Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-02-03
A THRILLING. TALE.
By SIR WALTER SCOTT.


traversing the Highlands, along with much
beloved, but now departed friend; one Of
the true men of the old school; one who
was rich ia classical and legendary lore, but
still more in sterling and moral virtues
For it has been my lot to possess friends and
companions from whom was ever gaining,
till my store has become somewhat bulky.
Alas! there are so many deserters from the
corps by this time, who shall no more re-
turn, that wish to cherish the persuasion,
that to be gone and be with them, will be
far better. My friend and 1 were among
the thickly strewn mountains and ragged
rocks of the widest branch of the High
lands, where there is remarkable natural
ravine which we visited and explored. 1t
is, rather than ravine, fearful pit or dun
geon, descending deep among the yawning
rocks. It's as if volcano had boiled there.
but in course Of time had spouted out all its
lava, forming strange adjacent peaks all
around; thus leaving the furnace or crater
dry and empty. 1t is a terrific throat, wide
open, and on the very edge of which one
may stand and look down to the very bottom.
There is mode of descent into it's depths
which visitors may command. This is by
means Of rope and windlass as it were into
pit, which are fixed and worked from
prominent brow of the highest frowning
peak. To the main rope machine is at
tached, called cradle, by four shorter
cords, that tie to its distinct corners. He
that descends takes his stand or seat in the
cradle, within the stretch of the four d.
verging cords that meet his head.
A rough old Highlander presided at the
windlass, who appointed my friend first to
go down. Ere the cradle came up for me
again, presentiment of some horrid acct
dent about to happen to one of us began to
take hold of my nature, and could not re-
sist inquiring if all was right with my friend
below. "Hoo, surely" was the answer.
"And the cradle will be for you in minute;
ye are as heavy as twa OHM" els the
rope frail ?" "No very rotten arva; the
last ane was rottener afore it's brak, an let
a man fa',' % was the alarming reply. "Was
he killed, say you?" "Killed! though he
had hundred lives, he wad haze been kill
ed he was smashed to pieces down on yon-
der jagged rock" quoth the hard-hearted
Celt. l now examined the rope, and it ap-
peared much worn and to be old SHOW
old is it::'' inquired I. Just five years auld;
the last was month aulder afore it brake,
was his next piece of tantalizing informa-
ton. With some irritation of manner put
it to him, why a new one had not been pro-
vided before any risk could attend des-
cent; and to make things verse, he provo
kingly announced, 6: We are to get new
ane the morn; yell likely be the last to try
the auld."
But already the cradle waited for me to
step into it. I could not disappoint my
compan on by not doing as he did; and
ashamed to seem to hesitate before the
hardy Highlander, at once took my seat.
1t was perhaps to encourage me, that he
said as he let me of, GA far heavier man
than you gaed down yesterday" ''Then he
strained the rope" cried l but it was too
late to return, and after all got safe down.
The sun shone brightly, and made every in
tricity, even the deep crater, clear and
open to the eye. The floor might aiiow a
hundred and fifty people to stand on it at
once and consists of fine sand that sDakles