Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-03-04
KYD'S LAST VISIT.
TRADITION OF EASTERN NEW ronK.

sky, almost totally obscuring the light of the
young moon, and the wind swept in eddying
gusts through the forest gorges, and sobbed
mournfuly around the old manor-house Of
Coeyman, situated On the rocky shore of the
Hudson, some ten miles from Albany. All
was hushed in the mansion, and the night dark
ness brooded heavily over it, save when from
a single window, light cleaned dazzlngly,
throwing broad, glttering belt along the
gravelled garden walk. In the room whence
shone this beacon light, sat lady yet in the
prime of life, magnifcently attired in the cos
tune of that period.
The room itself was elegantly furnished and
the richly carved walnut and damask of the
finest texture bespoke the wealth and taste OF
the owner. Upon her lap lay an open volume
bound in yelum, aud heavily adorned with
silver, the leaves of which she turned listless-
ly, and as she glanced into the surrounding
darkness shadow swept across her brow, and
she murmured to herself,
s'No, he viii not come tonight, some acci-
dent must have befallen him. I will'-but
even as she spoke there came the sound OF has
| ty steps along the walk, man spraDg lightly
up the steps, and the knocker was applied with
vigorous strokes to the oaken door; springing
! from her seat she obeyed the sumnons, remov-
| ed the heavy bar, drew the bolt, threw open
the door, and admitted the visitor. Her warm
! greeting was responded to with
''Yes, yes, Margcry, all in good time but
I've tired, tired you with waiting for me ,havn't
! - and without pausing for reply, he con
/ tinued as he laid his sword and pistols on the
table, 81 would have been in bettor season, but
the hounds were on my track, and cared not
to be overhauled with my precious cargo.''-
The speaker and the lady addressed were sim
! g1larly alike in form and feature. He was
clothed in tunic of red silk with blue clothes,
and black morocco boots, with broad red
I fold OF the same material falling to the instep.
! His hair, that rivaled the ravens wirg il,
blaeknesss clustered in lpxuriaRt esris sg1liIaA
/ his neck and shoulders, and his face, bronzed
by the sun of southern cimes, and embellished
by beard and moustacbe, wore reckless ex-
preston that was heightened by the changing
light in the dark cleaning eye that had struck
terror to many a beholder. For this was none
other than the dreaded Rover, Robert Kyd,
the lady his sister, the Madame Coeymans.
As he ceased speaking, he folded his arms
across his broad chest, and gazed moodily in
to the fire.
AS his sister watched him, her countenance
expressed the greatest emotion, and going to
him and laying her hand upon his shoulder she
said, as her eyes filed with tears,
S.Robert could our mother have foreseen the
course her son would follow, how think you
she would have felt ?'
At the. mention of his mother tear for
moment dimmed the eye of the Rover, but
dashing it aside as if ashamed of the weak
ness displayed ,he answered with light laugh,
"Why, Margery, you believe the tale my
calumniators have forged that L am indeed
pirate, the terror of the seas and yet there's
many coroneted head reposes to night in old
England that has shared the profits of my voy-
ages, and have now their bloodhounds on my
track, and would gladly see me die felon's
death, and leave a felon's memory but will
foil the villains yet. have deposited the
last of my wealth beneath the soil of the man
or grounds. have burned my vessel, deter
mined to quit the sea forever, and become an
honest man. Our noble Governor, the Earl of
Bellamont, has promised me his protection if
1 am pressed too holy for the rest 1 trust to
these,' and he touched his arms significantly.
ssBut no more of this subject at present, dear
Margery, for L am very weary and hungry,
too,'' and he threw himself wearily upon a
couch, while his sister, not caring to arouse
any of the domestics, left the room, whence
she soon returned bearing silver tray, on
which were displayed many tempting viands.
which quickly disappeared before the attacks
of the Rover, who, as he finished. held high
goblet of rich old port, exclaiming as he did
SO, esHere's forgetfulness to the past, and
bright future to u.s. And quaffing off the
contents, he arose, saying, s:It is getting late,
Margery, so I'll to bed and pleasant dreams,"
and he glided from the room.
The morning dawned clear and bright, and
as the SUMS first beams gilded the window of
his room, Kydd sprang from his couch, and
making hasty toilet, he descended to join
his sister in the garden. And as they wander
ed along the paths, and beneath the giant oaks
that adorned the manor grounds, their memo
~ went back to the merry old times in Eng
land, when they, light.hearted and innocent,
passed the sunny days of CHILDHOOD in joyous
mirth.
Many days, says the legend, did the Rover
thus abide at Coeymans, in sweet communion
with the memory of his childhood's home
And when at last he left, it was with many
promises of speedy return. But alas for
his plans of future happiness. he presented
himself inadvertantly in the streets of Boston,