The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1854-10-07
"The dashing,
Silver flashing

But turn asidc--anl there, beneath, fal
beneath, lies an abyss like that OF which
Milton has sung in suhimcst mortal strains
paused upon the brink. and shuddcfing
gazed downtown! The thick and luncrc.
a volumes Of tortuously- ly-asccnding smoke
came sccthug upward n, from a cauldrOn
II escaped mayriad orCyicrs in the rocky
prccipitous sides; it poured forth from be
hind projections, and united with the vast
mass which came sublimcly upward from
the uniathomablc depths.
Here, upon the sandy rock edge. sulphur
and orurIblcd lava, and pumicc stone
were all mingled together TO form hOrlid
soil, here sat and looked down. from the
scene beyond, from that glimpse of earth,
which made t.seem like heaven from that
vision Of all that was most lovely aud all
that was most overpowcring; 10 trrn and
gaze into 4 volcanoes awful depths-what q
change!
Involved in n thogrand thoughts sat
there, thinking myself alone whcna sudden
grating struck my ear. | was startlcd cx.
cccdingy, and turned around. The place
where had been sitting was p,uineulai
projection Of the cliff which formed part o
this informal chasn. Upon the narrow striI
! Of land which joined it to the other cliffs up
on the isthmus,-l saw a mild-loOEins mid
dlc-agod gentleman approach me.
He was dressed IN plain black clothes
and in his hand he held light stick
II beg your pardon, sigror," said hc in :
polite manner, and with great soitncss o
tone. 81 beg your pardon for intruding my
self upon your company. But It's not Otter
I ttat | e.1 my visitor lpi "
"My dear sir, beg you will make no eX
cusos," replied. 81 was just admiring thi'
| scene below
"Ah yes, It's glorious sight,
GLORIOUS Say, rather, a terrible one.
"Tcrrible, perhaps to you but do not be
surprised If ! say that to inc it is lovely, alb
solutely lovely"
And as he spoke smile Of bewitchina
beauty crossed his features.
II suppose your tastes are different from
/ those of many peoples signor. have no
auch feelings. But may ask you ifyou arr
often hcrcI'
"Oh, yes live here" he replied, waving
| his stick around ~ live here"
! thought that he meant me to under
/ stand that his home was in the mountain
whore very many villas are situated.
"And | should supp osr,' | continued
| "that you are often CA the summit"
ooh yes, lam here always"
always What II strange fascination j
| has for you"
at has, it has said the gentleman. "Oh
u fearful, and his voice grew low and hol
Iowa terrible fscnation'
was silent
Al / H. -, Il
by my side, and turning his eyes full towarC
me: II do not wish you to inform any one
Promise me that YOU will not
had not noticed his eyes before, but
saw now that within their depths thcr
cleaned n strange and sinister light,
promised him, and at the same time
uncasily drew back farther from the edge.
"Wcll, then, signor" said he 81 am kim
here rule Mount Itna"
'Ycs!" answered, little alarmed at hi
words and attempting to smile.
"Ies! am king here. In me you SC
the being who causes the lava To pour forth
and ovcrwhclm the regions below hav
lived here for centuries. The spirits of tn
deep obey me; see"
lie lcaped from the ground. There was
fearful fire in his eye, his nostriIs were di'
atcd, his pale face became as white as mar
Bile, and as bloodlcss, save that on cthc
check there glowcd a deep red spot,
"Sec, he shriekcd wildly and loudly
"spirts ofthc deep arise! lia !-yonder-
see thcm-,hcy are coming in clouds-cr
rohed in thundcr-clouds, scem
! lept up from the ground; gazed Il
him.
lie threw oiChis hat wildly, and it fell IA
down into the abyss. lie flung his coat o
and threw il away.
"Signor" said | in hopes that mild ton
might make him calm, "Signor the wind
obey you. Let MS go"
"Gog Whcrcg Is not this my homeg
not this my palaccY Saw you not my sci
wants? You are my guest
"Will you not sit down and tell me abo,
your homc" said shuddcrng.
"No. there are secrets that can never ]
spoken. Can you understand thcmy Mh
are you, mortal, that you dare TO ask"
walked slowly TO the narrow passage
land the bridge. But he saw me, and stoo
uponi it, could not go.
Can this all be pleasantly? thought |. a
awful thought passed through me whic
lfozc my hearts blood.
Pleasantly There he STOOD my wi
companion, his eyes blazing, fixed piercing
on me, his hands clcnchcd, his mouth foai
ing, every sinew in his body worked up
Ne stood screaming, laughing Oh God!
was alone with maniac