Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-08-11
GbuirR Tit&ratarE.
FRANK BURNETT,
THE CHAMPION OF THE MALDoNADo

THE CHAMPION OF THE MALDoNADoS. !
II wanted vet two hours Of sunset, on
clear sunny afternoon in the month |
+. OF October, 1S49, that young man
might have been seen reclining at full
length upon the ground, under the CRATE
ful shade of a majestic cedar, which
grew upon the very edge Of a yawning
chasm, in one Of the mountain passes,
some half dozen miles from the beautl-
ful town Of Alvarez, which lies nearly
twenty miles distant in a south-easterly
direction from the city of Matanzas.
A portfolio, and materials for draw
ing, together with several beautifully eX'
ecuted sketches Of wild mountain scene
ry, which lay scattered upon the ground
near the roots of the tree, gave unms-
takeabe evidence that if the young man
was not an artist by profession, he GER
tainly possessed no mean skill IN draw
ing, and might have won an enviabIe
reputation as landscape painter.
For a single instant the young man
stands and listens, and the next there is
heard a scream as Of woman in deadly
peril; and a foaming horse dashes down
the rocky path with II female form cling
ing TO the saddle.
The frightened animal plunged madlv
on. and is almost upon the brink of the
black gorge, when he is suddenly az
rested in his wild career and flung quick
ly back upon his launches by the strong
arm OF the stranger artist, who grasP'
the tightened rein with one hand, while
with the other he lifts the lady from the
saddle 90 gently. and with such appar
enlease. that Re -scarGeiy seems " f7-'
called into action single muscle oi nj
powerful arm.
The rescued maiden stands there, an
gazes in mute wonder and admlratio
9non the noble form and hadsome lea
lures of her gallant preserver, as 1t sh
- could scarcely believe that this Twins
breathing world Of humanity held augl
that so fully realized her idle model
manly perfections, while the your
stranger gazed upon the bright beln
whom his hand has this moment snatc
cd from destruction, as she stands the
before him in all the voluptuous outlln
Of her wondrous beauty, as though
half believed that the glorious creatu
was rather some exquisite picture OF t
IMAGINATION. than being Of mere he
and blood.
Asvet, no word has been spoken
either. but the tell.tale expression
each face is eloquent Of all the deep e
otons that thrill each beating heart,
hush each tongue to silence, more
nressiye than impassioped words
But soon the spell is broken by
appearance ola party, consisting OF SC SC
half dozen cavaliers, and as many lac
ON horseback; who came sweeping oo
tho rocky pass and rcined IN their n
steeds about the rescued girl and
gallant saviour.
A tall, noble. looking man, W hose
and thick mustache is bleachec by,
frosts of sixty Cantabrlan winters, I'll
b;mselffrom his painting horse and sna
es the lovely girl to his heart, while
turns an admiring glance upon
Young stranger, who still holds the &c
III dn~">.' is~-of The impatient runa
In moment, the noUIO.-r
prehends the obligation which the y
stranger has laid upon him, in savin,
only child from terrible death, all
leasing the blusbing girl from his a
he embraces the handsome artist,
pours forth his thanks for the gallar
so promptly performed.
All-gaY cavaliers, proud danes,
Joyous laughing maidens-spring
their steeds, and gather around the
bewildered stranger, overwhelming
with thanks, and profTers of regard
friendship
All No, not all. There is one S
exception to the general outpourir
gratitude
A handsome officer, in the gors
uniform OF Colonel III the Spanis
Iny, sits there upon his coal black
ger, with sardonic smile curline
mustached lip, while he mutters bet
his clenched teeth, "Aduentueiro 4
cano lddroue ~
Every eye is fixed upon the hand
Colonel who sits there upon his spl
charger, and gazes upon the young
ger with all the malice of fiend D
cd in his countenance.
Very calmly the stranger turns his
burning eyes upon the swarthy fe;