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Nora's Peril

Nora's Peril image
Parent Issue
Day
13
Month
April
Year
1883
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

CHAPTER X. Early next forcnoon we embarked as arranged on board the fishing-boats, and sailed slowly along the coast, passing the port of Angistri without landing, our object being to avoid any of the Count'a crew who mtght be natives of that place. As we approached the headland I kept a sharp look out for the "Gulnare," which Beppo had informcd us was always moored not f ar f rom the tower ; aud I was rewarded by seeing her tapering maats overtopping a jutting rock, behind which she lay in a fand-locked creek, alinost invisible from any pursuing veesel ; her salls had been removed, and we were safe írom pursuit, so far as she was concerned, could we only rescue Norah andconvey her insafety on board the "Ariadno." We set our nets and lines in the bar, as other boatmen were doing. and then rowed slowly toward the beach, close under the headland. Our costumes were a perfect disguise, and at a short difetance we were not distinguishable from the fisherman on the shore. As pre-arranged, Dennis, the two yachtsman, and!, landed and wandered carelessly about under the cliff. At length I espled a pathway which I had no doubt was the means of approach to the tower, as on one side there was stretched a rope made of the green fibers of the vine, for the assistance of those who mounted lts steep ascent. In a small sandy cave, I observed the "Gulnare's" cable, or "dingy," hauled np, and thts ltft no doubt in my mind that this pathway was the Count's mode of access to the tower, and means oL comraunication with his jacht. Beckonine silently to my companions to follow me, we cautiously ascended the pathway, which took a zigzag course upward, now and again resting ourselves to recover our breath, and reconnottre our advance ; we occasionally perceiving at some turn in the path, the two flshing boats near the beach, and saw that our friends were anxiousiy watching our progress ; when we had nearly reachcd the summit the path widened out, and we calculatcd that we must be close to the tower, aud justbeneath it. I looked stealthily over the cliff, and saw tha,t it overhung the sea at that place, and was apparently about one hundred and fif ty feet from the water; on cautiously looking round a jutting point, I saw a small alcove excavated in the face of the rock, and a rustlc bench fltted lnto it, eapable of seating several persons. The rock in front had been cut away, and rose gently towards the top of the cliff; the epace Si front of the alcove being covered with a short marine grass, of a very dry and slippery nature. Observing this, I took off my shoes, and signalled to my companions to do the same, being aworc of the advantage it would glve us In any personal encounter. The view from this spot was magntfleent; below us lay the blue ea, covered with numberless tiny sails, and boats of every size engaged in fishing ; in the distance we could sec the promontory of Methana, the island of Epidauros, and the Gulf of Dora, over which the white-winged craft glitterea in the powerf ui sunbeams. We coulJ see the pinnace scudding about to the nn'rard and just Keeping the headland in view, as we had arranged. I feit convinced that af ter midday, the alcove being in shade, it would be visited by the Count and Norah, and whispered to my companions that I would not ascend farther at present, as I had no doubt that this was a place of daily resort by theinhabitantsof the tower. We sat down on the margin of the pathway, and waltcd paticntly for nearly an hour, examinlng our arms and conversing In whispers. Suddenly my ear caught the eound of volees nearly overhead, and, Hstening intently, I was satisfied that they were approaching our plaee of concealment. I told Dennis to remain with me, and instructed the yachtsmen, should the lady be rescued, to convey ber at onee to the boats, and signal to the pinnace. The Colonel and Lieutenant Bakhus were, I knew, well armed, and could defend themselves against probable attack until assistance reached them ; Korah's safety thus provided for, I did not doubt that Dennis and I could hold the pass against an equal number of assailants, and event.ually make good our retreat. I had scarcely completely these arrangements, and was llstening in breathless suspense, when I heard yards; and, peering cautiously round the nook, observed them taking their seats in the alcove. The air was stiil, and every word spoken was distinctly heard by me. "Norah," said the Count, "why wlll you not yleld to my wishes? Why wlll vou not be my wtfe?" ' "Count Albano, she replied, In a mournful voice, "there was a time when you possessed my whole heart, but you have forfeited my love and respect by your treacherous and dlsgracef ui treament óf my dear father : but, quite irrc6pective of that, he has my solemn pledge that I will never marry without his approval; it is Imposstble now that he could consent to our uoion, and the only atonemeat you can mak.í for your breach of honor to him, and your dUregard of my feelings, is to restore me to his eare at once." "Beloved Norah." said the count, "whatyou ask is lmpoEsible. I cinnot relinquish you now ; even if 1 were willing, my yacht is Iaid up, and my crew dispersed, and for some weeks it would be impossible to recall them ; you can not remain the inmate of this tower for weeks, with no female companion, and you have uo prospect of escape ; thers is but one coursc open to you - beeome my wife, and at once." "I have told you, Count, my firra determination not to yield to your unmanly importunities. I willnever beeome the wife of any man whom I cannot respect; ccase, therefore, to persecute me, as you have daily done slnce yot üore me away from my home. 1 repeat that were I to submit to yoür wishes, Ufe would becorce unbearable to me, and I should die the vlctim of remorse and shame. Oh my dear father ! my dear father I would that vou were herc!" The Count laughed in thatjmocklng tone ] have previously described, and said, - "Well Signora, I will give vou one day more to consider and relent, and iï you do not, you will clearly understand thut on the following day you shall be my wife, whether you consent or not." "Then you will understand eir," Bhe said "that, sooner than submit to such degredation Iwilljump over this cliff and put an end to my wretched existence. Ob, my father', my dear father! I will be true to you," she cried "Beware, wretch, how you provoke his venge Ence." Again the same mocking laugh was heard A moment after, she exclaimeo, - "Stand off ir, I command you." I coulO restrain myself no longer. Beckon ing to my compantoñs, and rushing round the corner of the rock, I shouted, - "Norah, your father is at hand, fly, - fly I" "Oh, Arthur! save me, save me!" she ex elalmed, and ran towards me with extendec arms. "Tothe boat,- to the hoat!" I cried, and delivered her to the care of the yt.chtsinen,who juickly disappeared with their charge. The Count, glarin? upon1 me with malignan eyes, drew from his vest a silver whistle, whicl he blew loudlv, and then rushed upon me drawlng a small dagger from his breaet. I ha( looseneü my cutlass in its sheath, and wa about to draw it, when suddenly recollccting the Count's repugnance to a straight hit ou from the shoulder, I shut my list, and wen right at his eyes. Ile, as formerly, thrw him self back, ducked to evade the blow, and in so doing, slipped on the burnt-up grass, and fel upon his back. I was upon him in an instant and had seized his wrist with a grasp of iron while with my right hand I clutched hls throa with a grip which he vainly struggled to escape from. I did not wish to take his life but merely to render him iusensble, and bim him; but his struegles were 6O violent that was obliged to use all my strength to leep him down. I heard a eeufllc in the rcar, which suddenly ceascd, and at the same time mj throat was grasped from behind by two powerf ui hands, and though I never íor a moment relaxed my own grasp upon the Count, I was quickly becoming insensible. I suddenly feit a relief, and looking round, perceived Dennis brandlshlng a cutlass, and heard him exdaim, - "Bedad that setlles old scores, I'm thinkin" I rose to my feet, the Count being now perfectly insensible, and saw, quite deau as I supposed, the mate of the "Gulnare" lyinf on the sward, with a f earf ui gash oa his head, inflicted by Dennis. I questioned him as to what had happened after I had commenced my personal etruggle with Count Albano, and he said that when the latter blew his whistle, and attacked me, the Malay youth, who was the Count's constant companion, ran round the corner of the path and rushed upon him, brandisliing "one o' thim crooke4 swords the Turks fight wtd," and "jumpin' likc an akerbat; findin' I eouldn't git near him," satd Dennis, "I made belicve to run away down the padth, an' he purshuedme, but jlst as he came close behind me I turned sharp, and stoopcd, an' darted me headin bet ween nis ligs, and sazed his ankles in me two hands, an' wid the way that wor on him, he eouldn't stop, an' I glve him a holst over me head, an' whin I turned round, I list seen hls feet disappearln' over the cllff, an' I looked over, an' couldn't see him, but I heard him f all into the 6ay 'flop' : an' thin I urned an' ran back to help yer honor, an' I ee that dead baste a-chokin' je, an' I jist guv lim hts 'quiatus' ; an' be the power9,I'm thinkn' yev done for the Count yerself, an' we'd etter get to the boats, afore any more of the palpccns comes at us." We descended the footpath rapldly, and ound Norah and her protectors erabarking We jumped on board and pulled towards the plnuace, whieh shortly met, and took U8 in ow, the Colonel and LieutenBnt Bakhus havng resolved not to dismiss the flshermen until ve arrlved at the yacht. Norah threw herself nto her father's arms, and both remained sient and motionless until we boarded the 'Ariadne," when they descended to the eabin, and no doubt gave vent to the intensity of ,heir joy at being so happlly reunited. e at once weighed anchor and sailed for Poros, where we landed Beppo, well satisfled with the iberal gift Colonel De Burgho plaeed in his not unwilling hand. i ha ia! en 1he precaution of telling Dennis that should the Colonel or Norah interrógate htm as to the fate of the Count, he was to say hat when we retreated we had lef t him insensible, but unwounded. In fact, I dld not kuow whether he was dead or ruercly in a swoon when I relaxed my hold, but incltncd to the latter opinión ; not so Bennis. "Inslnsible Is it," saidhe; "begorra ifll be hard to 'insinse' him intil anything for some time, Mr. Mervyn; it's me opinión he'll maybc glve no more throuble in this world, af ter the 6qazlng ye guv him; but wedon't know that he's did, for sartin ; and we'll give him the biniflt o' the doubt, av it makes the Colonel an' the lady asier in their moinds. He's a big rascal, alive or did, an' iv it had been lift to me, I'd have sint him alter the mate, but av yer sthrong, yer tinder-heartcd ; an: ye don't want the young lady to kuow that he had such a squake for his loife, for the sake iv ould times loike." "That's it, Dcunis," I replied, "it would shock her feellngs to know that his death, if he is dead, was so sudden, and, as fihc would naturally eonclude, by niv hand. It will be sufficient to say that he was severely stunned by a fU in a personal struggle with me.'' We directed our coursetoCorfu, the Lieutenant being fully bent on shipping 6tores at that port, and eonveylng the Colonel and Norah to their home. They came on deck next morning, when Lieutenant Bakhus was formally introduced to Norah, who said that her father had informcd her of hls great kindness in placing the yacht at his disposal without which tltnely ald,he had also told her, all efforts would have proved f ruitlcss. "Guess yer goveruor, mis, was pretty well treed to be sure, when I had the pleasure of meeting him; but for whatever assistance I have had the good fortune to render, I am fully repaidby the happiness I feel in seeing you rescued from such peril. and restored to hls care." "Arthur," said Norah, "in my selflsh joy at meeting my dear father yesterday I quite forfot to thank you for your watchful care of lm, and your anxiety on my bchalf, and the great courage you evinced in effecting my escape. You are scarcely aware of the danger you encountered, for Count Albano was surrounded by a numerous and desperate band of adventurers; and had he beenable to summon them to his aid, I shudder to ttink that you could hardly have escaped with your life, and that my fate would have been Bealed ; for I learned during my short stay at tho tower, that the island ii exclusively inhabited by. p'.rates and rovers of the most reckless character, of whom he is the acknowledged leader. Fortuuately, your plans were laid and carried out with the most consummate skill, and you were f avored by the temporary dispersión of his crew. At any other time of the year your enterprise would have been most hazardous; believe me, Arthur, that I sballnever forget your kind soüoitude and noble efforts to effect mv reseue; to you aud my friend, Lieutenant Ëakhus, I give my most heartfelt thanks, and bless the good Providence that sent you to my aid." , 'Thank?, miss," said the Lieutenant; weonly did our duty, lor it is the dty of every man to rush to the 'assistance of beauty in distress," and here he galantly uncovered and bowed to Norah, who turned asidetohide the blush his compliment evoked. "Wall, Kurnal," he continued, ' 'all's well that euds well'- epose we liquor over it ; l've ordered extra grog all round to-day to the crew, and I don't see whr the offleers should be left out." "With all my hcart, Lieuteuant," said the Colonel; "itwas the custom of the ancients to celébrate occasions of rejoicing and festivlty by pouring out libations to Bacchus. I drink to the health of the jolly god and his wortby namesake." "Glad to see you so spry, Kurnal. 'Spose we couple with" the toast the health of my friend the owner of the 'Ariadne.'" Having done honor to the toast, we remained on deck till the nigbt closed in, and on the following morniDg found ourselves at anchor in the harbor of Corfu. CHAPTER XI. We sailcd for Cork, and after a prosperous voyage arrived off Queenstown on the eighth day ; the Lieutenant requested us to retnain there one day in order that he might "do" Cork, which he accomplished to hls satïsfaction in a few hours. At daylight on the following morning we weighed anchor and sailed along the western shore, where, although the soa was high, our gallant little vessel breasted the waves, and bore us along so swiftly that we anchored at the moorings which the "Gulnare" had occupled, early in toe evenlng of the same day. Who could adequately describe the joy of Norah and Kathleen on their happy reunión? One letter alone, despatched by me from Genoa, had reachcd the latter, and she had been enduring the most anxioue apprehension for our safety. Colonel De Burgho pressed the Lieutenant to remain for at least a week, and share our rejoiciugs; but that gallant otlicer pleaded his inability to ab6ent himself any longer from duty, and sailed for Genoa on the next day, pledging himselC to return and vislt the' castle during the following summer, and to bring his friend. Mr. Milner, the owner oL the "Ariadne, " to whom the Colonel requested him to convey his grateful thanks. Colonel De Burgho llberally rewar'ded the crew of the "Ariadne," and took Dennis into his service as "commodore of h8 marine," much to the sattefaction of that worthy fellow, who soou proved hiineelf to be a valuable addition to his establishment. The autumn and winter mouths passed away impereeptibly, as time always does with those who are actively employed. " I did not venture to press my suit, f eeling that it would be indelicate towards Norah to do so. Bnt our intlmacy gradually increased, and I knew that my affection would, in due course of time, be reciprocateti. 1 mentioned my hopes to her father and sister, and the former, pressing my hand, said, - "Nothing, Arthur, would gtve me greater happiness; your courage saved her from a íate too awful to contémplate. She must feel deep gratitude to you, and naturally that sentiment will ripeu into love; do not feel discouraged that she does not demónstrate that feiling just vet; you must consider the shock to her sensibtlities from the cenduct of one who, we 1 ave all agreed, shall be in future nameless. But il you can win her, you have my full consent." I bided my time, aud reaped my reward ; when the summer arrived, and we resumed our boating and walking excurstons, my suit made rapid progress. üne lovely evemng, as we were seated 6ide by side on the fallen tree on which the Colonel and I had rested when he imparted to me the story of the Count's lovesuit, I ventured to express my hopes in language which I shall not here repeat, but which came from my heart. She remained silent for some time, and at length, looking up with an earnest and imploring gaze, said, - "Arthur, you have my heart, it is all yours now ; not from a mere feeling of gratitude for what you did and risked for me, but from tho conviction that we possess each other'a affec tlons. There is but one thing that could ever mar my happiness, and that is the apprehension that sometimes filis me that the unhappy man who caused me such misery died by your hand ; I loved him once, that has long past-ed away, but it would reioice me to hear that he stijl Uvas." "Then, dearest, I can reassure you upon tb at polnt, or, from a letter I lately received from Lieutenant Bakhus, I am happy to inform you, and am ïnyself well plcased to know, that he Uves, and has re-appeared in the Gulf of Genoa ; and we may dismiss the apprehension which. I am free to admit, I have shared with you on that palnful 6isbject." "Tnen, Arthur," she said, "my bappiness - our happiness - will be without alloy. My dear father approves of our union, and nothing remains " "But to seal the contract, dearest," I replied ; which I did in a way tbat can be well imagtned, but could not be described. "True love's the gift whieh God han given ' To man alone beneath the heaven : It is not fantasy's hot fire, Whosc wishes, soon as granted, fly ; It liveth not in fierce desire, With dead desire it doth not die. It is the secret sympathy, The silver link, the silken tic, Which heart to heart, and mind to mind, In body and in soul can bind." About a week after the event which erowued my happiuess the "Ariadne" appeared in the offlng, and the Lieutenant and Mr. MUner, hor owner, were welcomed by the Colonel with all the warmth and sincerity of his grateful hesrt and manly nature. They remained some weeks at the castle, during whicb we took several excursious in the yacht, and visited the western hiL'hlaii'k of Ireland, as well as the charming scenery on tbe southwest coast. The '.oionel celebrated the arrival of his friende by continu ous festivities, to which all the f riends of his family were invited, as well as the tenantry of the estáte, not the least prominent character on these occasions being our friend Dennis, whosc somewhat exaggerated description of his "com-bat wid that black divil o' a Malay, au' Mr. Mervyn's foight wid the Couut wld words an' daggcre, begorra," was cireulated widely over the country, redoUnding greatly to our roputation for strength and valor arnong hc credulous peasantry, and was publtshed by he local papers, with addltlonal embelliehnents,whieh I found It impossible to suppress. Our guests at length sailed for tbc Mediter-. anean, havlng arranged that part of the next ummcr should be spcht on board tho ''Ariadne n eruistng on that delightf nl sea ; hut before hey departed, Norah and I had arrived at the conclusión that we should not much longer enoy the society of her charming sister, and that ïer future ho"me on land would be across the ljroad Atlantic, aud on sea, the "Ariadne. Dennis was, and is to this day, the most invetérate consumer of tobáceo I ever met; ne not only smolced and chewed, bnt also, like many old sallore, "plugged" hisnose. It every adult in the kingdom contributed as much to he excise on tobáceo as he did, there would be no necesslty for any other tax. Years- long happy years- havegoneby since the events recorded in Ibis narratlve took place. Colouel De Burgho, alas ! has passed iwav from the scènes he loved so well; Hor 6, stlll bcautiful, cheers the evening of my Ufe, and, in sentimental moments, singa to the accompaniment of her harp:- 'Aswhenthe footsteps of a comrade parting, To seek his fortune on 6ome distant Bhore, Retreating f all ; and the warm drops starting, Silent adown our grief-wrung faces pour. We- fond rememhrauce of the past retracine, Of ioyous days and hours together seen Pray, as our old and weU-lored friend embracing, Our youthful memories may be ever green. Scènes of my youth, enehantine visión, waning In memory's lingeriug twilight- still so dear ; Far from thee severed, penslve, uncomplainI móurn the loss of each declining, vanished 'Tis one 'more timc-markeone, from thee dividing, Ar evious seas, disjoining, span bctween The exile and his home- the silent gilding From vernal brightness to dark autumn's glooming sheen." THE ND.

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Ann Arbor Courier
Old News