Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-02-13
MISCELL A M US.
A 7, EG F.

AoWdiuS the CioSc OI TIE SIAtetutil cell
fury, horrid custom prevailed on thu
coast Of Cornwall, Of Turing vessels to thei
destruction in stormy weather, by fsten
ing lantern to horse head, and lead
ing il about on the cliffs, in order that the
bewildered mariner, installing it for the
light Of vessel, might be Induced to shape
his course towards il. This atroclous ex.
pedient was often successful. The devoted
crew dreamed not Of their danger unit
warned of it, too late, by the foaming
breakers that burst upon them from the
shore ; and the vessel speedily became the
prey of set Of ruthless barbarians, who
to secure themselves impunit, in Their
plumber, often murdered those who escaped
drowning, and then called their booty O
'God-send."
In a small hovel, on the craggy shore
of deep and dangerous bay on the coast
of Cornwall, dwelt one Of those wretches,
an old hardened desperate, who united in
himself the Fisherman, the smuggIer, and
the wrecker, but the last was his favorite
occupation; and such was the confidence
Of his companions in his experience in
this capacity, that he was usually appoint
ed their leader, and rarely failed in his
office. His wife, too, encouraged him,
and not Infrequently aided him in his in
iquitous exploits. Disguised with the
wickedncss Of his parents, their only son
left his home in early life, and sought to
obtain an honorable subsistence as the
mate OF West India trader.
1t was al a period when long and
profitless summer and autumn had nearly
passed away, that Terloggan, like the vul-
ture, ever watchful for his prey, was more
than usually observant Of the signs Of the
heavens; nor was any one more capable
than himself Of discovering the most dis
tant indications OF tempest. Nature had
for several months worn placid and most
encouraging aspect. The soft and azure
sky seemed to rest upon the transparent
SEA, and the slowly.expanding waves
swept with slow murmerings along the
shining sands of the deep bay with wild
and monotonous FLASHING, that seemed to
strike the voice Of prophecy upon the
ear. Not more hateful were the glorious
beams of the orb Of day to the fallen Luz
cifer, as described by our great poet, than
was the quiescent state Of nature to the
dark mind of Terlosgan. In his impa-
cursed the Protracted season Of
thence ne ...- &c - sanroaching
tranquility, and ha,Ieu - w
period Of storms as more congenia, 49,.
only the gloomy temper Of his SOU" but
to bis interests. At length he saw. with
, smile of savage satisfaction, the sun sink
IN angry beneath the dim and cloudy
ho,;xon: heard with secret exultation the
hoi;,.w mnrmuring Of the winds; and be-
hsld The LACK ening waves rising into tu'
~, and lashiug he ''cfty rocks with the y
ascending spray. AS the :'sn' advances .ea
in chaotic darkness. the SSorro'S u 'ne
tempest increased and the loud an.' 'o"SS
blasts of the contending elements rung GU,
upon the ear like the death-knell Of q de-
parted soul. :.
"Now's thy time" CALCULATED the old
hag, his wife, "go thy way out upon the
cliffs; there's death in the wind" Ter
loggau speedily equipped himself, and as
cended the steep promonotory at the en-
trance Of the bay. The usual expedien'
was restored to. and he soon observed a
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, thu
white, close.reefed sails Of the vessel coult
be dlmly discovered through the darkness
and the appalling cry of the seamen at tn.
discovery Of their danger distinctly heard
lSignal-guns of distress were immedlatel.
fired, and the loud commands, all hand
on deck, and abont ship, were vociterate'
in wild despair. Every exsrtion wa
made to wear the vessel from the shore
but the redeeming moment YVES past. tn
ship was completely embayed, and neithe
strength nor skill were Of any avail! !
averting her impending fate. In FEY
minutes q tremendous crash, and hear
rending but fruitlesl cry for help, announe
ed the horrid catastrophe; and the la
flashing signal-gun revealed for momer
a scene too terrible TO be described. Tn
stranded vessel, hurled repeatedly again
the Jagged rocks of the bay, soon parted
the waves dashed over her shattered hu
with relentless fury, bearing to the shoI
the scattered Cargo broken pieces Of ii