Pawtucket Herald, And Independent Inquirer

There is a narrow pass between the mountains in the neighborhood of Ben-dearg, in the Highlands of Scotland, which, at a little distance, has the appearance of an artificial bridge thrown over a tremendous chasm; but on nearer approach is seen to be a wall of nature's own masonry, formed of vast and rugged bodies of solid rock, piled on each other as if in the giant sport of the architect. Its sides are in some places covered with trees of a considerable size, and the passenger who has a head steady enough to look down the precipice, may see the eyrie of birds-of-prey beneath his feet. The path across is so narrow, that it cannot admit of persons passing; and indeed none but natives would attempt the dangerous route, though it saves a circuit of three miles. Yet it sometimes happens that two travellers meet, owing to the curve formed by the pass preventing a view across from either side; and when this is the case, one lies down while the other crawls over his body. One day a Highlander walking along the pass, when he had gained the highest part of the arch, observed another coming leisurely up, and being himself of the patrician order, called him to lie down; the person however, disregarded the command, and the Highlanders met on the summit. They were Cairn and Bendearg, of two families in enmity to each other. 'I was first at the top,' said Bendearg,'and called out first to lie down, that I might pass over in peace.

'When the Grant prostrates himself before M'Pherson,' answered the other, 'it must be with a sword driven through his body.' 'Turn back, then,' said Bendearg, 'and repass as you came.' 'Go back yourself, if you like it, (replied Grant,) I will not be the first of my name to turn before the M'Pherson.' They then threw their bonnets over the precipice, and advanced with a slow and cautious pace, close to each other; they were both unarmed. Stretching their limbs, like men preparing for a desperate struggle, they planted their feet firmly on the ground, compressed their lips, knit their dark brows, and fixing fierce and watching eyes on each other, stood prepared for the onset. They both grappled at the same moment; but being of equal strength, were unable for some time to shift each other's position- standing fixed on the rock with suppressed breath, and muscles strained to the 'top of their bent' like statues carved out of the solid stone. At length M'Pherson, suddenly recovering his right foot so as to give him greater purchase, stooped his body and bent his enemy down with him by main strength, till they both leaned over the precipice, looking downward into the terrible abyss. 'The contest was as yet doubtful, for Grant had placed his foot firmly on an elevation at the brink, and had equal command of his enemy—but at this moment M'Pherson sunk slowly and firmly on his knee and while Grant suddenly started back, stooping to take the supposed advantage, whirled him over his head into the gulf. M'Pherson himself fell backwards, his body partly hanging over the rock—a fragment gave way beneath him, and he fell farther, till, catching with a desperate effort at the solid stone above, he regained his footing. There was a pause of deathlike stillness, and the bold heart of M'Pherson grew sick and faint. At length, as if compelled unwillingly by some mysterious feeling, he looked down the precipice. Grant had caught with a great gripe by the rugged point of a rock—his enemy was yet almost within his reach. His face was turned upward, and there was in it horror and despair—but he uttered no word or cry. The next moment he loosed his hold—and his brains were dashed out before the eyes of his hereditary foe; the mangled body disappeared among the trees, and its last heavy and hollow sound arose from the bottom. M'Pherson returned home an altered man. He purchased a commission in the army, and fell bravely in the wars of the Peninsula. The Gaelic name of the place where this tragedy was acted signifies Hell Bridge.