Tremble! Of all the enemies of Lovzinski, I am the most implacable!"
"Search them," continues he, turning to his attendants: they accordingly rushed in upon me; and as I was without arms, I made an useless resistance. They accordingly robbed me of my papers, and of the letter I had just written to Lodoiska. Dourlinski exhibited a thousand signs of impatience while reading it, and was scarce able to contain himself.
"Lovzinski," says he to me, endeavouring to smother his rage, "I already deserve all your hatred; I shall soon merit it still more: in the mean time, you must remain with your worthy confident in this chamber, to which you are so partial."
After uttering these words, he left me; and having double-locked the door, he placed a centinel on the outside, and another in the garden, opposite to the window.
Figure to yourself the horrible situation into which Boleslas and myself were now plunged. My misfortunes were at their height; but those of Lodoiska affected me more than my own! How great must be her uneasiness!
She expects Lovsinski, and Lovsinski abandons her! But no--Lodoiska knows me too well; she can never suspect me of such base perfidy.
Lodoiska! she will judge of her lover by herself; she will think Lovsinski partakes her lot, since he does not succour her---Alas! the very certainty of my misfortunes will augment her own!
On the next day, they gave us provisions through the grating of our window; and by the quality of the viands which they furnished us with, Boleslas augured the most sinister events. Being, however less unhappy than myself, he supported his fate much more courageously. He offered me my share of the mean repast which he was about to make; I would not eat: he pressed me; but it was in vain! for existence was become an insupportable burden to me.
"Ah! live!" said he at length, shedding a torrent of tears: "live; and if not for Boleslas, let it be for Lodoiska!" These words made the most lively impression on my mind; they even re-animated my courage; and hope having once more re-entered my heart, I embraced my faithful servant.
"O my friend!" exclaimed I at the same time with transport, "my true friend! I have been the occasion of thy ruin, and yet my misfortunes affect thee more than thine own! Yes, Boleslas! yes! I will live for Lodoiska; I will live for thee: if just Heaven shall restore me to my fortune and rank, you shall see that your master is not ungrateful!" We now embraced once more.
Ah! how much do misfortunes connect men together! how sweet it is, when one suffers, to hear another unfortunate address a word of consolation to him!
We had groaned in this prison for no less than twelve days, when several ruffians came to drag me forth on purpose to conduct me to Dourlinski.
Boleslas wished to follow, but they repulsed him with violence: however they permitted me to speak to him for a single moment. I then drew from a private pocket a ring which I had worn for ten years, and said to Boleslas:---"This ring was given me by M. de P. when we were at college together at Warsaw: take it, my friend; and preserve it for my sake. If Dourlinski this day consummates his treason by my a.s.sa.s.sination, and if he should at length permit you to leave this castle, go, find your king, recall to his memory our ancient attachment, recount my misfortunes to him; he will recompense you, and succour Lodoiska. Adieu my friend!"
After this, I was conducted to the apartment of Dourlinski. As soon as the door opened, I perceived a lady in a chair, who had just fainted away. I approached her---it was Lodoiska! Heavens! how much did I find her altered!---but she was still handsome! "Barbarian!" exclaimed I, addressing myself to Dourlinski; and at the voice of her lover, Lodoiska recovered her senses.
"Ah, my dear Lovsinski," says she, looking wistfully at me, "do you know what this infamous wretch has proposed? do you know at what price he has offered me your liberty?"
"Yes," cries the furious chieftain, "yes, I am determined upon it: you see that he is in my power; and if in three days I do not obtain my wishes, he shall be no more!" I endeavoured to throw myself on my knees at the feet of Lodoiska; but my guards prevented me: "I behold you again, and all my ills are forgotten, Lodoiska---death has now no longer any thing terrifying in its aspect."
"Wretch," added I, looking sternly at Dourlinski, "know that Pulaski will avenge his daughter! know that the king will avenge his friend!"
"Let him be carried away!" was the only reply made by the ferocious palatine.
"Ah!" exclaims Lodoiska, "my love has been your ruin!" I was about to answer, but the attendants dragged me out, and re-conducted me to prison.
Boleslas received me with inexpressible transports of joy; he avowed to me that he thought me lost for ever, and I recounted to him how that my death was but deferred. The scene of which I had been a witness, confirmed all my suspicions; it was evident that Pulaski was ignorant of the unworthy treatment which his daughter experienced; it was also evident that Dourlinski, old, amorous, and jealous, was determined, at any rate, to satisfy his pa.s.sions.
In the mean time, two of the days allowed by Dourlinski for the determination of Lodoiska, had already expired; we were now in the midst of the night which preceded the fatal third; I could not sleep, and I was walking hastily about my prison. All at once I heard the cry of "To arms! to arms!" The most frightful howlings prevailed on the outside, and a great commotion took place within the castle. The centinel placed at our window, left his post. Boleslas and I were able to distinguish the voice of Dourlinski, calling and encouraging his followers; and we soon distinctly heard the clashing of swords, the cries of the wounded, and the groans of the dying. The noise which at first was very great seemed at length to die away. It recommenced soon after; it redoubled; and at length we heard a shout of "Victory!"
To this frightful tumult, a still more frightful silence ensues. In a short time, a low crackling sound is heard to approach us; the air seems to hiss with violence; the night becomes less dark; the trees in the garden a.s.sume a red and warm tint; we fly to the window: the flames are devouring the castle of Dourlinski! they approach the chamber in which we were confined, from all sides; and, to overwhelm me with new horror, the most piercing shrieks are uttered from that tower in which I knew that Lodoiska was imprisoned!
The fire becoming every moment more violent, was about to communicate to the chamber in which we were shut up, and the flames already began to curl around the base of the tower in which Lodoiska was immured!
(_To be continued._)
MILITARY ANECDOTE.
During the late war in America, when drafts were made from the militia to recruit the continental army, a Captain gave liberty to the men, who were drafted from his company, to make their objections, if they had any, against going into the service. Accordingly, one of them who had an impediment in his speech, came up to the captain and made his bow. "What is your objection?" said the captain. "I ca-a-ant go,"--answers the man, "because I st-st-stutter." "Stutter," says the captain, "you don"t go there to talk, but to fight." "Ay, but they"ll p-p-put me upon g-g-guard, and a man may go ha-ha-half a mile before I can say wh-wh-who goes there?" "Oh that is no objection, for they will place another sentry with you, and he can challenge, if you can fire." "Well, b-b-but I may be ta-ta-taken, and run through the g-g-guts, before I can cry qu-qu-quarter." This last plea prevailed, and the captain, out of humanity (_laughing heartily_), dismissed him.
TO THE EDITOR.
SIR,
Being told that I am supposed, by many, to be the author of a piece signed "Theodore," which appeared in your last, under the t.i.tle of "THE RENCOUNTER;" I hereby inform them that I had no hand either directly or indirectly therein. Far be it from me to wish to expose the failings of _any_ of my fellow creatures; and much more so of those for whom I entertain no small degree of esteem.
WALTER TOWNSEND.
_October 25, 1796._
+To the Editor.+
SIR,
Having learned that the piece in last week"s Magazine, ent.i.tled "THE RENCOUNTER," has given considerable offence to one of the parties, whom, through misinformation, I pictured as the aggressor; I sincerely beg his pardon, as I have since heard he was innocent---Therefore I now a.s.sure him that the charge I exhibited against him, is void of foundation, and was related to me with all the appearance of truth.
THEODORE.
Monday morning, Oct. 24, 1796.
_NEW-YORK._
MARRIED,
On Thursday the 13th inst. by the Rev. Dr. Rogers, Mr. A. M"GREGOR, merchant, to Miss JANET WILSON, both of this city.
On Monday evening last, by the Rev. Dr. Moore, Mr. EDWARD MEEKS, cabinet maker, to Miss SUSANNAH COOPER, daughter of Mr. Cornelius Cooper, both of this city.
Same evening, Mr. JOHN MUNROE, of this city, merchant, to Miss OLIVIA ROE, daughter of the Rev. Azel Roe, of Woodbridge, New Jersey.
At Horse-Neck, on Sunday evening, the 16th inst. by the Rev. Dr. Lewis, Mr. BREZELIEL BROWN, to Miss CHARLOTTE MARSHALL, both of that place.
On Sat.u.r.day se"nnight, by the Rev. Mr. Woodhull, Mr. GIDEON HALLETT, to Miss POLLY PUGSLEY, both of New-Town, (L.I.)
On Sat.u.r.day evening, by the Rev. Mr. Abeel, Mr. JOHN TENBROOK, Merchant, to Miss ALITHEA SICKLES, daughter of Mr. John Sickles, all of this city.