The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-09

and the lofty and spreading trees ON either hand and
with her graceful head raised stood cropping the
foliage of clump of mulberry unsuspicious of DANCE
near. There welcome thought of a savory roast
the rife quickly drawn to aim; it as quichl
lowered for the footprint before carelessy noted hal
fallen under his glance and discovered itself not b.
his own but the print of a naked and much smale
foot.
'Indians!" was the suggestion that flashed upon hi
mind 1t only when he stopped to examine atten
lively the sign, that the escaped booty became awar
of the proximity Of foe; taking instant alarm she wa
out of sight in the thicket at bound.
GA delicate foot and but lately here" he said t.
himself "By Joye! | believe Cinderella's slppe
would fit it completely"
But this passing idea was necessarily followed by
those less pleasing and romantic. He reflected tina
savage men, like some species of savage beasts, usually
move IN hordes; and that any trace of them, howere
slight, frequently sgnfcanto the neghboring pres
enee OF tribe. The plan of probable security
was to lie quietly down and await the morning; Ger
tainly the firing of gun kindng OF fire was no
to be rsked. Water, at least must be had, however
and in hope of obtaining H. the traveller pressed
lutely yet noselessly possible towards the
Of the exhausted creek. He fully as fortunate Al
he had presumed anticipate for before daylight
quite gone, he reached low spring of pure cool water
After taking long and refreshing draught he climbed
an ascent which he foresaw would command an exten
sivc view, and selected his nights lodging place.
AT this time the last beams of day had departed.
Dense clouds daped the heavens from zenith horizon
All surrounding natural objects commingled in one
unreleVed mass of gloom. No sound met the listening
ear, sight the searching eye. savages in the
vicinity they seemed not to have lighted fires At the
foot OF stately overcup the wanderer stretched him
self the ground, his piece leaning against the trees
body, its breech still firmly grasped in his right hand
The exquisite perfume Of the wild sensitive plant in
bed Of which he by accident had made his pillow shed
itself around grateful the whispers of approving
conscience beneath the rowns and censure Of wrong
ir,In rnriA Ia had tad
hausted he was his eyes closed, and he sank
into peaceful and profound unconsciousness.
Randolph Campo awoke gradually at the sound of
low, sweet music, which seemed to have been floating
around him for Tong time 1t was paintiVe, almost
as WILL yet he listened to the harmony the nerves
throughout his frame thrilled with strange delight
He awhile ancied it the song of some unknown bird
of night but the notes had in them too much of the
human, and he became convinced that himself was not
alone guest in this solitude. Indeed he scarce could
believe have awakened in the sphere that in
which he had closed his eyes; and well might fancy,
from the changed aspect of nature, that during his
slumber fairy band had transported him to their
sylvan domain. The overhanging clouds, which so
strongly had indicated the setting in OF heavy rain,
within few hours had even to the last heck disap-
peared the moon in her last quarter shed slant beams
upon him through the well-clothed boughs of gigan-
tic buttonwood tree, which bore itself like to mon
arch come up to view his broad possessions; and so
transparent the atmosphere, the stars seemed to
added lustre.
AS soon as he could collect his Senses our hero arose
and moved along in the direction whence issued that
music of human harp; directly he found himsefupon
the verge OF rock, dropping so preciptously to
cause him to recol with shudder He did not how
ever withdraw so far, become much confused as
not to have his attention Immediately rveted the
scene presenting itself below and beyond. At the dis
of fifty feet from the base Of this perpen-
dicular wall, akelet of waters smooth and trans
49, - ~nrUcfa i-a ole ta6 Of MI n OfgpO
green; and, half reclining unon re Sp VI
Solitary blackberry tree which stopped o@ fF6l the
nearest brink, appeared in the full moonlight female
figure Hair black and wavy fell about her like the
folds of heavy VEIL entirely conceaing her form; but
beautifully moulded arms, and one uncovered foot that
had furnished perfect model to sculptor, met the
eve and were distinctly reflected in the waters. She
was fxedly gazing into the liquid depths, while chanting
the mournfu enhancing melody which had attracted
the auditor in place where she well might deem her
self removed from human observation. OF the words
of her song only these disngushabe: they were
often repeated and each time with pathos ndescrba-
ble:-Ner-pa cher, Nerpa cher, Na-bo-ne-Ny sister,
my mirror sister.
For several minutes the young man remained spell
bound; he thought of the mirage which had bitterly
deuded him the previous afternoon and required
al the evidence his senses could supply to convince
hiIn of the reality of the vison-lke spectacle before
him At length, moved by irresistible desire to
obtain nearer view of the songsress he turned away
and hastened softly down the easy slope to the LETT
where along shaded gorge, he made quick approach
to the valley of the lake. The gentle sdger who had
been briefly shut out from his sight but whose rayshng
strains had increasingly in his the assurance that
she had vanished from her position, STILL motionless,
bowed her dpaped head the wave and sang on as
before. little to the right Of where he stood, and
Immediately below the site he had occupied on the
summit appeared a recess in the face of the escarp-
ment in which one might stand concealed while at
distance of scarce than dozen PAGES from her
who seemed the deity of the vale. 4 -s--.. ft'..
This, Campo attempted to gain, keeping in the path
Of shadow thrown by the cliff but in passing too in
cautiously over bed Of detached stones one rolled
beneath his foot josing him severely that bis rifle
was discharged into the air. the report breaking fear
fully in upon the quiet of the hour. cry, which
accompanied rather than followed arose; there
sound of the sudden parting of waters and the song
was stilled; the wild songstress had disappeared.
Our hero proved it but seconds task to leap to the
spot and plunge after the mysterious being whether
drowning maiden nymph, descending the crystalline
stairs to reenter her palace of pearl Fast receded the
curved pillows from shore, and still among the environ
ing hills the echoes had ceased calling to each other
Shortly the young man rose from between the waves
without a burden; he did not so much turn an eye
towards shore but calmly sustaining himself breast
high in the water until he had taken two or three
,orrs sc;enE down DO Ia. second time After
suspense to spectator, the surface of the lake was
again broken, and the swimmers neck twined
about with dripping locks from head resting heavily
upon his shoulder.
Bearing bravely to shore The yeung Indian girl-for
such she was-and COUGHING her stless form upon the
sod gently, her preserver or we the epithet by
which he reproachcd himself her murderer, knelt be-
side, and chafed the neryeess fingers and temples, in
which he could feel throb while painful socitude,
though its object long known and held dear,
pervaded his heart aud depicted with that intensity
which characterised his emotions upon his eountenance
At length sigh heaved the maiden bosom; the cold
lips moved vhisperngl3 and artculated in their ma
tive speech; s.i.. ...az5
Sister, mirror sister, am come to thee; embrace
me, dearest sister,"
Then the dark eyes Enclosed langudly, with dim
vision, and again was murmured:
THY world is beautiful mirror sister, yet not more
beautiful than the earth where dwelt together, with