, 1864-05-23
FROM WILSON'S TALES OF The BORDERS.
The Reformed,


personal appearance, but indifferently
dressed. stepped on board vessel at Leith
bound for Cadiz, and inquired if the cap
tain would take him out as passenger. The
latter. eyeing him for moment with scru-
tinizing look, said he had no objection,
provided he paid his passage. money in ad-
vance. To this proposal the young man
at once agreed; and having ascertained
that the vessel would sail in an hour, added
that he would return at the expiry of that
time and then settle for his passage.
Punctual to time, he in an hour afterwards
again appeared on the deck of the Flora,
which was the name Of the vessel now about
to sail for Spain, and requested the captain,
in hurried manner, to conduct him below
he there paid the former, in guineas, the
amount Of his passage-money. Having re-
ceived his money, the captain again has
tened on deck, to superintend the various
preparations for getting the vessel under
weigh. His passenger, however, did not
follow him; he remained below; and though
there were many inducements to have urged
him on deck, and amongst them curiosity
to see what was going on, there he contin-
ucd. He either had none Of this curiosity,
or he had some secret reason for remaining
in his present situation; and from his Han-
ner altogether. this rather seemed to ,the
case. lie had no luggage-none W. ~.ever;
not even q change OF linen, or, indeed, OF
ANYTHING else HislOoks, too, were troubled,
and full Of an indefinite apprehension. His
tone Of voice was subdued and flurried, as
il by some strong internal agitation. II
any Que had marked him, as he now sat
alone in corner of the cabin Of the Flora,
they would have seen, besides these symp-
toms Of mind i'll at ease, pale and hag-
gard countenance, frequent and sudden
looks of alarm on any unusual noise being
made on deck, and feeling Of impatience
and uneasiness which evidently bore refer
ence to the motions of the vessel, and told
Of an anxiety for her departure. This was
source of pain, however, which was soon
to terminate. The vessel was flung loose
from the quay. her canvas was spread to
the breeze, and, in few minutes, she had
glided out Of the harbOr, when, having gain
ed sufficient sea-rOom, her bow was turned
down the Firth, and she bore away on her
voyage. 1t was now, for the first time, that
the solitary occupant Of the cabin came
on deck. But he did not do this even yet
all at once, He stole slowly up the cpm-
,Ganion ladder. aud peered cautiously around,
before venturing to emerge entirely. See
ing, however, that the vessel was fairly at
sea, he stepped on the deck, and exhibited
very marked change Of countenance. A
load Of uneasiness seemed to have been re-
moved from his mind; and his looks, be.
fore strongly expressive OfterrUr and alarm,
we're now cheerful aud confident. The un.
fortunate passenger, howevcr-for unfor-
tunate he was, that was evident, Of what
ever nature were his sOrrows--was not long
permitted to enjoy his new and pleasurabie
feelings.
"There's boat making after u.s." ex-
claimed the captain; aud Immediately af-
terwards he issued orders to the men forward
to prepare for bringing the vessel to.
"Where is she!" inquired the passenger.
(He was the only one in the ship) Where
is shey" he said with look expressive Of
renewed apprehension, and turning deadly
pale as he spoke,
"Ihere she is, said the captain, point
ing to small boat that was evidently d.
recting her course towards them.
The young man looked at her for an in
slant, then, without saying word in reply,
or making any remark, skunk away down
again into the cabin. where; il any one should
now have followed him, and seen the dread
full agitation with which his whole frame was
shaking, his haggard countenance, and
white and quivering lip, they would have
little doubt that load Of unatoned guilt
lay heavily upon him; that he had ren-
dered himself amenable to the laws Of man
as well as God, by the perpetration Of some
dark and heinous crime, Their former
suspicious Of this would have been con-
firmed. and they would have seen that the
wretched nian was in terror Of the arm OF
Justice oyertaking him, aud that he dreaded
that the boat which was now approaching
contained those who would carry him with
in its reach. In the meantime the yawl
advanced-it came alongside-the young
man heard yoices--his heart sunk within
nlul-ne tnfeW uttuScil udch auu S1Speu
for breath, and shook in every limb, as il
seized with universal palsy. Oh, that
moment Of horror and do par! Worlds
could not compensate it--ages Of felicity
would be dearly bought with it. 1t was
dreadful. Yet, after all, these were but
the fears Of guilty conscience, the terrors
Of an excited Imagination, associated with
the consciousness Of crime; for no one
came near the solitary and terrOr-stricken
passenger-none disturbed him. The boat
that had come alongside showed of in d
few minutes, with it's crow, without any
communication of any kind reaching him.
He heard the " Good-bye" Of the captain
to the boats company. He heard their
oars strike the water and gradually grow
faint in the distance. Joyful, transporting
sounds to him!
aThank God thank God! he exclaimed,
fervently leaping to his feet in an ecstasy
Of happiness, and. in the joyous distinction
Of the moment, beating his flushed fore
head with his hand. al have escaped,
I have escaped! Oh, horrors to be taken,
to be brought to trial, to be hanged on q
gibbetl Yes, walk pinioned up the ladder,
led on the scaffold, and exposed to the gaze
Of plying multitude--that dreadful sea
Of human facesl Oh, horror, horror, hor-