Ned, who had ran to m
side with demonstrations of loyalty and coul
III age, was seized and tied, while Isabella wa
nd torn roughly from Lance, upon whom sll
fo- had thrown herself, and held upon her fe,
The BY Montaverde. She gazed around as
the bewildered and confused but look at th
md scene before her was enough to recall hi
.es. wandering senses She saw that resistant
oss was useless and folding her arms upon b,
cen breast, she bent those eyes full upon her ca
mes tor The repose and beauty Of their peac
nts fulness was gone; the sleeping demon W
ere awakened, and the ferceness of the tig
ain CLEANED from their depths.
/ Of So, miscreant,' she Kissed, you a
ath- living
and He tremblod, but made no reply-ar
ling she continued.
ines am again in your power-whither
aus you lead me now2'
and He still made no answer !; the cold, ph,
les. phoric fire of her glance, triumphing as
inds was, awed him into silence, as the altere
our fearful tones Of her ringing voice made
gen shudder. There was death in her look
with more than death in her words. Montavel
did not speak to her, but turning to one
and his men, whispered few words in Spani
gain The fellow called some of his comrades, q
j the catching our horses, led them to the pl
that where we stood. One of them knelt bcs
some Isabella's and Montayerde motioned tow
him with his hand. Without speaking,
they placed her foot upon his knee and sprang
have the saddle. The men then hurried my
It re and Ned upon our horses, and lashed u
the saddles, while Isabella sat gazing thou,
aid /. fully upon her ifeless lover. The men
ride preached to lift him from the ground,
u are Montayerde stopped them.
from Let the dog lie where he is = said
sternly; and taking Isabella's bride,
where her toward the narrow path by which we
assembled. My eye met hers as she tul
,nnai- away, and mingled with its ferceness c.
up to see triumph almost joyful She gat
ed up the reins and settled herself in
but scat as for the dangerous pass. Montav
some walked before still holding the brldl
ing to When he reached the brow of the a
ch we lprecipice, he turned his face to see that
more was ready to attempt the path. There
been scarcely foot between him and the