The Republican journal., 1869-06-10
A THRILLING NARRATIVE.

the mountains. My fellow travellers We're
two gentlemen and lady. The oldest gen
tleman's appearance interested me exceeding
ly. In years he seemed about fifty. in all
and manner he was calm, dienihed and pol
islcd, and the contour Of his features was sim
gularly intellectual. He conversed freely on
different topics, until the road became more
abrupt and precipitous; but on my directing
his attention to the great altitude of a preci-
plce, on the verge of which our coach wheels
were lcisurely rolling there came a marked
change on his countenance. His eyes, lately
filled with the light of intelligence became
wild, restless and anXious-the mouth twitch-
ed spasmodically, and the forehead was bead
ed with Il cold perspiration. With a sharp,
convulsiye shudder, he turned his gaze from
the giddy height, and clutching my arm tight
" with both hands, he clun@ to me like a
drowning man.
".-se this cologne said the lady, handing
me q bottle, with the instructive goodness OF
her sex.
| sprinkled little on his face, and he be-
came more composed; but it was not until
we had entirely traversed the mountain, and
fine features relaxed from their perturbed
look, and assumed the placid, quiet dignity
that had at first noticed.
81 owe an apology to the lady" said he,
witha bland smile and gentle inclination of
the head to our fair companion, 'and some
explanation, to my fellow traveller also; and
perhaps cannot better acquit myself of the
lonble debt than by recountng the cause of
my recent agitation"
''lt may pain your feelings" delicatcly
urged the lady
Son the contrary, ii viii relieve them" was
the respectful reply.
Having signifed our several desires to hear
more, the traveller thus proceeded:
''At thc age of eighteen, | was light Of foot,
and fear Che smileoD light of head A fine
property on the banks Of the Ohio acknowl-
edged me sole owner. was fastening home
to enjoy it, and delighted to get free from col
lege life. The month was October, the air
bracng, and the mode Of conveyance, stage
like this, only more cumberous. The other
passengers were few-only three in all, one
old gray-headed planter of Louisiana, his
daughter, a joyous, bewitching creature,
about seventeen, and his son about ten years
of age.
They We're just returning from France. of
Which country the young lady discoursed in
terms 50 eloquent as to absorb my entire at
tention.
The father was taciturn, but the daughter
was vivacous by nature, and we soon be
if was not until sudden flash Of lightning
and 4 heavy dash Of rain against the windows
elected an exclamation from my charming
companion, that | knew how the night passed.
Presently there came a low rumbling sound,
and then several tremendous peals ofthunder,
accompanied by successive flashes Of light
ming. The rain descended in torrents aud an
angry wind began to howl and moan through
the forest trees.
| looked from the window of our vehicle
The night was dark as ebony, but the light
ming showed the danger Of our road. We
were on the edge Of q frightful precipice. |
could see at intervals, huge, .utting rocks far
away down its side, and the sight made me
solicltous for my fair companion. | thought
of the mere hair breadths that were between
us and eternity; single little rock in the
track of our coach wheels, a tiny billet of
wood, a stray root Of a tempest torn tree,
restve horses or a careless driver, any of
these might hurl us from our sublunary ex-
istence with the speed of thought.
Ills perfect tempest" observed the lady
as | withdrew my head from the window
''llow love q sudden storm! There is some
thing grand about the winds when fairly loose
among the hills. Inever encountered light
like this, but Byron's magnificent description
of a thunder storm in Jura, recurs to my mind.
But are we on the mountain yet"
yes, we have begun the ascent"
''ls il not said to be dangerous?'
'By no means,'' replied, in as easy q tone
as could assume.
II only wish it was daylight SO that we
might enjoy the mountain scenery. But what's
that?' and she covered her eyes from sheet
Of lightning that illustrated the rugged noun
tain with brilliant intensity.
Peal nftar Ono1 of thun1ar in atantlv cup-
ceeded; there was q very large volume of rain
coming down at each thunder burst. and with
the deeper moaning of an animal in dreadful
agony, breaking upon our ears, l found that
the coach had come to a dead halt.
Louise, my beautiful fellow traveller became
pale rs ashes. She fixed her ewes on mine
with 4 look Of anxious dread, and turning to
her father she hurriedly remarked:
"We are on the mountains."-
Il reckon we are,'' was the unconcerned
reply.
With instinctive activity, | put my head
through the window and called to the driver,
but the only answer was the moaning of an
animal, borne past me by the swift winds of
the tempest. | seized the handle of the door
and strained in vain-it would not yield. AT
that instant felt cold hand in mine, and
heard Louise family articulate in my ear the
following appealing words
"The coach is moving backwards"
Never shall forget the fierce agony with
which | tugged at the coach door, and called
on the driver in tones that rivalled the fierce
blast of the tempest whilst the conviction was
burning in my brain that the coach was being
slowly moved backwards!
| What followed was of such swift occur
renee, that it seems to me like frightfu
dream.
rushed against the door with all my force
but it withstood my utmost efforts. One side
ofour vehicle was sensibIy going down, down
down. The moaning of the agonized anima
became deeper, and knew from his desper
ate pumges that it was one of our horses
Crash upon crash of thunder rolled over tn,
mountain, and vivid flashes oflightning play
ed over our heads. BY its light could SET
for a moment the old planter standing erect
with his hands on his son and daughter, hi
eyes raised to heaven and his lips moving a
if in prayer. | could see Louise turn her ash,
cheek toward me as if imploring assistance