The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-26

tention of the king niuso'!' ono u,ono
among his comrades, Monsieur de Mala-
tour, took umbrage at this general favor,
and. ON The occasion Of some trifling ex.
preston or gesture, publicly insulied him.
Villeiron refused 10 challenge him, as be.
ing contrary 10 his principles. but deter
mined ,ha, this seeming cowardice, IN not
fighting a well known duellisi, should be
redeemed by some aclion Of eclal during
the campaign just commenced. That mo-
men, had arrived and for his noble con-
duct in taking the English colors at the bal.
tie Of Fon'enoy, he received the cross OF
ST. Louis from The kings own hand on the
field, the eulogium Of MARSHALL Sake, and
n redoubled enmi,y on tho part oil DeMala-
tour. K.
The first care OF the yd;ng baron on ar.
irving at his estate was 10 call his major
dapo, an old faithful servant .
"I have business with thee, my MASTER"
said he, cordially shaking him BY The hand.
"Speak, Monsiegneur," replied the par.
eur, who was deeply attached 10 his young
lord "you know the old hunter is yours
10 the las, drop of blood"
"I never doubled it, my old friend. Did
you receive my letter from Paris!"
eyes, sir, and those gentlemen, your
comrades, will have some work before
them"
"Are there bears on the heights, then ;"
asked Baron Villeton, extending his hand
in the direction of one of the lofty peaks,
whose summit, covered with snow, glitter
ed in the morning sun.
Five in all, complete mendge,-fa.
Their, mother, and children; besides an
old bachelor, whom the Spaniards had
driven TO this side"
ain less than week we shall 90 in pur.
SUN of them. Do you know, pareur, some
Of my comrades are rather rough sports
men; there is one OF them who is able 10
snuff candle with pistol at twenty pa
ces."
"Easier, perhaps, than 10 snuff bear at
four" replied The old man, laughing.
"Thai is what said also. But rs !
should wish 10 judge Of his prowess, You
must place us together at the same post, at
The bridge of Maure, for instance"
"Hum said the pareur. scratching his
ear :Z'I! would better please me 10 have
you elsewhere"
"Why!"
Because, 10 guard this post, man
ough, to be in state OF grace, for he will
be between two deaths, the bears and the
precipice."
~ know tho one, and do not fear the
other, thanks 10 your lessons"
81 am sure of that. But, with your
leave, should like 10 guard the bridge
myself
"You arc sure, then, that the bears will
pass this way!,'
"Sure, yes; but quite suro, no. Recol-
lect ,ha, they are sullen and prudent beasts,
who never confide their plan Of route 10
any one."
at is agreed oil. shall guard The
bridge with my comrade. Now go and
have the ,rackers ready"
avery well, murmured the pareur, as
he retired Il shall have an eye on him."
Eight months afterwards, oil those invi
ted, not excepting Monsieur de Malatour,
who, despite The delicate attentions Of the
host, preserved q cold reserve, were assem-
bled at the chateau. The magnificent gran
deur of the Pyrenees, their shining sum-
mits relieved against the blue sky of Spain,
was an unlocked for pleasure to the greater
number of the guests, who. for tho most
part, belonged to the rich and fertile plains
of the interior.
The morning following their arrival, q
body OF trackers and scouts, provided with
all manner Of discordant instruments, trum.
pets, pans, drums, &c., &c., were assem-
blcd under tho walls of the chateau, with
the pareur at their head: while by his
side stood the mandrin, who proudly guard
ed dozen large mastills, held in leash by
his vigorous helpers. Tho young baron and
his friends, armed with carbines and hunt
ing knives, had scarcely appeared. when, by
a sign from the pareur, the whole troop
moved silently forward. The dogs them.
selves seemed to understand the Importance
of this movement, and nothing was heard
but the confused tramp of feet, blending
with the noise Of the distant torrent, or, at
intervals, the cry Of some belated night.
bird flying heavily homeward in the doubt
lul glimmer Of the yet unopened day.
As the party reached the crest OF tho
mountain which Immediately ovcrhung the
chateau, the first rays of the sun breaking
from the East, glanced on the summit of the
Pyrenees. and suddenly Illuminating the
landscape discovered beneath them deep
valley, covered with majestic pine trees,
which murmured in the fresh breeze of tho
morning.
| Opposite to them the foaminp waters of
cascade fell for some hundreds OF feet thro'
cleft which divided the mountain from the
summit of the base. by ono Of those ca.
prices of nature which testify the primitive
commissions of our globe, tho chasm was
surrounded by natural bridge, tho piles of
granite at each side being joined by one i'm.
mense fat rock, almost seemed to verify the
table Of the Ttans for 1t appeared impos-
siblc that these enormous blocks Of stone
could ever have been raised to such an cle-
walton BY human agency. Sinister legends
were attached to the place; and the noun.
taineers recounted with terror that no hun.
Ter, with the exception Of the parcur, had
ever been posted at the bridge Of Maure.
without becoming the prey Of either the
bears or the precipcc. But the pareur was
too good Christian to pariake of this ri.
di:ulous prejudice he attributed the fatali-
ty to its real cause.-the dizziness arising
from the sight OF the bears and the p,cci.
pice combined. by destroying the hunters
presence Of mind, made his aim unsteady,
and his death tho inevitable consequence.
| He could not, however, altogether diveet
himself of fears for his young master, who
obs,inatcly perscvcrcd in his intention 0.
occupying the bridge with his antagonist.
Afer placing tho baron's companions at
posts which he considered the most advan.
iageous, the pareur reioined his men, ard
dispcsing them so as TO encompass Tho val
ley facing The cascade, commanded the
utmost silence to be preserved until they
| I-iI - H.. EX.i ha.t nf his lnn