New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-11-05
A Sportsulan's Adventure.

"
ing were approaching hillside spring, famous IN
that wild district for the coldness and pureness Of its
waters They had just reached the brow OF the eIe-
vaon overlooking the rural fountain when they saw
young girl, in the first blush OF Womahy beauty,
close to the spring.
She was sitting on low rock that by the side
of the fountain her dimped elbow resting on the cliff
and her head leaning on her hand. Her figure was
light and sylph-kc, yet exquistely proportioned.
Her hair was golden in color, and flowed III natural
rnglets on her fair shoulders.
''See, was not right?' said one, in whisper, to
his companion She has been gathering lilies
there are still in her hand. But let Us dsscend
The speaker had been leaning carelessly on his
gun he spoke, and now, preparatory to proceed
ng, threw it to his shoulder. Unfortunately the
trigger caught in blambe, and the piece went off
fell
Good heavens!" cried his companion. springing
to his assistance, and lifting the wounded man up
" Are you killedY'
The young girl we have described had been buried
in profound revcrie but at the report OF the gun She
started looking wildly around to whence it pro-
ceeded. In moment she caught sight of the wound
ed man lying on the heather above her, while his
friend lying on one knee, supported the head of the
sufferer. As as the sportsman saw the young girl
was watching him, he shouted and waved his arm for
The timid Scottish maiden, who but moment be-
fore was on the point of flying now turned and quick
| ly began to ascend the hillside
Ny poor friend" said the sportsman, doffng his
hat she approached, has met with an unfortunate
accident, and do not know what to do or where to
! bear him."
A deep blush dyed the young girls cheeks as she
encountered the gaze Of the stranger but it passed
off immediately and with presence of mind worthy |
Of older she stopped dowed to see the wounded
man was dead
He b1eathes STILL she said, as she broke off a
delicate leaf from one of her lilies and held it to his
nose, and looking at his companion she continued,
! " do you think you could carry him to the spring."
| The sportsman answered by carefully lifting his
friend in his and hearing him down the hill,
the young girl following.
''Place him here, she said pointing to the slightly
elevated bank, " and lean his head against the rock
Everything now depends on your getting surgeon
soon If you will follow that path to your right
around the turn of the hill you will find our cabin.
There is pony there which you can take, and ride
to the little town of .sbernchy some tive miles OFT,
where, fortunately, surgeon may be had At the
cabin you will find shepherd or two-tel them to
bring some bcdclohes and settee, on which we can
carry your friend to the house. 1t is humble place,
but better than the hillside By the time you get
back with the surgeon. we shall have your friend i'll
comfortable bed, and hope, doing better
She spoke with SO quick perception Of what was
best to be DONE and did it 50 colnposedly that the
sportsman, submitting himself entirely to her guild
ance, fastened to execute her commission.
When he had vanished round the bill, the young
girl took some water in her hands and began to bac
the face Of the wounded man. But he still lay insen-
sbe and she persisted in her task without any signs
of life being pcrccptible.
Alas. g" she said, :" he is dead! And yet, but
and manhood 1t cannot bel have heard" she
continued eagerly, as if sudden thought had struck
her and she began to tear open his vest to get at the
wound, " that my grandsire died at Culoden from
the blood coagulating in the wound, when, if a sur
geon had been by, he might have been saved. What
il this should be the case here!
She had by this time barred sufficient of his person
to get at the orfce of the wound. The dark gore
had almost stiencd about it. She stopped down and
tcndelly commenced wiping away the congealed
blood She had not been long engaged in her task of
mercy when the wounded man stirred and opening
his eyes fixed them earnestly upon her.
Where am ?' he inquired, for his memory was
yet vague. " All! | remcmbcr-lny gun went of
But where is Wlialn!
z ''lf you mean your friend, said the young girl,
r :. lie is gone for surgeon. | have consented to
watch by yon till some shepherds come to carry you
to their cabin. And here they come" she exclaimed,
claspng her hands. equally glad to conclude this EN-
= arrassng tete-atete, and to see the wounded man
+ placed in situation Of more comfort.
5 Heaven bless you" said the sufferer, you have
saved my life.
u settce brought by the shepherds, and the cayacade
u wenled its way toward the cabin. The maiden
walked last, and by her side stalked sadly the two
dogs of the sufferer and the dumb animals. with a
5 sense almost human, if appreciating her kindness
to their master looked p afectionatey into her face
p every few steps. The cabin was like those existing
everywhere in the Highlands-a rude but cheerful
habitation, but was both larger than usual, and
- adorned with more taste inside.
. In about two hours the friends of the sufferer re-
= turned, bringing with him the surgeon, who was
IL coseted with his patient for an hour and when he
came forth the young girl sitting anXiousy by
" the fire, in company with mddle-aged woman the
,, wife of one Of the shepherds.
" "Oh, Miss Hannah said the old surgeon, answer.
ing the inquiry of her eyes, You have saved the
\. salked red deer. know all about it, ye see, lassie
d -yc came of generous and gallant race and he
l. patted her head as father would that of avorte
{. daughter, adding, as if to himself " tls pity the
| h,,,0 tho bvIo6 that
1, ancestors. and that she, coming OF cheitans line
f: should have nothing but cabin and few bits OF
D. hillside for ii flock or two of sheep
). The next day the wounded man was pronounced
t. better but still in very critical poSitiOn and his
y. removal was forbidden by the old surgeon.
L. "Ye maun keep him here awhile yet, laSsie" said
j. he addressing Hannah; ; land I'm almost persuaded
veil have to be his nurse. He has nae sisters or mo
ther to send for it seems; and men are very rongt
a. nurses ye ken Mrs. Coleman is here, and will nae
- doubt help; but ye maun be his nurse, most of the
time velSelt; It's what can't be helpcd.'
And so Hannah, timd and embarrassed, was com
pellcd from the urgent necessity of the to at
W tend on the wounded man. His friend indeed, re
maincd assist in nursing him; but the invalid viii
: whm of sick man. soon began to refuse his mcdi
is cincs unless administered by the hand Of Hannah
N Moreover until the danger over, his friend watch
70 ed every night at his bedside, and in consequence
h recurring portion Of the day for rest, Hannah Wa
n left alone for hours with the wounded man.
The surgeon, for the first two weeks, came ever,
ID day his patient: but, after this, visited him les
I'd frequently.
lc He now mended rapidly began to sit up, and yer,
it. soon he could tottcr to the window and look out. Il
cr a day or two he found his way to the cottag
ps door where sitting in Il chair, he inhaled the del
at cous mountain air for an hour so at noonday Hi
le friend when the invalid thus far convaesCent
ly took to his gun again, and went out for game
Hannah and her guest were frequently left alone tc
cs gethcI.
as How shall I ever thank you sufficiently, tlal
n nah ?" said Donald day. Your presence
mind when ! was dying by the spring, saved N
|: life!'
" The bu>hing Hannah looked down, and said:
..Dont talk that way, Mr., -Aleyne. You woul
not ! know, If you was aware how much it )ainc
~. me-
oN Call me Donald, said the conyalcsrcnt: q srrel
he we have known each other long enough for you
drop that formal name. Or, il You will not call n
Of Donald then shall address you as Miss Gmrnl.
,cs Donald them, said Hannah, archly, looking III
no. and shaking the curIs back from her face.
,n q Bless YOU for the word, Hannah, he said, tlk
~ her hand DO you know tsounCs swcctcr now tina
In ever thought it wonld?,
no. Mr.. .Ncyne. she said, though with aVcrtcd fac
he il voil would not have me keep out of your sgl
W, forcver-if in short you have any respect ora fren
III, less girl do not speak in that strain again. and St
nd rose rs il to leave,
TO- Hannah hear me, said her lover detainng hel
hear me only for word more. Ever since Il
hour that YOU saved my life, | have loved YOU i'll
every day spent in your society has increased til