Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-25

| Orten will come ALSO"
( The child hesitated little in mention
ing the name of the latter. Yes, Grenoble
was to be the scene of q chase, O fox chase
around the plains. Anything to forget for
awhile the gloom which. the past evening
had cast upon me. I could not be sad in
the cheerful presence of Violet. That was
impossible. Every preparation was made.
The dapple grey was brought out and sad
died for Violet. The black mare for Mary,
and Dane-geld. and Dandy-prat for my
balmy. A clear sky, and an atmosphere
redolent with the distilling fragrance of
yellow August. disported with the child
on the green. De Kimberly was pensive.
He was evidently thinking of Kinglake
and his warning. Mary was within busy
in preparing something for lunch, as we
intended not to return till evening. Per-
haps we would ride over to the plantation
so, uncle, here's Dick Robin" said vi
olet, running to meet him. Robin was a
poor widows son, and he loved his
mother as the apple of his eye
His character was gentle and chris
tian, an emblem of Gods elect. There
was very little in him of the waywardness
of youth. He was young, and was strug-
Cling against adversely. His mother was
the sanctuary of his affection, and it was
this modest show of filial piety that first at
tracted the attention of Mary. De Kim
berly was his friend, and Violet loved him
in her child-ike way, and would whisper
in his ear those soothing thoughts which
spring from an innocent heart.
Following on the heels of Dick Robin,
were Charles Vidian and Dostbr VanOr-
ten. The greeting was general, though Vio-
let was not very demonstrative to the Doc
tor. The dashing Vidian had his dogs along
as usual, and very suspicious, uneasy
thing in bag which the hounds would
snuff at now and then, jump and bark, and
run around in the most frantic manner
This days sport was for Violet. We were
all to cater to her enjoyment. Dick Robin
put her on her poney, and then he jumped
on his own and rode close to her side. L
took the other side. Vidian spurred ahead
with his canine troop. VanOrten was
whipper-in, and De Kimberly and Mary
followed behind. Now for q trot, and we
trotted. Now for gallop, and we sped
forward. Violet rode we'll. Her poney
was most gentle creature
"To Bloody-Rock = To Bloody
Rock p shouted Vidian. " We may meet
Kirglake, and if We do, we'll make him
join us in the sport"
Luckily, Mary was in deep conversation
with De Kimberly, and heard not the
words of Vidian. / rode quickly up to
him, and cautioned him not to mention
the necromancer's name any more On
ward we rode, now in a canter, now in a
gallop, now in a walk, now caracoling We
turned into plain east of " Bloody Rock"
1t was my wish that it be avoided. Violet
was delighted. The ride had brought out
into full bloom the roses of her cheeks
She Was all JOY and prattle. We alighted
on the summit of a knoll. Green trees and
towering cone-capped pines shaded the
ground. A brooklet simpered in the sun,
and bright plumaged birds gayly twittered
in the copse, and sang their roundelays of
love. No carol of bird was there more
charming than the silver voice of Violet
"Hark that sweet carol what delights,
The scene no more is dumb
Violet shone there as precious as the
daffodil, and as golden as the yellow prim-
rose. Had Homer lived in our day he would
have been along to sing Violet the darling
of his race, and would have invoked god
dess to descend to decorate the scene and
join in the sport. Charles Vidian was at a
distance adjusting things for the coming
chase. VanOrten had charge of the dogs
the grass, chatting with De Kimberly and
ping about playing bobolink, resembling
two lambkins, whose merry tones COM
minging with the brooklet's simmering
noise, sounded not unlike baa, baa baa
They went cockahoop over the green velvet
sward. Dick would throw pebble into
the fenny side of the water and perhaps
start a dabchjck to the infinite glee of
Violet. Or he would steal away, run up
a tree and cry like a cockatoo.
"Al ready y exclaimed Charles Vidian.
"All ready! - shouted all.
Robin and Violet left off their tricks.
They were to sit on the knoll, and view
thence the chase. l, VanOrten and
Vidian were to follow the hounds. van
tage of three hundred yards was given to
Mr.. Reynard. 1t kept Vidian busy to pre-
vent the cunning fellow from eating his
way out of the sack. But he is soon to
have liberty enough. Violet is all anxiety.
She would not let Dick Robin leave her.
The fox is out of the bag The hounds
are in hot pursuit. On we ride at full
speed. The willy fox is making for "BIoody-
Rock. If he reach it he will be SAFE
He turns He counter-runs. Now he's in
the brush. The brush is too shallow to
screen him. Now he's in ravine. The
hounds are wild. We're close upon the {
fox. l try to head him off from the
- BlOOdy-HOCk. l. distance the dogs
[ m almost up with the fox. One leap
more. One rush through the low bushes.
One tumble, and he is rolling headlong
INTO cave. It is the cave of the Bloody
Rock" The hounds were about me. They
Stuffed at the entrance. But they COVER {
ed, and dared not enter. Vidian and Van
Orten Joined me.
"Well, Nick" said Vidian, ave have !
driven him in to keep company with King I
AXE. They say he lives here"
$50 I've been informed"
l then narrated to them the strange {
lark scene which had witnessed, and that
it was ray resolve to find out this Wild l
'ambling rhabdomancer. ST believe, d
loctor, that is what you professional men
,all him who practises divination by a rod I
Or wand ?"
"Confound the fellow" petulently ejac- =
Hated Vidian. 81 believe he has bewitch- -"
ID the fox, and taken him to himself -
Nick, you must let me accompany you.
would like to give that Kinglake such
lose as he compounds for his black art.
Il must be Of the number" added Van j.,
0rten