Wanderings by the Loire . ms. On the left bank, an imposing mass of mountains,crowded with ruins in the engraving, which are alreadyamong the things that were, rises majestically severalhundred feet above the waters edge. Below, someantique arches, resembling the ruins of a bridge, throwthemselves out into the river ; and we wonder withinourselves at the hardiness which could have conceivedthe idea of spanning, with a stone construction, so vasta body of water as the Loire forms at this place. Thebridge, however, extended no farther than we see itto-day ; and the river, now so much expanded, r
Wanderings by the Loire . ms. On the left bank, an imposing mass of mountains,crowded with ruins in the engraving, which are alreadyamong the things that were, rises majestically severalhundred feet above the waters edge. Below, someantique arches, resembling the ruins of a bridge, throwthemselves out into the river ; and we wonder withinourselves at the hardiness which could have conceivedthe idea of spanning, with a stone construction, so vasta body of water as the Loire forms at this place. Thebridge, however, extended no farther than we see itto-day ; and the river, now so much expanded, rolled,in all probability, at the time of its erection, in a muchnarrower channel. It was here that, in the early partof the thirteenth century, a famous robber had hisstronghold. Inhabiting himself a castle, perched onthe summit of the steep — from which it seemed toglare around, with a jealous and threatening aspect,upon the whole valley of the Loire — his vassals laywatching below in the shadow of the bridge for the. s THE PIRATE OF THE LOIRE. 159 passing mariner. In the day-time, it is probable thata regular demand of toll, or custom, was made, andthat vessels lay to at the pier while complying with theextortion. But at night, if, either through heedlessnessor daring, some desperate bark attempted to pass with-out paying the robbers fee, the scene was and signals echoed along the shore; lightsflared instantaneously up in the midst of the darkness;and before the astonished wayfarers could determineeither upon flight or battle, their ship was boarded,a gang of wild-looking men were upon the deck, ahand was upon every throat, and a dagger at everybreast. One starless night, a slight skiff, assisted both bywind and stream, was cutting rapidly through the water,evidently with the intention of passing the robbersden without waiting for a challenge. Two persons satin the stern, one a young man, apparently of thehigher ranks, and the other, a sick or timid boy,
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