The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-04-27


active, and honest at the same time, dis
band your men, and with your rife at
your shoulder, unite your fortunes with
mine in the wilderness. 1t is the only
life for a man who loves to breathe Gods
free air? l like you for stunning towns
and houses-they are fit only for women
and children; but it's pity you couldn't
be satisfied with killing Indians, without
waylaying, rob5ing ard numbering white
men,
Have you done?' demanded the Cap
tain.
The hunter made no reply. but taking
his hand and grasping it warmly turned
from him in silence and walked to the
stern of the boat
The barges had now reached the shore
and were run into the inlet, which so effec
tually concealed their position from the
river, that no passing boat could have
suspected their neighborhood. The Cap
tain was not a little surprised, on re-en-
tering the cabin, to find the priest added
to the party he had left there:
"a good night to thee, holy father he
said with mingled respect aud freedom of
manner. II regret 1 should have inter-
rupted your voyage, but our stores have
got somewhat of the lowest, just now, and
hearing some hours since from my men of
the approach of boat, l prepared to levy
my usual toll upon all passers by"
"You are then the Chevalier Rapin
Carra?" responded the priest.
cat your service. holy father"
Iknow your character, and will trust
you.'
Your proffered confidence does me no
more than justice, father. 1t will be
some three hours yet before your boat
will proceed, as she is freighted with
weighty as well as costly merchandise.
Your own private goods shall remain un-
touched. By the good mass, your pres
ence is timely! One of my band is near
his death, and needeth ghostly comfort,
pray you follow me to my abode. 1t
is rude one-but none SO rude that
Death will not pay it visit. Fair Sig
nora, and you, noble sir, will you accom-
pany us?'
The priest did not hesitate to comply
when a dying man needed the last office
of religion; and, accompanied by the low.
ers, stepped on shore, and by rude path
followed their conductor to the top of the
glen and across natural lawn, sloping
in the river. Before them, through the
trees they saw bright fire. towards
which they direc ted their steps. A they
approached, they discovered that it was
blazing on the floor of vast cavern
which yawned in the base OF rocky elf
that lowered amid the forest Around
the fire, and dispersed through the cavern
were several groups of river freebooters
habited mostly like those in the barge
The steps of the maiden faltered here.
1T is terrific! I dare not go, Henride
Uncle stayl Go not forward among
, those savage men!'r She shuddered d.
she spoke, and clung to the arm of Dol
Henride
Fear not, my child Heaven watche
, over the innocent and pure. Let us g.
, forward. b-a -
/. Reassured in some degree, the beauti
full girl suffered herselfto be led into tn
midst of the cavern. 1t was vast arch
ed vault in the rock, forty or fifty feet il
. depth from the front to the rear, with
: low entrance, which, few feet on the in
side, expanded till itspread into rud
e dome. 1t looked upon the moonllt riy
e er, and boldly commanded its winGin.
o for many q mile. In the mouth of tn
s cave was stationed heavy iron gun, di
rected towards the mouth of the river
u and arranged in various fanciful forms
like weapons in an armory, around th
o walls of the cavern were suspended guns
: sabres, pistols and pixies. Strewn upo
e the bottom of the cave were skins of viii
d beasts forming conches for at least sixt
men-many of whom were sleeping o
f crouching upon them. 3. The group abou
e the fire was engaged in the rude culinar
n pastime of roasting a deer in its hide. Il
! the rear of the cavern the visitors aoticet
o boxes, casks, kegs, barrels, and bales 9
e merchandise, piled up to the roof. tn
v fruits of the piratical adventures of thes
t river marauders.a Many oft men in th
Il cave were Spaniards, Portuguese, an
J Frenchmen, but the majority were youn
It men from the Atlantic States, of desper
: ate fortunes and character whom tn
fame of the river scheyalier, Rapin, ha
e drawn to him. Hanging from the vaul,
e ed roof of the cavern they discovered
:. rope ladder which on closer scrutiny, az
T sisted by the 6tful glare of the fire, the
4 Fbeheld was attached to an opening twent
o feet above them. 3dgiIW - tsI sa- Z
!: That is my sleeping chamber an
! stronghold said the Chevalier, with
= smile, on observing the direction of thei
e gaze. Mature in forming this cave, kind
y ly constructed second story to it. ther
Q being as you see, . cavern above this
r and only accessible from below by thi
rope-ladder. When retire for sleep.
Q ascend this ladder and draw it up afte
d me; and need no guards to protect m
from the assassin,s steel But / ,rhav