Washington sentinel., 1854-01-31
Wastingtnli Sentinel.
The Wrecker.
A CORNISH LEGEND.

Towards the close of the sixteenth century,
horrid custom prevailed on the coast Of
Cornwall, of Turing vessels to their destruction
in stormy weather, by fastening lantern to u
horses head, and leading it about on the cliffs,
in order that the bewildered mariner, installing
it for the light of a vessel, might be induced to
shape his course towards it. This atrocious ex-
pedient was often successful. The devoted
crew dreamed not of their danger until warned
of it. too late, by the foaming breakers that
burst upon them from the shore; and the yes-
sci speedily became the prey of q set of ruth
less barbarians, who, to secure themselves inn
punity in their plumber, often murdered those
who escaped drowning, and then called their
booty "God-send.n H
In small hovel, on the craggy shore Of
deep and dangerous bay on the coast of Corn
wall, dwelt one of those wretches, an old har-
dened desperate, who united in himself the
fisherman, the smuggler, and the wrecker, but
the last was his fayorite occupation; and such
was the confidence of his companions in his
experience in this capacity, that he was usually
appointed their leader, ard rarely failed in his
Office. His wife, too, encouraged him, and not
unfrequently aided him in his iniquitous ex-
ploits Disguised with the wickedness Of his
parents, their only son left his home in early
life, and sought to obtain an honorable sub
sistence as the mate of q West India trader.
1t was at period when a long and proitless
summer and autumn had nearly passed away,
that Terloggan, like the yulture, ever watchful
for his prey, was more than usually obseryant
OF the signs of the heavens; nor was any one
more capable than himself of discovering the
most distant indications of . tempest Nature
had for several months worn placid and most
y nft n ar
seemed to rest upon the transparent sea, and the
slowly-expanding waves swept with slow mur-
murings along the shining sands Of the deep
bay with wild and monotonous FLASHING, that
seemed to strike like the voice of prophecy
upon the ear. Not more hateful were the glo
rious beams Of the orb of day to the fallen Lu-
cifer, as described by our great poet, than was
the quiscent state of nature to the dark mind OF
Terloggan. In his impatience he cursed the
protracted season Of tranquility, and hailed the
approaching period Of storms as more congo
NAL not only to the "gloomy temper of his
SOUL but to his interests. At length he saw,
with smile Of savage satisfaction, the sun
sink in angry red beneath the dim and cloudy
horizon; heard with secret exutation the hol-
low murmuring Of the winds and beheld the
blackening waves rising into fury, and lashing
the lofty rocks with their ascending spray. As
the night advanced in chaotic darkness, the
horrors of the tempest increased; and the
loud and long blasts Of the contending elements
rung out upon the ear like the death-knell of a
departed soul.
'sNow's thy time," calculated the old hag, his
wife, go thy way out upon the cliffs there's
death in the wind" Terloggan speedily equip
ped himself, and ascended the steep promon-
tory at the entrance Of the bay. The usual
expedient was resorted to, and he soon OBJ
served light at sea as if in answer to his
signal. His prey seemed already in his grasp.
The light evidently approached nearer and,
before an hour had elapsed, the white, close
reefed sails of the vessel could be dimly dis
covered through the darkness, and the appall-
ing cry of the seamen at the discovery OF their
danger distinctly heard. Signalguns of dis
tress were Immediately fired, and the loud com
mands, all hands on deck, and about ship,
were vociferated in wild despair. Every exer-
ton was made to wear the vessel from the
shore but the redeeming moment was past,
the ship was completely embayed, and neither
strength nor skill were Of any avail in averting
her impending fate. In a few minutes a tre-
mendous crash, and heart-rending but fruit
less cry for help, announced the horrid catas-
trophe and the last flashing signal-gun re-
u
described. The stranded vessel, hurled repeat.
edly against the Jagged rocks of the bay, soon
parted; the waves dashed over her shattered
hull with relentless fury, bearing to the shore the
scattered cargo, broken pieces of the wreck,
and the tattered rigging; whilst the mingled
shrieks Of the drowning, blended with the roar
Of the conflicting elements, rose upon the ear
like the despairing cries of an army Of dying
Titans. ~ a
There was one, however, in whose eyes such
scene was joyous, in whose ears such sounds
were melody; and that being was Terloggan
He waited impatiently until tho storm had
somewhat abated; and when silence began to
indicate that the work of death was well nigh
over he descended the well-known cliffs to dart
upon his prey. Unmoved by the horrid spec
tacle, (for the moon had broken from the
clouds by which she had before been concealed, J
he stood awhile gazing upon the scene Of desc
lation around him, at loss where first to begin
his work of rapine. But to his surprise and mo-
mentary dismay, there was yet one living soul
on board, who, should he survive, would inter-
pose between him and his hard-earned booty,
and who was even now loudly supplicating his
assistance. To dispatch this unhappy crea-
ture in bis exhausted and helpless condition,
was resolution no sooner formed than exc
cuted. Whilst he was appearing to aid his es-
cape from the jaws Of death, one stroke Of his
hanger laid him a livid and mutilated corse
upon tAe sands before him. Terloggan then
rited the pockets of his victim, took a ring
from his finger, and, laden with the most port.
able articles of plunder, retraced his footsteps
to his hut.
"What luck?' exclaimed his fend-like help
mate, as he crossed the Threshold of the door.
"Never better" rejoined Terloggan, pointing
to his booty. He then described the success of
his hellish stratagem, without even concealing
the particulars Of the murder; after which he
displayed some pieces of foreign gold coin, and
the ring which he had taken from the finger OF
the stranger.
aGive me the light, Meg said the hoary
villain. The hag obeycd. But no sooner had
he examined the ring, than he recognised its
form and certain mark upon it. His counte-
nance changed, and with groan Of agony he
quickly handed il to his wife. She knew too
well from whose hand it must have been taken,
and, after glancing at it for moment, yelled
out with supernatural energy: ooh, my son,
my poor sonl" and fell senscless at the feet oi
L ~. j.. 4 L-.L