The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-04-08

THE DEATH wREsTLE.
A deadly feud subsisted, almost from time
immortal, between the families of M'Pherson,
of Bendearg, and Grant, of Cairo, and was
handed down "unimpaired" even to the close
of the last century. In earlier time the war
like chiefs of these names found frequent OPP
portunities Of testifying their mutual anipos~
ity; and few interiors Of that fatal quarrel
left the world without having moistened ie
with the blood Of their hereditary enemies.
But in our own day the progress of civiliza-
ton, which had reached even these wild
countries-the heart of the North Highland
ers-although it could not extinguish entirely
the transmitted spirit Of revenge at least kept
it within safe bounds, and the feuds of Nc
Pherson and Grant threatened, in the course
of another generation, to die entirely away,
or, ut least. to exist only in some vexatious
law suit, fostered by the petty jeaIousies OF
two men of hostile tempers and contiguous
property.
It was not, however, without some ebulli-
tons of ancient ferceness that the flame
which had burned for SO many centuries
seemed about to expire. Once al meeting
of the country gentlemen, question stprivl-
lege arising, Bendearg took occasisn to throw
outs ONE taunts aimed at his hereditary foe,
which the firery Grant Immediately received
as the signal of defiance, and a challenge
was the consequence. The sheriff of the
county, however, having received intimstion
OF thu affair, placed both parties uader ar
rest; till at length, by the persuasion of
their friends-not friends by blood-and the
representations of the magistrates, they
shook hands, and each pledged honor to for
get = at least never again to remember in
speech or action, the ancient fcud OF their
family. This occurrence at the time was the
object OF much interest in the "country-side,"
that rather that it seemed to give the lie to
the prophecies, of which many highland fam
| iy has an ample stock in its tradtionary
chronicles, and which expressly predicted
that enmity of Cairn and Bendearg should
| only be quenched in blood; and on this SEEM
ingiy CROSSE rained circumstance some of
the young men who had begun to be tainted
with the heresies of the lowlands, were seen
to shake their heads as they reflected on the
tales and the faith of their ancestors: but the
grey haired seers shook theirs still more wise
", and answered, with the motto Of q mob lie
81 bide nv time"
| There is narrow pass between two noun
tains in the neighborhood of Bendearg, we'll
known to the travellers who adventure into
these wilds in quest Of the savage sublimiies
of nature. At little distance it has the APP
pearance of an immense artificial bridge
thrown over q wide chasm; but on a nearer
approach, is seen to be q wall of natures
own masonry, formed of vast and rugged
bodies of solid rock piled on each other, as
if in giant sport of tie architect. Its sides
| n. al sr,set, ~ ID
cradle size; and the passenger who has a
head steady enough to look down the preci-
pice, may see the eyries Of birds of prey be-
meath his feet. The path across is so narrow
that it will not admit Of two persons passing
alongside; and indeed none but the natives
accustomed to the scene from infancy, would
attempt the dangerous route at all. though it
saves q circuit OF three miles. Yet it some
times happens that two travellers meet in the
middle, o~ ing to the curve, formed by the
pass preventing q view across either side;
and when this is the case, one is obliged to
lie down while the other crawls, over bis
body.
One day, shortly after the incident above
mentioned, highlander was walking fear
lessly down the pass, sometimes bending
over to watch the flight Of the wild birds that
built below, and sometimes detatching a frag
ment from the top TO see it dash against the
uneven sides, anu bounding from rock to rock
its sound echoing the while like human
voice, and dying in faint and hollow murmurs
at the bottom. When the highlander had
gained the loitiest part Of the arch, he OBJ
served another person coming leisurely from
the opposite side, and being himself Of the pat
riciar order, called out to him to lie down
the individual, however, disregarded the com
mand, and the highlanders met face to face
on the summit. They were Cairn and Ben.
dearg; the two hereditary enemies, who would
have gloried to have met in mortal strife on Z
hill side turned deadly pale at this fatal rem
contre.
81 was first at the top" said Bendearg, sane
called out; lie down, that may pass over II
peace"
"When the Grant prostrates himself be fort
MCPHERSON" answered the other, 'it must b.
with sword driven through bis body
"Turn back, them" said Bendearg, can.
, repass as you came"
$50 back youreelf if you like it'll will no
be the first to turn before MCPHERSON"
This was their short conference, and thu
result exactly as such had anticipated. They
then threw their bonnets over the precipice
and advanced with a slow and cautious pace
towards each other,--they were both unarmed
. Stretching their limbs like men preparing
/ for desperate struggle, they planted thei
feet firmly on the ground, compressed thei
! lips, knit their dark brows, and fixing fierce
! and watchfui eyes upon each other, sto"
there prepared for the onset They bot
. grappled at the same moment; but being o
/ equal strength, were unable for some time
to shift each others Notwithstanding, as
, fixed to the rock, with suppressed breath. an
n muscles strained "to the top of their bent,
I like statues carved out Of the solid stone
> Atlength MCPHERSON suddenly removing hi
right foot SO as to give him greater purchase
f stopped his body and bent his enemy " it'll hir
\ by main strength, till they both leaned owe
: the precipice, looking downwards into tn