The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-15
LTTMHATURE.

mo csTt ar appeared"
~ men she may be on board the brig" cried the
youMsn,s .tarting from his seat.
IN, M y, nay-I think not so," returned Adam.
i" rovers are too wise to keep her there I've had
my eye upon another place. The rogues ha' been
~ eu to 20 CD an down the hill, to an fro .he old
ruin II they've hid thy mother I'd sooner think OF
sesrchin' for her there than anywhere else"
Mercy" exclaimed Julian. starting half way
across the floor and bringing his hands vehementy
together; what can this mean? What can these
wretches aim at in thus seizing upon mild, unof
Tending and defeucelees woman What has she done
that she should be thus marked ont for their wick
edness?"
what had the Teddy Emma. done?" interposed
Adam.
AYE" resumed Julian, "what had she done? BY
the heavens above these fOn heDds shall feel the
weight of my arm il they have done this thing! Let
Us to the hin at once, aud my mother be there
we shall find her,"
That's my idee" answered. Mark, readily.
"And it's the right one" added Adam "We'll go
go round by my lodge and get lanterns, and set out
at once They won't be very likely to be much on
their gnard tonight, for don't imagine they suspect
that they ha' been seen in that region"
The plans for setting out We're soon arranged, and
Dame Warrenton lent as much assistance n
her power She babe Mark to be careful end not ex-
pose himself needessly, calling him her boy aud
exhibiting all mothers fondness for loved child.
Julian buckled on his sword and secured his pistols
within his belt, while Mark armed himself In like
manner; and when this was done the three men left
the cot. II already well into the evening" though
| u
enough to enable them to find their way without DIFF
fcuty They struck into the forest, and at the
distance OF mile came to the woodlands lodge. It
was q well built, comfortable hut, and as they APP
preached three large dogs came out and commenced
to growl, but at word from their master they re-
turned to their kennels. Ina moment more the door
was opened, and Adams good wife made her appear
ance with candle in her hand.
"It's me, Peggy said the xoodIcan:
She retYeated as she heard her husbands voice,
and the three followed her into the cot. Peggy was
a stout, buxom woman, with haxen hair and ruady
face, and seemed fit companion for her mate.
When Adam had planned tC her The object OF their
mission, she entered into the spirit of the plan, and
seemed proud and happy to see her husband thus en-
Of the danger where one of her own sex was TO be
rescued from villains, or II she did, she kept II to
herself
Adam Nolan armed himself with brace of pistols
and short axe, and having procured and lighted
two lanterns, one of which he gave to Mark Warren
ton, keeping the other himself the party set forth
again.
the sea- the eastern base being washed by the waves
ard its summit was about four miles distant from
the woodlands lodge. The path to be followed
was not a very good one, having been used but
little in many years, but Adam knew it well, and
babe his companions to follow him without fear
OF being led astray The first three miles was
through deep, heavy wood, where It would
have been pitchy dark without the lanterns; and
even as il was they obliged TO tread carefully.
Adam Nolan might have sped on at a far swifter
pace, for he was at home in the tangled Forest but
his companions found 1t more difficult, and he only
moved on fast enough to accommodate them. AT
the end of an hour the way became more difficult
still, the path being in many places overgrown with
briars and vines; but they pushed on and finally be-
gan to ascend the hill.
"Fron the looks of this way should not suppose
that any one had been up here before u.s. said Ju
LAM az Adam stopped to pull a tangled vine from
the path.
Il guess we're the first that ha' travelled it for a
year" returned the woodman.
Then the pirates must have found their way up
by another route"
"Yes; they've a way direct from the bay, which
be only on the other side O. the hill It's hard way,
and one difficult to find, though there be little woods
like upon this side; but it's mostly rocks aud devious
twistins, and no mortal unacquainted would dnd it
in a month. My father showed It to me many years
ago. but I've not used il much"
''But which dye s'pose used to be the regular road
10 the old castle?" asked Mark.
"Oh-this was it, returned Adam "M,ny
year ago. when brave Saxon lords and Norman
knights used to hold wassai and knock each others
brains out for sport yonder ruin was stout place,
and this road was WIDE and horses conld prance up
and down. The other way, among the rocks, Was
only secret passage for escapn 10 the sea in case
of need. Them was strange times"
Mark admitted tba. they must have been, and
also suggested that there were some strange things
the present Adam assentcd to this, and then
the party moved on mp the steep hill in silence.
After a tedious climbing Of an hour longer the
three adventures stood close by one of the angles
Of the remains Of the old wall. IL was wild, dark
looking mass Of ruins. The walls were crumbled,
but parts of the bastiops were standing, and more
than half Of the main tower was In its place. Be
You'd this tower stood portions of the walls OF what
had been the lords dwelling, ard toward that point
the attention Of the party was directed.
ats either in or under there that the rogues must
have found shelter said the woodrian. There
be two rooms in fair order that used 70 open from
the great hal; and then there's any number Of eel
lars and holes, and dungeons, down ia the rock I'M
derneath. Them may sometime I'LL mp, but they can
never tumble down nor crimble away. Now hide
thy lantern, Mark, and Wen move on"
Of his jacket, and they then common ed TO make
their way over the rocks and creeping vines. They
had gained the court, and were moving steathily
across, when Adam stopped and touched Julian upon
the arm.
"Dost see thatf" he whispered. pointing with his
finger toward the wall before them.
The young man looked, and snw faint line Of
light beyond what seemed TO be window or door
@They're here SIRE enough, !" the woodman con
tinued Nov lets creep carefully, and we may soon
gain peep at EN-
The three men moved noiselessly forward, and
ere they had reached the wall they heard the sound
Of voices, "a ofmen engaged In revelry. AZ length
| they passed beneath the open arch through winch
the light had been seen, and beyond they saw ano
| ther passage, which seemed to lead to a rooted
| apartment, the in which they now stood being
| all open overhead. When they had gained this
second place they saw an open space IN one corner
| through which the light flowed in broad stream,
and the voices were now distinct. They crept
cautiously forward the stones and rubbish and
| finally gained point where they could look into
the apartment from whence the light came without
| being seen by those within. II was an embrasure
of some SOFT and lot of vines, which had crept ND
| the wall, formed curtain over IL. through which
| our three friends could gaze with little trouble.
| The apartment beyond was large and high and
| near the centre stood stout oaken table around
| which sat six men. They we're rough, uncouth
| looking fellows, and Julian recognized three Of
| them the ones who bad been with Grnnker in
the forest and who had fled at the approach of the
earl There were pieces Of bread and meat scatter
| ed about over the tables but the freebootcrs had
| done eating, and were engaged in drinking
| and carousing There were several large hagDns
| before them, and each man had pewter drinking
| cup.
~ faith cried one Of them "a he tossed of cup
of wine "you should have seen the youngster ham