The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-09-29

and emerging from the darkness that al
ways reigned there, he came to his boa,
peacefully moored in the romantic little
bay. and III few minutes he saw some
thing in the further end OF the beat, which
had hitherto remained unno,iced. The
thought flashed on his brain that he had
already been BETRAYED, and returning the
dagger to his sheath, he drew pisto
from his left breast and took deliberate
aim, but his fatal design was arrested by
the human being (if he deserved the
name), crying out in a most unearthiy
voice:
Don't kill poor Nab"
George recognised in the voice and
person Of the speaker, who Immediately
| became erect, II poor hunchbacked boy
on whom he had conferred many ,,itling
tavorS. Ills first impulse WAS 10 turn and
leave him on shore, hut the moon. which
was just beginning TO shine 10 the east
would have betrayed his visit to the
BRUSH vessels if detained by movement
Of this kind. The boy returned to his
cruching position, and the frail boat was
launched on the sw cling waves.
The night had advanced, and was Gear
| and beautiful. II was such night AS
an astrooger wonld have chosen to read
III the thousand stars the fate of man
kind. Silence dwelt on the blue heaviup
bosom Of the biilows-the God Of Re
pose remained reclining on his couch of
tUrge,tutness, aud
| .'\n lpnuar rho ;ny Of h, Ill L.. y,
Was heard in his widely brcathcd numbers ;
The sen bird had flown to her wave girdled nest,
The fisherman sunk to his slum0ers.
lie had proceeded about half way,
lost III his usual gloomy reflection, when
starting from his trance of feeling, be laid
his hand upon his dagger and steruly
eyed the being c"l!ed in the boat. To 90
back without accomplishing the object Of
his visit was 10 brand himself with the
ep'thet OF coward. Here his feelings
became 50 excited that lie exclaimed
Death soumer than infamyn
His next though rs matter OF self
defence was to consign the poor boy to
the mercy Of the waves.
The iunchbsck boy, with voice and
manner of touching tenderness, peculiar
to himself, SAID:
THINK Nah let Mr. Wortley 90 with
nobody among them British =
Wort!ey hung his head to think he
had medilated an injury TO being who
felt SO deeply interested in bis welfare
lie determined to proceed 10 tie vessels,
aul trust his life 10 the discretion Of his
companion.
lie ran his boat under one of the most
principal vessels, secured it so as not to
excite suspicion, mounted the side, and
with n heating heart trod the proud decks
Of II British inan-of war.
He mingled with the dusky forms that
gathered around the masts 4; and listened
10 .heir simple tales Of love which had
blessed them beneath an other sky. His
heart tuttered wildly Ms he heard the sea.
men from his guarded way" proclaim
10 the rising moon:
'Above-Lelow-good night. All's
we'll
The hunchback instinctiveiy stole away
and concealed himself in some retired
corner. The sailors were reposing in their
hammocks, and only now and then per-
sons we're seen passing TO and fro from one
part OF the vessel to another. The warm
blood bounded to WortIey's head-burn
ed for moment, and then rushed back
10 his almost unpalpitating heart, as he
listened to the last dying pensive cadence
Of female voice. 1t was such rs recall
ed to his mind sound which bad bless
ed him in happier day. He approach
ed nearer .khe spot, when the strain was
again resd<<ed, and the following verse
was sung to an air OF the sweetest mel
! ancholy:
III never weave for thee q song,
Nor wildly touch the warbling Tyre
Words may BE- false or taken,
And music's notes too soon expire
Words may be false, but o believe
There yet is one will not deceive;
VIII not deceive"
'Tis she = exclaimed Woriley, and over
come by his feelings he sprang TO the
place and continued the exclamation
My God Maria Woodville =
The female fell into his arms, and WA:
entirely unconscious while he impressed =
fervent kiss upon her paIlid cheek. Her
yigoy and recollection returned together
she burs, from his embrace and exclaim
cd
Fly, dear Wortley, 6y be is here
She instantly retreated into the cabin
George was aroused from the iuactiou
! into which he was thrown by her Ian
guags and the audiences Of her flight
by receiving stab from behind, wlficl
was only prevented from. being fatal by
the point Of the weapon gancing out
wardly from the ribs. lie Wheeled arounc
and in cIosingjn upon the cowardly as
sassin, wrCsled his sword from him, placet
it beneath his feet, and snapped il ia
/ twain.
lie was about to throw the pieces int,
the lake, when he saw the enameleC
name gIancing ia the moonbeams. Will
n voice OF hatred, heightened to frenzy, b,