Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-01-07

@lence, we are not destitute Of humanity
Our d~epredations are never marked by
cruelty, and seldom by blood; and thos,
whom necessity has thrown on our carr
have never either been treated with bar
barity, or suffered to want. We ok
tort only a~little from those who are able Il
spare it, and rather augment han dimin
ish the property of the poor. We know
alas! too well, what the consequence
would be were we to fall into the hand.
OF the rich and powerful; but we are res
ignated to cur fate. We can only die
once, aud our enemies can infict nc
greater vengeance upon us. Miserable
we may be: but we have a fellow-feelIne
for sufferers, and never take advantage .
distress: in truth. it is no sordid love D
gain, nor is it pander to vicious habits OF
immoral purposes, that we live in this
manner. 1t is because we have no other
mode Of support; for, after the cruelities
that have been perretrated upon their
dlsarmed opponents, it was in vain to ex'
pect assistance or relief at the hands 81
~ Oppt OcoOto.
You see our quarters. and shall have ev-
cry accommodation they can afford you
and. if you can trust us, who have Meth
er inclination nor reason to deceive you,
we give you a hearty welcome to these
~adamantine abodes, and that with the
most perfect sincerity. Our fare is home
ly, but wholesome and our beds. though
coarse, are clean. Nor be under any
concern for your horses they too shall
share our protection and hospitality. We
have no hay but they shall not want
Stables we have none bat can shelter
them, for one night at least, from the in
c~lemency Of the weather.
This address revived our courage which
was not a little augmented upon being
handed a bicker Of whisky-nountain
dew of the most delicious description ; at
leastI theughtso then, and save never
changed my opinion since. When we
had finished, a supper was laid before us
which might have provoked the appetite
of an English alderman, and that is say.
ing a good deal. We had blackjack and
ptarmigan broiled, or, as it is called ii
Scotland, brandered; fine black-faced
Highland mutton done to d turn in the
live ashes; and a stew of snipes and wild
duck, the aroma of which was perfectly
ambrosial. | did ample justice to the
good cheer. and ate with as much cool
ness and self.possession as if | had been
seated in Dolly's chop house, in place Of
an apparently interminable cave urroun-
ded by caterans; for so the Highland
banditti are termed.
After having satisfied my craving ap,
petite, in which example had a worthy
imitator in the person Of my servant, rest
was the next thing Of which both Of us
stood in need. Ny generous host then
led to an inner apartment in the cave,
which seemed at once to be the treasury
and the magazine. There two sackfuls Of
heather were, by his orders. brought in,
and put on END, with the flower upper
most. Then a rope was fastened about
the whole to keep it together, and on the
top of each was placed a double blanket.
On this simple CONTINUANCE, which formed
an exqnisitely soft and delicious couch.
we laid ourselves down.
I had some notes of value about me. and
above twenty guineas in gold, besides a
very handsome gold watch, and other
trinkets of no very inconsiderable value;
but as I had given them up for lost,
made nosattempt to secrete any of them.
Ny host apparently diyining my suspi-
cions, insisted upon mounting over us-a
proposal which / s~trenuously opposed;
but he told me plainly that, unless he
kept by me. he would not answer for the
conduct Of his companions. Against this
there was ne appeals and be remained be-
side Us, on the bare rock all might.
In the morning. we found ourselves
alone with this singular Being. Every
thing remained as it had been the proceed.
ing evening, with this, to us, very pleas.
ant exception, that the band Of caterans
was nowhere to be seen. Another fire oil
wood was speedily kipdled; and as our
host told us that. before we could reach
any place of refreshment. We had to go
twenty miles and a hittick-which being
interpreted. means about FIVE miles more
we took the %precaution to lay in a good
stock of cakes, butter and cheese, which
we washed down with o moderate Juan
tity Of nectar of the night preceding.
! Our repast over. we descended the cir
~cuitous path which led from the cavern
and which one. uninitiated, might have
searched for in vain; and at the bottom
found a lad or gilly, holding our horses
which had been well fed, and were in tins
spirits. Our host then declared his in
%tention of putting us upon the righ'
track, otherwise he said, we were sure o
losing our way. I desired my servant tC
dismonnt and follow US on FOOT but thi.
the stranger would not allow, assigning
as a reason, that he preferred walking te
riding, and that he could without the
slightest difficulty keep up with the hor
ses. In this way therefore, we proceed
ed nearly three miles; and it was evident
that, but for his friendly assistance, tht
chances of getting out of our dificultie'
would have been very predetermined. A
last, he stopped and said
Pursue that path for half q mile fur
.ther, and you viii enter upon the grea