The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-04-25
An ynterestng Stotg.
THE FREEBOOTER'S BRIDE:
A TALE OF SCOTLAND.
Long, long ago.
CHAPTER l.

Night was on the waters. The blue sails
ot the star.studded heavens were occasion
ally mottled by white clouds, which, rising
in the boundess horizon, and careering on
the wings of the invisible winds, seemed
like angel visitants, soaring upwards again
from earth, to the regions of the beautiful.
The bosom Of the ocean lay as placid as the
sweet face of sinless, sleeping babe; not
a ripple broke its mirrored surface, or il
there did, it looked as dream ruffiing the
slumber OF mighty beauty. Peace hat
spread her mantle over all. Not SOUND
disturbed the holy silence, nor could crea.
ton have looked more lovely on the first
night of its virgin birth. From the broad
blue waters rose abruptly the high and rocky
island Of Cana, in the western highlands Of
Scotland, formed of rough and precipitous
crags, with scarcely vestige of verdure on
their frowning fronts. but thckly inhabited
by the gannet and other sea fowls that So
iourn there in the security of natures fast
ness. On tho summit of the isiaud are still
to be seen the remains of an ancient cas-
lie, which tradition informs us in early times
belonged to the family of Glenroy.
Ii was thus, as nature lay in the arms Of
midnight, that a small speck was seen to
rise on the distant verge of the horizon,
and gradually increasing in size, at length
assumed the form of boat or pinnace.-
Nearer and nearer it approached, till the fig
ures of two men were distinctly visible
The first, who, from the sound of his voice,
seemed to direct the movements of the oths
er, Nas young man of about twenty years
of age. His face was perfect in every lin
eament that betokened manhood's make, yet
mingled with those traits of beauty that
arise from the virtuous spirit that lights its
fire within. His hair was dark and glossy,
and fell in matted rnglets down his
broad and manly shoulders, over which
was thrown dark green tartar plaid; the
folds were fastened on the left shoulder with
massive gold broach, while his lower gar
ments displayed the kilt or pbilabsg SO pc
culiar to.the Celtic character in days ofyore;
from his waist were suspended two silver in
laid pistols, while short dirk, richly mount
ed, completed his warlike equipments. On
his brow was placed the peaked, Highland
bonnet, surmounted by a heron feather.--
Such was the parsonage who guided the
rudder of the boat, and in tone that depic-
ted him man of superior grade' directed
the efforts of the other.
a "To the left, Fergus" shouted he. "See,
wonder the pine branch blazes brightly"
The Highlander looked askance to where
a bright ruddy fame rose on the peak of
crag that lowered high into the heavens;
then piled his oar with voice ofjocularity,
he quantity remarked, SIS it her eye, or the
nine. THAT burneth brightest"
"Both, both, my cunning yassal, replied
the young chieftain, Ronald, as the boat
bounded against the bank of the Island
like a wild deer he leaped ashore, and in
the next instant was lost in the gloom OF
mountain corrie.
Was ii to join his brother chieftains in the
hour Of battle! Was tito hunt the eagle
in his mountain eyry, that thus 50 eagerly
sped the youthful Ronald! No! but to meet
the blue.eysd Edith, the joy of his soul
Opposed to her uncle by the most nvete-
rate bonds of hatred-for the younger broth
er Of Ronald had fallen in feudal skirmish
with the claEsnen Of Glenroy, who, proud
and powerful chieftain, was strongly ill-
censed against the house Of Ronald, which
disputed his title to "The Lord Of the isles'"
.-it was only by stealth he could obtain an