The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1866-03-02
A Life and Death Contest.

There is narrow pass, between the
mountains in the neighborhood Of Ben.
dearg, in the Highlands of Scotland,
which, at little distance, has the appear.
ance of an immense artificial bridge thrown
over tremendous chasm but on nearer
approach is seen to be wall of natures
own masonry, formed of vast and rugged
bodies of solid rock, piled on each other
as if in the giants sport of tho architec-
ture. It's sides are in some places cover
ed with trees of considerable size and
the passenger who has head steady
enough to look down, may see the eyrie
of birds of prey beneath his feet. The
path across is so narrow that it cannot ad-
init of persons passing and, indeed, none
but natives would attempt the dangerous
route, though it saves circuit of three
miles; yet it sometimes happens that two
travellers meet, owing to the curve formed
by the pass preventing view across from
either side and when this is the case,
one lies down, while the other crawls over
his body. One day, Highlander was
walking along the pass, and when he had
gained the highest part of the arch, OBJ.
served another coming leisurely up, and
being himself one of patrcian order, call
cd to him to lie down. The person, how
ever, disregarded the command, and the
Highlanders met on the summit. They
were Cairn and Bendearg, of two families,
in cnmity to each other.
81 was first at the top said Bendearg,
"and called out first ; lie down that may
pass over in peace"
"When the Grant prostrates himself
before M'Pherson,'' answered the other,
"it must be with sword through his
body
Turn back, them" said Bendearg,
"and repass as you came"
"Go back yourself, if you like it," re-
piled Grant ;a'I will not be the first of
my name to turn before the M'Pher.
sons"
They then threw their bonnets over the
prccipice, and advanced with q slow and
cautious pace closer to each other. They
were both unarmed. Stretching their
limbs, like men preparing for desperate
struggle, they planted their feet firmly on
the ground, compressed their lips, knit
their brows, and fixing firm and watchful
eyes on each other, stood prepared for an
onset. They both grappled at the same
moment; but being Of equal strength
were unable to shife each others position
standing fixed on the rock, with sup.
pressed breath, and muscles strained to
the stop of their BENT" like statues carved
out of solid stone.
At length M'Pherson, suddenly remov-
ing his foot so as to give him greater
purchase, stopped his body, and bent his
enemy down with him by main strength,
till they both leaned over the precipice,
looking downward into the terrible abyss.
The contest was at yet doubtful, for Grant
had placed his foot firmly on an elevation
at the brink, and had equal command Of
his enemy, but at this moment M'Pher.
son sunk slowly and firmly on his knee,
and while Grant suddenly started back,
STOPPING to take the supposed advanta
whirled him over his head into the gulf
M'Pherson himself fell backwards, his
body partly hanging over the rock frag-
ment gave way beneath him, and he sunk
further, till catching with desperate ef-
fort at the solid stone above, he regained
his footing. There was pause of death
like stiffness, and the bold heart of
MPherson felt sick and faint. At
length, as if compelled unwillingly by
some mysterious feeling, he looked down
over.the precipice.
Grant had caught with death-like grip
by the rugged point of a rock-hs enemy
almost within reach. His face was turn.
ed upward, and there was in it horror and
despair, but he uttered no word or cry
The next moment his hol dloosened, and
his brains were dashed out before the eyes
of his hereditary foe; the mangled body
disappeared among the trees, and his last
heavy, hollow sound arose from the bot.
tom. M'Pberson returned home an alter
ed man. He purchased commission in
the army, and fell bravely in the wars of
the Peninsula. The Gaelic namo of the
place where this tragedy was acted signi-
fies Hell Bridge.
GE. Some wears hefnre Marietta was tho