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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ella Barnwell, by Emerson Bennett
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ella Barnwell
+       A Historical Romance of Border Life
+
+Author: Emerson Bennett
+
+Release Date: March 21, 2005 [EBook #15424]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELLA BARNWELL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia,
+Pilar Somoza and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading
+Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ELLA BARNWELL:
+
+A Historical Romance of Border Life
+
+
+BY EMERSON BENNETT,
+
+AUTHOR OF
+"PRAIRIE FLOWER," "LENI LEOTI," "FOREST ROSE," "MIKE FINK," "VIOLA,"
+"CLARA MORELAND," "FORGED WILL," "TRAITOR," "FEMALE SPY," "ROSALIE DU
+PONT," "FAIR REBEL," ETC., ETC.
+
+
+CINCINNATI:
+PUBLISHED BY U.P. JAMES,
+No. 177 RACE STREET.
+
+
+Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1853, BY J.A. &
+U.P. JAMES, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United
+States, for the District of Ohio.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+In putting to press a new and revised edition of the following story,
+the author would state, that his original design was to combine fact and
+fiction, in such a way, as, while making his story move forward to a
+proper _denouement_, to give the reader a correct picture of the dress,
+customs, and social and war-like habits of the early pioneers of the
+west; and also embody a series of historical events which took place on
+the frontiers during that revolutionary struggle by which we gained our
+glorious independence. For this purpose, Kentucky, in her infancy, was
+selected as the scene of action; and most of the existing records of her
+early settlements were read with care, each compared with the others,
+and only the best authenticated accounts presented to the reader. So
+much in fact did the author labor to make the present story historical,
+that there is scarcely a scene or character in its pages that had not
+its counterpart in reality.
+
+He would only add, that, for important reasons, the original title has
+been changed to that which now heads its title-page. "What's in a name?"
+queried the great bard. Had he lived in our day, and been a novelist
+instead of a poet, he would either not have asked the question, or
+answered it very differently than he did.
+
+
+
+
+ELLA BARNWELL.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE STRANGER.
+
+
+That portion of territory known throughout Christendom as Kentucky, was,
+at an early period, the theatre of some of the wildest, most hardily
+contested, and bloody scenes ever placed on record. In fact its very
+name, derived from the Indian word Kan-tuck-kee, which was applied to it
+long before its discovery by the whites, is peculiarly significant in
+meaning--being no less than "the dark and bloody ground." History makes
+no mention of its being inhabited prior to its settlement by the present
+race; but rather serves to aid us to the inference, that from time
+immemorial it was used as a "neutral ground," whereon the different
+savage tribes were wont to meet in deadly strife; and hence the
+portentious name by which it was known among them. But notwithstanding
+its ominous title, Kentucky, when first beheld by the white hunter,
+presented all the attractions he would have envied in Paradise itself.
+The climate was congenial to his feelings--the country was devoid of
+savages--while its thick tangles of green cane--abounding with deer,
+elk, bears, buffaloes, panthers, wolves and wild cats, and its more open
+woods with pheasant, turkey and partridge--made it the full realization
+of his hopes--his longings. What more could he ask? And when he again
+stood among his friends, beyond the Alleghanies, is it to be wondered at
+that his excited feelings, aided by distance, should lead him to
+describe it as the El Dorado of the world? Such indeed he did describe
+it; and to such glowing descriptions, Kentucky was doubtless partially
+indebted for her settlement so much in advance of the surrounding
+territory.
+
+As it is not our purpose, in the present instance, to enter into a
+history of the country, further than is necessary to the development of
+our story, the reader will pardon us for omitting that account of its
+early settlement which can readily be gleaned from numerous works
+already familiar to the reading public. It may not be amiss, however, to
+remark here, what almost every reader knows, that first and foremost in
+the dangerous struggles of pioneer life, was the celebrated Daniel
+Boone; whose name, in the west, and particularly in Kentucky, is a
+household word; and whose fame, as a fearless hunter, has extended not
+only throughout this continent, but over Europe. The birth place of this
+renowned individual has been accredited to several states, by as many
+writers; but one, more than the rest, is positive in asserting it to
+have been Bucks county, Pennsylvania; and the year of his birth 1732;
+which is sufficient for our purpose, whether strictly correct or not. At
+an early period of his life, all agree that he removed with his father
+to a very thinly settled section of North Carolina, where he spent his
+time in hunting--thereby supplying the family with meat and destroying
+the wild beasts, while his brothers assisted the father in tilling the
+farm--and where he afterwards, in a romantic manner, became acquainted
+with a settler's daughter, whom he married; and whence, in the spring
+of 1769, in company with five others, he set out on an expedition of
+danger across the mountains, to explore the western wilds; and after
+undergoing hardships innumerable, and losing all his companions in
+various ways, he at last succeeded in erecting the first log cabin, and
+being the first white settler within the borders of Kentucky. To follow
+up, even from this time, a detail of his trials, adventures, captures by
+the Indians, and hair-breadth escapes, to the close of his eventful
+career, would be sufficient to fill a volume; therefore we shall drop
+him for the time--merely remarking, by the way, that he will be found to
+figure occasionally in the following pages.
+
+From the first appearance of Boone in the wilds of Kentucky, we shall
+pass over a space of some ten or twelve years, and open our story in the
+fall of 1781. During this period, the aspect of the country for a
+considerable distance around the present site of Lexington, had become
+materially changed; and the smoke from the cabin of the white settler
+arose in an hundred places, where, a dozen years before, prowled the
+wolf, the bear, and the panther, in perfect security. In sooth, the year
+in question had been very propitious to the immigrants; who, flocking in
+from eastern settlements in goodly numbers, were allowed to domiciliate
+themselves in their new homes, with but few exceptions, entirely
+unmolested by the savage foe. So much in fact was this the case, that
+instead of taking up their residence in a fort--or station, as they were
+more generally called--the new comers erected cabins for themselves, at
+such points as they considered most agreeable; gradually venturing
+further and further from the strongholds, until some of them became too
+distant to look hopefully for succor in cases of extreme necessity.
+
+Among the stations most prominent at this period, as being most secure,
+and against which the attacks of the Indians were most frequent and
+unsuccessful, may be mentioned Harrod's, Boone's, Logan's, and Bryan's,
+so called in honor of their founders. The first two named, probably from
+being the two earliest founded, were particularly unfortunate in drawing
+down upon themselves the concentrated fury of the savages, who at
+various times surrounded them in great numbers and attempted to take
+them by storm. These attacks not unfrequently lasted several days, in
+which a brisk fire was maintained on both sides, whenever a foe could be
+seen; until wearied out with fruitless endeavors, or surprised by a
+reinforcement of the whites, the Indians would raise the siege, with a
+howl of rage, and depart. One of the longest and most remarkable of
+these on record, we believe, was that of Boonesborough, which was
+attacked in June, 1778, by five hundred Indians, led on by Duquesne, a
+Frenchman, and which, with only a small garrison, commanded by Boone
+himself, nobly held out for eight days, when the enemy withdrew in
+despair. But, as we before remarked, it not being our purpose to enter
+into a general history of the time, we will now proceed with our story.
+
+It was near the close of a mild, beautiful day, in the autumn of 1781,
+that a young man, some twenty-two years of age, emerged from a wood into
+an open space or clearing, at a distance of perhaps fifteen miles
+eastward from Lexington. The general appearance of this individual
+betokened the hunter, but at the same time one who followed it for
+pleasure, rather than as a means of support. This was evident from his
+dress, which although somewhat characteristic of the time, was much
+superior to that generally worn by the woodsman. He had on a woolen
+hunting frock, of fine texture, of a dark green color, that came a few
+inches below the hips. Beneath this, and fitting closely around his
+shoulders, neck and breast, was a scarlet jacket, ornamented with two
+rows of round, white metal buttons. A large cape, with a deep red
+fringe, of about inch in width, was attached to the frock, and extended
+from the shoulders nearly to the elbow. Around the waist, outside the
+frock, passed a dark leather belt, in which were confined a brace of
+handsome pistols, and a long silver-hilted hunting knife. Breeches of
+cloth, like the frock, were connected with leggins of tanned deer skin,
+which in turn extended over, and partly concealed, heavy cow-hide boots.
+A neatly made cap of deer skin, with the hair outside, surmounted a
+finely shaped head. His features, though somewhat pale and haggard, as
+if from recent grief or trouble, were mostly of the Grecian cast. He had
+a high, noble forehead; a large, clear, fascinating gray eye; a well
+formed mouth, and a prominent chin. In height he was about five feet and
+ten inches, broad shouldered, straight, heavy set, with handsome
+proportions.
+
+Upon the shoulder of the young man, as he emerged from the wood, rested
+an elegant rifle; which, after advancing a short distance, he brought
+into a trailing position; and then pausing, he dropped the breech upon
+the ground, placed his hands over the muzzle, and, carelessly leaning
+his chin upon them, swept with his eye the surrounding country, to which
+he was evidently a stranger.
+
+The day had been one of those mild and smoky ones, peculiar to the
+climate and season; and the sun, large and red, was near to sinking
+behind the far western ridge, giving a beautiful crimson, mellow tinge
+to each object which came beneath his rays. The landscape, over which
+the stranger gazed, was by no means unpleasing. His position was on an
+eminence, overlooking a fertile valley, partly cleared, and partly
+shaded by woods, through which wound a crystal stream, whose gentle
+murmurs could be heard even where he stood. Beyond this stream, the
+ground, in pleasing undulations, took a gentle rise, to a goodly height,
+and was covered by what is termed an open wood--a wood peculiar to
+Kentucky at this period--consisting of trees in the regularity of an
+orchard, at some distance apart, devoid of underbrush, beneath which the
+earth was beautifully carpeted with a rank growth of clover, high grass,
+and wild flowers innumerable. In the rear of the young hunter, as if to
+form a background to the picture, was the wood he had just quitted,
+which, continuing the elevation spoken of, but more abruptly, rose high
+above him, and was crowned by a ledge of rocks. Far in the distance, to
+his right, could be seen another high ridge; while to the left,
+spreading far away from the mouth of the valley, if we may so term it,
+like the prairies of Missouri, was a beautiful tangle, or cane-brake,
+containing its thousands of wild animals. The open space wherein the
+hunter stood was not large, covering an area of not more than half a
+dozen acres. It was of an oblong form, and sloped off from his position
+to the right, left, and front, and reached from the wood down to the
+stream in the valley, where stood a rather neat log cabin, from which a
+light blue smoke ascended in graceful wreaths. The eye of the stranger,
+glancing over the scene, fell upon this latter with that gleam of
+satisfaction which is felt by a person after performing a long fatiguing
+journey, when he sees before him a comfortable inn, where he is to
+repose for the night; and pausing for a couple of minutes, he replaced
+his rifle upon his shoulder, and started forward down the hill, at a
+leisure pace.
+
+Scarcely had the stranger advanced twenty paces, when he was startled by
+a fierce yell, accompanied by the report of a rifle, the ball of which
+whizzed past him, within an inch of his head. Ere he could recover from
+his surprise, a sharp pain in the side, followed by another report,
+caused him to reel like one intoxicated, and finally sink to the earth.
+As the young man fell, two Indians sprung from behind a cluster of
+bushes, which skirted the clearing some seventy-five yards to the right,
+and, with a whoop of triumph, tomahawk in hand, rushed toward him.
+Believing that his life now depended upon his own speedy exertions, the
+young hunter, by a great effort, succeeded in raising himself on his
+knees; and drawing up his rifle with a hasty aim, he fired; but with no
+other success than that of causing one of the savages to jerk his head
+suddenly aside without slackening his speed. There was still a chance
+left him; and setting his teeth hard, the wounded man drew his pistols
+from his belt, and awaited the approach of his enemies; who, when within
+thirty paces, discovering the weapons of death, suddenly came to a halt,
+and commenced loading their rifles with great rapidity.
+
+The young hunter now perceived, with painful regret, that only an
+interposition of Providence could save him, for his life was hanging on
+a thread that might snap at any moment. It was an awful moment of
+suspense, as there, on his knees, far, far away from the land of his
+birth, in a strange country, he, in the prime of life, without a friend
+near, wounded and weak, was waiting to die, like a wild beast, by the
+hands of savages, with his scalp to be borne hence as a trophy, his
+flesh to be devoured by wolves, and his bones left to bleach in the open
+air. It was an awful moment of suspense! and a thousand thoughts came
+rushing through his mind; and he felt he would have given worlds, were
+they his, for the existence of even half an hour, with a friend by, to
+receive his dying requests. To add to his despair, he felt himself fast
+growing weaker and weaker; and with an unsteady vision, as his last
+hope, he turned his eye in the direction of the cottage, to note if any
+assistance were at hand; but he saw none; and nature failing to support
+him longer in his position, he sunk back upon the ground, believing the
+last sands of his existence were run.
+
+Meantime, the Indians had loaded their rifles; and one of them, stepping
+a pace in front of his companion, was already in the act of aiming,
+when, perceiving the young man falter and sink back, he lowered the
+muzzle of his gun, and, grasping his tomahawk, darted forward to
+despatch him without further loss of ammunition. Already had he reached
+within five or six paces of his victim, who, now unable to exert himself
+in his own defence, could only look upon his savage enemy and the weapon
+uplifted for his destruction, when, crack went another rifle, in an
+opposite direction whence the Indians approached, and, bounding into the
+air, with a terrific yell, the foremost fell dead by the young man's
+side. On seeing his companion fall, the other Indian, who was only a few
+paces behind, stopped suddenly, and, with a yell of fear and
+disappointment, turned and fled.
+
+Those only who have been placed in peril sufficient to extinguish the
+last gleam of hope, and have suddenly been relieved by a mysterious
+interposition of Providence, can fully realize the feelings with which
+the wounded hunter saw himself rescued from an ignominious death. True,
+he was weak and faint from a wound which was, perhaps, mortal; still it
+was a great consolation to feel that he should die among those who would
+bury him, and perhaps bear a message to friends in a far-off land. With
+such thoughts uppermost in his mind, the young man, by great exertion,
+raised himself upon his elbow, and turned his head in the direction
+whence his deliverer might be expected; but, to his surprise and
+disappointment, no one appeared; and after vainly attempting to regain
+his feet, he sunk back, completely exhausted. The wound in his side had
+now grown very painful, and was bleeding freely; while he became
+conscious, that unless the hemorrhage could be stanched immediately, the
+only good service a friend could render him, would be to inter his
+remains. In this helpless state, something like a minute elapsed, when
+he felt a strange sensation about his heart--his head grew dizzy--his
+thoughts seemed confused--the sky appeared suddenly to grow dark, and he
+believed the icy grasp of death was already settling upon him. At this
+moment a form--but whether of friend or foe he could not tell--flitted
+before his uncertain vision; and then all became darkness and nonentity.
+He had swooned.
+
+When the young stranger recovered his senses, after a lapse of some ten
+minutes, his glance rested on the form of a white hunter, of noble
+aspect, who was bending over him with a compassionate look; and who,
+meantime, had opened his dress to the wound and stanched the blood, by
+covering it with a few pieces of coarse linen, which he had torn into
+shreds for the purpose, and secured there by means of his belt.
+
+As this latter personage is destined to figure somewhat in the following
+pages, we shall take this opportunity of describing him as he appeared
+to our wounded friend.
+
+In height and proportion--but not in age--these two individuals were
+somewhat alike--the new comer being full five feet, ten inches, with a
+robust, athletic frame, and all the concomitants of a powerful man. At
+the moment when first beheld by the young man, after regaining his
+senses, he was kneeling by his side, his cap of the wild-cat skin was
+lying on the ground, and the last mellow rays of the setting sun were
+streaming upon an intelligent and manly countenance, which, now rendered
+more deeply interesting by the earnest, compassionate look wherewith he
+regarded the other, made him appear to that other, in his peculiar
+situation, this most noble being he had ever seen. Of years he had seen
+some fifty; though there was a freshness about his face, owing probably
+to his hardy, healthy mode of life, which made him appear much younger.
+His countenance was open and pleasing, with good, regular, though not,
+strictly speaking, handsome features. His forehead was high and full,
+beneath which beamed a mild, clear blue eye. His nose was rather long
+and angular; his cheekbones high and bold; his lips thin and compressed,
+covering a goodly set of teeth; his chin round and prominent; the whole
+together conveying an expression of energy, decision, hardy recklessness
+and manly courage. His dress was fashioned much like the other's,
+already described, but of coarser materials--the frock being of
+linsey-woolsey; the breeches and leggings of deerskin; and the
+moccasins, in place of boots of the same material. Around his waist
+passed a belt; wherein, instead of pistols, were confined a tomahawk and
+scalping knife--two weapons which were considered as indispensable to
+the regular white hunter of that day as to the Indian warrior himself.
+
+So soon as the elder of the two became aware of consciousness on the
+part of the younger, a friendly smile succeeded to the look of anxiety
+with which he had been regarding him; and in the frank, cordial,
+familiar tone of that period, when every man's cabin was the traveler's
+home, and every strange guest was treated with the hospitality of an old
+acquaintance, he said:
+
+"Well, stranger, I'm right glad to welcome you back to life agin; for I
+war beginning to fear your account with earthly matters had closed. By
+the Power that made me! but you've had a narrow escape on't; and ef
+Betsy (putting his hand on his rifle, which was lying by his side,)
+hadn't spoke out as she did, that thar red skin varmint (pointing to the
+dead Indian) would have been skulking now like a thief through yonder
+woods, with your crown piece hanging to his girdle."
+
+"A thousand thanks," returned the wounded man, pressing the hand of the
+other as much as his strength would permit, and accompanying it with a
+look of gratitude more eloquent than words: "A thousand thanks, sir, for
+your timely shot, and subsequent kindness and interest in behalf of one
+you know not, but who will ever remember you with gratitude."
+
+"See here, stranger, I reckon you've not been long in these parts?"
+
+"But a few days, sir."
+
+"And you've come from a good ways east o' the Alleghanies?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"I knew it. I'd have bet Betsey agin a bushel of corn, and that's large
+odds you know, that such war the fact, from the particular trouble
+you've taken to thank me for doing the duty of a man. Let me assure you,
+stranger, that you're in a country now whar equality exists; and whar
+one man's just as good as another, provided he is no coward, and behaves
+himself as he should do; and whether stranger or not, is equally
+entitled to the assistance of his fellows; perticularly when about being
+treed by such a sneaking varmint as that lying yonder. Besides, I don't
+want any body to thank me for shooting Indians; for I always do it,
+whensomever I get a chance, as Betsey would tell you, ef she could speak
+English; for somehow thar's no perticular agreement atween us, unless
+it's for each to make the most he can off the other; and so far I reckon
+thar's a ballance in my favor, though the wretches are ever trying
+desperate hard to get even. But come, stranger, it won't do for you to
+be lying thar with that hole in your side; and so just have patience a
+minute, till I've secured the top-knot of this beauty here, and then
+I'll assist you down to yonder cabin, whar I doubt not you'll be well
+cared for."
+
+As he spoke, the old woodsman rose to his feet, drew his knife, and
+turning to the dead Indian, to the surprise of the other, who was but
+little familiar with Kentucky customs of that day, deliberately took off
+the scalp, which he attached to his belt;[1] and then spurning the body
+with his foot, he muttered: "Go, worthless dog! and fill the belly of
+some wolf! and may your cowardly companion be soon keeping you company."
+Then, as he turned to the other, and noticed his look of surprise, he
+added: "Well, stranger, I reckon this business looks a little odd to
+you, coming from away beyond the mountains as you do."
+
+"Why, if truth must be told, I confess it does," answered the other.
+
+"Don't doubt it, stranger; but you'll do it yourself afore you've
+wintered here two seasons."
+
+"I must beg leave to differ with you on that point."
+
+"Well, well, we'll not quarrel about it--it arn't worth while; but ef
+you stay here two year, without scalping a red-skin and perhaps skinning
+one, I'll agree to pay you for your time in bar-skins at your own
+valuation."
+
+"I am much obliged to you for the offer," answered the young man--a
+faint smile lighting his pale features; "but I think it hardly probable
+I shall remain in the country that length of time."
+
+"Not unless you have good care, I reckon," returned the other; "for that
+thar wound o' yourn arn't none o' the slightest; though I don't want you
+to be skeered, for I've seen many a worse one cured. But come, I'll
+assist you down to yon cabin, and then I must be off--for I've got a
+good distance to travel afore daylight to-morrow;" and bending down as
+he spoke, the veteran hunter placed his arms under the arms of the
+wounded man, and gently raised him upon his feet.
+
+Although extremely weak from loss of blood, the latter, by this means of
+support, was enabled to walk, at a slow pace; and the two descended the
+hill--the elder, the while, talking much, and endeavoring by his
+discourse to amuse and cheer up his companion.
+
+"Why," he continued, "you think your case a hard one, no doubt,
+stranger; but it's nothing compared to what some of us old settlers have
+seen and been through with, without even winking, as one may say. Within
+the last few year, I've seen a brother and a son shot by the infernal
+red-skins--have lost I don't know how many companions in the same
+way--been shot at fifty times myself, and captured several; and yet you
+see here I am, hale and hearty, and just as eager, with Betsey's
+permission, to talk to the varmints now as I war ten year ago."
+
+"But do you not weary of this fatiguing and dangerous mode of life?"
+inquired the other.
+
+"Weary, stranger? Lord bless ye! you're but a young hunter to ax such a
+question as that. Weary, friend? Why I war born to it--nursed to it--had
+a rifle for a plaything; and the first thing I can remember
+particularly, war shooting a painter;[2] and it's become as nateral and
+necessary as breathing; and when I get so I can't follow the one, I want
+to quit the other. Weary on't, indeed! Why, thar's more real
+satisfaction in sarcumventing and scalping one o' there red heathen,
+than in all the amusement you could scare up in a thick-peopled,
+peaceable settlement in a life time."
+
+"By the way," said the other, "pray tell me how you chanced to be so
+opportune in saving my life?"
+
+"Why, you must know, I war just crossing through the wood back here
+about a mile, on my way home from the Licks, when I came across the
+trail of two Indians, whom I 'spected war arter no good; and as Betsey
+war itching for something to do, I kind o' kept on the same way, and
+happened round on the other side o' this ridge, just as the red varmints
+fired. I saw you fall, but could'nt see them, on account o' the hill;
+but as I knowed they'd be for showing themselves soon, I got Betsey into
+a comfortable position, and waited as patiently as I could, until the
+ugly face of that rascal yonder showed clar; when I told her to speak to
+him, which she did in rale backwood's dialect, and he died a answering
+her. I then hurried round on the skirt of the wood, loading Betsey as I
+went; but finding the other varmint had got off, I hastened to you and
+found you senseless: the rest you know."
+
+By this time the two had reached nearly to the foot of the hill, and
+within a hundred yards of the cabin. Here they were joined by a tall,
+lank, lantern-jawed, awkward young man, some twenty years of age, with
+small, dark eyes, a long, peaked nose, and flaxen hair that floated down
+over his ungainly shoulders, like weeping willows over a scrub oak, and
+who carried in his hand a rifle nearly as long and ugly as himself.
+
+"Why, colonel, how are ye? good even' to ye, stranger," was his
+salutation, as he came up. "I war down by the tangle yonder, when I
+heerd some firing, and some yelling, and I legged it home, ahead o' the
+old man, just to keep the women folks in sperets, in case they war
+attacked, and get a pop or so at an Injen myself; but thank the Lord,
+they warn't thar; and so I ventered on, with long Nance here, to see
+whar they mought be."
+
+"Well, Isaac," returned the one addressed as colonel, "I don't doubt
+your being a brave lad, and I've had some opportunity o' seeing you
+tried; but being is how thar's no Indians to shoot just now, I'll ax you
+to show your good qualities in another way. This young man's been badly
+wounded, and ef you'll give him a little extra care, you'll put me under
+obligations which I'll be happy to repay whensomever needed."
+
+"It don't need them thar inducements you've just mentioned, colonel, to
+rouse all my sympathies for a wounded stranger. Rely on't, he shan't
+suffer for want o' attention."
+
+"Rightly said, lad; rightly said; and so I leave him in your care.
+Tender my regards to your family, for I must be off, and can't stay to
+see them." Then turning to the wounded man, he grasped his hand and
+said: "Stranger, thar's something about you I like; I don't say it of
+every man I meet; and so you may put it down for a compliment or not,
+just as you please. Give me your name?"
+
+"Algernon Reynolds."
+
+"Algernon Reynolds, I hope we shall meet again, though in a different
+manner from our introduction; but whether or no, ef you ever need the
+assistance of either Betsey or myself, just make it known, and we'll do
+our best for you. Good bye, sir--good bye, Isaac!" and without waiting a
+reply, the speaker sprung suddenly behind a cluster of bushes near which
+the party stood, and the next moment was lost to view in the gathering
+darkness.
+
+"A great man, that thar, sir!--a powerful great man," observed Isaac,
+gazing with admiration after the retreating form of the hunter. "Always
+doing good deeds, and never looking for pay nor thanks; may God give him
+four-score and ten."
+
+"Amen to that!" returned Reynolds. "But pray tell me his name."
+
+"And you don't know him?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+"And you didn't inquire his name?"
+
+"I did not."
+
+"And ef you had, sir, ten to one but he'd a given you a fictitious one,
+to keep clar o' your surprise and extra thanks. Why that, sir, war the
+great white hunter, Colonel Daniel Boone."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Reynolds, in no feigned surprise--"the very man I
+have so longed to behold; for his fame has already extended far beyond
+the Alleghanies. But come, friend Isaac, my wound grows painful; my
+exertions thus far have weakened me exceedingly; and with your
+permission, I will proceed to the cottage. Ah! I feel myself growing
+faint--fainter--fa-i-n-t;" and he sunk senseless into the other's arms;
+who, raising him, apparently without an effort, bore him into the house.
+
+
+[Footnote 1: However barbarous such a proceeding may appear to thousands
+in the present day of civilization and refinement, we can assure them,
+on the authority of numerous historians of that period, that it was a
+general custom with the early settlers of the west, to take the scalp of
+an Indian slain by their hand, whenever opportunity presented.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Backwoods name for a panther.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+NEW CHARACTERS.
+
+
+When young Reynolds again regained his senses, it was some minutes
+before he could sufficiently recover from the confusion of ideas
+consequent upon his mishap, to follow up the train of events that had
+occurred to place him in his present situation. His first recollection
+was of the attack made upon him by the Indians; and it required
+considerable argument with himself, to prove conclusively, to his own
+mind, that he was not even now a captive to the savage foe. Gradually,
+one by one, each event recurred to his mind, until he had traced himself
+to the moment of his swooning in the arms of a tall, ungainly young man,
+called Isaac; but of what, had taken place since--where he now was--or
+what length of time had intervened--he had not the remotest idea. He was
+lying on his back, upon a rude, though by no means uncomfortable, bed;
+and, to the best of his judgment, within the four walls of some
+cabin--though to him but two of the walls were visible--owing to the
+quantity of skins of the buffalo, bear, and deer, which were suspended
+around the foot and front of his pallet. He was undressed; and, as he
+judged, upon applying his hand to the wounded part, had been treated
+with care; for it came in contact with a nicely arranged bandage of
+cloth, which was even now moist with some spirituous liquid. But what
+perplexed him most, was the peculiar light, with the aid of which,
+though dim, he could discern every object so distinctly. It could not
+proceed from a candle--it was too generally diffused; nor from the
+fire--it was too gray, and did not flicker; nor from the moon--it was
+not silvery enough: from what then did it proceed? It appeared the most
+like daylight; but this it could not be, he reasoned, from the fact that
+he was wounded just before night-fall--unless--and the idea seemed to
+startle him--unless he had lain in a senseless state for many hours, and
+it was indeed again morning. Determined, however, to satisfy himself on
+this point, he attempted to rise for the purpose; but found, to his no
+small surprise and regret, that he had not even strength sufficient to
+lift his body from the bed; and, therefore, that nothing was left him,
+but to surmise whatever he chose, until some one should appear to solve
+the riddle; which, he doubted not, would be ere long.
+
+While these reflections and surmises were rapidly passing through the
+mind of our hero--for such we must acknowledge him to be--he heard no
+sound indicating the immediate vicinity of any other human being; and
+turning his thoughts upon this latter, he was beginning to doubt
+whether, at the moment, he was not the only individual beneath the roof;
+when he heard a step, as of some one entering another apartment; and,
+directly following, a female voice addressed to some person within.
+
+"Have ye looked to the stranger agin, Ella, and moisted his bandage?"
+
+"I have, mother," was the answer, in a sweet and silvery voice, which
+caused our wounded hero to start with a thrill of pleasing astonishment.
+
+"And how appeared he, Ella?" continued the first speaker.
+
+"Why, I thought a little better," answered the same soft, musical voice;
+"he seemed asleep, and entirely tranquil."
+
+"God send it, gal, for he's had a tougher, sartin. Three days, now,
+nater's bin tugging away for him; and I'd hate to see him die now, arter
+all; and being the colonel's recommind, too; for Isaac says the colonel
+injuncted him strongly to take car o' him; and I'd do any thing to
+oblege sech a man as him. He didn't appear to have his senses, I
+reckon?"
+
+"I judged not," answered Ella; "though, from his tranquil sleep, I
+argued favorably of his case."
+
+"Well," rejoined the other, "it's my opine the crisis is at hand; and
+that he'll ayther come out o' this _lethargick_--as they calls it--a
+rational, or die straight off. 'Spose you look at him agin, Ella; or,
+stay, I'll look myself. Poor feller! how he did rave and run on 'bout
+his troubles at home, that's away off, until I all but cried, in
+reckoning how I'd feel ef it war Isaac as war going on so.".
+
+As the speaker concluded, she advanced to where the object of her
+remarks was lying; and, drawing aside in a gentle manner, some of the
+skins near his head, gazed upon him.
+
+As will be surmised by the reader, not a syllable of the foregoing
+colloquy had been lost upon Reynolds; who heard, with unbounded
+astonishment, of his narrow escape from that dark valley whence none who
+enter again return, and that three days had elapsed since he had fallen
+into an unconscious state. He learned, too, with regret, that he had
+been communicating matters--to what extent he knew not--to others, which
+he wished safely locked in his own breast; and judging it best, in the
+present instance, to dissemble a little, that his informant might not be
+aware of his having overheard her, he feigned to be asleep on her
+approach.
+
+"He's sleeping yit, poor creater," continued the hostess, as she bent
+over the bed of our hero, until he felt her breath upon his face. "I
+hope it arn't a going to be his final sleep--so young, and so handsome
+too! but, O dear, thar's no telling what them Injen bullets will do, for
+folks does say as how they have a knack o' pizening them, that's orful
+to tell on! O Lord o' marcy, Ella, child, do come here!" cried the dame
+suddenly: "I do believe he's coming to, for sartin."
+
+This latter speech was occasioned by a movement of the pretended
+sleeper, and the gradual opening of his eyes, with the rude stare of
+bewildered surprise natural to one in his supposed situation, and such
+as he would have exhibited without feigning, had the hostess been
+present some ten minutes sooner. Discovering, as already intimated, a
+returning consciousness on the part of her guest, the good woman drew
+back her head, but still kept her position by the bed, and her eyes
+fixed upon him, with an expression which betrayed a fear lest her hopes
+of this important event should prove entirely fallacious. Behind her,
+with timid step, stole up Ella, and, peeping over her shoulders,
+encountered the eyes of the young man beaming upon her, with a look
+which her acute perception told her was any thing but insane; and
+instantly starting back, the blood rushed upward, crimsoning her neck
+and face with a beautiful glow. As for Reynolds--in whom, as already
+stated, the voice of Ella alone was sufficient to awaken a thrill of
+pleasure--no sooner did he behold her, though but for an instant, than
+he felt that thrill revived with a sensation, which, in spite of
+himself, he knew was expressed in his own countenance; and he hastened
+to speak, in order as much as possible to conceal it.
+
+"Will you have the goodness, madam, to inform me where I am?"
+
+"Thar, thar, Ella, child!" exclaimed the matron, joyously; "I told ye
+so--I know'd it--he's come to, for sartin--the Lord be praised!" Then
+addressing herself to Reynolds, she continued: "Whar are you, stranger,
+do you ax? Why you're in the cabin o' Ben Younker--as honest a man as
+ever shot a painter--who's my husband, and father of Isaac Younker, what
+brought ye here, according to the directions of Colonel Boone, arter you
+war shot by the Injens, the varmints, three days ago; and uncle of Ella
+Barnwell here, as I calls daughter, 'cause her parents is dead, poor
+creaters, and she hadn't a home to go to, but come'd to live with us,
+that are fetching her up in a a dutiful way;" and the good woman
+concluded her lucid account of family matters with a sound that much
+resembled a person taking breath after some laborious exertion.
+
+"And is it possible," answered Reynolds, who hastened to reply, in order
+to conceal a strong inclination he felt for laughing, "that I have lain
+here three whole days?"
+
+"Three days, and four nights, and part o' another day, jest as true as
+buffaloes run in cane-brakes, and Injen varmints shoot white folks
+whensomever they git a chance," replied Mrs. Younker, with great
+volubility. "And Ella, the darling, has tended on ye like you war her
+own nateral born brother; and Isaac, and Ben, and myself ha' tended on
+ye too, while you war raving and running on at an orful rate, though
+you've had the best bed, and best o' every thing we've got in the
+house."
+
+"For all of which I am at a loss for terms to express my gratitude,"
+returned Reynolds, coloring slightly as he thought of the assiduous
+attentions he had unconsciously received from Ella Barnwell, who already
+began to be an object in his eyes of no little importance.
+
+"Don't mention about gratitude," rejoined the kind hearted Mrs. Younker;
+"don't talk about gratitude, for a lettle favor sech as every body's got
+a right to, what comes into this country and gits shot by savages. We
+havn't done no more for you than we'd a done for any body else in like
+sarcumstances; and, la, sir, the pleasure o' knowing you're a going to
+git well agin, arter being shot by Injen's pizen bullets,[3] is enough
+to pay us twenty times over--Eh! Ella, child--don't you say so?"
+
+"No one, save the gentleman himself, or his dearest friends, can be more
+rejoiced at his favorable symptoms than myself," responded Ella,
+timidly, in a voice so low, sweet and touching, that Reynolds, who heard
+without seeing her--for she kept the rude curtain of skins between
+them--felt his heart beat strangely, while his eyes involuntarily grew
+moist.
+
+"That's truly said, gal--truly said, I do believe," rejoined Mrs.
+Younker; "for she's hung over you, sir, (turning to the wounded man)
+night and day, like a mother over her child, until we've had to use
+right smart authority to make her go to bed, for fear as how she'd be
+sick too."
+
+"And if I live," answered Reynolds, in a voice that trembled with
+emotion, "and it is ever in my power to repay such disinterested
+attention and kindness, I will do it, even to the sacrificing that life
+which she, together with you and your family, good woman, has been the
+means, under God, of preserving."
+
+"Under God," repeated the matron; "that's true; I like the way you said
+that, stranger; it sounds reverential--it's just--and it raises my
+respect for you a good deal; for all our doings is under God's permit;"
+and she turned her eyes upward, with a devout look, in which position
+she remained several seconds; while Ella, with her fair hands clasped,
+followed her example, and seemed, with her moving lips, engaged in
+prayer.
+
+"But come," resumed the dame, "it won't do for you, stranger, to be
+disturbed too much jest now; for you arn't any too strong, I reckon; and
+so you'll jest take my advice, and go to sleep awhile, and you'll feel
+all the better for't agin Ben and Isaac come home, which'll be in two or
+three hours."
+
+Saying this, Mrs. Younker again disposed the curtains so as to conceal
+from Reynolds all external objects; and, together with Ella, withdrew,
+leaving him to repose. Whether he profited by her advice immediately, or
+whether he meditated for some time on other matters, not excluding Ella,
+we shall leave to the imagination of the reader; while we proceed, by
+way of episode, to give a general, though brief account, of the Younker
+family.
+
+Benjamin Younker was a man about fifty-five years of age--tall,
+raw-boned and very muscular--and although now past the prime, even the
+meridian of life, was still possessed of uncommon strength. His form,
+never handsome, even in youth, was now disfigured by a stoop in the
+shoulders, caused by hard labor and rheumatism. His face corresponded
+with his body--being long and thin, with hollow cheeks, and high cheek
+bones,--his eyes were small and gray, with heavy eye-brows; his nose
+long and pointed; his mouth large and homely, though expressive; and his
+forehead medium, surmounted by a sprinkling of brown-gray hair. In
+speech he was deliberate, generally pointed, and seldom spoke when not
+absolutely necessary. He was a good farmer--such being his occupation; a
+keen hunter, whenever he chose to amuse himself in that way; a sure
+marksman; and, although ignorant in book learning, possessed a sound
+judgment, and a common-sense understanding on all subjects of general
+utility. He was a native of Eastern Virginia, where the greater portion
+of his life had been spent in hunting and agricultural pursuits--where
+he was married and had been blessed with two children--a son and a
+daughter--of whom the former only was now living, and has already been
+introduced to the reader as Isaac--and whence, at the instance of his
+wife and son, he removed, in the spring of 1779, into the borders of
+Kentucky--finally purchased and settled where he now resided; and where,
+although somewhat exposed, he and his family had thus far remained
+unmolested.
+
+The dame, Mrs. Younker, was a large, corpulent woman of forty-five, with
+features rather coarse and masculine, yet expressive of shrewdness and
+courage, and, withal, a goodly share of benevolence. She was one of that
+peculiar class of females, who, if there is any thing to be said, always
+claim the privilege of saying it; in other words, an inveterate talker;
+and who, if we may be allowed the phrase, managed her husband, and all
+around her, with the length of her tongue. In the country where she was
+brought up and known, to say of another, that he or she could compete
+with Ben Younker's wife in talking, was considered the extreme of
+comparison; and it is not recorded that any individual ever presumed on
+the credulity of the public sufficient to assert that the vocal powers
+of the said Mrs. Younker were ever surpassed. Unlike most great talkers,
+she was rarely heard to speak ill of any, and then only such as were
+really deserving of censure; while her rough kind of piety--if we may so
+term it--and her genuine goodness of heart, known to all with whom she
+came in contact, served to procure her a long list of friends. She
+possessed, as the reader has doubtless judged from the specimen we have
+given, little or no education; but this deficiency, in her eyes, as well
+as in most of those who lived on the frontiers, was of minor
+consequence--the knowledge of hunting, farming, spinning and weaving,
+being considered by far the more necessary qualifications for
+discharging the social duties of life.
+
+Of Isaac, with whom the reader is already, acquainted, we shall not now
+speak, other than to say, he could barely read and write--rather
+preferring that he develop his character in his own peculiar way. But
+there is another, and though last, we trust will not prove least in
+point of interest to the reader, with whom we shall close, this
+episodical history--namely--Ella Barnwell.
+
+The mother of Ella--a half sister to the elder-Younker--died when she
+was very young, leaving her to the care of a kind and indulgent father,
+who, having no other child, lavished on her his whole affections. At the
+demise of his wife, Barnwell was a prosperous, if not wealthy merchant,
+in one of the eastern cities of Virginia; and knowing the instability of
+wealth, together with his desire to fit his daughter for any station in
+society, he spared no expense necessary to educate her in all the
+different branches of English usually studied by a female. To this was
+added drawing, needle-work, music and dancing; and as Ella proved by no
+means a backward scholar in whatever she undertook, she was, at the age
+of fifteen, to use a familiar phrase, turned out an accomplished young
+lady. But alas! she had been qualified for a station which fate seemed
+determined not to let her occupy; for just at this important period of
+her life, her father became involved in an unfortunate speculation, that
+ended in ruin, dishonor, and his own bodily confinement in prison for
+debts he could never discharge. Naturally high spirited and proud, this
+misfortune and persecution proved too much for his philosophy--and what
+was more, his reason--and in a state of mental derangement, he one night
+hung himself to the bars of his prison window--leaving his daughter at
+the age we have named, a poor, unprotected, we might almost add
+friendless, orphan; for moneyless and friendless are too often
+synonymous terms, as poor Ella soon learned to her mortification and
+sorrow.
+
+Ella Barnwell, the young, the beautiful, and accomplished heiress,
+was a very different personage from poor Ella Barnwell the bankrupt's
+daughter; and those who had fawned upon and flattered and courted the
+one, now saw proper to pass the other by in silent contempt. It was a
+hard, a very hard lesson for one at the tender age of Ella, who had been
+petted and pampered all her life, and taught by her own simplicity of
+heart to look upon all pretenders as real friends--it was a hard lesson,
+we say, for one of her years, to be forced at one bold stroke to learn
+the world, and see her happy, artless dreams vanish like froth from the
+foaming cup; but if hard, it was salutary--at least with her; and
+instead of blasting in the bud, as it might have done a frailer flower,
+it set her reason to work, destroyed the romantic sentimentalism usually
+attached to females of that excitable age, taught her to rely more upon
+herself, and less upon others, more upon actions and less upon words,
+and, in short, made a strong minded woman of her at once. Yet this was
+not accomplished without many a heart-rending pang, as the briny tears
+of chagrin, disappointment, and almost hopeless destitution, that
+nightly chased each other down the pale cheeks of Ella Barnwell to the
+pillow which supported her feverish head, for weeks, and even months
+after the death of her father, could well attest.
+
+The father of Ella was an Englishman, who had emigrated to this country
+a few years previous to his marriage; and as none of his near relations
+had seen proper to follow his example, Ella, on his side, was left
+entirely destitute of any to whom she could apply for assistance and
+protection. On her mother's side, she knew of none who would be likely
+to assist her so readily as her half uncle, Benjamin Younker, whom she
+remembered as having seen at the funeral of her mother; and who then,
+taking her in his brawny arms, while the tears dimmed his eyes, in a
+solemn, impressive manner told her, that, in the ups and downs of life,
+should she ever stand in need of another's strong arm or purse, to call
+on him, and that, while blest with either himself, she should not want.
+This at the time had made a deep impression on her youthful mind, but
+subsequently had been nearly or quite obliterated, until retouched by
+feeling the want of that aid then so solemnly and generously tendered.
+Accordingly, after trying some of her supposed true-hearted friends--who
+had more than once been sharers in her generosity; and who, in return,
+had professed the most devoted attachment; but who now, in her distress,
+unkindly treated her urgent requests with cold neglect,--Ella hastened
+to make her situation known to her uncle; the result of which had been
+her adoption into a family, who, if not graced with that refinement and
+education to which she had been accustomed, at least possessed virtues
+that many of the refined and learned were strangers to--namely--truth,
+honesty, benevolence, and fidelity.
+
+Ella, in her new situation, with her altered views of society in
+general, soon grew to love her benefactor and his family, and take that
+sincere pleasure in their rude ways, which, at one time, she would have
+considered as next to impossible. With a happy faculty, belonging only
+to the few, she managed to work herself into their affections, by little
+and little, almost imperceptibly, until, ere they were aware of the fact
+themselves, she was looked upon rather as a daughter and sister, than a
+more distant relation. In sooth, the former appellation the reader has
+already seen applied to her during the recorded conversation of the
+voluble Mrs. Younker--an appellation which Ella ever took good care to
+acknowledge by the corresponding title of mother.
+
+About a year from the period of Ella's becoming a member of the family,
+the Younkers had removed, as already stated, to what was then considered
+the "Far West," and had finally purchased and settled where we find them
+in the opening of our story. In this expedition, Ella, though somewhat
+reluctantly, had accompanied them--had remained with them ever
+since--and was now, notwithstanding her former lady-like mode of life,
+through the tuition of Mrs. Younker, regularly installed into all the
+mysteries of milking, churning, sewing, baking, spinning and weaving.
+With this brief outline of her past history, we shall proceed to
+describe her personal appearance, at the time of her introduction to the
+reader, and then leave her to speak and act for herself during the
+progress of this drama of life.
+
+Eighteen years of sunshine and cloud, had served to mould the form of
+Ella Barnwell into one of peculiar beauty and grace. In height she was a
+little above five feet, had a full round bust, and limbs of that
+beautiful and airy symmetry, which ever give to their possessor an
+appearance of etherial lightness. Her complexion was sufficiently dark
+to entitle her to the appellation of brunette; though by many it would
+have been thought too light, perhaps, owing to the soft, rich
+transparency of her skin; through which, by a crimson tint, could be
+traced the "tell-tale-blood," on the slightest provocation tending to
+excitement. Her features, if examined closely, could not be put down as
+entirely regular, owing to a very slight defect in the mouth, which
+otherwise was very handsome, and which was graced with two plump,
+pretty, half pouting lips. This defect, however, was only apparent when
+the countenance was in stern repose; and, as this was seldom, when in
+company with others, it was of course seldom observed. The remainder of
+her features were decidedly good, and, seen in profile, really
+beautiful. Her eye was a full, soft, animated hazel, that could beam
+tenderly with love, sparkle brilliantly with wit, or flash scornfully
+with anger; but inclining more to the first and second qualities than
+the last. Her eye-brows were well defined, and just sufficiently arched
+to correspond with the eyes themselves. Her forehead was prominent, of a
+noble cast, and added dignity to her whole appearance. Her hair was a
+rich, dark brown, fine and glossy, and although neatly arranged about
+the head, evidently required but little training to enable it to fall
+gracefully about her neck in beautiful ringlets. The general expression
+of her face, was a soft, bewitching playfulness, which, combined with
+the half timid, benevolent look, beaming from her large, mild, hazel
+eye, invariably won upon the beholder at the first glance, and increased
+upon acquaintance. Her voice we have already spoken of as possessing a
+silvery sweetness; and if one could be moved at merely seeing her, it
+only required this addition to complete the charm. To all of the
+foregoing, let us add an ardent temperament--capable of the most tender,
+lasting and devoted attachment, when once the affections were placed on
+an object--a sweet disposition, modest deportment, and graceful
+manners--and you have the portrait in full of Ella Barnwell, the orphan,
+the model of her sex, and the admiration of all who knew her.
+
+
+[Footnote 3: Mrs. Younker is the only authority we have for supposing
+Indians poison their bullets, although we have read of poisoned arrows,
+and hence infer such a proceeding to be rather a supposition with her
+than a certainty.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE TALE AND FATAL SECRET.
+
+
+The dwelling of Benjamin Younker, as already mentioned, stood at the
+base of a hill, on the margin of a beautiful valley, and within a
+hundred feet of a lucid stream, whose waters, finding their source in
+the neighboring bills, rushed down, all gleesome and sparkling, over a
+limestone bed, and
+
+    "From morn till night, from night till morn,"
+
+sung gentle melodies for all who chose to listen.
+
+The building itself though rough, both externally and internally, was
+what at that period was termed a double cabin; and in this respect was
+entitled to a superiority over most of its neighbors. As this may serve
+for a representative of the houses or cabins of the early settlers of
+Kentucky, we shall proceed to describe its structure and general
+appearance somewhat more minutely than might otherwise be deemed
+necessary.
+
+The sides of the cottage in question, were composed of logs, rough from
+the woods where they had been felled, with the bark still clinging to
+them, and without having undergone other transformation than being cut
+to a certain length, and notched at either end, so as to sink into each
+other, when crossed at right angles, until their bodies met, thereby
+forming a structure of compactness, strength and solidity. Some ten or
+twelve feet from the ground, the two upper end logs of the cabin
+projected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the lower, and supported what
+were called _butting poles_--poles which crossed these projections at
+right angles, and, extending along the front and back of the building,
+formed the eaves of the roof. This latter was constructed by gradually
+shortening the logs at either end, until those which crossed them, as we
+said before, at right angles, came together at an angle of forty-five
+degrees, and the last one formed the ridge-pole or comb of the whole. On
+these logs, lapping one over the other, and the lower tier resting
+against the butting poles, were laid slabs of clapboard--a species of
+plank split from some straight-grained tree--about four feet long, and
+from three to four wide. These were secured in their places by logs in
+turn resting on them, at certain intervals, and answering the purpose of
+nails; necessity requiring these latter articles of convenience to be
+dispensed with in the early settlements of the West. As the cabin was
+double, two doors gave entrance from without, one into either apartment.
+These entrances were formed by cutting away the logs for the space of
+three feet by six, and were closed by rude doors, made of rough slabs,
+pinned strongly to heavy cross bars, and hung on hinges of the same
+material. These, like the rest of the building, were rendered, by their
+thickness, bullet proof--so that when closed and bolted, the house was
+capable of withstanding an ordinary attack of the Indians. With the
+exception of one window, opening into the apartment generally occupied
+by the family, and flanked by a heavy shutter, the doors and chimney
+were the only means through which light and air were admitted. These
+were all firmly secured at night--the unsettled and exposed state of the
+country, and the dangerous proximity of the pioneers to the ruthless
+savage, particularly those without the forts, rendering necessary, on
+their part, the most vigilant caution.
+
+The internal appearance of the cabin corresponded well with the
+external. The apartment occupied by the family during the day, where the
+meals were cooked and served, and the general household affairs attended
+to, was very homely; and might, if contrasted with some of the present
+time, be termed almost wretched; though considered, at the period of
+which we write, rather above than below the ordinary. The floor was
+composed of what by the settlers were termed puncheons; which were made
+by splitting in half trees of some eighteen inches in diameter, and
+hewing the faces of them as regular as possible with the broad-axe.
+These were laid, bark side downwards, upon sleepers running crosswise
+for the purpose, and formed at least a dry, solid and durable, if not
+polished, floor. At one end of the cabin was the chimney, built of logs,
+outside the apartment, but connecting with it by a space cut away for
+the purpose. The back, jambs, and hearth of this chimney were of stone,
+and put together, in a manner not likely to be imitated by masons of
+the present day. A coarse kind of plaster filled up the surrounding
+crevices, and served to keep out the air and give a rude finish to the
+whole.
+
+The furniture of the Younkers, if the title be not too ambiguous, would
+scarcely have been coveted by any of our modern exquisites, even had
+they been living in that age of straight-forward common sense. A large,
+rough slab, split from some tree, and supported by round legs set in
+auger holes, had the honor of standing for a table--around which, like a
+brood of chickens around their mother, were promiscuously collected
+several three-legged stools of similar workmanship. In one corner of the
+room were a few shelves; on which were ranged some wooden trenchers,
+pewter plates, knives and forks, and the like necessary articles, while
+a not very costly collection of pots and kettles took a less dignified
+and prominent position beneath. Another corner was occupied by a bed,
+the covering of which was composed of skins of different animals, with
+sheetings of home-made linen. In the vicinity of the bed, along the
+wall, was a row of pegs, suspending various garments of the occupants;
+all of which--with the exception of a few articles, belonging to Ella,
+procured for her before the death of her father--were of the plainest
+and coarsest description. A churn--a clock--the latter a very rare thing
+among the pioneers of Kentucky--a footwheel for spinning flax--a small
+mirror--together with several minor articles, of which it is needless to
+speak--completed the inventory of the apartment. From this room were two
+exits, besides the outer door--one by a ladder leading above to a sort
+of attic chamber, where were two beds; and the other through the wall
+into the adjoining cabin, whither our hero had been borne in a state of
+insensibility on the night of his mishap, and where he was for the
+second time presented to the reader. This latter place was graced with a
+bed, a loom for weaving, a spinning-wheel, a large oaken chest, and a
+few rough benches.
+
+Such, reader, as our description has set forth, was the general
+appearance of Younker's dwelling, both without and within, in the year
+of our Lord 1781; and, moreover, a fair representative of an hundred
+others of the period in question--so arbitrary was necessity in making
+one imitate the other. But to resume our story.
+
+In the after part of a day as mild and beautiful as the one on which we
+opened our narrative, but some four weeks later, Ella Barnwell,
+needle-work in hand, was seated near the open door leading from the
+apartment first described to the reader. Her head was bent forward, and
+her eyes were apparently fixed upon her occupation with great
+intentness--though a close observer might have detected furtive glances
+occasionally thrown upon a young man, with a pale and somewhat agitated
+countenance, who was pacing to and fro on the ground without. With the
+exception of these two, no person was within sight--though the rattling
+of a loom in the other apartment or cabin, betokened the vicinity of the
+industrious hostess.
+
+For some moments the young man--a no less personage than our hero--paced
+back and forth like one whose mind is harrowed by some disagreeable
+thought: then suddenly halting in front of the doorway, and in a voice
+which, though not intended to be so, was slightly tremulous, he
+addressed himself to the young lady, in words denoting a previous
+conversation.
+
+"Then I must have said some strange things, Ella--I beg pardon--Miss
+Barnwell."
+
+"Have I not requested you, Mr. Reynolds, on more than one occasion, to
+call me Ella, instead of using the formality which rather belongs to
+strangers in fashionable society than to those dwelling beneath the same
+roof, in the wilds of Kentucky?" responded the person addressed, in a
+tone of pique, while she raised her head and let her soft, dark eyes
+rest reproachfully on the other.
+
+"Well, well, Ella," rejoined Reynolds, "I crave pardon for my
+heedlessness; and promise you, on that score at least, no more cause for
+offence in future."
+
+"Offence!" said Ella, quickly, catching at the word: "O, no--no--not
+offence, Mr. Reynolds! I should be sorry to take offence at what was
+meant in all kindness, and with true respect; but somehow I--that
+is--perhaps it may not appear so to others--but I--to me it appears
+studied--and--and--cold;" and as she concluded, in a hesitating manner,
+she quickly bent her head forward, while her cheek crimsoned at the
+thought, that she might perhaps have ventured too far, and laid herself
+liable to misconstruction.
+
+"And yet, Ella," returned Reynolds, somewhat playfully, "you resemble
+many others I have known, in preaching what you do not practice. You
+request me to lay aside all formality, and address you by your name
+only; while you, in that very request, apply to me the title you
+consider as studied, formal and cold."
+
+"You have reference to my saying _Mr._ Reynolds, I presume," answered
+Ella; "but I see no analogy between the two; as in addressing you thus,
+I do but what, under the circumstances, is proper; and what, doubtless,
+habit has rendered familiar to your ear; while, on the other hand, no
+one ever thinks of calling me any thing but Ella, or at the most, Ella
+Barnwell--and hence all superfluities grate harshly."
+
+"Even complimentary adjectives, eh?" asked Reynolds, with an arch look.
+
+"Even those, Mr. Reynolds; and those most of all are offensive, I assure
+you."
+
+"I thought all of your sex were fond of flattery."
+
+"Then have you greatly erred in thinking."
+
+"But thus says general report."
+
+"Then, sir, general report is a slanderer, and should not be credited.
+Those who court flattery, are weak-minded and vain; and I trust you do
+not so consider all our sex."
+
+"Heaven forbid," answered Reynolds, with energy, "that I should think
+thus of all, or judge any too harshly!--but there may be causes to force
+one into the conviction, that the exceptions are too few to spoil the
+rule."
+
+"I trust such is not your case," responded Ella, quickly, while her eyes
+rested on the other with a searching glance.
+
+"No one is required to criminate himself in law," replied Reynolds,
+evasively, with a sigh; and then immediately added, as if anxious to
+change the topic: "But I am eager for you to inform me what I said
+during my delirium."
+
+"O, many things," returned Ella, "the half of which I could not repeat;
+but more particularly you spoke of troubles at home, and often repeated
+the name of Elvira with great bitterness. Then you would run on
+incoherently, for some time, about pistols, and swords, and end by
+saying that the quarrel was just--that you were provoked to it, until it
+became almost self defence--and that if he died, his blood would be on
+his own head."
+
+"Good heavens, Ella! did I indeed say this?" exclaimed Reynolds, with a
+start, while his features became deadly pale. "Did I say more? did I
+mention further particulars?--speak! tell me--tell me truly!"
+
+"Not in my hearing," answered Ella, while her own face blanched at the
+sudden vehemence of the other.
+
+"Well, well, do not be alarmed!" said Reynolds, evidently somewhat
+relieved, and softening his voice, as he noticed the change in her
+countenance; "people sometimes say strange things, when reason, the
+great regulator of the tongue, is absent. What construction did you put
+upon my words, Ella?"
+
+"Why, in sooth," replied Ella, watching his features closely as she
+spoke, "I thought nothing of them, other than to suppose you might
+formerly have had some trouble; and that in the chaos of wild images
+crowding your brain, after being attacked and wounded by savages, it was
+natural some of these image should be of a bloody nature."
+
+"Then you did not look upon the words as having reference to a reality."
+
+"No! at the time I did not."
+
+"At the time?" repeated Reynolds, with a slight fall of countenance;
+"have you then seen or heard any thing since to make you suspicious?"
+
+"Nothing--until--"
+
+"Well, well," said Reynolds, quickly, as she hesitated; "speak out and
+fear nothing!"
+
+"Until but now, when you became so agitated, and spoke so vehemently on
+my repeating your delirious language," added Ella, concluding the
+sentence.
+
+"Ha!" ejaculated Reynolds, as if to himself; "sanity has done more to
+betray me than delirium. Well, Ella," continued he, addressing her more
+direct, "you have heard enough to make you doubtful of my character;
+therefore you must needs hear the whole, that you may not judge me worse
+than I am; but remember, withal, the tale is for your ear alone."
+
+"Nay, Mr. Reynolds, if it be a secret, I would rather not have it in
+keeping," answered Ella.
+
+"It is a secret," returned Reynolds, solemnly, with his eyes cast down
+in a dejected manner; "a secret, I would to Heaven I had not myself in
+keeping! but hear it you must, Ella, for various reasons, from my lips;
+and then we part--(his voice slightly faltered) we part--forever!"
+
+"Forever!" gasped Ella, quickly, with a choking sensation, while her
+features grew pale, and then suddenly flushed, and her work
+unconsciously dropped from her hand. Then, as if ashamed of having
+betrayed her feelings, she became confused, and endeavored to cover the
+exposure by adding, with a forced laugh: "But really, Mr. Reynolds, I
+must crave pardon for my silly behavior--but your manner of speaking,
+somehow, startled me--and--and I--before I was aware--really, it was
+very silly--indeed it was, and I pray you overlook it!"
+
+"Were circumstances not as I have too much reason to fear they are,"
+returned Reynolds, slowly, sadly, and impressively, with his eyes fixed
+earnestly and even tenderly upon the other, "I would not exchange that
+simple expression of yours, Ella, for a mine of gold. By that alone you
+have spoken volumes, and told me what I already feared was true, but
+hoped was otherwise. Nay, turn not your head away, Ella--dear Ella, if
+you will allow me so to address you--it is better, under the
+circumstances, that we speak plainly and understandingly, as the time of
+our final separation draweth near. I fear that my manner and language
+have hitherto too much expressed my feelings, and encouraged hopes in
+you that can never be realized. Oh! Ella, if such be the case, I would,
+for your dear sake, we had never met!--and the thought hereafter, that I
+have caused you a pang, will add its weight of anguish to my already
+bitter lot. The days that I have spent beneath this hospitable roof, and
+in your sweet presence, are so many of bright sunshine, in a life of
+cloud and storm; but will only serve, as I recall them, to make the
+remainder, by contrast, seem more dark and dreary. From the first I
+learned you were an orphan, and my sympathy was aroused in your behalf;
+subsequently, I listened to your recital of grief, and trouble, and cold
+treatment by the world--told in an artless manner--and in spite of me,
+in spite of my struggles to the contrary, I discovered awakening in my
+breast a feeling of a stronger nature. Had my wound permitted, I should
+have torn myself from your presence then, with the endeavor, if such a
+thing were possible, to forget you; but, alas! fate ordered otherwise,
+and the consequence I fear will be to add sorrow to both. But one thing,
+dear Ella, before I go further, let me ask: Can you, and will you
+forgive me, for the manner in which I have conducted myself in your
+company?"
+
+"I have nothing to forgive; and had I, it should be forgiven," answered
+Ella, sweetly, in a timid voice, her hands unconsciously toying with her
+needle-work, and her face half averted, whereon could be traced the
+suppressed workings of internal emotion.
+
+"Thank you, Ella--thank you, for taking a weight from my heart. And now,
+ere I proceed with what to both of us will prove a painful revelation,
+let me make one request more--a foolish one I know--but one I trust you
+will grant nevertheless."
+
+"Name it," said Ella, timidly, as the other paused.
+
+"It is, simply, that in judging me by the evidence I shall give against
+myself, you will lean strongly to the side of mercy; and, when I am
+gone, think of me rather as an unfortunate than criminal being."
+
+"You alarm me, Mr. Reynolds, with such a request!" answered Ella,
+looking up to the other with a pale, anxious countenance. "I know not
+the meaning of it! and, as I said before, I would rather not have your
+secret in keeping--the more so, as you say the revelation will be a
+painful one to both."
+
+For a moment the young man paused, as though undecided as to his reply,
+while his countenance expressed a look of mortified regret really
+painful to behold--so much so, that Ella, moved by this to a feeling of
+compassion, said:
+
+"I perceive my answer wounds your feelings--I meant no harm; go on with
+your story; I will listen, and endeavor to concede all you desire."
+
+"Thank you--again thank you!" returned the other, energetically, with
+emotion. "I will make my narrative brief as possible."
+
+Saying which, he entered the apartment where the other was sitting, and
+seating himself a few feet distant from her, after some little
+hesitation, as if to bring his resolution to the point, thus began:
+
+"I shall pass over all minor affairs of my life, and come at once to the
+period and event, which changed me from a happy youth, blessed with home
+and friends, to a wanderer--I know not but an outlaw--on the face of the
+earth. I was born in the state of Connecticut, A.D. 1759; and my father
+being a man of property, and one determined on giving his children (of
+whom there were two, one older than myself) a liberal education, I was
+at an early age sent to a neighboring school, where I remained until
+turned of eighteen, and then returned to my parents.
+
+"About this period, an old, eccentric lady--a maiden aunt of my
+father--died, bequeathing to me--or rather to the second born of her
+nephew, Albert Reynolds, which chanced to be myself--the bulk of her
+property--in value some fifty thousand dollars, on condition, that,
+between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, I should marry a certain
+Elvira Longworth--a lady some three years my junior, for whom my great
+aunt had formed a strong attachment. And the will further provided, That
+in case the said second born of Albert Reynolds, either through the
+intervention of Providence, in removing him from off the face of the
+earth, (so it was worded) and from among the living, or through a mutual
+dislike of the parties seemed, did not between the specified ages,
+celebrate, with due rejoicing, the said nuptials with the said Elvira
+Longworth, the sum of twenty thousand dollars should be paid over to the
+said Elvira, if living, and the remainder of the property (or in case
+she was deceased the whole) should revert to the regular heirs at law.
+
+"Such was the will--one of the most singular perhaps on record--which,
+whatever the design of its author, was destined, by a train of
+circumstances no one could foresee, to result in the most terrible
+consequences to those it should have benefited. On the reading thereof,
+no little dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to it, by numerous
+relatives of the deceased; each of whom, as a matter of course, was
+expecting a considerable share of the old lady's property; and all of
+whom, with but few exceptions, were nearer akin than myself; and
+therefore, in that respect, more properly entitled to it. As a
+consequence of the will, I, though innocent of its construction--for
+none could be more surprised at it than myself--became a regular target
+for the ridicule, envy, and hate of those who chanced to be disappointed
+thereby. At the outset, I had no intention of seeking a title to the
+property by complying with the specification set forth at the instance
+of its late owner; and only looked upon it as a piece of crack-brained
+folly, that would serve for a nine days' comment and jest, and then be
+forgotten; but when I saw, that instead of being treated with the
+courtesy and respect no conscious act of mine had ever forfeited, I was
+ridiculed, sneered at, and looked upon with jealousy and hate by those
+whose souls were too narrow to believe in a noble action--and who,
+measuring and judging me by their own sordid standards of avaricious
+justice, deemed I would spare no pains to legally rob them, as they
+termed it,--when I saw this, I say, my blood became heated, my fiercer
+passions were roused, and I inwardly swore, that if it were now in my
+power to accomplish what they feared, I would do it, though the lady in
+question were a fright to look upon. In this decision I was rather
+encouraged by my father, who being at the time somewhat involved,
+thought it a feasible plan of providing for me, and then, by my aid,
+recovering from his own pecuniary embarrassments.
+
+"As yet I had never seen Elvira--she living in an adjoining county,
+some thirty miles distant, where my aunt, on a visit to a distant
+relative, had first made her acquaintance, and formed that singular
+attachment, peculiar to eccentric temperaments, which had resulted in
+the manner already shown. Accordingly, one fine spring morning, I
+mounted my horse, and set forth to seek my intended, and behold what
+manner of person she was of. Late at night I arrived at the village
+where she resided--stabled my beast--took lodging at a hotel--inquired
+out her residence--and, betimes, the morning following, made my
+obeisance in her presence, and with that bashful, awkward grace--if I
+may be allowed so paradoxical a term--which my youth present purpose,
+and former good breeding combined, were calculated to produce. I was
+more embarrassed still a minute after, when, having given my name, and
+hinted at the singular document of the old lady deceased, I found my
+fair intended, as well as her family, were in total ignorance of my
+meaning; and could I at the moment have been suddenly transferred to my
+horse, I do not think I should have paused to make the necessary
+explanation. As it was, there was no alternative; and accordingly
+begging a private interview with Elvira, I disclosed the whole secret;
+which she listened to for a time with unfeigned surprise; and then
+bursting into a wild, ringing laugh, declared it to be 'The funniest and
+most ridiculous thing she ever heard of.'
+
+"She was a gay, sprightly, beautiful being--fresh in the bloom of some
+fifteen summers--with a bright, sparkling, roguish eye--long, floating,
+auburn ringlets--a musical voice--a ringing laugh--the latter frequent
+and long,--so that I soon felt it needed not the stimulating desire of
+wealth and revenge to urge me on to that, which, under any
+circumstances, would have been by no means disagreeable. To make a long
+story short, I called upon her at stated periods; and, within a year
+from our first acquaintance, we were plighted to each other. About this
+time my father, together with some influential friends, procured me a
+lieutenancy, to serve in our present struggle for the maintainance of
+that glorious independence, drawn up by the immortal Jefferson, and
+signed by the noble patriots some two years before. I served a two
+years' campaign, and fought in the unfortunate and bloody battle of
+Camden; which resulted, as doubtless you have heard, in great loss and
+defeat to the American arms. Shortly after the action commenced, our
+captain was killed, and the command of the company devolved on me. I
+fulfilled my duties to the best of my ability, and myself and men were
+in the hottest of the fight. But from some alleged misdemeanor, whereof
+I can take my oath I was guiltless, I was afterward very severely
+censured by one of my superior officers; which so wounded my feelings,
+that I at once resigned my commission and returned to my native state.
+
+"On arriving at home, to my surprise and mortification, I learned that
+my intended was just on the eve of marriage with a cousin of mine--a
+worthless fellow--who, urged on by the relatives interested, and his own
+desire of acquiring the handsome competence of twenty thousand dollars,
+had taken advantage of my absence to calumniate me, (in which design he
+had been aided by several worthy assistants) and supplant me in the good
+graces--I will not say affections, as I think the term too strong--of
+Elvira Longworth.
+
+"The lady in question I do not think I ever loved--at least as I
+understand the meaning of that term--and now--that she had listened to
+slander against me while absent, and, without waiting to know whether it
+would be refuted on my return, had engaged herself to another--I cared
+less for her than before;--but my pride was touched, that I should be
+thus tamely set aside for one I heartily despised; and this, together
+with my desire to thwart the machinations of the whole intriguing clique
+arrayed against me, determined me, if feasible, to regain the favor of
+Elvira, and have the ceremony performed as soon as possible. This, Ella,
+I know you think, and I am ready to admit it, was wrong--very wrong;
+but I make no pretensions to be other than a frail mortal, liable to all
+the errors appertaining thereto; and were this is the only sin to be
+laid to my charge, my conscience were far less troublesome than now.
+
+"I determined, I say, to regain my former place in her favor or
+affection--whichever you like--and, to be brief, I apparently succeeded.
+The day was set for our marriage; which, for several reasons unnecessary
+to be detailed, was to take place at the residence of my father; and, as
+the will specified it should be with all due rejoicings, great
+preparations were accordingly made, and a goodly number of guests
+invited.
+
+"At length the day came--the eventful day. Never shall I forget it; nor
+with what feelings, at the appointed hour, I entered the crowded hall,
+where the ceremony was to take place, with Elvira leaning tremblingly on
+my arm, her features devoid of all color, and approached the spot where
+the divine stood ready to unite us forever. All eyes were now fixed upon
+us; and the marriage rite was begun amid that deep and almost awful
+solemnity, which not unfrequently characterizes such proceedings on
+peculiar occasions, when every spectator, as well as the actors
+themselves, feel a secret awe steal over them, as though about to
+witness a tragic, rather than a civil, performance.
+
+"I have mentioned that Elvira trembled violently when we entered the
+hall; but this trembling increased after the divine commenced the
+ritual; so that when I had answered in the affirmative the solemn
+question pertaining to my taking the being by my side as mine till
+death, her trepidation had become so great that it was with difficulty I
+could support her; and when the same interrogative was put to her, a
+silence of some moments followed; and then the answer came forth, low
+and trembling, but still sufficiently distinct to be generally
+understood; and was, to the unbounded astonishment of all, in the
+negative!"
+
+"In the negative!" exclaimed Ella, suddenly, who had during the last few
+sentences been unconsciously leaning forward, as though to devour each
+syllable as it was uttered, and who now resumed her former position with
+a long drawn breath. "In the negative say you, Alger--a--a--Mr.
+Reynolds?"
+
+"Call me Algernon, Ella, I pray you; it sounds more sweet and friendly.
+Ay, she answered in the negative. Heavens! what a shock was there for
+my proud nature! To be thus publicly insulted and rejected--to be thus
+made the butt and ridicule of fools and knaves--a mark for the jests and
+sneers of friend and foe! Oh! how my blood boiled and coursed in lava
+streams through my heated veins! I saw it all. I was the dupe of some
+artful design, intended to stigmatize me forever; and wild with a
+thousand terrible brain-searing thoughts, I rushed from the hall to my
+own apartment, seized upon my pistols, and was just in the act of
+putting a period to my existence, when my arm was suddenly grasped, and
+my hated rival and cousin stood before me.
+
+"'Fiend!' cried I in frenzy; 'devil in human shape!--do you seek me in
+the body? What want you here?'
+
+"His features were pale with excitement, and his lips quivered as he
+made answer: 'Be calm, Algernon, be calm; it was meant but in jest!'
+
+"'Jest!' screamed I; 'do you then own to a knowledge of it,
+villain?--were you its author?--then take that, and answer it as you
+dare!'--and as I spoke, with the breech of my undischarged pistol, I
+stretched him senseless at my feet. Under the excitement of the moment,
+I was about to take a more terrible revenge; when others suddenly rushed
+in--seized and disarmed me--bore my rival from my sight--and, to
+conclude, placed me in bed, where I was confined for three weeks by a
+delirious fever, and then only recovered as it were by a miracle.
+
+"During my convalescence, I learned that my cousin, soon after my
+return, had been privately married to Elvira; and prompted by his evil
+genius, and some of my enemies, had induced his wife to enter into the
+plot, the result of which has already been briefly narrated. I do not
+think she did it through malice, and doubtless little thought of the
+consequences that were destined to follow; but whether so or not, her
+punishment has, I think, been fully adequate to her crime; for the last
+I heard of her, she was an inmate of a mad-house--remorse for her
+conduct, the abuse heaped upon her by society, and her own severe fright
+at the termination of the stratagem, having driven her insane. Now comes
+the most tragic part of my narrative.
+
+"When so far recovered as to again be abroad, I was cautioned by my
+parents against my rash act; and for their sakes, I promised to be
+temperate in all my movements; but, alas! how little we know when we
+promise, what we may be in sooth destined to perform. On my father's
+estate, about a mile distant from his residence, was a beautiful
+grove--whither, for recreation, I was in the habit of repairing at all
+periods of my life; and where, so soon as my strength permitted, after
+my sickness, I rambled daily. About ten days from my recovery, as I was
+taking my usual stroll through these grounds, I was suddenly confronted
+by my cousin. His cheeks were hollow and pale, and his whole appearance
+haggard in the extreme. His eyes, too, seemed to flash, or burn, as it
+were, with an unearthly brightness; and his voice, as he addressed me,
+was hoarse, and his manner hurried.
+
+"'We meet well,' he said, 'well! I have watched for you long.'
+
+"'Away!' cried I; 'tempt me no more--or something will follow I may
+regret hereafter!'
+
+"'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed he, in derision, with that peculiar, hollow
+sound, which even now, as I recall it, makes my blood run cold:--'Say
+you so, cousin?--I came for that;' and again he laughed as before. 'See
+here--see here!' and he presented, as he spoke, with the butts toward
+me, a brace of pistols. 'Here is what will settle all our animosities,'
+he continued; 'take your choice, and be quick, or perchance we may be
+interrupted.'
+
+"'Are you mad,' cried I, 'that you thus seek my life, after the wrongs
+you have done me?'
+
+"'Mad!--ha, ha!--yes!--yes!--I believe I am,' he answered; 'and my wife
+is mad also. I did you wrong, I know--went to apologise for it, and you
+struck me down. Whatever the offence, a blow I never did and never will
+forgive; so take your choice, and be quick, for one or both of us must
+never quit this place alive.'
+
+"'Away!' cried I, turning aside; 'I will not stain my hands with the
+blood of my kin. Go! the world is large enough to hold us both.'
+
+"'Coward!' hissed he; 'take that, then, and bear what I have borne;' and
+with the palm of his hand he smote me on the cheek.
+
+"I could bear no more--I was no longer myself--I was maddened with
+passion--and snatching a pistol from his hand, which was still extended
+toward me, without scarcely knowing what I did, I exclaimed, 'Your blood
+be on your own head!'--and--and--Oh, Heaven!--pardon me, Ella--I--shot
+him through the body."
+
+Ella, who had partly risen from her seat, and was listening with
+breathless attention, now uttered an exclamation of horror, and sunk
+back, with features ghastly pale; while the other, burying his face in
+his hands, shook his whole frame with convulsive sobs. For some time
+neither spoke; and then the young man, slowly raising his face, which
+was now a sad spectacle of the workings of grief and remorse, again
+proceeded:
+
+"Horror-stricken--aghast at what I had done--I stood for a moment,
+gazing upon him weltering in his blood, with eyes that burned and seemed
+starting from their sockets--with feelings that are indescribable--and
+then rushing to him, I endeavored to raise him, and learn the extent of
+his injury.
+
+"'Fly!' said he, faintly, as I bent over him--'fly for your life! I have
+got my due--I am mortally wounded--and if you remain, you will surely be
+arrested as my murderer. Farewell, Algernon--the fault was mine--but
+this you can not prove; and so leave me--leave me while you have
+opportunity.'
+
+"His words were true; I felt them in force; if he died, I would be
+arraigned as his murderer--I had no proof to the contrary--circumstances
+would be against me--I should be imprisoned--condemned--perhaps
+executed--a loathsome sight for gaping thousands--I could not bear the
+thought--I might escape--ay, would escape--and bidding him a hasty
+farewell, I turned and fled. Not a hundred rods distant I met my father;
+and falling on my knees before him, I hurriedly related what had taken
+place, and begged advice for myself, and his immediate attendance upon
+my cousin. He turned pale and trembled violently at my narration; and,
+as I concluded, drew forth a purse of gold, which he chanced to have
+with him, and placing it in my hand, exclaimed:
+
+"'Fly--son--child--Algernon--for Heaven's sake, fly!'
+
+"'Whither, father?'
+
+"'To the far western wilds, beyond the reach of civilization--at least
+beyond the reach of justice--and spare my old eyes the awful sight of
+seeing a beloved son arraigned as a criminal!'
+
+"'And my mother?'
+
+"'You can not see her--it might cost you your life,--farewell!' and with
+the last word trembling on his lips, he embraced me fondly, and we
+parted--perchance forever.
+
+"I fled, feeling that the brand of Cain was on me; that henceforth my
+life was to be one of remorse and misery; that I was to be a wanderer
+upon the face of the earth--mayhap an Ishmael, with every man's hand
+against me. To atone in a measure to my conscience for the awful deed I
+had committed, I knelt upon the earth, and swore, by all I held sacred
+in time and eternity, that if the wound inflicted upon my cousin should
+prove mortal, I would live a life of celibacy, and become a wandering
+pilgrim in the western wilds of America till God should see proper to
+call me hence."
+
+"And--and did the wound prove mortal?" asked Ella, breathlessly.
+
+"Alas! I know not, Ella, and I fear to know. Four months have passed
+since then; and after many adventures, hardships, sufferings, and
+hair-breadth escapes, you see me here before you, a miserable man."
+
+"But not one guilty of murder, Algernon," said Ella, energetically.
+
+"I know not that--Heaven grant it true!"
+
+"O, then, do not despair, Algernon!--trust in God, and hope for the
+best. I have a hope that all will yet be well."
+
+"Amen to that, dear Ella; and a thousand, thousand thanks, for your
+sweet words of consolation; they are as balm to my torn and bleeding
+heart; but until I _know_ my fate, we must not meet again; and if, oh
+Heaven! and if the worst be true--then--then farewell forever! But who
+comes here?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE STRANGER.
+
+
+The closing sentence of the preceding chapter was occasioned by the
+glimpse of a man's shadow, that for a moment swept along in the
+sunlight, some twenty paces distant from the speaker, and then suddenly
+disappeared by being swallowed up in the larger and more stationary
+shade thrown from the cottage by the sinking sun. Scarcely were the
+words alluded to uttered, ere the sound of a step was heard close by the
+door, and the next moment the cause of the shadow and remark divided the
+light of the entrance.
+
+The individual in question, was a stout built, broad-shouldered,
+athletic man--some five feet nine inches in height--whose age, judging
+from his general appearance, as well as his features, might range from
+twenty-seven to thirty years. At the moment when he appeared before our
+acquaintances of the foregoing chapter, his right arm was held in a
+manner so as to screen the lower portion of his face; while a hat, not
+very much unlike those of the present day, pressed down upon his
+forehead, left but little of his countenance, and that mainly about the
+eyes, visible. With the latter he gave a quick, searching, suspicious
+glance at the two before him; and then, as if satisfied he had nothing
+to fear, lowered his arm and raised his hat from his forehead, exposing
+a physiognomy by no means pleasing to one skilled in reading the heart
+thereby. His complexion was swarthy--his skin coarse--and the general
+expression of his features repulsive in the extreme; this expression
+arising from the combination of three distinct parts of his
+countenance--namely: the forehead which was low and receding from two
+dark-red, shaggy eye-brows,--the eyes themselves, which were small,
+bloodshot and very fiery; and the mouth, which was narrow, thin-lipped,
+and habitually contracted into a sneering, sinister smile. In this
+general expression, was combined cunning, deceit, treachery, and
+bloodthirsty ferocity--each one of which passions were sufficiently
+powerful, when fully excited, to predominate over the whole combination.
+The hair of his head was short, thick, coarse and red, grew low upon his
+forehead, and, in its own peculiar way, added a fierceness to his whole
+appearance. Nature had evidently designed him for a villain of the
+darkest die; and on the same principle that she gives a rattle to a
+certain venomous snake, that other creatures may be warned of the deadly
+fang in time to avoid it--so had she stamped him with a look wherein his
+passions were mirrored, that those who gazed thereon might know with
+whom and what they had to do, and be prepared accordingly. The costume
+too of the stranger was rather singular, and worthy of note--being
+composed, for the most part, of an extraordinary long frock or
+overcoat--more like the gown of some monk than either--which reached
+almost down to the moccasins covering his feet, and was laced together
+in front, nearly the whole length, by thongs of deerskin. Around the
+waist passed a rude belt of the same material--carelessly tied at one
+side--in which, contrary to the usual custom of that period, there was
+not confined a single weapon, not even so much as a knife; and this
+fact, together with the general appearance of the individual and his own
+suspicious movements, led Algernon, almost at the first glance, to
+consider the long frock or gown an article of disguise, beneath which
+the stranger was doubtless doubly armed and costumed in a very
+different manner.
+
+As the eyes of the new comer, after closely scanning Reynolds, rested
+for the first time upon Ella, there flashed across his ugly features an
+expression of admiration and surprise--while the look of suspicion which
+he had previously exhibited, seemed entirely to disappear. Turning to
+the young man, who on his appearance had risen from his seat, and now
+stood as if waiting to know his commands, in a voice evidently much
+softened from its usual tones, but still by no means pleasant and
+harmonious, he said:
+
+"Will you be kind enough to inform me, sir, to whom this dwelling
+belongs?"
+
+"It is owned, I believe, by one Benjamin Younker," answered Algernon, in
+a cavalier manner, still eyeing the other closely.
+
+"May I ask his occupation?"
+
+"He is a farmer, sir--a tiller of the soil."
+
+"Will you favor me with a description of his personal appearance?"
+
+"I can do so," replied Algernon, somewhat surprised at the question,
+"provided I know the motive of inquiry to be a good one."
+
+"It is no other, I assure you," returned the stranger. "It was simply
+prompted by curiosity."
+
+"Well, then, the individual in question is a man who has seen more than
+fifty years--is tall, raw-boned, muscular, has a stoop in the shoulder,
+a long, thin face, small eyes, and hair slightly gray."
+
+"Has he any sons?" inquired the stranger.
+
+"One, a youth of twenty, who bears a strong resemblance to his father."
+
+"Daughters?"
+
+"He has no other child."
+
+"Then this young lady"--slightly bowing to Ella.
+
+"Is a more distant relation--a niece," answered Ella, rising as she
+spoke and disappearing from his sight.
+
+"A beautiful creature!" said the stranger, musingly, as if to
+himself--"a beautiful creature! Pardon me," added he, again addressing
+Algernon; "but may I inquire concerning yourself?"
+
+"I am a guest here, sir."
+
+"Aha--yes; a hunter I presume?"
+
+"I sometimes hunt."
+
+"Pardon me again--but are there more indwellers here than you have
+mentioned?"
+
+"One, sir--the good dame of the cottage."
+
+For a moment or two the stranger mused, as if running over in his mind
+all that had been said; and then observed:
+
+"Doubtless you think me very inquisitive; but I had a reason for all my
+questions; and I thank you sincerely, sir, for your prompt replies. It
+is now growing late; the sun will presently be down; and as I am a
+traveler--a stranger in this region--I would rather not pursue my
+journey further, providing I could be entertained here for the night."
+
+"As to that, I am unable to answer," said Algernon; "but if you will
+step within, I will make the necessary inquiries."
+
+"Thank you," replied the stranger, with a show of cordiality; "thank
+you;" and he immediately entered the cottage.
+
+Those days, as before said, were the good old days of hospitality--and,
+as far as population went, of social intercourse also--when every man's
+cabin was the stranger's home, and every neighbor every neighbor's
+friend. There were no distinct grades of society then as now, from which
+an honest individual of moral worth must be excluded because of
+poverty--a good character for upright dealing being the standard by
+which all were judged; and whoever possessed this, could rank equally
+with the best, though poor as the beggar Lazarus. Doubtless intellect
+and education then, as well as at the present day, held in many things a
+superiority over imbecility and ignorance; but there were no distinct
+lines of demarcation drawn; and in the ordinary routine of intercourse
+one with another, there was no superiority claimed, and none
+acknowledged. And this arose, probably, from the necessity each felt
+for there being a general unity--a general blending together of all
+qualifications, as it were, into one body politic--by which each
+individual became an individual member of the whole, perfect in his
+place, and capable of supplying what another might chance to need; as
+the man of education might be puny in stature and deficient of a strong
+arm; the man of strong arm deficient in education; the imbecile man
+might be a superior woodman--the man of intellect an inferior one:--so
+that, as before remarked, each of these qualities, being essential to
+perfect the whole, each one of course was called upon to exercise his
+peculiar talent, and take his position on an equality with his neighbor.
+There has been great change in society since then; those days of simple
+equality have gone forever; but we question if the present race, with
+all their privileges, with all their security, with all their means of
+enjoyment, are as happy as those noble old pioneers, with all their
+necessities, with all their dangers, with all their sufferings.
+
+According, therefore, to the established custom of the early settlers,
+the stranger for whom Algernon proceeded to make inquiries, was entitled
+to all the rights of hospitality; and whether liked or disliked, could
+not consistently be smiled away, nor frowned away, as doubtless he would
+have been, had he lived in this civil, wonderworking age of lightning
+and steam; and though his appearance was any thing but agreeable to Mrs.
+Younker, who surveyed him through her spectacles (being a little near
+sighted) from the adjoining cabin, whither Algernon had repaired to
+learn her decision; and though it would prove inconvenient to herself
+to grant his request; yet, as she expressed it, "He war a stranger, as
+hadn't no home and didn't know whar to go to; and prehaps war hungry,
+poor man; and it wouldn't be right nor Christian-like to refuse him jest
+a night's lodging like;" and so the matter was settled, and Algernon was
+deputed to inform him that he could stay and would be welcome to such
+fare as their humble means afforded.
+
+Some half an hour later, a loud hallooing announced the arrival of the
+two Younkers with the domestic cattle--consisting of the kine and some
+pet sheep which ran with them--from their labors in a distant field,
+where they had been engaged in harvesting corn. A few minutes after, the
+elder Younker entered the cabin, bearing upon his shoulder a rifle, from
+which depended a large, fat turkey that he had shot during his absence.
+With a slight but friendly nod to the stranger, he proceeded to deposit
+his game on the hearth--where it was presently examined and commented on
+at considerable length by the good dame--and then carefully placing his
+rifle on a couple of horn hooks depending from the ceiling for the
+purpose, he seated himself on a stool, his back to the wall, with the
+air of one who is very much fatigued, and does not wish to mingle in
+conversation of any kind.
+
+The sun by this time was already below the horizon; twilight was fast
+deepening into night; and the matron, having finished her remarks on the
+turkey, and "Wondered ef sech birds wouldn't git to being scaser arter a
+while, when all on, 'em war shot?" proceeded to the cow-yard, to assist
+Isaac in milking; while Ella hurried hither and thither, with almost
+noiseless activity, to prepare the evening repast. A bright fire was
+soon kindled in the chimney, over which was suspended a kettle for
+boiling water; while in front, nearly perpendicular, was placed a large
+corn loaf, whose savory odor, as it began to cook, was far from being
+disagreeable to the olfactory organs of the lookers on. The table, of
+which we have previously given a description, was next drawn into the
+middle of the apartment and covered with a home-made cloth of linen; on
+which were placed a medley of dishes of various sizes and
+materials--some of wood, some of pewter, some of earthern, and one of
+stone--with knives and forks to correspond. Three of these dishes were
+occupied--one with clean, fresh butter, another with rich old cheese,
+and the third with a quantity of cold venison steak. In the course of
+another half hour, the cake was baked and on the table--Isaac and his
+mother had entered with the milk--the announcement was made by Ella that
+all was ready; and the whole party, taking seats around the humble
+board, proceeded to do justice to the fare before them.
+
+A light, placed in the center of the table, threw its gleams upon
+the faces of each, and exhibited a singular variety of expressions.
+That of the stranger was downcast, sinister, and suspicious, combined
+with an evident desire of appearing exactly the reverse. Occasionally,
+when he thought no eye was on him, he would steal a glance at Ella;
+and some times gaze steadily--like one who is resolved upon a
+certain event, without being decided as to the exact manner of its
+accomplishment--until he found himself observed, when his glance would
+fall to his plate, or be directed to some other object, with the
+seeming embarrassment of one caught in some guilty act. This was noticed
+more than once by Algernon; who, perhaps, more than either of the
+others, felt from the first that strong dislike, that suspicious
+repugnance to the stranger, which can only be explained as one of the
+mysteries of nature, whereby we are sometimes warned of whom we should
+shun, as the instinct of an animal makes known to it its inveterate foe;
+and though he strove to think there was nothing of evil meant by a
+circumstance apparently so trifling--that the glance of the stranger was
+simply one of admiration or curiosity--yet the thought that it might be
+otherwise--that he might be planning something wicked to the fair being
+before him--haunted his mind like some hideous vision, made him for
+the time more distrustful, more watchful than ever, and was afterward
+reverted to with a painful sensation. The features of Algernon also
+exhibited an expression of remorse and hopeless melancholy; the reason
+whereof the reader, who has now been made acquainted with the secret,
+will readily understand. The face of Ella, too, was paler than
+usual--more sad and thoughtful--so much so, that it was remarked by Mrs.
+Younker, who immediately instituted the necessary inquiries concerning
+her health, and explained to her at some length the most approved method
+of curing a cold, in case that were the cause. In striking contrast to
+the sober looks of the others--for Younker himself was a man who seldom
+exhibited other than a sedate expression--was the general appearance and
+manner of Isaac. He seemed exceedingly exhilarated in spirits, yet kept
+his eyes down, and appeared at times very absent minded. Whatever his
+thoughts were, it was evident they were pleasing ones; for he would
+smile to himself, and occasionally display a comical nervousness, as
+though he had some very important secret to make known, yet was not
+ready to communicate it. This had been observed in him through the day;
+and was so different from his usual manner, and so much beyond any
+conjecture his mother could form of the cause, that at last her
+curiosity became so excited, that to restrain it longer was like holding
+down the safety-valve to an over-heated steam boiler; and, accordingly,
+taking advantage of another mysterious smile, which Isaac chanced to
+display while looking at a large piece of corn bread, already on its way
+to his capacious jaws, she exclaimed:
+
+"Why, what on yarth _is_ the matter with you, Isaac, that you keep a
+grinning, and grinning, and fidgetting about all to yourself so much
+like a plaguy nateral born fool for?"
+
+So loudly, suddenly and unexpectedly was this question put--for all had
+been silent some minutes previous--that Isaac started, blushed, dropped
+the bread--already near enough to his teeth to have felt uncomfortable,
+had it been capable of feeling--endeavored to catch it--blundered--and
+finally upset his plate and contents into his lap, in a manner so truly
+ridiculous, that Ella and Mrs. Younker, unable to restrain their mirth,
+laughed heartily, while the stranger and Algernon smiled, and the stern
+features of the father relaxed into an expression of quiet humor seldom
+seen on his countenance.
+
+"'Pon my word," continued Mrs. Younker, so soon as she could collect
+breath enough after laughing to go on; "I do raley believe as how the
+boy's ayther crazy, or in love, for sartin. What does ail ye, Isaac?--do
+tell!"
+
+"Perhaps he was thinking of his dear Peggy," said Ella, archly; who was,
+by the way, very fond of teasing him whenever opportunity presented; and
+could not even now, despite her previous low spirits, forbear a little
+innocent raillery--her temperament being such, that wit and humor were
+ever ready on the slightest provocation to take the ascendancy, as old
+wine when stirred ever sends its sparkling beads upward. "I wonder,
+Isaac, if you looked as amiable and interesting in the eyes of dear
+Peggy, and made as graceful an appearance, when you popped the
+question?"
+
+"Why, how in the name o' all Christen nater did you find out I'd done
+it?" asked Isaac, in reply; who having, meantime, regained his former
+position, and restored the plate, minus some of its contents, now sat a
+perfect picture of comical surprise, with his mouth slightly ajar, and
+his small eyes strained to their utmost and fastened seriously upon the
+querist as he awaited her answer.
+
+"Murder will out, dear Isaac," replied Ella, with a ringing laugh; in
+which she was joined by most of the others; and particularly by the
+subject of the joke; who perceiving, too late for retreat, that he had
+been betrayed into an acknowledgment of his secret, deemed this his
+wisest course for defence.
+
+"And so, Isaac, you have really proposed to darling Peggy, then? and we
+are to have a wedding shortly?" continued his tormentor. "And pray which
+did look the most foolish of the two?--or was it a drawn-game, as we
+sometimes say of draughts?"
+
+"Why," rejoined Isaac, changing color as rapidly as an aurora borealis,
+and evidently much embarrassed; "I 'spect I mought as well own up,
+being's I've got cotched in my own trap; and besides, it won't make no
+great difference, only as I war intending it for a surprise. You see I
+axed Peggy the question last night; and it's all settled; and we're
+going to be married in less nor a week, ef nothing unforeseen don't
+happen; and as Mr. Reynolds ar a stranger in these diggins, I thought
+prehaps as how he'd like a little amusement like, and so I've fixed on
+him for my groomsman."
+
+"I am much obliged for your kind intentions, and the honor you would
+confer on me," answered Reynolds, sadly; "but I am sorry to say, I shall
+be under the necessity of declining your invitation; as on the morrow I
+design taking a farewell leave of you all, and quitting this part of the
+country forever."
+
+Mr. Younker, his wife, and son, all started, with looks of surprise, at
+this announcement, while Ella again grew deadly pale; and rising, with
+some little trepidation, retired from the table. The stranger was the
+only one unmoved.
+
+"To-morrow!" ejaculated Mrs. Younker.
+
+"Take leave o' us!" said the host.
+
+"Quit the country forever!" repeated Isaac.
+
+"Such, I assure you, is my determination," rejoined Algernon.
+
+"But your wound, Mr. Reynolds?" suggested Younker.
+
+"Is not entirely healed," returned Algernon; "yet I trust sufficiently
+so to allow me to pursue my journey. The wound, as you are aware, was
+only a flesh one--the ball having entered the right side, glanced on the
+lower rib, and passed out nearly in front--and though very dangerous at
+the time from excessive hemorrhage, has of late been rapidly healing,
+and now troubles me but little if any."
+
+"Well, now, Mr. Reynolds," rejoined Mrs. Younker, "I'm a considerable
+older woman nor you ar--that is, I mean to say, I'm a much older
+individule--and I 'spect I've had in my time some lettle experience
+in matters that you don't know nothing about; and so you musn't go to
+thinking hard o' me, ef I give you a lettle advice, and tell you to
+stay right whar you ar, and not stir a single step away for three
+weeks;--'cause ef you do, your wound may get rupturous agin, and in
+some lone place jest carry you right straight off into the shader o'
+the valley of death--as our good old Rev. Mr. Allprayer used to say,
+when he wanted to comfort the sick. O, dear good man he war, Preacher
+Allprayer,"--continued the voluble old lady, with a sigh, her mind now
+wholly occupied with his virtues--"dear good man he war! I jest
+remember--Lor bless ye, I'll never forgit it--how he come'd to me when I
+war sick--with tears a running out o' his eyes like he'd been eating raw
+inyuns, poor man--and told me that I war going to die right straight
+away, and never need to hope to be no better; and that I'd most likely
+go right straight to that orful place whar all bad folks goes to. O, the
+dear man! I never could help always liking him arter that--it made me
+feel so orful narvous and religious like. Why, what on yarth be you
+grinning at agin, Isaac?--jest for all the world like a monkey for?"
+
+"Nothing, mother," answered Isaac, nearly choking with smothered
+laughter; "only I war jest kind o' thinking what a kind comforter Mr.
+Allprayer war, to tell you you couldn't live any longer; and that when
+you died you'd jest go right straight to--to--"
+
+"Silence! you irrelevant boy, you!" (irreverent was doubtless meant)
+interrupted the dame, angrily: "How dare you to go making fun o' the
+pious Rev. Mr. Allprayer?--him as used to preach all Sunday long, and
+pray all Sunday night, and never did nothing wrong--though he did git
+turned out o' the meeting house arterward for getting drunk and
+swearing; but then the poor man cried and said it were nothing but a
+accident, which hadn't happened more nor ten times to him sence he'd bin
+a preacher of the everlasting gospel. Thar, thar, the crazy head's a
+giggling agin! I do wish, Ben, you'd see to Isaac, and make him behave
+himself--for he's got so tittery like, sence he's axed Peggy, thar's no
+use o' trying to do nothing with him."
+
+"Isaac! Isaac!" said his father with a reproving glance; and, as though
+that voice and look possessed a spell, the features of the young man
+instantly became grave, almost solemn. Then turning to Algernon, the old
+man continued: "As to leaving us, Mr. Reynolds, you of course know your
+own business best, and it arn't my desire to interfere; but ef you could
+put up with our humble fare, say a week or ten days longer, I think as
+how it would be much better for you, and would give us a deal of
+pleasure besides."
+
+"Why, I'll jest tell you what tis," put in Isaac: "I've fixed on you for
+groomsman, and I arn't a going to gin in no how; so unless you want to
+quarrel; you'll have to stay; and more'n that, it's spected you'll see
+to takin Ella thar; for I know she don't like to go with any o' the
+fellers round here; and I shall gin out she's going with you; which may
+be won't hurt your feelings none--at any rate, I know it won't hers."
+
+At the mention of Ella, Algernon crimsoned to the eyes, and became so
+exceedingly confused, that he could with difficulty stammer forth, by
+way of reply, the query as to the time when the important event was
+expected to take place.
+
+"Let me see," answered Isaac, telling off the days on his fingers:
+"to-morrow's Friday; then Saturday's one, Sunday's two, Monday's three,
+and Tuesday's four--only four days from to-morrow morning, Mr. Reynolds."
+
+"Then, as you so urgently insist upon it," rejoined Reynolds, "I will
+postpone my departure till after the wedding."
+
+Isaac thanked him cordially, and the father and mother looked gratified
+at the result; Ella he could not see--she having withdrawn from the
+table, as previously noted. Some further conversation ensued relative to
+the manner in which weddings were conducted in that country, and the
+design of proceeding with the one in question; but as we intend the
+reader to be present at the wedding itself, we shall not detail it.
+We will remark here, by the way, that the stranger seemed to take a
+singular interest in all that was said concerning the residence of the
+intended bride, the road the party were expected to take to reach there,
+their probable number, manner of travel, and the time when they would be
+likely to set forth and return. In all this it was observed by Algernon,
+that whenever he asked a question direct, it was put in such a careless
+manner as would lead one not otherwise suspicious to suppose him
+perfectly indifferent as to whether it were answered or not; but he
+somehow fancied, he scarce knew why, that there was a strong under
+current to this outward seeming. And furthermore he observed, that the
+stranger in general avoided putting a question at all--rather seeking
+his information by conjecturing or supposing what would immediately be
+contradicted or confirmed. This mode of interrogation, so closely
+followed up to every particular, yet apparently with such indifference,
+together with the stranger's treacherous look and several minor things
+all bearing a suspicious cast, more than half convinced Algernon that
+the other was a spy, and that some foul play was assuredly meditated;
+though what, and to whom, or for what purpose, he was at a loss to
+determine.
+
+From the particulars of the coming wedding, the stranger, after a
+little, adroitly turned the conversation upon the wound of Reynolds;
+asked a number of questions, and appeared deeply interested in the whole
+narration concerning it--the attack upon him by the Indians and his
+providential escape through the assistance of Boone--all of which was
+detailed by Isaac in his own peculiar way. From this case in particular,
+the conversation gradually changed to other cases that had happened
+in the vicinity; and also to the state of the country, with regard
+to what it had been and now was--its settlements--its increase of
+inhabitants--the many Indian invasions and massacres that had occurred
+within the last five years on the borders--and the present supposed
+population of the frontiers.
+
+"As to myself," said Younker, in reply to some observation of the
+stranger, "as to myself and family, we've been extremely fortunate in
+'scaping the red foe--though I've bin daily fearful that when I went
+away to my work in the morning, I'd may be come back agin at noon or
+night and find my women folks gone, or murdered, and my cot in ashes;
+but, thank the Lord! I've been so far spared sech a heart rending
+sight."
+
+"And had you no personal fears?" asked the stranger.
+
+"I don't know's I understand you."
+
+"Had you no fears for yourself individually?"
+
+"Well, I can't say's I had," answered the other. "I'm an old man--or at
+least I'm in my second half century--and I've so endeavored to live, as
+not to fear to go at any moment when God sees fit, and by whatsomever
+means he may choose to take me."
+
+"I suppose you now consider yourself in a measure safe from Indian
+encroachments?" observed the other.
+
+"No man, stranger--I beg pardon, but I'd like to know your name!"
+
+"Certainly, sir," answered the other, a little embarrassed. "My name
+is--is--Williams."
+
+"Thank you! No man, Mr. Williams, ar justified in considering himself
+safe from Injens, in a country like this; but to tell the truth, I don't
+feel so fearful of 'em, as when I first come out here with my family,
+two year ago; though thar's no telling what may hap in the course o' two
+year more."
+
+"And did you venture here at once on your arrival in this western
+country?"
+
+"Not exactly; for the land laws o' Virginna, passed the year I come out,
+made it rayther difficult gitting hold o' land, about which thar war a
+great deal o' disputing; and which war kept up till the commissioners
+came out and settled the matter; and so while this war agitating, I took
+my family to Boonesborough, whar they remained, excepting Isaac, who
+went along with me, until we'd got all matters fixed for moving 'em
+here. But as you've axed considerable many questions, pray may I know ef
+you're from the east?--And ef so, what news thar is with respect to this
+here war with the Britishers?" "Why," replied the other, hesitatingly,
+"though not strictly speaking from the east, yet I've been eastward the
+past season, and have some news of the war; and, as far as I am able to
+judge, think it will result in the total subjugation of the colonies."
+
+"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Younker.
+
+"Heaven forefend!" said Reynolds, with a start.
+
+"Lord presarve us!--marsy on us!" cried Mrs. Younker, with vehemence.
+"What on yarth shall we do, ef them plaguy Britishers git uppermost?
+They'll take away all our lands, for sartin!--and Ben's bin and bought
+four hundred acres, poor man, at forty cents a acre, under the new laws
+of Varginna[4]--which comes to one hundred and sixty dollars, hard
+money; and now maybe he'll have to lose it all, and not git nothing for
+it; and then what in the name o' the whole univarsal creation will
+become on us?"
+
+"Well, well, Dorothy--don't fret about it till it happens--thar'll be
+plenty o' time then," said Younker, gravely; "and perhaps it won't
+happen at all."
+
+"Don't talk to me about fretting, Mr. Younker!" rejoined the now
+irritated dame, a la Caudle: "I reckon I don't fret no easier nor you
+do, nor half so much nother; but I'd like to know who wouldn't fret,
+when they know they're going to lose all thar property by them thar good
+for nothing red-coated Britishers, who I do believe is jest as mean as
+Injens, and they're too mean to live, that's sartin. Fret, indeed! I
+reckon it wouldn't do for you to be letting Preacher Allprayer hear ye
+say so; for he said one time with his own mouth--and to me too, mind
+that!--that I'd got the bestest disposition in the whole universal yarth
+o' creation under the sun!" and the voluble old lady paused to take
+breath.
+
+"It's my opine, that ef Preacher Allprayer had lived with you as long as
+I have, he wouldn't repeat that thar sentence under oath," returned
+Younker, quietly. Then perceiving that a storm was brewing, he hastened
+to change the conversation, by addressing the stranger: "What cause have
+you, Mr. Williams, for speaking so discourageous o' the war?"
+
+"The failure of the American arms in battle, the weakness of their
+resources, and the strength of their opponents," replied the other. "I
+presume you have heard of the battles of Guilford and Camden, in both of
+which General Greene was defeated?"
+
+"General _Gates_ commanded at Camden, sir!" interposed Reynolds somewhat
+haughtily.
+
+"I beg pardon, sir!" retorted the other, in a sneering, sarcastic tone;
+"but I was speaking of the defeat of General _Greene!_"
+
+"At Camden?"
+
+"At Camden, sir!"
+
+"I am sorry you are no better informed," rejoined Algernon, with
+flashing eyes. "I repeat that General Gates commanded at Camden; and as,
+unfortunately, I chanced to be in the fight, I claim the privilege of
+being positive."
+
+"The youth is doubtless speaking of the battle fought a year or two
+ago," rejoined Williams, turning to Younker, in a manner the most
+insulting to Reynolds; who clenched his hand, and pressed his nether lip
+with his teeth until the blood sprang through, but said nothing. "I have
+reference to the two engagements which took place at Guilford Court
+House and Camden, in March and April last; whereby, as I said before,
+General Greene, who commanded at both, was twice defeated, and retreated
+with great loss; although in the former action his forces outnumbered
+those of his opponent, Lord Cornwallis, as two to one; and in the
+latter, far exceeded those of Lord Rawdon, his opponent also."
+
+"This is indeed startling news," answered Younker, "and I'm fearful o'
+the result!"
+
+"You may depend on't, them thar four-hundred acres is all gone clean to
+smash," observed Mrs. Younker; "and its my opine, Ben, you'd better sell
+right straight out immediately, afore the news gits about any further,
+for fear o' accidents and them things."
+
+"I suppose in reality the present war with England does not trouble you
+here?" said the stranger, interrogatively.
+
+"Why not in reality," answered Younker, "only so far as the Britishers
+and thar accursed renegade agents set on the Injens agin us."
+
+"To what renegade agents do you allude?" inquired the other, with a
+degree of interest he had not before exhibited.
+
+"Why, to the Girtys, McKee, and Elliot--and perticularly to that thar
+scoundrel, Simon Girty the worst o' all on 'em."
+
+"Ha! Simon Girty," said the other, with a slight start and change of
+countenance; "what know you of him?"
+
+"Nothing that's good, you may be sartin, and every thing that's evil.
+He's leagued with the Injens, purposely to excite 'em agin his own white
+brethren--to have them murder women and children, that he may feast his
+eyes on thar innocent blood. I'm not given to be o' a revengeful speret,
+Mr. Williams; but I never think o' that thar renegade, Simon Girty, but
+I inwardly pray for the curse o' an avenging God to light upon him; and
+come it will, ayther soon or late, you may depend on't!"
+
+"Amen to that thar sentiment!" responded the dame; while the stranger
+became very much agitated, on account, as he said, of a violent pain in
+his side, to which he was subject.
+
+Mrs. Younker was on the point of bringing down her invectives on the
+head of the renegade in a speech of some considerable length, when,
+perceiving the distressful look of the other, the kind-hearted woman
+suddenly forgot her animosity in sympathy for her suffering guest; and
+forthwith proceeded, with all the eloquence of which she was master, to
+recommend a certain essence that chanced to be in the house, as a never
+failing remedy for all griping and other pains with which unfortunate
+humanity was oftentimes afflicted.
+
+"It's one o' the bestest things as ever war invented," continued the
+good woman, in her eulogy of the article in question; "and has did more
+good in it's time, nor all the doctors on the univarsal yarth put
+together could do, in the way of curing sprains, and bruises, and
+stomach-pains, and them things; and ef you don't believe it, Mr.
+Williams, you can see it all in print, ef you can read, and I spect you
+can, on the bottle itself, jest as plain as any thing; and besides, I've
+got the testament (testimony, doubtless) of the good and pious Rev. Mr.
+Allprayer, who tuk some on't once for the gout; and he said as how the
+contracting (counteracting?) pains war so many, that he didn't no more
+feel the gout for a long time to come afterwards. I've no doubt it'll
+sarve you jest the same way, and I'll go and fetch it right straight
+off."
+
+But the mission of the good woman was prevented by the complainant's
+insisting that he was much better, would presently be well, and wished
+to retire for the night. His request was granted--but little more was
+said--and all shortly after betook themselves to bed--to think, or
+sleep, or dream, as the case might be with each.
+
+When the family arose on the following morning, they found the stranger
+had departed; but when or whither none could tell.
+
+
+[Footnote 4: It may be proper to note here, for the benefit of those
+unfamiliar with the early history of Kentucky, that, at the period of
+which we write, it was claimed and held by Virginia as a portion of her
+territory, for which she legislated accordingly.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE WEDDING.
+
+
+The year 1781 was remarkable in the history of Kentucky for the immense
+emigration from the east into its territory of unmarried females. It
+appears, in looking over the records of the time, as though some mighty
+barrier had hitherto kept them in check, which, being removed, allowed
+them to rush forward in overwhelming force, like to the pent up waters
+of some stream when its obstruction suddenly gives way. Whatever this
+hitherto obstruction or barrier may have been, we do not pretend to say;
+but the fact itself we record as we find it chronicled in history. The
+result of this influx of females into a region almost wholly populated
+by the opposite sex was one, as will readily be perceived, of great
+importance to the well-being of the embryo state; and was duly
+celebrated by the rising generation, in a general jubilee of
+marriages--one following fast upon another, like drops of rain in a
+genial summer shower; and, to extend the simile, with an effect by no
+means less productive of fertility, in a long run, to the country round
+about.
+
+A wedding in those days was an affair of great importance to the
+neighborhood of its location; and was looked forward to by old and
+young--the latter in particular--as a grand holiday of feasting,
+dancing, and general rejoicing. Nor can this be wondered at, when we
+take into consideration the fact, that, in the early settlement of the
+country, a wedding was almost the only gathering, as they were called,
+which was not accompanied with some laborious employment--such as
+harvesting, log-rolling, and the like. Occasionally there might be some
+dissatisfaction felt and expressed by some, who, from some cause or
+another, chanced to be left out of the almost general invitation; in
+which case a special resentment not unfrequently followed. This was
+accomplished in various ways--sometimes by felling trees, or placing
+other obstacles across some narrow portion of the horse-path by which
+the wedding party were advancing, thereby causing considerable delay for
+their removal--sometimes by ambushing and firing a volley of blank
+cartridges at the party in question, so as to frighten the horses, by
+which means more or less were frequently injured, by being thrown to the
+ground--and sometimes by shearing the manes and tails of the horses
+themselves, while their owners were being occupied with the feast, and
+the dance, and the gay carousal of the occasion. But to proceed.
+
+The morning of the day set apart by Isaac Younker, as the one which was
+to see him duly united to Peggy Wilson, came in due time--as many an
+important one has both before and since--without one visible sign in the
+heavens, or otherwise, to denote that any thing remarkable was about to
+happen. In fact it might be put down to the reverse of all this; for,
+unlike the generality of wished-for days, it was exceedingly fair,
+balmy, and beautiful. The sun rose at the expected time, large and red,
+and saluted the hills and tree-tops, and anon the vales, with a smiling
+light, as though he felt exceedingly happy to greet them again after a
+calm night's repose. The dew sparkled on blade and leaf, as if with
+delight at his appearance; a few flowers modestly uncovered their
+blooming heads; a few warblers of the forest--for although autumn had
+nearly half advanced, some had delayed their journey to the sunny
+south--sung gleesome songs; and altogether the morning in question was
+really a delightful one.
+
+The family of the Younkers were stirring betimes, making the necessary
+preparations for their departure, and looking out for the expected
+guests; who, according to the custom of the period, first assembled at
+the residence of the groom, to proceed thence in company with him to
+the mansion of the bride, which place they must always reach in time to
+have the ceremony performed before partaking of the dinner prepared for
+the occasion. For this purpose, as the distance to the house of the fair
+intended was not unfrequently considerable, they generally came at an
+early hour; and as Isaac's fair Peggy was not likely to be visible short
+of a ten miles' ride, his companions for the journey accordingly began
+to appear in couples before his father's dwelling, ere the sun was an
+hour above the hills.
+
+Isaac, on the present occasion, stood ready to receive them as they
+rode up, arrayed in his wedding garments; which--save a few trifling
+exceptions in some minor articles, and the addition of five or six metal
+buttons displayed on his hunting frock in a very singular manner, and
+a couple of knee buckles, all old family relics--presented the same
+appearance as those worn by him during his ordinary labors. And this,
+by the way, exhibits another feature of the extreme simplicity of the
+time--and one too highly praise-worthy--when the individual was sought
+for himself alone, and not for the tinsel gew-gaws, comparatively
+speaking, he might chance to exhibit. Necessity forced all to be plain
+and substantial in the matter of dress; and consequently comfort and
+convenience were looked to, rather than ostentatious display. All at
+that day were habited much alike--so that a description of the costume
+of one of either sex, as in the case of their habitations, previously
+noted, would describe that of a whole community.
+
+"Let the reader," says a historian, in speaking of the manners and dress
+of those noble pioneers, "imagine an assemblage of people, without a
+store, tailor, or mantuamaker within an hundred miles; and an assemblage
+of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The
+gentlemen dressed in shoepacks, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins,
+linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made. The ladies dressed in linsey
+petticoats, and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings,
+handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles,
+rings, buttons or ruffles, they were the relics of old times--family
+pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with
+old saddles, old bridles or halters, and packsaddles, with a bag or
+blanket thrown over them--a rope or string as often constituting the
+girth as a piece of leather."
+
+But to our story:
+
+Since leaving Isaac in the preceding chapter, after his important
+announcement, as therein recorded, he had been by no means idle. The two
+days immediately following had been spent by him in riding post-haste
+through the surrounding country, to inform his friends that he was on
+the point of becoming a married man, and require their presence at the
+appointed hour and place of ceremony. The rest of the time (Sunday of
+course exempted) had been carefully husbanded by him in making all due
+preparation; and he now stood before his expected guests with the air
+one, to use a common phrase, who has not been caught napping. For each,
+as they rode up, he had a friendly salutation and familiar word; and
+inviting them to dismount and enter, until the whole number should be
+arrived, he led away and secured their horses to the neighboring trees.
+
+In due time the last couple made their appearance; and having partaken
+of some refreshment, which was highly recommended and presented by Mrs.
+Younker herself--whose tongue, by the way, had seen no rest for at least
+two hours--the whole party, in gleeful spirits, prepared to mount and
+set forth on their journey. Even Algernon, as he assisted the graceful
+Ella into her saddle, and then sprung lightly himself upon the back of
+a high mettled, beautiful steed by her side, could not avoid exhibiting
+a look of cheerfulness, almost gaiety, in striking contrast to his
+habitual gloom. And this too produced a like effect upon Ella; who,
+mounted upon a fine spirited, noble animal, and displaying all the ease
+and grace of an accomplished rider, with her flushed cheek and sparkling
+eyes, seemed the personification of loveliness. Her dress was
+exceedingly neat, of the fashion and quality worn in the east--being one
+she had brought with her on her removal hither. A neat hood, to which
+was attached a green veil, now thrown carelessly back and floating down
+behind, covered her head and partially concealed a profusion of
+beautiful ringlets.
+
+The company at length being all mounted, Isaac took it upon himself to
+lead the way; for the reason, as he alleged, that having traveled the
+ground oftener than either of the others, he of course knew the best and
+nearest path to the abode of Peggy Wilson. Algernon as groomsman rode
+next with Ella; followed in turn by the father and mother of the groom;
+and then in double file by the whole company--talking, laughing and full
+of glee--to the number of some fifteen couples. Turning the corner of
+the house, they forded the streamlet previously mentioned, crossed the
+valley, and ascended by a narrow horse-path the opposite hill, leaving
+the canebrake some distance away to the left.
+
+In those days a road--or at least such a highway as we of the present
+so denominate--was a something unknown; a few horse-paths, so termed,
+traversing the country in various directions--narrow, oftentimes
+obstructed, and sometimes dangerous. Over one of this latter class, as
+before said, our wedding party now wended their way, in high spirits;
+sometimes riding at a brisk trot or gallop, where their course lay open
+and clear, sometimes walking their horses very slow, in single file,
+where the path, winding across craggy bluffs, among rocks and trees,
+became very narrow and unsafe. Twice, on this latter account, did the
+gentlemen of the company dismount and lead the horses of their partners
+for some considerable distance past the stony and dangerous defile, by
+which means all accidents were avoided. When they had reached within
+a mile of their destination, Isaac drew rein and all came to a halt.
+Turning upon his saddle, with the air of a commander of some important
+expedition, he sang out in a loud, shrill voice;
+
+"Well, boys and gals, here we ar--this here's the spot--who's agoing to
+run for the bottle?"
+
+"Whoop! yaho! give way thar!" was the answer from a couple of voices in
+the rear; and at the same instant, two young men, separating from their
+partners, came bounding forward, on two blood horses, at break-neck
+speed.
+
+"Stop!" thundered Isaac, as they came tearing up to where he was sitting
+astride his beast; and obedient to his command, the two individuals in
+question reined in their impatient steeds, hard abreast, close by his
+side. "Well, ef you arn't a couple o' beauties, then jest put it down
+that I don't know," continued Isaac, eying them coolly from head to
+heel, with a quizzical, comical look. "You'd both on ye average two
+decent looking fellars--for whar Seth Stokes is too long, Sam Switcher
+arn't long enough; and whar Sam Switcher's got too much, Seth Stokes
+han't got nothing."
+
+A roar of laughter, in which both Seth and Sam joined, followed Isaac's
+closing remarks; for besides partaking of the ludicrous, none could deny
+that his description was correct. The two worthies in question were
+certainly two very singular looking beings to be brought together for a
+race, and presented a most laughable appearance. The one bearing the
+poetical appellation of Seth Stokes, was long, thin and bony, with sharp
+features, and legs that reminded one of a carpenter's compass; while his
+companion, Sam Switcher, was round-favored, short in limbs and stature,
+and fat almost to corpulency--thus forming a contrast to the other of
+the most striking kind.
+
+As soon as the laugh at their expense had subsided, Isaac again sang
+out: "Squar your hosses' heads thar--get ready, boys--now clippet, and
+don't keep us long waiting the bottle! for I reckon as how some on us
+is gitting dry. Yehep! yahoa!" and ere the sound of his voice had died
+away, down came the switches, accompanied by a terrible yell, and off
+went horses and bottle-riders--over stumps, logs and rocks--past trees
+and brush, and whatever obstacle might lie in their course--with a speed
+that threatened them with death at every moment; while the others
+remained quietly seated on their ponies, enjoying the sport, and
+sometimes shouting after them such words of encouragement as, "Go it,
+Seth!" "Up to him, Sammy!" "Pull up, legs!" "Jump it, fatty!" so long as
+the racers were in sight.
+
+This race for the bottle, as it was called, was a peculiar feature for
+displaying the horsemanship and hardy recklessness of the early
+settlers; as a more dangerous one, to both horse and rider, could not
+well be imagined. That the reader may form a clear conception of what it
+was in reality--and also to destroy the idea if any such may have been
+formed, that it existed only in our imagination--we shall take the
+liberty of giving a short extract from the author already quoted. In
+speaking of the foregoing, he says:
+
+"The worse the path--the more logs, brush, and deep hollows, the
+better--as these obstacles afforded an opportunity for the greater
+display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox-chase, in point
+of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for
+the bottle. The start was announced by an Indian yell; when logs, brush,
+muddy hollows, hill and glen, were speedily passed by the rival ponies.
+The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use
+for judges; for the first who reached the door was presented with the
+prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approaching
+them, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the
+head of the troop he gave the bottle first to the groom and his
+attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line,
+giving each a drachm; and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his
+hunting shirt, took his station in the company."
+
+In something like a quarter of an hour, the clatter of horses' feet was
+heard by the company, the rival-racers presently appeared in sight, and
+all became anxious to learn who was the successful runner. They were not
+long kept in suspense; for advancing at a fast gallop, the riders were,
+soon within speaking distance; when a loud, shrill whoop from Seth
+Stokes, announced that in this case success had at least been with the
+long, if not with the strong.
+
+"How's this, Sammy?" cried a dozen voices, as the rivals rode up to the
+party.
+
+"I don't exactly know," answered the individual addressed, shaking his
+head with a serio-comical expression; "but stifle me with the night-mar,
+if ever I'm cotched riding a race with death on horseback agin."
+
+This allusion to the bony appearance of his companion, caused a roar
+of laughter at the expense of the winner, in which he good-humoredly
+joined. According to custom, as previously mentioned, the bottle was
+presented first to Isaac, and then passed in regular order through
+the lines--Algernon and Ella merely putting it to their lips without
+drinking. When this ceremony was over, the party resumed their
+journey--no less merry on account of the whiskey--and by half an hour
+past eleven o'clock, all drew rein before the door of Abijah Wilson,
+the father of the fair intended.
+
+Here another party, the friends of the bride, were waiting to receive
+them; and after some few introductions, much shaking of hands, and other
+demonstrations of joy, the announcement was made, that the squire was
+ready to perform the ceremony. Instantly all talking was suspended, the
+company proceeded to form into a half circle, and then all became silent
+and solemn as the house of death. Isaac presently appeared from behind a
+coarse, temporary screen of cloth, hung up for the occasion--the house
+having no division save a chamber over head--leading the blushing Peggy
+by the hand, (a rosy cheeked, buxom lass of eighteen) both looking as
+frightened and foolish as could reasonably be expected. Behind the bride
+and groom came Algernon, in company with a dark-eyed, pretty brunette,
+who performed the part of bridesmaid. Taking their several places, the
+Squire, as he was termed--a man of forty--stepped forward, and said a
+few words concerning the importance of the present event, asked the
+necessary questions, joined their hands, and pronounced them man and
+wife. Then followed the usual amount of congratulations, good wishes for
+the future happiness of the married pair, kissing of the bride, and so
+forth, in all of which proceedings they differed not materially from
+their successors of the present day.
+
+About half an hour from the close of the ceremony, the guests were
+invited to partake of a sumptuous dinner, prepared expressly for the
+occasion. It was placed on rough tables made of large slabs, supported
+by small, round legs, set in auger holes; and though there was a
+scantiness of dishes--and these in the main consisting of a few
+pewter-plates, several wooden trenchers, with spoons of like material,
+interspersed with some of horn--and though the scarcity of knives
+required many of the gentlemen to make use of those carried in their
+belts--yet the food itself was such as might have rejoiced an epicure.
+It consisted of beef, roasted and boiled--pork, roasted and
+fried--together with chicken, turkey, partridge, and venison--well
+flanked on every side by bread, butter, and cheese, potatoes, cabbage,
+and various other vegetables. That it was both acceptable and palatable,
+was sufficiently proved by the hearty, joyous manner, in which each
+individual performed his or her part, and the rapidity with which it
+disappeared. The dessert was composed of two or three kinds of pies and
+puddings, washed down (at least by those who chose so to do) with
+whiskey. Great hilarity prevailed--particularly after the introduction
+of the bottle. Immediately dinner was over, the tables were removed, the
+fiddler was called for, and the dance commenced, which was to last till
+the following morning. The dance was opened by Isaac and the bridesmaid,
+with another couple--beginning with a square four, and ending with what
+was termed a jig. From this time forth, until the party separated, the
+poor fiddler experienced but little relaxation or comfort--unless in
+being encouraged, occasionally, by a refreshing salute from the lips of
+Black Betty; a being of no greater intellect, reader, than a bottle of
+whiskey.
+
+Some two hours after dinner, the father and mother of Isaac announced
+their intention of forthwith returning home; and, although seriously
+pressed to tarry longer, shortly after took their leave of the
+company--Mrs. Younker adding, as a farewell speech, "That she hoped to
+gracious Peggy'd jest make Isaac as good a wife nor she had Ben, and
+then thar wouldn't never be no need o' having trouble;" and wound up by
+quoting the Rev. Mr. Allprayer as the best authority on the subject.
+Younker stood by her side, calmly heard her through, and then shrugging
+his shoulders with a very significant expression, walked away without
+saying a word, to the great amusement of the whole assemblage.
+
+As to Algernon, he seemed to take no delight in what was going forward;
+and though he participated somewhat in the dance, yet it was evident to
+all observers that his mind went not with his body, and that what he did
+was done more with a design of concealing his real feelings, than for
+any amusement it afforded himself. When not occupied in this manner, or
+in conversation, he would steal away, seat himself where he was least
+likely to be observed, and fall into a gloomy, abstracted mood; from
+which, when suddenly roused by some loud peal of laughter, or by the
+touch and voice of some person near, he would sometimes start and look
+around as one just awakened from a frightful vision. This gloomy
+abstraction, too, appeared to grow upon him more and more, as the day
+settled into night and the night wore on, as though he felt some dreaded
+calamity had been hanging over, and was now about to fall upon him. So
+apparent was this toward the last, that even the most careless began to
+observe, and make remarks, and ask questions concerning him; and some
+even proceeded to inquire of him regarding the state of his health. His
+answers to all interrogatives now became so brief and abrupt, that but
+few ventured to address him the second time. Whatever the cause of his
+present gloomy state of mind, it was evidently not the ordinary one--at
+least not wholly that--for never before had Ella (who was in the habit,
+since their acquaintance, of observing him narrowly) seen him in such a
+mood as now. It was, perhaps, one of those strange mental foresights,
+peculiar to certain temperaments, whereby the individual is sometimes
+warned of impending danger, and feels oppressed by a weight of
+despondency impossible to shake off.
+
+This serious change in the appearance of Algernon, was not without its
+effect upon Ella. Naturally of a tender, affectionate, and sympathetic
+disposition, she could not feel at ease when another was suffering, and
+particularly when that other was one standing so high in her estimation
+as Algernon Reynolds. Naturally, too, possessing light and buoyant
+spirits--fond of gaiety where all were gay--she exhibited on the present
+occasion the effect of two strong but counteracting passions. Her
+features, if we may be allowed the comparison, were like the noon-day
+heavens, when filled with the broken clouds of a passing storm. Now all
+would be bright and cheerful, and the sun of mirth would sparkle in her
+eyes; and anon some dark cloud of dejection would sweep along, shut
+out the merry light, and cast its shadow drearily over the whole
+countenance,--or, to use language without simile, she would one moment
+be merry and another sad. Toward the last, however, the latter feeling
+gained the ascendancy; she appeared to take no further share in the
+merriment of the dance; and had any watched her closely, they might
+have guessed the cause, from the manner in which she from time to time
+gazed at the pale face of Algernon.
+
+Meantime the dance went bravely on, Black Betty circulated somewhat
+freely, and the mirth of the revelers grew more and more boisterous.
+Taking advantage of a slight cessation in the general hilarity, about
+nine o'clock in the evening, and while the fiddler with some of the
+party were engaged in partaking of refreshment, Seth Stokes, encouraged
+doubtless by the inspiration he had received from the whiskey, stepped
+boldly into the middle of the apartment with the bottle in his hand, and
+said:
+
+"Jest allow me, my jollies, to give a toast."
+
+"Harken all! A toast--a toast--from the long man o' the bony frame!"
+cried the voice of Sam Switcher. A laugh, and then silence followed.
+
+"Here's to--to Isaac and Peggy Younker--two beauties!" continued Seth.
+"May thar union be duly acknowledged by the rising generation o' old
+Kaintuck;" and the speaker gravely proceeded to drink.
+
+"Bravo! bravo!" cried a dozen voices, with a merry shout, accompanied
+with great clapping of bands; while Isaac, who was sitting by his new
+wife, arose, blushed, bowed rather awkwardly, and then sat down again.
+
+"Isaac! Isaac!--A toast from Isaac!" shouted a chorus of voices.
+
+Isaac at first looked very much confused--scratched his head and twisted
+around in a very fidgetty manner,--but presently his countenance
+flushed, and a smile of triumph crossing his sharp features, announced
+that he had been suddenly favored with an idea apropos. This was
+instantly perceived by some of the wags standing near, one of whom
+exclaimed:
+
+"I see it--it's coming!"
+
+"He's got it!" said a second.
+
+"I knew it--I'd ha' bet a bar-skin he'd fetch it," cried a third.
+
+"Out with it, Ike, afore you forget it," shouted the fourth.
+
+"Hold your jabbering tongues--!" cried Isaac, in vexation. "You're
+enough to bother a feller to death. I'd like to see some o' the rest on
+ye cramped up fur a toast, jest to see how _you'd_ feel with all on 'em
+hollering like." A hearty laugh at his expense was all the sympathy poor
+Isaac received.
+
+"Give us the bottle!" resumed Isaac. "Now here goes," continued he,
+rising and holding Black Betty by the neck. "Here's to the gals o' old
+Kaintuck--Heaven bless 'em! May they bloom like clover heads, be
+plentier nor bar-skins, and follow the example o' Peggy, every mother's
+daughter on 'em!--hooray!" And having drank, the speaker resumed his
+seat, amid roars of laughter and three rounds of applause.
+
+By the time this mirth had subsided, the fiddler struck up, and the
+dance again went on as before. Some two hours later the bridesmaid, with
+two or three others, managed to steal away the bride unobserved; and
+proceeding to a ladder at one end of the apartment, ascended to the
+chamber above, and saw her safely lodged in bed. In the course of
+another half hour the same number of gentlemen performed a like service
+for Isaac--such being customary at all weddings of that period.
+
+During the night Black Betty, in company with more substantial
+refreshment, was sent up to the newly married pair some two or three
+times; and always returned (Black Betty we mean) considerable lighter
+than she went; thus proving, that if lovers can live on air, the married
+ones do not always partake of things less spiritual. About three o'clock
+in the morning, Algernon and Ella took leave of the company and set out
+upon their return--he pleading illness as an apology for withdrawing
+thus early. The remainder of the party keep together until five, when
+they gradually began to separate; and by six the dancing had ceased, and
+the greater portion of them had taken their departure. Thus ended the
+wedding of Isaac Younker--a fair specimen, by the way, of a backwood's
+wedding in the early settlement of the west.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE PRESENTIMENT.
+
+
+Deep and gloomy were the meditations of Algernon Reynolds, as, in
+company with Ella Barnwell, he rode slowly along the narrow path which
+he had traversed, if not with buoyant, at least with far lighter
+spirits than now, the morning before. From some, latent cause, he felt
+oppressed with a weight of despondency, as previously mentioned, that
+served to prostrate in a measure both his mental powers and physical
+system. He felt, though he could give no reason why, that some calamity
+was about to befall himself and the fair being by his side; and he
+strove to arouse himself and shake off the gloomy thoughts; but if he
+succeeded, it was only momentary, and they would again rush back with an
+increased power. He had been subject, since his unfortunate quarrel with
+his cousin, to gloomy reveries and depressions of spirits--but never
+before had he felt exactly as now; and though in all former cases the
+event referred to had been the cause of his sad abstractions, yet in the
+present instance it scarcely held a place in his thoughts. Could it be a
+presentiment, he asked himself, sent to warn him of danger and prepare
+him to meet it? But the question he could not answer.
+
+The night, or rather the morning, though clear overhead, was uncommonly
+dark; and the stars, what few could be discerned, shed only pale, faint
+gleams, as though their lights were about to be extinguished. For some
+time both Algernon and Ella continued their journey without exchanging a
+syllable--she too, as well as himself, being deeply absorbed in no very
+pleasant reflections. She thought of him, of his hard fate, to meet with
+so many bitter disappointments at an age so young; and at last, for no
+premeditated, no intentional crime, be forced to fly from home and
+friends, and all he held dear, to wander in a far off land, among
+strangers--or worse, among the solitudes of the wilderness--exposed to a
+thousand dangers from wild savage beasts, and wilder and more savage
+human beings; and perhaps, withal, be branded as a felon and fugitive
+from justice. She thought what must be his feelings, his sense of utter
+desolation, with none around to sympathize--no sweet being by his side
+to whisper a single word of encouragement and hope; or, should the worst
+prove true, to share his painful lot, and endeavor to render less
+burdensome his remorseful thoughts, by smiles of endearment and looks of
+love. She thought, too, that to-morrow--perhaps today--he would take his
+departure, peradventure never to behold her again; and this was the
+saddest of the train. Until she saw him, Ella had never known what it
+was to love--perchance she did not now--but at least she had experienced
+those fluttering sensations, those deep and strange emotions, those
+involuntary yearnings of the heart toward some object in his presence,
+that aching void in his absence, which the more experienced would
+doubtless put down to that cause, and which no other being had ever even
+for a moment awakened in her breast. For something like half an hour the
+two rode on together, buried in their own sad reflections, when Ella
+broke the silence, by saying, in a low, touching voice:
+
+"You seem sad to-night, Algernon."
+
+Algernon started, sighed heavily, and turning slightly on his saddle,
+said: "I am sad, Ella--very, very sad."
+
+"May I ask the cause?" rejoined Ella, gently.
+
+"Doubtless you will think it strange, Ella, but the cause I believe to
+have originated in a waking vision or presentiment."
+
+"That does seem strange!" observed Ella, in return.
+
+"Did it never strike you, dear Ella, that we are all strange beings,
+subject to strange influences, and destined, many of us, to strange
+ends?" inquired Reynolds, solemnly.
+
+"Perhaps I do not understand you," replied Ella; "but with regard to
+destiny, I am inclined to think that we in a measure shape our own. As
+to our being strange, there are many things relating to us that we may
+not understand, and therefore look upon them in the light of which you
+speak."
+
+"Are there any we do understand, Ella?" rejoined Algernon. "When I say
+understand, I mean the word to be used in its minutest and broadest
+sense. You say there are many things we may not understand concerning
+ourselves--what ones, I pray you, do we fully comprehend? We are here
+upon the earth--so much we know. We shall die and pass away--so much we
+know also. But how came we here, and why? How do we exist? How do we
+think, reason, speak, feel, move, see, hear, smell, taste? All these
+we do, we know; but yet not one--not a single one of them can we
+comprehend. You wish to raise your hand; and forthwith, by some
+extraordinary power--extraordinary because you cannot tell where it is,
+nor how it is--you raise it. Why cannot a dead person do the same?
+Strange question you will say to yourself with a smile--but one easily
+answered! Why, because in such a person life is extinct--there is no
+vital principle--the heart is stopped--the blood has ceased to flow
+in its regular channels! Ay! but let me ask you _why_ that life is
+extinct?--why that breath has stopped?--and why that blood has ceased
+to flow? There was just the same amount of air when the person died as
+before! There were the same ingredients still left to stimulate that
+blood to action! Then wherefore should both cease?--and with them the
+power of thought, reason, speech, and all the other senses? It was not
+by a design of the individual himself; for he strove to his utmost to
+breathe longer; he was not ready to die--he did not want to quit this
+earth so soon; and yet with all his efforts to the contrary, reason
+fled, the breath stopped, the blood ceased, the limbs became palsied and
+cold, and corruption, decay and dust stood ready to follow. Now why was
+this? There is but one answer: 'God willed it!' If then one question
+resolves itself into one answer,--'the will of God'--so may all of
+the same species; and we come out, after a long train of analytical
+reasoning, exactly where we started--with this difference--that when we
+set out, we believed in being able to explain the wherefore; but when we
+came to the end, we could only assert it as a wonderful fact, whereof
+not a single iota could we understand."
+
+Algernon spoke in a clear, distinct, earnest tone--in a manner that
+showed the subject was not new to his thoughts; and after a short pause,
+during which Ella made no reply, he again proceeded.
+
+"In this grand organ of man--where all things are strange and
+incomprehensible--to me the combination of the physical and mental is
+strangest of all. The soul and the body are united and yet divided. Each
+is distinct from and acts without the other at times, and yet both act
+in concert with a wonderful power. The soul plans and the body executes.
+The body exercises the soul--the soul the body. The one is visible--the
+other invisible; the one is mortal--the other immortal. Now why do they
+act together here? Why was not each placed in its separate sphere of
+action? Again: What is the soul? Men tell us it is a spirit. What is a
+spirit? An invisible something that never dies. Who can comprehend it?
+None. Whither does it go when separated forever from the body? None can
+answer, save in language of Scripture: 'It returns to God who gave it.'"
+
+"I have never heard the proposition advanced by another," continued
+Algernon, after another slight pause, "but I have sometimes thought
+myself, that the soul departs from the body, for a brief season, and
+wanders at will among scenes either near or remote, and returns with
+its impressions, either clouded or clear, to communicate them to the
+corporeal or not, as the case may be: hence dreams or visions, and
+strong impressions when we wake, that something bright and good has
+refreshed our sleep, or something dark and evil has made it troubled and
+feverish. Again I have sometimes thought that this soul--this invisible
+and immortal something within us--has power at times to look into the
+future, and see events about to transpire; which events being sometimes
+of a dark and terrible nature, leave upon it like impressions; and hence
+gloomy and melancholy forebodings. This may be all sophistry--as much of
+our better reasoning on things we know nothing about often is--but if it
+be true, then may I trust to account for my present sadness."
+
+"Have you really, then, sad forebodings?" inquired Ella, quickly and
+earnestly.
+
+"Against my will and sober reason, dear Ella, I must own I have.
+Perchance, however, the feeling was only called up by a train of
+melancholy meditations. While sitting there to-night, gazing upon
+the many bounding forms--some full of beauty and grace, and some of
+strength--noting their joyous faces, and listening occasionally to the
+lightsome jest, and merry, ringing laugh--I could not avoid contrasting
+with the present the time when I was as happy and full full of mirth as
+they. I pictured to myself how they would stare and shudder and draw
+away from me, did they know my hand was stained with the blood of my
+own kin. Then I began, involuntarily as it were, to picture to myself
+the fate of each; and they came up before me in the form of a vision,
+(though if such, it was a waking one) but in regular order; and I saw
+them pass on one after another--some gliding smoothly down the stream of
+time to old age--some wretched and crippled, groping their way along
+over barren wastes, without water or food, though nearly dying for the
+want of both--some wading through streams of blood, with fierce and
+angry looks--and some with pale faces, red eyes, and hollow cheeks,
+roving amid coffins, sepulchres and bones; but of all, the very fewest
+number happy."
+
+"Oh! it was an awful vision!" exclaimed Ella, with a shudder.
+
+"It was awful enough," rejoined Algernon; "and despite of me, it made me
+more and more sad as I thought upon it. Could it indeed be a dream? But
+no! I was--seemingly at least--as wide awake and conscious as at the
+present moment. I saw the dance going on as ever--I saw the merry
+smiles, and heard the jest and laugh as before. Could it be some strange
+hallucination of the brain--some wild imagining--caused by my previous
+exercise and over heat? I pondered upon it long and seriously, but could
+not determine. Suddenly--I know not how nor why--that ill-looking
+stranger who lodged one night at your uncle's, and departed so
+mysteriously, came up in my mind; and almost at the same moment, I
+fancied myself riding with you, dear Ella, through a dark and lonely
+wood--when all of a sudden there came a fierce yell--several dark,
+hideous forms, with him among them, swam around me--I heard you shriek
+for aid--and then all became darkness and confusion; from which I was
+aroused by some one inquiring if I were ill? What I answered I know not;
+but the querist immediately took his leave."
+
+"It all seems very strange, Algernon," observed Ella, thoughtfully; "but
+it was probably nothing more than a feverish dream, brought about by
+your exercise acting too suddenly and powerfully upon your nervous
+system, which doubtless has not as yet recovered from the prostration
+caused by your wound."
+
+"So I tried to think, dear Ella," returned Algernon, with a sigh; "but
+I have not even yet been able to shake off the gloomy impression, that,
+whatever the cause, it was sent as a warning of danger. But I am
+foolish, perhaps, to think as I do; and so let us change the subject.
+You spoke a few moments since of destiny. You said, if I mistake not,
+you believed each individual capable of shaping his own."
+
+"I did," answered Ella; "with the exception, that I qualified it by
+saying in a measure. No person, I think, has the power of moulding
+himself to an end which is contrary to the law of nature and his own
+physical organization; but at the same time he has many ways, some good
+and some evil, left open for him to choose; else he were not a free
+agent."
+
+"Ay," rejoined Algernon, "by-paths all to the same great end. I look
+upon every one here, Ella, as a traveler placed upon the great highway
+called destiny--with a secret power within that impels him forward, but
+allows no pause nor retrograde. Along this highway are flowers, and
+briars, and thistles, and weeds, and shady woods, and barren rocks, and
+sterile bluffs, and glassy plots; but proportioned differently to each,
+as the Maker of all designs his path to be pleasant or otherwise. Beside
+this highway are perhaps a dozen minor paths, all running a similar
+course, and all finally merging into it--either near or far, as the case
+may be--before its termination at the great gate of death. The free
+agency you speak of, is in choosing of these lesser paths--some of which
+are full of the snares of temptation, the chasms of ruin, and the
+pitfalls of destruction; and some of the flowers of peace, the bowers of
+plenty, and the green woods of contentment. But how to follow the proper
+one is the difficulty; for they run into one another--cross and recross
+in a thousand different ways--so that the best disposed as often hit the
+wrong as the right one, and are entrapped before they are aware of their
+dangerous course. Worldly wisdom is here put at fault, and the fool as
+often goes right as the wise man of lore--thus showing, notwithstanding
+our free agency, that circumstances govern us; and that what many put
+down as crime, is, in fact, oftentimes, neither more nor less than error
+of judgment."
+
+"Then you consider free agency only a chance game, depending, as it
+were, upon the throw of a die?" observed Ella, inquiringly.
+
+"I believe this much of free agency, that a train of circumstances often
+forces some to evil and others to good; and that we should look upon the
+former, in many cases--mind I do not say all--as unfortunate rather than
+criminal--with pity rather than scorn; and so endeavor to reclaim them.
+Were this doctrine more practiced by Christians--by those whom the world
+terms good, (but whom circumstances alone have made better than their
+fellows,) there would be far less of sin, misery, and crime abounding
+for them to deplore. Let the creed of churches only be to ameliorate the
+condition of the poor, relieve the distressed, remove temptations from
+youth, encourage the virtuous, and endeavor, by gently means, to reclaim
+the erring--and the holy design of Him who died to save would nobly
+progress, prisons would be turned into asylums, and scaffolds be things
+known only by tradition."
+
+Algernon spoke with an easy, earnest eloquence, and a force of emphasis,
+that made each word tell with proper effect upon his fair hearer. To
+Ella the ideas he advanced were, many of them, entirely new; and she
+mused thoughtfully upon them, as they rode along, without reply; while
+he, becoming warm upon a subject that evidently occupied no inferior
+place in his mind, went on to speak of the wrongs and abuses which
+society in general heaped upon the unfortunate, as he termed
+them--contrasted the charity of professing Christians of the eighteenth
+century with that of Christ himself--and pointed out what he considered
+the most effectual means of remedy. To show that a train of
+circumstances would frequently force persons against their own will and
+reason to be what society terms criminal, he referred to himself, and
+his own so far eventful destiny; and Ella could not but admit to
+herself, that, in his case at least, his arguments were well grounded,
+and she shaped her replies accordingly.
+
+Thus conversing, they continued upon their course, until they came to
+the brow of a steep descent, down which the path ran in a zigzag manner,
+through a dark, gloomy ravine, now rendered intensely so to our
+travelers, by the hour, their thoughts, the wildness of the scenery
+around, and the dense growth of cedars covering the hollow, whose
+untrimmed branches, growing even to the ground, overreached and partly
+obstructed their way. By this time only one or two stars were visible in
+the heavens; and they shone with pale, faint gleams; while in the east
+the beautiful gray and crimson tints of Aurora announced that day was
+already breaking on the slumbering world. Drawing rein, Algernon and
+Ella paused as if to contemplate the scene. Below and around them each
+object presented that misty, indistinct appearance, which leaves the
+imagination power to give it either a pleasing or hideous shape. In the
+immediate vicinity, the country was uneven; rocky, and covered with
+cedars; but far off to the right could be discerned the even surface of
+the cane-brake, previously mentioned, now stretching away in the
+distance like the unruffled bosom of some beautiful lake. A light breeze
+slightly rustled the leaves of the trees, among whose branches an
+occasional songster piped forth his morning lay of rejoicing.
+
+"How lovely is nature in all her varieties!" exclaimed Ella, with
+animation, as she glanced over the scene.
+
+"Ay, and in that variety lies her loveliness," answered Algernon.
+"It is the constant and eternal change going forward that interests us,
+and gives to nature her undying charm. Man--high-souled, contemplative
+man--was not born to sameness. Variety is to his mind what food is to
+his body; and as the latter, deprived of its usual nourishment, sinks to
+decay--so the former, from like deprivation of its strengthening power,
+becomes weak and imbecile. Again: as coarse, plain food and hardy
+exercise add health and vigor to the physical--so does the contemplation
+of nature in her wildness and grandeur give to the mental a powerful and
+lofty tone. Of all writers for poetical and vigorous intellects, give me
+those who have been reared among cloud-capped hills, and craggy steeps,
+and rushing streams, and roaring cataracts; for their conceptions are
+grand, their comparisons beautiful, and the founts from which they draw,
+as exhaustless almost as nature herself."
+
+"I have often thought the same myself," returned Ella; "for I never gaze
+upon a beautiful scene in nature, that I do not feel refreshed. To me
+the two most delightful are morning and evening. I love to stand upon
+some eminence, and mark, as now, the first gray, crimson and golden
+streaks that rush up in the eastern sky; and catch the first rays of old
+Sol, as he, surrounded by a reddened halo, shows his welcome face above
+the hills; or at calm eve watch his departure, as with a last, fond,
+lingering look he takes his leave, as 'twere in sorrow that he could not
+longer tarry; while earth, not thus to be outdone in point of grief,
+puts on her sable dress to mourn his absence."
+
+"Ah! Ella," said Algernon, turning to her with a gentle smile, "methinks
+morning and evening are somewhat indebted to you for a touch of poetry
+in their behalf."
+
+"Rather say I am indebted to them for a thousand fine feelings I have
+not even power to express," rejoined Ella.
+
+Algernon was on the point of returning an answer, when, casting his eyes
+down into the ravine, he slightly started, his gaze became fixed, and
+his features grew a shade more pale. Ella noticed this sudden change,
+and in a voice slightly tremulous inquired the cause. For nearly a
+minute Algernon made no reply, but kept his eyes steadily bent in the
+same direction, apparently riveted on some object below. Ella also
+looked down; but seeing nothing worthy of note, and growing somewhat
+alarmed at his silence, was on the point of addressing him again, when,
+slightly turning his head, and rubbing his eyes with his hand, he said:
+
+"Methought I saw a dark object move in the hollow below; but I think I
+must have been mistaken, for all appears quiet there now--not even a
+limb or so much as a leaf stirs. Lest there should be danger, however,
+dear Ella, I will ride down first and ascertain. If I give an alarm,
+turn your horse and do not spare him till you reach Wilson's."
+
+"No, no, no!" exclaimed Ella, with vehemence, laying her hand upon his
+arm, as he was about starting forward, her own features now growing very
+pale. "If you go, Algernon, you go not alone! If there is danger, I will
+share it with you."
+
+Algernon turned towards her a face that, one moment crimsoned with
+animation and the next became deadly pale; while his whole frame
+quivered with intense emotion, and he seemed vainly struggling to
+command contending feelings. Suddenly clasping her hand in his, he
+pressed it warmly, raised it to his lips, and in a trembling tone said:
+
+"Ella--dear Ella--God bless you! If ever--but--no--no--no;" and covering
+his face with his hands, he wept convulsively; while she, no less deeply
+affected, could scarcely sit her horse.
+
+At length Algernon withdrew his hands, and exhibited features pale but
+calm. Drawing forth his pistols, he carefully examined their priming,
+and then replaced them in his belt. During this proceeding, he failed
+not to urge Ella to alter her design and remain, while he went forward;
+but finding her determined on keeping him company, he signified his
+readiness to proceed, and both started slowly down the hill together.
+They reached the ravine in safety, and advanced some twenty yards
+further, when suddenly there arose a terrific Indian yell, followed
+instantly by the sharp report of several fire-arms, a wild, piercing
+shriek, some two or three heavy groans, a rustling among the trees, and
+then by a stillness as deep and awfully solemn as that which pervades
+the narrow house appointed for all living.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE OLD WOODSMAN AND HIS DOG.
+
+
+The sun was perhaps an hour above the mountain tops, when a solitary
+hunter, in the direction of the cane-brake, might have been seen shaping
+his course toward the hill whereon Algernon and Ella had so lately
+paused to contemplate the dawning day. Upon his shoulder rested a long
+rifle, and a dog of the Newfoundland species followed in his steps or
+trotted along by his side. In a few minutes he reached the place
+referred to; when the snuffling of his canine companion causing him to
+look down, his attention instantly became fixed upon the foot-prints of
+the horses which had passed there the day before, and particularly on
+the two that had repassed there so lately.
+
+"What is it, Cæsar?" said he, addressing the brute. "Nothing wrong here,
+I reckon." Cæsar, as if conscious of his master's language, raised his
+head, and looking down into the ravine, appeared to snuff the air;
+then darting forward, he was quickly lost among the branching cedars.
+Scarcely thirty seconds elapsed, ere a long, low howl came up from the
+valley; and starting like one suddenly surprised by some disagreeable
+occurrence, the hunter, with a cheek slightly blanched, hurried down the
+crooked path, muttering as he went, "Thar's something wrong, for
+sartin--for Cæsar never lies."
+
+In less than a minute the hunter came in sight of his dog, which he
+found standing with his hind feet on the ground and his fore-paws
+resting on the carcass of a horse, that had apparently been dead but a
+short time. As Cæsar perceived his master approach, he uttered another
+of those peculiar, long, low, mournful howls, which the superstitious
+not unfrequently interpret as omens of evil.
+
+"Good heavens!" exclaimed the hunter, as he came up; "thar's been foul
+play here, Cæsar--foul play, for sartin. D'ye think, dog, it war Indians
+as done it?"
+
+The brute looked up into the speaker's face, with one of those
+expressions of intelligence or sagacity, which seem to speak what the
+tongue has not power to utter, and then wagging his tail, gave a sharp,
+fierce bark.
+
+"Right, dog!" continued the other, as, stooping to the ground, he began
+to examine with great care the prints left there by human feet. "Right,
+dog, they're the rale varmints, and no mistake. Ef all folks war as
+sensible and knowing as you, thar would'nt be many fools about, I
+reckon."
+
+Having finished his examination of the ground, the hunter again turned
+to look at the carcass of the horse, which was lying on its left side,
+some two feet from the path, and had apparently fallen dead from a shot
+in the forehead, between the eyes. An old saddle, devoid of straps, lay
+just concealed under the branching cedars. The ground around was trodden
+as if from a scuffle, and the limbs of the trees were broken in many
+places--while in two or three others could be seen spots of blood, not
+even yet dry--none of which informants of the recent struggle escaped
+the keen observation of the woodsman. Suddenly the dog, which had been
+watching his master's motions intently, put his nose to the ground,
+darted along the path further into the ravine, and presently resounded
+another of those mournful howls.
+
+"Ha! another diskivery!" exclaimed the hunter, as he started after his
+companion.
+
+About thirty yards further on, he came upon the carcass of another
+horse, which had been killed by a ball in the right side, and the blow
+of some weapon, probably a tomahawk, on the head. By its side also lay
+a lady's saddle, stripped like the former of its trappings. This the
+woodsman now proceeded to examine attentively, for something like a
+minute, during which time a troubled expression rested on his dark,
+sunburnt features.
+
+"I'm either mightily mistaken," said he at length, with a grave look,
+"or that thar horse and saddle is the property of Ben Younker; and I
+reckon it's the same critter as is rid by Ella Barnwell. Heaven forbid,
+sweet lady, that it be thou as met with this terrible misfortune!--but
+ef it be, by the Power that made me, I swar to follow on thy trail; and
+ef I meet any of thy captors, then, Betsey, I'll just call on you for a
+backwoods sentiment."
+
+As he concluded, the hunter turned with a look of affection towards his
+rifle, which he firmly grasped with a nervous motion. At this moment,
+the dog, which had been busying himself by running to and fro with his
+nose to the ground, suddenly paused, and laying back his ears, uttered
+a low, fierce growl. The hunter cast toward him a quick glance; and
+dropping upon his knees, applied his ear to the earth, where he remained
+some fifteen seconds; then rising to his feet, he made a motion with his
+hand, and together with Cæsar withdrew into the thicket.
+
+For some time no sound was heard to justify this precaution of the
+woodsman; but at length a slight jarring of the ground became apparent,
+followed by a noise at some distance, resembling the clatter of horses'
+feet, which, gradually growing louder as the cause drew nearer, soon
+became sufficiently so to put all doubts on the matter at rest. In less
+than five minutes from the disappearance of the hunter, some eight
+or ten horses, bearing as many riders, approached the hill from the
+direction of Wilson's, and began to descend into the ravine. The party,
+composed of both sexes, were in high glee--some jesting, some singing,
+and some laughing uproariously. Nothing occurred to interrupt their
+merriment, until they began to lose themselves among the cedars of the
+hollow, when the foremost horse suddenly gave a snort and bounded to one
+side--a movement which his companion, close behind, imitated--while the
+rider of the latter, a female, uttered a loud, piercing scream of
+fright. In a moment the whole party was in confusion--some turning their
+horses to the right about and riding back towards Wilson's, at headlong
+speed--and some pausing in fear, undecided what to do. The two foremost
+horses now became very refractory, rearing and plunging in a manner that
+threatened to unseat their riders every moment. Of the two, the one
+ridden by the lady was the most ungovernable; and in spite of her
+efforts to quiet or hold him, he seized the bit in his teeth, and,
+rearing on his hind legs, plunged madly forward, until he came to where
+the other carcass was lying, when, giving another snort of fear, he
+again reared, and turning aside into the thicket, left his rider almost
+senseless in the path he had just quitted. Fortunately the beast shaped
+his course to where the hunter was concealed, who, with a sudden spring,
+as he was rushing past, seized upon the bridle near the bit, and
+succeeded, after a struggle, in mastering and leading him back to the
+path.
+
+By this time the companion of the lady had come up; and seeing her
+condition, was dismounting to render her assistance; when his eye
+falling upon the stranger, he started, and placed his hand quickly to
+his belt, as if in search of some weapon of defence. The hunter saw the
+movement, and said, with a gesture of command:
+
+"Hold! young man; don't do any thing rash!"
+
+"Who are you, sir?"
+
+"A friend."
+
+"Your name!" continued the other, as he sprang to the ground.
+
+"Names don't matter, stranger, in cases sech as this. I said I war a
+friend."
+
+"By what may I know you as such."
+
+"My deeds," returned the other, laconically. "Think you, stranger, ef I
+wanted to harm ye, I couldn't have done it without you seeing me?" and
+as he spoke, he glanced significantly toward his rifle.
+
+"True," returned the other; "but what's the meaning of this?" and he
+pointed toward the dead horse.
+
+"It means Indians, as nigh as I can come at it," replied the hunter.
+"But look to the living afore the dead!" And the woodsman in turn
+pointed toward the lady.
+
+"Right!" said the other; and springing to her side, he raised her in his
+arms.
+
+She was not injured, other than slightly stunned by the fall, and she
+quickly regained her senses. At first she was somewhat alarmed; but
+perceiving who supported her, and nothing in the mild, noble, benevolent
+countenance of the stranger, who was still holding her horse by the
+bridle, of a sinister nature, she anxiously inquired what had happened.
+
+"I can only guess by what I see;" answered the hunter, "that some o'
+your company have been less fortunate than you. Didn't two o' them set
+out in advance?"
+
+"Gracious heavens!" cried the young man supporting the lady; "it is Ella
+Barnwell and the stranger Reynolds!"
+
+"Then they must be quickly trailed!" rejoined the hunter briefly. "Go,
+young man, take your lady back agin, and raise an armed party for
+pursuit. Be quick in your operations, and I'll wait and join you here.
+Leave your horses thar, for we must take it afoot; and besides, gather
+as much provision as you can all easily carry, for Heaven only knows
+whar or when our journey'll end."
+
+"But do you think they're still living?"
+
+"I hope so."
+
+"Then let us return, Henry," said the lady, "as quick as possible, so
+that a party for pursuit may be collected before the wedding guests have
+all separated."
+
+"I fear it will be difficult, Mary, but we must try it," replied the
+young man, as he assisted her to mount. Then, turning to the stranger,
+he added: "But won't you accompany us, sir?"
+
+"No, it can do no good; besides I'm afoot, and would only cause delay,
+and thar's been too much o' that already."
+
+"At least, sir, favor me with your name."
+
+"The first white hunter o' old Kaintuck," answered the other, stroking
+the neck of the fiery beast on which the lady was now sitting.
+
+"What!" exclaimed the other, in a tone of surprise: "Boone! Colonel
+Daniel Boone?"
+
+"Why, I'm sometimes called colonel," returned the hunter, dryly, still
+stroking the horse's neck; "but Daniel's the older title, and a little
+the most familiar one besides."
+
+"I crave pardon for my former rudeness, Colonel," said the other,
+advancing and offering his hand; "but you were a stranger to me you
+know."
+
+"Well, well, it's all right--I'd have done exactly so myself," answered
+Boone, grasping the young man's hand with a cordiality that showed no
+offence had been taken. "And now--a--how do you call yourself?"
+
+"Henry Millbanks."
+
+"Now, Master Millbanks, pray be speedy; for while we talk, our friends
+may die, and it goes agin nater to think on't," said Boone, anxiously.
+
+As he spoke, he led forward the lady's horse past the other carcass;
+while Henry, springing upon his own beast, followed after. Having seen
+them safely out of the ravine, the noble hunter turned back to wait the
+arrival of the expected assistance. He had just gained the center of the
+thicket, when he was slightly startled again by the growl of his dog,
+and the tramp of what appeared to be another horse, coming from the
+direction of Younker's. Hastily secreting himself, he awaited in silence
+the approach of the new comer, whom he soon discovered to be an old
+acquaintance, who was riding at a fast gallop, bearing some heavy weight
+in his arms. As he came up to the carcass of Ella's horse, he slackened
+his speed, looked at it earnestly, then gazed cautiously around, and was
+about to spur his boast onward again, when the sound of Boone's voice
+reached, his ear; requesting him to pause; and at the same time, to his
+astonishment, Boone himself emerged into the path before him.
+
+"Ha! Colonel Boone," said the horsemen, quickly; "I'm glad to meet ye;
+for now is a time when every true man's wanted."
+
+"What's the news, David Billings?" inquired Boone, anxiously, as he
+noticed a troubled, earnest expression on the countenance of the other.
+
+"Bad!" answered Billings, emphatically. "The Injens have been down upon
+us agin in a shocking manner."
+
+"Heaven forbid thar be many victims!" ejaculated Boone, unconsciously
+tightening the grasp on his rifle.
+
+"Too many--too many!" rejoined Billings, shaking his head sadly. "Thar's
+my neighbor Millbanks' family--"
+
+"Well? well?" cried Boone, impatiently, as the other seemed to hesitate.
+
+"Have all been murdered, and his house burnt to ashes."
+
+"All?" echoed Boone.
+
+"All but young Harry, who's fortunately away to a wedding at Wilson's."
+
+"Why, the one you speak of war just now here," said Boone, with a start;
+"and I sent him back to raise a party to trail the red varmints, who've
+been operating as you see yonder: Good heavens! what awful news for poor
+Harry, who seems so likely a lad."
+
+"Yes, likely you may well say," returned the other; "and so war the
+whole family--God ha' mercy on 'em! But what's been done here?"
+
+"Why, I suppose Ella Barnwell--Younker's niece, you know--and a likely
+young stranger who war along with her, called Reynolds, have been
+captured."
+
+"Ha! well it's supposed Younker and his wife are captives too, or else
+that thar bones lie white among the ashes of thar own ruins."
+
+"Good heavens!" cried Boone. "Any more, David?"
+
+"Yes, thar's Absalom Switcher and his wife, and a young gal of twelve;
+and Ephraim Stokes' wife and a young boy of five; who war left by
+themselves, (Stokes himself being away, and his son Seth at the wedding,
+as was a son o' Switcher's also) have all bin foully mardered--besides
+Johnny Long's family, Peter Pierson's, and a young child of Fred Mason's
+that happened to be at Pierson's house, and one or two others whose
+names I disremember."
+
+"But when did this happen, David?"
+
+"Last night," replied the other. "It's suspected that the Injens ha bin
+warting round here, and took advantage of this wedding, when the greater
+part on 'em war away. It's thought too that thar war a white spy out,
+who gin 'em information, and led 'em on--as a villainous looking chap
+war seed about the vicinity not long ago."
+
+"Do they suspicion who war the spy?" asked Boone.
+
+"Why some thinks as how it war that thar accussed renegade, Simon
+Girty."
+
+"Wretch!" muttered Boone, grasping his rifle almost fiercely; "I'd like
+to have old Bess, here, hold a short conflab with him. But what have you
+got thar in your arms, that seems so heavy, David?"
+
+"Rifles, Colonel. I've bin riding round and collecting on 'em for this
+mad party of Younker's, who went off without any precaution; and I'm now
+on my way to deliver 'em, that they may start instanter arter the cussed
+red skins, and punish 'em according to the Mosaic law."
+
+"Spur on then, David, and you may perhaps overtake some o' them; and all
+that you do, arm and send 'em here as quick as possible--for I'm
+dreadful impatient to be off."
+
+The colloquy between the two thus concluded, the horseman--a
+strongly-built, hard-favored, muscular man of forty--set spurs to his
+horse; and bounding onward toward Wilson's (distant some five miles--the
+ravine being about half way between the residence of the groom and
+bride,) he was quickly lost to the sight of the other, who quietly
+seated himself to await the reinforcement.
+
+In the course of half an hour, Boone was joined by some three or four of
+the wedding party, who bad been overtaken by Billings, learned the news,
+accepted a rifle each, bidden their fair companions adieu, and sent them
+and the horses back to the house of the bride, while they moved forward
+to meet danger, rescue the living, and seek revenge.
+
+In the course of an hour and a half, Billings himself returned,
+accompanied by some seven or eight stout hearts; among whom were young
+Switcher, Stokes, Millbanks, and, lastly, Isaac Younker, who had been
+roused from the nuptial bed to hear of the terrible calamity that had
+befallen his friends. Isaac, on the present occasion, did not disgrace
+his training, the land which gave him birth, nor the country he now
+inhabited. When the messenger came with the direful news, although
+somewhat late in the morning, Isaac had been found in his bed, closely
+folded in the arms of the god of sleep. On being awakened and told of
+what had taken place, he slowly rose up into a sitting posture, rubbed
+his eyes, stared searchingly at his informant, gathered himself upon his
+feet, threw on his wedding garments, and made all haste to descend
+below; where he at once sought out his new wife, Peggy, who had risen
+an hour before; and grasping her by the hand, in a voice slightly
+tremulous, but with a firm, determined expression on his features, said:
+
+"Peggy, dear, I 'spect you've heard the whole on't. Father, mother, Ella
+and Reynolds--all gone, and our house in ashes, I'm going to follow,
+Peggy. Good bye--God bless you! Ef I don't never come back, Peggy"--and
+the tears started into his eyes--"you may jest put it down I've been
+clean sarcumvented, skinned, and eat up by them thar ripscallious
+Injens;" and turning upon his heel, as his tender-hearted spouse burst
+into tears, he seized upon same provisions that had graced the last
+night's entertainment, gave Black Betty a long and cordial salute with
+his lips, shook hands with his wife's father and mother, kissed Peggy
+once again, pulled his cap over his eyes, and, without another word, set
+forth with rapid strides on the eastern path leading to the rendezvous
+of Daniel Boone.
+
+On the faces of those now assembled, who had lost their best and dearest
+friends, could be seen the intense workings of the strong passions of
+grief and revenge, while their fingers clutched their faithful rifles
+with a nervous power. The greatest change was apparent in the features
+of Henry Millbanks. He was a fine-favored, good-looking youth of
+eighteen, with light hair and a florid complexion. The natural
+expression of his handsome countenance was an easy, dignified smile,
+which was rendered extremely fascinating by a broad, noble forehead, and
+a clear, expressive, gray eye; but now the floridity had given place to
+a pale, almost sallow hue, the forehead was wrinkled with grief, the
+lips were compressed, and the smile had been succeeded by a look of
+great fierceness, aided by the eye; which was more than usually sunken
+and bloodshot.
+
+But little was said by any of the party; for all felt the chilling
+gloom of the present, so strongly contrasted with the bright hours and
+merry jests which had so lately been apportioned to each. Boone called
+to Cæsar and bade him seek the Indian trail; a task which the noble
+brute flew to execute; and in a few minutes the whole company were on
+their way; with the exception of Billings; who, by the unanimous request
+of all, returned to Wilson's; to cheer, console and protect the females;
+and, if thought advisable, to conduct them to Bryan's Station--a strong
+fort a few miles distant--where they might remain in comparative
+security.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.
+
+
+While the events just chronicled were enacting in one part of the
+country, others, of a different nature, but somewhat connected with
+them, were taking place in another. In a dark, lonely pass or gorge of
+the hills, some ten miles to the north of the scene of the preceding
+chapter, where the surrounding trees grew so thick with branches and
+leaves that they almost entirely excluded the sunlight from the waters
+of a stream which there rolled foaming and roaring between the hills and
+over and against the rocks of its precipitous bed, or, plunging down
+some frightful precipice, lay as if stunned or exhausted by the fall in
+the chasm below, mirroring in its still bosom with a gloomy reflection
+the craggy steeps rising majestically above it--in this dark and lonely
+pass, we say, was a party of human beings, to whom the proper
+development of our story now calls us.
+
+The company in question was composed of eight persons, five of whom were
+Indians of the Seneca tribe;[5] the others--a thin-faced, gaunt,
+stoop-shouldered man past the middle age--a rather corpulent, masculine
+looking woman, a few years his junior--a little fair-haired, blue-eyed,
+pretty-faced girl of six--were white captives. Four of the Indians were
+seated or partly reclining on the ground, with their guns beside them,
+ready for instant use if necessary, engaged in roasting slices of deer
+meat before a fire that had been kindled for the purpose. The fifth
+savage was pacing to and fro, with his rifle on his arm, performing the
+double duty of sentinel and guard over the prisoners, who were kept in
+durance by strong cords some ten paces distant. The old man was secured
+by a stick passing across his back horizontally, to which both wrists
+and arms were tightly bound with thongs of deer skin. To prevent the
+possibility of escape, both legs were fastened together by the same
+material, and a long, stout rope, encircling his neck, was attached to
+a tree hard by. This latter precaution, and much of the former, seemed
+unnecessary; for there was a mild look of resigned dejection on his
+features, as they bent toward the earth, with his chin resting on his
+bosom, that appeared strongly at variance with any thing like flight or
+strife. His female companion was fastened in like manner to the tree,
+but in other respects only bound by a stout thong around the wrists in
+front. The third member of the white party, the little girl, was seated
+at the feet of the old man, with her small wrists also bound until they
+had swollen so as to pain her, looking up from time to time into his
+face with a heart-rending expression of grief, fear and anxiety.
+
+Of the Indians themselves, we presume it would be difficult to find,
+among all the tribes of America, five more blood-thirsty, villainous
+looking beings than the ones in question. They were only partially
+dressed, after the manner of their tribe, with skins around their loins,
+extending down to their knees, and moccasins on their feet, leaving the
+rest of their bodies and limbs bare. Around their waists were belts, for
+the tomahawk and scalping knife, at three of which now hung freshly
+taken scalps. Their faces had been hideously painted for the war-path;
+but heat and perspiration had since out done the artist, by running the
+composition into streaks, in such a way as to give them the most
+diabolical appearance imaginable. On each of their heads was a tuft of
+feathers, some of which had the appearance of having recently been
+scorched and blackened by fire, while their arms and bodies were here
+and there besmeared with blood.
+
+The four around the fire were in high glee, as they roasted and
+devoured their meat, judging from their nods, and grins, and grunts
+of approbation, whenever their eyes glanced in the direction of their
+prisoners--the effect of which was far from consoling to the matron of
+the latter; who, having eyed them for some time in indignant silence,
+at length burst forth with angry vehemence:
+
+"Well, now, jest grin, and jabber, and grin, like a pesky set o' natural
+born monkeys, that's ten times better nor you is any day of your good
+for nothing, sneaking lives. Goodness, gracious, marsy on me alive!"
+continued the dame, whom the reader has doubtless recognized as Mrs.
+Younker; "I only jest wish you had to change places with me and Ben here
+for about five minutes; and ef I didn't make your old daubed, nasty,
+villainous, unyarthly looking faces grin to another tune, I hope I may
+never be blessed with liberty agin in creation, as long as I live on the
+face o' this univarsal yarth!"
+
+"Ugh!" ejaculated the sentinel, turning towards the speaker, as she
+concluded her fierce tirade, at the same time placing his hand on the
+tomahawk in his belt with an angry gesture: "Ugh! me squaw kill--she no
+stop much talky!"
+
+"You'd kill me, would ye? you mean, dirty, ripscallious looking varmint
+of the woods you, that don't know a pin from a powder horn!" rejoined
+the undaunted Mrs. Younker, in a vehement tone: "You'd kill me for using
+the freedom of tongue, as these blessed Colonies is this moment fighting
+for with the tarnal Britishers? You'd kill me, would ye? Well, it's jest
+my first nateral come at opinion, as I tolled Ben here, not more'n a
+quarter o' an hour ago, that you war jest mean enough for any thing, as
+ever war invented, in the whole univarsal yarth o' creation--so ef you
+do kill me, I won't be in the leastest grain disappinted, no how."
+
+"Don't, Dorothy--don't irritate the savage for nothing at all!" said her
+husband, who, raising his head at the first remark of the Indian, now
+saw in his fierce, flashing eyes, angry gestures, and awful contortions
+of visage, that which boded the sudden fulfillment of his threat: "Don't
+irritate him, and git murdered for your pains, Dorothy! Why can't you be
+more quiet?"
+
+"Don't talk to me about being quiet, Benjamin Younker, away out here in
+the woods, a captive to such imps an them thar, with our house all burnt
+to nothing like, and our cows and sheeps and hosses destructed, and--"
+
+Here the speech of the good woman was suddenly cut short by the whizzing
+of a tomahawk past her head, which slightly grazed her cheek, and lodged
+in the tree a few feet beyond. Whether it was aimed at her life and
+missed its mark, or whether it was merely done to frighten her, does not
+appear; though the manner of the savage, after the weapon was thrown,
+inclines us to the latter supposition; for instead of rushing upon her
+with his knife, he walked deliberately to the tree, withdrew the
+tomahawk, and then turning to her, and brandishing it over her head,
+said:
+
+"Squaw, still be! Speak much, me killum!"
+
+Be the design of the Indian what it might, the whole proceeding
+certainly produced one result, which nothing had ever been known to do
+before--it awed to silence the tongue of Mrs. Younker, just at a moment
+when talking would have been such a relief to her overcharged spirit;
+and merely muttering, in an under tone, "I do jest believe the
+ripscallious varmint is in arnest, sure enough!" she held her speech for
+the extraordinary space of half an hour.
+
+Meantime the other savages finished their repast; and having offered a
+portion of it to the prisoners, which the latter refused, they proceeded
+to destroy their fire, by casting the burning brands into the rushing
+waters of the stream below. This done, they extended their circle
+somewhat--each placing himself by a tree or rock--and then in the most
+profound silence stood like bronzed statuary, apparently awaiting the
+arrival of another party. At last--and just as the sun was beginning to
+peep over the brow of the steep above them, and let his rays struggle
+with the matted foliage of the trees, for a glimpse of the roaring
+waters underneath--one of the Indians started, looked cautiously around,
+dropped flat upon the earth; and then rising, and motioning with his
+hand for all to be silent, glided noiselessly away, like the shadow of
+some evil spirit, into the surrounding thicket. He had scarcely been
+absent three minutes, when a slight crackling among the brush was heard
+near at hand; and immediately after he rejoined his companions, followed
+by a party of eight Indian warriors, and two white prisoners, headed by
+a low browed, sinister, blood-thirsty looking white man, in a garb
+resembling that worn by a subordinate British officer. His coat was red,
+with facings of another color, underneath which was partially displayed
+a handsome vest and ruffled shirt. About his waist passed a broad wampum
+belt, in which were confined a brace of silver mounted pistols, another
+pair of less finish and value, a silver handled dirk, a scalping knife
+and tomahawk, on whose blades could be seen traces of blood. Around his
+neck was a neatly tied cravat, and dangling in front of his vest a gold
+chain, which connected with a watch hid in a pocket of his breeches,
+whence depended a larger chain of steel, supporting in turn three
+splendid gold seals and two keys. His nether garments were breeches,
+leggins, and moccasins, all of deer skin, and without ornament. His hat,
+not unlike those of the present day, was on this occasion graced with a
+red feather, which protruded above the crown, and corresponded well with
+his general appearance.
+
+The Indian companions of this individual were not remarkable for any
+thing, unless it might be ferocity of expression. They were habited,
+with but one exception, like those previously described, and evidently
+belonged to the same tribe. This exception was a large, athletic,
+powerful Indian, rather rising of six feet, around whose waist was a
+finely worked wampum belt, over whose right shoulder, in a transverse
+direction, extended a red scarf, carelessly tied under the left arm,
+and in whose nose and ears were large, heavy rings, denoting him to be
+either a chief or one in command. His age was about thirty; and his
+features, though perhaps less ferocious than some of his companions,
+were still enough so to make him an object of dread and fear. His
+forehead was low, his eye black and piercing, and his nose rather flat
+and widely distended at the nostrils. He was called Peshewa: Anglice,
+Wild cat.
+
+As the prisoners of the latter party came in sight of those of the
+former, there was a general start and exclamation of surprise; while the
+sad faces of each showed how little pleasure they felt in meeting each
+other under such painful circumstances. The last comers, as the reader
+has doubtless conjectured, were Algernon and Ella. Immediately on their
+entering the ravine, as previously recorded, they had been set upon
+by savages, their horses shot from under them, and themselves made
+captives. This result, however, as regards Algernon, had not been
+effected without considerable effort on the part of his numerous
+enemies. At the first fire, his horse fell; but disentangling himself,
+and drawing his pistols, he sprung upon the side of his dying beast, and
+discharged them both at his nearest foes--one of which took effect, and
+sent a warrior to his last account. Then leaping in among them, he drew
+his knife and cut madly about him until secured; though doubtless he
+would have been tomahawked on the spot, only that he might be reserved
+for the tortures, when his brutal captors should arrive at their
+destination. Meantime the animal which bore the lovely Ella, being
+wounded by the same fire which killed her companion's, bounded forward
+some twenty paces, when a blow on the head with a tomahawk laid him
+prostrate, and she was secured also. The party then proceeded to bury
+the dead, at some little distance, and start upon their journey, to join
+their companions--which latter we have just seen accomplished.
+
+As soon as mutual recognitions had passed between the prisoners, the
+individual habited in the British uniform stepped forward, and said,
+jocosely:
+
+"So, friends, we all meet again, do we, eh?--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+At the sound of his voice, the old man and his wife, both of whom had
+been too intently occupied with Algernon and Ella to notice him before,
+started, and turning their eyes suddenly upon him, simultaneously
+exclaimed:
+
+"Mr. Williams!"
+
+"_Sometimes_ Mr. Williams," answered the other, with a strong emphasis
+on the first word, accompanying it with a horrible oath; "but now, when
+disguise is no longer necessary, Simon Girty, the renegade,
+by ----!--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+As he uttered these words, in a coarse, ruffianly tone, a visible
+shudder of fear or disgust, or both combined, passed through the frame
+of each of the prisoners; and Algernon turning to him, with an
+expression of loathing contempt, said:
+
+"I more than half suspected as much, when I sometime since contemplated
+your low-browed, hang-dog countenance. Of course we can expect no mercy
+at such hands."
+
+"Mercy!" cried Girty, turning fiercely upon him, his eyes gleaming
+savagely, his mouth twisting into a shape intended to express the most
+withering contempt, while his words fairly hissed from between his
+tightly set teeth: "Mercy? dog! No, by h----l! for none like you! Hark ye,
+Mr. Reynolds! Were you in the damnable cells of the Inquisition, accused
+of heresy, and about to be put to the tortures, you might think yourself
+in Paradise compared to what you shall yet undergo!"
+
+As he uttered these words, Ella shrieked and fell fainting to the earth.
+Springing to her, Girty raised her in his arms; and pointing to her pale
+features, as he did so, continued:
+
+"See! Mr. Reynolds, this girl loves you; I love her; we are rivals; and
+you, my rival, are in my power: and, by ----! and all the powers of
+darkness, you shall feel my vengeance!"
+
+"You love her?" broke in Mrs. Younker, who, in spite of her previous
+dangerous warning, could hold her peace no longer: "You love her! you
+mean, contemptible, red headed puppy! I don't believe as how you knows
+enough to love nothing! And so you're Simon Girty, hey? that thar
+sneaking, red-coat renegade? Well, I reckon as how you've told the truth
+once; for I've hearn tell that he war an orful mean looking imp o'
+Satan; and I jest don't believe as how a meaner one nor yourself could
+be skeer'd up in the whole universal yarth o' creation."
+
+"Rail on, old woman!" replied Girty, as he chafed the temples of Ella
+with his hands; "but in a little lower key; or I shall be under the
+necessity of ordering a stopper to your mouth; which, saving the
+tortures of the stake, is the worst punishment for you I can now invent.
+As for you, Mr. Younker," continued he, turning his face to the old man,
+with a peculiar expression; "you seem to have nothing to say to an old
+friend--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+"Whensomever I mention the name o' Simon Girty," replied Younker, in a
+deliberate and startlingly solemn tone, "I al'ays call down God's curse
+upon the fiendish renegade--and I do so now."
+
+"By ----! old man," cried Girty, casting Ella roughly from him, and
+starting upright, the perfect picture of a fiend in human shape;
+"another word, and your brains shall be scattered to the four winds of
+heaven!"
+
+As he spoke, he brandished his tomahawk over the other's head; while the
+child, before noticed, uttered a wild scream, and sprung to Mrs.
+Younker, at whose side she crouched in absolute terror.
+
+"Strike!" answered Younker, mildly, with an unchanged countenance, his
+eye resting steadily upon the other, who could not meet his gaze in the
+same manner. "Strike! Simon Girty; for I'm a man that's never feared
+death, and don't now; besides, I reiterate all I've said, and with my
+dying breath pray God to curse ye!"
+
+"Not yet!" rejoined Girty, smothering his rage, as he replaced his
+weapon. "Not yet, Ben Younker; for you take death too easy; and by ----!
+I'll make it have terrors for you! But what child is this?" continued
+he, grasping the little girl fiercely by the arm, causing her to utter a
+cry of pain and fear. "By heavens! what do we with squalling children?
+Here, Oshasqua, I give her in your charge; and if she yelp again, brain
+her, by ----!" and he closed with an oath.
+
+The Indian whom we have previously noticed as the sentinel, stepped
+forward, with a demoniac gleam of satisfaction on his ugly countenance,
+and taking the child by the hand, led her away some ten paces, where he
+amused himself by stripping her of such apparel as he fancied might
+ornament his own person; while she, poor little thing, afraid to cry
+aloud, could only sob forth the bitterness of her heart.
+
+Meantime Girty turning to Ella, and finding her gradually recovering,
+assisted her to rise; and then motioning the chief aside, he held a
+short consultation with him, in the Indian dialect, regarding their next
+proceedings, and the disposal of the prisoners.
+
+"Were it not, Peshewa, for his own base words," said the renegade, in
+reply to some remark of his Indian ally, "I would have spared him; but
+now," and his features exhibited a concentrated expression of infernal
+hate and revenge; "but now, Peshewa, he dies! with all the horrors of
+the stake, that you, a noble master of the art of torture, can invent
+and inflict. The Long Knife[6] must not curse the red man's friend in
+his own camp and go unpunished. I commend him to your mercy,
+Peshewa--ha, ha, ha!" and he ended with a hoarse, fiend-like laugh.
+
+"Ugh!" returned Wild-cat, giving a gutteral grunt of satisfaction,
+although not a muscle of his rigid features moved, and, save a peculiar
+gleam of his dark eye, nothing to show that he felt uncommon interest
+in the sentence of Younker: "Peshewa a chief! The Great Spirit give him
+memory--the Great Spirit give him invention. He will remember what he
+has done to prisoners at the stake,--he can invent new tortures. But
+the squaw?"
+
+"Ay, the squaw!" answered the renegade, musingly; "the old man's
+wife--she must be disposed of also. Ha! a thought strikes me, Peshewa:
+You have no wife--(the savage gave a grunt)--suppose you take her?"
+
+Peshewa started, and his eyes flashed fire, as he said, with great
+energy: "Does the wolf mate with his hunter, that you ask a chief of the
+Great Spirit's red children to mate with their white destroyer?"
+
+"Then do with her what you ---- please," rejoined Girty, throwing in an
+oath. "I was only jesting, Peshewa. But come, we must be on the move!
+for this last job will not be long a secret; and then we shall have the
+Long Knives after us as hot as h----l. We must divide our party. I will
+take with me these last prisoners and six warriors, and you the others.
+A quarter of a mile below here we will separate and break our trail
+in the stream; you and your party by going up a piece--I and mine by
+going down. This will perplex them, and give us time. Make your trail
+conspicuous, Peshewa, and I will be careful to leave none whatever, if I
+can help it; for, by ----! I must be sure to escape with my prisoners.
+If you are close pressed, you can brain and scalp yours; but for some
+important reasons, I want mine to live. We will meet, my noble Peshewa,
+at the first bend of the Big Miama."
+
+The Indian heard him through, without moving a muscle of his seemingly
+blank features, and then answered, a little haughtily:
+
+"Kitchokema[7] plans all, and gives his red brother all the danger; but
+Peshewa is brave, and fears not."
+
+"And do you think it's through fear?" asked Girty, angrily.
+
+"Peshewa makes no charges against his brother," answered Wild-cat,
+quietly.
+
+"Perhaps it is as well he don't," rejoined Girty, in an under tone,
+knitting his brows; and then quickly added: "Come, Peshewa, let us move;
+for while we tarry, we are giving time to our white foes."
+
+Thus ended the conference; and in a few minutes after the whole party
+was in motion. Following the course of the waters down to the base of
+the hills, they came to a sloping hollow of some considerable extent,
+where the stream ran shallow over a smooth, beautiful bed. Into this
+latter the whole company now entered, for the purpose of breaking the
+trail, as previously arranged by Girty; and here they divided, according
+to his former plan also.
+
+If the unhappy prisoners regretted meeting one another in distress,
+their parting regrets were an hundred fold more poignant; for to them
+it seemed evidently the last time they would ever behold on earth each
+others faces; and this thought alone was enough to dim the eyes of Ella
+and her adopted mother with burning tears, and shake their frames with
+heart-rending sobs of anguish; while the old man and Algernon, though
+both strove to be stoical, could not look on unmoved to a similar show
+of grief. Since their meeting, the captives had managed to converse
+together sufficiently to learn the manner of each others capture, and
+give each other some hope of being successfully followed and released
+by their friends; but now, when they saw the caution displayed by their
+enemies in breaking the trail, they began to fear for the result. Just
+before entering the stream, they passed through a cluster of bushes
+that skirted the river's bank; and Ella, the only prisoner whose hands
+were unbound, by a quick and sly movement succeeded in detaching a
+portion of her dress, which she there left as a sign to those who might
+follow, that she was still alive, and so encourage them to proceed, in
+case they were about to falter and turn back.
+
+The separation being now speedily effected, the two parties were quickly
+lost to each other--Girty and his band going down the bed of the stream
+some two hundred yards before touching the bank; and the others, headed
+by Wild-cat, going up about half that distance.
+
+Leaving each to their journey, let us now return to the band already in
+pursuit.
+
+
+[Footnote 5: Some historians have stated that the Indians here alluded
+to were Mingoes, and _not_ Senecas; and that they were a remnant of the
+celebrated Logan's tribe.]
+
+[Footnote 6: Sometimes Big Knife--first applied to the Virginians by the
+Indians.]
+
+[Footnote 7: Great Chief--a term sometimes given to Girty by the
+Indians.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE PURSUERS.
+
+
+About a hundred yards from where Boone and his young companions set
+forth, the dog, which was running along before them, paused, and with
+his nose to the ground, set up a fierce bark. When arrived at the spot,
+the party halted, and perceived the body of an Indian, slightly covered
+with earth, leaves, and a few dry bushes. Hastily throwing off the
+covering from his head, they discovered hideous features, wildly
+distorted by the last throe of death, and bloody from a wound in his
+forehead made by a ball. His scalp had been taken off also, by those who
+buried him--from fear, probably, that he would be found by enemies, and
+this secured as a trophy--a matter of disgrace which the savage, under
+all circumstances, ever seeks to avoid, both for himself and friends.
+
+"Well done, Master Reynolds!" observed Boone, musingly, spurning the
+body with his foot, turning away, and resuming his journey: "You're a
+brave young man; and I'll bet my life to a bar-skin, did your best under
+the sarcumstances; and ef it's possible, we'll do somewhat for you in
+return."
+
+"Well, ef he arn't a brave chap--that thar same Algernon Reynolds--then
+jest put it down as how Isaac Younker don't know nothing 'bout faces,"
+returned the individual in question, in reply to Boone. "I never seed a
+man with his fore'ed and eye as would run from danger when a friend war
+by wanting his sarvice."
+
+"Ay, he is indeed a clever youth!" rejoined Boone.
+
+"Well, Colonel, he's all that," again returned Isaac; "and I'll al'ays
+look 'pon't in the light o' a sarvice, that you jest placed him in my
+hands, when he war wounded; for to do sech as him a kindness, al'ays
+carries along its own reward. And Ella--my poor, sweet cousin, as war
+raised up in good sarcumstances, and lost her all--she too I reckon
+feels kind o' grateful to you, Colonel, besides."
+
+"As how?" asked Boone.
+
+"Why, I don't know's it's exactly right for me to tell as how," replied
+Isaac, shrewdly, who was fearful of saying what Ella herself might wish
+kept a secret.
+
+"I understand ye," said Boone, in a low tone, heard only by Isaac; and
+the subject was then changed for one more immediately connected with
+their present journey.
+
+In the course of conversation that followed, it was asked of Boone how
+he chanced to be in the vicinity, and learned of the calamity that had
+befallen Algernon and Ella, before any of the others; to which he
+replied, by stating that he was on his way from Boonesborough to Bryan's
+Station, and coming into the path just above the ravine, had been
+indebted to his noble brute companion for the discovery--a circumstance
+which raised Cæsar in the estimation of the whole party to a wonderful
+degree. Nor was this estimation lessened by the conduct of Cæsar himself
+in the present instance; for true to his training, instinct, and great
+sagacity, he led them forward at a rapid pace, and seemed possessed of
+reasoning powers that would have done no discredit to an intelligent
+human being. One instance in point is worthy of note. In passing through
+a dense thicket on the Indian trail, the noble brute discovered a small
+fragment of ribbon, which he instantly seized in his mouth, and, turning
+back to his master, came up to him, wagging his tail, with a look
+expressive of joy, and dropped it at his feet. On examination it was
+recognized as a detached portion of a ribbon worn by Ella; and this
+little incident gave great animation and encouragement to the party--as
+it proved that she at least was yet alive, and had a hope of being
+followed by friends.
+
+Some two hours from their leaving the ravine, they came to the dark
+pass, where we have seen the meeting between the two Indian parties.
+Here our pursuers halted a few minutes to examine the ground, and form
+conjectures as to what had taken place--in doing which, all paid the
+greatest deference to the opinions and judgment of Boone, who was looked
+upon by all who knew him as a master of the woodman's craft.
+
+After gazing intently for some time at the foot prints, Boone informed
+his companions that another party had been in waiting, had been joined
+by the others, and that all had proceeded together down the stream; and
+moreover, that there was an addition of white prisoners, one of which
+was a child. This caused a great sensation among his listeners--many of
+whom had lost their relatives, as the reader already knows--and Hope,
+the cheering angel, which hovers around us on our pathway through life,
+began to revive in each breast, that the friends they were mourning as
+dead, might still be among the living, and so made them more eager than
+ever to press on to the rescue.
+
+At the river's bank, the sagacious Cæsar discovered another piece of
+ribbon--dropped there as the reader knows by Ella--which he carried in
+triumph to his master, and received in turn a few fond caresses.
+
+"Here," said Boone, as himself and companions entered the streamlet,
+whose clear, bright waters, to the depth of some three inches, rolled
+merrily over a smooth bed, with a pleasing murmur: "Here, lads, I reckon
+we'll have difficulty; for the red varmints never enter a stream for
+nothing; and calculating pretty shrewdly they'd be followed soon, no
+doubt they've taken good care to puzzle us for the trail. Ef it be as
+I suspect, we'll divide on the other side, and a part o' us go up, and
+a part down, till we come agin upon thar track. But then agin," added
+Boone, musingly, with a troubled expression, "it don't follow, that
+because they entered the stream they crossed it; and it's just as likely
+they've come out on the same side they went in; so that we'll have to
+make four divisions, and start on the sarch."
+
+Accordingly on reaching the other shore, and finding the trail was lost,
+Boone divided the party--assigning each his place--and separating, six
+of them recrossed the stream; and dividing again, two, headed by Isaac,
+went up, and two, led by Henry Millbanks, went down along the bank;
+while Boone and Seth Stokes, with the rest, proceeded in like manner on
+the opposite side; and the dog flew hither and yon, to render what
+service he could also. For something like a quarter of an hour not the
+least trace of the savages could be found, when at last the voice of
+Isaac was heard shouting:
+
+"I've got it--I've got it! Here it is, jest as plain and nateral as
+cornstalks--Hooray!"
+
+In a few minutes the whole company was gathered around Isaac, who
+pointed triumphantly to his discovery.
+
+"That's the trail, sure enough," observed Boone, bending down to scan
+it closely; "and rather broad it is too. It's not common for the wily
+varmints to do thar business in so open a manner, and I suspicion it's
+done for some trickery. Look well to your rifles, lads, and be prepared
+for an ambush in yon thicket just above thar, while I look carefully
+along this, for a few rods, just to see ef I can make out thar meaning.
+They've spread themselves here considerable," continued the old hunter,
+after examining the trail a few minutes in silence; "but ef they think
+to deceive one that has been arter 'em as many times as I, they've made
+quite a mistake; for I can see clean through their tricks, as easy as
+light comes through greased paper."
+
+"What discovery have you made now?" inquired young Millbanks, who,
+together with the others, pressed eagerly around Boone to hear his
+answer.
+
+"Why I've diskivered what I war most afeard on," answered the woodsman.
+"I've diskivered that the varmints have divided, for the sake of giving
+us trouble, or leading us astray from them as they cares most about. See
+here!" and bending down to the ground, Boone pointed out to his young
+companions, many of whom were entirely ignorant of that ingenious art of
+wood-craft, whereby the experienced hunter knows his safety or danger in
+the forest as readily as the sailor knows his on the ocean, and which
+appears to the uninitiated like a knowledge superhuman--Boone pointed
+out to them, we say, three distinct foot prints, which he positively
+asserted were neither made by the Indians nor the captives of the
+ravine.
+
+"But I'd jest like to know, Colonel Boone, how you can be so sartin o'
+what you declar, ef it would'nt be for putting you to too much trouble,"
+said one of the party, in surprise.
+
+"Obsarve," replied Boone, who, notwithstanding it would cause some
+little delay, was willing to gratify his young friends, by imparting to
+them what information he could regarding an art so important to frontier
+life: "Obsarve that print thar (pointing with his finger to the largest
+one of the three;) now that war never made by Master Reynolds, for it's
+much too big; and this I know from having got the dimension o' his track
+afore I left the ravine to trail him; and I know it war never made by
+one o' the red heathen, for it arn't, the shape o' thar feet,; and
+besides, you'll notice how the toe turns out'ard from the heel--a thing
+an Indian war never guilty on--for they larn from children to tread
+straight forward. The next one you'll obsarve turns out in like manner;
+and though it's smaller nor the first, it arn't exactly the shape of
+Reynold's, and it's too big for Ella's; and moreover I opine it's a
+woman's--though for the matter o' that I only guess at it. The third you
+perceive is the child's; and them thar three are the only ones you can
+find that arn't Indian's. Now note agin that the trail's spread here,
+and that here and thar a twig's snapped on the bushes along thar way;
+which the red-skins have done a purpose to make thar course conspicuous,
+to draw thar pursuers on arter 'em, prehaps for an ambush, prehaps to
+keep them from looking arter the others."
+
+"In this perplexity what are we to do?" inquired young Millbanks.
+
+"Why," answered Boone, energetically, "Heaven knows my heart yearns to
+rescue all my fellow creaters who're in distress; but more particularly,
+prehaps, them as I know's desarving; and as I set out for Master
+Reynolds, and his sweet companion, Ella Barnwell, God bless her! I
+somehow reckon it's my duty to follow them--though I leave the rest o'
+ye to choose for yourselves. Ef you want to divide, and part go this
+trail and part follow me, mayhap it'll be as well in the end."
+
+This plan seemed the best that could be adopted under the circumstances;
+and after some further consultation among themselves, it was finally
+agreed that Isaac, with six others--two of whom were Switcher and
+Stokes--should proceed on the present trail; while Millbanks and the
+remainder should accompany Boone. Isaac was chosen as the most suitable
+one to lead his party, on account of his foresight and shrewdness, and,
+withal, some little knowledge which he possessed of the country and the
+woodsman's art, previously gained in a tour with his father, when
+seeking a location, together with an expedition of considerable extent
+shortly after made with Boone himself.
+
+To him, as the leader, the noble old hunter now turned, and in a brief
+manner imparted some very important advice, regarding his mode of
+proceeding under various difficulties, particularly cautioned him
+against any rash act, and concluded by saying, "Wharsomever or
+howsomever you may be fixed, Isaac, and you his companions, (addressing
+the young men by his side) don't never forget the injunction o' Daniel
+Boone, your friend, that you must be cool, steady and firm; and
+whensomever you fire at a painted varmint, be sure you don't throw away
+your powder!"
+
+He then proceeded to shake hands with each, bidding them farewell and
+God speed, in a manner so earnest and touching as to draw tears from
+many an eye unused to the melting mood. The parting example of Boone was
+now imitated by the others, and in a few minutes both divisions had
+resumed their journey.
+
+Dividing his party again as before, Boone proceeded with them to examine
+closely both banks of the stream for the other trail. Commencing where
+they had left off on the announcement of Isaac, they moved slowly
+downward, taking due note of every bush, leaf and blade as they went
+along--often pausing and bending on their knees, to observe some spot
+more minutely, where it seemed probable their enemies had withdrawn from
+the water. Cæsar, too, apparently comprehending the object of their
+search, ran to and fro, snuffing at every thing he saw, sometimes with
+his nose to the ground and sometimes elevated in the air. At length he
+gave a peculiar whine, at a spot about twenty yards below that which had
+been reached by his master, on the side opposite Isaac's discovery; and
+hastening to him, Boone immediately communicated to the others the
+cheering intelligence that the trail had been found.
+
+Each now hurrying forward, the old hunter was soon joined by his young
+friends; not one of whom, on coming up, failed to express surprise that
+he should be so positive of what their eyes gave them not the least
+proof. The place where they were now assembled, was at the base of a
+hill, which terminated the flat or hollow in that direction, and turned
+the stream at a short bend off to the left, along whose side its waters
+ran for some twenty yards, when the arm projection of the ridge ended,
+and allowed it to turn and almost retrace its path on the opposite
+side--thus forming an elliptical bow. At the point in question, rose a
+steep bank of rocks, of limestone formation, against which the stream,
+during the spring and fall floods had rolled its tide to a height of six
+or eight feet; and had lodged there, from time to time, various sorts of
+refuse--such as old leaves, branches and roots of trees, and the like
+encumbrances to the smooth flow of its waters. On these rocks it was
+that the eyes of the party were now fixed; while their faces exhibited
+expressions of astonishment, that the old hunter should be able to
+distinguish marks of a recent trail, where they could perceive nothing
+but the undisturbed surface of what perhaps had been ages in forming.
+
+"And so, lads, you don't see no trail thar, eh?" said Boone, with a
+quiet smile, after having listened to various observations of the party,
+during which time he had been carelessly leaning on his rifle.
+
+"Why, I must confess I can see nothing of the kind," answered Henry.
+
+"Nor I," rejoined another of the party.
+
+"Well, ef thar be any marks o' a trail here, jest shoot me with red
+pepper and salt, ef ever I'm cotched bragging on my eyes agin," returned
+a third.
+
+"That thar observation'll hold good with me too" uttered a fourth.
+
+"Here's in," said the fifth and last.
+
+"You're all young men, and have got a right smart deal to larn yet,"
+resumed Boone, "afore you can be turned out rale ginuine woodsmen and
+hunters. Now mark that thar small pebble stone, that lies by your feet
+on the rock. Ef you look at it right close, you'll perceive that on one
+side on't the dirt looks new and fresh--which proves it's jest been
+started from its long quietude. Now cast your eyes a little higher up,
+agin yon dirt ridge which partly kivers them thar larger stones, and
+you'll see an indent that this here pebble stone just fits. Now
+something had to throw that down, o' course; and ef you'll just look
+right sharp above it, you'll see a smaller dent, that war made by the
+toe of some human foot, in getting up the bank. Agin you'll observe that
+thar dry twig, just above still, has been lately broke, as ef by the
+person war climbing up taking hold on't for assistance; but that warn't
+the reason the climber broke it--it war done purposely; as you'll see by
+the top part being bent up the hill, as ef to point us on. By the Power
+that made me!" added Boone, gazing for a moment at the broken twig
+intently, "ef I arn't wondrously mistaken, thar's a leaf hanging to it
+in a way nater never fixed it."
+
+"Right, there is!" cried Henry, who, looking up with, the rest, chanced
+to observe it at the same moment with Boone; and springing forward with
+a light bound, he soon reached the spot, and returned with it in his
+hand. It was a fall leaf, which had been fastened in a hasty manner to
+the twig in question, by a pin through its center. On one side of it was
+scrawled, in characters difficult to be deciphered:
+
+"_Follow--fast--for the love of Heaven!--E._"
+
+As Millbanks, after looking at it closely, read off these words, Boone
+started, clutched his rifle with an iron grasp, and merely saying, in a
+quiet manner, "Onward, lads--I trust you're now satisfied!" he sprang up
+the rocks with an agility that threatened to leave his young companions
+far in the rear.
+
+All now pressed forward with renewed energy; and having gained the
+summit of the hill, which here rose to the height of eighty feet, they
+were enabled, by the aid of Cæsar, to come quickly upon the trail of
+the Indians, who, doubtless supposing themselves now safe from pursuit,
+had taken little or no pains to conceal their course. Of this their
+pursuers now took advantage, and hurried onward with long and rapid
+strides; now through thick dark woods and gloomy hollows; now up steep
+hills and rocky barren cliffs; now through tangles and over marshy
+grounds--clearing all obstacles that presented themselves with an ease
+which showed that notwithstanding some of them might be inferior as
+woodsmen, none were at all events as travelers in the woods.
+
+By noon the party had advanced some considerable distance, and were
+probably not far in the rear of the pursued--at least such was the
+opinion of Boone--when they were again, to their great vexation, put at
+fault for the trail, by the cunning of the renegade, who, to prevent all
+accidents, had here once more broken it, by entering another small
+streamlet--a branch of Eagle river; and although our friends set to with
+all energy and diligence to find it, yet, from the nature of the ground
+round about, the darkness of the wood through which the rivulet
+meandered, and several other causes, they were unable to do so for three
+good hours.
+
+This delay tended not a little to discourage the younger members of our
+pursuing party, who, in consequence, began to be low spirited, and less
+eager than before to press forward when the trail was again found; but
+a few words from Boone in a chiding manner, telling them that if they
+faltered at every little obstacle, they would be unfit representatives
+of border life, served to stimulate them to renewed exertions. To add to
+the discomfort of all--not excepting Boone himself--the sun, which had
+thus far shone out warm and brilliant, began to grow more and more dim,
+as a thick haze spread through the atmosphere overhead, foretokening an
+approaching storm--an event which might prove entirely disastrous to
+their hopes, by obliterating all vestiges of the pursued. As the gallant
+old hunter moved onward with rapid strides--preceded by the faithful
+brute, which, on the regular trail, greatly facilitated their progress,
+by saving the company a close scrutiny of their course--he from time to
+time cast his eyes upward and noted the thickening atmosphere with an
+anxious and troubled expression.
+
+For some time the sun shone faintly; then his rays became entirely
+obscured, and his position could only be discerned by a bright spot in
+the heavens; this, ere he reached the horizon, became obscured also;
+when the old hunter, who had watched every sign closely, looking
+anxiously toward the west, observed:
+
+"I don't like it, lads; thar's a storm a brewing for sartin, and we
+shall be drenched afore to-morrow morning. Howsomever," he continued,
+"it arn't the wetting as I cares any thing about--for I'm used to the
+elements in all thar stages, and don't fear 'em no more'n a dandy does a
+feather bed--but the trail will be lost, in arnest this time; and then
+we'll have to give in, or follow on by guess work. It's this as troubles
+me; for I'm fearful poor Ella and Reynolds won't get succor in time. But
+keep stout hearts, lads," he added, as he noticed gloomy expressions
+sweep over the faces of his followers; "keep stout hearts--don't get
+melancholy; for in this here world we've got to take things as we find
+'em; and no doubt this storm's all for the best, ef we could only see
+ahead like into futurity."
+
+With this consoling reflection the hunter again quickened his pace, and
+pressed forward until the shadows of evening warned him to seek out an
+encampment for the gathering night. Accordingly, sweeping the adjoining
+country with an experienced eye, his glance soon rested on a rocky
+ridge, some quarter of a mile to the right, at whose base he judged
+might be found a comfortable shelter from the coming rain. Communicating
+his thoughts to his companions, all immediately quitted the trail and
+advanced toward it, where they arrived in a few minutes, and found, to
+their delight, that the experienced woodsman had not been wrong in his
+conjectures. A cave of no mean dimensions was fortunately discovered,
+after a short search among the rocks, into which all now gathered; and
+striking a light, they made a small fire near the entrance; around which
+they assembled and partook of the refreshments brought with them--Boone
+declaring he had not tasted a morsel of food since leaving Boonsborough
+early in the morning. The meal over, the young men disposed themselves
+about the cave in the best manner possible for their own comfort: and
+being greatly fatigued by their journey, and the revels of the night
+previous, they very soon gave evidence of being in a sleep too deep for
+dreams. Boone sat by the fire, apparently in deep contemplation, until
+a few embers only remained; then pointing Cæsar to his place near the
+entrance, he threw himself at length upon the ground, and was soon
+imitating the example of his young comrades.
+
+Early in the evening it came on to blow very hard from the east; and
+about midnight set in to rain, as Boone had predicted; which it
+continued to do the rest of the night; nor were there any signs of its
+abatement, when the party arose to resume their journey on the following
+morning.
+
+"What can't be cured must be endured," said Boone, quoting an old
+proverb, as he gazed forth upon the storm. "We must take sech as comes,
+lads, without grumbling; though I do'nt know's thar's any sin in wishing
+it war a little more to our liking. Howsomever," he added, "prehaps it
+won't be so much agin us arter all; for the red varmints mayhap 'll
+think as how all traces of 'em have been washed away, and, feeling safe
+from pursuit, be less cautious about their proceedings; and by keeping
+on the same course, we may chance upon 'em unawares. So come, lads,
+let's eat and be off."
+
+Accordingly, making a hasty breakfast, and securing the remainder of
+their provision as well as ammunition in the ample bosoms of their
+hunting frocks--which were always made large for such and similar
+purposes--tightening the belts about their bodies, and placing their
+rifles, locks downward, under the ample skirts of their frocks, to
+shield them from the rain, the whole party sallied forth upon their
+second day's adventure. Regaining the spot they had quitted the evening
+before, Boone took a long look in the direction whence they first
+approached; and then shaping his course so as to bear as near as
+possible on a direct line with it, set forward at a quick pace, going a
+very little west of due north.
+
+In this manner our pursuers continued their journey for some three or
+four hours, scarcely exchanging a syllable--the storm beating fiercely
+against their faces and drenching their bodies--when an incident
+occurred of the most alarming kind.
+
+They had descended a hill, and were crossing an almost open plain of
+some considerable extent--which was bounded on the right by a wood, and
+on the left by a cane-brake--and had nearly gained its center, when they
+were startled by a deep rumbling sound, resembling the mighty rushing of
+a thousand horse. Nearer and nearer came the rushing sound; while each
+one paused, and many a pale face was turned with an anxious, inquiring
+glance upon Boone; whose own, though a shade paler than usual, was
+composed in every feature, as he gazed, without speaking, in the
+direction whence the noise proceeded.
+
+"Good heavens! what is it?" cried Henry, in alarm.
+
+"Behold!" answered Boone, pointing calmly toward the cane-brake.
+
+A cry of surprise, despair and horror, escaped every tongue but the old
+hunter's--as, at that moment, a tremendous herd of buffaloes, numbering
+thousands, was seen rushing from the brake, and bearing directly toward
+the spot where our party stood. Escape by flight was impossible; for the
+animals were scarcely four hundred yards distant, and booming forward
+with the speed of the frightened wild horse of the prairie. Nothing was
+apparent but speedy death, and in its most horrible form, that of dying
+unknown beneath the hoofs of the wild beasts of the wilderness. In this
+awful moment of suspense, which seemingly but preceded the disuniting of
+soul and body, each of the young men turned a breathless look of horror
+upon the old hunter, such as landsmen in a terrible gale at sea would
+turn upon the commander of the vessel; but, save an almost imperceptible
+quiver of the lips, not a muscle of the now stern countenance of Boone
+changed.
+
+"Merciful Heaven!--we are lost!" cried Henry, wildly. "Oh! such a
+death!"
+
+"Every man's got to die when his time comes--but none afore; and yourn
+hasn't come yet, Master Harry," replied Boone, quietly; "unless," he
+added, a moment after, as he raised his rifle to his eye, "Betsey here's
+forgot her old tricks."
+
+As he spoke, his gun flashed, a report followed, and one of the foremost
+of the herd, an old bull, which had gained a point within a hundred
+yards of the marksman, stumbled forward and rolled over on the earth,
+with a loud bellow of pain His companions, which were pressing close
+behind, snorted with fear, as they successively came up; and turning
+aside, on either hand, made a furrow in their ranks; that, gradually
+widening as they advanced, finally cleared our friends by a space of
+twenty yards; and so passed they on, making the very earth tremble under
+their mighty trend.[8]
+
+It was a sublime sight--to behold such a tremendous caravan of wild
+beasts rushing past--and one that filled each of the spectators, even
+when they knew all danger was over, with a sense of trembling awe; and
+they stood and gazed in silence, until the last of the herd was lost to
+their vision; then advancing to the noble hunter, Henry silently grasped
+his hard, weather-beaten hand, and turned away with tearful eyes--an
+example that was followed by each of the others, and which was more
+heart touchingly expressive of their feelings, than would have been a
+vocabulary of appropriate words.
+
+Our party next proceeded to examine the wounded bull, which was still
+bellowing with rage and pain; and having carefully approached and
+despatched him with their knives, they found that the ball of Boone had
+entered a vital part. Taking from him a few slices of meat, to serve
+them in case their provisions ran short, they once more resumed their
+journey--the wind still easterly and the storm raging.
+
+About three hours past noon the storm began to show signs of
+abatement--the wind blew less hard, and had veered several points to the
+north--an event which the old hunter noted with great satisfaction. They
+had now gained a point within ten miles of the beautiful Ohio; when the
+dog--which, since he had had no trail to guide him, ran where he
+chose--commenced barking spiritedly, some fifty paces to the left of the
+party, who immediately set off at a brisk gait to learn the cause.
+
+"I'll wager what you dare, lads, the pup's found the trail," said Boone.
+
+The event proved him in the right; for on coming up, the footsteps of
+both captors and captives, who had evidently passed there not over three
+hours before, could be distinctly traced in the soft earth. A shout--not
+inferior in power and duration to that set up by crazy-headed
+politicians, on the election of some favorite--was sent away to the
+hills, announcing the joy of our party; which the hills, as if partakers
+also of the hilarious feelings, in turn duly echoed.
+
+This new, important, and unexpected discovery, raised the spirits of all
+our company to a high degree; and they again set forward at a faster
+gait than ever, so as to overtake the pursued if possible before they
+crossed the Ohio river. The trail was now broad and distinct; and the
+footprints of the Indians, as also those of their captives, Algernon and
+Ella, could be clearly defined wherever the ground chanced to be of a
+clayey nature. In something like two hours our pursuers succeeded in
+reaching the river; but unfortunately too late to intercept their
+enemies and rescue their friends, who had already crossed sometime
+before. By trailing them to the water's edge, they discovered the very
+spot where the canoes of the savages had been secreted on the beach,
+behind some drift-logs, nearly opposite the mouth of the Great Miami.
+
+"Ef we'd only been here a little sooner," observed Boone, musingly,
+"we'd ha' saved some o' the varmints the trouble of paddling over thar;
+or ef we only had the means o' crossing now, we'd be upon 'em afore they
+war aware on't. Howsomever, as it is, I suppose we'll have to make a
+raft to cross on, and so give the red heathen a little more time."
+
+"Is it not possible, Colonel," answered Millbanks, in a suggestive way,
+"that the Indians, forming the two parties, may all be of the game
+tribe, and have crossed here together, when they came over to make the
+attack? and that the boats of the other division, unless they have
+recrossed, may still be secreted not far hence?"
+
+"By the Power that made me!" exclaimed Boone, energetically; "a good
+thought, lad--a good thought, Master Harry--and we'll act on't at once,
+by sarching along the banks above here; for as the other varmints took
+off to the east, it am't improbable they've just steered a little round
+about, to come down on 'em, while these went right straight ahead."
+
+At once proceeding upon this suggestion, Boone and his companions
+commenced a close examination along the shore; which finally resulted
+in their finding, as had been premised, not the canoes themselves, but
+traces of where they had recently been, together with the trail of the
+other party, who had also arrived at this point and crossed over.
+This caused no little sensation among our pursuers; who, scanning the
+footprints eagerly, and perceiving thereby that the prisoners were
+still along with their captors, scarcely knew whether most to grieve or
+rejoice. One thing at least was cheering--they were still alive; and
+could their friends, the present party, succeed in crossing the river
+during the night, might be rescued. But where was Isaac and his band,
+was the next important query. If, as they ardently hoped, he and his
+comrades had not lost the trail, they might be expected to join them
+soon--a reinforcement which would render them comparatively safe.
+
+Meantime the storm had wholly subsided--the wind blew strong and cold
+from the northwest--a few broken, dripping clouds sailed slowly
+onward--while the sun, a little above the horizon, again shone out clear
+and bright, and painted a beautiful bow on the cloudy ground of the
+eastern heavens.
+
+"Well, lads, the storm's over, thank God!" said Boone, glancing upward,
+with an expression of satisfaction; "and now, as day-light'll be scarce
+presently, we'll improve what there is, in constructing a raft to cross
+over on; and maybe Isaac and the rest on 'em will join us in time to get
+a ride."
+
+As the old hunter concluded, he at once applied himself to laying out
+such drift logs as were thought suitable for the purpose, in which he
+was assisted by three of the others, the remaining two proceeding into
+the bushes to cut withes for binding them together; and so energetic and
+diligent was each in his labors, that, ere twilight had deepened into
+night, the rude vessel was made, launched, and ready to transport its
+builders over the waters. They now resolved to take some refreshment,
+and wait until night had fully set in, in the faint hope that Isaac
+might possibly make his appearance. With this intent, our party retired
+up the bank, into the edge of the wood that lined the shore, for the
+purpose of kindling a fire, that they might dry their garments, and
+roast some portions of the slaughtered bull.
+
+Scarcely had they succeeded, after several attempts, in effecting a
+bright, ruddy blaze--which threw from their forms, dark, fantastic
+shadows, against the earth, trees and neighboring bushes--when Cæsar
+uttered a low, deep growl; and Boone, grasping his rifle tightly,
+motioned his companions to follow him in silence into an adjoining
+thicket. Here, after cautioning them to remain perfectly quiet, unless
+they heard some alarm, he carefully parted the bushes, and glided
+noiselessly away, saying, in a low tone, as he departed:
+
+"I rather 'spect it's Isaac; but I'd like to be sartin on't, afore I
+commit myself."
+
+For some five or ten minutes after the old hunter disappeared, all was
+silent, save the crackling of the fire, the rustling of the leaves, the
+sighing of the wind among the trees, and the rippling of the now swollen
+and muddy waters of the Ohio. At length the sound of a voice was heard
+some fifty paces distant, followed immediately by another in a louder
+tone.
+
+On hearing this, our friends in the thicket rushed forward, and were
+soon engaged in shaking the hands of Isaac and his comrades, with a
+heartiness on both sides that showed the pleasure of meeting was
+earnest, and unalloyed.
+
+As more important matters are now pressing hard upon us, and as our
+space is limited, we shall omit the detail of Isaac's adventures, as
+also the further proceedings of both parties for the present, and
+substitute a brief summary.
+
+The trail on which Isaac and his party started the day before, being
+broad and open, they had experienced but little difficulty in following
+it, until about noon, when they reached a stream where it was broken,
+which caused them some two hours delay. This, doubtless, prevented them
+from overtaking the enemy that day; and the night succeeding, not having
+found quarters as comfortable as Boone's, they had been thoroughly
+soaked with rain. The trail in the morning was entirely obliterated; but
+pursuing their course in a manner simitar to that adopted by Boone, the
+result had happily been the same, and the meeting of the two parties the
+consequence, at a moment most fortunate to both.
+
+All now gathered around the fire, to dry their garments, refresh
+themselves with food, tell over to each other their adventures, and
+consult as to their future course. It was finally agreed to cross the
+stream that night; in the hope, by following up the Miami, to stumble
+upon the encampment of their adversaries; who were, doubtless, at no
+great distance; and who, as they judged, feeling themselves secure,
+might easily be surprised to advantage. How they succeeded in their
+perilous undertaking, coming events must show.
+
+
+[Footnote 8: A similar occurrence to the above is recorded of Boone's
+first appearance in the Western Wilds.--_See Boone's Life--By Flint_]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE RENEGADE AND HIS PRISONERS.
+
+
+The feelings in the breasts of Algernon and Ella, as they reluctantly
+moved onward, captives to a savage, bloodthirsty foe, are impossible
+to be described. To what awful end had fate destined them? and in what
+place were they to drain the last bitter dregs of woe? How much anguish
+of heart, how much racking of soul, and how much bodily suffering was
+to be their portion, ere death, almost their only hope, would set them
+free? True, they might be rescued by friends--such things had been
+done--but the probability thereof was as ten to one against them; and
+when they perceived the care with which the renegade sought to destroy
+all vestiges of their course, their last gleam of hope became nearly
+extinguished.
+
+We have previously stated that Ella was left unbound; but wherefore,
+would perhaps be hard to conjecture; unless we suppose that the
+renegade--feeling for her that selfish affection which pervades the
+breasts of all beings, however base or criminal, to a greater or less
+degree--fancied it would be adding unnecessary cruelty to bind heir
+delicate hands. Whatever the cause, matters but little; but the fact
+itself was of considerable importance to Ella; who took advantage of
+her freedom, in passing the bushes before noticed, to snatch a leaf
+unperceived, whereon, by great adroitness, she managed to trace with a
+pin a few almost illegible characters; and also, in ascending the bank,
+which she was allowed to do in her own way, to throw down with her foot
+the stone, break the twig at the same instant, and pin the leaf to it,
+in the faint hope that an old hunter might follow on the trail, who,
+if he came to the spot, would hardly fail to notice it.
+
+The freedom thus given to Ella, and the deference shown her by the
+renegade and his allies--who appeared to treat her with the same respect
+they would have done the wife of their chief--were in striking contrast
+with their manners toward Algernon, on whom they seemed disposed to vent
+their scorn by petty insults. Believing that his doom was sealed, he
+became apparently resigned to his fate, nor seemed to notice, save with
+stoical indifference, any thing that took place around him. This quiet,
+inoffensive manner, was far from pleasing to Girty, who would much
+rather have seen him chafing under his bondage, and manifesting a desire
+to escape its toil. But if this was the outward appearance, not so was
+the inward feelings of our hero. He knew his fate--unless he could
+effect an escape, of which he had little hope--and he nerved himself to
+meet and seem to his captors careless of it; but his soul was already on
+the rack of torture. This was not for himself alone; for Algernon was a
+brave man, and in reality feared not death; though, like many another
+brave man, be had no desire to die at his time of life, especially with
+all the tortures of the stake, which he knew, from Girty's remark, would
+be his assignment; but his soul was harrowed at the thought of Ella--her
+awful doom--and what she might be called upon to undergo: perhaps a
+punishment a thousand times worse than death--that of being the
+pretended wife, but in reality the mistress, of the loathsome renegade.
+This thought to him was torture--almost madness--and it was only by the
+most powerful struggle with himself, that he could avoid exposing his
+feelings.
+
+For a time, after ascending the rocky bank of the stream and gaining the
+hill, the renegade and his Indian allies, with their captives, moved
+silently onward at a fast pace; but at length, slackening his speed
+somewhat, Girty approached the side of Algernon, who was bound in a
+manner similar to Younker, with his wrists corded to a cross bar behind
+his back; and apparently examining them a moment or two, in a sneering
+tone, said:
+
+"How-comes it that the bully fighter of the British, under the cowardly
+General Gates, should be so tightly bound, away out in this Indian
+country, and a captive to a _renegade_ agent?--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+The pale features of Algernon, as he heard this taunt, grew suddenly
+crimson, and then more deadly white than ever--his fingers fairly worked
+in their cords, and his respiration seemed almost to stifle him--so
+powerfully were his passions wrought upon by the cowardly insults of his
+adversary; but at last all became calm and stoical again; when turning
+to Girty, he coolly examined him from head to heel, from heel to head;
+and then moving away his eyes, as if the sight were offensive to him,
+quietly said:
+
+"An honest man would be degraded by condescending to hold discourse with
+so mean a _thing_ as Simon Girty the renegade."
+
+At these words Girty started, as if bit by a serpent--the aspect of his
+dark sinister features changed to one concentrated expression of hellish
+rage--his eyes seemed to turn red--his lips quivered--the nostrils of
+his flat ugly nose distended--froth issued from his mouth--while his
+fingers worked convulsively at the handle of his tomahawk, and his whole
+frame trembled like a tree shaken by a whirlwind. For some time he
+essayed to speak, in vain; but at last he hissed forth, as he whirled
+the tomahawk aloft:
+
+"Die!--dog!--die!"
+
+Ella uttered a piercing shriek of fear, and sprung forward to arrest the
+blow; but ere she could have reached the renegade; the axe would have
+been buried to the helve in the brain of Algernon, had not a tall,
+powerful Indian suddenly interposed his rifle between it and the victim.
+
+"Is the great chief a child, or in his dotage," he said to Girty, in the
+Shawanoe dialect, "that he lets passion run away with his reason? Is not
+the Big Knife already doomed to the tortures? And would the white chief
+give him the death of a warrior?"
+
+"No, by ----!" cried Girty, with an oath. "He shall have a dog's death!
+Right! Mugwaha--right! I thank you for your interference--I was beside
+myself. The stake--the torture--the stake--ha, ha, ha!" added he in
+English, with a hoarse laugh, which his recent passion made sound
+fiend-like and unearthly; and as he concluded, he smote Algernon on the
+cheek with the palm of his hand.
+
+The latter winced somewhat, but mastered his feelings and made no reply;
+and the renegade resuming his former pace, the party again proceeded in
+silence.
+
+Toward night, Ella became so fatigued and exhausted by the long day's
+march, that it was with the greatest difficulty she could move forward
+at all; and Girty, taking some compassion on her, ordered the party to
+halt, until a rough kind of litter could be prepared; on which being
+seated, she was borne forward by four of the Indians. At dark they
+halted at the base of a hill, where they encamped and found a partial
+shelter from the wind and rain. At daylight they again resumed their
+journey; and by four o'clock in the afternoon arrived at the river,
+which they immediately crossed in their canoes; and, as the water was
+found in a good stage, did not land until they reached the first bend
+of the Miami--the place agreed on for the meeting between Girty and
+Wild-cat.
+
+As the latter chief and his party had not yet made their appearance,
+Girty and his band went ashore with their prisoners, and took shelter
+under one of the largest trees in the vicinity, to await their coming.
+Of this expected meeting, the captives as yet knew nothing; and it was
+of course not without considerable surprise, mingled with a saddened
+joy, that they observed the approach, some half an hour later, of their
+friends and enemies.
+
+Ella, on first perceiving their canoes silently advancing up the stream,
+started up with a cry of joy, which was the next moment saddened by the
+thought that she was only welcoming her relatives to a miserable doom.
+Still it was a joy to know they were yet alive; and as the sinking heart
+is ever buoyed up with hope, until completely engulfed in the dark
+billows of despair--so she could not, or would not, altogether banish
+the animating feeling, that something might yet interfere to save them
+all from destruction. As the canoes touched the shore, Ella sprung
+forward to greet her adopted mother and father; but her course was
+suddenly checked by one of the Indian warriors, who, grasping her
+somewhat roughly by the arm, with a gutteral grunt and fierce gesture of
+displeasure, pointed her back to her former place. Ella, downcast and
+frightened, tremblingly retraced her steps, and could only observe the
+pale faces and fatigued looks of her relatives and the little girl at a
+distance; but she saw enough to send a thrill of anguish to her heart;
+and Girty, who perceived the expressions of agony her sweet features now
+displayed, at once advanced to her, and, modulating his voice somewhat
+from its usual tones, said:
+
+"Grieve not, Ella. I will endeavor to procure you an interview with your
+friends."
+
+The kindness manifested in the tones of the speaker, caused Ella to look
+up with a start of surprise and hope; and thinking he might perhaps be
+moved to mercy, by a direct appeal to his better feelings, she replied,
+energetically, with a flush on her now animated countenance:
+
+"Oh, sir! I perceive you are not lost to all feelings of humanity." Here
+the compression of Girty's lips, and a knitting together of his shaggy
+brows, warned Ella she was treading on dangerous ground, and she quickly
+added: "All of us are liable to err; and there may be circumstances,
+unknown to others, that force us to be, or seem to be, that which in our
+hearts we are not; and to do acts which our calm moments of reason tell
+us are wrong, and which we afterwards sincerely regret."
+
+"I know not that I understand you," said the renegade, evasively.
+
+"To be more explicit, then," rejoined Ella, "I trust that you, Simon
+Girty, whose acts hitherto have been such as to draw down reproaches
+and even curses upon your head, from many of your own race, may now be
+induced, by the prayer of her before you, to do an act of justice and
+generosity."
+
+"Speak out your desire!" returned Girty, as Ella, evidently fearful of
+broaching the subject too suddenly, paused, in order to observe the
+effect of what had already been said. "Speak out briefly, girl; for
+yonder stands Wild-cat awaiting me."
+
+"Oh, then, let me implore you to listen, and God grant your heart may
+be touched by my words!" rejoined Ella, eagerly, as she fancied she
+saw something of relentment in his stern features. "Look yonder! Behold
+that poor old man!--whose head is already sprinkled with the silvery
+threads of over fifty winters--beside whom stands the companion of
+his sorrows--both of whose lives have been spent in quiet, honest
+pursuits--whose doors have ever stood open--whose board has ever been
+free to the needy wayfarer. You yourself have been a partaker of their
+hospitality, in their own home--which, alas! I have since learned is
+in ashes--and can testify to their liberality and kindness. Is this
+a proper return therefor, think you?"
+
+"But did not he, yon gray-headed man, then and there curse me to my
+face?" returned the renegade, fiercely, in whose eye could be seen the
+cold, sullen gleam of deadly hate; "and shall I, the outcast of my
+race--I, whose deeds have made the boldest tremble--I, whose name is a
+by-word for curses--now spare him, that has defied and called down God's
+maledictions on me?"
+
+"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Ella, energetically. "Convince him, by your acts
+of generosity, that you are not deserving of his censure, and he, I
+assure you, will be eager to do you justice. Oh, return good for evil,
+where evil has been done you, and God's blessing, instead of His curse,
+will be yours!"
+
+"It may be the _Christian's_ creed to return good for evil," answered
+Girty, with a strong emphasis on the word Christian, accompanied with a
+sneer; "but by ----! such belongs not to me, nor to those I mate with!
+Hark you, Ella Barnwell! I could be induced to do much for you--for I
+possess for you a passion stronger than I have ever before felt for any
+human being--but were I ever so much disposed to grant your request, it
+is now beyond my power."
+
+"As how?" asked Ella, quickly.
+
+"Listen! I will tell you briefly. When first I saw, I felt I loved you,
+and from that moment resolved you should be mine. Nay, do not shudder
+so, and turn away, and look so pale--a worse fate than being the wife
+of a British agent might have been apportioned you. To win you by fair
+words, I knew at once was out of the question--for one glance showed me
+my rival. Besides, I was not handsome, I knew--had not an oily tongue,
+and did not like the plan of venturing too much among those who have
+good reasons for fearing and hating me--therefore I resolved on your
+capture. I had already meditated an attack on some of the settlers in
+the vicinity, and I resolved that both should be accomplished at one
+time. The result you know. Younker and his wife became my prisoners.
+This was done for two purposes. First, to revenge me for the insults
+heaped upon Simon Girty. Secondly, to spare their lives; for had it not
+been for my positive injunctions, they would have shared the fate of
+their neighbors. My design, I say, was to spare their lives and send
+them back, whenever it could be done with safety, provided they showed
+any signs of contrition. Did they? No! they again upbraided me to my
+face. I was again cursed. My blood is hot--my nature revengeful. That
+moment sealed their doom. I gave them up to Peshewa. They are no longer
+my prisoners. For their lives you must plead with him. I can do nothing.
+Have you more to ask?"
+
+Girty, toward the last, spoke rapidly, in short sentences, as one to
+whom the conversation was disagreeable; and Ella listened breathlessly,
+with a pale cheek and trembling form; for she saw, alas! there was
+nothing favorable to be gained. As he concluded, she suddenly started,
+clasped her hands together, and looked up into his stern countenance,
+with a wild, thrilling expression, saying, in a trembling voice:
+
+"You have said you love me!"
+
+"I repeat it."
+
+"Then, for Heaven's sake! as you are a human being, and hope for peace
+in this world and salvation in the next--restore me--restore us all to
+our homes--and to my dying day will I bless and pray for you."
+
+"Umph!" returned the renegade, drily; "I had much rather _hear_ your
+sweet voice, though in anger, than to merely _think_ you may be praying
+for me at a distance. But I see Wild-cat is getting impatient;" and
+as he concluded, he turned abruptly on his heel, and advanced to
+Peshewa--who was now standing with his warriors and prisoners on the
+bank of the stream, some fifty paces distant, awaiting a consultation
+with him--while Ella hid her face in her hands and wept convulsively.
+
+"Welcome, Peshewa!" said Girty, as he approached the chief. "You and
+your band are here safe, I perceive; and by ----! you have timed it well,
+too, for we have only headed you by half an hour."
+
+"Ugh!" grunted Wild-cat, with that look and gutteral sound peculiar to
+the Indian. "Kitchokema has learned Peshewa is here!"
+
+"Come! come!" answered the renegade, in a somewhat nettled manner; "no
+insinuations! I saw Peshewa when he arrived."
+
+"But could not leave the Big Knife squaw to greet him," added the
+Indian.
+
+"Why, I am not particularly fond of being hurried in my affairs, you
+know."
+
+"But there may be that which will not leave Kitchokema slow to act, in
+safety," rejoined Wild-cat, significantly.
+
+"How, chief! what mean you?" asked Girty, quickly.
+
+"The Shemanoes--"[9]
+
+"Well?" said Girty.
+
+"Are on the trail," concluded Wild-cat, briefly.
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed the renegade, with a start, involuntarily placing his
+hand upon the breech of a pistol in his girdle. "But are you sure,
+Peshewa?"
+
+"Peshewa speaks only what he knows," returned the chief, quietly.
+
+"Speak out, then--_how_ do you know?" rejoined Girty, in an excited
+tone.
+
+"Peshewa a chief," answered the Indian, in that somewhat obscure and
+metaphorical manner peculiar to his race. "He sleeps not soundly on the
+war-path. He shuts not his eyes when he enters the den of the wolf. He
+_saw_ the camp-fires of the pale-face."
+
+Such had been the fact. Knowing that his trail was left broad and open,
+and that in all probability it would soon be followed, Wild-cat had
+been diligently on the watch and as his course had been shaped in a
+roundabout, rather than opposite direction (as the reader might at first
+glance have supposed) from that taken by Boone, he and his band, by
+reason of this, had encamped, on the night in question, not haif a
+mile distant from our old hunter, but on the other side of the ridge.
+Ascending this himself, to note if any signs of an enemy were visible,
+Peshewa had discovered the light of Boone's fire, and traced it to its
+source. Without venturing near enough to expose himself, the wily savage
+had, nevertheless, gone sufficiently close to ascertain they were the
+foes of his race. His first idea had been to return, collect a part of
+his warriors, and attack them; but prudence had soon got the better of
+his valor; from the fact, as he reasoned, that his band were now in the
+enemy's country, where their late depredations had already aroused the
+inhabitants to vengeance; and he neither knew the force of Boone's
+party--for the reader will remember they were concealed in a cave--nor
+what other of his foes might be in the vicinity;--besides which, his
+purpose had been accomplished, and he was now on the return with his
+prisoners;--the whole of which considerations, had decided him to leave
+them unmolested, and ere daylight resume his journey; so that, even
+should they accidentally come upon his trail, he would be far enough in
+advance to reach and cross the river before them. Such was the substance
+of what Wild-cat, in his own peculiar way, now made known to Girty; and
+having inquired out the location distinctly, the latter exclaimed:
+
+"By heavens! I remember leaving that ridge away to the right, which
+proves that the white dogs must have been on my trail. I took pains
+enough to conceal it before that night; but if they got the better of
+me, I don't think they did of the rain that fell afterwards--so that
+they have doubtless found themselves on a fool's errand, long ere this,
+and given up the search. Besides, should they reach the river's bank,
+they have no means of crossing, and therefore we are safe."
+
+Wild-cat seemed to muse on the remarks of Girty, for a moment or two,
+and then said:
+
+"Why did Mishemenetoc[10] give the chief cunning, but that he might use
+it against his foes?--why caution, but that he might avoid danger?"
+
+"Why that, of course, is all well enough at times," answered Girty; "but
+I don't think either particular cunning or caution need be exercised
+now--from the fact that I don't believe there is any danger. Even should
+the enemies you saw be fool-hardy enough to follow us, they are not many
+in number probably, and will only serve to add a few more scalps to our
+girdles. However, we are safe for to-night, at all events; for if they
+reach the river, as I said before, they won't be able to cross, unless
+they make a raft or swim it; and you may rest assured, Peshewa, they
+will sleep on the other side, if for nothing else than their own
+safety."
+
+"What, therefore, does my brother propose?" asked Wild-cat.
+
+"Why, I am for encamping, as soon as we can find a suitable spot--say
+within a mile of here--for by ----! I am not only hungry but cold, and my
+very bones ache, from traveling in this untimely storm, which I perceive
+is on the point of clearing up."
+
+"Peshewa likes not sleeping with danger so near," replied the savage.
+
+"Well, I'm not _afraid_," rejoined Girty, laying particular stress on
+the latter word; "and so suppose you take the prisoners, with a part of
+the band, and go forward, while myself and the balance remain behind to
+reconnoitre in the morning; for by ----! that will be time enough to look
+for the lazy white dogs. Yet stay!" he added, a moment after, as if
+struck by a new thought. "Suppose you take the two Big Knives, and leave
+the squaws with me--for being very tired, they will only be a drag upon
+your party--and then you can have the stakes ready for the others, if
+you get in first, so that we can have the music of their groans to make
+us merry on our second meeting."
+
+To this latter proposition, the chief gave a grunt of assent, and the
+whole matter being speedily arranged, the council ended.
+
+The conversation between these two worthies having been carried on in
+the Indian dialect, was of course wholly unintelligible to Mrs. Younker
+and her husband, who were standing near; and trying in vain, for some
+time, to gain a clue to the discussion, the good lady at last gave
+evidence, that if her body and limbs were weary, her tongue was not;
+and that with all the warnings she had received, her old habits of
+volubility had not as yet been entirely superseded by thoughtful
+silence.
+
+"I do wonder what on yarth," she said, "that thar read-headed Simon
+Girty, and that thar ripscallious old varmint, as calls himself a chief,
+be coniving at?--and why the pesky Injens don't let me and Ella and the
+rest on 'em come together agin, as we did afore? Thar she stands--the
+darling--as pale nor a lily, and crying like all nater, jest as if
+her little heart war a going to break and done with it. I 'spect the
+varmints is hatching some orful plans to put us out o' the way--prehaps
+to hitch us to the stake and burn us all to cinder, like they did our
+housen, and them things. Well, Heaven's will be done!--as Preacher
+Allprayer said, when they turned him out o' meeting for gitting drunk
+and swearing--the dear good man!--but I do wish, for gracious sake, I
+could only jest change places with 'em--ef jest for five minutes--and
+I reckon as how they'd be glad to quit their gibberish, and talk like
+Christian folks, once in thar sneaking lives! Thar, they're done now,
+I do hope to all marcy's sake! and I reckons as how we'll soon have the
+gist on't."
+
+The foregoing remarks of Mrs. Younker, were made in a low tone,
+and evidently not intended, like Dickens' Notes, for general
+circulation--the nearly fatal termination of a former speech of hers,
+having taught her to be a little cautious in the camp of the enemy.
+The conclusion was succeeded by a stare of surprise, on being civilly
+informed by Girty, that she was now at liberty to join Ella as soon as
+she pleased.
+
+"Well, now, that's something like," returned the dame, with a smile that
+was intended to be a complimentary one; "and shows, jest as clear as any
+thing, that thar is a few streaks o' human nater in you arter all."
+
+Then, as if fearful the permission would be countermanded, the good
+lady at once set off in haste to join her adopted daughter. Subsequent
+events, however, soon changed the favorable opinion Mrs. Younker had
+began to entertain of Girty--particularly when she discovered, as she
+imagined, that the liberty allowed her, had only been as a ruse to
+withdraw her from her husband--who, as she departed, had been
+immediately hurried away, without so much as a parting farewell.
+
+Orders now being rapidly given by Girty and Wild-cat, were quickly and
+silently executed by their swarthy subordinates; and in a few minutes,
+the latter chief was on his way, with four warriors, the two male
+prisoners, and the little girl--Oshasqua, to whom the latter had been
+consigned by Girty, as the reader will remember, and who still continued
+to accompany Wild-cat, refusing to leave her behind.
+
+When informed by Girty, in an authoritative tone, that he must join the
+detachment of Wild-cat, Algernon turned toward Ella, and in a trembling
+voice said:
+
+"Farewell, dear Ella! If God wills that we never meet again on earth,
+let us hope we may in the Land of Spirits;" and ere she, overcome by her
+emotion, had power to reply, he had passed on beyond the reach of her
+silvery voice.
+
+Immediately on the departure of Peshewa, Girty ordered the canoes to be
+drawn ashore and concealed in a thicket near by, where they would be
+ready in case they should be wanted for another expedition; and then
+leading the way himself, the party proceeded slowly up the Miami, for
+about a mile, and encamped for the night, within a hundred yards of the
+river.
+
+
+[Footnote 9: Americans, or Big Knives. We would remark here, that we
+have made use altogether of the Shawanoe dialect; that being most common
+among all the Ohio tribes, save the Wyandots or Hurons, who spoke an
+entirely different language.]
+
+[Footnote 10: Great Spirit.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE ENCAMPMENT OF THE RENEGADE.
+
+
+It was about ten o'clock on the evening in question, and Simon Girty was
+seated by a fire, around which lay stretched at full length some six or
+eight dark Indian forms, and near him, on the right, two of another sex
+and race. He was evidently in some deep contemplation; for his hat and
+rifle were lying by his side, his hands were locked just below his
+knees, as if for the purpose of balancing his body in an easy position,
+and his eyes fixed intently on the flame, that, waving to and fro in
+the wind, threw over his ugly features a ruddy, flickering light, and
+extended his shadow to the size and shape of some frightful monster.
+The clouds of the late storm had entirely passed away, and through the
+checkered openings in the trees overhead could be discerned a few bright
+stars, which seemed to sparkle with uncommon brilliancy, owing to the
+clearness of the atmosphere. All beyond the immediate circle lighted by
+the fire, appeared dark and silent, save the solemn, almost mournful,
+sighing of the wind, as it swept among the tree-tops and through the
+branches of the surrounding mighty forest.
+
+What the meditations of the renegade were, we shall not essay to tell;
+but doubtless they were of a gloomy nature; for after sitting in the
+position we have described, some moments, without moving, he suddenly
+started, unclasped his hands, and looked hurriedly around him on every
+side, as if half expecting, yet fearful of beholding, some frightful
+phantom; but he apparently saw nothing to confirm his fears; and with
+a heavy sigh, he resumed his former position.
+
+What were the thoughts of that dark man, as he sat there?--he whose soul
+had been steeped in crime!--he whose hands had long been made red with
+the blood of numberless innocent victims! Who shall say what guilty
+deeds of the past might have been harrowing up his soul to fear and even
+remorse? Who shall say he was not then and there meditating upon death,
+and the dread eternity and judgment that must quickly follow
+dissolution? Who shall say he was not secretly repenting of that life of
+crime, which had already drawn down the curses of thousands upon his
+head? Something of the kind, or something equally powerful, must have
+been at work within him; for his features ever and anon, by their
+mournful contortions--if we may be allowed the phrase--gave visible
+tokens of one in deep agony of mind. It would be no pleasant task to
+analyze and lay bare the secret workings of so dark a spirit, even had
+we power to do it; and so we will leave his thoughts, whether good or
+evil, to himself and his God.
+
+By his side, and within two feet of the renegade, lay extended the
+beautiful form of Ella Barnwell--with nothing but a blanket and her own
+garments between her and the earth--with none but a similar covering
+over her--with her head resting upon a stone, and apparently asleep. We
+say apparently asleep; but the drowsy son of Erebus and Nox had not yet
+closed her eyelids in slumber; for there were thoughts in her breast
+more potent than all his persuasive arts of forgetfulness, or those
+of his prime minister, Morpheus. Was she thinking of her own hard
+fate--away there in that lonely forest--with not a friend nigh that
+could render her assistance--with no hope of escape from the awful doom
+to which she was hastening? Or was she thinking of him, for whom her
+heart yearned with all the thousand, undefined, indescribable sympathies
+of affection?--of him who so lately had been her companion?--for
+the heart of love measures duration, not by the cold mathematical
+calculation of minutes and hours, and days and weeks, and months and
+years, but by events and feelings; and the acquaintance of weeks may
+seem the friend of years, and the acquaintance of years be almost
+forgotten in weeks;--was she thinking of him, we say--of Algernon? who,
+even in misery, had been torn from her side, had said perchance his last
+trembling farewell, and gone to suffer a death at which humanity must
+shudder! Ay, all these thoughts, and a thousand others, were rushing
+wildly through her feverish brain. She thought of her own fate--of
+his--of her relations--pictured out in her imagination the terrible doom
+of each--and her tender heart became wrung to the most excruciating
+point of agony.
+
+By the side of Ella, was her adopted mother--buried in that troubled
+sleep which great fatigue sends to the body, even when the mind is
+ill at ease, filling it with startling visions--and around the fire,
+as we said before, lay the dusky forms of the savages, lost to all
+consciousness of the outer world. The position of Ella was such, that,
+by slightly turning her head, she could command a view of the features
+of the renegade; whose strange workings, as before noted, served to fix
+her attention and divide her thoughts between him, as the cause of her
+present unhappiness, and that unhappiness itself--and she gazed on his
+loathsome, contorted countenance, with much the same feeling as one
+might be supposed to gaze upon a serpent coiling itself around the
+body, whose deadly fangs, either sooner or later, would assuredly give
+the fatal stroke of death. She noted the sudden start of Girty, and the
+wildness with which he peered around him, with feelings of hope and
+fear--hope, that rescue might be at hand--fear, lest something more
+dreadful was about to happen. At length Girty started again, and turned
+his head toward Ella so suddenly, that she had not time to withdraw her
+eyes ere his were fixed searchingly upon them.
+
+"And are you too awake?" he said, with something resembling a sigh.
+"I thought the innocent could ever sleep!"
+
+"Not when the guilty are abroad, with deeds of death, and friends
+exposed," returned Ella, bitterly.
+
+"Ah! true--true!" rejoined Girty, again looking toward the fire, in a
+musing mood.
+
+"Well may you muse and writhe under the tortures of your guilty acts,"
+continued Ella, in the same bitter tone; "for you have much to answer
+for, Simon Girty."
+
+"And who told you the past tortured me?" cried Girty, quickly, turning
+on her a fierce expression.
+
+"Your changing features and guilty starts," answered Ella.
+
+"Ha! then you have been a spy upon me, have you?" said Girty, pressing
+the words slowly through his clenched teeth, knitting his shaggy brows,
+and fixing his eye with intensity upon hers, until she quailed and
+trembled beneath its seeming fiery glance; which the light, whereby it
+was seen, rendered more demon-like than usual; while it made shadow
+chase shadow, like waves of the sea, across his face: "You have been
+a spy upon my actions, eh? Beware! Ella Barnwell--beware! Do not
+put your head in the lion's mouth too often, or he may think the bait
+troublesome; and by ----! had other than you told me what I just now
+heard, he or she had not lived to repeat it."
+
+"Far better an early death and innocence, than a long life of guilt and
+misery," returned Ella, at once regaining her boldness of speech; "Far
+better the fate you speak of, than mine."
+
+"And would you prefer being wedded to death, rather than me?" asked
+Girty, quickly, in surprise.
+
+"Ay, a thousand times!" replied Ella, energetically, rising as she
+spoke, into a sitting posture, and looking fearlessly upon the renegade,
+her previously pale features now flushed with excitement. "I fear not
+death, Simon Girty; I have done no act that should make me fear the
+change that all must sooner or later undergo; but I could not join my
+hand to that of a man of blood, without loathing and horror, and feeling
+criminal in the sight of God and man; and least of all to you, Simon
+Girty, whose name has become a word of terror to the weak and innocent
+of my race, and whose deeds of late have been such as to make me join my
+voice in the general maledictions called down upon you."
+
+During this speech of Ella, Girty sat and gazed upon her with the look
+of a baffled demon; and, as she concluded, fairly hissed through his
+teeth:
+
+"And so you would prefer death to me, eh? By ----! you shall have your
+choice!"
+
+As he spoke, he grasped Ella by the wrist with one hand, seized his
+tomahawk with the other, and sprung upon his feet. His rapid movement
+and wild manner now really frightened her; and uttering a faint cry of
+horror, she endeavored to release his hold; while the warriors, aroused
+by the noise, bounded up from the earth, weapon in hand, with looks of
+alarm.
+
+Turning to them, Girty now spoke a few words in the Indian tongue; and,
+with significant glances at Ella, they were just in the act of again
+encamping, when crack went some five or six rifles, followed by yells
+little less savage than their own, and four of them rolled upon the
+earth, groaning with pain; while the others, surprised and bewildered,
+grasped their weapons and shouted:
+
+"The Shemanoes!" "The Long Knives!" not knowing whether to stand or fly.
+
+Girty, meantime, had been left unharmed; although the shivering of the
+helve of the tomahawk in his hand, in front of his breast, showed him
+he had been a target for no mean marksman, and that his life had been
+preserved almost by a miracle. For a moment he stood irresolute--his
+nostrils fairly dilated with fear and rage, still holding Ella by
+the wrist, who was too paralyzed with what she had seen to speak or
+move--straining his eyes in every direction to note, if possible, the
+number of his foes and whence their approach. The whole glance was
+momentary; but he saw himself nearly surrounded by his enemies, who
+were fast closing in toward the center with fierce yells; and pausing
+no longer in indecision, he encircled Ella's waist with his left arm,
+raised her from the ground, and keeping her as much as possible between
+himself and his enemies, to deter them from firing, darted away toward
+a thicket, some fifty yards distant, pursued by two of the attacking
+party.
+
+Just as Girty gained the thicket, one of his pursuers made a sudden
+bound forward and grasped him by the arm; but his hold was the next
+moment shaken off by the renegade, who, being now rendered desperate,
+drew a pistol from his belt, with the rapidity of lightning, and laid
+the bold adventurer dead at his feet. Almost at the same moment, Girty
+received a blow on the back of his head, from the breech of the rifle of
+his other antagonist, that staggered him forward; when, releasing his
+hold of Ella, he turned and darted off in another direction, firing a
+pistol as he went, the ball of which whizzed close to the head of him
+for whom it was designed; and in a moment more he was lost in the mazes
+of the forest.
+
+Meantime the bloody work was going forward in the center; for at the
+moment when Girty darted away, the report of some three or four rifles
+again echoed through the wood, two more of the red warriors bit the
+dust, while the other two fled in opposite directions, leaving Boone and
+his party sole masters of the field.
+
+Eager, excited, reckless and wild, several of the young men now rushed
+forward, with yells of triumph, to the wounded Indians, whom they
+immediately tomahawked without mercy, and began to scalp, when the voice
+of Boone, who had been more cautious, reached them from a distance:
+
+"Beware o' the fire-light, lads! or the red varmints will draw a
+bead[11] on some of ye."
+
+Scarcely were the words uttered, ere his warning was sadly fulfilled;
+for the two savages finding they were not pursued, and thirsting for
+revenge, turned and fired almost simultaneously, with aims so deadly,
+that one of the young men, by the name of Beecher, fell mortally wounded
+and expired a moment after; and another, by the name of Morris, had his
+wrist shattered by a ball. This fatal event produced a panic in the
+others, who at once fled precipitately into the darkness, leaving Mrs.
+Younker, who had by this time gained her feet, standing alone by the
+fire, a bewildered spectator of the terrible tragedies that had so
+lately been enacted by her side. To her Boone now immediately advanced,
+notwithstanding the caution he had given the others; and turning to him
+as he came up, the good lady exclaimed, in a tone of astonishment:
+
+"Why, Colonel Boone, be this here you? Why when did you come--and how
+on yarth did ye git here--and what in the name o' all creation has been
+happening? For ye see I war jest dosing away thar by the fire, and
+dreaming all sorts of things, like all nater, when somehow I kind o'
+thought I'd all at once turned into a man and gone to war a rale
+soldier; and the battle had opened, and the big guns war blazing away,
+and the little guns war popping off, and the soldiers war shrieking and
+groaning and falling around me, like all possessed; and men a trampling,
+and horses a running like skeered deer; and then I sort o' woke up, and
+jumped up, and seed all them dead Injen wretches; and then I jest begun
+to think as how it warn't no dream at all, but a living truth, all 'cept
+my being a man and a soldier, as you com'd up. Well, ef this arn't a
+queer world," resumed the good dame, catching breath meanwhile, "as
+Preacher Allprayer used to say, then maybe as how I don't know nothing
+at all about it."
+
+"Your dream war a very nateral one, Mrs. Younker," returned Boone,
+who, during the speech of the other, had been actively employed in
+scattering the burning brands, to prevent the recurrence of another sad
+catastrophe; "and I'm rejoiced to see that you've escaped unharmed, amid
+this bloody work. Allow me to set you free;" and as he spoke, he drew his
+scalping knife, and severed the thongs that bound her wrists.
+
+"Gracious on me!" cried the dame, chafing the parts which had been
+swollen by the tightness of the cords; "how clever 'tis to get free
+agin, and have the use o' one's hands and tongue, to do and say jest
+what a body pleases; for d'ye know, Colonel Boone, them thar imps of
+Satan war awfully afeared o' my talking to 'em, to convince 'em they
+war the meanest varmints in the whole univarsul yarth o' creation;
+and actually put a peremshus stop to my saying what I thought on 'em;
+although I told 'em as how it war a liberty as these blessed colonies
+war this moment fighting for with the hateful red-coated Britishers.
+But, Lord presarve us! gracious on us! where in marcy's sake is my dear,
+darling Ella?" concluded Mrs. Younker, with vehemence and alarm, as she
+now missed her adopted daughter for the first time.
+
+"She's here, mother," answered a voice close behind her; and turning
+round, the dame uttered a cry of joy, sprung into the arms of her son
+Isaac, and wept upon his neck--occasionally articulating, in a choked
+voice:
+
+"God bless you, Isaac! God bless you, son!--you're a good boy--the
+Lord's presarved you through the whole on't--the Lord be praised!--but
+your father, poor lad--your father!" and with a strong burst of emotion,
+she buried her face upon his breast, and wept aloud.
+
+"I know it," sobbed forth Isaac, his whole frame shaken with the force
+of his feelings: "I--I know the whole on't, mother--Ella's told me. I'd
+rather he'd bin killed a thousand times; but thar's no help for it now!"
+
+"No help for it!" cried Ella in alarm, who, having greeted the old
+hunter, with tearful eyes, now stood weeping by his side. "No help for
+it! Heaven have mercy!--say not so! They must--they must be rescued!"
+Then turning wildly to Boone, she grasped his hand in both of hers, and
+exclaimed: "Oh! sir, speak! tell me they can be saved--and on my knees
+will I bless you!"
+
+A few words now rapidly uttered by Isaac, put the old hunter in
+possession of the facts, concerning the forced march of Younker and
+Reynolds, of which he had previously heard nothing; and musing on the
+information a few moments, he shook his head sadly, and said, with a
+sigh:
+
+"I'm sorry for you, Ella--I'm sorry for all o' ye--I'm sorry on my own
+account--but I'm o' the opinion o' Isaac, that thar's no help for it
+now. They're too far beyond us--we're in the Indian country--our numbers
+are few--two or three o' the red varmints have escaped to give 'em
+information o' what's been done--they'll be thirsty for revenge--and
+nothing but a special Providence can now alter that prisoners' doom. I
+had hoped it war to be otherwise; but we must submit to God's decrees;"
+and raising his hand to his eyes, the old woodsman hastily brushed away
+a tear, and turned aside to conceal his emotion; while Ella, overcome by
+her feelings, at the thought of having parted, perhaps for the last
+time, from Algernon and her uncle, staggered forward and sunk powerless
+into the arms of Mrs. Younker, whose tears now mingled with her own.
+
+By this time the whole party had gathered silently around their noble
+leader, and were observing the sad scene as much as the feeble light of
+the scattered brands would permit, their faces exhibiting a mournfulness
+of expression in striking contrast to that they had so lately displayed,
+previous to the death of their comrade. To them Boone now turned, and
+running his eye slowly over the whole, said, in a sad voice:
+
+"Well, lads, one o' our party's gone to his last account, I perceive,"
+and he pointed mournfully to the still body of Beecher, some three or
+four paces distant; "another I see is wounded, and a third's missing.
+I hope no harm's befallen him, the noble Master Harry Millbanks!"
+
+"Alas! he's dead, Colonel!" answered Isaac, covering his eyes with his
+hand.
+
+"Dead?" echoed Boone.
+
+"Dead?" cried the others, simultaneously.
+
+"Yes," rejoined Isaac, with a sigh; "He and I war chasing that thar
+infernal renegade Girty, who war running away with Ella thar; and he'd
+jest got up to him, and got him by the arm, when Girty shuk him off like
+it warn't nothing at all, and then shot him dead on the spot. Ef he
+hadn't a bin quite so quick about it, I think as how it wouldn't a
+happened; for the next moment I hit him a rap on the head with the
+butt-end o' my rifle, that sent him a staggering off, and would ha'
+fetched him to the ground, ef it hadn't first struck a limb. Howsomever,
+it made him let go o' Ella, and start up a new trail--jest leaving his
+compliments for me in the shape of a bullet, which, ef it didn't do me
+no harm, it warn't 'cause he didn't intend it to. I jest stopped to look
+at poor Harry; and finding he war dead, I took Ella by the hand and come
+straight down here."
+
+"Who's that you said war dead, Isaac?" inquired his mother, who had
+partially overheard the conversation.
+
+"Harry Millbanks, mother."
+
+"Harry Millbanks!" repeated the dame in astonishment. "What, young
+Harry?--our Harry?--Goodness gracious, marcy on me! what orful mean
+wretches them Injens is, to kill sech as him. Dear me! then the hull
+family is gone; for I hearn from Rosetta, that her father and mother and
+all war killed afore her eyes; and now she's bin taken on to be killed
+too, the darling."
+
+"Ha! yes," said Boone, as if struck with a new thought; "I remember
+seeing the foot-prints of a child--war they made by this unfortunate
+young man's sister?"
+
+"I reckon as how they war," answered Mrs. Younker; "for the poor thing
+war a prisoner along with us, crying whensomever she dared to, like all
+nater."
+
+"Well," rejoined the old hunter, musingly, "we've done all we could--I'm
+sorry it didn't turn out better--but we must now leave their fates in
+the hands o' Providence, and return to our homes. We must bury our dead
+first; and I don't know o' any better way than to sink thar bodies in
+the Ohio."
+
+Accordingly, after some further conversation, four of the party
+proceeded for the body of Millbanks--with which they soon
+returned--while Boone conducted the ladies away from the scene of
+horror, and down to where Ella informed him the canoes were hidden,
+leaving his younger companions to rifle and scalp the savages if they
+chose. In a few minutes from his arrival at the point in question, he
+was joined by the others, who came slowly, in silence, bearing the
+mortal remains of Millbanks and Beecher. Placing the canoes in the
+water, the whole party entered them, in the same silent and solemn
+manner, and pulled slowly down the Miami, into the middle of the Ohio;
+then leaving the vessels to float with the current, they uncovered their
+heads, and mournfully consigned the bodies of the deceased to the watery
+element.
+
+It was a sad and impressive scene--there, on the turbid Ohio, near the
+midnight hour--to give to the rolling waters the last remains of those
+who had been their friends and companions, and as full of life and
+activity as themselves but an hour before;--it was a sad, impressive,
+and affecting scene--one that was looked upon with weeping eyes--and
+one which, by those who witnessed it, was never to be forgotten.
+There were no loud bursts of grief--there were no frantic exclamations
+of woe--but the place, the hour, and withal the various events which
+had transpired to call them so soon from a scene of festivity to one of
+mourning--together with the thoughts of other friends departed, or in
+terrible captivity--served to render it a most painfully solemn one--and
+one, as we said before, that was destined never to be forgotten.
+
+For a short space after the river engulphed the bodies, all gazed upon
+the waters in silence; when Boone said, in a voice slightly trembling.
+
+"They did their duties--they have gone--God rest their souls, and give
+peace to their bones!" and taking up a paddle, the noble old hunter
+pulled steadily for the Kentucky shore in silence, followed by the other
+boats in the same manner. There they landed, placed the canoes in
+safety, in case they should again be needed, rekindled their fire, and
+encamped for the night.
+
+On the following morning, they set out upon their homeward journey;
+where they finally arrived, without any events occurring worthy of note.
+
+
+[Footnote 11: A hunter's phrase for taking sight.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.
+
+
+As you ascend the Miami from its mouth at the present day, you come
+almost immediately upon what are termed the Bottoms, or Bottom Lands,
+which are rich and fertile tracts of country, of miles in extent, and
+sometimes miles in breadth, almost water level, with the stream in
+question slowly winding its course through them, like a deep blue ribbon
+carelessly unrolled upon a dark surface. They are now mostly under
+culture, and almost entirely devoted to the production of maize, which,
+in the autumn of the year, presents the goodly sight of a golden
+harvest. At the time of which we write, there were no such pleasant
+demonstrations of civilization, but a vast unbroken forest instead, some
+vestiges of which still remain, in the shape of old decaying trees,
+standing grim and naked,
+
+    "To summer's heat and winter's blast,"
+
+like the ruins of ancient structures, to remind the beholder of former
+days.
+
+On these Bottoms, about ten miles above the mouth of the Miami,
+Wild-cat and his party, with their prisoners, encamped on the evening
+the attack was made upon the renegade, as shown in the preceding chapter.
+Possessing caution in a great degree, and fearful of the escape of his
+prisoners, Wild-cat spared no precautions which he thought might enhance
+the security of Younker and Reynolds. Accordingly, when arrived at the
+spot where he intended to remain for the night, the chief ordered stakes
+to be driven deep into the earth, some distance apart, to which the feet
+of the two in question, after being thrown flat upon their backs, in
+opposite directions, were tightly bound, with their hands still corded
+to the crossbars as before. A rope was next fastened around the neck
+of each, and secured to a neighboring sapling, in which uncomfortable
+manner they were left to pass the night; while their captors, starting
+a fire, threw themselves upon the earth around it, and soon to all
+appearance were sound asleep.
+
+To the tortures of her older companions in captivity, little Rosetta
+was not subjected; for Oshasqua--the fierce warrior to whom Girty had
+consigned her, in the expectation, probably, that she would long ere
+this have been knocked on the head and scalped--had, by one of those
+strange mysterious phenomena of nature, (so difficult of comprehension,
+and which have been known to link the rough and bloody with the gentle
+and innocent,) already begun to feel towards her a sort of affection,
+and to treat her with great kindness whenever he could do so unobserved
+by the others. The apparel of which he had at first divested her, to
+ornament his own person, had been restored, piece by piece; and this,
+together with the change in his manner, had at length been observed by
+the child, with feelings of gratitude. Poor little thing! to whom could
+she look for protection now? Her father and mother were dead--had been
+murdered before her own eyes--her brother was away, and she herself a
+captive to an almost merciless foe; could she feel other than grateful
+for an act of kindness, from one at whose hands she looked for nothing
+but abuse and death? Nay, more: So strange and complex is the human
+heart--so singular in its developments--that we see nothing to wonder
+at, in her feeling for the savage, under the circumstances--loathsome
+and offensive as he might have been to her under others--a sort of
+affection--or rather, a yearning toward him as a protector. Such she did
+feel; and thus between two human beings, as much antagonistical perhaps,
+in every particular, as Nature ever presented, was already established
+a kind of magnetic sympathy--or, in other words, a gradual blending
+together of opposites. The result of all this, as may be imagined, was
+highly beneficial to Rosetta, who, in consequence, fared as well as
+circumstances would permit. At night she slept unbound beside Oshasqua,
+who secured her from escape by passing his brawny arm under her head,
+which also in a measure served her for a pillow. So slept she on the
+night in question.
+
+With Younker and Reynolds there was little that could be called
+sleep--the minds of both being too actively employed with the events
+which had transpired, and with thoughts of those so dear to them, who
+had been left behind, for what fate God only knew. Besides, there was
+little wherewithal to court the drowsy god, in the manner of their
+repose--each limb being strained and corded in a position the most
+painful--and if they slept at all, it was that feverish and fitful
+slumber, which, though it serve in part the design of nature, brings
+with it nothing refreshing to the individual himself. To both,
+therefore, the night proved one of torture to body and mind; and bad as
+was their condition after the encampment, it was destined to be worse
+ere the gray dawn of morning, by the arrival of Girty and the only two
+Indians who had escaped the deadly rifles of the Kentuckians.
+
+"Up, warriors!" cried the renegade, with a blasphemous oath, as he came
+upon the detachment. "Up, warriors! and sharpen your wits to invent the
+most damnable tortures that the mind of man can conceive!" and at the
+sound of his voice, which was loud and hoarse, each Indian sprung to his
+feet, with an anxious and troubled face.
+
+"And you, ye miserable white dogs!" continued Girty, turning to Younker
+and Reynolds, on whom he bestowed numerous kicks, as if by way of
+enforcing the truth his assertion; "were you suffering all the torments
+of hell, you might consider yourselves in perfect bliss, compared to
+what you shall yet undergo ere death snatches you from me!"
+
+"What new troubles ha' ye got, Simon Girty?" asked Younker, composedly.
+"But you needn't answer; I can see what's writ on your face; thar's bin
+a rescue--you've lost your prisoners--for which the Lord be praised! I
+can die content now, with all your tortures."
+
+"Can you, by ----!" cried the renegade, in a paroxysm of rage; "we shall
+see!"
+
+As he concluded, he bestowed upon Younker a kick in the face, so violent
+that a stream of blood followed it. The old man uttered a slight groan,
+but made no other answer; and Girty turned away to communicate to the
+others the intelligence of what had transpired since their parting; for
+although they believed it to be of the utmost consequence, and tragical
+in all its bearings, yet so far there had not been a question asked nor
+an event related concerning it on either side--such being the force of
+habit in all matters of grave importance, and the deference to his
+superiors shown by the Indian on all similar occasions.
+
+As soon as Girty had made known the sad disaster that had befallen his
+party, there was one universal yell of rage, accompanied by violent
+demonstrations of grief and anger--such as beating their bodies,
+stamping fiercely on the ground, and brandishing their tomahawks over
+their heads with terrific gestures. They then proceeded to dance around
+Younker and Reynolds, uttering horrid yells, accompanied with kicks and
+blows; after which, a consultation was held between Girty and Wild-cat,
+wherein it was agreed to take them to Piqua, a Shawanoe settlement on
+the Miami, and there have them put to the tortures. Accordingly, without
+further delay, they unbound their prisoners, with the exception of their
+hands, and forced them to set forward at a fast pace--treating them,
+meanwhile, in the most brutal manner. Oshasqua, however, took good care
+there should be no violence done to Rosetta; for he kept her closely by
+his side; and occasionally, when he saw her little limbs growing weary,
+raised and bore her forward, for a considerable distance, in his arms.
+
+It was a strange, but by no means unpleasing sight, to behold that dark,
+bloodstained warrior--whose very nature was cruel and ferocious, and who
+probably had never before loved or sought to protect aught bearing the
+human form--now exhibiting such tender regard for a weak, trembling
+prisoner, placed in his hands for a speedy sacrifice. It was withal an
+affecting sight, to Younker and Reynolds, who looked upon it with
+moistened eyes, and felt it in the force of a revelation from Heaven,
+that He, who sees the sparrow fall, was even now moving through the
+wilderness, and teaching one lesson of mercy at least to the most
+obdurate heart of the savage race.
+
+To the renegade, however, this conduct of Oshasqua was far from being
+agreeable; for so much did he delight in cruelty, and so bitterly did he
+hate all his race--particularly now, after having been foiled by them
+so lately--that he would a thousand times rather have heard the dying
+groans of the child, and seen her in the last agonies of death, than in
+the warrior's arms. At length he advanced to the side of the Indian, and
+said in the Shawanoe dialect, with a sneer:
+
+"Is Oshasqua a squaw, that he should turn nurse?"
+
+Probably from the whole vocabulary of the Indian tongue, a phrase more
+expressive of contempt, and one that would have been more severely felt
+by the savage warrior, who abhors any thing of a womanly nature, could
+not have been selected; and this Girty, who understood well to whom he
+was speaking, knew, and was prepared to see the hellish design of his
+heart meet with a ready second from Oshasqua. For a moment after he
+spoke, the latter looked upon the renegade with flashing eyes; and then
+seizing Rosetta roughly, he raised her aloft, as if with the intention
+of dashing her brains out at his feet. She doubtless understood from
+his fierce movement the murderous intent in his breast, and uttered a
+heart-rending cry of anguish. In an instant the grim features of the
+Indian softened; and lowering her again to her former position in his
+arms, he turned coldly to Girty, and smiting his breast with his hand,
+said, with dignity:
+
+"Oshasqua a warrior above suspicion. He can save and defend with his
+life whom he loves!"
+
+Girty bit his lips, and uttering a deep malediction in English, turned
+away to consult with Wild-cat on the matter; but finding the chief would
+not join him in interfering with the rights of the other, he growled out
+another dreadful oath, and let the subject drop.
+
+Late at night the party encamped within something like a mile of Piqua;
+and by daylight a warrior was despatched to convey intelligence of their
+approach, their prisoners, and the sad disaster they had experienced on
+their journey. In the course of an hour the messenger returned, bringing
+with him a vast number of savages of both sexes and all ages, who
+immediately set up the most horrid yells, danced around Younker and
+Algernon like madmen, not unfrequently beating and kicking them
+unmercifully. They then departed for the town, taking the prisoners with
+them, where their fate was to be decided by the council.[12] But ere
+sentence should be pronounced, it was the unanimous decision of the
+savages, that they should have some amusement, by forcing the prisoners
+to run the gauntlet. This, to the women and children, as well as the
+warriors themselves, was a most delightful sport, and they at once made
+the welkin ring with yells of joy.
+
+"It's a hard task we've got to undergo now, Algernon," said Younker, in
+a low voice; "and God send it may be my last; for I'd much rayther die
+this way, nor at the stake. I don't at all calculate on escaping--but
+something tells me you will--and ef you do--"
+
+Here the old man was interrupted by Girty, who forced himself between
+the two and separated them. Younker being the first selected to run the
+gauntlet, was immediately unbound, and stripped to the skin,[13]
+preparatory to the race. The assemblage now formed themselves into two
+lines, facing each other, only a few feet apart, and extending the
+distance of a hundred yards, terminating near the council-house, which
+stood in the center of the village. Through these lines, the old man was
+informed by Girty, he must run; while the savages on either side, armed
+with clubs, were at liberty to inflict as many blows upon him as they
+could in passing; and therefore it would stand him in hand to reach the
+other extremity as soon as possible.
+
+"I'm an old man, Simon Girty," said Younker, in reply, "and can't run as
+I once could--so you needn't reckon on my gitting through alive."
+
+"But, by ----! you must get through alive, or else not at all; for we
+can't spare you quite so soon, as we want you to try the pleasures of
+the stake," answered the renegade, with a laugh.
+
+"God's will be done--not yourn nor mine!" rejoined Younker, solemnly.
+"But tell me, Simon Girty, as the only favor I'll ever ask o' ye--war my
+wife and Ella rescued?"
+
+"Why," said Girty, "if it will do you any good to know it, I will tell
+you they were; but I will add, for your particular benefit, that they
+will again be in my power; for I will excite every tribe of the Six
+Nations to the war path; and then, woe to the pioneers of Kentucky!--for
+desolation, rapine and blood shall mark our trail, until the race become
+extinct. I have sworn, and will fulfill it. But come--all is ready."
+
+"For the first o' your information, I thank you," returned Younker; "for
+the last on't, I'll only say, thar's a power above ye. I'm ready--lead
+on!"
+
+Girty now conducted the old man to the lines; and having cautioned the
+savages, in a loud voice, to beware of taking his life, gave the signal
+for him to start. Instantly Younker darted forward, and with such speed,
+that the nearest Indians neglected to strike until he had passed them,
+by which means he gained some six or eight paces without receiving a
+blow; but now they fell hard and fast upon him, accompanied with screams
+and yells of the most diabolical nature; and ere he had gone thirty
+yards, he began to stagger, when a heavy stroke on the head laid him
+senseless on the earth. In a moment the renegade, who had kept him
+company outside, burst through the lines, just in time to ward off the
+blow of a powerful warrior, aimed at the skull of Younker, which,
+without doubt, would have been fatal.
+
+"Fool!" cried Girty, fiercely, to the Indian. "Did I not tell you his
+life must be spared for the stake?"
+
+The savage drew himself up with dignity, and walked away without reply;
+while the renegade, examining the bruises of the fallen man for a moment
+or two, ordered him to be taken to the council-house, and, if possible,
+restored to consciousness. He then returned to Algernon, who had been
+left standing a sad spectator of the whole proceedings, and said, in a
+gruff voice:
+
+"Now, by ----! young man, it's your turn; and let me tell you, it will
+stand you in hand to do your best. Come, let us see what sort of a
+figure you will cut."
+
+As he concluded, he severed the thongs around the hands of our hero, and
+unceremoniously began to strip him, in which he was aided by a couple of
+old squaws.
+
+The features of Algernon were pale, but composed; and he allowed himself
+to be handled as one who felt an escape from his doom to be impossible,
+and who had nerved himself to undergo it with as much stoicism as he
+could command. As his vestments were rent from his body, the wound
+in his side was discovered to be nearly healed; and would have been
+entirely so, probably, but for the irritation occasioned it of late by
+his long marches, exposure and fatigue, which had served to render it at
+present not a little painful. As his eye for a moment rested upon it,
+his mind instantly reverted to its cause--recalled, with the rapidity
+of thought, which is the swiftest comparison we can make, the many and
+important events that had since transpired up to the present time,
+wherein the gentle Ella Barnwell held no second place--and he sighed,
+half aloud:
+
+"I would to Heaven it had been mortal!--how much misery had then been
+spared me?"
+
+As he said this, one of the squaws, who had been observing it intently,
+struck him thereon a violent blow with her fist, which started it to
+bleeding afresh, and, in spite of himself, caused Algernon to utter a
+sharp cry of pain, at which all laughed heartily. Thinking doubtless
+this species of amusement as interesting as any, the old hag was on the
+point of repeating the blow, when Girty arrested it, by saying something
+to her in the Indian tongue, and all three turned aside, as if to
+consult together, leaving our hero standing alone, unbound.
+
+A wild thought now suddenly thrilled him. He was free, perchance he
+might escape; at least he could but die in the attempt; and that, at
+all events, was preferable to a lingering death of torture! He looked
+hurriedly around. Only the renegade and the squaws were close at hand,
+and they engaged in conversation. The main body of the Indians were at a
+distance, awaiting him to run the gauntlet. He needed no second thought
+to prompt him to the trial; and wheeling about, he placed his hand upon
+the wound, and bounded away with the fleetness of the deer. In a moment
+the yells of an hundred savages in pursuit, sounded in his ear, and
+urged him onward to the utmost of his strength. He was no mean runner at
+any time; now he was flying to save his life, and every nerve did its
+duty. Before him was a slope, that stretched away to the river Miami;
+and down this he fled with a velocity that astonished himself; while
+yell after yell of the demons behind, now in full chase, were to him
+only so many death cries, to stimulate him to renewed exertions. At last
+he gained the river and rushed into the water. It was not deep, and he
+struggled forward with all his might. On the opposite side was a steep
+hill and thicket. Could he but gain that, hope whispered he might elude
+his pursuers and escape. Again he redoubled his exertions; and, joy--joy
+to his heart--he reached it, just as the foremost of his adversaries,
+a powerful and fleet young warrior, dashed into the stream from the
+opposite bank. He now for the first time began to feel weak and
+fatigued; but his life was yet in danger, and he still pressed onward.
+Alas! alas! just on the point of escape, his strength was failing him
+fast, the blood was trickling too from his wound, and a sharp, severe
+pain afflicted him in his side. Oh God! he thought--what would he not
+give for the strength and soundness of body he once possessed! The
+thicket he had entered was dense and dark, so that it was impossible to
+move through it with much velocity, or see ahead any distance; and as
+the thought just recorded rushed through his brain, he came suddenly
+upon a high, steep rock. By this time his nearest pursuer was also
+entering the thicket; and in a minute or two more he felt capture would
+be certain, unless he could instantly secrete himself till his strength
+should be again renewed. Fortune for once now seemed to stand his
+friend; for stooping down at the base of the rock, he discovered it
+to be shelving and projecting somewhat over the declivity; so that by
+dropping upon the ground and crawling up under it, he would, owing to
+the density and darkness of the thicket, as before mentioned, be wholly
+concealed from any one standing upright. To do this was the work of a
+moment; and the next he heard his pursuing foe rush panting by, with
+much the same sense of relief that one experiences on awakening from a
+horrible dream, where death seemed inevitable, and finding oneself lying
+safely and easily in a comfortable bed.
+
+We say Algernon experienced much the same sense of relief as the
+awakened dreamer; but unlike the latter, his was only momentary; for
+yell upon yell still sounded in his ear; and plunge after plunge into
+the stream, followed quickly by a rustling of the bushes around, the
+trampling of many feet close by, and the war-whoops of his enemies,
+warned him, that, if he had escaped one, there were hundreds yet to
+be eluded before he could consider himself as safe. Wildly his heart
+palpitated, as now one stirred the bushes within reach of his hand, and,
+slightly pausing, as if to examine the spot of his concealment, uttered
+a horrid yell, as of discovery, and then, just as he fancied all was
+lost, to his great relief darted suddenly away.
+
+Thus one after another passed on; and their fierce yells gradually
+sounding more and more distant, renewed his hope, that he might yet
+escape their vigilant eyes, and again be free to roam the earth at will.
+O, potent, joyful thought!--how it made his very heart leap, and the
+blood course swiftly through his heated veins!--and then, when some
+sound was heard more near, how his heart sickened at the fear he might
+again be captured, and forced to a lingering, agonizing death!--how he
+shuddered as he thought, until his flesh felt chill and clammy, and cold
+drops of perspiration, wrung forth by mental agony, stood upon his pale
+features! Even death, before his escape, possessed not half the terrors
+for him it would have now; for then he had nerved himself to meet it,
+and prepared himself for the worst; but now he had again had a taste of
+freedom, and would feel the reverse in a thousand accumulated horrors.
+
+Thus for a few minutes he lay, in painful thought, when he became aware,
+by the different sounds, that many of the savages were returning.
+Presently some two or three paused by the rock, and beat back the bushes
+around it. Then, dropping upon his knees, one of the Indians actually
+put his head to the ground, and peered up into the cavity. It was a
+horrible moment of suspense to Algernon, as he beheld the hideous visage
+of the savage so near, and evidently gazing upon him; and thinking
+himself discovered, he was on the point of coming forth, when a certain
+vagueness in the look of the Indian, led him to hope he was not yet
+perceived; and he lay motionless, with his breath suspended. But, alas!
+his hope was soon changed to despair; for after gazing a moment longer,
+the Indian suddenly started, his features expressed satisfaction, he
+uttered a significant grunt, and, springing to his feet, gave a loud,
+long, peculiar whoop. The next moment our hero was roughly seized, and,
+ere he could exert himself at all, dragged forth by the heels, by which
+means his limbs and body became not a little bruised and lacerated.
+
+The savages now came running towards their prisoner from all quarters,
+in high glee at his recapture--being attracted hither, probably, by the
+signal whoop of success made by the one who first discovered him. Among
+the rest came Girty; who, as he approached Algernon, burst into a loud
+laugh, saying, in a jocular manner:
+
+"Well, my fine bird, so you are caught again, eh? I was most infernally
+afraid you had got away in earnest; I was, by ----! But we'll soon fix
+you now, so that you won't run away again in a hurry."
+
+Then turning to the savages around him, the renegade continued his
+remarks in the Indian tongue, occasionally laughing boisterously, in
+which they not unfrequently joined. In this manner, the whole party
+returned in triumph to the village--being met on their way thither by
+the women and children, who set up yells of delight, sung and danced
+around their prisoner, whom they beat with their fists and with sticks,
+until he became sore from head to heel.
+
+The gauntlet was soon again made ready, and Algernon started upon the
+race; but fatigued in body and mind, from the late events--weak and
+faint from the bleeding of his wound and bruises--he scarcely reached
+twenty paces down the lines, ere he sunk overpowered to the earth; from
+which he was immediately raised, and borne forward to the council-house,
+where, according to the Indian custom, the chiefs and warriors were to
+decide upon his fate.
+
+
+[Footnote 12: Lest there should seem to the reader an inconsistency
+in one tribe yielding the fate of their prisoners to the decision of
+another, we would remark here, that at the period of which we write, the
+Six Nations were allied and fought for one common interest against the
+Americans, on the British side, and therefore not unfrequently shared
+each others dangers and partook of each others spoils.]
+
+[Footnote 13: A practice sometimes, but not always, followed.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE TRIAL, SENTENCE, AND EXECUTION.
+
+
+The council-house in question, was a building of good size, of
+larger dimensions than its neighbors, stood on a slight elevation, and,
+as we before remarked, near the center of the village. Into this the
+warriors and head men of the Piqua tribe now speedily gathered, and
+proceeded at once to business. An old chief--whose wrinkled features and
+slightly-tremulous limbs, denoted extreme age--was allowed, by common
+consent, to act as chairman; and taking his position near the center of
+the apartment, with a knife and a small stick in his hand, the warriors
+and chief men of the nation formed a circle around him.
+
+Among these latter--conspicuous above all for his beautiful and graceful
+form, his dignified manner, and look of intelligence, to whom all eyes
+turned with seeming deference--was the celebrated Shawanoe chief,
+Catahecassa, (Black Hoof) whose name occupies no inferior place on the
+historic page of the present day, as being at first the inveterate foe,
+and afterward the warm friend of the whites. In stature he was small,
+being only about five feet eight inches, lightly made, but strongly put
+together, with a countenance marked and manly, and one that would be
+pleasing to a friend, but the reverse to an enemy. He was a great
+orator, a keen, cunning and sagacious warrior, and one who held the
+confidence and love of his tribe. At the period referred to, he was far
+past what is usually termed the middle age; though, as subsequent events
+have proved, only in his noon of life--for at his death he numbered one
+hundred and ten years.
+
+Upon the ground, within the circle, and near the old chief in the
+center, were seated Algernon and Younker--the latter having recovered
+consciousness--both haggard and bloody from their recent brutal
+treatment. They were sad spectacles to behold, truly, and would have
+moved to pity any hearts less obdurate than those by which they were
+surrounded. Their faces bore those expressions of dejection and wan
+despair, which may sometimes be perceived in the look of a criminal,
+when, loth to die, he is assured all hope of pardon is past. Not that
+either Younker or Reynolds felt criminal, or feared death in its
+ordinary way; but there were a thousand things to harass their minds,
+besides the dreadful thought of that lingering, horrible torture, which
+was enough to make the boldest quail, and which they now had not the
+faintest hope of escaping. There is ever something solemn and awful in
+the thought of death, let it come in the mildest form possible--for the
+individual feels he is hastening to that silent bourne, whence none
+have e'er returned to tell its mysteries--yet such is as nothing in
+comparison with the death our prisoners were now silently awaiting, away
+from friends and all sympathy, in the full vigor of animal life, to be
+fairly worn out by the most excruciating pains, amid the hootings and
+revilings of a savage foe. It was enough to have made the stoutest heart
+faint, trembling and sick; and thus our unfortunate friends felt, as
+they slowly gazed around and saw nothing but fierce, angry looks bent
+upon them.
+
+Girty was the first to address the assemblage, in the Indian dialect,
+in an animated and angry speech of five minutes duration; occasionally
+turning his sinister visage upon the prisoners, with an expression of
+mortal hatred; gesticulating the while in that vehement manner which
+would have left no doubts on their minds as to the nature of his
+discourse, had they not previously known him to be their determined foe.
+He narrated to the savages, clearly and briefly, the wrongs which had
+been done them, as well as himself, by the whites; how, as the ally and
+friend of the red-man, he had been cursed, defied and treated with much
+contumely, by those here present; how their friends had followed and
+slaughtered his braves; how the whites were every day becoming stronger
+and more aggressive; how that, unless speedily exterminated, they would
+presently drive the red-men from their hunting grounds, burn their
+wigwams, and murder their wives and children; referred them, as a proof,
+to the sacking and burning of the Chillicothe and Piqua villages, on the
+Little Miami and Mad rivers, the year preceding, by General Clark and
+his men;[15] and wound up by demanding the death of the prisoners at the
+stake, and a speedy and bloody retaliation upon the pioneers of
+Kentucky.
+
+As Girty concluded his speech, which was listened to in breathless
+silence, there was a great sensation in the house, and an almost
+unanimous grunt of approval from the chiefs and braves there assembled.
+It needed but this, to arouse their vindictive passions against the
+white invader to the extreme; and they bent upon the unfortunate
+prisoners, eyes which seemed inflamed with rage and revenge. Girty
+perceived, at a glance, that he had succeeded to the full of his heart's
+desire; and with a devilish smile of satisfaction on his features, he
+drew back among the warriors, to listen to the harangues of the others.
+
+Black Hoof was the next to follow the renegade, in a similar but more
+eloquent strain; during which his countenance became greatly animated;
+and it was easy for the prisoners to perceive--who could not understand
+a word he uttered--that he spoke with great enthusiasm. He also pressed
+upon his companions the vast importance of exterminating the whites,
+ere they, as he expressed it, became as the leaves of the forest, and
+covered the red-man's soil; that, for this purpose, they should prepare
+themselves as soon as possible, to open a deadly, unyielding warfare
+upon the frontiers; but said, withal, that he was opposed to burning
+the prisoners--as that was a barbarism which he feared would not be
+sanctioned by the great Spirit--and urged that they should be put to
+death in, a quicker and milder form.[14]
+
+Black Hoof's speech was warmly received, with the exception of what
+referred to the prisoners, and this rather coldly. They were excited to
+a powerful degree--their passions were up for revenge--and they could
+not bear the idea of sending a prisoner out of the world, without first
+enjoying the delight of seeing him writhe under the tortures of the
+stake.
+
+Wild-cat next followed Black Hoof, in a brief speech, in which he but
+echoed the sentiments of Girty throughout, and received, like his
+colleague, an almost universal grunt of approbation. He was succeeded by
+one or two others, to the same effect--each urging the burning of the
+prisoners--and on their conclusion, no other appearing to speak, the old
+chief in the center at once proceeded to decide, by vote, the matter
+at issue. Advancing to the warrior nearest the door, he handed him a
+war-club, and then resumed his place in the circle, to record the will
+of each. He who was in favor of burning the prisoners, struck the
+ground fiercely with the weapon in question, and then passed it to his
+neighbor; he who was otherwise disposed, passed it quietly, in silence;
+thus it went through the whole assemblage--the old chief recording the
+vote of each, by cutting a notch on the stick in his hand; those for
+mercy being placed on one side, and those for the torture on the
+opposite. Some three or four only, besides Black Hoof, passed it
+quietly--consequently the sentence of death was carried by a decided
+majority. Had there been any doubt in the minds of Younker and Reynolds
+as to the result, it would have needed only one glance at Girty, who was
+now grinning upon them like a demon, to assure them their doom was
+sealed.
+
+The question next came up as to the time and place for executing the
+sentence; and after some further debate, it was decided that the old man
+should be burnt forthwith, in the village, that their women and children
+might have a holiday pastime; but that Algernon must be made a grand
+national example of, before the assembled tribes at Upper Sandusky, when
+they should be met to receive presents from the British agent.[16] This
+latter decision was mainly effected by the eloquence of Black Hoof; who,
+from some cause, for which it would be impossible to account--only as a
+mysterious working of an overruling Providence--had secretly determined,
+if such a thing were possible, to save the life of Algernon; and took
+this method as the only one likely to aid his purpose by protecting him
+from immediate death.
+
+The trial concluded, the council now broke up, and Girty was authorized
+to inform the prisoners of their sentence; while four young braves were
+selected to take charge of Algernon, and to set off with him, so soon as
+the burning of Younker should be over, for Upper Sandusky, where he was
+to be kept in durance until wanted. Advancing directly to the prisoners,
+the renegade now said, with a sneer:
+
+"Well, my beauties, are you ready to die?"
+
+"We don't expect any thing else, Simon Girty," answered the old man
+mildly.
+
+"Don't you, by ----!" rejoined Girty. "Perhaps it's just as well you
+don't--ha, ha, ha! Come, old dotard," he continued, "down on your marrow
+bones and say your prayers; for, by ----! you will never behold the
+setting of another sun."
+
+"I've said my prayers regular for thirty year," answered Younker; "and
+I've been ready to die whensomever the Lord should see fit to call me;
+and therefore don't feel myself no more obligated to pray jest at this
+particular time, than ef I war told I war going to live twenty year
+more. It's only them as hain't lived right, that the near coming o'
+death makes pray, more nor at another time; and so jest allow me, Simon
+Girty, to return you your advice, which is very good, and which, ef you
+follow yourself, you'll be likely to make a much better man nor you've
+ever done afore."
+
+"Fool!" muttered the renegade, with an oath. Then turning to Algernon,
+he continued: "You, sirrah, are destined to live a little longer--though
+by no design of mine, I can assure you. Don't flatter yourself, though,
+that you are going to escape," he added, as he perceived the countenance
+of Algernon slightly brighten at his intelligence; "for, by ----! if I
+thought there was a probability of such a thing happening, I would brain
+you where you sit, if I died for it the next moment. No, young man,
+there is no escape for you; you are condemned to be burnt, as well as
+Younker, only at another place; and, by ----! I will follow you myself,
+to see that the sentence is enforced with all its horrors."
+
+"For all of which you doubtless feel yourself entitled to my thanks,"
+returned Algernon, bitterly. "Do your worst, Simon Girty; but understand
+me, before you go further, that though life is as dear to me at the
+present moment as to another, yet so much do I abhor and loathe the very
+sight of you, that, could I have it for the asking, I would not stoop to
+beg it of so brutal and cowardly a thing as yourself."
+
+"By ----!" cried Girty, in a transport of rage; "the time will come,
+when, if you do not sue for life, you will for death, and at my hands;
+and till then will I forego my revenge for your insolence now. And let
+me tell you one thing further, that you may muse upon it in my absence.
+I will raise an army, ere many months are over, and march upon the
+frontiers of Kentucky; and by all the powers of good and evil, I swear
+again to get possession of the girl you love, but whom I now hate--hate
+as the arch-fiend hates Heaven--and she shall thenceforth be my mistress
+and slave; and to make her feel more happy, I will ever and anon whisper
+your name in her ear, and tell her how you died, and the part I took in
+your death; and in the still hours of night, will I picture to her your
+agonies and dying groans, and repeat your prayers for death to release
+you. Ha! you may well shudder and grow pale; for again I swear, by all
+the elements, and by every thing mortal and immortal, I will accomplish
+the deed! Then, and not till then, will I feel my revenge complete."
+
+The countenance of Girty, as he said this, was terrible to behold; for
+so enraged was he, that he fairly foamed at the mouth, and his eyes
+seemed like two balls of fire. As he concluded, he turned away abruptly;
+and muttering something in the Indian tongue, to some of the savages who
+were standing around, immediately quitted the council-house.
+
+As Girty departed, the four young warriors who were to have charge of
+Algernon, immediately advanced to him; and one of them tapping him on
+the shoulder, moved away, motioning him to follow. As he prepared to
+obey, Younker grasped him by the hand, and, with eyes full of tears,
+in a trembling, pathetic voice, said:
+
+"Good-bye, lad! God bless and be with you. Something tells me we won't
+never meet agin. Keep up as stout a heart as you can, and ef you should
+escape, tell my (here the old man's voice faltered so that he could
+scarcely articulate a syllable)--tell my wife, and--and children--that
+I died happy, a thinking o' them, and praying for 'em--to--to the last.
+Good-bye! good-bye!" and wringing his hand again, the old man fairly
+sobbed aloud; while the rough warriors stood looking on in silence, and
+Algernon could only groan forth a farewell.
+
+So they parted--never to meet again on earth.
+
+Algernon was now conducted, by his guards, to a small building on the
+outskirts of the village; where, after receiving food and water, and
+having his clothes restored to him, he was informed by one of the
+Indians--who could speak a smattering of English--that he might be bound
+and remain, or accompany them to see the Big Knife tortured. He chose
+the former without hesitation; and was immediately secured in a manner
+similar to what he had been the night previously, and then left alone to
+the anguish of his own thoughts. What the feelings of our hero were, as
+thus he lay, suffering from his bruises and wound--his mind recurring to
+the dire events taking place in another part of the village, and his own
+awful doom--we shall leave to the imagination of the reader: suffice it
+to say, however, that when his guards returned, some two hours later, he
+was found in a swooning state, with large cold drops of perspiration
+standing thickly on his features.
+
+Meantime, Younker was brought forth from the council-house--amid the
+hootings, revilings, and personal abuse of the savage mob--and then
+painted black,[17] preparatory to undergoing the awful death-sentence.
+He was then offered food--probably with the kind intention of
+strengthening him, and thus prolonging his life and tortures--but this
+he absolutely refused, and was immediately conducted to the place of
+execution, which was on the brow of the slope before described as
+reaching to the river. Here his wrists were immediately bound behind
+him; and then a rope, fastened to the ligature, was secured to a
+stake--driven into the earth for the purpose and left sufficiently long
+for him sit down, stand up, or walk around a circle of some six or eight
+feet in diameter.
+
+During this proceeding, the Indians failed not to abuse him in various
+ways--some by pinching, and others by pounding him with their fists,
+with stones, and with clubs,--all of which he seemed to bear with great
+patience and resignation.
+
+As soon as all was ready for the more diabolical tortures, Girty made
+the announcement, in a brief speech to the Indians; and then taking up a
+rifle, loaded with powder only, discharged it upon the prisoner's naked
+body. A loud yell of satisfaction, from the excited mob, followed this
+inhuman act; while several savages, rushing forward with rifles loaded
+in the same manner, now strove who should be first to imitate the
+renegade's example; by which means, no less than fifty discharges were
+made, in quick succession, until the flesh of the old man, from the neck
+downwards, was completely filled with burnt powder. Younker uttered a
+few groans, but bore all with manly fortitude, and made no complaints.
+
+This part of the hellish ceremony over, a fire was kindled of hickory
+poles, placed in a circle round the stake, outside of that which his
+rope allowed Younker to make, in order that he might feel all the
+torments of roasting alive, without being sufficiently near to the flame
+to get a speedy relief by death. To add even more torture, if possible,
+to this infernal proceeding, the Indians would take up brands, and place
+the burning parts against the old man's body; and then, as they saw him
+cringe and writhe under the pain thus inflicted, would burst into horrid
+laughs, in which they were ever joined by the renegade. The old squaws
+too, and even the children, not wishing to be outdone in this refinement
+of cruelty, would take slabs, and having loaded them with live coals and
+ashes, would throw them upon his head and body, until not only both
+became covered, but the ground around him, so that there was no cool
+place for his feet; while at every new infliction of pain, the crowd
+would break forth in strains of wild, discordant laughter.
+
+Thus passed some three-quarters of an hour of tortures the most
+horrible, during which the old man bore up under his sufferings with
+a strength and manliness that not only astonished his tormentors, but
+excited for himself, even in savage breasts, a feeling of respect.
+Girty, it may be, was moved to a similar feeling; for at length,
+advancing to his victim, he said, in a tone of more deference than he
+had hitherto used:
+
+"You bear up well, old man--well. I have seen many a one die, in a
+similar way, who was thought to be courageous--yet none with that
+firmness you have thus far displayed."
+
+Younker, who was slowly walking around the stake, with his face bent
+toward the earth, suddenly paused, as Girty addressed him, and turning
+his eyes mildly upon the renegade, in a feeble voice, replied:
+
+"My firmness is given me from above. I can bear my torments, Simon
+Girty, for they're arthly, and will soon be over; but yourn--who'll say
+what yourn'll be, when you come to answer afore Almighty God for this
+and other crimes! But that arn't for the like o' me to speak of now. I'm
+a dying man, and trust soon to be in a better world. Ef I ever did you
+wrong, Simon Girty, I don't remember it now; and I'm very sartin I never
+did nothing to merit this. You came to my house, and war treated to the
+best I had, and here am I in return for't. Howsomever, the reckoning's
+got to come yit atween you and your God; and so I leave you--farewell."
+
+"But say," returned Girty, who now seemed greatly moved by the manner
+and tone of Younker: "But say, old man, that you forgive me, and I will
+own that I did you wrong."
+
+"I don't know's I've any enemies, except these round here," replied the
+other, feebly, "and I'd like to die at peace with all the world; but
+what you ax, Simon Girty, I can't grant; it's agin my nater and
+conscience; I can't say I forgive ye, for what you've done, for I don't.
+I may be wrong--it may not be Christian like--but ef it's a sin, it's
+one I've got to answer for myself. No, Girty, I can't forgive--pre'aps
+God will--you must look to him: I can't. Girty, I can't; and so,
+farewell forever! God be merciful to me a sinner," he added, looking
+upward devoutly; "and ef I've done wrong, oh! pardon me, for Christ's
+sake!"
+
+With these words, the lips of Younker were sealed forever.
+
+Girty stood and gazed upon him in silence, for a few minutes, as one
+whose mind is ill at ease, and then walked slowly away, in a mood of
+deep abstraction. Younker continued alive some three-quarters of an hour
+longer--bearing his tortures with great fortitude--and then sunk down
+with a groan and expired. The Indians then proceeded to scalp him; after
+which they gradually dispersed, with the apparent satisfaction of wolves
+that have gorged their fill on some sheep-fold.
+
+When Algernon's guards returned, they found him in a swooning state,
+as previously recorded; and fearful that his life might be lost, and
+another day's sport thus spoiled, they immediately called in their great
+medicine man, who at once set about bandaging his wound, and applying
+to it such healing remedies as were known by him to be speedily
+efficacious, and for which the Indians are proverbially remarkable. His
+bruises were also rubbed with a soothing liquid; and by noon of the day
+following, he had gained sufficient strength to start upon his journey,
+accompanied by his guards.
+
+On that journey we shall now leave him, and turn to other, and more
+important events; merely remarking, by the way, lest the reader should
+consider the neglect an oversight, that, on entering the Piqua village,
+Oshasqua had taken care to render the life of little Rosetta Millbanks
+safe, and had secured to her as much comfort as circumstances would
+permit.
+
+
+[Footnote 14: In the action at Piqua here referred to, Simon Girty
+commanded three hundred Mingoes, whom he withdrew on account of the
+desperation with which the whites fought.]
+
+[Footnote 15: This was a peculiar characteristic of this great chief,
+as drawn from the pages of history; and the more peculiar, that he was
+a fierce, determined warrior, and the very last to hold out against a
+peace with his white enemy. But there were some noble traits in the man;
+and when, at last, he was wrought upon to sign the treaty of Greenville,
+in 1795--twenty-four years after the date of the foregoing events--so
+keen was his sense of honor, that no entreaty nor persuasion could
+thenceforth induce him to break his bond; and he remained a firm friend
+of the Americans to the day of his death. He was opposed to burning
+prisoners, and to polygamy, and is said to have lived forty years with
+one wife, rearing a numerous family of children.--_See Drake's Life of
+Tecumseh_.]
+
+[Footnote 16: The reader will bear in mind, that these events transpired
+during the American Revolution; that the Indians were, at this time,
+allies of the British; who paid them, in consequence, regular annuities,
+at Upper Sandusky.]
+
+[Footnote 17: This was a customary proceeding of the savages at that
+day, with all prisoners doomed to death.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+HISTORICAL EVENTS.
+
+
+From the first inroads of the whites upon what the Indians considered
+their lawful possessions, although by them unoccupied--namely, the
+territory known as Kan-tuck-kee--up to the year which opens our story,
+there had been scarcely any cessation of hostilities between the two
+races so antagonistical in their habits and principles. Whenever an
+opportunity presented itself favorable to their purpose, the savages
+would steal down from their settlements--generally situated on the
+Bottom Lands of the principal rivers in the present State of Ohio--cross
+over _La Belle Riviere_ into Kentucky, and, having committed as many
+murders and other horrible acts as were thought prudent for their
+safety, would return in triumph, if successful, to their homes, taking
+along with them scalps of both sexes and all ages, from the infant to
+the gray-beard, and not unfrequently a few prisoners for the amusement
+of burning at the stake.
+
+These flying visits of the savages were generally repaid by similar
+acts of kindness on the part of the whites; who, on several occasions,
+marched with large armies into their very midst, destroyed their crops
+and stores, and burnt their towns. An expedition of this kind was
+prosecuted by General Clark, in August of the year preceding the events
+we have detailed, of which mention has been previously made. He had
+under his command one thousand men, mostly from Kentucky, and marched
+direct upon old Chillicothe, which the Indians deserted and burnt on
+his approach. He next moved upon the Piqua towns, on Mad river, where
+a desperate engagement ensued between the whites and Indians, in which
+the former proved victorious. Having secured what plunder they could,
+together with the horses, the Kentuckians destroyed the town, and cut
+down some two hundred acres of standing corn. They then returned to
+Chillicothe on their homeward route, where they destroyed other large
+fields of produce, supposed in all to amount to something like five
+hundred acres.
+
+We have mentioned this expedition for the purpose of showing why the
+year which opens our story, 1781, was less disastrous to the frontier
+settlers than the preceding ones--the Indians being too busily occupied
+in repairing the damage done them, and in hunting to support their
+families, to have much thought for the war-path, or time to follow it;
+consequently the year in question, as regards Kentucky, may be said to
+have passed away in a comparatively quiet manner, with no events more
+worthy of note than those we have laid before the reader.
+
+But if the vengeance of the savage slumbered for the time being, it was
+only like some pent up fire, burning in secret, until opportunity should
+present for it to burst forth in a manner most appalling, carrying
+destruction and terror throughout its course; and in consequence of
+this, the year 1782 was destined to be one most signally marked by
+bloody deeds in the annals of Kentucky. The winter of '81 and '82
+passed quietly away; but early in the ensuing spring hostilities were
+again renewed, with a zeal which showed that neither faction had
+forgotten old grudges during the intervening quietude. Girty did all
+that lay in his power to stir up the vindictive feelings of the Indians,
+and was aided in his laudable endeavors by one or two others[18] who
+wore the uniform of British officers. It was the design of the renegade
+to raise a grand army from the union of the Six Nations, lead them
+quietly into the heart of Kentucky, and, by a bold move, seize some
+prominent station, murder the garrison, and thus secure at once a
+stronghold, from which to sally forth, spread death and desolation in
+every quarter, and, if possible, depopulate the entire country. Long
+and ardently did he labor in stirring up the Indians by inflammatory
+speeches; till at last he succeeded in uniting a grand body for his
+hellish purpose; which, on the very eve of success, as one may say, was
+at last frustrated by what seemed a direct Providence, of which more
+anon, and its proper place.
+
+Previously, however, to the event just referred to, parties of Indians,
+numbering from five to fifty, prowled about the frontiers, committing
+at every opportunity all manner of horrid deeds, and thus rousing the
+whites to defence and retaliation. One of these skirmishes has been more
+particularly dwelt on, by the historians of Kentucky, than any of the
+others; on account, probably, of the desperate and sanguinary struggle
+for mastery between the two contending parties, and the cruel desertion,
+at a time of need, of a portion of the whites; by which means the
+Indians had advantage of numbers, that otherwise would have been equally
+opposed. We allude to what is generally known as Estill's Defeat.
+
+It is not our province in the present work to detail any thing not
+directly connected with our story; and therefore we shall pass on, after
+a cursory glance at the main facts in question. Sometime in March, a
+party of Wyandots made a descent upon Estill's station, which stood near
+the present site of Richmond; and having killed and scalped a young
+lady, and captured a Negro slave, were induced, by the exaggerated
+account which the latter gave of the force within, to an immediate
+retreat; whereby, probably, the lives of the women and children, almost
+the only occupants, were saved--Captain Estill himself, with his
+garrison, and several new recruits, being at the time away, on a search
+for these very savages, who were known by some unmistakable signs to be
+in the vicinity. Word being despatched to Estill, of what had transpired
+in his absence, he immediately sought out the trail of the retreating
+foes, which he followed with his men, and toward night of the second day
+overtook them at Hinston's Fork of Licking, where a desperate engagement
+immediately ensued. At the onset, there were twenty-five Indians, and
+exactly the same number of whites; but the immediate desertion, in a
+cowardly manner, of a certain Lieutenant Miller, with six men under his
+command, left the odds greatly in favor of the Wyandots, who were all
+picked warriors. Notwithstanding the cowardice of their companions, our
+little Spartan band fought most heroically for an hour and
+three-quarters; when the few survivors, on both sides, being almost worn
+out, ceased hostilities as by mutual consent. In this ever memorable
+action, Captain Estill, a brave and popular man, together with nine of
+his gallant companions, fell to rise no more. Four others were badly
+wounded, leaving only the same number of unharmed survivors. The
+Indians, it was afterwards ascertained, had seventeen warriors killed on
+the field, among whom was one of their bravest chiefs, and two others
+severely wounded; and there has been a tradition since among the
+Wyandots, that only one survivor ever returned to tell the tale.
+
+The news of the foregoing disastrous skirmish flew like wild fire, to
+use a common phrase, throughout the borders, and, together with others
+of less note, served to kindle the fire of vengeance in the bosoms of
+the settlers, and excite a deeper hostility than ever against the savage
+foe. Nor was the subsequent conduct of the Indians themselves calculated
+to soften this bitter feeling against them; for, to use the words of a
+modern writer, "The woods again teemed with savages, and no one was safe
+from attack beyond the walls of a station. The influence of the British,
+and the constant pressure of the Long Knives, upon the red-men, had
+produced a union of the various tribes of the northwest, who seemed to
+be gathering again to strike a fatal blow at the frontier settlements;
+and had they been led by a Phillip, a Pontiac, or a Tecumseh, it is
+impossible to estimate the injury they might have inflicted."
+
+Whether the foregoing remarks may be deemed by the reader a digression,
+or otherwise, we have certainly felt ourself justified in making them;
+from the fact, that our story is designed to be historical in all its
+bearings; and because many months being supposed to elapse, ere our
+characters are again brought upon the stage of action, it seemed
+expedient to give a general view of what was taking place in the
+interval. Having done so, we will now forthwith resume our narrative.
+
+About five miles from Lexington, a little to the left of the present
+road leading thence to Maysville, and on a gentle rise of the southern
+bank of the Elkhorn, at the time of which we write, stood Bryan's
+Station, to which we must now call the reader's attention. This station
+was founded in the year 1779, by William Bryan, (a brother-in-law of
+Daniel Boone,) who had, prior to the events we are now about to
+describe, been surprised and killed by the Indians in the vicinity of a
+stream called Cane Run.
+
+This fort, at the period in question, was one of great importance to the
+early settlers--standing as it did on what was considered at the time of
+its erection, the extreme frontier, and, by this means, extending their
+area of security. The station consisted of forty cabins, placed in
+parallel lines, connected by strong pallisades, forming a parallelogram
+of thirty rods by twenty, and enclosing something like four acres of
+ground. Outside of the cabins and pallisades, to render the fort still
+more secure, were planted heavy pickets, a foot in diameter, and some
+twelve feet in height above the ground; so that it was impossible for an
+enemy to scale them, or affect them in the least, with any thing short
+of fire and cannon ball. To guard against the former, and prevent the
+besiegers making a lodgment under the walls, at each of the four corners
+or angles, was erected what was called a block-house--a building which
+projected beyond the pickets, a few feet above the ground, and enabled
+the besieged to pour a raking fire across the advanced party of the
+assailants. Large folding gates, on huge, wooden hinges, in front and
+rear, opened into the enclosure, through which men, wagons, horses, and
+domestic cattle, had admittance and exit. In the center, as the reader
+has doubtless already divined, was a broad space, into which the doors
+of the cabins opened, and which served the purpose of a regular common,
+where teams and cattle were oftentimes secured, where wrestling and
+other athletic sports took place. The cabins were all well constructed,
+with puncheon floors, the roofs of which sloped inward, to avoid as much
+as possible their being set on fire by burning arrows, shot by the
+Indians for the purpose, a practice by no means uncommon during a siege.
+This fort, at the period referred to, was garrisoned by from forty to
+fifty men; and though somewhat out of repair, in respect to a few of its
+pallisades, was still in a condition to resist an overwhelming force,
+unless taken wholly by surprise. There was one great error, however,
+connected with its design--and one that seems to have been common
+to most of the stations of that period--which was, that the spring,
+supplying the inmates with water, had not been enclosed within the
+pickets. The reader can at once imagine the misery that must have ensued
+from this cause, in case of their being suddenly assaulted by a superior
+enemy, and the siege protracted to any considerable length of time.
+
+Within this fort, on their return from captivity, Mrs. Younker and Ella
+had taken up their abode, to remain until another cabin should be
+erected, or it should be thought safe for them to live again in a more
+exposed manner. Isaac had straightway repaired to his father-in-law's,
+to behold again the idol of his heart, and pour into her ear his grief
+for the loss of his father and friend, and receive her sympathy for his
+affliction in return. The disastrous affair which had called him and his
+companions so suddenly from a scene of festivity to one of mourning--the
+loss of so many valuable neighbors, and the result of the expedition
+in pursuit of the enemy--created at the time no little excitement
+throughout the frontiers, and caused some of the more timid to resort
+to the nearest stations for security. But as time wore on, and as
+nothing serious happened during the fall and winter, confidence and
+courage gradually became restored; and the affair was almost forgotten,
+save by the friends and relatives of the deceased and those particularly
+concerned in it.
+
+Spring, however, revived the alarm of the settlers, by the reappearance
+of the enemy in all quarters, and the outrages they committed, as before
+mentioned; so that but very few persons ventured to remain without the
+walls of a fort; and these, such of them as were fortunate enough to
+escape death or captivity, were fain to seek refuge therein before the
+close of summer.
+
+Immediately on the receipt of the alarming intelligence of Estill's
+defeat, Isaac, his wife, and the family of his father-in-law, Wilson,
+repaired to Bryan's Station, and joined Mrs. Younker and Ella, who had
+meantime remained there in security.
+
+
+[Footnote 18: McKee and Elliot.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+OLD CHARACTERS AND NEW.
+
+
+It was toward night of a hot sultry day in the month of August, that
+Ella Barnwell was seated by the door of a cabin, within the walls of
+Bryan's Station, gazing forth, with what seemed a vacant stare, upon a
+group of individuals, who were standing near the center of the common
+before spoken of, engaged in a very animated conversation. Her features
+perhaps were no paler than when we saw her last; but there was a tender,
+melancholy expression on her sweet countenance, of deep abiding grief,
+and a look of mournfulness in her beautiful eyes, that touched
+involuntarily the hearts of all who met her gaze.
+
+Since we last beheld her, days of anxious solicitude, and sleepless
+nights, had been apportioned Ella; for memory--all potent memory--had
+kept constantly before her mind's eye the images of those who were gone,
+and mourned as forever lost to the living; and her imagination had a
+thousand times traced them to the awful stake, seen their terrible
+tortures, heard their agonizing, dying groans; and her heart had bled
+for them in secret; and tears of anguish, at their untimely fate, had
+often dimmed her eyes. Even now, as she apparently gazed upon that group
+of individuals, whom she saw not, and whose voices, sounding in her ear,
+she heard not, her mind was occupied with the probable fate of her uncle
+and Algernon, the still all-absorbing theme of her soul.
+
+While seated thus, Mrs. Younker approached Ella from behind, unperceived
+by the latter, and now stood gazing upon her with a sorrowful look. The
+countenance of the good dame had altered less, perhaps, than Ella's,
+owing to her strong masculine spirit; but still there was an expression
+of anxiety and sadness thereon, which, until of late, had never been
+visible--not even when on her march to what, as she then believed,
+was her final doom--the excitement whereof, and the many events that
+occurred on the route, having been sufficient to occupy her mind in a
+different manner from what it had been in brooding over the fate of her
+husband for months in secret, and in a place of comparative safety. At
+length a remark, in a loud voice, of one of the individuals of the group
+before alluded to, arrested the attention of both Mrs. Younker and Ella.
+
+"I tell you," said the speaker, who was evidently much excited, "it was
+that infernal cut-throat Girty's doings, and no mistake. Heaven's curses
+on him for a villain!--and I don't think he'll more nor git his just
+dues, to suffer them hell fires of torment, hereafter, that he's kindled
+so often around his victims on arth."
+
+At these words Ella started to her feet, and exclaiming wildly,
+
+"Who are they--who are Girty's victims?" sprung swiftly towards the
+group, followed by Mrs. Younker.
+
+All eyes, from all quarters, were now turned upon her, as, like a
+spirit, she glided noiselessly forward, her sweet countenance radiant
+with the flush of excitement, her eyes dilated and sparkling, and her
+glossy ringlets floating on the breeze. Curiosity could no longer remain
+unsatisfied; and by one spontaneous movement, from every point of
+compass, women and children now hurried toward the center of the common,
+to gather the tidings.
+
+The quiet, modest, melancholy air of Ella, had, one time with another,
+since her first appearance in the Station, attracted the attention,
+and won the regard of its inmates; most of whom had made inquiries
+concerning her, and learned the cause of her sadness; and now, as she
+gained the crowd, each gazed upon her with a look of respect; and at
+once moving aside to let her pass, she presently stood the central
+attraction of an excited multitude, of both sexes, all ages and sizes.
+
+"Who are they?" cried she again, turning from one to the other, rapidly,
+with an anxious look: "who are the victims of the renegade Girty?"
+
+"We were speaking, Miss Barnwell," answered a youth, of genteel
+appearance, doffing his hat, and making at the same time a polite and
+respectful bow: "We were speaking of the defeat, capture, and burning
+of Colonel Crawford, by the Indians, in their own country, in which the
+notorious Simon Girty is said to have taken an active part[19]--news
+whereof has just reached us."
+
+At the mention of the name of Crawford, so different from the one she
+was expecting to hear, the momentary insanity, or delusion of Ella,
+vanished; she saw her position at a glance, and the hundred eyes that
+were upon her; and instantly her face became suffused with blushes;
+while she shrunk back, with a sense of maidenly shame and bashful
+timidity, almost overpowering to herself, and really painful for others
+to behold. She now strove to speak--to give an excuse for her singular
+conduct--but her tongue failed her, and she would have sunk to the
+earth, only for the support of Mrs. Younker, who at this moment gained
+her side.
+
+"Never mind it. Miss Barnwell--it don't need any excuse--we understand
+your feelings for lost friends," were some of the remarks from the
+crowd, as the throng again made a passage for her to depart.
+
+"Goodness, gracious, marcy on me alive! what a splurge you did make
+on't, darling!" said Mrs. Younker to Ella, as they moved away by
+themselves. "Why, you jest kind o' started up, for all the world like a
+skeered deer; and afore I could get my hands on ye, you war off like an
+Injen's arrow. Well, thar, thar, poor gal--never mind it!" added the
+good dame, consolingly, as Ella turned towards her a painful, imploring
+look; "we all knows your feelings, darling, and so never mind it.
+Mistakes will happen in the best o' families, as the Rev. Mr. Allprayer
+used to say, when any body accused him o' doing any thing he hadn't
+oughter a done."
+
+"Mother," said Ella, feebly, "I feel faint; this shock, I fear, may be
+too much for my nervous system."
+
+"Oh! my child, darling, don't mind it--every body knows your
+feelings--and nobody'll think any thing strange on't. In course you war
+thinking o' your friends--as war nateral you should--and so war I; and
+when I heerd the name o' that ripscallious renegade, it jest set my hull
+blood to biling, like it war hot water, and I felt orful revengeful. But
+the Lord's will be done, child. He knows what's best; and let us pray to
+him, that ef our friends is among the land of the living, they may be
+restored to us, or taken straight away to His presence."
+
+As Mrs. Younker said this, she and Ella entered the cottage.
+
+"Poor girl!" said a voice among the crowd, as soon as Ella was out of
+hearing; "they do say as how she eats but little now, and scarcely takes
+any rest at all lately, on account of the trouble of her mind. Poor
+girl! she's not long for this world;" and the speaker shook his head
+sadly.
+
+"But what is it?--what is it as troubles her so?" inquired an old woman,
+in a voice tremulous with age, who, being somewhat of a new-comer, had
+not heard the oft-repeated story.
+
+"I'll tell it ye--I'll tell it ye," answered another gossiping crone,
+standing beside the querist, who, fearful of being forestalled, now
+eagerly began her scandalous narration.
+
+Meantime, the male portion of the crowd had resumed their conversation,
+concerning the unfortunate campaign of Crawford; during which manifold
+invectives were bestowed upon the savages, and the renegade Girty. Some
+of the more reckless among them were for raising another army, as soon
+as possible, to pursue the Indians, even to the death, and spare none
+that fell into their hands, neither the aged, women, nor children; but
+these propositions were speedily overruled by cooler and wiser heads;
+who stated that Kentucky had scarcely fighting men enough to protect
+one another on their own ground--much less to march into the enemy's
+country, and leave their wives and children exposed to certain
+destruction.
+
+While these discussions were in progress, the attention of each was
+suddenly arrested by the cry of some person from the right hand
+block-house, looking toward the south, announcing that a single horseman
+was approaching with a speed which betokened evil tidings. These were
+times of excitement, when news of disaster and death was borne on almost
+every breeze; and consequently all now sprung rapidly to the southern
+pickets, where, through loop-holes and crevices in the partially decayed
+pallisades, they perceived an individual riding as if for life.
+
+"How he rides!--Who is it?--What can have happened?" were some of the
+remarks now rapidly uttered, as the horseman was seen bounding forward
+on his foaming steed. Instantly the nearest gate was thrown open; and,
+in less than two minutes, horse and rider stood within the enclosure,
+surrounded by a breathless multitude, eager for his intelligence.
+
+"Arm!" cried the horseman, a good looking youth of eighteen: "Arm--all
+that can be spared--and on to the rescue!"
+
+"What's happened, Dick Allison?" asked one who had recognized the rider.
+
+"I have it on the best authority," answered Dick, "that Hoy's Station
+has just been attacked, by a large body of Indians, and Captain Holder
+and his men defeated."
+
+"But whar d'ye get your news?" inquired another voice; while a look of
+alarm, and resolute determination to avenge the fallen, could be seen
+depicted on the upturned countenances of the assemblage.
+
+"I was riding in that direction, when I met a messenger on his way to
+Lexington for assistance; and turning my horse, I spurred hither with
+all speed."
+
+"Have the red devils got possession of the fort?" inquired another.
+
+"I am not certain, for I did not wait to hear particulars; but I'm under
+the impression they have not, and that Holder was defeated outside the
+walls."
+
+"Well, they must have assistance, and that as soon as it can be got
+to 'em," rejoined a white-haired veteran, one of the head men of the
+garrison, whose countenance was remarkable for its noble, benevolent
+expression, and who, from love and veneration, was generally called
+Father Albach. "It's too late in the day, though, to muster and march
+thar to-night," continued the old man; "but we'll have our horses got up
+and put in here to night, and our guns cleaned, and every thing fixed
+for to start at daylight to-morrow. Eh! my gallant lads--what say ye?"
+and he glanced playfully around upon the bystanders.
+
+"Yes--yes--yes--father!" cried a score of voices, in a breath; and the
+next moment a long, loud cheer, attested the popularity of the old man's
+decision.
+
+"Another cheer for Father Albach, and three more for licking the
+ripscallious varmints clean to death!" cried our old acquaintance, Isaac
+Younker, who, having been otherwise occupied during the discussion
+concerning Crawford's defeat, had joined the crowd on the arrival of the
+messenger.
+
+"Good for Ike," shouted one: "Hurray!" and four lusty cheers followed.
+
+All now became bustle and confusion, as each set himself to preparing
+for the morrow's expedition. Guns were brought out and cleaned,
+locks examined, new flints put in place of old ones, bullets cast,
+powder-horns replenished, horses driven within the enclosure, saddles
+and bridles overhauled, and, in fact, every thing requisite for the
+journey was made ready as fast as possible.
+
+Isaac, on the present occasion, was by no means indolent; for having
+examined his rifle, and found it in a good condition, he immediately
+brought forth an old saddle and bridle, somewhat the worse for wear, and
+set himself down to repairing them, wherever needed, by thongs of
+deerskin. While engaged in this laudable occupation, a young lad came
+running to and informed him, that there was a stranger down by the gate
+who wished to speak with him immediately.
+
+"A stranger!" replied Isaac, looking up in surprise. "Why, what in the
+name o' all creation can a stranger be wanting with me? Why don't he
+come and see me, if he wants to see me, and not put me to all this here
+trouble, jest when I'm gitting ready to go and lick some o' them red
+heathen like all nater?"
+
+"Don't know, sir," answered the lad, "what his reasons be for not
+coming, any more nor you; but he said to the man as opened the gate for
+him, 'Is Isaac Younker in the fort?' and the man said, 'Yes;' and then
+he said to me, 'Run, my little lad, and tell him to come here, and I'll
+gin you some thing;' and that's all I knows about it."
+
+"Well, I 'spose I'll have to go," rejoined Isaac, rising to his feet;
+"but I don't think much o' the feller as puts a gentleman to all this
+here trouble, jest for nothing at all, as one may say, when a feller's
+in a hurry too. Howsomever," continued he, soliloquizing, as he walked
+forward in the proper direction, "I 'spect it's some chap as wants to
+hoax me, or else he's putting on the extras; ef so, I'll fix him, so he
+won't want to do it agin right immediately, I reckon."
+
+Thus muttering to himself, Isaac drew near the front gate, against
+which, within the pallisades, the stranger in question was leaning,
+with his hat pressed down over his forehead, as though he desired
+concealment. His habiliments, after the fashion of the day, were
+originally of a superior quality to those generally worn on the
+frontiers, but soiled and torn in several places, as from the wear and
+tear of a long, fatiguing journey. His features, what portion of them
+could be seen under his hat, were pale and haggard, denoting one who had
+experienced many and severe vicissitudes. As Isaac approached, he raised
+his eyes from the ground, turned them full upon him, and then, taking a
+step forward, said, in a voice tremulous with emotion:
+
+"Thank God! Isaac Younker, I am able to behold you once again."
+
+As a distinct view of his features fell upon the curious gaze of the
+latter, and his voice sounded in his ear, Isaac paused for a moment, as
+one stupefied with amazement; the next, he staggered back a pace or two,
+dropped his hands upon his knees, in a stooping posture, as if to peer
+more closely into the face of the stranger; and then bounding from the
+earth, he uttered a wild yell of delight, threw his hat upon the ground
+in a transport of joy, and rushed into the extended arms of Algernon
+Reynolds, where he wept like a child upon his neck, neither of them able
+to utter a syllable for something like a minute.
+
+"The Lord be praised!" were the first articulate words of Isaac, in a
+voice choked with emotion. "God bless you! Mr. Reynolds;" and again the
+tears of joy fell fast and long. "Is it you?" resumed he, again starting
+back and gazing wildly upon the other, as if fearful of some mistake.
+"Yes! yes! it's you--there's no mistaking that thar face--the dead's
+come to life again, for sartin;" and once more he sprung upon the
+other's neck, with all the apparent delight of a mother meeting with a
+lost child.
+
+"Yes, yes, Isaac, thank God! it is myself you really behold--one who
+never expected to see you again in this world," rejoined Algernon,
+affected himself to tears, by the noble, heart-touching, affectionate
+manner of his companion. "But--but Isaac--our friends here--are
+they--all--all well, Isaac?" This was said in a voice, which, in spite
+of the speaker's efforts to be calm, trembled from anxiety and
+apprehension.
+
+"Why," answered Isaac, in a somewhat hesitating manner, "I don't know's
+thar's any body exactly sick--but--"
+
+"But what, Isaac?" interrupted Algernon, with a start.
+
+"Why, Ella, you know--"
+
+"Yes, yes, Isaac--what of her?" and grasping him by the arm, Algernon
+gazed upon the other's features with a look of alarm.
+
+"Now don't be skeered, Mr. Reynolds--thar han't nothing happened--only I
+'spect she's bin a thinking o' you--who every body thought war dead--and
+she's kind o' grown thin and pale on't, and we war gitting afeared it
+might end badly; but as you've come now, I know as how it'll all be
+right agin."
+
+Algernon released the speaker's arm, and for some moments gazed
+abstractedly upon the ground; while over his countenance swept one of
+those painful expressions of the deep workings of the soul, to which,
+from causes known to the reader, he was subject. At length he said, with
+a sigh:
+
+"Well, Isaac, I have come to behold her once again, and then--"
+
+He paused, apparently overpowered by some latent feeling.
+
+"And then!" said Isaac, repeating the words, with a look of surprise:
+"I reckon you arn't a going to leave us agin soon, Mr. Reynolds?"
+
+"There are circumstances, unknown to you, friend Isaac, which I fear
+will compel me so to do."
+
+"What!" cried the other; "start off agin, and put your scalp into the
+hands of the infernal, ripscallious, painted Injens? No, by thunder!
+you shan't do it, Mr. Reynolds; for sting me with a nest o' hornets,
+ef I don't hang to ye like a tick to a sheep. No, no, Mr. Reynolds;
+don't--don't think o' sech a thing. But come, go in and see Ella--she'd
+be crazy ef she knew you war here."
+
+"Ay," answered Algernon, sadly, "that is what I fear. I dare not meet
+her suddenly, Isaac--the shock might be too much for her nerves. I have
+sent for you to go first and communicate intelligence of my arrival, in
+a way to surprise her as little as possible."
+
+"I'll do it, Mr. Reynolds; but--(here Isaac's voice trembled, his
+features grew pale as death, and his whole frame quivered with intense
+emotion)--but--but my--my father--what--"
+
+He could say no more--his voice had completely failed him.
+
+"Alas! Isaac," replied Algernon, deeply affected, and turning away his
+face; "think the worst."
+
+"Oh God!" groaned Isaac, covering his face with his hands, and
+endeavoring to master his feelings. "But--but--he's dead, Mr. Reynolds?"
+
+"He is."
+
+For a few moments Isaac sobbed grievously; then withdrawing his hands,
+and raising himself to an erect posture, with a look of resignation,
+he said:
+
+"I--I can bear it now--for I know he's in Heaven. Stay here, Mr.
+Reynolds, till I come back;" and he turned abruptly away.
+
+In a few minutes Isaac returned--his features calm, but very pale--and
+silently motioned the other to follow him. On their way to the cottage,
+they had to cross the common, where their progress was greatly impeded
+by a crowd of persons, who, having heard of Algernon's arrival, were
+deeply anxious to gather what tidings he might have concerning the
+movements of the Indians. In reply, he informed them of the threats made
+by Girty to him while a captive; and that, having since been a prisoner
+of the British at Detroit, he had learned, from reliable sources, that
+a grand army of the Indians was forming to march upon the frontiers,
+attack some stronghold, and, if possible, desolate the entire country
+of Kentucky; and that he believed they were already on their way.
+
+"More'n that, they're already here," cried a voice; "for it's them, I
+'spect, as has attacked Hoy's Station, of which we've just got news, and
+are gitting ready to march at daylight and attack them in turn. Arm,
+boys, arm! Don't let us dally here, and be lagging when the time comes
+to march and fight!"
+
+With this the speaker turned away, and the crowd instantly dispersed to
+resume their occupations of preparing for the coming expedition, while
+our hero and Isaac pressed forward to the cottage of Mrs. Younker. At
+the door they were met by the good dame herself, who, with eyes wet with
+tears, caught the proffered hand of Reynolds in both of hers, pressed it
+warmly in silence, and led him into the house. Ella, who was seated at a
+short distance, on the entrance of Algernon, rose to her feet, took a
+step forward, staggered back, and the next moment her insensible form
+was caught in the arms of the being she loved, but had long mourned as
+dead.
+
+
+[Footnote 19: This happened in June, 1782. For particulars of Crawford's
+disastrous campaign, and horrible fate--_See Howe's Ohio_, p. 542.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE ALARM AND STRATAGEM.
+
+
+It was late at night; but still Algernon Reynolds sat beside Ella
+Barnwell, relating the sad story of his many hair-breadth escapes and
+almost intolerable sufferings. A rude sort of light, on a rough table, a
+few feet distant, threw its faint gleams over the homely apartment, and
+revealed the persons of Isaac and his mother, his wife and her parents,
+together with several others, attracted hither by curiosity, grouped
+around our hero, and listening to his thrilling narrative with
+breathless attention.
+
+"After being sufficiently recovered from my wound and bruises, to
+proceed upon my journey, (continued Reynolds, to resume the account
+of his adventures since leaving him at Piqua) Girty came to me, and
+inquired what I thought of my fate, and how I felt concerning it; to
+which I replied, rather briefly, that it was no worse than I had
+expected, since knowing into whose hands I had fallen.
+
+"'Perhaps you think to escape?' said he, sneeringly.
+
+"'I have no such hope,' I replied.
+
+"'No, and by ----! you needn't have, either,' rejoined he, with a savage
+grin; 'for I'm determined you shall experience the torture to its
+fullest extent, if for nothing else than to revenge myself on you for
+your insults. I have only one thing to regret; and that is, that you
+didn't suffer in place of Younker, who is the only one whose torments I
+would I had had no hand in. But you--_you_ I could see tormented
+forever, and laugh heartily throughout. But I'll wreak my vengeance on
+you yet; I will by ----!' and with these words he left me to the charge
+of my guards, with whom he spoke a short time in the Indian
+tongue--probably giving them instructions of caution regarding myself.
+
+"It was about mid-day, when, with my arms tightly bound, we set off
+for Upper Sandusky, where, as I had previously been informed by Girty,
+I was condemned to suffer before the assembled tribes of the different
+nations, who would there shortly meet to receive their annual presents
+from the British. Our march, very fatiguing to myself, was without
+incident worthy of note, until one night we arrived at a small village
+on the Scioto river, where one of my guards, who could speak a little
+English, informed me resided the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan. A
+thought suddenly flashed across my brain. I had often heard of Logan,
+as the great and good chief, humane in his principles, and friendly
+to the whites--particularly those who were signally unfortunate--and it
+occurred to me, that could I gain an interview, I might perhaps prevail
+upon him to assist me in making my escape; and accordingly I at once
+expressed to my informant my desire of beholding one so celebrated. To
+my great delight, he replied that it was in Logan's cabin I was to pass
+the night--such being the private orders, as I afterwards learned, of
+Black Hoof--who had, it seems, from some cause unknown to myself, formed
+the design of saving my life; and had sent by the Indian in question,
+a verbal request to Logan, to use all his influence to this effect.
+
+"As we entered the village, we were immediately surrounded by men, women
+and children, who stared hard at me, but offered no violence. In a few
+minutes we gained Logan's hut, in the door of which I observed standing
+an old, noble-looking warrior, with a commanding form, and mild,
+benevolent countenance, who proved to be the chief himself. To him one
+of my guards now addressed a few words in Indian; and uttering a grunt,
+and looking closely at me some seconds, he moved aside, and we all
+passed in. Here I soon had a good supper of homminy provided me, whereof
+I did not partake lightly, having been from sunrise to sunset without
+tasting a morsel of food. Immediately after I had finished my repast,
+Logan approached me, and, in tolerable good English, said:
+
+"'White man, where from?'
+
+"I motioned toward the east, and answered:
+
+"'From sunrise--away beyond the big mountains.'
+
+"Logan shook his head sadly, and replied, with a sigh:
+
+"'Ah! so all come. Poor Indian get run over--he no place lay he head.
+But how you come all tied so?'
+
+"In answer, I entered into a full explanation of all that had occurred
+respecting the proceedings of Girty, from first to last. Logan listened
+throughout with great attention, shook his head, and rejoined:
+
+"'Ah! Simon Girty bad man--berry. Me always think so. Me sorry for you.
+Me do all me can for you. You shall sleep here. Me promise you nothing.
+Me tell you more sometime--to-morrow mebby!'
+
+"With this he rose and left the cottage, and I saw him no more that
+night.
+
+"Early in the morning, however, he came to me, and said that I was to
+remain at his cabin through the day; that he had laid a plan to effect
+my release from death, but not from captivity--the latter not being in
+accordance with his principles, nor in his power; that for this purpose
+he had despatched two young braves to Upper Sandusky, to speak a word
+in my favor; but that I must not be elated with hope, as it was very
+doubtful how much they might effect.[21] Notwithstanding his caution to
+the contrary, my spirits became exceedingly exhilarated; and grasping
+his hand in both mine, I pressed it to my heart in silence; while my
+eyes became suffused with tears, and the old chief himself seemed not
+a little affected.
+
+"Late the night following, the messengers returned; and on the morning
+succeeding, we resumed our journey. In parting from the noble old chief,
+he shook my hand cordially, but gave me no intimation of what would
+probably be my fate.
+
+"When within sight of Upper Sandusky, crowds of warriors, women and
+children came out to meet us, and, seeing me, set up many a hideous
+yell, until I again became alarmed for my safety, and fearful that Logan
+had not succeeded in his magnanimous design. This impression was the
+more strongly confirmed, shortly after, by one of my guides informing me
+that I must again run the gauntlet. Accordingly every preparation being
+speedily effected, I started upon the course; but possessing more
+strength and activity than before, and a better knowledge of what I had
+to perform, I succeeded in breaking through the lines, and reaching the
+council house unharmed. Here I was safe for the present; or until, as I
+was informed, my fate should once more be decided by a grand council.
+
+"The council in question was speedily convened; and on the opening
+thereof, a British agent, one Captain Druyer, made his appearance,
+and requested permission to address the assemblage, which was readily
+granted. He spoke rapidly, for a few minutes, with great vehemence; and
+though I understood not a word he uttered, yet something whispered me it
+was in my favor; for I observed that the glances directed towards me,
+were milder far than those on my previous trial.
+
+"To sum up briefly, it seems that Logan had despatched his messengers to
+Druyer, urging him to exert all his influence in obtaining my reprieve;
+and to effect this humane design, the latter had begun by stating to
+the Indians that their great white father, of whom he was an humble
+representative, was at war with the Long Knives; that nothing would
+please him better, than to hear of his red children having sacrificed
+all their enemies; but that in war, policy was ofttimes more effectual
+than personal revenge in accomplishing their destruction; and that he
+doubted not, if the prisoner present were put in his possession and
+taken to Detroit, that the great white chiefs of his own nation would
+there be able to extort from him such valuable information as would
+make the final conquest of the Long Knives comparatively easy. To this
+proposition, which was received rather coldly, he had added, that for
+this privilege he was willing to pay a fair recompense; and that so soon
+as all the information necessary had been gleaned from the prisoner, he
+should, if thought advisable, again be returned to them, to be put to
+death or not, as they might see proper. To this arrangement, all having
+at last consented, the gallant Captain advanced to me, shook my hand,
+and said that my life was for the present safe, and that I was to
+accompany him to Detroit, where I would be treated as a prisoner of war.
+
+"It is impossible to describe my feelings, on hearing this joyful
+intelligence; therefore I shall leave you to imagine them, aided as you
+will be by your own experience under similar circumstances. And now let
+me close my long narrative as briefly as possible; for the hour is
+already late, and I must rise betimes on the morrow to join this
+expedition against the savages."
+
+"Surely, Algernon," exclaimed Ella, with pale features, "you are not
+going to leave us again so soon?"
+
+"Where duty calls, Ella, there is my place; and if I fall in honorable
+action, in defence of my country and friends, perchance my life may
+atone for matters whereof _you_ are not ignorant."
+
+Ella buried her face in her hands, to conceal her emotion; and Algernon,
+with an effort at composure, again proceeded.
+
+"At Detroit I experienced kind treatment, as a prisoner of war; but
+still it was captivity, and I longed for freedom. Many, many an hour
+did I employ in planning my escape; yet month upon month rolled on, and
+still I remained in durance. At last startling rumors reached me, that
+the Indians of the different tribes were banding together, to march upon
+the frontiers and depopulate the country; and remembering the savage
+threat of Girty, I doubted not he was the instigator, and would be
+leader of the expedition; and I determined, at all hazards, if such a
+thing were in the province of possibility, to effect my escape, and give
+the country warning of the impending danger. To be brief, I succeeded,
+as my presence here tells for itself; but no one knows, save myself, and
+He who knows all things, the misery I suffered from fatigue, lack of
+food, and the fear of again being captured by some roving band of
+savages--the which I shall detail, perhaps, should my life be spared me,
+at some future period, but not at the present.
+
+"I swam the Ohio, a short distance above the Falls, and made my way,
+to the best of my judgment, directly towards Boonesborough, where I
+arrived, a few days since, in a state of complete exhaustion. The noble
+old hunter received me warmly; from whose lips I heard, with thrilling
+emotion, the particulars of the pursuit, headed by himself, and the
+rescue of two of my dearest friends, their present abode, as also many
+startling events that had transpired during my absence; and in return,
+I communicated to him the alarming intelligence which I have before
+alluded to. So soon as I felt myself sufficiently strong for the
+journey, I left Boonesborough for Bryan's Station, and here I am, and
+thus my tale."
+
+"And a mighty tough time you've had on't Mr. Reynolds, for sartin, and
+no mistake," rejoined Mrs. Younker, with a sigh, wiping her eyes. "Ah!
+me--poor Ben!--poor Ben!--I'm a widder now in arnest. Well, the Lord's
+will be done. The good Book says, 'The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh
+away, blessed be the name of the Lord;' and them good words, my children
+and friends, must be our consolation."
+
+But little more was said; for each of the party felt oppressed with a
+weight of sadness, at the thought of the many mournful events a year had
+brought forth; and as the hour was late, each and all presently betook
+themselves to rest.
+
+Meantime, the preparations of the garrison for the morrow had been going
+forward in every part of the station; lights were moving to and fro; and
+all within the cabins, and on the common, was bustle and activity. At
+last the sounds gradually ceased, the lights went out one by one, and
+all finally became tranquil for the night.
+
+About an hour before day-break, the sleepers began to rouse themselves,
+and all was soon again in commotion. Horses were led forth, saddled,
+returned and fed, and every thing got in readiness to throw open the
+gates and march forth so soon as it should become sufficiently light for
+the purpose.
+
+At last came the exciting moment of all. Some were standing in groups,
+and weeping bitterly at the thought of parting, perhaps for the last
+time, with their fathers, husbands and sons; some were running to and
+fro with anxious messages; some were clasping each other to their
+hearts, in agonizing silence, and praying in secret that the Great Ruler
+of all might preserve and happily restore them again to the idols of
+their affections; some had mounted their noble steeds, or were leading
+them forth for the purpose--and all was in Babel-like confusion.
+
+"Farewell, my friends," said Algernon, as he stood in the door of Mrs.
+Younker's cottage, grasping one after another the proffered hands of
+its weeping inmates, among whom was the wife and mother-in-law of
+Isaac. "Farewell, dearest Ella; we may never meet again on earth.
+Farewell--farewell!" and pressing her hand to his lips, he rushed
+forth with a heaving heart, not daring to trust himself longer in her
+presence.
+
+Isaac and his father-in-law followed the example of Reynolds, moved away
+with weeping eyes, and all were quickly in their saddles.
+
+A few minutes later the roll was called, and the order given by the
+commanding officer to form in double file and throw open the eastern
+gate. Scarcely were the words uttered, when there arose a series of
+terrific Indian yells, accompanied by a volley of firearms, and every
+face became blanched with surprise and dismay, and looked from one to
+the other in astonishment.
+
+"By heavens!" cried a voice; "our fighting 'll be at home, I reckon,
+judging by the specimen before us."
+
+Dismounting from their horses, the garrison, together with many of the
+women and children, now rushed to the southern pickets, where, through
+loop-holes and crevices, they beheld, only a few rods distant, about
+a hundred savages, running to and fro, jumping up and down, whooping,
+yelling, screeching and firing at the station, accompanied with all
+the wild, fantastic gestures of loosened madmen.
+
+"Thar's not more nor a hundred o' the varmints, any how," cried Isaac;
+"and I reckon as how we can jest lick them, and no mistake. Hurray for
+a fight."
+
+"Hurray for a fight!" echoed a dozen voices, as they rushed back to
+remount their horses.
+
+"Hold!" cried the deep voice of Father Albach. "Hold! lads; don't do
+things rash! Them Indians wouldn't be dancing and sky-larking round that
+way, ef thar warn't some object in it, you may depend on."
+
+"And that's my opinion too," answered another gray-headed veteran. "The
+fact is, they're only a decoy party, sent our thar from the main body,
+jest to draw us out, so that the others can rush on and make an easy
+conquest on't. I tell you, friends, thar's no mistaking it; we're
+surrounded by a tremendous body o' the red heathen, and we're likely to
+have warm work on't. I've lived in the woods all my life, and I know the
+nater of the painted varmints as well as I know my own. Ef them war all
+thar war on 'em, we'd have seen very different proceedings, I assure
+you."
+
+"But what's to be done?" cried several voices in consternation.
+
+"I would suggest that we send immediately to Lexington for a
+reinforcement," spoke up Reynolds, in reply.
+
+"Who'll volunteer to go with me on the dangerous mission?" cried a young
+man, by the name of Bell.
+
+"I will!" instantly responded another, called Tomlinson.
+
+"Brave lads!" returned Father Albach. "You'll be doing us and your
+country a service, which we at least will ever gratefully remember. I'd
+advise your leaving by the western gate, riding round the station, and
+keeping away to the right, and you'll maybe pass them without trouble.
+But ef you go, now's your only chance."
+
+As he spoke, the young men in question sprung forward to their horses,
+and immediately quitted the fort, amid cheers for their gallantry and
+courage, and prayers for their safety and success.
+
+A council of the leading men was now speedily convened to deliberate
+upon the best means of insuring the safety of themselves, their wives,
+and children.
+
+"They'll no doubt attack us on the western side," said Father Albach,
+"where the pallisades are somewhat out o' kilter; and it's my opinion,
+that we'd better repair them as soon as possible, and station the main
+part of the garrison thar, ready to receive 'em with a military salute,
+while we send out a few o' our young men to fire on them as is in sight,
+to deceive the others; for I believe with neighbor Nickolson, here, that
+thar's a large party in ambush close by."
+
+"Ay, and doubtless led by the renegade," said Reynolds; "as I presume
+this Indian army is the same whose approach I have foretold. Thank God!"
+added he, with energy and emotion, as his mind reverted to Ella, "that
+they came as they did; for an hour later, and they would have found the
+fort defenceless, when all within would have been food for the tomahawk
+and scalping knife."
+
+He shuddered at the thought, and placed his hand to his eyes.
+
+"Indeed, it seems like a direct Providence in our favor," rejoined
+another.
+
+"But thar's one thing you've overlooked, in your proposition, Albach,"
+said the old veteran called Nickolson. "Ef the seige be protracted, what
+are we to do for water?"
+
+Each face of the company blanched, and turned toward the speaker with a
+startled look. It was a question of the most grave importance, and all
+felt it to be so. The spring was without the pallisades, as we have
+previously mentioned, on the northwestern side of the station. The path
+to it was through a rank growth of tall weeds, wherein the main body of
+the Indians was supposed to be concealed--so that, should the garrison
+venture forth in that direction, they would in all probability be cut
+off, and the fort fall into the possession of the enemy. This of course
+was not to be thought of. But what was to be done? To be without water
+in a protected siege, was a dangerous and painful alternative. In this
+agitating dilemma, one of the council suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"I have it!--I have it!" All looked at the speaker in breathless
+expectation. "I have it!" continued he joyfully. "The women!--the
+women!"
+
+"The women!" echoed several voices at once.
+
+"Ay! you know they're in the habit of going for water--and this the
+savages know too--and ef they venture forth by themselves, as usual, the
+wily scoundrels will be deceived for once--for they won't mistrust thar
+hiding place is known; and as thar object is to carry the fort by
+stratagem, they won't unmask till they hear firing on t'other side."
+
+"Good!--good!" exclaimed several voices; and forthwith the council
+proceeded to summon all the women of the station, and make known their
+plan for procuring a supply of water.
+
+Not a little consternation was expressed in the faces of the latter,
+when informed of the perilous undertaking required of them.
+
+"What! go right straight in among the Injen warmints--them male
+critters?" cried an old maid, holding up her hands in horror.
+
+"Do you think we're invisible, and they can't see us?" said a second.
+
+"Or bullet proof?" added a third.
+
+"Or that our scalps arn't worth as much as yourn?" rejoined a fourth.
+
+"Or of so little account you arn't afeared to lose us?" put in a fifth.
+
+"We don't think any thing o' the kind," returned the spokesman on the
+part of the council; "but we do think, as I before explained, that you
+can go and come in safety; and that ef we don't have a supply o' water,
+we're likely to perish any how, and might as well throw open the gates
+and be butchered at once."
+
+This last brief speech produced the desired effect, and a few words from
+Mrs. Younker completely carried the day.
+
+"Is this here a time," she cried, with enthusiasm, her eyes flashing as
+she spoke, "to be hanging back, till the all important moment's gone by,
+and then choke to death for want o'water? What's our lives any more'n
+the men's, that we should be so orful skeered about a few ripscallious,
+painted varmints, as arn't o' no account, no how? Han't I bin amongst
+'em once?--and didn't the Lord preserve me?--and shall I doubt His
+protection now, when a hundred lives is at stake? No! no! I'm not
+skeered; and I'll go, too, ef I has to go alone. Who'll follow me?"
+
+"I will!" cried one.
+
+"And I!" said a second.
+
+"We'll all go!" exclaimed several voices.
+
+Dispersing in every direction, each flew to her own cabin, and seizing
+upon a bucket, hurried to the rear gate, where, all being assembled,
+they were at once given exit.[20]
+
+Perhaps in the whole annals of history, a more singular proceeding than
+this--of men allowing their wives and daughters to deliberately put
+themselves into the power of a ferocious, blood-thirsty enemy, and women
+with nerve and courage to dare all so bravely--can not be found. But
+these were times of stern necessity, when each individual--man, woman
+or child--was called upon to dare and do that which would surprise and
+startle their descendants. Still it must not be supposed that they, on
+either side, were without fears, and those of the most alarming kind.
+Many a palpitating heart moved over the ground to the spring, and many
+a pale face was reflected in its placid waters; while many a courageous
+soul within the fort trembled at the thought of the venture, and what
+might be its result, as they had never done before--even with death
+staring them in the face--and as they probably would never do again.
+Each party, however, knew the step taken to be a serious alternative;
+and the women believed that on their caution and presence of mind, their
+own lives, and those of their fathers, husbands, and children were
+depending; and in consequence of this, they assumed an indifference and
+gaiety the most foreign to their present feelings. As for Algernon,
+we leave the task to lovers of imagining his feelings, when he saw the
+lovely Ella depart with the rest. It was indeed a most anxious time
+for all; but the stratagem succeeded to a charm; and, to use the words
+of a historian on the subject, "Although their steps became quicker
+and quicker on their return, and, when near the gate of the fort,
+degenerated into a rather unmilitary celerity, attended with some
+little crowding in passing the aperture, yet not more than one-fifth of
+the water was spilled, and the eyes of the youngest had not dilated to
+more than double their ordinary size."
+
+
+[Footnote 20: In both the foregoing and subsequent details, we have
+followed history to the letter.]
+
+[Footnote 21: The reader, familiar with the history of the early
+pioneers of Kentucky, will doubtless observe a similarity between the
+account given by Reynolds of his escape from captivity, and that of Gen.
+Simon Kenton, as narrated by his biographer, Col. John McDonald.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE ATTACK AND RESULT.
+
+
+Meantime the repairing of the pallisades had been going bravely forward,
+every moment rendering the garrison more and more secure, which served
+not a little to revive their spirits; and when at length the women had
+all entered, the gate been barred, and they had seen themselves well
+supplied with water, they could restrain their feelings no longer, and
+one grand, simultaneous cheer burst from their lips.
+
+"Now then," said Father Albach, "let 'em come, and I reckon as how
+they'll meet with a warm reception. But to draw 'em on, we must send out
+a party to make a feint to fight the others."
+
+Thirteen young men, among whom was Isaac, were accordingly selected,
+to pass out by the eastern gate and commence firing rapidly; while the
+remainder, with loaded muskets, were to range themselves along the
+western pickets, and be ready to pour their deadly contents into the
+swarthy horde of besiegers, in case their attack should be made in that
+quarter. As the young men departed, all relapsed into a solemn silence
+of anxious suspense; which was presently broken by the rapid discharge
+of firearms, outside the fort, accompanied with cheers and yells from
+both the whites and Indians. Now was the all important moment--the war
+sounds were gradually growing more and more distant--and every eye of
+the inner garrison was strained in breathless expectation, in the
+direction of the spring, while every rifle was cocked and in rest, ready
+for any emergency.
+
+Suddenly the tall weeds--which a moment before had been quietly waving
+in the morning breeze--became dreadfully agitated; and the next instant,
+as if by magic, the ground was peopled by some five hundred hideous
+savages; who, led on by the notorious renegade, now rushed forward, with
+wild frantic yells, to the western pallisades, where our gallant little
+band stood drawn up ready to receive them. They had advanced in a
+tremendous body, to within a few feet of the fort, when the word "Fire,"
+uttered in a clear, manly voice, resounded above their own frightful
+yells, and was followed the next moment by a terrible volley of leaden
+balls, that carried death and terror into their serried ranks. With one
+simultaneous yell of rage, consternation, and disappointment, they
+halted a moment in indecision; when another death-dealing volley, from
+the gallant Kentuckians, decided their course of action; and again
+yelling fearfully, they parted to the right and left, and bearing their
+dead and wounded with them, rushed for the covert of a neighboring
+forest. At the same moment, the party which had sallied forth upon the
+Lexington road, to make a feint of attacking their decoys, entered the
+fort by the eastern gate, in high spirits at the success of their
+maneuver.
+
+The warfare was now carried on in the usual manner, after the failure of
+stratagem, for several hours, with but little success on either side.
+The block-houses were immediately manned by the garrison, who by this
+means could command every point of compass; and whenever an Indian
+came in sight, he was at once made the target for three or four keen
+riflemen, who rarely missed their mark. In consequence of this, the
+wily savage rarely showed himself in an open manner; but would creep
+stealthily among the tall weeds, or among the tall standing corn, that
+covered about an hundred acres of ground on the southern side of the
+station, or ensconce himself behind some stump or trunk of a tree in
+the vicinity, and discharge his rifle at any mark thought suitable,
+or let fly his burning arrows upon the roofs of the cabins. To avoid,
+if possible, a conflagration, every boy of ten years and upwards, was
+ordered upon the roofs of the houses, to throw off these burning
+missiles; but notwithstanding their great vigilance, so rapidly were
+they sent at one period, that two of the cabins, being in a very
+combustible state, took fire, to the great consternation of all, and,
+before they could be extinguished, were totally consumed. Here again the
+hand of an overruling Providence was manifest; for a light wind drove
+the flames from the other buildings, and thus a terrible and fatal
+calamity was averted.
+
+From the attack in the morning by the main body, a sharp fire was
+maintained on both sides till towards noon; when it began to slacken
+considerably; and a little past meridian ceased altogether--the savages
+having withdrawn for another purpose, as we shall show anon, leaving the
+garrison in suspense as to whether they had totally abandoned the siege
+or not.
+
+We have previously stated that Bryan's Station stood on a gentle rise on
+the southern bunk of the Elkhorn, whereby it commanded a view of much
+of the surrounding country. A considerable portion of the land in the
+immediate vicinity had been cleared and was under cultivation; but
+still, in some places, the forest approached to a close proximity; so
+that it was impossible, without traversing the ground, to determine
+whether the foe had withdrawn altogether, or, as was more probable, now
+lay hidden therein, awaiting an unguarded moment of the besieged to
+renew hostilities. Where the Maysville and Lexington road now runs, was
+a long narrow lane, bounded on one side by the large cornfield before
+alluded to, and on the other by a heavy wood. Through this lane the
+reinforcements from Lexington must naturally pass, to reach the station;
+and knowing this, and that they were expected, (for the escape of the
+two couriers in the morning had not been overlooked) the Indians, to
+the number of more than three hundred, had concealed themselves in the
+thicket, within pistol shot of the road, and were now quietly waiting to
+cut them off.
+
+Notwithstanding the quiet which had succeeded the sounds of warfare, the
+garrison were still on the lookout, fearful of being surprised. In this
+manner an hour or two passed away, without any event occurring worth
+being recorded, when a voice shouted joyfully:
+
+"The Lexington reinforcements are at hand!"
+
+In a moment the whole station was in commotion--men, women, and children
+rushing to the block-houses and pallisades nearest to and overlooking
+the long lane just mentioned. The force in question numbered some
+sixteen horsemen, and about twice as many foot; who, not having heard
+any firing, nor seen any savages thus far, were somewhat carelessly
+approaching the fort at a leisure pace, thinking, as was not uncommon in
+those times of danger, when such things were often exaggerated, that
+perhaps the alarm had been unfounded, or, at the most, based only on
+slight grounds. They had been overtaken on the road between Lexington
+and Hoy's station, for which place they had marched on receiving the
+news of Holder's defeat, and had been informed by Tomlinson and Bell
+that Bryan's station was surrounded by a large body of Indians, of whose
+numbers they knew nothing. On hearing this, and knowing the unguarded
+condition of Lexington, they had instantly turned back, and pressed
+forward at what speed they could to the assistance of their neighbors,
+of whom they were now in sight.
+
+"Great Heaven!" cried the voice of the look-out, at this moment, in
+consternation. "See!--see!--they are ambushed, and will all be cut off!"
+
+As he spoke, a long rolling line of fire could he discerned; and
+presently was heard the report of a tremendous volley of musketry,
+followed by a cloud of dust and smoke, which for a time completely hid
+them from view. In a few minutes, however, the horsemen were seen close
+at hand, spurring forward with lightning speed. Some three or four
+individuals instantly sprung to and threw open the eastern gate, and in
+less than two minutes they reined in their panting steeds in the court
+of the station. At the first shot of the savages, they had put spurs to
+their horses, and, as the ground was very dry, a cloud of dust had
+instantly enveloped them, by which means, fortunately, every one of them
+had escaped unharmed, although on their way they had drawn the fire of
+more than three hundred Indian rifles, successively discharged at them
+while passing the lines of the ambuscade. Not thus easily, however,
+escaped their companions on foot.
+
+At the commencement of the firing, these latter were advancing toward
+the station through the cornfield, and, being completely hidden from
+the savages thereby, they might, had they pressed rapidly forward, have
+gained the fort in safety. Not so was their conduct. They were brave,
+hot-blooded, noble men. They could not think of flying and leaving their
+friends in danger; and more noble and reckless than wise and prudent,
+they turned and rushed to their assistance. They saw their error, but
+too late to retrieve it. Their friends had fled, and were safe, but
+they were now placed within a few paces of three hundred blood-thirsty
+warriors. On seeing them, the savages uttered the most hideous yells,
+rushed forward and cut them off from the fort, and then sprung after
+them, tomahawk in hand. Luckily, however, for our little band of heroes,
+the Indians had just discharged their rifles, and their own were loaded;
+by which means, when hard pressed, they turned and kept their foes at
+bay--the savage, in all cases, being too cautious to rush upon a weapon
+so deadly, with only a tomahawk wherewith to defend himself. Moreover,
+the corn was stout and tall, among which they ran and dodged with great
+agility; and whenever an Indian halted to load his rifle, the fugitive
+for whom its contents were designed, generally managed, by extra
+exertion, to gain a safe distance before it was completed, and thus
+effect his escape. Some five or six, however, were so unfortunate as
+to be knocked or shot down, when they were immediately tomahawked and
+scalped; but the remainder, in various directions and by various
+artifices, succeeded in making their escape. A few reached the fort in
+a roundabout manner; but the main body of them returned to Lexington;
+where, had the savages followed them, they would have found an easy
+conquest. Fortunately for the whites, however, the red men were not
+so inclined; and pursuing them a few hundred yards only, the latter
+abandoned the chase as hopeless.
+
+One of the most active and ferocious on the part of the Indians during
+this skirmish, which lasted nearly an hour, was Simon Girty. Enraged to
+madness at the failure of his stratagem in the morning, he gnashed his
+teeth and rushed after the fugitives, with all the fury depicted on his
+countenance of a demon let loose from the infernal regions of Pluto. Two
+with his own hand he sent to their last account; and was in hot pursuit
+of a third--a handsome, active youth--who, being hard pressed, turned
+round, and raising his rifle to his shoulder, with a scornful smile upon
+his face, bitterly exclaimed, as he discharged it:
+
+"Take that, you ---- renegade, and see how it'll digest!"
+
+As he fired, Girty fell, and perceiving this, the Indians, with a yell
+of despair, instantly gathered round him, while the man effected his
+escape. This closed the exciting contest of the cornfield--which had
+been witnessed throughout from the station with feelings better imagined
+than described--but, unfortunately for humanity, did not end the career
+of Girty; for the ball had taken effect in his shot pouch instead of his
+body; and though wounded, his case was in no wise critical; and he was
+soon able to take his place at the council fire, to deliberate upon what
+further should be done.[22]
+
+The council alluded to, lasted some two or three hours. The Indians were
+disheartened at their loss in the morning, and the failure of all their
+stratagems, even to cutting off the reinforcements of the enemy. They
+were sufficiently convinced they could not carry the fort by storm; and
+they also believed it unsafe to longer remain where they were; as the
+alarm of their presence had spread far and wide, and there was no
+telling at what moment a force equal to their own might be brought
+against them; therefore, they were now anxious to abandon the siege and
+return home. Girty, however, was by no means satisfied with the turn
+matters had taken. He had with great difficulty and masterly persuasion
+succeeded in getting them to unite and march in a body (contrary to
+their usual mode of warfare, which consisted in skirmishing with small
+parties,) against the whites; and he now felt that his reputation was in
+a manner staked on the issue; consequently he could illy bear to leave
+without the trial of one more stratagem. This he made known to the
+chiefs of the council, and offered, in case of failure, to retreat with
+them at once.
+
+As this last design of Girty was merely to deceive the whites, and
+frighten them into capitulation, without any further risk to themselves,
+the Indians agreed to it, and the council broke up.
+
+It was nearly sundown; and every one in the station had been on the
+alert, ready to repel another attack should the Indians renew
+hostilities, as was not unlikely, when a voice cried out:
+
+"Hang me to the nearest cross-bar, ef the red sons of Satan hav'nt sent
+out a flag of truce!"
+
+This at once drew the attention of most of the garrison to a small white
+flag on a temporary pole, which at no great distance was gradually
+nearing them, supported in an upright position by some object crawling
+along on the ground. At length the object gained a stump; and having
+mounted it, was at once recognized by Reynolds as the renegade--although
+Girty on this expedition had doffed the British uniform, in which we
+once described him, and now appeared in a costume not unlike his swarthy
+companions.
+
+"Halloo the garrison!" he shouted.
+
+"Halloo yourself!--what's wanted?" cried a voice back again.
+
+"Respect this flag of truce, and listen!" rejoined Girty; and waving it
+from side to side as he spoke, he again proceeded: "Courage can do much
+in war, and is in all cases a noble trait, which I for one do ever
+respect; but there may be circumstances where manly courage can avail
+nothing, and where to practice it only becomes fool-hardy, and is sure
+to draw down certain destruction on the actor or actors. Such I hasten
+to assure you, gentlemen, is exactly your case in the present instance.
+No one admires the heroism which you have, one and all, even to your
+women and children, this day displayed, more than myself; but I feel it
+my duty to inform you that henceforth the utmost daring of each and
+all of you combined can be of no avail whatever. Resistance on your
+part will henceforth be a crime rather than a virtue. It is to save
+bloodshed, and you all from a horrible fate, that I have ventured hither
+at the risk of my life. You are surrounded by an army of six hundred
+savages. To-morrow there will be a large reinforcement with cannon;
+when, unless you surrender now, your bulwark will be demolished, and
+you, gentlemen, with your wives and children, will become victims
+to an unrelenting, cruel foe. Death will then be the mildest of your
+punishments. I would save you from this. I am one of your race; and,
+although on the side of your enemy, would at this time counsel and act
+toward you a friendly part. Do you not know me? I am Simon Girty--an
+agent of the British. Take my advice and surrender now your fort into
+my hands, and I swear to you not a single hair of your heads shall be
+harmed. But if you hold out until you are carried by storm I can not
+save you; for the Indians will have become thirsty for your blood,
+and no commander on earth could then restrain them. Be not hasty in
+rejecting my friendly offer. It is for your good I have spoken--and so
+weigh the matter well. I pause for an answer."
+
+The effect of Girty's speech upon the garrison, was to alarm them not a
+little. His mention of reinforcements with cannon, caused many a stout
+heart to tremble, and many a face to blanch and turn to its neighbor
+with an expression of dismay. Against cannon they knew, as Girty stated,
+resistance would be of no avail; and cannon had, in 1780, advanced up
+the Licking Valley, and destroyed Riddle's and Martin's stations. If
+Girty told the truth, their case was truly alarming.
+
+As the renegade concluded, Reynolds--who saw the effect his words had
+produced, and who, knowing him better than any of the others, believed
+his whole tale to be false--at once begged leave to reply for the
+garrison, which was immediately granted. Placing himself in full view of
+Girty, he answered as follows, in a tone of raillery:
+
+"Well done, my old worthy companion! and are you really there, carrying
+out another of your noble and humane designs? When, O when, I humbly beg
+to know, will your philanthropic efforts end? I suppose not until death
+has laid his claim, and the devil has got his due. You ask us if we know
+you. What! not know the amiable Simon Girty, surnamed the Renegade?
+Could you indeed for a moment suppose such a thing possible? Know you?
+Why, we have an untrusty, worthless cur-dog in the fort here, that has
+been named Simon Girty, in compliment to you--he is so like you in every
+thing that is ugly, wicked and mean. You say you expect reinforcements
+of artillery. Well, if you stay in this quarter long, I know of no one
+that will be more likely to need them than yourself and the cowardly
+cut-throats who call you chief. We too expect reinforcements; for
+the country is roused in every direction; and if you remain here
+twenty-four hours longer, the scalps of yourself and companions will
+be drying on our cabins. Bring on your cannon and blaze away as soon
+as you please! We shall fear you not, even then; for if you succeed in
+entering, along with your naked, rascally companions, we shall set our
+old women to work, and have you scourged to death with rods, of which we
+have on hand a goodly stock for the purpose. And now to wind up, allow
+me to say I believe you to be a liar, and _know_ you to be a most
+depraved, inhuman villain. This knowledge of your character is not
+second-hand. I paid dearly for it, by a year's captivity. I defied
+you when in your power: I spit at and defy you now in behalf of the
+garrison! My name you may remember. It is Algernon Reynolds. What would
+you more?"[23]
+
+"Would that I had you in my power again," shouted back Girty; "for
+by ----! I would willingly forego all other vengeance on the whites, to
+take my revenge on you. I regret the garrison did not choose some one
+to reply who was not already doomed to death. It was my desire to save
+bloodshed; but my offer has been rejected from the mouth of one I hate;
+and now I leave you to your fate. To-morrow morning will see your
+bulwarks in ruins, and yourselves, your wives and little ones, in the
+power of a foe that never forgives an injury nor forgets an insult.
+Farewell till then! I bide my time."
+
+As Girty concluded altogether, he began to ease himself down from the
+stump, when his progress was not a little accelerated by hearing a voice
+from the garrison cry out:
+
+"Shoot the ---- rascal!--don't let him escape!"
+
+Instantly some five or six rifles were brought to bear upon him; and
+his fate might then have been decided forever, had not the voice of
+Nickolson warned them to beware of firing upon a flag of truce. Girty,
+however, made good his retreat, and the garrison was disturbed no more
+that night. Before morning the Indians, after having killed all the
+domestic cattle they could find belonging to the station, began their
+retreat; and by daylight their camp was deserted; though many of their
+fires were still burning brightly, and several pieces of meat were found
+on roasting-sticks around them, all showing a late and hasty departure.
+
+
+[Footnote 22: The foregoing is strictly authentic.]
+
+[Footnote 23: This celebrated reply of Reynolds to Girty, is published,
+with but slight variations, in all the historical sketches that we have
+seen relating to the attack on Bryan's Station and is, perhaps, familiar
+to the reader.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE FOE PURSUED.
+
+
+As Algernon had stated to Girty, the country was indeed roused to a
+sense of their danger. The news of the storming of Bryan's Station
+had spread fast and far; and, early on the day succeeding the attack,
+reinforcements began to come in from all quarters; so that by noon of
+the fourth day, the station numbered over one hundred and eighty
+fighting men.
+
+Colonel Daniel Boone, accompanied by his son Israel, and brother Samuel,
+commanded a considerable force from Boonesborough--Colonel Stephen
+Trigg, a large company from Harrodsburgh--and Colonel John Todd, the
+militia from Lexington. A large portion of these forces was composed
+of commissioned officers, who, having heard of the attack on Bryan's
+Station by an overwhelming body of Indians, had hurried to the scene of
+hostilities, and, like brave and gallant soldiers as they were, had at
+once taken their places in the ranks as privates. Most noted among those
+who still held command under the rank of Colonel, were Majors Harlan,
+McGary, McBride, and Levi Todd; and Captains Bulger, Patterson and
+Gordon.
+
+Of those now assembled, Colonel Todd, as senior officer, was allowed to
+take command--though, from the tumultuous council of war which was held
+in the afternoon, it appears that each had a voice, and that but little
+order was observed. It was well known that Colonel Benjamin Logan was
+then in the act of raising a large force in Lincoln county; and at the
+furthest would join them in twenty-four hours; which would render them
+safe in pursuing the savages; and for this purpose the more prudent,
+among whom was our old friend, Colonel Boone, advised their delay;
+stating, as a reason, that the Indians were known to outnumber them
+all, as three to one; and that to pursue them with a force so small,
+could only result, should they be overtaken, in a total defeat of the
+whites. Besides which, Boone stated that the scouts who had been sent
+out to examine the Indian trail, had reported that it was very broad,
+and that the trees on either side had been marked with their tomahawks;
+thereby showing a willingness on the part of the enemy to be pursued,
+and a design to draw the whites into an ambuscade, the consequences of
+which must necessarily be terrible. In this view of the case, Colonel
+Boone was strongly seconded by Major McGary, who, though a hot-headed
+young officer, eager on almost all occasions for a fight, now gave his
+voice on the side of prudence.
+
+But these prudent measures were combatted and overruled by Todd; who,
+being an ambitious man, forsaw that, in waiting for Logan, he would be
+deprived of his authority as commander-in-chief of the expedition, and
+the glory which a successful battle would now cast upon him. By him it
+was urged, in opposition to Boone and McGary, that to await the arrival
+of Colonel Logan, was only to act the part of cowards, and allow the
+Indians a safe retreat; that in case they were overtaken and their
+numbers found to be double their own--which report he believed to be
+false--the ardor and superior skill of the Kentuckians would more than
+make them equal, and the victory and glory would be their own. Whereas,
+should the Indians be allowed to escape without an effort to harass
+them, the Kentuckians would be held eternally disgraced in the minds of
+their countrymen.
+
+The dispute on the matter waxed warm, high words ensued, and the
+discussion was in a fair way of being drawn out to great extent; when
+Boone, becoming tired and disgusted with the whole proceedings, replied:
+
+"Well, I've given my conscientious opinion about the affair, and now you
+can do as you please. Of course I shall go with the majority, and my
+seniors in command; and ef the decision's for a fight, why a fight we
+must venter, though every man o' Kaintuck be laid on his back for the
+risking. Ef we fail--and its my opine we shall--let them as takes the
+responsibility bear the blame. I'll give my voice, though, to the last,
+that we'd better wait the reinforcements o' Colonel Logan."
+
+"Sir!" exclaimed Colonel Todd, turning fiercely to Boone; "if you are
+not a _coward_, you talk like one! Don't you know, sir, that if we wait
+for Logan, he will gain all the laurels?--and that if we press forward,
+we shall gain all the glory?"
+
+"As to my being a coward, Colonel Todd," replied Boone, mildly, with
+dignity, "when the word's explained so as I know the full meaning on't,
+prehaps I'll be able to decide ef I be or not. Ef it means prudence in a
+time o' danger, on which the welfare o' my country and the lives o' my
+countrymen depends, I'd rather be thought cowardly than rash. Ef it
+means a fear to risk my own poor body in defence o' others, I reckon as
+how my past life'll speak for itself; and for the futer, wharsomever
+Colonel Todd dars to venter, Daniel Boone dars to lead. As to _glory_,
+we'll talk about that arter the battle's fought."
+
+Thus ended the discussion; and the matter being put to vote, it was
+carried by an overwhelming majority in favor of Todd's proposition, that
+the Indians should be pursued without further delay. It was now about
+three o'clock in the afternoon; and immediately on the final decision
+being made, the council broke up, and orders were rapidly given to
+prepare to depart forthwith. All the horses in or about the station
+were now collected together, on which most of the officers and many of
+the privates were soon mounted; and by four o'clock the eastern gate
+was thrown open, the order to march given by Colonel Todd, and the
+procession, composed of the flower of Kentucky's gallant sons, moved
+forth, amid sighs and tears from the opposite sex. Reynolds--who, during
+the past two or three days, since the retreat of the enemy, had employed
+his leisure moments in the company of the being he loved, and who was
+now finely mounted on a superb charger which had been presented him by
+Colonel Boone--turned upon his saddle, as he was leaving the station,
+and waved another adieu to Ella, who stood in the door of her cottage,
+gazing upon his noble form, with a pale cheek, tearful eye, and beating
+heart. She raised her lily hand, and, with a graceful motion, returned
+his parting salute; and then, to conceal her emotion, retired into the
+house.
+
+The Indians, it was found, had followed the buffalo trace, and,
+according to the account given by the scouts, had made their trail
+obvious as possible, by hacking the trees on either side with their
+tomahawks. Their camp fires, however, were very few, comparatively
+speaking, which to Boone seemed plainly evident of a desire to mask
+their numbers. He had lived in the woods all his life, was the oldest
+settler on the borders, and had been several times a prisoner of the
+Indians; so that he was familiar with their artifices for decoying their
+enemies; and he believed, from what he saw, that it was their desire to
+be followed by the whites; and that they would probably seek to draw the
+latter into an ambuscade in the vicinity of the Blue Licks, where the
+wild country was particularly favorable to their purpose. In imagination
+he already saw the disastrous result that was destined to follow this
+hasty expedition; but his counsel to the contrary had been disregarded,
+and it was not a time now to dampen the ardor of the soldiers, on which
+alone success could depend, by expressing his fears and laying himself
+liable to further reproach and contumely. He had said and done all that
+was consistent in his situation to prevent the present step; and he now
+saw proper to keep his fears of the result to himself; the more so, as
+a retreat was out of the question.
+
+About dark the party came to halt, and encamped in the woods for the
+night. Early on the ensuing morning they resumed their march; and
+a little before noon reached the southern bluffs of Licking river,
+opposite the Lower Blue Lick, distant from Bryan's Station some
+thirty-six miles, and the place where, according to the opinion of
+Boone, the savages would be likely to lie in wait to give them battle.
+
+The scenery in the vicinity of the Licks, even at the present day, is
+peculiarly wild and romantic; but at the period in question, it was
+relieved by nothing in the shape of civilization. The Licks themselves
+had for ages been the resort of buffalo and other wild animals, which
+had come there to lick the saline rocks, and had cropped the surrounding
+hills of every green thing, thereby giving them a barren, desolate,
+gloomy appearance. On the northern bank--the one opposite our little
+army--arose a tremendous bluff, entirely destitute of vegetation, the
+brow of which was trodden hard by the immense herds of buffalo which had
+passed over it from time immemorial on their way to and from the salt
+springs at its base. To add to its dismal appearance, the rains of
+centuries had sloughed deep gullies in its side, and washed the earth
+from the rocks around its base, which, being blackened in the sun, now
+rose grim and bare, frowning in their majesty like fettered monsters of
+the infernal regions. As you ascended this ridge, a hard level trace or
+road led back for something like a mile--free from tree, stump or
+bush--when you came to a point where two ravines, one on either hand,
+met at the top, and, thickly wooded, ran in opposite directions down to
+the river, which, beginning on the right, went sweeping round a large
+circuit, in the form of an iron magnet, and made a sort of inland
+peninsula of the bluff in question. Back from this buffalo trace, on the
+southern bank of the Licking, dark heavy woods extended for miles in
+every direction, and made the whole scene impressive with a kind of
+gloomy grandeur.
+
+As our gallant band of Kentuckians gained the river, they descried some
+three or four savages leisurely ascending the stony ridge on the
+opposite side. On perceiving the troops, the Indians paused, gazed at
+them a few moments in silence, and then, quietly continuing their
+ascent, disappeared on the other side. A halt was now ordered by Colonel
+Todd, and a council of war called to deliberate on what was best to be
+done. The wild gloomy country around them, their distance from any post
+of succor, and the startling idea that perchance they were in the
+presence of a body of savages of double or treble their own numbers, was
+not without its effect upon Todd and those who had seconded his hasty
+movements, and served much toward cooling their ardor, and inspiring
+each other with a secret awe.
+
+Immediately on the halt of the troops, some twenty officers assembled in
+front of the lines for consultation; when, turning to them, Colonel Todd
+said:
+
+"Gentlemen, for aught I know to the contrary we are now in the presence
+of a superior enemy--superior at least in point of numbers--and I
+desire to know your minds as to what course we had best pursue. And
+particularly, Colonel Boone," continued Todd, politely bowing to the
+veteran woodsman, "would I solicit your views on the matter; believing
+as I do, notwithstanding any hasty words I may have uttered in the heat
+of excitement to the contrary, that you are a brave soldier, cool under
+all circumstances, amply experienced in Indian stratagem, and
+consequently capable of rendering much valuable advice in the present
+instance."
+
+Boone was not a revengeful man under any circumstances; and though he
+had felt more stung and nettled at the implication of Todd the day
+before than he cared to let others see, yet now that the other had made
+the apology due him, he showed nothing like haughtiness or triumph in
+his mild, benevolent countenance, but, bowing slightly, with his
+characteristic frankness replied:
+
+"As you say, Colonel Todd, I've had some little experience with the
+varmints at different times, not excepting my capter at these same Licks
+in 1778; and, besides, I've have traversed this here country in every
+direction, and know every secret hiding-place round about, as well as
+the rest o' ye know the ground we've jest traveled; and it's on account
+o' this knowledge partly, and partly on account o' the lazy movements o'
+them red heathen we've jest seen go over the hill yonder, and the wide
+trail, and marked trees behind us, that I'm led to opine thar's a
+tremendous body o' the naked rascals hid in a couple o' ravines, that
+run down to the river on either side of that ridge, about a mile ahead,
+who are waiting to take us by surprise. Now I think we'd better do one
+of two things. Either wait for the reinforcement o' Colonel Logan--who's
+no doubt on his march by this time to join us--or else divide our party,
+and let half on 'em go up stream and cross at the rapids, and so get
+round behind the ravines, ready to attack the savages in the rear; while
+the rest cross the ford here, and keep straight on along the ridge to
+attack 'em in front--by which maneuver we may prehaps be able to beat
+them. But ef you don't see proper, gentlemen, to take up with either o'
+these proposals--don't, for Heaven's sake! I beg o' ye, venter forward,
+without first sending on scouts to reconnoitre--else we're likely to be
+in an ambuscade afore we know it, and prehaps all be cut off."
+
+"Well, all things considered," answered Colonel Todd, who now, becoming
+aware of the fearful responsibility resting upon him as commander, felt
+little inclined to press rashly forward, "I think it advisable to wait
+the reinforcements of Logan before proceeding further. It can delay us
+but a day or two, and then we shall be sure of a victory; whereas, if
+we press forward now, and run into an ambuscade, of which Colonel Boone
+feels certain, we shall doubtless rue the day by a total defeat."
+
+"I'm of the same opinion," rejoined Major Levi Todd.
+
+"And I," said Captain Patterson.
+
+"And I," rejoined several other voices.
+
+"But I'm opposed to waiting for Logan," said Colonel Trigg; "as delays
+on the point of a battle are rarely ever beneficial. I think we had
+better take up with Colonel Boone's second proposition--divide our
+forces, and proceed at once to action; though, for the matter of
+prudence, it may be advisable to send a couple of scouts ahead, before
+deciding upon any thing positive."
+
+Majors Harlan and McBride, with two or three others of inferior rank,
+took sides with Trigg; and the discussion seemed likely to be protracted
+for some considerable time; when Major Hugh McGary, who had been
+listening to the proceedings with the utmost impatience, suddenly
+startled and broke up the council by a loud whoop, resembling that of an
+Indian; and spurring his high mettled charger forward, he waved his hat
+over his head, and shouted, in a voice that reached the whole length of
+the line, these ever memorable words:
+
+"Those among you who are not d--d cowards, follow me! I'll soon show you
+where the Indians are!"
+
+As he spoke he rushed his fiery steed into the river, with all the rash
+impetuosity of a desperate soldier charging at the cannon's mouth.
+
+The effect of McGary's words and actions were electrical. The troops,
+mounted and on foot, officers and privates, suddenly became animated
+with a wild enthusiasm. Whooping and yelling like Indians, more than a
+hundred of them now sprung forward, and in a tumultuous body rushed into
+the stream and struggled for the opposite shore. A few lingered around
+Boone, Todd, and Twigg, to await their orders. But the pause of these
+commanders was only momentary. They saw their ranks in confusion, and
+more than two-thirds of their soldiers in the water, struggling after
+the hot-headed McGary, and most of the other officers. The mischief was
+already done. To delay was but to doom their enthusiastic comrades to
+certain destruction; and shouting to those who yet remained to follow,
+Todd put spurs to his horse, and, together with Trigg and Boone dashed
+after the main body. It was a wild scene of excitement. Horsemen and
+footmen, officers and privates, all mixed up together in confusion, and
+pushing forward in one "rolling and irregular mass."
+
+By violent threats and repeated exertions, with their swords drawn and
+flashing in the sunlight, Colonels Todd, Trigg and Boone at length
+succeeded, after reaching the opposite bank, in restoring something like
+order to the half-crazed troops. On gaining the brow of the buffalo
+ridge, Todd commanded a halt; then drawing a pistol from the holster of
+his saddle, he rode to the front of the lines, and, with eyes flashing
+fire, exclaimed:
+
+"Men! we must have order! Without order we are lost. I command a halt;
+and the first man that moves from the ranks, officer or private, until
+so commanded, I swear to scatter his brains on the land he disgraces!"
+
+His speech produced the desired effect; not a man ventured, by
+disobeying, to put his threat to the test; and after gazing on them
+sternly a few moments in silence, he turned to McGary, who was sitting
+his horse a few paces distant, and said:
+
+"Sir! you have acted unbecoming, both as an officer and a gentleman; and
+if we two live through an engagement which I fear is near at hand, and
+which your rashness will have brought about, I will have you put under
+arrest and tried by court martial."
+
+"As you please, Colonel Todd," replied McGary, with a fierce look. "But
+you will bear in mind, sir, that at the council yesterday, you scouted
+at the proposition advanced by Colonel Boone, and seconded by myself
+and others, of waiting for the reinforcements of Colonel Logan, and
+insinuated that we were cowards. As _you_, sir, were so _very_ brave,
+and so eager for a fight when at a distance, I swore that, if we came
+where a fight could be had, I would either draw you into action, or
+forever damn you as a coward in the eyes of your soldiers. If I have
+succeeded, I rest satisfied to let you do your worst."
+
+"Resume your place, sir! and break an order this day at your peril!"
+cried Todd, sharply, his face flushed with indignation.
+
+As McGary slowly obeyed, Todd called to Boone, Trigg, and one or two
+others, with whom he held a short consultation as to the propriety of
+sending forward scouts before advancing with the main army. This being
+decided in the affirmative, Isaac Younker and another individual were
+selected from the ranks, and appointed to go on the dangerous mission;
+with orders to follow the buffalo trace and examine it carefully on both
+sides--particularly round about the ravines--and if they saw any traces
+of Indians, to hasten back with all speed; but if not, to continue their
+examination for a half mile further on, where the great trace gradually
+became lost in lesser paths, which branched off in every direction.
+
+Immediately on the departure of these two scouts, the troops were drawn
+up in a long line, ready for action at a moment's notice. Colonel Trigg
+commanded the Harrodsburgh forces on the right; Colonel Boone the
+Boonesborough soldiers on the left; and Colonel Todd, assisted by Majors
+McGary and McBride, the Lexington militia in the center. Major Harlan
+led the van, and Major Levi Todd brought up the rear. This was the order
+in which they went into battle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS
+
+
+In less than an hour, Isaac and his companions returned, and reported
+that they had seen no signs of Indians whatever. On the receipt of this
+intelligence, the order to march was immediately given, and the whole
+body of soldiers, under the scorching rays of an August sun, moved
+rapidly forward. Nothing occurred to interrupt their progress, until the
+van had reached within a few yards of the ravines before mentioned, when
+the appalling truth of a tremendous ambuscade of the savages suddenly
+became known, by the pouring therefrom, into their ranks, a terrible
+volley, which carried with it death, terror and confusion. Never were
+soldiers taken more by surprise, and at greater disadvantage to
+themselves, both as to numbers and position. They had relied upon the
+report of the scouts, who had themselves been deceived by the quiet of
+everything about the ravines; and now here they were, less than two
+hundred in number, on an open spot, exposed to the deadly rifles of more
+than five hundred Indian warriors, who were lying concealed among the
+dark cedars of the ravines.
+
+The first fire was severely destructive, particularly on the right,
+where the gallant Colonel Trigg fell mortally wounded, and was soon
+after tomahawked and scalped. With him went down several officers of
+inferior grade, and a large portion of the Harrodsburgh troops; but,
+undaunted, his little band of survivors returned the fire of the
+Indians, and, assisted by those in the rear, pressed forward like heroes
+to the support of the center and van, where the work of death and
+carnage was now becoming terrible.
+
+"Onward!" shouted Colonel Todd, as he rode to and fro, animating his men
+by his voice and gestures: "Onward, my noble soldiers, and strike for
+your country and firesides! Oh God!" exclaimed he the next moment, as a
+ball pierced his breast; "I am mortally wounded; but strike! press on,
+and mind me not!"
+
+As he spoke, he reeled in his saddle, the rein slipped from his grasp,
+and his fiery steed rushed away, bearing him to the enemy and his
+untimely doom.
+
+"Fight, my lads, and falter not!" cried Major Harlan in the van; and the
+next moment his horse went down, some five or six balls lodged in his
+body, and he fell to rise no more.
+
+But his men remembered their orders, and fought without faltering, until
+but three remained alive to tell the fate of the party.
+
+"At 'em, lads!--don't spare the varmints!" said Boone, as he urged the
+left wing into action; and the immediate report of more than fifty
+rifles in that quarter, told him he was obeyed. In this wing fought
+Algernon, Isaac, the brother and son of Boone, with a heroic desperation
+worthy of Spartans; and at every fire an Indian went down before each of
+their deadly rifles.
+
+But what could avail heroism here on that ill-fated day? Our brave
+little band of Kentuckians was opposed by a foe of treble their number;
+who, on their first terrible fire being expended, rushed forth from
+their covert, with horrible yells, tomahawk in hand, and, gradually
+extending their lines down the buffalo trace, on either side, so as to
+cut off the retreat of the whites, closed in upon them in overwhelming
+numbers, and the slaughter became immense. Major McGary rushed his
+horse to and fro among the enemy, and shouted and fought with all the
+desperate impetuosity of his nature. Major Todd did his best to press on
+the rear, and Colonel Boone still urged his men to the fight with all
+the backwoods eloquence in his power. But, alas! of what avail was
+coolness, impetuosity, or desperation now? The Indians were closing in
+thicker and thicker. Officers and privates, horsemen and footmen, were
+falling before the destructive fire of their rifles, or sinking beneath
+their bloody tomahawks, amid yells and screeches the most diabolical.
+Cries, groans, and curses, resounded on every hand, from the living, the
+wounded, and dying. But few now remained in command. Colonels Todd and
+Trigg, Majors Harlan and McBride, Captains Bulger and Gordon, with a
+host of other gallant officers, were now no more. Already had the
+Indians enclosed them as in a net, hemmed them in on all sides, and they
+were falling as grass before the scythe of the mower. Retreat was almost
+cut off--in a few minutes it would be entirely. They could hope for
+nothing against such odds, but a certain and bloody death. There was a
+possibility of escape. A few minutes and it would be too late. They
+hesitated--they wavered--they turned and fled; and now it was that a
+horrible sight presented itself.
+
+The space between the head of the ravines and the ford of the river a
+distance of more than a mile, suddenly became the scene of a hard and
+bloody race. As the whites fled, the Indians sprung after them, with
+whoops and yells that more resembled those of infuriated demons than
+human beings; and whenever an unfortunate Kentuckian was overtaken, he
+instantly fell a victim to the tomahawk and scalping knife. Those who
+were mounted generally escaped; but the foot suffered dreadfully; and
+the whole distance presented an appalling sight of bloody, mangled
+corses, strewing the ground in every direction. Girty, the renegade, was
+now at the height of his hellish enjoyment. With oaths and curses, and
+horrid laughter, his hands and weapons reeking with blood of the slain,
+he rushed on after new victims, braining and scalping all that came
+within his reach.
+
+At the river the carnage was in no wise abated. Horsemen and footmen,
+victors and vanquished, rushed down the slope, pell-mell, and plunged
+into the stream--some striving for life and liberty, some for death and
+vengeance--and the dark rolling waters went sweeping on, colored with
+the blood of the slaughtered.
+
+An act of heroic gallantry and presence of mind here occurred, which
+has often been mentioned in history, tending to check somewhat the
+blood-thirsty savages, and give many of the fugitives time to escape.
+Some twelve or fifteen horsemen had already passed the ford in safety,
+and were in the act of spurring forward, regardless of the fate of their
+unfortunate companions on foot, when one of their number, a man by the
+name of Netherland, who had previously been accused of cowardice,
+suddenly shouted, as if giving the word of command:
+
+"Halt! Fire on the Indians, and protect the men in the river!"
+
+The order was obeyed, in the same spirit it was given; and the sudden
+discharge of more than a dozen rifles, made the infuriated savages
+recoil in dismay, and thereby saved many a poor fellow's life. The
+reaction, however, speedily followed. Many of the savages now swam the
+river above and below the ford, and gave chase to the fugitives for
+fifteen and even twenty miles--though with but little success after
+crossing the stream--as the latter generally plunged into the
+neighboring thickets, and so eluded the vigilance of the former.
+
+Such were the general features of the disastrous battle of Blue Licks--a
+battle of dreadful import to the pioneers of Kentucky--which threw the
+land into mourning, and made a most solemn and startling impression upon
+the minds of its inhabitants. Had we space to chronicle individual
+heroism, we might fill page after page with brave and noble
+achievements; but as it is, we shall confine ourself to those connected
+with our most prominent characters.
+
+We have stated previously, that Algernon Reynolds fought in the left
+wing, under the command of Boone; where, for the few minutes which the
+action lasted, he sustained himself with great gallantry; and, by his
+undaunted courage, inspired those immediately around him with like
+ardor. On the retreat of the whites, he found himself cut off from the
+river by a large body of Indians, headed by his old foe, Simon Girty,
+who, having recognized him, was now pressing forward with several
+stalwart warriors, to again make him prisoner. For the first time since
+the commencement of the battle, he felt his heart sink. To be taken
+alive was a thousand times worse than death, and escape seemed
+impossible. However, there was no time for consideration; another moment
+might be fatal; his foes were upon him; it was now or never. Luckily he
+was mounted on a fiery steed--which had thus far escaped a scratch--and
+had one undischarged pistol in his holster. This he drew forth as his
+last hope; and, tightening the rein, wheeled his horse and spurred down
+upon his enemies with tremendous velocity.
+
+"I have you now, by ----!" cried the renegade.
+
+As he spoke, he sprung forward to grasp the bridle of Algernon's horse;
+but stumbled and fell, and the beast passed over him, unfortunately
+though without doing him any injury.
+
+But Algernon had not yet got clear of his enemies; for on the fall of
+Girty, he found himself surrounded by a host of savages, whooping and
+yelling frightfully, and his direct course to the river cut off by a
+body of more than a hundred. There was only one point, and that a few
+yards to his left, where there appeared a possibility of his breaking
+through their lines. In the twinkling of an eye, and while his horse was
+yet under full headway, his decision was made. Rushing his steed hard to
+the right, in order to deceive his foes, he suddenly wheeled him again
+to the left; and the side of the beast striking against some three
+or four of the Indians, who were on the point of seizing his rein,
+staggered them back upon their companions, creating no little confusion.
+Taking advantage of this, our hero, with the speed of a flying arrow,
+bore down upon the weakest point; where, after shooting down a powerful
+savage, who had succeeded in grasping his bridle and was on the point of
+tomahawking his horse, he passed their lines, amid a volley of rifle
+balls, which cut his clothes in several places, but left himself and
+steed unharmed.
+
+The worst of the danger now seemed over; but still his road ahead was
+beset with Indians, who were killing and scalping all that fell in their
+power; and behind him were the infuriated renegade and his party now in
+hot pursuit. His steed, however, was strong and fleet, and he put him to
+his wind; by which means he not only distanced those behind him, but
+passed one or two parties in front unharmed. About half way between the
+ravines and the river, he overtook Major McGary, and some five or six
+other horsemen, who were dashing forward at a fast gallop; and checking
+his fiery beast somewhat, he silently joined them. A little further on,
+Reynolds observed an officer on foot, who, exhausted by his recent
+exertions, and lame from former wounds, had fallen behind his
+companions. On coming up, he recognized in the crippled soldier the
+brave Captain Patterson; and with a magnanimity and self-sacrifice
+worthy of all imitation, he instantly reined in his horse and
+dismounted, while the others kept upon their course.
+
+"Sir!" cried he to Patterson; "you are, I perceive, fatigued and weak.
+Your life is in great danger. Mount, sir--mount! I am fresh and will
+take my chance on foot."
+
+"God bless you, sir!--God bless you for this noble act!" exclaimed
+Patterson, as Reynolds assisted him, into the saddle. "If I escape--"
+
+"Enough!" said Reynolds, hurriedly, interrupting him. "Fly, sir--fly!
+God be with you! Adieu!"
+
+And turning away as he spoke, he sprung down the side of the ridge, and
+running along the edge of the river some little distance, plunged into
+the water and swam to the opposite shore. Unfortunately for our hero,
+he had changed his garments at Bryan's Station, and now wore a pair of
+buckskin breeches, which, in swimming the stream, had become so soaked
+and heavy that he was obliged to remove them in order to display his
+usual agility. While seated upon the bank and occupied in this manner,
+he was startled by a hand being placed upon his shoulder, and the
+familiar grunt of an Indian sounding in his ear. On looking up, he at
+once recognized the grim features of Wild-cat, and saw himself in the
+power of some half a dozen savages.
+
+"Me wanty you," said Wild-cat, quietly. "Kitchokema give much for Long
+Knife. Come!"
+
+There was no alternative now; and Algernon rose to his feet, and
+suffered his weapons to be taken from him, with what feelings we leave
+the reader to imagine. Taking him along, the savages set forward, on the
+alert for other game; and presently three of them darted away in chase
+of a party of whites; and directly after, two others, leaving our hero
+alone with Wild-cat. Hope now revived that he might yet escape; nor
+was he this time disappointed; for after advancing a short distance,
+Wild-cat stooped down to tie his moccasin; when Reynolds immediately
+sprung upon him, knocked him down with his fist, seized his rifle,
+tomahawk, and knife, fled into the thicket, and reached Bryan's Station,
+during the night succeeding, unscathed.[24]
+
+Throughout the short but severe action at the ravines, Boone maintained
+his ground with great coolness and courage, animating his soldiers by
+word and deed, until the rout became general, when he found it
+necessary, to prevent falling into the hands of the enemy, to have
+recourse to immediate flight. As he cast his eyes around him for this
+purpose, he saw himself cut off from the ford by the large body of
+Indians, through whose lines our hero was even then struggling. At this
+moment he heard a groan which attracted his attention; and looking down,
+he perceived his son Israel lying on the ground, scarcely five paces
+distant, weltering in his blood. With all a father's feelings of
+affection and alarm, he instantly sprung from his horse, and, raising
+the youth in his arms, darted into the nearest ravine, and made with all
+speed for the river. A few of the Indians were herein concealed, who
+discharged their rifles at him as he passed, without injury, and then
+joined in pursuit. One, a powerful warrior, having outstripped his
+companions, was rushing upon the old woodsman with his tomahawk, when
+the latter, with backwoods celerity, instantly raised his rifle and shot
+him through the body. Finding himself hard pressed, and that his son was
+already in the agonies of death, the old hunter strained him for the
+last time to his heart, with choking emotion, pressed his lips to those
+already growing cold, and then, with a groan of agony, left him to his
+fate and the scalping-knife of the savage, while he barely made his own
+escape by swimming the river below the bend. To him this was a mournful
+day--never to be forgotten--and one that, even long, long years after,
+could never be mentioned but with tears.
+
+In this action the brother of Boone was wounded; but in company with
+Isaac Younker, and some three or four others, he succeeded in making his
+escape.
+
+On the day of the battle, Colonel Logan arrived at Bryan's Station with
+a command of four hundred and fifty soldiers. On learning that the
+garrison with their reinforcements had gone the day preceding in pursuit
+of the Indians, and fearful of some disaster, he resolved on a forced
+march to give them assistance as soon as possible. For this purpose he
+immediately set forward on their trail; but had advanced only a few
+miles, when he met a party of the fugitives returning from the scene of
+slaughter. They were alarmed and excited, and of course their account of
+the battle was greatly exaggerated, believing as they did that they were
+the only escaped survivors. Their report, to say the least, was very
+startling, allowing that only the half were true; and in consequence,
+Logan decided on retracing his steps to the station, until he should be
+able to collect more definite news concerning the fight. Gradually one
+party after another came dropping in; and by nine o'clock nearly or
+quite all of the survivors were assembled in the fortress; when it was
+ascertained that a little over one-third of the party, or between sixty
+and seventy of those engaged in the battle, were missing. It was a sad
+night of wailing, and lamentation, and dreadful excitement in the
+station; for scarcely a family there, but was mourning the loss of some
+friend or relation. Algernon and Isaac had returned, to the great joy of
+those most interested in their welfare; but the father-in-law of the
+latter came not, and there was mourning in consequence.
+
+A consultation between Colonels Logan and Boone, resulted in the
+decision to march forthwith to the battle-ground. Accordingly every
+thing being got in readiness, Colonel Logan set out with his command,
+at a late hour the same night, accompanied by Boone, and a few of the
+survivors of the ill-fated engagement. Towards morning a halt of three
+hours was ordered for rest and refreshment: when the line of march was
+again taken up; and by noon of the day succeeding the battle, the forces
+arrived upon the ground, where a most horribly repulsive scene met their
+view.
+
+The Indians had departed on their homeward route, bearing their killed
+and wounded away from the field of carnage; but the dead and mutilated
+bodies of the whites still remained where they had fallen, presenting
+a spectacle the most hideous and revolting possibly to be conceived.
+In the edge of the stream, on the banks, up the ridge, and along the
+buffalo trace to the ravines, were lying the bloody and mangled corses
+of the gallant heroes--who, the day before, full of ardor and life,
+had rushed on to the battle and an untimely and inglorious death--now
+swollen, putrid, and in the first stage of decomposition, from the
+action of the scorching rays of an August sun--surrounded by vultures
+and crows, and all species of carrion fowl; many of which, having gorged
+themselves on the horrid repast, were either sweeping overhead in large
+flocks, and screeching their funeral dirges, or wiping their bloody
+bills on the neighboring trees. Some of the bodies in the stream had
+been gnawed by fishes--others by wolves--and all had been so disfigured,
+by one means and another, that but very few could be recognized by their
+friends.
+
+"Great Heaven! what a sight!" exclaimed Colonel Logan, as he ran his eye
+over the scene.
+
+"A dark and terrible day for Kaintuck," answered Boone, who was standing
+by his side; and as he spoke, the old hunter turned away his head to
+conceal his emotion; for his mind reverted to the death of his noble
+son.
+
+Orders were now given by Colonel Logan, to have the bodies collected,
+and interred in a manner as decent as circumstances would permit. This
+being accomplished, he returned with his men to Bryan's Station, and
+there dismissed them--it not being thought advisable to pursue the enemy
+further. In this ever memorable battle of Blue Licks, the Kentuckians
+had sixty killed, twelve wounded, and seven taken prisoners, most of
+whom were afterwards put to the tortures. As we said before, it was
+a sad day for Kentucky, and threw the land into mourning and gloom.
+Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harlan and McBride, were men beloved
+and respected in life, and bitterly lamented in death by a long list of
+true-hearted friends.
+
+The great trace where the battle was fought, is now green with low
+branching cedars; and a solitary monument near by, informs the curious
+spectator of the sad disaster of by gone times. The Blue Lick Springs
+are much resorted to in the summer season by invalids and others, for
+whose convenience a magnificent hotel stands upon the banks of the
+lovely and romantic Licking.
+
+A few words more and our general history will be closed. On receiving
+the intelligence of the battle of Blue Licks, General Clark--who then
+occupied a fort at the Falls of the Ohio, on the present site of
+Louisville--resolved upon another expedition to the enemy's country; for
+which purpose it was proposed to raise an army of one thousand men, who,
+under their respective commanders, should congregate opposite the mouth
+of the Licking, on the present site of Cincinnati. The interior and
+upper country were to rendezvous at Bryan's Station, under the command
+of Colonels Logan and Floyd; and the lower settlements at the Falls of
+Ohio, under General Clark; who, on all parties arriving at the grand
+rendezvous, was to be commander-in-chief of the expedition. One thousand
+mounted riflemen were raised without a draft, who marched upon the
+enemy in their own country, destroyed their villages, provisions, and
+cornfields, took several prisoners, and carried with them so much terror
+and desolation, that the Indians never sufficiently recovered from the
+shock to renew hostilities in a formidable body; and the Kentuckians
+henceforth, save in individual cases, were left unmolested.
+
+On their march they came upon the rear of Girty's party, returning from
+their successful battle; but an Indian scout gave the renegade and his
+companions warning in time for them to escape the whites by flight. In
+this expedition, Colonel Boone volunteered and served as a private;
+being the last in which the noble old hunter was ever engaged in defence
+of the settlements of Kentucky. Algernon Reynolds and Isaac Younker were
+his companions in arms; who, on the dismissal of the troops, returned
+again to Bryan's Station.
+
+
+[Footnote 24: It may perhaps add interest to the story, for the reader
+to know that the foregoing account concerning Reynolds and Captain
+Patterson, is historically true; as is also the one which follows with
+regard to Boone and his son.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE FINALE.
+
+
+Month upon month rolled away, quiet succeeded to the alarm and commotion
+of war, hostilities between Great Britain and America ceased, and the
+country both east and west now began to look up from the depression and
+gloom which had pervaded it during its long and sanguinary struggle for
+independence. In Kentucky the effect was really invigorating; and the
+settlers, who for a year past had been driven from their homes in terror
+and dismay--who had quitted their peaceable farming implements for the
+destructive weapons of strife and bloodshed--now ventured to return to
+their desolate firesides, and renew their honest occupations of tilling
+the soil. Some, however, more predisposed to financiering than their
+neighbors, sought only speculation; in consequence whereof the Land
+Offices of the Virginia Commissioners--which opened in November,
+after the return of the troops under Clark--were daily thronged with
+applicants for the best locations; whereby was laid the first grand
+corner-stone of subsequent litigation, disaffection, and civil discord
+among the pioneers. But with these, further than to mention the facts as
+connected with the history of the time, we have nothing to do; and shall
+now forthwith pass on to the finale of our story.
+
+Month upon month, as we said before, had rolled away, spring had come,
+and with it had departed many of those who had occupied Bryan's Station
+during the siege of August; but still, besides the regular garrison and
+their families, a few of the individuals who had sought refuge therein,
+yet remained; among whom we may mention Mrs. Younker, Ella, Isaac and
+his wife, and so forth. Algernon, too--by the entreaty of his friends,
+and contrary to his previous calculations, and what he considered his
+duty--had been induced to defer his departure until the opening of
+spring. Possibly there might have been a secret power, stronger than the
+mere entreaties of others, which had prevailed over his resolution to
+depart; but further the records say not. Be that as it may, the extreme
+limit of time which he had set for remaining, was now nearly expired;
+and he was, at the moment when we again present him to the reader,
+engaged in conversation with Ella on the painful subject. Suddenly he
+was startled by the information that a stranger in the court desired to
+speak with him.
+
+"A stranger!" exclaimed Algernon, in surprise; and as he spoke, his face
+became very pale, his lips quivered, and his hands trembled. Turning
+upon Ella a look of agony, which seemed to say, "I am an arrested
+felon," he wheeled upon his heel, and followed the messenger in silence;
+while she, knowing the cause of his agitation, and fearful of the worst,
+sunk almost lifeless upon a seat.
+
+As Algernon passed out of the cottage, he beheld, in the center of the
+common, a well dressed, good-looking individual, who was standing on the
+ground and holding by the bridle a horse, which, as well as the rider
+himself, appeared both travel-stained and weary. Approaching the
+stranger with a firm step, but with a pale countenance and throbbing
+heart, he said:
+
+"I understand, sir, you have business with me."
+
+"Your name, then," returned the other, quietly, "I presume to be
+Algernon Reynolds?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"You are, too, I infer, a native of ----, Connecticut, and son of Albert
+Reynolds of that place?"
+
+"Again right," answered Algernon, in a voice which, in spite of himself,
+was a little tremulous.
+
+"Then, sir," rejoined the stranger, with a satisfied air, "I may say
+that I have business with you, and of vast importance. A long chase you
+have led me, i' faith; and weeks of travel have you cost me; so you may
+rest assured that I am happy in finding you at last."
+
+"Proceed!" said Algernon, compressing his lips, as one whose mind is
+made up for the worst. "Proceed, sir. I know your mission."
+
+"The deuce you do!" replied the other, in astonishment; "then you must
+have a very remarkable faculty for divining secrets. I rather guess you
+are mistaken though," he added, as he drew forth a couple of letters
+from a side pocket; "but these will inform you whether you are or not."
+
+Seizing the proffered letters with trembling eagerness, Algernon hastily
+glanced at their superscription; then, breaking the seals, he devoured
+their contents with the utmost avidity; while the stranger stood noting
+the varying expressions of his handsome countenance, with a quiet smile.
+At first his pale features seemed flushed with surprise--then became
+radiant with joy--and then gradually saddened with sorrow; yet a certain
+cheerfulness prevailed over all--such as he had not exhibited for many a
+long month. As he finished a hasty perusal of the epistles, he turned to
+the stranger, grasped his hand, and, shaking it heartily, while tears of
+joy filled his eyes, exclaimed:
+
+"I _was_ mistaken, sir--God be thanked! God bless you too, sir! for
+being the messenger of peace between myself and conscience. Excuse me.
+Tarry a moment, sir, and I will send some one to take charge of your
+weary beast, and show yourself a place of rest and refreshment."
+
+As he spoke, Algernon darted away toward the cottage. Observing Isaac,
+he ran to and caught him by the hand:
+
+"Isaac," he said, in a gay tone, while his eyes sparkled with delight,
+"wish me joy! I have good news. I--but stay; I forgot; you know nothing
+of the matter. Oblige me, though, by showing yonder gentleman and his
+beast due hospitality;" and wringing his hand, he sprung into the
+apartment where Ella was sitting alone, leaving Isaac staring after him
+with open mouth, and wondering whether he were in his right senses or
+not.
+
+"Ella!" he exclaimed, wildly, as he suddenly appeared before her with a
+flushed countenance: "Ella, God bless you! Listen. I--I am free! I am no
+longer a criminal, thank God! These, Ella--these!" and he held aloft the
+letters with one hand, and tapped them nervously with the other.
+
+The next moment his features grew pale, his whole frame quivered, and he
+sunk upon a seat, completely overcome by the nervous excitement produced
+by the sudden transition from despair to hope and freedom.
+
+Ella was alarmed; and springing to him, she exclaimed:
+
+"For Heaven's sake! Algernon, what is the matter?--what has
+happened?--are you in your senses? Speak!--speak!"
+
+"Read!" answered he, faintly, placing the letters in her hand: "Read,
+Ella--read!"
+
+Ella hesitated a moment on the propriety of complying with his request,
+but a moment only; and the next she turned to one of the epistles. It
+was from the father of Algernon, and ran as follows:
+
+
+  "DEAR SON:--If in the land of the living, return as speedily as possible
+  to your afflicted and anxious parents, who are even now mourning you as
+  dead. You can return in safety; for your cousin, whom you supposed you
+  had fatally wounded, recovered therefrom, and publicly exonerated you
+  from all blame in the matter. He is now, however, no more--having died
+  of late. Elvira, his wife, is also dead. She died insane. As a partial
+  restitution for the injury done you, your cousin has made you heir, by
+  will, to all his property, real estate and personal, amounting, it is
+  said, to over twenty thousand dollars. Your mother is in feeble health,
+  caused by anxiety on your account. For further information, inquire of
+  the messenger who will bear you this.
+
+                            Your affectionate father,
+                                  ALBERT REYNOLDS."
+                                        Nov. 12th, 1782.
+
+
+The other epistle was from a lawyer, informing Reynolds of his
+acquisition to a large amount of property, by a will of his late cousin;
+and that he, the said lawyer, being executor thereof, required the
+presence of him, the said Reynolds, or his proxy forthwith.
+
+"I knew it: I felt that all would yet be well: I told you to hope for
+the best!" cried Ella, as she concluded the letter, her eyes moist with
+tears, and her face beaming like the sun through a summer shower.
+
+"God bless you, dearest Ella--you did indeed!" exclaimed Reynolds,
+suddenly, bounding from his seat and clasping her in his arms. "You did
+indeed tell me to hope--and you told me truly;" and he pressed kiss
+after kiss, again and again, upon her sweet lips, with all the wild,
+trembling, rapturous feelings of a lover in his first ecstasy of bliss,
+when he has surmounted all obstacles, and gained the heart of the being
+he loves.
+
+"Now, dearest Ella," continued Algernon, when the excitement of the
+moment had been succeeded by a calmer, though not less blissful mood:
+"Now, dearest Ella, I am free--my sacred oath binds me no longer--and
+now can I say, with propriety, that I deeply, solemnly, and devotedly
+love you, and you alone. I am not rich; but I have enough of this
+world's goods to live in ease, if not in splendor. Will you share with
+me, and be partner of my lot, be it for good or ill, through life? My
+heart you have had long--my hand I now offer you. Say, dearest, will you
+be mine?"
+
+Ella did not speak--she could not; but she looked up into his face, with
+a sweet, modest, affectionate smile; and her dark, soft, beautiful eyes,
+suffused with tears, wherein a soul of love lay mirrored, gave answer,
+with a heart-felt eloquence surpassing words.
+
+"I understand you, Ella," said Algernon, with emotion. "You are
+mine--mine forever!" and he strained her trembling form to his heart in
+silence--a deep, joyful and holy silence--that had in it more of Heaven
+than earth.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a mild, lovely day in the spring of 1783. Earth had donned her
+green mantle, and decorated it with flowers of every hue and variety.
+The trees were in leaf and in bloom; among whose soft, waving branches,
+gay birds from the sunny south sung most sweetly; and nature seemed
+every where to rejoice. In the court of Bryan's Station was a large
+concourse of people--many of whom were from a distance--and all
+assembled there to witness the solemn ceremony which was to unite
+Algernon Reynolds and Ella Barnwell forever; for who shall say the holy
+marriage rite is not eternally binding in the great Hereafter. There
+were congregated both sexes and all ages, from the infant to the hoary
+headed veteran of eighty winters. There were assembled youth and
+manhood, whose names have since graced the historic page, and whose
+deeds have stamped them benefactors of their race and nation. All were
+in order, and silent, and the scene was most solemnly impressive. On the
+right and left of the bride and groom and their attendants, stood,
+promiscuously, the general spectators of both sexes. In front was drawn
+up the garrison, in three platoons, under arms, in compliment to the
+noble bravery of our hero at the battle of Blue Licks.
+
+Never did Algernon appear more noble than now--never did Ella look more
+beautiful; as, pale and trembling, she seemed to cling to his arm for
+support. The ceremony was at length begun and ended, amid a deep and
+breathless silence. As the last words, "_I pronounce you man and wife_,"
+died away upon the air, the first platoon advanced a pace and fired a
+volley--the second and third followed--and then arose a soft bewitching
+strain of music; during which the friends of the newly married pair came
+forward to offer their congratulations, and wishes for their long life
+and happiness.
+
+Among the party present was Colonel Boone; and approaching Algernon and
+Ella--who were now seated where the solemn rite had taken place--he took
+the hand of each, and said, in a voice of some emotion:
+
+"My children--for ye seem to me as such--may you both live long and be
+happy. You've both o' ye had a deal o' trouble since I first saw ye--and
+that's but a little while ago--but I hope its now over. Don't think I
+want to flatter, sir, when I say I think you're a brave and honorable
+young man, and that you've got a wife every way worthy of ye--and she a
+husband worthy o' her--and that's saying much. God bless ye both! and ef
+you ever need a friend, call on Daniel Boone."
+
+With this he shook their hands heartily, and strode away.
+
+The next who advanced to them was Captain Patterson--the officer, it
+will be remembered, whose life Algernon so generously saved at the risk
+of his own. After the usual congratulations, he took our hero by the
+hand, and said, with deep feeling:
+
+"Sir! I feel that to you, for risking your own life to save mine, I owe
+a debt I can never cancel; and an attempt to express to you in words
+my sense of obligation for the noble act, would be worse than vain:
+therefore accept this, as a slight testimonial of the gratitude of one
+who will ever remember you in his prayers, and wear your image in his
+heart."
+
+As he concluded, Captain Patterson placed in the hands of Algernon a
+sealed packet, and moved away.[25]
+
+"Well, its all over," said Mrs. Younker, coming up in turn to wish the
+young couple joy. "I al'ays 'spected as how it 'ud come to this here.
+Goodness, gracious, marsy on me alive! what a flustration they has made
+about ye, sure enough, for sartin--han't they? I never seed the like
+on't afore in all my born days. Why, it's like you war governor's folks,
+sure enough. And my own Ella, too; and the stranger as com'd to my house
+all bleeding to death like! My! my!--what strange doings Providence
+does! Well, its to be hoped you'll al'ays git bread enough to keep
+from starving, and that you won't fight nor quarrel more nor is
+necessitous--as the Reverend Preacher Allprayer said, when he married
+me and Ben together. Ah!--poor Ben!--poor Ben!--I'm a lone widder now.
+Well, the Lord's will be done!" And the good dame moved sadly away, to
+make room for others, and console herself by recounting her afflictions
+to some patient listener, together with the virtues of her deceased and
+living friends.
+
+"I don't 'spect it's o' much account my telling you I wish ye joy," said
+Isaac, "when every body's doing the same thing; but it comes from the
+heart, and I can't help it. Well, you'll be happy, I know; for thar's
+nothing like married life; and I speak from experience. I'm sorry you've
+got to leave us so soon; but you won't git far from me; for I've got you
+both here;" and placing his hand upon his heart, he bowed, smiled, and
+passed on.
+
+As soon as the congratulations were over, Algernon and Ella were
+escorted into the cottage occupied by Mrs. Younker; where a sumptuous
+dinner was already prepared for them, their relatives, and a few select
+friends, among whom was Colonel Boone and Captain Patterson. For the
+remainder, long tables were ranged around the common, where the greatest
+conviviality prevailed; and toasts were drank, and songs were sung, and
+all were merry. After dinner there were music and dancing on the common
+and in the cabins: and the coming night shut in a scene of festivity,
+such as was but seldom witnessed even in those early times; and which
+was remembered and spoken of long, long years after, when many of those
+who were then actors in the scene had sunk beneath the clods of the
+valley.
+
+Years have rolled away to the dark and unapproachable past since the
+transpiring of the events which we have chronicled, and vast mutations
+have marked the steps of all conquering time. Our beloved country, which
+then weak and oppressed was struggling for her independence against the
+most powerful nation on the globe, has since nobly won a name and place
+among the mighty ones of earth, and planted her stars and stripes from
+the Atlantic to the Pacific, and built cities and towns amid dark and
+mighty forests, where then roved in freedom the wild, untutored
+aborigines of America.
+
+Kentucky, too, has since become a rich, populous, and powerful state;
+and her noble sons, by their courage and generosity, have well
+maintained that name and fame which was won for them by their fathers,
+and which shall go down to future ages all green and unfading. Bryan's
+Station--the theatre of many a scene of gay frolic and sanguinary
+strife--of festivity and mourning--has long since sunk to ruin and dust;
+and on its site now stands the private dwelling of a gentleman of
+fortune. But where are they who once inhabited it? Those hoary headed
+veterans--those middle aged men--or those fiery and impetuous youths
+ever ready for either love or war? Where are they now? Gone! Passed away
+like moving shadows that leave no trace behind. Gone out, one by one, as
+lights in the late deserted hall of revelry, or stars at the dawn of
+day. But very few--and these mere striplings then--now remain to tell
+the tale; of whom it may with truth be said, "The places which know them
+now shall soon know them no more forever."
+
+Reader, a word or two more and we have done; and in your hands we leave
+the decision, as to whether our task has been faithfully fulfilled or
+not.
+
+Shortly after their marriage, Algernon and Ella bade farewell to their
+friends in the west, and returned to the east, where a long and happy
+career awaited them; and where they lived to recount to their children
+and grand-children, the thrilling narratives of their captivity, and
+their wild and romantic adventures while pioneers on the borders of
+Kentucky.
+
+Isaac returned to the farm of his father--rebuilt the cottage destroyed
+by the Indians--and there, with his dear Peggy, lived happily to a green
+old age, beloved and respected by all who knew him; and there his
+posterity still continue to multiply the name of Younker. With him the
+good dame, his mother, sojourned for several years, as industrious and
+talkative as ever; and at last passed quietly from among the living,
+even while in the act of making a sublime quotation on the subject of
+dying from her favorite, the immortal Preacher Allprayer.
+
+Boone continued a resident of Kentucky, until he fancied it too populous
+for his comfort; when he removed with his family to Missouri; where he
+spent much of his time in fishing and hunting, and where he finally died
+at an advanced age. From thence his remains were conveyed to Frankfort,
+the capital of Kentucky, where they now repose; and where a rough slab,
+with a few half intelligible characters thereon, points out to the
+curious stranger the last earthly resting place of the noblest, the most
+daring, and famous hunter and pioneer the world has ever produced.
+
+The fate of little Rosetta Millbanks, the captive, is unknown.
+
+Girty, notwithstanding his outrageous crimes against humanity, continued
+to live among the Indians for a great number of years, the inveterate
+and barbarous foe of his race. In the celebrated battle of the Thames,
+a desperate white man led on a band of savages, who fought with great
+fury, but were at length overpowered and their leader cut to pieces by
+Colonel Johnson's mounted men. The mangled corse of this leader was
+afterwards recognized as the notorious and once dreaded Simon Girty.
+
+
+[Footnote 25: This was found to contain a deed of two hundred acres of
+the best land in Kentucky. A historical fact.]
+
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ella Barnwell, by Emerson Bennett
+
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+    <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ella Barnwell: A Romance of Border Life,
+      by Emerson Bennett.
+    </title>
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ella Barnwell, by Emerson Bennett
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ella Barnwell
+       A Historical Romance of Border Life
+
+Author: Emerson Bennett
+
+Release Date: March 21, 2005 [EBook #15424]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELLA BARNWELL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia,
+Pilar Somoza and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading
+Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+  <br/><br/>
+<h1>ELLA BARNWELL:</h1>
+  <br/>
+<center><h4>A
+Historical Romance of Border Life</h4></center>
+  <br/>
+<h3>BY</h3>
+  <br/>
+<h2>EMERSON BENNETT</h2>
+<br/><hr style="width: 10%;" />
+<center>AUTHOR OF<br/>
+&quot;PRAIRIE FLOWER,&quot; &quot;LENI LEOTI,&quot; &quot;FOREST ROSE,&quot; &quot;MIKE FINK,&quot; &quot;VIOLA,&quot;
+&quot;CLARA MORELAND,&quot; &quot;FORGED WILL,&quot; &quot;TRAITOR,&quot; &quot;FEMALE SPY,&quot; &quot;ROSALIE DU
+PONT,&quot; &quot;FAIR REBEL,&quot; ETC., ETC.</center>
+<br/>
+<center>CINCINNATI:<br/>
+PUBLISHED BY U.P. JAMES,<br/>
+No. 177 RACE STREET.</center>
+  <hr style="width: 10%;" />
+<br/><center>Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1853,<br/>
+BY J.A. &amp; U.P. JAMES,<br/>
+In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for
+the District of Ohio.</center>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 30%;" />
+
+<div class="center">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'></td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE STRANGER.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>NEW CHARACTERS.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE TALE AND FATAL SECRET.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE STRANGER.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE WEDDING.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE PRESENTIMENT.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE OLD WOODSMAN AND HIS DOG.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE PURSUERS.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE RENEGADE AND HIS PRISONERS.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE ENCAMPMENT OF THE RENEGADE.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE TRIAL, SENTENCE, AND EXECUTION.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>HISTORICAL EVENTS.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>OLD CHARACTERS AND NEW.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE ALARM AND STRATAGEM.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE ATTACK AND RESULT.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE FOE PURSUED.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS.</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a></td>
+    <td align='left'>THE FINALE.</td></tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<hr style="width: 30%;" />
+
+<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE" />PREFACE.</h2>
+
+
+<p>In putting to press a new and revised edition of the following story,
+the author would state, that his original design was to combine fact and
+fiction, in such a way, as, while making his story move forward to a
+proper <i>denouement</i>, to give the reader a correct picture of the dress,
+customs, and social and war-like habits of the early pioneers of the
+west; and also embody a series of historical events which took place on
+the frontiers during that revolutionary struggle by which we gained our
+glorious independence. For this purpose, Kentucky, in her infancy, was
+selected as the scene of action; and most of the existing records of her
+early settlements were read with care, each compared with the others,
+and only the best authenticated accounts presented to the reader. So
+much in fact did the author labor to make the present story historical,
+that there is scarcely a scene or character in its pages that had not
+its counterpart in reality.</p>
+
+<p>He would only add, that, for important reasons, the original title has
+been changed to that which now heads its title-page. &quot;What's in a name?&quot;
+queried the great bard. Had he lived in our day, and been a novelist
+instead of a poet, he would either not have asked the question, or
+answered it very differently than he did.</p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="ELLA_BARNWELL" id="ELLA_BARNWELL"></a>ELLA BARNWELL.</h2>
+<br/><br/>
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<center>THE STRANGER.</center>
+<br/>
+<p>That portion of territory known throughout Christendom as Kentucky, was,
+at an early period, the theatre of some of the wildest, most hardily
+contested, and bloody scenes ever placed on record. In fact its very
+name, derived from the Indian word Kan-tuck-kee, which was applied to it
+long before its discovery by the whites, is peculiarly significant in
+meaning&mdash;being no less than &quot;the dark and bloody ground.&quot; History makes
+no mention of its being inhabited prior to its settlement by the present
+race; but rather serves to aid us to the inference, that from time
+immemorial it was used as a &quot;neutral ground,&quot; whereon the different
+savage tribes were wont to meet in deadly strife; and hence the
+portentious name by which it was known among them. But notwithstanding
+its ominous title, Kentucky, when first beheld by the white hunter,
+presented all the attractions he would have envied in Paradise itself.
+The climate was congenial to his feelings&mdash;the country was devoid of
+savages&mdash;while its thick tangles of green cane&mdash;abounding with deer,
+elk, bears, buffaloes, panthers, wolves and wild cats, and its more open
+woods with pheasant, turkey and partridge&mdash;made it the full realization
+of his hopes&mdash;his longings. What more could he ask? And when he again
+stood among his friends, beyond the Alleghanies, is it to be wondered at
+that his excited feelings, aided by distance, should lead him to
+describe it as the El Dorado of the world? Such indeed he did describe
+it; and to such glowing descriptions, Kentucky was doubtless partially
+indebted for her settlement so much in advance of the surrounding
+territory.</p>
+
+<p>As it is not our purpose, in the present instance, to enter into a
+history of the country, further than is necessary to the development of
+our story, the reader will pardon us for omitting that account of its
+early settlement which can readily be gleaned from numerous works
+already familiar to the reading public. It may not be amiss, however, to
+remark here, what almost every reader knows, that first and foremost in
+the dangerous struggles of pioneer life, was the celebrated Daniel
+Boone; whose name, in the west, and particularly in Kentucky, is a
+household word; and whose fame, as a fearless hunter, has extended not
+only throughout this continent, but over Europe. The birth place of this
+renowned individual has been accredited to several states, by as many
+writers; but one, more than the rest, is positive in asserting it to
+have been Bucks county, Pennsylvania; and the year of his birth 1732;
+which is sufficient for our purpose, whether strictly correct or not. At
+an early period of his life, all agree that he removed with his father
+to a very thinly settled section of North Carolina, where he spent his
+time in hunting&mdash;thereby supplying the family with meat and destroying
+the wild beasts, while his brothers assisted the father in tilling the
+farm&mdash;and where he afterwards, in a romantic manner, became acquainted
+with a settler's daughter, whom he married; and whence, in the spring
+of 1769, in company with five others, he set out on an expedition of
+danger across the mountains, to explore the western wilds; and after
+undergoing hardships innumerable, and losing all his companions in
+various ways, he at last succeeded in erecting the first log cabin, and
+being the first white settler within the borders of Kentucky. To follow
+up, even from this time, a detail of his trials, adventures, captures by
+the Indians, and hair-breadth escapes, to the close of his eventful
+career, would be sufficient to fill a volume; therefore we shall drop
+him for the time&mdash;merely remarking, by the way, that he will be found to
+figure occasionally in the following pages.</p>
+
+<p>From the first appearance of Boone in the wilds of Kentucky, we shall
+pass over a space of some ten or twelve years, and open our story in the
+fall of 1781. During this period, the aspect of the country for a
+considerable distance around the present site of Lexington, had become
+materially changed; and the smoke from the cabin of the white settler
+arose in an hundred places, where, a dozen years before, prowled the
+wolf, the bear, and the panther, in perfect security. In sooth, the year
+in question had been very propitious to the immigrants; who, flocking in
+from eastern settlements in goodly numbers, were allowed to domiciliate
+themselves in their new homes, with but few exceptions, entirely
+unmolested by the savage foe. So much in fact was this the case, that
+instead of taking up their residence in a fort&mdash;or station, as they were
+more generally called&mdash;the new comers erected cabins for themselves, at
+such points as they considered most agreeable; gradually venturing
+further and further from the strongholds, until some of them became too
+distant to look hopefully for succor in cases of extreme necessity.</p>
+
+<p>Among the stations most prominent at this period, as being most secure,
+and against which the attacks of the Indians were most frequent and
+unsuccessful, may be mentioned Harrod's, Boone's, Logan's, and Bryan's,
+so called in honor of their founders. The first two named, probably from
+being the two earliest founded, were particularly unfortunate in drawing
+down upon themselves the concentrated fury of the savages, who at
+various times surrounded them in great numbers and attempted to take
+them by storm. These attacks not unfrequently lasted several days, in
+which a brisk fire was maintained on both sides, whenever a foe could be
+seen; until wearied out with fruitless endeavors, or surprised by a
+reinforcement of the whites, the Indians would raise the siege, with a
+howl of rage, and depart. One of the longest and most remarkable of
+these on record, we believe, was that of Boonesborough, which was
+attacked in June, 1778, by five hundred Indians, led on by Duquesne, a
+Frenchman, and which, with only a small garrison, commanded by Boone
+himself, nobly held out for eight days, when the enemy withdrew in
+despair. But, as we before remarked, it not being our purpose to enter
+into a general history of the time, we will now proceed with our story.</p>
+
+<p>It was near the close of a mild, beautiful day, in the autumn of 1781,
+that a young man, some twenty-two years of age, emerged from a wood into
+an open space or clearing, at a distance of perhaps fifteen miles
+eastward from Lexington. The general appearance of this individual
+betokened the hunter, but at the same time one who followed it for
+pleasure, rather than as a means of support. This was evident from his
+dress, which although somewhat characteristic of the time, was much
+superior to that generally worn by the woodsman. He had on a woolen
+hunting frock, of fine texture, of a dark green color, that came a few
+inches below the hips. Beneath this, and fitting closely around his
+shoulders, neck and breast, was a scarlet jacket, ornamented with two
+rows of round, white metal buttons. A large cape, with a deep red
+fringe, of about inch in width, was attached to the frock, and extended
+from the shoulders nearly to the elbow. Around the waist, outside the
+frock, passed a dark leather belt, in which were confined a brace of
+handsome pistols, and a long silver-hilted hunting knife. Breeches of
+cloth, like the frock, were connected with leggins of tanned deer skin,
+which in turn extended over, and partly concealed, heavy cow-hide boots.
+A neatly made cap of deer skin, with the hair outside, surmounted a
+finely shaped head. His features, though somewhat pale and haggard, as
+if from recent grief or trouble, were mostly of the Grecian cast. He had
+a high, noble forehead; a large, clear, fascinating gray eye; a well
+formed mouth, and a prominent chin. In height he was about five feet and
+ten inches, broad shouldered, straight, heavy set, with handsome
+proportions.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the shoulder of the young man, as he emerged from the wood, rested
+an elegant rifle; which, after advancing a short distance, he brought
+into a trailing position; and then pausing, he dropped the breech upon
+the ground, placed his hands over the muzzle, and, carelessly leaning
+his chin upon them, swept with his eye the surrounding country, to which
+he was evidently a stranger.</p>
+
+<p>The day had been one of those mild and smoky ones, peculiar to the
+climate and season; and the sun, large and red, was near to sinking
+behind the far western ridge, giving a beautiful crimson, mellow tinge
+to each object which came beneath his rays. The landscape, over which
+the stranger gazed, was by no means unpleasing. His position was on an
+eminence, overlooking a fertile valley, partly cleared, and partly
+shaded by woods, through which wound a crystal stream, whose gentle
+murmurs could be heard even where he stood. Beyond this stream, the
+ground, in pleasing undulations, took a gentle rise, to a goodly height,
+and was covered by what is termed an open wood&mdash;a wood peculiar to
+Kentucky at this period&mdash;consisting of trees in the regularity of an
+orchard, at some distance apart, devoid of underbrush, beneath which the
+earth was beautifully carpeted with a rank growth of clover, high grass,
+and wild flowers innumerable. In the rear of the young hunter, as if to
+form a background to the picture, was the wood he had just quitted,
+which, continuing the elevation spoken of, but more abruptly, rose high
+above him, and was crowned by a ledge of rocks. Far in the distance, to
+his right, could be seen another high ridge; while to the left,
+spreading far away from the mouth of the valley, if we may so term it,
+like the prairies of Missouri, was a beautiful tangle, or cane-brake,
+containing its thousands of wild animals. The open space wherein the
+hunter stood was not large, covering an area of not more than half a
+dozen acres. It was of an oblong form, and sloped off from his position
+to the right, left, and front, and reached from the wood down to the
+stream in the valley, where stood a rather neat log cabin, from which a
+light blue smoke ascended in graceful wreaths. The eye of the stranger,
+glancing over the scene, fell upon this latter with that gleam of
+satisfaction which is felt by a person after performing a long fatiguing
+journey, when he sees before him a comfortable inn, where he is to
+repose for the night; and pausing for a couple of minutes, he replaced
+his rifle upon his shoulder, and started forward down the hill, at a
+leisure pace.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had the stranger advanced twenty paces, when he was startled by
+a fierce yell, accompanied by the report of a rifle, the ball of which
+whizzed past him, within an inch of his head. Ere he could recover from
+his surprise, a sharp pain in the side, followed by another report,
+caused him to reel like one intoxicated, and finally sink to the earth.
+As the young man fell, two Indians sprung from behind a cluster of
+bushes, which skirted the clearing some seventy-five yards to the right,
+and, with a whoop of triumph, tomahawk in hand, rushed toward him.
+Believing that his life now depended upon his own speedy exertions, the
+young hunter, by a great effort, succeeded in raising himself on his
+knees; and drawing up his rifle with a hasty aim, he fired; but with no
+other success than that of causing one of the savages to jerk his head
+suddenly aside without slackening his speed. There was still a chance
+left him; and setting his teeth hard, the wounded man drew his pistols
+from his belt, and awaited the approach of his enemies; who, when within
+thirty paces, discovering the weapons of death, suddenly came to a halt,
+and commenced loading their rifles with great rapidity.</p>
+
+<p>The young hunter now perceived, with painful regret, that only an
+interposition of Providence could save him, for his life was hanging on
+a thread that might snap at any moment. It was an awful moment of
+suspense, as there, on his knees, far, far away from the land of his
+birth, in a strange country, he, in the prime of life, without a friend
+near, wounded and weak, was waiting to die, like a wild beast, by the
+hands of savages, with his scalp to be borne hence as a trophy, his
+flesh to be devoured by wolves, and his bones left to bleach in the open
+air. It was an awful moment of suspense! and a thousand thoughts came
+rushing through his mind; and he felt he would have given worlds, were
+they his, for the existence of even half an hour, with a friend by, to
+receive his dying requests. To add to his despair, he felt himself fast
+growing weaker and weaker; and with an unsteady vision, as his last
+hope, he turned his eye in the direction of the cottage, to note if any
+assistance were at hand; but he saw none; and nature failing to support
+him longer in his position, he sunk back upon the ground, believing the
+last sands of his existence were run.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, the Indians had loaded their rifles; and one of them, stepping
+a pace in front of his companion, was already in the act of aiming,
+when, perceiving the young man falter and sink back, he lowered the
+muzzle of his gun, and, grasping his tomahawk, darted forward to
+despatch him without further loss of ammunition. Already had he reached
+within five or six paces of his victim, who, now unable to exert himself
+in his own defence, could only look upon his savage enemy and the weapon
+uplifted for his destruction, when, crack went another rifle, in an
+opposite direction whence the Indians approached, and, bounding into the
+air, with a terrific yell, the foremost fell dead by the young man's
+side. On seeing his companion fall, the other Indian, who was only a few
+paces behind, stopped suddenly, and, with a yell of fear and
+disappointment, turned and fled.</p>
+
+<p>Those only who have been placed in peril sufficient to extinguish the
+last gleam of hope, and have suddenly been relieved by a mysterious
+interposition of Providence, can fully realize the feelings with which
+the wounded hunter saw himself rescued from an ignominious death. True,
+he was weak and faint from a wound which was, perhaps, mortal; still it
+was a great consolation to feel that he should die among those who would
+bury him, and perhaps bear a message to friends in a far-off land. With
+such thoughts uppermost in his mind, the young man, by great exertion,
+raised himself upon his elbow, and turned his head in the direction
+whence his deliverer might be expected; but, to his surprise and
+disappointment, no one appeared; and after vainly attempting to regain
+his feet, he sunk back, completely exhausted. The wound in his side had
+now grown very painful, and was bleeding freely; while he became
+conscious, that unless the hemorrhage could be stanched immediately, the
+only good service a friend could render him, would be to inter his
+remains. In this helpless state, something like a minute elapsed, when
+he felt a strange sensation about his heart&mdash;his head grew dizzy&mdash;his
+thoughts seemed confused&mdash;the sky appeared suddenly to grow dark, and he
+believed the icy grasp of death was already settling upon him. At this
+moment a form&mdash;but whether of friend or foe he could not tell&mdash;flitted
+before his uncertain vision; and then all became darkness and nonentity.
+He had swooned.</p>
+
+<p>When the young stranger recovered his senses, after a lapse of some ten
+minutes, his glance rested on the form of a white hunter, of noble
+aspect, who was bending over him with a compassionate look; and who,
+meantime, had opened his dress to the wound and stanched the blood, by
+covering it with a few pieces of coarse linen, which he had torn into
+shreds for the purpose, and secured there by means of his belt.</p>
+
+<p>As this latter personage is destined to figure somewhat in the following
+pages, we shall take this opportunity of describing him as he appeared
+to our wounded friend.</p>
+
+<p>In height and proportion&mdash;but not in age&mdash;these two individuals were
+somewhat alike&mdash;the new comer being full five feet, ten inches, with a
+robust, athletic frame, and all the concomitants of a powerful man. At
+the moment when first beheld by the young man, after regaining his
+senses, he was kneeling by his side, his cap of the wild-cat skin was
+lying on the ground, and the last mellow rays of the setting sun were
+streaming upon an intelligent and manly countenance, which, now rendered
+more deeply interesting by the earnest, compassionate look wherewith he
+regarded the other, made him appear to that other, in his peculiar
+situation, this most noble being he had ever seen. Of years he had seen
+some fifty; though there was a freshness about his face, owing probably
+to his hardy, healthy mode of life, which made him appear much younger.
+His countenance was open and pleasing, with good, regular, though not,
+strictly speaking, handsome features. His forehead was high and full,
+beneath which beamed a mild, clear blue eye. His nose was rather long
+and angular; his cheekbones high and bold; his lips thin and compressed,
+covering a goodly set of teeth; his chin round and prominent; the whole
+together conveying an expression of energy, decision, hardy recklessness
+and manly courage. His dress was fashioned much like the other's,
+already described, but of coarser materials&mdash;the frock being of
+linsey-woolsey; the breeches and leggings of deerskin; and the
+moccasins, in place of boots of the same material. Around his waist
+passed a belt; wherein, instead of pistols, were confined a tomahawk and
+scalping knife&mdash;two weapons which were considered as indispensable to
+the regular white hunter of that day as to the Indian warrior himself.</p>
+
+<p>So soon as the elder of the two became aware of consciousness on the
+part of the younger, a friendly smile succeeded to the look of anxiety
+with which he had been regarding him; and in the frank, cordial,
+familiar tone of that period, when every man's cabin was the traveler's
+home, and every strange guest was treated with the hospitality of an old
+acquaintance, he said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, stranger, I'm right glad to welcome you back to life agin; for I
+war beginning to fear your account with earthly matters had closed. By
+the Power that made me! but you've had a narrow escape on't; and ef
+Betsy (putting his hand on his rifle, which was lying by his side,)
+hadn't spoke out as she did, that thar red skin varmint (pointing to the
+dead Indian) would have been skulking now like a thief through yonder
+woods, with your crown piece hanging to his girdle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A thousand thanks,&quot; returned the wounded man, pressing the hand of the
+other as much as his strength would permit, and accompanying it with a
+look of gratitude more eloquent than words: &quot;A thousand thanks, sir, for
+your timely shot, and subsequent kindness and interest in behalf of one
+you know not, but who will ever remember you with gratitude.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See here, stranger, I reckon you've not been long in these parts?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But a few days, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And you've come from a good ways east o' the Alleghanies?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I knew it. I'd have bet Betsey agin a bushel of corn, and that's large
+odds you know, that such war the fact, from the particular trouble
+you've taken to thank me for doing the duty of a man. Let me assure you,
+stranger, that you're in a country now whar equality exists; and whar
+one man's just as good as another, provided he is no coward, and behaves
+himself as he should do; and whether stranger or not, is equally
+entitled to the assistance of his fellows; perticularly when about being
+treed by such a sneaking varmint as that lying yonder. Besides, I don't
+want any body to thank me for shooting Indians; for I always do it,
+whensomever I get a chance, as Betsey would tell you, ef she could speak
+English; for somehow thar's no perticular agreement atween us, unless
+it's for each to make the most he can off the other; and so far I reckon
+thar's a ballance in my favor, though the wretches are ever trying
+desperate hard to get even. But come, stranger, it won't do for you to
+be lying thar with that hole in your side; and so just have patience a
+minute, till I've secured the top-knot of this beauty here, and then
+I'll assist you down to yonder cabin, whar I doubt not you'll be well
+cared for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, the old woodsman rose to his feet, drew his knife, and
+turning to the dead Indian, to the surprise of the other, who was but
+little familiar with Kentucky customs of that day, deliberately took off
+the scalp, which he attached to his belt;<a name="FNanchor_1" id="FNanchor_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> and then spurning the body
+with his foot, he muttered: &quot;Go, worthless dog! and fill the belly of
+some wolf! and may your cowardly companion be soon keeping you company.&quot;
+Then, as he turned to the other, and noticed his look of surprise, he
+added: &quot;Well, stranger, I reckon this business looks a little odd to
+you, coming from away beyond the mountains as you do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, if truth must be told, I confess it does,&quot; answered the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't doubt it, stranger; but you'll do it yourself afore you've
+wintered here two seasons.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I must beg leave to differ with you on that point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, well, we'll not quarrel about it&mdash;it arn't worth while; but ef
+you stay here two year, without scalping a red-skin and perhaps skinning
+one, I'll agree to pay you for your time in bar-skins at your own
+valuation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am much obliged to you for the offer,&quot; answered the young man&mdash;a
+faint smile lighting his pale features; &quot;but I think it hardly probable
+I shall remain in the country that length of time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not unless you have good care, I reckon,&quot; returned the other; &quot;for that
+thar wound o' yourn arn't none o' the slightest; though I don't want you
+to be skeered, for I've seen many a worse one cured. But come, I'll
+assist you down to yon cabin, and then I must be off&mdash;for I've got a
+good distance to travel afore daylight to-morrow;&quot; and bending down as
+he spoke, the veteran hunter placed his arms under the arms of the
+wounded man, and gently raised him upon his feet.</p>
+
+<p>Although extremely weak from loss of blood, the latter, by this means of
+support, was enabled to walk, at a slow pace; and the two descended the
+hill&mdash;the elder, the while, talking much, and endeavoring by his
+discourse to amuse and cheer up his companion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why,&quot; he continued, &quot;you think your case a hard one, no doubt,
+stranger; but it's nothing compared to what some of us old settlers have
+seen and been through with, without even winking, as one may say. Within
+the last few year, I've seen a brother and a son shot by the infernal
+red-skins&mdash;have lost I don't know how many companions in the same
+way&mdash;been shot at fifty times myself, and captured several; and yet you
+see here I am, hale and hearty, and just as eager, with Betsey's
+permission, to talk to the varmints now as I war ten year ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But do you not weary of this fatiguing and dangerous mode of life?&quot;
+inquired the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Weary, stranger? Lord bless ye! you're but a young hunter to ax such a
+question as that. Weary, friend? Why I war born to it&mdash;nursed to it&mdash;had
+a rifle for a plaything; and the first thing I can remember
+particularly, war shooting a painter;<a name="FNanchor_2" id="FNanchor_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> and it's become as nateral and
+necessary as breathing; and when I get so I can't follow the one, I want
+to quit the other. Weary on't, indeed! Why, thar's more real
+satisfaction in sarcumventing and scalping one o' there red heathen,
+than in all the amusement you could scare up in a thick-peopled,
+peaceable settlement in a life time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;By the way,&quot; said the other, &quot;pray tell me how you chanced to be so
+opportune in saving my life?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, you must know, I war just crossing through the wood back here
+about a mile, on my way home from the Licks, when I came across the
+trail of two Indians, whom I 'spected war arter no good; and as Betsey
+war itching for something to do, I kind o' kept on the same way, and
+happened round on the other side o' this ridge, just as the red varmints
+fired. I saw you fall, but could'nt see them, on account o' the hill;
+but as I knowed they'd be for showing themselves soon, I got Betsey into
+a comfortable position, and waited as patiently as I could, until the
+ugly face of that rascal yonder showed clar; when I told her to speak to
+him, which she did in rale backwood's dialect, and he died a answering
+her. I then hurried round on the skirt of the wood, loading Betsey as I
+went; but finding the other varmint had got off, I hastened to you and
+found you senseless: the rest you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By this time the two had reached nearly to the foot of the hill, and
+within a hundred yards of the cabin. Here they were joined by a tall,
+lank, lantern-jawed, awkward young man, some twenty years of age, with
+small, dark eyes, a long, peaked nose, and flaxen hair that floated down
+over his ungainly shoulders, like weeping willows over a scrub oak, and
+who carried in his hand a rifle nearly as long and ugly as himself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, colonel, how are ye? good even' to ye, stranger,&quot; was his
+salutation, as he came up. &quot;I war down by the tangle yonder, when I
+heerd some firing, and some yelling, and I legged it home, ahead o' the
+old man, just to keep the women folks in sperets, in case they war
+attacked, and get a pop or so at an Injen myself; but thank the Lord,
+they warn't thar; and so I ventered on, with long Nance here, to see
+whar they mought be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, Isaac,&quot; returned the one addressed as colonel, &quot;I don't doubt
+your being a brave lad, and I've had some opportunity o' seeing you
+tried; but being is how thar's no Indians to shoot just now, I'll ax you
+to show your good qualities in another way. This young man's been badly
+wounded, and ef you'll give him a little extra care, you'll put me under
+obligations which I'll be happy to repay whensomever needed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It don't need them thar inducements you've just mentioned, colonel, to
+rouse all my sympathies for a wounded stranger. Rely on't, he shan't
+suffer for want o' attention.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Rightly said, lad; rightly said; and so I leave him in your care.
+Tender my regards to your family, for I must be off, and can't stay to
+see them.&quot; Then turning to the wounded man, he grasped his hand and
+said: &quot;Stranger, thar's something about you I like; I don't say it of
+every man I meet; and so you may put it down for a compliment or not,
+just as you please. Give me your name?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Algernon Reynolds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Algernon Reynolds, I hope we shall meet again, though in a different
+manner from our introduction; but whether or no, ef you ever need the
+assistance of either Betsey or myself, just make it known, and we'll do
+our best for you. Good bye, sir&mdash;good bye, Isaac!&quot; and without waiting a
+reply, the speaker sprung suddenly behind a cluster of bushes near which
+the party stood, and the next moment was lost to view in the gathering
+darkness.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A great man, that thar, sir!&mdash;a powerful great man,&quot; observed Isaac,
+gazing with admiration after the retreating form of the hunter. &quot;Always
+doing good deeds, and never looking for pay nor thanks; may God give him
+four-score and ten.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Amen to that!&quot; returned Reynolds. &quot;But pray tell me his name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And you don't know him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And you didn't inquire his name?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I did not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And ef you had, sir, ten to one but he'd a given you a fictitious one,
+to keep clar o' your surprise and extra thanks. Why that, sir, war the
+great white hunter, Colonel Daniel Boone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed!&quot; exclaimed Reynolds, in no feigned surprise&mdash;&quot;the very man I
+have so longed to behold; for his fame has already extended far beyond
+the Alleghanies. But come, friend Isaac, my wound grows painful; my
+exertions thus far have weakened me exceedingly; and with your
+permission, I will proceed to the cottage. Ah! I feel myself growing
+faint&mdash;fainter&mdash;fa-i-n-t;&quot; and he sunk senseless into the other's arms;
+who, raising him, apparently without an effort, bore him into the house.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> However barbarous such a proceeding may appear to thousands
+in the present day of civilization and refinement, we can assure them,
+on the authority of numerous historians of that period, that it was a
+general custom with the early settlers of the west, to take the scalp of
+an Indian slain by their hand, whenever opportunity presented.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Backwoods name for a panther.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<center>NEW CHARACTERS.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>When young Reynolds again regained his senses, it was some minutes
+before he could sufficiently recover from the confusion of ideas
+consequent upon his mishap, to follow up the train of events that had
+occurred to place him in his present situation. His first recollection
+was of the attack made upon him by the Indians; and it required
+considerable argument with himself, to prove conclusively, to his own
+mind, that he was not even now a captive to the savage foe. Gradually,
+one by one, each event recurred to his mind, until he had traced himself
+to the moment of his swooning in the arms of a tall, ungainly young man,
+called Isaac; but of what, had taken place since&mdash;where he now was&mdash;or
+what length of time had intervened&mdash;he had not the remotest idea. He was
+lying on his back, upon a rude, though by no means uncomfortable, bed;
+and, to the best of his judgment, within the four walls of some
+cabin&mdash;though to him but two of the walls were visible&mdash;owing to the
+quantity of skins of the buffalo, bear, and deer, which were suspended
+around the foot and front of his pallet. He was undressed; and, as he
+judged, upon applying his hand to the wounded part, had been treated
+with care; for it came in contact with a nicely arranged bandage of
+cloth, which was even now moist with some spirituous liquid. But what
+perplexed him most, was the peculiar light, with the aid of which,
+though dim, he could discern every object so distinctly. It could not
+proceed from a candle&mdash;it was too generally diffused; nor from the
+fire&mdash;it was too gray, and did not flicker; nor from the moon&mdash;it was
+not silvery enough: from what then did it proceed? It appeared the most
+like daylight; but this it could not be, he reasoned, from the fact that
+he was wounded just before night-fall&mdash;unless&mdash;and the idea seemed to
+startle him&mdash;unless he had lain in a senseless state for many hours, and
+it was indeed again morning. Determined, however, to satisfy himself on
+this point, he attempted to rise for the purpose; but found, to his no
+small surprise and regret, that he had not even strength sufficient to
+lift his body from the bed; and, therefore, that nothing was left him,
+but to surmise whatever he chose, until some one should appear to solve
+the riddle; which, he doubted not, would be ere long.</p>
+
+<p>While these reflections and surmises were rapidly passing through the
+mind of our hero&mdash;for such we must acknowledge him to be&mdash;he heard no
+sound indicating the immediate vicinity of any other human being; and
+turning his thoughts upon this latter, he was beginning to doubt
+whether, at the moment, he was not the only individual beneath the roof;
+when he heard a step, as of some one entering another apartment; and,
+directly following, a female voice addressed to some person within.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have ye looked to the stranger agin, Ella, and moisted his bandage?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have, mother,&quot; was the answer, in a sweet and silvery voice, which
+caused our wounded hero to start with a thrill of pleasing astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And how appeared he, Ella?&quot; continued the first speaker.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I thought a little better,&quot; answered the same soft, musical voice;
+&quot;he seemed asleep, and entirely tranquil.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;God send it, gal, for he's had a tougher, sartin. Three days, now,
+nater's bin tugging away for him; and I'd hate to see him die now, arter
+all; and being the colonel's recommind, too; for Isaac says the colonel
+injuncted him strongly to take car o' him; and I'd do any thing to
+oblege sech a man as him. He didn't appear to have his senses, I
+reckon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I judged not,&quot; answered Ella; &quot;though, from his tranquil sleep, I
+argued favorably of his case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well,&quot; rejoined the other, &quot;it's my opine the crisis is at hand; and
+that he'll ayther come out o' this <i>lethargick</i>&mdash;as they calls it&mdash;a
+rational, or die straight off. 'Spose you look at him agin, Ella; or,
+stay, I'll look myself. Poor feller! how he did rave and run on 'bout
+his troubles at home, that's away off, until I all but cried, in
+reckoning how I'd feel ef it war Isaac as war going on so.&quot;.</p>
+
+<p>As the speaker concluded, she advanced to where the object of her
+remarks was lying; and, drawing aside in a gentle manner, some of the
+skins near his head, gazed upon him.</p>
+
+<p>As will be surmised by the reader, not a syllable of the foregoing
+colloquy had been lost upon Reynolds; who heard, with unbounded
+astonishment, of his narrow escape from that dark valley whence none who
+enter again return, and that three days had elapsed since he had fallen
+into an unconscious state. He learned, too, with regret, that he had
+been communicating matters&mdash;to what extent he knew not&mdash;to others, which
+he wished safely locked in his own breast; and judging it best, in the
+present instance, to dissemble a little, that his informant might not be
+aware of his having overheard her, he feigned to be asleep on her
+approach.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He's sleeping yit, poor creater,&quot; continued the hostess, as she bent
+over the bed of our hero, until he felt her breath upon his face. &quot;I
+hope it arn't a going to be his final sleep&mdash;so young, and so handsome
+too! but, O dear, thar's no telling what them Injen bullets will do, for
+folks does say as how they have a knack o' pizening them, that's orful
+to tell on! O Lord o' marcy, Ella, child, do come here!&quot; cried the dame
+suddenly: &quot;I do believe he's coming to, for sartin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This latter speech was occasioned by a movement of the pretended
+sleeper, and the gradual opening of his eyes, with the rude stare of
+bewildered surprise natural to one in his supposed situation, and such
+as he would have exhibited without feigning, had the hostess been
+present some ten minutes sooner. Discovering, as already intimated, a
+returning consciousness on the part of her guest, the good woman drew
+back her head, but still kept her position by the bed, and her eyes
+fixed upon him, with an expression which betrayed a fear lest her hopes
+of this important event should prove entirely fallacious. Behind her,
+with timid step, stole up Ella, and, peeping over her shoulders,
+encountered the eyes of the young man beaming upon her, with a look
+which her acute perception told her was any thing but insane; and
+instantly starting back, the blood rushed upward, crimsoning her neck
+and face with a beautiful glow. As for Reynolds&mdash;in whom, as already
+stated, the voice of Ella alone was sufficient to awaken a thrill of
+pleasure&mdash;no sooner did he behold her, though but for an instant, than
+he felt that thrill revived with a sensation, which, in spite of
+himself, he knew was expressed in his own countenance; and he hastened
+to speak, in order as much as possible to conceal it.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you have the goodness, madam, to inform me where I am?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thar, thar, Ella, child!&quot; exclaimed the matron, joyously; &quot;I told ye
+so&mdash;I know'd it&mdash;he's come to, for sartin&mdash;the Lord be praised!&quot; Then
+addressing herself to Reynolds, she continued: &quot;Whar are you, stranger,
+do you ax? Why you're in the cabin o' Ben Younker&mdash;as honest a man as
+ever shot a painter&mdash;who's my husband, and father of Isaac Younker, what
+brought ye here, according to the directions of Colonel Boone, arter you
+war shot by the Injens, the varmints, three days ago; and uncle of Ella
+Barnwell here, as I calls daughter, 'cause her parents is dead, poor
+creaters, and she hadn't a home to go to, but come'd to live with us,
+that are fetching her up in a a dutiful way;&quot; and the good woman
+concluded her lucid account of family matters with a sound that much
+resembled a person taking breath after some laborious exertion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And is it possible,&quot; answered Reynolds, who hastened to reply, in order
+to conceal a strong inclination he felt for laughing, &quot;that I have lain
+here three whole days?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Three days, and four nights, and part o' another day, jest as true as
+buffaloes run in cane-brakes, and Injen varmints shoot white folks
+whensomever they git a chance,&quot; replied Mrs. Younker, with great
+volubility. &quot;And Ella, the darling, has tended on ye like you war her
+own nateral born brother; and Isaac, and Ben, and myself ha' tended on
+ye too, while you war raving and running on at an orful rate, though
+you've had the best bed, and best o' every thing we've got in the
+house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For all of which I am at a loss for terms to express my gratitude,&quot;
+returned Reynolds, coloring slightly as he thought of the assiduous
+attentions he had unconsciously received from Ella Barnwell, who already
+began to be an object in his eyes of no little importance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't mention about gratitude,&quot; rejoined the kind hearted Mrs. Younker;
+&quot;don't talk about gratitude, for a lettle favor sech as every body's got
+a right to, what comes into this country and gits shot by savages. We
+havn't done no more for you than we'd a done for any body else in like
+sarcumstances; and, la, sir, the pleasure o' knowing you're a going to
+git well agin, arter being shot by Injen's pizen bullets,<a name="FNanchor_3" id="FNanchor_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> is enough
+to pay us twenty times over&mdash;Eh! Ella, child&mdash;don't you say so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No one, save the gentleman himself, or his dearest friends, can be more
+rejoiced at his favorable symptoms than myself,&quot; responded Ella,
+timidly, in a voice so low, sweet and touching, that Reynolds, who heard
+without seeing her&mdash;for she kept the rude curtain of skins between
+them&mdash;felt his heart beat strangely, while his eyes involuntarily grew
+moist.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's truly said, gal&mdash;truly said, I do believe,&quot; rejoined Mrs.
+Younker; &quot;for she's hung over you, sir, (turning to the wounded man)
+night and day, like a mother over her child, until we've had to use
+right smart authority to make her go to bed, for fear as how she'd be
+sick too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And if I live,&quot; answered Reynolds, in a voice that trembled with
+emotion, &quot;and it is ever in my power to repay such disinterested
+attention and kindness, I will do it, even to the sacrificing that life
+which she, together with you and your family, good woman, has been the
+means, under God, of preserving.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Under God,&quot; repeated the matron; &quot;that's true; I like the way you said
+that, stranger; it sounds reverential&mdash;it's just&mdash;and it raises my
+respect for you a good deal; for all our doings is under God's permit;&quot;
+and she turned her eyes upward, with a devout look, in which position
+she remained several seconds; while Ella, with her fair hands clasped,
+followed her example, and seemed, with her moving lips, engaged in
+prayer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But come,&quot; resumed the dame, &quot;it won't do for you, stranger, to be
+disturbed too much jest now; for you arn't any too strong, I reckon; and
+so you'll jest take my advice, and go to sleep awhile, and you'll feel
+all the better for't agin Ben and Isaac come home, which'll be in two or
+three hours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Saying this, Mrs. Younker again disposed the curtains so as to conceal
+from Reynolds all external objects; and, together with Ella, withdrew,
+leaving him to repose. Whether he profited by her advice immediately, or
+whether he meditated for some time on other matters, not excluding Ella,
+we shall leave to the imagination of the reader; while we proceed, by
+way of episode, to give a general, though brief account, of the Younker
+family.</p>
+
+<p>Benjamin Younker was a man about fifty-five years of age&mdash;tall,
+raw-boned and very muscular&mdash;and although now past the prime, even the
+meridian of life, was still possessed of uncommon strength. His form,
+never handsome, even in youth, was now disfigured by a stoop in the
+shoulders, caused by hard labor and rheumatism. His face corresponded
+with his body&mdash;being long and thin, with hollow cheeks, and high cheek
+bones,&mdash;his eyes were small and gray, with heavy eye-brows; his nose
+long and pointed; his mouth large and homely, though expressive; and his
+forehead medium, surmounted by a sprinkling of brown-gray hair. In
+speech he was deliberate, generally pointed, and seldom spoke when not
+absolutely necessary. He was a good farmer&mdash;such being his occupation; a
+keen hunter, whenever he chose to amuse himself in that way; a sure
+marksman; and, although ignorant in book learning, possessed a sound
+judgment, and a common-sense understanding on all subjects of general
+utility. He was a native of Eastern Virginia, where the greater portion
+of his life had been spent in hunting and agricultural pursuits&mdash;where
+he was married and had been blessed with two children&mdash;a son and a
+daughter&mdash;of whom the former only was now living, and has already been
+introduced to the reader as Isaac&mdash;and whence, at the instance of his
+wife and son, he removed, in the spring of 1779, into the borders of
+Kentucky&mdash;finally purchased and settled where he now resided; and where,
+although somewhat exposed, he and his family had thus far remained
+unmolested.</p>
+
+<p>The dame, Mrs. Younker, was a large, corpulent woman of forty-five, with
+features rather coarse and masculine, yet expressive of shrewdness and
+courage, and, withal, a goodly share of benevolence. She was one of that
+peculiar class of females, who, if there is any thing to be said, always
+claim the privilege of saying it; in other words, an inveterate talker;
+and who, if we may be allowed the phrase, managed her husband, and all
+around her, with the length of her tongue. In the country where she was
+brought up and known, to say of another, that he or she could compete
+with Ben Younker's wife in talking, was considered the extreme of
+comparison; and it is not recorded that any individual ever presumed on
+the credulity of the public sufficient to assert that the vocal powers
+of the said Mrs. Younker were ever surpassed. Unlike most great talkers,
+she was rarely heard to speak ill of any, and then only such as were
+really deserving of censure; while her rough kind of piety&mdash;if we may so
+term it&mdash;and her genuine goodness of heart, known to all with whom she
+came in contact, served to procure her a long list of friends. She
+possessed, as the reader has doubtless judged from the specimen we have
+given, little or no education; but this deficiency, in her eyes, as well
+as in most of those who lived on the frontiers, was of minor
+consequence&mdash;the knowledge of hunting, farming, spinning and weaving,
+being considered by far the more necessary qualifications for
+discharging the social duties of life.</p>
+
+<p>Of Isaac, with whom the reader is already, acquainted, we shall not now
+speak, other than to say, he could barely read and write&mdash;rather
+preferring that he develop his character in his own peculiar way. But
+there is another, and though last, we trust will not prove least in
+point of interest to the reader, with whom we shall close, this
+episodical history&mdash;namely&mdash;Ella Barnwell.</p>
+
+<p>The mother of Ella&mdash;a half sister to the elder-Younker&mdash;died when she
+was very young, leaving her to the care of a kind and indulgent father,
+who, having no other child, lavished on her his whole affections. At the
+demise of his wife, Barnwell was a prosperous, if not wealthy merchant,
+in one of the eastern cities of Virginia; and knowing the instability of
+wealth, together with his desire to fit his daughter for any station in
+society, he spared no expense necessary to educate her in all the
+different branches of English usually studied by a female. To this was
+added drawing, needle-work, music and dancing; and as Ella proved by no
+means a backward scholar in whatever she undertook, she was, at the age
+of fifteen, to use a familiar phrase, turned out an accomplished young
+lady. But alas! she had been qualified for a station which fate seemed
+determined not to let her occupy; for just at this important period of
+her life, her father became involved in an unfortunate speculation, that
+ended in ruin, dishonor, and his own bodily confinement in prison for
+debts he could never discharge. Naturally high spirited and proud, this
+misfortune and persecution proved too much for his philosophy&mdash;and what
+was more, his reason&mdash;and in a state of mental derangement, he one night
+hung himself to the bars of his prison window&mdash;leaving his daughter at
+the age we have named, a poor, unprotected, we might almost add
+friendless, orphan; for moneyless and friendless are too often
+synonymous terms, as poor Ella soon learned to her mortification and
+sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>Ella Barnwell, the young, the beautiful, and accomplished heiress, was a
+very different personage from poor Ella Barnwell the bankrupt's
+daughter; and those who had fawned upon and flattered and courted the
+one, now saw proper to pass the other by in silent contempt. It was a
+hard, a very hard lesson for one at the tender age of Ella, who had been
+petted and pampered all her life, and taught by her own simplicity of
+heart to look upon all pretenders as real friends&mdash;it was a hard lesson,
+we say, for one of her years, to be forced at one bold stroke to learn
+the world, and see her happy, artless dreams vanish like froth from the
+foaming cup; but if hard, it was salutary&mdash;at least with her; and
+instead of blasting in the bud, as it might have done a frailer flower,
+it set her reason to work, destroyed the romantic sentimentalism usually
+attached to females of that excitable age, taught her to rely more upon
+herself, and less upon others, more upon actions and less upon words,
+and, in short, made a strong minded woman of her at once. Yet this was
+not accomplished without many a heart-rending pang, as the briny tears
+of chagrin, disappointment, and almost hopeless destitution, that
+nightly chased each other down the pale cheeks of Ella Barnwell to the
+pillow which supported her feverish head, for weeks, and even months
+after the death of her father, could well attest.</p>
+
+<p>The father of Ella was an Englishman, who had emigrated to this country
+a few years previous to his marriage; and as none of his near relations
+had seen proper to follow his example, Ella, on his side, was left
+entirely destitute of any to whom she could apply for assistance and
+protection. On her mother's side, she knew of none who would be likely
+to assist her so readily as her half uncle, Benjamin Younker, whom she
+remembered as having seen at the funeral of her mother; and who then,
+taking her in his brawny arms, while the tears dimmed his eyes, in a
+solemn, impressive manner told her, that, in the ups and downs of life,
+should she ever stand in need of another's strong arm or purse, to call
+on him, and that, while blest with either himself, she should not want.
+This at the time had made a deep impression on her youthful mind, but
+subsequently had been nearly or quite obliterated, until retouched by
+feeling the want of that aid then so solemnly and generously tendered.
+Accordingly, after trying some of her supposed true-hearted friends&mdash;who
+had more than once been sharers in her generosity; and who, in return,
+had professed the most devoted attachment; but who now, in her distress,
+unkindly treated her urgent requests with cold neglect,&mdash;Ella hastened
+to make her situation known to her uncle; the result of which had been
+her adoption into a family, who, if not graced with that refinement and
+education to which she had been accustomed, at least possessed virtues
+that many of the refined and learned were strangers to&mdash;namely&mdash;truth,
+honesty, benevolence, and fidelity.</p>
+
+<p>Ella, in her new situation, with her altered views of society in
+general, soon grew to love her benefactor and his family, and take that
+sincere pleasure in their rude ways, which, at one time, she would have
+considered as next to impossible. With a happy faculty, belonging only
+to the few, she managed to work herself into their affections, by little
+and little, almost imperceptibly, until, ere they were aware of the fact
+themselves, she was looked upon rather as a daughter and sister, than a
+more distant relation. In sooth, the former appellation the reader has
+already seen applied to her during the recorded conversation of the
+voluble Mrs. Younker&mdash;an appellation which Ella ever took good care to
+acknowledge by the corresponding title of mother.</p>
+
+<p>About a year from the period of Ella's becoming a member of the family,
+the Younkers had removed, as already stated, to what was then considered
+the &quot;Far West,&quot; and had finally purchased and settled where we find them
+in the opening of our story. In this expedition, Ella, though somewhat
+reluctantly, had accompanied them&mdash;had remained with them ever
+since&mdash;and was now, notwithstanding her former lady-like mode of life,
+through the tuition of Mrs. Younker, regularly installed into all the
+mysteries of milking, churning, sewing, baking, spinning and weaving.
+With this brief outline of her past history, we shall proceed to
+describe her personal appearance, at the time of her introduction to the
+reader, and then leave her to speak and act for herself during the
+progress of this drama of life.</p>
+
+<p>Eighteen years of sunshine and cloud, had served to mould the form of
+Ella Barnwell into one of peculiar beauty and grace. In height she was a
+little above five feet, had a full round bust, and limbs of that
+beautiful and airy symmetry, which ever give to their possessor an
+appearance of etherial lightness. Her complexion was sufficiently dark
+to entitle her to the appellation of brunette; though by many it would
+have been thought too light, perhaps, owing to the soft, rich
+transparency of her skin; through which, by a crimson tint, could be
+traced the &quot;tell-tale-blood,&quot; on the slightest provocation tending to
+excitement. Her features, if examined closely, could not be put down as
+entirely regular, owing to a very slight defect in the mouth, which
+otherwise was very handsome, and which was graced with two plump,
+pretty, half pouting lips. This defect, however, was only apparent when
+the countenance was in stern repose; and, as this was seldom, when in
+company with others, it was of course seldom observed. The remainder of
+her features were decidedly good, and, seen in profile, really
+beautiful. Her eye was a full, soft, animated hazel, that could beam
+tenderly with love, sparkle brilliantly with wit, or flash scornfully
+with anger; but inclining more to the first and second qualities than
+the last. Her eye-brows were well defined, and just sufficiently arched
+to correspond with the eyes themselves. Her forehead was prominent, of a
+noble cast, and added dignity to her whole appearance. Her hair was a
+rich, dark brown, fine and glossy, and although neatly arranged about
+the head, evidently required but little training to enable it to fall
+gracefully about her neck in beautiful ringlets. The general expression
+of her face, was a soft, bewitching playfulness, which, combined with
+the half timid, benevolent look, beaming from her large, mild, hazel
+eye, invariably won upon the beholder at the first glance, and increased
+upon acquaintance. Her voice we have already spoken of as possessing a
+silvery sweetness; and if one could be moved at merely seeing her, it
+only required this addition to complete the charm. To all of the
+foregoing, let us add an ardent temperament&mdash;capable of the most tender,
+lasting and devoted attachment, when once the affections were placed on
+an object&mdash;a sweet disposition, modest deportment, and graceful
+manners&mdash;and you have the portrait in full of Ella Barnwell, the orphan,
+the model of her sex, and the admiration of all who knew her.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Mrs. Younker is the only authority we have for supposing
+Indians poison their bullets, although we have read of poisoned arrows,
+and hence infer such a proceeding to be rather a supposition with her
+than a certainty.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<center>THE TALE AND FATAL SECRET.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>The dwelling of Benjamin Younker, as already mentioned, stood at the
+base of a hill, on the margin of a beautiful valley, and within a
+hundred feet of a lucid stream, whose waters, finding their source in
+the neighboring bills, rushed down, all gleesome and sparkling, over a
+limestone bed, and</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span>&quot;From morn till night, from night till morn,&quot;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>sung gentle melodies for all who chose to listen.</p>
+
+<p>The building itself though rough, both externally and internally, was
+what at that period was termed a double cabin; and in this respect was
+entitled to a superiority over most of its neighbors. As this may serve
+for a representative of the houses or cabins of the early settlers of
+Kentucky, we shall proceed to describe its structure and general
+appearance somewhat more minutely than might otherwise be deemed
+necessary.</p>
+
+<p>The sides of the cottage in question, were composed of logs, rough from
+the woods where they had been felled, with the bark still clinging to
+them, and without having undergone other transformation than being cut
+to a certain length, and notched at either end, so as to sink into each
+other, when crossed at right angles, until their bodies met, thereby
+forming a structure of compactness, strength and solidity. Some ten or
+twelve feet from the ground, the two upper end logs of the cabin
+projected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the lower, and supported what
+were called <i>butting poles</i>&mdash;poles which crossed these projections at
+right angles, and, extending along the front and back of the building,
+formed the eaves of the roof. This latter was constructed by gradually
+shortening the logs at either end, until those which crossed them, as we
+said before, at right angles, came together at an angle of forty-five
+degrees, and the last one formed the ridge-pole or comb of the whole. On
+these logs, lapping one over the other, and the lower tier resting
+against the butting poles, were laid slabs of clapboard&mdash;a species of
+plank split from some straight-grained tree&mdash;about four feet long, and
+from three to four wide. These were secured in their places by logs in
+turn resting on them, at certain intervals, and answering the purpose of
+nails; necessity requiring these latter articles of convenience to be
+dispensed with in the early settlements of the West. As the cabin was
+double, two doors gave entrance from without, one into either apartment.
+These entrances were formed by cutting away the logs for the space of
+three feet by six, and were closed by rude doors, made of rough slabs,
+pinned strongly to heavy cross bars, and hung on hinges of the same
+material. These, like the rest of the building, were rendered, by their
+thickness, bullet proof&mdash;so that when closed and bolted, the house was
+capable of withstanding an ordinary attack of the Indians. With the
+exception of one window, opening into the apartment generally occupied
+by the family, and flanked by a heavy shutter, the doors and chimney
+were the only means through which light and air were admitted. These
+were all firmly secured at night&mdash;the unsettled and exposed state of the
+country, and the dangerous proximity of the pioneers to the ruthless
+savage, particularly those without the forts, rendering necessary, on
+their part, the most vigilant caution.</p>
+
+<p>The internal appearance of the cabin corresponded well with the
+external. The apartment occupied by the family during the day, where the
+meals were cooked and served, and the general household affairs attended
+to, was very homely; and might, if contrasted with some of the present
+time, be termed almost wretched; though considered, at the period of
+which we write, rather above than below the ordinary. The floor was
+composed of what by the settlers were termed puncheons; which were made
+by splitting in half trees of some eighteen inches in diameter, and
+hewing the faces of them as regular as possible with the broad-axe.
+These were laid, bark side downwards, upon sleepers running crosswise
+for the purpose, and formed at least a dry, solid and durable, if not
+polished, floor. At one end of the cabin was the chimney, built of logs,
+outside the apartment, but connecting with it by a space cut away for
+the purpose. The back, jambs, and hearth of this chimney were of stone,
+and put together, in a manner not likely to be imitated by masons of
+the present day. A coarse kind of plaster filled up the surrounding
+crevices, and served to keep out the air and give a rude finish to the
+whole.</p>
+
+<p>The furniture of the Younkers, if the title be not too ambiguous, would
+scarcely have been coveted by any of our modern exquisites, even had
+they been living in that age of straight-forward common sense. A large,
+rough slab, split from some tree, and supported by round legs set in
+auger holes, had the honor of standing for a table&mdash;around which, like a
+brood of chickens around their mother, were promiscuously collected
+several three-legged stools of similar workmanship. In one corner of the
+room were a few shelves; on which were ranged some wooden trenchers,
+pewter plates, knives and forks, and the like necessary articles, while
+a not very costly collection of pots and kettles took a less dignified
+and prominent position beneath. Another corner was occupied by a bed,
+the covering of which was composed of skins of different animals, with
+sheetings of home-made linen. In the vicinity of the bed, along the
+wall, was a row of pegs, suspending various garments of the occupants;
+all of which&mdash;with the exception of a few articles, belonging to Ella,
+procured for her before the death of her father&mdash;were of the plainest
+and coarsest description. A churn&mdash;a clock&mdash;the latter a very rare thing
+among the pioneers of Kentucky&mdash;a footwheel for spinning flax&mdash;a small
+mirror&mdash;together with several minor articles, of which it is needless to
+speak&mdash;completed the inventory of the apartment. From this room were two
+exits, besides the outer door&mdash;one by a ladder leading above to a sort
+of attic chamber, where were two beds; and the other through the wall
+into the adjoining cabin, whither our hero had been borne in a state of
+insensibility on the night of his mishap, and where he was for the
+second time presented to the reader. This latter place was graced with a
+bed, a loom for weaving, a spinning-wheel, a large oaken chest, and a
+few rough benches.</p>
+
+<p>Such, reader, as our description has set forth, was the general
+appearance of Younker's dwelling, both without and within, in the year
+of our Lord 1781; and, moreover, a fair representative of an hundred
+others of the period in question&mdash;so arbitrary was necessity in making
+one imitate the other. But to resume our story.</p>
+
+<p>In the after part of a day as mild and beautiful as the one on which we
+opened our narrative, but some four weeks later, Ella Barnwell,
+needle-work in hand, was seated near the open door leading from the
+apartment first described to the reader. Her head was bent forward, and
+her eyes were apparently fixed upon her occupation with great
+intentness&mdash;though a close observer might have detected furtive glances
+occasionally thrown upon a young man, with a pale and somewhat agitated
+countenance, who was pacing to and fro on the ground without. With the
+exception of these two, no person was within sight&mdash;though the rattling
+of a loom in the other apartment or cabin, betokened the vicinity of the
+industrious hostess.</p>
+
+<p>For some moments the young man&mdash;a no less personage than our hero&mdash;paced
+back and forth like one whose mind is harrowed by some disagreeable
+thought: then suddenly halting in front of the doorway, and in a voice
+which, though not intended to be so, was slightly tremulous, he
+addressed himself to the young lady, in words denoting a previous
+conversation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then I must have said some strange things, Ella&mdash;I beg pardon&mdash;Miss
+Barnwell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have I not requested you, Mr. Reynolds, on more than one occasion, to
+call me Ella, instead of using the formality which rather belongs to
+strangers in fashionable society than to those dwelling beneath the same
+roof, in the wilds of Kentucky?&quot; responded the person addressed, in a
+tone of pique, while she raised her head and let her soft, dark eyes
+rest reproachfully on the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, well, Ella,&quot; rejoined Reynolds, &quot;I crave pardon for my
+heedlessness; and promise you, on that score at least, no more cause for
+offence in future.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Offence!&quot; said Ella, quickly, catching at the word: &quot;O, no&mdash;no&mdash;not
+offence, Mr. Reynolds! I should be sorry to take offence at what was
+meant in all kindness, and with true respect; but somehow I&mdash;that
+is&mdash;perhaps it may not appear so to others&mdash;but I&mdash;to me it appears
+studied&mdash;and&mdash;and&mdash;cold;&quot; and as she concluded, in a hesitating manner,
+she quickly bent her head forward, while her cheek crimsoned at the
+thought, that she might perhaps have ventured too far, and laid herself
+liable to misconstruction.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And yet, Ella,&quot; returned Reynolds, somewhat playfully, &quot;you resemble
+many others I have known, in preaching what you do not practice. You
+request me to lay aside all formality, and address you by your name
+only; while you, in that very request, apply to me the title you
+consider as studied, formal and cold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have reference to my saying <i>Mr.</i> Reynolds, I presume,&quot; answered
+Ella; &quot;but I see no analogy between the two; as in addressing you thus,
+I do but what, under the circumstances, is proper; and what, doubtless,
+habit has rendered familiar to your ear; while, on the other hand, no
+one ever thinks of calling me any thing but Ella, or at the most, Ella
+Barnwell&mdash;and hence all superfluities grate harshly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Even complimentary adjectives, eh?&quot; asked Reynolds, with an arch look.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Even those, Mr. Reynolds; and those most of all are offensive, I assure
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I thought all of your sex were fond of flattery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then have you greatly erred in thinking.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But thus says general report.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, sir, general report is a slanderer, and should not be credited.
+Those who court flattery, are weak-minded and vain; and I trust you do
+not so consider all our sex.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Heaven forbid,&quot; answered Reynolds, with energy, &quot;that I should think
+thus of all, or judge any too harshly!&mdash;but there may be causes to force
+one into the conviction, that the exceptions are too few to spoil the
+rule.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I trust such is not your case,&quot; responded Ella, quickly, while her eyes
+rested on the other with a searching glance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No one is required to criminate himself in law,&quot; replied Reynolds,
+evasively, with a sigh; and then immediately added, as if anxious to
+change the topic: &quot;But I am eager for you to inform me what I said
+during my delirium.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;O, many things,&quot; returned Ella, &quot;the half of which I could not repeat;
+but more particularly you spoke of troubles at home, and often repeated
+the name of Elvira with great bitterness. Then you would run on
+incoherently, for some time, about pistols, and swords, and end by
+saying that the quarrel was just&mdash;that you were provoked to it, until it
+became almost self defence&mdash;and that if he died, his blood would be on
+his own head.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good heavens, Ella! did I indeed say this?&quot; exclaimed Reynolds, with a
+start, while his features became deadly pale. &quot;Did I say more? did I
+mention further particulars?&mdash;speak! tell me&mdash;tell me truly!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not in my hearing,&quot; answered Ella, while her own face blanched at the
+sudden vehemence of the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, well, do not be alarmed!&quot; said Reynolds, evidently somewhat
+relieved, and softening his voice, as he noticed the change in her
+countenance; &quot;people sometimes say strange things, when reason, the
+great regulator of the tongue, is absent. What construction did you put
+upon my words, Ella?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, in sooth,&quot; replied Ella, watching his features closely as she
+spoke, &quot;I thought nothing of them, other than to suppose you might
+formerly have had some trouble; and that in the chaos of wild images
+crowding your brain, after being attacked and wounded by savages, it was
+natural some of these image should be of a bloody nature.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you did not look upon the words as having reference to a reality.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No! at the time I did not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At the time?&quot; repeated Reynolds, with a slight fall of countenance;
+&quot;have you then seen or heard any thing since to make you suspicious?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing&mdash;until&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, well,&quot; said Reynolds, quickly, as she hesitated; &quot;speak out and
+fear nothing!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Until but now, when you became so agitated, and spoke so vehemently on
+my repeating your delirious language,&quot; added Ella, concluding the
+sentence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha!&quot; ejaculated Reynolds, as if to himself; &quot;sanity has done more to
+betray me than delirium. Well, Ella,&quot; continued he, addressing her more
+direct, &quot;you have heard enough to make you doubtful of my character;
+therefore you must needs hear the whole, that you may not judge me worse
+than I am; but remember, withal, the tale is for your ear alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nay, Mr. Reynolds, if it be a secret, I would rather not have it in
+keeping,&quot; answered Ella.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is a secret,&quot; returned Reynolds, solemnly, with his eyes cast down
+in a dejected manner; &quot;a secret, I would to Heaven I had not myself in
+keeping! but hear it you must, Ella, for various reasons, from my lips;
+and then we part&mdash;(his voice slightly faltered) we part&mdash;forever!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Forever!&quot; gasped Ella, quickly, with a choking sensation, while her
+features grew pale, and then suddenly flushed, and her work
+unconsciously dropped from her hand. Then, as if ashamed of having
+betrayed her feelings, she became confused, and endeavored to cover the
+exposure by adding, with a forced laugh: &quot;But really, Mr. Reynolds, I
+must crave pardon for my silly behavior&mdash;but your manner of speaking,
+somehow, startled me&mdash;and&mdash;and I&mdash;before I was aware&mdash;really, it was
+very silly&mdash;indeed it was, and I pray you overlook it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Were circumstances not as I have too much reason to fear they are,&quot;
+returned Reynolds, slowly, sadly, and impressively, with his eyes fixed
+earnestly and even tenderly upon the other, &quot;I would not exchange that
+simple expression of yours, Ella, for a mine of gold. By that alone you
+have spoken volumes, and told me what I already feared was true, but
+hoped was otherwise. Nay, turn not your head away, Ella&mdash;dear Ella, if
+you will allow me so to address you&mdash;it is better, under the
+circumstances, that we speak plainly and understandingly, as the time of
+our final separation draweth near. I fear that my manner and language
+have hitherto too much expressed my feelings, and encouraged hopes in
+you that can never be realized. Oh! Ella, if such be the case, I would,
+for your dear sake, we had never met!&mdash;and the thought hereafter, that I
+have caused you a pang, will add its weight of anguish to my already
+bitter lot. The days that I have spent beneath this hospitable roof, and
+in your sweet presence, are so many of bright sunshine, in a life of
+cloud and storm; but will only serve, as I recall them, to make the
+remainder, by contrast, seem more dark and dreary. From the first I
+learned you were an orphan, and my sympathy was aroused in your behalf;
+subsequently, I listened to your recital of grief, and trouble, and cold
+treatment by the world&mdash;told in an artless manner&mdash;and in spite of me,
+in spite of my struggles to the contrary, I discovered awakening in my
+breast a feeling of a stronger nature. Had my wound permitted, I should
+have torn myself from your presence then, with the endeavor, if such a
+thing were possible, to forget you; but, alas! fate ordered otherwise,
+and the consequence I fear will be to add sorrow to both. But one thing,
+dear Ella, before I go further, let me ask: Can you, and will you
+forgive me, for the manner in which I have conducted myself in your
+company?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have nothing to forgive; and had I, it should be forgiven,&quot; answered
+Ella, sweetly, in a timid voice, her hands unconsciously toying with her
+needle-work, and her face half averted, whereon could be traced the
+suppressed workings of internal emotion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you, Ella&mdash;thank you, for taking a weight from my heart. And now,
+ere I proceed with what to both of us will prove a painful revelation,
+let me make one request more&mdash;a foolish one I know&mdash;but one I trust you
+will grant nevertheless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Name it,&quot; said Ella, timidly, as the other paused.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is, simply, that in judging me by the evidence I shall give against
+myself, you will lean strongly to the side of mercy; and, when I am
+gone, think of me rather as an unfortunate than criminal being.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You alarm me, Mr. Reynolds, with such a request!&quot; answered Ella,
+looking up to the other with a pale, anxious countenance. &quot;I know not
+the meaning of it! and, as I said before, I would rather not have your
+secret in keeping&mdash;the more so, as you say the revelation will be a
+painful one to both.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>For a moment the young man paused, as though undecided as to his reply,
+while his countenance expressed a look of mortified regret really
+painful to behold&mdash;so much so, that Ella, moved by this to a feeling of
+compassion, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I perceive my answer wounds your feelings&mdash;I meant no harm; go on with
+your story; I will listen, and endeavor to concede all you desire.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you&mdash;again thank you!&quot; returned the other, energetically, with
+emotion. &quot;I will make my narrative brief as possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Saying which, he entered the apartment where the other was sitting, and
+seating himself a few feet distant from her, after some little
+hesitation, as if to bring his resolution to the point, thus began:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I shall pass over all minor affairs of my life, and come at once to the
+period and event, which changed me from a happy youth, blessed with home
+and friends, to a wanderer&mdash;I know not but an outlaw&mdash;on the face of the
+earth. I was born in the state of Connecticut, A.D. 1759; and my father
+being a man of property, and one determined on giving his children (of
+whom there were two, one older than myself) a liberal education, I was
+at an early age sent to a neighboring school, where I remained until
+turned of eighteen, and then returned to my parents.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;About this period, an old, eccentric lady&mdash;a maiden aunt of my
+father&mdash;died, bequeathing to me&mdash;or rather to the second born of her
+nephew, Albert Reynolds, which chanced to be myself&mdash;the bulk of her
+property&mdash;in value some fifty thousand dollars, on condition, that,
+between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, I should marry a certain
+Elvira Longworth&mdash;a lady some three years my junior, for whom my great
+aunt had formed a strong attachment. And the will further provided, That
+in case the said second born of Albert Reynolds, either through the
+intervention of Providence, in removing him from off the face of the
+earth, (so it was worded) and from among the living, or through a mutual
+dislike of the parties seemed, did not between the specified ages,
+celebrate, with due rejoicing, the said nuptials with the said Elvira
+Longworth, the sum of twenty thousand dollars should be paid over to the
+said Elvira, if living, and the remainder of the property (or in case
+she was deceased the whole) should revert to the regular heirs at law.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Such was the will&mdash;one of the most singular perhaps on record&mdash;which,
+whatever the design of its author, was destined, by a train of
+circumstances no one could foresee, to result in the most terrible
+consequences to those it should have benefited. On the reading thereof,
+no little dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to it, by numerous
+relatives of the deceased; each of whom, as a matter of course, was
+expecting a considerable share of the old lady's property; and all of
+whom, with but few exceptions, were nearer akin than myself; and
+therefore, in that respect, more properly entitled to it. As a
+consequence of the will, I, though innocent of its construction&mdash;for
+none could be more surprised at it than myself&mdash;became a regular target
+for the ridicule, envy, and hate of those who chanced to be disappointed
+thereby. At the outset, I had no intention of seeking a title to the
+property by complying with the specification set forth at the instance
+of its late owner; and only looked upon it as a piece of crack-brained
+folly, that would serve for a nine days' comment and jest, and then be
+forgotten; but when I saw, that instead of being treated with the
+courtesy and respect no conscious act of mine had ever forfeited, I was
+ridiculed, sneered at, and looked upon with jealousy and hate by those
+whose souls were too narrow to believe in a noble action&mdash;and who,
+measuring and judging me by their own sordid standards of avaricious
+justice, deemed I would spare no pains to legally rob them, as they
+termed it,&mdash;when I saw this, I say, my blood became heated, my fiercer
+passions were roused, and I inwardly swore, that if it were now in my
+power to accomplish what they feared, I would do it, though the lady in
+question were a fright to look upon. In this decision I was rather
+encouraged by my father, who being at the time somewhat involved,
+thought it a feasible plan of providing for me, and then, by my aid,
+recovering from his own pecuniary embarrassments.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As yet I had never seen Elvira&mdash;she living in an adjoining county,
+some thirty miles distant, where my aunt, on a visit to a distant
+relative, had first made her acquaintance, and formed that singular
+attachment, peculiar to eccentric temperaments, which had resulted in
+the manner already shown. Accordingly, one fine spring morning, I
+mounted my horse, and set forth to seek my intended, and behold what
+manner of person she was of. Late at night I arrived at the village
+where she resided&mdash;stabled my beast&mdash;took lodging at a hotel&mdash;inquired
+out her residence&mdash;and, betimes, the morning following, made my
+obeisance in her presence, and with that bashful, awkward grace&mdash;if I
+may be allowed so paradoxical a term&mdash;which my youth present purpose,
+and former good breeding combined, were calculated to produce. I was
+more embarrassed still a minute after, when, having given my name, and
+hinted at the singular document of the old lady deceased, I found my
+fair intended, as well as her family, were in total ignorance of my
+meaning; and could I at the moment have been suddenly transferred to my
+horse, I do not think I should have paused to make the necessary
+explanation. As it was, there was no alternative; and accordingly
+begging a private interview with Elvira, I disclosed the whole secret;
+which she listened to for a time with unfeigned surprise; and then
+bursting into a wild, ringing laugh, declared it to be 'The funniest and
+most ridiculous thing she ever heard of.'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She was a gay, sprightly, beautiful being&mdash;fresh in the bloom of some
+fifteen summers&mdash;with a bright, sparkling, roguish eye&mdash;long, floating,
+auburn ringlets&mdash;a musical voice&mdash;a ringing laugh&mdash;the latter frequent
+and long,&mdash;so that I soon felt it needed not the stimulating desire of
+wealth and revenge to urge me on to that, which, under any
+circumstances, would have been by no means disagreeable. To make a long
+story short, I called upon her at stated periods; and, within a year
+from our first acquaintance, we were plighted to each other. About this
+time my father, together with some influential friends, procured me a
+lieutenancy, to serve in our present struggle for the maintainance of
+that glorious independence, drawn up by the immortal Jefferson, and
+signed by the noble patriots some two years before. I served a two
+years' campaign, and fought in the unfortunate and bloody battle of
+Camden; which resulted, as doubtless you have heard, in great loss and
+defeat to the American arms. Shortly after the action commenced, our
+captain was killed, and the command of the company devolved on me. I
+fulfilled my duties to the best of my ability, and myself and men were
+in the hottest of the fight. But from some alleged misdemeanor, whereof
+I can take my oath I was guiltless, I was afterward very severely
+censured by one of my superior officers; which so wounded my feelings,
+that I at once resigned my commission and returned to my native state.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;On arriving at home, to my surprise and mortification, I learned that
+my intended was just on the eve of marriage with a cousin of mine&mdash;a
+worthless fellow&mdash;who, urged on by the relatives interested, and his own
+desire of acquiring the handsome competence of twenty thousand dollars,
+had taken advantage of my absence to calumniate me, (in which design he
+had been aided by several worthy assistants) and supplant me in the good
+graces&mdash;I will not say affections, as I think the term too strong&mdash;of
+Elvira Longworth.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The lady in question I do not think I ever loved&mdash;at least as I
+understand the meaning of that term&mdash;and now&mdash;that she had listened to
+slander against me while absent, and, without waiting to know whether it
+would be refuted on my return, had engaged herself to another&mdash;I cared
+less for her than before;&mdash;but my pride was touched, that I should be
+thus tamely set aside for one I heartily despised; and this, together
+with my desire to thwart the machinations of the whole intriguing clique
+arrayed against me, determined me, if feasible, to regain the favor of
+Elvira, and have the ceremony performed as soon as possible. This, Ella,
+I know you think, and I am ready to admit it, was wrong&mdash;very wrong;
+but I make no pretensions to be other than a frail mortal, liable to all
+the errors appertaining thereto; and were this is the only sin to be
+laid to my charge, my conscience were far less troublesome than now.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I determined, I say, to regain my former place in her favor or
+affection&mdash;whichever you like&mdash;and, to be brief, I apparently succeeded.
+The day was set for our marriage; which, for several reasons unnecessary
+to be detailed, was to take place at the residence of my father; and, as
+the will specified it should be with all due rejoicings, great
+preparations were accordingly made, and a goodly number of guests
+invited.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At length the day came&mdash;the eventful day. Never shall I forget it; nor
+with what feelings, at the appointed hour, I entered the crowded hall,
+where the ceremony was to take place, with Elvira leaning tremblingly on
+my arm, her features devoid of all color, and approached the spot where
+the divine stood ready to unite us forever. All eyes were now fixed upon
+us; and the marriage rite was begun amid that deep and almost awful
+solemnity, which not unfrequently characterizes such proceedings on
+peculiar occasions, when every spectator, as well as the actors
+themselves, feel a secret awe steal over them, as though about to
+witness a tragic, rather than a civil, performance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have mentioned that Elvira trembled violently when we entered the
+hall; but this trembling increased after the divine commenced the
+ritual; so that when I had answered in the affirmative the solemn
+question pertaining to my taking the being by my side as mine till
+death, her trepidation had become so great that it was with difficulty I
+could support her; and when the same interrogative was put to her, a
+silence of some moments followed; and then the answer came forth, low
+and trembling, but still sufficiently distinct to be generally
+understood; and was, to the unbounded astonishment of all, in the
+negative!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In the negative!&quot; exclaimed Ella, suddenly, who had during the last few
+sentences been unconsciously leaning forward, as though to devour each
+syllable as it was uttered, and who now resumed her former position with
+a long drawn breath. &quot;In the negative say you, Alger&mdash;a&mdash;a&mdash;Mr.
+Reynolds?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Call me Algernon, Ella, I pray you; it sounds more sweet and friendly.
+Ay, she answered in the negative. Heavens! what a shock was there for
+my proud nature! To be thus publicly insulted and rejected&mdash;to be thus
+made the butt and ridicule of fools and knaves&mdash;a mark for the jests and
+sneers of friend and foe! Oh! how my blood boiled and coursed in lava
+streams through my heated veins! I saw it all. I was the dupe of some
+artful design, intended to stigmatize me forever; and wild with a
+thousand terrible brain-searing thoughts, I rushed from the hall to my
+own apartment, seized upon my pistols, and was just in the act of
+putting a period to my existence, when my arm was suddenly grasped, and
+my hated rival and cousin stood before me.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Fiend!' cried I in frenzy; 'devil in human shape!&mdash;do you seek me in
+the body? What want you here?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;His features were pale with excitement, and his lips quivered as he
+made answer: 'Be calm, Algernon, be calm; it was meant but in jest!'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Jest!' screamed I; 'do you then own to a knowledge of it,
+villain?&mdash;were you its author?&mdash;then take that, and answer it as you
+dare!'&mdash;and as I spoke, with the breech of my undischarged pistol, I
+stretched him senseless at my feet. Under the excitement of the moment,
+I was about to take a more terrible revenge; when others suddenly rushed
+in&mdash;seized and disarmed me&mdash;bore my rival from my sight&mdash;and, to
+conclude, placed me in bed, where I was confined for three weeks by a
+delirious fever, and then only recovered as it were by a miracle.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;During my convalescence, I learned that my cousin, soon after my
+return, had been privately married to Elvira; and prompted by his evil
+genius, and some of my enemies, had induced his wife to enter into the
+plot, the result of which has already been briefly narrated. I do not
+think she did it through malice, and doubtless little thought of the
+consequences that were destined to follow; but whether so or not, her
+punishment has, I think, been fully adequate to her crime; for the last
+I heard of her, she was an inmate of a mad-house&mdash;remorse for her
+conduct, the abuse heaped upon her by society, and her own severe fright
+at the termination of the stratagem, having driven her insane. Now comes
+the most tragic part of my narrative.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When so far recovered as to again be abroad, I was cautioned by my
+parents against my rash act; and for their sakes, I promised to be
+temperate in all my movements; but, alas! how little we know when we
+promise, what we may be in sooth destined to perform. On my father's
+estate, about a mile distant from his residence, was a beautiful
+grove&mdash;whither, for recreation, I was in the habit of repairing at all
+periods of my life; and where, so soon as my strength permitted, after
+my sickness, I rambled daily. About ten days from my recovery, as I was
+taking my usual stroll through these grounds, I was suddenly confronted
+by my cousin. His cheeks were hollow and pale, and his whole appearance
+haggard in the extreme. His eyes, too, seemed to flash, or burn, as it
+were, with an unearthly brightness; and his voice, as he addressed me,
+was hoarse, and his manner hurried.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'We meet well,' he said, 'well! I have watched for you long.'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Away!' cried I; 'tempt me no more&mdash;or something will follow I may
+regret hereafter!'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed he, in derision, with that peculiar, hollow
+sound, which even now, as I recall it, makes my blood run cold:&mdash;'Say
+you so, cousin?&mdash;I came for that;' and again he laughed as before. 'See
+here&mdash;see here!' and he presented, as he spoke, with the butts toward
+me, a brace of pistols. 'Here is what will settle all our animosities,'
+he continued; 'take your choice, and be quick, or perchance we may be
+interrupted.'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Are you mad,' cried I, 'that you thus seek my life, after the wrongs
+you have done me?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Mad!&mdash;ha, ha!&mdash;yes!&mdash;yes!&mdash;I believe I am,' he answered; 'and my wife
+is mad also. I did you wrong, I know&mdash;went to apologise for it, and you
+struck me down. Whatever the offence, a blow I never did and never will
+forgive; so take your choice, and be quick, for one or both of us must
+never quit this place alive.'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Away!' cried I, turning aside; 'I will not stain my hands with the
+blood of my kin. Go! the world is large enough to hold us both.'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Coward!' hissed he; 'take that, then, and bear what I have borne;' and
+with the palm of his hand he smote me on the cheek.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I could bear no more&mdash;I was no longer myself&mdash;I was maddened with
+passion&mdash;and snatching a pistol from his hand, which was still extended
+toward me, without scarcely knowing what I did, I exclaimed, 'Your blood
+be on your own head!'&mdash;and&mdash;and&mdash;Oh, Heaven!&mdash;pardon me, Ella&mdash;I&mdash;shot
+him through the body.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ella, who had partly risen from her seat, and was listening with
+breathless attention, now uttered an exclamation of horror, and sunk
+back, with features ghastly pale; while the other, burying his face in
+his hands, shook his whole frame with convulsive sobs. For some time
+neither spoke; and then the young man, slowly raising his face, which
+was now a sad spectacle of the workings of grief and remorse, again
+proceeded:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Horror-stricken&mdash;aghast at what I had done&mdash;I stood for a moment,
+gazing upon him weltering in his blood, with eyes that burned and seemed
+starting from their sockets&mdash;with feelings that are indescribable&mdash;and
+then rushing to him, I endeavored to raise him, and learn the extent of
+his injury.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Fly!' said he, faintly, as I bent over him&mdash;'fly for your life! I have
+got my due&mdash;I am mortally wounded&mdash;and if you remain, you will surely be
+arrested as my murderer. Farewell, Algernon&mdash;the fault was mine&mdash;but
+this you can not prove; and so leave me&mdash;leave me while you have
+opportunity.'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;His words were true; I felt them in force; if he died, I would be
+arraigned as his murderer&mdash;I had no proof to the contrary&mdash;circumstances
+would be against me&mdash;I should be imprisoned&mdash;condemned&mdash;perhaps
+executed&mdash;a loathsome sight for gaping thousands&mdash;I could not bear the
+thought&mdash;I might escape&mdash;ay, would escape&mdash;and bidding him a hasty
+farewell, I turned and fled. Not a hundred rods distant I met my father;
+and falling on my knees before him, I hurriedly related what had taken
+place, and begged advice for myself, and his immediate attendance upon
+my cousin. He turned pale and trembled violently at my narration; and,
+as I concluded, drew forth a purse of gold, which he chanced to have
+with him, and placing it in my hand, exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Fly&mdash;son&mdash;child&mdash;Algernon&mdash;for Heaven's sake, fly!'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Whither, father?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'To the far western wilds, beyond the reach of civilization&mdash;at least
+beyond the reach of justice&mdash;and spare my old eyes the awful sight of
+seeing a beloved son arraigned as a criminal!'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'And my mother?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'You can not see her&mdash;it might cost you your life,&mdash;farewell!' and with
+the last word trembling on his lips, he embraced me fondly, and we
+parted&mdash;perchance forever.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I fled, feeling that the brand of Cain was on me; that henceforth my
+life was to be one of remorse and misery; that I was to be a wanderer
+upon the face of the earth&mdash;mayhap an Ishmael, with every man's hand
+against me. To atone in a measure to my conscience for the awful deed I
+had committed, I knelt upon the earth, and swore, by all I held sacred
+in time and eternity, that if the wound inflicted upon my cousin should
+prove mortal, I would live a life of celibacy, and become a wandering
+pilgrim in the western wilds of America till God should see proper to
+call me hence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And&mdash;and did the wound prove mortal?&quot; asked Ella, breathlessly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Alas! I know not, Ella, and I fear to know. Four months have passed
+since then; and after many adventures, hardships, sufferings, and
+hair-breadth escapes, you see me here before you, a miserable man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But not one guilty of murder, Algernon,&quot; said Ella, energetically.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know not that&mdash;Heaven grant it true!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;O, then, do not despair, Algernon!&mdash;trust in God, and hope for the
+best. I have a hope that all will yet be well.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Amen to that, dear Ella; and a thousand, thousand thanks, for your
+sweet words of consolation; they are as balm to my torn and bleeding
+heart; but until I <i>know</i> my fate, we must not meet again; and if, oh
+Heaven! and if the worst be true&mdash;then&mdash;then farewell forever! But who
+comes here?&quot;</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<center>THE STRANGER.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>The closing sentence of the preceding chapter was occasioned by the
+glimpse of a man's shadow, that for a moment swept along in the
+sunlight, some twenty paces distant from the speaker, and then suddenly
+disappeared by being swallowed up in the larger and more stationary
+shade thrown from the cottage by the sinking sun. Scarcely were the
+words alluded to uttered, ere the sound of a step was heard close by the
+door, and the next moment the cause of the shadow and remark divided the
+light of the entrance.</p>
+
+<p>The individual in question, was a stout built, broad-shouldered,
+athletic man&mdash;some five feet nine inches in height&mdash;whose age, judging
+from his general appearance, as well as his features, might range from
+twenty-seven to thirty years. At the moment when he appeared before our
+acquaintances of the foregoing chapter, his right arm was held in a
+manner so as to screen the lower portion of his face; while a hat, not
+very much unlike those of the present day, pressed down upon his
+forehead, left but little of his countenance, and that mainly about the
+eyes, visible. With the latter he gave a quick, searching, suspicious
+glance at the two before him; and then, as if satisfied he had nothing
+to fear, lowered his arm and raised his hat from his forehead, exposing
+a physiognomy by no means pleasing to one skilled in reading the heart
+thereby. His complexion was swarthy&mdash;his skin coarse&mdash;and the general
+expression of his features repulsive in the extreme; this expression
+arising from the combination of three distinct parts of his
+countenance&mdash;namely: the forehead which was low and receding from two
+dark-red, shaggy eye-brows,&mdash;the eyes themselves, which were small,
+bloodshot and very fiery; and the mouth, which was narrow, thin-lipped,
+and habitually contracted into a sneering, sinister smile. In this
+general expression, was combined cunning, deceit, treachery, and
+bloodthirsty ferocity&mdash;each one of which passions were sufficiently
+powerful, when fully excited, to predominate over the whole combination.
+The hair of his head was short, thick, coarse and red, grew low upon his
+forehead, and, in its own peculiar way, added a fierceness to his whole
+appearance. Nature had evidently designed him for a villain of the
+darkest die; and on the same principle that she gives a rattle to a
+certain venomous snake, that other creatures may be warned of the deadly
+fang in time to avoid it&mdash;so had she stamped him with a look wherein his
+passions were mirrored, that those who gazed thereon might know with
+whom and what they had to do, and be prepared accordingly. The costume
+too of the stranger was rather singular, and worthy of note&mdash;being
+composed, for the most part, of an extraordinary long frock or
+overcoat&mdash;more like the gown of some monk than either&mdash;which reached
+almost down to the moccasins covering his feet, and was laced together
+in front, nearly the whole length, by thongs of deerskin. Around the
+waist passed a rude belt of the same material&mdash;carelessly tied at one
+side&mdash;in which, contrary to the usual custom of that period, there was
+not confined a single weapon, not even so much as a knife; and this
+fact, together with the general appearance of the individual and his own
+suspicious movements, led Algernon, almost at the first glance, to
+consider the long frock or gown an article of disguise, beneath which
+the stranger was doubtless doubly armed and costumed in a very
+different manner.</p>
+
+<p>As the eyes of the new comer, after closely scanning Reynolds, rested
+for the first time upon Ella, there flashed across his ugly features an
+expression of admiration and surprise&mdash;while the look of suspicion which
+he had previously exhibited, seemed entirely to disappear. Turning to
+the young man, who on his appearance had risen from his seat, and now
+stood as if waiting to know his commands, in a voice evidently much
+softened from its usual tones, but still by no means pleasant and
+harmonious, he said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you be kind enough to inform me, sir, to whom this dwelling
+belongs?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is owned, I believe, by one Benjamin Younker,&quot; answered Algernon, in
+a cavalier manner, still eyeing the other closely.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;May I ask his occupation?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is a farmer, sir&mdash;a tiller of the soil.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Will you favor me with a description of his personal appearance?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can do so,&quot; replied Algernon, somewhat surprised at the question,
+&quot;provided I know the motive of inquiry to be a good one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is no other, I assure you,&quot; returned the stranger. &quot;It was simply
+prompted by curiosity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, then, the individual in question is a man who has seen more than
+fifty years&mdash;is tall, raw-boned, muscular, has a stoop in the shoulder,
+a long, thin face, small eyes, and hair slightly gray.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Has he any sons?&quot; inquired the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One, a youth of twenty, who bears a strong resemblance to his father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Daughters?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He has no other child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then this young lady&quot;&mdash;slightly bowing to Ella.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is a more distant relation&mdash;a niece,&quot; answered Ella, rising as she
+spoke and disappearing from his sight.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A beautiful creature!&quot; said the stranger, musingly, as if to
+himself&mdash;&quot;a beautiful creature! Pardon me,&quot; added he, again addressing
+Algernon; &quot;but may I inquire concerning yourself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am a guest here, sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Aha&mdash;yes; a hunter I presume?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I sometimes hunt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Pardon me again&mdash;but are there more indwellers here than you have
+mentioned?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;One, sir&mdash;the good dame of the cottage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>For a moment or two the stranger mused, as if running over in his mind
+all that had been said; and then observed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Doubtless you think me very inquisitive; but I had a reason for all my
+questions; and I thank you sincerely, sir, for your prompt replies. It
+is now growing late; the sun will presently be down; and as I am a
+traveler&mdash;a stranger in this region&mdash;I would rather not pursue my
+journey further, providing I could be entertained here for the night.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to that, I am unable to answer,&quot; said Algernon; &quot;but if you will
+step within, I will make the necessary inquiries.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you,&quot; replied the stranger, with a show of cordiality; &quot;thank
+you;&quot; and he immediately entered the cottage.</p>
+
+<p>Those days, as before said, were the good old days of hospitality&mdash;and,
+as far as population went, of social intercourse also&mdash;when every man's
+cabin was the stranger's home, and every neighbor every neighbor's
+friend. There were no distinct grades of society then as now, from which
+an honest individual of moral worth must be excluded because of
+poverty&mdash;a good character for upright dealing being the standard by
+which all were judged; and whoever possessed this, could rank equally
+with the best, though poor as the beggar Lazarus. Doubtless intellect
+and education then, as well as at the present day, held in many things a
+superiority over imbecility and ignorance; but there were no distinct
+lines of demarcation drawn; and in the ordinary routine of intercourse
+one with another, there was no superiority claimed, and none
+acknowledged. And this arose, probably, from the necessity each felt for
+there being a general unity&mdash;a general blending together of all
+qualifications, as it were, into one body politic&mdash;by which each
+individual became an individual member of the whole, perfect in his
+place, and capable of supplying what another might chance to need; as
+the man of education might be puny in stature and deficient of a strong
+arm; the man of strong arm deficient in education; the imbecile man
+might be a superior woodman&mdash;the man of intellect an inferior one:&mdash;so
+that, as before remarked, each of these qualities, being essential to
+perfect the whole, each one of course was called upon to exercise his
+peculiar talent, and take his position on an equality with his neighbor.
+There has been great change in society since then; those days of simple
+equality have gone forever; but we question if the present race, with
+all their privileges, with all their security, with all their means of
+enjoyment, are as happy as those noble old pioneers, with all their
+necessities, with all their dangers, with all their sufferings.</p>
+
+<p>According, therefore, to the established custom of the early settlers,
+the stranger for whom Algernon proceeded to make inquiries, was entitled
+to all the rights of hospitality; and whether liked or disliked, could
+not consistently be smiled away, nor frowned away, as doubtless he would
+have been, had he lived in this civil, wonderworking age of lightning
+and steam; and though his appearance was any thing but agreeable to Mrs.
+Younker, who surveyed him through her spectacles (being a little near
+sighted) from the adjoining cabin, whither Algernon had repaired to
+learn her decision; and though it would prove inconvenient to herself to
+grant his request; yet, as she expressed it, &quot;He war a stranger, as
+hadn't no home and didn't know whar to go to; and prehaps war hungry,
+poor man; and it wouldn't be right nor Christian-like to refuse him jest
+a night's lodging like;&quot; and so the matter was settled, and Algernon was
+deputed to inform him that he could stay and would be welcome to such
+fare as their humble means afforded.</p>
+
+<p>Some half an hour later, a loud hallooing announced the arrival of the
+two Younkers with the domestic cattle&mdash;consisting of the kine and some
+pet sheep which ran with them&mdash;from their labors in a distant field,
+where they had been engaged in harvesting corn. A few minutes after, the
+elder Younker entered the cabin, bearing upon his shoulder a rifle, from
+which depended a large, fat turkey that he had shot during his absence.
+With a slight but friendly nod to the stranger, he proceeded to deposit
+his game on the hearth&mdash;where it was presently examined and commented on
+at considerable length by the good dame&mdash;and then carefully placing his
+rifle on a couple of horn hooks depending from the ceiling for the
+purpose, he seated himself on a stool, his back to the wall, with the
+air of one who is very much fatigued, and does not wish to mingle in
+conversation of any kind.</p>
+
+<p>The sun by this time was already below the horizon; twilight was fast
+deepening into night; and the matron, having finished her remarks on the
+turkey, and &quot;Wondered ef sech birds wouldn't git to being scaser arter a
+while, when all on, 'em war shot?&quot; proceeded to the cow-yard, to assist
+Isaac in milking; while Ella hurried hither and thither, with almost
+noiseless activity, to prepare the evening repast. A bright fire was
+soon kindled in the chimney, over which was suspended a kettle for
+boiling water; while in front, nearly perpendicular, was placed a large
+corn loaf, whose savory odor, as it began to cook, was far from being
+disagreeable to the olfactory organs of the lookers on. The table, of
+which we have previously given a description, was next drawn into the
+middle of the apartment and covered with a home-made cloth of linen; on
+which were placed a medley of dishes of various sizes and
+materials&mdash;some of wood, some of pewter, some of earthern, and one of
+stone&mdash;with knives and forks to correspond. Three of these dishes were
+occupied&mdash;one with clean, fresh butter, another with rich old cheese,
+and the third with a quantity of cold venison steak. In the course of
+another half hour, the cake was baked and on the table&mdash;Isaac and his
+mother had entered with the milk&mdash;the announcement was made by Ella that
+all was ready; and the whole party, taking seats around the humble
+board, proceeded to do justice to the fare before them.</p>
+
+<p>A light, placed in the center of the table, threw its gleams upon the
+faces of each, and exhibited a singular variety of expressions. That of
+the stranger was downcast, sinister, and suspicious, combined with an
+evident desire of appearing exactly the reverse. Occasionally, when he
+thought no eye was on him, he would steal a glance at Ella; and some
+times gaze steadily&mdash;like one who is resolved upon a certain
+event, without being decided as to the exact manner of its
+accomplishment&mdash;until he found himself observed, when his glance would
+fall to his plate, or be directed to some other object, with the
+seeming embarrassment of one caught in some guilty act. This was noticed
+more than once by Algernon; who, perhaps, more than either of the
+others, felt from the first that strong dislike, that suspicious
+repugnance to the stranger, which can only be explained as one of the
+mysteries of nature, whereby we are sometimes warned of whom we should
+shun, as the instinct of an animal makes known to it its inveterate foe;
+and though he strove to think there was nothing of evil meant by a
+circumstance apparently so trifling&mdash;that the glance of the stranger was
+simply one of admiration or curiosity&mdash;yet the thought that it might be
+otherwise&mdash;that he might be planning something wicked to the fair being
+before him&mdash;haunted his mind like some hideous vision, made him for the
+time more distrustful, more watchful than ever, and was afterward
+reverted to with a painful sensation. The features of Algernon also
+exhibited an expression of remorse and hopeless melancholy; the reason
+whereof the reader, who has now been made acquainted with the secret,
+will readily understand. The face of Ella, too, was paler than
+usual&mdash;more sad and thoughtful&mdash;so much so, that it was remarked by Mrs.
+Younker, who immediately instituted the necessary inquiries concerning
+her health, and explained to her at some length the most approved method
+of curing a cold, in case that were the cause. In striking contrast to
+the sober looks of the others&mdash;for Younker himself was a man who seldom
+exhibited other than a sedate expression&mdash;was the general appearance and
+manner of Isaac. He seemed exceedingly exhilarated in spirits, yet kept
+his eyes down, and appeared at times very absent minded. Whatever his
+thoughts were, it was evident they were pleasing ones; for he would
+smile to himself, and occasionally display a comical nervousness, as
+though he had some very important secret to make known, yet was not
+ready to communicate it. This had been observed in him through the day;
+and was so different from his usual manner, and so much beyond any
+conjecture his mother could form of the cause, that at last her
+curiosity became so excited, that to restrain it longer was like holding
+down the safety-valve to an over-heated steam boiler; and, accordingly,
+taking advantage of another mysterious smile, which Isaac chanced to
+display while looking at a large piece of corn bread, already on its way
+to his capacious jaws, she exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, what on yarth <i>is</i> the matter with you, Isaac, that you keep a
+grinning, and grinning, and fidgetting about all to yourself so much
+like a plaguy nateral born fool for?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>So loudly, suddenly and unexpectedly was this question put&mdash;for all had
+been silent some minutes previous&mdash;that Isaac started, blushed, dropped
+the bread&mdash;already near enough to his teeth to have felt uncomfortable,
+had it been capable of feeling&mdash;endeavored to catch it&mdash;blundered&mdash;and
+finally upset his plate and contents into his lap, in a manner so truly
+ridiculous, that Ella and Mrs. Younker, unable to restrain their mirth,
+laughed heartily, while the stranger and Algernon smiled, and the stern
+features of the father relaxed into an expression of quiet humor seldom
+seen on his countenance.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Pon my word,&quot; continued Mrs. Younker, so soon as she could collect
+breath enough after laughing to go on; &quot;I do raley believe as how the
+boy's ayther crazy, or in love, for sartin. What does ail ye, Isaac?&mdash;do
+tell!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps he was thinking of his dear Peggy,&quot; said Ella, archly; who was,
+by the way, very fond of teasing him whenever opportunity presented; and
+could not even now, despite her previous low spirits, forbear a little
+innocent raillery&mdash;her temperament being such, that wit and humor were
+ever ready on the slightest provocation to take the ascendancy, as old
+wine when stirred ever sends its sparkling beads upward. &quot;I wonder,
+Isaac, if you looked as amiable and interesting in the eyes of dear
+Peggy, and made as graceful an appearance, when you popped the
+question?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, how in the name o' all Christen nater did you find out I'd done
+it?&quot; asked Isaac, in reply; who having, meantime, regained his former
+position, and restored the plate, minus some of its contents, now sat a
+perfect picture of comical surprise, with his mouth slightly ajar, and
+his small eyes strained to their utmost and fastened seriously upon the
+querist as he awaited her answer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Murder will out, dear Isaac,&quot; replied Ella, with a ringing laugh; in
+which she was joined by most of the others; and particularly by the
+subject of the joke; who perceiving, too late for retreat, that he had
+been betrayed into an acknowledgment of his secret, deemed this his
+wisest course for defence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And so, Isaac, you have really proposed to darling Peggy, then? and we
+are to have a wedding shortly?&quot; continued his tormentor. &quot;And pray which
+did look the most foolish of the two?&mdash;or was it a drawn-game, as we
+sometimes say of draughts?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why,&quot; rejoined Isaac, changing color as rapidly as an aurora borealis,
+and evidently much embarrassed; &quot;I 'spect I mought as well own up,
+being's I've got cotched in my own trap; and besides, it won't make no
+great difference, only as I war intending it for a surprise. You see I
+axed Peggy the question last night; and it's all settled; and we're
+going to be married in less nor a week, ef nothing unforeseen don't
+happen; and as Mr. Reynolds ar a stranger in these diggins, I thought
+prehaps as how he'd like a little amusement like, and so I've fixed on
+him for my groomsman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am much obliged for your kind intentions, and the honor you would
+confer on me,&quot; answered Reynolds, sadly; &quot;but I am sorry to say, I shall
+be under the necessity of declining your invitation; as on the morrow I
+design taking a farewell leave of you all, and quitting this part of the
+country forever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Younker, his wife, and son, all started, with looks of surprise, at
+this announcement, while Ella again grew deadly pale; and rising, with
+some little trepidation, retired from the table. The stranger was the
+only one unmoved.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To-morrow!&quot; ejaculated Mrs. Younker.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take leave o' us!&quot; said the host.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Quit the country forever!&quot; repeated Isaac.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Such, I assure you, is my determination,&quot; rejoined Algernon.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But your wound, Mr. Reynolds?&quot; suggested Younker.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is not entirely healed,&quot; returned Algernon; &quot;yet I trust sufficiently
+so to allow me to pursue my journey. The wound, as you are aware, was
+only a flesh one&mdash;the ball having entered the right side, glanced on the
+lower rib, and passed out nearly in front&mdash;and though very dangerous at
+the time from excessive hemorrhage, has of late been rapidly healing,
+and now troubles me but little if any.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, now, Mr. Reynolds,&quot; rejoined Mrs. Younker, &quot;I'm a considerable
+older woman nor you ar&mdash;that is, I mean to say, I'm a much older
+individule&mdash;and I 'spect I've had in my time some lettle experience in
+matters that you don't know nothing about; and so you musn't go to
+thinking hard o' me, ef I give you a lettle advice, and tell you to stay
+right whar you ar, and not stir a single step away for three
+weeks;&mdash;'cause ef you do, your wound may get rupturous agin, and in some
+lone place jest carry you right straight off into the shader o' the
+valley of death&mdash;as our good old Rev. Mr. Allprayer used to say, when he
+wanted to comfort the sick. O, dear good man he war, Preacher
+Allprayer,&quot;&mdash;continued the voluble old lady, with a sigh, her mind now
+wholly occupied with his virtues&mdash;&quot;dear good man he war! I jest
+remember&mdash;Lor bless ye, I'll never forgit it&mdash;how he come'd to me when I
+war sick&mdash;with tears a running out o' his eyes like he'd been eating raw
+inyuns, poor man&mdash;and told me that I war going to die right straight
+away, and never need to hope to be no better; and that I'd most likely
+go right straight to that orful place whar all bad folks goes to. O, the
+dear man! I never could help always liking him arter that&mdash;it made me
+feel so orful narvous and religious like. Why, what on yarth be you
+grinning at agin, Isaac?&mdash;jest for all the world like a monkey for?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing, mother,&quot; answered Isaac, nearly choking with smothered
+laughter; &quot;only I war jest kind o' thinking what a kind comforter Mr.
+Allprayer war, to tell you you couldn't live any longer; and that when
+you died you'd jest go right straight to&mdash;to&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Silence! you irrelevant boy, you!&quot; (irreverent was doubtless meant)
+interrupted the dame, angrily: &quot;How dare you to go making fun o' the
+pious Rev. Mr. Allprayer?&mdash;him as used to preach all Sunday long, and
+pray all Sunday night, and never did nothing wrong&mdash;though he did git
+turned out o' the meeting house arterward for getting drunk and
+swearing; but then the poor man cried and said it were nothing but a
+accident, which hadn't happened more nor ten times to him sence he'd bin
+a preacher of the everlasting gospel. Thar, thar, the crazy head's a
+giggling agin! I do wish, Ben, you'd see to Isaac, and make him behave
+himself&mdash;for he's got so tittery like, sence he's axed Peggy, thar's no
+use o' trying to do nothing with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Isaac! Isaac!&quot; said his father with a reproving glance; and, as though
+that voice and look possessed a spell, the features of the young man
+instantly became grave, almost solemn. Then turning to Algernon, the old
+man continued: &quot;As to leaving us, Mr. Reynolds, you of course know your
+own business best, and it arn't my desire to interfere; but ef you could
+put up with our humble fare, say a week or ten days longer, I think as
+how it would be much better for you, and would give us a deal of
+pleasure besides.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I'll jest tell you what tis,&quot; put in Isaac: &quot;I've fixed on you for
+groomsman, and I arn't a going to gin in no how; so unless you want to
+quarrel; you'll have to stay; and more'n that, it's spected you'll see
+to takin Ella thar; for I know she don't like to go with any o' the
+fellers round here; and I shall gin out she's going with you; which may
+be won't hurt your feelings none&mdash;at any rate, I know it won't hers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At the mention of Ella, Algernon crimsoned to the eyes, and became so
+exceedingly confused, that he could with difficulty stammer forth, by
+way of reply, the query as to the time when the important event was
+expected to take place.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let me see,&quot; answered Isaac, telling off the days on his fingers:
+&quot;to-morrow's Friday; then Saturday's one, Sunday's two, Monday's three,
+and Tuesday's four&mdash;only four days from to-morrow morning, Mr.
+Reynolds.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, as you so urgently insist upon it,&quot; rejoined Reynolds, &quot;I will
+postpone my departure till after the wedding.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Isaac thanked him cordially, and the father and mother looked gratified
+at the result; Ella he could not see&mdash;she having withdrawn from the
+table, as previously noted. Some further conversation ensued relative to
+the manner in which weddings were conducted in that country, and the
+design of proceeding with the one in question; but as we intend the
+reader to be present at the wedding itself, we shall not detail it. We
+will remark here, by the way, that the stranger seemed to take a
+singular interest in all that was said concerning the residence of the
+intended bride, the road the party were expected to take to reach there,
+their probable number, manner of travel, and the time when they would be
+likely to set forth and return. In all this it was observed by Algernon,
+that whenever he asked a question direct, it was put in such a careless
+manner as would lead one not otherwise suspicious to suppose him
+perfectly indifferent as to whether it were answered or not; but he
+somehow fancied, he scarce knew why, that there was a strong under
+current to this outward seeming. And furthermore he observed, that the
+stranger in general avoided putting a question at all&mdash;rather seeking
+his information by conjecturing or supposing what would immediately be
+contradicted or confirmed. This mode of interrogation, so closely
+followed up to every particular, yet apparently with such indifference,
+together with the stranger's treacherous look and several minor things
+all bearing a suspicious cast, more than half convinced Algernon that
+the other was a spy, and that some foul play was assuredly meditated;
+though what, and to whom, or for what purpose, he was at a loss to
+determine.</p>
+
+<p>From the particulars of the coming wedding, the stranger, after a
+little, adroitly turned the conversation upon the wound of Reynolds;
+asked a number of questions, and appeared deeply interested in the whole
+narration concerning it&mdash;the attack upon him by the Indians and his
+providential escape through the assistance of Boone&mdash;all of which was
+detailed by Isaac in his own peculiar way. From this case in particular,
+the conversation gradually changed to other cases that had happened in
+the vicinity; and also to the state of the country, with regard to what
+it had been and now was&mdash;its settlements&mdash;its increase of
+inhabitants&mdash;the many Indian invasions and massacres that had
+occurred within the last five years on the borders&mdash;and the present
+supposed population of the frontiers.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to myself,&quot; said Younker, in reply to some observation of the
+stranger, &quot;as to myself and family, we've been extremely fortunate in
+'scaping the red foe&mdash;though I've bin daily fearful that when I went
+away to my work in the morning, I'd may be come back agin at noon or
+night and find my women folks gone, or murdered, and my cot in ashes;
+but, thank the Lord! I've been so far spared sech a heart rending
+sight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And had you no personal fears?&quot; asked the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know's I understand you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Had you no fears for yourself individually?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I can't say's I had,&quot; answered the other. &quot;I'm an old man&mdash;or at
+least I'm in my second half century&mdash;and I've so endeavored to live, as
+not to fear to go at any moment when God sees fit, and by whatsomever
+means he may choose to take me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose you now consider yourself in a measure safe from Indian
+encroachments?&quot; observed the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No man, stranger&mdash;I beg pardon, but I'd like to know your name!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Certainly, sir,&quot; answered the other, a little embarrassed. &quot;My name
+is&mdash;is&mdash;Williams.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank you! No man, Mr. Williams, ar justified in considering himself
+safe from Injens, in a country like this; but to tell the truth, I don't
+feel so fearful of 'em, as when I first come out here with my family,
+two year ago; though thar's no telling what may hap in the course o' two
+year more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And did you venture here at once on your arrival in this western
+country?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not exactly; for the land laws o' Virginna, passed the year I come out,
+made it rayther difficult gitting hold o' land, about which thar war a
+great deal o' disputing; and which war kept up till the commissioners
+came out and settled the matter; and so while this war agitating, I took
+my family to Boonesborough, whar they remained, excepting Isaac, who
+went along with me, until we'd got all matters fixed for moving 'em
+here. But as you've axed considerable many questions, pray may I know ef
+you're from the east?&mdash;And ef so, what news thar is with respect to this
+here war with the Britishers?&quot; &quot;Why,&quot; replied the other, hesitatingly,
+&quot;though not strictly speaking from the east, yet I've been eastward the
+past season, and have some news of the war; and, as far as I am able to
+judge, think it will result in the total subjugation of the colonies.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Heaven forbid!&quot; exclaimed Younker.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Heaven forefend!&quot; said Reynolds, with a start.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Lord presarve us!&mdash;marsy on us!&quot; cried Mrs. Younker, with vehemence.
+&quot;What on yarth shall we do, ef them plaguy Britishers git uppermost?
+They'll take away all our lands, for sartin!&mdash;and Ben's bin and bought
+four hundred acres, poor man, at forty cents a acre, under the new laws
+of Varginna<a name="FNanchor_4" id="FNanchor_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>&mdash;which comes to one hundred and sixty dollars, hard
+money; and now maybe he'll have to lose it all, and not git nothing for
+it; and then what in the name o' the whole univarsal creation will
+become on us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, well, Dorothy&mdash;don't fret about it till it happens&mdash;thar'll be
+plenty o' time then,&quot; said Younker, gravely; &quot;and perhaps it won't
+happen at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't talk to me about fretting, Mr. Younker!&quot; rejoined the now
+irritated dame, a la Caudle: &quot;I reckon I don't fret no easier nor you
+do, nor half so much nother; but I'd like to know who wouldn't fret,
+when they know they're going to lose all thar property by them thar good
+for nothing red-coated Britishers, who I do believe is jest as mean as
+Injens, and they're too mean to live, that's sartin. Fret, indeed! I
+reckon it wouldn't do for you to be letting Preacher Allprayer hear ye
+say so; for he said one time with his own mouth&mdash;and to me too, mind
+that!&mdash;that I'd got the bestest disposition in the whole universal yarth
+o' creation under the sun!&quot; and the voluble old lady paused to take
+breath.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's my opine, that ef Preacher Allprayer had lived with you as long as
+I have, he wouldn't repeat that thar sentence under oath,&quot; returned
+Younker, quietly. Then perceiving that a storm was brewing, he hastened
+to change the conversation, by addressing the stranger: &quot;What cause have
+you, Mr. Williams, for speaking so discourageous o' the war?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The failure of the American arms in battle, the weakness of their
+resources, and the strength of their opponents,&quot; replied the other. &quot;I
+presume you have heard of the battles of Guilford and Camden, in both of
+which General Greene was defeated?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;General <i>Gates</i> commanded at Camden, sir!&quot; interposed Reynolds somewhat
+haughtily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I beg pardon, sir!&quot; retorted the other, in a sneering, sarcastic tone;
+&quot;but I was speaking of the defeat of General <i>Greene!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At Camden?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At Camden, sir!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am sorry you are no better informed,&quot; rejoined Algernon, with
+flashing eyes. &quot;I repeat that General Gates commanded at Camden; and as,
+unfortunately, I chanced to be in the fight, I claim the privilege of
+being positive.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The youth is doubtless speaking of the battle fought a year or two
+ago,&quot; rejoined Williams, turning to Younker, in a manner the most
+insulting to Reynolds; who clenched his hand, and pressed his nether lip
+with his teeth until the blood sprang through, but said nothing. &quot;I have
+reference to the two engagements which took place at Guilford Court
+House and Camden, in March and April last; whereby, as I said before,
+General Greene, who commanded at both, was twice defeated, and retreated
+with great loss; although in the former action his forces outnumbered
+those of his opponent, Lord Cornwallis, as two to one; and in the
+latter, far exceeded those of Lord Rawdon, his opponent also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;This is indeed startling news,&quot; answered Younker, &quot;and I'm fearful o'
+the result!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You may depend on't, them thar four-hundred acres is all gone clean to
+smash,&quot; observed Mrs. Younker; &quot;and its my opine, Ben, you'd better sell
+right straight out immediately, afore the news gits about any further,
+for fear o' accidents and them things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I suppose in reality the present war with England does not trouble you
+here?&quot; said the stranger, interrogatively.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why not in reality,&quot; answered Younker, &quot;only so far as the Britishers
+and thar accursed renegade agents set on the Injens agin us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To what renegade agents do you allude?&quot; inquired the other, with a
+degree of interest he had not before exhibited.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, to the Girtys, McKee, and Elliot&mdash;and perticularly to that thar
+scoundrel, Simon Girty the worst o' all on 'em.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha! Simon Girty,&quot; said the other, with a slight start and change of
+countenance; &quot;what know you of him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nothing that's good, you may be sartin, and every thing that's evil.
+He's leagued with the Injens, purposely to excite 'em agin his own white
+brethren&mdash;to have them murder women and children, that he may feast his
+eyes on thar innocent blood. I'm not given to be o' a revengeful speret,
+Mr. Williams; but I never think o' that thar renegade, Simon Girty, but
+I inwardly pray for the curse o' an avenging God to light upon him; and
+come it will, ayther soon or late, you may depend on't!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Amen to that thar sentiment!&quot; responded the dame; while the stranger
+became very much agitated, on account, as he said, of a violent pain in
+his side, to which he was subject.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Younker was on the point of bringing down her invectives on the
+head of the renegade in a speech of some considerable length, when,
+perceiving the distressful look of the other, the kind-hearted woman
+suddenly forgot her animosity in sympathy for her suffering guest; and
+forthwith proceeded, with all the eloquence of which she was master, to
+recommend a certain essence that chanced to be in the house, as a never
+failing remedy for all griping and other pains with which unfortunate
+humanity was oftentimes afflicted.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's one o' the bestest things as ever war invented,&quot; continued the
+good woman, in her eulogy of the article in question; &quot;and has did more
+good in it's time, nor all the doctors on the univarsal yarth put
+together could do, in the way of curing sprains, and bruises, and
+stomach-pains, and them things; and ef you don't believe it, Mr.
+Williams, you can see it all in print, ef you can read, and I spect you
+can, on the bottle itself, jest as plain as any thing; and besides, I've
+got the testament (testimony, doubtless) of the good and pious Rev. Mr.
+Allprayer, who tuk some on't once for the gout; and he said as how the
+contracting (counteracting?) pains war so many, that he didn't no more
+feel the gout for a long time to come afterwards. I've no doubt it'll
+sarve you jest the same way, and I'll go and fetch it right straight
+off.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But the mission of the good woman was prevented by the complainant's
+insisting that he was much better, would presently be well, and wished
+to retire for the night. His request was granted&mdash;but little more was
+said&mdash;and all shortly after betook themselves to bed&mdash;to think, or
+sleep, or dream, as the case might be with each.</p>
+
+<p>When the family arose on the following morning, they found the stranger
+had departed; but when or whither none could tell.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> It may be proper to note here, for the benefit of those
+unfamiliar with the early history of Kentucky, that, at the period of
+which we write, it was claimed and held by Virginia as a portion of her
+territory, for which she legislated accordingly.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<center>THE WEDDING.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>The year 1781 was remarkable in the history of Kentucky for the immense
+emigration from the east into its territory of unmarried females. It
+appears, in looking over the records of the time, as though some mighty
+barrier had hitherto kept them in check, which, being removed, allowed
+them to rush forward in overwhelming force, like to the pent up waters
+of some stream when its obstruction suddenly gives way. Whatever this
+hitherto obstruction or barrier may have been, we do not pretend to say;
+but the fact itself we record as we find it chronicled in history. The
+result of this influx of females into a region almost wholly populated
+by the opposite sex was one, as will readily be perceived, of great
+importance to the well-being of the embryo state; and was duly
+celebrated by the rising generation, in a general jubilee of
+marriages&mdash;one following fast upon another, like drops of rain in a
+genial summer shower; and, to extend the simile, with an effect by no
+means less productive of fertility, in a long run, to the country round
+about.</p>
+
+<p>A wedding in those days was an affair of great importance to the
+neighborhood of its location; and was looked forward to by old and
+young&mdash;the latter in particular&mdash;as a grand holiday of feasting,
+dancing, and general rejoicing. Nor can this be wondered at, when we
+take into consideration the fact, that, in the early settlement of the
+country, a wedding was almost the only gathering, as they were called,
+which was not accompanied with some laborious employment&mdash;such as
+harvesting, log-rolling, and the like. Occasionally there might be some
+dissatisfaction felt and expressed by some, who, from some cause or
+another, chanced to be left out of the almost general invitation; in
+which case a special resentment not unfrequently followed. This was
+accomplished in various ways&mdash;sometimes by felling trees, or placing
+other obstacles across some narrow portion of the horse-path by which
+the wedding party were advancing, thereby causing considerable delay for
+their removal&mdash;sometimes by ambushing and firing a volley of blank
+cartridges at the party in question, so as to frighten the horses, by
+which means more or less were frequently injured, by being thrown to the
+ground&mdash;and sometimes by shearing the manes and tails of the horses
+themselves, while their owners were being occupied with the feast, and
+the dance, and the gay carousal of the occasion. But to proceed.</p>
+
+<p>The morning of the day set apart by Isaac Younker, as the one which was
+to see him duly united to Peggy Wilson, came in due time&mdash;as many an
+important one has both before and since&mdash;without one visible sign in the
+heavens, or otherwise, to denote that any thing remarkable was about to
+happen. In fact it might be put down to the reverse of all this; for,
+unlike the generality of wished-for days, it was exceedingly fair,
+balmy, and beautiful. The sun rose at the expected time, large and red,
+and saluted the hills and tree-tops, and anon the vales, with a smiling
+light, as though he felt exceedingly happy to greet them again after a
+calm night's repose. The dew sparkled on blade and leaf, as if with
+delight at his appearance; a few flowers modestly uncovered their
+blooming heads; a few warblers of the forest&mdash;for although autumn had
+nearly half advanced, some had delayed their journey to the sunny
+south&mdash;sung gleesome songs; and altogether the morning in question was
+really a delightful one.</p>
+
+<p>The family of the Younkers were stirring betimes, making the necessary
+preparations for their departure, and looking out for the expected
+guests; who, according to the custom of the period, first assembled at
+the residence of the groom, to proceed thence in company with him to
+the mansion of the bride, which place they must always reach in time to
+have the ceremony performed before partaking of the dinner prepared for
+the occasion. For this purpose, as the distance to the house of the fair
+intended was not unfrequently considerable, they generally came at an
+early hour; and as Isaac's fair Peggy was not likely to be visible short
+of a ten miles' ride, his companions for the journey accordingly began
+to appear in couples before his father's dwelling, ere the sun was an
+hour above the hills.</p>
+
+<p>Isaac, on the present occasion, stood ready to receive them as they rode
+up, arrayed in his wedding garments; which&mdash;save a few trifling
+exceptions in some minor articles, and the addition of five or six metal
+buttons displayed on his hunting frock in a very singular manner, and a
+couple of knee buckles, all old family relics&mdash;presented the same
+appearance as those worn by him during his ordinary labors. And this, by
+the way, exhibits another feature of the extreme simplicity of the
+time&mdash;and one too highly praise-worthy&mdash;when the individual was sought
+for himself alone, and not for the tinsel gew-gaws, comparatively
+speaking, he might chance to exhibit. Necessity forced all to be plain
+and substantial in the matter of dress; and consequently comfort and
+convenience were looked to, rather than ostentatious display. All at
+that day were habited much alike&mdash;so that a description of the costume
+of one of either sex, as in the case of their habitations, previously
+noted, would describe that of a whole community.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Let the reader,&quot; says a historian, in speaking of the manners and dress
+of those noble pioneers, &quot;imagine an assemblage of people, without a
+store, tailor, or mantuamaker within an hundred miles; and an assemblage
+of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The
+gentlemen dressed in shoepacks, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins,
+linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made. The ladies dressed in linsey
+petticoats, and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings,
+handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles,
+rings, buttons or ruffles, they were the relics of old times&mdash;family
+pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with
+old saddles, old bridles or halters, and packsaddles, with a bag or
+blanket thrown over them&mdash;a rope or string as often constituting the
+girth as a piece of leather.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But to our story:</p>
+
+<p>Since leaving Isaac in the preceding chapter, after his important
+announcement, as therein recorded, he had been by no means idle. The two
+days immediately following had been spent by him in riding post-haste
+through the surrounding country, to inform his friends that he was on
+the point of becoming a married man, and require their presence at the
+appointed hour and place of ceremony. The rest of the time (Sunday of
+course exempted) had been carefully husbanded by him in making all due
+preparation; and he now stood before his expected guests with the air
+one, to use a common phrase, who has not been caught napping. For each,
+as they rode up, he had a friendly salutation and familiar word; and
+inviting them to dismount and enter, until the whole number should be
+arrived, he led away and secured their horses to the neighboring trees.</p>
+
+<p>In due time the last couple made their appearance; and having partaken
+of some refreshment, which was highly recommended and presented by Mrs.
+Younker herself&mdash;whose tongue, by the way, had seen no rest for at least
+two hours&mdash;the whole party, in gleeful spirits, prepared to mount and
+set forth on their journey. Even Algernon, as he assisted the graceful
+Ella into her saddle, and then sprung lightly himself upon the back of a
+high mettled, beautiful steed by her side, could not avoid exhibiting a
+look of cheerfulness, almost gaiety, in striking contrast to his
+habitual gloom. And this too produced a like effect upon Ella; who,
+mounted upon a fine spirited, noble animal, and displaying all the ease
+and grace of an accomplished rider, with her flushed cheek and sparkling
+eyes, seemed the personification of loveliness. Her dress was
+exceedingly neat, of the fashion and quality worn in the east&mdash;being one
+she had brought with her on her removal hither. A neat hood, to which
+was attached a green veil, now thrown carelessly back and floating down
+behind, covered her head and partially concealed a profusion of
+beautiful ringlets.</p>
+
+<p>The company at length being all mounted, Isaac took it upon himself to
+lead the way; for the reason, as he alleged, that having traveled the
+ground oftener than either of the others, he of course knew the best and
+nearest path to the abode of Peggy Wilson. Algernon as groomsman rode
+next with Ella; followed in turn by the father and mother of the groom;
+and then in double file by the whole company&mdash;talking, laughing and full
+of glee&mdash;to the number of some fifteen couples. Turning the corner of
+the house, they forded the streamlet previously mentioned, crossed the
+valley, and ascended by a narrow horse-path the opposite hill, leaving
+the canebrake some distance away to the left.</p>
+
+<p>In those days a road&mdash;or at least such a highway as we of the present so
+denominate&mdash;was a something unknown; a few horse-paths, so termed,
+traversing the country in various directions&mdash;narrow, oftentimes
+obstructed, and sometimes dangerous. Over one of this latter class, as
+before said, our wedding party now wended their way, in high spirits;
+sometimes riding at a brisk trot or gallop, where their course lay open
+and clear, sometimes walking their horses very slow, in single file,
+where the path, winding across craggy bluffs, among rocks and trees,
+became very narrow and unsafe. Twice, on this latter account, did the
+gentlemen of the company dismount and lead the horses of their partners
+for some considerable distance past the stony and dangerous defile, by
+which means all accidents were avoided. When they had reached within a
+mile of their destination, Isaac drew rein and all came to a halt.
+Turning upon his saddle, with the air of a commander of some important
+expedition, he sang out in a loud, shrill voice;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, boys and gals, here we ar&mdash;this here's the spot&mdash;who's agoing to
+run for the bottle?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whoop! yaho! give way thar!&quot; was the answer from a couple of voices in
+the rear; and at the same instant, two young men, separating from their
+partners, came bounding forward, on two blood horses, at break-neck
+speed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Stop!&quot; thundered Isaac, as they came tearing up to where he was sitting
+astride his beast; and obedient to his command, the two individuals in
+question reined in their impatient steeds, hard abreast, close by his
+side. &quot;Well, ef you arn't a couple o' beauties, then jest put it down
+that I don't know,&quot; continued Isaac, eying them coolly from head to
+heel, with a quizzical, comical look. &quot;You'd both on ye average two
+decent looking fellars&mdash;for whar Seth Stokes is too long, Sam Switcher
+arn't long enough; and whar Sam Switcher's got too much, Seth Stokes
+han't got nothing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>A roar of laughter, in which both Seth and Sam joined, followed Isaac's
+closing remarks; for besides partaking of the ludicrous, none could deny
+that his description was correct. The two worthies in question were
+certainly two very singular looking beings to be brought together for a
+race, and presented a most laughable appearance. The one bearing the
+poetical appellation of Seth Stokes, was long, thin and bony, with sharp
+features, and legs that reminded one of a carpenter's compass; while his
+companion, Sam Switcher, was round-favored, short in limbs and stature,
+and fat almost to corpulency&mdash;thus forming a contrast to the other of
+the most striking kind.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the laugh at their expense had subsided, Isaac again sang
+out: &quot;Squar your hosses' heads thar&mdash;get ready, boys&mdash;now clippet, and
+don't keep us long waiting the bottle! for I reckon as how some on us is
+gitting dry. Yehep! yahoa!&quot; and ere the sound of his voice had died
+away, down came the switches, accompanied by a terrible yell, and off
+went horses and bottle-riders&mdash;over stumps, logs and rocks&mdash;past trees
+and brush, and whatever obstacle might lie in their course&mdash;with a speed
+that threatened them with death at every moment; while the others
+remained quietly seated on their ponies, enjoying the sport, and
+sometimes shouting after them such words of encouragement as, &quot;Go it,
+Seth!&quot; &quot;Up to him, Sammy!&quot; &quot;Pull up, legs!&quot; &quot;Jump it, fatty!&quot; so long as
+the racers were in sight.</p>
+
+<p>This race for the bottle, as it was called, was a peculiar feature for
+displaying the horsemanship and hardy recklessness of the early
+settlers; as a more dangerous one, to both horse and rider, could not
+well be imagined. That the reader may form a clear conception of what it
+was in reality&mdash;and also to destroy the idea if any such may have been
+formed, that it existed only in our imagination&mdash;we shall take the
+liberty of giving a short extract from the author already quoted. In
+speaking of the foregoing, he says:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The worse the path&mdash;the more logs, brush, and deep hollows, the
+better&mdash;as these obstacles afforded an opportunity for the greater
+display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox-chase, in point
+of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for
+the bottle. The start was announced by an Indian yell; when logs, brush,
+muddy hollows, hill and glen, were speedily passed by the rival ponies.
+The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use
+for judges; for the first who reached the door was presented with the
+prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approaching
+them, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the
+head of the troop he gave the bottle first to the groom and his
+attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line,
+giving each a drachm; and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his
+hunting shirt, took his station in the company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In something like a quarter of an hour, the clatter of horses' feet was
+heard by the company, the rival-racers presently appeared in sight, and
+all became anxious to learn who was the successful runner. They were not
+long kept in suspense; for advancing at a fast gallop, the riders were,
+soon within speaking distance; when a loud, shrill whoop from Seth
+Stokes, announced that in this case success had at least been with the
+long, if not with the strong.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How's this, Sammy?&quot; cried a dozen voices, as the rivals rode up to the
+party.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't exactly know,&quot; answered the individual addressed, shaking his
+head with a serio-comical expression; &quot;but stifle me with the night-mar,
+if ever I'm cotched riding a race with death on horseback agin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This allusion to the bony appearance of his companion, caused a roar of
+laughter at the expense of the winner, in which he good-humoredly
+joined. According to custom, as previously mentioned, the bottle was
+presented first to Isaac, and then passed in regular order through the
+lines&mdash;Algernon and Ella merely putting it to their lips without
+drinking. When this ceremony was over, the party resumed their
+journey&mdash;no less merry on account of the whiskey&mdash;and by half an hour
+past eleven o'clock, all drew rein before the door of Abijah Wilson, the
+father of the fair intended.</p>
+
+<p>Here another party, the friends of the bride, were waiting to receive
+them; and after some few introductions, much shaking of hands, and other
+demonstrations of joy, the announcement was made, that the squire was
+ready to perform the ceremony. Instantly all talking was suspended, the
+company proceeded to form into a half circle, and then all became silent
+and solemn as the house of death. Isaac presently appeared from behind a
+coarse, temporary screen of cloth, hung up for the occasion&mdash;the house
+having no division save a chamber over head&mdash;leading the blushing Peggy
+by the hand, (a rosy cheeked, buxom lass of eighteen) both looking as
+frightened and foolish as could reasonably be expected. Behind the bride
+and groom came Algernon, in company with a dark-eyed, pretty brunette,
+who performed the part of bridesmaid. Taking their several places, the
+Squire, as he was termed&mdash;a man of forty&mdash;stepped forward, and said a
+few words concerning the importance of the present event, asked the
+necessary questions, joined their hands, and pronounced them man and
+wife. Then followed the usual amount of congratulations, good wishes for
+the future happiness of the married pair, kissing of the bride, and so
+forth, in all of which proceedings they differed not materially from
+their successors of the present day.</p>
+
+<p>About half an hour from the close of the ceremony, the guests were
+invited to partake of a sumptuous dinner, prepared expressly for the
+occasion. It was placed on rough tables made of large slabs, supported
+by small, round legs, set in auger holes; and though there was a
+scantiness of dishes&mdash;and these in the main consisting of a few
+pewter-plates, several wooden trenchers, with spoons of like material,
+interspersed with some of horn&mdash;and though the scarcity of knives
+required many of the gentlemen to make use of those carried in their
+belts&mdash;yet the food itself was such as might have rejoiced an epicure.
+It consisted of beef, roasted and boiled&mdash;pork, roasted and
+fried&mdash;together with chicken, turkey, partridge, and venison&mdash;well
+flanked on every side by bread, butter, and cheese, potatoes, cabbage,
+and various other vegetables. That it was both acceptable and palatable,
+was sufficiently proved by the hearty, joyous manner, in which each
+individual performed his or her part, and the rapidity with which it
+disappeared. The dessert was composed of two or three kinds of pies and
+puddings, washed down (at least by those who chose so to do) with
+whiskey. Great hilarity prevailed&mdash;particularly after the introduction
+of the bottle. Immediately dinner was over, the tables were removed, the
+fiddler was called for, and the dance commenced, which was to last till
+the following morning. The dance was opened by Isaac and the bridesmaid,
+with another couple&mdash;beginning with a square four, and ending with what
+was termed a jig. From this time forth, until the party separated, the
+poor fiddler experienced but little relaxation or comfort&mdash;unless in
+being encouraged, occasionally, by a refreshing salute from the lips of
+Black Betty; a being of no greater intellect, reader, than a bottle of
+whiskey.</p>
+
+<p>Some two hours after dinner, the father and mother of Isaac announced
+their intention of forthwith returning home; and, although seriously
+pressed to tarry longer, shortly after took their leave of the
+company&mdash;Mrs. Younker adding, as a farewell speech, &quot;That she hoped to
+gracious Peggy'd jest make Isaac as good a wife nor she had Ben, and
+then thar wouldn't never be no need o' having trouble;&quot; and wound up by
+quoting the Rev. Mr. Allprayer as the best authority on the subject.
+Younker stood by her side, calmly heard her through, and then shrugging
+his shoulders with a very significant expression, walked away without
+saying a word, to the great amusement of the whole assemblage.</p>
+
+<p>As to Algernon, he seemed to take no delight in what was going forward;
+and though he participated somewhat in the dance, yet it was evident to
+all observers that his mind went not with his body, and that what he did
+was done more with a design of concealing his real feelings, than for
+any amusement it afforded himself. When not occupied in this manner, or
+in conversation, he would steal away, seat himself where he was least
+likely to be observed, and fall into a gloomy, abstracted mood; from
+which, when suddenly roused by some loud peal of laughter, or by the
+touch and voice of some person near, he would sometimes start and look
+around as one just awakened from a frightful vision. This gloomy
+abstraction, too, appeared to grow upon him more and more, as the day
+settled into night and the night wore on, as though he felt some dreaded
+calamity had been hanging over, and was now about to fall upon him. So
+apparent was this toward the last, that even the most careless began to
+observe, and make remarks, and ask questions concerning him; and some
+even proceeded to inquire of him regarding the state of his health. His
+answers to all interrogatives now became so brief and abrupt, that but
+few ventured to address him the second time. Whatever the cause of his
+present gloomy state of mind, it was evidently not the ordinary one&mdash;at
+least not wholly that&mdash;for never before had Ella (who was in the habit,
+since their acquaintance, of observing him narrowly) seen him in such a
+mood as now. It was, perhaps, one of those strange mental foresights,
+peculiar to certain temperaments, whereby the individual is sometimes
+warned of impending danger, and feels oppressed by a weight of
+despondency impossible to shake off.</p>
+
+<p>This serious change in the appearance of Algernon, was not without its
+effect upon Ella. Naturally of a tender, affectionate, and sympathetic
+disposition, she could not feel at ease when another was suffering, and
+particularly when that other was one standing so high in her estimation
+as Algernon Reynolds. Naturally, too, possessing light and buoyant
+spirits&mdash;fond of gaiety where all were gay&mdash;she exhibited on the present
+occasion the effect of two strong but counteracting passions. Her
+features, if we may be allowed the comparison, were like the noon-day
+heavens, when filled with the broken clouds of a passing storm. Now all
+would be bright and cheerful, and the sun of mirth would sparkle in her
+eyes; and anon some dark cloud of dejection would sweep along, shut out
+the merry light, and cast its shadow drearily over the whole
+countenance,&mdash;or, to use language without simile, she would one moment
+be merry and another sad. Toward the last, however, the latter feeling
+gained the ascendancy; she appeared to take no further share in the
+merriment of the dance; and had any watched her closely, they might
+have guessed the cause, from the manner in which she from time to time
+gazed at the pale face of Algernon.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the dance went bravely on, Black Betty circulated somewhat
+freely, and the mirth of the revelers grew more and more boisterous.
+Taking advantage of a slight cessation in the general hilarity, about
+nine o'clock in the evening, and while the fiddler with some of the
+party were engaged in partaking of refreshment, Seth Stokes, encouraged
+doubtless by the inspiration he had received from the whiskey, stepped
+boldly into the middle of the apartment with the bottle in his hand, and
+said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Jest allow me, my jollies, to give a toast.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Harken all! A toast&mdash;a toast&mdash;from the long man o' the bony frame!&quot;
+cried the voice of Sam Switcher. A laugh, and then silence followed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here's to&mdash;to Isaac and Peggy Younker&mdash;two beauties!&quot; continued Seth.
+&quot;May thar union be duly acknowledged by the rising generation o' old
+Kaintuck;&quot; and the speaker gravely proceeded to drink.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bravo! bravo!&quot; cried a dozen voices, with a merry shout, accompanied
+with great clapping of bands; while Isaac, who was sitting by his new
+wife, arose, blushed, bowed rather awkwardly, and then sat down again.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Isaac! Isaac!&mdash;A toast from Isaac!&quot; shouted a chorus of voices.</p>
+
+<p>Isaac at first looked very much confused&mdash;scratched his head and twisted
+around in a very fidgetty manner,&mdash;but presently his countenance
+flushed, and a smile of triumph crossing his sharp features, announced
+that he had been suddenly favored with an idea apropos. This was
+instantly perceived by some of the wags standing near, one of whom
+exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I see it&mdash;it's coming!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He's got it!&quot; said a second.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I knew it&mdash;I'd ha' bet a bar-skin he'd fetch it,&quot; cried a third.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Out with it, Ike, afore you forget it,&quot; shouted the fourth.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hold your jabbering tongues&mdash;!&quot; cried Isaac, in vexation. &quot;You're
+enough to bother a feller to death. I'd like to see some o' the rest on
+ye cramped up fur a toast, jest to see how <i>you'd</i> feel with all on 'em
+hollering like.&quot; A hearty laugh at his expense was all the sympathy poor
+Isaac received.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Give us the bottle!&quot; resumed Isaac. &quot;Now here goes,&quot; continued he,
+rising and holding Black Betty by the neck. &quot;Here's to the gals o' old
+Kaintuck&mdash;Heaven bless 'em! May they bloom like clover heads, be
+plentier nor bar-skins, and follow the example o' Peggy, every mother's
+daughter on 'em!&mdash;hooray!&quot; And having drank, the speaker resumed his
+seat, amid roars of laughter and three rounds of applause.</p>
+
+<p>By the time this mirth had subsided, the fiddler struck up, and the
+dance again went on as before. Some two hours later the bridesmaid, with
+two or three others, managed to steal away the bride unobserved; and
+proceeding to a ladder at one end of the apartment, ascended to the
+chamber above, and saw her safely lodged in bed. In the course of
+another half hour the same number of gentlemen performed a like service
+for Isaac&mdash;such being customary at all weddings of that period.</p>
+
+<p>During the night Black Betty, in company with more substantial
+refreshment, was sent up to the newly married pair some two or three
+times; and always returned (Black Betty we mean) considerable lighter
+than she went; thus proving, that if lovers can live on air, the married
+ones do not always partake of things less spiritual. About three o'clock
+in the morning, Algernon and Ella took leave of the company and set out
+upon their return&mdash;he pleading illness as an apology for withdrawing
+thus early. The remainder of the party keep together until five, when
+they gradually began to separate; and by six the dancing had ceased, and
+the greater portion of them had taken their departure. Thus ended the
+wedding of Isaac Younker&mdash;a fair specimen, by the way, of a backwood's
+wedding in the early settlement of the west.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<center>THE PRESENTIMENT.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>Deep and gloomy were the meditations of Algernon Reynolds, as, in
+company with Ella Barnwell, he rode slowly along the narrow path which
+he had traversed, if not with buoyant, at least with far lighter
+spirits than now, the morning before. From some, latent cause, he felt
+oppressed with a weight of despondency, as previously mentioned, that
+served to prostrate in a measure both his mental powers and physical
+system. He felt, though he could give no reason why, that some calamity
+was about to befall himself and the fair being by his side; and he
+strove to arouse himself and shake off the gloomy thoughts; but if he
+succeeded, it was only momentary, and they would again rush back with an
+increased power. He had been subject, since his unfortunate quarrel with
+his cousin, to gloomy reveries and depressions of spirits&mdash;but never
+before had he felt exactly as now; and though in all former cases the
+event referred to had been the cause of his sad abstractions, yet in the
+present instance it scarcely held a place in his thoughts. Could it be a
+presentiment, he asked himself, sent to warn him of danger and prepare
+him to meet it? But the question he could not answer.</p>
+
+<p>The night, or rather the morning, though clear overhead, was uncommonly
+dark; and the stars, what few could be discerned, shed only pale, faint
+gleams, as though their lights were about to be extinguished. For some
+time both Algernon and Ella continued their journey without exchanging a
+syllable&mdash;she too, as well as himself, being deeply absorbed in no very
+pleasant reflections. She thought of him, of his hard fate, to meet with
+so many bitter disappointments at an age so young; and at last, for no
+premeditated, no intentional crime, be forced to fly from home and
+friends, and all he held dear, to wander in a far off land, among
+strangers&mdash;or worse, among the solitudes of the wilderness&mdash;exposed to a
+thousand dangers from wild savage beasts, and wilder and more savage
+human beings; and perhaps, withal, be branded as a felon and fugitive
+from justice. She thought what must be his feelings, his sense of utter
+desolation, with none around to sympathize&mdash;no sweet being by his side
+to whisper a single word of encouragement and hope; or, should the worst
+prove true, to share his painful lot, and endeavor to render less
+burdensome his remorseful thoughts, by smiles of endearment and looks of
+love. She thought, too, that to-morrow&mdash;perhaps today&mdash;he would take his
+departure, peradventure never to behold her again; and this was the
+saddest of the train. Until she saw him, Ella had never known what it
+was to love&mdash;perchance she did not now&mdash;but at least she had experienced
+those fluttering sensations, those deep and strange emotions, those
+involuntary yearnings of the heart toward some object in his presence,
+that aching void in his absence, which the more experienced would
+doubtless put down to that cause, and which no other being had ever even
+for a moment awakened in her breast. For something like half an hour the
+two rode on together, buried in their own sad reflections, when Ella
+broke the silence, by saying, in a low, touching voice:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You seem sad to-night, Algernon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Algernon started, sighed heavily, and turning slightly on his saddle,
+said: &quot;I am sad, Ella&mdash;very, very sad.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;May I ask the cause?&quot; rejoined Ella, gently.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Doubtless you will think it strange, Ella, but the cause I believe to
+have originated in a waking vision or presentiment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That does seem strange!&quot; observed Ella, in return.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Did it never strike you, dear Ella, that we are all strange beings,
+subject to strange influences, and destined, many of us, to strange
+ends?&quot; inquired Reynolds, solemnly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps I do not understand you,&quot; replied Ella; &quot;but with regard to
+destiny, I am inclined to think that we in a measure shape our own. As
+to our being strange, there are many things relating to us that we may
+not understand, and therefore look upon them in the light of which you
+speak.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are there any we do understand, Ella?&quot; rejoined Algernon. &quot;When I say
+understand, I mean the word to be used in its minutest and broadest
+sense. You say there are many things we may not understand concerning
+ourselves&mdash;what ones, I pray you, do we fully comprehend? We are here
+upon the earth&mdash;so much we know. We shall die and pass away&mdash;so much we
+know also. But how came we here, and why? How do we exist? How do we
+think, reason, speak, feel, move, see, hear, smell, taste? All these we
+do, we know; but yet not one&mdash;not a single one of them can we
+comprehend. You wish to raise your hand; and forthwith, by some
+extraordinary power&mdash;extraordinary because you cannot tell where it is,
+nor how it is&mdash;you raise it. Why cannot a dead person do the same?
+Strange question you will say to yourself with a smile&mdash;but one easily
+answered! Why, because in such a person life is extinct&mdash;there is no
+vital principle&mdash;the heart is stopped&mdash;the blood has ceased to flow in
+its regular channels! Ay! but let me ask you <i>why</i> that life is
+extinct?&mdash;why that breath has stopped?&mdash;and why that blood has ceased to
+flow? There was just the same amount of air when the person died as
+before! There were the same ingredients still left to stimulate that
+blood to action! Then wherefore should both cease?&mdash;and with them the
+power of thought, reason, speech, and all the other senses? It was not
+by a design of the individual himself; for he strove to his utmost to
+breathe longer; he was not ready to die&mdash;he did not want to quit this
+earth so soon; and yet with all his efforts to the contrary, reason
+fled, the breath stopped, the blood ceased, the limbs became palsied and
+cold, and corruption, decay and dust stood ready to follow. Now why was
+this? There is but one answer: 'God willed it!' If then one question
+resolves itself into one answer,&mdash;'the will of God'&mdash;so may all of the
+same species; and we come out, after a long train of analytical
+reasoning, exactly where we started&mdash;with this difference&mdash;that when we
+set out, we believed in being able to explain the wherefore; but when we
+came to the end, we could only assert it as a wonderful fact, whereof
+not a single iota could we understand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Algernon spoke in a clear, distinct, earnest tone&mdash;in a manner that
+showed the subject was not new to his thoughts; and after a short pause,
+during which Ella made no reply, he again proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In this grand organ of man&mdash;where all things are strange and
+incomprehensible&mdash;to me the combination of the physical and mental is
+strangest of all. The soul and the body are united and yet divided. Each
+is distinct from and acts without the other at times, and yet both act
+in concert with a wonderful power. The soul plans and the body executes.
+The body exercises the soul&mdash;the soul the body. The one is visible&mdash;the
+other invisible; the one is mortal&mdash;the other immortal. Now why do they
+act together here? Why was not each placed in its separate sphere of
+action? Again: What is the soul? Men tell us it is a spirit. What is a
+spirit? An invisible something that never dies. Who can comprehend it?
+None. Whither does it go when separated forever from the body? None can
+answer, save in language of Scripture: 'It returns to God who gave it.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have never heard the proposition advanced by another,&quot; continued
+Algernon, after another slight pause, &quot;but I have sometimes thought
+myself, that the soul departs from the body, for a brief season, and
+wanders at will among scenes either near or remote, and returns with its
+impressions, either clouded or clear, to communicate them to the
+corporeal or not, as the case may be: hence dreams or visions, and
+strong impressions when we wake, that something bright and good has
+refreshed our sleep, or something dark and evil has made it troubled and
+feverish. Again I have sometimes thought that this soul&mdash;this invisible
+and immortal something within us&mdash;has power at times to look into the
+future, and see events about to transpire; which events being sometimes
+of a dark and terrible nature, leave upon it like impressions; and hence
+gloomy and melancholy forebodings. This may be all sophistry&mdash;as much of
+our better reasoning on things we know nothing about often is&mdash;but if it
+be true, then may I trust to account for my present sadness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have you really, then, sad forebodings?&quot; inquired Ella, quickly and
+earnestly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Against my will and sober reason, dear Ella, I must own I have.
+Perchance, however, the feeling was only called up by a train of
+melancholy meditations. While sitting there to-night, gazing upon the
+many bounding forms&mdash;some full of beauty and grace, and some of
+strength&mdash;noting their joyous faces, and listening occasionally to the
+lightsome jest, and merry, ringing laugh&mdash;I could not avoid contrasting
+with the present the time when I was as happy and full full of mirth as
+they. I pictured to myself how they would stare and shudder and draw
+away from me, did they know my hand was stained with the blood of my
+own kin. Then I began, involuntarily as it were, to picture to myself
+the fate of each; and they came up before me in the form of a vision,
+(though if such, it was a waking one) but in regular order; and I saw
+them pass on one after another&mdash;some gliding smoothly down the stream of
+time to old age&mdash;some wretched and crippled, groping their way along
+over barren wastes, without water or food, though nearly dying for the
+want of both&mdash;some wading through streams of blood, with fierce and
+angry looks&mdash;and some with pale faces, red eyes, and hollow cheeks,
+roving amid coffins, sepulchres and bones; but of all, the very fewest
+number happy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh! it was an awful vision!&quot; exclaimed Ella, with a shudder.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was awful enough,&quot; rejoined Algernon; &quot;and despite of me, it made me
+more and more sad as I thought upon it. Could it indeed be a dream? But
+no! I was&mdash;seemingly at least&mdash;as wide awake and conscious as at the
+present moment. I saw the dance going on as ever&mdash;I saw the merry
+smiles, and heard the jest and laugh as before. Could it be some strange
+hallucination of the brain&mdash;some wild imagining&mdash;caused by my previous
+exercise and over heat? I pondered upon it long and seriously, but could
+not determine. Suddenly&mdash;I know not how nor why&mdash;that ill-looking
+stranger who lodged one night at your uncle's, and departed so
+mysteriously, came up in my mind; and almost at the same moment, I
+fancied myself riding with you, dear Ella, through a dark and lonely
+wood&mdash;when all of a sudden there came a fierce yell&mdash;several dark,
+hideous forms, with him among them, swam around me&mdash;I heard you shriek
+for aid&mdash;and then all became darkness and confusion; from which I was
+aroused by some one inquiring if I were ill? What I answered I know not;
+but the querist immediately took his leave.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It all seems very strange, Algernon,&quot; observed Ella, thoughtfully; &quot;but
+it was probably nothing more than a feverish dream, brought about by
+your exercise acting too suddenly and powerfully upon your nervous
+system, which doubtless has not as yet recovered from the prostration
+caused by your wound.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So I tried to think, dear Ella,&quot; returned Algernon, with a sigh; &quot;but I
+have not even yet been able to shake off the gloomy impression, that,
+whatever the cause, it was sent as a warning of danger. But I am
+foolish, perhaps, to think as I do; and so let us change the subject.
+You spoke a few moments since of destiny. You said, if I mistake not,
+you believed each individual capable of shaping his own.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I did,&quot; answered Ella; &quot;with the exception, that I qualified it by
+saying in a measure. No person, I think, has the power of moulding
+himself to an end which is contrary to the law of nature and his own
+physical organization; but at the same time he has many ways, some good
+and some evil, left open for him to choose; else he were not a free
+agent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay,&quot; rejoined Algernon, &quot;by-paths all to the same great end. I look
+upon every one here, Ella, as a traveler placed upon the great highway
+called destiny&mdash;with a secret power within that impels him forward, but
+allows no pause nor retrograde. Along this highway are flowers, and
+briars, and thistles, and weeds, and shady woods, and barren rocks, and
+sterile bluffs, and glassy plots; but proportioned differently to each,
+as the Maker of all designs his path to be pleasant or otherwise. Beside
+this highway are perhaps a dozen minor paths, all running a similar
+course, and all finally merging into it&mdash;either near or far, as the case
+may be&mdash;before its termination at the great gate of death. The free
+agency you speak of, is in choosing of these lesser paths&mdash;some of which
+are full of the snares of temptation, the chasms of ruin, and the
+pitfalls of destruction; and some of the flowers of peace, the bowers of
+plenty, and the green woods of contentment. But how to follow the proper
+one is the difficulty; for they run into one another&mdash;cross and recross
+in a thousand different ways&mdash;so that the best disposed as often hit the
+wrong as the right one, and are entrapped before they are aware of their
+dangerous course. Worldly wisdom is here put at fault, and the fool as
+often goes right as the wise man of lore&mdash;thus showing, notwithstanding
+our free agency, that circumstances govern us; and that what many put
+down as crime, is, in fact, oftentimes, neither more nor less than error
+of judgment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then you consider free agency only a chance game, depending, as it
+were, upon the throw of a die?&quot; observed Ella, inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I believe this much of free agency, that a train of circumstances often
+forces some to evil and others to good; and that we should look upon the
+former, in many cases&mdash;mind I do not say all&mdash;as unfortunate rather than
+criminal&mdash;with pity rather than scorn; and so endeavor to reclaim them.
+Were this doctrine more practiced by Christians&mdash;by those whom the world
+terms good, (but whom circumstances alone have made better than their
+fellows,) there would be far less of sin, misery, and crime abounding
+for them to deplore. Let the creed of churches only be to ameliorate the
+condition of the poor, relieve the distressed, remove temptations from
+youth, encourage the virtuous, and endeavor, by gently means, to reclaim
+the erring&mdash;and the holy design of Him who died to save would nobly
+progress, prisons would be turned into asylums, and scaffolds be things
+known only by tradition.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Algernon spoke with an easy, earnest eloquence, and a force of emphasis,
+that made each word tell with proper effect upon his fair hearer. To
+Ella the ideas he advanced were, many of them, entirely new; and she
+mused thoughtfully upon them, as they rode along, without reply; while
+he, becoming warm upon a subject that evidently occupied no inferior
+place in his mind, went on to speak of the wrongs and abuses which
+society in general heaped upon the unfortunate, as he termed
+them&mdash;contrasted the charity of professing Christians of the eighteenth
+century with that of Christ himself&mdash;and pointed out what he considered
+the most effectual means of remedy. To show that a train of
+circumstances would frequently force persons against their own will and
+reason to be what society terms criminal, he referred to himself, and
+his own so far eventful destiny; and Ella could not but admit to
+herself, that, in his case at least, his arguments were well grounded,
+and she shaped her replies accordingly.</p>
+
+<p>Thus conversing, they continued upon their course, until they came to
+the brow of a steep descent, down which the path ran in a zigzag manner,
+through a dark, gloomy ravine, now rendered intensely so to our
+travelers, by the hour, their thoughts, the wildness of the scenery
+around, and the dense growth of cedars covering the hollow, whose
+untrimmed branches, growing even to the ground, overreached and partly
+obstructed their way. By this time only one or two stars were visible in
+the heavens; and they shone with pale, faint gleams; while in the east
+the beautiful gray and crimson tints of Aurora announced that day was
+already breaking on the slumbering world. Drawing rein, Algernon and
+Ella paused as if to contemplate the scene. Below and around them each
+object presented that misty, indistinct appearance, which leaves the
+imagination power to give it either a pleasing or hideous shape. In the
+immediate vicinity, the country was uneven; rocky, and covered with
+cedars; but far off to the right could be discerned the even surface of
+the cane-brake, previously mentioned, now stretching away in the
+distance like the unruffled bosom of some beautiful lake. A light breeze
+slightly rustled the leaves of the trees, among whose branches an
+occasional songster piped forth his morning lay of rejoicing.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How lovely is nature in all her varieties!&quot; exclaimed Ella, with
+animation, as she glanced over the scene.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay, and in that variety lies her loveliness,&quot; answered Algernon. &quot;It is
+the constant and eternal change going forward that interests us, and
+gives to nature her undying charm. Man&mdash;high-souled, contemplative
+man&mdash;was not born to sameness. Variety is to his mind what food is to
+his body; and as the latter, deprived of its usual nourishment, sinks to
+decay&mdash;so the former, from like deprivation of its strengthening power,
+becomes weak and imbecile. Again: as coarse, plain food and hardy
+exercise add health and vigor to the physical&mdash;so does the contemplation
+of nature in her wildness and grandeur give to the mental a powerful and
+lofty tone. Of all writers for poetical and vigorous intellects, give me
+those who have been reared among cloud-capped hills, and craggy steeps,
+and rushing streams, and roaring cataracts; for their conceptions are
+grand, their comparisons beautiful, and the founts from which they draw,
+as exhaustless almost as nature herself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have often thought the same myself,&quot; returned Ella; &quot;for I never gaze
+upon a beautiful scene in nature, that I do not feel refreshed. To me
+the two most delightful are morning and evening. I love to stand upon
+some eminence, and mark, as now, the first gray, crimson and golden
+streaks that rush up in the eastern sky; and catch the first rays of old
+Sol, as he, surrounded by a reddened halo, shows his welcome face above
+the hills; or at calm eve watch his departure, as with a last, fond,
+lingering look he takes his leave, as 'twere in sorrow that he could not
+longer tarry; while earth, not thus to be outdone in point of grief,
+puts on her sable dress to mourn his absence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah! Ella,&quot; said Algernon, turning to her with a gentle smile, &quot;methinks
+morning and evening are somewhat indebted to you for a touch of poetry
+in their behalf.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Rather say I am indebted to them for a thousand fine feelings I have
+not even power to express,&quot; rejoined Ella.</p>
+
+<p>Algernon was on the point of returning an answer, when, casting his eyes
+down into the ravine, he slightly started, his gaze became fixed, and
+his features grew a shade more pale. Ella noticed this sudden change,
+and in a voice slightly tremulous inquired the cause. For nearly a
+minute Algernon made no reply, but kept his eyes steadily bent in the
+same direction, apparently riveted on some object below. Ella also
+looked down; but seeing nothing worthy of note, and growing somewhat
+alarmed at his silence, was on the point of addressing him again, when,
+slightly turning his head, and rubbing his eyes with his hand, he said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Methought I saw a dark object move in the hollow below; but I think I
+must have been mistaken, for all appears quiet there now&mdash;not even a
+limb or so much as a leaf stirs. Lest there should be danger, however,
+dear Ella, I will ride down first and ascertain. If I give an alarm,
+turn your horse and do not spare him till you reach Wilson's.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, no, no!&quot; exclaimed Ella, with vehemence, laying her hand upon his
+arm, as he was about starting forward, her own features now growing very
+pale. &quot;If you go, Algernon, you go not alone! If there is danger, I will
+share it with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Algernon turned towards her a face that, one moment crimsoned with
+animation and the next became deadly pale; while his whole frame
+quivered with intense emotion, and he seemed vainly struggling to
+command contending feelings. Suddenly clasping her hand in his, he
+pressed it warmly, raised it to his lips, and in a trembling tone said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ella&mdash;dear Ella&mdash;God bless you! If ever&mdash;but&mdash;no&mdash;no&mdash;no;&quot; and covering
+his face with his hands, he wept convulsively; while she, no less deeply
+affected, could scarcely sit her horse.</p>
+
+<p>At length Algernon withdrew his hands, and exhibited features pale but
+calm. Drawing forth his pistols, he carefully examined their priming,
+and then replaced them in his belt. During this proceeding, he failed
+not to urge Ella to alter her design and remain, while he went forward;
+but finding her determined on keeping him company, he signified his
+readiness to proceed, and both started slowly down the hill together.
+They reached the ravine in safety, and advanced some twenty yards
+further, when suddenly there arose a terrific Indian yell, followed
+instantly by the sharp report of several fire-arms, a wild, piercing
+shriek, some two or three heavy groans, a rustling among the trees, and
+then by a stillness as deep and awfully solemn as that which pervades
+the narrow house appointed for all living.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<center>THE OLD WOODSMAN AND HIS DOG.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>The sun was perhaps an hour above the mountain tops, when a solitary
+hunter, in the direction of the cane-brake, might have been seen shaping
+his course toward the hill whereon Algernon and Ella had so lately
+paused to contemplate the dawning day. Upon his shoulder rested a long
+rifle, and a dog of the Newfoundland species followed in his steps or
+trotted along by his side. In a few minutes he reached the place
+referred to; when the snuffling of his canine companion causing him to
+look down, his attention instantly became fixed upon the foot-prints of
+the horses which had passed there the day before, and particularly on
+the two that had repassed there so lately.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What is it, C&aelig;sar?&quot; said he, addressing the brute. &quot;Nothing wrong here,
+I reckon.&quot; C&aelig;sar, as if conscious of his master's language, raised his
+head, and looking down into the ravine, appeared to snuff the air; then
+darting forward, he was quickly lost among the branching cedars.
+Scarcely thirty seconds elapsed, ere a long, low howl came up from the
+valley; and starting like one suddenly surprised by some disagreeable
+occurrence, the hunter, with a cheek slightly blanched, hurried down the
+crooked path, muttering as he went, &quot;Thar's something wrong, for
+sartin&mdash;for C&aelig;sar never lies.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In less than a minute the hunter came in sight of his dog, which he
+found standing with his hind feet on the ground and his fore-paws
+resting on the carcass of a horse, that had apparently been dead but a
+short time. As C&aelig;sar perceived his master approach, he uttered another
+of those peculiar, long, low, mournful howls, which the superstitious
+not unfrequently interpret as omens of evil.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good heavens!&quot; exclaimed the hunter, as he came up; &quot;thar's been foul
+play here, C&aelig;sar&mdash;foul play, for sartin. D'ye think, dog, it war Indians
+as done it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The brute looked up into the speaker's face, with one of those
+expressions of intelligence or sagacity, which seem to speak what the
+tongue has not power to utter, and then wagging his tail, gave a sharp,
+fierce bark.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Right, dog!&quot; continued the other, as, stooping to the ground, he began
+to examine with great care the prints left there by human feet. &quot;Right,
+dog, they're the rale varmints, and no mistake. Ef all folks war as
+sensible and knowing as you, thar would'nt be many fools about, I
+reckon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Having finished his examination of the ground, the hunter again turned
+to look at the carcass of the horse, which was lying on its left side,
+some two feet from the path, and had apparently fallen dead from a shot
+in the forehead, between the eyes. An old saddle, devoid of straps, lay
+just concealed under the branching cedars. The ground around was trodden
+as if from a scuffle, and the limbs of the trees were broken in many
+places&mdash;while in two or three others could be seen spots of blood, not
+even yet dry&mdash;none of which informants of the recent struggle escaped
+the keen observation of the woodsman. Suddenly the dog, which had been
+watching his master's motions intently, put his nose to the ground,
+darted along the path further into the ravine, and presently resounded
+another of those mournful howls.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha! another diskivery!&quot; exclaimed the hunter, as he started after his
+companion.</p>
+
+<p>About thirty yards further on, he came upon the carcass of another
+horse, which had been killed by a ball in the right side, and the blow
+of some weapon, probably a tomahawk, on the head. By its side also lay a
+lady's saddle, stripped like the former of its trappings. This the
+woodsman now proceeded to examine attentively, for something like a
+minute, during which time a troubled expression rested on his dark,
+sunburnt features.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm either mightily mistaken,&quot; said he at length, with a grave look,
+&quot;or that thar horse and saddle is the property of Ben Younker; and I
+reckon it's the same critter as is rid by Ella Barnwell. Heaven forbid,
+sweet lady, that it be thou as met with this terrible misfortune!&mdash;but
+ef it be, by the Power that made me, I swar to follow on thy trail; and
+ef I meet any of thy captors, then, Betsey, I'll just call on you for a
+backwoods sentiment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he concluded, the hunter turned with a look of affection towards his
+rifle, which he firmly grasped with a nervous motion. At this moment,
+the dog, which had been busying himself by running to and fro with his
+nose to the ground, suddenly paused, and laying back his ears, uttered a
+low, fierce growl. The hunter cast toward him a quick glance; and
+dropping upon his knees, applied his ear to the earth, where he remained
+some fifteen seconds; then rising to his feet, he made a motion with his
+hand, and together with C&aelig;sar withdrew into the thicket.</p>
+
+<p>For some time no sound was heard to justify this precaution of the
+woodsman; but at length a slight jarring of the ground became apparent,
+followed by a noise at some distance, resembling the clatter of horses'
+feet, which, gradually growing louder as the cause drew nearer, soon
+became sufficiently so to put all doubts on the matter at rest. In less
+than five minutes from the disappearance of the hunter, some eight or
+ten horses, bearing as many riders, approached the hill from the
+direction of Wilson's, and began to descend into the ravine. The party,
+composed of both sexes, were in high glee&mdash;some jesting, some singing,
+and some laughing uproariously. Nothing occurred to interrupt their
+merriment, until they began to lose themselves among the cedars of the
+hollow, when the foremost horse suddenly gave a snort and bounded to one
+side&mdash;a movement which his companion, close behind, imitated&mdash;while the
+rider of the latter, a female, uttered a loud, piercing scream of
+fright. In a moment the whole party was in confusion&mdash;some turning their
+horses to the right about and riding back towards Wilson's, at headlong
+speed&mdash;and some pausing in fear, undecided what to do. The two foremost
+horses now became very refractory, rearing and plunging in a manner that
+threatened to unseat their riders every moment. Of the two, the one
+ridden by the lady was the most ungovernable; and in spite of her
+efforts to quiet or hold him, he seized the bit in his teeth, and,
+rearing on his hind legs, plunged madly forward, until he came to where
+the other carcass was lying, when, giving another snort of fear, he
+again reared, and turning aside into the thicket, left his rider almost
+senseless in the path he had just quitted. Fortunately the beast shaped
+his course to where the hunter was concealed, who, with a sudden spring,
+as he was rushing past, seized upon the bridle near the bit, and
+succeeded, after a struggle, in mastering and leading him back to the
+path.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the companion of the lady had come up; and seeing her
+condition, was dismounting to render her assistance; when his eye
+falling upon the stranger, he started, and placed his hand quickly to
+his belt, as if in search of some weapon of defence. The hunter saw the
+movement, and said, with a gesture of command:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hold! young man; don't do any thing rash!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who are you, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A friend.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your name!&quot; continued the other, as he sprang to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Names don't matter, stranger, in cases sech as this. I said I war a
+friend.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;By what may I know you as such.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My deeds,&quot; returned the other, laconically. &quot;Think you, stranger, ef I
+wanted to harm ye, I couldn't have done it without you seeing me?&quot; and
+as he spoke, he glanced significantly toward his rifle.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;True,&quot; returned the other; &quot;but what's the meaning of this?&quot; and he
+pointed toward the dead horse.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It means Indians, as nigh as I can come at it,&quot; replied the hunter.
+&quot;But look to the living afore the dead!&quot; And the woodsman in turn
+pointed toward the lady.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Right!&quot; said the other; and springing to her side, he raised her in his
+arms.</p>
+
+<p>She was not injured, other than slightly stunned by the fall, and she
+quickly regained her senses. At first she was somewhat alarmed; but
+perceiving who supported her, and nothing in the mild, noble, benevolent
+countenance of the stranger, who was still holding her horse by the
+bridle, of a sinister nature, she anxiously inquired what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I can only guess by what I see;&quot; answered the hunter, &quot;that some o'
+your company have been less fortunate than you. Didn't two o' them set
+out in advance?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Gracious heavens!&quot; cried the young man supporting the lady; &quot;it is Ella
+Barnwell and the stranger Reynolds!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then they must be quickly trailed!&quot; rejoined the hunter briefly. &quot;Go,
+young man, take your lady back agin, and raise an armed party for
+pursuit. Be quick in your operations, and I'll wait and join you here.
+Leave your horses thar, for we must take it afoot; and besides, gather
+as much provision as you can all easily carry, for Heaven only knows
+whar or when our journey'll end.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But do you think they're still living?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I hope so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then let us return, Henry,&quot; said the lady, &quot;as quick as possible, so
+that a party for pursuit may be collected before the wedding guests have
+all separated.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I fear it will be difficult, Mary, but we must try it,&quot; replied the
+young man, as he assisted her to mount. Then, turning to the stranger,
+he added: &quot;But won't you accompany us, sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, it can do no good; besides I'm afoot, and would only cause delay,
+and thar's been too much o' that already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At least, sir, favor me with your name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The first white hunter o' old Kaintuck,&quot; answered the other, stroking
+the neck of the fiery beast on which the lady was now sitting.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What!&quot; exclaimed the other, in a tone of surprise: &quot;Boone! Colonel
+Daniel Boone?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I'm sometimes called colonel,&quot; returned the hunter, dryly, still
+stroking the horse's neck; &quot;but Daniel's the older title, and a little
+the most familiar one besides.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I crave pardon for my former rudeness, Colonel,&quot; said the other,
+advancing and offering his hand; &quot;but you were a stranger to me you
+know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, well, it's all right&mdash;I'd have done exactly so myself,&quot; answered
+Boone, grasping the young man's hand with a cordiality that showed no
+offence had been taken. &quot;And now&mdash;a&mdash;how do you call yourself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Henry Millbanks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, Master Millbanks, pray be speedy; for while we talk, our friends
+may die, and it goes agin nater to think on't,&quot; said Boone, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, he led forward the lady's horse past the other carcass;
+while Henry, springing upon his own beast, followed after. Having seen
+them safely out of the ravine, the noble hunter turned back to wait the
+arrival of the expected assistance. He had just gained the center of the
+thicket, when he was slightly startled again by the growl of his dog,
+and the tramp of what appeared to be another horse, coming from the
+direction of Younker's. Hastily secreting himself, he awaited in silence
+the approach of the new comer, whom he soon discovered to be an old
+acquaintance, who was riding at a fast gallop, bearing some heavy weight
+in his arms. As he came up to the carcass of Ella's horse, he slackened
+his speed, looked at it earnestly, then gazed cautiously around, and was
+about to spur his boast onward again, when the sound of Boone's voice
+reached, his ear; requesting him to pause; and at the same time, to his
+astonishment, Boone himself emerged into the path before him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha! Colonel Boone,&quot; said the horsemen, quickly; &quot;I'm glad to meet ye;
+for now is a time when every true man's wanted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What's the news, David Billings?&quot; inquired Boone, anxiously, as he
+noticed a troubled, earnest expression on the countenance of the other.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Bad!&quot; answered Billings, emphatically. &quot;The Injens have been down upon
+us agin in a shocking manner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Heaven forbid thar be many victims!&quot; ejaculated Boone, unconsciously
+tightening the grasp on his rifle.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Too many&mdash;too many!&quot; rejoined Billings, shaking his head sadly. &quot;Thar's
+my neighbor Millbanks' family&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well? well?&quot; cried Boone, impatiently, as the other seemed to hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have all been murdered, and his house burnt to ashes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All?&quot; echoed Boone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;All but young Harry, who's fortunately away to a wedding at Wilson's.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, the one you speak of war just now here,&quot; said Boone, with a start;
+&quot;and I sent him back to raise a party to trail the red varmints, who've
+been operating as you see yonder: Good heavens! what awful news for poor
+Harry, who seems so likely a lad.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, likely you may well say,&quot; returned the other; &quot;and so war the
+whole family&mdash;God ha' mercy on 'em! But what's been done here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I suppose Ella Barnwell&mdash;Younker's niece, you know&mdash;and a likely
+young stranger who war along with her, called Reynolds, have been
+captured.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha! well it's supposed Younker and his wife are captives too, or else
+that thar bones lie white among the ashes of thar own ruins.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good heavens!&quot; cried Boone. &quot;Any more, David?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, thar's Absalom Switcher and his wife, and a young gal of twelve;
+and Ephraim Stokes' wife and a young boy of five; who war left by
+themselves, (Stokes himself being away, and his son Seth at the wedding,
+as was a son o' Switcher's also) have all bin foully mardered&mdash;besides
+Johnny Long's family, Peter Pierson's, and a young child of Fred Mason's
+that happened to be at Pierson's house, and one or two others whose
+names I disremember.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But when did this happen, David?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Last night,&quot; replied the other. &quot;It's suspected that the Injens ha bin
+warting round here, and took advantage of this wedding, when the greater
+part on 'em war away. It's thought too that thar war a white spy out,
+who gin 'em information, and led 'em on&mdash;as a villainous looking chap
+war seed about the vicinity not long ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do they suspicion who war the spy?&quot; asked Boone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why some thinks as how it war that thar accussed renegade, Simon
+Girty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Wretch!&quot; muttered Boone, grasping his rifle almost fiercely; &quot;I'd like
+to have old Bess, here, hold a short conflab with him. But what have you
+got thar in your arms, that seems so heavy, David?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Rifles, Colonel. I've bin riding round and collecting on 'em for this
+mad party of Younker's, who went off without any precaution; and I'm now
+on my way to deliver 'em, that they may start instanter arter the cussed
+red skins, and punish 'em according to the Mosaic law.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Spur on then, David, and you may perhaps overtake some o' them; and all
+that you do, arm and send 'em here as quick as possible&mdash;for I'm
+dreadful impatient to be off.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The colloquy between the two thus concluded, the horseman&mdash;a
+strongly-built, hard-favored, muscular man of forty&mdash;set spurs to his
+horse; and bounding onward toward Wilson's (distant some five miles&mdash;the
+ravine being about half way between the residence of the groom and
+bride,) he was quickly lost to the sight of the other, who quietly
+seated himself to await the reinforcement.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of half an hour, Boone was joined by some three or four of
+the wedding party, who bad been overtaken by Billings, learned the news,
+accepted a rifle each, bidden their fair companions adieu, and sent them
+and the horses back to the house of the bride, while they moved forward
+to meet danger, rescue the living, and seek revenge.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of an hour and a half, Billings himself returned,
+accompanied by some seven or eight stout hearts; among whom were young
+Switcher, Stokes, Millbanks, and, lastly, Isaac Younker, who had been
+roused from the nuptial bed to hear of the terrible calamity that had
+befallen his friends. Isaac, on the present occasion, did not disgrace
+his training, the land which gave him birth, nor the country he now
+inhabited. When the messenger came with the direful news, although
+somewhat late in the morning, Isaac had been found in his bed, closely
+folded in the arms of the god of sleep. On being awakened and told of
+what had taken place, he slowly rose up into a sitting posture, rubbed
+his eyes, stared searchingly at his informant, gathered himself upon his
+feet, threw on his wedding garments, and made all haste to descend
+below; where he at once sought out his new wife, Peggy, who had risen an
+hour before; and grasping her by the hand, in a voice slightly
+tremulous, but with a firm, determined expression on his features, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Peggy, dear, I 'spect you've heard the whole on't. Father, mother, Ella
+and Reynolds&mdash;all gone, and our house in ashes, I'm going to follow,
+Peggy. Good bye&mdash;God bless you! Ef I don't never come back, Peggy&quot;&mdash;and
+the tears started into his eyes&mdash;&quot;you may jest put it down I've been
+clean sarcumvented, skinned, and eat up by them thar ripscallious
+Injens;&quot; and turning upon his heel, as his tender-hearted spouse burst
+into tears, he seized upon same provisions that had graced the last
+night's entertainment, gave Black Betty a long and cordial salute with
+his lips, shook hands with his wife's father and mother, kissed Peggy
+once again, pulled his cap over his eyes, and, without another word, set
+forth with rapid strides on the eastern path leading to the rendezvous
+of Daniel Boone.</p>
+
+<p>On the faces of those now assembled, who had lost their best and dearest
+friends, could be seen the intense workings of the strong passions of
+grief and revenge, while their fingers clutched their faithful rifles
+with a nervous power. The greatest change was apparent in the features
+of Henry Millbanks. He was a fine-favored, good-looking youth of
+eighteen, with light hair and a florid complexion. The natural
+expression of his handsome countenance was an easy, dignified smile,
+which was rendered extremely fascinating by a broad, noble forehead, and
+a clear, expressive, gray eye; but now the floridity had given place to
+a pale, almost sallow hue, the forehead was wrinkled with grief, the
+lips were compressed, and the smile had been succeeded by a look of
+great fierceness, aided by the eye; which was more than usually sunken
+and bloodshot.</p>
+
+<p>But little was said by any of the party; for all felt the chilling
+gloom of the present, so strongly contrasted with the bright hours and
+merry jests which had so lately been apportioned to each. Boone called
+to C&aelig;sar and bade him seek the Indian trail; a task which the noble
+brute flew to execute; and in a few minutes the whole company were on
+their way; with the exception of Billings; who, by the unanimous request
+of all, returned to Wilson's; to cheer, console and protect the females;
+and, if thought advisable, to conduct them to Bryan's Station&mdash;a strong
+fort a few miles distant&mdash;where they might remain in comparative
+security.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<center>THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>While the events just chronicled were enacting in one part of the
+country, others, of a different nature, but somewhat connected with
+them, were taking place in another. In a dark, lonely pass or gorge of
+the hills, some ten miles to the north of the scene of the preceding
+chapter, where the surrounding trees grew so thick with branches and
+leaves that they almost entirely excluded the sunlight from the waters
+of a stream which there rolled foaming and roaring between the hills and
+over and against the rocks of its precipitous bed, or, plunging down
+some frightful precipice, lay as if stunned or exhausted by the fall in
+the chasm below, mirroring in its still bosom with a gloomy reflection
+the craggy steeps rising majestically above it&mdash;in this dark and lonely
+pass, we say, was a party of human beings, to whom the proper
+development of our story now calls us.</p>
+
+<p>The company in question was composed of eight persons, five of whom were
+Indians of the Seneca tribe;<a name="FNanchor_5" id="FNanchor_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> the others&mdash;a thin-faced, gaunt,
+stoop-shouldered man past the middle age&mdash;a rather corpulent, masculine
+looking woman, a few years his junior&mdash;a little fair-haired, blue-eyed,
+pretty-faced girl of six&mdash;were white captives. Four of the Indians were
+seated or partly reclining on the ground, with their guns beside them,
+ready for instant use if necessary, engaged in roasting slices of deer
+meat before a fire that had been kindled for the purpose. The fifth
+savage was pacing to and fro, with his rifle on his arm, performing the
+double duty of sentinel and guard over the prisoners, who were kept in
+durance by strong cords some ten paces distant. The old man was secured
+by a stick passing across his back horizontally, to which both wrists
+and arms were tightly bound with thongs of deer skin. To prevent the
+possibility of escape, both legs were fastened together by the same
+material, and a long, stout rope, encircling his neck, was attached to a
+tree hard by. This latter precaution, and much of the former, seemed
+unnecessary; for there was a mild look of resigned dejection on his
+features, as they bent toward the earth, with his chin resting on his
+bosom, that appeared strongly at variance with any thing like flight or
+strife. His female companion was fastened in like manner to the tree,
+but in other respects only bound by a stout thong around the wrists in
+front. The third member of the white party, the little girl, was seated
+at the feet of the old man, with her small wrists also bound until they
+had swollen so as to pain her, looking up from time to time into his
+face with a heart-rending expression of grief, fear and anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>Of the Indians themselves, we presume it would be difficult to find,
+among all the tribes of America, five more blood-thirsty, villainous
+looking beings than the ones in question. They were only partially
+dressed, after the manner of their tribe, with skins around their loins,
+extending down to their knees, and moccasins on their feet, leaving the
+rest of their bodies and limbs bare. Around their waists were belts, for
+the tomahawk and scalping knife, at three of which now hung freshly
+taken scalps. Their faces had been hideously painted for the war-path;
+but heat and perspiration had since out done the artist, by running the
+composition into streaks, in such a way as to give them the most
+diabolical appearance imaginable. On each of their heads was a tuft of
+feathers, some of which had the appearance of having recently been
+scorched and blackened by fire, while their arms and bodies were here
+and there besmeared with blood.</p>
+
+<p>The four around the fire were in high glee, as they roasted and devoured
+their meat, judging from their nods, and grins, and grunts of
+approbation, whenever their eyes glanced in the direction of their
+prisoners&mdash;the effect of which was far from consoling to the matron of
+the latter; who, having eyed them for some time in indignant silence, at
+length burst forth with angry vehemence:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, now, jest grin, and jabber, and grin, like a pesky set o' natural
+born monkeys, that's ten times better nor you is any day of your good
+for nothing, sneaking lives. Goodness, gracious, marsy on me alive!&quot;
+continued the dame, whom the reader has doubtless recognized as Mrs.
+Younker; &quot;I only jest wish you had to change places with me and Ben here
+for about five minutes; and ef I didn't make your old daubed, nasty,
+villainous, unyarthly looking faces grin to another tune, I hope I may
+never be blessed with liberty agin in creation, as long as I live on the
+face o' this univarsal yarth!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ugh!&quot; ejaculated the sentinel, turning towards the speaker, as she
+concluded her fierce tirade, at the same time placing his hand on the
+tomahawk in his belt with an angry gesture: &quot;Ugh! me squaw kill&mdash;she no
+stop much talky!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You'd kill me, would ye? you mean, dirty, ripscallious looking varmint
+of the woods you, that don't know a pin from a powder horn!&quot; rejoined
+the undaunted Mrs. Younker, in a vehement tone: &quot;You'd kill me for using
+the freedom of tongue, as these blessed Colonies is this moment fighting
+for with the tarnal Britishers? You'd kill me, would ye? Well, it's jest
+my first nateral come at opinion, as I tolled Ben here, not more'n a
+quarter o' an hour ago, that you war jest mean enough for any thing, as
+ever war invented, in the whole univarsal yarth o' creation&mdash;so ef you
+do kill me, I won't be in the leastest grain disappinted, no how.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't, Dorothy&mdash;don't irritate the savage for nothing at all!&quot; said her
+husband, who, raising his head at the first remark of the Indian, now
+saw in his fierce, flashing eyes, angry gestures, and awful contortions
+of visage, that which boded the sudden fulfillment of his threat: &quot;Don't
+irritate him, and git murdered for your pains, Dorothy! Why can't you be
+more quiet?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't talk to me about being quiet, Benjamin Younker, away out here in
+the woods, a captive to such imps an them thar, with our house all burnt
+to nothing like, and our cows and sheeps and hosses destructed, and&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here the speech of the good woman was suddenly cut short by the whizzing
+of a tomahawk past her head, which slightly grazed her cheek, and lodged
+in the tree a few feet beyond. Whether it was aimed at her life and
+missed its mark, or whether it was merely done to frighten her, does not
+appear; though the manner of the savage, after the weapon was thrown,
+inclines us to the latter supposition; for instead of rushing upon her
+with his knife, he walked deliberately to the tree, withdrew the
+tomahawk, and then turning to her, and brandishing it over her head,
+said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Squaw, still be! Speak much, me killum!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Be the design of the Indian what it might, the whole proceeding
+certainly produced one result, which nothing had ever been known to do
+before&mdash;it awed to silence the tongue of Mrs. Younker, just at a moment
+when talking would have been such a relief to her overcharged spirit;
+and merely muttering, in an under tone, &quot;I do jest believe the
+ripscallious varmint is in arnest, sure enough!&quot; she held her speech for
+the extraordinary space of half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the other savages finished their repast; and having offered a
+portion of it to the prisoners, which the latter refused, they proceeded
+to destroy their fire, by casting the burning brands into the rushing
+waters of the stream below. This done, they extended their circle
+somewhat&mdash;each placing himself by a tree or rock&mdash;and then in the most
+profound silence stood like bronzed statuary, apparently awaiting the
+arrival of another party. At last&mdash;and just as the sun was beginning to
+peep over the brow of the steep above them, and let his rays struggle
+with the matted foliage of the trees, for a glimpse of the roaring
+waters underneath&mdash;one of the Indians started, looked cautiously around,
+dropped flat upon the earth; and then rising, and motioning with his
+hand for all to be silent, glided noiselessly away, like the shadow of
+some evil spirit, into the surrounding thicket. He had scarcely been
+absent three minutes, when a slight crackling among the brush was heard
+near at hand; and immediately after he rejoined his companions, followed
+by a party of eight Indian warriors, and two white prisoners, headed by
+a low browed, sinister, blood-thirsty looking white man, in a garb
+resembling that worn by a subordinate British officer. His coat was red,
+with facings of another color, underneath which was partially displayed
+a handsome vest and ruffled shirt. About his waist passed a broad wampum
+belt, in which were confined a brace of silver mounted pistols, another
+pair of less finish and value, a silver handled dirk, a scalping knife
+and tomahawk, on whose blades could be seen traces of blood. Around his
+neck was a neatly tied cravat, and dangling in front of his vest a gold
+chain, which connected with a watch hid in a pocket of his breeches,
+whence depended a larger chain of steel, supporting in turn three
+splendid gold seals and two keys. His nether garments were breeches,
+leggins, and moccasins, all of deer skin, and without ornament. His hat,
+not unlike those of the present day, was on this occasion graced with a
+red feather, which protruded above the crown, and corresponded well with
+his general appearance.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian companions of this individual were not remarkable for any
+thing, unless it might be ferocity of expression. They were habited,
+with but one exception, like those previously described, and evidently
+belonged to the same tribe. This exception was a large, athletic,
+powerful Indian, rather rising of six feet, around whose waist was a
+finely worked wampum belt, over whose right shoulder, in a transverse
+direction, extended a red scarf, carelessly tied under the left arm, and
+in whose nose and ears were large, heavy rings, denoting him to be
+either a chief or one in command. His age was about thirty; and his
+features, though perhaps less ferocious than some of his companions,
+were still enough so to make him an object of dread and fear. His
+forehead was low, his eye black and piercing, and his nose rather flat
+and widely distended at the nostrils. He was called Peshewa: Anglice,
+Wild cat.</p>
+
+<p>As the prisoners of the latter party came in sight of those of the
+former, there was a general start and exclamation of surprise; while the
+sad faces of each showed how little pleasure they felt in meeting each
+other under such painful circumstances. The last comers, as the reader
+has doubtless conjectured, were Algernon and Ella. Immediately on their
+entering the ravine, as previously recorded, they had been set upon by
+savages, their horses shot from under them, and themselves made
+captives. This result, however, as regards Algernon, had not been
+effected without considerable effort on the part of his numerous
+enemies. At the first fire, his horse fell; but disentangling himself,
+and drawing his pistols, he sprung upon the side of his dying beast, and
+discharged them both at his nearest foes&mdash;one of which took effect, and
+sent a warrior to his last account. Then leaping in among them, he drew
+his knife and cut madly about him until secured; though doubtless he
+would have been tomahawked on the spot, only that he might be reserved
+for the tortures, when his brutal captors should arrive at their
+destination. Meantime the animal which bore the lovely Ella, being
+wounded by the same fire which killed her companion's, bounded forward
+some twenty paces, when a blow on the head with a tomahawk laid him
+prostrate, and she was secured also. The party then proceeded to bury
+the dead, at some little distance, and start upon their journey, to join
+their companions&mdash;which latter we have just seen accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as mutual recognitions had passed between the prisoners, the
+individual habited in the British uniform stepped forward, and said,
+jocosely:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;So, friends, we all meet again, do we, eh?&mdash;ha, ha, ha!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At the sound of his voice, the old man and his wife, both of whom had
+been too intently occupied with Algernon and Ella to notice him before,
+started, and turning their eyes suddenly upon him, simultaneously
+exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mr. Williams!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Sometimes</i> Mr. Williams,&quot; answered the other, with a strong emphasis
+on the first word, accompanying it with a horrible oath; &quot;but now, when
+disguise is no longer necessary, Simon Girty, the renegade,
+by &mdash;&mdash;!&mdash;ha, ha, ha!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he uttered these words, in a coarse, ruffianly tone, a visible
+shudder of fear or disgust, or both combined, passed through the frame
+of each of the prisoners; and Algernon turning to him, with an
+expression of loathing contempt, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I more than half suspected as much, when I sometime since contemplated
+your low-browed, hang-dog countenance. Of course we can expect no mercy
+at such hands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mercy!&quot; cried Girty, turning fiercely upon him, his eyes gleaming
+savagely, his mouth twisting into a shape intended to express the most
+withering contempt, while his words fairly hissed from between his
+tightly set teeth: &quot;Mercy? dog! No, by h&mdash;&mdash;l! for none like you! Hark ye,
+Mr. Reynolds! Were you in the damnable cells of the Inquisition, accused
+of heresy, and about to be put to the tortures, you might think yourself
+in Paradise compared to what you shall yet undergo!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he uttered these words, Ella shrieked and fell fainting to the earth.
+Springing to her, Girty raised her in his arms; and pointing to her pale
+features, as he did so, continued:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;See! Mr. Reynolds, this girl loves you; I love her; we are rivals; and
+you, my rival, are in my power: and, by &mdash;&mdash;! and all the powers of
+darkness, you shall feel my vengeance!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You love her?&quot; broke in Mrs. Younker, who, in spite of her previous
+dangerous warning, could hold her peace no longer: &quot;You love her! you
+mean, contemptible, red headed puppy! I don't believe as how you knows
+enough to love nothing! And so you're Simon Girty, hey? that thar
+sneaking, red-coat renegade? Well, I reckon as how you've told the truth
+once; for I've hearn tell that he war an orful mean looking imp o'
+Satan; and I jest don't believe as how a meaner one nor yourself could
+be skeer'd up in the whole universal yarth o' creation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Rail on, old woman!&quot; replied Girty, as he chafed the temples of Ella
+with his hands; &quot;but in a little lower key; or I shall be under the
+necessity of ordering a stopper to your mouth; which, saving the
+tortures of the stake, is the worst punishment for you I can now invent.
+As for you, Mr. Younker,&quot; continued he, turning his face to the old man,
+with a peculiar expression; &quot;you seem to have nothing to say to an old
+friend&mdash;ha, ha, ha!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Whensomever I mention the name o' Simon Girty,&quot; replied Younker, in a
+deliberate and startlingly solemn tone, &quot;I al'ays call down God's curse
+upon the fiendish renegade&mdash;and I do so now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;By &mdash;&mdash;! old man,&quot; cried Girty, casting Ella roughly from him, and
+starting upright, the perfect picture of a fiend in human shape;
+&quot;another word, and your brains shall be scattered to the four winds of
+heaven!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, he brandished his tomahawk over the other's head; while the
+child, before noticed, uttered a wild scream, and sprung to Mrs.
+Younker, at whose side she crouched in absolute terror.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Strike!&quot; answered Younker, mildly, with an unchanged countenance, his
+eye resting steadily upon the other, who could not meet his gaze in the
+same manner. &quot;Strike! Simon Girty; for I'm a man that's never feared
+death, and don't now; besides, I reiterate all I've said, and with my
+dying breath pray God to curse ye!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not yet!&quot; rejoined Girty, smothering his rage, as he replaced his
+weapon. &quot;Not yet, Ben Younker; for you take death too easy; and by &mdash;&mdash;!
+I'll make it have terrors for you! But what child is this?&quot; continued
+he, grasping the little girl fiercely by the arm, causing her to utter a
+cry of pain and fear. &quot;By heavens! what do we with squalling children?
+Here, Oshasqua, I give her in your charge; and if she yelp again, brain
+her, by &mdash;&mdash;!&quot; and he closed with an oath.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian whom we have previously noticed as the sentinel, stepped
+forward, with a demoniac gleam of satisfaction on his ugly countenance,
+and taking the child by the hand, led her away some ten paces, where he
+amused himself by stripping her of such apparel as he fancied might
+ornament his own person; while she, poor little thing, afraid to cry
+aloud, could only sob forth the bitterness of her heart.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime Girty turning to Ella, and finding her gradually recovering,
+assisted her to rise; and then motioning the chief aside, he held a
+short consultation with him, in the Indian dialect, regarding their next
+proceedings, and the disposal of the prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Were it not, Peshewa, for his own base words,&quot; said the renegade, in
+reply to some remark of his Indian ally, &quot;I would have spared him; but
+now,&quot; and his features exhibited a concentrated expression of infernal
+hate and revenge; &quot;but now, Peshewa, he dies! with all the horrors of
+the stake, that you, a noble master of the art of torture, can invent
+and inflict. The Long Knife<a name="FNanchor_6" id="FNanchor_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> must not curse the red man's friend in
+his own camp and go unpunished. I commend him to your mercy,
+Peshewa&mdash;ha, ha, ha!&quot; and he ended with a hoarse, fiend-like laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ugh!&quot; returned Wild-cat, giving a gutteral grunt of satisfaction,
+although not a muscle of his rigid features moved, and, save a peculiar
+gleam of his dark eye, nothing to show that he felt uncommon interest in
+the sentence of Younker: &quot;Peshewa a chief! The Great Spirit give him
+memory&mdash;the Great Spirit give him invention. He will remember what he
+has done to prisoners at the stake,&mdash;he can invent new tortures. But the
+squaw?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay, the squaw!&quot; answered the renegade, musingly; &quot;the old man's
+wife&mdash;she must be disposed of also. Ha! a thought strikes me, Peshewa:
+You have no wife&mdash;(the savage gave a grunt)&mdash;suppose you take her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Peshewa started, and his eyes flashed fire, as he said, with great
+energy: &quot;Does the wolf mate with his hunter, that you ask a chief of the
+Great Spirit's red children to mate with their white destroyer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then do with her what you &mdash;&mdash; please,&quot; rejoined Girty, throwing in an
+oath. &quot;I was only jesting, Peshewa. But come, we must be on the move!
+for this last job will not be long a secret; and then we shall have the
+Long Knives after us as hot as h&mdash;&mdash;l. We must divide our party. I will
+take with me these last prisoners and six warriors, and you the others.
+A quarter of a mile below here we will separate and break our trail in
+the stream; you and your party by going up a piece&mdash;I and mine by going
+down. This will perplex them, and give us time. Make your trail
+conspicuous, Peshewa, and I will be careful to leave none whatever, if I
+can help it; for, by &mdash;&mdash;! I must be sure to escape with my prisoners. If
+you are close pressed, you can brain and scalp yours; but for some
+important reasons, I want mine to live. We will meet, my noble Peshewa,
+at the first bend of the Big Miama.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The Indian heard him through, without moving a muscle of his seemingly
+blank features, and then answered, a little haughtily:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Kitchokema<a name="FNanchor_7" id="FNanchor_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> plans all, and gives his red brother all the danger; but
+Peshewa is brave, and fears not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And do you think it's through fear?&quot; asked Girty, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Peshewa makes no charges against his brother,&quot; answered Wild-cat,
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Perhaps it is as well he don't,&quot; rejoined Girty, in an under tone,
+knitting his brows; and then quickly added: &quot;Come, Peshewa, let us move;
+for while we tarry, we are giving time to our white foes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended the conference; and in a few minutes after the whole party
+was in motion. Following the course of the waters down to the base of
+the hills, they came to a sloping hollow of some considerable extent,
+where the stream ran shallow over a smooth, beautiful bed. Into this
+latter the whole company now entered, for the purpose of breaking the
+trail, as previously arranged by Girty; and here they divided, according
+to his former plan also.</p>
+
+<p>If the unhappy prisoners regretted meeting one another in distress,
+their parting regrets were an hundred fold more poignant; for to them it
+seemed evidently the last time they would ever behold on earth each
+others faces; and this thought alone was enough to dim the eyes of Ella
+and her adopted mother with burning tears, and shake their frames with
+heart-rending sobs of anguish; while the old man and Algernon, though
+both strove to be stoical, could not look on unmoved to a similar show
+of grief. Since their meeting, the captives had managed to converse
+together sufficiently to learn the manner of each others capture, and
+give each other some hope of being successfully followed and released by
+their friends; but now, when they saw the caution displayed by their
+enemies in breaking the trail, they began to fear for the result. Just
+before entering the stream, they passed through a cluster of bushes
+that skirted the river's bank; and Ella, the only prisoner whose hands
+were unbound, by a quick and sly movement succeeded in detaching a
+portion of her dress, which she there left as a sign to those who might
+follow, that she was still alive, and so encourage them to proceed, in
+case they were about to falter and turn back.</p>
+
+<p>The separation being now speedily effected, the two parties were quickly
+lost to each other&mdash;Girty and his band going down the bed of the stream
+some two hundred yards before touching the bank; and the others, headed
+by Wild-cat, going up about half that distance.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving each to their journey, let us now return to the band already in
+pursuit.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Some historians have stated that the Indians here alluded
+to were Mingoes, and <i>not</i> Senecas; and that they were a remnant of the
+celebrated Logan's tribe.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Sometimes Big Knife&mdash;first applied to the Virginians by the
+Indians.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Great Chief&mdash;a term sometimes given to Girty by the
+Indians.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<center>THE PURSUERS.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>About a hundred yards from where Boone and his young companions set
+forth, the dog, which was running along before them, paused, and with
+his nose to the ground, set up a fierce bark. When arrived at the spot,
+the party halted, and perceived the body of an Indian, slightly covered
+with earth, leaves, and a few dry bushes. Hastily throwing off the
+covering from his head, they discovered hideous features, wildly
+distorted by the last throe of death, and bloody from a wound in his
+forehead made by a ball. His scalp had been taken off also, by those who
+buried him&mdash;from fear, probably, that he would be found by enemies, and
+this secured as a trophy&mdash;a matter of disgrace which the savage, under
+all circumstances, ever seeks to avoid, both for himself and friends.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well done, Master Reynolds!&quot; observed Boone, musingly, spurning the
+body with his foot, turning away, and resuming his journey: &quot;You're a
+brave young man; and I'll bet my life to a bar-skin, did your best under
+the sarcumstances; and ef it's possible, we'll do somewhat for you in
+return.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, ef he arn't a brave chap&mdash;that thar same Algernon Reynolds&mdash;then
+jest put it down as how Isaac Younker don't know nothing 'bout faces,&quot;
+returned the individual in question, in reply to Boone. &quot;I never seed a
+man with his fore'ed and eye as would run from danger when a friend war
+by wanting his sarvice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay, he is indeed a clever youth!&quot; rejoined Boone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, Colonel, he's all that,&quot; again returned Isaac; &quot;and I'll al'ays
+look 'pon't in the light o' a sarvice, that you jest placed him in my
+hands, when he war wounded; for to do sech as him a kindness, al'ays
+carries along its own reward. And Ella&mdash;my poor, sweet cousin, as war
+raised up in good sarcumstances, and lost her all&mdash;she too I reckon
+feels kind o' grateful to you, Colonel, besides.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As how?&quot; asked Boone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I don't know's it's exactly right for me to tell as how,&quot; replied
+Isaac, shrewdly, who was fearful of saying what Ella herself might wish
+kept a secret.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand ye,&quot; said Boone, in a low tone, heard only by Isaac; and
+the subject was then changed for one more immediately connected with
+their present journey.</p>
+
+<p>In the course of conversation that followed, it was asked of Boone how
+he chanced to be in the vicinity, and learned of the calamity that had
+befallen Algernon and Ella, before any of the others; to which he
+replied, by stating that he was on his way from Boonesborough to Bryan's
+Station, and coming into the path just above the ravine, had been
+indebted to his noble brute companion for the discovery&mdash;a circumstance
+which raised C&aelig;sar in the estimation of the whole party to a wonderful
+degree. Nor was this estimation lessened by the conduct of C&aelig;sar himself
+in the present instance; for true to his training, instinct, and great
+sagacity, he led them forward at a rapid pace, and seemed possessed of
+reasoning powers that would have done no discredit to an intelligent
+human being. One instance in point is worthy of note. In passing through
+a dense thicket on the Indian trail, the noble brute discovered a small
+fragment of ribbon, which he instantly seized in his mouth, and, turning
+back to his master, came up to him, wagging his tail, with a look
+expressive of joy, and dropped it at his feet. On examination it was
+recognized as a detached portion of a ribbon worn by Ella; and this
+little incident gave great animation and encouragement to the party&mdash;as
+it proved that she at least was yet alive, and had a hope of being
+followed by friends.</p>
+
+<p>Some two hours from their leaving the ravine, they came to the dark
+pass, where we have seen the meeting between the two Indian parties.
+Here our pursuers halted a few minutes to examine the ground, and form
+conjectures as to what had taken place&mdash;in doing which, all paid the
+greatest deference to the opinions and judgment of Boone, who was looked
+upon by all who knew him as a master of the woodman's craft.</p>
+
+<p>After gazing intently for some time at the foot prints, Boone informed
+his companions that another party had been in waiting, had been joined
+by the others, and that all had proceeded together down the stream; and
+moreover, that there was an addition of white prisoners, one of which
+was a child. This caused a great sensation among his listeners&mdash;many of
+whom had lost their relatives, as the reader already knows&mdash;and Hope,
+the cheering angel, which hovers around us on our pathway through life,
+began to revive in each breast, that the friends they were mourning as
+dead, might still be among the living, and so made them more eager than
+ever to press on to the rescue.</p>
+
+<p>At the river's bank, the sagacious C&aelig;sar discovered another piece of
+ribbon&mdash;dropped there as the reader knows by Ella&mdash;which he carried in
+triumph to his master, and received in turn a few fond caresses.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here,&quot; said Boone, as himself and companions entered the streamlet,
+whose clear, bright waters, to the depth of some three inches, rolled
+merrily over a smooth bed, with a pleasing murmur: &quot;Here, lads, I reckon
+we'll have difficulty; for the red varmints never enter a stream for
+nothing; and calculating pretty shrewdly they'd be followed soon, no
+doubt they've taken good care to puzzle us for the trail. Ef it be as I
+suspect, we'll divide on the other side, and a part o' us go up, and a
+part down, till we come agin upon thar track. But then agin,&quot; added
+Boone, musingly, with a troubled expression, &quot;it don't follow, that
+because they entered the stream they crossed it; and it's just as likely
+they've come out on the same side they went in; so that we'll have to
+make four divisions, and start on the sarch.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly on reaching the other shore, and finding the trail was lost,
+Boone divided the party&mdash;assigning each his place&mdash;and separating, six
+of them recrossed the stream; and dividing again, two, headed by Isaac,
+went up, and two, led by Henry Millbanks, went down along the bank;
+while Boone and Seth Stokes, with the rest, proceeded in like manner on
+the opposite side; and the dog flew hither and yon, to render what
+service he could also. For something like a quarter of an hour not the
+least trace of the savages could be found, when at last the voice of
+Isaac was heard shouting:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I've got it&mdash;I've got it! Here it is, jest as plain and nateral as
+cornstalks&mdash;Hooray!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes the whole company was gathered around Isaac, who
+pointed triumphantly to his discovery.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That's the trail, sure enough,&quot; observed Boone, bending down to scan it
+closely; &quot;and rather broad it is too. It's not common for the wily
+varmints to do thar business in so open a manner, and I suspicion it's
+done for some trickery. Look well to your rifles, lads, and be prepared
+for an ambush in yon thicket just above thar, while I look carefully
+along this, for a few rods, just to see ef I can make out thar meaning.
+They've spread themselves here considerable,&quot; continued the old hunter,
+after examining the trail a few minutes in silence; &quot;but ef they think
+to deceive one that has been arter 'em as many times as I, they've made
+quite a mistake; for I can see clean through their tricks, as easy as
+light comes through greased paper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What discovery have you made now?&quot; inquired young Millbanks, who,
+together with the others, pressed eagerly around Boone to hear his
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why I've diskivered what I war most afeard on,&quot; answered the woodsman.
+&quot;I've diskivered that the varmints have divided, for the sake of giving
+us trouble, or leading us astray from them as they cares most about. See
+here!&quot; and bending down to the ground, Boone pointed out to his young
+companions, many of whom were entirely ignorant of that ingenious art of
+wood-craft, whereby the experienced hunter knows his safety or danger in
+the forest as readily as the sailor knows his on the ocean, and which
+appears to the uninitiated like a knowledge superhuman&mdash;Boone pointed
+out to them, we say, three distinct foot prints, which he positively
+asserted were neither made by the Indians nor the captives of the
+ravine.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I'd jest like to know, Colonel Boone, how you can be so sartin o'
+what you declar, ef it would'nt be for putting you to too much trouble,&quot;
+said one of the party, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Obsarve,&quot; replied Boone, who, notwithstanding it would cause some
+little delay, was willing to gratify his young friends, by imparting to
+them what information he could regarding an art so important to frontier
+life: &quot;Obsarve that print thar (pointing with his finger to the largest
+one of the three;) now that war never made by Master Reynolds, for it's
+much too big; and this I know from having got the dimension o' his track
+afore I left the ravine to trail him; and I know it war never made by
+one o' the red heathen, for it arn't, the shape o' thar feet,; and
+besides, you'll notice how the toe turns out'ard from the heel&mdash;a thing
+an Indian war never guilty on&mdash;for they larn from children to tread
+straight forward. The next one you'll obsarve turns out in like manner;
+and though it's smaller nor the first, it arn't exactly the shape of
+Reynold's, and it's too big for Ella's; and moreover I opine it's a
+woman's&mdash;though for the matter o' that I only guess at it. The third you
+perceive is the child's; and them thar three are the only ones you can
+find that arn't Indian's. Now note agin that the trail's spread here,
+and that here and thar a twig's snapped on the bushes along thar way;
+which the red-skins have done a purpose to make thar course conspicuous,
+to draw thar pursuers on arter 'em, prehaps for an ambush, prehaps to
+keep them from looking arter the others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In this perplexity what are we to do?&quot; inquired young Millbanks.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why,&quot; answered Boone, energetically, &quot;Heaven knows my heart yearns to
+rescue all my fellow creaters who're in distress; but more particularly,
+prehaps, them as I know's desarving; and as I set out for Master
+Reynolds, and his sweet companion, Ella Barnwell, God bless her! I
+somehow reckon it's my duty to follow them&mdash;though I leave the rest o'
+ye to choose for yourselves. Ef you want to divide, and part go this
+trail and part follow me, mayhap it'll be as well in the end.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This plan seemed the best that could be adopted under the circumstances;
+and after some further consultation among themselves, it was finally
+agreed that Isaac, with six others&mdash;two of whom were Switcher and
+Stokes&mdash;should proceed on the present trail; while Millbanks and the
+remainder should accompany Boone. Isaac was chosen as the most suitable
+one to lead his party, on account of his foresight and shrewdness, and,
+withal, some little knowledge which he possessed of the country and the
+woodsman's art, previously gained in a tour with his father, when
+seeking a location, together with an expedition of considerable extent
+shortly after made with Boone himself.</p>
+
+<p>To him, as the leader, the noble old hunter now turned, and in a brief
+manner imparted some very important advice, regarding his mode of
+proceeding under various difficulties, particularly cautioned him
+against any rash act, and concluded by saying, &quot;Wharsomever or
+howsomever you may be fixed, Isaac, and you his companions, (addressing
+the young men by his side) don't never forget the injunction o' Daniel
+Boone, your friend, that you must be cool, steady and firm; and
+whensomever you fire at a painted varmint, be sure you don't throw away
+your powder!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He then proceeded to shake hands with each, bidding them farewell and
+God speed, in a manner so earnest and touching as to draw tears from
+many an eye unused to the melting mood. The parting example of Boone was
+now imitated by the others, and in a few minutes both divisions had
+resumed their journey.</p>
+
+<p>Dividing his party again as before, Boone proceeded with them to examine
+closely both banks of the stream for the other trail. Commencing where
+they had left off on the announcement of Isaac, they moved slowly
+downward, taking due note of every bush, leaf and blade as they went
+along&mdash;often pausing and bending on their knees, to observe some spot
+more minutely, where it seemed probable their enemies had withdrawn from
+the water. C&aelig;sar, too, apparently comprehending the object of their
+search, ran to and fro, snuffing at every thing he saw, sometimes with
+his nose to the ground and sometimes elevated in the air. At length he
+gave a peculiar whine, at a spot about twenty yards below that which had
+been reached by his master, on the side opposite Isaac's discovery; and
+hastening to him, Boone immediately communicated to the others the
+cheering intelligence that the trail had been found.</p>
+
+<p>Each now hurrying forward, the old hunter was soon joined by his young
+friends; not one of whom, on coming up, failed to express surprise that
+he should be so positive of what their eyes gave them not the least
+proof. The place where they were now assembled, was at the base of a
+hill, which terminated the flat or hollow in that direction, and turned
+the stream at a short bend off to the left, along whose side its waters
+ran for some twenty yards, when the arm projection of the ridge ended,
+and allowed it to turn and almost retrace its path on the opposite
+side&mdash;thus forming an elliptical bow. At the point in question, rose a
+steep bank of rocks, of limestone formation, against which the stream,
+during the spring and fall floods had rolled its tide to a height of six
+or eight feet; and had lodged there, from time to time, various sorts of
+refuse&mdash;such as old leaves, branches and roots of trees, and the like
+encumbrances to the smooth flow of its waters. On these rocks it was
+that the eyes of the party were now fixed; while their faces exhibited
+expressions of astonishment, that the old hunter should be able to
+distinguish marks of a recent trail, where they could perceive nothing
+but the undisturbed surface of what perhaps had been ages in forming.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And so, lads, you don't see no trail thar, eh?&quot; said Boone, with a
+quiet smile, after having listened to various observations of the party,
+during which time he had been carelessly leaning on his rifle.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I must confess I can see nothing of the kind,&quot; answered Henry.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Nor I,&quot; rejoined another of the party.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, ef thar be any marks o' a trail here, jest shoot me with red
+pepper and salt, ef ever I'm cotched bragging on my eyes agin,&quot; returned
+a third.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;That thar observation'll hold good with me too&quot; uttered a fourth.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Here's in,&quot; said the fifth and last.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You're all young men, and have got a right smart deal to larn yet,&quot;
+resumed Boone, &quot;afore you can be turned out rale ginuine woodsmen and
+hunters. Now mark that thar small pebble stone, that lies by your feet
+on the rock. Ef you look at it right close, you'll perceive that on one
+side on't the dirt looks new and fresh&mdash;which proves it's jest been
+started from its long quietude. Now cast your eyes a little higher up,
+agin yon dirt ridge which partly kivers them thar larger stones, and
+you'll see an indent that this here pebble stone just fits. Now
+something had to throw that down, o' course; and ef you'll just look
+right sharp above it, you'll see a smaller dent, that war made by the
+toe of some human foot, in getting up the bank. Agin you'll observe that
+thar dry twig, just above still, has been lately broke, as ef by the
+person war climbing up taking hold on't for assistance; but that warn't
+the reason the climber broke it&mdash;it war done purposely; as you'll see by
+the top part being bent up the hill, as ef to point us on. By the Power
+that made me!&quot; added Boone, gazing for a moment at the broken twig
+intently, &quot;ef I arn't wondrously mistaken, thar's a leaf hanging to it
+in a way nater never fixed it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Right, there is!&quot; cried Henry, who, looking up with, the rest, chanced
+to observe it at the same moment with Boone; and springing forward with
+a light bound, he soon reached the spot, and returned with it in his
+hand. It was a fall leaf, which had been fastened in a hasty manner to
+the twig in question, by a pin through its center. On one side of it was
+scrawled, in characters difficult to be deciphered:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;<i>Follow&mdash;fast&mdash;for the love of Heaven!&mdash;E.</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Millbanks, after looking at it closely, read off these words, Boone
+started, clutched his rifle with an iron grasp, and merely saying, in a
+quiet manner, &quot;Onward, lads&mdash;I trust you're now satisfied!&quot; he sprang up
+the rocks with an agility that threatened to leave his young companions
+far in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>All now pressed forward with renewed energy; and having gained the
+summit of the hill, which here rose to the height of eighty feet, they
+were enabled, by the aid of C&aelig;sar, to come quickly upon the trail of
+the Indians, who, doubtless supposing themselves now safe from pursuit,
+had taken little or no pains to conceal their course. Of this their
+pursuers now took advantage, and hurried onward with long and rapid
+strides; now through thick dark woods and gloomy hollows; now up steep
+hills and rocky barren cliffs; now through tangles and over marshy
+grounds&mdash;clearing all obstacles that presented themselves with an ease
+which showed that notwithstanding some of them might be inferior as
+woodsmen, none were at all events as travelers in the woods.</p>
+
+<p>By noon the party had advanced some considerable distance, and were
+probably not far in the rear of the pursued&mdash;at least such was the
+opinion of Boone&mdash;when they were again, to their great vexation, put at
+fault for the trail, by the cunning of the renegade, who, to prevent all
+accidents, had here once more broken it, by entering another small
+streamlet&mdash;a branch of Eagle river; and although our friends set to with
+all energy and diligence to find it, yet, from the nature of the ground
+round about, the darkness of the wood through which the rivulet
+meandered, and several other causes, they were unable to do so for three
+good hours.</p>
+
+<p>This delay tended not a little to discourage the younger members of our
+pursuing party, who, in consequence, began to be low spirited, and less
+eager than before to press forward when the trail was again found; but a
+few words from Boone in a chiding manner, telling them that if they
+faltered at every little obstacle, they would be unfit representatives
+of border life, served to stimulate them to renewed exertions. To add to
+the discomfort of all&mdash;not excepting Boone himself&mdash;the sun, which had
+thus far shone out warm and brilliant, began to grow more and more dim,
+as a thick haze spread through the atmosphere overhead, foretokening an
+approaching storm&mdash;an event which might prove entirely disastrous to
+their hopes, by obliterating all vestiges of the pursued. As the gallant
+old hunter moved onward with rapid strides&mdash;preceded by the faithful
+brute, which, on the regular trail, greatly facilitated their progress,
+by saving the company a close scrutiny of their course&mdash;he from time to
+time cast his eyes upward and noted the thickening atmosphere with an
+anxious and troubled expression.</p>
+
+<p>For some time the sun shone faintly; then his rays became entirely
+obscured, and his position could only be discerned by a bright spot in
+the heavens; this, ere he reached the horizon, became obscured also;
+when the old hunter, who had watched every sign closely, looking
+anxiously toward the west, observed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't like it, lads; thar's a storm a brewing for sartin, and we
+shall be drenched afore to-morrow morning. Howsomever,&quot; he continued,
+&quot;it arn't the wetting as I cares any thing about&mdash;for I'm used to the
+elements in all thar stages, and don't fear 'em no more'n a dandy does a
+feather bed&mdash;but the trail will be lost, in arnest this time; and then
+we'll have to give in, or follow on by guess work. It's this as troubles
+me; for I'm fearful poor Ella and Reynolds won't get succor in time. But
+keep stout hearts, lads,&quot; he added, as he noticed gloomy expressions
+sweep over the faces of his followers; &quot;keep stout hearts&mdash;don't get
+melancholy; for in this here world we've got to take things as we find
+'em; and no doubt this storm's all for the best, ef we could only see
+ahead like into futurity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With this consoling reflection the hunter again quickened his pace, and
+pressed forward until the shadows of evening warned him to seek out an
+encampment for the gathering night. Accordingly, sweeping the adjoining
+country with an experienced eye, his glance soon rested on a rocky
+ridge, some quarter of a mile to the right, at whose base he judged
+might be found a comfortable shelter from the coming rain. Communicating
+his thoughts to his companions, all immediately quitted the trail and
+advanced toward it, where they arrived in a few minutes, and found, to
+their delight, that the experienced woodsman had not been wrong in his
+conjectures. A cave of no mean dimensions was fortunately discovered,
+after a short search among the rocks, into which all now gathered; and
+striking a light, they made a small fire near the entrance; around which
+they assembled and partook of the refreshments brought with them&mdash;Boone
+declaring he had not tasted a morsel of food since leaving Boonsborough
+early in the morning. The meal over, the young men disposed themselves
+about the cave in the best manner possible for their own comfort: and
+being greatly fatigued by their journey, and the revels of the night
+previous, they very soon gave evidence of being in a sleep too deep for
+dreams. Boone sat by the fire, apparently in deep contemplation, until a
+few embers only remained; then pointing C&aelig;sar to his place near the
+entrance, he threw himself at length upon the ground, and was soon
+imitating the example of his young comrades.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the evening it came on to blow very hard from the east; and
+about midnight set in to rain, as Boone had predicted; which it
+continued to do the rest of the night; nor were there any signs of its
+abatement, when the party arose to resume their journey on the following
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What can't be cured must be endured,&quot; said Boone, quoting an old
+proverb, as he gazed forth upon the storm. &quot;We must take sech as comes,
+lads, without grumbling; though I do'nt know's thar's any sin in wishing
+it war a little more to our liking. Howsomever,&quot; he added, &quot;prehaps it
+won't be so much agin us arter all; for the red varmints mayhap 'll
+think as how all traces of 'em have been washed away, and, feeling safe
+from pursuit, be less cautious about their proceedings; and by keeping
+on the same course, we may chance upon 'em unawares. So come, lads,
+let's eat and be off.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, making a hasty breakfast, and securing the remainder of
+their provision as well as ammunition in the ample bosoms of their
+hunting frocks&mdash;which were always made large for such and similar
+purposes&mdash;tightening the belts about their bodies, and placing their
+rifles, locks downward, under the ample skirts of their frocks, to
+shield them from the rain, the whole party sallied forth upon their
+second day's adventure. Regaining the spot they had quitted the evening
+before, Boone took a long look in the direction whence they first
+approached; and then shaping his course so as to bear as near as
+possible on a direct line with it, set forward at a quick pace, going a
+very little west of due north.</p>
+
+<p>In this manner our pursuers continued their journey for some three or
+four hours, scarcely exchanging a syllable&mdash;the storm beating fiercely
+against their faces and drenching their bodies&mdash;when an incident
+occurred of the most alarming kind.</p>
+
+<p>They had descended a hill, and were crossing an almost open plain of
+some considerable extent&mdash;which was bounded on the right by a wood, and
+on the left by a cane-brake&mdash;and had nearly gained its center, when they
+were startled by a deep rumbling sound, resembling the mighty rushing of
+a thousand horse. Nearer and nearer came the rushing sound; while each
+one paused, and many a pale face was turned with an anxious, inquiring
+glance upon Boone; whose own, though a shade paler than usual, was
+composed in every feature, as he gazed, without speaking, in the
+direction whence the noise proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good heavens! what is it?&quot; cried Henry, in alarm.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Behold!&quot; answered Boone, pointing calmly toward the cane-brake.</p>
+
+<p>A cry of surprise, despair and horror, escaped every tongue but the old
+hunter's&mdash;as, at that moment, a tremendous herd of buffaloes, numbering
+thousands, was seen rushing from the brake, and bearing directly toward
+the spot where our party stood. Escape by flight was impossible; for the
+animals were scarcely four hundred yards distant, and booming forward
+with the speed of the frightened wild horse of the prairie. Nothing was
+apparent but speedy death, and in its most horrible form, that of dying
+unknown beneath the hoofs of the wild beasts of the wilderness. In this
+awful moment of suspense, which seemingly but preceded the disuniting of
+soul and body, each of the young men turned a breathless look of horror
+upon the old hunter, such as landsmen in a terrible gale at sea would
+turn upon the commander of the vessel; but, save an almost imperceptible
+quiver of the lips, not a muscle of the now stern countenance of Boone
+changed.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Merciful Heaven!&mdash;we are lost!&quot; cried Henry, wildly. &quot;Oh! such a
+death!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Every man's got to die when his time comes&mdash;but none afore; and yourn
+hasn't come yet, Master Harry,&quot; replied Boone, quietly; &quot;unless,&quot; he
+added, a moment after, as he raised his rifle to his eye, &quot;Betsey here's
+forgot her old tricks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, his gun flashed, a report followed, and one of the foremost
+of the herd, an old bull, which had gained a point within a hundred
+yards of the marksman, stumbled forward and rolled over on the earth,
+with a loud bellow of pain His companions, which were pressing close
+behind, snorted with fear, as they successively came up; and turning
+aside, on either hand, made a furrow in their ranks; that, gradually
+widening as they advanced, finally cleared our friends by a space of
+twenty yards; and so passed they on, making the very earth tremble under
+their mighty trend.<a name="FNanchor_8" id="FNanchor_8" /><a href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p>
+
+<p>It was a sublime sight&mdash;to behold such a tremendous caravan of wild
+beasts rushing past&mdash;and one that filled each of the spectators, even
+when they knew all danger was over, with a sense of trembling awe; and
+they stood and gazed in silence, until the last of the herd was lost to
+their vision; then advancing to the noble hunter, Henry silently grasped
+his hard, weather-beaten hand, and turned away with tearful eyes&mdash;an
+example that was followed by each of the others, and which was more
+heart touchingly expressive of their feelings, than would have been a
+vocabulary of appropriate words.</p>
+
+<p>Our party next proceeded to examine the wounded bull, which was still
+bellowing with rage and pain; and having carefully approached and
+despatched him with their knives, they found that the ball of Boone had
+entered a vital part. Taking from him a few slices of meat, to serve
+them in case their provisions ran short, they once more resumed their
+journey&mdash;the wind still easterly and the storm raging.</p>
+
+<p>About three hours past noon the storm began to show signs of
+abatement&mdash;the wind blew less hard, and had veered several points to the
+north&mdash;an event which the old hunter noted with great satisfaction. They
+had now gained a point within ten miles of the beautiful Ohio; when the
+dog&mdash;which, since he had had no trail to guide him, ran where he
+chose&mdash;commenced barking spiritedly, some fifty paces to the left of the
+party, who immediately set off at a brisk gait to learn the cause.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll wager what you dare, lads, the pup's found the trail,&quot; said Boone.</p>
+
+<p>The event proved him in the right; for on coming up, the footsteps of
+both captors and captives, who had evidently passed there not over three
+hours before, could be distinctly traced in the soft earth. A shout&mdash;not
+inferior in power and duration to that set up by crazy-headed
+politicians, on the election of some favorite&mdash;was sent away to the
+hills, announcing the joy of our party; which the hills, as if partakers
+also of the hilarious feelings, in turn duly echoed.</p>
+
+<p>This new, important, and unexpected discovery, raised the spirits of all
+our company to a high degree; and they again set forward at a faster
+gait than ever, so as to overtake the pursued if possible before they
+crossed the Ohio river. The trail was now broad and distinct; and the
+footprints of the Indians, as also those of their captives, Algernon and
+Ella, could be clearly defined wherever the ground chanced to be of a
+clayey nature. In something like two hours our pursuers succeeded in
+reaching the river; but unfortunately too late to intercept their
+enemies and rescue their friends, who had already crossed sometime
+before. By trailing them to the water's edge, they discovered the very
+spot where the canoes of the savages had been secreted on the beach,
+behind some drift-logs, nearly opposite the mouth of the Great Miami.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ef we'd only been here a little sooner,&quot; observed Boone, musingly,
+&quot;we'd ha' saved some o' the varmints the trouble of paddling over thar;
+or ef we only had the means o' crossing now, we'd be upon 'em afore they
+war aware on't. Howsomever, as it is, I suppose we'll have to make a
+raft to cross on, and so give the red heathen a little more time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is it not possible, Colonel,&quot; answered Millbanks, in a suggestive way,
+&quot;that the Indians, forming the two parties, may all be of the game
+tribe, and have crossed here together, when they came over to make the
+attack? and that the boats of the other division, unless they have
+recrossed, may still be secreted not far hence?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;By the Power that made me!&quot; exclaimed Boone, energetically; &quot;a good
+thought, lad&mdash;a good thought, Master Harry&mdash;and we'll act on't at once,
+by sarching along the banks above here; for as the other varmints took
+off to the east, it am't improbable they've just steered a little round
+about, to come down on 'em, while these went right straight ahead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At once proceeding upon this suggestion, Boone and his companions
+commenced a close examination along the shore; which finally resulted in
+their finding, as had been premised, not the canoes themselves, but
+traces of where they had recently been, together with the trail of the
+other party, who had also arrived at this point and crossed over. This
+caused no little sensation among our pursuers; who, scanning the
+footprints eagerly, and perceiving thereby that the prisoners were still
+along with their captors, scarcely knew whether most to grieve or
+rejoice. One thing at least was cheering&mdash;they were still alive; and
+could their friends, the present party, succeed in crossing the river
+during the night, might be rescued. But where was Isaac and his band,
+was the next important query. If, as they ardently hoped, he and his
+comrades had not lost the trail, they might be expected to join them
+soon&mdash;a reinforcement which would render them comparatively safe.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the storm had wholly subsided&mdash;the wind blew strong and cold
+from the northwest&mdash;a few broken, dripping clouds sailed slowly
+onward&mdash;while the sun, a little above the horizon, again shone out clear
+and bright, and painted a beautiful bow on the cloudy ground of the
+eastern heavens.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, lads, the storm's over, thank God!&quot; said Boone, glancing upward,
+with an expression of satisfaction; &quot;and now, as day-light'll be scarce
+presently, we'll improve what there is, in constructing a raft to cross
+over on; and maybe Isaac and the rest on 'em will join us in time to get
+a ride.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As the old hunter concluded, he at once applied himself to laying out
+such drift logs as were thought suitable for the purpose, in which he
+was assisted by three of the others, the remaining two proceeding into
+the bushes to cut withes for binding them together; and so energetic and
+diligent was each in his labors, that, ere twilight had deepened into
+night, the rude vessel was made, launched, and ready to transport its
+builders over the waters. They now resolved to take some refreshment,
+and wait until night had fully set in, in the faint hope that Isaac
+might possibly make his appearance. With this intent, our party retired
+up the bank, into the edge of the wood that lined the shore, for the
+purpose of kindling a fire, that they might dry their garments, and
+roast some portions of the slaughtered bull.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had they succeeded, after several attempts, in effecting a
+bright, ruddy blaze&mdash;which threw from their forms, dark, fantastic
+shadows, against the earth, trees and neighboring bushes&mdash;when C&aelig;sar
+uttered a low, deep growl; and Boone, grasping his rifle tightly,
+motioned his companions to follow him in silence into an adjoining
+thicket. Here, after cautioning them to remain perfectly quiet, unless
+they heard some alarm, he carefully parted the bushes, and glided
+noiselessly away, saying, in a low tone, as he departed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I rather 'spect it's Isaac; but I'd like to be sartin on't, afore I
+commit myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>For some five or ten minutes after the old hunter disappeared, all was
+silent, save the crackling of the fire, the rustling of the leaves, the
+sighing of the wind among the trees, and the rippling of the now swollen
+and muddy waters of the Ohio. At length the sound of a voice was heard
+some fifty paces distant, followed immediately by another in a louder
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>On hearing this, our friends in the thicket rushed forward, and were
+soon engaged in shaking the hands of Isaac and his comrades, with a
+heartiness on both sides that showed the pleasure of meeting was
+earnest, and unalloyed.</p>
+
+<p>As more important matters are now pressing hard upon us, and as our
+space is limited, we shall omit the detail of Isaac's adventures, as
+also the further proceedings of both parties for the present, and
+substitute a brief summary.</p>
+
+<p>The trail on which Isaac and his party started the day before, being
+broad and open, they had experienced but little difficulty in following
+it, until about noon, when they reached a stream where it was broken,
+which caused them some two hours delay. This, doubtless, prevented them
+from overtaking the enemy that day; and the night succeeding, not having
+found quarters as comfortable as Boone's, they had been thoroughly
+soaked with rain. The trail in the morning was entirely obliterated; but
+pursuing their course in a manner simitar to that adopted by Boone, the
+result had happily been the same, and the meeting of the two parties the
+consequence, at a moment most fortunate to both.</p>
+
+<p>All now gathered around the fire, to dry their garments, refresh
+themselves with food, tell over to each other their adventures, and
+consult as to their future course. It was finally agreed to cross the
+stream that night; in the hope, by following up the Miami, to stumble
+upon the encampment of their adversaries; who were, doubtless, at no
+great distance; and who, as they judged, feeling themselves secure,
+might easily be surprised to advantage. How they succeeded in their
+perilous undertaking, coming events must show.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8" /><a href="#FNanchor_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> A similar occurrence to the above is recorded of Boone's
+first appearance in the Western Wilds.&mdash;<i>See Boone's Life&mdash;By Flint</i></p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<center>THE RENEGADE AND HIS PRISONERS.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>The feelings in the breasts of Algernon and Ella, as they reluctantly
+moved onward, captives to a savage, bloodthirsty foe, are impossible to
+be described. To what awful end had fate destined them? and in what
+place were they to drain the last bitter dregs of woe? How much anguish
+of heart, how much racking of soul, and how much bodily suffering was to
+be their portion, ere death, almost their only hope, would set them
+free? True, they might be rescued by friends&mdash;such things had been
+done&mdash;but the probability thereof was as ten to one against them; and
+when they perceived the care with which the renegade sought to destroy
+all vestiges of their course, their last gleam of hope became nearly
+extinguished.</p>
+
+<p>We have previously stated that Ella was left unbound; but wherefore,
+would perhaps be hard to conjecture; unless we suppose that the
+renegade&mdash;feeling for her that selfish affection which pervades the
+breasts of all beings, however base or criminal, to a greater or less
+degree&mdash;fancied it would be adding unnecessary cruelty to bind heir
+delicate hands. Whatever the cause, matters but little; but the fact
+itself was of considerable importance to Ella; who took advantage of her
+freedom, in passing the bushes before noticed, to snatch a leaf
+unperceived, whereon, by great adroitness, she managed to trace with a
+pin a few almost illegible characters; and also, in ascending the bank,
+which she was allowed to do in her own way, to throw down with her foot
+the stone, break the twig at the same instant, and pin the leaf to it,
+in the faint hope that an old hunter might follow on the trail, who, if
+he came to the spot, would hardly fail to notice it.</p>
+
+<p>The freedom thus given to Ella, and the deference shown her by the
+renegade and his allies&mdash;who appeared to treat her with the same respect
+they would have done the wife of their chief&mdash;were in striking contrast
+with their manners toward Algernon, on whom they seemed disposed to vent
+their scorn by petty insults. Believing that his doom was sealed, he
+became apparently resigned to his fate, nor seemed to notice, save with
+stoical indifference, any thing that took place around him. This quiet,
+inoffensive manner, was far from pleasing to Girty, who would much
+rather have seen him chafing under his bondage, and manifesting a desire
+to escape its toil. But if this was the outward appearance, not so was
+the inward feelings of our hero. He knew his fate&mdash;unless he could
+effect an escape, of which he had little hope&mdash;and he nerved himself to
+meet and seem to his captors careless of it; but his soul was already on
+the rack of torture. This was not for himself alone; for Algernon was a
+brave man, and in reality feared not death; though, like many another
+brave man, be had no desire to die at his time of life, especially with
+all the tortures of the stake, which he knew, from Girty's remark, would
+be his assignment; but his soul was harrowed at the thought of Ella&mdash;her
+awful doom&mdash;and what she might be called upon to undergo: perhaps a
+punishment a thousand times worse than death&mdash;that of being the
+pretended wife, but in reality the mistress, of the loathsome renegade.
+This thought to him was torture&mdash;almost madness&mdash;and it was only by the
+most powerful struggle with himself, that he could avoid exposing his
+feelings.</p>
+
+<p>For a time, after ascending the rocky bank of the stream and gaining the
+hill, the renegade and his Indian allies, with their captives, moved
+silently onward at a fast pace; but at length, slackening his speed
+somewhat, Girty approached the side of Algernon, who was bound in a
+manner similar to Younker, with his wrists corded to a cross bar behind
+his back; and apparently examining them a moment or two, in a sneering
+tone, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How-comes it that the bully fighter of the British, under the cowardly
+General Gates, should be so tightly bound, away out in this Indian
+country, and a captive to a <i>renegade</i> agent?&mdash;ha, ha, ha!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The pale features of Algernon, as he heard this taunt, grew suddenly
+crimson, and then more deadly white than ever&mdash;his fingers fairly worked
+in their cords, and his respiration seemed almost to stifle him&mdash;so
+powerfully were his passions wrought upon by the cowardly insults of his
+adversary; but at last all became calm and stoical again; when turning
+to Girty, he coolly examined him from head to heel, from heel to head;
+and then moving away his eyes, as if the sight were offensive to him,
+quietly said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;An honest man would be degraded by condescending to hold discourse with
+so mean a <i>thing</i> as Simon Girty the renegade.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At these words Girty started, as if bit by a serpent&mdash;the aspect of his
+dark sinister features changed to one concentrated expression of hellish
+rage&mdash;his eyes seemed to turn red&mdash;his lips quivered&mdash;the nostrils of
+his flat ugly nose distended&mdash;froth issued from his mouth&mdash;while his
+fingers worked convulsively at the handle of his tomahawk, and his whole
+frame trembled like a tree shaken by a whirlwind. For some time he
+essayed to speak, in vain; but at last he hissed forth, as he whirled
+the tomahawk aloft:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Die!&mdash;dog!&mdash;die!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ella uttered a piercing shriek of fear, and sprung forward to arrest the
+blow; but ere she could have reached the renegade; the axe would have
+been buried to the helve in the brain of Algernon, had not a tall,
+powerful Indian suddenly interposed his rifle between it and the victim.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is the great chief a child, or in his dotage,&quot; he said to Girty, in the
+Shawanoe dialect, &quot;that he lets passion run away with his reason? Is not
+the Big Knife already doomed to the tortures? And would the white chief
+give him the death of a warrior?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No, by &mdash;&mdash;!&quot; cried Girty, with an oath. &quot;He shall have a dog's death!
+Right! Mugwaha&mdash;right! I thank you for your interference&mdash;I was beside
+myself. The stake&mdash;the torture&mdash;the stake&mdash;ha, ha, ha!&quot; added he in
+English, with a hoarse laugh, which his recent passion made sound
+fiend-like and unearthly; and as he concluded, he smote Algernon on the
+cheek with the palm of his hand.</p>
+
+<p>The latter winced somewhat, but mastered his feelings and made no reply;
+and the renegade resuming his former pace, the party again proceeded in
+silence.</p>
+
+<p>Toward night, Ella became so fatigued and exhausted by the long day's
+march, that it was with the greatest difficulty she could move forward
+at all; and Girty, taking some compassion on her, ordered the party to
+halt, until a rough kind of litter could be prepared; on which being
+seated, she was borne forward by four of the Indians. At dark they
+halted at the base of a hill, where they encamped and found a partial
+shelter from the wind and rain. At daylight they again resumed their
+journey; and by four o'clock in the afternoon arrived at the river,
+which they immediately crossed in their canoes; and, as the water was
+found in a good stage, did not land until they reached the first bend of
+the Miami&mdash;the place agreed on for the meeting between Girty and
+Wild-cat.</p>
+
+<p>As the latter chief and his party had not yet made their appearance,
+Girty and his band went ashore with their prisoners, and took shelter
+under one of the largest trees in the vicinity, to await their coming.
+Of this expected meeting, the captives as yet knew nothing; and it was
+of course not without considerable surprise, mingled with a saddened
+joy, that they observed the approach, some half an hour later, of their
+friends and enemies.</p>
+
+<p>Ella, on first perceiving their canoes silently advancing up the stream,
+started up with a cry of joy, which was the next moment saddened by the
+thought that she was only welcoming her relatives to a miserable doom.
+Still it was a joy to know they were yet alive; and as the sinking heart
+is ever buoyed up with hope, until completely engulfed in the dark
+billows of despair&mdash;so she could not, or would not, altogether banish
+the animating feeling, that something might yet interfere to save them
+all from destruction. As the canoes touched the shore, Ella sprung
+forward to greet her adopted mother and father; but her course was
+suddenly checked by one of the Indian warriors, who, grasping her
+somewhat roughly by the arm, with a gutteral grunt and fierce gesture of
+displeasure, pointed her back to her former place. Ella, downcast and
+frightened, tremblingly retraced her steps, and could only observe the
+pale faces and fatigued looks of her relatives and the little girl at a
+distance; but she saw enough to send a thrill of anguish to her heart;
+and Girty, who perceived the expressions of agony her sweet features now
+displayed, at once advanced to her, and, modulating his voice somewhat
+from its usual tones, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Grieve not, Ella. I will endeavor to procure you an interview with your
+friends.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The kindness manifested in the tones of the speaker, caused Ella to look
+up with a start of surprise and hope; and thinking he might perhaps be
+moved to mercy, by a direct appeal to his better feelings, she replied,
+energetically, with a flush on her now animated countenance:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, sir! I perceive you are not lost to all feelings of humanity.&quot; Here
+the compression of Girty's lips, and a knitting together of his shaggy
+brows, warned Ella she was treading on dangerous ground, and she quickly
+added: &quot;All of us are liable to err; and there may be circumstances,
+unknown to others, that force us to be, or seem to be, that which in our
+hearts we are not; and to do acts which our calm moments of reason tell
+us are wrong, and which we afterwards sincerely regret.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know not that I understand you,&quot; said the renegade, evasively.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To be more explicit, then,&quot; rejoined Ella, &quot;I trust that you, Simon
+Girty, whose acts hitherto have been such as to draw down reproaches and
+even curses upon your head, from many of your own race, may now be
+induced, by the prayer of her before you, to do an act of justice and
+generosity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Speak out your desire!&quot; returned Girty, as Ella, evidently fearful of
+broaching the subject too suddenly, paused, in order to observe the
+effect of what had already been said. &quot;Speak out briefly, girl; for
+yonder stands Wild-cat awaiting me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, then, let me implore you to listen, and God grant your heart may be
+touched by my words!&quot; rejoined Ella, eagerly, as she fancied she saw
+something of relentment in his stern features. &quot;Look yonder! Behold that
+poor old man!&mdash;whose head is already sprinkled with the silvery threads
+of over fifty winters&mdash;beside whom stands the companion of his
+sorrows&mdash;both of whose lives have been spent in quiet, honest
+pursuits&mdash;whose doors have ever stood open&mdash;whose board has ever been
+free to the needy wayfarer. You yourself have been a partaker of their
+hospitality, in their own home&mdash;which, alas! I have since learned is in
+ashes&mdash;and can testify to their liberality and kindness. Is this a
+proper return therefor, think you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But did not he, yon gray-headed man, then and there curse me to my
+face?&quot; returned the renegade, fiercely, in whose eye could be seen the
+cold, sullen gleam of deadly hate; &quot;and shall I, the outcast of my
+race&mdash;I, whose deeds have made the boldest tremble&mdash;I, whose name is a
+by-word for curses&mdash;now spare him, that has defied and called down God's
+maledictions on me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh, yes! yes!&quot; cried Ella, energetically. &quot;Convince him, by your acts
+of generosity, that you are not deserving of his censure, and he, I
+assure you, will be eager to do you justice. Oh, return good for evil,
+where evil has been done you, and God's blessing, instead of His curse,
+will be yours!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It may be the <i>Christian's</i> creed to return good for evil,&quot; answered
+Girty, with a strong emphasis on the word Christian, accompanied with a
+sneer; &quot;but by &mdash;&mdash;! such belongs not to me, nor to those I mate with!
+Hark you, Ella Barnwell! I could be induced to do much for you&mdash;for I
+possess for you a passion stronger than I have ever before felt for any
+human being&mdash;but were I ever so much disposed to grant your request, it
+is now beyond my power.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As how?&quot; asked Ella, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Listen! I will tell you briefly. When first I saw, I felt I loved you,
+and from that moment resolved you should be mine. Nay, do not shudder
+so, and turn away, and look so pale&mdash;a worse fate than being the wife of
+a British agent might have been apportioned you. To win you by fair
+words, I knew at once was out of the question&mdash;for one glance showed me
+my rival. Besides, I was not handsome, I knew&mdash;had not an oily tongue,
+and did not like the plan of venturing too much among those who have
+good reasons for fearing and hating me&mdash;therefore I resolved on your
+capture. I had already meditated an attack on some of the settlers in
+the vicinity, and I resolved that both should be accomplished at one
+time. The result you know. Younker and his wife became my prisoners.
+This was done for two purposes. First, to revenge me for the insults
+heaped upon Simon Girty. Secondly, to spare their lives; for had it not
+been for my positive injunctions, they would have shared the fate of
+their neighbors. My design, I say, was to spare their lives and send
+them back, whenever it could be done with safety, provided they showed
+any signs of contrition. Did they? No! they again upbraided me to my
+face. I was again cursed. My blood is hot&mdash;my nature revengeful. That
+moment sealed their doom. I gave them up to Peshewa. They are no longer
+my prisoners. For their lives you must plead with him. I can do nothing.
+Have you more to ask?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Girty, toward the last, spoke rapidly, in short sentences, as one to
+whom the conversation was disagreeable; and Ella listened breathlessly,
+with a pale cheek and trembling form; for she saw, alas! there was
+nothing favorable to be gained. As he concluded, she suddenly started,
+clasped her hands together, and looked up into his stern countenance,
+with a wild, thrilling expression, saying, in a trembling voice:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You have said you love me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I repeat it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, for Heaven's sake! as you are a human being, and hope for peace
+in this world and salvation in the next&mdash;restore me&mdash;restore us all to
+our homes&mdash;and to my dying day will I bless and pray for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Umph!&quot; returned the renegade, drily; &quot;I had much rather <i>hear</i> your
+sweet voice, though in anger, than to merely <i>think</i> you may be praying
+for me at a distance. But I see Wild-cat is getting impatient;&quot; and as
+he concluded, he turned abruptly on his heel, and advanced to
+Peshewa&mdash;who was now standing with his warriors and prisoners on the
+bank of the stream, some fifty paces distant, awaiting a consultation
+with him&mdash;while Ella hid her face in her hands and wept convulsively.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Welcome, Peshewa!&quot; said Girty, as he approached the chief. &quot;You and
+your band are here safe, I perceive; and by &mdash;&mdash;! you have timed it well,
+too, for we have only headed you by half an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ugh!&quot; grunted Wild-cat, with that look and gutteral sound peculiar to
+the Indian. &quot;Kitchokema has learned Peshewa is here!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Come! come!&quot; answered the renegade, in a somewhat nettled manner; &quot;no
+insinuations! I saw Peshewa when he arrived.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But could not leave the Big Knife squaw to greet him,&quot; added the
+Indian.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I am not particularly fond of being hurried in my affairs, you
+know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But there may be that which will not leave Kitchokema slow to act, in
+safety,&quot; rejoined Wild-cat, significantly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How, chief! what mean you?&quot; asked Girty, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Shemanoes&mdash;&quot;<a name="FNanchor_9" id="FNanchor_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well?&quot; said Girty.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Are on the trail,&quot; concluded Wild-cat, briefly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha!&quot; exclaimed the renegade, with a start, involuntarily placing his
+hand upon the breech of a pistol in his girdle. &quot;But are you sure,
+Peshewa?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Peshewa speaks only what he knows,&quot; returned the chief, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Speak out, then&mdash;<i>how</i> do you know?&quot; rejoined Girty, in an excited
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Peshewa a chief,&quot; answered the Indian, in that somewhat obscure and
+metaphorical manner peculiar to his race. &quot;He sleeps not soundly on the
+war-path. He shuts not his eyes when he enters the den of the wolf. He
+<i>saw</i> the camp-fires of the pale-face.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Such had been the fact. Knowing that his trail was left broad and open,
+and that in all probability it would soon be followed, Wild-cat had been
+diligently on the watch and as his course had been shaped in a
+roundabout, rather than opposite direction (as the reader might at first
+glance have supposed) from that taken by Boone, he and his band, by
+reason of this, had encamped, on the night in question, not haif a mile
+distant from our old hunter, but on the other side of the ridge.
+Ascending this himself, to note if any signs of an enemy were visible,
+Peshewa had discovered the light of Boone's fire, and traced it to its
+source. Without venturing near enough to expose himself, the wily savage
+had, nevertheless, gone sufficiently close to ascertain they were the
+foes of his race. His first idea had been to return, collect a part of
+his warriors, and attack them; but prudence had soon got the better of
+his valor; from the fact, as he reasoned, that his band were now in the
+enemy's country, where their late depredations had already aroused the
+inhabitants to vengeance; and he neither knew the force of Boone's
+party&mdash;for the reader will remember they were concealed in a cave&mdash;nor
+what other of his foes might be in the vicinity;&mdash;besides which, his
+purpose had been accomplished, and he was now on the return with his
+prisoners;&mdash;the whole of which considerations, had decided him to leave
+them unmolested, and ere daylight resume his journey; so that, even
+should they accidentally come upon his trail, he would be far enough in
+advance to reach and cross the river before them. Such was the substance
+of what Wild-cat, in his own peculiar way, now made known to Girty; and
+having inquired out the location distinctly, the latter exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;By heavens! I remember leaving that ridge away to the right, which
+proves that the white dogs must have been on my trail. I took pains
+enough to conceal it before that night; but if they got the better of
+me, I don't think they did of the rain that fell afterwards&mdash;so that
+they have doubtless found themselves on a fool's errand, long ere this,
+and given up the search. Besides, should they reach the river's bank,
+they have no means of crossing, and therefore we are safe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Wild-cat seemed to muse on the remarks of Girty, for a moment or two,
+and then said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why did Mishemenetoc<a name="FNanchor_10" id="FNanchor_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> give the chief cunning, but that he might use
+it against his foes?&mdash;why caution, but that he might avoid danger?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why that, of course, is all well enough at times,&quot; answered Girty; &quot;but
+I don't think either particular cunning or caution need be exercised
+now&mdash;from the fact that I don't believe there is any danger. Even should
+the enemies you saw be fool-hardy enough to follow us, they are not many
+in number probably, and will only serve to add a few more scalps to our
+girdles. However, we are safe for to-night, at all events; for if they
+reach the river, as I said before, they won't be able to cross, unless
+they make a raft or swim it; and you may rest assured, Peshewa, they
+will sleep on the other side, if for nothing else than their own
+safety.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What, therefore, does my brother propose?&quot; asked Wild-cat.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, I am for encamping, as soon as we can find a suitable spot&mdash;say
+within a mile of here&mdash;for by &mdash;&mdash;! I am not only hungry but cold, and my
+very bones ache, from traveling in this untimely storm, which I perceive
+is on the point of clearing up.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Peshewa likes not sleeping with danger so near,&quot; replied the savage.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I'm not <i>afraid</i>,&quot; rejoined Girty, laying particular stress on
+the latter word; &quot;and so suppose you take the prisoners, with a part of
+the band, and go forward, while myself and the balance remain behind to
+reconnoitre in the morning; for by &mdash;&mdash;! that will be time enough to look
+for the lazy white dogs. Yet stay!&quot; he added, a moment after, as if
+struck by a new thought. &quot;Suppose you take the two Big Knives, and leave
+the squaws with me&mdash;for being very tired, they will only be a drag upon
+your party&mdash;and then you can have the stakes ready for the others, if
+you get in first, so that we can have the music of their groans to make
+us merry on our second meeting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>To this latter proposition, the chief gave a grunt of assent, and the
+whole matter being speedily arranged, the council ended.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation between these two worthies having been carried on in
+the Indian dialect, was of course wholly unintelligible to Mrs. Younker
+and her husband, who were standing near; and trying in vain, for some
+time, to gain a clue to the discussion, the good lady at last gave
+evidence, that if her body and limbs were weary, her tongue was not; and
+that with all the warnings she had received, her old habits of
+volubility had not as yet been entirely superseded by thoughtful
+silence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I do wonder what on yarth,&quot; she said, &quot;that thar read-headed Simon
+Girty, and that thar ripscallious old varmint, as calls himself a chief,
+be coniving at?&mdash;and why the pesky Injens don't let me and Ella and the
+rest on 'em come together agin, as we did afore? Thar she stands&mdash;the
+darling&mdash;as pale nor a lily, and crying like all nater, jest as if her
+little heart war a going to break and done with it. I 'spect the
+varmints is hatching some orful plans to put us out o' the way&mdash;prehaps
+to hitch us to the stake and burn us all to cinder, like they did our
+housen, and them things. Well, Heaven's will be done!&mdash;as Preacher
+Allprayer said, when they turned him out o' meeting for gitting drunk
+and swearing&mdash;the dear good man!&mdash;but I do wish, for gracious sake, I
+could only jest change places with 'em&mdash;ef jest for five minutes&mdash;and I
+reckon as how they'd be glad to quit their gibberish, and talk like
+Christian folks, once in thar sneaking lives! Thar, they're done now, I
+do hope to all marcy's sake! and I reckons as how we'll soon have the
+gist on't.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The foregoing remarks of Mrs. Younker, were made in a low tone, and
+evidently not intended, like Dickens' Notes, for general
+circulation&mdash;the nearly fatal termination of a former speech of hers,
+having taught her to be a little cautious in the camp of the enemy. The
+conclusion was succeeded by a stare of surprise, on being civilly
+informed by Girty, that she was now at liberty to join Ella as soon as
+she pleased.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, now, that's something like,&quot; returned the dame, with a smile that
+was intended to be a complimentary one; &quot;and shows, jest as clear as any
+thing, that thar is a few streaks o' human nater in you arter all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then, as if fearful the permission would be countermanded, the good lady
+at once set off in haste to join her adopted daughter. Subsequent
+events, however, soon changed the favorable opinion Mrs. Younker had
+began to entertain of Girty&mdash;particularly when she discovered, as she
+imagined, that the liberty allowed her, had only been as a ruse to
+withdraw her from her husband&mdash;who, as she departed, had been
+immediately hurried away, without so much as a parting farewell.</p>
+
+<p>Orders now being rapidly given by Girty and Wild-cat, were quickly and
+silently executed by their swarthy subordinates; and in a few minutes,
+the latter chief was on his way, with four warriors, the two male
+prisoners, and the little girl&mdash;Oshasqua, to whom the latter had been
+consigned by Girty, as the reader will remember, and who still continued
+to accompany Wild-cat, refusing to leave her behind.</p>
+
+<p>When informed by Girty, in an authoritative tone, that he must join the
+detachment of Wild-cat, Algernon turned toward Ella, and in a trembling
+voice said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Farewell, dear Ella! If God wills that we never meet again on earth,
+let us hope we may in the Land of Spirits;&quot; and ere she, overcome by her
+emotion, had power to reply, he had passed on beyond the reach of her
+silvery voice.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately on the departure of Peshewa, Girty ordered the canoes to be
+drawn ashore and concealed in a thicket near by, where they would be
+ready in case they should be wanted for another expedition; and then
+leading the way himself, the party proceeded slowly up the Miami, for
+about a mile, and encamped for the night, within a hundred yards of the
+river.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Americans, or Big Knives. We would remark here, that we
+have made use altogether of the Shawanoe dialect; that being most common
+among all the Ohio tribes, save the Wyandots or Hurons, who spoke an
+entirely different language.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Great Spirit.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<center>THE ENCAMPMENT OF THE RENEGADE.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>It was about ten o'clock on the evening in question, and Simon Girty was
+seated by a fire, around which lay stretched at full length some six or
+eight dark Indian forms, and near him, on the right, two of another sex
+and race. He was evidently in some deep contemplation; for his hat and
+rifle were lying by his side, his hands were locked just below his
+knees, as if for the purpose of balancing his body in an easy position,
+and his eyes fixed intently on the flame, that, waving to and fro in the
+wind, threw over his ugly features a ruddy, flickering light, and
+extended his shadow to the size and shape of some frightful monster.
+The clouds of the late storm had entirely passed away, and through the
+checkered openings in the trees overhead could be discerned a few bright
+stars, which seemed to sparkle with uncommon brilliancy, owing to the
+clearness of the atmosphere. All beyond the immediate circle lighted by
+the fire, appeared dark and silent, save the solemn, almost mournful,
+sighing of the wind, as it swept among the tree-tops and through the
+branches of the surrounding mighty forest.</p>
+
+<p>What the meditations of the renegade were, we shall not essay to tell;
+but doubtless they were of a gloomy nature; for after sitting in the
+position we have described, some moments, without moving, he suddenly
+started, unclasped his hands, and looked hurriedly around him on every
+side, as if half expecting, yet fearful of beholding, some frightful
+phantom; but he apparently saw nothing to confirm his fears; and with a
+heavy sigh, he resumed his former position.</p>
+
+<p>What were the thoughts of that dark man, as he sat there?&mdash;he whose soul
+had been steeped in crime!&mdash;he whose hands had long been made red with
+the blood of numberless innocent victims! Who shall say what guilty
+deeds of the past might have been harrowing up his soul to fear and even
+remorse? Who shall say he was not then and there meditating upon death,
+and the dread eternity and judgment that must quickly follow
+dissolution? Who shall say he was not secretly repenting of that life of
+crime, which had already drawn down the curses of thousands upon his
+head? Something of the kind, or something equally powerful, must have
+been at work within him; for his features ever and anon, by their
+mournful contortions&mdash;if we may be allowed the phrase&mdash;gave visible
+tokens of one in deep agony of mind. It would be no pleasant task to
+analyze and lay bare the secret workings of so dark a spirit, even had
+we power to do it; and so we will leave his thoughts, whether good or
+evil, to himself and his God.</p>
+
+<p>By his side, and within two feet of the renegade, lay extended the
+beautiful form of Ella Barnwell&mdash;with nothing but a blanket and her own
+garments between her and the earth&mdash;with none but a similar covering
+over her&mdash;with her head resting upon a stone, and apparently asleep. We
+say apparently asleep; but the drowsy son of Erebus and Nox had not yet
+closed her eyelids in slumber; for there were thoughts in her breast
+more potent than all his persuasive arts of forgetfulness, or those of
+his prime minister, Morpheus. Was she thinking of her own hard
+fate&mdash;away there in that lonely forest&mdash;with not a friend nigh that
+could render her assistance&mdash;with no hope of escape from the awful doom
+to which she was hastening? Or was she thinking of him, for whom her
+heart yearned with all the thousand, undefined, indescribable sympathies
+of affection?&mdash;of him who so lately had been her companion?&mdash;for the
+heart of love measures duration, not by the cold mathematical
+calculation of minutes and hours, and days and weeks, and months and
+years, but by events and feelings; and the acquaintance of weeks may
+seem the friend of years, and the acquaintance of years be almost
+forgotten in weeks;&mdash;was she thinking of him, we say&mdash;of Algernon? who,
+even in misery, had been torn from her side, had said perchance his last
+trembling farewell, and gone to suffer a death at which humanity must
+shudder! Ay, all these thoughts, and a thousand others, were rushing
+wildly through her feverish brain. She thought of her own fate&mdash;of
+his&mdash;of her relations&mdash;pictured out in her imagination the terrible doom
+of each&mdash;and her tender heart became wrung to the most excruciating
+point of agony.</p>
+
+<p>By the side of Ella, was her adopted mother&mdash;buried in that troubled
+sleep which great fatigue sends to the body, even when the mind is ill
+at ease, filling it with startling visions&mdash;and around the fire, as we
+said before, lay the dusky forms of the savages, lost to all
+consciousness of the outer world. The position of Ella was such, that,
+by slightly turning her head, she could command a view of the features
+of the renegade; whose strange workings, as before noted, served to fix
+her attention and divide her thoughts between him, as the cause of her
+present unhappiness, and that unhappiness itself&mdash;and she gazed on his
+loathsome, contorted countenance, with much the same feeling as one
+might be supposed to gaze upon a serpent coiling itself around the
+body, whose deadly fangs, either sooner or later, would assuredly give
+the fatal stroke of death. She noted the sudden start of Girty, and the
+wildness with which he peered around him, with feelings of hope and
+fear&mdash;hope, that rescue might be at hand&mdash;fear, lest something more
+dreadful was about to happen. At length Girty started again, and turned
+his head toward Ella so suddenly, that she had not time to withdraw her
+eyes ere his were fixed searchingly upon them.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And are you too awake?&quot; he said, with something resembling a sigh. &quot;I
+thought the innocent could ever sleep!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Not when the guilty are abroad, with deeds of death, and friends
+exposed,&quot; returned Ella, bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ah! true&mdash;true!&quot; rejoined Girty, again looking toward the fire, in a
+musing mood.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well may you muse and writhe under the tortures of your guilty acts,&quot;
+continued Ella, in the same bitter tone; &quot;for you have much to answer
+for, Simon Girty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And who told you the past tortured me?&quot; cried Girty, quickly, turning
+on her a fierce expression.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your changing features and guilty starts,&quot; answered Ella.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha! then you have been a spy upon me, have you?&quot; said Girty, pressing
+the words slowly through his clenched teeth, knitting his shaggy brows,
+and fixing his eye with intensity upon hers, until she quailed and
+trembled beneath its seeming fiery glance; which the light, whereby it
+was seen, rendered more demon-like than usual; while it made shadow
+chase shadow, like waves of the sea, across his face: &quot;You have been a
+spy upon my actions, eh? Beware! Ella Barnwell&mdash;beware! Do not put your
+head in the lion's mouth too often, or he may think the bait
+troublesome; and by &mdash;&mdash;! had other than you told me what I just now
+heard, he or she had not lived to repeat it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Far better an early death and innocence, than a long life of guilt and
+misery,&quot; returned Ella, at once regaining her boldness of speech; &quot;Far
+better the fate you speak of, than mine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And would you prefer being wedded to death, rather than me?&quot; asked
+Girty, quickly, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay, a thousand times!&quot; replied Ella, energetically, rising as she
+spoke, into a sitting posture, and looking fearlessly upon the renegade,
+her previously pale features now flushed with excitement. &quot;I fear not
+death, Simon Girty; I have done no act that should make me fear the
+change that all must sooner or later undergo; but I could not join my
+hand to that of a man of blood, without loathing and horror, and feeling
+criminal in the sight of God and man; and least of all to you, Simon
+Girty, whose name has become a word of terror to the weak and innocent
+of my race, and whose deeds of late have been such as to make me join my
+voice in the general maledictions called down upon you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>During this speech of Ella, Girty sat and gazed upon her with the look
+of a baffled demon; and, as she concluded, fairly hissed through his
+teeth:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And so you would prefer death to me, eh? By &mdash;&mdash;! you shall have your
+choice!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, he grasped Ella by the wrist with one hand, seized his
+tomahawk with the other, and sprung upon his feet. His rapid movement
+and wild manner now really frightened her; and uttering a faint cry of
+horror, she endeavored to release his hold; while the warriors, aroused
+by the noise, bounded up from the earth, weapon in hand, with looks of
+alarm.</p>
+
+<p>Turning to them, Girty now spoke a few words in the Indian tongue; and,
+with significant glances at Ella, they were just in the act of again
+encamping, when crack went some five or six rifles, followed by yells
+little less savage than their own, and four of them rolled upon the
+earth, groaning with pain; while the others, surprised and bewildered,
+grasped their weapons and shouted:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Shemanoes!&quot; &quot;The Long Knives!&quot; not knowing whether to stand or fly.</p>
+
+<p>Girty, meantime, had been left unharmed; although the shivering of the
+helve of the tomahawk in his hand, in front of his breast, showed him he
+had been a target for no mean marksman, and that his life had been
+preserved almost by a miracle. For a moment he stood irresolute&mdash;his
+nostrils fairly dilated with fear and rage, still holding Ella by the
+wrist, who was too paralyzed with what she had seen to speak or
+move&mdash;straining his eyes in every direction to note, if possible, the
+number of his foes and whence their approach. The whole glance was
+momentary; but he saw himself nearly surrounded by his enemies, who were
+fast closing in toward the center with fierce yells; and pausing no
+longer in indecision, he encircled Ella's waist with his left arm,
+raised her from the ground, and keeping her as much as possible between
+himself and his enemies, to deter them from firing, darted away toward a
+thicket, some fifty yards distant, pursued by two of the attacking
+party.</p>
+
+<p>Just as Girty gained the thicket, one of his pursuers made a sudden
+bound forward and grasped him by the arm; but his hold was the next
+moment shaken off by the renegade, who, being now rendered desperate,
+drew a pistol from his belt, with the rapidity of lightning, and laid
+the bold adventurer dead at his feet. Almost at the same moment, Girty
+received a blow on the back of his head, from the breech of the rifle of
+his other antagonist, that staggered him forward; when, releasing his
+hold of Ella, he turned and darted off in another direction, firing a
+pistol as he went, the ball of which whizzed close to the head of him
+for whom it was designed; and in a moment more he was lost in the mazes
+of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the bloody work was going forward in the center; for at the
+moment when Girty darted away, the report of some three or four rifles
+again echoed through the wood, two more of the red warriors bit the
+dust, while the other two fled in opposite directions, leaving Boone and
+his party sole masters of the field.</p>
+
+<p>Eager, excited, reckless and wild, several of the young men now rushed
+forward, with yells of triumph, to the wounded Indians, whom they
+immediately tomahawked without mercy, and began to scalp, when the voice
+of Boone, who had been more cautious, reached them from a distance:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Beware o' the fire-light, lads! or the red varmints will draw a
+bead<a name="FNanchor_11" id="FNanchor_11" /><a href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> on some of ye.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely were the words uttered, ere his warning was sadly fulfilled;
+for the two savages finding they were not pursued, and thirsting for
+revenge, turned and fired almost simultaneously, with aims so deadly,
+that one of the young men, by the name of Beecher, fell mortally wounded
+and expired a moment after; and another, by the name of Morris, had his
+wrist shattered by a ball. This fatal event produced a panic in the
+others, who at once fled precipitately into the darkness, leaving Mrs.
+Younker, who had by this time gained her feet, standing alone by the
+fire, a bewildered spectator of the terrible tragedies that had so
+lately been enacted by her side. To her Boone now immediately advanced,
+notwithstanding the caution he had given the others; and turning to him
+as he came up, the good lady exclaimed, in a tone of astonishment:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, Colonel Boone, be this here you? Why when did you come&mdash;and how on
+yarth did ye git here&mdash;and what in the name o' all creation has been
+happening? For ye see I war jest dosing away thar by the fire, and
+dreaming all sorts of things, like all nater, when somehow I kind o'
+thought I'd all at once turned into a man and gone to war a rale
+soldier; and the battle had opened, and the big guns war blazing away,
+and the little guns war popping off, and the soldiers war shrieking and
+groaning and falling around me, like all possessed; and men a trampling,
+and horses a running like skeered deer; and then I sort o' woke up, and
+jumped up, and seed all them dead Injen wretches; and then I jest begun
+to think as how it warn't no dream at all, but a living truth, all 'cept
+my being a man and a soldier, as you com'd up. Well, ef this arn't a
+queer world,&quot; resumed the good dame, catching breath meanwhile, &quot;as
+Preacher Allprayer used to say, then maybe as how I don't know nothing
+at all about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your dream war a very nateral one, Mrs. Younker,&quot; returned Boone, who,
+during the speech of the other, had been actively employed in scattering
+the burning brands, to prevent the recurrence of another sad
+catastrophe; &quot;and I'm rejoiced to see that you've escaped unharmed, amid
+this bloody work. Allow me to set you free;&quot; and as he spoke, he drew his
+scalping knife, and severed the thongs that bound her wrists.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Gracious on me!&quot; cried the dame, chafing the parts which had been
+swollen by the tightness of the cords; &quot;how clever 'tis to get free
+agin, and have the use o' one's hands and tongue, to do and say jest
+what a body pleases; for d'ye know, Colonel Boone, them thar imps of
+Satan war awfully afeared o' my talking to 'em, to convince 'em they war
+the meanest varmints in the whole univarsul yarth o' creation; and
+actually put a peremshus stop to my saying what I thought on 'em;
+although I told 'em as how it war a liberty as these blessed colonies
+war this moment fighting for with the hateful red-coated Britishers.
+But, Lord presarve us! gracious on us! where in marcy's sake is my dear,
+darling Ella?&quot; concluded Mrs. Younker, with vehemence and alarm, as she
+now missed her adopted daughter for the first time.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;She's here, mother,&quot; answered a voice close behind her; and turning
+round, the dame uttered a cry of joy, sprung into the arms of her son
+Isaac, and wept upon his neck&mdash;occasionally articulating, in a choked
+voice:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;God bless you, Isaac! God bless you, son!&mdash;you're a good boy&mdash;the
+Lord's presarved you through the whole on't&mdash;the Lord be praised!&mdash;but
+your father, poor lad&mdash;your father!&quot; and with a strong burst of emotion,
+she buried her face upon his breast, and wept aloud.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I know it,&quot; sobbed forth Isaac, his whole frame shaken with the force
+of his feelings: &quot;I&mdash;I know the whole on't, mother&mdash;Ella's told me. I'd
+rather he'd bin killed a thousand times; but thar's no help for it now!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;No help for it!&quot; cried Ella in alarm, who, having greeted the old
+hunter, with tearful eyes, now stood weeping by his side. &quot;No help for
+it! Heaven have mercy!&mdash;say not so! They must&mdash;they must be rescued!&quot;
+Then turning wildly to Boone, she grasped his hand in both of hers, and
+exclaimed: &quot;Oh! sir, speak! tell me they can be saved&mdash;and on my knees
+will I bless you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>A few words now rapidly uttered by Isaac, put the old hunter in
+possession of the facts, concerning the forced march of Younker and
+Reynolds, of which he had previously heard nothing; and musing on the
+information a few moments, he shook his head sadly, and said, with a
+sigh:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm sorry for you, Ella&mdash;I'm sorry for all o' ye&mdash;I'm sorry on my own
+account&mdash;but I'm o' the opinion o' Isaac, that thar's no help for it
+now. They're too far beyond us&mdash;we're in the Indian country&mdash;our numbers
+are few&mdash;two or three o' the red varmints have escaped to give 'em
+information o' what's been done&mdash;they'll be thirsty for revenge&mdash;and
+nothing but a special Providence can now alter that prisoners' doom. I
+had hoped it war to be otherwise; but we must submit to God's decrees;&quot;
+and raising his hand to his eyes, the old woodsman hastily brushed away
+a tear, and turned aside to conceal his emotion; while Ella, overcome by
+her feelings, at the thought of having parted, perhaps for the last
+time, from Algernon and her uncle, staggered forward and sunk powerless
+into the arms of Mrs. Younker, whose tears now mingled with her own.</p>
+
+<p>By this time the whole party had gathered silently around their noble
+leader, and were observing the sad scene as much as the feeble light of
+the scattered brands would permit, their faces exhibiting a mournfulness
+of expression in striking contrast to that they had so lately displayed,
+previous to the death of their comrade. To them Boone now turned, and
+running his eye slowly over the whole, said, in a sad voice:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, lads, one o' our party's gone to his last account, I perceive,&quot;
+and he pointed mournfully to the still body of Beecher, some three or
+four paces distant; &quot;another I see is wounded, and a third's missing. I
+hope no harm's befallen him, the noble Master Harry Millbanks!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Alas! he's dead, Colonel!&quot; answered Isaac, covering his eyes with his
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dead?&quot; echoed Boone.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Dead?&quot; cried the others, simultaneously.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes,&quot; rejoined Isaac, with a sigh; &quot;He and I war chasing that thar
+infernal renegade Girty, who war running away with Ella thar; and he'd
+jest got up to him, and got him by the arm, when Girty shuk him off like
+it warn't nothing at all, and then shot him dead on the spot. Ef he
+hadn't a bin quite so quick about it, I think as how it wouldn't a
+happened; for the next moment I hit him a rap on the head with the
+butt-end o' my rifle, that sent him a staggering off, and would ha'
+fetched him to the ground, ef it hadn't first struck a limb. Howsomever,
+it made him let go o' Ella, and start up a new trail&mdash;jest leaving his
+compliments for me in the shape of a bullet, which, ef it didn't do me
+no harm, it warn't 'cause he didn't intend it to. I jest stopped to look
+at poor Harry; and finding he war dead, I took Ella by the hand and come
+straight down here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who's that you said war dead, Isaac?&quot; inquired his mother, who had
+partially overheard the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Harry Millbanks, mother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Harry Millbanks!&quot; repeated the dame in astonishment. &quot;What, young
+Harry?&mdash;our Harry?&mdash;Goodness gracious, marcy on me! what orful mean
+wretches them Injens is, to kill sech as him. Dear me! then the hull
+family is gone; for I hearn from Rosetta, that her father and mother and
+all war killed afore her eyes; and now she's bin taken on to be killed
+too, the darling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ha! yes,&quot; said Boone, as if struck with a new thought; &quot;I remember
+seeing the foot-prints of a child&mdash;war they made by this unfortunate
+young man's sister?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I reckon as how they war,&quot; answered Mrs. Younker; &quot;for the poor thing
+war a prisoner along with us, crying whensomever she dared to, like all
+nater.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well,&quot; rejoined the old hunter, musingly, &quot;we've done all we could&mdash;I'm
+sorry it didn't turn out better&mdash;but we must now leave their fates in
+the hands o' Providence, and return to our homes. We must bury our dead
+first; and I don't know o' any better way than to sink thar bodies in
+the Ohio.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, after some further conversation, four of the party
+proceeded for the body of Millbanks&mdash;with which they soon
+returned&mdash;while Boone conducted the ladies away from the scene of
+horror, and down to where Ella informed him the canoes were hidden,
+leaving his younger companions to rifle and scalp the savages if they
+chose. In a few minutes from his arrival at the point in question, he
+was joined by the others, who came slowly, in silence, bearing the
+mortal remains of Millbanks and Beecher. Placing the canoes in the
+water, the whole party entered them, in the same silent and solemn
+manner, and pulled slowly down the Miami, into the middle of the Ohio;
+then leaving the vessels to float with the current, they uncovered their
+heads, and mournfully consigned the bodies of the deceased to the watery
+element.</p>
+
+<p>It was a sad and impressive scene&mdash;there, on the turbid Ohio, near the
+midnight hour&mdash;to give to the rolling waters the last remains of those
+who had been their friends and companions, and as full of life and
+activity as themselves but an hour before;&mdash;it was a sad, impressive,
+and affecting scene&mdash;one that was looked upon with weeping eyes&mdash;and one
+which, by those who witnessed it, was never to be forgotten. There were
+no loud bursts of grief&mdash;there were no frantic exclamations of woe&mdash;but
+the place, the hour, and withal the various events which had transpired
+to call them so soon from a scene of festivity to one of
+mourning&mdash;together with the thoughts of other friends departed, or in
+terrible captivity&mdash;served to render it a most painfully solemn one&mdash;and
+one, as we said before, that was destined never to be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>For a short space after the river engulphed the bodies, all gazed upon
+the waters in silence; when Boone said, in a voice slightly trembling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They did their duties&mdash;they have gone&mdash;God rest their souls, and give
+peace to their bones!&quot; and taking up a paddle, the noble old hunter
+pulled steadily for the Kentucky shore in silence, followed by the other
+boats in the same manner. There they landed, placed the canoes in
+safety, in case they should again be needed, rekindled their fire, and
+encamped for the night.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning, they set out upon their homeward journey;
+where they finally arrived, without any events occurring worthy of note.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> A hunter's phrase for taking sight.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<center>THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>As you ascend the Miami from its mouth at the present day, you come
+almost immediately upon what are termed the Bottoms, or Bottom Lands,
+which are rich and fertile tracts of country, of miles in extent, and
+sometimes miles in breadth, almost water level, with the stream in
+question slowly winding its course through them, like a deep blue ribbon
+carelessly unrolled upon a dark surface. They are now mostly under
+culture, and almost entirely devoted to the production of maize, which,
+in the autumn of the year, presents the goodly sight of a golden
+harvest. At the time of which we write, there were no such pleasant
+demonstrations of civilization, but a vast unbroken forest instead, some
+vestiges of which still remain, in the shape of old decaying trees,
+standing grim and naked,</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span>&quot;To summer's heat and winter's blast,&quot;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>like the ruins of ancient structures, to remind the beholder of former
+days.</p>
+
+<p>On these Bottoms, about ten miles above the mouth of the Miami, Wild-cat
+and his party, with their prisoners, encamped on the evening the attack
+was made upon the renegade, as shown in the preceding chapter.
+Possessing caution in a great degree, and fearful of the escape of his
+prisoners, Wild-cat spared no precautions which he thought might enhance
+the security of Younker and Reynolds. Accordingly, when arrived at the
+spot where he intended to remain for the night, the chief ordered stakes
+to be driven deep into the earth, some distance apart, to which the feet
+of the two in question, after being thrown flat upon their backs, in
+opposite directions, were tightly bound, with their hands still corded
+to the crossbars as before. A rope was next fastened around the neck of
+each, and secured to a neighboring sapling, in which uncomfortable
+manner they were left to pass the night; while their captors, starting a
+fire, threw themselves upon the earth around it, and soon to all
+appearance were sound asleep.</p>
+
+<p>To the tortures of her older companions in captivity, little Rosetta was
+not subjected; for Oshasqua&mdash;the fierce warrior to whom Girty had
+consigned her, in the expectation, probably, that she would long ere
+this have been knocked on the head and scalped&mdash;had, by one of those
+strange mysterious phenomena of nature, (so difficult of comprehension,
+and which have been known to link the rough and bloody with the gentle
+and innocent,) already begun to feel towards her a sort of affection,
+and to treat her with great kindness whenever he could do so unobserved
+by the others. The apparel of which he had at first divested her, to
+ornament his own person, had been restored, piece by piece; and this,
+together with the change in his manner, had at length been observed by
+the child, with feelings of gratitude. Poor little thing! to whom could
+she look for protection now? Her father and mother were dead&mdash;had been
+murdered before her own eyes&mdash;her brother was away, and she herself a
+captive to an almost merciless foe; could she feel other than grateful
+for an act of kindness, from one at whose hands she looked for nothing
+but abuse and death? Nay, more: So strange and complex is the human
+heart&mdash;so singular in its developments&mdash;that we see nothing to wonder
+at, in her feeling for the savage, under the circumstances&mdash;loathsome
+and offensive as he might have been to her under others&mdash;a sort of
+affection&mdash;or rather, a yearning toward him as a protector. Such she did
+feel; and thus between two human beings, as much antagonistical perhaps,
+in every particular, as Nature ever presented, was already established a
+kind of magnetic sympathy&mdash;or, in other words, a gradual blending
+together of opposites. The result of all this, as may be imagined, was
+highly beneficial to Rosetta, who, in consequence, fared as well as
+circumstances would permit. At night she slept unbound beside Oshasqua,
+who secured her from escape by passing his brawny arm under her head,
+which also in a measure served her for a pillow. So slept she on the
+night in question.</p>
+
+<p>With Younker and Reynolds there was little that could be called
+sleep&mdash;the minds of both being too actively employed with the events
+which had transpired, and with thoughts of those so dear to them, who
+had been left behind, for what fate God only knew. Besides, there was
+little wherewithal to court the drowsy god, in the manner of their
+repose&mdash;each limb being strained and corded in a position the most
+painful&mdash;and if they slept at all, it was that feverish and fitful
+slumber, which, though it serve in part the design of nature, brings
+with it nothing refreshing to the individual himself. To both,
+therefore, the night proved one of torture to body and mind; and bad as
+was their condition after the encampment, it was destined to be worse
+ere the gray dawn of morning, by the arrival of Girty and the only two
+Indians who had escaped the deadly rifles of the Kentuckians.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Up, warriors!&quot; cried the renegade, with a blasphemous oath, as he came
+upon the detachment. &quot;Up, warriors! and sharpen your wits to invent the
+most damnable tortures that the mind of man can conceive!&quot; and at the
+sound of his voice, which was loud and hoarse, each Indian sprung to his
+feet, with an anxious and troubled face.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And you, ye miserable white dogs!&quot; continued Girty, turning to Younker
+and Reynolds, on whom he bestowed numerous kicks, as if by way of
+enforcing the truth his assertion; &quot;were you suffering all the torments
+of hell, you might consider yourselves in perfect bliss, compared to
+what you shall yet undergo ere death snatches you from me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What new troubles ha' ye got, Simon Girty?&quot; asked Younker, composedly.
+&quot;But you needn't answer; I can see what's writ on your face; thar's bin
+a rescue&mdash;you've lost your prisoners&mdash;for which the Lord be praised! I
+can die content now, with all your tortures.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Can you, by &mdash;&mdash;!&quot; cried the renegade, in a paroxysm of rage; &quot;we shall
+see!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he concluded, he bestowed upon Younker a kick in the face, so violent
+that a stream of blood followed it. The old man uttered a slight groan,
+but made no other answer; and Girty turned away to communicate to the
+others the intelligence of what had transpired since their parting; for
+although they believed it to be of the utmost consequence, and tragical
+in all its bearings, yet so far there had not been a question asked nor
+an event related concerning it on either side&mdash;such being the force of
+habit in all matters of grave importance, and the deference to his
+superiors shown by the Indian on all similar occasions.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Girty had made known the sad disaster that had befallen his
+party, there was one universal yell of rage, accompanied by violent
+demonstrations of grief and anger&mdash;such as beating their bodies,
+stamping fiercely on the ground, and brandishing their tomahawks over
+their heads with terrific gestures. They then proceeded to dance around
+Younker and Reynolds, uttering horrid yells, accompanied with kicks and
+blows; after which, a consultation was held between Girty and Wild-cat,
+wherein it was agreed to take them to Piqua, a Shawanoe settlement on
+the Miami, and there have them put to the tortures. Accordingly, without
+further delay, they unbound their prisoners, with the exception of their
+hands, and forced them to set forward at a fast pace&mdash;treating them,
+meanwhile, in the most brutal manner. Oshasqua, however, took good care
+there should be no violence done to Rosetta; for he kept her closely by
+his side; and occasionally, when he saw her little limbs growing weary,
+raised and bore her forward, for a considerable distance, in his arms.</p>
+
+<p>It was a strange, but by no means unpleasing sight, to behold that dark,
+bloodstained warrior&mdash;whose very nature was cruel and ferocious, and who
+probably had never before loved or sought to protect aught bearing the
+human form&mdash;now exhibiting such tender regard for a weak, trembling
+prisoner, placed in his hands for a speedy sacrifice. It was withal an
+affecting sight, to Younker and Reynolds, who looked upon it with
+moistened eyes, and felt it in the force of a revelation from Heaven,
+that He, who sees the sparrow fall, was even now moving through the
+wilderness, and teaching one lesson of mercy at least to the most
+obdurate heart of the savage race.</p>
+
+<p>To the renegade, however, this conduct of Oshasqua was far from being
+agreeable; for so much did he delight in cruelty, and so bitterly did he
+hate all his race&mdash;particularly now, after having been foiled by them so
+lately&mdash;that he would a thousand times rather have heard the dying
+groans of the child, and seen her in the last agonies of death, than in
+the warrior's arms. At length he advanced to the side of the Indian, and
+said in the Shawanoe dialect, with a sneer:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is Oshasqua a squaw, that he should turn nurse?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Probably from the whole vocabulary of the Indian tongue, a phrase more
+expressive of contempt, and one that would have been more severely felt
+by the savage warrior, who abhors any thing of a womanly nature, could
+not have been selected; and this Girty, who understood well to whom he
+was speaking, knew, and was prepared to see the hellish design of his
+heart meet with a ready second from Oshasqua. For a moment after he
+spoke, the latter looked upon the renegade with flashing eyes; and then
+seizing Rosetta roughly, he raised her aloft, as if with the intention
+of dashing her brains out at his feet. She doubtless understood from his
+fierce movement the murderous intent in his breast, and uttered a
+heart-rending cry of anguish. In an instant the grim features of the
+Indian softened; and lowering her again to her former position in his
+arms, he turned coldly to Girty, and smiting his breast with his hand,
+said, with dignity:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oshasqua a warrior above suspicion. He can save and defend with his
+life whom he loves!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Girty bit his lips, and uttering a deep malediction in English, turned
+away to consult with Wild-cat on the matter; but finding the chief would
+not join him in interfering with the rights of the other, he growled out
+another dreadful oath, and let the subject drop.</p>
+
+<p>Late at night the party encamped within something like a mile of Piqua;
+and by daylight a warrior was despatched to convey intelligence of their
+approach, their prisoners, and the sad disaster they had experienced on
+their journey. In the course of an hour the messenger returned, bringing
+with him a vast number of savages of both sexes and all ages, who
+immediately set up the most horrid yells, danced around Younker and
+Algernon like madmen, not unfrequently beating and kicking them
+unmercifully. They then departed for the town, taking the prisoners with
+them, where their fate was to be decided by the council.<a name="FNanchor_12" id="FNanchor_12" /><a href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> But ere
+sentence should be pronounced, it was the unanimous decision of the
+savages, that they should have some amusement, by forcing the prisoners
+to run the gauntlet. This, to the women and children, as well as the
+warriors themselves, was a most delightful sport, and they at once made
+the welkin ring with yells of joy.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It's a hard task we've got to undergo now, Algernon,&quot; said Younker, in
+a low voice; &quot;and God send it may be my last; for I'd much rayther die
+this way, nor at the stake. I don't at all calculate on escaping&mdash;but
+something tells me you will&mdash;and ef you do&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Here the old man was interrupted by Girty, who forced himself between
+the two and separated them. Younker being the first selected to run the
+gauntlet, was immediately unbound, and stripped to the skin,<a name="FNanchor_13" id="FNanchor_13" /><a href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>
+preparatory to the race. The assemblage now formed themselves into two
+lines, facing each other, only a few feet apart, and extending the
+distance of a hundred yards, terminating near the council-house, which
+stood in the center of the village. Through these lines, the old man was
+informed by Girty, he must run; while the savages on either side, armed
+with clubs, were at liberty to inflict as many blows upon him as they
+could in passing; and therefore it would stand him in hand to reach the
+other extremity as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm an old man, Simon Girty,&quot; said Younker, in reply, &quot;and can't run as
+I once could&mdash;so you needn't reckon on my gitting through alive.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But, by &mdash;&mdash;! you must get through alive, or else not at all; for we
+can't spare you quite so soon, as we want you to try the pleasures of
+the stake,&quot; answered the renegade, with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;God's will be done&mdash;not yourn nor mine!&quot; rejoined Younker, solemnly.
+&quot;But tell me, Simon Girty, as the only favor I'll ever ask o' ye&mdash;war my
+wife and Ella rescued?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why,&quot; said Girty, &quot;if it will do you any good to know it, I will tell
+you they were; but I will add, for your particular benefit, that they
+will again be in my power; for I will excite every tribe of the Six
+Nations to the war path; and then, woe to the pioneers of Kentucky!&mdash;for
+desolation, rapine and blood shall mark our trail, until the race become
+extinct. I have sworn, and will fulfill it. But come&mdash;all is ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For the first o' your information, I thank you,&quot; returned Younker; &quot;for
+the last on't, I'll only say, thar's a power above ye. I'm ready&mdash;lead
+on!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Girty now conducted the old man to the lines; and having cautioned the
+savages, in a loud voice, to beware of taking his life, gave the signal
+for him to start. Instantly Younker darted forward, and with such speed,
+that the nearest Indians neglected to strike until he had passed them,
+by which means he gained some six or eight paces without receiving a
+blow; but now they fell hard and fast upon him, accompanied with screams
+and yells of the most diabolical nature; and ere he had gone thirty
+yards, he began to stagger, when a heavy stroke on the head laid him
+senseless on the earth. In a moment the renegade, who had kept him
+company outside, burst through the lines, just in time to ward off the
+blow of a powerful warrior, aimed at the skull of Younker, which,
+without doubt, would have been fatal.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Fool!&quot; cried Girty, fiercely, to the Indian. &quot;Did I not tell you his
+life must be spared for the stake?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The savage drew himself up with dignity, and walked away without reply;
+while the renegade, examining the bruises of the fallen man for a moment
+or two, ordered him to be taken to the council-house, and, if possible,
+restored to consciousness. He then returned to Algernon, who had been
+left standing a sad spectator of the whole proceedings, and said, in a
+gruff voice:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, by &mdash;&mdash;! young man, it's your turn; and let me tell you, it will
+stand you in hand to do your best. Come, let us see what sort of a
+figure you will cut.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he concluded, he severed the thongs around the hands of our hero, and
+unceremoniously began to strip him, in which he was aided by a couple of
+old squaws.</p>
+
+<p>The features of Algernon were pale, but composed; and he allowed himself
+to be handled as one who felt an escape from his doom to be impossible,
+and who had nerved himself to undergo it with as much stoicism as he
+could command. As his vestments were rent from his body, the wound in
+his side was discovered to be nearly healed; and would have been
+entirely so, probably, but for the irritation occasioned it of late by
+his long marches, exposure and fatigue, which had served to render it at
+present not a little painful. As his eye for a moment rested upon it,
+his mind instantly reverted to its cause&mdash;recalled, with the rapidity of
+thought, which is the swiftest comparison we can make, the many and
+important events that had since transpired up to the present time,
+wherein the gentle Ella Barnwell held no second place&mdash;and he sighed,
+half aloud:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would to Heaven it had been mortal!&mdash;how much misery had then been
+spared me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he said this, one of the squaws, who had been observing it intently,
+struck him thereon a violent blow with her fist, which started it to
+bleeding afresh, and, in spite of himself, caused Algernon to utter a
+sharp cry of pain, at which all laughed heartily. Thinking doubtless
+this species of amusement as interesting as any, the old hag was on the
+point of repeating the blow, when Girty arrested it, by saying something
+to her in the Indian tongue, and all three turned aside, as if to
+consult together, leaving our hero standing alone, unbound.</p>
+
+<p>A wild thought now suddenly thrilled him. He was free, perchance he
+might escape; at least he could but die in the attempt; and that, at all
+events, was preferable to a lingering death of torture! He looked
+hurriedly around. Only the renegade and the squaws were close at hand,
+and they engaged in conversation. The main body of the Indians were at a
+distance, awaiting him to run the gauntlet. He needed no second thought
+to prompt him to the trial; and wheeling about, he placed his hand upon
+the wound, and bounded away with the fleetness of the deer. In a moment
+the yells of an hundred savages in pursuit, sounded in his ear, and
+urged him onward to the utmost of his strength. He was no mean runner at
+any time; now he was flying to save his life, and every nerve did its
+duty. Before him was a slope, that stretched away to the river Miami;
+and down this he fled with a velocity that astonished himself; while
+yell after yell of the demons behind, now in full chase, were to him
+only so many death cries, to stimulate him to renewed exertions. At last
+he gained the river and rushed into the water. It was not deep, and he
+struggled forward with all his might. On the opposite side was a steep
+hill and thicket. Could he but gain that, hope whispered he might elude
+his pursuers and escape. Again he redoubled his exertions; and, joy&mdash;joy
+to his heart&mdash;he reached it, just as the foremost of his adversaries, a
+powerful and fleet young warrior, dashed into the stream from the
+opposite bank. He now for the first time began to feel weak and
+fatigued; but his life was yet in danger, and he still pressed onward.
+Alas! alas! just on the point of escape, his strength was failing him
+fast, the blood was trickling too from his wound, and a sharp, severe
+pain afflicted him in his side. Oh God! he thought&mdash;what would he not
+give for the strength and soundness of body he once possessed! The
+thicket he had entered was dense and dark, so that it was impossible to
+move through it with much velocity, or see ahead any distance; and as
+the thought just recorded rushed through his brain, he came suddenly
+upon a high, steep rock. By this time his nearest pursuer was also
+entering the thicket; and in a minute or two more he felt capture would
+be certain, unless he could instantly secrete himself till his strength
+should be again renewed. Fortune for once now seemed to stand his
+friend; for stooping down at the base of the rock, he discovered it to
+be shelving and projecting somewhat over the declivity; so that by
+dropping upon the ground and crawling up under it, he would, owing to
+the density and darkness of the thicket, as before mentioned, be wholly
+concealed from any one standing upright. To do this was the work of a
+moment; and the next he heard his pursuing foe rush panting by, with
+much the same sense of relief that one experiences on awakening from a
+horrible dream, where death seemed inevitable, and finding oneself lying
+safely and easily in a comfortable bed.</p>
+
+<p>We say Algernon experienced much the same sense of relief as the
+awakened dreamer; but unlike the latter, his was only momentary; for
+yell upon yell still sounded in his ear; and plunge after plunge into
+the stream, followed quickly by a rustling of the bushes around, the
+trampling of many feet close by, and the war-whoops of his enemies,
+warned him, that, if he had escaped one, there were hundreds yet to be
+eluded before he could consider himself as safe. Wildly his heart
+palpitated, as now one stirred the bushes within reach of his hand, and,
+slightly pausing, as if to examine the spot of his concealment, uttered
+a horrid yell, as of discovery, and then, just as he fancied all was
+lost, to his great relief darted suddenly away.</p>
+
+<p>Thus one after another passed on; and their fierce yells gradually
+sounding more and more distant, renewed his hope, that he might yet
+escape their vigilant eyes, and again be free to roam the earth at will.
+O, potent, joyful thought!&mdash;how it made his very heart leap, and the
+blood course swiftly through his heated veins!&mdash;and then, when some
+sound was heard more near, how his heart sickened at the fear he might
+again be captured, and forced to a lingering, agonizing death!&mdash;how he
+shuddered as he thought, until his flesh felt chill and clammy, and cold
+drops of perspiration, wrung forth by mental agony, stood upon his pale
+features! Even death, before his escape, possessed not half the terrors
+for him it would have now; for then he had nerved himself to meet it,
+and prepared himself for the worst; but now he had again had a taste of
+freedom, and would feel the reverse in a thousand accumulated horrors.</p>
+
+<p>Thus for a few minutes he lay, in painful thought, when he became aware,
+by the different sounds, that many of the savages were returning.
+Presently some two or three paused by the rock, and beat back the bushes
+around it. Then, dropping upon his knees, one of the Indians actually
+put his head to the ground, and peered up into the cavity. It was a
+horrible moment of suspense to Algernon, as he beheld the hideous visage
+of the savage so near, and evidently gazing upon him; and thinking
+himself discovered, he was on the point of coming forth, when a certain
+vagueness in the look of the Indian, led him to hope he was not yet
+perceived; and he lay motionless, with his breath suspended. But, alas!
+his hope was soon changed to despair; for after gazing a moment longer,
+the Indian suddenly started, his features expressed satisfaction, he
+uttered a significant grunt, and, springing to his feet, gave a loud,
+long, peculiar whoop. The next moment our hero was roughly seized, and,
+ere he could exert himself at all, dragged forth by the heels, by which
+means his limbs and body became not a little bruised and lacerated.</p>
+
+<p>The savages now came running towards their prisoner from all quarters,
+in high glee at his recapture&mdash;being attracted hither, probably, by the
+signal whoop of success made by the one who first discovered him. Among
+the rest came Girty; who, as he approached Algernon, burst into a loud
+laugh, saying, in a jocular manner:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, my fine bird, so you are caught again, eh? I was most infernally
+afraid you had got away in earnest; I was, by &mdash;&mdash;! But we'll soon fix
+you now, so that you won't run away again in a hurry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Then turning to the savages around him, the renegade continued his
+remarks in the Indian tongue, occasionally laughing boisterously, in
+which they not unfrequently joined. In this manner, the whole party
+returned in triumph to the village&mdash;being met on their way thither by
+the women and children, who set up yells of delight, sung and danced
+around their prisoner, whom they beat with their fists and with sticks,
+until he became sore from head to heel.</p>
+
+<p>The gauntlet was soon again made ready, and Algernon started upon the
+race; but fatigued in body and mind, from the late events&mdash;weak and
+faint from the bleeding of his wound and bruises&mdash;he scarcely reached
+twenty paces down the lines, ere he sunk overpowered to the earth; from
+which he was immediately raised, and borne forward to the council-house,
+where, according to the Indian custom, the chiefs and warriors were to
+decide upon his fate.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> Lest there should seem to the reader an inconsistency in
+one tribe yielding the fate of their prisoners to the decision of
+another, we would remark here, that at the period of which we write, the
+Six Nations were allied and fought for one common interest against the
+Americans, on the British side, and therefore not unfrequently shared
+each others dangers and partook of each others spoils.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> A practice sometimes, but not always, followed.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<center>THE TRIAL, SENTENCE, AND EXECUTION.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>The council-house in question, was a building of good size, of larger
+dimensions than its neighbors, stood on a slight elevation, and, as we
+before remarked, near the center of the village. Into this the warriors
+and head men of the Piqua tribe now speedily gathered, and proceeded at
+once to business. An old chief&mdash;whose wrinkled features and
+slightly-tremulous limbs, denoted extreme age&mdash;was allowed, by common
+consent, to act as chairman; and taking his position near the center of
+the apartment, with a knife and a small stick in his hand, the warriors
+and chief men of the nation formed a circle around him.</p>
+
+<p>Among these latter&mdash;conspicuous above all for his beautiful and graceful
+form, his dignified manner, and look of intelligence, to whom all eyes
+turned with seeming deference&mdash;was the celebrated Shawanoe chief,
+Catahecassa, (Black Hoof) whose name occupies no inferior place on the
+historic page of the present day, as being at first the inveterate foe,
+and afterward the warm friend of the whites. In stature he was small,
+being only about five feet eight inches, lightly made, but strongly put
+together, with a countenance marked and manly, and one that would be
+pleasing to a friend, but the reverse to an enemy. He was a great
+orator, a keen, cunning and sagacious warrior, and one who held the
+confidence and love of his tribe. At the period referred to, he was far
+past what is usually termed the middle age; though, as subsequent events
+have proved, only in his noon of life&mdash;for at his death he numbered one
+hundred and ten years.</p>
+
+<p>Upon the ground, within the circle, and near the old chief in the
+center, were seated Algernon and Younker&mdash;the latter having recovered
+consciousness&mdash;both haggard and bloody from their recent brutal
+treatment. They were sad spectacles to behold, truly, and would have
+moved to pity any hearts less obdurate than those by which they were
+surrounded. Their faces bore those expressions of dejection and wan
+despair, which may sometimes be perceived in the look of a criminal,
+when, loth to die, he is assured all hope of pardon is past. Not that
+either Younker or Reynolds felt criminal, or feared death in its
+ordinary way; but there were a thousand things to harass their minds,
+besides the dreadful thought of that lingering, horrible torture, which
+was enough to make the boldest quail, and which they now had not the
+faintest hope of escaping. There is ever something solemn and awful in
+the thought of death, let it come in the mildest form possible&mdash;for the
+individual feels he is hastening to that silent bourne, whence none have
+e'er returned to tell its mysteries&mdash;yet such is as nothing in
+comparison with the death our prisoners were now silently awaiting, away
+from friends and all sympathy, in the full vigor of animal life, to be
+fairly worn out by the most excruciating pains, amid the hootings and
+revilings of a savage foe. It was enough to have made the stoutest heart
+faint, trembling and sick; and thus our unfortunate friends felt, as
+they slowly gazed around and saw nothing but fierce, angry looks bent
+upon them.</p>
+
+<p>Girty was the first to address the assemblage, in the Indian dialect, in
+an animated and angry speech of five minutes duration; occasionally
+turning his sinister visage upon the prisoners, with an expression of
+mortal hatred; gesticulating the while in that vehement manner which
+would have left no doubts on their minds as to the nature of his
+discourse, had they not previously known him to be their determined foe.
+He narrated to the savages, clearly and briefly, the wrongs which had
+been done them, as well as himself, by the whites; how, as the ally and
+friend of the red-man, he had been cursed, defied and treated with much
+contumely, by those here present; how their friends had followed and
+slaughtered his braves; how the whites were every day becoming stronger
+and more aggressive; how that, unless speedily exterminated, they would
+presently drive the red-men from their hunting grounds, burn their
+wigwams, and murder their wives and children; referred them, as a proof,
+to the sacking and burning of the Chillicothe and Piqua villages, on the
+Little Miami and Mad rivers, the year preceding, by General Clark and
+his men;<a name="FNanchor_15" id="FNanchor_15" /><a href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> and wound up by demanding the death of the prisoners at the
+stake, and a speedy and bloody retaliation upon the pioneers of
+Kentucky.</p>
+
+<p>As Girty concluded his speech, which was listened to in breathless
+silence, there was a great sensation in the house, and an almost
+unanimous grunt of approval from the chiefs and braves there assembled.
+It needed but this, to arouse their vindictive passions against the
+white invader to the extreme; and they bent upon the unfortunate
+prisoners, eyes which seemed inflamed with rage and revenge. Girty
+perceived, at a glance, that he had succeeded to the full of his heart's
+desire; and with a devilish smile of satisfaction on his features, he
+drew back among the warriors, to listen to the harangues of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Black Hoof was the next to follow the renegade, in a similar but more
+eloquent strain; during which his countenance became greatly animated;
+and it was easy for the prisoners to perceive&mdash;who could not understand
+a word he uttered&mdash;that he spoke with great enthusiasm. He also pressed
+upon his companions the vast importance of exterminating the whites, ere
+they, as he expressed it, became as the leaves of the forest, and
+covered the red-man's soil; that, for this purpose, they should prepare
+themselves as soon as possible, to open a deadly, unyielding warfare
+upon the frontiers; but said, withal, that he was opposed to burning the
+prisoners&mdash;as that was a barbarism which he feared would not be
+sanctioned by the great Spirit&mdash;and urged that they should be put to
+death in, a quicker and milder form.<a name="FNanchor_14" id="FNanchor_14" /><a href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p>
+
+<p>Black Hoof's speech was warmly received, with the exception of what
+referred to the prisoners, and this rather coldly. They were excited to
+a powerful degree&mdash;their passions were up for revenge&mdash;and they could
+not bear the idea of sending a prisoner out of the world, without first
+enjoying the delight of seeing him writhe under the tortures of the
+stake.</p>
+
+<p>Wild-cat next followed Black Hoof, in a brief speech, in which he but
+echoed the sentiments of Girty throughout, and received, like his
+colleague, an almost universal grunt of approbation. He was succeeded by
+one or two others, to the same effect&mdash;each urging the burning of the
+prisoners&mdash;and on their conclusion, no other appearing to speak, the old
+chief in the center at once proceeded to decide, by vote, the matter at
+issue. Advancing to the warrior nearest the door, he handed him a
+war-club, and then resumed his place in the circle, to record the will
+of each. He who was in favor of burning the prisoners, struck the ground
+fiercely with the weapon in question, and then passed it to his
+neighbor; he who was otherwise disposed, passed it quietly, in silence;
+thus it went through the whole assemblage&mdash;the old chief recording the
+vote of each, by cutting a notch on the stick in his hand; those for
+mercy being placed on one side, and those for the torture on the
+opposite. Some three or four only, besides Black Hoof, passed it
+quietly&mdash;consequently the sentence of death was carried by a decided
+majority. Had there been any doubt in the minds of Younker and Reynolds
+as to the result, it would have needed only one glance at Girty, who was
+now grinning upon them like a demon, to assure them their doom was
+sealed.</p>
+
+<p>The question next came up as to the time and place for executing the
+sentence; and after some further debate, it was decided that the old man
+should be burnt forthwith, in the village, that their women and children
+might have a holiday pastime; but that Algernon must be made a grand
+national example of, before the assembled tribes at Upper Sandusky, when
+they should be met to receive presents from the British agent.<a name="FNanchor_16" id="FNanchor_16" /><a href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> This
+latter decision was mainly effected by the eloquence of Black Hoof; who,
+from some cause, for which it would be impossible to account&mdash;only as a
+mysterious working of an overruling Providence&mdash;had secretly determined,
+if such a thing were possible, to save the life of Algernon; and took
+this method as the only one likely to aid his purpose by protecting him
+from immediate death.</p>
+
+<p>The trial concluded, the council now broke up, and Girty was authorized
+to inform the prisoners of their sentence; while four young braves were
+selected to take charge of Algernon, and to set off with him, so soon as
+the burning of Younker should be over, for Upper Sandusky, where he was
+to be kept in durance until wanted. Advancing directly to the prisoners,
+the renegade now said, with a sneer:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, my beauties, are you ready to die?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We don't expect any thing else, Simon Girty,&quot; answered the old man
+mildly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't you, by &mdash;&mdash;!&quot; rejoined Girty. &quot;Perhaps it's just as well you
+don't&mdash;ha, ha, ha! Come, old dotard,&quot; he continued, &quot;down on your marrow
+bones and say your prayers; for, by &mdash;&mdash;! you will never behold the
+setting of another sun.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I've said my prayers regular for thirty year,&quot; answered Younker; &quot;and
+I've been ready to die whensomever the Lord should see fit to call me;
+and therefore don't feel myself no more obligated to pray jest at this
+particular time, than ef I war told I war going to live twenty year
+more. It's only them as hain't lived right, that the near coming o'
+death makes pray, more nor at another time; and so jest allow me, Simon
+Girty, to return you your advice, which is very good, and which, ef you
+follow yourself, you'll be likely to make a much better man nor you've
+ever done afore.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Fool!&quot; muttered the renegade, with an oath. Then turning to Algernon,
+he continued: &quot;You, sirrah, are destined to live a little longer&mdash;though
+by no design of mine, I can assure you. Don't flatter yourself, though,
+that you are going to escape,&quot; he added, as he perceived the countenance
+of Algernon slightly brighten at his intelligence; &quot;for, by &mdash;&mdash;! if I
+thought there was a probability of such a thing happening, I would brain
+you where you sit, if I died for it the next moment. No, young man,
+there is no escape for you; you are condemned to be burnt, as well as
+Younker, only at another place; and, by &mdash;&mdash;! I will follow you myself,
+to see that the sentence is enforced with all its horrors.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For all of which you doubtless feel yourself entitled to my thanks,&quot;
+returned Algernon, bitterly. &quot;Do your worst, Simon Girty; but understand
+me, before you go further, that though life is as dear to me at the
+present moment as to another, yet so much do I abhor and loathe the very
+sight of you, that, could I have it for the asking, I would not stoop to
+beg it of so brutal and cowardly a thing as yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;By &mdash;&mdash;!&quot; cried Girty, in a transport of rage; &quot;the time will come,
+when, if you do not sue for life, you will for death, and at my hands;
+and till then will I forego my revenge for your insolence now. And let
+me tell you one thing further, that you may muse upon it in my absence.
+I will raise an army, ere many months are over, and march upon the
+frontiers of Kentucky; and by all the powers of good and evil, I swear
+again to get possession of the girl you love, but whom I now hate&mdash;hate
+as the arch-fiend hates Heaven&mdash;and she shall thenceforth be my mistress
+and slave; and to make her feel more happy, I will ever and anon whisper
+your name in her ear, and tell her how you died, and the part I took in
+your death; and in the still hours of night, will I picture to her your
+agonies and dying groans, and repeat your prayers for death to release
+you. Ha! you may well shudder and grow pale; for again I swear, by all
+the elements, and by every thing mortal and immortal, I will accomplish
+the deed! Then, and not till then, will I feel my revenge complete.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The countenance of Girty, as he said this, was terrible to behold; for
+so enraged was he, that he fairly foamed at the mouth, and his eyes
+seemed like two balls of fire. As he concluded, he turned away abruptly;
+and muttering something in the Indian tongue, to some of the savages who
+were standing around, immediately quitted the council-house.</p>
+
+<p>As Girty departed, the four young warriors who were to have charge of
+Algernon, immediately advanced to him; and one of them tapping him on
+the shoulder, moved away, motioning him to follow. As he prepared to
+obey, Younker grasped him by the hand, and, with eyes full of tears, in
+a trembling, pathetic voice, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good-bye, lad! God bless and be with you. Something tells me we won't
+never meet agin. Keep up as stout a heart as you can, and ef you should
+escape, tell my (here the old man's voice faltered so that he could
+scarcely articulate a syllable)&mdash;tell my wife, and&mdash;and children&mdash;that I
+died happy, a thinking o' them, and praying for 'em&mdash;to&mdash;to the last.
+Good-bye! good-bye!&quot; and wringing his hand again, the old man fairly
+sobbed aloud; while the rough warriors stood looking on in silence, and
+Algernon could only groan forth a farewell.</p>
+
+<p>So they parted&mdash;never to meet again on earth.</p>
+
+<p>Algernon was now conducted, by his guards, to a small building on the
+outskirts of the village; where, after receiving food and water, and
+having his clothes restored to him, he was informed by one of the
+Indians&mdash;who could speak a smattering of English&mdash;that he might be bound
+and remain, or accompany them to see the Big Knife tortured. He chose
+the former without hesitation; and was immediately secured in a manner
+similar to what he had been the night previously, and then left alone to
+the anguish of his own thoughts. What the feelings of our hero were, as
+thus he lay, suffering from his bruises and wound&mdash;his mind recurring to
+the dire events taking place in another part of the village, and his own
+awful doom&mdash;we shall leave to the imagination of the reader: suffice it
+to say, however, that when his guards returned, some two hours later, he
+was found in a swooning state, with large cold drops of perspiration
+standing thickly on his features.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, Younker was brought forth from the council-house&mdash;amid the
+hootings, revilings, and personal abuse of the savage mob&mdash;and then
+painted black,<a name="FNanchor_17" id="FNanchor_17" /><a href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> preparatory to undergoing the awful death-sentence.
+He was then offered food&mdash;probably with the kind intention of
+strengthening him, and thus prolonging his life and tortures&mdash;but this
+he absolutely refused, and was immediately conducted to the place of
+execution, which was on the brow of the slope before described as
+reaching to the river. Here his wrists were immediately bound behind
+him; and then a rope, fastened to the ligature, was secured to a
+stake&mdash;driven into the earth for the purpose and left sufficiently long
+for him sit down, stand up, or walk around a circle of some six or eight
+feet in diameter.</p>
+
+<p>During this proceeding, the Indians failed not to abuse him in various
+ways&mdash;some by pinching, and others by pounding him with their fists,
+with stones, and with clubs,&mdash;all of which he seemed to bear with great
+patience and resignation.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as all was ready for the more diabolical tortures, Girty made
+the announcement, in a brief speech to the Indians; and then taking up a
+rifle, loaded with powder only, discharged it upon the prisoner's naked
+body. A loud yell of satisfaction, from the excited mob, followed this
+inhuman act; while several savages, rushing forward with rifles loaded
+in the same manner, now strove who should be first to imitate the
+renegade's example; by which means, no less than fifty discharges were
+made, in quick succession, until the flesh of the old man, from the neck
+downwards, was completely filled with burnt powder. Younker uttered a
+few groans, but bore all with manly fortitude, and made no complaints.</p>
+
+<p>This part of the hellish ceremony over, a fire was kindled of hickory
+poles, placed in a circle round the stake, outside of that which his
+rope allowed Younker to make, in order that he might feel all the
+torments of roasting alive, without being sufficiently near to the flame
+to get a speedy relief by death. To add even more torture, if possible,
+to this infernal proceeding, the Indians would take up brands, and place
+the burning parts against the old man's body; and then, as they saw him
+cringe and writhe under the pain thus inflicted, would burst into horrid
+laughs, in which they were ever joined by the renegade. The old squaws
+too, and even the children, not wishing to be outdone in this refinement
+of cruelty, would take slabs, and having loaded them with live coals and
+ashes, would throw them upon his head and body, until not only both
+became covered, but the ground around him, so that there was no cool
+place for his feet; while at every new infliction of pain, the crowd
+would break forth in strains of wild, discordant laughter.</p>
+
+<p>Thus passed some three-quarters of an hour of tortures the most
+horrible, during which the old man bore up under his sufferings with a
+strength and manliness that not only astonished his tormentors, but
+excited for himself, even in savage breasts, a feeling of respect.
+Girty, it may be, was moved to a similar feeling; for at length,
+advancing to his victim, he said, in a tone of more deference than he
+had hitherto used:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You bear up well, old man&mdash;well. I have seen many a one die, in a
+similar way, who was thought to be courageous&mdash;yet none with that
+firmness you have thus far displayed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Younker, who was slowly walking around the stake, with his face bent
+toward the earth, suddenly paused, as Girty addressed him, and turning
+his eyes mildly upon the renegade, in a feeble voice, replied:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My firmness is given me from above. I can bear my torments, Simon
+Girty, for they're arthly, and will soon be over; but yourn&mdash;who'll say
+what yourn'll be, when you come to answer afore Almighty God for this
+and other crimes! But that arn't for the like o' me to speak of now. I'm
+a dying man, and trust soon to be in a better world. Ef I ever did you
+wrong, Simon Girty, I don't remember it now; and I'm very sartin I never
+did nothing to merit this. You came to my house, and war treated to the
+best I had, and here am I in return for't. Howsomever, the reckoning's
+got to come yit atween you and your God; and so I leave you&mdash;farewell.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But say,&quot; returned Girty, who now seemed greatly moved by the manner
+and tone of Younker: &quot;But say, old man, that you forgive me, and I will
+own that I did you wrong.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't know's I've any enemies, except these round here,&quot; replied the
+other, feebly, &quot;and I'd like to die at peace with all the world; but
+what you ax, Simon Girty, I can't grant; it's agin my nater and
+conscience; I can't say I forgive ye, for what you've done, for I don't.
+I may be wrong&mdash;it may not be Christian like&mdash;but ef it's a sin, it's
+one I've got to answer for myself. No, Girty, I can't forgive&mdash;pre'aps
+God will&mdash;you must look to him: I can't. Girty, I can't; and so,
+farewell forever! God be merciful to me a sinner,&quot; he added, looking
+upward devoutly; &quot;and ef I've done wrong, oh! pardon me, for Christ's
+sake!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With these words, the lips of Younker were sealed forever.</p>
+
+<p>Girty stood and gazed upon him in silence, for a few minutes, as one
+whose mind is ill at ease, and then walked slowly away, in a mood of
+deep abstraction. Younker continued alive some three-quarters of an hour
+longer&mdash;bearing his tortures with great fortitude&mdash;and then sunk down
+with a groan and expired. The Indians then proceeded to scalp him; after
+which they gradually dispersed, with the apparent satisfaction of wolves
+that have gorged their fill on some sheep-fold.</p>
+
+<p>When Algernon's guards returned, they found him in a swooning state, as
+previously recorded; and fearful that his life might be lost, and
+another day's sport thus spoiled, they immediately called in their great
+medicine man, who at once set about bandaging his wound, and applying to
+it such healing remedies as were known by him to be speedily
+efficacious, and for which the Indians are proverbially remarkable. His
+bruises were also rubbed with a soothing liquid; and by noon of the day
+following, he had gained sufficient strength to start upon his journey,
+accompanied by his guards.</p>
+
+<p>On that journey we shall now leave him, and turn to other, and more
+important events; merely remarking, by the way, lest the reader should
+consider the neglect an oversight, that, on entering the Piqua village,
+Oshasqua had taken care to render the life of little Rosetta Millbanks
+safe, and had secured to her as much comfort as circumstances would
+permit.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> In the action at Piqua here referred to, Simon Girty
+commanded three hundred Mingoes, whom he withdrew on account of the
+desperation with which the whites fought.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_15" id="Footnote_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> This was a peculiar characteristic of this great chief, as
+drawn from the pages of history; and the more peculiar, that he was a
+fierce, determined warrior, and the very last to hold out against a
+peace with his white enemy. But there were some noble traits in the man;
+and when, at last, he was wrought upon to sign the treaty of Greenville,
+in 1795&mdash;twenty-four years after the date of the foregoing events&mdash;so
+keen was his sense of honor, that no entreaty nor persuasion could
+thenceforth induce him to break his bond; and he remained a firm friend
+of the Americans to the day of his death. He was opposed to burning
+prisoners, and to polygamy, and is said to have lived forty years with
+one wife, rearing a numerous family of children.&mdash;<i>See Drake's Life of
+Tecumseh</i>.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_16" id="Footnote_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> The reader will bear in mind, that these events transpired
+during the American Revolution; that the Indians were, at this time,
+allies of the British; who paid them, in consequence, regular annuities,
+at Upper Sandusky.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_17" id="Footnote_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> This was a customary proceeding of the savages at that
+day, with all prisoners doomed to death.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<center>HISTORICAL EVENTS.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>From the first inroads of the whites upon what the Indians considered
+their lawful possessions, although by them unoccupied&mdash;namely, the
+territory known as Kan-tuck-kee&mdash;up to the year which opens our story,
+there had been scarcely any cessation of hostilities between the two
+races so antagonistical in their habits and principles. Whenever an
+opportunity presented itself favorable to their purpose, the savages
+would steal down from their settlements&mdash;generally situated on the
+Bottom Lands of the principal rivers in the present State of Ohio&mdash;cross
+over <i>La Belle Riviere</i> into Kentucky, and, having committed as many
+murders and other horrible acts as were thought prudent for their
+safety, would return in triumph, if successful, to their homes, taking
+along with them scalps of both sexes and all ages, from the infant to
+the gray-beard, and not unfrequently a few prisoners for the amusement
+of burning at the stake.</p>
+
+<p>These flying visits of the savages were generally repaid by similar acts
+of kindness on the part of the whites; who, on several occasions,
+marched with large armies into their very midst, destroyed their crops
+and stores, and burnt their towns. An expedition of this kind was
+prosecuted by General Clark, in August of the year preceding the events
+we have detailed, of which mention has been previously made. He had
+under his command one thousand men, mostly from Kentucky, and marched
+direct upon old Chillicothe, which the Indians deserted and burnt on his
+approach. He next moved upon the Piqua towns, on Mad river, where a
+desperate engagement ensued between the whites and Indians, in which the
+former proved victorious. Having secured what plunder they could,
+together with the horses, the Kentuckians destroyed the town, and cut
+down some two hundred acres of standing corn. They then returned to
+Chillicothe on their homeward route, where they destroyed other large
+fields of produce, supposed in all to amount to something like five
+hundred acres.</p>
+
+<p>We have mentioned this expedition for the purpose of showing why the
+year which opens our story, 1781, was less disastrous to the frontier
+settlers than the preceding ones&mdash;the Indians being too busily occupied
+in repairing the damage done them, and in hunting to support their
+families, to have much thought for the war-path, or time to follow it;
+consequently the year in question, as regards Kentucky, may be said to
+have passed away in a comparatively quiet manner, with no events more
+worthy of note than those we have laid before the reader.</p>
+
+<p>But if the vengeance of the savage slumbered for the time being, it was
+only like some pent up fire, burning in secret, until opportunity should
+present for it to burst forth in a manner most appalling, carrying
+destruction and terror throughout its course; and in consequence of
+this, the year 1782 was destined to be one most signally marked by
+bloody deeds in the annals of Kentucky. The winter of '81 and '82
+passed quietly away; but early in the ensuing spring hostilities were
+again renewed, with a zeal which showed that neither faction had
+forgotten old grudges during the intervening quietude. Girty did all
+that lay in his power to stir up the vindictive feelings of the Indians,
+and was aided in his laudable endeavors by one or two others<a name="FNanchor_18" id="FNanchor_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> who
+wore the uniform of British officers. It was the design of the renegade
+to raise a grand army from the union of the Six Nations, lead them
+quietly into the heart of Kentucky, and, by a bold move, seize some
+prominent station, murder the garrison, and thus secure at once a
+stronghold, from which to sally forth, spread death and desolation in
+every quarter, and, if possible, depopulate the entire country. Long and
+ardently did he labor in stirring up the Indians by inflammatory
+speeches; till at last he succeeded in uniting a grand body for his
+hellish purpose; which, on the very eve of success, as one may say, was
+at last frustrated by what seemed a direct Providence, of which more
+anon, and its proper place.</p>
+
+<p>Previously, however, to the event just referred to, parties of Indians,
+numbering from five to fifty, prowled about the frontiers, committing at
+every opportunity all manner of horrid deeds, and thus rousing the
+whites to defence and retaliation. One of these skirmishes has been more
+particularly dwelt on, by the historians of Kentucky, than any of the
+others; on account, probably, of the desperate and sanguinary struggle
+for mastery between the two contending parties, and the cruel desertion,
+at a time of need, of a portion of the whites; by which means the
+Indians had advantage of numbers, that otherwise would have been equally
+opposed. We allude to what is generally known as Estill's Defeat.</p>
+
+<p>It is not our province in the present work to detail any thing not
+directly connected with our story; and therefore we shall pass on, after
+a cursory glance at the main facts in question. Sometime in March, a
+party of Wyandots made a descent upon Estill's station, which stood near
+the present site of Richmond; and having killed and scalped a young
+lady, and captured a Negro slave, were induced, by the exaggerated
+account which the latter gave of the force within, to an immediate
+retreat; whereby, probably, the lives of the women and children, almost
+the only occupants, were saved&mdash;Captain Estill himself, with his
+garrison, and several new recruits, being at the time away, on a search
+for these very savages, who were known by some unmistakable signs to be
+in the vicinity. Word being despatched to Estill, of what had transpired
+in his absence, he immediately sought out the trail of the retreating
+foes, which he followed with his men, and toward night of the second day
+overtook them at Hinston's Fork of Licking, where a desperate engagement
+immediately ensued. At the onset, there were twenty-five Indians, and
+exactly the same number of whites; but the immediate desertion, in a
+cowardly manner, of a certain Lieutenant Miller, with six men under his
+command, left the odds greatly in favor of the Wyandots, who were all
+picked warriors. Notwithstanding the cowardice of their companions, our
+little Spartan band fought most heroically for an hour and
+three-quarters; when the few survivors, on both sides, being almost worn
+out, ceased hostilities as by mutual consent. In this ever memorable
+action, Captain Estill, a brave and popular man, together with nine of
+his gallant companions, fell to rise no more. Four others were badly
+wounded, leaving only the same number of unharmed survivors. The
+Indians, it was afterwards ascertained, had seventeen warriors killed on
+the field, among whom was one of their bravest chiefs, and two others
+severely wounded; and there has been a tradition since among the
+Wyandots, that only one survivor ever returned to tell the tale.</p>
+
+<p>The news of the foregoing disastrous skirmish flew like wild fire, to
+use a common phrase, throughout the borders, and, together with others
+of less note, served to kindle the fire of vengeance in the bosoms of
+the settlers, and excite a deeper hostility than ever against the savage
+foe. Nor was the subsequent conduct of the Indians themselves calculated
+to soften this bitter feeling against them; for, to use the words of a
+modern writer, &quot;The woods again teemed with savages, and no one was safe
+from attack beyond the walls of a station. The influence of the British,
+and the constant pressure of the Long Knives, upon the red-men, had
+produced a union of the various tribes of the northwest, who seemed to
+be gathering again to strike a fatal blow at the frontier settlements;
+and had they been led by a Phillip, a Pontiac, or a Tecumseh, it is
+impossible to estimate the injury they might have inflicted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Whether the foregoing remarks may be deemed by the reader a digression,
+or otherwise, we have certainly felt ourself justified in making them;
+from the fact, that our story is designed to be historical in all its
+bearings; and because many months being supposed to elapse, ere our
+characters are again brought upon the stage of action, it seemed
+expedient to give a general view of what was taking place in the
+interval. Having done so, we will now forthwith resume our narrative.</p>
+
+<p>About five miles from Lexington, a little to the left of the present
+road leading thence to Maysville, and on a gentle rise of the southern
+bank of the Elkhorn, at the time of which we write, stood Bryan's
+Station, to which we must now call the reader's attention. This station
+was founded in the year 1779, by William Bryan, (a brother-in-law of
+Daniel Boone,) who had, prior to the events we are now about to
+describe, been surprised and killed by the Indians in the vicinity of a
+stream called Cane Run.</p>
+
+<p>This fort, at the period in question, was one of great importance to the
+early settlers&mdash;standing as it did on what was considered at the time of
+its erection, the extreme frontier, and, by this means, extending their
+area of security. The station consisted of forty cabins, placed in
+parallel lines, connected by strong pallisades, forming a parallelogram
+of thirty rods by twenty, and enclosing something like four acres of
+ground. Outside of the cabins and pallisades, to render the fort still
+more secure, were planted heavy pickets, a foot in diameter, and some
+twelve feet in height above the ground; so that it was impossible for an
+enemy to scale them, or affect them in the least, with any thing short
+of fire and cannon ball. To guard against the former, and prevent the
+besiegers making a lodgment under the walls, at each of the four corners
+or angles, was erected what was called a block-house&mdash;a building which
+projected beyond the pickets, a few feet above the ground, and enabled
+the besieged to pour a raking fire across the advanced party of the
+assailants. Large folding gates, on huge, wooden hinges, in front and
+rear, opened into the enclosure, through which men, wagons, horses, and
+domestic cattle, had admittance and exit. In the center, as the reader
+has doubtless already divined, was a broad space, into which the doors
+of the cabins opened, and which served the purpose of a regular common,
+where teams and cattle were oftentimes secured, where wrestling and
+other athletic sports took place. The cabins were all well constructed,
+with puncheon floors, the roofs of which sloped inward, to avoid as much
+as possible their being set on fire by burning arrows, shot by the
+Indians for the purpose, a practice by no means uncommon during a siege.
+This fort, at the period referred to, was garrisoned by from forty to
+fifty men; and though somewhat out of repair, in respect to a few of its
+pallisades, was still in a condition to resist an overwhelming force,
+unless taken wholly by surprise. There was one great error, however,
+connected with its design&mdash;and one that seems to have been common to
+most of the stations of that period&mdash;which was, that the spring,
+supplying the inmates with water, had not been enclosed within the
+pickets. The reader can at once imagine the misery that must have ensued
+from this cause, in case of their being suddenly assaulted by a superior
+enemy, and the siege protracted to any considerable length of time.</p>
+
+<p>Within this fort, on their return from captivity, Mrs. Younker and Ella
+had taken up their abode, to remain until another cabin should be
+erected, or it should be thought safe for them to live again in a more
+exposed manner. Isaac had straightway repaired to his father-in-law's,
+to behold again the idol of his heart, and pour into her ear his grief
+for the loss of his father and friend, and receive her sympathy for his
+affliction in return. The disastrous affair which had called him and his
+companions so suddenly from a scene of festivity to one of mourning&mdash;the
+loss of so many valuable neighbors, and the result of the expedition in
+pursuit of the enemy&mdash;created at the time no little excitement
+throughout the frontiers, and caused some of the more timid to resort
+to the nearest stations for security. But as time wore on, and as
+nothing serious happened during the fall and winter, confidence and
+courage gradually became restored; and the affair was almost forgotten,
+save by the friends and relatives of the deceased and those particularly
+concerned in it.</p>
+
+<p>Spring, however, revived the alarm of the settlers, by the reappearance
+of the enemy in all quarters, and the outrages they committed, as before
+mentioned; so that but very few persons ventured to remain without the
+walls of a fort; and these, such of them as were fortunate enough to
+escape death or captivity, were fain to seek refuge therein before the
+close of summer.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately on the receipt of the alarming intelligence of Estill's
+defeat, Isaac, his wife, and the family of his father-in-law, Wilson,
+repaired to Bryan's Station, and joined Mrs. Younker and Ella, who had
+meantime remained there in security.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_18" id="Footnote_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> McKee and Elliot.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<center>OLD CHARACTERS AND NEW.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>It was toward night of a hot sultry day in the month of August, that
+Ella Barnwell was seated by the door of a cabin, within the walls of
+Bryan's Station, gazing forth, with what seemed a vacant stare, upon a
+group of individuals, who were standing near the center of the common
+before spoken of, engaged in a very animated conversation. Her features
+perhaps were no paler than when we saw her last; but there was a tender,
+melancholy expression on her sweet countenance, of deep abiding grief,
+and a look of mournfulness in her beautiful eyes, that touched
+involuntarily the hearts of all who met her gaze.</p>
+
+<p>Since we last beheld her, days of anxious solicitude, and sleepless
+nights, had been apportioned Ella; for memory&mdash;all potent memory&mdash;had
+kept constantly before her mind's eye the images of those who were gone,
+and mourned as forever lost to the living; and her imagination had a
+thousand times traced them to the awful stake, seen their terrible
+tortures, heard their agonizing, dying groans; and her heart had bled
+for them in secret; and tears of anguish, at their untimely fate, had
+often dimmed her eyes. Even now, as she apparently gazed upon that group
+of individuals, whom she saw not, and whose voices, sounding in her ear,
+she heard not, her mind was occupied with the probable fate of her uncle
+and Algernon, the still all-absorbing theme of her soul.</p>
+
+<p>While seated thus, Mrs. Younker approached Ella from behind, unperceived
+by the latter, and now stood gazing upon her with a sorrowful look. The
+countenance of the good dame had altered less, perhaps, than Ella's,
+owing to her strong masculine spirit; but still there was an expression
+of anxiety and sadness thereon, which, until of late, had never been
+visible&mdash;not even when on her march to what, as she then believed, was
+her final doom&mdash;the excitement whereof, and the many events that
+occurred on the route, having been sufficient to occupy her mind in a
+different manner from what it had been in brooding over the fate of her
+husband for months in secret, and in a place of comparative safety. At
+length a remark, in a loud voice, of one of the individuals of the group
+before alluded to, arrested the attention of both Mrs. Younker and Ella.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I tell you,&quot; said the speaker, who was evidently much excited, &quot;it was
+that infernal cut-throat Girty's doings, and no mistake. Heaven's curses
+on him for a villain!&mdash;and I don't think he'll more nor git his just
+dues, to suffer them hell fires of torment, hereafter, that he's kindled
+so often around his victims on arth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At these words Ella started to her feet, and exclaiming wildly,</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who are they&mdash;who are Girty's victims?&quot; sprung swiftly towards the
+group, followed by Mrs. Younker.</p>
+
+<p>All eyes, from all quarters, were now turned upon her, as, like a
+spirit, she glided noiselessly forward, her sweet countenance radiant
+with the flush of excitement, her eyes dilated and sparkling, and her
+glossy ringlets floating on the breeze. Curiosity could no longer remain
+unsatisfied; and by one spontaneous movement, from every point of
+compass, women and children now hurried toward the center of the common,
+to gather the tidings.</p>
+
+<p>The quiet, modest, melancholy air of Ella, had, one time with another,
+since her first appearance in the Station, attracted the attention, and
+won the regard of its inmates; most of whom had made inquiries
+concerning her, and learned the cause of her sadness; and now, as she
+gained the crowd, each gazed upon her with a look of respect; and at
+once moving aside to let her pass, she presently stood the central
+attraction of an excited multitude, of both sexes, all ages and sizes.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who are they?&quot; cried she again, turning from one to the other, rapidly,
+with an anxious look: &quot;who are the victims of the renegade Girty?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We were speaking, Miss Barnwell,&quot; answered a youth, of genteel
+appearance, doffing his hat, and making at the same time a polite and
+respectful bow: &quot;We were speaking of the defeat, capture, and burning of
+Colonel Crawford, by the Indians, in their own country, in which the
+notorious Simon Girty is said to have taken an active part<a name="FNanchor_19" id="FNanchor_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>&mdash;news
+whereof has just reached us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>At the mention of the name of Crawford, so different from the one she
+was expecting to hear, the momentary insanity, or delusion of Ella,
+vanished; she saw her position at a glance, and the hundred eyes that
+were upon her; and instantly her face became suffused with blushes;
+while she shrunk back, with a sense of maidenly shame and bashful
+timidity, almost overpowering to herself, and really painful for others
+to behold. She now strove to speak&mdash;to give an excuse for her singular
+conduct&mdash;but her tongue failed her, and she would have sunk to the
+earth, only for the support of Mrs. Younker, who at this moment gained
+her side.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Never mind it. Miss Barnwell&mdash;it don't need any excuse&mdash;we understand
+your feelings for lost friends,&quot; were some of the remarks from the
+crowd, as the throng again made a passage for her to depart.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Goodness, gracious, marcy on me alive! what a splurge you did make
+on't, darling!&quot; said Mrs. Younker to Ella, as they moved away by
+themselves. &quot;Why, you jest kind o' started up, for all the world like a
+skeered deer; and afore I could get my hands on ye, you war off like an
+Injen's arrow. Well, thar, thar, poor gal&mdash;never mind it!&quot; added the
+good dame, consolingly, as Ella turned towards her a painful, imploring
+look; &quot;we all knows your feelings, darling, and so never mind it.
+Mistakes will happen in the best o' families, as the Rev. Mr. Allprayer
+used to say, when any body accused him o' doing any thing he hadn't
+oughter a done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Mother,&quot; said Ella, feebly, &quot;I feel faint; this shock, I fear, may be
+too much for my nervous system.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh! my child, darling, don't mind it&mdash;every body knows your
+feelings&mdash;and nobody'll think any thing strange on't. In course you war
+thinking o' your friends&mdash;as war nateral you should&mdash;and so war I; and
+when I heerd the name o' that ripscallious renegade, it jest set my hull
+blood to biling, like it war hot water, and I felt orful revengeful. But
+the Lord's will be done, child. He knows what's best; and let us pray to
+him, that ef our friends is among the land of the living, they may be
+restored to us, or taken straight away to His presence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Mrs. Younker said this, she and Ella entered the cottage.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Poor girl!&quot; said a voice among the crowd, as soon as Ella was out of
+hearing; &quot;they do say as how she eats but little now, and scarcely takes
+any rest at all lately, on account of the trouble of her mind. Poor
+girl! she's not long for this world;&quot; and the speaker shook his head
+sadly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But what is it?&mdash;what is it as troubles her so?&quot; inquired an old woman,
+in a voice tremulous with age, who, being somewhat of a new-comer, had
+not heard the oft-repeated story.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll tell it ye&mdash;I'll tell it ye,&quot; answered another gossiping crone,
+standing beside the querist, who, fearful of being forestalled, now
+eagerly began her scandalous narration.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, the male portion of the crowd had resumed their conversation,
+concerning the unfortunate campaign of Crawford; during which manifold
+invectives were bestowed upon the savages, and the renegade Girty. Some
+of the more reckless among them were for raising another army, as soon
+as possible, to pursue the Indians, even to the death, and spare none
+that fell into their hands, neither the aged, women, nor children; but
+these propositions were speedily overruled by cooler and wiser heads;
+who stated that Kentucky had scarcely fighting men enough to protect one
+another on their own ground&mdash;much less to march into the enemy's
+country, and leave their wives and children exposed to certain
+destruction.</p>
+
+<p>While these discussions were in progress, the attention of each was
+suddenly arrested by the cry of some person from the right hand
+block-house, looking toward the south, announcing that a single horseman
+was approaching with a speed which betokened evil tidings. These were
+times of excitement, when news of disaster and death was borne on almost
+every breeze; and consequently all now sprung rapidly to the southern
+pickets, where, through loop-holes and crevices in the partially decayed
+pallisades, they perceived an individual riding as if for life.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;How he rides!&mdash;Who is it?&mdash;What can have happened?&quot; were some of the
+remarks now rapidly uttered, as the horseman was seen bounding forward
+on his foaming steed. Instantly the nearest gate was thrown open; and,
+in less than two minutes, horse and rider stood within the enclosure,
+surrounded by a breathless multitude, eager for his intelligence.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Arm!&quot; cried the horseman, a good looking youth of eighteen: &quot;Arm&mdash;all
+that can be spared&mdash;and on to the rescue!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What's happened, Dick Allison?&quot; asked one who had recognized the rider.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have it on the best authority,&quot; answered Dick, &quot;that Hoy's Station
+has just been attacked, by a large body of Indians, and Captain Holder
+and his men defeated.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But whar d'ye get your news?&quot; inquired another voice; while a look of
+alarm, and resolute determination to avenge the fallen, could be seen
+depicted on the upturned countenances of the assemblage.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I was riding in that direction, when I met a messenger on his way to
+Lexington for assistance; and turning my horse, I spurred hither with
+all speed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Have the red devils got possession of the fort?&quot; inquired another.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I am not certain, for I did not wait to hear particulars; but I'm under
+the impression they have not, and that Holder was defeated outside the
+walls.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, they must have assistance, and that as soon as it can be got to
+'em,&quot; rejoined a white-haired veteran, one of the head men of the
+garrison, whose countenance was remarkable for its noble, benevolent
+expression, and who, from love and veneration, was generally called
+Father Albach. &quot;It's too late in the day, though, to muster and march
+thar to-night,&quot; continued the old man; &quot;but we'll have our horses got up
+and put in here to night, and our guns cleaned, and every thing fixed
+for to start at daylight to-morrow. Eh! my gallant lads&mdash;what say ye?&quot;
+and he glanced playfully around upon the bystanders.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes&mdash;yes&mdash;yes&mdash;father!&quot; cried a score of voices, in a breath; and the
+next moment a long, loud cheer, attested the popularity of the old man's
+decision.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Another cheer for Father Albach, and three more for licking the
+ripscallious varmints clean to death!&quot; cried our old acquaintance, Isaac
+Younker, who, having been otherwise occupied during the discussion
+concerning Crawford's defeat, had joined the crowd on the arrival of the
+messenger.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good for Ike,&quot; shouted one: &quot;Hurray!&quot; and four lusty cheers followed.</p>
+
+<p>All now became bustle and confusion, as each set himself to preparing
+for the morrow's expedition. Guns were brought out and cleaned, locks
+examined, new flints put in place of old ones, bullets cast,
+powder-horns replenished, horses driven within the enclosure, saddles
+and bridles overhauled, and, in fact, every thing requisite for the
+journey was made ready as fast as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Isaac, on the present occasion, was by no means indolent; for having
+examined his rifle, and found it in a good condition, he immediately
+brought forth an old saddle and bridle, somewhat the worse for wear, and
+set himself down to repairing them, wherever needed, by thongs of
+deerskin. While engaged in this laudable occupation, a young lad came
+running to and informed him, that there was a stranger down by the gate
+who wished to speak with him immediately.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A stranger!&quot; replied Isaac, looking up in surprise. &quot;Why, what in the
+name o' all creation can a stranger be wanting with me? Why don't he
+come and see me, if he wants to see me, and not put me to all this here
+trouble, jest when I'm gitting ready to go and lick some o' them red
+heathen like all nater?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Don't know, sir,&quot; answered the lad, &quot;what his reasons be for not
+coming, any more nor you; but he said to the man as opened the gate for
+him, 'Is Isaac Younker in the fort?' and the man said, 'Yes;' and then
+he said to me, 'Run, my little lad, and tell him to come here, and I'll
+gin you some thing;' and that's all I knows about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I 'spose I'll have to go,&quot; rejoined Isaac, rising to his feet;
+&quot;but I don't think much o' the feller as puts a gentleman to all this
+here trouble, jest for nothing at all, as one may say, when a feller's
+in a hurry too. Howsomever,&quot; continued he, soliloquizing, as he walked
+forward in the proper direction, &quot;I 'spect it's some chap as wants to
+hoax me, or else he's putting on the extras; ef so, I'll fix him, so he
+won't want to do it agin right immediately, I reckon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thus muttering to himself, Isaac drew near the front gate, against
+which, within the pallisades, the stranger in question was leaning, with
+his hat pressed down over his forehead, as though he desired
+concealment. His habiliments, after the fashion of the day, were
+originally of a superior quality to those generally worn on the
+frontiers, but soiled and torn in several places, as from the wear and
+tear of a long, fatiguing journey. His features, what portion of them
+could be seen under his hat, were pale and haggard, denoting one who had
+experienced many and severe vicissitudes. As Isaac approached, he raised
+his eyes from the ground, turned them full upon him, and then, taking a
+step forward, said, in a voice tremulous with emotion:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thank God! Isaac Younker, I am able to behold you once again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As a distinct view of his features fell upon the curious gaze of the
+latter, and his voice sounded in his ear, Isaac paused for a moment, as
+one stupefied with amazement; the next, he staggered back a pace or two,
+dropped his hands upon his knees, in a stooping posture, as if to peer
+more closely into the face of the stranger; and then bounding from the
+earth, he uttered a wild yell of delight, threw his hat upon the ground
+in a transport of joy, and rushed into the extended arms of Algernon
+Reynolds, where he wept like a child upon his neck, neither of them able
+to utter a syllable for something like a minute.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Lord be praised!&quot; were the first articulate words of Isaac, in a
+voice choked with emotion. &quot;God bless you! Mr. Reynolds;&quot; and again the
+tears of joy fell fast and long. &quot;Is it you?&quot; resumed he, again starting
+back and gazing wildly upon the other, as if fearful of some mistake.
+&quot;Yes! yes! it's you&mdash;there's no mistaking that thar face&mdash;the dead's
+come to life again, for sartin;&quot; and once more he sprung upon the
+other's neck, with all the apparent delight of a mother meeting with a
+lost child.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, yes, Isaac, thank God! it is myself you really behold&mdash;one who
+never expected to see you again in this world,&quot; rejoined Algernon,
+affected himself to tears, by the noble, heart-touching, affectionate
+manner of his companion. &quot;But&mdash;but Isaac&mdash;our friends here&mdash;are
+they&mdash;all&mdash;all well, Isaac?&quot; This was said in a voice, which, in spite
+of the speaker's efforts to be calm, trembled from anxiety and
+apprehension.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why,&quot; answered Isaac, in a somewhat hesitating manner, &quot;I don't know's
+thar's any body exactly sick&mdash;but&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But what, Isaac?&quot; interrupted Algernon, with a start.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Why, Ella, you know&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Yes, yes, Isaac&mdash;what of her?&quot; and grasping him by the arm, Algernon
+gazed upon the other's features with a look of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now don't be skeered, Mr. Reynolds&mdash;thar han't nothing happened&mdash;only I
+'spect she's bin a thinking o' you&mdash;who every body thought war dead&mdash;and
+she's kind o' grown thin and pale on't, and we war gitting afeared it
+might end badly; but as you've come now, I know as how it'll all be
+right agin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Algernon released the speaker's arm, and for some moments gazed
+abstractedly upon the ground; while over his countenance swept one of
+those painful expressions of the deep workings of the soul, to which,
+from causes known to the reader, he was subject. At length he said, with
+a sigh:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, Isaac, I have come to behold her once again, and then&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He paused, apparently overpowered by some latent feeling.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And then!&quot; said Isaac, repeating the words, with a look of surprise: &quot;I
+reckon you arn't a going to leave us agin soon, Mr. Reynolds?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;There are circumstances, unknown to you, friend Isaac, which I fear
+will compel me so to do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What!&quot; cried the other; &quot;start off agin, and put your scalp into the
+hands of the infernal, ripscallious, painted Injens? No, by thunder! you
+shan't do it, Mr. Reynolds; for sting me with a nest o' hornets, ef I
+don't hang to ye like a tick to a sheep. No, no, Mr. Reynolds;
+don't&mdash;don't think o' sech a thing. But come, go in and see Ella&mdash;she'd
+be crazy ef she knew you war here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay,&quot; answered Algernon, sadly, &quot;that is what I fear. I dare not meet
+her suddenly, Isaac&mdash;the shock might be too much for her nerves. I have
+sent for you to go first and communicate intelligence of my arrival, in
+a way to surprise her as little as possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'll do it, Mr. Reynolds; but&mdash;(here Isaac's voice trembled, his
+features grew pale as death, and his whole frame quivered with intense
+emotion)&mdash;but&mdash;but my&mdash;my father&mdash;what&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He could say no more&mdash;his voice had completely failed him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Alas! Isaac,&quot; replied Algernon, deeply affected, and turning away his
+face; &quot;think the worst.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Oh God!&quot; groaned Isaac, covering his face with his hands, and
+endeavoring to master his feelings. &quot;But&mdash;but&mdash;he's dead, Mr. Reynolds?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;He is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>For a few moments Isaac sobbed grievously; then withdrawing his hands,
+and raising himself to an erect posture, with a look of resignation, he
+said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I&mdash;I can bear it now&mdash;for I know he's in Heaven. Stay here, Mr.
+Reynolds, till I come back;&quot; and he turned abruptly away.</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes Isaac returned&mdash;his features calm, but very pale&mdash;and
+silently motioned the other to follow him. On their way to the cottage,
+they had to cross the common, where their progress was greatly impeded
+by a crowd of persons, who, having heard of Algernon's arrival, were
+deeply anxious to gather what tidings he might have concerning the
+movements of the Indians. In reply, he informed them of the threats made
+by Girty to him while a captive; and that, having since been a prisoner
+of the British at Detroit, he had learned, from reliable sources, that a
+grand army of the Indians was forming to march upon the frontiers,
+attack some stronghold, and, if possible, desolate the entire country of
+Kentucky; and that he believed they were already on their way.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;More'n that, they're already here,&quot; cried a voice; &quot;for it's them, I
+'spect, as has attacked Hoy's Station, of which we've just got news, and
+are gitting ready to march at daylight and attack them in turn. Arm,
+boys, arm! Don't let us dally here, and be lagging when the time comes
+to march and fight!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With this the speaker turned away, and the crowd instantly dispersed to
+resume their occupations of preparing for the coming expedition, while
+our hero and Isaac pressed forward to the cottage of Mrs. Younker. At
+the door they were met by the good dame herself, who, with eyes wet with
+tears, caught the proffered hand of Reynolds in both of hers, pressed it
+warmly in silence, and led him into the house. Ella, who was seated at a
+short distance, on the entrance of Algernon, rose to her feet, took a
+step forward, staggered back, and the next moment her insensible form
+was caught in the arms of the being she loved, but had long mourned as
+dead.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_19" id="Footnote_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> This happened in June, 1782. For particulars of Crawford's
+disastrous campaign, and horrible fate&mdash;<i>See Howe's Ohio</i>, p. 542.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<center>THE ALARM AND STRATAGEM.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>It was late at night; but still Algernon Reynolds sat beside Ella
+Barnwell, relating the sad story of his many hair-breadth escapes and
+almost intolerable sufferings. A rude sort of light, on a rough table, a
+few feet distant, threw its faint gleams over the homely apartment, and
+revealed the persons of Isaac and his mother, his wife and her parents,
+together with several others, attracted hither by curiosity, grouped
+around our hero, and listening to his thrilling narrative with
+breathless attention.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;After being sufficiently recovered from my wound and bruises, to
+proceed upon my journey, (continued Reynolds, to resume the account of
+his adventures since leaving him at Piqua) Girty came to me, and
+inquired what I thought of my fate, and how I felt concerning it; to
+which I replied, rather briefly, that it was no worse than I had
+expected, since knowing into whose hands I had fallen.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Perhaps you think to escape?' said he, sneeringly.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'I have no such hope,' I replied.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'No, and by &mdash;&mdash;! you needn't have, either,' rejoined he, with a savage
+grin; 'for I'm determined you shall experience the torture to its
+fullest extent, if for nothing else than to revenge myself on you for
+your insults. I have only one thing to regret; and that is, that you
+didn't suffer in place of Younker, who is the only one whose torments I
+would I had had no hand in. But you&mdash;<i>you</i> I could see tormented
+forever, and laugh heartily throughout. But I'll wreak my vengeance on
+you yet; I will by &mdash;&mdash;!' and with these words he left me to the charge
+of my guards, with whom he spoke a short time in the Indian
+tongue&mdash;probably giving them instructions of caution regarding myself.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It was about mid-day, when, with my arms tightly bound, we set off for
+Upper Sandusky, where, as I had previously been informed by Girty, I was
+condemned to suffer before the assembled tribes of the different
+nations, who would there shortly meet to receive their annual presents
+from the British. Our march, very fatiguing to myself, was without
+incident worthy of note, until one night we arrived at a small village
+on the Scioto river, where one of my guards, who could speak a little
+English, informed me resided the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan. A
+thought suddenly flashed across my brain. I had often heard of Logan, as
+the great and good chief, humane in his principles, and friendly to the
+whites&mdash;particularly those who were signally unfortunate&mdash;and it
+occurred to me, that could I gain an interview, I might perhaps prevail
+upon him to assist me in making my escape; and accordingly I at once
+expressed to my informant my desire of beholding one so celebrated. To
+my great delight, he replied that it was in Logan's cabin I was to pass
+the night&mdash;such being the private orders, as I afterwards learned, of
+Black Hoof&mdash;who had, it seems, from some cause unknown to myself, formed
+the design of saving my life; and had sent by the Indian in question, a
+verbal request to Logan, to use all his influence to this effect.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As we entered the village, we were immediately surrounded by men, women
+and children, who stared hard at me, but offered no violence. In a few
+minutes we gained Logan's hut, in the door of which I observed standing
+an old, noble-looking warrior, with a commanding form, and mild,
+benevolent countenance, who proved to be the chief himself. To him one
+of my guards now addressed a few words in Indian; and uttering a grunt,
+and looking closely at me some seconds, he moved aside, and we all
+passed in. Here I soon had a good supper of homminy provided me, whereof
+I did not partake lightly, having been from sunrise to sunset without
+tasting a morsel of food. Immediately after I had finished my repast,
+Logan approached me, and, in tolerable good English, said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'White man, where from?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I motioned toward the east, and answered:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'From sunrise&mdash;away beyond the big mountains.'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Logan shook his head sadly, and replied, with a sigh:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Ah! so all come. Poor Indian get run over&mdash;he no place lay he head.
+But how you come all tied so?'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;In answer, I entered into a full explanation of all that had occurred
+respecting the proceedings of Girty, from first to last. Logan listened
+throughout with great attention, shook his head, and rejoined:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;'Ah! Simon Girty bad man&mdash;berry. Me always think so. Me sorry for you.
+Me do all me can for you. You shall sleep here. Me promise you nothing.
+Me tell you more sometime&mdash;to-morrow mebby!'</p>
+
+<p>&quot;With this he rose and left the cottage, and I saw him no more that
+night.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Early in the morning, however, he came to me, and said that I was to
+remain at his cabin through the day; that he had laid a plan to effect
+my release from death, but not from captivity&mdash;the latter not being in
+accordance with his principles, nor in his power; that for this purpose
+he had despatched two young braves to Upper Sandusky, to speak a word in
+my favor; but that I must not be elated with hope, as it was very
+doubtful how much they might effect.<a name="FNanchor_21" id="FNanchor_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> Notwithstanding his caution to
+the contrary, my spirits became exceedingly exhilarated; and grasping
+his hand in both mine, I pressed it to my heart in silence; while my
+eyes became suffused with tears, and the old chief himself seemed not a
+little affected.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Late the night following, the messengers returned; and on the morning
+succeeding, we resumed our journey. In parting from the noble old chief,
+he shook my hand cordially, but gave me no intimation of what would
+probably be my fate.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;When within sight of Upper Sandusky, crowds of warriors, women and
+children came out to meet us, and, seeing me, set up many a hideous
+yell, until I again became alarmed for my safety, and fearful that Logan
+had not succeeded in his magnanimous design. This impression was the
+more strongly confirmed, shortly after, by one of my guides informing me
+that I must again run the gauntlet. Accordingly every preparation being
+speedily effected, I started upon the course; but possessing more
+strength and activity than before, and a better knowledge of what I had
+to perform, I succeeded in breaking through the lines, and reaching the
+council house unharmed. Here I was safe for the present; or until, as I
+was informed, my fate should once more be decided by a grand council.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The council in question was speedily convened; and on the opening
+thereof, a British agent, one Captain Druyer, made his appearance, and
+requested permission to address the assemblage, which was readily
+granted. He spoke rapidly, for a few minutes, with great vehemence; and
+though I understood not a word he uttered, yet something whispered me it
+was in my favor; for I observed that the glances directed towards me,
+were milder far than those on my previous trial.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;To sum up briefly, it seems that Logan had despatched his messengers to
+Druyer, urging him to exert all his influence in obtaining my reprieve;
+and to effect this humane design, the latter had begun by stating to the
+Indians that their great white father, of whom he was an humble
+representative, was at war with the Long Knives; that nothing would
+please him better, than to hear of his red children having sacrificed
+all their enemies; but that in war, policy was ofttimes more effectual
+than personal revenge in accomplishing their destruction; and that he
+doubted not, if the prisoner present were put in his possession and
+taken to Detroit, that the great white chiefs of his own nation would
+there be able to extort from him such valuable information as would make
+the final conquest of the Long Knives comparatively easy. To this
+proposition, which was received rather coldly, he had added, that for
+this privilege he was willing to pay a fair recompense; and that so soon
+as all the information necessary had been gleaned from the prisoner, he
+should, if thought advisable, again be returned to them, to be put to
+death or not, as they might see proper. To this arrangement, all having
+at last consented, the gallant Captain advanced to me, shook my hand,
+and said that my life was for the present safe, and that I was to
+accompany him to Detroit, where I would be treated as a prisoner of war.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;It is impossible to describe my feelings, on hearing this joyful
+intelligence; therefore I shall leave you to imagine them, aided as you
+will be by your own experience under similar circumstances. And now let
+me close my long narrative as briefly as possible; for the hour is
+already late, and I must rise betimes on the morrow to join this
+expedition against the savages.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Surely, Algernon,&quot; exclaimed Ella, with pale features, &quot;you are not
+going to leave us again so soon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Where duty calls, Ella, there is my place; and if I fall in honorable
+action, in defence of my country and friends, perchance my life may
+atone for matters whereof <i>you</i> are not ignorant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ella buried her face in her hands, to conceal her emotion; and Algernon,
+with an effort at composure, again proceeded.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At Detroit I experienced kind treatment, as a prisoner of war; but
+still it was captivity, and I longed for freedom. Many, many an hour did
+I employ in planning my escape; yet month upon month rolled on, and
+still I remained in durance. At last startling rumors reached me, that
+the Indians of the different tribes were banding together, to march upon
+the frontiers and depopulate the country; and remembering the savage
+threat of Girty, I doubted not he was the instigator, and would be
+leader of the expedition; and I determined, at all hazards, if such a
+thing were in the province of possibility, to effect my escape, and give
+the country warning of the impending danger. To be brief, I succeeded,
+as my presence here tells for itself; but no one knows, save myself, and
+He who knows all things, the misery I suffered from fatigue, lack of
+food, and the fear of again being captured by some roving band of
+savages&mdash;the which I shall detail, perhaps, should my life be spared me,
+at some future period, but not at the present.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I swam the Ohio, a short distance above the Falls, and made my way, to
+the best of my judgment, directly towards Boonesborough, where I
+arrived, a few days since, in a state of complete exhaustion. The noble
+old hunter received me warmly; from whose lips I heard, with thrilling
+emotion, the particulars of the pursuit, headed by himself, and the
+rescue of two of my dearest friends, their present abode, as also many
+startling events that had transpired during my absence; and in return, I
+communicated to him the alarming intelligence which I have before
+alluded to. So soon as I felt myself sufficiently strong for the
+journey, I left Boonesborough for Bryan's Station, and here I am, and
+thus my tale.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And a mighty tough time you've had on't Mr. Reynolds, for sartin, and
+no mistake,&quot; rejoined Mrs. Younker, with a sigh, wiping her eyes. &quot;Ah!
+me&mdash;poor Ben!&mdash;poor Ben!&mdash;I'm a widder now in arnest. Well, the Lord's
+will be done. The good Book says, 'The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh
+away, blessed be the name of the Lord;' and them good words, my children
+and friends, must be our consolation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>But little more was said; for each of the party felt oppressed with a
+weight of sadness, at the thought of the many mournful events a year had
+brought forth; and as the hour was late, each and all presently betook
+themselves to rest.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, the preparations of the garrison for the morrow had been going
+forward in every part of the station; lights were moving to and fro; and
+all within the cabins, and on the common, was bustle and activity. At
+last the sounds gradually ceased, the lights went out one by one, and
+all finally became tranquil for the night.</p>
+
+<p>About an hour before day-break, the sleepers began to rouse themselves,
+and all was soon again in commotion. Horses were led forth, saddled,
+returned and fed, and every thing got in readiness to throw open the
+gates and march forth so soon as it should become sufficiently light for
+the purpose.</p>
+
+<p>At last came the exciting moment of all. Some were standing in groups,
+and weeping bitterly at the thought of parting, perhaps for the last
+time, with their fathers, husbands and sons; some were running to and
+fro with anxious messages; some were clasping each other to their
+hearts, in agonizing silence, and praying in secret that the Great Ruler
+of all might preserve and happily restore them again to the idols of
+their affections; some had mounted their noble steeds, or were leading
+them forth for the purpose&mdash;and all was in Babel-like confusion.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Farewell, my friends,&quot; said Algernon, as he stood in the door of Mrs.
+Younker's cottage, grasping one after another the proffered hands of its
+weeping inmates, among whom was the wife and mother-in-law of Isaac.
+&quot;Farewell, dearest Ella; we may never meet again on earth.
+Farewell&mdash;farewell!&quot; and pressing her hand to his lips, he rushed forth
+with a heaving heart, not daring to trust himself longer in her
+presence.</p>
+
+<p>Isaac and his father-in-law followed the example of Reynolds, moved away
+with weeping eyes, and all were quickly in their saddles.</p>
+
+<p>A few minutes later the roll was called, and the order given by the
+commanding officer to form in double file and throw open the eastern
+gate. Scarcely were the words uttered, when there arose a series of
+terrific Indian yells, accompanied by a volley of firearms, and every
+face became blanched with surprise and dismay, and looked from one to
+the other in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;By heavens!&quot; cried a voice; &quot;our fighting 'll be at home, I reckon,
+judging by the specimen before us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Dismounting from their horses, the garrison, together with many of the
+women and children, now rushed to the southern pickets, where, through
+loop-holes and crevices, they beheld, only a few rods distant, about a
+hundred savages, running to and fro, jumping up and down, whooping,
+yelling, screeching and firing at the station, accompanied with all the
+wild, fantastic gestures of loosened madmen.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Thar's not more nor a hundred o' the varmints, any how,&quot; cried Isaac;
+&quot;and I reckon as how we can jest lick them, and no mistake. Hurray for a
+fight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hurray for a fight!&quot; echoed a dozen voices, as they rushed back to
+remount their horses.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hold!&quot; cried the deep voice of Father Albach. &quot;Hold! lads; don't do
+things rash! Them Indians wouldn't be dancing and sky-larking round that
+way, ef thar warn't some object in it, you may depend on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And that's my opinion too,&quot; answered another gray-headed veteran. &quot;The
+fact is, they're only a decoy party, sent our thar from the main body,
+jest to draw us out, so that the others can rush on and make an easy
+conquest on't. I tell you, friends, thar's no mistaking it; we're
+surrounded by a tremendous body o' the red heathen, and we're likely to
+have warm work on't. I've lived in the woods all my life, and I know the
+nater of the painted varmints as well as I know my own. Ef them war all
+thar war on 'em, we'd have seen very different proceedings, I assure
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But what's to be done?&quot; cried several voices in consternation.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I would suggest that we send immediately to Lexington for a
+reinforcement,&quot; spoke up Reynolds, in reply.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Who'll volunteer to go with me on the dangerous mission?&quot; cried a young
+man, by the name of Bell.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will!&quot; instantly responded another, called Tomlinson.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Brave lads!&quot; returned Father Albach. &quot;You'll be doing us and your
+country a service, which we at least will ever gratefully remember. I'd
+advise your leaving by the western gate, riding round the station, and
+keeping away to the right, and you'll maybe pass them without trouble.
+But ef you go, now's your only chance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, the young men in question sprung forward to their horses,
+and immediately quitted the fort, amid cheers for their gallantry and
+courage, and prayers for their safety and success.</p>
+
+<p>A council of the leading men was now speedily convened to deliberate
+upon the best means of insuring the safety of themselves, their wives,
+and children.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;They'll no doubt attack us on the western side,&quot; said Father Albach,
+&quot;where the pallisades are somewhat out o' kilter; and it's my opinion,
+that we'd better repair them as soon as possible, and station the main
+part of the garrison thar, ready to receive 'em with a military salute,
+while we send out a few o' our young men to fire on them as is in sight,
+to deceive the others; for I believe with neighbor Nickolson, here, that
+thar's a large party in ambush close by.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay, and doubtless led by the renegade,&quot; said Reynolds; &quot;as I presume
+this Indian army is the same whose approach I have foretold. Thank God!&quot;
+added he, with energy and emotion, as his mind reverted to Ella, &quot;that
+they came as they did; for an hour later, and they would have found the
+fort defenceless, when all within would have been food for the tomahawk
+and scalping knife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>He shuddered at the thought, and placed his hand to his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Indeed, it seems like a direct Providence in our favor,&quot; rejoined
+another.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But thar's one thing you've overlooked, in your proposition, Albach,&quot;
+said the old veteran called Nickolson. &quot;Ef the seige be protracted, what
+are we to do for water?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Each face of the company blanched, and turned toward the speaker with a
+startled look. It was a question of the most grave importance, and all
+felt it to be so. The spring was without the pallisades, as we have
+previously mentioned, on the northwestern side of the station. The path
+to it was through a rank growth of tall weeds, wherein the main body of
+the Indians was supposed to be concealed&mdash;so that, should the garrison
+venture forth in that direction, they would in all probability be cut
+off, and the fort fall into the possession of the enemy. This of course
+was not to be thought of. But what was to be done? To be without water
+in a protected siege, was a dangerous and painful alternative. In this
+agitating dilemma, one of the council suddenly exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have it!&mdash;I have it!&quot; All looked at the speaker in breathless
+expectation. &quot;I have it!&quot; continued he joyfully. &quot;The women!&mdash;the
+women!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The women!&quot; echoed several voices at once.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ay! you know they're in the habit of going for water&mdash;and this the
+savages know too&mdash;and ef they venture forth by themselves, as usual, the
+wily scoundrels will be deceived for once&mdash;for they won't mistrust thar
+hiding place is known; and as thar object is to carry the fort by
+stratagem, they won't unmask till they hear firing on t'other side.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Good!&mdash;good!&quot; exclaimed several voices; and forthwith the council
+proceeded to summon all the women of the station, and make known their
+plan for procuring a supply of water.</p>
+
+<p>Not a little consternation was expressed in the faces of the latter,
+when informed of the perilous undertaking required of them.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;What! go right straight in among the Injen warmints&mdash;them male
+critters?&quot; cried an old maid, holding up her hands in horror.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Do you think we're invisible, and they can't see us?&quot; said a second.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Or bullet proof?&quot; added a third.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Or that our scalps arn't worth as much as yourn?&quot; rejoined a fourth.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Or of so little account you arn't afeared to lose us?&quot; put in a fifth.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We don't think any thing o' the kind,&quot; returned the spokesman on the
+part of the council; &quot;but we do think, as I before explained, that you
+can go and come in safety; and that ef we don't have a supply o' water,
+we're likely to perish any how, and might as well throw open the gates
+and be butchered at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This last brief speech produced the desired effect, and a few words from
+Mrs. Younker completely carried the day.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Is this here a time,&quot; she cried, with enthusiasm, her eyes flashing as
+she spoke, &quot;to be hanging back, till the all important moment's gone by,
+and then choke to death for want o'water? What's our lives any more'n
+the men's, that we should be so orful skeered about a few ripscallious,
+painted varmints, as arn't o' no account, no how? Han't I bin amongst
+'em once?&mdash;and didn't the Lord preserve me?&mdash;and shall I doubt His
+protection now, when a hundred lives is at stake? No! no! I'm not
+skeered; and I'll go, too, ef I has to go alone. Who'll follow me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I will!&quot; cried one.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And I!&quot; said a second.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;We'll all go!&quot; exclaimed several voices.</p>
+
+<p>Dispersing in every direction, each flew to her own cabin, and seizing
+upon a bucket, hurried to the rear gate, where, all being assembled,
+they were at once given exit.<a name="FNanchor_20" id="FNanchor_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p>
+
+<p>Perhaps in the whole annals of history, a more singular proceeding than
+this&mdash;of men allowing their wives and daughters to deliberately put
+themselves into the power of a ferocious, blood-thirsty enemy, and women
+with nerve and courage to dare all so bravely&mdash;can not be found. But
+these were times of stern necessity, when each individual&mdash;man, woman or
+child&mdash;was called upon to dare and do that which would surprise and
+startle their descendants. Still it must not be supposed that they, on
+either side, were without fears, and those of the most alarming kind.
+Many a palpitating heart moved over the ground to the spring, and many a
+pale face was reflected in its placid waters; while many a courageous
+soul within the fort trembled at the thought of the venture, and what
+might be its result, as they had never done before&mdash;even with death
+staring them in the face&mdash;and as they probably would never do again.
+Each party, however, knew the step taken to be a serious alternative;
+and the women believed that on their caution and presence of mind, their
+own lives, and those of their fathers, husbands, and children were
+depending; and in consequence of this, they assumed an indifference and
+gaiety the most foreign to their present feelings. As for Algernon, we
+leave the task to lovers of imagining his feelings, when he saw the
+lovely Ella depart with the rest. It was indeed a most anxious time for
+all; but the stratagem succeeded to a charm; and, to use the words of a
+historian on the subject, &quot;Although their steps became quicker and
+quicker on their return, and, when near the gate of the fort,
+degenerated into a rather unmilitary celerity, attended with some
+little crowding in passing the aperture, yet not more than one-fifth of
+the water was spilled, and the eyes of the youngest had not dilated to
+more than double their ordinary size.&quot;</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_20" id="Footnote_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> In both the foregoing and subsequent details, we have
+followed history to the letter.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_21" id="Footnote_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> The reader, familiar with the history of the early
+pioneers of Kentucky, will doubtless observe a similarity between the
+account given by Reynolds of his escape from captivity, and that of Gen.
+Simon Kenton, as narrated by his biographer, Col. John McDonald.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<center>THE ATTACK AND RESULT.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>Meantime the repairing of the pallisades had been going bravely forward,
+every moment rendering the garrison more and more secure, which served
+not a little to revive their spirits; and when at length the women had
+all entered, the gate been barred, and they had seen themselves well
+supplied with water, they could restrain their feelings no longer, and
+one grand, simultaneous cheer burst from their lips.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now then,&quot; said Father Albach, &quot;let 'em come, and I reckon as how
+they'll meet with a warm reception. But to draw 'em on, we must send out
+a party to make a feint to fight the others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thirteen young men, among whom was Isaac, were accordingly selected, to
+pass out by the eastern gate and commence firing rapidly; while the
+remainder, with loaded muskets, were to range themselves along the
+western pickets, and be ready to pour their deadly contents into the
+swarthy horde of besiegers, in case their attack should be made in that
+quarter. As the young men departed, all relapsed into a solemn silence
+of anxious suspense; which was presently broken by the rapid discharge
+of firearms, outside the fort, accompanied with cheers and yells from
+both the whites and Indians. Now was the all important moment&mdash;the war
+sounds were gradually growing more and more distant&mdash;and every eye of
+the inner garrison was strained in breathless expectation, in the
+direction of the spring, while every rifle was cocked and in rest, ready
+for any emergency.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the tall weeds&mdash;which a moment before had been quietly waving
+in the morning breeze&mdash;became dreadfully agitated; and the next instant,
+as if by magic, the ground was peopled by some five hundred hideous
+savages; who, led on by the notorious renegade, now rushed forward, with
+wild frantic yells, to the western pallisades, where our gallant little
+band stood drawn up ready to receive them. They had advanced in a
+tremendous body, to within a few feet of the fort, when the word &quot;Fire,&quot;
+uttered in a clear, manly voice, resounded above their own frightful
+yells, and was followed the next moment by a terrible volley of leaden
+balls, that carried death and terror into their serried ranks. With one
+simultaneous yell of rage, consternation, and disappointment, they
+halted a moment in indecision; when another death-dealing volley, from
+the gallant Kentuckians, decided their course of action; and again
+yelling fearfully, they parted to the right and left, and bearing their
+dead and wounded with them, rushed for the covert of a neighboring
+forest. At the same moment, the party which had sallied forth upon the
+Lexington road, to make a feint of attacking their decoys, entered the
+fort by the eastern gate, in high spirits at the success of their
+maneuver.</p>
+
+<p>The warfare was now carried on in the usual manner, after the failure of
+stratagem, for several hours, with but little success on either side.
+The block-houses were immediately manned by the garrison, who by this
+means could command every point of compass; and whenever an Indian came
+in sight, he was at once made the target for three or four keen
+riflemen, who rarely missed their mark. In consequence of this, the wily
+savage rarely showed himself in an open manner; but would creep
+stealthily among the tall weeds, or among the tall standing corn, that
+covered about an hundred acres of ground on the southern side of the
+station, or ensconce himself behind some stump or trunk of a tree in the
+vicinity, and discharge his rifle at any mark thought suitable, or let
+fly his burning arrows upon the roofs of the cabins. To avoid, if
+possible, a conflagration, every boy of ten years and upwards, was
+ordered upon the roofs of the houses, to throw off these burning
+missiles; but notwithstanding their great vigilance, so rapidly were
+they sent at one period, that two of the cabins, being in a very
+combustible state, took fire, to the great consternation of all, and,
+before they could be extinguished, were totally consumed. Here again the
+hand of an overruling Providence was manifest; for a light wind drove
+the flames from the other buildings, and thus a terrible and fatal
+calamity was averted.</p>
+
+<p>From the attack in the morning by the main body, a sharp fire was
+maintained on both sides till towards noon; when it began to slacken
+considerably; and a little past meridian ceased altogether&mdash;the savages
+having withdrawn for another purpose, as we shall show anon, leaving the
+garrison in suspense as to whether they had totally abandoned the siege
+or not.</p>
+
+<p>We have previously stated that Bryan's Station stood on a gentle rise on
+the southern bunk of the Elkhorn, whereby it commanded a view of much of
+the surrounding country. A considerable portion of the land in the
+immediate vicinity had been cleared and was under cultivation; but
+still, in some places, the forest approached to a close proximity; so
+that it was impossible, without traversing the ground, to determine
+whether the foe had withdrawn altogether, or, as was more probable, now
+lay hidden therein, awaiting an unguarded moment of the besieged to
+renew hostilities. Where the Maysville and Lexington road now runs, was
+a long narrow lane, bounded on one side by the large cornfield before
+alluded to, and on the other by a heavy wood. Through this lane the
+reinforcements from Lexington must naturally pass, to reach the station;
+and knowing this, and that they were expected, (for the escape of the
+two couriers in the morning had not been overlooked) the Indians, to the
+number of more than three hundred, had concealed themselves in the
+thicket, within pistol shot of the road, and were now quietly waiting to
+cut them off.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding the quiet which had succeeded the sounds of warfare, the
+garrison were still on the lookout, fearful of being surprised. In this
+manner an hour or two passed away, without any event occurring worth
+being recorded, when a voice shouted joyfully:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The Lexington reinforcements are at hand!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>In a moment the whole station was in commotion&mdash;men, women, and children
+rushing to the block-houses and pallisades nearest to and overlooking
+the long lane just mentioned. The force in question numbered some
+sixteen horsemen, and about twice as many foot; who, not having heard
+any firing, nor seen any savages thus far, were somewhat carelessly
+approaching the fort at a leisure pace, thinking, as was not uncommon in
+those times of danger, when such things were often exaggerated, that
+perhaps the alarm had been unfounded, or, at the most, based only on
+slight grounds. They had been overtaken on the road between Lexington
+and Hoy's station, for which place they had marched on receiving the
+news of Holder's defeat, and had been informed by Tomlinson and Bell
+that Bryan's station was surrounded by a large body of Indians, of whose
+numbers they knew nothing. On hearing this, and knowing the unguarded
+condition of Lexington, they had instantly turned back, and pressed
+forward at what speed they could to the assistance of their neighbors,
+of whom they were now in sight.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great Heaven!&quot; cried the voice of the look-out, at this moment, in
+consternation. &quot;See!&mdash;see!&mdash;they are ambushed, and will all be cut off!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, a long rolling line of fire could he discerned; and
+presently was heard the report of a tremendous volley of musketry,
+followed by a cloud of dust and smoke, which for a time completely hid
+them from view. In a few minutes, however, the horsemen were seen close
+at hand, spurring forward with lightning speed. Some three or four
+individuals instantly sprung to and threw open the eastern gate, and in
+less than two minutes they reined in their panting steeds in the court
+of the station. At the first shot of the savages, they had put spurs to
+their horses, and, as the ground was very dry, a cloud of dust had
+instantly enveloped them, by which means, fortunately, every one of them
+had escaped unharmed, although on their way they had drawn the fire of
+more than three hundred Indian rifles, successively discharged at them
+while passing the lines of the ambuscade. Not thus easily, however,
+escaped their companions on foot.</p>
+
+<p>At the commencement of the firing, these latter were advancing toward
+the station through the cornfield, and, being completely hidden from the
+savages thereby, they might, had they pressed rapidly forward, have
+gained the fort in safety. Not so was their conduct. They were brave,
+hot-blooded, noble men. They could not think of flying and leaving their
+friends in danger; and more noble and reckless than wise and prudent,
+they turned and rushed to their assistance. They saw their error, but
+too late to retrieve it. Their friends had fled, and were safe, but they
+were now placed within a few paces of three hundred blood-thirsty
+warriors. On seeing them, the savages uttered the most hideous yells,
+rushed forward and cut them off from the fort, and then sprung after
+them, tomahawk in hand. Luckily, however, for our little band of heroes,
+the Indians had just discharged their rifles, and their own were loaded;
+by which means, when hard pressed, they turned and kept their foes at
+bay&mdash;the savage, in all cases, being too cautious to rush upon a weapon
+so deadly, with only a tomahawk wherewith to defend himself. Moreover,
+the corn was stout and tall, among which they ran and dodged with great
+agility; and whenever an Indian halted to load his rifle, the fugitive
+for whom its contents were designed, generally managed, by extra
+exertion, to gain a safe distance before it was completed, and thus
+effect his escape. Some five or six, however, were so unfortunate as to
+be knocked or shot down, when they were immediately tomahawked and
+scalped; but the remainder, in various directions and by various
+artifices, succeeded in making their escape. A few reached the fort in a
+roundabout manner; but the main body of them returned to Lexington;
+where, had the savages followed them, they would have found an easy
+conquest. Fortunately for the whites, however, the red men were not so
+inclined; and pursuing them a few hundred yards only, the latter
+abandoned the chase as hopeless.</p>
+
+<p>One of the most active and ferocious on the part of the Indians during
+this skirmish, which lasted nearly an hour, was Simon Girty. Enraged to
+madness at the failure of his stratagem in the morning, he gnashed his
+teeth and rushed after the fugitives, with all the fury depicted on his
+countenance of a demon let loose from the infernal regions of Pluto. Two
+with his own hand he sent to their last account; and was in hot pursuit
+of a third&mdash;a handsome, active youth&mdash;who, being hard pressed, turned
+round, and raising his rifle to his shoulder, with a scornful smile upon
+his face, bitterly exclaimed, as he discharged it:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Take that, you &mdash;&mdash; renegade, and see how it'll digest!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he fired, Girty fell, and perceiving this, the Indians, with a yell
+of despair, instantly gathered round him, while the man effected his
+escape. This closed the exciting contest of the cornfield&mdash;which had
+been witnessed throughout from the station with feelings better imagined
+than described&mdash;but, unfortunately for humanity, did not end the career
+of Girty; for the ball had taken effect in his shot pouch instead of his
+body; and though wounded, his case was in no wise critical; and he was
+soon able to take his place at the council fire, to deliberate upon what
+further should be done.<a name="FNanchor_22" id="FNanchor_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p>
+
+<p>The council alluded to, lasted some two or three hours. The Indians were
+disheartened at their loss in the morning, and the failure of all their
+stratagems, even to cutting off the reinforcements of the enemy. They
+were sufficiently convinced they could not carry the fort by storm; and
+they also believed it unsafe to longer remain where they were; as the
+alarm of their presence had spread far and wide, and there was no
+telling at what moment a force equal to their own might be brought
+against them; therefore, they were now anxious to abandon the siege and
+return home. Girty, however, was by no means satisfied with the turn
+matters had taken. He had with great difficulty and masterly persuasion
+succeeded in getting them to unite and march in a body (contrary to
+their usual mode of warfare, which consisted in skirmishing with small
+parties,) against the whites; and he now felt that his reputation was in
+a manner staked on the issue; consequently he could illy bear to leave
+without the trial of one more stratagem. This he made known to the
+chiefs of the council, and offered, in case of failure, to retreat with
+them at once.</p>
+
+<p>As this last design of Girty was merely to deceive the whites, and
+frighten them into capitulation, without any further risk to themselves,
+the Indians agreed to it, and the council broke up.</p>
+
+<p>It was nearly sundown; and every one in the station had been on the
+alert, ready to repel another attack should the Indians renew
+hostilities, as was not unlikely, when a voice cried out:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Hang me to the nearest cross-bar, ef the red sons of Satan hav'nt sent
+out a flag of truce!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>This at once drew the attention of most of the garrison to a small white
+flag on a temporary pole, which at no great distance was gradually
+nearing them, supported in an upright position by some object crawling
+along on the ground. At length the object gained a stump; and having
+mounted it, was at once recognized by Reynolds as the renegade&mdash;although
+Girty on this expedition had doffed the British uniform, in which we
+once described him, and now appeared in a costume not unlike his swarthy
+companions.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Halloo the garrison!&quot; he shouted.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Halloo yourself!&mdash;what's wanted?&quot; cried a voice back again.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Respect this flag of truce, and listen!&quot; rejoined Girty; and waving it
+from side to side as he spoke, he again proceeded: &quot;Courage can do much
+in war, and is in all cases a noble trait, which I for one do ever
+respect; but there may be circumstances where manly courage can avail
+nothing, and where to practice it only becomes fool-hardy, and is sure
+to draw down certain destruction on the actor or actors. Such I hasten
+to assure you, gentlemen, is exactly your case in the present instance.
+No one admires the heroism which you have, one and all, even to your
+women and children, this day displayed, more than myself; but I feel it
+my duty to inform you that henceforth the utmost daring of each and all
+of you combined can be of no avail whatever. Resistance on your part
+will henceforth be a crime rather than a virtue. It is to save
+bloodshed, and you all from a horrible fate, that I have ventured hither
+at the risk of my life. You are surrounded by an army of six hundred
+savages. To-morrow there will be a large reinforcement with cannon;
+when, unless you surrender now, your bulwark will be demolished, and
+you, gentlemen, with your wives and children, will become victims to an
+unrelenting, cruel foe. Death will then be the mildest of your
+punishments. I would save you from this. I am one of your race; and,
+although on the side of your enemy, would at this time counsel and act
+toward you a friendly part. Do you not know me? I am Simon Girty&mdash;an
+agent of the British. Take my advice and surrender now your fort into my
+hands, and I swear to you not a single hair of your heads shall be
+harmed. But if you hold out until you are carried by storm I can not
+save you; for the Indians will have become thirsty for your blood, and
+no commander on earth could then restrain them. Be not hasty in
+rejecting my friendly offer. It is for your good I have spoken&mdash;and so
+weigh the matter well. I pause for an answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The effect of Girty's speech upon the garrison, was to alarm them not a
+little. His mention of reinforcements with cannon, caused many a stout
+heart to tremble, and many a face to blanch and turn to its neighbor
+with an expression of dismay. Against cannon they knew, as Girty stated,
+resistance would be of no avail; and cannon had, in 1780, advanced up
+the Licking Valley, and destroyed Riddle's and Martin's stations. If
+Girty told the truth, their case was truly alarming.</p>
+
+<p>As the renegade concluded, Reynolds&mdash;who saw the effect his words had
+produced, and who, knowing him better than any of the others, believed
+his whole tale to be false&mdash;at once begged leave to reply for the
+garrison, which was immediately granted. Placing himself in full view of
+Girty, he answered as follows, in a tone of raillery:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well done, my old worthy companion! and are you really there, carrying
+out another of your noble and humane designs? When, O when, I humbly beg
+to know, will your philanthropic efforts end? I suppose not until death
+has laid his claim, and the devil has got his due. You ask us if we know
+you. What! not know the amiable Simon Girty, surnamed the Renegade?
+Could you indeed for a moment suppose such a thing possible? Know you?
+Why, we have an untrusty, worthless cur-dog in the fort here, that has
+been named Simon Girty, in compliment to you&mdash;he is so like you in every
+thing that is ugly, wicked and mean. You say you expect reinforcements
+of artillery. Well, if you stay in this quarter long, I know of no one
+that will be more likely to need them than yourself and the cowardly
+cut-throats who call you chief. We too expect reinforcements; for the
+country is roused in every direction; and if you remain here
+twenty-four hours longer, the scalps of yourself and companions will be
+drying on our cabins. Bring on your cannon and blaze away as soon as you
+please! We shall fear you not, even then; for if you succeed in
+entering, along with your naked, rascally companions, we shall set our
+old women to work, and have you scourged to death with rods, of which we
+have on hand a goodly stock for the purpose. And now to wind up, allow
+me to say I believe you to be a liar, and <i>know</i> you to be a most
+depraved, inhuman villain. This knowledge of your character is not
+second-hand. I paid dearly for it, by a year's captivity. I defied you
+when in your power: I spit at and defy you now in behalf of the
+garrison! My name you may remember. It is Algernon Reynolds. What would
+you more?&quot;<a name="FNanchor_23" id="FNanchor_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p>
+
+<p>&quot;Would that I had you in my power again,&quot; shouted back Girty; &quot;for
+by &mdash;&mdash;! I would willingly forego all other vengeance on the whites, to
+take my revenge on you. I regret the garrison did not choose some one to
+reply who was not already doomed to death. It was my desire to save
+bloodshed; but my offer has been rejected from the mouth of one I hate;
+and now I leave you to your fate. To-morrow morning will see your
+bulwarks in ruins, and yourselves, your wives and little ones, in the
+power of a foe that never forgives an injury nor forgets an insult.
+Farewell till then! I bide my time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As Girty concluded altogether, he began to ease himself down from the
+stump, when his progress was not a little accelerated by hearing a voice
+from the garrison cry out:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Shoot the &mdash;&mdash; rascal!&mdash;don't let him escape!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Instantly some five or six rifles were brought to bear upon him; and his
+fate might then have been decided forever, had not the voice of
+Nickolson warned them to beware of firing upon a flag of truce. Girty,
+however, made good his retreat, and the garrison was disturbed no more
+that night. Before morning the Indians, after having killed all the
+domestic cattle they could find belonging to the station, began their
+retreat; and by daylight their camp was deserted; though many of their
+fires were still burning brightly, and several pieces of meat were found
+on roasting-sticks around them, all showing a late and hasty departure.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_22" id="Footnote_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> The foregoing is strictly authentic.</p></div>
+
+<a name="Footnote_23" id="Footnote_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> This celebrated reply of Reynolds to Girty, is published,
+with but slight variations, in all the historical sketches that we have
+seen relating to the attack on Bryan's Station and is, perhaps, familiar
+to the reader.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<center>THE FOE PURSUED.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>As Algernon had stated to Girty, the country was indeed roused to a
+sense of their danger. The news of the storming of Bryan's Station had
+spread fast and far; and, early on the day succeeding the attack,
+reinforcements began to come in from all quarters; so that by noon of
+the fourth day, the station numbered over one hundred and eighty
+fighting men.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Daniel Boone, accompanied by his son Israel, and brother Samuel,
+commanded a considerable force from Boonesborough&mdash;Colonel Stephen
+Trigg, a large company from Harrodsburgh&mdash;and Colonel John Todd, the
+militia from Lexington. A large portion of these forces was composed of
+commissioned officers, who, having heard of the attack on Bryan's
+Station by an overwhelming body of Indians, had hurried to the scene of
+hostilities, and, like brave and gallant soldiers as they were, had at
+once taken their places in the ranks as privates. Most noted among those
+who still held command under the rank of Colonel, were Majors Harlan,
+McGary, McBride, and Levi Todd; and Captains Bulger, Patterson and
+Gordon.</p>
+
+<p>Of those now assembled, Colonel Todd, as senior officer, was allowed to
+take command&mdash;though, from the tumultuous council of war which was held
+in the afternoon, it appears that each had a voice, and that but little
+order was observed. It was well known that Colonel Benjamin Logan was
+then in the act of raising a large force in Lincoln county; and at the
+furthest would join them in twenty-four hours; which would render them
+safe in pursuing the savages; and for this purpose the more prudent,
+among whom was our old friend, Colonel Boone, advised their delay;
+stating, as a reason, that the Indians were known to outnumber them
+all, as three to one; and that to pursue them with a force so small,
+could only result, should they be overtaken, in a total defeat of the
+whites. Besides which, Boone stated that the scouts who had been sent
+out to examine the Indian trail, had reported that it was very broad,
+and that the trees on either side had been marked with their tomahawks;
+thereby showing a willingness on the part of the enemy to be pursued,
+and a design to draw the whites into an ambuscade, the consequences of
+which must necessarily be terrible. In this view of the case, Colonel
+Boone was strongly seconded by Major McGary, who, though a hot-headed
+young officer, eager on almost all occasions for a fight, now gave his
+voice on the side of prudence.</p>
+
+<p>But these prudent measures were combatted and overruled by Todd; who,
+being an ambitious man, forsaw that, in waiting for Logan, he would be
+deprived of his authority as commander-in-chief of the expedition, and
+the glory which a successful battle would now cast upon him. By him it
+was urged, in opposition to Boone and McGary, that to await the arrival
+of Colonel Logan, was only to act the part of cowards, and allow the
+Indians a safe retreat; that in case they were overtaken and their
+numbers found to be double their own&mdash;which report he believed to be
+false&mdash;the ardor and superior skill of the Kentuckians would more than
+make them equal, and the victory and glory would be their own. Whereas,
+should the Indians be allowed to escape without an effort to harass
+them, the Kentuckians would be held eternally disgraced in the minds of
+their countrymen.</p>
+
+<p>The dispute on the matter waxed warm, high words ensued, and the
+discussion was in a fair way of being drawn out to great extent; when
+Boone, becoming tired and disgusted with the whole proceedings, replied:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, I've given my conscientious opinion about the affair, and now you
+can do as you please. Of course I shall go with the majority, and my
+seniors in command; and ef the decision's for a fight, why a fight we
+must venter, though every man o' Kaintuck be laid on his back for the
+risking. Ef we fail&mdash;and its my opine we shall&mdash;let them as takes the
+responsibility bear the blame. I'll give my voice, though, to the last,
+that we'd better wait the reinforcements o' Colonel Logan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sir!&quot; exclaimed Colonel Todd, turning fiercely to Boone; &quot;if you are
+not a <i>coward</i>, you talk like one! Don't you know, sir, that if we wait
+for Logan, he will gain all the laurels?&mdash;and that if we press forward,
+we shall gain all the glory?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As to my being a coward, Colonel Todd,&quot; replied Boone, mildly, with
+dignity, &quot;when the word's explained so as I know the full meaning on't,
+prehaps I'll be able to decide ef I be or not. Ef it means prudence in a
+time o' danger, on which the welfare o' my country and the lives o' my
+countrymen depends, I'd rather be thought cowardly than rash. Ef it
+means a fear to risk my own poor body in defence o' others, I reckon as
+how my past life'll speak for itself; and for the futer, wharsomever
+Colonel Todd dars to venter, Daniel Boone dars to lead. As to <i>glory</i>,
+we'll talk about that arter the battle's fought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended the discussion; and the matter being put to vote, it was
+carried by an overwhelming majority in favor of Todd's proposition, that
+the Indians should be pursued without further delay. It was now about
+three o'clock in the afternoon; and immediately on the final decision
+being made, the council broke up, and orders were rapidly given to
+prepare to depart forthwith. All the horses in or about the station were
+now collected together, on which most of the officers and many of the
+privates were soon mounted; and by four o'clock the eastern gate was
+thrown open, the order to march given by Colonel Todd, and the
+procession, composed of the flower of Kentucky's gallant sons, moved
+forth, amid sighs and tears from the opposite sex. Reynolds&mdash;who, during
+the past two or three days, since the retreat of the enemy, had employed
+his leisure moments in the company of the being he loved, and who was
+now finely mounted on a superb charger which had been presented him by
+Colonel Boone&mdash;turned upon his saddle, as he was leaving the station,
+and waved another adieu to Ella, who stood in the door of her cottage,
+gazing upon his noble form, with a pale cheek, tearful eye, and beating
+heart. She raised her lily hand, and, with a graceful motion, returned
+his parting salute; and then, to conceal her emotion, retired into the
+house.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians, it was found, had followed the buffalo trace, and,
+according to the account given by the scouts, had made their trail
+obvious as possible, by hacking the trees on either side with their
+tomahawks. Their camp fires, however, were very few, comparatively
+speaking, which to Boone seemed plainly evident of a desire to mask
+their numbers. He had lived in the woods all his life, was the oldest
+settler on the borders, and had been several times a prisoner of the
+Indians; so that he was familiar with their artifices for decoying their
+enemies; and he believed, from what he saw, that it was their desire to
+be followed by the whites; and that they would probably seek to draw the
+latter into an ambuscade in the vicinity of the Blue Licks, where the
+wild country was particularly favorable to their purpose. In imagination
+he already saw the disastrous result that was destined to follow this
+hasty expedition; but his counsel to the contrary had been disregarded,
+and it was not a time now to dampen the ardor of the soldiers, on which
+alone success could depend, by expressing his fears and laying himself
+liable to further reproach and contumely. He had said and done all that
+was consistent in his situation to prevent the present step; and he now
+saw proper to keep his fears of the result to himself; the more so, as a
+retreat was out of the question.</p>
+
+<p>About dark the party came to halt, and encamped in the woods for the
+night. Early on the ensuing morning they resumed their march; and a
+little before noon reached the southern bluffs of Licking river,
+opposite the Lower Blue Lick, distant from Bryan's Station some
+thirty-six miles, and the place where, according to the opinion of
+Boone, the savages would be likely to lie in wait to give them battle.</p>
+
+<p>The scenery in the vicinity of the Licks, even at the present day, is
+peculiarly wild and romantic; but at the period in question, it was
+relieved by nothing in the shape of civilization. The Licks themselves
+had for ages been the resort of buffalo and other wild animals, which
+had come there to lick the saline rocks, and had cropped the surrounding
+hills of every green thing, thereby giving them a barren, desolate,
+gloomy appearance. On the northern bank&mdash;the one opposite our little
+army&mdash;arose a tremendous bluff, entirely destitute of vegetation, the
+brow of which was trodden hard by the immense herds of buffalo which had
+passed over it from time immemorial on their way to and from the salt
+springs at its base. To add to its dismal appearance, the rains of
+centuries had sloughed deep gullies in its side, and washed the earth
+from the rocks around its base, which, being blackened in the sun, now
+rose grim and bare, frowning in their majesty like fettered monsters of
+the infernal regions. As you ascended this ridge, a hard level trace or
+road led back for something like a mile&mdash;free from tree, stump or
+bush&mdash;when you came to a point where two ravines, one on either hand,
+met at the top, and, thickly wooded, ran in opposite directions down to
+the river, which, beginning on the right, went sweeping round a large
+circuit, in the form of an iron magnet, and made a sort of inland
+peninsula of the bluff in question. Back from this buffalo trace, on the
+southern bank of the Licking, dark heavy woods extended for miles in
+every direction, and made the whole scene impressive with a kind of
+gloomy grandeur.</p>
+
+<p>As our gallant band of Kentuckians gained the river, they descried some
+three or four savages leisurely ascending the stony ridge on the
+opposite side. On perceiving the troops, the Indians paused, gazed at
+them a few moments in silence, and then, quietly continuing their
+ascent, disappeared on the other side. A halt was now ordered by Colonel
+Todd, and a council of war called to deliberate on what was best to be
+done. The wild gloomy country around them, their distance from any post
+of succor, and the startling idea that perchance they were in the
+presence of a body of savages of double or treble their own numbers, was
+not without its effect upon Todd and those who had seconded his hasty
+movements, and served much toward cooling their ardor, and inspiring
+each other with a secret awe.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately on the halt of the troops, some twenty officers assembled in
+front of the lines for consultation; when, turning to them, Colonel Todd
+said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Gentlemen, for aught I know to the contrary we are now in the presence
+of a superior enemy&mdash;superior at least in point of numbers&mdash;and I
+desire to know your minds as to what course we had best pursue. And
+particularly, Colonel Boone,&quot; continued Todd, politely bowing to the
+veteran woodsman, &quot;would I solicit your views on the matter; believing
+as I do, notwithstanding any hasty words I may have uttered in the heat
+of excitement to the contrary, that you are a brave soldier, cool under
+all circumstances, amply experienced in Indian stratagem, and
+consequently capable of rendering much valuable advice in the present
+instance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Boone was not a revengeful man under any circumstances; and though he
+had felt more stung and nettled at the implication of Todd the day
+before than he cared to let others see, yet now that the other had made
+the apology due him, he showed nothing like haughtiness or triumph in
+his mild, benevolent countenance, but, bowing slightly, with his
+characteristic frankness replied:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As you say, Colonel Todd, I've had some little experience with the
+varmints at different times, not excepting my capter at these same Licks
+in 1778; and, besides, I've have traversed this here country in every
+direction, and know every secret hiding-place round about, as well as
+the rest o' ye know the ground we've jest traveled; and it's on account
+o' this knowledge partly, and partly on account o' the lazy movements o'
+them red heathen we've jest seen go over the hill yonder, and the wide
+trail, and marked trees behind us, that I'm led to opine thar's a
+tremendous body o' the naked rascals hid in a couple o' ravines, that
+run down to the river on either side of that ridge, about a mile ahead,
+who are waiting to take us by surprise. Now I think we'd better do one
+of two things. Either wait for the reinforcement o' Colonel Logan&mdash;who's
+no doubt on his march by this time to join us&mdash;or else divide our party,
+and let half on 'em go up stream and cross at the rapids, and so get
+round behind the ravines, ready to attack the savages in the rear; while
+the rest cross the ford here, and keep straight on along the ridge to
+attack 'em in front&mdash;by which maneuver we may prehaps be able to beat
+them. But ef you don't see proper, gentlemen, to take up with either o'
+these proposals&mdash;don't, for Heaven's sake! I beg o' ye, venter forward,
+without first sending on scouts to reconnoitre&mdash;else we're likely to be
+in an ambuscade afore we know it, and prehaps all be cut off.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, all things considered,&quot; answered Colonel Todd, who now, becoming
+aware of the fearful responsibility resting upon him as commander, felt
+little inclined to press rashly forward, &quot;I think it advisable to wait
+the reinforcements of Logan before proceeding further. It can delay us
+but a day or two, and then we shall be sure of a victory; whereas, if we
+press forward now, and run into an ambuscade, of which Colonel Boone
+feels certain, we shall doubtless rue the day by a total defeat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I'm of the same opinion,&quot; rejoined Major Levi Todd.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And I,&quot; said Captain Patterson.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;And I,&quot; rejoined several other voices.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;But I'm opposed to waiting for Logan,&quot; said Colonel Trigg; &quot;as delays
+on the point of a battle are rarely ever beneficial. I think we had
+better take up with Colonel Boone's second proposition&mdash;divide our
+forces, and proceed at once to action; though, for the matter of
+prudence, it may be advisable to send a couple of scouts ahead, before
+deciding upon any thing positive.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Majors Harlan and McBride, with two or three others of inferior rank,
+took sides with Trigg; and the discussion seemed likely to be protracted
+for some considerable time; when Major Hugh McGary, who had been
+listening to the proceedings with the utmost impatience, suddenly
+startled and broke up the council by a loud whoop, resembling that of an
+Indian; and spurring his high mettled charger forward, he waved his hat
+over his head, and shouted, in a voice that reached the whole length of
+the line, these ever memorable words:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Those among you who are not d&mdash;d cowards, follow me! I'll soon show you
+where the Indians are!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke he rushed his fiery steed into the river, with all the rash
+impetuosity of a desperate soldier charging at the cannon's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>The effect of McGary's words and actions were electrical. The troops,
+mounted and on foot, officers and privates, suddenly became animated
+with a wild enthusiasm. Whooping and yelling like Indians, more than a
+hundred of them now sprung forward, and in a tumultuous body rushed into
+the stream and struggled for the opposite shore. A few lingered around
+Boone, Todd, and Twigg, to await their orders. But the pause of these
+commanders was only momentary. They saw their ranks in confusion, and
+more than two-thirds of their soldiers in the water, struggling after
+the hot-headed McGary, and most of the other officers. The mischief was
+already done. To delay was but to doom their enthusiastic comrades to
+certain destruction; and shouting to those who yet remained to follow,
+Todd put spurs to his horse, and, together with Trigg and Boone dashed
+after the main body. It was a wild scene of excitement. Horsemen and
+footmen, officers and privates, all mixed up together in confusion, and
+pushing forward in one &quot;rolling and irregular mass.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>By violent threats and repeated exertions, with their swords drawn and
+flashing in the sunlight, Colonels Todd, Trigg and Boone at length
+succeeded, after reaching the opposite bank, in restoring something like
+order to the half-crazed troops. On gaining the brow of the buffalo
+ridge, Todd commanded a halt; then drawing a pistol from the holster of
+his saddle, he rode to the front of the lines, and, with eyes flashing
+fire, exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Men! we must have order! Without order we are lost. I command a halt;
+and the first man that moves from the ranks, officer or private, until
+so commanded, I swear to scatter his brains on the land he disgraces!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>His speech produced the desired effect; not a man ventured, by
+disobeying, to put his threat to the test; and after gazing on them
+sternly a few moments in silence, he turned to McGary, who was sitting
+his horse a few paces distant, and said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sir! you have acted unbecoming, both as an officer and a gentleman; and
+if we two live through an engagement which I fear is near at hand, and
+which your rashness will have brought about, I will have you put under
+arrest and tried by court martial.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;As you please, Colonel Todd,&quot; replied McGary, with a fierce look. &quot;But
+you will bear in mind, sir, that at the council yesterday, you scouted
+at the proposition advanced by Colonel Boone, and seconded by myself and
+others, of waiting for the reinforcements of Colonel Logan, and
+insinuated that we were cowards. As <i>you</i>, sir, were so <i>very</i> brave,
+and so eager for a fight when at a distance, I swore that, if we came
+where a fight could be had, I would either draw you into action, or
+forever damn you as a coward in the eyes of your soldiers. If I have
+succeeded, I rest satisfied to let you do your worst.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Resume your place, sir! and break an order this day at your peril!&quot;
+cried Todd, sharply, his face flushed with indignation.</p>
+
+<p>As McGary slowly obeyed, Todd called to Boone, Trigg, and one or two
+others, with whom he held a short consultation as to the propriety of
+sending forward scouts before advancing with the main army. This being
+decided in the affirmative, Isaac Younker and another individual were
+selected from the ranks, and appointed to go on the dangerous mission;
+with orders to follow the buffalo trace and examine it carefully on both
+sides&mdash;particularly round about the ravines&mdash;and if they saw any traces
+of Indians, to hasten back with all speed; but if not, to continue their
+examination for a half mile further on, where the great trace gradually
+became lost in lesser paths, which branched off in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately on the departure of these two scouts, the troops were drawn
+up in a long line, ready for action at a moment's notice. Colonel Trigg
+commanded the Harrodsburgh forces on the right; Colonel Boone the
+Boonesborough soldiers on the left; and Colonel Todd, assisted by Majors
+McGary and McBride, the Lexington militia in the center. Major Harlan
+led the van, and Major Levi Todd brought up the rear. This was the order
+in which they went into battle.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<center>THE BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>In less than an hour, Isaac and his companions returned, and reported
+that they had seen no signs of Indians whatever. On the receipt of this
+intelligence, the order to march was immediately given, and the whole
+body of soldiers, under the scorching rays of an August sun, moved
+rapidly forward. Nothing occurred to interrupt their progress, until the
+van had reached within a few yards of the ravines before mentioned, when
+the appalling truth of a tremendous ambuscade of the savages suddenly
+became known, by the pouring therefrom, into their ranks, a terrible
+volley, which carried with it death, terror and confusion. Never were
+soldiers taken more by surprise, and at greater disadvantage to
+themselves, both as to numbers and position. They had relied upon the
+report of the scouts, who had themselves been deceived by the quiet of
+everything about the ravines; and now here they were, less than two
+hundred in number, on an open spot, exposed to the deadly rifles of more
+than five hundred Indian warriors, who were lying concealed among the
+dark cedars of the ravines.</p>
+
+<p>The first fire was severely destructive, particularly on the right,
+where the gallant Colonel Trigg fell mortally wounded, and was soon
+after tomahawked and scalped. With him went down several officers of
+inferior grade, and a large portion of the Harrodsburgh troops; but,
+undaunted, his little band of survivors returned the fire of the
+Indians, and, assisted by those in the rear, pressed forward like heroes
+to the support of the center and van, where the work of death and
+carnage was now becoming terrible.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Onward!&quot; shouted Colonel Todd, as he rode to and fro, animating his men
+by his voice and gestures: &quot;Onward, my noble soldiers, and strike for
+your country and firesides! Oh God!&quot; exclaimed he the next moment, as a
+ball pierced his breast; &quot;I am mortally wounded; but strike! press on,
+and mind me not!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, he reeled in his saddle, the rein slipped from his grasp,
+and his fiery steed rushed away, bearing him to the enemy and his
+untimely doom.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Fight, my lads, and falter not!&quot; cried Major Harlan in the van; and the
+next moment his horse went down, some five or six balls lodged in his
+body, and he fell to rise no more.</p>
+
+<p>But his men remembered their orders, and fought without faltering, until
+but three remained alive to tell the fate of the party.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;At 'em, lads!&mdash;don't spare the varmints!&quot; said Boone, as he urged the
+left wing into action; and the immediate report of more than fifty
+rifles in that quarter, told him he was obeyed. In this wing fought
+Algernon, Isaac, the brother and son of Boone, with a heroic desperation
+worthy of Spartans; and at every fire an Indian went down before each of
+their deadly rifles.</p>
+
+<p>But what could avail heroism here on that ill-fated day? Our brave
+little band of Kentuckians was opposed by a foe of treble their number;
+who, on their first terrible fire being expended, rushed forth from
+their covert, with horrible yells, tomahawk in hand, and, gradually
+extending their lines down the buffalo trace, on either side, so as to
+cut off the retreat of the whites, closed in upon them in overwhelming
+numbers, and the slaughter became immense. Major McGary rushed his horse
+to and fro among the enemy, and shouted and fought with all the
+desperate impetuosity of his nature. Major Todd did his best to press on
+the rear, and Colonel Boone still urged his men to the fight with all
+the backwoods eloquence in his power. But, alas! of what avail was
+coolness, impetuosity, or desperation now? The Indians were closing in
+thicker and thicker. Officers and privates, horsemen and footmen, were
+falling before the destructive fire of their rifles, or sinking beneath
+their bloody tomahawks, amid yells and screeches the most diabolical.
+Cries, groans, and curses, resounded on every hand, from the living, the
+wounded, and dying. But few now remained in command. Colonels Todd and
+Trigg, Majors Harlan and McBride, Captains Bulger and Gordon, with a
+host of other gallant officers, were now no more. Already had the
+Indians enclosed them as in a net, hemmed them in on all sides, and they
+were falling as grass before the scythe of the mower. Retreat was almost
+cut off&mdash;in a few minutes it would be entirely. They could hope for
+nothing against such odds, but a certain and bloody death. There was a
+possibility of escape. A few minutes and it would be too late. They
+hesitated&mdash;they wavered&mdash;they turned and fled; and now it was that a
+horrible sight presented itself.</p>
+
+<p>The space between the head of the ravines and the ford of the river a
+distance of more than a mile, suddenly became the scene of a hard and
+bloody race. As the whites fled, the Indians sprung after them, with
+whoops and yells that more resembled those of infuriated demons than
+human beings; and whenever an unfortunate Kentuckian was overtaken, he
+instantly fell a victim to the tomahawk and scalping knife. Those who
+were mounted generally escaped; but the foot suffered dreadfully; and
+the whole distance presented an appalling sight of bloody, mangled
+corses, strewing the ground in every direction. Girty, the renegade, was
+now at the height of his hellish enjoyment. With oaths and curses, and
+horrid laughter, his hands and weapons reeking with blood of the slain,
+he rushed on after new victims, braining and scalping all that came
+within his reach.</p>
+
+<p>At the river the carnage was in no wise abated. Horsemen and footmen,
+victors and vanquished, rushed down the slope, pell-mell, and plunged
+into the stream&mdash;some striving for life and liberty, some for death and
+vengeance&mdash;and the dark rolling waters went sweeping on, colored with
+the blood of the slaughtered.</p>
+
+<p>An act of heroic gallantry and presence of mind here occurred, which has
+often been mentioned in history, tending to check somewhat the
+blood-thirsty savages, and give many of the fugitives time to escape.
+Some twelve or fifteen horsemen had already passed the ford in safety,
+and were in the act of spurring forward, regardless of the fate of their
+unfortunate companions on foot, when one of their number, a man by the
+name of Netherland, who had previously been accused of cowardice,
+suddenly shouted, as if giving the word of command:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Halt! Fire on the Indians, and protect the men in the river!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>The order was obeyed, in the same spirit it was given; and the sudden
+discharge of more than a dozen rifles, made the infuriated savages
+recoil in dismay, and thereby saved many a poor fellow's life. The
+reaction, however, speedily followed. Many of the savages now swam the
+river above and below the ford, and gave chase to the fugitives for
+fifteen and even twenty miles&mdash;though with but little success after
+crossing the stream&mdash;as the latter generally plunged into the
+neighboring thickets, and so eluded the vigilance of the former.</p>
+
+<p>Such were the general features of the disastrous battle of Blue Licks&mdash;a
+battle of dreadful import to the pioneers of Kentucky&mdash;which threw the
+land into mourning, and made a most solemn and startling impression upon
+the minds of its inhabitants. Had we space to chronicle individual
+heroism, we might fill page after page with brave and noble
+achievements; but as it is, we shall confine ourself to those connected
+with our most prominent characters.</p>
+
+<p>We have stated previously, that Algernon Reynolds fought in the left
+wing, under the command of Boone; where, for the few minutes which the
+action lasted, he sustained himself with great gallantry; and, by his
+undaunted courage, inspired those immediately around him with like
+ardor. On the retreat of the whites, he found himself cut off from the
+river by a large body of Indians, headed by his old foe, Simon Girty,
+who, having recognized him, was now pressing forward with several
+stalwart warriors, to again make him prisoner. For the first time since
+the commencement of the battle, he felt his heart sink. To be taken
+alive was a thousand times worse than death, and escape seemed
+impossible. However, there was no time for consideration; another moment
+might be fatal; his foes were upon him; it was now or never. Luckily he
+was mounted on a fiery steed&mdash;which had thus far escaped a scratch&mdash;and
+had one undischarged pistol in his holster. This he drew forth as his
+last hope; and, tightening the rein, wheeled his horse and spurred down
+upon his enemies with tremendous velocity.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I have you now, by &mdash;&mdash;!&quot; cried the renegade.</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, he sprung forward to grasp the bridle of Algernon's horse;
+but stumbled and fell, and the beast passed over him, unfortunately
+though without doing him any injury.</p>
+
+<p>But Algernon had not yet got clear of his enemies; for on the fall of
+Girty, he found himself surrounded by a host of savages, whooping and
+yelling frightfully, and his direct course to the river cut off by a
+body of more than a hundred. There was only one point, and that a few
+yards to his left, where there appeared a possibility of his breaking
+through their lines. In the twinkling of an eye, and while his horse was
+yet under full headway, his decision was made. Rushing his steed hard to
+the right, in order to deceive his foes, he suddenly wheeled him again
+to the left; and the side of the beast striking against some three or
+four of the Indians, who were on the point of seizing his rein,
+staggered them back upon their companions, creating no little confusion.
+Taking advantage of this, our hero, with the speed of a flying arrow,
+bore down upon the weakest point; where, after shooting down a powerful
+savage, who had succeeded in grasping his bridle and was on the point of
+tomahawking his horse, he passed their lines, amid a volley of rifle
+balls, which cut his clothes in several places, but left himself and
+steed unharmed.</p>
+
+<p>The worst of the danger now seemed over; but still his road ahead was
+beset with Indians, who were killing and scalping all that fell in their
+power; and behind him were the infuriated renegade and his party now in
+hot pursuit. His steed, however, was strong and fleet, and he put him to
+his wind; by which means he not only distanced those behind him, but
+passed one or two parties in front unharmed. About half way between the
+ravines and the river, he overtook Major McGary, and some five or six
+other horsemen, who were dashing forward at a fast gallop; and checking
+his fiery beast somewhat, he silently joined them. A little further on,
+Reynolds observed an officer on foot, who, exhausted by his recent
+exertions, and lame from former wounds, had fallen behind his
+companions. On coming up, he recognized in the crippled soldier the
+brave Captain Patterson; and with a magnanimity and self-sacrifice
+worthy of all imitation, he instantly reined in his horse and
+dismounted, while the others kept upon their course.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sir!&quot; cried he to Patterson; &quot;you are, I perceive, fatigued and weak.
+Your life is in great danger. Mount, sir&mdash;mount! I am fresh and will
+take my chance on foot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;God bless you, sir!&mdash;God bless you for this noble act!&quot; exclaimed
+Patterson, as Reynolds assisted him, into the saddle. &quot;If I escape&mdash;&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Enough!&quot; said Reynolds, hurriedly, interrupting him. &quot;Fly, sir&mdash;fly!
+God be with you! Adieu!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>And turning away as he spoke, he sprung down the side of the ridge, and
+running along the edge of the river some little distance, plunged into
+the water and swam to the opposite shore. Unfortunately for our hero, he
+had changed his garments at Bryan's Station, and now wore a pair of
+buckskin breeches, which, in swimming the stream, had become so soaked
+and heavy that he was obliged to remove them in order to display his
+usual agility. While seated upon the bank and occupied in this manner,
+he was startled by a hand being placed upon his shoulder, and the
+familiar grunt of an Indian sounding in his ear. On looking up, he at
+once recognized the grim features of Wild-cat, and saw himself in the
+power of some half a dozen savages.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Me wanty you,&quot; said Wild-cat, quietly. &quot;Kitchokema give much for Long
+Knife. Come!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>There was no alternative now; and Algernon rose to his feet, and
+suffered his weapons to be taken from him, with what feelings we leave
+the reader to imagine. Taking him along, the savages set forward, on the
+alert for other game; and presently three of them darted away in chase
+of a party of whites; and directly after, two others, leaving our hero
+alone with Wild-cat. Hope now revived that he might yet escape; nor was
+he this time disappointed; for after advancing a short distance,
+Wild-cat stooped down to tie his moccasin; when Reynolds immediately
+sprung upon him, knocked him down with his fist, seized his rifle,
+tomahawk, and knife, fled into the thicket, and reached Bryan's Station,
+during the night succeeding, unscathed.<a name="FNanchor_24" id="FNanchor_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p>
+
+<p>Throughout the short but severe action at the ravines, Boone maintained
+his ground with great coolness and courage, animating his soldiers by
+word and deed, until the rout became general, when he found it
+necessary, to prevent falling into the hands of the enemy, to have
+recourse to immediate flight. As he cast his eyes around him for this
+purpose, he saw himself cut off from the ford by the large body of
+Indians, through whose lines our hero was even then struggling. At this
+moment he heard a groan which attracted his attention; and looking down,
+he perceived his son Israel lying on the ground, scarcely five paces
+distant, weltering in his blood. With all a father's feelings of
+affection and alarm, he instantly sprung from his horse, and, raising
+the youth in his arms, darted into the nearest ravine, and made with all
+speed for the river. A few of the Indians were herein concealed, who
+discharged their rifles at him as he passed, without injury, and then
+joined in pursuit. One, a powerful warrior, having outstripped his
+companions, was rushing upon the old woodsman with his tomahawk, when
+the latter, with backwoods celerity, instantly raised his rifle and shot
+him through the body. Finding himself hard pressed, and that his son was
+already in the agonies of death, the old hunter strained him for the
+last time to his heart, with choking emotion, pressed his lips to those
+already growing cold, and then, with a groan of agony, left him to his
+fate and the scalping-knife of the savage, while he barely made his own
+escape by swimming the river below the bend. To him this was a mournful
+day&mdash;never to be forgotten&mdash;and one that, even long, long years after,
+could never be mentioned but with tears.</p>
+
+<p>In this action the brother of Boone was wounded; but in company with
+Isaac Younker, and some three or four others, he succeeded in making his
+escape.</p>
+
+<p>On the day of the battle, Colonel Logan arrived at Bryan's Station with
+a command of four hundred and fifty soldiers. On learning that the
+garrison with their reinforcements had gone the day preceding in pursuit
+of the Indians, and fearful of some disaster, he resolved on a forced
+march to give them assistance as soon as possible. For this purpose he
+immediately set forward on their trail; but had advanced only a few
+miles, when he met a party of the fugitives returning from the scene of
+slaughter. They were alarmed and excited, and of course their account of
+the battle was greatly exaggerated, believing as they did that they were
+the only escaped survivors. Their report, to say the least, was very
+startling, allowing that only the half were true; and in consequence,
+Logan decided on retracing his steps to the station, until he should be
+able to collect more definite news concerning the fight. Gradually one
+party after another came dropping in; and by nine o'clock nearly or
+quite all of the survivors were assembled in the fortress; when it was
+ascertained that a little over one-third of the party, or between sixty
+and seventy of those engaged in the battle, were missing. It was a sad
+night of wailing, and lamentation, and dreadful excitement in the
+station; for scarcely a family there, but was mourning the loss of some
+friend or relation. Algernon and Isaac had returned, to the great joy of
+those most interested in their welfare; but the father-in-law of the
+latter came not, and there was mourning in consequence.</p>
+
+<p>A consultation between Colonels Logan and Boone, resulted in the
+decision to march forthwith to the battle-ground. Accordingly every
+thing being got in readiness, Colonel Logan set out with his command, at
+a late hour the same night, accompanied by Boone, and a few of the
+survivors of the ill-fated engagement. Towards morning a halt of three
+hours was ordered for rest and refreshment: when the line of march was
+again taken up; and by noon of the day succeeding the battle, the forces
+arrived upon the ground, where a most horribly repulsive scene met their
+view.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians had departed on their homeward route, bearing their killed
+and wounded away from the field of carnage; but the dead and mutilated
+bodies of the whites still remained where they had fallen, presenting a
+spectacle the most hideous and revolting possibly to be conceived. In
+the edge of the stream, on the banks, up the ridge, and along the
+buffalo trace to the ravines, were lying the bloody and mangled corses
+of the gallant heroes&mdash;who, the day before, full of ardor and life, had
+rushed on to the battle and an untimely and inglorious death&mdash;now
+swollen, putrid, and in the first stage of decomposition, from the
+action of the scorching rays of an August sun&mdash;surrounded by vultures
+and crows, and all species of carrion fowl; many of which, having gorged
+themselves on the horrid repast, were either sweeping overhead in large
+flocks, and screeching their funeral dirges, or wiping their bloody
+bills on the neighboring trees. Some of the bodies in the stream had
+been gnawed by fishes&mdash;others by wolves&mdash;and all had been so disfigured,
+by one means and another, that but very few could be recognized by their
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Great Heaven! what a sight!&quot; exclaimed Colonel Logan, as he ran his eye
+over the scene.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A dark and terrible day for Kaintuck,&quot; answered Boone, who was standing
+by his side; and as he spoke, the old hunter turned away his head to
+conceal his emotion; for his mind reverted to the death of his noble
+son.</p>
+
+<p>Orders were now given by Colonel Logan, to have the bodies collected,
+and interred in a manner as decent as circumstances would permit. This
+being accomplished, he returned with his men to Bryan's Station, and
+there dismissed them&mdash;it not being thought advisable to pursue the enemy
+further. In this ever memorable battle of Blue Licks, the Kentuckians
+had sixty killed, twelve wounded, and seven taken prisoners, most of
+whom were afterwards put to the tortures. As we said before, it was a
+sad day for Kentucky, and threw the land into mourning and gloom.
+Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harlan and McBride, were men beloved
+and respected in life, and bitterly lamented in death by a long list of
+true-hearted friends.</p>
+
+<p>The great trace where the battle was fought, is now green with low
+branching cedars; and a solitary monument near by, informs the curious
+spectator of the sad disaster of by gone times. The Blue Lick Springs
+are much resorted to in the summer season by invalids and others, for
+whose convenience a magnificent hotel stands upon the banks of the
+lovely and romantic Licking.</p>
+
+<p>A few words more and our general history will be closed. On receiving
+the intelligence of the battle of Blue Licks, General Clark&mdash;who then
+occupied a fort at the Falls of the Ohio, on the present site of
+Louisville&mdash;resolved upon another expedition to the enemy's country; for
+which purpose it was proposed to raise an army of one thousand men, who,
+under their respective commanders, should congregate opposite the mouth
+of the Licking, on the present site of Cincinnati. The interior and
+upper country were to rendezvous at Bryan's Station, under the command
+of Colonels Logan and Floyd; and the lower settlements at the Falls of
+Ohio, under General Clark; who, on all parties arriving at the grand
+rendezvous, was to be commander-in-chief of the expedition. One thousand
+mounted riflemen were raised without a draft, who marched upon the enemy
+in their own country, destroyed their villages, provisions, and
+cornfields, took several prisoners, and carried with them so much terror
+and desolation, that the Indians never sufficiently recovered from the
+shock to renew hostilities in a formidable body; and the Kentuckians
+henceforth, save in individual cases, were left unmolested.</p>
+
+<p>On their march they came upon the rear of Girty's party, returning from
+their successful battle; but an Indian scout gave the renegade and his
+companions warning in time for them to escape the whites by flight. In
+this expedition, Colonel Boone volunteered and served as a private;
+being the last in which the noble old hunter was ever engaged in defence
+of the settlements of Kentucky. Algernon Reynolds and Isaac Younker were
+his companions in arms; who, on the dismissal of the troops, returned
+again to Bryan's Station.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_24" id="Footnote_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> It may perhaps add interest to the story, for the reader
+to know that the foregoing account concerning Reynolds and Captain
+Patterson, is historically true; as is also the one which follows with
+regard to Boone and his son.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+<center>THE FINALE.</center>
+<br/>
+
+<p>Month upon month rolled away, quiet succeeded to the alarm and commotion
+of war, hostilities between Great Britain and America ceased, and the
+country both east and west now began to look up from the depression and
+gloom which had pervaded it during its long and sanguinary struggle for
+independence. In Kentucky the effect was really invigorating; and the
+settlers, who for a year past had been driven from their homes in terror
+and dismay&mdash;who had quitted their peaceable farming implements for the
+destructive weapons of strife and bloodshed&mdash;now ventured to return to
+their desolate firesides, and renew their honest occupations of tilling
+the soil. Some, however, more predisposed to financiering than their
+neighbors, sought only speculation; in consequence whereof the Land
+Offices of the Virginia Commissioners&mdash;which opened in November, after
+the return of the troops under Clark&mdash;were daily thronged with
+applicants for the best locations; whereby was laid the first grand
+corner-stone of subsequent litigation, disaffection, and civil discord
+among the pioneers. But with these, further than to mention the facts as
+connected with the history of the time, we have nothing to do; and shall
+now forthwith pass on to the finale of our story.</p>
+
+<p>Month upon month, as we said before, had rolled away, spring had come,
+and with it had departed many of those who had occupied Bryan's Station
+during the siege of August; but still, besides the regular garrison and
+their families, a few of the individuals who had sought refuge therein,
+yet remained; among whom we may mention Mrs. Younker, Ella, Isaac and
+his wife, and so forth. Algernon, too&mdash;by the entreaty of his friends,
+and contrary to his previous calculations, and what he considered his
+duty&mdash;had been induced to defer his departure until the opening of
+spring. Possibly there might have been a secret power, stronger than the
+mere entreaties of others, which had prevailed over his resolution to
+depart; but further the records say not. Be that as it may, the extreme
+limit of time which he had set for remaining, was now nearly expired;
+and he was, at the moment when we again present him to the reader,
+engaged in conversation with Ella on the painful subject. Suddenly he
+was startled by the information that a stranger in the court desired to
+speak with him.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;A stranger!&quot; exclaimed Algernon, in surprise; and as he spoke, his face
+became very pale, his lips quivered, and his hands trembled. Turning
+upon Ella a look of agony, which seemed to say, &quot;I am an arrested
+felon,&quot; he wheeled upon his heel, and followed the messenger in silence;
+while she, knowing the cause of his agitation, and fearful of the worst,
+sunk almost lifeless upon a seat.</p>
+
+<p>As Algernon passed out of the cottage, he beheld, in the center of the
+common, a well dressed, good-looking individual, who was standing on the
+ground and holding by the bridle a horse, which, as well as the rider
+himself, appeared both travel-stained and weary. Approaching the
+stranger with a firm step, but with a pale countenance and throbbing
+heart, he said:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand, sir, you have business with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Your name, then,&quot; returned the other, quietly, &quot;I presume to be
+Algernon Reynolds?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The same.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;You are, too, I infer, a native of &mdash;&mdash;, Connecticut, and son of Albert
+Reynolds of that place?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Again right,&quot; answered Algernon, in a voice which, in spite of himself,
+was a little tremulous.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Then, sir,&quot; rejoined the stranger, with a satisfied air, &quot;I may say
+that I have business with you, and of vast importance. A long chase you
+have led me, i' faith; and weeks of travel have you cost me; so you may
+rest assured that I am happy in finding you at last.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Proceed!&quot; said Algernon, compressing his lips, as one whose mind is
+made up for the worst. &quot;Proceed, sir. I know your mission.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;The deuce you do!&quot; replied the other, in astonishment; &quot;then you must
+have a very remarkable faculty for divining secrets. I rather guess you
+are mistaken though,&quot; he added, as he drew forth a couple of letters
+from a side pocket; &quot;but these will inform you whether you are or not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Seizing the proffered letters with trembling eagerness, Algernon hastily
+glanced at their superscription; then, breaking the seals, he devoured
+their contents with the utmost avidity; while the stranger stood noting
+the varying expressions of his handsome countenance, with a quiet smile.
+At first his pale features seemed flushed with surprise&mdash;then became
+radiant with joy&mdash;and then gradually saddened with sorrow; yet a certain
+cheerfulness prevailed over all&mdash;such as he had not exhibited for many a
+long month. As he finished a hasty perusal of the epistles, he turned to
+the stranger, grasped his hand, and, shaking it heartily, while tears of
+joy filled his eyes, exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I <i>was</i> mistaken, sir&mdash;God be thanked! God bless you too, sir! for
+being the messenger of peace between myself and conscience. Excuse me.
+Tarry a moment, sir, and I will send some one to take charge of your
+weary beast, and show yourself a place of rest and refreshment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he spoke, Algernon darted away toward the cottage. Observing Isaac,
+he ran to and caught him by the hand:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Isaac,&quot; he said, in a gay tone, while his eyes sparkled with delight,
+&quot;wish me joy! I have good news. I&mdash;but stay; I forgot; you know nothing
+of the matter. Oblige me, though, by showing yonder gentleman and his
+beast due hospitality;&quot; and wringing his hand, he sprung into the
+apartment where Ella was sitting alone, leaving Isaac staring after him
+with open mouth, and wondering whether he were in his right senses or
+not.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Ella!&quot; he exclaimed, wildly, as he suddenly appeared before her with a
+flushed countenance: &quot;Ella, God bless you! Listen. I&mdash;I am free! I am no
+longer a criminal, thank God! These, Ella&mdash;these!&quot; and he held aloft the
+letters with one hand, and tapped them nervously with the other.</p>
+
+<p>The next moment his features grew pale, his whole frame quivered, and he
+sunk upon a seat, completely overcome by the nervous excitement produced
+by the sudden transition from despair to hope and freedom.</p>
+
+<p>Ella was alarmed; and springing to him, she exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;For Heaven's sake! Algernon, what is the matter?&mdash;what has
+happened?&mdash;are you in your senses? Speak!&mdash;speak!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Read!&quot; answered he, faintly, placing the letters in her hand: &quot;Read,
+Ella&mdash;read!&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ella hesitated a moment on the propriety of complying with his request,
+but a moment only; and the next she turned to one of the epistles. It
+was from the father of Algernon, and ran as follows:</p><br/>
+
+<p style="margin: 1em;">&quot;DEAR SON:&mdash;If in the land of the living, return as
+speedily as possible to your afflicted and anxious parents, who are even
+now mourning you as dead. You can return in safety; for your cousin,
+whom you supposed you had fatally wounded, recovered therefrom, and
+publicly exonerated you from all blame in the matter. He is now,
+however, no more&mdash;having died of late. Elvira, his wife, is also
+dead. She died insane. As a partial restitution for the injury done you,
+your cousin has made you heir, by will, to all his property, real estate
+and personal, amounting, it is said, to over twenty thousand dollars.
+Your mother is in feeble health, caused by anxiety on your account. For
+further information, inquire of the messenger who will bear you this.</p>
+
+<p style="text-align: right;">
+Your affectionate father,<br />
+ALBERT REYNOLDS.&quot;</p>
+<p>Nov. 12th, 1782.</p><br/>
+
+
+<p>The other epistle was from a lawyer, informing Reynolds of his
+acquisition to a large amount of property, by a will of his late cousin;
+and that he, the said lawyer, being executor thereof, required the
+presence of him, the said Reynolds, or his proxy forthwith.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I knew it: I felt that all would yet be well: I told you to hope for
+the best!&quot; cried Ella, as she concluded the letter, her eyes moist with
+tears, and her face beaming like the sun through a summer shower.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;God bless you, dearest Ella&mdash;you did indeed!&quot; exclaimed Reynolds,
+suddenly, bounding from his seat and clasping her in his arms. &quot;You did
+indeed tell me to hope&mdash;and you told me truly;&quot; and he pressed kiss
+after kiss, again and again, upon her sweet lips, with all the wild,
+trembling, rapturous feelings of a lover in his first ecstasy of bliss,
+when he has surmounted all obstacles, and gained the heart of the being
+he loves.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Now, dearest Ella,&quot; continued Algernon, when the excitement of the
+moment had been succeeded by a calmer, though not less blissful mood:
+&quot;Now, dearest Ella, I am free&mdash;my sacred oath binds me no longer&mdash;and
+now can I say, with propriety, that I deeply, solemnly, and devotedly
+love you, and you alone. I am not rich; but I have enough of this
+world's goods to live in ease, if not in splendor. Will you share with
+me, and be partner of my lot, be it for good or ill, through life? My
+heart you have had long&mdash;my hand I now offer you. Say, dearest, will you
+be mine?&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Ella did not speak&mdash;she could not; but she looked up into his face, with
+a sweet, modest, affectionate smile; and her dark, soft, beautiful eyes,
+suffused with tears, wherein a soul of love lay mirrored, gave answer,
+with a heart-felt eloquence surpassing words.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I understand you, Ella,&quot; said Algernon, with emotion. &quot;You are
+mine&mdash;mine forever!&quot; and he strained her trembling form to his heart in
+silence&mdash;a deep, joyful and holy silence&mdash;that had in it more of Heaven
+than earth.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 45%;' />
+
+<p>It was a mild, lovely day in the spring of 1783. Earth had donned her
+green mantle, and decorated it with flowers of every hue and variety.
+The trees were in leaf and in bloom; among whose soft, waving branches,
+gay birds from the sunny south sung most sweetly; and nature seemed
+every where to rejoice. In the court of Bryan's Station was a large
+concourse of people&mdash;many of whom were from a distance&mdash;and all
+assembled there to witness the solemn ceremony which was to unite
+Algernon Reynolds and Ella Barnwell forever; for who shall say the holy
+marriage rite is not eternally binding in the great Hereafter. There
+were congregated both sexes and all ages, from the infant to the hoary
+headed veteran of eighty winters. There were assembled youth and
+manhood, whose names have since graced the historic page, and whose
+deeds have stamped them benefactors of their race and nation. All were
+in order, and silent, and the scene was most solemnly impressive. On the
+right and left of the bride and groom and their attendants, stood,
+promiscuously, the general spectators of both sexes. In front was drawn
+up the garrison, in three platoons, under arms, in compliment to the
+noble bravery of our hero at the battle of Blue Licks.</p>
+
+<p>Never did Algernon appear more noble than now&mdash;never did Ella look more
+beautiful; as, pale and trembling, she seemed to cling to his arm for
+support. The ceremony was at length begun and ended, amid a deep and
+breathless silence. As the last words, &quot;<i>I pronounce you man and wife</i>,&quot;
+died away upon the air, the first platoon advanced a pace and fired a
+volley&mdash;the second and third followed&mdash;and then arose a soft bewitching
+strain of music; during which the friends of the newly married pair came
+forward to offer their congratulations, and wishes for their long life
+and happiness.</p>
+
+<p>Among the party present was Colonel Boone; and approaching Algernon and
+Ella&mdash;who were now seated where the solemn rite had taken place&mdash;he took
+the hand of each, and said, in a voice of some emotion:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;My children&mdash;for ye seem to me as such&mdash;may you both live long and be
+happy. You've both o' ye had a deal o' trouble since I first saw ye&mdash;and
+that's but a little while ago&mdash;but I hope its now over. Don't think I
+want to flatter, sir, when I say I think you're a brave and honorable
+young man, and that you've got a wife every way worthy of ye&mdash;and she a
+husband worthy o' her&mdash;and that's saying much. God bless ye both! and ef
+you ever need a friend, call on Daniel Boone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>With this he shook their hands heartily, and strode away.</p>
+
+<p>The next who advanced to them was Captain Patterson&mdash;the officer, it
+will be remembered, whose life Algernon so generously saved at the risk
+of his own. After the usual congratulations, he took our hero by the
+hand, and said, with deep feeling:</p>
+
+<p>&quot;Sir! I feel that to you, for risking your own life to save mine, I owe
+a debt I can never cancel; and an attempt to express to you in words my
+sense of obligation for the noble act, would be worse than vain:
+therefore accept this, as a slight testimonial of the gratitude of one
+who will ever remember you in his prayers, and wear your image in his
+heart.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>As he concluded, Captain Patterson placed in the hands of Algernon a
+sealed packet, and moved away.<a name="FNanchor_25" id="FNanchor_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p>
+
+<p>&quot;Well, its all over,&quot; said Mrs. Younker, coming up in turn to wish the
+young couple joy. &quot;I al'ays 'spected as how it 'ud come to this here.
+Goodness, gracious, marsy on me alive! what a flustration they has made
+about ye, sure enough, for sartin&mdash;han't they? I never seed the like
+on't afore in all my born days. Why, it's like you war governor's folks,
+sure enough. And my own Ella, too; and the stranger as com'd to my house
+all bleeding to death like! My! my!&mdash;what strange doings Providence
+does! Well, its to be hoped you'll al'ays git bread enough to keep from
+starving, and that you won't fight nor quarrel more nor is
+necessitous&mdash;as the Reverend Preacher Allprayer said, when he married
+me and Ben together. Ah!&mdash;poor Ben!&mdash;poor Ben!&mdash;I'm a lone widder now.
+Well, the Lord's will be done!&quot; And the good dame moved sadly away, to
+make room for others, and console herself by recounting her afflictions
+to some patient listener, together with the virtues of her deceased and
+living friends.</p>
+
+<p>&quot;I don't 'spect it's o' much account my telling you I wish ye joy,&quot; said
+Isaac, &quot;when every body's doing the same thing; but it comes from the
+heart, and I can't help it. Well, you'll be happy, I know; for thar's
+nothing like married life; and I speak from experience. I'm sorry you've
+got to leave us so soon; but you won't git far from me; for I've got you
+both here;&quot; and placing his hand upon his heart, he bowed, smiled, and
+passed on.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the congratulations were over, Algernon and Ella were
+escorted into the cottage occupied by Mrs. Younker; where a sumptuous
+dinner was already prepared for them, their relatives, and a few select
+friends, among whom was Colonel Boone and Captain Patterson. For the
+remainder, long tables were ranged around the common, where the greatest
+conviviality prevailed; and toasts were drank, and songs were sung, and
+all were merry. After dinner there were music and dancing on the common
+and in the cabins: and the coming night shut in a scene of festivity,
+such as was but seldom witnessed even in those early times; and which
+was remembered and spoken of long, long years after, when many of those
+who were then actors in the scene had sunk beneath the clods of the
+valley.</p>
+
+<p>Years have rolled away to the dark and unapproachable past since the
+transpiring of the events which we have chronicled, and vast mutations
+have marked the steps of all conquering time. Our beloved country, which
+then weak and oppressed was struggling for her independence against the
+most powerful nation on the globe, has since nobly won a name and place
+among the mighty ones of earth, and planted her stars and stripes from
+the Atlantic to the Pacific, and built cities and towns amid dark and
+mighty forests, where then roved in freedom the wild, untutored
+aborigines of America.</p>
+
+<p>Kentucky, too, has since become a rich, populous, and powerful state;
+and her noble sons, by their courage and generosity, have well
+maintained that name and fame which was won for them by their fathers,
+and which shall go down to future ages all green and unfading. Bryan's
+Station&mdash;the theatre of many a scene of gay frolic and sanguinary
+strife&mdash;of festivity and mourning&mdash;has long since sunk to ruin and dust;
+and on its site now stands the private dwelling of a gentleman of
+fortune. But where are they who once inhabited it? Those hoary headed
+veterans&mdash;those middle aged men&mdash;or those fiery and impetuous youths
+ever ready for either love or war? Where are they now? Gone! Passed away
+like moving shadows that leave no trace behind. Gone out, one by one, as
+lights in the late deserted hall of revelry, or stars at the dawn of
+day. But very few&mdash;and these mere striplings then&mdash;now remain to tell
+the tale; of whom it may with truth be said, &quot;The places which know them
+now shall soon know them no more forever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p>Reader, a word or two more and we have done; and in your hands we leave
+the decision, as to whether our task has been faithfully fulfilled or
+not.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after their marriage, Algernon and Ella bade farewell to their
+friends in the west, and returned to the east, where a long and happy
+career awaited them; and where they lived to recount to their children
+and grand-children, the thrilling narratives of their captivity, and
+their wild and romantic adventures while pioneers on the borders of
+Kentucky.</p>
+
+<p>Isaac returned to the farm of his father&mdash;rebuilt the cottage destroyed
+by the Indians&mdash;and there, with his dear Peggy, lived happily to a green
+old age, beloved and respected by all who knew him; and there his
+posterity still continue to multiply the name of Younker. With him the
+good dame, his mother, sojourned for several years, as industrious and
+talkative as ever; and at last passed quietly from among the living,
+even while in the act of making a sublime quotation on the subject of
+dying from her favorite, the immortal Preacher Allprayer.</p>
+
+<p>Boone continued a resident of Kentucky, until he fancied it too populous
+for his comfort; when he removed with his family to Missouri; where he
+spent much of his time in fishing and hunting, and where he finally died
+at an advanced age. From thence his remains were conveyed to Frankfort,
+the capital of Kentucky, where they now repose; and where a rough slab,
+with a few half intelligible characters thereon, points out to the
+curious stranger the last earthly resting place of the noblest, the most
+daring, and famous hunter and pioneer the world has ever produced.</p>
+
+<p>The fate of little Rosetta Millbanks, the captive, is unknown.</p>
+
+<p>Girty, notwithstanding his outrageous crimes against humanity, continued
+to live among the Indians for a great number of years, the inveterate
+and barbarous foe of his race. In the celebrated battle of the Thames, a
+desperate white man led on a band of savages, who fought with great
+fury, but were at length overpowered and their leader cut to pieces by
+Colonel Johnson's mounted men. The mangled corse of this leader was
+afterwards recognized as the notorious and once dreaded Simon Girty.</p>
+
+
+<a name="Footnote_25" id="Footnote_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a><div class="footnote"><p> This was found to contain a deed of two hundred acres of
+the best land in Kentucky. A historical fact.</p></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>THE END</h2>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ella Barnwell, by Emerson Bennett
+
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+</body>
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diff --git a/15424.txt b/15424.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1355d04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/15424.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8857 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ella Barnwell, by Emerson Bennett
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Ella Barnwell
+       A Historical Romance of Border Life
+
+Author: Emerson Bennett
+
+Release Date: March 21, 2005 [EBook #15424]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ELLA BARNWELL ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Kentuckiana Digital Library, David Garcia,
+Pilar Somoza and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading
+Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ELLA BARNWELL:
+
+A Historical Romance of Border Life
+
+
+BY EMERSON BENNETT,
+
+AUTHOR OF
+"PRAIRIE FLOWER," "LENI LEOTI," "FOREST ROSE," "MIKE FINK," "VIOLA,"
+"CLARA MORELAND," "FORGED WILL," "TRAITOR," "FEMALE SPY," "ROSALIE DU
+PONT," "FAIR REBEL," ETC., ETC.
+
+
+CINCINNATI:
+PUBLISHED BY U.P. JAMES,
+No. 177 RACE STREET.
+
+
+Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1853, BY J.A. &
+U.P. JAMES, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United
+States, for the District of Ohio.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+In putting to press a new and revised edition of the following story,
+the author would state, that his original design was to combine fact and
+fiction, in such a way, as, while making his story move forward to a
+proper _denouement_, to give the reader a correct picture of the dress,
+customs, and social and war-like habits of the early pioneers of the
+west; and also embody a series of historical events which took place on
+the frontiers during that revolutionary struggle by which we gained our
+glorious independence. For this purpose, Kentucky, in her infancy, was
+selected as the scene of action; and most of the existing records of her
+early settlements were read with care, each compared with the others,
+and only the best authenticated accounts presented to the reader. So
+much in fact did the author labor to make the present story historical,
+that there is scarcely a scene or character in its pages that had not
+its counterpart in reality.
+
+He would only add, that, for important reasons, the original title has
+been changed to that which now heads its title-page. "What's in a name?"
+queried the great bard. Had he lived in our day, and been a novelist
+instead of a poet, he would either not have asked the question, or
+answered it very differently than he did.
+
+
+
+
+ELLA BARNWELL.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+THE STRANGER.
+
+
+That portion of territory known throughout Christendom as Kentucky, was,
+at an early period, the theatre of some of the wildest, most hardily
+contested, and bloody scenes ever placed on record. In fact its very
+name, derived from the Indian word Kan-tuck-kee, which was applied to it
+long before its discovery by the whites, is peculiarly significant in
+meaning--being no less than "the dark and bloody ground." History makes
+no mention of its being inhabited prior to its settlement by the present
+race; but rather serves to aid us to the inference, that from time
+immemorial it was used as a "neutral ground," whereon the different
+savage tribes were wont to meet in deadly strife; and hence the
+portentious name by which it was known among them. But notwithstanding
+its ominous title, Kentucky, when first beheld by the white hunter,
+presented all the attractions he would have envied in Paradise itself.
+The climate was congenial to his feelings--the country was devoid of
+savages--while its thick tangles of green cane--abounding with deer,
+elk, bears, buffaloes, panthers, wolves and wild cats, and its more open
+woods with pheasant, turkey and partridge--made it the full realization
+of his hopes--his longings. What more could he ask? And when he again
+stood among his friends, beyond the Alleghanies, is it to be wondered at
+that his excited feelings, aided by distance, should lead him to
+describe it as the El Dorado of the world? Such indeed he did describe
+it; and to such glowing descriptions, Kentucky was doubtless partially
+indebted for her settlement so much in advance of the surrounding
+territory.
+
+As it is not our purpose, in the present instance, to enter into a
+history of the country, further than is necessary to the development of
+our story, the reader will pardon us for omitting that account of its
+early settlement which can readily be gleaned from numerous works
+already familiar to the reading public. It may not be amiss, however, to
+remark here, what almost every reader knows, that first and foremost in
+the dangerous struggles of pioneer life, was the celebrated Daniel
+Boone; whose name, in the west, and particularly in Kentucky, is a
+household word; and whose fame, as a fearless hunter, has extended not
+only throughout this continent, but over Europe. The birth place of this
+renowned individual has been accredited to several states, by as many
+writers; but one, more than the rest, is positive in asserting it to
+have been Bucks county, Pennsylvania; and the year of his birth 1732;
+which is sufficient for our purpose, whether strictly correct or not. At
+an early period of his life, all agree that he removed with his father
+to a very thinly settled section of North Carolina, where he spent his
+time in hunting--thereby supplying the family with meat and destroying
+the wild beasts, while his brothers assisted the father in tilling the
+farm--and where he afterwards, in a romantic manner, became acquainted
+with a settler's daughter, whom he married; and whence, in the spring
+of 1769, in company with five others, he set out on an expedition of
+danger across the mountains, to explore the western wilds; and after
+undergoing hardships innumerable, and losing all his companions in
+various ways, he at last succeeded in erecting the first log cabin, and
+being the first white settler within the borders of Kentucky. To follow
+up, even from this time, a detail of his trials, adventures, captures by
+the Indians, and hair-breadth escapes, to the close of his eventful
+career, would be sufficient to fill a volume; therefore we shall drop
+him for the time--merely remarking, by the way, that he will be found to
+figure occasionally in the following pages.
+
+From the first appearance of Boone in the wilds of Kentucky, we shall
+pass over a space of some ten or twelve years, and open our story in the
+fall of 1781. During this period, the aspect of the country for a
+considerable distance around the present site of Lexington, had become
+materially changed; and the smoke from the cabin of the white settler
+arose in an hundred places, where, a dozen years before, prowled the
+wolf, the bear, and the panther, in perfect security. In sooth, the year
+in question had been very propitious to the immigrants; who, flocking in
+from eastern settlements in goodly numbers, were allowed to domiciliate
+themselves in their new homes, with but few exceptions, entirely
+unmolested by the savage foe. So much in fact was this the case, that
+instead of taking up their residence in a fort--or station, as they were
+more generally called--the new comers erected cabins for themselves, at
+such points as they considered most agreeable; gradually venturing
+further and further from the strongholds, until some of them became too
+distant to look hopefully for succor in cases of extreme necessity.
+
+Among the stations most prominent at this period, as being most secure,
+and against which the attacks of the Indians were most frequent and
+unsuccessful, may be mentioned Harrod's, Boone's, Logan's, and Bryan's,
+so called in honor of their founders. The first two named, probably from
+being the two earliest founded, were particularly unfortunate in drawing
+down upon themselves the concentrated fury of the savages, who at
+various times surrounded them in great numbers and attempted to take
+them by storm. These attacks not unfrequently lasted several days, in
+which a brisk fire was maintained on both sides, whenever a foe could be
+seen; until wearied out with fruitless endeavors, or surprised by a
+reinforcement of the whites, the Indians would raise the siege, with a
+howl of rage, and depart. One of the longest and most remarkable of
+these on record, we believe, was that of Boonesborough, which was
+attacked in June, 1778, by five hundred Indians, led on by Duquesne, a
+Frenchman, and which, with only a small garrison, commanded by Boone
+himself, nobly held out for eight days, when the enemy withdrew in
+despair. But, as we before remarked, it not being our purpose to enter
+into a general history of the time, we will now proceed with our story.
+
+It was near the close of a mild, beautiful day, in the autumn of 1781,
+that a young man, some twenty-two years of age, emerged from a wood into
+an open space or clearing, at a distance of perhaps fifteen miles
+eastward from Lexington. The general appearance of this individual
+betokened the hunter, but at the same time one who followed it for
+pleasure, rather than as a means of support. This was evident from his
+dress, which although somewhat characteristic of the time, was much
+superior to that generally worn by the woodsman. He had on a woolen
+hunting frock, of fine texture, of a dark green color, that came a few
+inches below the hips. Beneath this, and fitting closely around his
+shoulders, neck and breast, was a scarlet jacket, ornamented with two
+rows of round, white metal buttons. A large cape, with a deep red
+fringe, of about inch in width, was attached to the frock, and extended
+from the shoulders nearly to the elbow. Around the waist, outside the
+frock, passed a dark leather belt, in which were confined a brace of
+handsome pistols, and a long silver-hilted hunting knife. Breeches of
+cloth, like the frock, were connected with leggins of tanned deer skin,
+which in turn extended over, and partly concealed, heavy cow-hide boots.
+A neatly made cap of deer skin, with the hair outside, surmounted a
+finely shaped head. His features, though somewhat pale and haggard, as
+if from recent grief or trouble, were mostly of the Grecian cast. He had
+a high, noble forehead; a large, clear, fascinating gray eye; a well
+formed mouth, and a prominent chin. In height he was about five feet and
+ten inches, broad shouldered, straight, heavy set, with handsome
+proportions.
+
+Upon the shoulder of the young man, as he emerged from the wood, rested
+an elegant rifle; which, after advancing a short distance, he brought
+into a trailing position; and then pausing, he dropped the breech upon
+the ground, placed his hands over the muzzle, and, carelessly leaning
+his chin upon them, swept with his eye the surrounding country, to which
+he was evidently a stranger.
+
+The day had been one of those mild and smoky ones, peculiar to the
+climate and season; and the sun, large and red, was near to sinking
+behind the far western ridge, giving a beautiful crimson, mellow tinge
+to each object which came beneath his rays. The landscape, over which
+the stranger gazed, was by no means unpleasing. His position was on an
+eminence, overlooking a fertile valley, partly cleared, and partly
+shaded by woods, through which wound a crystal stream, whose gentle
+murmurs could be heard even where he stood. Beyond this stream, the
+ground, in pleasing undulations, took a gentle rise, to a goodly height,
+and was covered by what is termed an open wood--a wood peculiar to
+Kentucky at this period--consisting of trees in the regularity of an
+orchard, at some distance apart, devoid of underbrush, beneath which the
+earth was beautifully carpeted with a rank growth of clover, high grass,
+and wild flowers innumerable. In the rear of the young hunter, as if to
+form a background to the picture, was the wood he had just quitted,
+which, continuing the elevation spoken of, but more abruptly, rose high
+above him, and was crowned by a ledge of rocks. Far in the distance, to
+his right, could be seen another high ridge; while to the left,
+spreading far away from the mouth of the valley, if we may so term it,
+like the prairies of Missouri, was a beautiful tangle, or cane-brake,
+containing its thousands of wild animals. The open space wherein the
+hunter stood was not large, covering an area of not more than half a
+dozen acres. It was of an oblong form, and sloped off from his position
+to the right, left, and front, and reached from the wood down to the
+stream in the valley, where stood a rather neat log cabin, from which a
+light blue smoke ascended in graceful wreaths. The eye of the stranger,
+glancing over the scene, fell upon this latter with that gleam of
+satisfaction which is felt by a person after performing a long fatiguing
+journey, when he sees before him a comfortable inn, where he is to
+repose for the night; and pausing for a couple of minutes, he replaced
+his rifle upon his shoulder, and started forward down the hill, at a
+leisure pace.
+
+Scarcely had the stranger advanced twenty paces, when he was startled by
+a fierce yell, accompanied by the report of a rifle, the ball of which
+whizzed past him, within an inch of his head. Ere he could recover from
+his surprise, a sharp pain in the side, followed by another report,
+caused him to reel like one intoxicated, and finally sink to the earth.
+As the young man fell, two Indians sprung from behind a cluster of
+bushes, which skirted the clearing some seventy-five yards to the right,
+and, with a whoop of triumph, tomahawk in hand, rushed toward him.
+Believing that his life now depended upon his own speedy exertions, the
+young hunter, by a great effort, succeeded in raising himself on his
+knees; and drawing up his rifle with a hasty aim, he fired; but with no
+other success than that of causing one of the savages to jerk his head
+suddenly aside without slackening his speed. There was still a chance
+left him; and setting his teeth hard, the wounded man drew his pistols
+from his belt, and awaited the approach of his enemies; who, when within
+thirty paces, discovering the weapons of death, suddenly came to a halt,
+and commenced loading their rifles with great rapidity.
+
+The young hunter now perceived, with painful regret, that only an
+interposition of Providence could save him, for his life was hanging on
+a thread that might snap at any moment. It was an awful moment of
+suspense, as there, on his knees, far, far away from the land of his
+birth, in a strange country, he, in the prime of life, without a friend
+near, wounded and weak, was waiting to die, like a wild beast, by the
+hands of savages, with his scalp to be borne hence as a trophy, his
+flesh to be devoured by wolves, and his bones left to bleach in the open
+air. It was an awful moment of suspense! and a thousand thoughts came
+rushing through his mind; and he felt he would have given worlds, were
+they his, for the existence of even half an hour, with a friend by, to
+receive his dying requests. To add to his despair, he felt himself fast
+growing weaker and weaker; and with an unsteady vision, as his last
+hope, he turned his eye in the direction of the cottage, to note if any
+assistance were at hand; but he saw none; and nature failing to support
+him longer in his position, he sunk back upon the ground, believing the
+last sands of his existence were run.
+
+Meantime, the Indians had loaded their rifles; and one of them, stepping
+a pace in front of his companion, was already in the act of aiming,
+when, perceiving the young man falter and sink back, he lowered the
+muzzle of his gun, and, grasping his tomahawk, darted forward to
+despatch him without further loss of ammunition. Already had he reached
+within five or six paces of his victim, who, now unable to exert himself
+in his own defence, could only look upon his savage enemy and the weapon
+uplifted for his destruction, when, crack went another rifle, in an
+opposite direction whence the Indians approached, and, bounding into the
+air, with a terrific yell, the foremost fell dead by the young man's
+side. On seeing his companion fall, the other Indian, who was only a few
+paces behind, stopped suddenly, and, with a yell of fear and
+disappointment, turned and fled.
+
+Those only who have been placed in peril sufficient to extinguish the
+last gleam of hope, and have suddenly been relieved by a mysterious
+interposition of Providence, can fully realize the feelings with which
+the wounded hunter saw himself rescued from an ignominious death. True,
+he was weak and faint from a wound which was, perhaps, mortal; still it
+was a great consolation to feel that he should die among those who would
+bury him, and perhaps bear a message to friends in a far-off land. With
+such thoughts uppermost in his mind, the young man, by great exertion,
+raised himself upon his elbow, and turned his head in the direction
+whence his deliverer might be expected; but, to his surprise and
+disappointment, no one appeared; and after vainly attempting to regain
+his feet, he sunk back, completely exhausted. The wound in his side had
+now grown very painful, and was bleeding freely; while he became
+conscious, that unless the hemorrhage could be stanched immediately, the
+only good service a friend could render him, would be to inter his
+remains. In this helpless state, something like a minute elapsed, when
+he felt a strange sensation about his heart--his head grew dizzy--his
+thoughts seemed confused--the sky appeared suddenly to grow dark, and he
+believed the icy grasp of death was already settling upon him. At this
+moment a form--but whether of friend or foe he could not tell--flitted
+before his uncertain vision; and then all became darkness and nonentity.
+He had swooned.
+
+When the young stranger recovered his senses, after a lapse of some ten
+minutes, his glance rested on the form of a white hunter, of noble
+aspect, who was bending over him with a compassionate look; and who,
+meantime, had opened his dress to the wound and stanched the blood, by
+covering it with a few pieces of coarse linen, which he had torn into
+shreds for the purpose, and secured there by means of his belt.
+
+As this latter personage is destined to figure somewhat in the following
+pages, we shall take this opportunity of describing him as he appeared
+to our wounded friend.
+
+In height and proportion--but not in age--these two individuals were
+somewhat alike--the new comer being full five feet, ten inches, with a
+robust, athletic frame, and all the concomitants of a powerful man. At
+the moment when first beheld by the young man, after regaining his
+senses, he was kneeling by his side, his cap of the wild-cat skin was
+lying on the ground, and the last mellow rays of the setting sun were
+streaming upon an intelligent and manly countenance, which, now rendered
+more deeply interesting by the earnest, compassionate look wherewith he
+regarded the other, made him appear to that other, in his peculiar
+situation, this most noble being he had ever seen. Of years he had seen
+some fifty; though there was a freshness about his face, owing probably
+to his hardy, healthy mode of life, which made him appear much younger.
+His countenance was open and pleasing, with good, regular, though not,
+strictly speaking, handsome features. His forehead was high and full,
+beneath which beamed a mild, clear blue eye. His nose was rather long
+and angular; his cheekbones high and bold; his lips thin and compressed,
+covering a goodly set of teeth; his chin round and prominent; the whole
+together conveying an expression of energy, decision, hardy recklessness
+and manly courage. His dress was fashioned much like the other's,
+already described, but of coarser materials--the frock being of
+linsey-woolsey; the breeches and leggings of deerskin; and the
+moccasins, in place of boots of the same material. Around his waist
+passed a belt; wherein, instead of pistols, were confined a tomahawk and
+scalping knife--two weapons which were considered as indispensable to
+the regular white hunter of that day as to the Indian warrior himself.
+
+So soon as the elder of the two became aware of consciousness on the
+part of the younger, a friendly smile succeeded to the look of anxiety
+with which he had been regarding him; and in the frank, cordial,
+familiar tone of that period, when every man's cabin was the traveler's
+home, and every strange guest was treated with the hospitality of an old
+acquaintance, he said:
+
+"Well, stranger, I'm right glad to welcome you back to life agin; for I
+war beginning to fear your account with earthly matters had closed. By
+the Power that made me! but you've had a narrow escape on't; and ef
+Betsy (putting his hand on his rifle, which was lying by his side,)
+hadn't spoke out as she did, that thar red skin varmint (pointing to the
+dead Indian) would have been skulking now like a thief through yonder
+woods, with your crown piece hanging to his girdle."
+
+"A thousand thanks," returned the wounded man, pressing the hand of the
+other as much as his strength would permit, and accompanying it with a
+look of gratitude more eloquent than words: "A thousand thanks, sir, for
+your timely shot, and subsequent kindness and interest in behalf of one
+you know not, but who will ever remember you with gratitude."
+
+"See here, stranger, I reckon you've not been long in these parts?"
+
+"But a few days, sir."
+
+"And you've come from a good ways east o' the Alleghanies?"
+
+"I have."
+
+"I knew it. I'd have bet Betsey agin a bushel of corn, and that's large
+odds you know, that such war the fact, from the particular trouble
+you've taken to thank me for doing the duty of a man. Let me assure you,
+stranger, that you're in a country now whar equality exists; and whar
+one man's just as good as another, provided he is no coward, and behaves
+himself as he should do; and whether stranger or not, is equally
+entitled to the assistance of his fellows; perticularly when about being
+treed by such a sneaking varmint as that lying yonder. Besides, I don't
+want any body to thank me for shooting Indians; for I always do it,
+whensomever I get a chance, as Betsey would tell you, ef she could speak
+English; for somehow thar's no perticular agreement atween us, unless
+it's for each to make the most he can off the other; and so far I reckon
+thar's a ballance in my favor, though the wretches are ever trying
+desperate hard to get even. But come, stranger, it won't do for you to
+be lying thar with that hole in your side; and so just have patience a
+minute, till I've secured the top-knot of this beauty here, and then
+I'll assist you down to yonder cabin, whar I doubt not you'll be well
+cared for."
+
+As he spoke, the old woodsman rose to his feet, drew his knife, and
+turning to the dead Indian, to the surprise of the other, who was but
+little familiar with Kentucky customs of that day, deliberately took off
+the scalp, which he attached to his belt;[1] and then spurning the body
+with his foot, he muttered: "Go, worthless dog! and fill the belly of
+some wolf! and may your cowardly companion be soon keeping you company."
+Then, as he turned to the other, and noticed his look of surprise, he
+added: "Well, stranger, I reckon this business looks a little odd to
+you, coming from away beyond the mountains as you do."
+
+"Why, if truth must be told, I confess it does," answered the other.
+
+"Don't doubt it, stranger; but you'll do it yourself afore you've
+wintered here two seasons."
+
+"I must beg leave to differ with you on that point."
+
+"Well, well, we'll not quarrel about it--it arn't worth while; but ef
+you stay here two year, without scalping a red-skin and perhaps skinning
+one, I'll agree to pay you for your time in bar-skins at your own
+valuation."
+
+"I am much obliged to you for the offer," answered the young man--a
+faint smile lighting his pale features; "but I think it hardly probable
+I shall remain in the country that length of time."
+
+"Not unless you have good care, I reckon," returned the other; "for that
+thar wound o' yourn arn't none o' the slightest; though I don't want you
+to be skeered, for I've seen many a worse one cured. But come, I'll
+assist you down to yon cabin, and then I must be off--for I've got a
+good distance to travel afore daylight to-morrow;" and bending down as
+he spoke, the veteran hunter placed his arms under the arms of the
+wounded man, and gently raised him upon his feet.
+
+Although extremely weak from loss of blood, the latter, by this means of
+support, was enabled to walk, at a slow pace; and the two descended the
+hill--the elder, the while, talking much, and endeavoring by his
+discourse to amuse and cheer up his companion.
+
+"Why," he continued, "you think your case a hard one, no doubt,
+stranger; but it's nothing compared to what some of us old settlers have
+seen and been through with, without even winking, as one may say. Within
+the last few year, I've seen a brother and a son shot by the infernal
+red-skins--have lost I don't know how many companions in the same
+way--been shot at fifty times myself, and captured several; and yet you
+see here I am, hale and hearty, and just as eager, with Betsey's
+permission, to talk to the varmints now as I war ten year ago."
+
+"But do you not weary of this fatiguing and dangerous mode of life?"
+inquired the other.
+
+"Weary, stranger? Lord bless ye! you're but a young hunter to ax such a
+question as that. Weary, friend? Why I war born to it--nursed to it--had
+a rifle for a plaything; and the first thing I can remember
+particularly, war shooting a painter;[2] and it's become as nateral and
+necessary as breathing; and when I get so I can't follow the one, I want
+to quit the other. Weary on't, indeed! Why, thar's more real
+satisfaction in sarcumventing and scalping one o' there red heathen,
+than in all the amusement you could scare up in a thick-peopled,
+peaceable settlement in a life time."
+
+"By the way," said the other, "pray tell me how you chanced to be so
+opportune in saving my life?"
+
+"Why, you must know, I war just crossing through the wood back here
+about a mile, on my way home from the Licks, when I came across the
+trail of two Indians, whom I 'spected war arter no good; and as Betsey
+war itching for something to do, I kind o' kept on the same way, and
+happened round on the other side o' this ridge, just as the red varmints
+fired. I saw you fall, but could'nt see them, on account o' the hill;
+but as I knowed they'd be for showing themselves soon, I got Betsey into
+a comfortable position, and waited as patiently as I could, until the
+ugly face of that rascal yonder showed clar; when I told her to speak to
+him, which she did in rale backwood's dialect, and he died a answering
+her. I then hurried round on the skirt of the wood, loading Betsey as I
+went; but finding the other varmint had got off, I hastened to you and
+found you senseless: the rest you know."
+
+By this time the two had reached nearly to the foot of the hill, and
+within a hundred yards of the cabin. Here they were joined by a tall,
+lank, lantern-jawed, awkward young man, some twenty years of age, with
+small, dark eyes, a long, peaked nose, and flaxen hair that floated down
+over his ungainly shoulders, like weeping willows over a scrub oak, and
+who carried in his hand a rifle nearly as long and ugly as himself.
+
+"Why, colonel, how are ye? good even' to ye, stranger," was his
+salutation, as he came up. "I war down by the tangle yonder, when I
+heerd some firing, and some yelling, and I legged it home, ahead o' the
+old man, just to keep the women folks in sperets, in case they war
+attacked, and get a pop or so at an Injen myself; but thank the Lord,
+they warn't thar; and so I ventered on, with long Nance here, to see
+whar they mought be."
+
+"Well, Isaac," returned the one addressed as colonel, "I don't doubt
+your being a brave lad, and I've had some opportunity o' seeing you
+tried; but being is how thar's no Indians to shoot just now, I'll ax you
+to show your good qualities in another way. This young man's been badly
+wounded, and ef you'll give him a little extra care, you'll put me under
+obligations which I'll be happy to repay whensomever needed."
+
+"It don't need them thar inducements you've just mentioned, colonel, to
+rouse all my sympathies for a wounded stranger. Rely on't, he shan't
+suffer for want o' attention."
+
+"Rightly said, lad; rightly said; and so I leave him in your care.
+Tender my regards to your family, for I must be off, and can't stay to
+see them." Then turning to the wounded man, he grasped his hand and
+said: "Stranger, thar's something about you I like; I don't say it of
+every man I meet; and so you may put it down for a compliment or not,
+just as you please. Give me your name?"
+
+"Algernon Reynolds."
+
+"Algernon Reynolds, I hope we shall meet again, though in a different
+manner from our introduction; but whether or no, ef you ever need the
+assistance of either Betsey or myself, just make it known, and we'll do
+our best for you. Good bye, sir--good bye, Isaac!" and without waiting a
+reply, the speaker sprung suddenly behind a cluster of bushes near which
+the party stood, and the next moment was lost to view in the gathering
+darkness.
+
+"A great man, that thar, sir!--a powerful great man," observed Isaac,
+gazing with admiration after the retreating form of the hunter. "Always
+doing good deeds, and never looking for pay nor thanks; may God give him
+four-score and ten."
+
+"Amen to that!" returned Reynolds. "But pray tell me his name."
+
+"And you don't know him?"
+
+"I do not."
+
+"And you didn't inquire his name?"
+
+"I did not."
+
+"And ef you had, sir, ten to one but he'd a given you a fictitious one,
+to keep clar o' your surprise and extra thanks. Why that, sir, war the
+great white hunter, Colonel Daniel Boone."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Reynolds, in no feigned surprise--"the very man I
+have so longed to behold; for his fame has already extended far beyond
+the Alleghanies. But come, friend Isaac, my wound grows painful; my
+exertions thus far have weakened me exceedingly; and with your
+permission, I will proceed to the cottage. Ah! I feel myself growing
+faint--fainter--fa-i-n-t;" and he sunk senseless into the other's arms;
+who, raising him, apparently without an effort, bore him into the house.
+
+
+[Footnote 1: However barbarous such a proceeding may appear to thousands
+in the present day of civilization and refinement, we can assure them,
+on the authority of numerous historians of that period, that it was a
+general custom with the early settlers of the west, to take the scalp of
+an Indian slain by their hand, whenever opportunity presented.]
+
+[Footnote 2: Backwoods name for a panther.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+NEW CHARACTERS.
+
+
+When young Reynolds again regained his senses, it was some minutes
+before he could sufficiently recover from the confusion of ideas
+consequent upon his mishap, to follow up the train of events that had
+occurred to place him in his present situation. His first recollection
+was of the attack made upon him by the Indians; and it required
+considerable argument with himself, to prove conclusively, to his own
+mind, that he was not even now a captive to the savage foe. Gradually,
+one by one, each event recurred to his mind, until he had traced himself
+to the moment of his swooning in the arms of a tall, ungainly young man,
+called Isaac; but of what, had taken place since--where he now was--or
+what length of time had intervened--he had not the remotest idea. He was
+lying on his back, upon a rude, though by no means uncomfortable, bed;
+and, to the best of his judgment, within the four walls of some
+cabin--though to him but two of the walls were visible--owing to the
+quantity of skins of the buffalo, bear, and deer, which were suspended
+around the foot and front of his pallet. He was undressed; and, as he
+judged, upon applying his hand to the wounded part, had been treated
+with care; for it came in contact with a nicely arranged bandage of
+cloth, which was even now moist with some spirituous liquid. But what
+perplexed him most, was the peculiar light, with the aid of which,
+though dim, he could discern every object so distinctly. It could not
+proceed from a candle--it was too generally diffused; nor from the
+fire--it was too gray, and did not flicker; nor from the moon--it was
+not silvery enough: from what then did it proceed? It appeared the most
+like daylight; but this it could not be, he reasoned, from the fact that
+he was wounded just before night-fall--unless--and the idea seemed to
+startle him--unless he had lain in a senseless state for many hours, and
+it was indeed again morning. Determined, however, to satisfy himself on
+this point, he attempted to rise for the purpose; but found, to his no
+small surprise and regret, that he had not even strength sufficient to
+lift his body from the bed; and, therefore, that nothing was left him,
+but to surmise whatever he chose, until some one should appear to solve
+the riddle; which, he doubted not, would be ere long.
+
+While these reflections and surmises were rapidly passing through the
+mind of our hero--for such we must acknowledge him to be--he heard no
+sound indicating the immediate vicinity of any other human being; and
+turning his thoughts upon this latter, he was beginning to doubt
+whether, at the moment, he was not the only individual beneath the roof;
+when he heard a step, as of some one entering another apartment; and,
+directly following, a female voice addressed to some person within.
+
+"Have ye looked to the stranger agin, Ella, and moisted his bandage?"
+
+"I have, mother," was the answer, in a sweet and silvery voice, which
+caused our wounded hero to start with a thrill of pleasing astonishment.
+
+"And how appeared he, Ella?" continued the first speaker.
+
+"Why, I thought a little better," answered the same soft, musical voice;
+"he seemed asleep, and entirely tranquil."
+
+"God send it, gal, for he's had a tougher, sartin. Three days, now,
+nater's bin tugging away for him; and I'd hate to see him die now, arter
+all; and being the colonel's recommind, too; for Isaac says the colonel
+injuncted him strongly to take car o' him; and I'd do any thing to
+oblege sech a man as him. He didn't appear to have his senses, I
+reckon?"
+
+"I judged not," answered Ella; "though, from his tranquil sleep, I
+argued favorably of his case."
+
+"Well," rejoined the other, "it's my opine the crisis is at hand; and
+that he'll ayther come out o' this _lethargick_--as they calls it--a
+rational, or die straight off. 'Spose you look at him agin, Ella; or,
+stay, I'll look myself. Poor feller! how he did rave and run on 'bout
+his troubles at home, that's away off, until I all but cried, in
+reckoning how I'd feel ef it war Isaac as war going on so.".
+
+As the speaker concluded, she advanced to where the object of her
+remarks was lying; and, drawing aside in a gentle manner, some of the
+skins near his head, gazed upon him.
+
+As will be surmised by the reader, not a syllable of the foregoing
+colloquy had been lost upon Reynolds; who heard, with unbounded
+astonishment, of his narrow escape from that dark valley whence none who
+enter again return, and that three days had elapsed since he had fallen
+into an unconscious state. He learned, too, with regret, that he had
+been communicating matters--to what extent he knew not--to others, which
+he wished safely locked in his own breast; and judging it best, in the
+present instance, to dissemble a little, that his informant might not be
+aware of his having overheard her, he feigned to be asleep on her
+approach.
+
+"He's sleeping yit, poor creater," continued the hostess, as she bent
+over the bed of our hero, until he felt her breath upon his face. "I
+hope it arn't a going to be his final sleep--so young, and so handsome
+too! but, O dear, thar's no telling what them Injen bullets will do, for
+folks does say as how they have a knack o' pizening them, that's orful
+to tell on! O Lord o' marcy, Ella, child, do come here!" cried the dame
+suddenly: "I do believe he's coming to, for sartin."
+
+This latter speech was occasioned by a movement of the pretended
+sleeper, and the gradual opening of his eyes, with the rude stare of
+bewildered surprise natural to one in his supposed situation, and such
+as he would have exhibited without feigning, had the hostess been
+present some ten minutes sooner. Discovering, as already intimated, a
+returning consciousness on the part of her guest, the good woman drew
+back her head, but still kept her position by the bed, and her eyes
+fixed upon him, with an expression which betrayed a fear lest her hopes
+of this important event should prove entirely fallacious. Behind her,
+with timid step, stole up Ella, and, peeping over her shoulders,
+encountered the eyes of the young man beaming upon her, with a look
+which her acute perception told her was any thing but insane; and
+instantly starting back, the blood rushed upward, crimsoning her neck
+and face with a beautiful glow. As for Reynolds--in whom, as already
+stated, the voice of Ella alone was sufficient to awaken a thrill of
+pleasure--no sooner did he behold her, though but for an instant, than
+he felt that thrill revived with a sensation, which, in spite of
+himself, he knew was expressed in his own countenance; and he hastened
+to speak, in order as much as possible to conceal it.
+
+"Will you have the goodness, madam, to inform me where I am?"
+
+"Thar, thar, Ella, child!" exclaimed the matron, joyously; "I told ye
+so--I know'd it--he's come to, for sartin--the Lord be praised!" Then
+addressing herself to Reynolds, she continued: "Whar are you, stranger,
+do you ax? Why you're in the cabin o' Ben Younker--as honest a man as
+ever shot a painter--who's my husband, and father of Isaac Younker, what
+brought ye here, according to the directions of Colonel Boone, arter you
+war shot by the Injens, the varmints, three days ago; and uncle of Ella
+Barnwell here, as I calls daughter, 'cause her parents is dead, poor
+creaters, and she hadn't a home to go to, but come'd to live with us,
+that are fetching her up in a a dutiful way;" and the good woman
+concluded her lucid account of family matters with a sound that much
+resembled a person taking breath after some laborious exertion.
+
+"And is it possible," answered Reynolds, who hastened to reply, in order
+to conceal a strong inclination he felt for laughing, "that I have lain
+here three whole days?"
+
+"Three days, and four nights, and part o' another day, jest as true as
+buffaloes run in cane-brakes, and Injen varmints shoot white folks
+whensomever they git a chance," replied Mrs. Younker, with great
+volubility. "And Ella, the darling, has tended on ye like you war her
+own nateral born brother; and Isaac, and Ben, and myself ha' tended on
+ye too, while you war raving and running on at an orful rate, though
+you've had the best bed, and best o' every thing we've got in the
+house."
+
+"For all of which I am at a loss for terms to express my gratitude,"
+returned Reynolds, coloring slightly as he thought of the assiduous
+attentions he had unconsciously received from Ella Barnwell, who already
+began to be an object in his eyes of no little importance.
+
+"Don't mention about gratitude," rejoined the kind hearted Mrs. Younker;
+"don't talk about gratitude, for a lettle favor sech as every body's got
+a right to, what comes into this country and gits shot by savages. We
+havn't done no more for you than we'd a done for any body else in like
+sarcumstances; and, la, sir, the pleasure o' knowing you're a going to
+git well agin, arter being shot by Injen's pizen bullets,[3] is enough
+to pay us twenty times over--Eh! Ella, child--don't you say so?"
+
+"No one, save the gentleman himself, or his dearest friends, can be more
+rejoiced at his favorable symptoms than myself," responded Ella,
+timidly, in a voice so low, sweet and touching, that Reynolds, who heard
+without seeing her--for she kept the rude curtain of skins between
+them--felt his heart beat strangely, while his eyes involuntarily grew
+moist.
+
+"That's truly said, gal--truly said, I do believe," rejoined Mrs.
+Younker; "for she's hung over you, sir, (turning to the wounded man)
+night and day, like a mother over her child, until we've had to use
+right smart authority to make her go to bed, for fear as how she'd be
+sick too."
+
+"And if I live," answered Reynolds, in a voice that trembled with
+emotion, "and it is ever in my power to repay such disinterested
+attention and kindness, I will do it, even to the sacrificing that life
+which she, together with you and your family, good woman, has been the
+means, under God, of preserving."
+
+"Under God," repeated the matron; "that's true; I like the way you said
+that, stranger; it sounds reverential--it's just--and it raises my
+respect for you a good deal; for all our doings is under God's permit;"
+and she turned her eyes upward, with a devout look, in which position
+she remained several seconds; while Ella, with her fair hands clasped,
+followed her example, and seemed, with her moving lips, engaged in
+prayer.
+
+"But come," resumed the dame, "it won't do for you, stranger, to be
+disturbed too much jest now; for you arn't any too strong, I reckon; and
+so you'll jest take my advice, and go to sleep awhile, and you'll feel
+all the better for't agin Ben and Isaac come home, which'll be in two or
+three hours."
+
+Saying this, Mrs. Younker again disposed the curtains so as to conceal
+from Reynolds all external objects; and, together with Ella, withdrew,
+leaving him to repose. Whether he profited by her advice immediately, or
+whether he meditated for some time on other matters, not excluding Ella,
+we shall leave to the imagination of the reader; while we proceed, by
+way of episode, to give a general, though brief account, of the Younker
+family.
+
+Benjamin Younker was a man about fifty-five years of age--tall,
+raw-boned and very muscular--and although now past the prime, even the
+meridian of life, was still possessed of uncommon strength. His form,
+never handsome, even in youth, was now disfigured by a stoop in the
+shoulders, caused by hard labor and rheumatism. His face corresponded
+with his body--being long and thin, with hollow cheeks, and high cheek
+bones,--his eyes were small and gray, with heavy eye-brows; his nose
+long and pointed; his mouth large and homely, though expressive; and his
+forehead medium, surmounted by a sprinkling of brown-gray hair. In
+speech he was deliberate, generally pointed, and seldom spoke when not
+absolutely necessary. He was a good farmer--such being his occupation; a
+keen hunter, whenever he chose to amuse himself in that way; a sure
+marksman; and, although ignorant in book learning, possessed a sound
+judgment, and a common-sense understanding on all subjects of general
+utility. He was a native of Eastern Virginia, where the greater portion
+of his life had been spent in hunting and agricultural pursuits--where
+he was married and had been blessed with two children--a son and a
+daughter--of whom the former only was now living, and has already been
+introduced to the reader as Isaac--and whence, at the instance of his
+wife and son, he removed, in the spring of 1779, into the borders of
+Kentucky--finally purchased and settled where he now resided; and where,
+although somewhat exposed, he and his family had thus far remained
+unmolested.
+
+The dame, Mrs. Younker, was a large, corpulent woman of forty-five, with
+features rather coarse and masculine, yet expressive of shrewdness and
+courage, and, withal, a goodly share of benevolence. She was one of that
+peculiar class of females, who, if there is any thing to be said, always
+claim the privilege of saying it; in other words, an inveterate talker;
+and who, if we may be allowed the phrase, managed her husband, and all
+around her, with the length of her tongue. In the country where she was
+brought up and known, to say of another, that he or she could compete
+with Ben Younker's wife in talking, was considered the extreme of
+comparison; and it is not recorded that any individual ever presumed on
+the credulity of the public sufficient to assert that the vocal powers
+of the said Mrs. Younker were ever surpassed. Unlike most great talkers,
+she was rarely heard to speak ill of any, and then only such as were
+really deserving of censure; while her rough kind of piety--if we may so
+term it--and her genuine goodness of heart, known to all with whom she
+came in contact, served to procure her a long list of friends. She
+possessed, as the reader has doubtless judged from the specimen we have
+given, little or no education; but this deficiency, in her eyes, as well
+as in most of those who lived on the frontiers, was of minor
+consequence--the knowledge of hunting, farming, spinning and weaving,
+being considered by far the more necessary qualifications for
+discharging the social duties of life.
+
+Of Isaac, with whom the reader is already, acquainted, we shall not now
+speak, other than to say, he could barely read and write--rather
+preferring that he develop his character in his own peculiar way. But
+there is another, and though last, we trust will not prove least in
+point of interest to the reader, with whom we shall close, this
+episodical history--namely--Ella Barnwell.
+
+The mother of Ella--a half sister to the elder-Younker--died when she
+was very young, leaving her to the care of a kind and indulgent father,
+who, having no other child, lavished on her his whole affections. At the
+demise of his wife, Barnwell was a prosperous, if not wealthy merchant,
+in one of the eastern cities of Virginia; and knowing the instability of
+wealth, together with his desire to fit his daughter for any station in
+society, he spared no expense necessary to educate her in all the
+different branches of English usually studied by a female. To this was
+added drawing, needle-work, music and dancing; and as Ella proved by no
+means a backward scholar in whatever she undertook, she was, at the age
+of fifteen, to use a familiar phrase, turned out an accomplished young
+lady. But alas! she had been qualified for a station which fate seemed
+determined not to let her occupy; for just at this important period of
+her life, her father became involved in an unfortunate speculation, that
+ended in ruin, dishonor, and his own bodily confinement in prison for
+debts he could never discharge. Naturally high spirited and proud, this
+misfortune and persecution proved too much for his philosophy--and what
+was more, his reason--and in a state of mental derangement, he one night
+hung himself to the bars of his prison window--leaving his daughter at
+the age we have named, a poor, unprotected, we might almost add
+friendless, orphan; for moneyless and friendless are too often
+synonymous terms, as poor Ella soon learned to her mortification and
+sorrow.
+
+Ella Barnwell, the young, the beautiful, and accomplished heiress,
+was a very different personage from poor Ella Barnwell the bankrupt's
+daughter; and those who had fawned upon and flattered and courted the
+one, now saw proper to pass the other by in silent contempt. It was a
+hard, a very hard lesson for one at the tender age of Ella, who had been
+petted and pampered all her life, and taught by her own simplicity of
+heart to look upon all pretenders as real friends--it was a hard lesson,
+we say, for one of her years, to be forced at one bold stroke to learn
+the world, and see her happy, artless dreams vanish like froth from the
+foaming cup; but if hard, it was salutary--at least with her; and
+instead of blasting in the bud, as it might have done a frailer flower,
+it set her reason to work, destroyed the romantic sentimentalism usually
+attached to females of that excitable age, taught her to rely more upon
+herself, and less upon others, more upon actions and less upon words,
+and, in short, made a strong minded woman of her at once. Yet this was
+not accomplished without many a heart-rending pang, as the briny tears
+of chagrin, disappointment, and almost hopeless destitution, that
+nightly chased each other down the pale cheeks of Ella Barnwell to the
+pillow which supported her feverish head, for weeks, and even months
+after the death of her father, could well attest.
+
+The father of Ella was an Englishman, who had emigrated to this country
+a few years previous to his marriage; and as none of his near relations
+had seen proper to follow his example, Ella, on his side, was left
+entirely destitute of any to whom she could apply for assistance and
+protection. On her mother's side, she knew of none who would be likely
+to assist her so readily as her half uncle, Benjamin Younker, whom she
+remembered as having seen at the funeral of her mother; and who then,
+taking her in his brawny arms, while the tears dimmed his eyes, in a
+solemn, impressive manner told her, that, in the ups and downs of life,
+should she ever stand in need of another's strong arm or purse, to call
+on him, and that, while blest with either himself, she should not want.
+This at the time had made a deep impression on her youthful mind, but
+subsequently had been nearly or quite obliterated, until retouched by
+feeling the want of that aid then so solemnly and generously tendered.
+Accordingly, after trying some of her supposed true-hearted friends--who
+had more than once been sharers in her generosity; and who, in return,
+had professed the most devoted attachment; but who now, in her distress,
+unkindly treated her urgent requests with cold neglect,--Ella hastened
+to make her situation known to her uncle; the result of which had been
+her adoption into a family, who, if not graced with that refinement and
+education to which she had been accustomed, at least possessed virtues
+that many of the refined and learned were strangers to--namely--truth,
+honesty, benevolence, and fidelity.
+
+Ella, in her new situation, with her altered views of society in
+general, soon grew to love her benefactor and his family, and take that
+sincere pleasure in their rude ways, which, at one time, she would have
+considered as next to impossible. With a happy faculty, belonging only
+to the few, she managed to work herself into their affections, by little
+and little, almost imperceptibly, until, ere they were aware of the fact
+themselves, she was looked upon rather as a daughter and sister, than a
+more distant relation. In sooth, the former appellation the reader has
+already seen applied to her during the recorded conversation of the
+voluble Mrs. Younker--an appellation which Ella ever took good care to
+acknowledge by the corresponding title of mother.
+
+About a year from the period of Ella's becoming a member of the family,
+the Younkers had removed, as already stated, to what was then considered
+the "Far West," and had finally purchased and settled where we find them
+in the opening of our story. In this expedition, Ella, though somewhat
+reluctantly, had accompanied them--had remained with them ever
+since--and was now, notwithstanding her former lady-like mode of life,
+through the tuition of Mrs. Younker, regularly installed into all the
+mysteries of milking, churning, sewing, baking, spinning and weaving.
+With this brief outline of her past history, we shall proceed to
+describe her personal appearance, at the time of her introduction to the
+reader, and then leave her to speak and act for herself during the
+progress of this drama of life.
+
+Eighteen years of sunshine and cloud, had served to mould the form of
+Ella Barnwell into one of peculiar beauty and grace. In height she was a
+little above five feet, had a full round bust, and limbs of that
+beautiful and airy symmetry, which ever give to their possessor an
+appearance of etherial lightness. Her complexion was sufficiently dark
+to entitle her to the appellation of brunette; though by many it would
+have been thought too light, perhaps, owing to the soft, rich
+transparency of her skin; through which, by a crimson tint, could be
+traced the "tell-tale-blood," on the slightest provocation tending to
+excitement. Her features, if examined closely, could not be put down as
+entirely regular, owing to a very slight defect in the mouth, which
+otherwise was very handsome, and which was graced with two plump,
+pretty, half pouting lips. This defect, however, was only apparent when
+the countenance was in stern repose; and, as this was seldom, when in
+company with others, it was of course seldom observed. The remainder of
+her features were decidedly good, and, seen in profile, really
+beautiful. Her eye was a full, soft, animated hazel, that could beam
+tenderly with love, sparkle brilliantly with wit, or flash scornfully
+with anger; but inclining more to the first and second qualities than
+the last. Her eye-brows were well defined, and just sufficiently arched
+to correspond with the eyes themselves. Her forehead was prominent, of a
+noble cast, and added dignity to her whole appearance. Her hair was a
+rich, dark brown, fine and glossy, and although neatly arranged about
+the head, evidently required but little training to enable it to fall
+gracefully about her neck in beautiful ringlets. The general expression
+of her face, was a soft, bewitching playfulness, which, combined with
+the half timid, benevolent look, beaming from her large, mild, hazel
+eye, invariably won upon the beholder at the first glance, and increased
+upon acquaintance. Her voice we have already spoken of as possessing a
+silvery sweetness; and if one could be moved at merely seeing her, it
+only required this addition to complete the charm. To all of the
+foregoing, let us add an ardent temperament--capable of the most tender,
+lasting and devoted attachment, when once the affections were placed on
+an object--a sweet disposition, modest deportment, and graceful
+manners--and you have the portrait in full of Ella Barnwell, the orphan,
+the model of her sex, and the admiration of all who knew her.
+
+
+[Footnote 3: Mrs. Younker is the only authority we have for supposing
+Indians poison their bullets, although we have read of poisoned arrows,
+and hence infer such a proceeding to be rather a supposition with her
+than a certainty.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE TALE AND FATAL SECRET.
+
+
+The dwelling of Benjamin Younker, as already mentioned, stood at the
+base of a hill, on the margin of a beautiful valley, and within a
+hundred feet of a lucid stream, whose waters, finding their source in
+the neighboring bills, rushed down, all gleesome and sparkling, over a
+limestone bed, and
+
+    "From morn till night, from night till morn,"
+
+sung gentle melodies for all who chose to listen.
+
+The building itself though rough, both externally and internally, was
+what at that period was termed a double cabin; and in this respect was
+entitled to a superiority over most of its neighbors. As this may serve
+for a representative of the houses or cabins of the early settlers of
+Kentucky, we shall proceed to describe its structure and general
+appearance somewhat more minutely than might otherwise be deemed
+necessary.
+
+The sides of the cottage in question, were composed of logs, rough from
+the woods where they had been felled, with the bark still clinging to
+them, and without having undergone other transformation than being cut
+to a certain length, and notched at either end, so as to sink into each
+other, when crossed at right angles, until their bodies met, thereby
+forming a structure of compactness, strength and solidity. Some ten or
+twelve feet from the ground, the two upper end logs of the cabin
+projected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the lower, and supported what
+were called _butting poles_--poles which crossed these projections at
+right angles, and, extending along the front and back of the building,
+formed the eaves of the roof. This latter was constructed by gradually
+shortening the logs at either end, until those which crossed them, as we
+said before, at right angles, came together at an angle of forty-five
+degrees, and the last one formed the ridge-pole or comb of the whole. On
+these logs, lapping one over the other, and the lower tier resting
+against the butting poles, were laid slabs of clapboard--a species of
+plank split from some straight-grained tree--about four feet long, and
+from three to four wide. These were secured in their places by logs in
+turn resting on them, at certain intervals, and answering the purpose of
+nails; necessity requiring these latter articles of convenience to be
+dispensed with in the early settlements of the West. As the cabin was
+double, two doors gave entrance from without, one into either apartment.
+These entrances were formed by cutting away the logs for the space of
+three feet by six, and were closed by rude doors, made of rough slabs,
+pinned strongly to heavy cross bars, and hung on hinges of the same
+material. These, like the rest of the building, were rendered, by their
+thickness, bullet proof--so that when closed and bolted, the house was
+capable of withstanding an ordinary attack of the Indians. With the
+exception of one window, opening into the apartment generally occupied
+by the family, and flanked by a heavy shutter, the doors and chimney
+were the only means through which light and air were admitted. These
+were all firmly secured at night--the unsettled and exposed state of the
+country, and the dangerous proximity of the pioneers to the ruthless
+savage, particularly those without the forts, rendering necessary, on
+their part, the most vigilant caution.
+
+The internal appearance of the cabin corresponded well with the
+external. The apartment occupied by the family during the day, where the
+meals were cooked and served, and the general household affairs attended
+to, was very homely; and might, if contrasted with some of the present
+time, be termed almost wretched; though considered, at the period of
+which we write, rather above than below the ordinary. The floor was
+composed of what by the settlers were termed puncheons; which were made
+by splitting in half trees of some eighteen inches in diameter, and
+hewing the faces of them as regular as possible with the broad-axe.
+These were laid, bark side downwards, upon sleepers running crosswise
+for the purpose, and formed at least a dry, solid and durable, if not
+polished, floor. At one end of the cabin was the chimney, built of logs,
+outside the apartment, but connecting with it by a space cut away for
+the purpose. The back, jambs, and hearth of this chimney were of stone,
+and put together, in a manner not likely to be imitated by masons of
+the present day. A coarse kind of plaster filled up the surrounding
+crevices, and served to keep out the air and give a rude finish to the
+whole.
+
+The furniture of the Younkers, if the title be not too ambiguous, would
+scarcely have been coveted by any of our modern exquisites, even had
+they been living in that age of straight-forward common sense. A large,
+rough slab, split from some tree, and supported by round legs set in
+auger holes, had the honor of standing for a table--around which, like a
+brood of chickens around their mother, were promiscuously collected
+several three-legged stools of similar workmanship. In one corner of the
+room were a few shelves; on which were ranged some wooden trenchers,
+pewter plates, knives and forks, and the like necessary articles, while
+a not very costly collection of pots and kettles took a less dignified
+and prominent position beneath. Another corner was occupied by a bed,
+the covering of which was composed of skins of different animals, with
+sheetings of home-made linen. In the vicinity of the bed, along the
+wall, was a row of pegs, suspending various garments of the occupants;
+all of which--with the exception of a few articles, belonging to Ella,
+procured for her before the death of her father--were of the plainest
+and coarsest description. A churn--a clock--the latter a very rare thing
+among the pioneers of Kentucky--a footwheel for spinning flax--a small
+mirror--together with several minor articles, of which it is needless to
+speak--completed the inventory of the apartment. From this room were two
+exits, besides the outer door--one by a ladder leading above to a sort
+of attic chamber, where were two beds; and the other through the wall
+into the adjoining cabin, whither our hero had been borne in a state of
+insensibility on the night of his mishap, and where he was for the
+second time presented to the reader. This latter place was graced with a
+bed, a loom for weaving, a spinning-wheel, a large oaken chest, and a
+few rough benches.
+
+Such, reader, as our description has set forth, was the general
+appearance of Younker's dwelling, both without and within, in the year
+of our Lord 1781; and, moreover, a fair representative of an hundred
+others of the period in question--so arbitrary was necessity in making
+one imitate the other. But to resume our story.
+
+In the after part of a day as mild and beautiful as the one on which we
+opened our narrative, but some four weeks later, Ella Barnwell,
+needle-work in hand, was seated near the open door leading from the
+apartment first described to the reader. Her head was bent forward, and
+her eyes were apparently fixed upon her occupation with great
+intentness--though a close observer might have detected furtive glances
+occasionally thrown upon a young man, with a pale and somewhat agitated
+countenance, who was pacing to and fro on the ground without. With the
+exception of these two, no person was within sight--though the rattling
+of a loom in the other apartment or cabin, betokened the vicinity of the
+industrious hostess.
+
+For some moments the young man--a no less personage than our hero--paced
+back and forth like one whose mind is harrowed by some disagreeable
+thought: then suddenly halting in front of the doorway, and in a voice
+which, though not intended to be so, was slightly tremulous, he
+addressed himself to the young lady, in words denoting a previous
+conversation.
+
+"Then I must have said some strange things, Ella--I beg pardon--Miss
+Barnwell."
+
+"Have I not requested you, Mr. Reynolds, on more than one occasion, to
+call me Ella, instead of using the formality which rather belongs to
+strangers in fashionable society than to those dwelling beneath the same
+roof, in the wilds of Kentucky?" responded the person addressed, in a
+tone of pique, while she raised her head and let her soft, dark eyes
+rest reproachfully on the other.
+
+"Well, well, Ella," rejoined Reynolds, "I crave pardon for my
+heedlessness; and promise you, on that score at least, no more cause for
+offence in future."
+
+"Offence!" said Ella, quickly, catching at the word: "O, no--no--not
+offence, Mr. Reynolds! I should be sorry to take offence at what was
+meant in all kindness, and with true respect; but somehow I--that
+is--perhaps it may not appear so to others--but I--to me it appears
+studied--and--and--cold;" and as she concluded, in a hesitating manner,
+she quickly bent her head forward, while her cheek crimsoned at the
+thought, that she might perhaps have ventured too far, and laid herself
+liable to misconstruction.
+
+"And yet, Ella," returned Reynolds, somewhat playfully, "you resemble
+many others I have known, in preaching what you do not practice. You
+request me to lay aside all formality, and address you by your name
+only; while you, in that very request, apply to me the title you
+consider as studied, formal and cold."
+
+"You have reference to my saying _Mr._ Reynolds, I presume," answered
+Ella; "but I see no analogy between the two; as in addressing you thus,
+I do but what, under the circumstances, is proper; and what, doubtless,
+habit has rendered familiar to your ear; while, on the other hand, no
+one ever thinks of calling me any thing but Ella, or at the most, Ella
+Barnwell--and hence all superfluities grate harshly."
+
+"Even complimentary adjectives, eh?" asked Reynolds, with an arch look.
+
+"Even those, Mr. Reynolds; and those most of all are offensive, I assure
+you."
+
+"I thought all of your sex were fond of flattery."
+
+"Then have you greatly erred in thinking."
+
+"But thus says general report."
+
+"Then, sir, general report is a slanderer, and should not be credited.
+Those who court flattery, are weak-minded and vain; and I trust you do
+not so consider all our sex."
+
+"Heaven forbid," answered Reynolds, with energy, "that I should think
+thus of all, or judge any too harshly!--but there may be causes to force
+one into the conviction, that the exceptions are too few to spoil the
+rule."
+
+"I trust such is not your case," responded Ella, quickly, while her eyes
+rested on the other with a searching glance.
+
+"No one is required to criminate himself in law," replied Reynolds,
+evasively, with a sigh; and then immediately added, as if anxious to
+change the topic: "But I am eager for you to inform me what I said
+during my delirium."
+
+"O, many things," returned Ella, "the half of which I could not repeat;
+but more particularly you spoke of troubles at home, and often repeated
+the name of Elvira with great bitterness. Then you would run on
+incoherently, for some time, about pistols, and swords, and end by
+saying that the quarrel was just--that you were provoked to it, until it
+became almost self defence--and that if he died, his blood would be on
+his own head."
+
+"Good heavens, Ella! did I indeed say this?" exclaimed Reynolds, with a
+start, while his features became deadly pale. "Did I say more? did I
+mention further particulars?--speak! tell me--tell me truly!"
+
+"Not in my hearing," answered Ella, while her own face blanched at the
+sudden vehemence of the other.
+
+"Well, well, do not be alarmed!" said Reynolds, evidently somewhat
+relieved, and softening his voice, as he noticed the change in her
+countenance; "people sometimes say strange things, when reason, the
+great regulator of the tongue, is absent. What construction did you put
+upon my words, Ella?"
+
+"Why, in sooth," replied Ella, watching his features closely as she
+spoke, "I thought nothing of them, other than to suppose you might
+formerly have had some trouble; and that in the chaos of wild images
+crowding your brain, after being attacked and wounded by savages, it was
+natural some of these image should be of a bloody nature."
+
+"Then you did not look upon the words as having reference to a reality."
+
+"No! at the time I did not."
+
+"At the time?" repeated Reynolds, with a slight fall of countenance;
+"have you then seen or heard any thing since to make you suspicious?"
+
+"Nothing--until--"
+
+"Well, well," said Reynolds, quickly, as she hesitated; "speak out and
+fear nothing!"
+
+"Until but now, when you became so agitated, and spoke so vehemently on
+my repeating your delirious language," added Ella, concluding the
+sentence.
+
+"Ha!" ejaculated Reynolds, as if to himself; "sanity has done more to
+betray me than delirium. Well, Ella," continued he, addressing her more
+direct, "you have heard enough to make you doubtful of my character;
+therefore you must needs hear the whole, that you may not judge me worse
+than I am; but remember, withal, the tale is for your ear alone."
+
+"Nay, Mr. Reynolds, if it be a secret, I would rather not have it in
+keeping," answered Ella.
+
+"It is a secret," returned Reynolds, solemnly, with his eyes cast down
+in a dejected manner; "a secret, I would to Heaven I had not myself in
+keeping! but hear it you must, Ella, for various reasons, from my lips;
+and then we part--(his voice slightly faltered) we part--forever!"
+
+"Forever!" gasped Ella, quickly, with a choking sensation, while her
+features grew pale, and then suddenly flushed, and her work
+unconsciously dropped from her hand. Then, as if ashamed of having
+betrayed her feelings, she became confused, and endeavored to cover the
+exposure by adding, with a forced laugh: "But really, Mr. Reynolds, I
+must crave pardon for my silly behavior--but your manner of speaking,
+somehow, startled me--and--and I--before I was aware--really, it was
+very silly--indeed it was, and I pray you overlook it!"
+
+"Were circumstances not as I have too much reason to fear they are,"
+returned Reynolds, slowly, sadly, and impressively, with his eyes fixed
+earnestly and even tenderly upon the other, "I would not exchange that
+simple expression of yours, Ella, for a mine of gold. By that alone you
+have spoken volumes, and told me what I already feared was true, but
+hoped was otherwise. Nay, turn not your head away, Ella--dear Ella, if
+you will allow me so to address you--it is better, under the
+circumstances, that we speak plainly and understandingly, as the time of
+our final separation draweth near. I fear that my manner and language
+have hitherto too much expressed my feelings, and encouraged hopes in
+you that can never be realized. Oh! Ella, if such be the case, I would,
+for your dear sake, we had never met!--and the thought hereafter, that I
+have caused you a pang, will add its weight of anguish to my already
+bitter lot. The days that I have spent beneath this hospitable roof, and
+in your sweet presence, are so many of bright sunshine, in a life of
+cloud and storm; but will only serve, as I recall them, to make the
+remainder, by contrast, seem more dark and dreary. From the first I
+learned you were an orphan, and my sympathy was aroused in your behalf;
+subsequently, I listened to your recital of grief, and trouble, and cold
+treatment by the world--told in an artless manner--and in spite of me,
+in spite of my struggles to the contrary, I discovered awakening in my
+breast a feeling of a stronger nature. Had my wound permitted, I should
+have torn myself from your presence then, with the endeavor, if such a
+thing were possible, to forget you; but, alas! fate ordered otherwise,
+and the consequence I fear will be to add sorrow to both. But one thing,
+dear Ella, before I go further, let me ask: Can you, and will you
+forgive me, for the manner in which I have conducted myself in your
+company?"
+
+"I have nothing to forgive; and had I, it should be forgiven," answered
+Ella, sweetly, in a timid voice, her hands unconsciously toying with her
+needle-work, and her face half averted, whereon could be traced the
+suppressed workings of internal emotion.
+
+"Thank you, Ella--thank you, for taking a weight from my heart. And now,
+ere I proceed with what to both of us will prove a painful revelation,
+let me make one request more--a foolish one I know--but one I trust you
+will grant nevertheless."
+
+"Name it," said Ella, timidly, as the other paused.
+
+"It is, simply, that in judging me by the evidence I shall give against
+myself, you will lean strongly to the side of mercy; and, when I am
+gone, think of me rather as an unfortunate than criminal being."
+
+"You alarm me, Mr. Reynolds, with such a request!" answered Ella,
+looking up to the other with a pale, anxious countenance. "I know not
+the meaning of it! and, as I said before, I would rather not have your
+secret in keeping--the more so, as you say the revelation will be a
+painful one to both."
+
+For a moment the young man paused, as though undecided as to his reply,
+while his countenance expressed a look of mortified regret really
+painful to behold--so much so, that Ella, moved by this to a feeling of
+compassion, said:
+
+"I perceive my answer wounds your feelings--I meant no harm; go on with
+your story; I will listen, and endeavor to concede all you desire."
+
+"Thank you--again thank you!" returned the other, energetically, with
+emotion. "I will make my narrative brief as possible."
+
+Saying which, he entered the apartment where the other was sitting, and
+seating himself a few feet distant from her, after some little
+hesitation, as if to bring his resolution to the point, thus began:
+
+"I shall pass over all minor affairs of my life, and come at once to the
+period and event, which changed me from a happy youth, blessed with home
+and friends, to a wanderer--I know not but an outlaw--on the face of the
+earth. I was born in the state of Connecticut, A.D. 1759; and my father
+being a man of property, and one determined on giving his children (of
+whom there were two, one older than myself) a liberal education, I was
+at an early age sent to a neighboring school, where I remained until
+turned of eighteen, and then returned to my parents.
+
+"About this period, an old, eccentric lady--a maiden aunt of my
+father--died, bequeathing to me--or rather to the second born of her
+nephew, Albert Reynolds, which chanced to be myself--the bulk of her
+property--in value some fifty thousand dollars, on condition, that,
+between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, I should marry a certain
+Elvira Longworth--a lady some three years my junior, for whom my great
+aunt had formed a strong attachment. And the will further provided, That
+in case the said second born of Albert Reynolds, either through the
+intervention of Providence, in removing him from off the face of the
+earth, (so it was worded) and from among the living, or through a mutual
+dislike of the parties seemed, did not between the specified ages,
+celebrate, with due rejoicing, the said nuptials with the said Elvira
+Longworth, the sum of twenty thousand dollars should be paid over to the
+said Elvira, if living, and the remainder of the property (or in case
+she was deceased the whole) should revert to the regular heirs at law.
+
+"Such was the will--one of the most singular perhaps on record--which,
+whatever the design of its author, was destined, by a train of
+circumstances no one could foresee, to result in the most terrible
+consequences to those it should have benefited. On the reading thereof,
+no little dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to it, by numerous
+relatives of the deceased; each of whom, as a matter of course, was
+expecting a considerable share of the old lady's property; and all of
+whom, with but few exceptions, were nearer akin than myself; and
+therefore, in that respect, more properly entitled to it. As a
+consequence of the will, I, though innocent of its construction--for
+none could be more surprised at it than myself--became a regular target
+for the ridicule, envy, and hate of those who chanced to be disappointed
+thereby. At the outset, I had no intention of seeking a title to the
+property by complying with the specification set forth at the instance
+of its late owner; and only looked upon it as a piece of crack-brained
+folly, that would serve for a nine days' comment and jest, and then be
+forgotten; but when I saw, that instead of being treated with the
+courtesy and respect no conscious act of mine had ever forfeited, I was
+ridiculed, sneered at, and looked upon with jealousy and hate by those
+whose souls were too narrow to believe in a noble action--and who,
+measuring and judging me by their own sordid standards of avaricious
+justice, deemed I would spare no pains to legally rob them, as they
+termed it,--when I saw this, I say, my blood became heated, my fiercer
+passions were roused, and I inwardly swore, that if it were now in my
+power to accomplish what they feared, I would do it, though the lady in
+question were a fright to look upon. In this decision I was rather
+encouraged by my father, who being at the time somewhat involved,
+thought it a feasible plan of providing for me, and then, by my aid,
+recovering from his own pecuniary embarrassments.
+
+"As yet I had never seen Elvira--she living in an adjoining county,
+some thirty miles distant, where my aunt, on a visit to a distant
+relative, had first made her acquaintance, and formed that singular
+attachment, peculiar to eccentric temperaments, which had resulted in
+the manner already shown. Accordingly, one fine spring morning, I
+mounted my horse, and set forth to seek my intended, and behold what
+manner of person she was of. Late at night I arrived at the village
+where she resided--stabled my beast--took lodging at a hotel--inquired
+out her residence--and, betimes, the morning following, made my
+obeisance in her presence, and with that bashful, awkward grace--if I
+may be allowed so paradoxical a term--which my youth present purpose,
+and former good breeding combined, were calculated to produce. I was
+more embarrassed still a minute after, when, having given my name, and
+hinted at the singular document of the old lady deceased, I found my
+fair intended, as well as her family, were in total ignorance of my
+meaning; and could I at the moment have been suddenly transferred to my
+horse, I do not think I should have paused to make the necessary
+explanation. As it was, there was no alternative; and accordingly
+begging a private interview with Elvira, I disclosed the whole secret;
+which she listened to for a time with unfeigned surprise; and then
+bursting into a wild, ringing laugh, declared it to be 'The funniest and
+most ridiculous thing she ever heard of.'
+
+"She was a gay, sprightly, beautiful being--fresh in the bloom of some
+fifteen summers--with a bright, sparkling, roguish eye--long, floating,
+auburn ringlets--a musical voice--a ringing laugh--the latter frequent
+and long,--so that I soon felt it needed not the stimulating desire of
+wealth and revenge to urge me on to that, which, under any
+circumstances, would have been by no means disagreeable. To make a long
+story short, I called upon her at stated periods; and, within a year
+from our first acquaintance, we were plighted to each other. About this
+time my father, together with some influential friends, procured me a
+lieutenancy, to serve in our present struggle for the maintainance of
+that glorious independence, drawn up by the immortal Jefferson, and
+signed by the noble patriots some two years before. I served a two
+years' campaign, and fought in the unfortunate and bloody battle of
+Camden; which resulted, as doubtless you have heard, in great loss and
+defeat to the American arms. Shortly after the action commenced, our
+captain was killed, and the command of the company devolved on me. I
+fulfilled my duties to the best of my ability, and myself and men were
+in the hottest of the fight. But from some alleged misdemeanor, whereof
+I can take my oath I was guiltless, I was afterward very severely
+censured by one of my superior officers; which so wounded my feelings,
+that I at once resigned my commission and returned to my native state.
+
+"On arriving at home, to my surprise and mortification, I learned that
+my intended was just on the eve of marriage with a cousin of mine--a
+worthless fellow--who, urged on by the relatives interested, and his own
+desire of acquiring the handsome competence of twenty thousand dollars,
+had taken advantage of my absence to calumniate me, (in which design he
+had been aided by several worthy assistants) and supplant me in the good
+graces--I will not say affections, as I think the term too strong--of
+Elvira Longworth.
+
+"The lady in question I do not think I ever loved--at least as I
+understand the meaning of that term--and now--that she had listened to
+slander against me while absent, and, without waiting to know whether it
+would be refuted on my return, had engaged herself to another--I cared
+less for her than before;--but my pride was touched, that I should be
+thus tamely set aside for one I heartily despised; and this, together
+with my desire to thwart the machinations of the whole intriguing clique
+arrayed against me, determined me, if feasible, to regain the favor of
+Elvira, and have the ceremony performed as soon as possible. This, Ella,
+I know you think, and I am ready to admit it, was wrong--very wrong;
+but I make no pretensions to be other than a frail mortal, liable to all
+the errors appertaining thereto; and were this is the only sin to be
+laid to my charge, my conscience were far less troublesome than now.
+
+"I determined, I say, to regain my former place in her favor or
+affection--whichever you like--and, to be brief, I apparently succeeded.
+The day was set for our marriage; which, for several reasons unnecessary
+to be detailed, was to take place at the residence of my father; and, as
+the will specified it should be with all due rejoicings, great
+preparations were accordingly made, and a goodly number of guests
+invited.
+
+"At length the day came--the eventful day. Never shall I forget it; nor
+with what feelings, at the appointed hour, I entered the crowded hall,
+where the ceremony was to take place, with Elvira leaning tremblingly on
+my arm, her features devoid of all color, and approached the spot where
+the divine stood ready to unite us forever. All eyes were now fixed upon
+us; and the marriage rite was begun amid that deep and almost awful
+solemnity, which not unfrequently characterizes such proceedings on
+peculiar occasions, when every spectator, as well as the actors
+themselves, feel a secret awe steal over them, as though about to
+witness a tragic, rather than a civil, performance.
+
+"I have mentioned that Elvira trembled violently when we entered the
+hall; but this trembling increased after the divine commenced the
+ritual; so that when I had answered in the affirmative the solemn
+question pertaining to my taking the being by my side as mine till
+death, her trepidation had become so great that it was with difficulty I
+could support her; and when the same interrogative was put to her, a
+silence of some moments followed; and then the answer came forth, low
+and trembling, but still sufficiently distinct to be generally
+understood; and was, to the unbounded astonishment of all, in the
+negative!"
+
+"In the negative!" exclaimed Ella, suddenly, who had during the last few
+sentences been unconsciously leaning forward, as though to devour each
+syllable as it was uttered, and who now resumed her former position with
+a long drawn breath. "In the negative say you, Alger--a--a--Mr.
+Reynolds?"
+
+"Call me Algernon, Ella, I pray you; it sounds more sweet and friendly.
+Ay, she answered in the negative. Heavens! what a shock was there for
+my proud nature! To be thus publicly insulted and rejected--to be thus
+made the butt and ridicule of fools and knaves--a mark for the jests and
+sneers of friend and foe! Oh! how my blood boiled and coursed in lava
+streams through my heated veins! I saw it all. I was the dupe of some
+artful design, intended to stigmatize me forever; and wild with a
+thousand terrible brain-searing thoughts, I rushed from the hall to my
+own apartment, seized upon my pistols, and was just in the act of
+putting a period to my existence, when my arm was suddenly grasped, and
+my hated rival and cousin stood before me.
+
+"'Fiend!' cried I in frenzy; 'devil in human shape!--do you seek me in
+the body? What want you here?'
+
+"His features were pale with excitement, and his lips quivered as he
+made answer: 'Be calm, Algernon, be calm; it was meant but in jest!'
+
+"'Jest!' screamed I; 'do you then own to a knowledge of it,
+villain?--were you its author?--then take that, and answer it as you
+dare!'--and as I spoke, with the breech of my undischarged pistol, I
+stretched him senseless at my feet. Under the excitement of the moment,
+I was about to take a more terrible revenge; when others suddenly rushed
+in--seized and disarmed me--bore my rival from my sight--and, to
+conclude, placed me in bed, where I was confined for three weeks by a
+delirious fever, and then only recovered as it were by a miracle.
+
+"During my convalescence, I learned that my cousin, soon after my
+return, had been privately married to Elvira; and prompted by his evil
+genius, and some of my enemies, had induced his wife to enter into the
+plot, the result of which has already been briefly narrated. I do not
+think she did it through malice, and doubtless little thought of the
+consequences that were destined to follow; but whether so or not, her
+punishment has, I think, been fully adequate to her crime; for the last
+I heard of her, she was an inmate of a mad-house--remorse for her
+conduct, the abuse heaped upon her by society, and her own severe fright
+at the termination of the stratagem, having driven her insane. Now comes
+the most tragic part of my narrative.
+
+"When so far recovered as to again be abroad, I was cautioned by my
+parents against my rash act; and for their sakes, I promised to be
+temperate in all my movements; but, alas! how little we know when we
+promise, what we may be in sooth destined to perform. On my father's
+estate, about a mile distant from his residence, was a beautiful
+grove--whither, for recreation, I was in the habit of repairing at all
+periods of my life; and where, so soon as my strength permitted, after
+my sickness, I rambled daily. About ten days from my recovery, as I was
+taking my usual stroll through these grounds, I was suddenly confronted
+by my cousin. His cheeks were hollow and pale, and his whole appearance
+haggard in the extreme. His eyes, too, seemed to flash, or burn, as it
+were, with an unearthly brightness; and his voice, as he addressed me,
+was hoarse, and his manner hurried.
+
+"'We meet well,' he said, 'well! I have watched for you long.'
+
+"'Away!' cried I; 'tempt me no more--or something will follow I may
+regret hereafter!'
+
+"'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed he, in derision, with that peculiar, hollow
+sound, which even now, as I recall it, makes my blood run cold:--'Say
+you so, cousin?--I came for that;' and again he laughed as before. 'See
+here--see here!' and he presented, as he spoke, with the butts toward
+me, a brace of pistols. 'Here is what will settle all our animosities,'
+he continued; 'take your choice, and be quick, or perchance we may be
+interrupted.'
+
+"'Are you mad,' cried I, 'that you thus seek my life, after the wrongs
+you have done me?'
+
+"'Mad!--ha, ha!--yes!--yes!--I believe I am,' he answered; 'and my wife
+is mad also. I did you wrong, I know--went to apologise for it, and you
+struck me down. Whatever the offence, a blow I never did and never will
+forgive; so take your choice, and be quick, for one or both of us must
+never quit this place alive.'
+
+"'Away!' cried I, turning aside; 'I will not stain my hands with the
+blood of my kin. Go! the world is large enough to hold us both.'
+
+"'Coward!' hissed he; 'take that, then, and bear what I have borne;' and
+with the palm of his hand he smote me on the cheek.
+
+"I could bear no more--I was no longer myself--I was maddened with
+passion--and snatching a pistol from his hand, which was still extended
+toward me, without scarcely knowing what I did, I exclaimed, 'Your blood
+be on your own head!'--and--and--Oh, Heaven!--pardon me, Ella--I--shot
+him through the body."
+
+Ella, who had partly risen from her seat, and was listening with
+breathless attention, now uttered an exclamation of horror, and sunk
+back, with features ghastly pale; while the other, burying his face in
+his hands, shook his whole frame with convulsive sobs. For some time
+neither spoke; and then the young man, slowly raising his face, which
+was now a sad spectacle of the workings of grief and remorse, again
+proceeded:
+
+"Horror-stricken--aghast at what I had done--I stood for a moment,
+gazing upon him weltering in his blood, with eyes that burned and seemed
+starting from their sockets--with feelings that are indescribable--and
+then rushing to him, I endeavored to raise him, and learn the extent of
+his injury.
+
+"'Fly!' said he, faintly, as I bent over him--'fly for your life! I have
+got my due--I am mortally wounded--and if you remain, you will surely be
+arrested as my murderer. Farewell, Algernon--the fault was mine--but
+this you can not prove; and so leave me--leave me while you have
+opportunity.'
+
+"His words were true; I felt them in force; if he died, I would be
+arraigned as his murderer--I had no proof to the contrary--circumstances
+would be against me--I should be imprisoned--condemned--perhaps
+executed--a loathsome sight for gaping thousands--I could not bear the
+thought--I might escape--ay, would escape--and bidding him a hasty
+farewell, I turned and fled. Not a hundred rods distant I met my father;
+and falling on my knees before him, I hurriedly related what had taken
+place, and begged advice for myself, and his immediate attendance upon
+my cousin. He turned pale and trembled violently at my narration; and,
+as I concluded, drew forth a purse of gold, which he chanced to have
+with him, and placing it in my hand, exclaimed:
+
+"'Fly--son--child--Algernon--for Heaven's sake, fly!'
+
+"'Whither, father?'
+
+"'To the far western wilds, beyond the reach of civilization--at least
+beyond the reach of justice--and spare my old eyes the awful sight of
+seeing a beloved son arraigned as a criminal!'
+
+"'And my mother?'
+
+"'You can not see her--it might cost you your life,--farewell!' and with
+the last word trembling on his lips, he embraced me fondly, and we
+parted--perchance forever.
+
+"I fled, feeling that the brand of Cain was on me; that henceforth my
+life was to be one of remorse and misery; that I was to be a wanderer
+upon the face of the earth--mayhap an Ishmael, with every man's hand
+against me. To atone in a measure to my conscience for the awful deed I
+had committed, I knelt upon the earth, and swore, by all I held sacred
+in time and eternity, that if the wound inflicted upon my cousin should
+prove mortal, I would live a life of celibacy, and become a wandering
+pilgrim in the western wilds of America till God should see proper to
+call me hence."
+
+"And--and did the wound prove mortal?" asked Ella, breathlessly.
+
+"Alas! I know not, Ella, and I fear to know. Four months have passed
+since then; and after many adventures, hardships, sufferings, and
+hair-breadth escapes, you see me here before you, a miserable man."
+
+"But not one guilty of murder, Algernon," said Ella, energetically.
+
+"I know not that--Heaven grant it true!"
+
+"O, then, do not despair, Algernon!--trust in God, and hope for the
+best. I have a hope that all will yet be well."
+
+"Amen to that, dear Ella; and a thousand, thousand thanks, for your
+sweet words of consolation; they are as balm to my torn and bleeding
+heart; but until I _know_ my fate, we must not meet again; and if, oh
+Heaven! and if the worst be true--then--then farewell forever! But who
+comes here?"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+THE STRANGER.
+
+
+The closing sentence of the preceding chapter was occasioned by the
+glimpse of a man's shadow, that for a moment swept along in the
+sunlight, some twenty paces distant from the speaker, and then suddenly
+disappeared by being swallowed up in the larger and more stationary
+shade thrown from the cottage by the sinking sun. Scarcely were the
+words alluded to uttered, ere the sound of a step was heard close by the
+door, and the next moment the cause of the shadow and remark divided the
+light of the entrance.
+
+The individual in question, was a stout built, broad-shouldered,
+athletic man--some five feet nine inches in height--whose age, judging
+from his general appearance, as well as his features, might range from
+twenty-seven to thirty years. At the moment when he appeared before our
+acquaintances of the foregoing chapter, his right arm was held in a
+manner so as to screen the lower portion of his face; while a hat, not
+very much unlike those of the present day, pressed down upon his
+forehead, left but little of his countenance, and that mainly about the
+eyes, visible. With the latter he gave a quick, searching, suspicious
+glance at the two before him; and then, as if satisfied he had nothing
+to fear, lowered his arm and raised his hat from his forehead, exposing
+a physiognomy by no means pleasing to one skilled in reading the heart
+thereby. His complexion was swarthy--his skin coarse--and the general
+expression of his features repulsive in the extreme; this expression
+arising from the combination of three distinct parts of his
+countenance--namely: the forehead which was low and receding from two
+dark-red, shaggy eye-brows,--the eyes themselves, which were small,
+bloodshot and very fiery; and the mouth, which was narrow, thin-lipped,
+and habitually contracted into a sneering, sinister smile. In this
+general expression, was combined cunning, deceit, treachery, and
+bloodthirsty ferocity--each one of which passions were sufficiently
+powerful, when fully excited, to predominate over the whole combination.
+The hair of his head was short, thick, coarse and red, grew low upon his
+forehead, and, in its own peculiar way, added a fierceness to his whole
+appearance. Nature had evidently designed him for a villain of the
+darkest die; and on the same principle that she gives a rattle to a
+certain venomous snake, that other creatures may be warned of the deadly
+fang in time to avoid it--so had she stamped him with a look wherein his
+passions were mirrored, that those who gazed thereon might know with
+whom and what they had to do, and be prepared accordingly. The costume
+too of the stranger was rather singular, and worthy of note--being
+composed, for the most part, of an extraordinary long frock or
+overcoat--more like the gown of some monk than either--which reached
+almost down to the moccasins covering his feet, and was laced together
+in front, nearly the whole length, by thongs of deerskin. Around the
+waist passed a rude belt of the same material--carelessly tied at one
+side--in which, contrary to the usual custom of that period, there was
+not confined a single weapon, not even so much as a knife; and this
+fact, together with the general appearance of the individual and his own
+suspicious movements, led Algernon, almost at the first glance, to
+consider the long frock or gown an article of disguise, beneath which
+the stranger was doubtless doubly armed and costumed in a very
+different manner.
+
+As the eyes of the new comer, after closely scanning Reynolds, rested
+for the first time upon Ella, there flashed across his ugly features an
+expression of admiration and surprise--while the look of suspicion which
+he had previously exhibited, seemed entirely to disappear. Turning to
+the young man, who on his appearance had risen from his seat, and now
+stood as if waiting to know his commands, in a voice evidently much
+softened from its usual tones, but still by no means pleasant and
+harmonious, he said:
+
+"Will you be kind enough to inform me, sir, to whom this dwelling
+belongs?"
+
+"It is owned, I believe, by one Benjamin Younker," answered Algernon, in
+a cavalier manner, still eyeing the other closely.
+
+"May I ask his occupation?"
+
+"He is a farmer, sir--a tiller of the soil."
+
+"Will you favor me with a description of his personal appearance?"
+
+"I can do so," replied Algernon, somewhat surprised at the question,
+"provided I know the motive of inquiry to be a good one."
+
+"It is no other, I assure you," returned the stranger. "It was simply
+prompted by curiosity."
+
+"Well, then, the individual in question is a man who has seen more than
+fifty years--is tall, raw-boned, muscular, has a stoop in the shoulder,
+a long, thin face, small eyes, and hair slightly gray."
+
+"Has he any sons?" inquired the stranger.
+
+"One, a youth of twenty, who bears a strong resemblance to his father."
+
+"Daughters?"
+
+"He has no other child."
+
+"Then this young lady"--slightly bowing to Ella.
+
+"Is a more distant relation--a niece," answered Ella, rising as she
+spoke and disappearing from his sight.
+
+"A beautiful creature!" said the stranger, musingly, as if to
+himself--"a beautiful creature! Pardon me," added he, again addressing
+Algernon; "but may I inquire concerning yourself?"
+
+"I am a guest here, sir."
+
+"Aha--yes; a hunter I presume?"
+
+"I sometimes hunt."
+
+"Pardon me again--but are there more indwellers here than you have
+mentioned?"
+
+"One, sir--the good dame of the cottage."
+
+For a moment or two the stranger mused, as if running over in his mind
+all that had been said; and then observed:
+
+"Doubtless you think me very inquisitive; but I had a reason for all my
+questions; and I thank you sincerely, sir, for your prompt replies. It
+is now growing late; the sun will presently be down; and as I am a
+traveler--a stranger in this region--I would rather not pursue my
+journey further, providing I could be entertained here for the night."
+
+"As to that, I am unable to answer," said Algernon; "but if you will
+step within, I will make the necessary inquiries."
+
+"Thank you," replied the stranger, with a show of cordiality; "thank
+you;" and he immediately entered the cottage.
+
+Those days, as before said, were the good old days of hospitality--and,
+as far as population went, of social intercourse also--when every man's
+cabin was the stranger's home, and every neighbor every neighbor's
+friend. There were no distinct grades of society then as now, from which
+an honest individual of moral worth must be excluded because of
+poverty--a good character for upright dealing being the standard by
+which all were judged; and whoever possessed this, could rank equally
+with the best, though poor as the beggar Lazarus. Doubtless intellect
+and education then, as well as at the present day, held in many things a
+superiority over imbecility and ignorance; but there were no distinct
+lines of demarcation drawn; and in the ordinary routine of intercourse
+one with another, there was no superiority claimed, and none
+acknowledged. And this arose, probably, from the necessity each felt
+for there being a general unity--a general blending together of all
+qualifications, as it were, into one body politic--by which each
+individual became an individual member of the whole, perfect in his
+place, and capable of supplying what another might chance to need; as
+the man of education might be puny in stature and deficient of a strong
+arm; the man of strong arm deficient in education; the imbecile man
+might be a superior woodman--the man of intellect an inferior one:--so
+that, as before remarked, each of these qualities, being essential to
+perfect the whole, each one of course was called upon to exercise his
+peculiar talent, and take his position on an equality with his neighbor.
+There has been great change in society since then; those days of simple
+equality have gone forever; but we question if the present race, with
+all their privileges, with all their security, with all their means of
+enjoyment, are as happy as those noble old pioneers, with all their
+necessities, with all their dangers, with all their sufferings.
+
+According, therefore, to the established custom of the early settlers,
+the stranger for whom Algernon proceeded to make inquiries, was entitled
+to all the rights of hospitality; and whether liked or disliked, could
+not consistently be smiled away, nor frowned away, as doubtless he would
+have been, had he lived in this civil, wonderworking age of lightning
+and steam; and though his appearance was any thing but agreeable to Mrs.
+Younker, who surveyed him through her spectacles (being a little near
+sighted) from the adjoining cabin, whither Algernon had repaired to
+learn her decision; and though it would prove inconvenient to herself
+to grant his request; yet, as she expressed it, "He war a stranger, as
+hadn't no home and didn't know whar to go to; and prehaps war hungry,
+poor man; and it wouldn't be right nor Christian-like to refuse him jest
+a night's lodging like;" and so the matter was settled, and Algernon was
+deputed to inform him that he could stay and would be welcome to such
+fare as their humble means afforded.
+
+Some half an hour later, a loud hallooing announced the arrival of the
+two Younkers with the domestic cattle--consisting of the kine and some
+pet sheep which ran with them--from their labors in a distant field,
+where they had been engaged in harvesting corn. A few minutes after, the
+elder Younker entered the cabin, bearing upon his shoulder a rifle, from
+which depended a large, fat turkey that he had shot during his absence.
+With a slight but friendly nod to the stranger, he proceeded to deposit
+his game on the hearth--where it was presently examined and commented on
+at considerable length by the good dame--and then carefully placing his
+rifle on a couple of horn hooks depending from the ceiling for the
+purpose, he seated himself on a stool, his back to the wall, with the
+air of one who is very much fatigued, and does not wish to mingle in
+conversation of any kind.
+
+The sun by this time was already below the horizon; twilight was fast
+deepening into night; and the matron, having finished her remarks on the
+turkey, and "Wondered ef sech birds wouldn't git to being scaser arter a
+while, when all on, 'em war shot?" proceeded to the cow-yard, to assist
+Isaac in milking; while Ella hurried hither and thither, with almost
+noiseless activity, to prepare the evening repast. A bright fire was
+soon kindled in the chimney, over which was suspended a kettle for
+boiling water; while in front, nearly perpendicular, was placed a large
+corn loaf, whose savory odor, as it began to cook, was far from being
+disagreeable to the olfactory organs of the lookers on. The table, of
+which we have previously given a description, was next drawn into the
+middle of the apartment and covered with a home-made cloth of linen; on
+which were placed a medley of dishes of various sizes and
+materials--some of wood, some of pewter, some of earthern, and one of
+stone--with knives and forks to correspond. Three of these dishes were
+occupied--one with clean, fresh butter, another with rich old cheese,
+and the third with a quantity of cold venison steak. In the course of
+another half hour, the cake was baked and on the table--Isaac and his
+mother had entered with the milk--the announcement was made by Ella that
+all was ready; and the whole party, taking seats around the humble
+board, proceeded to do justice to the fare before them.
+
+A light, placed in the center of the table, threw its gleams upon
+the faces of each, and exhibited a singular variety of expressions.
+That of the stranger was downcast, sinister, and suspicious, combined
+with an evident desire of appearing exactly the reverse. Occasionally,
+when he thought no eye was on him, he would steal a glance at Ella;
+and some times gaze steadily--like one who is resolved upon a
+certain event, without being decided as to the exact manner of its
+accomplishment--until he found himself observed, when his glance would
+fall to his plate, or be directed to some other object, with the
+seeming embarrassment of one caught in some guilty act. This was noticed
+more than once by Algernon; who, perhaps, more than either of the
+others, felt from the first that strong dislike, that suspicious
+repugnance to the stranger, which can only be explained as one of the
+mysteries of nature, whereby we are sometimes warned of whom we should
+shun, as the instinct of an animal makes known to it its inveterate foe;
+and though he strove to think there was nothing of evil meant by a
+circumstance apparently so trifling--that the glance of the stranger was
+simply one of admiration or curiosity--yet the thought that it might be
+otherwise--that he might be planning something wicked to the fair being
+before him--haunted his mind like some hideous vision, made him for
+the time more distrustful, more watchful than ever, and was afterward
+reverted to with a painful sensation. The features of Algernon also
+exhibited an expression of remorse and hopeless melancholy; the reason
+whereof the reader, who has now been made acquainted with the secret,
+will readily understand. The face of Ella, too, was paler than
+usual--more sad and thoughtful--so much so, that it was remarked by Mrs.
+Younker, who immediately instituted the necessary inquiries concerning
+her health, and explained to her at some length the most approved method
+of curing a cold, in case that were the cause. In striking contrast to
+the sober looks of the others--for Younker himself was a man who seldom
+exhibited other than a sedate expression--was the general appearance and
+manner of Isaac. He seemed exceedingly exhilarated in spirits, yet kept
+his eyes down, and appeared at times very absent minded. Whatever his
+thoughts were, it was evident they were pleasing ones; for he would
+smile to himself, and occasionally display a comical nervousness, as
+though he had some very important secret to make known, yet was not
+ready to communicate it. This had been observed in him through the day;
+and was so different from his usual manner, and so much beyond any
+conjecture his mother could form of the cause, that at last her
+curiosity became so excited, that to restrain it longer was like holding
+down the safety-valve to an over-heated steam boiler; and, accordingly,
+taking advantage of another mysterious smile, which Isaac chanced to
+display while looking at a large piece of corn bread, already on its way
+to his capacious jaws, she exclaimed:
+
+"Why, what on yarth _is_ the matter with you, Isaac, that you keep a
+grinning, and grinning, and fidgetting about all to yourself so much
+like a plaguy nateral born fool for?"
+
+So loudly, suddenly and unexpectedly was this question put--for all had
+been silent some minutes previous--that Isaac started, blushed, dropped
+the bread--already near enough to his teeth to have felt uncomfortable,
+had it been capable of feeling--endeavored to catch it--blundered--and
+finally upset his plate and contents into his lap, in a manner so truly
+ridiculous, that Ella and Mrs. Younker, unable to restrain their mirth,
+laughed heartily, while the stranger and Algernon smiled, and the stern
+features of the father relaxed into an expression of quiet humor seldom
+seen on his countenance.
+
+"'Pon my word," continued Mrs. Younker, so soon as she could collect
+breath enough after laughing to go on; "I do raley believe as how the
+boy's ayther crazy, or in love, for sartin. What does ail ye, Isaac?--do
+tell!"
+
+"Perhaps he was thinking of his dear Peggy," said Ella, archly; who was,
+by the way, very fond of teasing him whenever opportunity presented; and
+could not even now, despite her previous low spirits, forbear a little
+innocent raillery--her temperament being such, that wit and humor were
+ever ready on the slightest provocation to take the ascendancy, as old
+wine when stirred ever sends its sparkling beads upward. "I wonder,
+Isaac, if you looked as amiable and interesting in the eyes of dear
+Peggy, and made as graceful an appearance, when you popped the
+question?"
+
+"Why, how in the name o' all Christen nater did you find out I'd done
+it?" asked Isaac, in reply; who having, meantime, regained his former
+position, and restored the plate, minus some of its contents, now sat a
+perfect picture of comical surprise, with his mouth slightly ajar, and
+his small eyes strained to their utmost and fastened seriously upon the
+querist as he awaited her answer.
+
+"Murder will out, dear Isaac," replied Ella, with a ringing laugh; in
+which she was joined by most of the others; and particularly by the
+subject of the joke; who perceiving, too late for retreat, that he had
+been betrayed into an acknowledgment of his secret, deemed this his
+wisest course for defence.
+
+"And so, Isaac, you have really proposed to darling Peggy, then? and we
+are to have a wedding shortly?" continued his tormentor. "And pray which
+did look the most foolish of the two?--or was it a drawn-game, as we
+sometimes say of draughts?"
+
+"Why," rejoined Isaac, changing color as rapidly as an aurora borealis,
+and evidently much embarrassed; "I 'spect I mought as well own up,
+being's I've got cotched in my own trap; and besides, it won't make no
+great difference, only as I war intending it for a surprise. You see I
+axed Peggy the question last night; and it's all settled; and we're
+going to be married in less nor a week, ef nothing unforeseen don't
+happen; and as Mr. Reynolds ar a stranger in these diggins, I thought
+prehaps as how he'd like a little amusement like, and so I've fixed on
+him for my groomsman."
+
+"I am much obliged for your kind intentions, and the honor you would
+confer on me," answered Reynolds, sadly; "but I am sorry to say, I shall
+be under the necessity of declining your invitation; as on the morrow I
+design taking a farewell leave of you all, and quitting this part of the
+country forever."
+
+Mr. Younker, his wife, and son, all started, with looks of surprise, at
+this announcement, while Ella again grew deadly pale; and rising, with
+some little trepidation, retired from the table. The stranger was the
+only one unmoved.
+
+"To-morrow!" ejaculated Mrs. Younker.
+
+"Take leave o' us!" said the host.
+
+"Quit the country forever!" repeated Isaac.
+
+"Such, I assure you, is my determination," rejoined Algernon.
+
+"But your wound, Mr. Reynolds?" suggested Younker.
+
+"Is not entirely healed," returned Algernon; "yet I trust sufficiently
+so to allow me to pursue my journey. The wound, as you are aware, was
+only a flesh one--the ball having entered the right side, glanced on the
+lower rib, and passed out nearly in front--and though very dangerous at
+the time from excessive hemorrhage, has of late been rapidly healing,
+and now troubles me but little if any."
+
+"Well, now, Mr. Reynolds," rejoined Mrs. Younker, "I'm a considerable
+older woman nor you ar--that is, I mean to say, I'm a much older
+individule--and I 'spect I've had in my time some lettle experience
+in matters that you don't know nothing about; and so you musn't go to
+thinking hard o' me, ef I give you a lettle advice, and tell you to
+stay right whar you ar, and not stir a single step away for three
+weeks;--'cause ef you do, your wound may get rupturous agin, and in
+some lone place jest carry you right straight off into the shader o'
+the valley of death--as our good old Rev. Mr. Allprayer used to say,
+when he wanted to comfort the sick. O, dear good man he war, Preacher
+Allprayer,"--continued the voluble old lady, with a sigh, her mind now
+wholly occupied with his virtues--"dear good man he war! I jest
+remember--Lor bless ye, I'll never forgit it--how he come'd to me when I
+war sick--with tears a running out o' his eyes like he'd been eating raw
+inyuns, poor man--and told me that I war going to die right straight
+away, and never need to hope to be no better; and that I'd most likely
+go right straight to that orful place whar all bad folks goes to. O, the
+dear man! I never could help always liking him arter that--it made me
+feel so orful narvous and religious like. Why, what on yarth be you
+grinning at agin, Isaac?--jest for all the world like a monkey for?"
+
+"Nothing, mother," answered Isaac, nearly choking with smothered
+laughter; "only I war jest kind o' thinking what a kind comforter Mr.
+Allprayer war, to tell you you couldn't live any longer; and that when
+you died you'd jest go right straight to--to--"
+
+"Silence! you irrelevant boy, you!" (irreverent was doubtless meant)
+interrupted the dame, angrily: "How dare you to go making fun o' the
+pious Rev. Mr. Allprayer?--him as used to preach all Sunday long, and
+pray all Sunday night, and never did nothing wrong--though he did git
+turned out o' the meeting house arterward for getting drunk and
+swearing; but then the poor man cried and said it were nothing but a
+accident, which hadn't happened more nor ten times to him sence he'd bin
+a preacher of the everlasting gospel. Thar, thar, the crazy head's a
+giggling agin! I do wish, Ben, you'd see to Isaac, and make him behave
+himself--for he's got so tittery like, sence he's axed Peggy, thar's no
+use o' trying to do nothing with him."
+
+"Isaac! Isaac!" said his father with a reproving glance; and, as though
+that voice and look possessed a spell, the features of the young man
+instantly became grave, almost solemn. Then turning to Algernon, the old
+man continued: "As to leaving us, Mr. Reynolds, you of course know your
+own business best, and it arn't my desire to interfere; but ef you could
+put up with our humble fare, say a week or ten days longer, I think as
+how it would be much better for you, and would give us a deal of
+pleasure besides."
+
+"Why, I'll jest tell you what tis," put in Isaac: "I've fixed on you for
+groomsman, and I arn't a going to gin in no how; so unless you want to
+quarrel; you'll have to stay; and more'n that, it's spected you'll see
+to takin Ella thar; for I know she don't like to go with any o' the
+fellers round here; and I shall gin out she's going with you; which may
+be won't hurt your feelings none--at any rate, I know it won't hers."
+
+At the mention of Ella, Algernon crimsoned to the eyes, and became so
+exceedingly confused, that he could with difficulty stammer forth, by
+way of reply, the query as to the time when the important event was
+expected to take place.
+
+"Let me see," answered Isaac, telling off the days on his fingers:
+"to-morrow's Friday; then Saturday's one, Sunday's two, Monday's three,
+and Tuesday's four--only four days from to-morrow morning, Mr. Reynolds."
+
+"Then, as you so urgently insist upon it," rejoined Reynolds, "I will
+postpone my departure till after the wedding."
+
+Isaac thanked him cordially, and the father and mother looked gratified
+at the result; Ella he could not see--she having withdrawn from the
+table, as previously noted. Some further conversation ensued relative to
+the manner in which weddings were conducted in that country, and the
+design of proceeding with the one in question; but as we intend the
+reader to be present at the wedding itself, we shall not detail it.
+We will remark here, by the way, that the stranger seemed to take a
+singular interest in all that was said concerning the residence of the
+intended bride, the road the party were expected to take to reach there,
+their probable number, manner of travel, and the time when they would be
+likely to set forth and return. In all this it was observed by Algernon,
+that whenever he asked a question direct, it was put in such a careless
+manner as would lead one not otherwise suspicious to suppose him
+perfectly indifferent as to whether it were answered or not; but he
+somehow fancied, he scarce knew why, that there was a strong under
+current to this outward seeming. And furthermore he observed, that the
+stranger in general avoided putting a question at all--rather seeking
+his information by conjecturing or supposing what would immediately be
+contradicted or confirmed. This mode of interrogation, so closely
+followed up to every particular, yet apparently with such indifference,
+together with the stranger's treacherous look and several minor things
+all bearing a suspicious cast, more than half convinced Algernon that
+the other was a spy, and that some foul play was assuredly meditated;
+though what, and to whom, or for what purpose, he was at a loss to
+determine.
+
+From the particulars of the coming wedding, the stranger, after a
+little, adroitly turned the conversation upon the wound of Reynolds;
+asked a number of questions, and appeared deeply interested in the whole
+narration concerning it--the attack upon him by the Indians and his
+providential escape through the assistance of Boone--all of which was
+detailed by Isaac in his own peculiar way. From this case in particular,
+the conversation gradually changed to other cases that had happened
+in the vicinity; and also to the state of the country, with regard
+to what it had been and now was--its settlements--its increase of
+inhabitants--the many Indian invasions and massacres that had occurred
+within the last five years on the borders--and the present supposed
+population of the frontiers.
+
+"As to myself," said Younker, in reply to some observation of the
+stranger, "as to myself and family, we've been extremely fortunate in
+'scaping the red foe--though I've bin daily fearful that when I went
+away to my work in the morning, I'd may be come back agin at noon or
+night and find my women folks gone, or murdered, and my cot in ashes;
+but, thank the Lord! I've been so far spared sech a heart rending
+sight."
+
+"And had you no personal fears?" asked the stranger.
+
+"I don't know's I understand you."
+
+"Had you no fears for yourself individually?"
+
+"Well, I can't say's I had," answered the other. "I'm an old man--or at
+least I'm in my second half century--and I've so endeavored to live, as
+not to fear to go at any moment when God sees fit, and by whatsomever
+means he may choose to take me."
+
+"I suppose you now consider yourself in a measure safe from Indian
+encroachments?" observed the other.
+
+"No man, stranger--I beg pardon, but I'd like to know your name!"
+
+"Certainly, sir," answered the other, a little embarrassed. "My name
+is--is--Williams."
+
+"Thank you! No man, Mr. Williams, ar justified in considering himself
+safe from Injens, in a country like this; but to tell the truth, I don't
+feel so fearful of 'em, as when I first come out here with my family,
+two year ago; though thar's no telling what may hap in the course o' two
+year more."
+
+"And did you venture here at once on your arrival in this western
+country?"
+
+"Not exactly; for the land laws o' Virginna, passed the year I come out,
+made it rayther difficult gitting hold o' land, about which thar war a
+great deal o' disputing; and which war kept up till the commissioners
+came out and settled the matter; and so while this war agitating, I took
+my family to Boonesborough, whar they remained, excepting Isaac, who
+went along with me, until we'd got all matters fixed for moving 'em
+here. But as you've axed considerable many questions, pray may I know ef
+you're from the east?--And ef so, what news thar is with respect to this
+here war with the Britishers?" "Why," replied the other, hesitatingly,
+"though not strictly speaking from the east, yet I've been eastward the
+past season, and have some news of the war; and, as far as I am able to
+judge, think it will result in the total subjugation of the colonies."
+
+"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Younker.
+
+"Heaven forefend!" said Reynolds, with a start.
+
+"Lord presarve us!--marsy on us!" cried Mrs. Younker, with vehemence.
+"What on yarth shall we do, ef them plaguy Britishers git uppermost?
+They'll take away all our lands, for sartin!--and Ben's bin and bought
+four hundred acres, poor man, at forty cents a acre, under the new laws
+of Varginna[4]--which comes to one hundred and sixty dollars, hard
+money; and now maybe he'll have to lose it all, and not git nothing for
+it; and then what in the name o' the whole univarsal creation will
+become on us?"
+
+"Well, well, Dorothy--don't fret about it till it happens--thar'll be
+plenty o' time then," said Younker, gravely; "and perhaps it won't
+happen at all."
+
+"Don't talk to me about fretting, Mr. Younker!" rejoined the now
+irritated dame, a la Caudle: "I reckon I don't fret no easier nor you
+do, nor half so much nother; but I'd like to know who wouldn't fret,
+when they know they're going to lose all thar property by them thar good
+for nothing red-coated Britishers, who I do believe is jest as mean as
+Injens, and they're too mean to live, that's sartin. Fret, indeed! I
+reckon it wouldn't do for you to be letting Preacher Allprayer hear ye
+say so; for he said one time with his own mouth--and to me too, mind
+that!--that I'd got the bestest disposition in the whole universal yarth
+o' creation under the sun!" and the voluble old lady paused to take
+breath.
+
+"It's my opine, that ef Preacher Allprayer had lived with you as long as
+I have, he wouldn't repeat that thar sentence under oath," returned
+Younker, quietly. Then perceiving that a storm was brewing, he hastened
+to change the conversation, by addressing the stranger: "What cause have
+you, Mr. Williams, for speaking so discourageous o' the war?"
+
+"The failure of the American arms in battle, the weakness of their
+resources, and the strength of their opponents," replied the other. "I
+presume you have heard of the battles of Guilford and Camden, in both of
+which General Greene was defeated?"
+
+"General _Gates_ commanded at Camden, sir!" interposed Reynolds somewhat
+haughtily.
+
+"I beg pardon, sir!" retorted the other, in a sneering, sarcastic tone;
+"but I was speaking of the defeat of General _Greene!_"
+
+"At Camden?"
+
+"At Camden, sir!"
+
+"I am sorry you are no better informed," rejoined Algernon, with
+flashing eyes. "I repeat that General Gates commanded at Camden; and as,
+unfortunately, I chanced to be in the fight, I claim the privilege of
+being positive."
+
+"The youth is doubtless speaking of the battle fought a year or two
+ago," rejoined Williams, turning to Younker, in a manner the most
+insulting to Reynolds; who clenched his hand, and pressed his nether lip
+with his teeth until the blood sprang through, but said nothing. "I have
+reference to the two engagements which took place at Guilford Court
+House and Camden, in March and April last; whereby, as I said before,
+General Greene, who commanded at both, was twice defeated, and retreated
+with great loss; although in the former action his forces outnumbered
+those of his opponent, Lord Cornwallis, as two to one; and in the
+latter, far exceeded those of Lord Rawdon, his opponent also."
+
+"This is indeed startling news," answered Younker, "and I'm fearful o'
+the result!"
+
+"You may depend on't, them thar four-hundred acres is all gone clean to
+smash," observed Mrs. Younker; "and its my opine, Ben, you'd better sell
+right straight out immediately, afore the news gits about any further,
+for fear o' accidents and them things."
+
+"I suppose in reality the present war with England does not trouble you
+here?" said the stranger, interrogatively.
+
+"Why not in reality," answered Younker, "only so far as the Britishers
+and thar accursed renegade agents set on the Injens agin us."
+
+"To what renegade agents do you allude?" inquired the other, with a
+degree of interest he had not before exhibited.
+
+"Why, to the Girtys, McKee, and Elliot--and perticularly to that thar
+scoundrel, Simon Girty the worst o' all on 'em."
+
+"Ha! Simon Girty," said the other, with a slight start and change of
+countenance; "what know you of him?"
+
+"Nothing that's good, you may be sartin, and every thing that's evil.
+He's leagued with the Injens, purposely to excite 'em agin his own white
+brethren--to have them murder women and children, that he may feast his
+eyes on thar innocent blood. I'm not given to be o' a revengeful speret,
+Mr. Williams; but I never think o' that thar renegade, Simon Girty, but
+I inwardly pray for the curse o' an avenging God to light upon him; and
+come it will, ayther soon or late, you may depend on't!"
+
+"Amen to that thar sentiment!" responded the dame; while the stranger
+became very much agitated, on account, as he said, of a violent pain in
+his side, to which he was subject.
+
+Mrs. Younker was on the point of bringing down her invectives on the
+head of the renegade in a speech of some considerable length, when,
+perceiving the distressful look of the other, the kind-hearted woman
+suddenly forgot her animosity in sympathy for her suffering guest; and
+forthwith proceeded, with all the eloquence of which she was master, to
+recommend a certain essence that chanced to be in the house, as a never
+failing remedy for all griping and other pains with which unfortunate
+humanity was oftentimes afflicted.
+
+"It's one o' the bestest things as ever war invented," continued the
+good woman, in her eulogy of the article in question; "and has did more
+good in it's time, nor all the doctors on the univarsal yarth put
+together could do, in the way of curing sprains, and bruises, and
+stomach-pains, and them things; and ef you don't believe it, Mr.
+Williams, you can see it all in print, ef you can read, and I spect you
+can, on the bottle itself, jest as plain as any thing; and besides, I've
+got the testament (testimony, doubtless) of the good and pious Rev. Mr.
+Allprayer, who tuk some on't once for the gout; and he said as how the
+contracting (counteracting?) pains war so many, that he didn't no more
+feel the gout for a long time to come afterwards. I've no doubt it'll
+sarve you jest the same way, and I'll go and fetch it right straight
+off."
+
+But the mission of the good woman was prevented by the complainant's
+insisting that he was much better, would presently be well, and wished
+to retire for the night. His request was granted--but little more was
+said--and all shortly after betook themselves to bed--to think, or
+sleep, or dream, as the case might be with each.
+
+When the family arose on the following morning, they found the stranger
+had departed; but when or whither none could tell.
+
+
+[Footnote 4: It may be proper to note here, for the benefit of those
+unfamiliar with the early history of Kentucky, that, at the period of
+which we write, it was claimed and held by Virginia as a portion of her
+territory, for which she legislated accordingly.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+THE WEDDING.
+
+
+The year 1781 was remarkable in the history of Kentucky for the immense
+emigration from the east into its territory of unmarried females. It
+appears, in looking over the records of the time, as though some mighty
+barrier had hitherto kept them in check, which, being removed, allowed
+them to rush forward in overwhelming force, like to the pent up waters
+of some stream when its obstruction suddenly gives way. Whatever this
+hitherto obstruction or barrier may have been, we do not pretend to say;
+but the fact itself we record as we find it chronicled in history. The
+result of this influx of females into a region almost wholly populated
+by the opposite sex was one, as will readily be perceived, of great
+importance to the well-being of the embryo state; and was duly
+celebrated by the rising generation, in a general jubilee of
+marriages--one following fast upon another, like drops of rain in a
+genial summer shower; and, to extend the simile, with an effect by no
+means less productive of fertility, in a long run, to the country round
+about.
+
+A wedding in those days was an affair of great importance to the
+neighborhood of its location; and was looked forward to by old and
+young--the latter in particular--as a grand holiday of feasting,
+dancing, and general rejoicing. Nor can this be wondered at, when we
+take into consideration the fact, that, in the early settlement of the
+country, a wedding was almost the only gathering, as they were called,
+which was not accompanied with some laborious employment--such as
+harvesting, log-rolling, and the like. Occasionally there might be some
+dissatisfaction felt and expressed by some, who, from some cause or
+another, chanced to be left out of the almost general invitation; in
+which case a special resentment not unfrequently followed. This was
+accomplished in various ways--sometimes by felling trees, or placing
+other obstacles across some narrow portion of the horse-path by which
+the wedding party were advancing, thereby causing considerable delay for
+their removal--sometimes by ambushing and firing a volley of blank
+cartridges at the party in question, so as to frighten the horses, by
+which means more or less were frequently injured, by being thrown to the
+ground--and sometimes by shearing the manes and tails of the horses
+themselves, while their owners were being occupied with the feast, and
+the dance, and the gay carousal of the occasion. But to proceed.
+
+The morning of the day set apart by Isaac Younker, as the one which was
+to see him duly united to Peggy Wilson, came in due time--as many an
+important one has both before and since--without one visible sign in the
+heavens, or otherwise, to denote that any thing remarkable was about to
+happen. In fact it might be put down to the reverse of all this; for,
+unlike the generality of wished-for days, it was exceedingly fair,
+balmy, and beautiful. The sun rose at the expected time, large and red,
+and saluted the hills and tree-tops, and anon the vales, with a smiling
+light, as though he felt exceedingly happy to greet them again after a
+calm night's repose. The dew sparkled on blade and leaf, as if with
+delight at his appearance; a few flowers modestly uncovered their
+blooming heads; a few warblers of the forest--for although autumn had
+nearly half advanced, some had delayed their journey to the sunny
+south--sung gleesome songs; and altogether the morning in question was
+really a delightful one.
+
+The family of the Younkers were stirring betimes, making the necessary
+preparations for their departure, and looking out for the expected
+guests; who, according to the custom of the period, first assembled at
+the residence of the groom, to proceed thence in company with him to
+the mansion of the bride, which place they must always reach in time to
+have the ceremony performed before partaking of the dinner prepared for
+the occasion. For this purpose, as the distance to the house of the fair
+intended was not unfrequently considerable, they generally came at an
+early hour; and as Isaac's fair Peggy was not likely to be visible short
+of a ten miles' ride, his companions for the journey accordingly began
+to appear in couples before his father's dwelling, ere the sun was an
+hour above the hills.
+
+Isaac, on the present occasion, stood ready to receive them as they
+rode up, arrayed in his wedding garments; which--save a few trifling
+exceptions in some minor articles, and the addition of five or six metal
+buttons displayed on his hunting frock in a very singular manner, and
+a couple of knee buckles, all old family relics--presented the same
+appearance as those worn by him during his ordinary labors. And this,
+by the way, exhibits another feature of the extreme simplicity of the
+time--and one too highly praise-worthy--when the individual was sought
+for himself alone, and not for the tinsel gew-gaws, comparatively
+speaking, he might chance to exhibit. Necessity forced all to be plain
+and substantial in the matter of dress; and consequently comfort and
+convenience were looked to, rather than ostentatious display. All at
+that day were habited much alike--so that a description of the costume
+of one of either sex, as in the case of their habitations, previously
+noted, would describe that of a whole community.
+
+"Let the reader," says a historian, in speaking of the manners and dress
+of those noble pioneers, "imagine an assemblage of people, without a
+store, tailor, or mantuamaker within an hundred miles; and an assemblage
+of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. The
+gentlemen dressed in shoepacks, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins,
+linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made. The ladies dressed in linsey
+petticoats, and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings,
+handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there were any buckles,
+rings, buttons or ruffles, they were the relics of old times--family
+pieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned with
+old saddles, old bridles or halters, and packsaddles, with a bag or
+blanket thrown over them--a rope or string as often constituting the
+girth as a piece of leather."
+
+But to our story:
+
+Since leaving Isaac in the preceding chapter, after his important
+announcement, as therein recorded, he had been by no means idle. The two
+days immediately following had been spent by him in riding post-haste
+through the surrounding country, to inform his friends that he was on
+the point of becoming a married man, and require their presence at the
+appointed hour and place of ceremony. The rest of the time (Sunday of
+course exempted) had been carefully husbanded by him in making all due
+preparation; and he now stood before his expected guests with the air
+one, to use a common phrase, who has not been caught napping. For each,
+as they rode up, he had a friendly salutation and familiar word; and
+inviting them to dismount and enter, until the whole number should be
+arrived, he led away and secured their horses to the neighboring trees.
+
+In due time the last couple made their appearance; and having partaken
+of some refreshment, which was highly recommended and presented by Mrs.
+Younker herself--whose tongue, by the way, had seen no rest for at least
+two hours--the whole party, in gleeful spirits, prepared to mount and
+set forth on their journey. Even Algernon, as he assisted the graceful
+Ella into her saddle, and then sprung lightly himself upon the back of
+a high mettled, beautiful steed by her side, could not avoid exhibiting
+a look of cheerfulness, almost gaiety, in striking contrast to his
+habitual gloom. And this too produced a like effect upon Ella; who,
+mounted upon a fine spirited, noble animal, and displaying all the ease
+and grace of an accomplished rider, with her flushed cheek and sparkling
+eyes, seemed the personification of loveliness. Her dress was
+exceedingly neat, of the fashion and quality worn in the east--being one
+she had brought with her on her removal hither. A neat hood, to which
+was attached a green veil, now thrown carelessly back and floating down
+behind, covered her head and partially concealed a profusion of
+beautiful ringlets.
+
+The company at length being all mounted, Isaac took it upon himself to
+lead the way; for the reason, as he alleged, that having traveled the
+ground oftener than either of the others, he of course knew the best and
+nearest path to the abode of Peggy Wilson. Algernon as groomsman rode
+next with Ella; followed in turn by the father and mother of the groom;
+and then in double file by the whole company--talking, laughing and full
+of glee--to the number of some fifteen couples. Turning the corner of
+the house, they forded the streamlet previously mentioned, crossed the
+valley, and ascended by a narrow horse-path the opposite hill, leaving
+the canebrake some distance away to the left.
+
+In those days a road--or at least such a highway as we of the present
+so denominate--was a something unknown; a few horse-paths, so termed,
+traversing the country in various directions--narrow, oftentimes
+obstructed, and sometimes dangerous. Over one of this latter class, as
+before said, our wedding party now wended their way, in high spirits;
+sometimes riding at a brisk trot or gallop, where their course lay open
+and clear, sometimes walking their horses very slow, in single file,
+where the path, winding across craggy bluffs, among rocks and trees,
+became very narrow and unsafe. Twice, on this latter account, did the
+gentlemen of the company dismount and lead the horses of their partners
+for some considerable distance past the stony and dangerous defile, by
+which means all accidents were avoided. When they had reached within
+a mile of their destination, Isaac drew rein and all came to a halt.
+Turning upon his saddle, with the air of a commander of some important
+expedition, he sang out in a loud, shrill voice;
+
+"Well, boys and gals, here we ar--this here's the spot--who's agoing to
+run for the bottle?"
+
+"Whoop! yaho! give way thar!" was the answer from a couple of voices in
+the rear; and at the same instant, two young men, separating from their
+partners, came bounding forward, on two blood horses, at break-neck
+speed.
+
+"Stop!" thundered Isaac, as they came tearing up to where he was sitting
+astride his beast; and obedient to his command, the two individuals in
+question reined in their impatient steeds, hard abreast, close by his
+side. "Well, ef you arn't a couple o' beauties, then jest put it down
+that I don't know," continued Isaac, eying them coolly from head to
+heel, with a quizzical, comical look. "You'd both on ye average two
+decent looking fellars--for whar Seth Stokes is too long, Sam Switcher
+arn't long enough; and whar Sam Switcher's got too much, Seth Stokes
+han't got nothing."
+
+A roar of laughter, in which both Seth and Sam joined, followed Isaac's
+closing remarks; for besides partaking of the ludicrous, none could deny
+that his description was correct. The two worthies in question were
+certainly two very singular looking beings to be brought together for a
+race, and presented a most laughable appearance. The one bearing the
+poetical appellation of Seth Stokes, was long, thin and bony, with sharp
+features, and legs that reminded one of a carpenter's compass; while his
+companion, Sam Switcher, was round-favored, short in limbs and stature,
+and fat almost to corpulency--thus forming a contrast to the other of
+the most striking kind.
+
+As soon as the laugh at their expense had subsided, Isaac again sang
+out: "Squar your hosses' heads thar--get ready, boys--now clippet, and
+don't keep us long waiting the bottle! for I reckon as how some on us
+is gitting dry. Yehep! yahoa!" and ere the sound of his voice had died
+away, down came the switches, accompanied by a terrible yell, and off
+went horses and bottle-riders--over stumps, logs and rocks--past trees
+and brush, and whatever obstacle might lie in their course--with a speed
+that threatened them with death at every moment; while the others
+remained quietly seated on their ponies, enjoying the sport, and
+sometimes shouting after them such words of encouragement as, "Go it,
+Seth!" "Up to him, Sammy!" "Pull up, legs!" "Jump it, fatty!" so long as
+the racers were in sight.
+
+This race for the bottle, as it was called, was a peculiar feature for
+displaying the horsemanship and hardy recklessness of the early
+settlers; as a more dangerous one, to both horse and rider, could not
+well be imagined. That the reader may form a clear conception of what it
+was in reality--and also to destroy the idea if any such may have been
+formed, that it existed only in our imagination--we shall take the
+liberty of giving a short extract from the author already quoted. In
+speaking of the foregoing, he says:
+
+"The worse the path--the more logs, brush, and deep hollows, the
+better--as these obstacles afforded an opportunity for the greater
+display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox-chase, in point
+of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for
+the bottle. The start was announced by an Indian yell; when logs, brush,
+muddy hollows, hill and glen, were speedily passed by the rival ponies.
+The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use
+for judges; for the first who reached the door was presented with the
+prize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approaching
+them, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At the
+head of the troop he gave the bottle first to the groom and his
+attendants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line,
+giving each a drachm; and then putting the bottle in the bosom of his
+hunting shirt, took his station in the company."
+
+In something like a quarter of an hour, the clatter of horses' feet was
+heard by the company, the rival-racers presently appeared in sight, and
+all became anxious to learn who was the successful runner. They were not
+long kept in suspense; for advancing at a fast gallop, the riders were,
+soon within speaking distance; when a loud, shrill whoop from Seth
+Stokes, announced that in this case success had at least been with the
+long, if not with the strong.
+
+"How's this, Sammy?" cried a dozen voices, as the rivals rode up to the
+party.
+
+"I don't exactly know," answered the individual addressed, shaking his
+head with a serio-comical expression; "but stifle me with the night-mar,
+if ever I'm cotched riding a race with death on horseback agin."
+
+This allusion to the bony appearance of his companion, caused a roar
+of laughter at the expense of the winner, in which he good-humoredly
+joined. According to custom, as previously mentioned, the bottle was
+presented first to Isaac, and then passed in regular order through
+the lines--Algernon and Ella merely putting it to their lips without
+drinking. When this ceremony was over, the party resumed their
+journey--no less merry on account of the whiskey--and by half an hour
+past eleven o'clock, all drew rein before the door of Abijah Wilson,
+the father of the fair intended.
+
+Here another party, the friends of the bride, were waiting to receive
+them; and after some few introductions, much shaking of hands, and other
+demonstrations of joy, the announcement was made, that the squire was
+ready to perform the ceremony. Instantly all talking was suspended, the
+company proceeded to form into a half circle, and then all became silent
+and solemn as the house of death. Isaac presently appeared from behind a
+coarse, temporary screen of cloth, hung up for the occasion--the house
+having no division save a chamber over head--leading the blushing Peggy
+by the hand, (a rosy cheeked, buxom lass of eighteen) both looking as
+frightened and foolish as could reasonably be expected. Behind the bride
+and groom came Algernon, in company with a dark-eyed, pretty brunette,
+who performed the part of bridesmaid. Taking their several places, the
+Squire, as he was termed--a man of forty--stepped forward, and said a
+few words concerning the importance of the present event, asked the
+necessary questions, joined their hands, and pronounced them man and
+wife. Then followed the usual amount of congratulations, good wishes for
+the future happiness of the married pair, kissing of the bride, and so
+forth, in all of which proceedings they differed not materially from
+their successors of the present day.
+
+About half an hour from the close of the ceremony, the guests were
+invited to partake of a sumptuous dinner, prepared expressly for the
+occasion. It was placed on rough tables made of large slabs, supported
+by small, round legs, set in auger holes; and though there was a
+scantiness of dishes--and these in the main consisting of a few
+pewter-plates, several wooden trenchers, with spoons of like material,
+interspersed with some of horn--and though the scarcity of knives
+required many of the gentlemen to make use of those carried in their
+belts--yet the food itself was such as might have rejoiced an epicure.
+It consisted of beef, roasted and boiled--pork, roasted and
+fried--together with chicken, turkey, partridge, and venison--well
+flanked on every side by bread, butter, and cheese, potatoes, cabbage,
+and various other vegetables. That it was both acceptable and palatable,
+was sufficiently proved by the hearty, joyous manner, in which each
+individual performed his or her part, and the rapidity with which it
+disappeared. The dessert was composed of two or three kinds of pies and
+puddings, washed down (at least by those who chose so to do) with
+whiskey. Great hilarity prevailed--particularly after the introduction
+of the bottle. Immediately dinner was over, the tables were removed, the
+fiddler was called for, and the dance commenced, which was to last till
+the following morning. The dance was opened by Isaac and the bridesmaid,
+with another couple--beginning with a square four, and ending with what
+was termed a jig. From this time forth, until the party separated, the
+poor fiddler experienced but little relaxation or comfort--unless in
+being encouraged, occasionally, by a refreshing salute from the lips of
+Black Betty; a being of no greater intellect, reader, than a bottle of
+whiskey.
+
+Some two hours after dinner, the father and mother of Isaac announced
+their intention of forthwith returning home; and, although seriously
+pressed to tarry longer, shortly after took their leave of the
+company--Mrs. Younker adding, as a farewell speech, "That she hoped to
+gracious Peggy'd jest make Isaac as good a wife nor she had Ben, and
+then thar wouldn't never be no need o' having trouble;" and wound up by
+quoting the Rev. Mr. Allprayer as the best authority on the subject.
+Younker stood by her side, calmly heard her through, and then shrugging
+his shoulders with a very significant expression, walked away without
+saying a word, to the great amusement of the whole assemblage.
+
+As to Algernon, he seemed to take no delight in what was going forward;
+and though he participated somewhat in the dance, yet it was evident to
+all observers that his mind went not with his body, and that what he did
+was done more with a design of concealing his real feelings, than for
+any amusement it afforded himself. When not occupied in this manner, or
+in conversation, he would steal away, seat himself where he was least
+likely to be observed, and fall into a gloomy, abstracted mood; from
+which, when suddenly roused by some loud peal of laughter, or by the
+touch and voice of some person near, he would sometimes start and look
+around as one just awakened from a frightful vision. This gloomy
+abstraction, too, appeared to grow upon him more and more, as the day
+settled into night and the night wore on, as though he felt some dreaded
+calamity had been hanging over, and was now about to fall upon him. So
+apparent was this toward the last, that even the most careless began to
+observe, and make remarks, and ask questions concerning him; and some
+even proceeded to inquire of him regarding the state of his health. His
+answers to all interrogatives now became so brief and abrupt, that but
+few ventured to address him the second time. Whatever the cause of his
+present gloomy state of mind, it was evidently not the ordinary one--at
+least not wholly that--for never before had Ella (who was in the habit,
+since their acquaintance, of observing him narrowly) seen him in such a
+mood as now. It was, perhaps, one of those strange mental foresights,
+peculiar to certain temperaments, whereby the individual is sometimes
+warned of impending danger, and feels oppressed by a weight of
+despondency impossible to shake off.
+
+This serious change in the appearance of Algernon, was not without its
+effect upon Ella. Naturally of a tender, affectionate, and sympathetic
+disposition, she could not feel at ease when another was suffering, and
+particularly when that other was one standing so high in her estimation
+as Algernon Reynolds. Naturally, too, possessing light and buoyant
+spirits--fond of gaiety where all were gay--she exhibited on the present
+occasion the effect of two strong but counteracting passions. Her
+features, if we may be allowed the comparison, were like the noon-day
+heavens, when filled with the broken clouds of a passing storm. Now all
+would be bright and cheerful, and the sun of mirth would sparkle in her
+eyes; and anon some dark cloud of dejection would sweep along, shut
+out the merry light, and cast its shadow drearily over the whole
+countenance,--or, to use language without simile, she would one moment
+be merry and another sad. Toward the last, however, the latter feeling
+gained the ascendancy; she appeared to take no further share in the
+merriment of the dance; and had any watched her closely, they might
+have guessed the cause, from the manner in which she from time to time
+gazed at the pale face of Algernon.
+
+Meantime the dance went bravely on, Black Betty circulated somewhat
+freely, and the mirth of the revelers grew more and more boisterous.
+Taking advantage of a slight cessation in the general hilarity, about
+nine o'clock in the evening, and while the fiddler with some of the
+party were engaged in partaking of refreshment, Seth Stokes, encouraged
+doubtless by the inspiration he had received from the whiskey, stepped
+boldly into the middle of the apartment with the bottle in his hand, and
+said:
+
+"Jest allow me, my jollies, to give a toast."
+
+"Harken all! A toast--a toast--from the long man o' the bony frame!"
+cried the voice of Sam Switcher. A laugh, and then silence followed.
+
+"Here's to--to Isaac and Peggy Younker--two beauties!" continued Seth.
+"May thar union be duly acknowledged by the rising generation o' old
+Kaintuck;" and the speaker gravely proceeded to drink.
+
+"Bravo! bravo!" cried a dozen voices, with a merry shout, accompanied
+with great clapping of bands; while Isaac, who was sitting by his new
+wife, arose, blushed, bowed rather awkwardly, and then sat down again.
+
+"Isaac! Isaac!--A toast from Isaac!" shouted a chorus of voices.
+
+Isaac at first looked very much confused--scratched his head and twisted
+around in a very fidgetty manner,--but presently his countenance
+flushed, and a smile of triumph crossing his sharp features, announced
+that he had been suddenly favored with an idea apropos. This was
+instantly perceived by some of the wags standing near, one of whom
+exclaimed:
+
+"I see it--it's coming!"
+
+"He's got it!" said a second.
+
+"I knew it--I'd ha' bet a bar-skin he'd fetch it," cried a third.
+
+"Out with it, Ike, afore you forget it," shouted the fourth.
+
+"Hold your jabbering tongues--!" cried Isaac, in vexation. "You're
+enough to bother a feller to death. I'd like to see some o' the rest on
+ye cramped up fur a toast, jest to see how _you'd_ feel with all on 'em
+hollering like." A hearty laugh at his expense was all the sympathy poor
+Isaac received.
+
+"Give us the bottle!" resumed Isaac. "Now here goes," continued he,
+rising and holding Black Betty by the neck. "Here's to the gals o' old
+Kaintuck--Heaven bless 'em! May they bloom like clover heads, be
+plentier nor bar-skins, and follow the example o' Peggy, every mother's
+daughter on 'em!--hooray!" And having drank, the speaker resumed his
+seat, amid roars of laughter and three rounds of applause.
+
+By the time this mirth had subsided, the fiddler struck up, and the
+dance again went on as before. Some two hours later the bridesmaid, with
+two or three others, managed to steal away the bride unobserved; and
+proceeding to a ladder at one end of the apartment, ascended to the
+chamber above, and saw her safely lodged in bed. In the course of
+another half hour the same number of gentlemen performed a like service
+for Isaac--such being customary at all weddings of that period.
+
+During the night Black Betty, in company with more substantial
+refreshment, was sent up to the newly married pair some two or three
+times; and always returned (Black Betty we mean) considerable lighter
+than she went; thus proving, that if lovers can live on air, the married
+ones do not always partake of things less spiritual. About three o'clock
+in the morning, Algernon and Ella took leave of the company and set out
+upon their return--he pleading illness as an apology for withdrawing
+thus early. The remainder of the party keep together until five, when
+they gradually began to separate; and by six the dancing had ceased, and
+the greater portion of them had taken their departure. Thus ended the
+wedding of Isaac Younker--a fair specimen, by the way, of a backwood's
+wedding in the early settlement of the west.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+THE PRESENTIMENT.
+
+
+Deep and gloomy were the meditations of Algernon Reynolds, as, in
+company with Ella Barnwell, he rode slowly along the narrow path which
+he had traversed, if not with buoyant, at least with far lighter
+spirits than now, the morning before. From some, latent cause, he felt
+oppressed with a weight of despondency, as previously mentioned, that
+served to prostrate in a measure both his mental powers and physical
+system. He felt, though he could give no reason why, that some calamity
+was about to befall himself and the fair being by his side; and he
+strove to arouse himself and shake off the gloomy thoughts; but if he
+succeeded, it was only momentary, and they would again rush back with an
+increased power. He had been subject, since his unfortunate quarrel with
+his cousin, to gloomy reveries and depressions of spirits--but never
+before had he felt exactly as now; and though in all former cases the
+event referred to had been the cause of his sad abstractions, yet in the
+present instance it scarcely held a place in his thoughts. Could it be a
+presentiment, he asked himself, sent to warn him of danger and prepare
+him to meet it? But the question he could not answer.
+
+The night, or rather the morning, though clear overhead, was uncommonly
+dark; and the stars, what few could be discerned, shed only pale, faint
+gleams, as though their lights were about to be extinguished. For some
+time both Algernon and Ella continued their journey without exchanging a
+syllable--she too, as well as himself, being deeply absorbed in no very
+pleasant reflections. She thought of him, of his hard fate, to meet with
+so many bitter disappointments at an age so young; and at last, for no
+premeditated, no intentional crime, be forced to fly from home and
+friends, and all he held dear, to wander in a far off land, among
+strangers--or worse, among the solitudes of the wilderness--exposed to a
+thousand dangers from wild savage beasts, and wilder and more savage
+human beings; and perhaps, withal, be branded as a felon and fugitive
+from justice. She thought what must be his feelings, his sense of utter
+desolation, with none around to sympathize--no sweet being by his side
+to whisper a single word of encouragement and hope; or, should the worst
+prove true, to share his painful lot, and endeavor to render less
+burdensome his remorseful thoughts, by smiles of endearment and looks of
+love. She thought, too, that to-morrow--perhaps today--he would take his
+departure, peradventure never to behold her again; and this was the
+saddest of the train. Until she saw him, Ella had never known what it
+was to love--perchance she did not now--but at least she had experienced
+those fluttering sensations, those deep and strange emotions, those
+involuntary yearnings of the heart toward some object in his presence,
+that aching void in his absence, which the more experienced would
+doubtless put down to that cause, and which no other being had ever even
+for a moment awakened in her breast. For something like half an hour the
+two rode on together, buried in their own sad reflections, when Ella
+broke the silence, by saying, in a low, touching voice:
+
+"You seem sad to-night, Algernon."
+
+Algernon started, sighed heavily, and turning slightly on his saddle,
+said: "I am sad, Ella--very, very sad."
+
+"May I ask the cause?" rejoined Ella, gently.
+
+"Doubtless you will think it strange, Ella, but the cause I believe to
+have originated in a waking vision or presentiment."
+
+"That does seem strange!" observed Ella, in return.
+
+"Did it never strike you, dear Ella, that we are all strange beings,
+subject to strange influences, and destined, many of us, to strange
+ends?" inquired Reynolds, solemnly.
+
+"Perhaps I do not understand you," replied Ella; "but with regard to
+destiny, I am inclined to think that we in a measure shape our own. As
+to our being strange, there are many things relating to us that we may
+not understand, and therefore look upon them in the light of which you
+speak."
+
+"Are there any we do understand, Ella?" rejoined Algernon. "When I say
+understand, I mean the word to be used in its minutest and broadest
+sense. You say there are many things we may not understand concerning
+ourselves--what ones, I pray you, do we fully comprehend? We are here
+upon the earth--so much we know. We shall die and pass away--so much we
+know also. But how came we here, and why? How do we exist? How do we
+think, reason, speak, feel, move, see, hear, smell, taste? All these
+we do, we know; but yet not one--not a single one of them can we
+comprehend. You wish to raise your hand; and forthwith, by some
+extraordinary power--extraordinary because you cannot tell where it is,
+nor how it is--you raise it. Why cannot a dead person do the same?
+Strange question you will say to yourself with a smile--but one easily
+answered! Why, because in such a person life is extinct--there is no
+vital principle--the heart is stopped--the blood has ceased to flow
+in its regular channels! Ay! but let me ask you _why_ that life is
+extinct?--why that breath has stopped?--and why that blood has ceased
+to flow? There was just the same amount of air when the person died as
+before! There were the same ingredients still left to stimulate that
+blood to action! Then wherefore should both cease?--and with them the
+power of thought, reason, speech, and all the other senses? It was not
+by a design of the individual himself; for he strove to his utmost to
+breathe longer; he was not ready to die--he did not want to quit this
+earth so soon; and yet with all his efforts to the contrary, reason
+fled, the breath stopped, the blood ceased, the limbs became palsied and
+cold, and corruption, decay and dust stood ready to follow. Now why was
+this? There is but one answer: 'God willed it!' If then one question
+resolves itself into one answer,--'the will of God'--so may all of
+the same species; and we come out, after a long train of analytical
+reasoning, exactly where we started--with this difference--that when we
+set out, we believed in being able to explain the wherefore; but when we
+came to the end, we could only assert it as a wonderful fact, whereof
+not a single iota could we understand."
+
+Algernon spoke in a clear, distinct, earnest tone--in a manner that
+showed the subject was not new to his thoughts; and after a short pause,
+during which Ella made no reply, he again proceeded.
+
+"In this grand organ of man--where all things are strange and
+incomprehensible--to me the combination of the physical and mental is
+strangest of all. The soul and the body are united and yet divided. Each
+is distinct from and acts without the other at times, and yet both act
+in concert with a wonderful power. The soul plans and the body executes.
+The body exercises the soul--the soul the body. The one is visible--the
+other invisible; the one is mortal--the other immortal. Now why do they
+act together here? Why was not each placed in its separate sphere of
+action? Again: What is the soul? Men tell us it is a spirit. What is a
+spirit? An invisible something that never dies. Who can comprehend it?
+None. Whither does it go when separated forever from the body? None can
+answer, save in language of Scripture: 'It returns to God who gave it.'"
+
+"I have never heard the proposition advanced by another," continued
+Algernon, after another slight pause, "but I have sometimes thought
+myself, that the soul departs from the body, for a brief season, and
+wanders at will among scenes either near or remote, and returns with
+its impressions, either clouded or clear, to communicate them to the
+corporeal or not, as the case may be: hence dreams or visions, and
+strong impressions when we wake, that something bright and good has
+refreshed our sleep, or something dark and evil has made it troubled and
+feverish. Again I have sometimes thought that this soul--this invisible
+and immortal something within us--has power at times to look into the
+future, and see events about to transpire; which events being sometimes
+of a dark and terrible nature, leave upon it like impressions; and hence
+gloomy and melancholy forebodings. This may be all sophistry--as much of
+our better reasoning on things we know nothing about often is--but if it
+be true, then may I trust to account for my present sadness."
+
+"Have you really, then, sad forebodings?" inquired Ella, quickly and
+earnestly.
+
+"Against my will and sober reason, dear Ella, I must own I have.
+Perchance, however, the feeling was only called up by a train of
+melancholy meditations. While sitting there to-night, gazing upon
+the many bounding forms--some full of beauty and grace, and some of
+strength--noting their joyous faces, and listening occasionally to the
+lightsome jest, and merry, ringing laugh--I could not avoid contrasting
+with the present the time when I was as happy and full full of mirth as
+they. I pictured to myself how they would stare and shudder and draw
+away from me, did they know my hand was stained with the blood of my
+own kin. Then I began, involuntarily as it were, to picture to myself
+the fate of each; and they came up before me in the form of a vision,
+(though if such, it was a waking one) but in regular order; and I saw
+them pass on one after another--some gliding smoothly down the stream of
+time to old age--some wretched and crippled, groping their way along
+over barren wastes, without water or food, though nearly dying for the
+want of both--some wading through streams of blood, with fierce and
+angry looks--and some with pale faces, red eyes, and hollow cheeks,
+roving amid coffins, sepulchres and bones; but of all, the very fewest
+number happy."
+
+"Oh! it was an awful vision!" exclaimed Ella, with a shudder.
+
+"It was awful enough," rejoined Algernon; "and despite of me, it made me
+more and more sad as I thought upon it. Could it indeed be a dream? But
+no! I was--seemingly at least--as wide awake and conscious as at the
+present moment. I saw the dance going on as ever--I saw the merry
+smiles, and heard the jest and laugh as before. Could it be some strange
+hallucination of the brain--some wild imagining--caused by my previous
+exercise and over heat? I pondered upon it long and seriously, but could
+not determine. Suddenly--I know not how nor why--that ill-looking
+stranger who lodged one night at your uncle's, and departed so
+mysteriously, came up in my mind; and almost at the same moment, I
+fancied myself riding with you, dear Ella, through a dark and lonely
+wood--when all of a sudden there came a fierce yell--several dark,
+hideous forms, with him among them, swam around me--I heard you shriek
+for aid--and then all became darkness and confusion; from which I was
+aroused by some one inquiring if I were ill? What I answered I know not;
+but the querist immediately took his leave."
+
+"It all seems very strange, Algernon," observed Ella, thoughtfully; "but
+it was probably nothing more than a feverish dream, brought about by
+your exercise acting too suddenly and powerfully upon your nervous
+system, which doubtless has not as yet recovered from the prostration
+caused by your wound."
+
+"So I tried to think, dear Ella," returned Algernon, with a sigh; "but
+I have not even yet been able to shake off the gloomy impression, that,
+whatever the cause, it was sent as a warning of danger. But I am
+foolish, perhaps, to think as I do; and so let us change the subject.
+You spoke a few moments since of destiny. You said, if I mistake not,
+you believed each individual capable of shaping his own."
+
+"I did," answered Ella; "with the exception, that I qualified it by
+saying in a measure. No person, I think, has the power of moulding
+himself to an end which is contrary to the law of nature and his own
+physical organization; but at the same time he has many ways, some good
+and some evil, left open for him to choose; else he were not a free
+agent."
+
+"Ay," rejoined Algernon, "by-paths all to the same great end. I look
+upon every one here, Ella, as a traveler placed upon the great highway
+called destiny--with a secret power within that impels him forward, but
+allows no pause nor retrograde. Along this highway are flowers, and
+briars, and thistles, and weeds, and shady woods, and barren rocks, and
+sterile bluffs, and glassy plots; but proportioned differently to each,
+as the Maker of all designs his path to be pleasant or otherwise. Beside
+this highway are perhaps a dozen minor paths, all running a similar
+course, and all finally merging into it--either near or far, as the case
+may be--before its termination at the great gate of death. The free
+agency you speak of, is in choosing of these lesser paths--some of which
+are full of the snares of temptation, the chasms of ruin, and the
+pitfalls of destruction; and some of the flowers of peace, the bowers of
+plenty, and the green woods of contentment. But how to follow the proper
+one is the difficulty; for they run into one another--cross and recross
+in a thousand different ways--so that the best disposed as often hit the
+wrong as the right one, and are entrapped before they are aware of their
+dangerous course. Worldly wisdom is here put at fault, and the fool as
+often goes right as the wise man of lore--thus showing, notwithstanding
+our free agency, that circumstances govern us; and that what many put
+down as crime, is, in fact, oftentimes, neither more nor less than error
+of judgment."
+
+"Then you consider free agency only a chance game, depending, as it
+were, upon the throw of a die?" observed Ella, inquiringly.
+
+"I believe this much of free agency, that a train of circumstances often
+forces some to evil and others to good; and that we should look upon the
+former, in many cases--mind I do not say all--as unfortunate rather than
+criminal--with pity rather than scorn; and so endeavor to reclaim them.
+Were this doctrine more practiced by Christians--by those whom the world
+terms good, (but whom circumstances alone have made better than their
+fellows,) there would be far less of sin, misery, and crime abounding
+for them to deplore. Let the creed of churches only be to ameliorate the
+condition of the poor, relieve the distressed, remove temptations from
+youth, encourage the virtuous, and endeavor, by gently means, to reclaim
+the erring--and the holy design of Him who died to save would nobly
+progress, prisons would be turned into asylums, and scaffolds be things
+known only by tradition."
+
+Algernon spoke with an easy, earnest eloquence, and a force of emphasis,
+that made each word tell with proper effect upon his fair hearer. To
+Ella the ideas he advanced were, many of them, entirely new; and she
+mused thoughtfully upon them, as they rode along, without reply; while
+he, becoming warm upon a subject that evidently occupied no inferior
+place in his mind, went on to speak of the wrongs and abuses which
+society in general heaped upon the unfortunate, as he termed
+them--contrasted the charity of professing Christians of the eighteenth
+century with that of Christ himself--and pointed out what he considered
+the most effectual means of remedy. To show that a train of
+circumstances would frequently force persons against their own will and
+reason to be what society terms criminal, he referred to himself, and
+his own so far eventful destiny; and Ella could not but admit to
+herself, that, in his case at least, his arguments were well grounded,
+and she shaped her replies accordingly.
+
+Thus conversing, they continued upon their course, until they came to
+the brow of a steep descent, down which the path ran in a zigzag manner,
+through a dark, gloomy ravine, now rendered intensely so to our
+travelers, by the hour, their thoughts, the wildness of the scenery
+around, and the dense growth of cedars covering the hollow, whose
+untrimmed branches, growing even to the ground, overreached and partly
+obstructed their way. By this time only one or two stars were visible in
+the heavens; and they shone with pale, faint gleams; while in the east
+the beautiful gray and crimson tints of Aurora announced that day was
+already breaking on the slumbering world. Drawing rein, Algernon and
+Ella paused as if to contemplate the scene. Below and around them each
+object presented that misty, indistinct appearance, which leaves the
+imagination power to give it either a pleasing or hideous shape. In the
+immediate vicinity, the country was uneven; rocky, and covered with
+cedars; but far off to the right could be discerned the even surface of
+the cane-brake, previously mentioned, now stretching away in the
+distance like the unruffled bosom of some beautiful lake. A light breeze
+slightly rustled the leaves of the trees, among whose branches an
+occasional songster piped forth his morning lay of rejoicing.
+
+"How lovely is nature in all her varieties!" exclaimed Ella, with
+animation, as she glanced over the scene.
+
+"Ay, and in that variety lies her loveliness," answered Algernon.
+"It is the constant and eternal change going forward that interests us,
+and gives to nature her undying charm. Man--high-souled, contemplative
+man--was not born to sameness. Variety is to his mind what food is to
+his body; and as the latter, deprived of its usual nourishment, sinks to
+decay--so the former, from like deprivation of its strengthening power,
+becomes weak and imbecile. Again: as coarse, plain food and hardy
+exercise add health and vigor to the physical--so does the contemplation
+of nature in her wildness and grandeur give to the mental a powerful and
+lofty tone. Of all writers for poetical and vigorous intellects, give me
+those who have been reared among cloud-capped hills, and craggy steeps,
+and rushing streams, and roaring cataracts; for their conceptions are
+grand, their comparisons beautiful, and the founts from which they draw,
+as exhaustless almost as nature herself."
+
+"I have often thought the same myself," returned Ella; "for I never gaze
+upon a beautiful scene in nature, that I do not feel refreshed. To me
+the two most delightful are morning and evening. I love to stand upon
+some eminence, and mark, as now, the first gray, crimson and golden
+streaks that rush up in the eastern sky; and catch the first rays of old
+Sol, as he, surrounded by a reddened halo, shows his welcome face above
+the hills; or at calm eve watch his departure, as with a last, fond,
+lingering look he takes his leave, as 'twere in sorrow that he could not
+longer tarry; while earth, not thus to be outdone in point of grief,
+puts on her sable dress to mourn his absence."
+
+"Ah! Ella," said Algernon, turning to her with a gentle smile, "methinks
+morning and evening are somewhat indebted to you for a touch of poetry
+in their behalf."
+
+"Rather say I am indebted to them for a thousand fine feelings I have
+not even power to express," rejoined Ella.
+
+Algernon was on the point of returning an answer, when, casting his eyes
+down into the ravine, he slightly started, his gaze became fixed, and
+his features grew a shade more pale. Ella noticed this sudden change,
+and in a voice slightly tremulous inquired the cause. For nearly a
+minute Algernon made no reply, but kept his eyes steadily bent in the
+same direction, apparently riveted on some object below. Ella also
+looked down; but seeing nothing worthy of note, and growing somewhat
+alarmed at his silence, was on the point of addressing him again, when,
+slightly turning his head, and rubbing his eyes with his hand, he said:
+
+"Methought I saw a dark object move in the hollow below; but I think I
+must have been mistaken, for all appears quiet there now--not even a
+limb or so much as a leaf stirs. Lest there should be danger, however,
+dear Ella, I will ride down first and ascertain. If I give an alarm,
+turn your horse and do not spare him till you reach Wilson's."
+
+"No, no, no!" exclaimed Ella, with vehemence, laying her hand upon his
+arm, as he was about starting forward, her own features now growing very
+pale. "If you go, Algernon, you go not alone! If there is danger, I will
+share it with you."
+
+Algernon turned towards her a face that, one moment crimsoned with
+animation and the next became deadly pale; while his whole frame
+quivered with intense emotion, and he seemed vainly struggling to
+command contending feelings. Suddenly clasping her hand in his, he
+pressed it warmly, raised it to his lips, and in a trembling tone said:
+
+"Ella--dear Ella--God bless you! If ever--but--no--no--no;" and covering
+his face with his hands, he wept convulsively; while she, no less deeply
+affected, could scarcely sit her horse.
+
+At length Algernon withdrew his hands, and exhibited features pale but
+calm. Drawing forth his pistols, he carefully examined their priming,
+and then replaced them in his belt. During this proceeding, he failed
+not to urge Ella to alter her design and remain, while he went forward;
+but finding her determined on keeping him company, he signified his
+readiness to proceed, and both started slowly down the hill together.
+They reached the ravine in safety, and advanced some twenty yards
+further, when suddenly there arose a terrific Indian yell, followed
+instantly by the sharp report of several fire-arms, a wild, piercing
+shriek, some two or three heavy groans, a rustling among the trees, and
+then by a stillness as deep and awfully solemn as that which pervades
+the narrow house appointed for all living.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE OLD WOODSMAN AND HIS DOG.
+
+
+The sun was perhaps an hour above the mountain tops, when a solitary
+hunter, in the direction of the cane-brake, might have been seen shaping
+his course toward the hill whereon Algernon and Ella had so lately
+paused to contemplate the dawning day. Upon his shoulder rested a long
+rifle, and a dog of the Newfoundland species followed in his steps or
+trotted along by his side. In a few minutes he reached the place
+referred to; when the snuffling of his canine companion causing him to
+look down, his attention instantly became fixed upon the foot-prints of
+the horses which had passed there the day before, and particularly on
+the two that had repassed there so lately.
+
+"What is it, Caesar?" said he, addressing the brute. "Nothing wrong here,
+I reckon." Caesar, as if conscious of his master's language, raised his
+head, and looking down into the ravine, appeared to snuff the air;
+then darting forward, he was quickly lost among the branching cedars.
+Scarcely thirty seconds elapsed, ere a long, low howl came up from the
+valley; and starting like one suddenly surprised by some disagreeable
+occurrence, the hunter, with a cheek slightly blanched, hurried down the
+crooked path, muttering as he went, "Thar's something wrong, for
+sartin--for Caesar never lies."
+
+In less than a minute the hunter came in sight of his dog, which he
+found standing with his hind feet on the ground and his fore-paws
+resting on the carcass of a horse, that had apparently been dead but a
+short time. As Caesar perceived his master approach, he uttered another
+of those peculiar, long, low, mournful howls, which the superstitious
+not unfrequently interpret as omens of evil.
+
+"Good heavens!" exclaimed the hunter, as he came up; "thar's been foul
+play here, Caesar--foul play, for sartin. D'ye think, dog, it war Indians
+as done it?"
+
+The brute looked up into the speaker's face, with one of those
+expressions of intelligence or sagacity, which seem to speak what the
+tongue has not power to utter, and then wagging his tail, gave a sharp,
+fierce bark.
+
+"Right, dog!" continued the other, as, stooping to the ground, he began
+to examine with great care the prints left there by human feet. "Right,
+dog, they're the rale varmints, and no mistake. Ef all folks war as
+sensible and knowing as you, thar would'nt be many fools about, I
+reckon."
+
+Having finished his examination of the ground, the hunter again turned
+to look at the carcass of the horse, which was lying on its left side,
+some two feet from the path, and had apparently fallen dead from a shot
+in the forehead, between the eyes. An old saddle, devoid of straps, lay
+just concealed under the branching cedars. The ground around was trodden
+as if from a scuffle, and the limbs of the trees were broken in many
+places--while in two or three others could be seen spots of blood, not
+even yet dry--none of which informants of the recent struggle escaped
+the keen observation of the woodsman. Suddenly the dog, which had been
+watching his master's motions intently, put his nose to the ground,
+darted along the path further into the ravine, and presently resounded
+another of those mournful howls.
+
+"Ha! another diskivery!" exclaimed the hunter, as he started after his
+companion.
+
+About thirty yards further on, he came upon the carcass of another
+horse, which had been killed by a ball in the right side, and the blow
+of some weapon, probably a tomahawk, on the head. By its side also lay
+a lady's saddle, stripped like the former of its trappings. This the
+woodsman now proceeded to examine attentively, for something like a
+minute, during which time a troubled expression rested on his dark,
+sunburnt features.
+
+"I'm either mightily mistaken," said he at length, with a grave look,
+"or that thar horse and saddle is the property of Ben Younker; and I
+reckon it's the same critter as is rid by Ella Barnwell. Heaven forbid,
+sweet lady, that it be thou as met with this terrible misfortune!--but
+ef it be, by the Power that made me, I swar to follow on thy trail; and
+ef I meet any of thy captors, then, Betsey, I'll just call on you for a
+backwoods sentiment."
+
+As he concluded, the hunter turned with a look of affection towards his
+rifle, which he firmly grasped with a nervous motion. At this moment,
+the dog, which had been busying himself by running to and fro with his
+nose to the ground, suddenly paused, and laying back his ears, uttered
+a low, fierce growl. The hunter cast toward him a quick glance; and
+dropping upon his knees, applied his ear to the earth, where he remained
+some fifteen seconds; then rising to his feet, he made a motion with his
+hand, and together with Caesar withdrew into the thicket.
+
+For some time no sound was heard to justify this precaution of the
+woodsman; but at length a slight jarring of the ground became apparent,
+followed by a noise at some distance, resembling the clatter of horses'
+feet, which, gradually growing louder as the cause drew nearer, soon
+became sufficiently so to put all doubts on the matter at rest. In less
+than five minutes from the disappearance of the hunter, some eight
+or ten horses, bearing as many riders, approached the hill from the
+direction of Wilson's, and began to descend into the ravine. The party,
+composed of both sexes, were in high glee--some jesting, some singing,
+and some laughing uproariously. Nothing occurred to interrupt their
+merriment, until they began to lose themselves among the cedars of the
+hollow, when the foremost horse suddenly gave a snort and bounded to one
+side--a movement which his companion, close behind, imitated--while the
+rider of the latter, a female, uttered a loud, piercing scream of
+fright. In a moment the whole party was in confusion--some turning their
+horses to the right about and riding back towards Wilson's, at headlong
+speed--and some pausing in fear, undecided what to do. The two foremost
+horses now became very refractory, rearing and plunging in a manner that
+threatened to unseat their riders every moment. Of the two, the one
+ridden by the lady was the most ungovernable; and in spite of her
+efforts to quiet or hold him, he seized the bit in his teeth, and,
+rearing on his hind legs, plunged madly forward, until he came to where
+the other carcass was lying, when, giving another snort of fear, he
+again reared, and turning aside into the thicket, left his rider almost
+senseless in the path he had just quitted. Fortunately the beast shaped
+his course to where the hunter was concealed, who, with a sudden spring,
+as he was rushing past, seized upon the bridle near the bit, and
+succeeded, after a struggle, in mastering and leading him back to the
+path.
+
+By this time the companion of the lady had come up; and seeing her
+condition, was dismounting to render her assistance; when his eye
+falling upon the stranger, he started, and placed his hand quickly to
+his belt, as if in search of some weapon of defence. The hunter saw the
+movement, and said, with a gesture of command:
+
+"Hold! young man; don't do any thing rash!"
+
+"Who are you, sir?"
+
+"A friend."
+
+"Your name!" continued the other, as he sprang to the ground.
+
+"Names don't matter, stranger, in cases sech as this. I said I war a
+friend."
+
+"By what may I know you as such."
+
+"My deeds," returned the other, laconically. "Think you, stranger, ef I
+wanted to harm ye, I couldn't have done it without you seeing me?" and
+as he spoke, he glanced significantly toward his rifle.
+
+"True," returned the other; "but what's the meaning of this?" and he
+pointed toward the dead horse.
+
+"It means Indians, as nigh as I can come at it," replied the hunter.
+"But look to the living afore the dead!" And the woodsman in turn
+pointed toward the lady.
+
+"Right!" said the other; and springing to her side, he raised her in his
+arms.
+
+She was not injured, other than slightly stunned by the fall, and she
+quickly regained her senses. At first she was somewhat alarmed; but
+perceiving who supported her, and nothing in the mild, noble, benevolent
+countenance of the stranger, who was still holding her horse by the
+bridle, of a sinister nature, she anxiously inquired what had happened.
+
+"I can only guess by what I see;" answered the hunter, "that some o'
+your company have been less fortunate than you. Didn't two o' them set
+out in advance?"
+
+"Gracious heavens!" cried the young man supporting the lady; "it is Ella
+Barnwell and the stranger Reynolds!"
+
+"Then they must be quickly trailed!" rejoined the hunter briefly. "Go,
+young man, take your lady back agin, and raise an armed party for
+pursuit. Be quick in your operations, and I'll wait and join you here.
+Leave your horses thar, for we must take it afoot; and besides, gather
+as much provision as you can all easily carry, for Heaven only knows
+whar or when our journey'll end."
+
+"But do you think they're still living?"
+
+"I hope so."
+
+"Then let us return, Henry," said the lady, "as quick as possible, so
+that a party for pursuit may be collected before the wedding guests have
+all separated."
+
+"I fear it will be difficult, Mary, but we must try it," replied the
+young man, as he assisted her to mount. Then, turning to the stranger,
+he added: "But won't you accompany us, sir?"
+
+"No, it can do no good; besides I'm afoot, and would only cause delay,
+and thar's been too much o' that already."
+
+"At least, sir, favor me with your name."
+
+"The first white hunter o' old Kaintuck," answered the other, stroking
+the neck of the fiery beast on which the lady was now sitting.
+
+"What!" exclaimed the other, in a tone of surprise: "Boone! Colonel
+Daniel Boone?"
+
+"Why, I'm sometimes called colonel," returned the hunter, dryly, still
+stroking the horse's neck; "but Daniel's the older title, and a little
+the most familiar one besides."
+
+"I crave pardon for my former rudeness, Colonel," said the other,
+advancing and offering his hand; "but you were a stranger to me you
+know."
+
+"Well, well, it's all right--I'd have done exactly so myself," answered
+Boone, grasping the young man's hand with a cordiality that showed no
+offence had been taken. "And now--a--how do you call yourself?"
+
+"Henry Millbanks."
+
+"Now, Master Millbanks, pray be speedy; for while we talk, our friends
+may die, and it goes agin nater to think on't," said Boone, anxiously.
+
+As he spoke, he led forward the lady's horse past the other carcass;
+while Henry, springing upon his own beast, followed after. Having seen
+them safely out of the ravine, the noble hunter turned back to wait the
+arrival of the expected assistance. He had just gained the center of the
+thicket, when he was slightly startled again by the growl of his dog,
+and the tramp of what appeared to be another horse, coming from the
+direction of Younker's. Hastily secreting himself, he awaited in silence
+the approach of the new comer, whom he soon discovered to be an old
+acquaintance, who was riding at a fast gallop, bearing some heavy weight
+in his arms. As he came up to the carcass of Ella's horse, he slackened
+his speed, looked at it earnestly, then gazed cautiously around, and was
+about to spur his boast onward again, when the sound of Boone's voice
+reached, his ear; requesting him to pause; and at the same time, to his
+astonishment, Boone himself emerged into the path before him.
+
+"Ha! Colonel Boone," said the horsemen, quickly; "I'm glad to meet ye;
+for now is a time when every true man's wanted."
+
+"What's the news, David Billings?" inquired Boone, anxiously, as he
+noticed a troubled, earnest expression on the countenance of the other.
+
+"Bad!" answered Billings, emphatically. "The Injens have been down upon
+us agin in a shocking manner."
+
+"Heaven forbid thar be many victims!" ejaculated Boone, unconsciously
+tightening the grasp on his rifle.
+
+"Too many--too many!" rejoined Billings, shaking his head sadly. "Thar's
+my neighbor Millbanks' family--"
+
+"Well? well?" cried Boone, impatiently, as the other seemed to hesitate.
+
+"Have all been murdered, and his house burnt to ashes."
+
+"All?" echoed Boone.
+
+"All but young Harry, who's fortunately away to a wedding at Wilson's."
+
+"Why, the one you speak of war just now here," said Boone, with a start;
+"and I sent him back to raise a party to trail the red varmints, who've
+been operating as you see yonder: Good heavens! what awful news for poor
+Harry, who seems so likely a lad."
+
+"Yes, likely you may well say," returned the other; "and so war the
+whole family--God ha' mercy on 'em! But what's been done here?"
+
+"Why, I suppose Ella Barnwell--Younker's niece, you know--and a likely
+young stranger who war along with her, called Reynolds, have been
+captured."
+
+"Ha! well it's supposed Younker and his wife are captives too, or else
+that thar bones lie white among the ashes of thar own ruins."
+
+"Good heavens!" cried Boone. "Any more, David?"
+
+"Yes, thar's Absalom Switcher and his wife, and a young gal of twelve;
+and Ephraim Stokes' wife and a young boy of five; who war left by
+themselves, (Stokes himself being away, and his son Seth at the wedding,
+as was a son o' Switcher's also) have all bin foully mardered--besides
+Johnny Long's family, Peter Pierson's, and a young child of Fred Mason's
+that happened to be at Pierson's house, and one or two others whose
+names I disremember."
+
+"But when did this happen, David?"
+
+"Last night," replied the other. "It's suspected that the Injens ha bin
+warting round here, and took advantage of this wedding, when the greater
+part on 'em war away. It's thought too that thar war a white spy out,
+who gin 'em information, and led 'em on--as a villainous looking chap
+war seed about the vicinity not long ago."
+
+"Do they suspicion who war the spy?" asked Boone.
+
+"Why some thinks as how it war that thar accussed renegade, Simon
+Girty."
+
+"Wretch!" muttered Boone, grasping his rifle almost fiercely; "I'd like
+to have old Bess, here, hold a short conflab with him. But what have you
+got thar in your arms, that seems so heavy, David?"
+
+"Rifles, Colonel. I've bin riding round and collecting on 'em for this
+mad party of Younker's, who went off without any precaution; and I'm now
+on my way to deliver 'em, that they may start instanter arter the cussed
+red skins, and punish 'em according to the Mosaic law."
+
+"Spur on then, David, and you may perhaps overtake some o' them; and all
+that you do, arm and send 'em here as quick as possible--for I'm
+dreadful impatient to be off."
+
+The colloquy between the two thus concluded, the horseman--a
+strongly-built, hard-favored, muscular man of forty--set spurs to his
+horse; and bounding onward toward Wilson's (distant some five miles--the
+ravine being about half way between the residence of the groom and
+bride,) he was quickly lost to the sight of the other, who quietly
+seated himself to await the reinforcement.
+
+In the course of half an hour, Boone was joined by some three or four of
+the wedding party, who bad been overtaken by Billings, learned the news,
+accepted a rifle each, bidden their fair companions adieu, and sent them
+and the horses back to the house of the bride, while they moved forward
+to meet danger, rescue the living, and seek revenge.
+
+In the course of an hour and a half, Billings himself returned,
+accompanied by some seven or eight stout hearts; among whom were young
+Switcher, Stokes, Millbanks, and, lastly, Isaac Younker, who had been
+roused from the nuptial bed to hear of the terrible calamity that had
+befallen his friends. Isaac, on the present occasion, did not disgrace
+his training, the land which gave him birth, nor the country he now
+inhabited. When the messenger came with the direful news, although
+somewhat late in the morning, Isaac had been found in his bed, closely
+folded in the arms of the god of sleep. On being awakened and told of
+what had taken place, he slowly rose up into a sitting posture, rubbed
+his eyes, stared searchingly at his informant, gathered himself upon his
+feet, threw on his wedding garments, and made all haste to descend
+below; where he at once sought out his new wife, Peggy, who had risen
+an hour before; and grasping her by the hand, in a voice slightly
+tremulous, but with a firm, determined expression on his features, said:
+
+"Peggy, dear, I 'spect you've heard the whole on't. Father, mother, Ella
+and Reynolds--all gone, and our house in ashes, I'm going to follow,
+Peggy. Good bye--God bless you! Ef I don't never come back, Peggy"--and
+the tears started into his eyes--"you may jest put it down I've been
+clean sarcumvented, skinned, and eat up by them thar ripscallious
+Injens;" and turning upon his heel, as his tender-hearted spouse burst
+into tears, he seized upon same provisions that had graced the last
+night's entertainment, gave Black Betty a long and cordial salute with
+his lips, shook hands with his wife's father and mother, kissed Peggy
+once again, pulled his cap over his eyes, and, without another word, set
+forth with rapid strides on the eastern path leading to the rendezvous
+of Daniel Boone.
+
+On the faces of those now assembled, who had lost their best and dearest
+friends, could be seen the intense workings of the strong passions of
+grief and revenge, while their fingers clutched their faithful rifles
+with a nervous power. The greatest change was apparent in the features
+of Henry Millbanks. He was a fine-favored, good-looking youth of
+eighteen, with light hair and a florid complexion. The natural
+expression of his handsome countenance was an easy, dignified smile,
+which was rendered extremely fascinating by a broad, noble forehead, and
+a clear, expressive, gray eye; but now the floridity had given place to
+a pale, almost sallow hue, the forehead was wrinkled with grief, the
+lips were compressed, and the smile had been succeeded by a look of
+great fierceness, aided by the eye; which was more than usually sunken
+and bloodshot.
+
+But little was said by any of the party; for all felt the chilling
+gloom of the present, so strongly contrasted with the bright hours and
+merry jests which had so lately been apportioned to each. Boone called
+to Caesar and bade him seek the Indian trail; a task which the noble
+brute flew to execute; and in a few minutes the whole company were on
+their way; with the exception of Billings; who, by the unanimous request
+of all, returned to Wilson's; to cheer, console and protect the females;
+and, if thought advisable, to conduct them to Bryan's Station--a strong
+fort a few miles distant--where they might remain in comparative
+security.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.
+
+
+While the events just chronicled were enacting in one part of the
+country, others, of a different nature, but somewhat connected with
+them, were taking place in another. In a dark, lonely pass or gorge of
+the hills, some ten miles to the north of the scene of the preceding
+chapter, where the surrounding trees grew so thick with branches and
+leaves that they almost entirely excluded the sunlight from the waters
+of a stream which there rolled foaming and roaring between the hills and
+over and against the rocks of its precipitous bed, or, plunging down
+some frightful precipice, lay as if stunned or exhausted by the fall in
+the chasm below, mirroring in its still bosom with a gloomy reflection
+the craggy steeps rising majestically above it--in this dark and lonely
+pass, we say, was a party of human beings, to whom the proper
+development of our story now calls us.
+
+The company in question was composed of eight persons, five of whom were
+Indians of the Seneca tribe;[5] the others--a thin-faced, gaunt,
+stoop-shouldered man past the middle age--a rather corpulent, masculine
+looking woman, a few years his junior--a little fair-haired, blue-eyed,
+pretty-faced girl of six--were white captives. Four of the Indians were
+seated or partly reclining on the ground, with their guns beside them,
+ready for instant use if necessary, engaged in roasting slices of deer
+meat before a fire that had been kindled for the purpose. The fifth
+savage was pacing to and fro, with his rifle on his arm, performing the
+double duty of sentinel and guard over the prisoners, who were kept in
+durance by strong cords some ten paces distant. The old man was secured
+by a stick passing across his back horizontally, to which both wrists
+and arms were tightly bound with thongs of deer skin. To prevent the
+possibility of escape, both legs were fastened together by the same
+material, and a long, stout rope, encircling his neck, was attached to
+a tree hard by. This latter precaution, and much of the former, seemed
+unnecessary; for there was a mild look of resigned dejection on his
+features, as they bent toward the earth, with his chin resting on his
+bosom, that appeared strongly at variance with any thing like flight or
+strife. His female companion was fastened in like manner to the tree,
+but in other respects only bound by a stout thong around the wrists in
+front. The third member of the white party, the little girl, was seated
+at the feet of the old man, with her small wrists also bound until they
+had swollen so as to pain her, looking up from time to time into his
+face with a heart-rending expression of grief, fear and anxiety.
+
+Of the Indians themselves, we presume it would be difficult to find,
+among all the tribes of America, five more blood-thirsty, villainous
+looking beings than the ones in question. They were only partially
+dressed, after the manner of their tribe, with skins around their loins,
+extending down to their knees, and moccasins on their feet, leaving the
+rest of their bodies and limbs bare. Around their waists were belts, for
+the tomahawk and scalping knife, at three of which now hung freshly
+taken scalps. Their faces had been hideously painted for the war-path;
+but heat and perspiration had since out done the artist, by running the
+composition into streaks, in such a way as to give them the most
+diabolical appearance imaginable. On each of their heads was a tuft of
+feathers, some of which had the appearance of having recently been
+scorched and blackened by fire, while their arms and bodies were here
+and there besmeared with blood.
+
+The four around the fire were in high glee, as they roasted and
+devoured their meat, judging from their nods, and grins, and grunts
+of approbation, whenever their eyes glanced in the direction of their
+prisoners--the effect of which was far from consoling to the matron of
+the latter; who, having eyed them for some time in indignant silence,
+at length burst forth with angry vehemence:
+
+"Well, now, jest grin, and jabber, and grin, like a pesky set o' natural
+born monkeys, that's ten times better nor you is any day of your good
+for nothing, sneaking lives. Goodness, gracious, marsy on me alive!"
+continued the dame, whom the reader has doubtless recognized as Mrs.
+Younker; "I only jest wish you had to change places with me and Ben here
+for about five minutes; and ef I didn't make your old daubed, nasty,
+villainous, unyarthly looking faces grin to another tune, I hope I may
+never be blessed with liberty agin in creation, as long as I live on the
+face o' this univarsal yarth!"
+
+"Ugh!" ejaculated the sentinel, turning towards the speaker, as she
+concluded her fierce tirade, at the same time placing his hand on the
+tomahawk in his belt with an angry gesture: "Ugh! me squaw kill--she no
+stop much talky!"
+
+"You'd kill me, would ye? you mean, dirty, ripscallious looking varmint
+of the woods you, that don't know a pin from a powder horn!" rejoined
+the undaunted Mrs. Younker, in a vehement tone: "You'd kill me for using
+the freedom of tongue, as these blessed Colonies is this moment fighting
+for with the tarnal Britishers? You'd kill me, would ye? Well, it's jest
+my first nateral come at opinion, as I tolled Ben here, not more'n a
+quarter o' an hour ago, that you war jest mean enough for any thing, as
+ever war invented, in the whole univarsal yarth o' creation--so ef you
+do kill me, I won't be in the leastest grain disappinted, no how."
+
+"Don't, Dorothy--don't irritate the savage for nothing at all!" said her
+husband, who, raising his head at the first remark of the Indian, now
+saw in his fierce, flashing eyes, angry gestures, and awful contortions
+of visage, that which boded the sudden fulfillment of his threat: "Don't
+irritate him, and git murdered for your pains, Dorothy! Why can't you be
+more quiet?"
+
+"Don't talk to me about being quiet, Benjamin Younker, away out here in
+the woods, a captive to such imps an them thar, with our house all burnt
+to nothing like, and our cows and sheeps and hosses destructed, and--"
+
+Here the speech of the good woman was suddenly cut short by the whizzing
+of a tomahawk past her head, which slightly grazed her cheek, and lodged
+in the tree a few feet beyond. Whether it was aimed at her life and
+missed its mark, or whether it was merely done to frighten her, does not
+appear; though the manner of the savage, after the weapon was thrown,
+inclines us to the latter supposition; for instead of rushing upon her
+with his knife, he walked deliberately to the tree, withdrew the
+tomahawk, and then turning to her, and brandishing it over her head,
+said:
+
+"Squaw, still be! Speak much, me killum!"
+
+Be the design of the Indian what it might, the whole proceeding
+certainly produced one result, which nothing had ever been known to do
+before--it awed to silence the tongue of Mrs. Younker, just at a moment
+when talking would have been such a relief to her overcharged spirit;
+and merely muttering, in an under tone, "I do jest believe the
+ripscallious varmint is in arnest, sure enough!" she held her speech for
+the extraordinary space of half an hour.
+
+Meantime the other savages finished their repast; and having offered a
+portion of it to the prisoners, which the latter refused, they proceeded
+to destroy their fire, by casting the burning brands into the rushing
+waters of the stream below. This done, they extended their circle
+somewhat--each placing himself by a tree or rock--and then in the most
+profound silence stood like bronzed statuary, apparently awaiting the
+arrival of another party. At last--and just as the sun was beginning to
+peep over the brow of the steep above them, and let his rays struggle
+with the matted foliage of the trees, for a glimpse of the roaring
+waters underneath--one of the Indians started, looked cautiously around,
+dropped flat upon the earth; and then rising, and motioning with his
+hand for all to be silent, glided noiselessly away, like the shadow of
+some evil spirit, into the surrounding thicket. He had scarcely been
+absent three minutes, when a slight crackling among the brush was heard
+near at hand; and immediately after he rejoined his companions, followed
+by a party of eight Indian warriors, and two white prisoners, headed by
+a low browed, sinister, blood-thirsty looking white man, in a garb
+resembling that worn by a subordinate British officer. His coat was red,
+with facings of another color, underneath which was partially displayed
+a handsome vest and ruffled shirt. About his waist passed a broad wampum
+belt, in which were confined a brace of silver mounted pistols, another
+pair of less finish and value, a silver handled dirk, a scalping knife
+and tomahawk, on whose blades could be seen traces of blood. Around his
+neck was a neatly tied cravat, and dangling in front of his vest a gold
+chain, which connected with a watch hid in a pocket of his breeches,
+whence depended a larger chain of steel, supporting in turn three
+splendid gold seals and two keys. His nether garments were breeches,
+leggins, and moccasins, all of deer skin, and without ornament. His hat,
+not unlike those of the present day, was on this occasion graced with a
+red feather, which protruded above the crown, and corresponded well with
+his general appearance.
+
+The Indian companions of this individual were not remarkable for any
+thing, unless it might be ferocity of expression. They were habited,
+with but one exception, like those previously described, and evidently
+belonged to the same tribe. This exception was a large, athletic,
+powerful Indian, rather rising of six feet, around whose waist was a
+finely worked wampum belt, over whose right shoulder, in a transverse
+direction, extended a red scarf, carelessly tied under the left arm,
+and in whose nose and ears were large, heavy rings, denoting him to be
+either a chief or one in command. His age was about thirty; and his
+features, though perhaps less ferocious than some of his companions,
+were still enough so to make him an object of dread and fear. His
+forehead was low, his eye black and piercing, and his nose rather flat
+and widely distended at the nostrils. He was called Peshewa: Anglice,
+Wild cat.
+
+As the prisoners of the latter party came in sight of those of the
+former, there was a general start and exclamation of surprise; while the
+sad faces of each showed how little pleasure they felt in meeting each
+other under such painful circumstances. The last comers, as the reader
+has doubtless conjectured, were Algernon and Ella. Immediately on their
+entering the ravine, as previously recorded, they had been set upon
+by savages, their horses shot from under them, and themselves made
+captives. This result, however, as regards Algernon, had not been
+effected without considerable effort on the part of his numerous
+enemies. At the first fire, his horse fell; but disentangling himself,
+and drawing his pistols, he sprung upon the side of his dying beast, and
+discharged them both at his nearest foes--one of which took effect, and
+sent a warrior to his last account. Then leaping in among them, he drew
+his knife and cut madly about him until secured; though doubtless he
+would have been tomahawked on the spot, only that he might be reserved
+for the tortures, when his brutal captors should arrive at their
+destination. Meantime the animal which bore the lovely Ella, being
+wounded by the same fire which killed her companion's, bounded forward
+some twenty paces, when a blow on the head with a tomahawk laid him
+prostrate, and she was secured also. The party then proceeded to bury
+the dead, at some little distance, and start upon their journey, to join
+their companions--which latter we have just seen accomplished.
+
+As soon as mutual recognitions had passed between the prisoners, the
+individual habited in the British uniform stepped forward, and said,
+jocosely:
+
+"So, friends, we all meet again, do we, eh?--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+At the sound of his voice, the old man and his wife, both of whom had
+been too intently occupied with Algernon and Ella to notice him before,
+started, and turning their eyes suddenly upon him, simultaneously
+exclaimed:
+
+"Mr. Williams!"
+
+"_Sometimes_ Mr. Williams," answered the other, with a strong emphasis
+on the first word, accompanying it with a horrible oath; "but now, when
+disguise is no longer necessary, Simon Girty, the renegade,
+by ----!--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+As he uttered these words, in a coarse, ruffianly tone, a visible
+shudder of fear or disgust, or both combined, passed through the frame
+of each of the prisoners; and Algernon turning to him, with an
+expression of loathing contempt, said:
+
+"I more than half suspected as much, when I sometime since contemplated
+your low-browed, hang-dog countenance. Of course we can expect no mercy
+at such hands."
+
+"Mercy!" cried Girty, turning fiercely upon him, his eyes gleaming
+savagely, his mouth twisting into a shape intended to express the most
+withering contempt, while his words fairly hissed from between his
+tightly set teeth: "Mercy? dog! No, by h----l! for none like you! Hark ye,
+Mr. Reynolds! Were you in the damnable cells of the Inquisition, accused
+of heresy, and about to be put to the tortures, you might think yourself
+in Paradise compared to what you shall yet undergo!"
+
+As he uttered these words, Ella shrieked and fell fainting to the earth.
+Springing to her, Girty raised her in his arms; and pointing to her pale
+features, as he did so, continued:
+
+"See! Mr. Reynolds, this girl loves you; I love her; we are rivals; and
+you, my rival, are in my power: and, by ----! and all the powers of
+darkness, you shall feel my vengeance!"
+
+"You love her?" broke in Mrs. Younker, who, in spite of her previous
+dangerous warning, could hold her peace no longer: "You love her! you
+mean, contemptible, red headed puppy! I don't believe as how you knows
+enough to love nothing! And so you're Simon Girty, hey? that thar
+sneaking, red-coat renegade? Well, I reckon as how you've told the truth
+once; for I've hearn tell that he war an orful mean looking imp o'
+Satan; and I jest don't believe as how a meaner one nor yourself could
+be skeer'd up in the whole universal yarth o' creation."
+
+"Rail on, old woman!" replied Girty, as he chafed the temples of Ella
+with his hands; "but in a little lower key; or I shall be under the
+necessity of ordering a stopper to your mouth; which, saving the
+tortures of the stake, is the worst punishment for you I can now invent.
+As for you, Mr. Younker," continued he, turning his face to the old man,
+with a peculiar expression; "you seem to have nothing to say to an old
+friend--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+"Whensomever I mention the name o' Simon Girty," replied Younker, in a
+deliberate and startlingly solemn tone, "I al'ays call down God's curse
+upon the fiendish renegade--and I do so now."
+
+"By ----! old man," cried Girty, casting Ella roughly from him, and
+starting upright, the perfect picture of a fiend in human shape;
+"another word, and your brains shall be scattered to the four winds of
+heaven!"
+
+As he spoke, he brandished his tomahawk over the other's head; while the
+child, before noticed, uttered a wild scream, and sprung to Mrs.
+Younker, at whose side she crouched in absolute terror.
+
+"Strike!" answered Younker, mildly, with an unchanged countenance, his
+eye resting steadily upon the other, who could not meet his gaze in the
+same manner. "Strike! Simon Girty; for I'm a man that's never feared
+death, and don't now; besides, I reiterate all I've said, and with my
+dying breath pray God to curse ye!"
+
+"Not yet!" rejoined Girty, smothering his rage, as he replaced his
+weapon. "Not yet, Ben Younker; for you take death too easy; and by ----!
+I'll make it have terrors for you! But what child is this?" continued
+he, grasping the little girl fiercely by the arm, causing her to utter a
+cry of pain and fear. "By heavens! what do we with squalling children?
+Here, Oshasqua, I give her in your charge; and if she yelp again, brain
+her, by ----!" and he closed with an oath.
+
+The Indian whom we have previously noticed as the sentinel, stepped
+forward, with a demoniac gleam of satisfaction on his ugly countenance,
+and taking the child by the hand, led her away some ten paces, where he
+amused himself by stripping her of such apparel as he fancied might
+ornament his own person; while she, poor little thing, afraid to cry
+aloud, could only sob forth the bitterness of her heart.
+
+Meantime Girty turning to Ella, and finding her gradually recovering,
+assisted her to rise; and then motioning the chief aside, he held a
+short consultation with him, in the Indian dialect, regarding their next
+proceedings, and the disposal of the prisoners.
+
+"Were it not, Peshewa, for his own base words," said the renegade, in
+reply to some remark of his Indian ally, "I would have spared him; but
+now," and his features exhibited a concentrated expression of infernal
+hate and revenge; "but now, Peshewa, he dies! with all the horrors of
+the stake, that you, a noble master of the art of torture, can invent
+and inflict. The Long Knife[6] must not curse the red man's friend in
+his own camp and go unpunished. I commend him to your mercy,
+Peshewa--ha, ha, ha!" and he ended with a hoarse, fiend-like laugh.
+
+"Ugh!" returned Wild-cat, giving a gutteral grunt of satisfaction,
+although not a muscle of his rigid features moved, and, save a peculiar
+gleam of his dark eye, nothing to show that he felt uncommon interest
+in the sentence of Younker: "Peshewa a chief! The Great Spirit give him
+memory--the Great Spirit give him invention. He will remember what he
+has done to prisoners at the stake,--he can invent new tortures. But
+the squaw?"
+
+"Ay, the squaw!" answered the renegade, musingly; "the old man's
+wife--she must be disposed of also. Ha! a thought strikes me, Peshewa:
+You have no wife--(the savage gave a grunt)--suppose you take her?"
+
+Peshewa started, and his eyes flashed fire, as he said, with great
+energy: "Does the wolf mate with his hunter, that you ask a chief of the
+Great Spirit's red children to mate with their white destroyer?"
+
+"Then do with her what you ---- please," rejoined Girty, throwing in an
+oath. "I was only jesting, Peshewa. But come, we must be on the move!
+for this last job will not be long a secret; and then we shall have the
+Long Knives after us as hot as h----l. We must divide our party. I will
+take with me these last prisoners and six warriors, and you the others.
+A quarter of a mile below here we will separate and break our trail
+in the stream; you and your party by going up a piece--I and mine by
+going down. This will perplex them, and give us time. Make your trail
+conspicuous, Peshewa, and I will be careful to leave none whatever, if I
+can help it; for, by ----! I must be sure to escape with my prisoners.
+If you are close pressed, you can brain and scalp yours; but for some
+important reasons, I want mine to live. We will meet, my noble Peshewa,
+at the first bend of the Big Miama."
+
+The Indian heard him through, without moving a muscle of his seemingly
+blank features, and then answered, a little haughtily:
+
+"Kitchokema[7] plans all, and gives his red brother all the danger; but
+Peshewa is brave, and fears not."
+
+"And do you think it's through fear?" asked Girty, angrily.
+
+"Peshewa makes no charges against his brother," answered Wild-cat,
+quietly.
+
+"Perhaps it is as well he don't," rejoined Girty, in an under tone,
+knitting his brows; and then quickly added: "Come, Peshewa, let us move;
+for while we tarry, we are giving time to our white foes."
+
+Thus ended the conference; and in a few minutes after the whole party
+was in motion. Following the course of the waters down to the base of
+the hills, they came to a sloping hollow of some considerable extent,
+where the stream ran shallow over a smooth, beautiful bed. Into this
+latter the whole company now entered, for the purpose of breaking the
+trail, as previously arranged by Girty; and here they divided, according
+to his former plan also.
+
+If the unhappy prisoners regretted meeting one another in distress,
+their parting regrets were an hundred fold more poignant; for to them
+it seemed evidently the last time they would ever behold on earth each
+others faces; and this thought alone was enough to dim the eyes of Ella
+and her adopted mother with burning tears, and shake their frames with
+heart-rending sobs of anguish; while the old man and Algernon, though
+both strove to be stoical, could not look on unmoved to a similar show
+of grief. Since their meeting, the captives had managed to converse
+together sufficiently to learn the manner of each others capture, and
+give each other some hope of being successfully followed and released
+by their friends; but now, when they saw the caution displayed by their
+enemies in breaking the trail, they began to fear for the result. Just
+before entering the stream, they passed through a cluster of bushes
+that skirted the river's bank; and Ella, the only prisoner whose hands
+were unbound, by a quick and sly movement succeeded in detaching a
+portion of her dress, which she there left as a sign to those who might
+follow, that she was still alive, and so encourage them to proceed, in
+case they were about to falter and turn back.
+
+The separation being now speedily effected, the two parties were quickly
+lost to each other--Girty and his band going down the bed of the stream
+some two hundred yards before touching the bank; and the others, headed
+by Wild-cat, going up about half that distance.
+
+Leaving each to their journey, let us now return to the band already in
+pursuit.
+
+
+[Footnote 5: Some historians have stated that the Indians here alluded
+to were Mingoes, and _not_ Senecas; and that they were a remnant of the
+celebrated Logan's tribe.]
+
+[Footnote 6: Sometimes Big Knife--first applied to the Virginians by the
+Indians.]
+
+[Footnote 7: Great Chief--a term sometimes given to Girty by the
+Indians.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+THE PURSUERS.
+
+
+About a hundred yards from where Boone and his young companions set
+forth, the dog, which was running along before them, paused, and with
+his nose to the ground, set up a fierce bark. When arrived at the spot,
+the party halted, and perceived the body of an Indian, slightly covered
+with earth, leaves, and a few dry bushes. Hastily throwing off the
+covering from his head, they discovered hideous features, wildly
+distorted by the last throe of death, and bloody from a wound in his
+forehead made by a ball. His scalp had been taken off also, by those who
+buried him--from fear, probably, that he would be found by enemies, and
+this secured as a trophy--a matter of disgrace which the savage, under
+all circumstances, ever seeks to avoid, both for himself and friends.
+
+"Well done, Master Reynolds!" observed Boone, musingly, spurning the
+body with his foot, turning away, and resuming his journey: "You're a
+brave young man; and I'll bet my life to a bar-skin, did your best under
+the sarcumstances; and ef it's possible, we'll do somewhat for you in
+return."
+
+"Well, ef he arn't a brave chap--that thar same Algernon Reynolds--then
+jest put it down as how Isaac Younker don't know nothing 'bout faces,"
+returned the individual in question, in reply to Boone. "I never seed a
+man with his fore'ed and eye as would run from danger when a friend war
+by wanting his sarvice."
+
+"Ay, he is indeed a clever youth!" rejoined Boone.
+
+"Well, Colonel, he's all that," again returned Isaac; "and I'll al'ays
+look 'pon't in the light o' a sarvice, that you jest placed him in my
+hands, when he war wounded; for to do sech as him a kindness, al'ays
+carries along its own reward. And Ella--my poor, sweet cousin, as war
+raised up in good sarcumstances, and lost her all--she too I reckon
+feels kind o' grateful to you, Colonel, besides."
+
+"As how?" asked Boone.
+
+"Why, I don't know's it's exactly right for me to tell as how," replied
+Isaac, shrewdly, who was fearful of saying what Ella herself might wish
+kept a secret.
+
+"I understand ye," said Boone, in a low tone, heard only by Isaac; and
+the subject was then changed for one more immediately connected with
+their present journey.
+
+In the course of conversation that followed, it was asked of Boone how
+he chanced to be in the vicinity, and learned of the calamity that had
+befallen Algernon and Ella, before any of the others; to which he
+replied, by stating that he was on his way from Boonesborough to Bryan's
+Station, and coming into the path just above the ravine, had been
+indebted to his noble brute companion for the discovery--a circumstance
+which raised Caesar in the estimation of the whole party to a wonderful
+degree. Nor was this estimation lessened by the conduct of Caesar himself
+in the present instance; for true to his training, instinct, and great
+sagacity, he led them forward at a rapid pace, and seemed possessed of
+reasoning powers that would have done no discredit to an intelligent
+human being. One instance in point is worthy of note. In passing through
+a dense thicket on the Indian trail, the noble brute discovered a small
+fragment of ribbon, which he instantly seized in his mouth, and, turning
+back to his master, came up to him, wagging his tail, with a look
+expressive of joy, and dropped it at his feet. On examination it was
+recognized as a detached portion of a ribbon worn by Ella; and this
+little incident gave great animation and encouragement to the party--as
+it proved that she at least was yet alive, and had a hope of being
+followed by friends.
+
+Some two hours from their leaving the ravine, they came to the dark
+pass, where we have seen the meeting between the two Indian parties.
+Here our pursuers halted a few minutes to examine the ground, and form
+conjectures as to what had taken place--in doing which, all paid the
+greatest deference to the opinions and judgment of Boone, who was looked
+upon by all who knew him as a master of the woodman's craft.
+
+After gazing intently for some time at the foot prints, Boone informed
+his companions that another party had been in waiting, had been joined
+by the others, and that all had proceeded together down the stream; and
+moreover, that there was an addition of white prisoners, one of which
+was a child. This caused a great sensation among his listeners--many of
+whom had lost their relatives, as the reader already knows--and Hope,
+the cheering angel, which hovers around us on our pathway through life,
+began to revive in each breast, that the friends they were mourning as
+dead, might still be among the living, and so made them more eager than
+ever to press on to the rescue.
+
+At the river's bank, the sagacious Caesar discovered another piece of
+ribbon--dropped there as the reader knows by Ella--which he carried in
+triumph to his master, and received in turn a few fond caresses.
+
+"Here," said Boone, as himself and companions entered the streamlet,
+whose clear, bright waters, to the depth of some three inches, rolled
+merrily over a smooth bed, with a pleasing murmur: "Here, lads, I reckon
+we'll have difficulty; for the red varmints never enter a stream for
+nothing; and calculating pretty shrewdly they'd be followed soon, no
+doubt they've taken good care to puzzle us for the trail. Ef it be as
+I suspect, we'll divide on the other side, and a part o' us go up, and
+a part down, till we come agin upon thar track. But then agin," added
+Boone, musingly, with a troubled expression, "it don't follow, that
+because they entered the stream they crossed it; and it's just as likely
+they've come out on the same side they went in; so that we'll have to
+make four divisions, and start on the sarch."
+
+Accordingly on reaching the other shore, and finding the trail was lost,
+Boone divided the party--assigning each his place--and separating, six
+of them recrossed the stream; and dividing again, two, headed by Isaac,
+went up, and two, led by Henry Millbanks, went down along the bank;
+while Boone and Seth Stokes, with the rest, proceeded in like manner on
+the opposite side; and the dog flew hither and yon, to render what
+service he could also. For something like a quarter of an hour not the
+least trace of the savages could be found, when at last the voice of
+Isaac was heard shouting:
+
+"I've got it--I've got it! Here it is, jest as plain and nateral as
+cornstalks--Hooray!"
+
+In a few minutes the whole company was gathered around Isaac, who
+pointed triumphantly to his discovery.
+
+"That's the trail, sure enough," observed Boone, bending down to scan
+it closely; "and rather broad it is too. It's not common for the wily
+varmints to do thar business in so open a manner, and I suspicion it's
+done for some trickery. Look well to your rifles, lads, and be prepared
+for an ambush in yon thicket just above thar, while I look carefully
+along this, for a few rods, just to see ef I can make out thar meaning.
+They've spread themselves here considerable," continued the old hunter,
+after examining the trail a few minutes in silence; "but ef they think
+to deceive one that has been arter 'em as many times as I, they've made
+quite a mistake; for I can see clean through their tricks, as easy as
+light comes through greased paper."
+
+"What discovery have you made now?" inquired young Millbanks, who,
+together with the others, pressed eagerly around Boone to hear his
+answer.
+
+"Why I've diskivered what I war most afeard on," answered the woodsman.
+"I've diskivered that the varmints have divided, for the sake of giving
+us trouble, or leading us astray from them as they cares most about. See
+here!" and bending down to the ground, Boone pointed out to his young
+companions, many of whom were entirely ignorant of that ingenious art of
+wood-craft, whereby the experienced hunter knows his safety or danger in
+the forest as readily as the sailor knows his on the ocean, and which
+appears to the uninitiated like a knowledge superhuman--Boone pointed
+out to them, we say, three distinct foot prints, which he positively
+asserted were neither made by the Indians nor the captives of the
+ravine.
+
+"But I'd jest like to know, Colonel Boone, how you can be so sartin o'
+what you declar, ef it would'nt be for putting you to too much trouble,"
+said one of the party, in surprise.
+
+"Obsarve," replied Boone, who, notwithstanding it would cause some
+little delay, was willing to gratify his young friends, by imparting to
+them what information he could regarding an art so important to frontier
+life: "Obsarve that print thar (pointing with his finger to the largest
+one of the three;) now that war never made by Master Reynolds, for it's
+much too big; and this I know from having got the dimension o' his track
+afore I left the ravine to trail him; and I know it war never made by
+one o' the red heathen, for it arn't, the shape o' thar feet,; and
+besides, you'll notice how the toe turns out'ard from the heel--a thing
+an Indian war never guilty on--for they larn from children to tread
+straight forward. The next one you'll obsarve turns out in like manner;
+and though it's smaller nor the first, it arn't exactly the shape of
+Reynold's, and it's too big for Ella's; and moreover I opine it's a
+woman's--though for the matter o' that I only guess at it. The third you
+perceive is the child's; and them thar three are the only ones you can
+find that arn't Indian's. Now note agin that the trail's spread here,
+and that here and thar a twig's snapped on the bushes along thar way;
+which the red-skins have done a purpose to make thar course conspicuous,
+to draw thar pursuers on arter 'em, prehaps for an ambush, prehaps to
+keep them from looking arter the others."
+
+"In this perplexity what are we to do?" inquired young Millbanks.
+
+"Why," answered Boone, energetically, "Heaven knows my heart yearns to
+rescue all my fellow creaters who're in distress; but more particularly,
+prehaps, them as I know's desarving; and as I set out for Master
+Reynolds, and his sweet companion, Ella Barnwell, God bless her! I
+somehow reckon it's my duty to follow them--though I leave the rest o'
+ye to choose for yourselves. Ef you want to divide, and part go this
+trail and part follow me, mayhap it'll be as well in the end."
+
+This plan seemed the best that could be adopted under the circumstances;
+and after some further consultation among themselves, it was finally
+agreed that Isaac, with six others--two of whom were Switcher and
+Stokes--should proceed on the present trail; while Millbanks and the
+remainder should accompany Boone. Isaac was chosen as the most suitable
+one to lead his party, on account of his foresight and shrewdness, and,
+withal, some little knowledge which he possessed of the country and the
+woodsman's art, previously gained in a tour with his father, when
+seeking a location, together with an expedition of considerable extent
+shortly after made with Boone himself.
+
+To him, as the leader, the noble old hunter now turned, and in a brief
+manner imparted some very important advice, regarding his mode of
+proceeding under various difficulties, particularly cautioned him
+against any rash act, and concluded by saying, "Wharsomever or
+howsomever you may be fixed, Isaac, and you his companions, (addressing
+the young men by his side) don't never forget the injunction o' Daniel
+Boone, your friend, that you must be cool, steady and firm; and
+whensomever you fire at a painted varmint, be sure you don't throw away
+your powder!"
+
+He then proceeded to shake hands with each, bidding them farewell and
+God speed, in a manner so earnest and touching as to draw tears from
+many an eye unused to the melting mood. The parting example of Boone was
+now imitated by the others, and in a few minutes both divisions had
+resumed their journey.
+
+Dividing his party again as before, Boone proceeded with them to examine
+closely both banks of the stream for the other trail. Commencing where
+they had left off on the announcement of Isaac, they moved slowly
+downward, taking due note of every bush, leaf and blade as they went
+along--often pausing and bending on their knees, to observe some spot
+more minutely, where it seemed probable their enemies had withdrawn from
+the water. Caesar, too, apparently comprehending the object of their
+search, ran to and fro, snuffing at every thing he saw, sometimes with
+his nose to the ground and sometimes elevated in the air. At length he
+gave a peculiar whine, at a spot about twenty yards below that which had
+been reached by his master, on the side opposite Isaac's discovery; and
+hastening to him, Boone immediately communicated to the others the
+cheering intelligence that the trail had been found.
+
+Each now hurrying forward, the old hunter was soon joined by his young
+friends; not one of whom, on coming up, failed to express surprise that
+he should be so positive of what their eyes gave them not the least
+proof. The place where they were now assembled, was at the base of a
+hill, which terminated the flat or hollow in that direction, and turned
+the stream at a short bend off to the left, along whose side its waters
+ran for some twenty yards, when the arm projection of the ridge ended,
+and allowed it to turn and almost retrace its path on the opposite
+side--thus forming an elliptical bow. At the point in question, rose a
+steep bank of rocks, of limestone formation, against which the stream,
+during the spring and fall floods had rolled its tide to a height of six
+or eight feet; and had lodged there, from time to time, various sorts of
+refuse--such as old leaves, branches and roots of trees, and the like
+encumbrances to the smooth flow of its waters. On these rocks it was
+that the eyes of the party were now fixed; while their faces exhibited
+expressions of astonishment, that the old hunter should be able to
+distinguish marks of a recent trail, where they could perceive nothing
+but the undisturbed surface of what perhaps had been ages in forming.
+
+"And so, lads, you don't see no trail thar, eh?" said Boone, with a
+quiet smile, after having listened to various observations of the party,
+during which time he had been carelessly leaning on his rifle.
+
+"Why, I must confess I can see nothing of the kind," answered Henry.
+
+"Nor I," rejoined another of the party.
+
+"Well, ef thar be any marks o' a trail here, jest shoot me with red
+pepper and salt, ef ever I'm cotched bragging on my eyes agin," returned
+a third.
+
+"That thar observation'll hold good with me too" uttered a fourth.
+
+"Here's in," said the fifth and last.
+
+"You're all young men, and have got a right smart deal to larn yet,"
+resumed Boone, "afore you can be turned out rale ginuine woodsmen and
+hunters. Now mark that thar small pebble stone, that lies by your feet
+on the rock. Ef you look at it right close, you'll perceive that on one
+side on't the dirt looks new and fresh--which proves it's jest been
+started from its long quietude. Now cast your eyes a little higher up,
+agin yon dirt ridge which partly kivers them thar larger stones, and
+you'll see an indent that this here pebble stone just fits. Now
+something had to throw that down, o' course; and ef you'll just look
+right sharp above it, you'll see a smaller dent, that war made by the
+toe of some human foot, in getting up the bank. Agin you'll observe that
+thar dry twig, just above still, has been lately broke, as ef by the
+person war climbing up taking hold on't for assistance; but that warn't
+the reason the climber broke it--it war done purposely; as you'll see by
+the top part being bent up the hill, as ef to point us on. By the Power
+that made me!" added Boone, gazing for a moment at the broken twig
+intently, "ef I arn't wondrously mistaken, thar's a leaf hanging to it
+in a way nater never fixed it."
+
+"Right, there is!" cried Henry, who, looking up with, the rest, chanced
+to observe it at the same moment with Boone; and springing forward with
+a light bound, he soon reached the spot, and returned with it in his
+hand. It was a fall leaf, which had been fastened in a hasty manner to
+the twig in question, by a pin through its center. On one side of it was
+scrawled, in characters difficult to be deciphered:
+
+"_Follow--fast--for the love of Heaven!--E._"
+
+As Millbanks, after looking at it closely, read off these words, Boone
+started, clutched his rifle with an iron grasp, and merely saying, in a
+quiet manner, "Onward, lads--I trust you're now satisfied!" he sprang up
+the rocks with an agility that threatened to leave his young companions
+far in the rear.
+
+All now pressed forward with renewed energy; and having gained the
+summit of the hill, which here rose to the height of eighty feet, they
+were enabled, by the aid of Caesar, to come quickly upon the trail of
+the Indians, who, doubtless supposing themselves now safe from pursuit,
+had taken little or no pains to conceal their course. Of this their
+pursuers now took advantage, and hurried onward with long and rapid
+strides; now through thick dark woods and gloomy hollows; now up steep
+hills and rocky barren cliffs; now through tangles and over marshy
+grounds--clearing all obstacles that presented themselves with an ease
+which showed that notwithstanding some of them might be inferior as
+woodsmen, none were at all events as travelers in the woods.
+
+By noon the party had advanced some considerable distance, and were
+probably not far in the rear of the pursued--at least such was the
+opinion of Boone--when they were again, to their great vexation, put at
+fault for the trail, by the cunning of the renegade, who, to prevent all
+accidents, had here once more broken it, by entering another small
+streamlet--a branch of Eagle river; and although our friends set to with
+all energy and diligence to find it, yet, from the nature of the ground
+round about, the darkness of the wood through which the rivulet
+meandered, and several other causes, they were unable to do so for three
+good hours.
+
+This delay tended not a little to discourage the younger members of our
+pursuing party, who, in consequence, began to be low spirited, and less
+eager than before to press forward when the trail was again found; but
+a few words from Boone in a chiding manner, telling them that if they
+faltered at every little obstacle, they would be unfit representatives
+of border life, served to stimulate them to renewed exertions. To add to
+the discomfort of all--not excepting Boone himself--the sun, which had
+thus far shone out warm and brilliant, began to grow more and more dim,
+as a thick haze spread through the atmosphere overhead, foretokening an
+approaching storm--an event which might prove entirely disastrous to
+their hopes, by obliterating all vestiges of the pursued. As the gallant
+old hunter moved onward with rapid strides--preceded by the faithful
+brute, which, on the regular trail, greatly facilitated their progress,
+by saving the company a close scrutiny of their course--he from time to
+time cast his eyes upward and noted the thickening atmosphere with an
+anxious and troubled expression.
+
+For some time the sun shone faintly; then his rays became entirely
+obscured, and his position could only be discerned by a bright spot in
+the heavens; this, ere he reached the horizon, became obscured also;
+when the old hunter, who had watched every sign closely, looking
+anxiously toward the west, observed:
+
+"I don't like it, lads; thar's a storm a brewing for sartin, and we
+shall be drenched afore to-morrow morning. Howsomever," he continued,
+"it arn't the wetting as I cares any thing about--for I'm used to the
+elements in all thar stages, and don't fear 'em no more'n a dandy does a
+feather bed--but the trail will be lost, in arnest this time; and then
+we'll have to give in, or follow on by guess work. It's this as troubles
+me; for I'm fearful poor Ella and Reynolds won't get succor in time. But
+keep stout hearts, lads," he added, as he noticed gloomy expressions
+sweep over the faces of his followers; "keep stout hearts--don't get
+melancholy; for in this here world we've got to take things as we find
+'em; and no doubt this storm's all for the best, ef we could only see
+ahead like into futurity."
+
+With this consoling reflection the hunter again quickened his pace, and
+pressed forward until the shadows of evening warned him to seek out an
+encampment for the gathering night. Accordingly, sweeping the adjoining
+country with an experienced eye, his glance soon rested on a rocky
+ridge, some quarter of a mile to the right, at whose base he judged
+might be found a comfortable shelter from the coming rain. Communicating
+his thoughts to his companions, all immediately quitted the trail and
+advanced toward it, where they arrived in a few minutes, and found, to
+their delight, that the experienced woodsman had not been wrong in his
+conjectures. A cave of no mean dimensions was fortunately discovered,
+after a short search among the rocks, into which all now gathered; and
+striking a light, they made a small fire near the entrance; around which
+they assembled and partook of the refreshments brought with them--Boone
+declaring he had not tasted a morsel of food since leaving Boonsborough
+early in the morning. The meal over, the young men disposed themselves
+about the cave in the best manner possible for their own comfort: and
+being greatly fatigued by their journey, and the revels of the night
+previous, they very soon gave evidence of being in a sleep too deep for
+dreams. Boone sat by the fire, apparently in deep contemplation, until
+a few embers only remained; then pointing Caesar to his place near the
+entrance, he threw himself at length upon the ground, and was soon
+imitating the example of his young comrades.
+
+Early in the evening it came on to blow very hard from the east; and
+about midnight set in to rain, as Boone had predicted; which it
+continued to do the rest of the night; nor were there any signs of its
+abatement, when the party arose to resume their journey on the following
+morning.
+
+"What can't be cured must be endured," said Boone, quoting an old
+proverb, as he gazed forth upon the storm. "We must take sech as comes,
+lads, without grumbling; though I do'nt know's thar's any sin in wishing
+it war a little more to our liking. Howsomever," he added, "prehaps it
+won't be so much agin us arter all; for the red varmints mayhap 'll
+think as how all traces of 'em have been washed away, and, feeling safe
+from pursuit, be less cautious about their proceedings; and by keeping
+on the same course, we may chance upon 'em unawares. So come, lads,
+let's eat and be off."
+
+Accordingly, making a hasty breakfast, and securing the remainder of
+their provision as well as ammunition in the ample bosoms of their
+hunting frocks--which were always made large for such and similar
+purposes--tightening the belts about their bodies, and placing their
+rifles, locks downward, under the ample skirts of their frocks, to
+shield them from the rain, the whole party sallied forth upon their
+second day's adventure. Regaining the spot they had quitted the evening
+before, Boone took a long look in the direction whence they first
+approached; and then shaping his course so as to bear as near as
+possible on a direct line with it, set forward at a quick pace, going a
+very little west of due north.
+
+In this manner our pursuers continued their journey for some three or
+four hours, scarcely exchanging a syllable--the storm beating fiercely
+against their faces and drenching their bodies--when an incident
+occurred of the most alarming kind.
+
+They had descended a hill, and were crossing an almost open plain of
+some considerable extent--which was bounded on the right by a wood, and
+on the left by a cane-brake--and had nearly gained its center, when they
+were startled by a deep rumbling sound, resembling the mighty rushing of
+a thousand horse. Nearer and nearer came the rushing sound; while each
+one paused, and many a pale face was turned with an anxious, inquiring
+glance upon Boone; whose own, though a shade paler than usual, was
+composed in every feature, as he gazed, without speaking, in the
+direction whence the noise proceeded.
+
+"Good heavens! what is it?" cried Henry, in alarm.
+
+"Behold!" answered Boone, pointing calmly toward the cane-brake.
+
+A cry of surprise, despair and horror, escaped every tongue but the old
+hunter's--as, at that moment, a tremendous herd of buffaloes, numbering
+thousands, was seen rushing from the brake, and bearing directly toward
+the spot where our party stood. Escape by flight was impossible; for the
+animals were scarcely four hundred yards distant, and booming forward
+with the speed of the frightened wild horse of the prairie. Nothing was
+apparent but speedy death, and in its most horrible form, that of dying
+unknown beneath the hoofs of the wild beasts of the wilderness. In this
+awful moment of suspense, which seemingly but preceded the disuniting of
+soul and body, each of the young men turned a breathless look of horror
+upon the old hunter, such as landsmen in a terrible gale at sea would
+turn upon the commander of the vessel; but, save an almost imperceptible
+quiver of the lips, not a muscle of the now stern countenance of Boone
+changed.
+
+"Merciful Heaven!--we are lost!" cried Henry, wildly. "Oh! such a
+death!"
+
+"Every man's got to die when his time comes--but none afore; and yourn
+hasn't come yet, Master Harry," replied Boone, quietly; "unless," he
+added, a moment after, as he raised his rifle to his eye, "Betsey here's
+forgot her old tricks."
+
+As he spoke, his gun flashed, a report followed, and one of the foremost
+of the herd, an old bull, which had gained a point within a hundred
+yards of the marksman, stumbled forward and rolled over on the earth,
+with a loud bellow of pain His companions, which were pressing close
+behind, snorted with fear, as they successively came up; and turning
+aside, on either hand, made a furrow in their ranks; that, gradually
+widening as they advanced, finally cleared our friends by a space of
+twenty yards; and so passed they on, making the very earth tremble under
+their mighty trend.[8]
+
+It was a sublime sight--to behold such a tremendous caravan of wild
+beasts rushing past--and one that filled each of the spectators, even
+when they knew all danger was over, with a sense of trembling awe; and
+they stood and gazed in silence, until the last of the herd was lost to
+their vision; then advancing to the noble hunter, Henry silently grasped
+his hard, weather-beaten hand, and turned away with tearful eyes--an
+example that was followed by each of the others, and which was more
+heart touchingly expressive of their feelings, than would have been a
+vocabulary of appropriate words.
+
+Our party next proceeded to examine the wounded bull, which was still
+bellowing with rage and pain; and having carefully approached and
+despatched him with their knives, they found that the ball of Boone had
+entered a vital part. Taking from him a few slices of meat, to serve
+them in case their provisions ran short, they once more resumed their
+journey--the wind still easterly and the storm raging.
+
+About three hours past noon the storm began to show signs of
+abatement--the wind blew less hard, and had veered several points to the
+north--an event which the old hunter noted with great satisfaction. They
+had now gained a point within ten miles of the beautiful Ohio; when the
+dog--which, since he had had no trail to guide him, ran where he
+chose--commenced barking spiritedly, some fifty paces to the left of the
+party, who immediately set off at a brisk gait to learn the cause.
+
+"I'll wager what you dare, lads, the pup's found the trail," said Boone.
+
+The event proved him in the right; for on coming up, the footsteps of
+both captors and captives, who had evidently passed there not over three
+hours before, could be distinctly traced in the soft earth. A shout--not
+inferior in power and duration to that set up by crazy-headed
+politicians, on the election of some favorite--was sent away to the
+hills, announcing the joy of our party; which the hills, as if partakers
+also of the hilarious feelings, in turn duly echoed.
+
+This new, important, and unexpected discovery, raised the spirits of all
+our company to a high degree; and they again set forward at a faster
+gait than ever, so as to overtake the pursued if possible before they
+crossed the Ohio river. The trail was now broad and distinct; and the
+footprints of the Indians, as also those of their captives, Algernon and
+Ella, could be clearly defined wherever the ground chanced to be of a
+clayey nature. In something like two hours our pursuers succeeded in
+reaching the river; but unfortunately too late to intercept their
+enemies and rescue their friends, who had already crossed sometime
+before. By trailing them to the water's edge, they discovered the very
+spot where the canoes of the savages had been secreted on the beach,
+behind some drift-logs, nearly opposite the mouth of the Great Miami.
+
+"Ef we'd only been here a little sooner," observed Boone, musingly,
+"we'd ha' saved some o' the varmints the trouble of paddling over thar;
+or ef we only had the means o' crossing now, we'd be upon 'em afore they
+war aware on't. Howsomever, as it is, I suppose we'll have to make a
+raft to cross on, and so give the red heathen a little more time."
+
+"Is it not possible, Colonel," answered Millbanks, in a suggestive way,
+"that the Indians, forming the two parties, may all be of the game
+tribe, and have crossed here together, when they came over to make the
+attack? and that the boats of the other division, unless they have
+recrossed, may still be secreted not far hence?"
+
+"By the Power that made me!" exclaimed Boone, energetically; "a good
+thought, lad--a good thought, Master Harry--and we'll act on't at once,
+by sarching along the banks above here; for as the other varmints took
+off to the east, it am't improbable they've just steered a little round
+about, to come down on 'em, while these went right straight ahead."
+
+At once proceeding upon this suggestion, Boone and his companions
+commenced a close examination along the shore; which finally resulted
+in their finding, as had been premised, not the canoes themselves, but
+traces of where they had recently been, together with the trail of the
+other party, who had also arrived at this point and crossed over.
+This caused no little sensation among our pursuers; who, scanning the
+footprints eagerly, and perceiving thereby that the prisoners were
+still along with their captors, scarcely knew whether most to grieve or
+rejoice. One thing at least was cheering--they were still alive; and
+could their friends, the present party, succeed in crossing the river
+during the night, might be rescued. But where was Isaac and his band,
+was the next important query. If, as they ardently hoped, he and his
+comrades had not lost the trail, they might be expected to join them
+soon--a reinforcement which would render them comparatively safe.
+
+Meantime the storm had wholly subsided--the wind blew strong and cold
+from the northwest--a few broken, dripping clouds sailed slowly
+onward--while the sun, a little above the horizon, again shone out clear
+and bright, and painted a beautiful bow on the cloudy ground of the
+eastern heavens.
+
+"Well, lads, the storm's over, thank God!" said Boone, glancing upward,
+with an expression of satisfaction; "and now, as day-light'll be scarce
+presently, we'll improve what there is, in constructing a raft to cross
+over on; and maybe Isaac and the rest on 'em will join us in time to get
+a ride."
+
+As the old hunter concluded, he at once applied himself to laying out
+such drift logs as were thought suitable for the purpose, in which he
+was assisted by three of the others, the remaining two proceeding into
+the bushes to cut withes for binding them together; and so energetic and
+diligent was each in his labors, that, ere twilight had deepened into
+night, the rude vessel was made, launched, and ready to transport its
+builders over the waters. They now resolved to take some refreshment,
+and wait until night had fully set in, in the faint hope that Isaac
+might possibly make his appearance. With this intent, our party retired
+up the bank, into the edge of the wood that lined the shore, for the
+purpose of kindling a fire, that they might dry their garments, and
+roast some portions of the slaughtered bull.
+
+Scarcely had they succeeded, after several attempts, in effecting a
+bright, ruddy blaze--which threw from their forms, dark, fantastic
+shadows, against the earth, trees and neighboring bushes--when Caesar
+uttered a low, deep growl; and Boone, grasping his rifle tightly,
+motioned his companions to follow him in silence into an adjoining
+thicket. Here, after cautioning them to remain perfectly quiet, unless
+they heard some alarm, he carefully parted the bushes, and glided
+noiselessly away, saying, in a low tone, as he departed:
+
+"I rather 'spect it's Isaac; but I'd like to be sartin on't, afore I
+commit myself."
+
+For some five or ten minutes after the old hunter disappeared, all was
+silent, save the crackling of the fire, the rustling of the leaves, the
+sighing of the wind among the trees, and the rippling of the now swollen
+and muddy waters of the Ohio. At length the sound of a voice was heard
+some fifty paces distant, followed immediately by another in a louder
+tone.
+
+On hearing this, our friends in the thicket rushed forward, and were
+soon engaged in shaking the hands of Isaac and his comrades, with a
+heartiness on both sides that showed the pleasure of meeting was
+earnest, and unalloyed.
+
+As more important matters are now pressing hard upon us, and as our
+space is limited, we shall omit the detail of Isaac's adventures, as
+also the further proceedings of both parties for the present, and
+substitute a brief summary.
+
+The trail on which Isaac and his party started the day before, being
+broad and open, they had experienced but little difficulty in following
+it, until about noon, when they reached a stream where it was broken,
+which caused them some two hours delay. This, doubtless, prevented them
+from overtaking the enemy that day; and the night succeeding, not having
+found quarters as comfortable as Boone's, they had been thoroughly
+soaked with rain. The trail in the morning was entirely obliterated; but
+pursuing their course in a manner simitar to that adopted by Boone, the
+result had happily been the same, and the meeting of the two parties the
+consequence, at a moment most fortunate to both.
+
+All now gathered around the fire, to dry their garments, refresh
+themselves with food, tell over to each other their adventures, and
+consult as to their future course. It was finally agreed to cross the
+stream that night; in the hope, by following up the Miami, to stumble
+upon the encampment of their adversaries; who were, doubtless, at no
+great distance; and who, as they judged, feeling themselves secure,
+might easily be surprised to advantage. How they succeeded in their
+perilous undertaking, coming events must show.
+
+
+[Footnote 8: A similar occurrence to the above is recorded of Boone's
+first appearance in the Western Wilds.--_See Boone's Life--By Flint_]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE RENEGADE AND HIS PRISONERS.
+
+
+The feelings in the breasts of Algernon and Ella, as they reluctantly
+moved onward, captives to a savage, bloodthirsty foe, are impossible
+to be described. To what awful end had fate destined them? and in what
+place were they to drain the last bitter dregs of woe? How much anguish
+of heart, how much racking of soul, and how much bodily suffering was
+to be their portion, ere death, almost their only hope, would set them
+free? True, they might be rescued by friends--such things had been
+done--but the probability thereof was as ten to one against them; and
+when they perceived the care with which the renegade sought to destroy
+all vestiges of their course, their last gleam of hope became nearly
+extinguished.
+
+We have previously stated that Ella was left unbound; but wherefore,
+would perhaps be hard to conjecture; unless we suppose that the
+renegade--feeling for her that selfish affection which pervades the
+breasts of all beings, however base or criminal, to a greater or less
+degree--fancied it would be adding unnecessary cruelty to bind heir
+delicate hands. Whatever the cause, matters but little; but the fact
+itself was of considerable importance to Ella; who took advantage of
+her freedom, in passing the bushes before noticed, to snatch a leaf
+unperceived, whereon, by great adroitness, she managed to trace with a
+pin a few almost illegible characters; and also, in ascending the bank,
+which she was allowed to do in her own way, to throw down with her foot
+the stone, break the twig at the same instant, and pin the leaf to it,
+in the faint hope that an old hunter might follow on the trail, who,
+if he came to the spot, would hardly fail to notice it.
+
+The freedom thus given to Ella, and the deference shown her by the
+renegade and his allies--who appeared to treat her with the same respect
+they would have done the wife of their chief--were in striking contrast
+with their manners toward Algernon, on whom they seemed disposed to vent
+their scorn by petty insults. Believing that his doom was sealed, he
+became apparently resigned to his fate, nor seemed to notice, save with
+stoical indifference, any thing that took place around him. This quiet,
+inoffensive manner, was far from pleasing to Girty, who would much
+rather have seen him chafing under his bondage, and manifesting a desire
+to escape its toil. But if this was the outward appearance, not so was
+the inward feelings of our hero. He knew his fate--unless he could
+effect an escape, of which he had little hope--and he nerved himself to
+meet and seem to his captors careless of it; but his soul was already on
+the rack of torture. This was not for himself alone; for Algernon was a
+brave man, and in reality feared not death; though, like many another
+brave man, be had no desire to die at his time of life, especially with
+all the tortures of the stake, which he knew, from Girty's remark, would
+be his assignment; but his soul was harrowed at the thought of Ella--her
+awful doom--and what she might be called upon to undergo: perhaps a
+punishment a thousand times worse than death--that of being the
+pretended wife, but in reality the mistress, of the loathsome renegade.
+This thought to him was torture--almost madness--and it was only by the
+most powerful struggle with himself, that he could avoid exposing his
+feelings.
+
+For a time, after ascending the rocky bank of the stream and gaining the
+hill, the renegade and his Indian allies, with their captives, moved
+silently onward at a fast pace; but at length, slackening his speed
+somewhat, Girty approached the side of Algernon, who was bound in a
+manner similar to Younker, with his wrists corded to a cross bar behind
+his back; and apparently examining them a moment or two, in a sneering
+tone, said:
+
+"How-comes it that the bully fighter of the British, under the cowardly
+General Gates, should be so tightly bound, away out in this Indian
+country, and a captive to a _renegade_ agent?--ha, ha, ha!"
+
+The pale features of Algernon, as he heard this taunt, grew suddenly
+crimson, and then more deadly white than ever--his fingers fairly worked
+in their cords, and his respiration seemed almost to stifle him--so
+powerfully were his passions wrought upon by the cowardly insults of his
+adversary; but at last all became calm and stoical again; when turning
+to Girty, he coolly examined him from head to heel, from heel to head;
+and then moving away his eyes, as if the sight were offensive to him,
+quietly said:
+
+"An honest man would be degraded by condescending to hold discourse with
+so mean a _thing_ as Simon Girty the renegade."
+
+At these words Girty started, as if bit by a serpent--the aspect of his
+dark sinister features changed to one concentrated expression of hellish
+rage--his eyes seemed to turn red--his lips quivered--the nostrils of
+his flat ugly nose distended--froth issued from his mouth--while his
+fingers worked convulsively at the handle of his tomahawk, and his whole
+frame trembled like a tree shaken by a whirlwind. For some time he
+essayed to speak, in vain; but at last he hissed forth, as he whirled
+the tomahawk aloft:
+
+"Die!--dog!--die!"
+
+Ella uttered a piercing shriek of fear, and sprung forward to arrest the
+blow; but ere she could have reached the renegade; the axe would have
+been buried to the helve in the brain of Algernon, had not a tall,
+powerful Indian suddenly interposed his rifle between it and the victim.
+
+"Is the great chief a child, or in his dotage," he said to Girty, in the
+Shawanoe dialect, "that he lets passion run away with his reason? Is not
+the Big Knife already doomed to the tortures? And would the white chief
+give him the death of a warrior?"
+
+"No, by ----!" cried Girty, with an oath. "He shall have a dog's death!
+Right! Mugwaha--right! I thank you for your interference--I was beside
+myself. The stake--the torture--the stake--ha, ha, ha!" added he in
+English, with a hoarse laugh, which his recent passion made sound
+fiend-like and unearthly; and as he concluded, he smote Algernon on the
+cheek with the palm of his hand.
+
+The latter winced somewhat, but mastered his feelings and made no reply;
+and the renegade resuming his former pace, the party again proceeded in
+silence.
+
+Toward night, Ella became so fatigued and exhausted by the long day's
+march, that it was with the greatest difficulty she could move forward
+at all; and Girty, taking some compassion on her, ordered the party to
+halt, until a rough kind of litter could be prepared; on which being
+seated, she was borne forward by four of the Indians. At dark they
+halted at the base of a hill, where they encamped and found a partial
+shelter from the wind and rain. At daylight they again resumed their
+journey; and by four o'clock in the afternoon arrived at the river,
+which they immediately crossed in their canoes; and, as the water was
+found in a good stage, did not land until they reached the first bend
+of the Miami--the place agreed on for the meeting between Girty and
+Wild-cat.
+
+As the latter chief and his party had not yet made their appearance,
+Girty and his band went ashore with their prisoners, and took shelter
+under one of the largest trees in the vicinity, to await their coming.
+Of this expected meeting, the captives as yet knew nothing; and it was
+of course not without considerable surprise, mingled with a saddened
+joy, that they observed the approach, some half an hour later, of their
+friends and enemies.
+
+Ella, on first perceiving their canoes silently advancing up the stream,
+started up with a cry of joy, which was the next moment saddened by the
+thought that she was only welcoming her relatives to a miserable doom.
+Still it was a joy to know they were yet alive; and as the sinking heart
+is ever buoyed up with hope, until completely engulfed in the dark
+billows of despair--so she could not, or would not, altogether banish
+the animating feeling, that something might yet interfere to save them
+all from destruction. As the canoes touched the shore, Ella sprung
+forward to greet her adopted mother and father; but her course was
+suddenly checked by one of the Indian warriors, who, grasping her
+somewhat roughly by the arm, with a gutteral grunt and fierce gesture of
+displeasure, pointed her back to her former place. Ella, downcast and
+frightened, tremblingly retraced her steps, and could only observe the
+pale faces and fatigued looks of her relatives and the little girl at a
+distance; but she saw enough to send a thrill of anguish to her heart;
+and Girty, who perceived the expressions of agony her sweet features now
+displayed, at once advanced to her, and, modulating his voice somewhat
+from its usual tones, said:
+
+"Grieve not, Ella. I will endeavor to procure you an interview with your
+friends."
+
+The kindness manifested in the tones of the speaker, caused Ella to look
+up with a start of surprise and hope; and thinking he might perhaps be
+moved to mercy, by a direct appeal to his better feelings, she replied,
+energetically, with a flush on her now animated countenance:
+
+"Oh, sir! I perceive you are not lost to all feelings of humanity." Here
+the compression of Girty's lips, and a knitting together of his shaggy
+brows, warned Ella she was treading on dangerous ground, and she quickly
+added: "All of us are liable to err; and there may be circumstances,
+unknown to others, that force us to be, or seem to be, that which in our
+hearts we are not; and to do acts which our calm moments of reason tell
+us are wrong, and which we afterwards sincerely regret."
+
+"I know not that I understand you," said the renegade, evasively.
+
+"To be more explicit, then," rejoined Ella, "I trust that you, Simon
+Girty, whose acts hitherto have been such as to draw down reproaches
+and even curses upon your head, from many of your own race, may now be
+induced, by the prayer of her before you, to do an act of justice and
+generosity."
+
+"Speak out your desire!" returned Girty, as Ella, evidently fearful of
+broaching the subject too suddenly, paused, in order to observe the
+effect of what had already been said. "Speak out briefly, girl; for
+yonder stands Wild-cat awaiting me."
+
+"Oh, then, let me implore you to listen, and God grant your heart may
+be touched by my words!" rejoined Ella, eagerly, as she fancied she
+saw something of relentment in his stern features. "Look yonder! Behold
+that poor old man!--whose head is already sprinkled with the silvery
+threads of over fifty winters--beside whom stands the companion of
+his sorrows--both of whose lives have been spent in quiet, honest
+pursuits--whose doors have ever stood open--whose board has ever been
+free to the needy wayfarer. You yourself have been a partaker of their
+hospitality, in their own home--which, alas! I have since learned is
+in ashes--and can testify to their liberality and kindness. Is this
+a proper return therefor, think you?"
+
+"But did not he, yon gray-headed man, then and there curse me to my
+face?" returned the renegade, fiercely, in whose eye could be seen the
+cold, sullen gleam of deadly hate; "and shall I, the outcast of my
+race--I, whose deeds have made the boldest tremble--I, whose name is a
+by-word for curses--now spare him, that has defied and called down God's
+maledictions on me?"
+
+"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Ella, energetically. "Convince him, by your acts
+of generosity, that you are not deserving of his censure, and he, I
+assure you, will be eager to do you justice. Oh, return good for evil,
+where evil has been done you, and God's blessing, instead of His curse,
+will be yours!"
+
+"It may be the _Christian's_ creed to return good for evil," answered
+Girty, with a strong emphasis on the word Christian, accompanied with a
+sneer; "but by ----! such belongs not to me, nor to those I mate with!
+Hark you, Ella Barnwell! I could be induced to do much for you--for I
+possess for you a passion stronger than I have ever before felt for any
+human being--but were I ever so much disposed to grant your request, it
+is now beyond my power."
+
+"As how?" asked Ella, quickly.
+
+"Listen! I will tell you briefly. When first I saw, I felt I loved you,
+and from that moment resolved you should be mine. Nay, do not shudder
+so, and turn away, and look so pale--a worse fate than being the wife
+of a British agent might have been apportioned you. To win you by fair
+words, I knew at once was out of the question--for one glance showed me
+my rival. Besides, I was not handsome, I knew--had not an oily tongue,
+and did not like the plan of venturing too much among those who have
+good reasons for fearing and hating me--therefore I resolved on your
+capture. I had already meditated an attack on some of the settlers in
+the vicinity, and I resolved that both should be accomplished at one
+time. The result you know. Younker and his wife became my prisoners.
+This was done for two purposes. First, to revenge me for the insults
+heaped upon Simon Girty. Secondly, to spare their lives; for had it not
+been for my positive injunctions, they would have shared the fate of
+their neighbors. My design, I say, was to spare their lives and send
+them back, whenever it could be done with safety, provided they showed
+any signs of contrition. Did they? No! they again upbraided me to my
+face. I was again cursed. My blood is hot--my nature revengeful. That
+moment sealed their doom. I gave them up to Peshewa. They are no longer
+my prisoners. For their lives you must plead with him. I can do nothing.
+Have you more to ask?"
+
+Girty, toward the last, spoke rapidly, in short sentences, as one to
+whom the conversation was disagreeable; and Ella listened breathlessly,
+with a pale cheek and trembling form; for she saw, alas! there was
+nothing favorable to be gained. As he concluded, she suddenly started,
+clasped her hands together, and looked up into his stern countenance,
+with a wild, thrilling expression, saying, in a trembling voice:
+
+"You have said you love me!"
+
+"I repeat it."
+
+"Then, for Heaven's sake! as you are a human being, and hope for peace
+in this world and salvation in the next--restore me--restore us all to
+our homes--and to my dying day will I bless and pray for you."
+
+"Umph!" returned the renegade, drily; "I had much rather _hear_ your
+sweet voice, though in anger, than to merely _think_ you may be praying
+for me at a distance. But I see Wild-cat is getting impatient;" and
+as he concluded, he turned abruptly on his heel, and advanced to
+Peshewa--who was now standing with his warriors and prisoners on the
+bank of the stream, some fifty paces distant, awaiting a consultation
+with him--while Ella hid her face in her hands and wept convulsively.
+
+"Welcome, Peshewa!" said Girty, as he approached the chief. "You and
+your band are here safe, I perceive; and by ----! you have timed it well,
+too, for we have only headed you by half an hour."
+
+"Ugh!" grunted Wild-cat, with that look and gutteral sound peculiar to
+the Indian. "Kitchokema has learned Peshewa is here!"
+
+"Come! come!" answered the renegade, in a somewhat nettled manner; "no
+insinuations! I saw Peshewa when he arrived."
+
+"But could not leave the Big Knife squaw to greet him," added the
+Indian.
+
+"Why, I am not particularly fond of being hurried in my affairs, you
+know."
+
+"But there may be that which will not leave Kitchokema slow to act, in
+safety," rejoined Wild-cat, significantly.
+
+"How, chief! what mean you?" asked Girty, quickly.
+
+"The Shemanoes--"[9]
+
+"Well?" said Girty.
+
+"Are on the trail," concluded Wild-cat, briefly.
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed the renegade, with a start, involuntarily placing his
+hand upon the breech of a pistol in his girdle. "But are you sure,
+Peshewa?"
+
+"Peshewa speaks only what he knows," returned the chief, quietly.
+
+"Speak out, then--_how_ do you know?" rejoined Girty, in an excited
+tone.
+
+"Peshewa a chief," answered the Indian, in that somewhat obscure and
+metaphorical manner peculiar to his race. "He sleeps not soundly on the
+war-path. He shuts not his eyes when he enters the den of the wolf. He
+_saw_ the camp-fires of the pale-face."
+
+Such had been the fact. Knowing that his trail was left broad and open,
+and that in all probability it would soon be followed, Wild-cat had
+been diligently on the watch and as his course had been shaped in a
+roundabout, rather than opposite direction (as the reader might at first
+glance have supposed) from that taken by Boone, he and his band, by
+reason of this, had encamped, on the night in question, not haif a
+mile distant from our old hunter, but on the other side of the ridge.
+Ascending this himself, to note if any signs of an enemy were visible,
+Peshewa had discovered the light of Boone's fire, and traced it to its
+source. Without venturing near enough to expose himself, the wily savage
+had, nevertheless, gone sufficiently close to ascertain they were the
+foes of his race. His first idea had been to return, collect a part of
+his warriors, and attack them; but prudence had soon got the better of
+his valor; from the fact, as he reasoned, that his band were now in the
+enemy's country, where their late depredations had already aroused the
+inhabitants to vengeance; and he neither knew the force of Boone's
+party--for the reader will remember they were concealed in a cave--nor
+what other of his foes might be in the vicinity;--besides which, his
+purpose had been accomplished, and he was now on the return with his
+prisoners;--the whole of which considerations, had decided him to leave
+them unmolested, and ere daylight resume his journey; so that, even
+should they accidentally come upon his trail, he would be far enough in
+advance to reach and cross the river before them. Such was the substance
+of what Wild-cat, in his own peculiar way, now made known to Girty; and
+having inquired out the location distinctly, the latter exclaimed:
+
+"By heavens! I remember leaving that ridge away to the right, which
+proves that the white dogs must have been on my trail. I took pains
+enough to conceal it before that night; but if they got the better of
+me, I don't think they did of the rain that fell afterwards--so that
+they have doubtless found themselves on a fool's errand, long ere this,
+and given up the search. Besides, should they reach the river's bank,
+they have no means of crossing, and therefore we are safe."
+
+Wild-cat seemed to muse on the remarks of Girty, for a moment or two,
+and then said:
+
+"Why did Mishemenetoc[10] give the chief cunning, but that he might use
+it against his foes?--why caution, but that he might avoid danger?"
+
+"Why that, of course, is all well enough at times," answered Girty; "but
+I don't think either particular cunning or caution need be exercised
+now--from the fact that I don't believe there is any danger. Even should
+the enemies you saw be fool-hardy enough to follow us, they are not many
+in number probably, and will only serve to add a few more scalps to our
+girdles. However, we are safe for to-night, at all events; for if they
+reach the river, as I said before, they won't be able to cross, unless
+they make a raft or swim it; and you may rest assured, Peshewa, they
+will sleep on the other side, if for nothing else than their own
+safety."
+
+"What, therefore, does my brother propose?" asked Wild-cat.
+
+"Why, I am for encamping, as soon as we can find a suitable spot--say
+within a mile of here--for by ----! I am not only hungry but cold, and my
+very bones ache, from traveling in this untimely storm, which I perceive
+is on the point of clearing up."
+
+"Peshewa likes not sleeping with danger so near," replied the savage.
+
+"Well, I'm not _afraid_," rejoined Girty, laying particular stress on
+the latter word; "and so suppose you take the prisoners, with a part of
+the band, and go forward, while myself and the balance remain behind to
+reconnoitre in the morning; for by ----! that will be time enough to look
+for the lazy white dogs. Yet stay!" he added, a moment after, as if
+struck by a new thought. "Suppose you take the two Big Knives, and leave
+the squaws with me--for being very tired, they will only be a drag upon
+your party--and then you can have the stakes ready for the others, if
+you get in first, so that we can have the music of their groans to make
+us merry on our second meeting."
+
+To this latter proposition, the chief gave a grunt of assent, and the
+whole matter being speedily arranged, the council ended.
+
+The conversation between these two worthies having been carried on in
+the Indian dialect, was of course wholly unintelligible to Mrs. Younker
+and her husband, who were standing near; and trying in vain, for some
+time, to gain a clue to the discussion, the good lady at last gave
+evidence, that if her body and limbs were weary, her tongue was not;
+and that with all the warnings she had received, her old habits of
+volubility had not as yet been entirely superseded by thoughtful
+silence.
+
+"I do wonder what on yarth," she said, "that thar read-headed Simon
+Girty, and that thar ripscallious old varmint, as calls himself a chief,
+be coniving at?--and why the pesky Injens don't let me and Ella and the
+rest on 'em come together agin, as we did afore? Thar she stands--the
+darling--as pale nor a lily, and crying like all nater, jest as if
+her little heart war a going to break and done with it. I 'spect the
+varmints is hatching some orful plans to put us out o' the way--prehaps
+to hitch us to the stake and burn us all to cinder, like they did our
+housen, and them things. Well, Heaven's will be done!--as Preacher
+Allprayer said, when they turned him out o' meeting for gitting drunk
+and swearing--the dear good man!--but I do wish, for gracious sake, I
+could only jest change places with 'em--ef jest for five minutes--and
+I reckon as how they'd be glad to quit their gibberish, and talk like
+Christian folks, once in thar sneaking lives! Thar, they're done now,
+I do hope to all marcy's sake! and I reckons as how we'll soon have the
+gist on't."
+
+The foregoing remarks of Mrs. Younker, were made in a low tone,
+and evidently not intended, like Dickens' Notes, for general
+circulation--the nearly fatal termination of a former speech of hers,
+having taught her to be a little cautious in the camp of the enemy.
+The conclusion was succeeded by a stare of surprise, on being civilly
+informed by Girty, that she was now at liberty to join Ella as soon as
+she pleased.
+
+"Well, now, that's something like," returned the dame, with a smile that
+was intended to be a complimentary one; "and shows, jest as clear as any
+thing, that thar is a few streaks o' human nater in you arter all."
+
+Then, as if fearful the permission would be countermanded, the good
+lady at once set off in haste to join her adopted daughter. Subsequent
+events, however, soon changed the favorable opinion Mrs. Younker had
+began to entertain of Girty--particularly when she discovered, as she
+imagined, that the liberty allowed her, had only been as a ruse to
+withdraw her from her husband--who, as she departed, had been
+immediately hurried away, without so much as a parting farewell.
+
+Orders now being rapidly given by Girty and Wild-cat, were quickly and
+silently executed by their swarthy subordinates; and in a few minutes,
+the latter chief was on his way, with four warriors, the two male
+prisoners, and the little girl--Oshasqua, to whom the latter had been
+consigned by Girty, as the reader will remember, and who still continued
+to accompany Wild-cat, refusing to leave her behind.
+
+When informed by Girty, in an authoritative tone, that he must join the
+detachment of Wild-cat, Algernon turned toward Ella, and in a trembling
+voice said:
+
+"Farewell, dear Ella! If God wills that we never meet again on earth,
+let us hope we may in the Land of Spirits;" and ere she, overcome by her
+emotion, had power to reply, he had passed on beyond the reach of her
+silvery voice.
+
+Immediately on the departure of Peshewa, Girty ordered the canoes to be
+drawn ashore and concealed in a thicket near by, where they would be
+ready in case they should be wanted for another expedition; and then
+leading the way himself, the party proceeded slowly up the Miami, for
+about a mile, and encamped for the night, within a hundred yards of the
+river.
+
+
+[Footnote 9: Americans, or Big Knives. We would remark here, that we
+have made use altogether of the Shawanoe dialect; that being most common
+among all the Ohio tribes, save the Wyandots or Hurons, who spoke an
+entirely different language.]
+
+[Footnote 10: Great Spirit.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE ENCAMPMENT OF THE RENEGADE.
+
+
+It was about ten o'clock on the evening in question, and Simon Girty was
+seated by a fire, around which lay stretched at full length some six or
+eight dark Indian forms, and near him, on the right, two of another sex
+and race. He was evidently in some deep contemplation; for his hat and
+rifle were lying by his side, his hands were locked just below his
+knees, as if for the purpose of balancing his body in an easy position,
+and his eyes fixed intently on the flame, that, waving to and fro in
+the wind, threw over his ugly features a ruddy, flickering light, and
+extended his shadow to the size and shape of some frightful monster.
+The clouds of the late storm had entirely passed away, and through the
+checkered openings in the trees overhead could be discerned a few bright
+stars, which seemed to sparkle with uncommon brilliancy, owing to the
+clearness of the atmosphere. All beyond the immediate circle lighted by
+the fire, appeared dark and silent, save the solemn, almost mournful,
+sighing of the wind, as it swept among the tree-tops and through the
+branches of the surrounding mighty forest.
+
+What the meditations of the renegade were, we shall not essay to tell;
+but doubtless they were of a gloomy nature; for after sitting in the
+position we have described, some moments, without moving, he suddenly
+started, unclasped his hands, and looked hurriedly around him on every
+side, as if half expecting, yet fearful of beholding, some frightful
+phantom; but he apparently saw nothing to confirm his fears; and with
+a heavy sigh, he resumed his former position.
+
+What were the thoughts of that dark man, as he sat there?--he whose soul
+had been steeped in crime!--he whose hands had long been made red with
+the blood of numberless innocent victims! Who shall say what guilty
+deeds of the past might have been harrowing up his soul to fear and even
+remorse? Who shall say he was not then and there meditating upon death,
+and the dread eternity and judgment that must quickly follow
+dissolution? Who shall say he was not secretly repenting of that life of
+crime, which had already drawn down the curses of thousands upon his
+head? Something of the kind, or something equally powerful, must have
+been at work within him; for his features ever and anon, by their
+mournful contortions--if we may be allowed the phrase--gave visible
+tokens of one in deep agony of mind. It would be no pleasant task to
+analyze and lay bare the secret workings of so dark a spirit, even had
+we power to do it; and so we will leave his thoughts, whether good or
+evil, to himself and his God.
+
+By his side, and within two feet of the renegade, lay extended the
+beautiful form of Ella Barnwell--with nothing but a blanket and her own
+garments between her and the earth--with none but a similar covering
+over her--with her head resting upon a stone, and apparently asleep. We
+say apparently asleep; but the drowsy son of Erebus and Nox had not yet
+closed her eyelids in slumber; for there were thoughts in her breast
+more potent than all his persuasive arts of forgetfulness, or those
+of his prime minister, Morpheus. Was she thinking of her own hard
+fate--away there in that lonely forest--with not a friend nigh that
+could render her assistance--with no hope of escape from the awful doom
+to which she was hastening? Or was she thinking of him, for whom her
+heart yearned with all the thousand, undefined, indescribable sympathies
+of affection?--of him who so lately had been her companion?--for
+the heart of love measures duration, not by the cold mathematical
+calculation of minutes and hours, and days and weeks, and months and
+years, but by events and feelings; and the acquaintance of weeks may
+seem the friend of years, and the acquaintance of years be almost
+forgotten in weeks;--was she thinking of him, we say--of Algernon? who,
+even in misery, had been torn from her side, had said perchance his last
+trembling farewell, and gone to suffer a death at which humanity must
+shudder! Ay, all these thoughts, and a thousand others, were rushing
+wildly through her feverish brain. She thought of her own fate--of
+his--of her relations--pictured out in her imagination the terrible doom
+of each--and her tender heart became wrung to the most excruciating
+point of agony.
+
+By the side of Ella, was her adopted mother--buried in that troubled
+sleep which great fatigue sends to the body, even when the mind is
+ill at ease, filling it with startling visions--and around the fire,
+as we said before, lay the dusky forms of the savages, lost to all
+consciousness of the outer world. The position of Ella was such, that,
+by slightly turning her head, she could command a view of the features
+of the renegade; whose strange workings, as before noted, served to fix
+her attention and divide her thoughts between him, as the cause of her
+present unhappiness, and that unhappiness itself--and she gazed on his
+loathsome, contorted countenance, with much the same feeling as one
+might be supposed to gaze upon a serpent coiling itself around the
+body, whose deadly fangs, either sooner or later, would assuredly give
+the fatal stroke of death. She noted the sudden start of Girty, and the
+wildness with which he peered around him, with feelings of hope and
+fear--hope, that rescue might be at hand--fear, lest something more
+dreadful was about to happen. At length Girty started again, and turned
+his head toward Ella so suddenly, that she had not time to withdraw her
+eyes ere his were fixed searchingly upon them.
+
+"And are you too awake?" he said, with something resembling a sigh.
+"I thought the innocent could ever sleep!"
+
+"Not when the guilty are abroad, with deeds of death, and friends
+exposed," returned Ella, bitterly.
+
+"Ah! true--true!" rejoined Girty, again looking toward the fire, in a
+musing mood.
+
+"Well may you muse and writhe under the tortures of your guilty acts,"
+continued Ella, in the same bitter tone; "for you have much to answer
+for, Simon Girty."
+
+"And who told you the past tortured me?" cried Girty, quickly, turning
+on her a fierce expression.
+
+"Your changing features and guilty starts," answered Ella.
+
+"Ha! then you have been a spy upon me, have you?" said Girty, pressing
+the words slowly through his clenched teeth, knitting his shaggy brows,
+and fixing his eye with intensity upon hers, until she quailed and
+trembled beneath its seeming fiery glance; which the light, whereby it
+was seen, rendered more demon-like than usual; while it made shadow
+chase shadow, like waves of the sea, across his face: "You have been
+a spy upon my actions, eh? Beware! Ella Barnwell--beware! Do not
+put your head in the lion's mouth too often, or he may think the bait
+troublesome; and by ----! had other than you told me what I just now
+heard, he or she had not lived to repeat it."
+
+"Far better an early death and innocence, than a long life of guilt and
+misery," returned Ella, at once regaining her boldness of speech; "Far
+better the fate you speak of, than mine."
+
+"And would you prefer being wedded to death, rather than me?" asked
+Girty, quickly, in surprise.
+
+"Ay, a thousand times!" replied Ella, energetically, rising as she
+spoke, into a sitting posture, and looking fearlessly upon the renegade,
+her previously pale features now flushed with excitement. "I fear not
+death, Simon Girty; I have done no act that should make me fear the
+change that all must sooner or later undergo; but I could not join my
+hand to that of a man of blood, without loathing and horror, and feeling
+criminal in the sight of God and man; and least of all to you, Simon
+Girty, whose name has become a word of terror to the weak and innocent
+of my race, and whose deeds of late have been such as to make me join my
+voice in the general maledictions called down upon you."
+
+During this speech of Ella, Girty sat and gazed upon her with the look
+of a baffled demon; and, as she concluded, fairly hissed through his
+teeth:
+
+"And so you would prefer death to me, eh? By ----! you shall have your
+choice!"
+
+As he spoke, he grasped Ella by the wrist with one hand, seized his
+tomahawk with the other, and sprung upon his feet. His rapid movement
+and wild manner now really frightened her; and uttering a faint cry of
+horror, she endeavored to release his hold; while the warriors, aroused
+by the noise, bounded up from the earth, weapon in hand, with looks of
+alarm.
+
+Turning to them, Girty now spoke a few words in the Indian tongue; and,
+with significant glances at Ella, they were just in the act of again
+encamping, when crack went some five or six rifles, followed by yells
+little less savage than their own, and four of them rolled upon the
+earth, groaning with pain; while the others, surprised and bewildered,
+grasped their weapons and shouted:
+
+"The Shemanoes!" "The Long Knives!" not knowing whether to stand or fly.
+
+Girty, meantime, had been left unharmed; although the shivering of the
+helve of the tomahawk in his hand, in front of his breast, showed him
+he had been a target for no mean marksman, and that his life had been
+preserved almost by a miracle. For a moment he stood irresolute--his
+nostrils fairly dilated with fear and rage, still holding Ella by
+the wrist, who was too paralyzed with what she had seen to speak or
+move--straining his eyes in every direction to note, if possible, the
+number of his foes and whence their approach. The whole glance was
+momentary; but he saw himself nearly surrounded by his enemies, who
+were fast closing in toward the center with fierce yells; and pausing
+no longer in indecision, he encircled Ella's waist with his left arm,
+raised her from the ground, and keeping her as much as possible between
+himself and his enemies, to deter them from firing, darted away toward
+a thicket, some fifty yards distant, pursued by two of the attacking
+party.
+
+Just as Girty gained the thicket, one of his pursuers made a sudden
+bound forward and grasped him by the arm; but his hold was the next
+moment shaken off by the renegade, who, being now rendered desperate,
+drew a pistol from his belt, with the rapidity of lightning, and laid
+the bold adventurer dead at his feet. Almost at the same moment, Girty
+received a blow on the back of his head, from the breech of the rifle of
+his other antagonist, that staggered him forward; when, releasing his
+hold of Ella, he turned and darted off in another direction, firing a
+pistol as he went, the ball of which whizzed close to the head of him
+for whom it was designed; and in a moment more he was lost in the mazes
+of the forest.
+
+Meantime the bloody work was going forward in the center; for at the
+moment when Girty darted away, the report of some three or four rifles
+again echoed through the wood, two more of the red warriors bit the
+dust, while the other two fled in opposite directions, leaving Boone and
+his party sole masters of the field.
+
+Eager, excited, reckless and wild, several of the young men now rushed
+forward, with yells of triumph, to the wounded Indians, whom they
+immediately tomahawked without mercy, and began to scalp, when the voice
+of Boone, who had been more cautious, reached them from a distance:
+
+"Beware o' the fire-light, lads! or the red varmints will draw a
+bead[11] on some of ye."
+
+Scarcely were the words uttered, ere his warning was sadly fulfilled;
+for the two savages finding they were not pursued, and thirsting for
+revenge, turned and fired almost simultaneously, with aims so deadly,
+that one of the young men, by the name of Beecher, fell mortally wounded
+and expired a moment after; and another, by the name of Morris, had his
+wrist shattered by a ball. This fatal event produced a panic in the
+others, who at once fled precipitately into the darkness, leaving Mrs.
+Younker, who had by this time gained her feet, standing alone by the
+fire, a bewildered spectator of the terrible tragedies that had so
+lately been enacted by her side. To her Boone now immediately advanced,
+notwithstanding the caution he had given the others; and turning to him
+as he came up, the good lady exclaimed, in a tone of astonishment:
+
+"Why, Colonel Boone, be this here you? Why when did you come--and how
+on yarth did ye git here--and what in the name o' all creation has been
+happening? For ye see I war jest dosing away thar by the fire, and
+dreaming all sorts of things, like all nater, when somehow I kind o'
+thought I'd all at once turned into a man and gone to war a rale
+soldier; and the battle had opened, and the big guns war blazing away,
+and the little guns war popping off, and the soldiers war shrieking and
+groaning and falling around me, like all possessed; and men a trampling,
+and horses a running like skeered deer; and then I sort o' woke up, and
+jumped up, and seed all them dead Injen wretches; and then I jest begun
+to think as how it warn't no dream at all, but a living truth, all 'cept
+my being a man and a soldier, as you com'd up. Well, ef this arn't a
+queer world," resumed the good dame, catching breath meanwhile, "as
+Preacher Allprayer used to say, then maybe as how I don't know nothing
+at all about it."
+
+"Your dream war a very nateral one, Mrs. Younker," returned Boone,
+who, during the speech of the other, had been actively employed in
+scattering the burning brands, to prevent the recurrence of another sad
+catastrophe; "and I'm rejoiced to see that you've escaped unharmed, amid
+this bloody work. Allow me to set you free;" and as he spoke, he drew his
+scalping knife, and severed the thongs that bound her wrists.
+
+"Gracious on me!" cried the dame, chafing the parts which had been
+swollen by the tightness of the cords; "how clever 'tis to get free
+agin, and have the use o' one's hands and tongue, to do and say jest
+what a body pleases; for d'ye know, Colonel Boone, them thar imps of
+Satan war awfully afeared o' my talking to 'em, to convince 'em they
+war the meanest varmints in the whole univarsul yarth o' creation;
+and actually put a peremshus stop to my saying what I thought on 'em;
+although I told 'em as how it war a liberty as these blessed colonies
+war this moment fighting for with the hateful red-coated Britishers.
+But, Lord presarve us! gracious on us! where in marcy's sake is my dear,
+darling Ella?" concluded Mrs. Younker, with vehemence and alarm, as she
+now missed her adopted daughter for the first time.
+
+"She's here, mother," answered a voice close behind her; and turning
+round, the dame uttered a cry of joy, sprung into the arms of her son
+Isaac, and wept upon his neck--occasionally articulating, in a choked
+voice:
+
+"God bless you, Isaac! God bless you, son!--you're a good boy--the
+Lord's presarved you through the whole on't--the Lord be praised!--but
+your father, poor lad--your father!" and with a strong burst of emotion,
+she buried her face upon his breast, and wept aloud.
+
+"I know it," sobbed forth Isaac, his whole frame shaken with the force
+of his feelings: "I--I know the whole on't, mother--Ella's told me. I'd
+rather he'd bin killed a thousand times; but thar's no help for it now!"
+
+"No help for it!" cried Ella in alarm, who, having greeted the old
+hunter, with tearful eyes, now stood weeping by his side. "No help for
+it! Heaven have mercy!--say not so! They must--they must be rescued!"
+Then turning wildly to Boone, she grasped his hand in both of hers, and
+exclaimed: "Oh! sir, speak! tell me they can be saved--and on my knees
+will I bless you!"
+
+A few words now rapidly uttered by Isaac, put the old hunter in
+possession of the facts, concerning the forced march of Younker and
+Reynolds, of which he had previously heard nothing; and musing on the
+information a few moments, he shook his head sadly, and said, with a
+sigh:
+
+"I'm sorry for you, Ella--I'm sorry for all o' ye--I'm sorry on my own
+account--but I'm o' the opinion o' Isaac, that thar's no help for it
+now. They're too far beyond us--we're in the Indian country--our numbers
+are few--two or three o' the red varmints have escaped to give 'em
+information o' what's been done--they'll be thirsty for revenge--and
+nothing but a special Providence can now alter that prisoners' doom. I
+had hoped it war to be otherwise; but we must submit to God's decrees;"
+and raising his hand to his eyes, the old woodsman hastily brushed away
+a tear, and turned aside to conceal his emotion; while Ella, overcome by
+her feelings, at the thought of having parted, perhaps for the last
+time, from Algernon and her uncle, staggered forward and sunk powerless
+into the arms of Mrs. Younker, whose tears now mingled with her own.
+
+By this time the whole party had gathered silently around their noble
+leader, and were observing the sad scene as much as the feeble light of
+the scattered brands would permit, their faces exhibiting a mournfulness
+of expression in striking contrast to that they had so lately displayed,
+previous to the death of their comrade. To them Boone now turned, and
+running his eye slowly over the whole, said, in a sad voice:
+
+"Well, lads, one o' our party's gone to his last account, I perceive,"
+and he pointed mournfully to the still body of Beecher, some three or
+four paces distant; "another I see is wounded, and a third's missing.
+I hope no harm's befallen him, the noble Master Harry Millbanks!"
+
+"Alas! he's dead, Colonel!" answered Isaac, covering his eyes with his
+hand.
+
+"Dead?" echoed Boone.
+
+"Dead?" cried the others, simultaneously.
+
+"Yes," rejoined Isaac, with a sigh; "He and I war chasing that thar
+infernal renegade Girty, who war running away with Ella thar; and he'd
+jest got up to him, and got him by the arm, when Girty shuk him off like
+it warn't nothing at all, and then shot him dead on the spot. Ef he
+hadn't a bin quite so quick about it, I think as how it wouldn't a
+happened; for the next moment I hit him a rap on the head with the
+butt-end o' my rifle, that sent him a staggering off, and would ha'
+fetched him to the ground, ef it hadn't first struck a limb. Howsomever,
+it made him let go o' Ella, and start up a new trail--jest leaving his
+compliments for me in the shape of a bullet, which, ef it didn't do me
+no harm, it warn't 'cause he didn't intend it to. I jest stopped to look
+at poor Harry; and finding he war dead, I took Ella by the hand and come
+straight down here."
+
+"Who's that you said war dead, Isaac?" inquired his mother, who had
+partially overheard the conversation.
+
+"Harry Millbanks, mother."
+
+"Harry Millbanks!" repeated the dame in astonishment. "What, young
+Harry?--our Harry?--Goodness gracious, marcy on me! what orful mean
+wretches them Injens is, to kill sech as him. Dear me! then the hull
+family is gone; for I hearn from Rosetta, that her father and mother and
+all war killed afore her eyes; and now she's bin taken on to be killed
+too, the darling."
+
+"Ha! yes," said Boone, as if struck with a new thought; "I remember
+seeing the foot-prints of a child--war they made by this unfortunate
+young man's sister?"
+
+"I reckon as how they war," answered Mrs. Younker; "for the poor thing
+war a prisoner along with us, crying whensomever she dared to, like all
+nater."
+
+"Well," rejoined the old hunter, musingly, "we've done all we could--I'm
+sorry it didn't turn out better--but we must now leave their fates in
+the hands o' Providence, and return to our homes. We must bury our dead
+first; and I don't know o' any better way than to sink thar bodies in
+the Ohio."
+
+Accordingly, after some further conversation, four of the party
+proceeded for the body of Millbanks--with which they soon
+returned--while Boone conducted the ladies away from the scene of
+horror, and down to where Ella informed him the canoes were hidden,
+leaving his younger companions to rifle and scalp the savages if they
+chose. In a few minutes from his arrival at the point in question, he
+was joined by the others, who came slowly, in silence, bearing the
+mortal remains of Millbanks and Beecher. Placing the canoes in the
+water, the whole party entered them, in the same silent and solemn
+manner, and pulled slowly down the Miami, into the middle of the Ohio;
+then leaving the vessels to float with the current, they uncovered their
+heads, and mournfully consigned the bodies of the deceased to the watery
+element.
+
+It was a sad and impressive scene--there, on the turbid Ohio, near the
+midnight hour--to give to the rolling waters the last remains of those
+who had been their friends and companions, and as full of life and
+activity as themselves but an hour before;--it was a sad, impressive,
+and affecting scene--one that was looked upon with weeping eyes--and
+one which, by those who witnessed it, was never to be forgotten.
+There were no loud bursts of grief--there were no frantic exclamations
+of woe--but the place, the hour, and withal the various events which
+had transpired to call them so soon from a scene of festivity to one of
+mourning--together with the thoughts of other friends departed, or in
+terrible captivity--served to render it a most painfully solemn one--and
+one, as we said before, that was destined never to be forgotten.
+
+For a short space after the river engulphed the bodies, all gazed upon
+the waters in silence; when Boone said, in a voice slightly trembling.
+
+"They did their duties--they have gone--God rest their souls, and give
+peace to their bones!" and taking up a paddle, the noble old hunter
+pulled steadily for the Kentucky shore in silence, followed by the other
+boats in the same manner. There they landed, placed the canoes in
+safety, in case they should again be needed, rekindled their fire, and
+encamped for the night.
+
+On the following morning, they set out upon their homeward journey;
+where they finally arrived, without any events occurring worthy of note.
+
+
+[Footnote 11: A hunter's phrase for taking sight.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS.
+
+
+As you ascend the Miami from its mouth at the present day, you come
+almost immediately upon what are termed the Bottoms, or Bottom Lands,
+which are rich and fertile tracts of country, of miles in extent, and
+sometimes miles in breadth, almost water level, with the stream in
+question slowly winding its course through them, like a deep blue ribbon
+carelessly unrolled upon a dark surface. They are now mostly under
+culture, and almost entirely devoted to the production of maize, which,
+in the autumn of the year, presents the goodly sight of a golden
+harvest. At the time of which we write, there were no such pleasant
+demonstrations of civilization, but a vast unbroken forest instead, some
+vestiges of which still remain, in the shape of old decaying trees,
+standing grim and naked,
+
+    "To summer's heat and winter's blast,"
+
+like the ruins of ancient structures, to remind the beholder of former
+days.
+
+On these Bottoms, about ten miles above the mouth of the Miami,
+Wild-cat and his party, with their prisoners, encamped on the evening
+the attack was made upon the renegade, as shown in the preceding chapter.
+Possessing caution in a great degree, and fearful of the escape of his
+prisoners, Wild-cat spared no precautions which he thought might enhance
+the security of Younker and Reynolds. Accordingly, when arrived at the
+spot where he intended to remain for the night, the chief ordered stakes
+to be driven deep into the earth, some distance apart, to which the feet
+of the two in question, after being thrown flat upon their backs, in
+opposite directions, were tightly bound, with their hands still corded
+to the crossbars as before. A rope was next fastened around the neck
+of each, and secured to a neighboring sapling, in which uncomfortable
+manner they were left to pass the night; while their captors, starting
+a fire, threw themselves upon the earth around it, and soon to all
+appearance were sound asleep.
+
+To the tortures of her older companions in captivity, little Rosetta
+was not subjected; for Oshasqua--the fierce warrior to whom Girty had
+consigned her, in the expectation, probably, that she would long ere
+this have been knocked on the head and scalped--had, by one of those
+strange mysterious phenomena of nature, (so difficult of comprehension,
+and which have been known to link the rough and bloody with the gentle
+and innocent,) already begun to feel towards her a sort of affection,
+and to treat her with great kindness whenever he could do so unobserved
+by the others. The apparel of which he had at first divested her, to
+ornament his own person, had been restored, piece by piece; and this,
+together with the change in his manner, had at length been observed by
+the child, with feelings of gratitude. Poor little thing! to whom could
+she look for protection now? Her father and mother were dead--had been
+murdered before her own eyes--her brother was away, and she herself a
+captive to an almost merciless foe; could she feel other than grateful
+for an act of kindness, from one at whose hands she looked for nothing
+but abuse and death? Nay, more: So strange and complex is the human
+heart--so singular in its developments--that we see nothing to wonder
+at, in her feeling for the savage, under the circumstances--loathsome
+and offensive as he might have been to her under others--a sort of
+affection--or rather, a yearning toward him as a protector. Such she did
+feel; and thus between two human beings, as much antagonistical perhaps,
+in every particular, as Nature ever presented, was already established
+a kind of magnetic sympathy--or, in other words, a gradual blending
+together of opposites. The result of all this, as may be imagined, was
+highly beneficial to Rosetta, who, in consequence, fared as well as
+circumstances would permit. At night she slept unbound beside Oshasqua,
+who secured her from escape by passing his brawny arm under her head,
+which also in a measure served her for a pillow. So slept she on the
+night in question.
+
+With Younker and Reynolds there was little that could be called
+sleep--the minds of both being too actively employed with the events
+which had transpired, and with thoughts of those so dear to them, who
+had been left behind, for what fate God only knew. Besides, there was
+little wherewithal to court the drowsy god, in the manner of their
+repose--each limb being strained and corded in a position the most
+painful--and if they slept at all, it was that feverish and fitful
+slumber, which, though it serve in part the design of nature, brings
+with it nothing refreshing to the individual himself. To both,
+therefore, the night proved one of torture to body and mind; and bad as
+was their condition after the encampment, it was destined to be worse
+ere the gray dawn of morning, by the arrival of Girty and the only two
+Indians who had escaped the deadly rifles of the Kentuckians.
+
+"Up, warriors!" cried the renegade, with a blasphemous oath, as he came
+upon the detachment. "Up, warriors! and sharpen your wits to invent the
+most damnable tortures that the mind of man can conceive!" and at the
+sound of his voice, which was loud and hoarse, each Indian sprung to his
+feet, with an anxious and troubled face.
+
+"And you, ye miserable white dogs!" continued Girty, turning to Younker
+and Reynolds, on whom he bestowed numerous kicks, as if by way of
+enforcing the truth his assertion; "were you suffering all the torments
+of hell, you might consider yourselves in perfect bliss, compared to
+what you shall yet undergo ere death snatches you from me!"
+
+"What new troubles ha' ye got, Simon Girty?" asked Younker, composedly.
+"But you needn't answer; I can see what's writ on your face; thar's bin
+a rescue--you've lost your prisoners--for which the Lord be praised! I
+can die content now, with all your tortures."
+
+"Can you, by ----!" cried the renegade, in a paroxysm of rage; "we shall
+see!"
+
+As he concluded, he bestowed upon Younker a kick in the face, so violent
+that a stream of blood followed it. The old man uttered a slight groan,
+but made no other answer; and Girty turned away to communicate to the
+others the intelligence of what had transpired since their parting; for
+although they believed it to be of the utmost consequence, and tragical
+in all its bearings, yet so far there had not been a question asked nor
+an event related concerning it on either side--such being the force of
+habit in all matters of grave importance, and the deference to his
+superiors shown by the Indian on all similar occasions.
+
+As soon as Girty had made known the sad disaster that had befallen his
+party, there was one universal yell of rage, accompanied by violent
+demonstrations of grief and anger--such as beating their bodies,
+stamping fiercely on the ground, and brandishing their tomahawks over
+their heads with terrific gestures. They then proceeded to dance around
+Younker and Reynolds, uttering horrid yells, accompanied with kicks and
+blows; after which, a consultation was held between Girty and Wild-cat,
+wherein it was agreed to take them to Piqua, a Shawanoe settlement on
+the Miami, and there have them put to the tortures. Accordingly, without
+further delay, they unbound their prisoners, with the exception of their
+hands, and forced them to set forward at a fast pace--treating them,
+meanwhile, in the most brutal manner. Oshasqua, however, took good care
+there should be no violence done to Rosetta; for he kept her closely by
+his side; and occasionally, when he saw her little limbs growing weary,
+raised and bore her forward, for a considerable distance, in his arms.
+
+It was a strange, but by no means unpleasing sight, to behold that dark,
+bloodstained warrior--whose very nature was cruel and ferocious, and who
+probably had never before loved or sought to protect aught bearing the
+human form--now exhibiting such tender regard for a weak, trembling
+prisoner, placed in his hands for a speedy sacrifice. It was withal an
+affecting sight, to Younker and Reynolds, who looked upon it with
+moistened eyes, and felt it in the force of a revelation from Heaven,
+that He, who sees the sparrow fall, was even now moving through the
+wilderness, and teaching one lesson of mercy at least to the most
+obdurate heart of the savage race.
+
+To the renegade, however, this conduct of Oshasqua was far from being
+agreeable; for so much did he delight in cruelty, and so bitterly did he
+hate all his race--particularly now, after having been foiled by them
+so lately--that he would a thousand times rather have heard the dying
+groans of the child, and seen her in the last agonies of death, than in
+the warrior's arms. At length he advanced to the side of the Indian, and
+said in the Shawanoe dialect, with a sneer:
+
+"Is Oshasqua a squaw, that he should turn nurse?"
+
+Probably from the whole vocabulary of the Indian tongue, a phrase more
+expressive of contempt, and one that would have been more severely felt
+by the savage warrior, who abhors any thing of a womanly nature, could
+not have been selected; and this Girty, who understood well to whom he
+was speaking, knew, and was prepared to see the hellish design of his
+heart meet with a ready second from Oshasqua. For a moment after he
+spoke, the latter looked upon the renegade with flashing eyes; and then
+seizing Rosetta roughly, he raised her aloft, as if with the intention
+of dashing her brains out at his feet. She doubtless understood from
+his fierce movement the murderous intent in his breast, and uttered a
+heart-rending cry of anguish. In an instant the grim features of the
+Indian softened; and lowering her again to her former position in his
+arms, he turned coldly to Girty, and smiting his breast with his hand,
+said, with dignity:
+
+"Oshasqua a warrior above suspicion. He can save and defend with his
+life whom he loves!"
+
+Girty bit his lips, and uttering a deep malediction in English, turned
+away to consult with Wild-cat on the matter; but finding the chief would
+not join him in interfering with the rights of the other, he growled out
+another dreadful oath, and let the subject drop.
+
+Late at night the party encamped within something like a mile of Piqua;
+and by daylight a warrior was despatched to convey intelligence of their
+approach, their prisoners, and the sad disaster they had experienced on
+their journey. In the course of an hour the messenger returned, bringing
+with him a vast number of savages of both sexes and all ages, who
+immediately set up the most horrid yells, danced around Younker and
+Algernon like madmen, not unfrequently beating and kicking them
+unmercifully. They then departed for the town, taking the prisoners with
+them, where their fate was to be decided by the council.[12] But ere
+sentence should be pronounced, it was the unanimous decision of the
+savages, that they should have some amusement, by forcing the prisoners
+to run the gauntlet. This, to the women and children, as well as the
+warriors themselves, was a most delightful sport, and they at once made
+the welkin ring with yells of joy.
+
+"It's a hard task we've got to undergo now, Algernon," said Younker, in
+a low voice; "and God send it may be my last; for I'd much rayther die
+this way, nor at the stake. I don't at all calculate on escaping--but
+something tells me you will--and ef you do--"
+
+Here the old man was interrupted by Girty, who forced himself between
+the two and separated them. Younker being the first selected to run the
+gauntlet, was immediately unbound, and stripped to the skin,[13]
+preparatory to the race. The assemblage now formed themselves into two
+lines, facing each other, only a few feet apart, and extending the
+distance of a hundred yards, terminating near the council-house, which
+stood in the center of the village. Through these lines, the old man was
+informed by Girty, he must run; while the savages on either side, armed
+with clubs, were at liberty to inflict as many blows upon him as they
+could in passing; and therefore it would stand him in hand to reach the
+other extremity as soon as possible.
+
+"I'm an old man, Simon Girty," said Younker, in reply, "and can't run as
+I once could--so you needn't reckon on my gitting through alive."
+
+"But, by ----! you must get through alive, or else not at all; for we
+can't spare you quite so soon, as we want you to try the pleasures of
+the stake," answered the renegade, with a laugh.
+
+"God's will be done--not yourn nor mine!" rejoined Younker, solemnly.
+"But tell me, Simon Girty, as the only favor I'll ever ask o' ye--war my
+wife and Ella rescued?"
+
+"Why," said Girty, "if it will do you any good to know it, I will tell
+you they were; but I will add, for your particular benefit, that they
+will again be in my power; for I will excite every tribe of the Six
+Nations to the war path; and then, woe to the pioneers of Kentucky!--for
+desolation, rapine and blood shall mark our trail, until the race become
+extinct. I have sworn, and will fulfill it. But come--all is ready."
+
+"For the first o' your information, I thank you," returned Younker; "for
+the last on't, I'll only say, thar's a power above ye. I'm ready--lead
+on!"
+
+Girty now conducted the old man to the lines; and having cautioned the
+savages, in a loud voice, to beware of taking his life, gave the signal
+for him to start. Instantly Younker darted forward, and with such speed,
+that the nearest Indians neglected to strike until he had passed them,
+by which means he gained some six or eight paces without receiving a
+blow; but now they fell hard and fast upon him, accompanied with screams
+and yells of the most diabolical nature; and ere he had gone thirty
+yards, he began to stagger, when a heavy stroke on the head laid him
+senseless on the earth. In a moment the renegade, who had kept him
+company outside, burst through the lines, just in time to ward off the
+blow of a powerful warrior, aimed at the skull of Younker, which,
+without doubt, would have been fatal.
+
+"Fool!" cried Girty, fiercely, to the Indian. "Did I not tell you his
+life must be spared for the stake?"
+
+The savage drew himself up with dignity, and walked away without reply;
+while the renegade, examining the bruises of the fallen man for a moment
+or two, ordered him to be taken to the council-house, and, if possible,
+restored to consciousness. He then returned to Algernon, who had been
+left standing a sad spectator of the whole proceedings, and said, in a
+gruff voice:
+
+"Now, by ----! young man, it's your turn; and let me tell you, it will
+stand you in hand to do your best. Come, let us see what sort of a
+figure you will cut."
+
+As he concluded, he severed the thongs around the hands of our hero, and
+unceremoniously began to strip him, in which he was aided by a couple of
+old squaws.
+
+The features of Algernon were pale, but composed; and he allowed himself
+to be handled as one who felt an escape from his doom to be impossible,
+and who had nerved himself to undergo it with as much stoicism as he
+could command. As his vestments were rent from his body, the wound
+in his side was discovered to be nearly healed; and would have been
+entirely so, probably, but for the irritation occasioned it of late by
+his long marches, exposure and fatigue, which had served to render it at
+present not a little painful. As his eye for a moment rested upon it,
+his mind instantly reverted to its cause--recalled, with the rapidity
+of thought, which is the swiftest comparison we can make, the many and
+important events that had since transpired up to the present time,
+wherein the gentle Ella Barnwell held no second place--and he sighed,
+half aloud:
+
+"I would to Heaven it had been mortal!--how much misery had then been
+spared me?"
+
+As he said this, one of the squaws, who had been observing it intently,
+struck him thereon a violent blow with her fist, which started it to
+bleeding afresh, and, in spite of himself, caused Algernon to utter a
+sharp cry of pain, at which all laughed heartily. Thinking doubtless
+this species of amusement as interesting as any, the old hag was on the
+point of repeating the blow, when Girty arrested it, by saying something
+to her in the Indian tongue, and all three turned aside, as if to
+consult together, leaving our hero standing alone, unbound.
+
+A wild thought now suddenly thrilled him. He was free, perchance he
+might escape; at least he could but die in the attempt; and that, at
+all events, was preferable to a lingering death of torture! He looked
+hurriedly around. Only the renegade and the squaws were close at hand,
+and they engaged in conversation. The main body of the Indians were at a
+distance, awaiting him to run the gauntlet. He needed no second thought
+to prompt him to the trial; and wheeling about, he placed his hand upon
+the wound, and bounded away with the fleetness of the deer. In a moment
+the yells of an hundred savages in pursuit, sounded in his ear, and
+urged him onward to the utmost of his strength. He was no mean runner at
+any time; now he was flying to save his life, and every nerve did its
+duty. Before him was a slope, that stretched away to the river Miami;
+and down this he fled with a velocity that astonished himself; while
+yell after yell of the demons behind, now in full chase, were to him
+only so many death cries, to stimulate him to renewed exertions. At last
+he gained the river and rushed into the water. It was not deep, and he
+struggled forward with all his might. On the opposite side was a steep
+hill and thicket. Could he but gain that, hope whispered he might elude
+his pursuers and escape. Again he redoubled his exertions; and, joy--joy
+to his heart--he reached it, just as the foremost of his adversaries,
+a powerful and fleet young warrior, dashed into the stream from the
+opposite bank. He now for the first time began to feel weak and
+fatigued; but his life was yet in danger, and he still pressed onward.
+Alas! alas! just on the point of escape, his strength was failing him
+fast, the blood was trickling too from his wound, and a sharp, severe
+pain afflicted him in his side. Oh God! he thought--what would he not
+give for the strength and soundness of body he once possessed! The
+thicket he had entered was dense and dark, so that it was impossible to
+move through it with much velocity, or see ahead any distance; and as
+the thought just recorded rushed through his brain, he came suddenly
+upon a high, steep rock. By this time his nearest pursuer was also
+entering the thicket; and in a minute or two more he felt capture would
+be certain, unless he could instantly secrete himself till his strength
+should be again renewed. Fortune for once now seemed to stand his
+friend; for stooping down at the base of the rock, he discovered it
+to be shelving and projecting somewhat over the declivity; so that by
+dropping upon the ground and crawling up under it, he would, owing to
+the density and darkness of the thicket, as before mentioned, be wholly
+concealed from any one standing upright. To do this was the work of a
+moment; and the next he heard his pursuing foe rush panting by, with
+much the same sense of relief that one experiences on awakening from a
+horrible dream, where death seemed inevitable, and finding oneself lying
+safely and easily in a comfortable bed.
+
+We say Algernon experienced much the same sense of relief as the
+awakened dreamer; but unlike the latter, his was only momentary; for
+yell upon yell still sounded in his ear; and plunge after plunge into
+the stream, followed quickly by a rustling of the bushes around, the
+trampling of many feet close by, and the war-whoops of his enemies,
+warned him, that, if he had escaped one, there were hundreds yet to
+be eluded before he could consider himself as safe. Wildly his heart
+palpitated, as now one stirred the bushes within reach of his hand, and,
+slightly pausing, as if to examine the spot of his concealment, uttered
+a horrid yell, as of discovery, and then, just as he fancied all was
+lost, to his great relief darted suddenly away.
+
+Thus one after another passed on; and their fierce yells gradually
+sounding more and more distant, renewed his hope, that he might yet
+escape their vigilant eyes, and again be free to roam the earth at will.
+O, potent, joyful thought!--how it made his very heart leap, and the
+blood course swiftly through his heated veins!--and then, when some
+sound was heard more near, how his heart sickened at the fear he might
+again be captured, and forced to a lingering, agonizing death!--how he
+shuddered as he thought, until his flesh felt chill and clammy, and cold
+drops of perspiration, wrung forth by mental agony, stood upon his pale
+features! Even death, before his escape, possessed not half the terrors
+for him it would have now; for then he had nerved himself to meet it,
+and prepared himself for the worst; but now he had again had a taste of
+freedom, and would feel the reverse in a thousand accumulated horrors.
+
+Thus for a few minutes he lay, in painful thought, when he became aware,
+by the different sounds, that many of the savages were returning.
+Presently some two or three paused by the rock, and beat back the bushes
+around it. Then, dropping upon his knees, one of the Indians actually
+put his head to the ground, and peered up into the cavity. It was a
+horrible moment of suspense to Algernon, as he beheld the hideous visage
+of the savage so near, and evidently gazing upon him; and thinking
+himself discovered, he was on the point of coming forth, when a certain
+vagueness in the look of the Indian, led him to hope he was not yet
+perceived; and he lay motionless, with his breath suspended. But, alas!
+his hope was soon changed to despair; for after gazing a moment longer,
+the Indian suddenly started, his features expressed satisfaction, he
+uttered a significant grunt, and, springing to his feet, gave a loud,
+long, peculiar whoop. The next moment our hero was roughly seized, and,
+ere he could exert himself at all, dragged forth by the heels, by which
+means his limbs and body became not a little bruised and lacerated.
+
+The savages now came running towards their prisoner from all quarters,
+in high glee at his recapture--being attracted hither, probably, by the
+signal whoop of success made by the one who first discovered him. Among
+the rest came Girty; who, as he approached Algernon, burst into a loud
+laugh, saying, in a jocular manner:
+
+"Well, my fine bird, so you are caught again, eh? I was most infernally
+afraid you had got away in earnest; I was, by ----! But we'll soon fix
+you now, so that you won't run away again in a hurry."
+
+Then turning to the savages around him, the renegade continued his
+remarks in the Indian tongue, occasionally laughing boisterously, in
+which they not unfrequently joined. In this manner, the whole party
+returned in triumph to the village--being met on their way thither by
+the women and children, who set up yells of delight, sung and danced
+around their prisoner, whom they beat with their fists and with sticks,
+until he became sore from head to heel.
+
+The gauntlet was soon again made ready, and Algernon started upon the
+race; but fatigued in body and mind, from the late events--weak and
+faint from the bleeding of his wound and bruises--he scarcely reached
+twenty paces down the lines, ere he sunk overpowered to the earth; from
+which he was immediately raised, and borne forward to the council-house,
+where, according to the Indian custom, the chiefs and warriors were to
+decide upon his fate.
+
+
+[Footnote 12: Lest there should seem to the reader an inconsistency
+in one tribe yielding the fate of their prisoners to the decision of
+another, we would remark here, that at the period of which we write, the
+Six Nations were allied and fought for one common interest against the
+Americans, on the British side, and therefore not unfrequently shared
+each others dangers and partook of each others spoils.]
+
+[Footnote 13: A practice sometimes, but not always, followed.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+THE TRIAL, SENTENCE, AND EXECUTION.
+
+
+The council-house in question, was a building of good size, of
+larger dimensions than its neighbors, stood on a slight elevation, and,
+as we before remarked, near the center of the village. Into this the
+warriors and head men of the Piqua tribe now speedily gathered, and
+proceeded at once to business. An old chief--whose wrinkled features and
+slightly-tremulous limbs, denoted extreme age--was allowed, by common
+consent, to act as chairman; and taking his position near the center of
+the apartment, with a knife and a small stick in his hand, the warriors
+and chief men of the nation formed a circle around him.
+
+Among these latter--conspicuous above all for his beautiful and graceful
+form, his dignified manner, and look of intelligence, to whom all eyes
+turned with seeming deference--was the celebrated Shawanoe chief,
+Catahecassa, (Black Hoof) whose name occupies no inferior place on the
+historic page of the present day, as being at first the inveterate foe,
+and afterward the warm friend of the whites. In stature he was small,
+being only about five feet eight inches, lightly made, but strongly put
+together, with a countenance marked and manly, and one that would be
+pleasing to a friend, but the reverse to an enemy. He was a great
+orator, a keen, cunning and sagacious warrior, and one who held the
+confidence and love of his tribe. At the period referred to, he was far
+past what is usually termed the middle age; though, as subsequent events
+have proved, only in his noon of life--for at his death he numbered one
+hundred and ten years.
+
+Upon the ground, within the circle, and near the old chief in the
+center, were seated Algernon and Younker--the latter having recovered
+consciousness--both haggard and bloody from their recent brutal
+treatment. They were sad spectacles to behold, truly, and would have
+moved to pity any hearts less obdurate than those by which they were
+surrounded. Their faces bore those expressions of dejection and wan
+despair, which may sometimes be perceived in the look of a criminal,
+when, loth to die, he is assured all hope of pardon is past. Not that
+either Younker or Reynolds felt criminal, or feared death in its
+ordinary way; but there were a thousand things to harass their minds,
+besides the dreadful thought of that lingering, horrible torture, which
+was enough to make the boldest quail, and which they now had not the
+faintest hope of escaping. There is ever something solemn and awful in
+the thought of death, let it come in the mildest form possible--for the
+individual feels he is hastening to that silent bourne, whence none
+have e'er returned to tell its mysteries--yet such is as nothing in
+comparison with the death our prisoners were now silently awaiting, away
+from friends and all sympathy, in the full vigor of animal life, to be
+fairly worn out by the most excruciating pains, amid the hootings and
+revilings of a savage foe. It was enough to have made the stoutest heart
+faint, trembling and sick; and thus our unfortunate friends felt, as
+they slowly gazed around and saw nothing but fierce, angry looks bent
+upon them.
+
+Girty was the first to address the assemblage, in the Indian dialect,
+in an animated and angry speech of five minutes duration; occasionally
+turning his sinister visage upon the prisoners, with an expression of
+mortal hatred; gesticulating the while in that vehement manner which
+would have left no doubts on their minds as to the nature of his
+discourse, had they not previously known him to be their determined foe.
+He narrated to the savages, clearly and briefly, the wrongs which had
+been done them, as well as himself, by the whites; how, as the ally and
+friend of the red-man, he had been cursed, defied and treated with much
+contumely, by those here present; how their friends had followed and
+slaughtered his braves; how the whites were every day becoming stronger
+and more aggressive; how that, unless speedily exterminated, they would
+presently drive the red-men from their hunting grounds, burn their
+wigwams, and murder their wives and children; referred them, as a proof,
+to the sacking and burning of the Chillicothe and Piqua villages, on the
+Little Miami and Mad rivers, the year preceding, by General Clark and
+his men;[15] and wound up by demanding the death of the prisoners at the
+stake, and a speedy and bloody retaliation upon the pioneers of
+Kentucky.
+
+As Girty concluded his speech, which was listened to in breathless
+silence, there was a great sensation in the house, and an almost
+unanimous grunt of approval from the chiefs and braves there assembled.
+It needed but this, to arouse their vindictive passions against the
+white invader to the extreme; and they bent upon the unfortunate
+prisoners, eyes which seemed inflamed with rage and revenge. Girty
+perceived, at a glance, that he had succeeded to the full of his heart's
+desire; and with a devilish smile of satisfaction on his features, he
+drew back among the warriors, to listen to the harangues of the others.
+
+Black Hoof was the next to follow the renegade, in a similar but more
+eloquent strain; during which his countenance became greatly animated;
+and it was easy for the prisoners to perceive--who could not understand
+a word he uttered--that he spoke with great enthusiasm. He also pressed
+upon his companions the vast importance of exterminating the whites,
+ere they, as he expressed it, became as the leaves of the forest, and
+covered the red-man's soil; that, for this purpose, they should prepare
+themselves as soon as possible, to open a deadly, unyielding warfare
+upon the frontiers; but said, withal, that he was opposed to burning
+the prisoners--as that was a barbarism which he feared would not be
+sanctioned by the great Spirit--and urged that they should be put to
+death in, a quicker and milder form.[14]
+
+Black Hoof's speech was warmly received, with the exception of what
+referred to the prisoners, and this rather coldly. They were excited to
+a powerful degree--their passions were up for revenge--and they could
+not bear the idea of sending a prisoner out of the world, without first
+enjoying the delight of seeing him writhe under the tortures of the
+stake.
+
+Wild-cat next followed Black Hoof, in a brief speech, in which he but
+echoed the sentiments of Girty throughout, and received, like his
+colleague, an almost universal grunt of approbation. He was succeeded by
+one or two others, to the same effect--each urging the burning of the
+prisoners--and on their conclusion, no other appearing to speak, the old
+chief in the center at once proceeded to decide, by vote, the matter
+at issue. Advancing to the warrior nearest the door, he handed him a
+war-club, and then resumed his place in the circle, to record the will
+of each. He who was in favor of burning the prisoners, struck the
+ground fiercely with the weapon in question, and then passed it to his
+neighbor; he who was otherwise disposed, passed it quietly, in silence;
+thus it went through the whole assemblage--the old chief recording the
+vote of each, by cutting a notch on the stick in his hand; those for
+mercy being placed on one side, and those for the torture on the
+opposite. Some three or four only, besides Black Hoof, passed it
+quietly--consequently the sentence of death was carried by a decided
+majority. Had there been any doubt in the minds of Younker and Reynolds
+as to the result, it would have needed only one glance at Girty, who was
+now grinning upon them like a demon, to assure them their doom was
+sealed.
+
+The question next came up as to the time and place for executing the
+sentence; and after some further debate, it was decided that the old man
+should be burnt forthwith, in the village, that their women and children
+might have a holiday pastime; but that Algernon must be made a grand
+national example of, before the assembled tribes at Upper Sandusky, when
+they should be met to receive presents from the British agent.[16] This
+latter decision was mainly effected by the eloquence of Black Hoof; who,
+from some cause, for which it would be impossible to account--only as a
+mysterious working of an overruling Providence--had secretly determined,
+if such a thing were possible, to save the life of Algernon; and took
+this method as the only one likely to aid his purpose by protecting him
+from immediate death.
+
+The trial concluded, the council now broke up, and Girty was authorized
+to inform the prisoners of their sentence; while four young braves were
+selected to take charge of Algernon, and to set off with him, so soon as
+the burning of Younker should be over, for Upper Sandusky, where he was
+to be kept in durance until wanted. Advancing directly to the prisoners,
+the renegade now said, with a sneer:
+
+"Well, my beauties, are you ready to die?"
+
+"We don't expect any thing else, Simon Girty," answered the old man
+mildly.
+
+"Don't you, by ----!" rejoined Girty. "Perhaps it's just as well you
+don't--ha, ha, ha! Come, old dotard," he continued, "down on your marrow
+bones and say your prayers; for, by ----! you will never behold the
+setting of another sun."
+
+"I've said my prayers regular for thirty year," answered Younker; "and
+I've been ready to die whensomever the Lord should see fit to call me;
+and therefore don't feel myself no more obligated to pray jest at this
+particular time, than ef I war told I war going to live twenty year
+more. It's only them as hain't lived right, that the near coming o'
+death makes pray, more nor at another time; and so jest allow me, Simon
+Girty, to return you your advice, which is very good, and which, ef you
+follow yourself, you'll be likely to make a much better man nor you've
+ever done afore."
+
+"Fool!" muttered the renegade, with an oath. Then turning to Algernon,
+he continued: "You, sirrah, are destined to live a little longer--though
+by no design of mine, I can assure you. Don't flatter yourself, though,
+that you are going to escape," he added, as he perceived the countenance
+of Algernon slightly brighten at his intelligence; "for, by ----! if I
+thought there was a probability of such a thing happening, I would brain
+you where you sit, if I died for it the next moment. No, young man,
+there is no escape for you; you are condemned to be burnt, as well as
+Younker, only at another place; and, by ----! I will follow you myself,
+to see that the sentence is enforced with all its horrors."
+
+"For all of which you doubtless feel yourself entitled to my thanks,"
+returned Algernon, bitterly. "Do your worst, Simon Girty; but understand
+me, before you go further, that though life is as dear to me at the
+present moment as to another, yet so much do I abhor and loathe the very
+sight of you, that, could I have it for the asking, I would not stoop to
+beg it of so brutal and cowardly a thing as yourself."
+
+"By ----!" cried Girty, in a transport of rage; "the time will come,
+when, if you do not sue for life, you will for death, and at my hands;
+and till then will I forego my revenge for your insolence now. And let
+me tell you one thing further, that you may muse upon it in my absence.
+I will raise an army, ere many months are over, and march upon the
+frontiers of Kentucky; and by all the powers of good and evil, I swear
+again to get possession of the girl you love, but whom I now hate--hate
+as the arch-fiend hates Heaven--and she shall thenceforth be my mistress
+and slave; and to make her feel more happy, I will ever and anon whisper
+your name in her ear, and tell her how you died, and the part I took in
+your death; and in the still hours of night, will I picture to her your
+agonies and dying groans, and repeat your prayers for death to release
+you. Ha! you may well shudder and grow pale; for again I swear, by all
+the elements, and by every thing mortal and immortal, I will accomplish
+the deed! Then, and not till then, will I feel my revenge complete."
+
+The countenance of Girty, as he said this, was terrible to behold; for
+so enraged was he, that he fairly foamed at the mouth, and his eyes
+seemed like two balls of fire. As he concluded, he turned away abruptly;
+and muttering something in the Indian tongue, to some of the savages who
+were standing around, immediately quitted the council-house.
+
+As Girty departed, the four young warriors who were to have charge of
+Algernon, immediately advanced to him; and one of them tapping him on
+the shoulder, moved away, motioning him to follow. As he prepared to
+obey, Younker grasped him by the hand, and, with eyes full of tears,
+in a trembling, pathetic voice, said:
+
+"Good-bye, lad! God bless and be with you. Something tells me we won't
+never meet agin. Keep up as stout a heart as you can, and ef you should
+escape, tell my (here the old man's voice faltered so that he could
+scarcely articulate a syllable)--tell my wife, and--and children--that
+I died happy, a thinking o' them, and praying for 'em--to--to the last.
+Good-bye! good-bye!" and wringing his hand again, the old man fairly
+sobbed aloud; while the rough warriors stood looking on in silence, and
+Algernon could only groan forth a farewell.
+
+So they parted--never to meet again on earth.
+
+Algernon was now conducted, by his guards, to a small building on the
+outskirts of the village; where, after receiving food and water, and
+having his clothes restored to him, he was informed by one of the
+Indians--who could speak a smattering of English--that he might be bound
+and remain, or accompany them to see the Big Knife tortured. He chose
+the former without hesitation; and was immediately secured in a manner
+similar to what he had been the night previously, and then left alone to
+the anguish of his own thoughts. What the feelings of our hero were, as
+thus he lay, suffering from his bruises and wound--his mind recurring to
+the dire events taking place in another part of the village, and his own
+awful doom--we shall leave to the imagination of the reader: suffice it
+to say, however, that when his guards returned, some two hours later, he
+was found in a swooning state, with large cold drops of perspiration
+standing thickly on his features.
+
+Meantime, Younker was brought forth from the council-house--amid the
+hootings, revilings, and personal abuse of the savage mob--and then
+painted black,[17] preparatory to undergoing the awful death-sentence.
+He was then offered food--probably with the kind intention of
+strengthening him, and thus prolonging his life and tortures--but this
+he absolutely refused, and was immediately conducted to the place of
+execution, which was on the brow of the slope before described as
+reaching to the river. Here his wrists were immediately bound behind
+him; and then a rope, fastened to the ligature, was secured to a
+stake--driven into the earth for the purpose and left sufficiently long
+for him sit down, stand up, or walk around a circle of some six or eight
+feet in diameter.
+
+During this proceeding, the Indians failed not to abuse him in various
+ways--some by pinching, and others by pounding him with their fists,
+with stones, and with clubs,--all of which he seemed to bear with great
+patience and resignation.
+
+As soon as all was ready for the more diabolical tortures, Girty made
+the announcement, in a brief speech to the Indians; and then taking up a
+rifle, loaded with powder only, discharged it upon the prisoner's naked
+body. A loud yell of satisfaction, from the excited mob, followed this
+inhuman act; while several savages, rushing forward with rifles loaded
+in the same manner, now strove who should be first to imitate the
+renegade's example; by which means, no less than fifty discharges were
+made, in quick succession, until the flesh of the old man, from the neck
+downwards, was completely filled with burnt powder. Younker uttered a
+few groans, but bore all with manly fortitude, and made no complaints.
+
+This part of the hellish ceremony over, a fire was kindled of hickory
+poles, placed in a circle round the stake, outside of that which his
+rope allowed Younker to make, in order that he might feel all the
+torments of roasting alive, without being sufficiently near to the flame
+to get a speedy relief by death. To add even more torture, if possible,
+to this infernal proceeding, the Indians would take up brands, and place
+the burning parts against the old man's body; and then, as they saw him
+cringe and writhe under the pain thus inflicted, would burst into horrid
+laughs, in which they were ever joined by the renegade. The old squaws
+too, and even the children, not wishing to be outdone in this refinement
+of cruelty, would take slabs, and having loaded them with live coals and
+ashes, would throw them upon his head and body, until not only both
+became covered, but the ground around him, so that there was no cool
+place for his feet; while at every new infliction of pain, the crowd
+would break forth in strains of wild, discordant laughter.
+
+Thus passed some three-quarters of an hour of tortures the most
+horrible, during which the old man bore up under his sufferings with
+a strength and manliness that not only astonished his tormentors, but
+excited for himself, even in savage breasts, a feeling of respect.
+Girty, it may be, was moved to a similar feeling; for at length,
+advancing to his victim, he said, in a tone of more deference than he
+had hitherto used:
+
+"You bear up well, old man--well. I have seen many a one die, in a
+similar way, who was thought to be courageous--yet none with that
+firmness you have thus far displayed."
+
+Younker, who was slowly walking around the stake, with his face bent
+toward the earth, suddenly paused, as Girty addressed him, and turning
+his eyes mildly upon the renegade, in a feeble voice, replied:
+
+"My firmness is given me from above. I can bear my torments, Simon
+Girty, for they're arthly, and will soon be over; but yourn--who'll say
+what yourn'll be, when you come to answer afore Almighty God for this
+and other crimes! But that arn't for the like o' me to speak of now. I'm
+a dying man, and trust soon to be in a better world. Ef I ever did you
+wrong, Simon Girty, I don't remember it now; and I'm very sartin I never
+did nothing to merit this. You came to my house, and war treated to the
+best I had, and here am I in return for't. Howsomever, the reckoning's
+got to come yit atween you and your God; and so I leave you--farewell."
+
+"But say," returned Girty, who now seemed greatly moved by the manner
+and tone of Younker: "But say, old man, that you forgive me, and I will
+own that I did you wrong."
+
+"I don't know's I've any enemies, except these round here," replied the
+other, feebly, "and I'd like to die at peace with all the world; but
+what you ax, Simon Girty, I can't grant; it's agin my nater and
+conscience; I can't say I forgive ye, for what you've done, for I don't.
+I may be wrong--it may not be Christian like--but ef it's a sin, it's
+one I've got to answer for myself. No, Girty, I can't forgive--pre'aps
+God will--you must look to him: I can't. Girty, I can't; and so,
+farewell forever! God be merciful to me a sinner," he added, looking
+upward devoutly; "and ef I've done wrong, oh! pardon me, for Christ's
+sake!"
+
+With these words, the lips of Younker were sealed forever.
+
+Girty stood and gazed upon him in silence, for a few minutes, as one
+whose mind is ill at ease, and then walked slowly away, in a mood of
+deep abstraction. Younker continued alive some three-quarters of an hour
+longer--bearing his tortures with great fortitude--and then sunk down
+with a groan and expired. The Indians then proceeded to scalp him; after
+which they gradually dispersed, with the apparent satisfaction of wolves
+that have gorged their fill on some sheep-fold.
+
+When Algernon's guards returned, they found him in a swooning state,
+as previously recorded; and fearful that his life might be lost, and
+another day's sport thus spoiled, they immediately called in their great
+medicine man, who at once set about bandaging his wound, and applying
+to it such healing remedies as were known by him to be speedily
+efficacious, and for which the Indians are proverbially remarkable. His
+bruises were also rubbed with a soothing liquid; and by noon of the day
+following, he had gained sufficient strength to start upon his journey,
+accompanied by his guards.
+
+On that journey we shall now leave him, and turn to other, and more
+important events; merely remarking, by the way, lest the reader should
+consider the neglect an oversight, that, on entering the Piqua village,
+Oshasqua had taken care to render the life of little Rosetta Millbanks
+safe, and had secured to her as much comfort as circumstances would
+permit.
+
+
+[Footnote 14: In the action at Piqua here referred to, Simon Girty
+commanded three hundred Mingoes, whom he withdrew on account of the
+desperation with which the whites fought.]
+
+[Footnote 15: This was a peculiar characteristic of this great chief,
+as drawn from the pages of history; and the more peculiar, that he was
+a fierce, determined warrior, and the very last to hold out against a
+peace with his white enemy. But there were some noble traits in the man;
+and when, at last, he was wrought upon to sign the treaty of Greenville,
+in 1795--twenty-four years after the date of the foregoing events--so
+keen was his sense of honor, that no entreaty nor persuasion could
+thenceforth induce him to break his bond; and he remained a firm friend
+of the Americans to the day of his death. He was opposed to burning
+prisoners, and to polygamy, and is said to have lived forty years with
+one wife, rearing a numerous family of children.--_See Drake's Life of
+Tecumseh_.]
+
+[Footnote 16: The reader will bear in mind, that these events transpired
+during the American Revolution; that the Indians were, at this time,
+allies of the British; who paid them, in consequence, regular annuities,
+at Upper Sandusky.]
+
+[Footnote 17: This was a customary proceeding of the savages at that
+day, with all prisoners doomed to death.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+HISTORICAL EVENTS.
+
+
+From the first inroads of the whites upon what the Indians considered
+their lawful possessions, although by them unoccupied--namely, the
+territory known as Kan-tuck-kee--up to the year which opens our story,
+there had been scarcely any cessation of hostilities between the two
+races so antagonistical in their habits and principles. Whenever an
+opportunity presented itself favorable to their purpose, the savages
+would steal down from their settlements--generally situated on the
+Bottom Lands of the principal rivers in the present State of Ohio--cross
+over _La Belle Riviere_ into Kentucky, and, having committed as many
+murders and other horrible acts as were thought prudent for their
+safety, would return in triumph, if successful, to their homes, taking
+along with them scalps of both sexes and all ages, from the infant to
+the gray-beard, and not unfrequently a few prisoners for the amusement
+of burning at the stake.
+
+These flying visits of the savages were generally repaid by similar
+acts of kindness on the part of the whites; who, on several occasions,
+marched with large armies into their very midst, destroyed their crops
+and stores, and burnt their towns. An expedition of this kind was
+prosecuted by General Clark, in August of the year preceding the events
+we have detailed, of which mention has been previously made. He had
+under his command one thousand men, mostly from Kentucky, and marched
+direct upon old Chillicothe, which the Indians deserted and burnt on
+his approach. He next moved upon the Piqua towns, on Mad river, where
+a desperate engagement ensued between the whites and Indians, in which
+the former proved victorious. Having secured what plunder they could,
+together with the horses, the Kentuckians destroyed the town, and cut
+down some two hundred acres of standing corn. They then returned to
+Chillicothe on their homeward route, where they destroyed other large
+fields of produce, supposed in all to amount to something like five
+hundred acres.
+
+We have mentioned this expedition for the purpose of showing why the
+year which opens our story, 1781, was less disastrous to the frontier
+settlers than the preceding ones--the Indians being too busily occupied
+in repairing the damage done them, and in hunting to support their
+families, to have much thought for the war-path, or time to follow it;
+consequently the year in question, as regards Kentucky, may be said to
+have passed away in a comparatively quiet manner, with no events more
+worthy of note than those we have laid before the reader.
+
+But if the vengeance of the savage slumbered for the time being, it was
+only like some pent up fire, burning in secret, until opportunity should
+present for it to burst forth in a manner most appalling, carrying
+destruction and terror throughout its course; and in consequence of
+this, the year 1782 was destined to be one most signally marked by
+bloody deeds in the annals of Kentucky. The winter of '81 and '82
+passed quietly away; but early in the ensuing spring hostilities were
+again renewed, with a zeal which showed that neither faction had
+forgotten old grudges during the intervening quietude. Girty did all
+that lay in his power to stir up the vindictive feelings of the Indians,
+and was aided in his laudable endeavors by one or two others[18] who
+wore the uniform of British officers. It was the design of the renegade
+to raise a grand army from the union of the Six Nations, lead them
+quietly into the heart of Kentucky, and, by a bold move, seize some
+prominent station, murder the garrison, and thus secure at once a
+stronghold, from which to sally forth, spread death and desolation in
+every quarter, and, if possible, depopulate the entire country. Long
+and ardently did he labor in stirring up the Indians by inflammatory
+speeches; till at last he succeeded in uniting a grand body for his
+hellish purpose; which, on the very eve of success, as one may say, was
+at last frustrated by what seemed a direct Providence, of which more
+anon, and its proper place.
+
+Previously, however, to the event just referred to, parties of Indians,
+numbering from five to fifty, prowled about the frontiers, committing
+at every opportunity all manner of horrid deeds, and thus rousing the
+whites to defence and retaliation. One of these skirmishes has been more
+particularly dwelt on, by the historians of Kentucky, than any of the
+others; on account, probably, of the desperate and sanguinary struggle
+for mastery between the two contending parties, and the cruel desertion,
+at a time of need, of a portion of the whites; by which means the
+Indians had advantage of numbers, that otherwise would have been equally
+opposed. We allude to what is generally known as Estill's Defeat.
+
+It is not our province in the present work to detail any thing not
+directly connected with our story; and therefore we shall pass on, after
+a cursory glance at the main facts in question. Sometime in March, a
+party of Wyandots made a descent upon Estill's station, which stood near
+the present site of Richmond; and having killed and scalped a young
+lady, and captured a Negro slave, were induced, by the exaggerated
+account which the latter gave of the force within, to an immediate
+retreat; whereby, probably, the lives of the women and children, almost
+the only occupants, were saved--Captain Estill himself, with his
+garrison, and several new recruits, being at the time away, on a search
+for these very savages, who were known by some unmistakable signs to be
+in the vicinity. Word being despatched to Estill, of what had transpired
+in his absence, he immediately sought out the trail of the retreating
+foes, which he followed with his men, and toward night of the second day
+overtook them at Hinston's Fork of Licking, where a desperate engagement
+immediately ensued. At the onset, there were twenty-five Indians, and
+exactly the same number of whites; but the immediate desertion, in a
+cowardly manner, of a certain Lieutenant Miller, with six men under his
+command, left the odds greatly in favor of the Wyandots, who were all
+picked warriors. Notwithstanding the cowardice of their companions, our
+little Spartan band fought most heroically for an hour and
+three-quarters; when the few survivors, on both sides, being almost worn
+out, ceased hostilities as by mutual consent. In this ever memorable
+action, Captain Estill, a brave and popular man, together with nine of
+his gallant companions, fell to rise no more. Four others were badly
+wounded, leaving only the same number of unharmed survivors. The
+Indians, it was afterwards ascertained, had seventeen warriors killed on
+the field, among whom was one of their bravest chiefs, and two others
+severely wounded; and there has been a tradition since among the
+Wyandots, that only one survivor ever returned to tell the tale.
+
+The news of the foregoing disastrous skirmish flew like wild fire, to
+use a common phrase, throughout the borders, and, together with others
+of less note, served to kindle the fire of vengeance in the bosoms of
+the settlers, and excite a deeper hostility than ever against the savage
+foe. Nor was the subsequent conduct of the Indians themselves calculated
+to soften this bitter feeling against them; for, to use the words of a
+modern writer, "The woods again teemed with savages, and no one was safe
+from attack beyond the walls of a station. The influence of the British,
+and the constant pressure of the Long Knives, upon the red-men, had
+produced a union of the various tribes of the northwest, who seemed to
+be gathering again to strike a fatal blow at the frontier settlements;
+and had they been led by a Phillip, a Pontiac, or a Tecumseh, it is
+impossible to estimate the injury they might have inflicted."
+
+Whether the foregoing remarks may be deemed by the reader a digression,
+or otherwise, we have certainly felt ourself justified in making them;
+from the fact, that our story is designed to be historical in all its
+bearings; and because many months being supposed to elapse, ere our
+characters are again brought upon the stage of action, it seemed
+expedient to give a general view of what was taking place in the
+interval. Having done so, we will now forthwith resume our narrative.
+
+About five miles from Lexington, a little to the left of the present
+road leading thence to Maysville, and on a gentle rise of the southern
+bank of the Elkhorn, at the time of which we write, stood Bryan's
+Station, to which we must now call the reader's attention. This station
+was founded in the year 1779, by William Bryan, (a brother-in-law of
+Daniel Boone,) who had, prior to the events we are now about to
+describe, been surprised and killed by the Indians in the vicinity of a
+stream called Cane Run.
+
+This fort, at the period in question, was one of great importance to the
+early settlers--standing as it did on what was considered at the time of
+its erection, the extreme frontier, and, by this means, extending their
+area of security. The station consisted of forty cabins, placed in
+parallel lines, connected by strong pallisades, forming a parallelogram
+of thirty rods by twenty, and enclosing something like four acres of
+ground. Outside of the cabins and pallisades, to render the fort still
+more secure, were planted heavy pickets, a foot in diameter, and some
+twelve feet in height above the ground; so that it was impossible for an
+enemy to scale them, or affect them in the least, with any thing short
+of fire and cannon ball. To guard against the former, and prevent the
+besiegers making a lodgment under the walls, at each of the four corners
+or angles, was erected what was called a block-house--a building which
+projected beyond the pickets, a few feet above the ground, and enabled
+the besieged to pour a raking fire across the advanced party of the
+assailants. Large folding gates, on huge, wooden hinges, in front and
+rear, opened into the enclosure, through which men, wagons, horses, and
+domestic cattle, had admittance and exit. In the center, as the reader
+has doubtless already divined, was a broad space, into which the doors
+of the cabins opened, and which served the purpose of a regular common,
+where teams and cattle were oftentimes secured, where wrestling and
+other athletic sports took place. The cabins were all well constructed,
+with puncheon floors, the roofs of which sloped inward, to avoid as much
+as possible their being set on fire by burning arrows, shot by the
+Indians for the purpose, a practice by no means uncommon during a siege.
+This fort, at the period referred to, was garrisoned by from forty to
+fifty men; and though somewhat out of repair, in respect to a few of its
+pallisades, was still in a condition to resist an overwhelming force,
+unless taken wholly by surprise. There was one great error, however,
+connected with its design--and one that seems to have been common
+to most of the stations of that period--which was, that the spring,
+supplying the inmates with water, had not been enclosed within the
+pickets. The reader can at once imagine the misery that must have ensued
+from this cause, in case of their being suddenly assaulted by a superior
+enemy, and the siege protracted to any considerable length of time.
+
+Within this fort, on their return from captivity, Mrs. Younker and Ella
+had taken up their abode, to remain until another cabin should be
+erected, or it should be thought safe for them to live again in a more
+exposed manner. Isaac had straightway repaired to his father-in-law's,
+to behold again the idol of his heart, and pour into her ear his grief
+for the loss of his father and friend, and receive her sympathy for his
+affliction in return. The disastrous affair which had called him and his
+companions so suddenly from a scene of festivity to one of mourning--the
+loss of so many valuable neighbors, and the result of the expedition
+in pursuit of the enemy--created at the time no little excitement
+throughout the frontiers, and caused some of the more timid to resort
+to the nearest stations for security. But as time wore on, and as
+nothing serious happened during the fall and winter, confidence and
+courage gradually became restored; and the affair was almost forgotten,
+save by the friends and relatives of the deceased and those particularly
+concerned in it.
+
+Spring, however, revived the alarm of the settlers, by the reappearance
+of the enemy in all quarters, and the outrages they committed, as before
+mentioned; so that but very few persons ventured to remain without the
+walls of a fort; and these, such of them as were fortunate enough to
+escape death or captivity, were fain to seek refuge therein before the
+close of summer.
+
+Immediately on the receipt of the alarming intelligence of Estill's
+defeat, Isaac, his wife, and the family of his father-in-law, Wilson,
+repaired to Bryan's Station, and joined Mrs. Younker and Ella, who had
+meantime remained there in security.
+
+
+[Footnote 18: McKee and Elliot.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+OLD CHARACTERS AND NEW.
+
+
+It was toward night of a hot sultry day in the month of August, that
+Ella Barnwell was seated by the door of a cabin, within the walls of
+Bryan's Station, gazing forth, with what seemed a vacant stare, upon a
+group of individuals, who were standing near the center of the common
+before spoken of, engaged in a very animated conversation. Her features
+perhaps were no paler than when we saw her last; but there was a tender,
+melancholy expression on her sweet countenance, of deep abiding grief,
+and a look of mournfulness in her beautiful eyes, that touched
+involuntarily the hearts of all who met her gaze.
+
+Since we last beheld her, days of anxious solicitude, and sleepless
+nights, had been apportioned Ella; for memory--all potent memory--had
+kept constantly before her mind's eye the images of those who were gone,
+and mourned as forever lost to the living; and her imagination had a
+thousand times traced them to the awful stake, seen their terrible
+tortures, heard their agonizing, dying groans; and her heart had bled
+for them in secret; and tears of anguish, at their untimely fate, had
+often dimmed her eyes. Even now, as she apparently gazed upon that group
+of individuals, whom she saw not, and whose voices, sounding in her ear,
+she heard not, her mind was occupied with the probable fate of her uncle
+and Algernon, the still all-absorbing theme of her soul.
+
+While seated thus, Mrs. Younker approached Ella from behind, unperceived
+by the latter, and now stood gazing upon her with a sorrowful look. The
+countenance of the good dame had altered less, perhaps, than Ella's,
+owing to her strong masculine spirit; but still there was an expression
+of anxiety and sadness thereon, which, until of late, had never been
+visible--not even when on her march to what, as she then believed,
+was her final doom--the excitement whereof, and the many events that
+occurred on the route, having been sufficient to occupy her mind in a
+different manner from what it had been in brooding over the fate of her
+husband for months in secret, and in a place of comparative safety. At
+length a remark, in a loud voice, of one of the individuals of the group
+before alluded to, arrested the attention of both Mrs. Younker and Ella.
+
+"I tell you," said the speaker, who was evidently much excited, "it was
+that infernal cut-throat Girty's doings, and no mistake. Heaven's curses
+on him for a villain!--and I don't think he'll more nor git his just
+dues, to suffer them hell fires of torment, hereafter, that he's kindled
+so often around his victims on arth."
+
+At these words Ella started to her feet, and exclaiming wildly,
+
+"Who are they--who are Girty's victims?" sprung swiftly towards the
+group, followed by Mrs. Younker.
+
+All eyes, from all quarters, were now turned upon her, as, like a
+spirit, she glided noiselessly forward, her sweet countenance radiant
+with the flush of excitement, her eyes dilated and sparkling, and her
+glossy ringlets floating on the breeze. Curiosity could no longer remain
+unsatisfied; and by one spontaneous movement, from every point of
+compass, women and children now hurried toward the center of the common,
+to gather the tidings.
+
+The quiet, modest, melancholy air of Ella, had, one time with another,
+since her first appearance in the Station, attracted the attention,
+and won the regard of its inmates; most of whom had made inquiries
+concerning her, and learned the cause of her sadness; and now, as she
+gained the crowd, each gazed upon her with a look of respect; and at
+once moving aside to let her pass, she presently stood the central
+attraction of an excited multitude, of both sexes, all ages and sizes.
+
+"Who are they?" cried she again, turning from one to the other, rapidly,
+with an anxious look: "who are the victims of the renegade Girty?"
+
+"We were speaking, Miss Barnwell," answered a youth, of genteel
+appearance, doffing his hat, and making at the same time a polite and
+respectful bow: "We were speaking of the defeat, capture, and burning
+of Colonel Crawford, by the Indians, in their own country, in which the
+notorious Simon Girty is said to have taken an active part[19]--news
+whereof has just reached us."
+
+At the mention of the name of Crawford, so different from the one she
+was expecting to hear, the momentary insanity, or delusion of Ella,
+vanished; she saw her position at a glance, and the hundred eyes that
+were upon her; and instantly her face became suffused with blushes;
+while she shrunk back, with a sense of maidenly shame and bashful
+timidity, almost overpowering to herself, and really painful for others
+to behold. She now strove to speak--to give an excuse for her singular
+conduct--but her tongue failed her, and she would have sunk to the
+earth, only for the support of Mrs. Younker, who at this moment gained
+her side.
+
+"Never mind it. Miss Barnwell--it don't need any excuse--we understand
+your feelings for lost friends," were some of the remarks from the
+crowd, as the throng again made a passage for her to depart.
+
+"Goodness, gracious, marcy on me alive! what a splurge you did make
+on't, darling!" said Mrs. Younker to Ella, as they moved away by
+themselves. "Why, you jest kind o' started up, for all the world like a
+skeered deer; and afore I could get my hands on ye, you war off like an
+Injen's arrow. Well, thar, thar, poor gal--never mind it!" added the
+good dame, consolingly, as Ella turned towards her a painful, imploring
+look; "we all knows your feelings, darling, and so never mind it.
+Mistakes will happen in the best o' families, as the Rev. Mr. Allprayer
+used to say, when any body accused him o' doing any thing he hadn't
+oughter a done."
+
+"Mother," said Ella, feebly, "I feel faint; this shock, I fear, may be
+too much for my nervous system."
+
+"Oh! my child, darling, don't mind it--every body knows your
+feelings--and nobody'll think any thing strange on't. In course you war
+thinking o' your friends--as war nateral you should--and so war I; and
+when I heerd the name o' that ripscallious renegade, it jest set my hull
+blood to biling, like it war hot water, and I felt orful revengeful. But
+the Lord's will be done, child. He knows what's best; and let us pray to
+him, that ef our friends is among the land of the living, they may be
+restored to us, or taken straight away to His presence."
+
+As Mrs. Younker said this, she and Ella entered the cottage.
+
+"Poor girl!" said a voice among the crowd, as soon as Ella was out of
+hearing; "they do say as how she eats but little now, and scarcely takes
+any rest at all lately, on account of the trouble of her mind. Poor
+girl! she's not long for this world;" and the speaker shook his head
+sadly.
+
+"But what is it?--what is it as troubles her so?" inquired an old woman,
+in a voice tremulous with age, who, being somewhat of a new-comer, had
+not heard the oft-repeated story.
+
+"I'll tell it ye--I'll tell it ye," answered another gossiping crone,
+standing beside the querist, who, fearful of being forestalled, now
+eagerly began her scandalous narration.
+
+Meantime, the male portion of the crowd had resumed their conversation,
+concerning the unfortunate campaign of Crawford; during which manifold
+invectives were bestowed upon the savages, and the renegade Girty. Some
+of the more reckless among them were for raising another army, as soon
+as possible, to pursue the Indians, even to the death, and spare none
+that fell into their hands, neither the aged, women, nor children; but
+these propositions were speedily overruled by cooler and wiser heads;
+who stated that Kentucky had scarcely fighting men enough to protect
+one another on their own ground--much less to march into the enemy's
+country, and leave their wives and children exposed to certain
+destruction.
+
+While these discussions were in progress, the attention of each was
+suddenly arrested by the cry of some person from the right hand
+block-house, looking toward the south, announcing that a single horseman
+was approaching with a speed which betokened evil tidings. These were
+times of excitement, when news of disaster and death was borne on almost
+every breeze; and consequently all now sprung rapidly to the southern
+pickets, where, through loop-holes and crevices in the partially decayed
+pallisades, they perceived an individual riding as if for life.
+
+"How he rides!--Who is it?--What can have happened?" were some of the
+remarks now rapidly uttered, as the horseman was seen bounding forward
+on his foaming steed. Instantly the nearest gate was thrown open; and,
+in less than two minutes, horse and rider stood within the enclosure,
+surrounded by a breathless multitude, eager for his intelligence.
+
+"Arm!" cried the horseman, a good looking youth of eighteen: "Arm--all
+that can be spared--and on to the rescue!"
+
+"What's happened, Dick Allison?" asked one who had recognized the rider.
+
+"I have it on the best authority," answered Dick, "that Hoy's Station
+has just been attacked, by a large body of Indians, and Captain Holder
+and his men defeated."
+
+"But whar d'ye get your news?" inquired another voice; while a look of
+alarm, and resolute determination to avenge the fallen, could be seen
+depicted on the upturned countenances of the assemblage.
+
+"I was riding in that direction, when I met a messenger on his way to
+Lexington for assistance; and turning my horse, I spurred hither with
+all speed."
+
+"Have the red devils got possession of the fort?" inquired another.
+
+"I am not certain, for I did not wait to hear particulars; but I'm under
+the impression they have not, and that Holder was defeated outside the
+walls."
+
+"Well, they must have assistance, and that as soon as it can be got
+to 'em," rejoined a white-haired veteran, one of the head men of the
+garrison, whose countenance was remarkable for its noble, benevolent
+expression, and who, from love and veneration, was generally called
+Father Albach. "It's too late in the day, though, to muster and march
+thar to-night," continued the old man; "but we'll have our horses got up
+and put in here to night, and our guns cleaned, and every thing fixed
+for to start at daylight to-morrow. Eh! my gallant lads--what say ye?"
+and he glanced playfully around upon the bystanders.
+
+"Yes--yes--yes--father!" cried a score of voices, in a breath; and the
+next moment a long, loud cheer, attested the popularity of the old man's
+decision.
+
+"Another cheer for Father Albach, and three more for licking the
+ripscallious varmints clean to death!" cried our old acquaintance, Isaac
+Younker, who, having been otherwise occupied during the discussion
+concerning Crawford's defeat, had joined the crowd on the arrival of the
+messenger.
+
+"Good for Ike," shouted one: "Hurray!" and four lusty cheers followed.
+
+All now became bustle and confusion, as each set himself to preparing
+for the morrow's expedition. Guns were brought out and cleaned,
+locks examined, new flints put in place of old ones, bullets cast,
+powder-horns replenished, horses driven within the enclosure, saddles
+and bridles overhauled, and, in fact, every thing requisite for the
+journey was made ready as fast as possible.
+
+Isaac, on the present occasion, was by no means indolent; for having
+examined his rifle, and found it in a good condition, he immediately
+brought forth an old saddle and bridle, somewhat the worse for wear, and
+set himself down to repairing them, wherever needed, by thongs of
+deerskin. While engaged in this laudable occupation, a young lad came
+running to and informed him, that there was a stranger down by the gate
+who wished to speak with him immediately.
+
+"A stranger!" replied Isaac, looking up in surprise. "Why, what in the
+name o' all creation can a stranger be wanting with me? Why don't he
+come and see me, if he wants to see me, and not put me to all this here
+trouble, jest when I'm gitting ready to go and lick some o' them red
+heathen like all nater?"
+
+"Don't know, sir," answered the lad, "what his reasons be for not
+coming, any more nor you; but he said to the man as opened the gate for
+him, 'Is Isaac Younker in the fort?' and the man said, 'Yes;' and then
+he said to me, 'Run, my little lad, and tell him to come here, and I'll
+gin you some thing;' and that's all I knows about it."
+
+"Well, I 'spose I'll have to go," rejoined Isaac, rising to his feet;
+"but I don't think much o' the feller as puts a gentleman to all this
+here trouble, jest for nothing at all, as one may say, when a feller's
+in a hurry too. Howsomever," continued he, soliloquizing, as he walked
+forward in the proper direction, "I 'spect it's some chap as wants to
+hoax me, or else he's putting on the extras; ef so, I'll fix him, so he
+won't want to do it agin right immediately, I reckon."
+
+Thus muttering to himself, Isaac drew near the front gate, against
+which, within the pallisades, the stranger in question was leaning,
+with his hat pressed down over his forehead, as though he desired
+concealment. His habiliments, after the fashion of the day, were
+originally of a superior quality to those generally worn on the
+frontiers, but soiled and torn in several places, as from the wear and
+tear of a long, fatiguing journey. His features, what portion of them
+could be seen under his hat, were pale and haggard, denoting one who had
+experienced many and severe vicissitudes. As Isaac approached, he raised
+his eyes from the ground, turned them full upon him, and then, taking a
+step forward, said, in a voice tremulous with emotion:
+
+"Thank God! Isaac Younker, I am able to behold you once again."
+
+As a distinct view of his features fell upon the curious gaze of the
+latter, and his voice sounded in his ear, Isaac paused for a moment, as
+one stupefied with amazement; the next, he staggered back a pace or two,
+dropped his hands upon his knees, in a stooping posture, as if to peer
+more closely into the face of the stranger; and then bounding from the
+earth, he uttered a wild yell of delight, threw his hat upon the ground
+in a transport of joy, and rushed into the extended arms of Algernon
+Reynolds, where he wept like a child upon his neck, neither of them able
+to utter a syllable for something like a minute.
+
+"The Lord be praised!" were the first articulate words of Isaac, in a
+voice choked with emotion. "God bless you! Mr. Reynolds;" and again the
+tears of joy fell fast and long. "Is it you?" resumed he, again starting
+back and gazing wildly upon the other, as if fearful of some mistake.
+"Yes! yes! it's you--there's no mistaking that thar face--the dead's
+come to life again, for sartin;" and once more he sprung upon the
+other's neck, with all the apparent delight of a mother meeting with a
+lost child.
+
+"Yes, yes, Isaac, thank God! it is myself you really behold--one who
+never expected to see you again in this world," rejoined Algernon,
+affected himself to tears, by the noble, heart-touching, affectionate
+manner of his companion. "But--but Isaac--our friends here--are
+they--all--all well, Isaac?" This was said in a voice, which, in spite
+of the speaker's efforts to be calm, trembled from anxiety and
+apprehension.
+
+"Why," answered Isaac, in a somewhat hesitating manner, "I don't know's
+thar's any body exactly sick--but--"
+
+"But what, Isaac?" interrupted Algernon, with a start.
+
+"Why, Ella, you know--"
+
+"Yes, yes, Isaac--what of her?" and grasping him by the arm, Algernon
+gazed upon the other's features with a look of alarm.
+
+"Now don't be skeered, Mr. Reynolds--thar han't nothing happened--only I
+'spect she's bin a thinking o' you--who every body thought war dead--and
+she's kind o' grown thin and pale on't, and we war gitting afeared it
+might end badly; but as you've come now, I know as how it'll all be
+right agin."
+
+Algernon released the speaker's arm, and for some moments gazed
+abstractedly upon the ground; while over his countenance swept one of
+those painful expressions of the deep workings of the soul, to which,
+from causes known to the reader, he was subject. At length he said, with
+a sigh:
+
+"Well, Isaac, I have come to behold her once again, and then--"
+
+He paused, apparently overpowered by some latent feeling.
+
+"And then!" said Isaac, repeating the words, with a look of surprise:
+"I reckon you arn't a going to leave us agin soon, Mr. Reynolds?"
+
+"There are circumstances, unknown to you, friend Isaac, which I fear
+will compel me so to do."
+
+"What!" cried the other; "start off agin, and put your scalp into the
+hands of the infernal, ripscallious, painted Injens? No, by thunder!
+you shan't do it, Mr. Reynolds; for sting me with a nest o' hornets,
+ef I don't hang to ye like a tick to a sheep. No, no, Mr. Reynolds;
+don't--don't think o' sech a thing. But come, go in and see Ella--she'd
+be crazy ef she knew you war here."
+
+"Ay," answered Algernon, sadly, "that is what I fear. I dare not meet
+her suddenly, Isaac--the shock might be too much for her nerves. I have
+sent for you to go first and communicate intelligence of my arrival, in
+a way to surprise her as little as possible."
+
+"I'll do it, Mr. Reynolds; but--(here Isaac's voice trembled, his
+features grew pale as death, and his whole frame quivered with intense
+emotion)--but--but my--my father--what--"
+
+He could say no more--his voice had completely failed him.
+
+"Alas! Isaac," replied Algernon, deeply affected, and turning away his
+face; "think the worst."
+
+"Oh God!" groaned Isaac, covering his face with his hands, and
+endeavoring to master his feelings. "But--but--he's dead, Mr. Reynolds?"
+
+"He is."
+
+For a few moments Isaac sobbed grievously; then withdrawing his hands,
+and raising himself to an erect posture, with a look of resignation,
+he said:
+
+"I--I can bear it now--for I know he's in Heaven. Stay here, Mr.
+Reynolds, till I come back;" and he turned abruptly away.
+
+In a few minutes Isaac returned--his features calm, but very pale--and
+silently motioned the other to follow him. On their way to the cottage,
+they had to cross the common, where their progress was greatly impeded
+by a crowd of persons, who, having heard of Algernon's arrival, were
+deeply anxious to gather what tidings he might have concerning the
+movements of the Indians. In reply, he informed them of the threats made
+by Girty to him while a captive; and that, having since been a prisoner
+of the British at Detroit, he had learned, from reliable sources, that
+a grand army of the Indians was forming to march upon the frontiers,
+attack some stronghold, and, if possible, desolate the entire country
+of Kentucky; and that he believed they were already on their way.
+
+"More'n that, they're already here," cried a voice; "for it's them, I
+'spect, as has attacked Hoy's Station, of which we've just got news, and
+are gitting ready to march at daylight and attack them in turn. Arm,
+boys, arm! Don't let us dally here, and be lagging when the time comes
+to march and fight!"
+
+With this the speaker turned away, and the crowd instantly dispersed to
+resume their occupations of preparing for the coming expedition, while
+our hero and Isaac pressed forward to the cottage of Mrs. Younker. At
+the door they were met by the good dame herself, who, with eyes wet with
+tears, caught the proffered hand of Reynolds in both of hers, pressed it
+warmly in silence, and led him into the house. Ella, who was seated at a
+short distance, on the entrance of Algernon, rose to her feet, took a
+step forward, staggered back, and the next moment her insensible form
+was caught in the arms of the being she loved, but had long mourned as
+dead.
+
+
+[Footnote 19: This happened in June, 1782. For particulars of Crawford's
+disastrous campaign, and horrible fate--_See Howe's Ohio_, p. 542.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+THE ALARM AND STRATAGEM.
+
+
+It was late at night; but still Algernon Reynolds sat beside Ella
+Barnwell, relating the sad story of his many hair-breadth escapes and
+almost intolerable sufferings. A rude sort of light, on a rough table, a
+few feet distant, threw its faint gleams over the homely apartment, and
+revealed the persons of Isaac and his mother, his wife and her parents,
+together with several others, attracted hither by curiosity, grouped
+around our hero, and listening to his thrilling narrative with
+breathless attention.
+
+"After being sufficiently recovered from my wound and bruises, to
+proceed upon my journey, (continued Reynolds, to resume the account
+of his adventures since leaving him at Piqua) Girty came to me, and
+inquired what I thought of my fate, and how I felt concerning it; to
+which I replied, rather briefly, that it was no worse than I had
+expected, since knowing into whose hands I had fallen.
+
+"'Perhaps you think to escape?' said he, sneeringly.
+
+"'I have no such hope,' I replied.
+
+"'No, and by ----! you needn't have, either,' rejoined he, with a savage
+grin; 'for I'm determined you shall experience the torture to its
+fullest extent, if for nothing else than to revenge myself on you for
+your insults. I have only one thing to regret; and that is, that you
+didn't suffer in place of Younker, who is the only one whose torments I
+would I had had no hand in. But you--_you_ I could see tormented
+forever, and laugh heartily throughout. But I'll wreak my vengeance on
+you yet; I will by ----!' and with these words he left me to the charge
+of my guards, with whom he spoke a short time in the Indian
+tongue--probably giving them instructions of caution regarding myself.
+
+"It was about mid-day, when, with my arms tightly bound, we set off
+for Upper Sandusky, where, as I had previously been informed by Girty,
+I was condemned to suffer before the assembled tribes of the different
+nations, who would there shortly meet to receive their annual presents
+from the British. Our march, very fatiguing to myself, was without
+incident worthy of note, until one night we arrived at a small village
+on the Scioto river, where one of my guards, who could speak a little
+English, informed me resided the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan. A
+thought suddenly flashed across my brain. I had often heard of Logan,
+as the great and good chief, humane in his principles, and friendly
+to the whites--particularly those who were signally unfortunate--and it
+occurred to me, that could I gain an interview, I might perhaps prevail
+upon him to assist me in making my escape; and accordingly I at once
+expressed to my informant my desire of beholding one so celebrated. To
+my great delight, he replied that it was in Logan's cabin I was to pass
+the night--such being the private orders, as I afterwards learned, of
+Black Hoof--who had, it seems, from some cause unknown to myself, formed
+the design of saving my life; and had sent by the Indian in question,
+a verbal request to Logan, to use all his influence to this effect.
+
+"As we entered the village, we were immediately surrounded by men, women
+and children, who stared hard at me, but offered no violence. In a few
+minutes we gained Logan's hut, in the door of which I observed standing
+an old, noble-looking warrior, with a commanding form, and mild,
+benevolent countenance, who proved to be the chief himself. To him one
+of my guards now addressed a few words in Indian; and uttering a grunt,
+and looking closely at me some seconds, he moved aside, and we all
+passed in. Here I soon had a good supper of homminy provided me, whereof
+I did not partake lightly, having been from sunrise to sunset without
+tasting a morsel of food. Immediately after I had finished my repast,
+Logan approached me, and, in tolerable good English, said:
+
+"'White man, where from?'
+
+"I motioned toward the east, and answered:
+
+"'From sunrise--away beyond the big mountains.'
+
+"Logan shook his head sadly, and replied, with a sigh:
+
+"'Ah! so all come. Poor Indian get run over--he no place lay he head.
+But how you come all tied so?'
+
+"In answer, I entered into a full explanation of all that had occurred
+respecting the proceedings of Girty, from first to last. Logan listened
+throughout with great attention, shook his head, and rejoined:
+
+"'Ah! Simon Girty bad man--berry. Me always think so. Me sorry for you.
+Me do all me can for you. You shall sleep here. Me promise you nothing.
+Me tell you more sometime--to-morrow mebby!'
+
+"With this he rose and left the cottage, and I saw him no more that
+night.
+
+"Early in the morning, however, he came to me, and said that I was to
+remain at his cabin through the day; that he had laid a plan to effect
+my release from death, but not from captivity--the latter not being in
+accordance with his principles, nor in his power; that for this purpose
+he had despatched two young braves to Upper Sandusky, to speak a word
+in my favor; but that I must not be elated with hope, as it was very
+doubtful how much they might effect.[21] Notwithstanding his caution to
+the contrary, my spirits became exceedingly exhilarated; and grasping
+his hand in both mine, I pressed it to my heart in silence; while my
+eyes became suffused with tears, and the old chief himself seemed not
+a little affected.
+
+"Late the night following, the messengers returned; and on the morning
+succeeding, we resumed our journey. In parting from the noble old chief,
+he shook my hand cordially, but gave me no intimation of what would
+probably be my fate.
+
+"When within sight of Upper Sandusky, crowds of warriors, women and
+children came out to meet us, and, seeing me, set up many a hideous
+yell, until I again became alarmed for my safety, and fearful that Logan
+had not succeeded in his magnanimous design. This impression was the
+more strongly confirmed, shortly after, by one of my guides informing me
+that I must again run the gauntlet. Accordingly every preparation being
+speedily effected, I started upon the course; but possessing more
+strength and activity than before, and a better knowledge of what I had
+to perform, I succeeded in breaking through the lines, and reaching the
+council house unharmed. Here I was safe for the present; or until, as I
+was informed, my fate should once more be decided by a grand council.
+
+"The council in question was speedily convened; and on the opening
+thereof, a British agent, one Captain Druyer, made his appearance,
+and requested permission to address the assemblage, which was readily
+granted. He spoke rapidly, for a few minutes, with great vehemence; and
+though I understood not a word he uttered, yet something whispered me it
+was in my favor; for I observed that the glances directed towards me,
+were milder far than those on my previous trial.
+
+"To sum up briefly, it seems that Logan had despatched his messengers to
+Druyer, urging him to exert all his influence in obtaining my reprieve;
+and to effect this humane design, the latter had begun by stating to
+the Indians that their great white father, of whom he was an humble
+representative, was at war with the Long Knives; that nothing would
+please him better, than to hear of his red children having sacrificed
+all their enemies; but that in war, policy was ofttimes more effectual
+than personal revenge in accomplishing their destruction; and that he
+doubted not, if the prisoner present were put in his possession and
+taken to Detroit, that the great white chiefs of his own nation would
+there be able to extort from him such valuable information as would
+make the final conquest of the Long Knives comparatively easy. To this
+proposition, which was received rather coldly, he had added, that for
+this privilege he was willing to pay a fair recompense; and that so soon
+as all the information necessary had been gleaned from the prisoner, he
+should, if thought advisable, again be returned to them, to be put to
+death or not, as they might see proper. To this arrangement, all having
+at last consented, the gallant Captain advanced to me, shook my hand,
+and said that my life was for the present safe, and that I was to
+accompany him to Detroit, where I would be treated as a prisoner of war.
+
+"It is impossible to describe my feelings, on hearing this joyful
+intelligence; therefore I shall leave you to imagine them, aided as you
+will be by your own experience under similar circumstances. And now let
+me close my long narrative as briefly as possible; for the hour is
+already late, and I must rise betimes on the morrow to join this
+expedition against the savages."
+
+"Surely, Algernon," exclaimed Ella, with pale features, "you are not
+going to leave us again so soon?"
+
+"Where duty calls, Ella, there is my place; and if I fall in honorable
+action, in defence of my country and friends, perchance my life may
+atone for matters whereof _you_ are not ignorant."
+
+Ella buried her face in her hands, to conceal her emotion; and Algernon,
+with an effort at composure, again proceeded.
+
+"At Detroit I experienced kind treatment, as a prisoner of war; but
+still it was captivity, and I longed for freedom. Many, many an hour
+did I employ in planning my escape; yet month upon month rolled on, and
+still I remained in durance. At last startling rumors reached me, that
+the Indians of the different tribes were banding together, to march upon
+the frontiers and depopulate the country; and remembering the savage
+threat of Girty, I doubted not he was the instigator, and would be
+leader of the expedition; and I determined, at all hazards, if such a
+thing were in the province of possibility, to effect my escape, and give
+the country warning of the impending danger. To be brief, I succeeded,
+as my presence here tells for itself; but no one knows, save myself, and
+He who knows all things, the misery I suffered from fatigue, lack of
+food, and the fear of again being captured by some roving band of
+savages--the which I shall detail, perhaps, should my life be spared me,
+at some future period, but not at the present.
+
+"I swam the Ohio, a short distance above the Falls, and made my way,
+to the best of my judgment, directly towards Boonesborough, where I
+arrived, a few days since, in a state of complete exhaustion. The noble
+old hunter received me warmly; from whose lips I heard, with thrilling
+emotion, the particulars of the pursuit, headed by himself, and the
+rescue of two of my dearest friends, their present abode, as also many
+startling events that had transpired during my absence; and in return,
+I communicated to him the alarming intelligence which I have before
+alluded to. So soon as I felt myself sufficiently strong for the
+journey, I left Boonesborough for Bryan's Station, and here I am, and
+thus my tale."
+
+"And a mighty tough time you've had on't Mr. Reynolds, for sartin, and
+no mistake," rejoined Mrs. Younker, with a sigh, wiping her eyes. "Ah!
+me--poor Ben!--poor Ben!--I'm a widder now in arnest. Well, the Lord's
+will be done. The good Book says, 'The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh
+away, blessed be the name of the Lord;' and them good words, my children
+and friends, must be our consolation."
+
+But little more was said; for each of the party felt oppressed with a
+weight of sadness, at the thought of the many mournful events a year had
+brought forth; and as the hour was late, each and all presently betook
+themselves to rest.
+
+Meantime, the preparations of the garrison for the morrow had been going
+forward in every part of the station; lights were moving to and fro; and
+all within the cabins, and on the common, was bustle and activity. At
+last the sounds gradually ceased, the lights went out one by one, and
+all finally became tranquil for the night.
+
+About an hour before day-break, the sleepers began to rouse themselves,
+and all was soon again in commotion. Horses were led forth, saddled,
+returned and fed, and every thing got in readiness to throw open the
+gates and march forth so soon as it should become sufficiently light for
+the purpose.
+
+At last came the exciting moment of all. Some were standing in groups,
+and weeping bitterly at the thought of parting, perhaps for the last
+time, with their fathers, husbands and sons; some were running to and
+fro with anxious messages; some were clasping each other to their
+hearts, in agonizing silence, and praying in secret that the Great Ruler
+of all might preserve and happily restore them again to the idols of
+their affections; some had mounted their noble steeds, or were leading
+them forth for the purpose--and all was in Babel-like confusion.
+
+"Farewell, my friends," said Algernon, as he stood in the door of Mrs.
+Younker's cottage, grasping one after another the proffered hands of
+its weeping inmates, among whom was the wife and mother-in-law of
+Isaac. "Farewell, dearest Ella; we may never meet again on earth.
+Farewell--farewell!" and pressing her hand to his lips, he rushed
+forth with a heaving heart, not daring to trust himself longer in her
+presence.
+
+Isaac and his father-in-law followed the example of Reynolds, moved away
+with weeping eyes, and all were quickly in their saddles.
+
+A few minutes later the roll was called, and the order given by the
+commanding officer to form in double file and throw open the eastern
+gate. Scarcely were the words uttered, when there arose a series of
+terrific Indian yells, accompanied by a volley of firearms, and every
+face became blanched with surprise and dismay, and looked from one to
+the other in astonishment.
+
+"By heavens!" cried a voice; "our fighting 'll be at home, I reckon,
+judging by the specimen before us."
+
+Dismounting from their horses, the garrison, together with many of the
+women and children, now rushed to the southern pickets, where, through
+loop-holes and crevices, they beheld, only a few rods distant, about
+a hundred savages, running to and fro, jumping up and down, whooping,
+yelling, screeching and firing at the station, accompanied with all
+the wild, fantastic gestures of loosened madmen.
+
+"Thar's not more nor a hundred o' the varmints, any how," cried Isaac;
+"and I reckon as how we can jest lick them, and no mistake. Hurray for
+a fight."
+
+"Hurray for a fight!" echoed a dozen voices, as they rushed back to
+remount their horses.
+
+"Hold!" cried the deep voice of Father Albach. "Hold! lads; don't do
+things rash! Them Indians wouldn't be dancing and sky-larking round that
+way, ef thar warn't some object in it, you may depend on."
+
+"And that's my opinion too," answered another gray-headed veteran. "The
+fact is, they're only a decoy party, sent our thar from the main body,
+jest to draw us out, so that the others can rush on and make an easy
+conquest on't. I tell you, friends, thar's no mistaking it; we're
+surrounded by a tremendous body o' the red heathen, and we're likely to
+have warm work on't. I've lived in the woods all my life, and I know the
+nater of the painted varmints as well as I know my own. Ef them war all
+thar war on 'em, we'd have seen very different proceedings, I assure
+you."
+
+"But what's to be done?" cried several voices in consternation.
+
+"I would suggest that we send immediately to Lexington for a
+reinforcement," spoke up Reynolds, in reply.
+
+"Who'll volunteer to go with me on the dangerous mission?" cried a young
+man, by the name of Bell.
+
+"I will!" instantly responded another, called Tomlinson.
+
+"Brave lads!" returned Father Albach. "You'll be doing us and your
+country a service, which we at least will ever gratefully remember. I'd
+advise your leaving by the western gate, riding round the station, and
+keeping away to the right, and you'll maybe pass them without trouble.
+But ef you go, now's your only chance."
+
+As he spoke, the young men in question sprung forward to their horses,
+and immediately quitted the fort, amid cheers for their gallantry and
+courage, and prayers for their safety and success.
+
+A council of the leading men was now speedily convened to deliberate
+upon the best means of insuring the safety of themselves, their wives,
+and children.
+
+"They'll no doubt attack us on the western side," said Father Albach,
+"where the pallisades are somewhat out o' kilter; and it's my opinion,
+that we'd better repair them as soon as possible, and station the main
+part of the garrison thar, ready to receive 'em with a military salute,
+while we send out a few o' our young men to fire on them as is in sight,
+to deceive the others; for I believe with neighbor Nickolson, here, that
+thar's a large party in ambush close by."
+
+"Ay, and doubtless led by the renegade," said Reynolds; "as I presume
+this Indian army is the same whose approach I have foretold. Thank God!"
+added he, with energy and emotion, as his mind reverted to Ella, "that
+they came as they did; for an hour later, and they would have found the
+fort defenceless, when all within would have been food for the tomahawk
+and scalping knife."
+
+He shuddered at the thought, and placed his hand to his eyes.
+
+"Indeed, it seems like a direct Providence in our favor," rejoined
+another.
+
+"But thar's one thing you've overlooked, in your proposition, Albach,"
+said the old veteran called Nickolson. "Ef the seige be protracted, what
+are we to do for water?"
+
+Each face of the company blanched, and turned toward the speaker with a
+startled look. It was a question of the most grave importance, and all
+felt it to be so. The spring was without the pallisades, as we have
+previously mentioned, on the northwestern side of the station. The path
+to it was through a rank growth of tall weeds, wherein the main body of
+the Indians was supposed to be concealed--so that, should the garrison
+venture forth in that direction, they would in all probability be cut
+off, and the fort fall into the possession of the enemy. This of course
+was not to be thought of. But what was to be done? To be without water
+in a protected siege, was a dangerous and painful alternative. In this
+agitating dilemma, one of the council suddenly exclaimed:
+
+"I have it!--I have it!" All looked at the speaker in breathless
+expectation. "I have it!" continued he joyfully. "The women!--the
+women!"
+
+"The women!" echoed several voices at once.
+
+"Ay! you know they're in the habit of going for water--and this the
+savages know too--and ef they venture forth by themselves, as usual, the
+wily scoundrels will be deceived for once--for they won't mistrust thar
+hiding place is known; and as thar object is to carry the fort by
+stratagem, they won't unmask till they hear firing on t'other side."
+
+"Good!--good!" exclaimed several voices; and forthwith the council
+proceeded to summon all the women of the station, and make known their
+plan for procuring a supply of water.
+
+Not a little consternation was expressed in the faces of the latter,
+when informed of the perilous undertaking required of them.
+
+"What! go right straight in among the Injen warmints--them male
+critters?" cried an old maid, holding up her hands in horror.
+
+"Do you think we're invisible, and they can't see us?" said a second.
+
+"Or bullet proof?" added a third.
+
+"Or that our scalps arn't worth as much as yourn?" rejoined a fourth.
+
+"Or of so little account you arn't afeared to lose us?" put in a fifth.
+
+"We don't think any thing o' the kind," returned the spokesman on the
+part of the council; "but we do think, as I before explained, that you
+can go and come in safety; and that ef we don't have a supply o' water,
+we're likely to perish any how, and might as well throw open the gates
+and be butchered at once."
+
+This last brief speech produced the desired effect, and a few words from
+Mrs. Younker completely carried the day.
+
+"Is this here a time," she cried, with enthusiasm, her eyes flashing as
+she spoke, "to be hanging back, till the all important moment's gone by,
+and then choke to death for want o'water? What's our lives any more'n
+the men's, that we should be so orful skeered about a few ripscallious,
+painted varmints, as arn't o' no account, no how? Han't I bin amongst
+'em once?--and didn't the Lord preserve me?--and shall I doubt His
+protection now, when a hundred lives is at stake? No! no! I'm not
+skeered; and I'll go, too, ef I has to go alone. Who'll follow me?"
+
+"I will!" cried one.
+
+"And I!" said a second.
+
+"We'll all go!" exclaimed several voices.
+
+Dispersing in every direction, each flew to her own cabin, and seizing
+upon a bucket, hurried to the rear gate, where, all being assembled,
+they were at once given exit.[20]
+
+Perhaps in the whole annals of history, a more singular proceeding than
+this--of men allowing their wives and daughters to deliberately put
+themselves into the power of a ferocious, blood-thirsty enemy, and women
+with nerve and courage to dare all so bravely--can not be found. But
+these were times of stern necessity, when each individual--man, woman
+or child--was called upon to dare and do that which would surprise and
+startle their descendants. Still it must not be supposed that they, on
+either side, were without fears, and those of the most alarming kind.
+Many a palpitating heart moved over the ground to the spring, and many
+a pale face was reflected in its placid waters; while many a courageous
+soul within the fort trembled at the thought of the venture, and what
+might be its result, as they had never done before--even with death
+staring them in the face--and as they probably would never do again.
+Each party, however, knew the step taken to be a serious alternative;
+and the women believed that on their caution and presence of mind, their
+own lives, and those of their fathers, husbands, and children were
+depending; and in consequence of this, they assumed an indifference and
+gaiety the most foreign to their present feelings. As for Algernon,
+we leave the task to lovers of imagining his feelings, when he saw the
+lovely Ella depart with the rest. It was indeed a most anxious time
+for all; but the stratagem succeeded to a charm; and, to use the words
+of a historian on the subject, "Although their steps became quicker
+and quicker on their return, and, when near the gate of the fort,
+degenerated into a rather unmilitary celerity, attended with some
+little crowding in passing the aperture, yet not more than one-fifth of
+the water was spilled, and the eyes of the youngest had not dilated to
+more than double their ordinary size."
+
+
+[Footnote 20: In both the foregoing and subsequent details, we have
+followed history to the letter.]
+
+[Footnote 21: The reader, familiar with the history of the early
+pioneers of Kentucky, will doubtless observe a similarity between the
+account given by Reynolds of his escape from captivity, and that of Gen.
+Simon Kenton, as narrated by his biographer, Col. John McDonald.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+THE ATTACK AND RESULT.
+
+
+Meantime the repairing of the pallisades had been going bravely forward,
+every moment rendering the garrison more and more secure, which served
+not a little to revive their spirits; and when at length the women had
+all entered, the gate been barred, and they had seen themselves well
+supplied with water, they could restrain their feelings no longer, and
+one grand, simultaneous cheer burst from their lips.
+
+"Now then," said Father Albach, "let 'em come, and I reckon as how
+they'll meet with a warm reception. But to draw 'em on, we must send out
+a party to make a feint to fight the others."
+
+Thirteen young men, among whom was Isaac, were accordingly selected,
+to pass out by the eastern gate and commence firing rapidly; while the
+remainder, with loaded muskets, were to range themselves along the
+western pickets, and be ready to pour their deadly contents into the
+swarthy horde of besiegers, in case their attack should be made in that
+quarter. As the young men departed, all relapsed into a solemn silence
+of anxious suspense; which was presently broken by the rapid discharge
+of firearms, outside the fort, accompanied with cheers and yells from
+both the whites and Indians. Now was the all important moment--the war
+sounds were gradually growing more and more distant--and every eye of
+the inner garrison was strained in breathless expectation, in the
+direction of the spring, while every rifle was cocked and in rest, ready
+for any emergency.
+
+Suddenly the tall weeds--which a moment before had been quietly waving
+in the morning breeze--became dreadfully agitated; and the next instant,
+as if by magic, the ground was peopled by some five hundred hideous
+savages; who, led on by the notorious renegade, now rushed forward, with
+wild frantic yells, to the western pallisades, where our gallant little
+band stood drawn up ready to receive them. They had advanced in a
+tremendous body, to within a few feet of the fort, when the word "Fire,"
+uttered in a clear, manly voice, resounded above their own frightful
+yells, and was followed the next moment by a terrible volley of leaden
+balls, that carried death and terror into their serried ranks. With one
+simultaneous yell of rage, consternation, and disappointment, they
+halted a moment in indecision; when another death-dealing volley, from
+the gallant Kentuckians, decided their course of action; and again
+yelling fearfully, they parted to the right and left, and bearing their
+dead and wounded with them, rushed for the covert of a neighboring
+forest. At the same moment, the party which had sallied forth upon the
+Lexington road, to make a feint of attacking their decoys, entered the
+fort by the eastern gate, in high spirits at the success of their
+maneuver.
+
+The warfare was now carried on in the usual manner, after the failure of
+stratagem, for several hours, with but little success on either side.
+The block-houses were immediately manned by the garrison, who by this
+means could command every point of compass; and whenever an Indian
+came in sight, he was at once made the target for three or four keen
+riflemen, who rarely missed their mark. In consequence of this, the
+wily savage rarely showed himself in an open manner; but would creep
+stealthily among the tall weeds, or among the tall standing corn, that
+covered about an hundred acres of ground on the southern side of the
+station, or ensconce himself behind some stump or trunk of a tree in
+the vicinity, and discharge his rifle at any mark thought suitable,
+or let fly his burning arrows upon the roofs of the cabins. To avoid,
+if possible, a conflagration, every boy of ten years and upwards, was
+ordered upon the roofs of the houses, to throw off these burning
+missiles; but notwithstanding their great vigilance, so rapidly were
+they sent at one period, that two of the cabins, being in a very
+combustible state, took fire, to the great consternation of all, and,
+before they could be extinguished, were totally consumed. Here again the
+hand of an overruling Providence was manifest; for a light wind drove
+the flames from the other buildings, and thus a terrible and fatal
+calamity was averted.
+
+From the attack in the morning by the main body, a sharp fire was
+maintained on both sides till towards noon; when it began to slacken
+considerably; and a little past meridian ceased altogether--the savages
+having withdrawn for another purpose, as we shall show anon, leaving the
+garrison in suspense as to whether they had totally abandoned the siege
+or not.
+
+We have previously stated that Bryan's Station stood on a gentle rise on
+the southern bunk of the Elkhorn, whereby it commanded a view of much
+of the surrounding country. A considerable portion of the land in the
+immediate vicinity had been cleared and was under cultivation; but
+still, in some places, the forest approached to a close proximity; so
+that it was impossible, without traversing the ground, to determine
+whether the foe had withdrawn altogether, or, as was more probable, now
+lay hidden therein, awaiting an unguarded moment of the besieged to
+renew hostilities. Where the Maysville and Lexington road now runs, was
+a long narrow lane, bounded on one side by the large cornfield before
+alluded to, and on the other by a heavy wood. Through this lane the
+reinforcements from Lexington must naturally pass, to reach the station;
+and knowing this, and that they were expected, (for the escape of the
+two couriers in the morning had not been overlooked) the Indians, to
+the number of more than three hundred, had concealed themselves in the
+thicket, within pistol shot of the road, and were now quietly waiting to
+cut them off.
+
+Notwithstanding the quiet which had succeeded the sounds of warfare, the
+garrison were still on the lookout, fearful of being surprised. In this
+manner an hour or two passed away, without any event occurring worth
+being recorded, when a voice shouted joyfully:
+
+"The Lexington reinforcements are at hand!"
+
+In a moment the whole station was in commotion--men, women, and children
+rushing to the block-houses and pallisades nearest to and overlooking
+the long lane just mentioned. The force in question numbered some
+sixteen horsemen, and about twice as many foot; who, not having heard
+any firing, nor seen any savages thus far, were somewhat carelessly
+approaching the fort at a leisure pace, thinking, as was not uncommon in
+those times of danger, when such things were often exaggerated, that
+perhaps the alarm had been unfounded, or, at the most, based only on
+slight grounds. They had been overtaken on the road between Lexington
+and Hoy's station, for which place they had marched on receiving the
+news of Holder's defeat, and had been informed by Tomlinson and Bell
+that Bryan's station was surrounded by a large body of Indians, of whose
+numbers they knew nothing. On hearing this, and knowing the unguarded
+condition of Lexington, they had instantly turned back, and pressed
+forward at what speed they could to the assistance of their neighbors,
+of whom they were now in sight.
+
+"Great Heaven!" cried the voice of the look-out, at this moment, in
+consternation. "See!--see!--they are ambushed, and will all be cut off!"
+
+As he spoke, a long rolling line of fire could he discerned; and
+presently was heard the report of a tremendous volley of musketry,
+followed by a cloud of dust and smoke, which for a time completely hid
+them from view. In a few minutes, however, the horsemen were seen close
+at hand, spurring forward with lightning speed. Some three or four
+individuals instantly sprung to and threw open the eastern gate, and in
+less than two minutes they reined in their panting steeds in the court
+of the station. At the first shot of the savages, they had put spurs to
+their horses, and, as the ground was very dry, a cloud of dust had
+instantly enveloped them, by which means, fortunately, every one of them
+had escaped unharmed, although on their way they had drawn the fire of
+more than three hundred Indian rifles, successively discharged at them
+while passing the lines of the ambuscade. Not thus easily, however,
+escaped their companions on foot.
+
+At the commencement of the firing, these latter were advancing toward
+the station through the cornfield, and, being completely hidden from
+the savages thereby, they might, had they pressed rapidly forward, have
+gained the fort in safety. Not so was their conduct. They were brave,
+hot-blooded, noble men. They could not think of flying and leaving their
+friends in danger; and more noble and reckless than wise and prudent,
+they turned and rushed to their assistance. They saw their error, but
+too late to retrieve it. Their friends had fled, and were safe, but
+they were now placed within a few paces of three hundred blood-thirsty
+warriors. On seeing them, the savages uttered the most hideous yells,
+rushed forward and cut them off from the fort, and then sprung after
+them, tomahawk in hand. Luckily, however, for our little band of heroes,
+the Indians had just discharged their rifles, and their own were loaded;
+by which means, when hard pressed, they turned and kept their foes at
+bay--the savage, in all cases, being too cautious to rush upon a weapon
+so deadly, with only a tomahawk wherewith to defend himself. Moreover,
+the corn was stout and tall, among which they ran and dodged with great
+agility; and whenever an Indian halted to load his rifle, the fugitive
+for whom its contents were designed, generally managed, by extra
+exertion, to gain a safe distance before it was completed, and thus
+effect his escape. Some five or six, however, were so unfortunate as
+to be knocked or shot down, when they were immediately tomahawked and
+scalped; but the remainder, in various directions and by various
+artifices, succeeded in making their escape. A few reached the fort in
+a roundabout manner; but the main body of them returned to Lexington;
+where, had the savages followed them, they would have found an easy
+conquest. Fortunately for the whites, however, the red men were not
+so inclined; and pursuing them a few hundred yards only, the latter
+abandoned the chase as hopeless.
+
+One of the most active and ferocious on the part of the Indians during
+this skirmish, which lasted nearly an hour, was Simon Girty. Enraged to
+madness at the failure of his stratagem in the morning, he gnashed his
+teeth and rushed after the fugitives, with all the fury depicted on his
+countenance of a demon let loose from the infernal regions of Pluto. Two
+with his own hand he sent to their last account; and was in hot pursuit
+of a third--a handsome, active youth--who, being hard pressed, turned
+round, and raising his rifle to his shoulder, with a scornful smile upon
+his face, bitterly exclaimed, as he discharged it:
+
+"Take that, you ---- renegade, and see how it'll digest!"
+
+As he fired, Girty fell, and perceiving this, the Indians, with a yell
+of despair, instantly gathered round him, while the man effected his
+escape. This closed the exciting contest of the cornfield--which had
+been witnessed throughout from the station with feelings better imagined
+than described--but, unfortunately for humanity, did not end the career
+of Girty; for the ball had taken effect in his shot pouch instead of his
+body; and though wounded, his case was in no wise critical; and he was
+soon able to take his place at the council fire, to deliberate upon what
+further should be done.[22]
+
+The council alluded to, lasted some two or three hours. The Indians were
+disheartened at their loss in the morning, and the failure of all their
+stratagems, even to cutting off the reinforcements of the enemy. They
+were sufficiently convinced they could not carry the fort by storm; and
+they also believed it unsafe to longer remain where they were; as the
+alarm of their presence had spread far and wide, and there was no
+telling at what moment a force equal to their own might be brought
+against them; therefore, they were now anxious to abandon the siege and
+return home. Girty, however, was by no means satisfied with the turn
+matters had taken. He had with great difficulty and masterly persuasion
+succeeded in getting them to unite and march in a body (contrary to
+their usual mode of warfare, which consisted in skirmishing with small
+parties,) against the whites; and he now felt that his reputation was in
+a manner staked on the issue; consequently he could illy bear to leave
+without the trial of one more stratagem. This he made known to the
+chiefs of the council, and offered, in case of failure, to retreat with
+them at once.
+
+As this last design of Girty was merely to deceive the whites, and
+frighten them into capitulation, without any further risk to themselves,
+the Indians agreed to it, and the council broke up.
+
+It was nearly sundown; and every one in the station had been on the
+alert, ready to repel another attack should the Indians renew
+hostilities, as was not unlikely, when a voice cried out:
+
+"Hang me to the nearest cross-bar, ef the red sons of Satan hav'nt sent
+out a flag of truce!"
+
+This at once drew the attention of most of the garrison to a small white
+flag on a temporary pole, which at no great distance was gradually
+nearing them, supported in an upright position by some object crawling
+along on the ground. At length the object gained a stump; and having
+mounted it, was at once recognized by Reynolds as the renegade--although
+Girty on this expedition had doffed the British uniform, in which we
+once described him, and now appeared in a costume not unlike his swarthy
+companions.
+
+"Halloo the garrison!" he shouted.
+
+"Halloo yourself!--what's wanted?" cried a voice back again.
+
+"Respect this flag of truce, and listen!" rejoined Girty; and waving it
+from side to side as he spoke, he again proceeded: "Courage can do much
+in war, and is in all cases a noble trait, which I for one do ever
+respect; but there may be circumstances where manly courage can avail
+nothing, and where to practice it only becomes fool-hardy, and is sure
+to draw down certain destruction on the actor or actors. Such I hasten
+to assure you, gentlemen, is exactly your case in the present instance.
+No one admires the heroism which you have, one and all, even to your
+women and children, this day displayed, more than myself; but I feel it
+my duty to inform you that henceforth the utmost daring of each and
+all of you combined can be of no avail whatever. Resistance on your
+part will henceforth be a crime rather than a virtue. It is to save
+bloodshed, and you all from a horrible fate, that I have ventured hither
+at the risk of my life. You are surrounded by an army of six hundred
+savages. To-morrow there will be a large reinforcement with cannon;
+when, unless you surrender now, your bulwark will be demolished, and
+you, gentlemen, with your wives and children, will become victims
+to an unrelenting, cruel foe. Death will then be the mildest of your
+punishments. I would save you from this. I am one of your race; and,
+although on the side of your enemy, would at this time counsel and act
+toward you a friendly part. Do you not know me? I am Simon Girty--an
+agent of the British. Take my advice and surrender now your fort into
+my hands, and I swear to you not a single hair of your heads shall be
+harmed. But if you hold out until you are carried by storm I can not
+save you; for the Indians will have become thirsty for your blood,
+and no commander on earth could then restrain them. Be not hasty in
+rejecting my friendly offer. It is for your good I have spoken--and so
+weigh the matter well. I pause for an answer."
+
+The effect of Girty's speech upon the garrison, was to alarm them not a
+little. His mention of reinforcements with cannon, caused many a stout
+heart to tremble, and many a face to blanch and turn to its neighbor
+with an expression of dismay. Against cannon they knew, as Girty stated,
+resistance would be of no avail; and cannon had, in 1780, advanced up
+the Licking Valley, and destroyed Riddle's and Martin's stations. If
+Girty told the truth, their case was truly alarming.
+
+As the renegade concluded, Reynolds--who saw the effect his words had
+produced, and who, knowing him better than any of the others, believed
+his whole tale to be false--at once begged leave to reply for the
+garrison, which was immediately granted. Placing himself in full view of
+Girty, he answered as follows, in a tone of raillery:
+
+"Well done, my old worthy companion! and are you really there, carrying
+out another of your noble and humane designs? When, O when, I humbly beg
+to know, will your philanthropic efforts end? I suppose not until death
+has laid his claim, and the devil has got his due. You ask us if we know
+you. What! not know the amiable Simon Girty, surnamed the Renegade?
+Could you indeed for a moment suppose such a thing possible? Know you?
+Why, we have an untrusty, worthless cur-dog in the fort here, that has
+been named Simon Girty, in compliment to you--he is so like you in every
+thing that is ugly, wicked and mean. You say you expect reinforcements
+of artillery. Well, if you stay in this quarter long, I know of no one
+that will be more likely to need them than yourself and the cowardly
+cut-throats who call you chief. We too expect reinforcements; for
+the country is roused in every direction; and if you remain here
+twenty-four hours longer, the scalps of yourself and companions will
+be drying on our cabins. Bring on your cannon and blaze away as soon
+as you please! We shall fear you not, even then; for if you succeed in
+entering, along with your naked, rascally companions, we shall set our
+old women to work, and have you scourged to death with rods, of which we
+have on hand a goodly stock for the purpose. And now to wind up, allow
+me to say I believe you to be a liar, and _know_ you to be a most
+depraved, inhuman villain. This knowledge of your character is not
+second-hand. I paid dearly for it, by a year's captivity. I defied
+you when in your power: I spit at and defy you now in behalf of the
+garrison! My name you may remember. It is Algernon Reynolds. What would
+you more?"[23]
+
+"Would that I had you in my power again," shouted back Girty; "for
+by ----! I would willingly forego all other vengeance on the whites, to
+take my revenge on you. I regret the garrison did not choose some one
+to reply who was not already doomed to death. It was my desire to save
+bloodshed; but my offer has been rejected from the mouth of one I hate;
+and now I leave you to your fate. To-morrow morning will see your
+bulwarks in ruins, and yourselves, your wives and little ones, in the
+power of a foe that never forgives an injury nor forgets an insult.
+Farewell till then! I bide my time."
+
+As Girty concluded altogether, he began to ease himself down from the
+stump, when his progress was not a little accelerated by hearing a voice
+from the garrison cry out:
+
+"Shoot the ---- rascal!--don't let him escape!"
+
+Instantly some five or six rifles were brought to bear upon him; and
+his fate might then have been decided forever, had not the voice of
+Nickolson warned them to beware of firing upon a flag of truce. Girty,
+however, made good his retreat, and the garrison was disturbed no more
+that night. Before morning the Indians, after having killed all the
+domestic cattle they could find belonging to the station, began their
+retreat; and by daylight their camp was deserted; though many of their
+fires were still burning brightly, and several pieces of meat were found
+on roasting-sticks around them, all showing a late and hasty departure.
+
+
+[Footnote 22: The foregoing is strictly authentic.]
+
+[Footnote 23: This celebrated reply of Reynolds to Girty, is published,
+with but slight variations, in all the historical sketches that we have
+seen relating to the attack on Bryan's Station and is, perhaps, familiar
+to the reader.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+THE FOE PURSUED.
+
+
+As Algernon had stated to Girty, the country was indeed roused to a
+sense of their danger. The news of the storming of Bryan's Station
+had spread fast and far; and, early on the day succeeding the attack,
+reinforcements began to come in from all quarters; so that by noon of
+the fourth day, the station numbered over one hundred and eighty
+fighting men.
+
+Colonel Daniel Boone, accompanied by his son Israel, and brother Samuel,
+commanded a considerable force from Boonesborough--Colonel Stephen
+Trigg, a large company from Harrodsburgh--and Colonel John Todd, the
+militia from Lexington. A large portion of these forces was composed
+of commissioned officers, who, having heard of the attack on Bryan's
+Station by an overwhelming body of Indians, had hurried to the scene of
+hostilities, and, like brave and gallant soldiers as they were, had at
+once taken their places in the ranks as privates. Most noted among those
+who still held command under the rank of Colonel, were Majors Harlan,
+McGary, McBride, and Levi Todd; and Captains Bulger, Patterson and
+Gordon.
+
+Of those now assembled, Colonel Todd, as senior officer, was allowed to
+take command--though, from the tumultuous council of war which was held
+in the afternoon, it appears that each had a voice, and that but little
+order was observed. It was well known that Colonel Benjamin Logan was
+then in the act of raising a large force in Lincoln county; and at the
+furthest would join them in twenty-four hours; which would render them
+safe in pursuing the savages; and for this purpose the more prudent,
+among whom was our old friend, Colonel Boone, advised their delay;
+stating, as a reason, that the Indians were known to outnumber them
+all, as three to one; and that to pursue them with a force so small,
+could only result, should they be overtaken, in a total defeat of the
+whites. Besides which, Boone stated that the scouts who had been sent
+out to examine the Indian trail, had reported that it was very broad,
+and that the trees on either side had been marked with their tomahawks;
+thereby showing a willingness on the part of the enemy to be pursued,
+and a design to draw the whites into an ambuscade, the consequences of
+which must necessarily be terrible. In this view of the case, Colonel
+Boone was strongly seconded by Major McGary, who, though a hot-headed
+young officer, eager on almost all occasions for a fight, now gave his
+voice on the side of prudence.
+
+But these prudent measures were combatted and overruled by Todd; who,
+being an ambitious man, forsaw that, in waiting for Logan, he would be
+deprived of his authority as commander-in-chief of the expedition, and
+the glory which a successful battle would now cast upon him. By him it
+was urged, in opposition to Boone and McGary, that to await the arrival
+of Colonel Logan, was only to act the part of cowards, and allow the
+Indians a safe retreat; that in case they were overtaken and their
+numbers found to be double their own--which report he believed to be
+false--the ardor and superior skill of the Kentuckians would more than
+make them equal, and the victory and glory would be their own. Whereas,
+should the Indians be allowed to escape without an effort to harass
+them, the Kentuckians would be held eternally disgraced in the minds of
+their countrymen.
+
+The dispute on the matter waxed warm, high words ensued, and the
+discussion was in a fair way of being drawn out to great extent; when
+Boone, becoming tired and disgusted with the whole proceedings, replied:
+
+"Well, I've given my conscientious opinion about the affair, and now you
+can do as you please. Of course I shall go with the majority, and my
+seniors in command; and ef the decision's for a fight, why a fight we
+must venter, though every man o' Kaintuck be laid on his back for the
+risking. Ef we fail--and its my opine we shall--let them as takes the
+responsibility bear the blame. I'll give my voice, though, to the last,
+that we'd better wait the reinforcements o' Colonel Logan."
+
+"Sir!" exclaimed Colonel Todd, turning fiercely to Boone; "if you are
+not a _coward_, you talk like one! Don't you know, sir, that if we wait
+for Logan, he will gain all the laurels?--and that if we press forward,
+we shall gain all the glory?"
+
+"As to my being a coward, Colonel Todd," replied Boone, mildly, with
+dignity, "when the word's explained so as I know the full meaning on't,
+prehaps I'll be able to decide ef I be or not. Ef it means prudence in a
+time o' danger, on which the welfare o' my country and the lives o' my
+countrymen depends, I'd rather be thought cowardly than rash. Ef it
+means a fear to risk my own poor body in defence o' others, I reckon as
+how my past life'll speak for itself; and for the futer, wharsomever
+Colonel Todd dars to venter, Daniel Boone dars to lead. As to _glory_,
+we'll talk about that arter the battle's fought."
+
+Thus ended the discussion; and the matter being put to vote, it was
+carried by an overwhelming majority in favor of Todd's proposition, that
+the Indians should be pursued without further delay. It was now about
+three o'clock in the afternoon; and immediately on the final decision
+being made, the council broke up, and orders were rapidly given to
+prepare to depart forthwith. All the horses in or about the station
+were now collected together, on which most of the officers and many of
+the privates were soon mounted; and by four o'clock the eastern gate
+was thrown open, the order to march given by Colonel Todd, and the
+procession, composed of the flower of Kentucky's gallant sons, moved
+forth, amid sighs and tears from the opposite sex. Reynolds--who, during
+the past two or three days, since the retreat of the enemy, had employed
+his leisure moments in the company of the being he loved, and who was
+now finely mounted on a superb charger which had been presented him by
+Colonel Boone--turned upon his saddle, as he was leaving the station,
+and waved another adieu to Ella, who stood in the door of her cottage,
+gazing upon his noble form, with a pale cheek, tearful eye, and beating
+heart. She raised her lily hand, and, with a graceful motion, returned
+his parting salute; and then, to conceal her emotion, retired into the
+house.
+
+The Indians, it was found, had followed the buffalo trace, and,
+according to the account given by the scouts, had made their trail
+obvious as possible, by hacking the trees on either side with their
+tomahawks. Their camp fires, however, were very few, comparatively
+speaking, which to Boone seemed plainly evident of a desire to mask
+their numbers. He had lived in the woods all his life, was the oldest
+settler on the borders, and had been several times a prisoner of the
+Indians; so that he was familiar with their artifices for decoying their
+enemies; and he believed, from what he saw, that it was their desire to
+be followed by the whites; and that they would probably seek to draw the
+latter into an ambuscade in the vicinity of the Blue Licks, where the
+wild country was particularly favorable to their purpose. In imagination
+he already saw the disastrous result that was destined to follow this
+hasty expedition; but his counsel to the contrary had been disregarded,
+and it was not a time now to dampen the ardor of the soldiers, on which
+alone success could depend, by expressing his fears and laying himself
+liable to further reproach and contumely. He had said and done all that
+was consistent in his situation to prevent the present step; and he now
+saw proper to keep his fears of the result to himself; the more so, as
+a retreat was out of the question.
+
+About dark the party came to halt, and encamped in the woods for the
+night. Early on the ensuing morning they resumed their march; and
+a little before noon reached the southern bluffs of Licking river,
+opposite the Lower Blue Lick, distant from Bryan's Station some
+thirty-six miles, and the place where, according to the opinion of
+Boone, the savages would be likely to lie in wait to give them battle.
+
+The scenery in the vicinity of the Licks, even at the present day, is
+peculiarly wild and romantic; but at the period in question, it was
+relieved by nothing in the shape of civilization. The Licks themselves
+had for ages been the resort of buffalo and other wild animals, which
+had come there to lick the saline rocks, and had cropped the surrounding
+hills of every green thing, thereby giving them a barren, desolate,
+gloomy appearance. On the northern bank--the one opposite our little
+army--arose a tremendous bluff, entirely destitute of vegetation, the
+brow of which was trodden hard by the immense herds of buffalo which had
+passed over it from time immemorial on their way to and from the salt
+springs at its base. To add to its dismal appearance, the rains of
+centuries had sloughed deep gullies in its side, and washed the earth
+from the rocks around its base, which, being blackened in the sun, now
+rose grim and bare, frowning in their majesty like fettered monsters of
+the infernal regions. As you ascended this ridge, a hard level trace or
+road led back for something like a mile--free from tree, stump or
+bush--when you came to a point where two ravines, one on either hand,
+met at the top, and, thickly wooded, ran in opposite directions down to
+the river, which, beginning on the right, went sweeping round a large
+circuit, in the form of an iron magnet, and made a sort of inland
+peninsula of the bluff in question. Back from this buffalo trace, on the
+southern bank of the Licking, dark heavy woods extended for miles in
+every direction, and made the whole scene impressive with a kind of
+gloomy grandeur.
+
+As our gallant band of Kentuckians gained the river, they descried some
+three or four savages leisurely ascending the stony ridge on the
+opposite side. On perceiving the troops, the Indians paused, gazed at
+them a few moments in silence, and then, quietly continuing their
+ascent, disappeared on the other side. A halt was now ordered by Colonel
+Todd, and a council of war called to deliberate on what was best to be
+done. The wild gloomy country around them, their distance from any post
+of succor, and the startling idea that perchance they were in the
+presence of a body of savages of double or treble their own numbers, was
+not without its effect upon Todd and those who had seconded his hasty
+movements, and served much toward cooling their ardor, and inspiring
+each other with a secret awe.
+
+Immediately on the halt of the troops, some twenty officers assembled in
+front of the lines for consultation; when, turning to them, Colonel Todd
+said:
+
+"Gentlemen, for aught I know to the contrary we are now in the presence
+of a superior enemy--superior at least in point of numbers--and I
+desire to know your minds as to what course we had best pursue. And
+particularly, Colonel Boone," continued Todd, politely bowing to the
+veteran woodsman, "would I solicit your views on the matter; believing
+as I do, notwithstanding any hasty words I may have uttered in the heat
+of excitement to the contrary, that you are a brave soldier, cool under
+all circumstances, amply experienced in Indian stratagem, and
+consequently capable of rendering much valuable advice in the present
+instance."
+
+Boone was not a revengeful man under any circumstances; and though he
+had felt more stung and nettled at the implication of Todd the day
+before than he cared to let others see, yet now that the other had made
+the apology due him, he showed nothing like haughtiness or triumph in
+his mild, benevolent countenance, but, bowing slightly, with his
+characteristic frankness replied:
+
+"As you say, Colonel Todd, I've had some little experience with the
+varmints at different times, not excepting my capter at these same Licks
+in 1778; and, besides, I've have traversed this here country in every
+direction, and know every secret hiding-place round about, as well as
+the rest o' ye know the ground we've jest traveled; and it's on account
+o' this knowledge partly, and partly on account o' the lazy movements o'
+them red heathen we've jest seen go over the hill yonder, and the wide
+trail, and marked trees behind us, that I'm led to opine thar's a
+tremendous body o' the naked rascals hid in a couple o' ravines, that
+run down to the river on either side of that ridge, about a mile ahead,
+who are waiting to take us by surprise. Now I think we'd better do one
+of two things. Either wait for the reinforcement o' Colonel Logan--who's
+no doubt on his march by this time to join us--or else divide our party,
+and let half on 'em go up stream and cross at the rapids, and so get
+round behind the ravines, ready to attack the savages in the rear; while
+the rest cross the ford here, and keep straight on along the ridge to
+attack 'em in front--by which maneuver we may prehaps be able to beat
+them. But ef you don't see proper, gentlemen, to take up with either o'
+these proposals--don't, for Heaven's sake! I beg o' ye, venter forward,
+without first sending on scouts to reconnoitre--else we're likely to be
+in an ambuscade afore we know it, and prehaps all be cut off."
+
+"Well, all things considered," answered Colonel Todd, who now, becoming
+aware of the fearful responsibility resting upon him as commander, felt
+little inclined to press rashly forward, "I think it advisable to wait
+the reinforcements of Logan before proceeding further. It can delay us
+but a day or two, and then we shall be sure of a victory; whereas, if
+we press forward now, and run into an ambuscade, of which Colonel Boone
+feels certain, we shall doubtless rue the day by a total defeat."
+
+"I'm of the same opinion," rejoined Major Levi Todd.
+
+"And I," said Captain Patterson.
+
+"And I," rejoined several other voices.
+
+"But I'm opposed to waiting for Logan," said Colonel Trigg; "as delays
+on the point of a battle are rarely ever beneficial. I think we had
+better take up with Colonel Boone's second proposition--divide our
+forces, and proceed at once to action; though, for the matter of
+prudence, it may be advisable to send a couple of scouts ahead, before
+deciding upon any thing positive."
+
+Majors Harlan and McBride, with two or three others of inferior rank,
+took sides with Trigg; and the discussion seemed likely to be protracted
+for some considerable time; when Major Hugh McGary, who had been
+listening to the proceedings with the utmost impatience, suddenly
+startled and broke up the council by a loud whoop, resembling that of an
+Indian; and spurring his high mettled charger forward, he waved his hat
+over his head, and shouted, in a voice that reached the whole length of
+the line, these ever memorable words:
+
+"Those among you who are not d--d cowards, follow me! I'll soon show you
+where the Indians are!"
+
+As he spoke he rushed his fiery steed into the river, with all the rash
+impetuosity of a desperate soldier charging at the cannon's mouth.
+
+The effect of McGary's words and actions were electrical. The troops,
+mounted and on foot, officers and privates, suddenly became animated
+with a wild enthusiasm. Whooping and yelling like Indians, more than a
+hundred of them now sprung forward, and in a tumultuous body rushed into
+the stream and struggled for the opposite shore. A few lingered around
+Boone, Todd, and Twigg, to await their orders. But the pause of these
+commanders was only momentary. They saw their ranks in confusion, and
+more than two-thirds of their soldiers in the water, struggling after
+the hot-headed McGary, and most of the other officers. The mischief was
+already done. To delay was but to doom their enthusiastic comrades to
+certain destruction; and shouting to those who yet remained to follow,
+Todd put spurs to his horse, and, together with Trigg and Boone dashed
+after the main body. It was a wild scene of excitement. Horsemen and
+footmen, officers and privates, all mixed up together in confusion, and
+pushing forward in one "rolling and irregular mass."
+
+By violent threats and repeated exertions, with their swords drawn and
+flashing in the sunlight, Colonels Todd, Trigg and Boone at length
+succeeded, after reaching the opposite bank, in restoring something like
+order to the half-crazed troops. On gaining the brow of the buffalo
+ridge, Todd commanded a halt; then drawing a pistol from the holster of
+his saddle, he rode to the front of the lines, and, with eyes flashing
+fire, exclaimed:
+
+"Men! we must have order! Without order we are lost. I command a halt;
+and the first man that moves from the ranks, officer or private, until
+so commanded, I swear to scatter his brains on the land he disgraces!"
+
+His speech produced the desired effect; not a man ventured, by
+disobeying, to put his threat to the test; and after gazing on them
+sternly a few moments in silence, he turned to McGary, who was sitting
+his horse a few paces distant, and said:
+
+"Sir! you have acted unbecoming, both as an officer and a gentleman; and
+if we two live through an engagement which I fear is near at hand, and
+which your rashness will have brought about, I will have you put under
+arrest and tried by court martial."
+
+"As you please, Colonel Todd," replied McGary, with a fierce look. "But
+you will bear in mind, sir, that at the council yesterday, you scouted
+at the proposition advanced by Colonel Boone, and seconded by myself
+and others, of waiting for the reinforcements of Colonel Logan, and
+insinuated that we were cowards. As _you_, sir, were so _very_ brave,
+and so eager for a fight when at a distance, I swore that, if we came
+where a fight could be had, I would either draw you into action, or
+forever damn you as a coward in the eyes of your soldiers. If I have
+succeeded, I rest satisfied to let you do your worst."
+
+"Resume your place, sir! and break an order this day at your peril!"
+cried Todd, sharply, his face flushed with indignation.
+
+As McGary slowly obeyed, Todd called to Boone, Trigg, and one or two
+others, with whom he held a short consultation as to the propriety of
+sending forward scouts before advancing with the main army. This being
+decided in the affirmative, Isaac Younker and another individual were
+selected from the ranks, and appointed to go on the dangerous mission;
+with orders to follow the buffalo trace and examine it carefully on both
+sides--particularly round about the ravines--and if they saw any traces
+of Indians, to hasten back with all speed; but if not, to continue their
+examination for a half mile further on, where the great trace gradually
+became lost in lesser paths, which branched off in every direction.
+
+Immediately on the departure of these two scouts, the troops were drawn
+up in a long line, ready for action at a moment's notice. Colonel Trigg
+commanded the Harrodsburgh forces on the right; Colonel Boone the
+Boonesborough soldiers on the left; and Colonel Todd, assisted by Majors
+McGary and McBride, the Lexington militia in the center. Major Harlan
+led the van, and Major Levi Todd brought up the rear. This was the order
+in which they went into battle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+THE BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS
+
+
+In less than an hour, Isaac and his companions returned, and reported
+that they had seen no signs of Indians whatever. On the receipt of this
+intelligence, the order to march was immediately given, and the whole
+body of soldiers, under the scorching rays of an August sun, moved
+rapidly forward. Nothing occurred to interrupt their progress, until the
+van had reached within a few yards of the ravines before mentioned, when
+the appalling truth of a tremendous ambuscade of the savages suddenly
+became known, by the pouring therefrom, into their ranks, a terrible
+volley, which carried with it death, terror and confusion. Never were
+soldiers taken more by surprise, and at greater disadvantage to
+themselves, both as to numbers and position. They had relied upon the
+report of the scouts, who had themselves been deceived by the quiet of
+everything about the ravines; and now here they were, less than two
+hundred in number, on an open spot, exposed to the deadly rifles of more
+than five hundred Indian warriors, who were lying concealed among the
+dark cedars of the ravines.
+
+The first fire was severely destructive, particularly on the right,
+where the gallant Colonel Trigg fell mortally wounded, and was soon
+after tomahawked and scalped. With him went down several officers of
+inferior grade, and a large portion of the Harrodsburgh troops; but,
+undaunted, his little band of survivors returned the fire of the
+Indians, and, assisted by those in the rear, pressed forward like heroes
+to the support of the center and van, where the work of death and
+carnage was now becoming terrible.
+
+"Onward!" shouted Colonel Todd, as he rode to and fro, animating his men
+by his voice and gestures: "Onward, my noble soldiers, and strike for
+your country and firesides! Oh God!" exclaimed he the next moment, as a
+ball pierced his breast; "I am mortally wounded; but strike! press on,
+and mind me not!"
+
+As he spoke, he reeled in his saddle, the rein slipped from his grasp,
+and his fiery steed rushed away, bearing him to the enemy and his
+untimely doom.
+
+"Fight, my lads, and falter not!" cried Major Harlan in the van; and the
+next moment his horse went down, some five or six balls lodged in his
+body, and he fell to rise no more.
+
+But his men remembered their orders, and fought without faltering, until
+but three remained alive to tell the fate of the party.
+
+"At 'em, lads!--don't spare the varmints!" said Boone, as he urged the
+left wing into action; and the immediate report of more than fifty
+rifles in that quarter, told him he was obeyed. In this wing fought
+Algernon, Isaac, the brother and son of Boone, with a heroic desperation
+worthy of Spartans; and at every fire an Indian went down before each of
+their deadly rifles.
+
+But what could avail heroism here on that ill-fated day? Our brave
+little band of Kentuckians was opposed by a foe of treble their number;
+who, on their first terrible fire being expended, rushed forth from
+their covert, with horrible yells, tomahawk in hand, and, gradually
+extending their lines down the buffalo trace, on either side, so as to
+cut off the retreat of the whites, closed in upon them in overwhelming
+numbers, and the slaughter became immense. Major McGary rushed his
+horse to and fro among the enemy, and shouted and fought with all the
+desperate impetuosity of his nature. Major Todd did his best to press on
+the rear, and Colonel Boone still urged his men to the fight with all
+the backwoods eloquence in his power. But, alas! of what avail was
+coolness, impetuosity, or desperation now? The Indians were closing in
+thicker and thicker. Officers and privates, horsemen and footmen, were
+falling before the destructive fire of their rifles, or sinking beneath
+their bloody tomahawks, amid yells and screeches the most diabolical.
+Cries, groans, and curses, resounded on every hand, from the living, the
+wounded, and dying. But few now remained in command. Colonels Todd and
+Trigg, Majors Harlan and McBride, Captains Bulger and Gordon, with a
+host of other gallant officers, were now no more. Already had the
+Indians enclosed them as in a net, hemmed them in on all sides, and they
+were falling as grass before the scythe of the mower. Retreat was almost
+cut off--in a few minutes it would be entirely. They could hope for
+nothing against such odds, but a certain and bloody death. There was a
+possibility of escape. A few minutes and it would be too late. They
+hesitated--they wavered--they turned and fled; and now it was that a
+horrible sight presented itself.
+
+The space between the head of the ravines and the ford of the river a
+distance of more than a mile, suddenly became the scene of a hard and
+bloody race. As the whites fled, the Indians sprung after them, with
+whoops and yells that more resembled those of infuriated demons than
+human beings; and whenever an unfortunate Kentuckian was overtaken, he
+instantly fell a victim to the tomahawk and scalping knife. Those who
+were mounted generally escaped; but the foot suffered dreadfully; and
+the whole distance presented an appalling sight of bloody, mangled
+corses, strewing the ground in every direction. Girty, the renegade, was
+now at the height of his hellish enjoyment. With oaths and curses, and
+horrid laughter, his hands and weapons reeking with blood of the slain,
+he rushed on after new victims, braining and scalping all that came
+within his reach.
+
+At the river the carnage was in no wise abated. Horsemen and footmen,
+victors and vanquished, rushed down the slope, pell-mell, and plunged
+into the stream--some striving for life and liberty, some for death and
+vengeance--and the dark rolling waters went sweeping on, colored with
+the blood of the slaughtered.
+
+An act of heroic gallantry and presence of mind here occurred, which
+has often been mentioned in history, tending to check somewhat the
+blood-thirsty savages, and give many of the fugitives time to escape.
+Some twelve or fifteen horsemen had already passed the ford in safety,
+and were in the act of spurring forward, regardless of the fate of their
+unfortunate companions on foot, when one of their number, a man by the
+name of Netherland, who had previously been accused of cowardice,
+suddenly shouted, as if giving the word of command:
+
+"Halt! Fire on the Indians, and protect the men in the river!"
+
+The order was obeyed, in the same spirit it was given; and the sudden
+discharge of more than a dozen rifles, made the infuriated savages
+recoil in dismay, and thereby saved many a poor fellow's life. The
+reaction, however, speedily followed. Many of the savages now swam the
+river above and below the ford, and gave chase to the fugitives for
+fifteen and even twenty miles--though with but little success after
+crossing the stream--as the latter generally plunged into the
+neighboring thickets, and so eluded the vigilance of the former.
+
+Such were the general features of the disastrous battle of Blue Licks--a
+battle of dreadful import to the pioneers of Kentucky--which threw the
+land into mourning, and made a most solemn and startling impression upon
+the minds of its inhabitants. Had we space to chronicle individual
+heroism, we might fill page after page with brave and noble
+achievements; but as it is, we shall confine ourself to those connected
+with our most prominent characters.
+
+We have stated previously, that Algernon Reynolds fought in the left
+wing, under the command of Boone; where, for the few minutes which the
+action lasted, he sustained himself with great gallantry; and, by his
+undaunted courage, inspired those immediately around him with like
+ardor. On the retreat of the whites, he found himself cut off from the
+river by a large body of Indians, headed by his old foe, Simon Girty,
+who, having recognized him, was now pressing forward with several
+stalwart warriors, to again make him prisoner. For the first time since
+the commencement of the battle, he felt his heart sink. To be taken
+alive was a thousand times worse than death, and escape seemed
+impossible. However, there was no time for consideration; another moment
+might be fatal; his foes were upon him; it was now or never. Luckily he
+was mounted on a fiery steed--which had thus far escaped a scratch--and
+had one undischarged pistol in his holster. This he drew forth as his
+last hope; and, tightening the rein, wheeled his horse and spurred down
+upon his enemies with tremendous velocity.
+
+"I have you now, by ----!" cried the renegade.
+
+As he spoke, he sprung forward to grasp the bridle of Algernon's horse;
+but stumbled and fell, and the beast passed over him, unfortunately
+though without doing him any injury.
+
+But Algernon had not yet got clear of his enemies; for on the fall of
+Girty, he found himself surrounded by a host of savages, whooping and
+yelling frightfully, and his direct course to the river cut off by a
+body of more than a hundred. There was only one point, and that a few
+yards to his left, where there appeared a possibility of his breaking
+through their lines. In the twinkling of an eye, and while his horse was
+yet under full headway, his decision was made. Rushing his steed hard to
+the right, in order to deceive his foes, he suddenly wheeled him again
+to the left; and the side of the beast striking against some three
+or four of the Indians, who were on the point of seizing his rein,
+staggered them back upon their companions, creating no little confusion.
+Taking advantage of this, our hero, with the speed of a flying arrow,
+bore down upon the weakest point; where, after shooting down a powerful
+savage, who had succeeded in grasping his bridle and was on the point of
+tomahawking his horse, he passed their lines, amid a volley of rifle
+balls, which cut his clothes in several places, but left himself and
+steed unharmed.
+
+The worst of the danger now seemed over; but still his road ahead was
+beset with Indians, who were killing and scalping all that fell in their
+power; and behind him were the infuriated renegade and his party now in
+hot pursuit. His steed, however, was strong and fleet, and he put him to
+his wind; by which means he not only distanced those behind him, but
+passed one or two parties in front unharmed. About half way between the
+ravines and the river, he overtook Major McGary, and some five or six
+other horsemen, who were dashing forward at a fast gallop; and checking
+his fiery beast somewhat, he silently joined them. A little further on,
+Reynolds observed an officer on foot, who, exhausted by his recent
+exertions, and lame from former wounds, had fallen behind his
+companions. On coming up, he recognized in the crippled soldier the
+brave Captain Patterson; and with a magnanimity and self-sacrifice
+worthy of all imitation, he instantly reined in his horse and
+dismounted, while the others kept upon their course.
+
+"Sir!" cried he to Patterson; "you are, I perceive, fatigued and weak.
+Your life is in great danger. Mount, sir--mount! I am fresh and will
+take my chance on foot."
+
+"God bless you, sir!--God bless you for this noble act!" exclaimed
+Patterson, as Reynolds assisted him, into the saddle. "If I escape--"
+
+"Enough!" said Reynolds, hurriedly, interrupting him. "Fly, sir--fly!
+God be with you! Adieu!"
+
+And turning away as he spoke, he sprung down the side of the ridge, and
+running along the edge of the river some little distance, plunged into
+the water and swam to the opposite shore. Unfortunately for our hero,
+he had changed his garments at Bryan's Station, and now wore a pair of
+buckskin breeches, which, in swimming the stream, had become so soaked
+and heavy that he was obliged to remove them in order to display his
+usual agility. While seated upon the bank and occupied in this manner,
+he was startled by a hand being placed upon his shoulder, and the
+familiar grunt of an Indian sounding in his ear. On looking up, he at
+once recognized the grim features of Wild-cat, and saw himself in the
+power of some half a dozen savages.
+
+"Me wanty you," said Wild-cat, quietly. "Kitchokema give much for Long
+Knife. Come!"
+
+There was no alternative now; and Algernon rose to his feet, and
+suffered his weapons to be taken from him, with what feelings we leave
+the reader to imagine. Taking him along, the savages set forward, on the
+alert for other game; and presently three of them darted away in chase
+of a party of whites; and directly after, two others, leaving our hero
+alone with Wild-cat. Hope now revived that he might yet escape; nor
+was he this time disappointed; for after advancing a short distance,
+Wild-cat stooped down to tie his moccasin; when Reynolds immediately
+sprung upon him, knocked him down with his fist, seized his rifle,
+tomahawk, and knife, fled into the thicket, and reached Bryan's Station,
+during the night succeeding, unscathed.[24]
+
+Throughout the short but severe action at the ravines, Boone maintained
+his ground with great coolness and courage, animating his soldiers by
+word and deed, until the rout became general, when he found it
+necessary, to prevent falling into the hands of the enemy, to have
+recourse to immediate flight. As he cast his eyes around him for this
+purpose, he saw himself cut off from the ford by the large body of
+Indians, through whose lines our hero was even then struggling. At this
+moment he heard a groan which attracted his attention; and looking down,
+he perceived his son Israel lying on the ground, scarcely five paces
+distant, weltering in his blood. With all a father's feelings of
+affection and alarm, he instantly sprung from his horse, and, raising
+the youth in his arms, darted into the nearest ravine, and made with all
+speed for the river. A few of the Indians were herein concealed, who
+discharged their rifles at him as he passed, without injury, and then
+joined in pursuit. One, a powerful warrior, having outstripped his
+companions, was rushing upon the old woodsman with his tomahawk, when
+the latter, with backwoods celerity, instantly raised his rifle and shot
+him through the body. Finding himself hard pressed, and that his son was
+already in the agonies of death, the old hunter strained him for the
+last time to his heart, with choking emotion, pressed his lips to those
+already growing cold, and then, with a groan of agony, left him to his
+fate and the scalping-knife of the savage, while he barely made his own
+escape by swimming the river below the bend. To him this was a mournful
+day--never to be forgotten--and one that, even long, long years after,
+could never be mentioned but with tears.
+
+In this action the brother of Boone was wounded; but in company with
+Isaac Younker, and some three or four others, he succeeded in making his
+escape.
+
+On the day of the battle, Colonel Logan arrived at Bryan's Station with
+a command of four hundred and fifty soldiers. On learning that the
+garrison with their reinforcements had gone the day preceding in pursuit
+of the Indians, and fearful of some disaster, he resolved on a forced
+march to give them assistance as soon as possible. For this purpose he
+immediately set forward on their trail; but had advanced only a few
+miles, when he met a party of the fugitives returning from the scene of
+slaughter. They were alarmed and excited, and of course their account of
+the battle was greatly exaggerated, believing as they did that they were
+the only escaped survivors. Their report, to say the least, was very
+startling, allowing that only the half were true; and in consequence,
+Logan decided on retracing his steps to the station, until he should be
+able to collect more definite news concerning the fight. Gradually one
+party after another came dropping in; and by nine o'clock nearly or
+quite all of the survivors were assembled in the fortress; when it was
+ascertained that a little over one-third of the party, or between sixty
+and seventy of those engaged in the battle, were missing. It was a sad
+night of wailing, and lamentation, and dreadful excitement in the
+station; for scarcely a family there, but was mourning the loss of some
+friend or relation. Algernon and Isaac had returned, to the great joy of
+those most interested in their welfare; but the father-in-law of the
+latter came not, and there was mourning in consequence.
+
+A consultation between Colonels Logan and Boone, resulted in the
+decision to march forthwith to the battle-ground. Accordingly every
+thing being got in readiness, Colonel Logan set out with his command,
+at a late hour the same night, accompanied by Boone, and a few of the
+survivors of the ill-fated engagement. Towards morning a halt of three
+hours was ordered for rest and refreshment: when the line of march was
+again taken up; and by noon of the day succeeding the battle, the forces
+arrived upon the ground, where a most horribly repulsive scene met their
+view.
+
+The Indians had departed on their homeward route, bearing their killed
+and wounded away from the field of carnage; but the dead and mutilated
+bodies of the whites still remained where they had fallen, presenting
+a spectacle the most hideous and revolting possibly to be conceived.
+In the edge of the stream, on the banks, up the ridge, and along the
+buffalo trace to the ravines, were lying the bloody and mangled corses
+of the gallant heroes--who, the day before, full of ardor and life,
+had rushed on to the battle and an untimely and inglorious death--now
+swollen, putrid, and in the first stage of decomposition, from the
+action of the scorching rays of an August sun--surrounded by vultures
+and crows, and all species of carrion fowl; many of which, having gorged
+themselves on the horrid repast, were either sweeping overhead in large
+flocks, and screeching their funeral dirges, or wiping their bloody
+bills on the neighboring trees. Some of the bodies in the stream had
+been gnawed by fishes--others by wolves--and all had been so disfigured,
+by one means and another, that but very few could be recognized by their
+friends.
+
+"Great Heaven! what a sight!" exclaimed Colonel Logan, as he ran his eye
+over the scene.
+
+"A dark and terrible day for Kaintuck," answered Boone, who was standing
+by his side; and as he spoke, the old hunter turned away his head to
+conceal his emotion; for his mind reverted to the death of his noble
+son.
+
+Orders were now given by Colonel Logan, to have the bodies collected,
+and interred in a manner as decent as circumstances would permit. This
+being accomplished, he returned with his men to Bryan's Station, and
+there dismissed them--it not being thought advisable to pursue the enemy
+further. In this ever memorable battle of Blue Licks, the Kentuckians
+had sixty killed, twelve wounded, and seven taken prisoners, most of
+whom were afterwards put to the tortures. As we said before, it was
+a sad day for Kentucky, and threw the land into mourning and gloom.
+Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harlan and McBride, were men beloved
+and respected in life, and bitterly lamented in death by a long list of
+true-hearted friends.
+
+The great trace where the battle was fought, is now green with low
+branching cedars; and a solitary monument near by, informs the curious
+spectator of the sad disaster of by gone times. The Blue Lick Springs
+are much resorted to in the summer season by invalids and others, for
+whose convenience a magnificent hotel stands upon the banks of the
+lovely and romantic Licking.
+
+A few words more and our general history will be closed. On receiving
+the intelligence of the battle of Blue Licks, General Clark--who then
+occupied a fort at the Falls of the Ohio, on the present site of
+Louisville--resolved upon another expedition to the enemy's country; for
+which purpose it was proposed to raise an army of one thousand men, who,
+under their respective commanders, should congregate opposite the mouth
+of the Licking, on the present site of Cincinnati. The interior and
+upper country were to rendezvous at Bryan's Station, under the command
+of Colonels Logan and Floyd; and the lower settlements at the Falls of
+Ohio, under General Clark; who, on all parties arriving at the grand
+rendezvous, was to be commander-in-chief of the expedition. One thousand
+mounted riflemen were raised without a draft, who marched upon the
+enemy in their own country, destroyed their villages, provisions, and
+cornfields, took several prisoners, and carried with them so much terror
+and desolation, that the Indians never sufficiently recovered from the
+shock to renew hostilities in a formidable body; and the Kentuckians
+henceforth, save in individual cases, were left unmolested.
+
+On their march they came upon the rear of Girty's party, returning from
+their successful battle; but an Indian scout gave the renegade and his
+companions warning in time for them to escape the whites by flight. In
+this expedition, Colonel Boone volunteered and served as a private;
+being the last in which the noble old hunter was ever engaged in defence
+of the settlements of Kentucky. Algernon Reynolds and Isaac Younker were
+his companions in arms; who, on the dismissal of the troops, returned
+again to Bryan's Station.
+
+
+[Footnote 24: It may perhaps add interest to the story, for the reader
+to know that the foregoing account concerning Reynolds and Captain
+Patterson, is historically true; as is also the one which follows with
+regard to Boone and his son.]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+THE FINALE.
+
+
+Month upon month rolled away, quiet succeeded to the alarm and commotion
+of war, hostilities between Great Britain and America ceased, and the
+country both east and west now began to look up from the depression and
+gloom which had pervaded it during its long and sanguinary struggle for
+independence. In Kentucky the effect was really invigorating; and the
+settlers, who for a year past had been driven from their homes in terror
+and dismay--who had quitted their peaceable farming implements for the
+destructive weapons of strife and bloodshed--now ventured to return to
+their desolate firesides, and renew their honest occupations of tilling
+the soil. Some, however, more predisposed to financiering than their
+neighbors, sought only speculation; in consequence whereof the Land
+Offices of the Virginia Commissioners--which opened in November,
+after the return of the troops under Clark--were daily thronged with
+applicants for the best locations; whereby was laid the first grand
+corner-stone of subsequent litigation, disaffection, and civil discord
+among the pioneers. But with these, further than to mention the facts as
+connected with the history of the time, we have nothing to do; and shall
+now forthwith pass on to the finale of our story.
+
+Month upon month, as we said before, had rolled away, spring had come,
+and with it had departed many of those who had occupied Bryan's Station
+during the siege of August; but still, besides the regular garrison and
+their families, a few of the individuals who had sought refuge therein,
+yet remained; among whom we may mention Mrs. Younker, Ella, Isaac and
+his wife, and so forth. Algernon, too--by the entreaty of his friends,
+and contrary to his previous calculations, and what he considered his
+duty--had been induced to defer his departure until the opening of
+spring. Possibly there might have been a secret power, stronger than the
+mere entreaties of others, which had prevailed over his resolution to
+depart; but further the records say not. Be that as it may, the extreme
+limit of time which he had set for remaining, was now nearly expired;
+and he was, at the moment when we again present him to the reader,
+engaged in conversation with Ella on the painful subject. Suddenly he
+was startled by the information that a stranger in the court desired to
+speak with him.
+
+"A stranger!" exclaimed Algernon, in surprise; and as he spoke, his face
+became very pale, his lips quivered, and his hands trembled. Turning
+upon Ella a look of agony, which seemed to say, "I am an arrested
+felon," he wheeled upon his heel, and followed the messenger in silence;
+while she, knowing the cause of his agitation, and fearful of the worst,
+sunk almost lifeless upon a seat.
+
+As Algernon passed out of the cottage, he beheld, in the center of the
+common, a well dressed, good-looking individual, who was standing on the
+ground and holding by the bridle a horse, which, as well as the rider
+himself, appeared both travel-stained and weary. Approaching the
+stranger with a firm step, but with a pale countenance and throbbing
+heart, he said:
+
+"I understand, sir, you have business with me."
+
+"Your name, then," returned the other, quietly, "I presume to be
+Algernon Reynolds?"
+
+"The same."
+
+"You are, too, I infer, a native of ----, Connecticut, and son of Albert
+Reynolds of that place?"
+
+"Again right," answered Algernon, in a voice which, in spite of himself,
+was a little tremulous.
+
+"Then, sir," rejoined the stranger, with a satisfied air, "I may say
+that I have business with you, and of vast importance. A long chase you
+have led me, i' faith; and weeks of travel have you cost me; so you may
+rest assured that I am happy in finding you at last."
+
+"Proceed!" said Algernon, compressing his lips, as one whose mind is
+made up for the worst. "Proceed, sir. I know your mission."
+
+"The deuce you do!" replied the other, in astonishment; "then you must
+have a very remarkable faculty for divining secrets. I rather guess you
+are mistaken though," he added, as he drew forth a couple of letters
+from a side pocket; "but these will inform you whether you are or not."
+
+Seizing the proffered letters with trembling eagerness, Algernon hastily
+glanced at their superscription; then, breaking the seals, he devoured
+their contents with the utmost avidity; while the stranger stood noting
+the varying expressions of his handsome countenance, with a quiet smile.
+At first his pale features seemed flushed with surprise--then became
+radiant with joy--and then gradually saddened with sorrow; yet a certain
+cheerfulness prevailed over all--such as he had not exhibited for many a
+long month. As he finished a hasty perusal of the epistles, he turned to
+the stranger, grasped his hand, and, shaking it heartily, while tears of
+joy filled his eyes, exclaimed:
+
+"I _was_ mistaken, sir--God be thanked! God bless you too, sir! for
+being the messenger of peace between myself and conscience. Excuse me.
+Tarry a moment, sir, and I will send some one to take charge of your
+weary beast, and show yourself a place of rest and refreshment."
+
+As he spoke, Algernon darted away toward the cottage. Observing Isaac,
+he ran to and caught him by the hand:
+
+"Isaac," he said, in a gay tone, while his eyes sparkled with delight,
+"wish me joy! I have good news. I--but stay; I forgot; you know nothing
+of the matter. Oblige me, though, by showing yonder gentleman and his
+beast due hospitality;" and wringing his hand, he sprung into the
+apartment where Ella was sitting alone, leaving Isaac staring after him
+with open mouth, and wondering whether he were in his right senses or
+not.
+
+"Ella!" he exclaimed, wildly, as he suddenly appeared before her with a
+flushed countenance: "Ella, God bless you! Listen. I--I am free! I am no
+longer a criminal, thank God! These, Ella--these!" and he held aloft the
+letters with one hand, and tapped them nervously with the other.
+
+The next moment his features grew pale, his whole frame quivered, and he
+sunk upon a seat, completely overcome by the nervous excitement produced
+by the sudden transition from despair to hope and freedom.
+
+Ella was alarmed; and springing to him, she exclaimed:
+
+"For Heaven's sake! Algernon, what is the matter?--what has
+happened?--are you in your senses? Speak!--speak!"
+
+"Read!" answered he, faintly, placing the letters in her hand: "Read,
+Ella--read!"
+
+Ella hesitated a moment on the propriety of complying with his request,
+but a moment only; and the next she turned to one of the epistles. It
+was from the father of Algernon, and ran as follows:
+
+
+  "DEAR SON:--If in the land of the living, return as speedily as possible
+  to your afflicted and anxious parents, who are even now mourning you as
+  dead. You can return in safety; for your cousin, whom you supposed you
+  had fatally wounded, recovered therefrom, and publicly exonerated you
+  from all blame in the matter. He is now, however, no more--having died
+  of late. Elvira, his wife, is also dead. She died insane. As a partial
+  restitution for the injury done you, your cousin has made you heir, by
+  will, to all his property, real estate and personal, amounting, it is
+  said, to over twenty thousand dollars. Your mother is in feeble health,
+  caused by anxiety on your account. For further information, inquire of
+  the messenger who will bear you this.
+
+                            Your affectionate father,
+                                  ALBERT REYNOLDS."
+                                        Nov. 12th, 1782.
+
+
+The other epistle was from a lawyer, informing Reynolds of his
+acquisition to a large amount of property, by a will of his late cousin;
+and that he, the said lawyer, being executor thereof, required the
+presence of him, the said Reynolds, or his proxy forthwith.
+
+"I knew it: I felt that all would yet be well: I told you to hope for
+the best!" cried Ella, as she concluded the letter, her eyes moist with
+tears, and her face beaming like the sun through a summer shower.
+
+"God bless you, dearest Ella--you did indeed!" exclaimed Reynolds,
+suddenly, bounding from his seat and clasping her in his arms. "You did
+indeed tell me to hope--and you told me truly;" and he pressed kiss
+after kiss, again and again, upon her sweet lips, with all the wild,
+trembling, rapturous feelings of a lover in his first ecstasy of bliss,
+when he has surmounted all obstacles, and gained the heart of the being
+he loves.
+
+"Now, dearest Ella," continued Algernon, when the excitement of the
+moment had been succeeded by a calmer, though not less blissful mood:
+"Now, dearest Ella, I am free--my sacred oath binds me no longer--and
+now can I say, with propriety, that I deeply, solemnly, and devotedly
+love you, and you alone. I am not rich; but I have enough of this
+world's goods to live in ease, if not in splendor. Will you share with
+me, and be partner of my lot, be it for good or ill, through life? My
+heart you have had long--my hand I now offer you. Say, dearest, will you
+be mine?"
+
+Ella did not speak--she could not; but she looked up into his face, with
+a sweet, modest, affectionate smile; and her dark, soft, beautiful eyes,
+suffused with tears, wherein a soul of love lay mirrored, gave answer,
+with a heart-felt eloquence surpassing words.
+
+"I understand you, Ella," said Algernon, with emotion. "You are
+mine--mine forever!" and he strained her trembling form to his heart in
+silence--a deep, joyful and holy silence--that had in it more of Heaven
+than earth.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a mild, lovely day in the spring of 1783. Earth had donned her
+green mantle, and decorated it with flowers of every hue and variety.
+The trees were in leaf and in bloom; among whose soft, waving branches,
+gay birds from the sunny south sung most sweetly; and nature seemed
+every where to rejoice. In the court of Bryan's Station was a large
+concourse of people--many of whom were from a distance--and all
+assembled there to witness the solemn ceremony which was to unite
+Algernon Reynolds and Ella Barnwell forever; for who shall say the holy
+marriage rite is not eternally binding in the great Hereafter. There
+were congregated both sexes and all ages, from the infant to the hoary
+headed veteran of eighty winters. There were assembled youth and
+manhood, whose names have since graced the historic page, and whose
+deeds have stamped them benefactors of their race and nation. All were
+in order, and silent, and the scene was most solemnly impressive. On the
+right and left of the bride and groom and their attendants, stood,
+promiscuously, the general spectators of both sexes. In front was drawn
+up the garrison, in three platoons, under arms, in compliment to the
+noble bravery of our hero at the battle of Blue Licks.
+
+Never did Algernon appear more noble than now--never did Ella look more
+beautiful; as, pale and trembling, she seemed to cling to his arm for
+support. The ceremony was at length begun and ended, amid a deep and
+breathless silence. As the last words, "_I pronounce you man and wife_,"
+died away upon the air, the first platoon advanced a pace and fired a
+volley--the second and third followed--and then arose a soft bewitching
+strain of music; during which the friends of the newly married pair came
+forward to offer their congratulations, and wishes for their long life
+and happiness.
+
+Among the party present was Colonel Boone; and approaching Algernon and
+Ella--who were now seated where the solemn rite had taken place--he took
+the hand of each, and said, in a voice of some emotion:
+
+"My children--for ye seem to me as such--may you both live long and be
+happy. You've both o' ye had a deal o' trouble since I first saw ye--and
+that's but a little while ago--but I hope its now over. Don't think I
+want to flatter, sir, when I say I think you're a brave and honorable
+young man, and that you've got a wife every way worthy of ye--and she a
+husband worthy o' her--and that's saying much. God bless ye both! and ef
+you ever need a friend, call on Daniel Boone."
+
+With this he shook their hands heartily, and strode away.
+
+The next who advanced to them was Captain Patterson--the officer, it
+will be remembered, whose life Algernon so generously saved at the risk
+of his own. After the usual congratulations, he took our hero by the
+hand, and said, with deep feeling:
+
+"Sir! I feel that to you, for risking your own life to save mine, I owe
+a debt I can never cancel; and an attempt to express to you in words
+my sense of obligation for the noble act, would be worse than vain:
+therefore accept this, as a slight testimonial of the gratitude of one
+who will ever remember you in his prayers, and wear your image in his
+heart."
+
+As he concluded, Captain Patterson placed in the hands of Algernon a
+sealed packet, and moved away.[25]
+
+"Well, its all over," said Mrs. Younker, coming up in turn to wish the
+young couple joy. "I al'ays 'spected as how it 'ud come to this here.
+Goodness, gracious, marsy on me alive! what a flustration they has made
+about ye, sure enough, for sartin--han't they? I never seed the like
+on't afore in all my born days. Why, it's like you war governor's folks,
+sure enough. And my own Ella, too; and the stranger as com'd to my house
+all bleeding to death like! My! my!--what strange doings Providence
+does! Well, its to be hoped you'll al'ays git bread enough to keep
+from starving, and that you won't fight nor quarrel more nor is
+necessitous--as the Reverend Preacher Allprayer said, when he married
+me and Ben together. Ah!--poor Ben!--poor Ben!--I'm a lone widder now.
+Well, the Lord's will be done!" And the good dame moved sadly away, to
+make room for others, and console herself by recounting her afflictions
+to some patient listener, together with the virtues of her deceased and
+living friends.
+
+"I don't 'spect it's o' much account my telling you I wish ye joy," said
+Isaac, "when every body's doing the same thing; but it comes from the
+heart, and I can't help it. Well, you'll be happy, I know; for thar's
+nothing like married life; and I speak from experience. I'm sorry you've
+got to leave us so soon; but you won't git far from me; for I've got you
+both here;" and placing his hand upon his heart, he bowed, smiled, and
+passed on.
+
+As soon as the congratulations were over, Algernon and Ella were
+escorted into the cottage occupied by Mrs. Younker; where a sumptuous
+dinner was already prepared for them, their relatives, and a few select
+friends, among whom was Colonel Boone and Captain Patterson. For the
+remainder, long tables were ranged around the common, where the greatest
+conviviality prevailed; and toasts were drank, and songs were sung, and
+all were merry. After dinner there were music and dancing on the common
+and in the cabins: and the coming night shut in a scene of festivity,
+such as was but seldom witnessed even in those early times; and which
+was remembered and spoken of long, long years after, when many of those
+who were then actors in the scene had sunk beneath the clods of the
+valley.
+
+Years have rolled away to the dark and unapproachable past since the
+transpiring of the events which we have chronicled, and vast mutations
+have marked the steps of all conquering time. Our beloved country, which
+then weak and oppressed was struggling for her independence against the
+most powerful nation on the globe, has since nobly won a name and place
+among the mighty ones of earth, and planted her stars and stripes from
+the Atlantic to the Pacific, and built cities and towns amid dark and
+mighty forests, where then roved in freedom the wild, untutored
+aborigines of America.
+
+Kentucky, too, has since become a rich, populous, and powerful state;
+and her noble sons, by their courage and generosity, have well
+maintained that name and fame which was won for them by their fathers,
+and which shall go down to future ages all green and unfading. Bryan's
+Station--the theatre of many a scene of gay frolic and sanguinary
+strife--of festivity and mourning--has long since sunk to ruin and dust;
+and on its site now stands the private dwelling of a gentleman of
+fortune. But where are they who once inhabited it? Those hoary headed
+veterans--those middle aged men--or those fiery and impetuous youths
+ever ready for either love or war? Where are they now? Gone! Passed away
+like moving shadows that leave no trace behind. Gone out, one by one, as
+lights in the late deserted hall of revelry, or stars at the dawn of
+day. But very few--and these mere striplings then--now remain to tell
+the tale; of whom it may with truth be said, "The places which know them
+now shall soon know them no more forever."
+
+Reader, a word or two more and we have done; and in your hands we leave
+the decision, as to whether our task has been faithfully fulfilled or
+not.
+
+Shortly after their marriage, Algernon and Ella bade farewell to their
+friends in the west, and returned to the east, where a long and happy
+career awaited them; and where they lived to recount to their children
+and grand-children, the thrilling narratives of their captivity, and
+their wild and romantic adventures while pioneers on the borders of
+Kentucky.
+
+Isaac returned to the farm of his father--rebuilt the cottage destroyed
+by the Indians--and there, with his dear Peggy, lived happily to a green
+old age, beloved and respected by all who knew him; and there his
+posterity still continue to multiply the name of Younker. With him the
+good dame, his mother, sojourned for several years, as industrious and
+talkative as ever; and at last passed quietly from among the living,
+even while in the act of making a sublime quotation on the subject of
+dying from her favorite, the immortal Preacher Allprayer.
+
+Boone continued a resident of Kentucky, until he fancied it too populous
+for his comfort; when he removed with his family to Missouri; where he
+spent much of his time in fishing and hunting, and where he finally died
+at an advanced age. From thence his remains were conveyed to Frankfort,
+the capital of Kentucky, where they now repose; and where a rough slab,
+with a few half intelligible characters thereon, points out to the
+curious stranger the last earthly resting place of the noblest, the most
+daring, and famous hunter and pioneer the world has ever produced.
+
+The fate of little Rosetta Millbanks, the captive, is unknown.
+
+Girty, notwithstanding his outrageous crimes against humanity, continued
+to live among the Indians for a great number of years, the inveterate
+and barbarous foe of his race. In the celebrated battle of the Thames,
+a desperate white man led on a band of savages, who fought with great
+fury, but were at length overpowered and their leader cut to pieces by
+Colonel Johnson's mounted men. The mangled corse of this leader was
+afterwards recognized as the notorious and once dreaded Simon Girty.
+
+
+[Footnote 25: This was found to contain a deed of two hundred acres of
+the best land in Kentucky. A historical fact.]
+
+
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ella Barnwell, by Emerson Bennett
+
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