such might be attempted; but the former laughed at their fear and sneeringly bade them desert their duty and go aboard, and that they themselves would endeavor to keep at bay a few unarmed savages. This had so much the desired effect, that Harleigh, who had previously determined to carry Mary Seton on board, could not now, either by threat or entreaty, prevail on as many as were necessary for the management of the boat to convey them thither. Night waxed apace, and formed altogether, in its elements, a complete constrast to the fearful one that preceded it. The waves had fallen asleep as if from exhaustion, and the dark blue concave of heaven was studded with a blaze of stars, while its eastern arch was full of the glory of the approaching morn. All nature began to clothe herself in a silvery garment, and the sun emerging at last, threw its wide lustre on the landscape and distant hills: all was silent, save the sound of the sailors' voice, chanting away the lagging hours in thoughtless joviality. Midnight arrived, but alas, it was ushered in with a spectacle that struck the firmest heart with dread. A pale livid light was floating over the sky above Gorier Rock, and each began to ask the other whence it could proceed, scarcely daring to trust their tongues with what was conceived in their minds, but they listened for sounds to the sea, and looked in vain for the vessel, which had been carried out a considerable distance on the opposite side of the rock for shelter, against the south-east, which generally blows from the shore at that season. Neither sight nor sound of satisfaction could be obtained, and several retreated to the neighbouring height, in order to ascertain the cause of the singular sight which all dreaded. O God! what were their sensations at the sight, their gaudy ship in flames, masts, sails, and hull, blazing together in one mass of light, it had already reached the pendent, and the blaze ran briskly along its floating fold, and with the little breeze that was stirring, pointed its red forky light to the shore for an instant, and then dissolved in the air; darkness fell upon the hearts of the gazers, and a cold tremor ran over them, as they hurried back to their companions. A few minutes more served to dissipate every hope which desperation had raised, a number of canoes were observed in the red glare around the edge of the rock, and as they skimmed rapidly forward, our little miserable band conferred eagerly and hastily together; the council was short, the resolution desperate, silently and solemnly they separated, and each man drew his hanger since they were to die, it would be together, and with this last consolation, of selling life as dearly as possible, and revenging the fate of their companions. With one voice however, they urged Harleigh to fly with Mary Seton to the woods, and there was not a moment for hesitation; he folded the fainting girl in his arms; the paleness of death sat on her features; her fine black ringlets lay over her drooping forehead, and her beautiful mild eyes were closed as if for ever. When he hurried up the height, he hardly gained the summit, when a horrid drumming burst on his ears from the cabins, and turning round his head to the spot he had first left, he beheld the lighted torches of the natives, swarming round the knot of his comrades; he cast his eyes to the dark edging of the water, but his soul sickened within him; he gazed again upon his lovely burthen-he gazed to heaven, and his eyes had scarcely taken in the green bushes which clustered over his head; ere a yell of the bitterest agony sent the blood cold through his veins. He darted furiously through the wood, heedless what track he followed, or in which maze he entangled himself. There was a wild tumult in his ears of clashing, confusion, yells, feeble cries, and a shout. He stopped short to listen; but surely the whole must have been a dream of fancy; for nought was to be heard except the distant muttering of the sea, and the shrill rustle among the branches near him. There was a rivulet at no great distance, and hastening to its side, he stooped and cooled the temples of the poor girl, and perceived, with deep concern, the return of sensation, relieving the marbly hue of her countenance. At length she lifted up her eyes upon him, but Harleigh felt their faint gleaminess too much for endurance; the cold tears ran down his cheeks, and looking upwards to the thread of open sky above him, with its patch of stars, he thought he could read in their silent aspect, a decree which would prevent either of them from being ever again sensible to their soft and powerful influence. As for Mary Seton, herself, the same actuating hope of once more seeing her beloved parents, was still paramount in her mind. What had happened, was, to her, only a dream of fearful images. She had witnessed, and she had felt the images too vivid in her heart, to be mingled with any of the formless shapes of her imagination—the fiery vessel, and the paddling canoes. She could recollect the wild shouts, but further her mind could not carry her; and she now viewed with wonder, the green turf, the stream, and the mighty forest, waving in stilly grandeur. She started, and withdrawing herself from Harleigh's side, sunk down upon her knees: he knelt down silently beside her. There was something awfully solemn and sublime in the act, and in that midnight prayer, thus poured out in the utter solitude of nature. The moon sprung suddenly into the dark blue sky, from amidst the clouds that had obscured her, and shot a sudden lustre upon all things around. ""Tis time," she exclaimed, suddenly rising upon her feet-"'tis time to proceed.' Two minutes more, and they were on their way. As they forced their passage again through the thick wood; the former rapidity of their flight might well have astonished them-though only some of the trees were yet in leaf, so thickly interwoven were the branches above, that the moon-beams were directed into solitary patches, upon the deep mossy grass below, and which, in the foliage of summer, must have been impervious both to sun and moon. steps were cautious and wary, and often amid the dread silence of the path, the motion of a single leaf made them start, while the distant howl of the wolf, or the falling of a decayed branch, would Their break in upon the surrounding loneliness. On all sides, the ever deepening gloom of passing ages, lay around from those primeval trees, which struck their silent, gilded tops into the sky-the very earthly types of that eternity, on whose brinks the unsteady steps. of the pilgrims were then doubtfully supported. Their time required to be nicely dealt with; for on approaching the outskirts of the forest, the first faint rays of day were beginning to blend themselves with the moonbeams; and the sea, which burst at once upon them, displayed an arch of light on its eastern horizon. They held in their breath while they bent forward, eager to catch the slightest noise; but even that stern ear discovered nothing but the broken sounding of the sea, where multitudes of silvery-breasted waves were displaying on the beach. "Now," said Harleigh, looking earnestly to heaven, "here our danger lies; I fear the other side of the rock; but God will protect us-yes, yes, even for your sake!" Having thus said, they crept breathlessly along the foot of its shadowed side, and Mary trembled at the sight of the naked hanger, which Harleigh had, almost unconsciously, drawn from its sheath, and grasped with the firm nerve of one who expected its instant use; but a trial, yet more awful, awaited her.. The mangled bodies of the gallant crew-the men whom she had but that night conversed with, in life and in spirits, were lying visible, in that little circle, on the spot where she had last seen them. 66 "Hush! hush!" breathed Harleigh, his manly heart shaking at her terrible emotion, and taking both her hands between his"Hush hush! we shall soon be there." At that moment, a piercing cry from the cliff above, rung through their ears, and struck, as it were, death into their hearts-it told them that hope was gone. There was a rushing noise behind and before, and several successive daggers glanced, momentarily, in the moonbeams, at the turning of the cliff.-Mary Seton fell down, without a sigh or sound, upon the wet sand. Even to this day, the mariner, on this inhospitable coast, fancies he hears, in the night watch, a piercing shriek, borne on the wind which blows from Nootka. C. G. SONG. Fly to me! the vesper star That star is only seen at night, List to me.-Can gentle sighs JOURNAL OF TWO DAYS, WITH AN INTERVAL OF FORTY YEARS. -Ridentem dicere verum. Quid vetat?"-HOR. April 20, 1783. Six o'clock A.M.-Sprung nimbly out of bed, and threw open the shutters. It was a beautiful morning,-sun up, birds singing, flowers blooming, dew glittering. Hurried on my clothes. Took my rod in hand-threw my fishing-basket over my shoulder, and soon found myself on the banks of the neighbouring trout-stream. Recollected it was my twentieth birth-day; sighed to think I was so old; determined to correct all former faults, and begin a new life; threw back into the water every fish I caught, by way of a beginning, and walked home with the conviction, that I should one day be a second Howard. Nine o'clock.-Made desperate havoc at the breakfast table-sent eggs, rolls, ham, jelly, marmalade, tea and coffee, chasing each other down my throat. Dad said he was glad to see me so hungry; and granny whispered something to my mother about white teeth, blue eyes, and beautiful complexion; talked of Ellen Tracey; dad looked glum; mother frowned; and granny said she was a sly gipsy, not worth a farthing: thought granny an old bore. Eleven o'clock.-Called on Dick Oliver; rode out togethernever saw Dick so merry; met Ellen Tracey; both bowed; our eyes met; never thought her more beautiful; told Dick I was determined to marry her, whether dad consented or no; Dick said I was right-thought Dick a sensible fellow-knew him to be my staunch friend. Two o'clock.-Returned home; found the honorable Miss Aubrey in the drawing-room; mother and granny in a great fuss; was sorry I had come in; wished to retreat, and stumbled over Miss Aubrey's lap-dog; dog yelped-Miss Aubrey screamed-mother shrieked granny scolded; wished either them or myself at the devil; tried to turn it off with a joke-failed, for nobody laughed; never felt so foolish, or looked so sheepish. Miss Aubrey rose to go; carried her lap-dog down stairs, and handed both into the carriage. (Mem. :_never to call any dog of mine Pompey.) Three o'clock.-Lectured by pa, ma, and granny; Miss Aubrey's charms, personable, moveable, and heritable, drummed into my ears; protested I could see nothing agreeable about her-was told by the whole trio in grand chorus, that she was worth six thousand a year; thought that six thousand a year was more than any married man could have occasion for. Five o'clock.-Dined with my uncle in town; a large party— mostly old people-all upwards of forty; not a single topic broached in which I took the slightest interest; sat at the bottom of the table, beside my uncle, and carved every dish for him. Never saw people eat so voraciously-had not a moment to swallow a morsel myself; cut too thick a slice of mutton for an elderly gentleman, who sat above me; he sent away his plate, and requested me to give him a thinner; blushed from shame and vexation, but sent him his mutton and abundance of gravy; was asked by my uncle to take wine,-in filling my glass, gave the elderly gentleman's plate a touch with my elbow; plate fell, and deposited its contents— mutton, potatoes, and gravy-in the elderly gentleman's lap; thought I should have died, but put on a serious face, and begged a thousand pardons. After dinner, drank a dozen bumpers of my uncle's claret, and then left him and his old cronies to make the best they could of the remainder of the evening. Eight o'clock.-Went to the Theatre,-knew that Ellen Tracey was there with her aunt; got into their box,-Ellen Tracey made room for me to sit by her side,-felt myself in the third heaven,— would not have exchanged places with the King, had he been in the house. Saw Miss Aubrey in an opposite box,-thought she looked angry, did not care; Ellen looked pleased. The play was "Venice Preserved;" saw tears in Ellen's eyes; thought what |