In another part of our Magazine we have given a sketch, and a portrait of John Mitchell, the Irish patriot, who, for his opposition to monarchical tyranny, is now confined among felons for fourteen wearisome years, if his life should hold out so long, in the convict hulks of Bermuda. The poor man has the consolation of knowing that the world sympathizes with him in his honourable punishment. Above we give the portrait of the venerable Robert Holmes, the distinguished advocate who defended Mitchell on his trial. Mr. Holmes is himself one of the greatest of the Irish patriots; his whole life has been spent amid struggles with the tyranny of the government of Ireland. He married the sister of Robert Emmet, and suffered persecution in consequence of his relationship to that unfortunate man. Mr. Holmes is now in his 84th year, and is still a hearty, active and vigorous lawyer. His presence in Court as the Counsel of Mitchell, created a good deal of excitement in Dublin, but all his efforts to save his youthful client proved unavailing, for, as he said, the government played with loaded dice. Mr. Holmes is the uncle of Thomas Addis Emmet, Esq., of this city. From an article in the last number of the Dublin University Magazine we extract the following in relation to this venerable lawyer: "We do not think the histories of professional men afford a more noble example of difficulties, the most disheartening, overcome by patient determination, and obstacles conquered by sheer dint of indomitable resolution, than is presented by the life of Mr. Holmes. there can be but one opinion. As a lawyer, thoroughly As to his intellectual qualifications, we believe that learned in all the branches of his profession, his mind is clear and logical-more distinguished, perhaps, for the vigorous comprehensiveness of its grasp, than by acuteness; it is, however, by no means deficient in this attribute, so necessary in his profession. He takes a strong common-sense view of questions submitted to him, and his great power consists in putting it in this shape to a jury. No one could listen to one of his arguments for a moment, without the consciousness that they were in the presence of no ordinary man: his propositions are submitted with a clearness and a force which carries conviction home to the minds of even an auditory who are not professional. There is such a simple vigour in all his arguments, and such a lucid arrangement of his facts, one can see at a glance that he is a strong man armed,' and one whom it would be a service of danger to provoke." BORDER BULLETS: OR, REPORTS FROM THE RIFLE OF AN OLD FRONTIER MAN. I AM an aged man. Seventy-five years of toil and privation-of stern adventure-of wandering and excitement-have set their mark upon me, and it is but too plainly observable in my shrunken form, wrinkled visage, snow white locks, and tottering limbs. But one organ remains unimpaired to me, and that is my eye. Its lustre is undimmed-its strength un-eye cannot compass; there foam cataracts, and tumble diminished. I can still "sight" a foe to the button, or "look" down the wolf or the bear, and if I cannot gaze on the sun like the eagle, I can watch its course as long as any other man without blenching! My nerves are steady, too, when I bring my long cherished rifle to an aim; but, alas! with the smoke of the powder vanishes the galvanism that sustains them. One other faculty clings to an old frontier man, and never leaves him until the sod of the valley rests upon his bosom, and that is the stoutness of heart requisite to a life of adventure in the wilderness. That, for which all who keep it are indebted to a conscience free of taint, never deserted me, and to prove it, I shall submit this sketch of fact, with many other records of greater or lesser importance, to the criticism of the public. I have never lived in cities. The forest-the plain -the prairie-have in turn been my abiding places, and what I know of human nature I have learned by study of myself, of a few books, and of the singular beings whom I have met where nature had not been sullied by the utilitarian hand of what the denizens of cities and towns call, ridiculously enough, improvement. I was born in the log hut of a squatter, (as one who settles upon public lands without paying for them is termed) and rocked in the cradle of independent hardship and of danger. My feet never touched a carpet-save of grass-until I was of age; my ears, up to the same period of life, had never drank in the sound of other music than that which proceeded from a cracked violin, and the refinements of aught but the rudest system of civilized existence did not come within my practice. I have, indeed, experienced a fortuitous life. But enough of myself, and to MY STORY. It was many years since when I found myself wandering, with all my worldly goods upon my person, in the Ozark Mountains. This range enters three States, and borders the most beautiful wild country on the face of the habitable globe. It is a fearful yet romantic place, that country, in some parts-a conglomeration of deep ravines, frowning crags and precipices, gloomy caverns, and impenetrable woods. The wolf, the elk, the bear, the buffalo, the wild steed, the panther, the antelope, and other quadrupeds roam these regions unmolested, only now and then meeting a solitary hunter, whose single weapon, though it It was eight days since human habitation had greeted my vision. I had passed, in a long, adventurous, almost purposeless tramp, through the grounds of six or eight tribes of savages, and many were the stratagems I was obliged to invent, and the hard battles to undergo, to escape the merciless stroke of the stone hatchet, or the more-to-be-feared horrors of Indian captivity. On one occasion I nearly stumbled over the slumbering forms of a large band of red men who lay, like so many pieces of rock, huddled upon the ground; a good imitation of the cry of a wolf brought only one weapon after me, hurled with angry force, by the hand of a savage, whose repose I had all unwittingly disturbed. Such escapes were frequent. that they were not made by the feet of other than a white. I was on the north side of the Ozark Mountains, at whose feet the Arkansas flowed clearly, its waters swelled by the numerous little tributaries which un- As I had failed to discover, although I had checked came down from the seirras. The northern searched anxiously, a tenement, I could but range at this point is Alpine in appearance, and much conclude that a fellow wanderer was near at hand. more elevated than the southern, and as I was inclined 1 walked rapidly in the direction of the footprints, to inspect the vicinity to the best advantage, I strug- hoping to overtake whoever had made them, for they gled to the highest peak that was available, the were not a day old. The prospect of finding a comeminence upon which I first took my seat not being panion was more agreeable than the prospect from lofty enough to command an uninterrupted and desi- the mountain, and I followed the trail down towards rable survey. The sun was just setting, and laving the valley. It brought me to a little grove, and there every object in hues of burnished gold, and never had I saw that wood had been choped within twenty-four I beheld a view so glorious. It combined every vari- hours. An old axe handle lay beside a felled sapety of scenery, from the rugged and terrific to the ling, and the moment I beheld it I was assured that voluptuous and superb. Switzerland, Italy, France, a cabin was not far off. Marvelling how I could and America were all blended together, forming a pic- have missed it when my eye commanded the vast ture such as those only who have penetrated the un-expanse of dale and dingle from above, I continued trodden regions of the New World can ever hope to my pursuit until, a quarter of a mile further, I lost the look upon. The hardy trapper-the rough back- trail in a rivulet. Nothing daunted, I tied Old Jack woodsman, who can scarcely understand the language (my rifle) upon my shoulders, and forded the stream of his native country, when correctly spoken-has as which reached above my lower ribs, and was rewarkeen an eye for the visible poetry of nature, dear ded for my toil by again meeting the foot-prints. reader, as the habitue of royal drawing-rooms. Not This time they were accompanied by the tracks of a even book-education is necessary to the production of child, and all about were evidences of the frequent a taste for the fine arts, as they are furnished by the visits here of both parties. A short turn around a hand of the Omnipotent; for with life God bestows green and blossom-covered hill brought me in full inclinations, and there never throbbed a human sight of a clearing. How my heart bounded, and heart whose pulsations would not quicken, and whose how I thanked the Supreme for pointing the first aspirations would not direct themselves towards Hea- foot-print out to me! I saw no dwelling until I ven at the sudden appearance of the scene then stretch- passed through a patch of new corn which looked ed before me. "God is great!" I ejaculated aloud in strangely neglected. Then, inside a huge" swag," the words of the Mahomedan.-" God is great-these. I beheld a hut which exhibited some pretensions to are his works!" I gazed, abstracted in what I saw, superiority. Certainly, it was formed of rough logs long after the Peruvian emblem of Divinity had van-notched at each end, and laid one above the other; ished down the western horizon, and until the stars studded the firmament, looking like diamonds set in azure. The chill air of the night finally aroused me from my waking reverie, and then I began to think how I could best spend the time until morning. Casting about in search of a sheltered spot where on to spread my blanket, I soon found one dry, and protected by a plentiful supply of mountain shrubbery. It was on the side of the Sierra-on a species of bench, as a ledge of flat land in that position is termed, and was partly roofed by a beetling projection of limestone. It was a much better bed chamber than I had often lodged in, so, with a feeling of content, I uttered my customary prayer, and resigned myself to sleep, not without previously making a promise to myself to enjoy the prospect at sunrise. Nothing remarkable occurred during the period of my bivouac excepting that, just before daybreak, I fancied I heard a voice speaking my mother tongue. Convinced after listening that I was mistaken, I took another nap, and awoke in time to make my obeisance to His Majesty, the organ of life and light, as his disc frightened away the eastern clouds of chilly looking grey. I performed my ablutions by the aid of a miniature torrent that precipitated itself down towards the river, reloaded my rifle, loosened my knife in its sheath, and, taking up my wallet, struck a path for the opposite side of the mountain, having the evening before gazed abroad from the side which faced the Arkansas. I can scent a trail like an Indian, and I promise you that after seeing the impress of a large moccasin directly before me, I began to reconnoitre. I was positive, from the appearance of the track, (which marked a plain path for me) but they were covered with white-wash, and creeping vines, trained by a hand of taste, partially hid their natural deformity. As I approached close I observed that the grounds were altogether in disorder, and that the place was going to decay. No smoke arose from the orifice which was designed for its outlet, nor were any other signs of life visible. "I shall, perhaps, have a house to myself," said I," and moreover, be compelled to bury the inmates who have died without aid, it may be, of some illness." I shuddered as these reflections flitted through my mind, but go on I would, so putting my hand upon the latch of the door I entered. My eye instantly rested upon the figure of a man crouched, kangaroo-fashion, upon a chest with half a lid, He was apparently intent only upon watching the air. "Good morning, friend," said I, courteously. He made no answer until I laid my hand upon his shoulder. When, without evincing the least surprise or anger, he grumbled-" Good morning-what do you want?" He was a ticklish looking customer-strong in aspect, having huge limbs, very broad shoulders, and immense depth of chest, and a throat like an ox. He stood six feet in his stockings, as I afterwards ascertained. His face was almost covered with a thick jet black beard, while what could be seen of the skin was of a bluish pallid hue, such as sometimes overspreads the features of a man condemned to death. The eye was sunken and glassy. His clothing was * "A Swag" is often met with in the Western country. It is a concave spot, sunk in below the level by nature, like a bird's nest of vast proportions set into the soil.-EDITOR. very good for a squatter; but had evidently remained it, but my poor, dear friend lies buried a hundred upon his person many days. I considered a moment before I answered the question of this singular being, who sat there amid the wreck of housekeeping articles more like a chained mastiff than a man. "I am a wanderer in the wilderness," at length I replied, "and seeing your cabin, the first I have encountered in nearly a fortnight, (for I come from the direction of the source of the Arkansas) I made bold to enter for the purpose of procuring a little rest, and a little information as to the land hereabouts, and also to see a human face or two." "You like to see faces, eh?" he abruptly inquired, as he changed his posture. "I do indeed." "I hate 'em!" he exclaimed in a bitter tone. "I can't say I do," responded I nervously. "I don't believe," said he, with a horrible attempt to laugh," that my face pleases you much!" So sayiug he arose and confronted me. I hardly knew what to answer; and like all men in the same prediciment, I only asked another question, which wasWhy not?" "Because it has little beauty to commend it, that's all." Here he laughed again in a manner unnatural enough to freeze the blood in one's veins. yards off. Come, and I will show you his grave.' I followed him to a pretty little nook in the grove, and there, under the shade of two giant white-oaks, saw a new-made grave. New as it was, it bloomed with flowers, and a head-mark (cut from the lid of the chest I had noticed), was embedded at one end; but the inscription was opposite the surface which faced me. I instinctively uncovered-the solitary grave, in such a place, so carefully decorated, and the aspect of the heart-broken man before me, touched me to the quick, and a tear welled up and rolled over my face ere I could control it. The stranger saw it, and grasping my hand, exclaimed"Thank you "" A volume was embraced in those two words! "He was very dear to you!" I said, mechanically, when I had recovered from my weakness. "The only one true to me through life. Did he not die for me?" exclaimed the man, gnashing his teeth, and suddenly assuming a tone of rage. May God have mercy on his soul!" I cried, as I turned to go. "Ah! they say he had no soul! but I know better! He had more of a soul than my own kindred." This was uttered in the harshest style, "It isn't beauty," I responded, "that makes a face accompanied by a grin of vast sardonic power. interesting." 666 I know," he said gloomily, "handsome is that handsome does-it's an old saying and a true one.'" I was then young, and a match for any man singlehanded, and I gradually recovered my composure and took a seat, uninvited, on a stool. After a desultory conversation touching the qualities of the laad in the vicinity, and concerning the propriety of one like myself fixing my residence there, I asked my queer host for bread, or meal, or a few handfuls of corn. He readily granted the corn, but as for bread or meal, he said he had used neither for a fortnight. "Come," said I, after a long pause, which my host had only once broken to ask for tobacco, " in a waste like this all men are brothers. You are in trouble, tell me if I can help you." "No,' he replied, as tears coursed down his cheeks, 'three years since she died morally in New Orleans. To bury my grief from the world, I relinquished everything, and came here-here where I never see a man. Here I lived with my child, and only one friend who never deserted me, until compelled, two weeks ago, when half a dozen vagrant Cherokees made a descent upon me, and carried the girl off. They killed my friend while he was fighting to save my life. The child will come back, for I have the means of bringing "No soul! We all have souls!" said I. "No we don't! Live in a city all your best days and you'll find that out. I begin to think I have none left. I had one once." May I read the inscription on the board?" I asked, " for I presume there is one?" "Read it-yes; then follow me to the house."" So saying, the man, who was evidently deranged, left me. I went to the head-mark, and to my astonishment read as follows:-The words were welllettered, apparently with charcoal and water, or some vegetable dye. "HERE LIES WHAT IS LEFT OF MY DOG, FAITHFUL TO THE DEATH, WITHOUT A SELFISH MOTIVE: He never deserted his master, no matter what his fate. He lived the incarnation of all good human qualities (if any there be), and he died of wounds inflicted while he was endeavouring to save my life. If you are as good as he, step lightly here." A. E. K. Reader, if you have ever lived in solitude with a dog, brimful of fidelity, you will not smile at thiswhich is fact. I thoroughly appreciated the man's feelings. Misfortunes had driven him to hermitage, and the wrongs of the maurauding Cherokees (who hated their soil to be pressed by a white man's sole, and do to this day), had heightened his former misanthrophy into the ravings of insane despair. I went back to the cabin in a maze of wonder. I found the stranger sharpening a huge knife. "What are you about to do?" was my earnest inquiry. "You shall see," he replied. 66 6 Spare me, wanderer-homeless, friendless, and penniless-the knowledge of any desperate deed," said I, with something of entreaty in my gestures. He burst into a loud laugh, and cried, Desperate deed!"" the time for desperate deeds is over with me. I do everything coolly and deliberately now. "Do not fear," he continued patronizingly, "you will be neither pained nor injured.'" I drew from my pocket a Bible, (and I have never travelled without one,) and read to him. He was consoled but not entirely quieted. Insensibly, however, I led him from the contemplation of his wrongs to that of his situation. His entire thought centered on his departed dog, and his abducted child. He was sure of the child's return! This he said with a tone and bearing so full of meaning that I was convinced some mystery was at the bottom of all of which I was cognizant. He did not care whether his clearing went to ruin or not. He was willing to see it swallowed by an earthquake, or sucked down by a whirlpool, it made no difference to him. How would he live? He did not desire to live. What would become of his child? Who would protect her? She was fifteen years of age and able to protect herself. Among savages? Yes-they were more to be depended on, so far as females were concerned, than whites. Had he formed any idea of the future? He had! Would he tell me? Perhaps, before I went away. I endeavored to lead him to participate in the consolations of religion, but his mind wandered only to return and fix itself upon one point-the death of his dear Newfoundland dog, and the vengeance he would take. To reason with a man in his condition, I argued, would be folly. I soothed him as well as I was able-joined with him in his praises of his dog-and watched him until midnight, when he fell asleep. All the while I had noticed that he possessed some secret he was anxious to impart. As the best method of getting a knowledge of it, I forbore to notice his hints concerning it, and waited patiently until he could willingly and conscientiously reveal the inmost workings of his intellect! At daylight he arose. His mind was more chaotic than it had been previously; that is, on general subjects; but upon one theme it was as calm and collected as he possibly could be. That was his vengeance. I crushed some corn and prepared breakfast. After he had taken his share of it he seemed more cheerful. Putting on his hat and taking his pistols, about two hours before meridian, he beckoned me with an important air, to walk with him. Would that I had not obeyed! I had supposed was the abode of his live stock, and 66. "I have!" he exclaimed, while his eye gleamed ferociously. "You will unbind them, of course," said I inquiringly. "What, to let them attempt to murder other settlers ?" "This will be a lesson for them, and they will prcfit by it,'" I rejoined. 666 Ah! you know little of the Cherokee character,'" said he. 666 gave What, then, shall become of them?'" Hark ye," he yelled, rather than said, "" I them time to restore my girl, and they took it. They have communicated with their tribe. Their time was up at midnight-yet the child is not here.?” "Well!" 1 exclaimed, breathlessly. "I am glad of it! They shall now feel my vengeance. My poor dog's death shall be atoned for. They die!" Saying this, he drew his pistols. do?" "what would you "This!" he cried, and pulling the triggers of his weapons, the wretched Indians lay dead, their brains scattered about the hovel. I-a squatter's son, used to all sorts of fearful scenes-swooned, the murder was so cold blooded. Verily, the SQUATTER had his REVENGE! I found myself in the house on a rude couch of skins, as carefully bestowed as if I had been a woman. The stranger had disposed of the bodies of his victims. A week after that-for I dared not leave him-he committed suicide in an unguarded moment with the knife he had sharpened, and I buried him beside his only friend, HIS DOG! I left the place never to see it again; but they tell me a beautiful town called Van Buren now stands He pioneered the way to a small outhouse, which there, and that all memory of the events I have feebly detailed is lost. The child was never found. T. W. M. *A fact-EDITOR. |