Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-03-29

gulsed as an aged piper, even my oloes5
friends did not recognize me. I left the
Castle some two hours since; company of
all kinds-beggara of every shade and
grade, have mustered already for the mar
riage feast and the Lady Beatrice is this
evening to be married to Lord Cranstown,
who was hourly expected. All the world
seemed in requisition to partake of the gen.
eral hilarity; the tenantry were crowding
in, and I hope, Captain, we ourselves may
be present to join in the good cheer '
lis Beatrice Anstruther willing, do you
hear p asked the chief &@'.f Z. 4.
-sAs to the matter of that replied Alas
ter, great folks rarely take it into consider
alton, whether union that pleases them
is agreeable to their children. No, no, the
young lady refuses; but force is to be used,
and the ceremony once over there is no
use turning rebel .. 49,. -~y
The young mar stood musing for few
seconds, and then added in an under tone
as if talking to himself: .- .. -.
'Yes, we will be there
'Bravely resolved, captain, and know
from old experience, there is fine plunder
in the Castle. '15es..
'Ah, do your thoughts run that way
asked the chief, with a smile; then raising
his voice to higher key he said
Comrades, remember your oath. When
I first received authority from you as lead
er, it was undertaken on one condition.
The period has arriyed-Norland Castle is
our own, but the property must be respect
ed. Nay, do not murmur, for though we
bid defiance to the laws of God and man,
let us be firm and true to each other
Make no reply. Go, Donald, and fetch the
traveller within
Donald obeyed and soon returned lead
ing in venerable old man, clad in toll
and time morn garments, that were soiled
and worn, and Of aforeign make. A band
age was placed over his eyes, which on a
signal from the Captain was removed, the
moment that the stranger had reached the
centre of the cave. A solemn stiffness per.
vaded the whole band, as they looked on
the aged man, who gazed astonished, al
though undaunted, at the scene around him.
'Ha! where am I, and what are you 2
he exclaimed
'Men, good sir, though vulgarly called
cateransp replied freebooter.
"a lawless troop of ravagers !! murderous
robbers ! returned the traveller.
you might be civil, at least, to gentle
men who have spared your life,' observed
Donald
For what purpose p asked the venerable
man; ito remain your prisoner, or to suffer
tortures? To hear the shrieks of the wound
ed and the groans of the dying echoing in
my ears-for like the wolf, tits blood must
satiate your rage
The men scowled fearfully Oh the stran-
ger, and then threats began to be uttered in
rather distinct terms, until the voice of their
chief, commanding silence, was heard above
the tumult, and was as promptly obeyed.
you are the leader, then?' euquired the
aged wanderer. sMethiuks form like
yours might contain soul noble enough
for higher purposes
Come, come, SIR expostulated Donald,
mot a word against the captain; let your
ranking aninosity fall on those who cast
us forth on the world, and would willingly
strike US down like dogs
The attachment of these fellows, too
plainly speaks for the depravity and mur-
derous nature of their chief reiterated
the old man with stern calmness.
The robbers had borne his taunts with
tacit submission to the control of their
leader; but now one of them thinking to
ingratiate himself with him, rushed for
ward, dirk in hand, as if about to strike,
and exclaiming in menacing manner:
peace! hoary wretch, or this dagger
Blood thirsty cur, forbear,' vociferated
the chief, and flung the'man from him, as
if he had been an infant in his grasp
stranger, here you have found protection,
he continued, turning to the venerable trav-
eller. you have shared our food, and this
worthy fellow ventured his life that he
might preserve yours. You call us robbers,
and so We are. What is the world, but a
spirit of persecution waged by the strong
against the weak. What is the human
heart except career of deadly warfare, de-
lighting in animosity and conquest. Do
not mankind prey upon each other; and
what are not the crimes of the rulers of our
groaning country, who monopolize the peo-
ple's head, riot in their groans and feast
upon their tears. Oh! how many deserted
hearths, how many desolate widows and un.
protected orphans have not this foreign
prince produced; and like Samson, who
lost no opportunity to slay his foes, I would
wage perpetual war against those willy
statesmen, who rob nation to crafty their
own ambition
A hum of applause resounded through
the cavern, as soon as the chief had ceased
speaking, from all save the aged stranger,
who remained unmoved.
Il little thought to hear so faint an at
tempt to vindcate the cause of outraged
JUSTICE he said. you do not seem to have
numbered many years. Your features are
concealed, but oh if candor has fixed her
seal upon them, and the least particle of
virtue still remains within your bosom, let
me warn you to flee this companionship-
call itwhatyou please-and in penitence and
prayer strive to appease the anger of the
Maker you have outraged
He pressed his hands together, responsive
to the sympathies that vibrated through his