Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-02-17

been visited, therefore, during the night. But
had the person obtained entrance! Could he
have slept so soundly that the unlocking and
opening Of those ponderous portals, We're ef-
fected without waking him! He would have
said this was not possible, but that in doing
so, he must admit a greater difficulty, an en-.
trance by other means, Of which he was con-
vinced there existed none. 1t was not intended
then that he should be left to perish by hun
ger But the secret and mysterious mode of
supplying him with food, seemed to indicate
he was to have no opportunity OF communica.
ting With human being. 7 aa.
The other circumstance which had attracted
his notice, was the disappearance, as he believ.
ed, Of one of the seven grated windows that
ran along the top Of his prison. He felt con-
fdent that he had observed and counted; for he
was rather surprised at their number, and there
was something peculiar in their form, as well
as in the manner of their arrangement, at un-
equal distances. 1t was so much easier, how
ever, to suppose he was mistaken, than that
portion of the solid iron which formed the
walls could have escaped from its position, that
he soon dismissed the thought from his mind.
Vivenzio partook of the food that was be-
fore him without apprehension. 1t might be
poisoned, but if it were he knew that he could
not escape death, should such be the design OF
ToIfi, and the quickest death would be the
speediest relief. ~ Af
The day passed YEARLY and gloomily; though
not without faint hope that by keeping watch
at night, he might observe when the person
came to bring him food, which he supposed he
would do in the same way as before. The
mere thought of being approached by living
creature, and the opportunity it might present
of learning the doom prepared, or preparing
for him, impaired some comfort. Besides, if
he came alone, might he not in q furious onset
overpower him! Or he might be accessible to
pity, or the influence of such muni6cent re.
ward as he could bestow If once more at lib.
ty, and master of himself. Say he was armed.
The worst that could befal, if neither bribe.
nor players, nor force prevailed, was faithful
blow, which though dealt in damned cause,
might work q desired end. There was no
chance so desperate but it looked lovely in Vi
venzio's eyes, compared with the idea OF being
totally abandoned. ts a'-si =
The night came, and Vivenzio watched;-
morning came and Vivenzio was confounded.
He must have slumbered without knowing it.
Sleep must have stolen over him when exhaus.
ted by fatigue, and in that interval of feverish
repose he had been baffled; for there stood his
replenished pitcher Of water, and there his days
meal. Nor was this all. Casting his looks
toward the windows of his dungeon, he count.
ed but five! Here was no deception; and he
was now convinced that there had been none
the day before. But what did all this portend!
In to what strange and mysterious den had he
been cast! He gazed till his eyes ached; he
could discover nothing to explain the mystery.
That it was so, he knew. Why it was-so,
he racked his Imagination in vain to conjecture.
Il al ~ .s, .ln~
him they bad not been opened. %
A wisp of straw, which he had caFelessly
thrown against them the preceding day, as he
It, though it must have been displaced by the
sIightes: motion of either of the doors. This
was evidence that could not be disputed; and
t followed there must be some secret machine
cry in the walls, by which person could en-.
er. He inspected themclosely. They appear.
ID to him one solid and compact mass Of iron;
,r joined, if Joined they were, with such nice
,rt that no mark Of division was perceptible.-
Again and again he surveyed them; and the
'oof; and the range of visionary windows, As
le was now almost tempted to consider them;
le could discover nothing, absolutely nothing,
o relieve his doubts, or satisfy his curiosity.z
Sometimes he fancied that altogethrr the dnn-,
.eon had more contracted appearance; that it
ooked smaller; but this he ascribed to fancy,
md the impression naturally produced upon
lis mind by the undeniable disappearance Of
wo of the windows. S ~F 80 t7a4ph
With intense anxiety Vivenzio looked for.
ward to the return Of night; and as il approach.
d, he resolyedlh That no treacherous sleep should
gain betray him. Instead Of seeking his bed
f straw, he continued to walk up and down
is dungeon. till daylight, s,raining his eyes in
very direction through the darkness to watch
Or any appearance that might explain these
lysteries While thus engaged, and as nearly
8 he could judge, (by the time that afterwards
lapsed before the morning came in) about two
'ctock, there was slight tremulous motion
{ the floor He stopped; the motion lasted
early minute; but it was SO extremely gen.
e that he almost doubted whether IL was real
r imaginary. Not sound could be heard.
resenlly, however, he felt rush of cold ar
lowsupon him; and dashing towards the guar.
= whence il seemed TO proceed, he stumbled
yer something which be judged TO be the wa,
y ever. The rush of cold air was no longer
and sas Vivenzio. stretched ont his
'nds, he found himself close to the wall. He.
maiDed motonless for considerable time;
vt nothing occurred during the remainder Of
e night 10 excite his attention, though he con.
nned TO watch with unabated vigilance.
The first approaches Of the morning were
siblc through the grated windows, breaking
ith faint division Of light the darkuess that
i'll pervaded every other part, long before Vi.
'nzo was enabled to distinguish any object
his dungeon. Instinetively and fearfully he
rned bis eyes, hot and indamed with watch.
g, towards them. There were fous. He could
e only four; but it might be that some inter-,
ming object prevented The fifth becoming per-.
ptible; and he waited impatiently 10 ascertain
il were So As the light strengthened, how.
er, and penetrated every corner of the cell
her objects Of amazement struck his sight
, the ground lay the broken, Fragments Of