Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-09-06
The Sierra MOrena.

Presence of mind and fortitude of vir-
tue were never more strikingly display
ed than in the following instance, which
occurred where the Sierra Morena rears
its head above the dark rolling clouds;
and where also Nature, in her rudest
form, displays to the weary traveller a
wide and dreary prospect of barren
wilds, disparted rocks, falling torrents,
gloomy forests of pines, opening chasms,
and all the dark variety that makes ma
ture terrible, without single gleam of
sunshine to scatter, as it were, the hope
of heaven over the gulf of despair. On.
this spot, far above the haunts of civil
ized men, where the wild winds whistle,
and the tempests roar, stands the chat
eau of Count de Rondeville, where the
narrow path leads the traveller round
the mountain summit, and where the
long-practised mule carries its burden
in security. though the deviation of an.
+ineh wUufd -prec:pitate beast and rider
over precipice 300 feet high. On this
seat of hospitality to be found.
The count, VINO is lord of the valleys
below, chooses here to fix his abode. He
ia fond of field sports and mountain
scenery; to bring down the hawks and
falcon, to wind the thickets after the
wolf and the fox, and to spring from
rock to rock with giant bound after the
fleet chamois constituted his amuse-
ments of the day. .Atevening's close to
open his door to the way-worn traveller,
to rouse the fire on the hearth, and
spread the table with plenty. were his
predominant delights. Thousands have
tasted of his liberality, and whenever he
visited the smiling fields below, the lisp
ings of children and the benedictions of
the aged proclaimed his presence.
He passed his life without ostentation,
and had not male servant in his re-
tinue. One young girl, native of Es-
tremadura, aged nineteen, was selected
to attend upon his own person, and he
treated her as his child. One evening
he had been out late, and on his return
he threw himself upon couch and sunk
into repose.
Dorothea, aware that he would not re-
quire her assistance auy more, retired
to rest, and so did all the servants. A.
bout one in the morning a banaditti, at
the head of whom was Rodolph Vascali.
long the terror of Spain, thundered at
the gates of the chateau and soon burst
them open. They tore the menials from
their beds, and with horrid imprecations
made them disclose where their trea-
sures were deposited, and some they put
to instant death. The noise awakened
the count, who rushed unarmed into the
hall. Rodolph Vascali seized him by
the throat, and was on the point of stab
bing him, when Dorothea, the little
maid OF Estremadura, entered, bearing
q candle. The robber started at seeing
her, refrained from his blow and loosen
| |cd Ixic 81 -RT
robed In night attire, appeared as q
other and better world. The work of
death was going on at the extremity of
the hall, and over the marble floor
streams of blood flowed.
'Stop," she cried, 1.-THE work of death,
and follow me you want money, and
will conduct you where 1t is to be had. -
'What pledge have I for thy truth ?'
said Rodolph Vascali, leaving his hold
of the count.
1.-THE pledge of fblood-the tie Of nature
II am thy only sister,"
It was 80. ROdOlph, with command
ing voice, ordered his band to desist from
murder, and to retire, while he COM
PEELED the count to sit down, under q
pledge not to rise till he bade him.
"Recollect," said he, my sister, for
such thou art however thou camest
here,) know no ties but those that con-
meet me with my followers. I have
checked the stream of death only to open
the mine of gold"
"Follow me-" said Dorothea, "and
you shall have wealth beyond your
hopes and wishes"
Slowly they winded up the gothic
stair. case; the moon shone sickly
through the arched and ivy. covered
windows no sound was heard save that
of the whispering wind of the night,
that appeared to mourn for those whose
lives had recently passed away. They
reached the summit of the east ern tower.
II hear" said Rodolph, 1.-The mur-
muring of my banG, who are awaiting
my arrival with the booty"
They shall not long wait thy arri.
val :" said Dorothea, and at the moment
they were at the edge of the turret. She
dashed her light to the earth, and seiz-
ing RodOlph by the skirt of his calabra
or tunic, hurled him from the battle.
ments. He fell amid his followers, and
expired on the spot. Amazement seiz.
ed them all. Dorothea hastily rang the
alarm-bell that communicated with the
convent below, and fired off the signal
lgun. The band fled in all directions
imagining force was concealed In the
chateau and D0rothea, rushing down
raised the count in her arms, wherein
she ever after rested as loved and Low
Ing wife. Rodolph was indeed hel
brother but had long been Q detestabl'
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