from dangerous, not to say terrific positions, they succeeded in reaching the foot of the precipice; the difficulties attending which, it appeared extraordinary, they had surmounted, considering the years of the one, and the load by which the other was encumbered.

A pool of water, at the foot of the Clift, supplied the stranger with the means of reviving his charge, for having taken a quantity of it in his hat, he poured it over the face of the sufferer, who immediately gave signs of returning animation. Requesting Captain Summers to remain by the youth for an instant; and adding, he would return within a very brief period: the stranger departed for the purpose of determining the fate of the Exciseman, which, however, appeared inevitable; leaving the Veteran at a loss which most to admire; his humanity, his coolness, or undaunted resolution.

Scarcely had the stranger turned a projecting angle of the precipice, before he perceived the body of his antagonist laying on the beach, surrounded by a vast concourse of peo

ple. They, however, far from commiserating, appeared rather to triumph at the accident that had befallen him; and the national traits, of vindictive, and gratified revenge, were strongly depicted in the countenances of the surrounding multitude. On the approach of the stranger, the concourse made way for him; and he, on viewing the body, became at once aware, that the left arm, and both the legs, were broken. In fact, life appeared to be totally extinct to the spectators, who, notwithstanding their hatred to him, they supposed dead; began to manifest considerable signs of dissatisfaction, on seeing the stranger first attempt to bleed him in the arm with a penknife, and afterwards lay bare the templar artery, and divide it with the same instrument. Their astonishment was, however, very great, on perceiving the body directly afterwards move; and that disposition to applaud, inherent in man, on witnessing any thing he considers either wonderful or praiseworthy, burst forth on the instant, simultaneously from the assembled multitudes.

The request of the stranger for assistance, to remove the body from where it lay, was immediately complied with; and the sufferer was shortly borne away by a circuitous rout towards his residence, with signs of restored animation, but still totally insensible. After promising a reward to the persons who had charge of him, and giving strict injunctions, to summon a surgeon to his assistance, the stranger departed to rejoin Captain Summers, at whose house he informed them he might be found; amidst the blessings of the assembly, a part of which, undoubtedly, took their rise, in hopes they might entertain, of participating in his bounty.

On the stranger's arrival at the place where he had left Captain Summers in charge of the youth, he found the latter had previously departed on his return home, escorted by some of the persons who accompanied the Exciseman. The old gentleman having also declared himself to be considerably indisposed, owing to the fatigue and agitation he had undergone, it was finally agreed to re

turn to his house, particularly as they were informed the tide was on the turn; that nothing had been discovered with respect to the situation of the wrecks, or any thing of consequence drifted on shore, except a large chest, which had been secured, and sent off to the Custom House by the Exciseman. That functionary, after having done so, probably to get rid of the murmurings of the populace, had chosen the shortest cut up from the beach; and by the brutality of his behaviour, (though probably labouring under the influence of recent irritation) gave rise to the incident related heretofore; which terminated so much to his disadvantage.

CHAPTER VII.

The night had closed around the gathering clouds,
In sombre majesty march'd o'er the Heavens ;
Hiding at times, the Moon's imperfect light,
But which, tho' shrouded by the denser parts,
Seem'd yet desirous to display its beam ;
And edg'd the sable, with a silv'ry gauze.

F. H.

On their return to the house, they found the family of Captain Summers in a state of considerable alarm, owing to some vague intelligence having reached them, respecting the occurrences that had taken place; but on being satisfied they were safe, by their appearance, tranquillity was speedily restored. The curiosity of the ladies was however again awakened, by hearing Captain Summers congratulate his guest, on his success in a contest with an adversary, apparently so much superior in strength; and his provi