Middletown transcript., 1873-03-29
"You are sure then. that the beers
> IN Ccss tkst ~sv So

beasts. which never con6dc their plan of
route TO any one"
1T is agreed on. shall guard the
bridge with my comrade. Now, 60 and
have the trsckers ready"
VERY we'll. very we'll" murxured
tho parcur as he retired 'I shall have
my eye on him"
Eight days afterwards, al those iuvit-
ed. not excepting Monsieur dc Malatour--
who. despite the delicate attention Of the
host, preserved a cold rcscrve--were as
sembled at the chateau. The magnificent
grandeur Of the Pyrences. their shining
submits relieved against the blue sky Of
Spain, vas sn unlooked-for pleasure to
the greater number Of the guests, who for
the most part belonged to tho rich and
fertile Of the interior.
The morning following their arrival.
body Of trackcrs and scouts. provided
with all manner Of discordant ins,ru-
mcnts-trumpets. saucepans, drums. etc.
were assembled under the walls Of the
chateau. with tho parcur Mt their head !;
while by his side stood the mandrn. who
proudly guarded dozen large mas,ifls.
held in leash By his vigorous helpers. The
young baron aud his friends. armed with
carnbines aud hunting knives, had scarce
ly appeared. when, by a sign from the
parcur, the whole troop moved silently
forward. The dogs themselves seemed to
understand the importance Of this move
ment; and nothing was heard but the
confused tramp Of feet, blending with the
noise Of the di-tan, torrent, or, at inter
walls. the cry Of some belatcd nigbt.birl
flying heavily homeward in the doubtful
climmer Of the unopened day
As the party reached the crest Of the
mosatain which Immediately o,erhung
the chateau, the 6r.t rays Of the sun
breaking from the ems, glanced on the
SUNNI, Of the Pyrenoes, and suddenly IT,
Illuminating the landscape discovered be.
meath them deep valley, covered with
majestic pne-trces. which rurmurcd in
the fresh breeze of the morning.
Opposite to them, the foaming waters
Of cascade fell for come hundreds of feet
/ through cleft which divided the moun-
tain from the SUNNI. to th' base By
one Of those capriccs Of nature which test
! lily the primitive conyul>ions Of our globe
the chasm was surmountcd by natural
bridge the piles Of granite ut edrh side
being joined by one immense iat rock
almost seeming TO verify tho fable of the
Titans for it appeared impossible tha;
these enormous blocks of stone could i.svr
ever been raised to such an elevation hy
human agency, Sinister legends were
attached TO the place, and the mountain
GERS rccounted with terror that no hunter
with the exception of the pareur. hai ever
been posted at the bridge Of Maure with
out becoming the prey Of either the bears
or the prccipice. But the pareur was too
good a Christian to parinkc Of tais ridicu.
lous prejudice; he attributed the fatality
t TO its real cause.-The dizziness arising
from the sight Of the bears and the prcci-
picc combined, by destroying the hunter :
presence Of mind, made his aim unsteady
and his death the inevitable consequence
He could not, however. altogether divc.i
himself Of fears for his young master, who
obslina,cly preserved in his intention Of
occupying the bridge with his antago.
nists.
After placing the baron's companions
ut posts which he considered the most ad.
yantageous. the pareur rejoined his men,
aud disposing them 50 as TO encompass The
valley facing the cascade. commanded the
utmost silence to ba preserved until thcs
should hear the first bark Of his dog Al
that signal the masiiiis were 10 be released
the instruments sounded, and all II move
slowly forward, contracting the circle at
the cascade. These arrangements bein.
made, the pareur aud his dog. followed b
the mandrln alone, disappeared in tn
depths of the wood
For some minutes the silence had re
manned uubroken, when suddenly furiou
barking commenced, accompanied by Low
growing Each prepared his arms ; tn
instruments sounded and the mastifs be
ing let loose, prccipi,ated themselves pell
, NELL in the direction of the struggle The
, furious barking was soon cunfounded will
the cries Of the hunters and the din Of tn
instruments, mingled with the formidabl
growing of the bears. making al,ogcthe
a hidsous concert, which, rolling along til
, sides Of the valley. was repeated by lh
distant echoes. A, this momen, the youut
baron regarded his companion. who's
, countenancc. though pale, remained cali
aud scornful.
i Attention. SIR" said he in low voice
5 "The bears are not far from US; let you
ain be true, or else
" Keep your counsels for yourself
r sir !"
: Attention" repeated Villi,reton. with
out seeming to notice the surly response
$ he approaches.'
/ Those who we're placed in front Of til
cascade seeing the animals directing the
course to the bridge. cried from all part,
z Look out look out. Nillitreton = Bu
o the breaking Of branches. followed by III
rolling Of loosencd stones down the prce
piee. bad already given warning Of I'll
n animals near approach. Mala,our b'
Il came deadly pale he. however. held b
| carsbine Rrmtv in the attitude of n resi-