The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-08-31

depth. But Gin plunged boldly, no
matter how coldIy," and waded to the
other side. Here, however, I expert
enced again the feeling OF. despair, for
tho side of the height had to ascend
was absolutely perpendicular. 1 was
too much fatigued to reconnoiter with
the view to finding less declivitous
ascent, and so, with my remaining
strength, 1 began what appeared an
endless task.
When about one-third of the way up,
I sat down on a projecting rock to rest;
and while here, by way of nerving my
self for tho remainder of the journey, l
thought of all the inspiring words Of
the living and the dead. GA youth
who bore mid snow and ice" passed
through my mind, but his unjudicious
termination was rather discouraging.
"Look aloft to the sun that is ever to
set" was just then impracticable. ~
would not live always"I dismissed as
soon as possible, for had always con-
sidered that an aggravated case of sour
grapes. "Here's heart for every
fate was theoretically fine, but sadly
at variance with the facts of the case.
But that which seemed to suit my pre-
dicament exactly, and which appeared
to give me more hope and courage than
all the rest (and over which, because of
the seeming mockery, laughed half
my care away, was this verse from
Longfellow:
The heights by great men reached and
| kept,
| Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.
So, imagining myself one of the
"great men," I began again my "toil-
ing upward in the night" and after
awhile, by almost superiuman exer-
ton, reached the locality of my bea-
con light. And here, my friend This
countenance assuming a mere thought
full shaded, l would gladly drop the
story, lest you consider me a "volu-
minous sensationist," as crazy Carlyle
says OF Hugo, or, Gas u liar, transcen-
dentally sublime" as the old Louisville
Journalist once said of the infallible
Pope who captured certain Island on
this river.
Well, on reaching the summit of the
cliff, found Immediately in front of
me, between two huge rocks, half
open door, or gate, which led into a
sort of cave OF recess in an upper
ledge, as it were, of the mountain.
stopped u few PAGES from the threshold
and mcditated for some time as to the
object Of this out-of- the-way abode and
the probable character OF its occupants.
At last, thinking Tor rather hoping it
retreat for the hunters and fishermen
who annually visit that section, push
ed the creakmg door further open, and
J walked in.
The scene which hele presented it.
self chilled my very hearts blood. Nc
sooner had my presence been observed
than five of the most savage and des-
: perate looking of men, with wild and
startled look, sprang to their feet
grasped their arms, and assumed an at
/ titude of defense.
The true character of my hosts was
f at once apparent. They evidently be-
, longed to notorious band of highway
5 men who had infested that region time
3 out ofmind.
. To me flight was impossible and re
. sistance was death, and my confused
7 brain was in no condition for treaty
: making. Presently, however, a hope
, full alternative flashed upon my mind
: and that was to explain the fate tina
: had cast me "out on Nights PIutonial
Shore" swear eternal secresy as t.
:, their whereabouts, and leave behin'
Y mo whatever I had of value. This
a proposed, and I assure you waite'
y the effect of my proposition with M
t slight concern. ~
G But all in vain. Each shook hi
;, head with determination that secme'
n to blast what little Of hope had cher
: ished, and sat down, with resigna
ton probably commendable under tn
4 circumstances, to wait the decree Q
= fate.
"Come, boys" suddenly cried wha
I took to be the chief of the clan, CIV
= must be down on the road by daybreal
Come, we've no time to lose with thi
chap"
They then gathered in the rear G
q the cave and entered into a converse
ton wholly inaudible to me. but l wa
! satisfied that they were discussing th
speediest way Of dlsposing of me.
}, "Well, my lad, I guess you'll 6
+ down the cliff a little faster than yo
came up" said one, coming up ant
grasping me around the body with
9 giant-grip. l knew they had deter
: mined to throw me over the cliff, ant