Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-04-13
VOL. 1l.---N0. as.

cchoinc the while like human voice, and
d. ing in faint and hollow murmurs at the bot.
tom When the ,ghlanAer had gained the lof.
tlest part of the arch. he observed another per:
son coming leisurelv from the opposite aide.
end,heing limsclf Of the pa'rician order. cal.
led out to him to lie down. the e-individual.
however, dlsregardcd the command. and the
high 'anders met face to face on the summit.
They We're Cairn and Bendearg; the two he.
redi,ary enemies. who would have glored to
have met in morla strife ON hill eide, turned
deadly pale at this fn al rencontrr.
IL was the first at the top" said Bendcarg.
and cal led out; lie down. that may pass over
in peace
When the Grant prcstrntes himself before
! II Pherson," answered the other, "it must be
with a sword driven through his body
Turn back. .hcn.' said Bendearg. and re.
pass "a you came .asr
Go back yourself, if you like 1t; will not
be the first to turn before M'Pherson'
This was their short conference. and the re-
suit exactly as each had anticipated. They
then threw their bonnets over the precipicc.
and advanced with slow and cautious pace
towards each olhcr;-they were both armed.
Stretching their limbs like men preparing for
n desperate struggle. they planted their feet
firmly on the ground compressed their lips.
knit their dark brows. and fixing fierce aud
watchful eyes upon each other, stood there
prepared for the onset. They both grappled
Mt the same moment; but being of equal
strength were unable, for some time, to shift
each Others Notwithstanding, as If fixed to
he rock, with suppressed breath, and muscles
strained "to the top of their bent" like stat
res carved on, of the solid stone At length
II Phearson suddenly removing his right foot
so as TO give him greater purchase, s,oorcd his
body and bent his enemy with him by main
strength, till they both leaned over the preci-
picc, looking oownwards into the terrible abyss
The contest was as yet doubtful for Gran, had
placed his foot firmly on an elevation at the
brink, and had equal command of his enemy
but at this moment M'Pherson sunk slowly
and firmly on his knee, and while Grant, sud-
denly started back. STOPPING to take the sup.
possed advantage. whirled him over his head
into the gulf. MPherson himself fell back
wards. his body hanging partly over the rock
Il fragment gave way beneath him, and he
sank further, till catching with desperate ef.
tort at the solid stone above, he rcgained his
footing. There was a pause OF drath-like
stiffness, and the bold heart Of NJ Pherson felt
sick and faint. AT length "a if compelled un.
willingly by some mysterious fallng, he look.
ed down over the.precipice. Grant had caught
with a death like grip by n rugged point of a
rock-his enemy was almost yet within his
reach; his face was turned upward, and there
WAN in it terror and despair. but he uttered no
word or cry. The next moment he loosed his
hold; and tho NEXT, his brains were dashed
out before his hereditary foe;--the mangled
body disappeared among the trees. and it's
last heavy and hollow sound arose from the
bottom.
MPhcrson returned home an altered man -
He purchased commission in the army, and
fell bravely in the wars of the Peuinsula. The
Gaelic name Of the place where this tragedy
acted, signifies llcll's Bridge.