The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-03
ALARlC;
THE TYRANT'S VAULT.
A sIclILAN STORY or EARLY TINES.
CHAPTER /.


Not far from the city of Syracuse, when il was
the metropolis of all Sicily an object of longing to
ambitious conquerors, and one of the finest cities
in the world-not far from this place, upon the
shore of the sea, stood man who had just landed
from vessel that WAS now sailing away towards
the north. He was quite young-not over five and
twenty-tsll and well proportional, with a muscu
lar system finely developed, and possessing face
not only striking in its manly beauty but remarka
bic In one so young for its stern, resolute and self
reliant expression. His dress light and simple
and evidently Of Greek manufacture; the lower
limbs being clothed in close fitting goat skin above
which he wore shirt of white linen. confined at
the waist by a belt Of fine mail. Upon his head
was a cap of woven stuii, the top dropping over
the right ear and his feet were shielded by pair
of sandals. His only weapon a short, heavy
sword which hung in lesthern scabbard from his
belt Of mail lie stood for a while gazing about
as though undecided what course he should pur-.
sue; but finally he cspied an old fisherman not far
of, who had just come down upon the beach and
towards him he made his way.
"A bright, pleasant msrning, good sir said the
youth.
The old man cast his net from his shoulders and
gazcd up. He carefully scanned the features be.
fore him, and then replied
AYE, fair sir. it is pleasant morning. We have
many such on this coast
"And yet storms sometimes | suppose" sug.
gcsted the first speaker.
Gle is a wise man who little heeds the storms he
cannot quell' said the fisherman, with nod of the
head which seemed to give his words more mean.
ing than the circumstances under which they were
spoken would imply.
"You are right there responded the other.
But tell me-where can ! Ind Artabauus, the
hermit r.
The fisherman took another careful look into his
intcrtocutors face. and then answered.
he lives upon yondcr mountain which il called
Catalano Do you wish to sec him:'
Eyes"
Then follow the path tha, leads to Wonder cot.
until IL brings you to a small stream. Gross that,
and then upon your right hand YOU will see a
beaten track. He lives in a cave near the ton of
the mountain, and this track will lead you directly
thther."
The young man thanked his informant. and was
upon the point OF tuning away when the latter
resumed
~ mean no offence Your face looks familiar
" has the cast of countenance fancicd had seen
before
you'll at least remember Of having seen such an
one on this morning said the young man; and "a
he thus spoke he turned away.
Aye" muttered the old Sicilian, half TO himself,
but yet loud enough TO reach other ears: land I
call on Neptune to witness that have seen II be.
fore. such faces arc not multiplied they are not
plenty in Syracuse these times. Alas more's the
pity"
The youth hesiia'ed for q moment AZ though he
would turn back, but he overcame the dspoStion
and kept on. When he had begun TO ascend the
mountain he stopped and looked behind him. and
saw that the fisherman already upon the
water
Can Il be" said he to himself, "that my face il
so little changed? think remember that old man
for he has spread his nets long these waters hut
how should he remember me- peas the gods that
there be not many in Syracuse that Wi yet be so
obscrvant"
With this the traveller kept on MP the mountain
until he had reached broad table Of rock, from
whence he could see the bay and the city beyond
The great metropolis was spread out before him,
with its massive walls its temples aud its palaces:
and tear started down his cheek as he gazed upon
the scene. He clasped his hands upon his bosom.
and with q few muttered words he started on again
lie crossed the stream and took the path TO which
he had been directed; bst he did not follow a.
ono who was stranger to it, windngs He pnr.
sued his way with an ease and assurance and at
times with an abstractedncss which could have been
INDUCED in only by one who knew well the way he
was going. Up the steep. rocky height he climbed
and when he finally stopped IL was before the en-.
trance to a cave-a cave which nature had fashion
ed In the mountains side, and sheltered from the
suns fervid heat aud the fury Of the storm At
the mouth ~ this cavern sat an old man. over
whose head some lourscore years had rolled. His
hair aud beard were white az the feecy cloud that
sailed above the mount and fioated in silkcn wavy
masses over his shoulders and breast 4 mantle '