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 DUPONT, " "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 UnitedStates, 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 andfiction, in such a way, as, while making his story move forward to aproper _denouement_, to give the reader a correct picture of the dress, customs, and social and war-like habits of the early pioneers of thewest; and also embody a series of historical events which took place onthe frontiers during that revolutionary struggle by which we gained ourglorious independence. For this purpose, Kentucky, in her infancy, wasselected as the scene of action; and most of the existing records of herearly settlements were read with care, each compared with the others, and only the best authenticated accounts presented to the reader. Somuch 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 notits counterpart in reality. 

He would only add, that, for important reasons, the original title hasbeen 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 novelistinstead of a poet, he would either not have asked the question, oranswered 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 hardilycontested, and bloody scenes ever placed on record. In fact its veryname, derived from the Indian word Kan-tuck-kee, which was applied to itlong before its discovery by the whites, is peculiarly significant inmeaning--being no less than "the dark and bloody ground. " History makesno mention of its being inhabited prior to its settlement by the presentrace; but rather serves to aid us to the inference, that from timeimmemorial it was used as a "neutral ground, " whereon the differentsavage tribes were wont to meet in deadly strife; and hence theportentious name by which it was known among them. But notwithstandingits 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 ofsavages--while its thick tangles of green cane--abounding with deer, elk, bears, buffaloes, panthers, wolves and wild cats, and its more openwoods with pheasant, turkey and partridge--made it the full realizationof his hopes--his longings. What more could he ask? And when he againstood among his friends, beyond the Alleghanies, is it to be wondered atthat his excited feelings, aided by distance, should lead him todescribe it as the El Dorado of the world? Such indeed he did describeit; and to such glowing descriptions, Kentucky was doubtless partiallyindebted for her settlement so much in advance of the surroundingterritory. 

As it is not our purpose, in the present instance, to enter into ahistory of the country, further than is necessary to the development ofour story, the reader will pardon us for omitting that account of itsearly settlement which can readily be gleaned from numerous worksalready familiar to the reading public. It may not be amiss, however, toremark here, what almost every reader knows, that first and foremost inthe dangerous struggles of pioneer life, was the celebrated DanielBoone; whose name, in the west, and particularly in Kentucky, is ahousehold word; and whose fame, as a fearless hunter, has extended notonly throughout this continent, but over Europe. The birth place of thisrenowned individual has been accredited to several states, by as manywriters; but one, more than the rest, is positive in asserting it tohave been Bucks county, Pennsylvania; and the year of his birth 1732;which is sufficient for our purpose, whether strictly correct or not. Atan early period of his life, all agree that he removed with his fatherto a very thinly settled section of North Carolina, where he spent histime in hunting--thereby supplying the family with meat and destroyingthe wild beasts, while his brothers assisted the father in tilling thefarm--and where he afterwards, in a romantic manner, became acquaintedwith a settler's daughter, whom he married; and whence, in the springof 1769, in company with five others, he set out on an expedition ofdanger across the mountains, to explore the western wilds; and afterundergoing hardships innumerable, and losing all his companions invarious ways, he at last succeeded in erecting the first log cabin, andbeing the first white settler within the borders of Kentucky. To followup, even from this time, a detail of his trials, adventures, captures bythe Indians, and hair-breadth escapes, to the close of his eventfulcareer, would be sufficient to fill a volume; therefore we shall drophim for the time--merely remarking, by the way, that he will be found tofigure occasionally in the following pages. 

From the first appearance of Boone in the wilds of Kentucky, we shallpass over a space of some ten or twelve years, and open our story in thefall of 1781. During this period, the aspect of the country for aconsiderable distance around the present site of Lexington, had becomematerially changed; and the smoke from the cabin of the white settlerarose in an hundred places, where, a dozen years before, prowled thewolf, the bear, and the panther, in perfect security. In sooth, the yearin question had been very propitious to the immigrants; who, flocking infrom eastern settlements in goodly numbers, were allowed to domiciliatethemselves in their new homes, with but few exceptions, entirelyunmolested by the savage foe. So much in fact was this the case, thatinstead of taking up their residence in a fort--or station, as they weremore generally called--the new comers erected cabins for themselves, atsuch points as they considered most agreeable; gradually venturingfurther and further from the strongholds, until some of them became toodistant 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 andunsuccessful, may be mentioned Harrod's, Boone's, Logan's, and Bryan's, so called in honor of their founders. The first two named, probably frombeing the two earliest founded, were particularly unfortunate in drawingdown upon themselves the concentrated fury of the savages, who atvarious times surrounded them in great numbers and attempted to takethem by storm. These attacks not unfrequently lasted several days, inwhich a brisk fire was maintained on both sides, whenever a foe could beseen; until wearied out with fruitless endeavors, or surprised by areinforcement of the whites, the Indians would raise the siege, with ahowl of rage, and depart. One of the longest and most remarkable ofthese on record, we believe, was that of Boonesborough, which wasattacked in June, 1778, by five hundred Indians, led on by Duquesne, aFrenchman, and which, with only a small garrison, commanded by Boonehimself, nobly held out for eight days, when the enemy withdrew indespair. But, as we before remarked, it not being our purpose to enterinto 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 intoan open space or clearing, at a distance of perhaps fifteen mileseastward from Lexington. The general appearance of this individualbetokened the hunter, but at the same time one who followed it forpleasure, rather than as a means of support. This was evident from hisdress, which although somewhat characteristic of the time, was muchsuperior to that generally worn by the woodsman. He had on a woolenhunting frock, of fine texture, of a dark green color, that came a fewinches below the hips. Beneath this, and fitting closely around hisshoulders, neck and breast, was a scarlet jacket, ornamented with tworows of round, white metal buttons. A large cape, with a deep redfringe, of about inch in width, was attached to the frock, and extendedfrom the shoulders nearly to the elbow. Around the waist, outside thefrock, passed a dark leather belt, in which were confined a brace ofhandsome pistols, and a long silver-hilted hunting knife. Breeches ofcloth, 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 afinely shaped head. His features, though somewhat pale and haggard, asif from recent grief or trouble, were mostly of the Grecian cast. He hada high, noble forehead; a large, clear, fascinating gray eye; a wellformed mouth, and a prominent chin. In height he was about five feet andten inches, broad shouldered, straight, heavy set, with handsomeproportions. 

Upon the shoulder of the young man, as he emerged from the wood, restedan elegant rifle; which, after advancing a short distance, he broughtinto a trailing position; and then pausing, he dropped the breech uponthe ground, placed his hands over the muzzle, and, carelessly leaninghis chin upon them, swept with his eye the surrounding country, to whichhe was evidently a stranger. 

The day had been one of those mild and smoky ones, peculiar to theclimate and season; and the sun, large and red, was near to sinkingbehind the far western ridge, giving a beautiful crimson, mellow tingeto each object which came beneath his rays. The landscape, over whichthe stranger gazed, was by no means unpleasing. His position was on aneminence, overlooking a fertile valley, partly cleared, and partlyshaded by woods, through which wound a crystal stream, whose gentlemurmurs could be heard even where he stood. Beyond this stream, theground, in pleasing undulations, took a gentle rise, to a goodly height, and was covered by what is termed an open wood--a wood peculiar toKentucky at this period--consisting of trees in the regularity of anorchard, at some distance apart, devoid of underbrush, beneath which theearth was beautifully carpeted with a rank growth of clover, high grass, and wild flowers innumerable. In the rear of the young hunter, as if toform a background to the picture, was the wood he had just quitted, which, continuing the elevation spoken of, but more abruptly, rose highabove him, and was crowned by a ledge of rocks. Far in the distance, tohis 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 thehunter stood was not large, covering an area of not more than half adozen acres. It was of an oblong form, and sloped off from his positionto the right, left, and front, and reached from the wood down to thestream in the valley, where stood a rather neat log cabin, from which alight blue smoke ascended in graceful wreaths. The eye of the stranger, glancing over the scene, fell upon this latter with that gleam ofsatisfaction which is felt by a person after performing a long fatiguingjourney, when he sees before him a comfortable inn, where he is torepose for the night; and pausing for a couple of minutes, he replacedhis rifle upon his shoulder, and started forward down the hill, at aleisure pace. 

Scarcely had the stranger advanced twenty paces, when he was startled bya fierce yell, accompanied by the report of a rifle, the ball of whichwhizzed past him, within an inch of his head. Ere he could recover fromhis 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 ofbushes, 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, theyoung hunter, by a great effort, succeeded in raising himself on hisknees; and drawing up his rifle with a hasty aim, he fired; but with noother success than that of causing one of the savages to jerk his headsuddenly aside without slackening his speed. There was still a chanceleft him; and setting his teeth hard, the wounded man drew his pistolsfrom his belt, and awaited the approach of his enemies; who, when withinthirty 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 aninterposition of Providence could save him, for his life was hanging ona thread that might snap at any moment. It was an awful moment ofsuspense, as there, on his knees, far, far away from the land of hisbirth, in a strange country, he, in the prime of life, without a friendnear, wounded and weak, was waiting to die, like a wild beast, by thehands of savages, with his scalp to be borne hence as a trophy, hisflesh to be devoured by wolves, and his bones left to bleach in the openair. It was an awful moment of suspense! and a thousand thoughts camerushing through his mind; and he felt he would have given worlds, werethey his, for the existence of even half an hour, with a friend by, toreceive his dying requests. To add to his despair, he felt himself fastgrowing weaker and weaker; and with an unsteady vision, as his lasthope, he turned his eye in the direction of the cottage, to note if anyassistance were at hand; but he saw none; and nature failing to supporthim longer in his position, he sunk back upon the ground, believing thelast sands of his existence were run. 

Meantime, the Indians had loaded their rifles; and one of them, steppinga pace in front of his companion, was already in the act of aiming, when, perceiving the young man falter and sink back, he lowered themuzzle of his gun, and, grasping his tomahawk, darted forward todespatch him without further loss of ammunition. Already had he reachedwithin five or six paces of his victim, who, now unable to exert himselfin his own defence, could only look upon his savage enemy and the weaponuplifted for his destruction, when, crack went another rifle, in anopposite direction whence the Indians approached, and, bounding into theair, with a terrific yell, the foremost fell dead by the young man'sside. On seeing his companion fall, the other Indian, who was only a fewpaces behind, stopped suddenly, and, with a yell of fear anddisappointment, turned and fled. 

Those only who have been placed in peril sufficient to extinguish thelast gleam of hope, and have suddenly been relieved by a mysteriousinterposition of Providence, can fully realize the feelings with whichthe wounded hunter saw himself rescued from an ignominious death. True, he was weak and faint from a wound which was, perhaps, mortal; still itwas a great consolation to feel that he should die among those who wouldbury him, and perhaps bear a message to friends in a far-off land. Withsuch thoughts uppermost in his mind, the young man, by great exertion, raised himself upon his elbow, and turned his head in the directionwhence his deliverer might be expected; but, to his surprise anddisappointment, no one appeared; and after vainly attempting to regainhis feet, he sunk back, completely exhausted. The wound in his side hadnow grown very painful, and was bleeding freely; while he becameconscious, that unless the hemorrhage could be stanched immediately, theonly good service a friend could render him, would be to inter hisremains. In this helpless state, something like a minute elapsed, whenhe felt a strange sensation about his heart--his head grew dizzy--histhoughts seemed confused--the sky appeared suddenly to grow dark, and hebelieved the icy grasp of death was already settling upon him. At thismoment a form--but whether of friend or foe he could not tell--flittedbefore 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 tenminutes, his glance rested on the form of a white hunter, of nobleaspect, who was bending over him with a compassionate look; and who, meantime, had opened his dress to the wound and stanched the blood, bycovering it with a few pieces of coarse linen, which he had torn intoshreds for the purpose, and secured there by means of his belt. 

As this latter personage is destined to figure somewhat in the followingpages, we shall take this opportunity of describing him as he appearedto our wounded friend. 

In height and proportion--but not in age--these two individuals weresomewhat alike--the new comer being full five feet, ten inches, with arobust, athletic frame, and all the concomitants of a powerful man. Atthe moment when first beheld by the young man, after regaining hissenses, he was kneeling by his side, his cap of the wild-cat skin waslying on the ground, and the last mellow rays of the setting sun werestreaming upon an intelligent and manly countenance, which, now renderedmore deeply interesting by the earnest, compassionate look wherewith heregarded the other, made him appear to that other, in his peculiarsituation, this most noble being he had ever seen. Of years he had seensome fifty; though there was a freshness about his face, owing probablyto 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 longand angular; his cheekbones high and bold; his lips thin and compressed, covering a goodly set of teeth; his chin round and prominent; the wholetogether conveying an expression of energy, decision, hardy recklessnessand manly courage. His dress was fashioned much like the other's, already described, but of coarser materials--the frock being oflinsey-woolsey; the breeches and leggings of deerskin; and themoccasins, in place of boots of the same material. Around his waistpassed a belt; wherein, instead of pistols, were confined a tomahawk andscalping knife--two weapons which were considered as indispensable tothe 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 thepart of the younger, a friendly smile succeeded to the look of anxietywith which he had been regarding him; and in the frank, cordial, familiar tone of that period, when every man's cabin was the traveler'shome, and every strange guest was treated with the hospitality of an oldacquaintance, he said:

"Well, stranger, I'm right glad to welcome you back to life agin; for Iwar beginning to fear your account with earthly matters had closed. Bythe Power that made me! but you've had a narrow escape on't; and efBetsy (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 thedead Indian) would have been skulking now like a thief through yonderwoods, with your crown piece hanging to his girdle. "

"A thousand thanks, " returned the wounded man, pressing the hand of theother as much as his strength would permit, and accompanying it with alook of gratitude more eloquent than words: "A thousand thanks, sir, foryour timely shot, and subsequent kindness and interest in behalf of oneyou 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 largeodds you know, that such war the fact, from the particular troubleyou'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 wharone man's just as good as another, provided he is no coward, and behaveshimself as he should do; and whether stranger or not, is equallyentitled to the assistance of his fellows; perticularly when about beingtreed by such a sneaking varmint as that lying yonder. Besides, I don'twant 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 speakEnglish; for somehow thar's no perticular agreement atween us, unlessit's for each to make the most he can off the other; and so far I reckonthar's a ballance in my favor, though the wretches are ever tryingdesperate hard to get even. But come, stranger, it won't do for you tobe lying thar with that hole in your side; and so just have patience aminute, till I've secured the top-knot of this beauty here, and thenI'll assist you down to yonder cabin, whar I doubt not you'll be wellcared for. "

As he spoke, the old woodsman rose to his feet, drew his knife, andturning to the dead Indian, to the surprise of the other, who was butlittle familiar with Kentucky customs of that day, deliberately took offthe scalp, which he attached to his belt;[1] and then spurning the bodywith his foot, he muttered: "Go, worthless dog! and fill the belly ofsome wolf! and may your cowardly companion be soon keeping you company. "Then, as he turned to the other, and noticed his look of surprise, headded: "Well, stranger, I reckon this business looks a little odd toyou, 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'vewintered 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 efyou stay here two year, without scalping a red-skin and perhaps skinningone, I'll agree to pay you for your time in bar-skins at your ownvaluation. "

"I am much obliged to you for the offer, " answered the young man--afaint smile lighting his pale features; "but I think it hardly probableI shall remain in the country that length of time. "

"Not unless you have good care, I reckon, " returned the other; "for thatthar wound o' yourn arn't none o' the slightest; though I don't want youto be skeered, for I've seen many a worse one cured. But come, I'llassist you down to yon cabin, and then I must be off--for I've got agood distance to travel afore daylight to-morrow;" and bending down ashe spoke, the veteran hunter placed his arms under the arms of thewounded man, and gently raised him upon his feet. 

Although extremely weak from loss of blood, the latter, by this means ofsupport, was enabled to walk, at a slow pace; and the two descended thehill--the elder, the while, talking much, and endeavoring by hisdiscourse 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 haveseen and been through with, without even winking, as one may say. Withinthe last few year, I've seen a brother and a son shot by the infernalred-skins--have lost I don't know how many companions in the sameway--been shot at fifty times myself, and captured several; and yet yousee here I am, hale and hearty, and just as eager, with Betsey'spermission, 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 aquestion as that. Weary, friend? Why I war born to it--nursed to it--hada rifle for a plaything; and the first thing I can rememberparticularly, war shooting a painter;[2] and it's become as nateral andnecessary as breathing; and when I get so I can't follow the one, I wantto quit the other. Weary on't, indeed! Why, thar's more realsatisfaction 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 soopportune in saving my life?"

"Why, you must know, I war just crossing through the wood back hereabout a mile, on my way home from the Licks, when I came across thetrail of two Indians, whom I 'spected war arter no good; and as Betseywar itching for something to do, I kind o' kept on the same way, andhappened round on the other side o' this ridge, just as the red varmintsfired. 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 intoa comfortable position, and waited as patiently as I could, until theugly face of that rascal yonder showed clar; when I told her to speak tohim, which she did in rale backwood's dialect, and he died a answeringher. I then hurried round on the skirt of the wood, loading Betsey as Iwent; but finding the other varmint had got off, I hastened to you andfound you senseless: the rest you know. "

By this time the two had reached nearly to the foot of the hill, andwithin a hundred yards of the cabin. Here they were joined by a tall, lank, lantern-jawed, awkward young man, some twenty years of age, withsmall, dark eyes, a long, peaked nose, and flaxen hair that floated downover his ungainly shoulders, like weeping willows over a scrub oak, andwho carried in his hand a rifle nearly as long and ugly as himself. 

"Why, colonel, how are ye? good even' to ye, stranger, " was hissalutation, as he came up. "I war down by the tangle yonder, when Iheerd some firing, and some yelling, and I legged it home, ahead o' theold man, just to keep the women folks in sperets, in case they warattacked, 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 seewhar they mought be. "

"Well, Isaac, " returned the one addressed as colonel, "I don't doubtyour being a brave lad, and I've had some opportunity o' seeing youtried; but being is how thar's no Indians to shoot just now, I'll ax youto show your good qualities in another way. This young man's been badlywounded, and ef you'll give him a little extra care, you'll put me underobligations which I'll be happy to repay whensomever needed. "

"It don't need them thar inducements you've just mentioned, colonel, torouse all my sympathies for a wounded stranger. Rely on't, he shan'tsuffer 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 tosee them. " Then turning to the wounded man, he grasped his hand andsaid: "Stranger, thar's something about you I like; I don't say it ofevery 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 differentmanner from our introduction; but whether or no, ef you ever need theassistance of either Betsey or myself, just make it known, and we'll doour best for you. Good bye, sir--good bye, Isaac!" and without waiting areply, the speaker sprung suddenly behind a cluster of bushes near whichthe party stood, and the next moment was lost to view in the gatheringdarkness. 

"A great man, that thar, sir!--a powerful great man, " observed Isaac, gazing with admiration after the retreating form of the hunter. "Alwaysdoing good deeds, and never looking for pay nor thanks; may God give himfour-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 thegreat white hunter, Colonel Daniel Boone. "

"Indeed!" exclaimed Reynolds, in no feigned surprise--"the very man Ihave so longed to behold; for his fame has already extended far beyondthe Alleghanies. But come, friend Isaac, my wound grows painful; myexertions thus far have weakened me exceedingly; and with yourpermission, I will proceed to the cottage. Ah! I feel myself growingfaint--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 thousandsin the present day of civilization and refinement, we can assure them, on the authority of numerous historians of that period, that it was ageneral custom with the early settlers of the west, to take the scalp ofan 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 minutesbefore he could sufficiently recover from the confusion of ideasconsequent upon his mishap, to follow up the train of events that hadoccurred to place him in his present situation. His first recollectionwas of the attack made upon him by the Indians; and it requiredconsiderable argument with himself, to prove conclusively, to his ownmind, 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 himselfto 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--orwhat length of time had intervened--he had not the remotest idea. He waslying on his back, upon a rude, though by no means uncomfortable, bed;and, to the best of his judgment, within the four walls of somecabin--though to him but two of the walls were visible--owing to thequantity of skins of the buffalo, bear, and deer, which were suspendedaround the foot and front of his pallet. He was undressed; and, as hejudged, upon applying his hand to the wounded part, had been treatedwith care; for it came in contact with a nicely arranged bandage ofcloth, which was even now moist with some spirituous liquid. But whatperplexed him most, was the peculiar light, with the aid of which, though dim, he could discern every object so distinctly. It could notproceed from a candle--it was too generally diffused; nor from thefire--it was too gray, and did not flicker; nor from the moon--it wasnot silvery enough: from what then did it proceed? It appeared the mostlike daylight; but this it could not be, he reasoned, from the fact thathe was wounded just before night-fall--unless--and the idea seemed tostartle him--unless he had lain in a senseless state for many hours, andit was indeed again morning. Determined, however, to satisfy himself onthis point, he attempted to rise for the purpose; but found, to his nosmall surprise and regret, that he had not even strength sufficient tolift his body from the bed; and, therefore, that nothing was left him, but to surmise whatever he chose, until some one should appear to solvethe riddle; which, he doubted not, would be ere long. 

While these reflections and surmises were rapidly passing through themind of our hero--for such we must acknowledge him to be--he heard nosound indicating the immediate vicinity of any other human being; andturning his thoughts upon this latter, he was beginning to doubtwhether, 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, whichcaused 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, arterall; and being the colonel's recommind, too; for Isaac says the colonelinjuncted him strongly to take car o' him; and I'd do any thing tooblege sech a man as him. He didn't appear to have his senses, Ireckon?"

"I judged not, " answered Ella; "though, from his tranquil sleep, Iargued favorably of his case. "

"Well, " rejoined the other, "it's my opine the crisis is at hand; andthat he'll ayther come out o' this _lethargick_--as they calls it--arational, 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 'bouthis troubles at home, that's away off, until I all but cried, inreckoning how I'd feel ef it war Isaac as war going on so. ". 

As the speaker concluded, she advanced to where the object of herremarks was lying; and, drawing aside in a gentle manner, some of theskins near his head, gazed upon him. 

As will be surmised by the reader, not a syllable of the foregoingcolloquy had been lost upon Reynolds; who heard, with unboundedastonishment, of his narrow escape from that dark valley whence none whoenter again return, and that three days had elapsed since he had falleninto an unconscious state. He learned, too, with regret, that he hadbeen communicating matters--to what extent he knew not--to others, whichhe wished safely locked in his own breast; and judging it best, in thepresent instance, to dissemble a little, that his informant might not beaware of his having overheard her, he feigned to be asleep on herapproach. 

"He's sleeping yit, poor creater, " continued the hostess, as she bentover the bed of our hero, until he felt her breath upon his face. "Ihope it arn't a going to be his final sleep--so young, and so handsometoo! but, O dear, thar's no telling what them Injen bullets will do, forfolks does say as how they have a knack o' pizening them, that's orfulto tell on! O Lord o' marcy, Ella, child, do come here!" cried the damesuddenly: "I do believe he's coming to, for sartin. "

This latter speech was occasioned by a movement of the pretendedsleeper, and the gradual opening of his eyes, with the rude stare ofbewildered surprise natural to one in his supposed situation, and suchas he would have exhibited without feigning, had the hostess beenpresent some ten minutes sooner. Discovering, as already intimated, areturning consciousness on the part of her guest, the good woman drewback her head, but still kept her position by the bed, and her eyesfixed upon him, with an expression which betrayed a fear lest her hopesof 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 lookwhich her acute perception told her was any thing but insane; andinstantly starting back, the blood rushed upward, crimsoning her neckand face with a beautiful glow. As for Reynolds--in whom, as alreadystated, the voice of Ella alone was sufficient to awaken a thrill ofpleasure--no sooner did he behold her, though but for an instant, thanhe felt that thrill revived with a sensation, which, in spite ofhimself, he knew was expressed in his own countenance; and he hastenedto 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 yeso--I know'd it--he's come to, for sartin--the Lord be praised!" Thenaddressing 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 asever shot a painter--who's my husband, and father of Isaac Younker, whatbrought ye here, according to the directions of Colonel Boone, arter youwar shot by the Injens, the varmints, three days ago; and uncle of EllaBarnwell here, as I calls daughter, 'cause her parents is dead, poorcreaters, 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 womanconcluded her lucid account of family matters with a sound that muchresembled a person taking breath after some laborious exertion. 

"And is it possible, " answered Reynolds, who hastened to reply, in orderto conceal a strong inclination he felt for laughing, "that I have lainhere three whole days?"

"Three days, and four nights, and part o' another day, jest as true asbuffaloes run in cane-brakes, and Injen varmints shoot white folkswhensomever they git a chance, " replied Mrs. Younker, with greatvolubility. "And Ella, the darling, has tended on ye like you war herown nateral born brother; and Isaac, and Ben, and myself ha' tended onye too, while you war raving and running on at an orful rate, thoughyou've had the best bed, and best o' every thing we've got in thehouse. "

"For all of which I am at a loss for terms to express my gratitude, "returned Reynolds, coloring slightly as he thought of the assiduousattentions he had unconsciously received from Ella Barnwell, who alreadybegan 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 gota right to, what comes into this country and gits shot by savages. Wehavn't done no more for you than we'd a done for any body else in likesarcumstances; and, la, sir, the pleasure o' knowing you're a going togit well agin, arter being shot by Injen's pizen bullets, [3] is enoughto 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 morerejoiced at his favorable symptoms than myself, " responded Ella, timidly, in a voice so low, sweet and touching, that Reynolds, who heardwithout seeing her--for she kept the rude curtain of skins betweenthem--felt his heart beat strangely, while his eyes involuntarily grewmoist. 

"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 useright smart authority to make her go to bed, for fear as how she'd besick too. "

"And if I live, " answered Reynolds, in a voice that trembled withemotion, "and it is ever in my power to repay such disinterestedattention and kindness, I will do it, even to the sacrificing that lifewhich she, together with you and your family, good woman, has been themeans, under God, of preserving. "

"Under God, " repeated the matron; "that's true; I like the way you saidthat, stranger; it sounds reverential--it's just--and it raises myrespect 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 positionshe remained several seconds; while Ella, with her fair hands clasped, followed her example, and seemed, with her moving lips, engaged inprayer. 

"But come, " resumed the dame, "it won't do for you, stranger, to bedisturbed too much jest now; for you arn't any too strong, I reckon; andso you'll jest take my advice, and go to sleep awhile, and you'll feelall the better for't agin Ben and Isaac come home, which'll be in two orthree hours. "

Saying this, Mrs. Younker again disposed the curtains so as to concealfrom Reynolds all external objects; and, together with Ella, withdrew, leaving him to repose. Whether he profited by her advice immediately, orwhether he meditated for some time on other matters, not excluding Ella, we shall leave to the imagination of the reader; while we proceed, byway of episode, to give a general, though brief account, of the Younkerfamily. 

Benjamin Younker was a man about fifty-five years of age--tall, raw-boned and very muscular--and although now past the prime, even themeridian of life, was still possessed of uncommon strength. His form, never handsome, even in youth, was now disfigured by a stoop in theshoulders, caused by hard labor and rheumatism. His face correspondedwith his body--being long and thin, with hollow cheeks, and high cheekbones, --his eyes were small and gray, with heavy eye-brows; his noselong and pointed; his mouth large and homely, though expressive; and hisforehead medium, surmounted by a sprinkling of brown-gray hair. Inspeech he was deliberate, generally pointed, and seldom spoke when notabsolutely necessary. He was a good farmer--such being his occupation; akeen hunter, whenever he chose to amuse himself in that way; a suremarksman; and, although ignorant in book learning, possessed a soundjudgment, and a common-sense understanding on all subjects of generalutility. He was a native of Eastern Virginia, where the greater portionof his life had been spent in hunting and agricultural pursuits--wherehe was married and had been blessed with two children--a son and adaughter--of whom the former only was now living, and has already beenintroduced to the reader as Isaac--and whence, at the instance of hiswife and son, he removed, in the spring of 1779, into the borders ofKentucky--finally purchased and settled where he now resided; and where, although somewhat exposed, he and his family had thus far remainedunmolested. 

The dame, Mrs. Younker, was a large, corpulent woman of forty-five, withfeatures rather coarse and masculine, yet expressive of shrewdness andcourage, and, withal, a goodly share of benevolence. She was one of thatpeculiar class of females, who, if there is any thing to be said, alwaysclaim the privilege of saying it; in other words, an inveterate talker;and who, if we may be allowed the phrase, managed her husband, and allaround her, with the length of her tongue. In the country where she wasbrought up and known, to say of another, that he or she could competewith Ben Younker's wife in talking, was considered the extreme ofcomparison; and it is not recorded that any individual ever presumed onthe credulity of the public sufficient to assert that the vocal powersof 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 werereally deserving of censure; while her rough kind of piety--if we may soterm it--and her genuine goodness of heart, known to all with whom shecame in contact, served to procure her a long list of friends. Shepossessed, as the reader has doubtless judged from the specimen we havegiven, little or no education; but this deficiency, in her eyes, as wellas in most of those who lived on the frontiers, was of minorconsequence--the knowledge of hunting, farming, spinning and weaving, being considered by far the more necessary qualifications fordischarging the social duties of life. 

Of Isaac, with whom the reader is already, acquainted, we shall not nowspeak, other than to say, he could barely read and write--ratherpreferring that he develop his character in his own peculiar way. Butthere is another, and though last, we trust will not prove least inpoint of interest to the reader, with whom we shall close, thisepisodical history--namely--Ella Barnwell. 

The mother of Ella--a half sister to the elder-Younker--died when shewas 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 thedemise of his wife, Barnwell was a prosperous, if not wealthy merchant, in one of the eastern cities of Virginia; and knowing the instability ofwealth, together with his desire to fit his daughter for any station insociety, he spared no expense necessary to educate her in all thedifferent branches of English usually studied by a female. To this wasadded drawing, needle-work, music and dancing; and as Ella proved by nomeans a backward scholar in whatever she undertook, she was, at the ageof fifteen, to use a familiar phrase, turned out an accomplished younglady. But alas! she had been qualified for a station which fate seemeddetermined not to let her occupy; for just at this important period ofher life, her father became involved in an unfortunate speculation, thatended in ruin, dishonor, and his own bodily confinement in prison fordebts he could never discharge. Naturally high spirited and proud, thismisfortune and persecution proved too much for his philosophy--and whatwas more, his reason--and in a state of mental derangement, he one nighthung himself to the bars of his prison window--leaving his daughter atthe age we have named, a poor, unprotected, we might almost addfriendless, orphan; for moneyless and friendless are too oftensynonymous terms, as poor Ella soon learned to her mortification andsorrow. 

Ella Barnwell, the young, the beautiful, and accomplished heiress, was a very different personage from poor Ella Barnwell the bankrupt'sdaughter; and those who had fawned upon and flattered and courted theone, now saw proper to pass the other by in silent contempt. It was ahard, a very hard lesson for one at the tender age of Ella, who had beenpetted and pampered all her life, and taught by her own simplicity ofheart 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 learnthe world, and see her happy, artless dreams vanish like froth from thefoaming cup; but if hard, it was salutary--at least with her; andinstead of blasting in the bud, as it might have done a frailer flower, it set her reason to work, destroyed the romantic sentimentalism usuallyattached to females of that excitable age, taught her to rely more uponherself, 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 wasnot accomplished without many a heart-rending pang, as the briny tearsof chagrin, disappointment, and almost hopeless destitution, thatnightly chased each other down the pale cheeks of Ella Barnwell to thepillow which supported her feverish head, for weeks, and even monthsafter the death of her father, could well attest. 

The father of Ella was an Englishman, who had emigrated to this countrya few years previous to his marriage; and as none of his near relationshad seen proper to follow his example, Ella, on his side, was leftentirely destitute of any to whom she could apply for assistance andprotection. On her mother's side, she knew of none who would be likelyto assist her so readily as her half uncle, Benjamin Younker, whom sheremembered 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 asolemn, 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 callon 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, butsubsequently had been nearly or quite obliterated, until retouched byfeeling the want of that aid then so solemnly and generously tendered. Accordingly, after trying some of her supposed true-hearted friends--whohad 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 hastenedto make her situation known to her uncle; the result of which had beenher adoption into a family, who, if not graced with that refinement andeducation to which she had been accustomed, at least possessed virtuesthat 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 ingeneral, soon grew to love her benefactor and his family, and take thatsincere pleasure in their rude ways, which, at one time, she would haveconsidered as next to impossible. With a happy faculty, belonging onlyto the few, she managed to work herself into their affections, by littleand little, almost imperceptibly, until, ere they were aware of the factthemselves, she was looked upon rather as a daughter and sister, than amore distant relation. In sooth, the former appellation the reader hasalready seen applied to her during the recorded conversation of thevoluble Mrs. Younker--an appellation which Ella ever took good care toacknowledge 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 consideredthe "Far West, " and had finally purchased and settled where we find themin the opening of our story. In this expedition, Ella, though somewhatreluctantly, had accompanied them--had remained with them eversince--and was now, notwithstanding her former lady-like mode of life, through the tuition of Mrs. Younker, regularly installed into all themysteries of milking, churning, sewing, baking, spinning and weaving. With this brief outline of her past history, we shall proceed todescribe her personal appearance, at the time of her introduction to thereader, and then leave her to speak and act for herself during theprogress of this drama of life. 

Eighteen years of sunshine and cloud, had served to mould the form ofElla Barnwell into one of peculiar beauty and grace. In height she was alittle above five feet, had a full round bust, and limbs of thatbeautiful and airy symmetry, which ever give to their possessor anappearance of etherial lightness. Her complexion was sufficiently darkto entitle her to the appellation of brunette; though by many it wouldhave been thought too light, perhaps, owing to the soft, richtransparency of her skin; through which, by a crimson tint, could betraced the "tell-tale-blood, " on the slightest provocation tending toexcitement. Her features, if examined closely, could not be put down asentirely regular, owing to a very slight defect in the mouth, whichotherwise was very handsome, and which was graced with two plump, pretty, half pouting lips. This defect, however, was only apparent whenthe countenance was in stern repose; and, as this was seldom, when incompany with others, it was of course seldom observed. The remainder ofher features were decidedly good, and, seen in profile, reallybeautiful. Her eye was a full, soft, animated hazel, that could beamtenderly with love, sparkle brilliantly with wit, or flash scornfullywith anger; but inclining more to the first and second qualities thanthe last. Her eye-brows were well defined, and just sufficiently archedto correspond with the eyes themselves. Her forehead was prominent, of anoble cast, and added dignity to her whole appearance. Her hair was arich, dark brown, fine and glossy, and although neatly arranged aboutthe head, evidently required but little training to enable it to fallgracefully about her neck in beautiful ringlets. The general expressionof her face, was a soft, bewitching playfulness, which, combined withthe half timid, benevolent look, beaming from her large, mild, hazeleye, invariably won upon the beholder at the first glance, and increasedupon acquaintance. Her voice we have already spoken of as possessing asilvery sweetness; and if one could be moved at merely seeing her, itonly required this addition to complete the charm. To all of theforegoing, let us add an ardent temperament--capable of the most tender, lasting and devoted attachment, when once the affections were placed onan object--a sweet disposition, modest deportment, and gracefulmanners--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 supposingIndians poison their bullets, although we have read of poisoned arrows, and hence infer such a proceeding to be rather a supposition with herthan a certainty. ]

CHAPTER III. 

THE TALE AND FATAL SECRET. 

The dwelling of Benjamin Younker, as already mentioned, stood at thebase of a hill, on the margin of a beautiful valley, and within ahundred feet of a lucid stream, whose waters, finding their source inthe neighboring bills, rushed down, all gleesome and sparkling, over alimestone 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, waswhat at that period was termed a double cabin; and in this respect wasentitled to a superiority over most of its neighbors. As this may servefor a representative of the houses or cabins of the early settlers ofKentucky, we shall proceed to describe its structure and generalappearance somewhat more minutely than might otherwise be deemednecessary. 

The sides of the cottage in question, were composed of logs, rough fromthe woods where they had been felled, with the bark still clinging tothem, and without having undergone other transformation than being cutto a certain length, and notched at either end, so as to sink into eachother, when crossed at right angles, until their bodies met, therebyforming a structure of compactness, strength and solidity. Some ten ortwelve feet from the ground, the two upper end logs of the cabinprojected a foot or eighteen inches beyond the lower, and supported whatwere called _butting poles_--poles which crossed these projections atright angles, and, extending along the front and back of the building, formed the eaves of the roof. This latter was constructed by graduallyshortening the logs at either end, until those which crossed them, as wesaid before, at right angles, came together at an angle of forty-fivedegrees, and the last one formed the ridge-pole or comb of the whole. Onthese logs, lapping one over the other, and the lower tier restingagainst the butting poles, were laid slabs of clapboard--a species ofplank split from some straight-grained tree--about four feet long, andfrom three to four wide. These were secured in their places by logs inturn resting on them, at certain intervals, and answering the purpose ofnails; necessity requiring these latter articles of convenience to bedispensed with in the early settlements of the West. As the cabin wasdouble, two doors gave entrance from without, one into either apartment. These entrances were formed by cutting away the logs for the space ofthree 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 samematerial. These, like the rest of the building, were rendered, by theirthickness, bullet proof--so that when closed and bolted, the house wascapable of withstanding an ordinary attack of the Indians. With theexception of one window, opening into the apartment generally occupiedby the family, and flanked by a heavy shutter, the doors and chimneywere the only means through which light and air were admitted. Thesewere all firmly secured at night--the unsettled and exposed state of thecountry, and the dangerous proximity of the pioneers to the ruthlesssavage, particularly those without the forts, rendering necessary, ontheir part, the most vigilant caution. 

The internal appearance of the cabin corresponded well with theexternal. The apartment occupied by the family during the day, where themeals were cooked and served, and the general household affairs attendedto, was very homely; and might, if contrasted with some of the presenttime, be termed almost wretched; though considered, at the period ofwhich we write, rather above than below the ordinary. The floor wascomposed of what by the settlers were termed puncheons; which were madeby splitting in half trees of some eighteen inches in diameter, andhewing the faces of them as regular as possible with the broad-axe. These were laid, bark side downwards, upon sleepers running crosswisefor the purpose, and formed at least a dry, solid and durable, if notpolished, 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 forthe 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 ofthe present day. A coarse kind of plaster filled up the surroundingcrevices, and served to keep out the air and give a rude finish to thewhole. 

The furniture of the Younkers, if the title be not too ambiguous, wouldscarcely have been coveted by any of our modern exquisites, even hadthey been living in that age of straight-forward common sense. A large, rough slab, split from some tree, and supported by round legs set inauger holes, had the honor of standing for a table--around which, like abrood of chickens around their mother, were promiscuously collectedseveral three-legged stools of similar workmanship. In one corner of theroom were a few shelves; on which were ranged some wooden trenchers, pewter plates, knives and forks, and the like necessary articles, whilea not very costly collection of pots and kettles took a less dignifiedand prominent position beneath. Another corner was occupied by a bed, the covering of which was composed of skins of different animals, withsheetings of home-made linen. In the vicinity of the bed, along thewall, 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 plainestand coarsest description. A churn--a clock--the latter a very rare thingamong the pioneers of Kentucky--a footwheel for spinning flax--a smallmirror--together with several minor articles, of which it is needless tospeak--completed the inventory of the apartment. From this room were twoexits, besides the outer door--one by a ladder leading above to a sortof attic chamber, where were two beds; and the other through the wallinto the adjoining cabin, whither our hero had been borne in a state ofinsensibility on the night of his mishap, and where he was for thesecond time presented to the reader. This latter place was graced with abed, a loom for weaving, a spinning-wheel, a large oaken chest, and afew rough benches. 

Such, reader, as our description has set forth, was the generalappearance of Younker's dwelling, both without and within, in the yearof our Lord 1781; and, moreover, a fair representative of an hundredothers of the period in question--so arbitrary was necessity in makingone imitate the other. But to resume our story. 

In the after part of a day as mild and beautiful as the one on which weopened our narrative, but some four weeks later, Ella Barnwell, needle-work in hand, was seated near the open door leading from theapartment first described to the reader. Her head was bent forward, andher eyes were apparently fixed upon her occupation with greatintentness--though a close observer might have detected furtive glancesoccasionally thrown upon a young man, with a pale and somewhat agitatedcountenance, who was pacing to and fro on the ground without. With theexception of these two, no person was within sight--though the rattlingof a loom in the other apartment or cabin, betokened the vicinity of theindustrious hostess. 

For some moments the young man--a no less personage than our hero--pacedback and forth like one whose mind is harrowed by some disagreeablethought: then suddenly halting in front of the doorway, and in a voicewhich, though not intended to be so, was slightly tremulous, headdressed himself to the young lady, in words denoting a previousconversation. 

"Then I must have said some strange things, Ella--I beg pardon--MissBarnwell. "

"Have I not requested you, Mr. Reynolds, on more than one occasion, tocall me Ella, instead of using the formality which rather belongs tostrangers in fashionable society than to those dwelling beneath the sameroof, in the wilds of Kentucky?" responded the person addressed, in atone of pique, while she raised her head and let her soft, dark eyesrest reproachfully on the other. 

"Well, well, Ella, " rejoined Reynolds, "I crave pardon for myheedlessness; and promise you, on that score at least, no more cause foroffence in future. "

"Offence!" said Ella, quickly, catching at the word: "O, no--no--notoffence, Mr. Reynolds! I should be sorry to take offence at what wasmeant in all kindness, and with true respect; but somehow I--thatis--perhaps it may not appear so to others--but I--to me it appearsstudied--and--and--cold;" and as she concluded, in a hesitating manner, she quickly bent her head forward, while her cheek crimsoned at thethought, that she might perhaps have ventured too far, and laid herselfliable to misconstruction. 

"And yet, Ella, " returned Reynolds, somewhat playfully, "you resemblemany others I have known, in preaching what you do not practice. Yourequest me to lay aside all formality, and address you by your nameonly; while you, in that very request, apply to me the title youconsider as studied, formal and cold. "

"You have reference to my saying _Mr. _ Reynolds, I presume, " answeredElla; "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, noone ever thinks of calling me any thing but Ella, or at the most, EllaBarnwell--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 assureyou. "

"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 donot so consider all our sex. "

"Heaven forbid, " answered Reynolds, with energy, "that I should thinkthus of all, or judge any too harshly!--but there may be causes to forceone into the conviction, that the exceptions are too few to spoil therule. "

"I trust such is not your case, " responded Ella, quickly, while her eyesrested 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 tochange the topic: "But I am eager for you to inform me what I saidduring 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 repeatedthe name of Elvira with great bitterness. Then you would run onincoherently, for some time, about pistols, and swords, and end bysaying that the quarrel was just--that you were provoked to it, until itbecame almost self defence--and that if he died, his blood would be onhis own head. "

"Good heavens, Ella! did I indeed say this?" exclaimed Reynolds, with astart, while his features became deadly pale. "Did I say more? did Imention further particulars?--speak! tell me--tell me truly!"

"Not in my hearing, " answered Ella, while her own face blanched at thesudden vehemence of the other. 

"Well, well, do not be alarmed!" said Reynolds, evidently somewhatrelieved, and softening his voice, as he noticed the change in hercountenance; "people sometimes say strange things, when reason, thegreat regulator of the tongue, is absent. What construction did you putupon my words, Ella?"

"Why, in sooth, " replied Ella, watching his features closely as shespoke, "I thought nothing of them, other than to suppose you mightformerly have had some trouble; and that in the chaos of wild imagescrowding your brain, after being attacked and wounded by savages, it wasnatural 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 andfear nothing!"

"Until but now, when you became so agitated, and spoke so vehemently onmy repeating your delirious language, " added Ella, concluding thesentence. 

"Ha!" ejaculated Reynolds, as if to himself; "sanity has done more tobetray me than delirium. Well, Ella, " continued he, addressing her moredirect, "you have heard enough to make you doubtful of my character;therefore you must needs hear the whole, that you may not judge me worsethan 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 inkeeping, " answered Ella. 

"It is a secret, " returned Reynolds, solemnly, with his eyes cast downin a dejected manner; "a secret, I would to Heaven I had not myself inkeeping! 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 herfeatures grew pale, and then suddenly flushed, and her workunconsciously dropped from her hand. Then, as if ashamed of havingbetrayed her feelings, she became confused, and endeavored to cover theexposure by adding, with a forced laugh: "But really, Mr. Reynolds, Imust crave pardon for my silly behavior--but your manner of speaking, somehow, startled me--and--and I--before I was aware--really, it wasvery 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 fixedearnestly and even tenderly upon the other, "I would not exchange thatsimple expression of yours, Ella, for a mine of gold. By that alone youhave spoken volumes, and told me what I already feared was true, buthoped was otherwise. Nay, turn not your head away, Ella--dear Ella, ifyou will allow me so to address you--it is better, under thecircumstances, that we speak plainly and understandingly, as the time ofour final separation draweth near. I fear that my manner and languagehave hitherto too much expressed my feelings, and encouraged hopes inyou 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 Ihave caused you a pang, will add its weight of anguish to my alreadybitter lot. The days that I have spent beneath this hospitable roof, andin your sweet presence, are so many of bright sunshine, in a life ofcloud and storm; but will only serve, as I recall them, to make theremainder, by contrast, seem more dark and dreary. From the first Ilearned you were an orphan, and my sympathy was aroused in your behalf;subsequently, I listened to your recital of grief, and trouble, and coldtreatment 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 mybreast a feeling of a stronger nature. Had my wound permitted, I shouldhave torn myself from your presence then, with the endeavor, if such athing 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 youforgive me, for the manner in which I have conducted myself in yourcompany?"

"I have nothing to forgive; and had I, it should be forgiven, " answeredElla, sweetly, in a timid voice, her hands unconsciously toying with herneedle-work, and her face half averted, whereon could be traced thesuppressed 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 youwill grant nevertheless. "

"Name it, " said Ella, timidly, as the other paused. 

"It is, simply, that in judging me by the evidence I shall give againstmyself, you will lean strongly to the side of mercy; and, when I amgone, 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 notthe meaning of it! and, as I said before, I would rather not have yoursecret in keeping--the more so, as you say the revelation will be apainful 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 reallypainful to behold--so much so, that Ella, moved by this to a feeling ofcompassion, said:

"I perceive my answer wounds your feelings--I meant no harm; go on withyour story; I will listen, and endeavor to concede all you desire. "

"Thank you--again thank you!" returned the other, energetically, withemotion. "I will make my narrative brief as possible. "

Saying which, he entered the apartment where the other was sitting, andseating himself a few feet distant from her, after some littlehesitation, 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 theperiod and event, which changed me from a happy youth, blessed with homeand friends, to a wanderer--I know not but an outlaw--on the face of theearth. I was born in the state of Connecticut, A. D. 1759; and my fatherbeing a man of property, and one determined on giving his children (ofwhom there were two, one older than myself) a liberal education, I wasat an early age sent to a neighboring school, where I remained untilturned of eighteen, and then returned to my parents. 

"About this period, an old, eccentric lady--a maiden aunt of myfather--died, bequeathing to me--or rather to the second born of hernephew, Albert Reynolds, which chanced to be myself--the bulk of herproperty--in value some fifty thousand dollars, on condition, that, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, I should marry a certainElvira Longworth--a lady some three years my junior, for whom my greataunt had formed a strong attachment. And the will further provided, Thatin case the said second born of Albert Reynolds, either through theintervention of Providence, in removing him from off the face of theearth, (so it was worded) and from among the living, or through a mutualdislike of the parties seemed, did not between the specified ages, celebrate, with due rejoicing, the said nuptials with the said ElviraLongworth, the sum of twenty thousand dollars should be paid over to thesaid Elvira, if living, and the remainder of the property (or in caseshe 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 ofcircumstances no one could foresee, to result in the most terribleconsequences to those it should have benefited. On the reading thereof, no little dissatisfaction was expressed in regard to it, by numerousrelatives of the deceased; each of whom, as a matter of course, wasexpecting a considerable share of the old lady's property; and all ofwhom, with but few exceptions, were nearer akin than myself; andtherefore, in that respect, more properly entitled to it. As aconsequence of the will, I, though innocent of its construction--fornone could be more surprised at it than myself--became a regular targetfor the ridicule, envy, and hate of those who chanced to be disappointedthereby. At the outset, I had no intention of seeking a title to theproperty by complying with the specification set forth at the instanceof its late owner; and only looked upon it as a piece of crack-brainedfolly, that would serve for a nine days' comment and jest, and then beforgotten; but when I saw, that instead of being treated with thecourtesy and respect no conscious act of mine had ever forfeited, I wasridiculed, sneered at, and looked upon with jealousy and hate by thosewhose souls were too narrow to believe in a noble action--and who, measuring and judging me by their own sordid standards of avariciousjustice, deemed I would spare no pains to legally rob them, as theytermed it, --when I saw this, I say, my blood became heated, my fiercerpassions were roused, and I inwardly swore, that if it were now in mypower to accomplish what they feared, I would do it, though the lady inquestion were a fright to look upon. In this decision I was ratherencouraged 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 distantrelative, had first made her acquaintance, and formed that singularattachment, peculiar to eccentric temperaments, which had resulted inthe manner already shown. Accordingly, one fine spring morning, Imounted my horse, and set forth to seek my intended, and behold whatmanner of person she was of. Late at night I arrived at the villagewhere she resided--stabled my beast--took lodging at a hotel--inquiredout her residence--and, betimes, the morning following, made myobeisance in her presence, and with that bashful, awkward grace--if Imay be allowed so paradoxical a term--which my youth present purpose, and former good breeding combined, were calculated to produce. I wasmore embarrassed still a minute after, when, having given my name, andhinted at the singular document of the old lady deceased, I found myfair intended, as well as her family, were in total ignorance of mymeaning; and could I at the moment have been suddenly transferred to myhorse, I do not think I should have paused to make the necessaryexplanation. As it was, there was no alternative; and accordinglybegging a private interview with Elvira, I disclosed the whole secret;which she listened to for a time with unfeigned surprise; and thenbursting into a wild, ringing laugh, declared it to be 'The funniest andmost ridiculous thing she ever heard of. '

"She was a gay, sprightly, beautiful being--fresh in the bloom of somefifteen summers--with a bright, sparkling, roguish eye--long, floating, auburn ringlets--a musical voice--a ringing laugh--the latter frequentand long, --so that I soon felt it needed not the stimulating desire ofwealth and revenge to urge me on to that, which, under anycircumstances, would have been by no means disagreeable. To make a longstory short, I called upon her at stated periods; and, within a yearfrom our first acquaintance, we were plighted to each other. About thistime my father, together with some influential friends, procured me alieutenancy, to serve in our present struggle for the maintainance ofthat glorious independence, drawn up by the immortal Jefferson, andsigned by the noble patriots some two years before. I served a twoyears' campaign, and fought in the unfortunate and bloody battle ofCamden; which resulted, as doubtless you have heard, in great loss anddefeat to the American arms. Shortly after the action commenced, ourcaptain was killed, and the command of the company devolved on me. Ifulfilled my duties to the best of my ability, and myself and men werein the hottest of the fight. But from some alleged misdemeanor, whereofI can take my oath I was guiltless, I was afterward very severelycensured 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 thatmy intended was just on the eve of marriage with a cousin of mine--aworthless fellow--who, urged on by the relatives interested, and his owndesire of acquiring the handsome competence of twenty thousand dollars, had taken advantage of my absence to calumniate me, (in which design hehad been aided by several worthy assistants) and supplant me in the goodgraces--I will not say affections, as I think the term too strong--ofElvira Longworth. 

"The lady in question I do not think I ever loved--at least as Iunderstand the meaning of that term--and now--that she had listened toslander against me while absent, and, without waiting to know whether itwould be refuted on my return, had engaged herself to another--I caredless for her than before;--but my pride was touched, that I should bethus tamely set aside for one I heartily despised; and this, togetherwith my desire to thwart the machinations of the whole intriguing cliquearrayed against me, determined me, if feasible, to regain the favor ofElvira, 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 allthe errors appertaining thereto; and were this is the only sin to belaid to my charge, my conscience were far less troublesome than now. 

"I determined, I say, to regain my former place in her favor oraffection--whichever you like--and, to be brief, I apparently succeeded. The day was set for our marriage; which, for several reasons unnecessaryto be detailed, was to take place at the residence of my father; and, asthe will specified it should be with all due rejoicings, greatpreparations were accordingly made, and a goodly number of guestsinvited. 

"At length the day came--the eventful day. Never shall I forget it; norwith what feelings, at the appointed hour, I entered the crowded hall, where the ceremony was to take place, with Elvira leaning tremblingly onmy arm, her features devoid of all color, and approached the spot wherethe divine stood ready to unite us forever. All eyes were now fixed uponus; and the marriage rite was begun amid that deep and almost awfulsolemnity, which not unfrequently characterizes such proceedings onpeculiar occasions, when every spectator, as well as the actorsthemselves, feel a secret awe steal over them, as though about towitness a tragic, rather than a civil, performance. 

"I have mentioned that Elvira trembled violently when we entered thehall; but this trembling increased after the divine commenced theritual; so that when I had answered in the affirmative the solemnquestion pertaining to my taking the being by my side as mine tilldeath, her trepidation had become so great that it was with difficulty Icould support her; and when the same interrogative was put to her, asilence of some moments followed; and then the answer came forth, lowand trembling, but still sufficiently distinct to be generallyunderstood; and was, to the unbounded astonishment of all, in thenegative!"

"In the negative!" exclaimed Ella, suddenly, who had during the last fewsentences been unconsciously leaning forward, as though to devour eachsyllable as it was uttered, and who now resumed her former position witha 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 formy proud nature! To be thus publicly insulted and rejected--to be thusmade the butt and ridicule of fools and knaves--a mark for the jests andsneers of friend and foe! Oh! how my blood boiled and coursed in lavastreams through my heated veins! I saw it all. I was the dupe of someartful design, intended to stigmatize me forever; and wild with athousand terrible brain-searing thoughts, I rushed from the hall to myown apartment, seized upon my pistols, and was just in the act ofputting a period to my existence, when my arm was suddenly grasped, andmy hated rival and cousin stood before me. 

"'Fiend!' cried I in frenzy; 'devil in human shape!--do you seek me inthe body? What want you here?'

"His features were pale with excitement, and his lips quivered as hemade 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 youdare!'--and as I spoke, with the breech of my undischarged pistol, Istretched him senseless at my feet. Under the excitement of the moment, I was about to take a more terrible revenge; when others suddenly rushedin--seized and disarmed me--bore my rival from my sight--and, toconclude, placed me in bed, where I was confined for three weeks by adelirious fever, and then only recovered as it were by a miracle. 

"During my convalescence, I learned that my cousin, soon after myreturn, had been privately married to Elvira; and prompted by his evilgenius, and some of my enemies, had induced his wife to enter into theplot, the result of which has already been briefly narrated. I do notthink she did it through malice, and doubtless little thought of theconsequences that were destined to follow; but whether so or not, herpunishment has, I think, been fully adequate to her crime; for the lastI heard of her, she was an inmate of a mad-house--remorse for herconduct, the abuse heaped upon her by society, and her own severe frightat the termination of the stratagem, having driven her insane. Now comesthe most tragic part of my narrative. 

"When so far recovered as to again be abroad, I was cautioned by myparents against my rash act; and for their sakes, I promised to betemperate in all my movements; but, alas! how little we know when wepromise, what we may be in sooth destined to perform. On my father'sestate, about a mile distant from his residence, was a beautifulgrove--whither, for recreation, I was in the habit of repairing at allperiods of my life; and where, so soon as my strength permitted, aftermy sickness, I rambled daily. About ten days from my recovery, as I wastaking my usual stroll through these grounds, I was suddenly confrontedby my cousin. His cheeks were hollow and pale, and his whole appearancehaggard in the extreme. His eyes, too, seemed to flash, or burn, as itwere, 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 mayregret hereafter!'

"'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed he, in derision, with that peculiar, hollowsound, which even now, as I recall it, makes my blood run cold:--'Sayyou so, cousin?--I came for that;' and again he laughed as before. 'Seehere--see here!' and he presented, as he spoke, with the butts towardme, a brace of pistols. 'Here is what will settle all our animosities, 'he continued; 'take your choice, and be quick, or perchance we may beinterrupted. '

"'Are you mad, ' cried I, 'that you thus seek my life, after the wrongsyou have done me?'

"'Mad!--ha, ha!--yes!--yes!--I believe I am, ' he answered; 'and my wifeis mad also. I did you wrong, I know--went to apologise for it, and youstruck me down. Whatever the offence, a blow I never did and never willforgive; so take your choice, and be quick, for one or both of us mustnever quit this place alive. '

"'Away!' cried I, turning aside; 'I will not stain my hands with theblood 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;' andwith the palm of his hand he smote me on the cheek. 

"I could bear no more--I was no longer myself--I was maddened withpassion--and snatching a pistol from his hand, which was still extendedtoward me, without scarcely knowing what I did, I exclaimed, 'Your bloodbe on your own head!'--and--and--Oh, Heaven!--pardon me, Ella--I--shothim through the body. "

Ella, who had partly risen from her seat, and was listening withbreathless attention, now uttered an exclamation of horror, and sunkback, with features ghastly pale; while the other, burying his face inhis hands, shook his whole frame with convulsive sobs. For some timeneither spoke; and then the young man, slowly raising his face, whichwas now a sad spectacle of the workings of grief and remorse, againproceeded:

"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 seemedstarting from their sockets--with feelings that are indescribable--andthen rushing to him, I endeavored to raise him, and learn the extent ofhis injury. 

"'Fly!' said he, faintly, as I bent over him--'fly for your life! I havegot my due--I am mortally wounded--and if you remain, you will surely bearrested as my murderer. Farewell, Algernon--the fault was mine--butthis you can not prove; and so leave me--leave me while you haveopportunity. '

"His words were true; I felt them in force; if he died, I would bearraigned as his murderer--I had no proof to the contrary--circumstanceswould be against me--I should be imprisoned--condemned--perhapsexecuted--a loathsome sight for gaping thousands--I could not bear thethought--I might escape--ay, would escape--and bidding him a hastyfarewell, 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 takenplace, and begged advice for myself, and his immediate attendance uponmy cousin. He turned pale and trembled violently at my narration; and, as I concluded, drew forth a purse of gold, which he chanced to havewith 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 leastbeyond the reach of justice--and spare my old eyes the awful sight ofseeing a beloved son arraigned as a criminal!'

"'And my mother?'

"'You can not see her--it might cost you your life, --farewell!' and withthe last word trembling on his lips, he embraced me fondly, and weparted--perchance forever. 

"I fled, feeling that the brand of Cain was on me; that henceforth mylife was to be one of remorse and misery; that I was to be a wandererupon the face of the earth--mayhap an Ishmael, with every man's handagainst me. To atone in a measure to my conscience for the awful deed Ihad committed, I knelt upon the earth, and swore, by all I held sacredin time and eternity, that if the wound inflicted upon my cousin shouldprove mortal, I would live a life of celibacy, and become a wanderingpilgrim in the western wilds of America till God should see proper tocall 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 passedsince then; and after many adventures, hardships, sufferings, andhair-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 thebest. I have a hope that all will yet be well. "

"Amen to that, dear Ella; and a thousand, thousand thanks, for yoursweet words of consolation; they are as balm to my torn and bleedingheart; but until I _know_ my fate, we must not meet again; and if, ohHeaven! and if the worst be true--then--then farewell forever! But whocomes here?"

CHAPTER IV. 

THE STRANGER. 

The closing sentence of the preceding chapter was occasioned by theglimpse of a man's shadow, that for a moment swept along in thesunlight, some twenty paces distant from the speaker, and then suddenlydisappeared by being swallowed up in the larger and more stationaryshade thrown from the cottage by the sinking sun. Scarcely were thewords alluded to uttered, ere the sound of a step was heard close by thedoor, and the next moment the cause of the shadow and remark divided thelight of the entrance. 

The individual in question, was a stout built, broad-shouldered, athletic man--some five feet nine inches in height--whose age, judgingfrom his general appearance, as well as his features, might range fromtwenty-seven to thirty years. At the moment when he appeared before ouracquaintances of the foregoing chapter, his right arm was held in amanner so as to screen the lower portion of his face; while a hat, notvery much unlike those of the present day, pressed down upon hisforehead, left but little of his countenance, and that mainly about theeyes, visible. With the latter he gave a quick, searching, suspiciousglance at the two before him; and then, as if satisfied he had nothingto fear, lowered his arm and raised his hat from his forehead, exposinga physiognomy by no means pleasing to one skilled in reading the heartthereby. His complexion was swarthy--his skin coarse--and the generalexpression of his features repulsive in the extreme; this expressionarising from the combination of three distinct parts of hiscountenance--namely: the forehead which was low and receding from twodark-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 thisgeneral expression, was combined cunning, deceit, treachery, andbloodthirsty ferocity--each one of which passions were sufficientlypowerful, when fully excited, to predominate over the whole combination. The hair of his head was short, thick, coarse and red, grew low upon hisforehead, and, in its own peculiar way, added a fierceness to his wholeappearance. Nature had evidently designed him for a villain of thedarkest die; and on the same principle that she gives a rattle to acertain venomous snake, that other creatures may be warned of the deadlyfang in time to avoid it--so had she stamped him with a look wherein hispassions were mirrored, that those who gazed thereon might know withwhom and what they had to do, and be prepared accordingly. The costumetoo of the stranger was rather singular, and worthy of note--beingcomposed, for the most part, of an extraordinary long frock orovercoat--more like the gown of some monk than either--which reachedalmost down to the moccasins covering his feet, and was laced togetherin front, nearly the whole length, by thongs of deerskin. Around thewaist passed a rude belt of the same material--carelessly tied at oneside--in which, contrary to the usual custom of that period, there wasnot confined a single weapon, not even so much as a knife; and thisfact, together with the general appearance of the individual and his ownsuspicious movements, led Algernon, almost at the first glance, toconsider the long frock or gown an article of disguise, beneath whichthe stranger was doubtless doubly armed and costumed in a verydifferent manner. 

As the eyes of the new comer, after closely scanning Reynolds, restedfor the first time upon Ella, there flashed across his ugly features anexpression of admiration and surprise--while the look of suspicion whichhe had previously exhibited, seemed entirely to disappear. Turning tothe young man, who on his appearance had risen from his seat, and nowstood as if waiting to know his commands, in a voice evidently muchsoftened from its usual tones, but still by no means pleasant andharmonious, he said:

"Will you be kind enough to inform me, sir, to whom this dwellingbelongs?"

"It is owned, I believe, by one Benjamin Younker, " answered Algernon, ina 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 simplyprompted by curiosity. "

"Well, then, the individual in question is a man who has seen more thanfifty 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 shespoke and disappearing from his sight. 

"A beautiful creature!" said the stranger, musingly, as if tohimself--"a beautiful creature! Pardon me, " added he, again addressingAlgernon; "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 havementioned?"

"One, sir--the good dame of the cottage. "

For a moment or two the stranger mused, as if running over in his mindall that had been said; and then observed:

"Doubtless you think me very inquisitive; but I had a reason for all myquestions; and I thank you sincerely, sir, for your prompt replies. Itis now growing late; the sun will presently be down; and as I am atraveler--a stranger in this region--I would rather not pursue myjourney further, providing I could be entertained here for the night. "

"As to that, I am unable to answer, " said Algernon; "but if you willstep within, I will make the necessary inquiries. "

"Thank you, " replied the stranger, with a show of cordiality; "thankyou;" 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'scabin was the stranger's home, and every neighbor every neighbor'sfriend. There were no distinct grades of society then as now, from whichan honest individual of moral worth must be excluded because ofpoverty--a good character for upright dealing being the standard bywhich all were judged; and whoever possessed this, could rank equallywith the best, though poor as the beggar Lazarus. Doubtless intellectand education then, as well as at the present day, held in many things asuperiority over imbecility and ignorance; but there were no distinctlines of demarcation drawn; and in the ordinary routine of intercourseone with another, there was no superiority claimed, and noneacknowledged. And this arose, probably, from the necessity each feltfor there being a general unity--a general blending together of allqualifications, as it were, into one body politic--by which eachindividual became an individual member of the whole, perfect in hisplace, and capable of supplying what another might chance to need; asthe man of education might be puny in stature and deficient of a strongarm; the man of strong arm deficient in education; the imbecile manmight be a superior woodman--the man of intellect an inferior one:--sothat, as before remarked, each of these qualities, being essential toperfect the whole, each one of course was called upon to exercise hispeculiar talent, and take his position on an equality with his neighbor. There has been great change in society since then; those days of simpleequality have gone forever; but we question if the present race, withall their privileges, with all their security, with all their means ofenjoyment, are as happy as those noble old pioneers, with all theirnecessities, 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 entitledto all the rights of hospitality; and whether liked or disliked, couldnot consistently be smiled away, nor frowned away, as doubtless he wouldhave been, had he lived in this civil, wonderworking age of lightningand steam; and though his appearance was any thing but agreeable to Mrs. Younker, who surveyed him through her spectacles (being a little nearsighted) from the adjoining cabin, whither Algernon had repaired tolearn her decision; and though it would prove inconvenient to herselfto grant his request; yet, as she expressed it, "He war a stranger, ashadn'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 jesta night's lodging like;" and so the matter was settled, and Algernon wasdeputed to inform him that he could stay and would be welcome to suchfare as their humble means afforded. 

Some half an hour later, a loud hallooing announced the arrival of thetwo Younkers with the domestic cattle--consisting of the kine and somepet sheep which ran with them--from their labors in a distant field, where they had been engaged in harvesting corn. A few minutes after, theelder Younker entered the cabin, bearing upon his shoulder a rifle, fromwhich depended a large, fat turkey that he had shot during his absence. With a slight but friendly nod to the stranger, he proceeded to deposithis game on the hearth--where it was presently examined and commented onat considerable length by the good dame--and then carefully placing hisrifle on a couple of horn hooks depending from the ceiling for thepurpose, he seated himself on a stool, his back to the wall, with theair of one who is very much fatigued, and does not wish to mingle inconversation of any kind. 

The sun by this time was already below the horizon; twilight was fastdeepening into night; and the matron, having finished her remarks on theturkey, and "Wondered ef sech birds wouldn't git to being scaser arter awhile, when all on, 'em war shot?" proceeded to the cow-yard, to assistIsaac in milking; while Ella hurried hither and thither, with almostnoiseless activity, to prepare the evening repast. A bright fire wassoon kindled in the chimney, over which was suspended a kettle forboiling water; while in front, nearly perpendicular, was placed a largecorn loaf, whose savory odor, as it began to cook, was far from beingdisagreeable to the olfactory organs of the lookers on. The table, ofwhich we have previously given a description, was next drawn into themiddle of the apartment and covered with a home-made cloth of linen; onwhich were placed a medley of dishes of various sizes andmaterials--some of wood, some of pewter, some of earthern, and one ofstone--with knives and forks to correspond. Three of these dishes wereoccupied--one with clean, fresh butter, another with rich old cheese, and the third with a quantity of cold venison steak. In the course ofanother half hour, the cake was baked and on the table--Isaac and hismother had entered with the milk--the announcement was made by Ella thatall was ready; and the whole party, taking seats around the humbleboard, proceeded to do justice to the fare before them. 

A light, placed in the center of the table, threw its gleams uponthe faces of each, and exhibited a singular variety of expressions. That of the stranger was downcast, sinister, and suspicious, combinedwith 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 acertain event, without being decided as to the exact manner of itsaccomplishment--until he found himself observed, when his glance wouldfall to his plate, or be directed to some other object, with theseeming embarrassment of one caught in some guilty act. This was noticedmore than once by Algernon; who, perhaps, more than either of theothers, felt from the first that strong dislike, that suspiciousrepugnance to the stranger, which can only be explained as one of themysteries of nature, whereby we are sometimes warned of whom we shouldshun, 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 acircumstance apparently so trifling--that the glance of the stranger wassimply one of admiration or curiosity--yet the thought that it might beotherwise--that he might be planning something wicked to the fair beingbefore him--haunted his mind like some hideous vision, made him forthe time more distrustful, more watchful than ever, and was afterwardreverted to with a painful sensation. The features of Algernon alsoexhibited an expression of remorse and hopeless melancholy; the reasonwhereof the reader, who has now been made acquainted with the secret, will readily understand. The face of Ella, too, was paler thanusual--more sad and thoughtful--so much so, that it was remarked by Mrs. Younker, who immediately instituted the necessary inquiries concerningher health, and explained to her at some length the most approved methodof curing a cold, in case that were the cause. In striking contrast tothe sober looks of the others--for Younker himself was a man who seldomexhibited other than a sedate expression--was the general appearance andmanner of Isaac. He seemed exceedingly exhilarated in spirits, yet kepthis eyes down, and appeared at times very absent minded. Whatever histhoughts were, it was evident they were pleasing ones; for he wouldsmile to himself, and occasionally display a comical nervousness, asthough he had some very important secret to make known, yet was notready to communicate it. This had been observed in him through the day;and was so different from his usual manner, and so much beyond anyconjecture his mother could form of the cause, that at last hercuriosity became so excited, that to restrain it longer was like holdingdown the safety-valve to an over-heated steam boiler; and, accordingly, taking advantage of another mysterious smile, which Isaac chanced todisplay while looking at a large piece of corn bread, already on its wayto his capacious jaws, she exclaimed:

"Why, what on yarth _is_ the matter with you, Isaac, that you keep agrinning, and grinning, and fidgetting about all to yourself so muchlike a plaguy nateral born fool for?"

So loudly, suddenly and unexpectedly was this question put--for all hadbeen silent some minutes previous--that Isaac started, blushed, droppedthe bread--already near enough to his teeth to have felt uncomfortable, had it been capable of feeling--endeavored to catch it--blundered--andfinally upset his plate and contents into his lap, in a manner so trulyridiculous, that Ella and Mrs. Younker, unable to restrain their mirth, laughed heartily, while the stranger and Algernon smiled, and the sternfeatures of the father relaxed into an expression of quiet humor seldomseen on his countenance. 

"'Pon my word, " continued Mrs. Younker, so soon as she could collectbreath enough after laughing to go on; "I do raley believe as how theboy's ayther crazy, or in love, for sartin. What does ail ye, Isaac?--dotell!"

"Perhaps he was thinking of his dear Peggy, " said Ella, archly; who was, by the way, very fond of teasing him whenever opportunity presented; andcould not even now, despite her previous low spirits, forbear a littleinnocent raillery--her temperament being such, that wit and humor wereever ready on the slightest provocation to take the ascendancy, as oldwine when stirred ever sends its sparkling beads upward. "I wonder, Isaac, if you looked as amiable and interesting in the eyes of dearPeggy, and made as graceful an appearance, when you popped thequestion?"

"Why, how in the name o' all Christen nater did you find out I'd doneit?" asked Isaac, in reply; who having, meantime, regained his formerposition, and restored the plate, minus some of its contents, now sat aperfect picture of comical surprise, with his mouth slightly ajar, andhis small eyes strained to their utmost and fastened seriously upon thequerist as he awaited her answer. 

"Murder will out, dear Isaac, " replied Ella, with a ringing laugh; inwhich she was joined by most of the others; and particularly by thesubject of the joke; who perceiving, too late for retreat, that he hadbeen betrayed into an acknowledgment of his secret, deemed this hiswisest course for defence. 

"And so, Isaac, you have really proposed to darling Peggy, then? and weare to have a wedding shortly?" continued his tormentor. "And pray whichdid look the most foolish of the two?--or was it a drawn-game, as wesometimes 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 nogreat difference, only as I war intending it for a surprise. You see Iaxed Peggy the question last night; and it's all settled; and we'regoing to be married in less nor a week, ef nothing unforeseen don'thappen; and as Mr. Reynolds ar a stranger in these diggins, I thoughtprehaps as how he'd like a little amusement like, and so I've fixed onhim for my groomsman. "

"I am much obliged for your kind intentions, and the honor you wouldconfer on me, " answered Reynolds, sadly; "but I am sorry to say, I shallbe under the necessity of declining your invitation; as on the morrow Idesign taking a farewell leave of you all, and quitting this part of thecountry forever. "

Mr. Younker, his wife, and son, all started, with looks of surprise, atthis announcement, while Ella again grew deadly pale; and rising, withsome little trepidation, retired from the table. The stranger was theonly 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 sufficientlyso to allow me to pursue my journey. The wound, as you are aware, wasonly a flesh one--the ball having entered the right side, glanced on thelower rib, and passed out nearly in front--and though very dangerous atthe 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 considerableolder woman nor you ar--that is, I mean to say, I'm a much olderindividule--and I 'spect I've had in my time some lettle experiencein matters that you don't know nothing about; and so you musn't go tothinking hard o' me, ef I give you a lettle advice, and tell you tostay right whar you ar, and not stir a single step away for threeweeks;--'cause ef you do, your wound may get rupturous agin, and insome 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, PreacherAllprayer, "--continued the voluble old lady, with a sigh, her mind nowwholly occupied with his virtues--"dear good man he war! I jestremember--Lor bless ye, I'll never forgit it--how he come'd to me when Iwar sick--with tears a running out o' his eyes like he'd been eating rawinyuns, poor man--and told me that I war going to die right straightaway, and never need to hope to be no better; and that I'd most likelygo right straight to that orful place whar all bad folks goes to. O, thedear man! I never could help always liking him arter that--it made mefeel so orful narvous and religious like. Why, what on yarth be yougrinning at agin, Isaac?--jest for all the world like a monkey for?"

"Nothing, mother, " answered Isaac, nearly choking with smotheredlaughter; "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 whenyou 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' thepious Rev. Mr. Allprayer?--him as used to preach all Sunday long, andpray all Sunday night, and never did nothing wrong--though he did gitturned out o' the meeting house arterward for getting drunk andswearing; but then the poor man cried and said it were nothing but aaccident, which hadn't happened more nor ten times to him sence he'd bina preacher of the everlasting gospel. Thar, thar, the crazy head's agiggling agin! I do wish, Ben, you'd see to Isaac, and make him behavehimself--for he's got so tittery like, sence he's axed Peggy, thar's nouse o' trying to do nothing with him. "

"Isaac! Isaac!" said his father with a reproving glance; and, as thoughthat voice and look possessed a spell, the features of the young maninstantly became grave, almost solemn. Then turning to Algernon, the oldman continued: "As to leaving us, Mr. Reynolds, you of course know yourown business best, and it arn't my desire to interfere; but ef you couldput up with our humble fare, say a week or ten days longer, I think ashow it would be much better for you, and would give us a deal ofpleasure besides. "

"Why, I'll jest tell you what tis, " put in Isaac: "I've fixed on you forgroomsman, and I arn't a going to gin in no how; so unless you want toquarrel; you'll have to stay; and more'n that, it's spected you'll seeto takin Ella thar; for I know she don't like to go with any o' thefellers round here; and I shall gin out she's going with you; which maybe 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 soexceedingly confused, that he could with difficulty stammer forth, byway of reply, the query as to the time when the important event wasexpected 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 willpostpone my departure till after the wedding. "

Isaac thanked him cordially, and the father and mother looked gratifiedat the result; Ella he could not see--she having withdrawn from thetable, as previously noted. Some further conversation ensued relative tothe manner in which weddings were conducted in that country, and thedesign of proceeding with the one in question; but as we intend thereader 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 asingular interest in all that was said concerning the residence of theintended bride, the road the party were expected to take to reach there, their probable number, manner of travel, and the time when they would belikely 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 carelessmanner as would lead one not otherwise suspicious to suppose himperfectly indifferent as to whether it were answered or not; but hesomehow fancied, he scarce knew why, that there was a strong undercurrent to this outward seeming. And furthermore he observed, that thestranger in general avoided putting a question at all--rather seekinghis information by conjecturing or supposing what would immediately becontradicted or confirmed. This mode of interrogation, so closelyfollowed up to every particular, yet apparently with such indifference, together with the stranger's treacherous look and several minor thingsall bearing a suspicious cast, more than half convinced Algernon thatthe 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 todetermine. 

From the particulars of the coming wedding, the stranger, after alittle, adroitly turned the conversation upon the wound of Reynolds;asked a number of questions, and appeared deeply interested in the wholenarration concerning it--the attack upon him by the Indians and hisprovidential escape through the assistance of Boone--all of which wasdetailed by Isaac in his own peculiar way. From this case in particular, the conversation gradually changed to other cases that had happenedin the vicinity; and also to the state of the country, with regardto what it had been and now was--its settlements--its increase ofinhabitants--the many Indian invasions and massacres that had occurredwithin the last five years on the borders--and the present supposedpopulation of the frontiers. 

"As to myself, " said Younker, in reply to some observation of thestranger, "as to myself and family, we've been extremely fortunate in'scaping the red foe--though I've bin daily fearful that when I wentaway to my work in the morning, I'd may be come back agin at noon ornight 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 rendingsight. "

"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 atleast I'm in my second half century--and I've so endeavored to live, asnot to fear to go at any moment when God sees fit, and by whatsomevermeans he may choose to take me. "

"I suppose you now consider yourself in a measure safe from Indianencroachments?" 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 nameis--is--Williams. "

"Thank you! No man, Mr. Williams, ar justified in considering himselfsafe from Injens, in a country like this; but to tell the truth, I don'tfeel 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' twoyear more. "

"And did you venture here at once on your arrival in this westerncountry?"

"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 agreat deal o' disputing; and which war kept up till the commissionerscame out and settled the matter; and so while this war agitating, I tookmy family to Boonesborough, whar they remained, excepting Isaac, whowent along with me, until we'd got all matters fixed for moving 'emhere. But as you've axed considerable many questions, pray may I know efyou're from the east?--And ef so, what news thar is with respect to thishere war with the Britishers?" "Why, " replied the other, hesitatingly, "though not strictly speaking from the east, yet I've been eastward thepast season, and have some news of the war; and, as far as I am able tojudge, 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 boughtfour hundred acres, poor man, at forty cents a acre, under the new lawsof Varginna[4]--which comes to one hundred and sixty dollars, hardmoney; and now maybe he'll have to lose it all, and not git nothing forit; and then what in the name o' the whole univarsal creation willbecome on us?"

"Well, well, Dorothy--don't fret about it till it happens--thar'll beplenty o' time then, " said Younker, gravely; "and perhaps it won'thappen at all. "

"Don't talk to me about fretting, Mr. Younker!" rejoined the nowirritated dame, a la Caudle: "I reckon I don't fret no easier nor youdo, 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 goodfor nothing red-coated Britishers, who I do believe is jest as mean asInjens, and they're too mean to live, that's sartin. Fret, indeed! Ireckon it wouldn't do for you to be letting Preacher Allprayer hear yesay so; for he said one time with his own mouth--and to me too, mindthat!--that I'd got the bestest disposition in the whole universal yartho' creation under the sun!" and the voluble old lady paused to takebreath. 

"It's my opine, that ef Preacher Allprayer had lived with you as long asI have, he wouldn't repeat that thar sentence under oath, " returnedYounker, quietly. Then perceiving that a storm was brewing, he hastenedto change the conversation, by addressing the stranger: "What cause haveyou, Mr. Williams, for speaking so discourageous o' the war?"

"The failure of the American arms in battle, the weakness of theirresources, and the strength of their opponents, " replied the other. "Ipresume you have heard of the battles of Guilford and Camden, in both ofwhich General Greene was defeated?"

"General _Gates_ commanded at Camden, sir!" interposed Reynolds somewhathaughtily. 

"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, withflashing eyes. "I repeat that General Gates commanded at Camden; and as, unfortunately, I chanced to be in the fight, I claim the privilege ofbeing positive. "

"The youth is doubtless speaking of the battle fought a year or twoago, " rejoined Williams, turning to Younker, in a manner the mostinsulting to Reynolds; who clenched his hand, and pressed his nether lipwith his teeth until the blood sprang through, but said nothing. "I havereference to the two engagements which took place at Guilford CourtHouse and Camden, in March and April last; whereby, as I said before, General Greene, who commanded at both, was twice defeated, and retreatedwith great loss; although in the former action his forces outnumberedthose of his opponent, Lord Cornwallis, as two to one; and in thelatter, 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 tosmash, " observed Mrs. Younker; "and its my opine, Ben, you'd better sellright 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 youhere?" said the stranger, interrogatively. 

"Why not in reality, " answered Younker, "only so far as the Britishersand thar accursed renegade agents set on the Injens agin us. "

"To what renegade agents do you allude?" inquired the other, with adegree of interest he had not before exhibited. 

"Why, to the Girtys, McKee, and Elliot--and perticularly to that tharscoundrel, Simon Girty the worst o' all on 'em. "

"Ha! Simon Girty, " said the other, with a slight start and change ofcountenance; "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 whitebrethren--to have them murder women and children, that he may feast hiseyes 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, butI inwardly pray for the curse o' an avenging God to light upon him; andcome it will, ayther soon or late, you may depend on't!"

"Amen to that thar sentiment!" responded the dame; while the strangerbecame very much agitated, on account, as he said, of a violent pain inhis side, to which he was subject. 

Mrs. Younker was on the point of bringing down her invectives on thehead of the renegade in a speech of some considerable length, when, perceiving the distressful look of the other, the kind-hearted womansuddenly forgot her animosity in sympathy for her suffering guest; andforthwith proceeded, with all the eloquence of which she was master, torecommend a certain essence that chanced to be in the house, as a neverfailing remedy for all griping and other pains with which unfortunatehumanity was oftentimes afflicted. 

"It's one o' the bestest things as ever war invented, " continued thegood woman, in her eulogy of the article in question; "and has did moregood in it's time, nor all the doctors on the univarsal yarth puttogether could do, in the way of curing sprains, and bruises, andstomach-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 youcan, on the bottle itself, jest as plain as any thing; and besides, I'vegot 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 thecontracting (counteracting?) pains war so many, that he didn't no morefeel the gout for a long time to come afterwards. I've no doubt it'llsarve you jest the same way, and I'll go and fetch it right straightoff. "

But the mission of the good woman was prevented by the complainant'sinsisting that he was much better, would presently be well, and wishedto retire for the night. His request was granted--but little more wassaid--and all shortly after betook themselves to bed--to think, orsleep, or dream, as the case might be with each. 

When the family arose on the following morning, they found the strangerhad departed; but when or whither none could tell. 

[Footnote 4: It may be proper to note here, for the benefit of thoseunfamiliar with the early history of Kentucky, that, at the period ofwhich we write, it was claimed and held by Virginia as a portion of herterritory, for which she legislated accordingly. ]

CHAPTER V. 

THE WEDDING. 

The year 1781 was remarkable in the history of Kentucky for the immenseemigration from the east into its territory of unmarried females. Itappears, in looking over the records of the time, as though some mightybarrier had hitherto kept them in check, which, being removed, allowedthem to rush forward in overwhelming force, like to the pent up watersof some stream when its obstruction suddenly gives way. Whatever thishitherto 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. Theresult of this influx of females into a region almost wholly populatedby the opposite sex was one, as will readily be perceived, of greatimportance to the well-being of the embryo state; and was dulycelebrated by the rising generation, in a general jubilee ofmarriages--one following fast upon another, like drops of rain in agenial summer shower; and, to extend the simile, with an effect by nomeans less productive of fertility, in a long run, to the country roundabout. 

A wedding in those days was an affair of great importance to theneighborhood of its location; and was looked forward to by old andyoung--the latter in particular--as a grand holiday of feasting, dancing, and general rejoicing. Nor can this be wondered at, when wetake into consideration the fact, that, in the early settlement of thecountry, a wedding was almost the only gathering, as they were called, which was not accompanied with some laborious employment--such asharvesting, log-rolling, and the like. Occasionally there might be somedissatisfaction felt and expressed by some, who, from some cause oranother, chanced to be left out of the almost general invitation; inwhich case a special resentment not unfrequently followed. This wasaccomplished in various ways--sometimes by felling trees, or placingother obstacles across some narrow portion of the horse-path by whichthe wedding party were advancing, thereby causing considerable delay fortheir removal--sometimes by ambushing and firing a volley of blankcartridges at the party in question, so as to frighten the horses, bywhich means more or less were frequently injured, by being thrown to theground--and sometimes by shearing the manes and tails of the horsesthemselves, while their owners were being occupied with the feast, andthe 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 wasto see him duly united to Peggy Wilson, came in due time--as many animportant one has both before and since--without one visible sign in theheavens, or otherwise, to denote that any thing remarkable was about tohappen. 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 smilinglight, as though he felt exceedingly happy to greet them again after acalm night's repose. The dew sparkled on blade and leaf, as if withdelight at his appearance; a few flowers modestly uncovered theirblooming heads; a few warblers of the forest--for although autumn hadnearly half advanced, some had delayed their journey to the sunnysouth--sung gleesome songs; and altogether the morning in question wasreally a delightful one. 

The family of the Younkers were stirring betimes, making the necessarypreparations for their departure, and looking out for the expectedguests; who, according to the custom of the period, first assembled atthe residence of the groom, to proceed thence in company with him tothe mansion of the bride, which place they must always reach in time tohave the ceremony performed before partaking of the dinner prepared forthe occasion. For this purpose, as the distance to the house of the fairintended was not unfrequently considerable, they generally came at anearly hour; and as Isaac's fair Peggy was not likely to be visible shortof a ten miles' ride, his companions for the journey accordingly beganto appear in couples before his father's dwelling, ere the sun was anhour above the hills. 

Isaac, on the present occasion, stood ready to receive them as theyrode up, arrayed in his wedding garments; which--save a few triflingexceptions in some minor articles, and the addition of five or six metalbuttons displayed on his hunting frock in a very singular manner, anda couple of knee buckles, all old family relics--presented the sameappearance as those worn by him during his ordinary labors. And this, by the way, exhibits another feature of the extreme simplicity of thetime--and one too highly praise-worthy--when the individual was soughtfor himself alone, and not for the tinsel gew-gaws, comparativelyspeaking, he might chance to exhibit. Necessity forced all to be plainand substantial in the matter of dress; and consequently comfort andconvenience were looked to, rather than ostentatious display. All atthat day were habited much alike--so that a description of the costumeof one of either sex, as in the case of their habitations, previouslynoted, would describe that of a whole community. 

"Let the reader, " says a historian, in speaking of the manners and dressof those noble pioneers, "imagine an assemblage of people, without astore, tailor, or mantuamaker within an hundred miles; and an assemblageof horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance. Thegentlemen dressed in shoepacks, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins, linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made. The ladies dressed in linseypetticoats, 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--familypieces from parents or grandparents. The horses were caparisoned withold saddles, old bridles or halters, and packsaddles, with a bag orblanket thrown over them--a rope or string as often constituting thegirth as a piece of leather. "

But to our story:

Since leaving Isaac in the preceding chapter, after his importantannouncement, as therein recorded, he had been by no means idle. The twodays immediately following had been spent by him in riding post-hastethrough the surrounding country, to inform his friends that he was onthe point of becoming a married man, and require their presence at theappointed hour and place of ceremony. The rest of the time (Sunday ofcourse exempted) had been carefully husbanded by him in making all duepreparation; and he now stood before his expected guests with the airone, 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; andinviting them to dismount and enter, until the whole number should bearrived, he led away and secured their horses to the neighboring trees. 

In due time the last couple made their appearance; and having partakenof some refreshment, which was highly recommended and presented by Mrs. Younker herself--whose tongue, by the way, had seen no rest for at leasttwo hours--the whole party, in gleeful spirits, prepared to mount andset forth on their journey. Even Algernon, as he assisted the gracefulElla into her saddle, and then sprung lightly himself upon the back ofa high mettled, beautiful steed by her side, could not avoid exhibitinga look of cheerfulness, almost gaiety, in striking contrast to hishabitual gloom. And this too produced a like effect upon Ella; who, mounted upon a fine spirited, noble animal, and displaying all the easeand grace of an accomplished rider, with her flushed cheek and sparklingeyes, seemed the personification of loveliness. Her dress wasexceedingly neat, of the fashion and quality worn in the east--being oneshe had brought with her on her removal hither. A neat hood, to whichwas attached a green veil, now thrown carelessly back and floating downbehind, covered her head and partially concealed a profusion ofbeautiful ringlets. 

The company at length being all mounted, Isaac took it upon himself tolead the way; for the reason, as he alleged, that having traveled theground oftener than either of the others, he of course knew the best andnearest path to the abode of Peggy Wilson. Algernon as groomsman rodenext 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 fullof glee--to the number of some fifteen couples. Turning the corner ofthe house, they forded the streamlet previously mentioned, crossed thevalley, and ascended by a narrow horse-path the opposite hill, leavingthe canebrake some distance away to the left. 

In those days a road--or at least such a highway as we of the presentso denominate--was a something unknown; a few horse-paths, so termed, traversing the country in various directions--narrow, oftentimesobstructed, and sometimes dangerous. Over one of this latter class, asbefore said, our wedding party now wended their way, in high spirits;sometimes riding at a brisk trot or gallop, where their course lay openand 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 thegentlemen of the company dismount and lead the horses of their partnersfor some considerable distance past the stony and dangerous defile, bywhich means all accidents were avoided. When they had reached withina 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 importantexpedition, he sang out in a loud, shrill voice;

"Well, boys and gals, here we ar--this here's the spot--who's agoing torun for the bottle?"

"Whoop! yaho! give way thar!" was the answer from a couple of voices inthe rear; and at the same instant, two young men, separating from theirpartners, came bounding forward, on two blood horses, at break-neckspeed. 

"Stop!" thundered Isaac, as they came tearing up to where he was sittingastride his beast; and obedient to his command, the two individuals inquestion reined in their impatient steeds, hard abreast, close by hisside. "Well, ef you arn't a couple o' beauties, then jest put it downthat I don't know, " continued Isaac, eying them coolly from head toheel, with a quizzical, comical look. "You'd both on ye average twodecent looking fellars--for whar Seth Stokes is too long, Sam Switcherarn't long enough; and whar Sam Switcher's got too much, Seth Stokeshan't got nothing. "

A roar of laughter, in which both Seth and Sam joined, followed Isaac'sclosing remarks; for besides partaking of the ludicrous, none could denythat his description was correct. The two worthies in question werecertainly two very singular looking beings to be brought together for arace, and presented a most laughable appearance. The one bearing thepoetical appellation of Seth Stokes, was long, thin and bony, with sharpfeatures, and legs that reminded one of a carpenter's compass; while hiscompanion, Sam Switcher, was round-favored, short in limbs and stature, and fat almost to corpulency--thus forming a contrast to the other ofthe most striking kind. 

As soon as the laugh at their expense had subsided, Isaac again sangout: "Squar your hosses' heads thar--get ready, boys--now clippet, anddon't keep us long waiting the bottle! for I reckon as how some on usis gitting dry. Yehep! yahoa!" and ere the sound of his voice had diedaway, down came the switches, accompanied by a terrible yell, and offwent horses and bottle-riders--over stumps, logs and rocks--past treesand brush, and whatever obstacle might lie in their course--with a speedthat threatened them with death at every moment; while the othersremained quietly seated on their ponies, enjoying the sport, andsometimes shouting after them such words of encouragement as, "Go it, Seth!" "Up to him, Sammy!" "Pull up, legs!" "Jump it, fatty!" so long asthe racers were in sight. 

This race for the bottle, as it was called, was a peculiar feature fordisplaying the horsemanship and hardy recklessness of the earlysettlers; as a more dangerous one, to both horse and rider, could notwell be imagined. That the reader may form a clear conception of what itwas in reality--and also to destroy the idea if any such may have beenformed, that it existed only in our imagination--we shall take theliberty of giving a short extract from the author already quoted. Inspeaking of the foregoing, he says:

"The worse the path--the more logs, brush, and deep hollows, thebetter--as these obstacles afforded an opportunity for the greaterdisplay of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox-chase, in pointof danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race forthe 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 usefor judges; for the first who reached the door was presented with theprize, with which he returned in triumph to the company. On approachingthem, he announced his victory over his rival by a shrill whoop. At thehead of the troop he gave the bottle first to the groom and hisattendants, 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 hishunting shirt, took his station in the company. "

In something like a quarter of an hour, the clatter of horses' feet washeard by the company, the rival-racers presently appeared in sight, andall became anxious to learn who was the successful runner. They were notlong kept in suspense; for advancing at a fast gallop, the riders were, soon within speaking distance; when a loud, shrill whoop from SethStokes, announced that in this case success had at least been with thelong, if not with the strong. 

"How's this, Sammy?" cried a dozen voices, as the rivals rode up to theparty. 

"I don't exactly know, " answered the individual addressed, shaking hishead 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 roarof laughter at the expense of the winner, in which he good-humoredlyjoined. According to custom, as previously mentioned, the bottle waspresented first to Isaac, and then passed in regular order throughthe lines--Algernon and Ella merely putting it to their lips withoutdrinking. When this ceremony was over, the party resumed theirjourney--no less merry on account of the whiskey--and by half an hourpast 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 receivethem; and after some few introductions, much shaking of hands, and otherdemonstrations of joy, the announcement was made, that the squire wasready to perform the ceremony. Instantly all talking was suspended, thecompany proceeded to form into a half circle, and then all became silentand solemn as the house of death. Isaac presently appeared from behind acoarse, temporary screen of cloth, hung up for the occasion--the househaving no division save a chamber over head--leading the blushing Peggyby the hand, (a rosy cheeked, buxom lass of eighteen) both looking asfrightened and foolish as could reasonably be expected. Behind the brideand groom came Algernon, in company with a dark-eyed, pretty brunette, who performed the part of bridesmaid. Taking their several places, theSquire, as he was termed--a man of forty--stepped forward, and said afew words concerning the importance of the present event, asked thenecessary questions, joined their hands, and pronounced them man andwife. Then followed the usual amount of congratulations, good wishes forthe future happiness of the married pair, kissing of the bride, and soforth, in all of which proceedings they differed not materially fromtheir successors of the present day. 

About half an hour from the close of the ceremony, the guests wereinvited to partake of a sumptuous dinner, prepared expressly for theoccasion. It was placed on rough tables made of large slabs, supportedby small, round legs, set in auger holes; and though there was ascantiness of dishes--and these in the main consisting of a fewpewter-plates, several wooden trenchers, with spoons of like material, interspersed with some of horn--and though the scarcity of knivesrequired many of the gentlemen to make use of those carried in theirbelts--yet the food itself was such as might have rejoiced an epicure. It consisted of beef, roasted and boiled--pork, roasted andfried--together with chicken, turkey, partridge, and venison--wellflanked 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 eachindividual performed his or her part, and the rapidity with which itdisappeared. The dessert was composed of two or three kinds of pies andpuddings, washed down (at least by those who chose so to do) withwhiskey. Great hilarity prevailed--particularly after the introductionof the bottle. Immediately dinner was over, the tables were removed, thefiddler was called for, and the dance commenced, which was to last tillthe following morning. The dance was opened by Isaac and the bridesmaid, with another couple--beginning with a square four, and ending with whatwas termed a jig. From this time forth, until the party separated, thepoor fiddler experienced but little relaxation or comfort--unless inbeing encouraged, occasionally, by a refreshing salute from the lips ofBlack Betty; a being of no greater intellect, reader, than a bottle ofwhiskey. 

Some two hours after dinner, the father and mother of Isaac announcedtheir intention of forthwith returning home; and, although seriouslypressed to tarry longer, shortly after took their leave of thecompany--Mrs. Younker adding, as a farewell speech, "That she hoped togracious Peggy'd jest make Isaac as good a wife nor she had Ben, andthen thar wouldn't never be no need o' having trouble;" and wound up byquoting the Rev. Mr. Allprayer as the best authority on the subject. Younker stood by her side, calmly heard her through, and then shrugginghis shoulders with a very significant expression, walked away withoutsaying 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 toall observers that his mind went not with his body, and that what he didwas done more with a design of concealing his real feelings, than forany amusement it afforded himself. When not occupied in this manner, orin conversation, he would steal away, seat himself where he was leastlikely to be observed, and fall into a gloomy, abstracted mood; fromwhich, when suddenly roused by some loud peal of laughter, or by thetouch and voice of some person near, he would sometimes start and lookaround as one just awakened from a frightful vision. This gloomyabstraction, too, appeared to grow upon him more and more, as the daysettled into night and the night wore on, as though he felt some dreadedcalamity had been hanging over, and was now about to fall upon him. Soapparent was this toward the last, that even the most careless began toobserve, and make remarks, and ask questions concerning him; and someeven proceeded to inquire of him regarding the state of his health. Hisanswers to all interrogatives now became so brief and abrupt, that butfew ventured to address him the second time. Whatever the cause of hispresent gloomy state of mind, it was evidently not the ordinary one--atleast not wholly that--for never before had Ella (who was in the habit, since their acquaintance, of observing him narrowly) seen him in such amood as now. It was, perhaps, one of those strange mental foresights, peculiar to certain temperaments, whereby the individual is sometimeswarned of impending danger, and feels oppressed by a weight ofdespondency impossible to shake off. 

This serious change in the appearance of Algernon, was not without itseffect upon Ella. Naturally of a tender, affectionate, and sympatheticdisposition, she could not feel at ease when another was suffering, andparticularly when that other was one standing so high in her estimationas Algernon Reynolds. Naturally, too, possessing light and buoyantspirits--fond of gaiety where all were gay--she exhibited on the presentoccasion the effect of two strong but counteracting passions. Herfeatures, if we may be allowed the comparison, were like the noon-dayheavens, when filled with the broken clouds of a passing storm. Now allwould be bright and cheerful, and the sun of mirth would sparkle in hereyes; and anon some dark cloud of dejection would sweep along, shutout the merry light, and cast its shadow drearily over the wholecountenance, --or, to use language without simile, she would one momentbe merry and another sad. Toward the last, however, the latter feelinggained the ascendancy; she appeared to take no further share in themerriment of the dance; and had any watched her closely, they mighthave guessed the cause, from the manner in which she from time to timegazed at the pale face of Algernon. 

Meantime the dance went bravely on, Black Betty circulated somewhatfreely, and the mirth of the revelers grew more and more boisterous. Taking advantage of a slight cessation in the general hilarity, aboutnine o'clock in the evening, and while the fiddler with some of theparty were engaged in partaking of refreshment, Seth Stokes, encourageddoubtless by the inspiration he had received from the whiskey, steppedboldly into the middle of the apartment with the bottle in his hand, andsaid:

"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' oldKaintuck;" and the speaker gravely proceeded to drink. 

"Bravo! bravo!" cried a dozen voices, with a merry shout, accompaniedwith great clapping of bands; while Isaac, who was sitting by his newwife, 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 twistedaround in a very fidgetty manner, --but presently his countenanceflushed, and a smile of triumph crossing his sharp features, announcedthat he had been suddenly favored with an idea apropos. This wasinstantly perceived by some of the wags standing near, one of whomexclaimed:

"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'reenough to bother a feller to death. I'd like to see some o' the rest onye cramped up fur a toast, jest to see how _you'd_ feel with all on 'emhollering like. " A hearty laugh at his expense was all the sympathy poorIsaac 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' oldKaintuck--Heaven bless 'em! May they bloom like clover heads, beplentier nor bar-skins, and follow the example o' Peggy, every mother'sdaughter on 'em!--hooray!" And having drank, the speaker resumed hisseat, amid roars of laughter and three rounds of applause. 

By the time this mirth had subsided, the fiddler struck up, and thedance again went on as before. Some two hours later the bridesmaid, withtwo or three others, managed to steal away the bride unobserved; andproceeding to a ladder at one end of the apartment, ascended to thechamber above, and saw her safely lodged in bed. In the course ofanother half hour the same number of gentlemen performed a like servicefor Isaac--such being customary at all weddings of that period. 

During the night Black Betty, in company with more substantialrefreshment, was sent up to the newly married pair some two or threetimes; and always returned (Black Betty we mean) considerable lighterthan she went; thus proving, that if lovers can live on air, the marriedones do not always partake of things less spiritual. About three o'clockin the morning, Algernon and Ella took leave of the company and set outupon their return--he pleading illness as an apology for withdrawingthus early. The remainder of the party keep together until five, whenthey gradually began to separate; and by six the dancing had ceased, andthe greater portion of them had taken their departure. Thus ended thewedding of Isaac Younker--a fair specimen, by the way, of a backwood'swedding in the early settlement of the west. 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE PRESENTIMENT. 

Deep and gloomy were the meditations of Algernon Reynolds, as, incompany with Ella Barnwell, he rode slowly along the narrow path whichhe had traversed, if not with buoyant, at least with far lighterspirits than now, the morning before. From some, latent cause, he feltoppressed with a weight of despondency, as previously mentioned, thatserved to prostrate in a measure both his mental powers and physicalsystem. He felt, though he could give no reason why, that some calamitywas about to befall himself and the fair being by his side; and hestrove to arouse himself and shake off the gloomy thoughts; but if hesucceeded, it was only momentary, and they would again rush back with anincreased power. He had been subject, since his unfortunate quarrel withhis cousin, to gloomy reveries and depressions of spirits--but neverbefore had he felt exactly as now; and though in all former cases theevent referred to had been the cause of his sad abstractions, yet in thepresent instance it scarcely held a place in his thoughts. Could it be apresentiment, he asked himself, sent to warn him of danger and preparehim to meet it? But the question he could not answer. 

The night, or rather the morning, though clear overhead, was uncommonlydark; and the stars, what few could be discerned, shed only pale, faintgleams, as though their lights were about to be extinguished. For sometime both Algernon and Ella continued their journey without exchanging asyllable--she too, as well as himself, being deeply absorbed in no verypleasant reflections. She thought of him, of his hard fate, to meet withso many bitter disappointments at an age so young; and at last, for nopremeditated, no intentional crime, be forced to fly from home andfriends, and all he held dear, to wander in a far off land, amongstrangers--or worse, among the solitudes of the wilderness--exposed to athousand dangers from wild savage beasts, and wilder and more savagehuman beings; and perhaps, withal, be branded as a felon and fugitivefrom justice. She thought what must be his feelings, his sense of utterdesolation, with none around to sympathize--no sweet being by his sideto whisper a single word of encouragement and hope; or, should the worstprove true, to share his painful lot, and endeavor to render lessburdensome his remorseful thoughts, by smiles of endearment and looks oflove. She thought, too, that to-morrow--perhaps today--he would take hisdeparture, peradventure never to behold her again; and this was thesaddest of the train. Until she saw him, Ella had never known what itwas to love--perchance she did not now--but at least she had experiencedthose fluttering sensations, those deep and strange emotions, thoseinvoluntary yearnings of the heart toward some object in his presence, that aching void in his absence, which the more experienced woulddoubtless put down to that cause, and which no other being had ever evenfor a moment awakened in her breast. For something like half an hour thetwo rode on together, buried in their own sad reflections, when Ellabroke 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 tohave 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 strangeends?" inquired Reynolds, solemnly. 

"Perhaps I do not understand you, " replied Ella; "but with regard todestiny, I am inclined to think that we in a measure shape our own. Asto our being strange, there are many things relating to us that we maynot understand, and therefore look upon them in the light of which youspeak. "

"Are there any we do understand, Ella?" rejoined Algernon. "When I sayunderstand, I mean the word to be used in its minutest and broadestsense. You say there are many things we may not understand concerningourselves--what ones, I pray you, do we fully comprehend? We are hereupon the earth--so much we know. We shall die and pass away--so much weknow also. But how came we here, and why? How do we exist? How do wethink, reason, speak, feel, move, see, hear, smell, taste? All thesewe do, we know; but yet not one--not a single one of them can wecomprehend. You wish to raise your hand; and forthwith, by someextraordinary 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 easilyanswered! Why, because in such a person life is extinct--there is novital principle--the heart is stopped--the blood has ceased to flowin its regular channels! Ay! but let me ask you _why_ that life isextinct?--why that breath has stopped?--and why that blood has ceasedto flow? There was just the same amount of air when the person died asbefore! There were the same ingredients still left to stimulate thatblood to action! Then wherefore should both cease?--and with them thepower of thought, reason, speech, and all the other senses? It was notby a design of the individual himself; for he strove to his utmost tobreathe longer; he was not ready to die--he did not want to quit thisearth so soon; and yet with all his efforts to the contrary, reasonfled, the breath stopped, the blood ceased, the limbs became palsied andcold, and corruption, decay and dust stood ready to follow. Now why wasthis? There is but one answer: 'God willed it!' If then one questionresolves itself into one answer, --'the will of God'--so may all ofthe same species; and we come out, after a long train of analyticalreasoning, exactly where we started--with this difference--that when weset out, we believed in being able to explain the wherefore; but when wecame to the end, we could only assert it as a wonderful fact, whereofnot a single iota could we understand. "

Algernon spoke in a clear, distinct, earnest tone--in a manner thatshowed 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 andincomprehensible--to me the combination of the physical and mental isstrangest of all. The soul and the body are united and yet divided. Eachis distinct from and acts without the other at times, and yet both actin 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--theother invisible; the one is mortal--the other immortal. Now why do theyact together here? Why was not each placed in its separate sphere ofaction? Again: What is the soul? Men tell us it is a spirit. What is aspirit? An invisible something that never dies. Who can comprehend it?None. Whither does it go when separated forever from the body? None cananswer, save in language of Scripture: 'It returns to God who gave it. '"

"I have never heard the proposition advanced by another, " continuedAlgernon, after another slight pause, "but I have sometimes thoughtmyself, that the soul departs from the body, for a brief season, andwanders at will among scenes either near or remote, and returns withits impressions, either clouded or clear, to communicate them to thecorporeal or not, as the case may be: hence dreams or visions, andstrong impressions when we wake, that something bright and good hasrefreshed our sleep, or something dark and evil has made it troubled andfeverish. Again I have sometimes thought that this soul--this invisibleand immortal something within us--has power at times to look into thefuture, and see events about to transpire; which events being sometimesof a dark and terrible nature, leave upon it like impressions; and hencegloomy and melancholy forebodings. This may be all sophistry--as much ofour better reasoning on things we know nothing about often is--but if itbe true, then may I trust to account for my present sadness. "

"Have you really, then, sad forebodings?" inquired Ella, quickly andearnestly. 

"Against my will and sober reason, dear Ella, I must own I have. Perchance, however, the feeling was only called up by a train ofmelancholy meditations. While sitting there to-night, gazing uponthe many bounding forms--some full of beauty and grace, and some ofstrength--noting their joyous faces, and listening occasionally to thelightsome jest, and merry, ringing laugh--I could not avoid contrastingwith the present the time when I was as happy and full full of mirth asthey. I pictured to myself how they would stare and shudder and drawaway from me, did they know my hand was stained with the blood of myown kin. Then I began, involuntarily as it were, to picture to myselfthe 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 sawthem pass on one after another--some gliding smoothly down the stream oftime to old age--some wretched and crippled, groping their way alongover barren wastes, without water or food, though nearly dying for thewant of both--some wading through streams of blood, with fierce andangry looks--and some with pale faces, red eyes, and hollow cheeks, roving amid coffins, sepulchres and bones; but of all, the very fewestnumber happy. "

"Oh! it was an awful vision!" exclaimed Ella, with a shudder. 

"It was awful enough, " rejoined Algernon; "and despite of me, it made memore and more sad as I thought upon it. Could it indeed be a dream? Butno! I was--seemingly at least--as wide awake and conscious as at thepresent moment. I saw the dance going on as ever--I saw the merrysmiles, and heard the jest and laugh as before. Could it be some strangehallucination of the brain--some wild imagining--caused by my previousexercise and over heat? I pondered upon it long and seriously, but couldnot determine. Suddenly--I know not how nor why--that ill-lookingstranger who lodged one night at your uncle's, and departed somysteriously, came up in my mind; and almost at the same moment, Ifancied myself riding with you, dear Ella, through a dark and lonelywood--when all of a sudden there came a fierce yell--several dark, hideous forms, with him among them, swam around me--I heard you shriekfor aid--and then all became darkness and confusion; from which I wasaroused 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; "butit was probably nothing more than a feverish dream, brought about byyour exercise acting too suddenly and powerfully upon your nervoussystem, which doubtless has not as yet recovered from the prostrationcaused by your wound. "

"So I tried to think, dear Ella, " returned Algernon, with a sigh; "butI 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 amfoolish, 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 bysaying in a measure. No person, I think, has the power of mouldinghimself to an end which is contrary to the law of nature and his ownphysical organization; but at the same time he has many ways, some goodand some evil, left open for him to choose; else he were not a freeagent. "

"Ay, " rejoined Algernon, "by-paths all to the same great end. I lookupon every one here, Ella, as a traveler placed upon the great highwaycalled destiny--with a secret power within that impels him forward, butallows no pause nor retrograde. Along this highway are flowers, andbriars, and thistles, and weeds, and shady woods, and barren rocks, andsterile bluffs, and glassy plots; but proportioned differently to each, as the Maker of all designs his path to be pleasant or otherwise. Besidethis highway are perhaps a dozen minor paths, all running a similarcourse, and all finally merging into it--either near or far, as the casemay be--before its termination at the great gate of death. The freeagency you speak of, is in choosing of these lesser paths--some of whichare full of the snares of temptation, the chasms of ruin, and thepitfalls of destruction; and some of the flowers of peace, the bowers ofplenty, and the green woods of contentment. But how to follow the properone is the difficulty; for they run into one another--cross and recrossin a thousand different ways--so that the best disposed as often hit thewrong as the right one, and are entrapped before they are aware of theirdangerous course. Worldly wisdom is here put at fault, and the fool asoften goes right as the wise man of lore--thus showing, notwithstandingour free agency, that circumstances govern us; and that what many putdown as crime, is, in fact, oftentimes, neither more nor less than errorof judgment. "

"Then you consider free agency only a chance game, depending, as itwere, upon the throw of a die?" observed Ella, inquiringly. 

"I believe this much of free agency, that a train of circumstances oftenforces some to evil and others to good; and that we should look upon theformer, in many cases--mind I do not say all--as unfortunate rather thancriminal--with pity rather than scorn; and so endeavor to reclaim them. Were this doctrine more practiced by Christians--by those whom the worldterms good, (but whom circumstances alone have made better than theirfellows, ) there would be far less of sin, misery, and crime aboundingfor them to deplore. Let the creed of churches only be to ameliorate thecondition of the poor, relieve the distressed, remove temptations fromyouth, encourage the virtuous, and endeavor, by gently means, to reclaimthe erring--and the holy design of Him who died to save would noblyprogress, prisons would be turned into asylums, and scaffolds be thingsknown 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. ToElla the ideas he advanced were, many of them, entirely new; and shemused thoughtfully upon them, as they rode along, without reply; whilehe, becoming warm upon a subject that evidently occupied no inferiorplace in his mind, went on to speak of the wrongs and abuses whichsociety in general heaped upon the unfortunate, as he termedthem--contrasted the charity of professing Christians of the eighteenthcentury with that of Christ himself--and pointed out what he consideredthe most effectual means of remedy. To show that a train ofcircumstances would frequently force persons against their own will andreason to be what society terms criminal, he referred to himself, andhis own so far eventful destiny; and Ella could not but admit toherself, 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 tothe brow of a steep descent, down which the path ran in a zigzag manner, through a dark, gloomy ravine, now rendered intensely so to ourtravelers, by the hour, their thoughts, the wildness of the sceneryaround, and the dense growth of cedars covering the hollow, whoseuntrimmed branches, growing even to the ground, overreached and partlyobstructed their way. By this time only one or two stars were visible inthe heavens; and they shone with pale, faint gleams; while in the eastthe beautiful gray and crimson tints of Aurora announced that day wasalready breaking on the slumbering world. Drawing rein, Algernon andElla paused as if to contemplate the scene. Below and around them eachobject presented that misty, indistinct appearance, which leaves theimagination power to give it either a pleasing or hideous shape. In theimmediate vicinity, the country was uneven; rocky, and covered withcedars; but far off to the right could be discerned the even surface ofthe cane-brake, previously mentioned, now stretching away in thedistance like the unruffled bosom of some beautiful lake. A light breezeslightly rustled the leaves of the trees, among whose branches anoccasional songster piped forth his morning lay of rejoicing. 

"How lovely is nature in all her varieties!" exclaimed Ella, withanimation, 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, contemplativeman--was not born to sameness. Variety is to his mind what food is tohis body; and as the latter, deprived of its usual nourishment, sinks todecay--so the former, from like deprivation of its strengthening power, becomes weak and imbecile. Again: as coarse, plain food and hardyexercise add health and vigor to the physical--so does the contemplationof nature in her wildness and grandeur give to the mental a powerful andlofty tone. Of all writers for poetical and vigorous intellects, give methose who have been reared among cloud-capped hills, and craggy steeps, and rushing streams, and roaring cataracts; for their conceptions aregrand, 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 gazeupon a beautiful scene in nature, that I do not feel refreshed. To methe two most delightful are morning and evening. I love to stand uponsome eminence, and mark, as now, the first gray, crimson and goldenstreaks that rush up in the eastern sky; and catch the first rays of oldSol, as he, surrounded by a reddened halo, shows his welcome face abovethe 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 notlonger 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, "methinksmorning and evening are somewhat indebted to you for a touch of poetryin their behalf. "

"Rather say I am indebted to them for a thousand fine feelings I havenot even power to express, " rejoined Ella. 

Algernon was on the point of returning an answer, when, casting his eyesdown into the ravine, he slightly started, his gaze became fixed, andhis features grew a shade more pale. Ella noticed this sudden change, and in a voice slightly tremulous inquired the cause. For nearly aminute Algernon made no reply, but kept his eyes steadily bent in thesame direction, apparently riveted on some object below. Ella alsolooked down; but seeing nothing worthy of note, and growing somewhatalarmed 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 Imust have been mistaken, for all appears quiet there now--not even alimb 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 hisarm, as he was about starting forward, her own features now growing verypale. "If you go, Algernon, you go not alone! If there is danger, I willshare it with you. "

Algernon turned towards her a face that, one moment crimsoned withanimation and the next became deadly pale; while his whole framequivered with intense emotion, and he seemed vainly struggling tocommand contending feelings. Suddenly clasping her hand in his, hepressed 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 coveringhis face with his hands, he wept convulsively; while she, no less deeplyaffected, could scarcely sit her horse. 

At length Algernon withdrew his hands, and exhibited features pale butcalm. Drawing forth his pistols, he carefully examined their priming, and then replaced them in his belt. During this proceeding, he failednot to urge Ella to alter her design and remain, while he went forward;but finding her determined on keeping him company, he signified hisreadiness to proceed, and both started slowly down the hill together. They reached the ravine in safety, and advanced some twenty yardsfurther, when suddenly there arose a terrific Indian yell, followedinstantly by the sharp report of several fire-arms, a wild, piercingshriek, some two or three heavy groans, a rustling among the trees, andthen by a stillness as deep and awfully solemn as that which pervadesthe 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 solitaryhunter, in the direction of the cane-brake, might have been seen shapinghis course toward the hill whereon Algernon and Ella had so latelypaused to contemplate the dawning day. Upon his shoulder rested a longrifle, and a dog of the Newfoundland species followed in his steps ortrotted along by his side. In a few minutes he reached the placereferred to; when the snuffling of his canine companion causing him tolook down, his attention instantly became fixed upon the foot-prints ofthe horses which had passed there the day before, and particularly onthe 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 hishead, 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 thevalley; and starting like one suddenly surprised by some disagreeableoccurrence, the hunter, with a cheek slightly blanched, hurried down thecrooked path, muttering as he went, "Thar's something wrong, forsartin--for Cæsar never lies. "

In less than a minute the hunter came in sight of his dog, which hefound standing with his hind feet on the ground and his fore-pawsresting on the carcass of a horse, that had apparently been dead but ashort time. As Cæsar perceived his master approach, he uttered anotherof those peculiar, long, low, mournful howls, which the superstitiousnot unfrequently interpret as omens of evil. 

"Good heavens!" exclaimed the hunter, as he came up; "thar's been foulplay here, Cæsar--foul play, for sartin. D'ye think, dog, it war Indiansas done it?"

The brute looked up into the speaker's face, with one of thoseexpressions of intelligence or sagacity, which seem to speak what thetongue 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 beganto 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 assensible and knowing as you, thar would'nt be many fools about, Ireckon. "

Having finished his examination of the ground, the hunter again turnedto 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 shotin the forehead, between the eyes. An old saddle, devoid of straps, layjust concealed under the branching cedars. The ground around was troddenas if from a scuffle, and the limbs of the trees were broken in manyplaces--while in two or three others could be seen spots of blood, noteven yet dry--none of which informants of the recent struggle escapedthe keen observation of the woodsman. Suddenly the dog, which had beenwatching his master's motions intently, put his nose to the ground, darted along the path further into the ravine, and presently resoundedanother of those mournful howls. 

"Ha! another diskivery!" exclaimed the hunter, as he started after hiscompanion. 

About thirty yards further on, he came upon the carcass of anotherhorse, which had been killed by a ball in the right side, and the blowof some weapon, probably a tomahawk, on the head. By its side also laya lady's saddle, stripped like the former of its trappings. This thewoodsman now proceeded to examine attentively, for something like aminute, 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 Ireckon 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!--butef it be, by the Power that made me, I swar to follow on thy trail; andef I meet any of thy captors, then, Betsey, I'll just call on you for abackwoods sentiment. "

As he concluded, the hunter turned with a look of affection towards hisrifle, which he firmly grasped with a nervous motion. At this moment, the dog, which had been busying himself by running to and fro with hisnose to the ground, suddenly paused, and laying back his ears, uttereda low, fierce growl. The hunter cast toward him a quick glance; anddropping upon his knees, applied his ear to the earth, where he remainedsome fifteen seconds; then rising to his feet, he made a motion with hishand, and together with Cæsar withdrew into the thicket. 

For some time no sound was heard to justify this precaution of thewoodsman; 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, soonbecame sufficiently so to put all doubts on the matter at rest. In lessthan five minutes from the disappearance of the hunter, some eightor ten horses, bearing as many riders, approached the hill from thedirection 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 theirmerriment, until they began to lose themselves among the cedars of thehollow, when the foremost horse suddenly gave a snort and bounded to oneside--a movement which his companion, close behind, imitated--while therider of the latter, a female, uttered a loud, piercing scream offright. In a moment the whole party was in confusion--some turning theirhorses to the right about and riding back towards Wilson's, at headlongspeed--and some pausing in fear, undecided what to do. The two foremosthorses now became very refractory, rearing and plunging in a manner thatthreatened to unseat their riders every moment. Of the two, the oneridden by the lady was the most ungovernable; and in spite of herefforts 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 wherethe other carcass was lying, when, giving another snort of fear, heagain reared, and turning aside into the thicket, left his rider almostsenseless in the path he had just quitted. Fortunately the beast shapedhis course to where the hunter was concealed, who, with a sudden spring, as he was rushing past, seized upon the bridle near the bit, andsucceeded, after a struggle, in mastering and leading him back to thepath. 

By this time the companion of the lady had come up; and seeing hercondition, was dismounting to render her assistance; when his eyefalling upon the stranger, he started, and placed his hand quickly tohis belt, as if in search of some weapon of defence. The hunter saw themovement, 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 afriend. "

"By what may I know you as such. "

"My deeds, " returned the other, laconically. "Think you, stranger, ef Iwanted to harm ye, I couldn't have done it without you seeing me?" andas he spoke, he glanced significantly toward his rifle. 

"True, " returned the other; "but what's the meaning of this?" and hepointed 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 turnpointed toward the lady. 

"Right!" said the other; and springing to her side, he raised her in hisarms. 

She was not injured, other than slightly stunned by the fall, and shequickly regained her senses. At first she was somewhat alarmed; butperceiving who supported her, and nothing in the mild, noble, benevolentcountenance of the stranger, who was still holding her horse by thebridle, 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 setout in advance?"

"Gracious heavens!" cried the young man supporting the lady; "it is EllaBarnwell 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 forpursuit. 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, gatheras much provision as you can all easily carry, for Heaven only knowswhar 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, sothat a party for pursuit may be collected before the wedding guests haveall separated. "

"I fear it will be difficult, Mary, but we must try it, " replied theyoung 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, strokingthe neck of the fiery beast on which the lady was now sitting. 

"What!" exclaimed the other, in a tone of surprise: "Boone! ColonelDaniel Boone?"

"Why, I'm sometimes called colonel, " returned the hunter, dryly, stillstroking the horse's neck; "but Daniel's the older title, and a littlethe 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 youknow. "

"Well, well, it's all right--I'd have done exactly so myself, " answeredBoone, grasping the young man's hand with a cordiality that showed nooffence had been taken. "And now--a--how do you call yourself?"

"Henry Millbanks. "

"Now, Master Millbanks, pray be speedy; for while we talk, our friendsmay 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 seenthem safely out of the ravine, the noble hunter turned back to wait thearrival of the expected assistance. He had just gained the center of thethicket, when he was slightly startled again by the growl of his dog, and the tramp of what appeared to be another horse, coming from thedirection of Younker's. Hastily secreting himself, he awaited in silencethe approach of the new comer, whom he soon discovered to be an oldacquaintance, who was riding at a fast gallop, bearing some heavy weightin his arms. As he came up to the carcass of Ella's horse, he slackenedhis speed, looked at it earnestly, then gazed cautiously around, and wasabout to spur his boast onward again, when the sound of Boone's voicereached, his ear; requesting him to pause; and at the same time, to hisastonishment, 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 henoticed a troubled, earnest expression on the countenance of the other. 

"Bad!" answered Billings, emphatically. "The Injens have been down uponus agin in a shocking manner. "

"Heaven forbid thar be many victims!" ejaculated Boone, unconsciouslytightening the grasp on his rifle. 

"Too many--too many!" rejoined Billings, shaking his head sadly. "Thar'smy 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'vebeen operating as you see yonder: Good heavens! what awful news for poorHarry, who seems so likely a lad. "

"Yes, likely you may well say, " returned the other; "and so war thewhole family--God ha' mercy on 'em! But what's been done here?"

"Why, I suppose Ella Barnwell--Younker's niece, you know--and a likelyyoung stranger who war along with her, called Reynolds, have beencaptured. "

"Ha! well it's supposed Younker and his wife are captives too, or elsethat 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 bythemselves, (Stokes himself being away, and his son Seth at the wedding, as was a son o' Switcher's also) have all bin foully mardered--besidesJohnny Long's family, Peter Pierson's, and a young child of Fred Mason'sthat happened to be at Pierson's house, and one or two others whosenames I disremember. "

"But when did this happen, David?"

"Last night, " replied the other. "It's suspected that the Injens ha binwarting round here, and took advantage of this wedding, when the greaterpart 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 chapwar 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, SimonGirty. "

"Wretch!" muttered Boone, grasping his rifle almost fiercely; "I'd liketo have old Bess, here, hold a short conflab with him. But what have yougot thar in your arms, that seems so heavy, David?"

"Rifles, Colonel. I've bin riding round and collecting on 'em for thismad party of Younker's, who went off without any precaution; and I'm nowon my way to deliver 'em, that they may start instanter arter the cussedred skins, and punish 'em according to the Mosaic law. "

"Spur on then, David, and you may perhaps overtake some o' them; and allthat you do, arm and send 'em here as quick as possible--for I'mdreadful impatient to be off. "

The colloquy between the two thus concluded, the horseman--astrongly-built, hard-favored, muscular man of forty--set spurs to hishorse; and bounding onward toward Wilson's (distant some five miles--theravine being about half way between the residence of the groom andbride, ) he was quickly lost to the sight of the other, who quietlyseated himself to await the reinforcement. 

In the course of half an hour, Boone was joined by some three or four ofthe wedding party, who bad been overtaken by Billings, learned the news, accepted a rifle each, bidden their fair companions adieu, and sent themand the horses back to the house of the bride, while they moved forwardto 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 youngSwitcher, Stokes, Millbanks, and, lastly, Isaac Younker, who had beenroused from the nuptial bed to hear of the terrible calamity that hadbefallen his friends. Isaac, on the present occasion, did not disgracehis training, the land which gave him birth, nor the country he nowinhabited. When the messenger came with the direful news, althoughsomewhat late in the morning, Isaac had been found in his bed, closelyfolded in the arms of the god of sleep. On being awakened and told ofwhat had taken place, he slowly rose up into a sitting posture, rubbedhis eyes, stared searchingly at his informant, gathered himself upon hisfeet, threw on his wedding garments, and made all haste to descendbelow; where he at once sought out his new wife, Peggy, who had risenan hour before; and grasping her by the hand, in a voice slightlytremulous, but with a firm, determined expression on his features, said:

"Peggy, dear, I 'spect you've heard the whole on't. Father, mother, Ellaand 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"--andthe tears started into his eyes--"you may jest put it down I've beenclean sarcumvented, skinned, and eat up by them thar ripscalliousInjens;" and turning upon his heel, as his tender-hearted spouse burstinto tears, he seized upon same provisions that had graced the lastnight's entertainment, gave Black Betty a long and cordial salute withhis lips, shook hands with his wife's father and mother, kissed Peggyonce again, pulled his cap over his eyes, and, without another word, setforth with rapid strides on the eastern path leading to the rendezvousof Daniel Boone. 

On the faces of those now assembled, who had lost their best and dearestfriends, could be seen the intense workings of the strong passions ofgrief and revenge, while their fingers clutched their faithful rifleswith a nervous power. The greatest change was apparent in the featuresof Henry Millbanks. He was a fine-favored, good-looking youth ofeighteen, with light hair and a florid complexion. The naturalexpression of his handsome countenance was an easy, dignified smile, which was rendered extremely fascinating by a broad, noble forehead, anda clear, expressive, gray eye; but now the floridity had given place toa pale, almost sallow hue, the forehead was wrinkled with grief, thelips were compressed, and the smile had been succeeded by a look ofgreat fierceness, aided by the eye; which was more than usually sunkenand bloodshot. 

But little was said by any of the party; for all felt the chillinggloom of the present, so strongly contrasted with the bright hours andmerry jests which had so lately been apportioned to each. Boone calledto Cæsar and bade him seek the Indian trail; a task which the noblebrute flew to execute; and in a few minutes the whole company were ontheir way; with the exception of Billings; who, by the unanimous requestof all, returned to Wilson's; to cheer, console and protect the females;and, if thought advisable, to conduct them to Bryan's Station--a strongfort a few miles distant--where they might remain in comparativesecurity. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE INDIANS AND THEIR PRISONERS. 

While the events just chronicled were enacting in one part of thecountry, others, of a different nature, but somewhat connected withthem, were taking place in another. In a dark, lonely pass or gorge ofthe hills, some ten miles to the north of the scene of the precedingchapter, where the surrounding trees grew so thick with branches andleaves that they almost entirely excluded the sunlight from the watersof a stream which there rolled foaming and roaring between the hills andover and against the rocks of its precipitous bed, or, plunging downsome frightful precipice, lay as if stunned or exhausted by the fall inthe chasm below, mirroring in its still bosom with a gloomy reflectionthe craggy steeps rising majestically above it--in this dark and lonelypass, we say, was a party of human beings, to whom the properdevelopment of our story now calls us. 

The company in question was composed of eight persons, five of whom wereIndians of the Seneca tribe;[5] the others--a thin-faced, gaunt, stoop-shouldered man past the middle age--a rather corpulent, masculinelooking woman, a few years his junior--a little fair-haired, blue-eyed, pretty-faced girl of six--were white captives. Four of the Indians wereseated or partly reclining on the ground, with their guns beside them, ready for instant use if necessary, engaged in roasting slices of deermeat before a fire that had been kindled for the purpose. The fifthsavage was pacing to and fro, with his rifle on his arm, performing thedouble duty of sentinel and guard over the prisoners, who were kept indurance by strong cords some ten paces distant. The old man was securedby a stick passing across his back horizontally, to which both wristsand arms were tightly bound with thongs of deer skin. To prevent thepossibility of escape, both legs were fastened together by the samematerial, and a long, stout rope, encircling his neck, was attached toa tree hard by. This latter precaution, and much of the former, seemedunnecessary; for there was a mild look of resigned dejection on hisfeatures, as they bent toward the earth, with his chin resting on hisbosom, that appeared strongly at variance with any thing like flight orstrife. His female companion was fastened in like manner to the tree, but in other respects only bound by a stout thong around the wrists infront. The third member of the white party, the little girl, was seatedat the feet of the old man, with her small wrists also bound until theyhad swollen so as to pain her, looking up from time to time into hisface 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, villainouslooking beings than the ones in question. They were only partiallydressed, after the manner of their tribe, with skins around their loins, extending down to their knees, and moccasins on their feet, leaving therest of their bodies and limbs bare. Around their waists were belts, forthe tomahawk and scalping knife, at three of which now hung freshlytaken scalps. Their faces had been hideously painted for the war-path;but heat and perspiration had since out done the artist, by running thecomposition into streaks, in such a way as to give them the mostdiabolical appearance imaginable. On each of their heads was a tuft offeathers, some of which had the appearance of having recently beenscorched and blackened by fire, while their arms and bodies were hereand there besmeared with blood. 

The four around the fire were in high glee, as they roasted anddevoured their meat, judging from their nods, and grins, and gruntsof approbation, whenever their eyes glanced in the direction of theirprisoners--the effect of which was far from consoling to the matron ofthe 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' naturalborn monkeys, that's ten times better nor you is any day of your goodfor 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 herefor about five minutes; and ef I didn't make your old daubed, nasty, villainous, unyarthly looking faces grin to another tune, I hope I maynever be blessed with liberty agin in creation, as long as I live on theface o' this univarsal yarth!"

"Ugh!" ejaculated the sentinel, turning towards the speaker, as sheconcluded her fierce tirade, at the same time placing his hand on thetomahawk in his belt with an angry gesture: "Ugh! me squaw kill--she nostop much talky!"

"You'd kill me, would ye? you mean, dirty, ripscallious looking varmintof the woods you, that don't know a pin from a powder horn!" rejoinedthe undaunted Mrs. Younker, in a vehement tone: "You'd kill me for usingthe freedom of tongue, as these blessed Colonies is this moment fightingfor with the tarnal Britishers? You'd kill me, would ye? Well, it's jestmy first nateral come at opinion, as I tolled Ben here, not more'n aquarter o' an hour ago, that you war jest mean enough for any thing, asever war invented, in the whole univarsal yarth o' creation--so ef youdo 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 herhusband, who, raising his head at the first remark of the Indian, nowsaw in his fierce, flashing eyes, angry gestures, and awful contortionsof visage, that which boded the sudden fulfillment of his threat: "Don'tirritate him, and git murdered for your pains, Dorothy! Why can't you bemore quiet?"

"Don't talk to me about being quiet, Benjamin Younker, away out here inthe woods, a captive to such imps an them thar, with our house all burntto nothing like, and our cows and sheeps and hosses destructed, and--"

Here the speech of the good woman was suddenly cut short by the whizzingof a tomahawk past her head, which slightly grazed her cheek, and lodgedin the tree a few feet beyond. Whether it was aimed at her life andmissed its mark, or whether it was merely done to frighten her, does notappear; though the manner of the savage, after the weapon was thrown, inclines us to the latter supposition; for instead of rushing upon herwith his knife, he walked deliberately to the tree, withdrew thetomahawk, 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 proceedingcertainly produced one result, which nothing had ever been known to dobefore--it awed to silence the tongue of Mrs. Younker, just at a momentwhen talking would have been such a relief to her overcharged spirit;and merely muttering, in an under tone, "I do jest believe theripscallious varmint is in arnest, sure enough!" she held her speech forthe extraordinary space of half an hour. 

Meantime the other savages finished their repast; and having offered aportion of it to the prisoners, which the latter refused, they proceededto destroy their fire, by casting the burning brands into the rushingwaters of the stream below. This done, they extended their circlesomewhat--each placing himself by a tree or rock--and then in the mostprofound silence stood like bronzed statuary, apparently awaiting thearrival of another party. At last--and just as the sun was beginning topeep over the brow of the steep above them, and let his rays strugglewith the matted foliage of the trees, for a glimpse of the roaringwaters underneath--one of the Indians started, looked cautiously around, dropped flat upon the earth; and then rising, and motioning with hishand for all to be silent, glided noiselessly away, like the shadow ofsome evil spirit, into the surrounding thicket. He had scarcely beenabsent three minutes, when a slight crackling among the brush was heardnear at hand; and immediately after he rejoined his companions, followedby a party of eight Indian warriors, and two white prisoners, headed bya low browed, sinister, blood-thirsty looking white man, in a garbresembling that worn by a subordinate British officer. His coat was red, with facings of another color, underneath which was partially displayeda handsome vest and ruffled shirt. About his waist passed a broad wampumbelt, in which were confined a brace of silver mounted pistols, anotherpair of less finish and value, a silver handled dirk, a scalping knifeand tomahawk, on whose blades could be seen traces of blood. Around hisneck was a neatly tied cravat, and dangling in front of his vest a goldchain, which connected with a watch hid in a pocket of his breeches, whence depended a larger chain of steel, supporting in turn threesplendid 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 ared feather, which protruded above the crown, and corresponded well withhis general appearance. 

The Indian companions of this individual were not remarkable for anything, unless it might be ferocity of expression. They were habited, with but one exception, like those previously described, and evidentlybelonged to the same tribe. This exception was a large, athletic, powerful Indian, rather rising of six feet, around whose waist was afinely worked wampum belt, over whose right shoulder, in a transversedirection, extended a red scarf, carelessly tied under the left arm, and in whose nose and ears were large, heavy rings, denoting him to beeither a chief or one in command. His age was about thirty; and hisfeatures, though perhaps less ferocious than some of his companions, were still enough so to make him an object of dread and fear. Hisforehead was low, his eye black and piercing, and his nose rather flatand 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 theformer, there was a general start and exclamation of surprise; while thesad faces of each showed how little pleasure they felt in meeting eachother under such painful circumstances. The last comers, as the readerhas doubtless conjectured, were Algernon and Ella. Immediately on theirentering the ravine, as previously recorded, they had been set uponby savages, their horses shot from under them, and themselves madecaptives. This result, however, as regards Algernon, had not beeneffected without considerable effort on the part of his numerousenemies. At the first fire, his horse fell; but disentangling himself, and drawing his pistols, he sprung upon the side of his dying beast, anddischarged them both at his nearest foes--one of which took effect, andsent a warrior to his last account. Then leaping in among them, he drewhis knife and cut madly about him until secured; though doubtless hewould have been tomahawked on the spot, only that he might be reservedfor the tortures, when his brutal captors should arrive at theirdestination. Meantime the animal which bore the lovely Ella, beingwounded by the same fire which killed her companion's, bounded forwardsome twenty paces, when a blow on the head with a tomahawk laid himprostrate, and she was secured also. The party then proceeded to burythe dead, at some little distance, and start upon their journey, to jointheir companions--which latter we have just seen accomplished. 

As soon as mutual recognitions had passed between the prisoners, theindividual 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 hadbeen too intently occupied with Algernon and Ella to notice him before, started, and turning their eyes suddenly upon him, simultaneouslyexclaimed:

"Mr. Williams!"

"_Sometimes_ Mr. Williams, " answered the other, with a strong emphasison the first word, accompanying it with a horrible oath; "but now, whendisguise is no longer necessary, Simon Girty, the renegade, by ----!--ha, ha, ha!"

As he uttered these words, in a coarse, ruffianly tone, a visibleshudder of fear or disgust, or both combined, passed through the frameof each of the prisoners; and Algernon turning to him, with anexpression of loathing contempt, said:

"I more than half suspected as much, when I sometime since contemplatedyour low-browed, hang-dog countenance. Of course we can expect no mercyat such hands. "

"Mercy!" cried Girty, turning fiercely upon him, his eyes gleamingsavagely, his mouth twisting into a shape intended to express the mostwithering contempt, while his words fairly hissed from between histightly 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, accusedof heresy, and about to be put to the tortures, you might think yourselfin 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 palefeatures, as he did so, continued:

"See! Mr. Reynolds, this girl loves you; I love her; we are rivals; andyou, my rival, are in my power: and, by ----! and all the powers ofdarkness, you shall feel my vengeance!"

"You love her?" broke in Mrs. Younker, who, in spite of her previousdangerous warning, could hold her peace no longer: "You love her! youmean, contemptible, red headed puppy! I don't believe as how you knowsenough to love nothing! And so you're Simon Girty, hey? that tharsneaking, red-coat renegade? Well, I reckon as how you've told the truthonce; 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 couldbe skeer'd up in the whole universal yarth o' creation. "

"Rail on, old woman!" replied Girty, as he chafed the temples of Ellawith his hands; "but in a little lower key; or I shall be under thenecessity of ordering a stopper to your mouth; which, saving thetortures 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 oldfriend--ha, ha, ha!"

"Whensomever I mention the name o' Simon Girty, " replied Younker, in adeliberate and startlingly solemn tone, "I al'ays call down God's curseupon the fiendish renegade--and I do so now. "

"By ----! old man, " cried Girty, casting Ella roughly from him, andstarting upright, the perfect picture of a fiend in human shape;"another word, and your brains shall be scattered to the four winds ofheaven!"

As he spoke, he brandished his tomahawk over the other's head; while thechild, 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, hiseye resting steadily upon the other, who could not meet his gaze in thesame manner. "Strike! Simon Girty; for I'm a man that's never feareddeath, and don't now; besides, I reiterate all I've said, and with mydying breath pray God to curse ye!"

"Not yet!" rejoined Girty, smothering his rage, as he replaced hisweapon. "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?" continuedhe, grasping the little girl fiercely by the arm, causing her to utter acry 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, brainher, by ----!" and he closed with an oath. 

The Indian whom we have previously noticed as the sentinel, steppedforward, with a demoniac gleam of satisfaction on his ugly countenance, and taking the child by the hand, led her away some ten paces, where heamused himself by stripping her of such apparel as he fancied mightornament his own person; while she, poor little thing, afraid to cryaloud, 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 ashort consultation with him, in the Indian dialect, regarding their nextproceedings, and the disposal of the prisoners. 

"Were it not, Peshewa, for his own base words, " said the renegade, inreply to some remark of his Indian ally, "I would have spared him; butnow, " and his features exhibited a concentrated expression of infernalhate and revenge; "but now, Peshewa, he dies! with all the horrors ofthe stake, that you, a noble master of the art of torture, can inventand inflict. The Long Knife[6] must not curse the red man's friend inhis 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 peculiargleam of his dark eye, nothing to show that he felt uncommon interestin the sentence of Younker: "Peshewa a chief! The Great Spirit give himmemory--the Great Spirit give him invention. He will remember what hehas done to prisoners at the stake, --he can invent new tortures. Butthe squaw?"

"Ay, the squaw!" answered the renegade, musingly; "the old man'swife--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 greatenergy: "Does the wolf mate with his hunter, that you ask a chief of theGreat Spirit's red children to mate with their white destroyer?"

"Then do with her what you ---- please, " rejoined Girty, throwing in anoath. "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 theLong Knives after us as hot as h----l. We must divide our party. I willtake 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 trailin the stream; you and your party by going up a piece--I and mine bygoing down. This will perplex them, and give us time. Make your trailconspicuous, Peshewa, and I will be careful to leave none whatever, if Ican 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 someimportant 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 seeminglyblank features, and then answered, a little haughtily:

"Kitchokema[7] plans all, and gives his red brother all the danger; butPeshewa 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 partywas in motion. Following the course of the waters down to the base ofthe hills, they came to a sloping hollow of some considerable extent, where the stream ran shallow over a smooth, beautiful bed. Into thislatter the whole company now entered, for the purpose of breaking thetrail, as previously arranged by Girty; and here they divided, accordingto 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 themit seemed evidently the last time they would ever behold on earth eachothers faces; and this thought alone was enough to dim the eyes of Ellaand her adopted mother with burning tears, and shake their frames withheart-rending sobs of anguish; while the old man and Algernon, thoughboth strove to be stoical, could not look on unmoved to a similar showof grief. Since their meeting, the captives had managed to conversetogether sufficiently to learn the manner of each others capture, andgive each other some hope of being successfully followed and releasedby their friends; but now, when they saw the caution displayed by theirenemies in breaking the trail, they began to fear for the result. Justbefore entering the stream, they passed through a cluster of bushesthat skirted the river's bank; and Ella, the only prisoner whose handswere unbound, by a quick and sly movement succeeded in detaching aportion of her dress, which she there left as a sign to those who mightfollow, that she was still alive, and so encourage them to proceed, incase they were about to falter and turn back. 

The separation being now speedily effected, the two parties were quicklylost to each other--Girty and his band going down the bed of the streamsome two hundred yards before touching the bank; and the others, headedby Wild-cat, going up about half that distance. 

Leaving each to their journey, let us now return to the band already inpursuit. 

[Footnote 5: Some historians have stated that the Indians here alludedto were Mingoes, and _not_ Senecas; and that they were a remnant of thecelebrated Logan's tribe. ]

[Footnote 6: Sometimes Big Knife--first applied to the Virginians by theIndians. ]

[Footnote 7: Great Chief--a term sometimes given to Girty by theIndians. ]

CHAPTER IX. 

THE PURSUERS. 

About a hundred yards from where Boone and his young companions setforth, the dog, which was running along before them, paused, and withhis 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 coveredwith earth, leaves, and a few dry bushes. Hastily throwing off thecovering from his head, they discovered hideous features, wildlydistorted by the last throe of death, and bloody from a wound in hisforehead made by a ball. His scalp had been taken off also, by those whoburied him--from fear, probably, that he would be found by enemies, andthis secured as a trophy--a matter of disgrace which the savage, underall circumstances, ever seeks to avoid, both for himself and friends. 

"Well done, Master Reynolds!" observed Boone, musingly, spurning thebody with his foot, turning away, and resuming his journey: "You're abrave young man; and I'll bet my life to a bar-skin, did your best underthe sarcumstances; and ef it's possible, we'll do somewhat for you inreturn. "

"Well, ef he arn't a brave chap--that thar same Algernon Reynolds--thenjest 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 aman with his fore'ed and eye as would run from danger when a friend warby 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'ayslook 'pon't in the light o' a sarvice, that you jest placed him in myhands, when he war wounded; for to do sech as him a kindness, al'ayscarries along its own reward. And Ella--my poor, sweet cousin, as warraised up in good sarcumstances, and lost her all--she too I reckonfeels 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, " repliedIsaac, shrewdly, who was fearful of saying what Ella herself might wishkept a secret. 

"I understand ye, " said Boone, in a low tone, heard only by Isaac; andthe subject was then changed for one more immediately connected withtheir present journey. 

In the course of conversation that followed, it was asked of Boone howhe chanced to be in the vicinity, and learned of the calamity that hadbefallen Algernon and Ella, before any of the others; to which hereplied, by stating that he was on his way from Boonesborough to Bryan'sStation, and coming into the path just above the ravine, had beenindebted to his noble brute companion for the discovery--a circumstancewhich raised Cæsar in the estimation of the whole party to a wonderfuldegree. Nor was this estimation lessened by the conduct of Cæsar himselfin the present instance; for true to his training, instinct, and greatsagacity, he led them forward at a rapid pace, and seemed possessed ofreasoning powers that would have done no discredit to an intelligenthuman being. One instance in point is worthy of note. In passing througha dense thicket on the Indian trail, the noble brute discovered a smallfragment of ribbon, which he instantly seized in his mouth, and, turningback to his master, came up to him, wagging his tail, with a lookexpressive of joy, and dropped it at his feet. On examination it wasrecognized as a detached portion of a ribbon worn by Ella; and thislittle incident gave great animation and encouragement to the party--asit proved that she at least was yet alive, and had a hope of beingfollowed by friends. 

Some two hours from their leaving the ravine, they came to the darkpass, where we have seen the meeting between the two Indian parties. Here our pursuers halted a few minutes to examine the ground, and formconjectures as to what had taken place--in doing which, all paid thegreatest deference to the opinions and judgment of Boone, who was lookedupon by all who knew him as a master of the woodman's craft. 

After gazing intently for some time at the foot prints, Boone informedhis companions that another party had been in waiting, had been joinedby the others, and that all had proceeded together down the stream; andmoreover, that there was an addition of white prisoners, one of whichwas a child. This caused a great sensation among his listeners--many ofwhom 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 asdead, might still be among the living, and so made them more eager thanever to press on to the rescue. 

At the river's bank, the sagacious Cæsar discovered another piece ofribbon--dropped there as the reader knows by Ella--which he carried intriumph 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, rolledmerrily over a smooth bed, with a pleasing murmur: "Here, lads, I reckonwe'll have difficulty; for the red varmints never enter a stream fornothing; and calculating pretty shrewdly they'd be followed soon, nodoubt they've taken good care to puzzle us for the trail. Ef it be asI suspect, we'll divide on the other side, and a part o' us go up, anda part down, till we come agin upon thar track. But then agin, " addedBoone, musingly, with a troubled expression, "it don't follow, thatbecause they entered the stream they crossed it; and it's just as likelythey've come out on the same side they went in; so that we'll have tomake 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, sixof 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 onthe opposite side; and the dog flew hither and yon, to render whatservice he could also. For something like a quarter of an hour not theleast trace of the savages could be found, when at last the voice ofIsaac was heard shouting:

"I've got it--I've got it! Here it is, jest as plain and nateral ascornstalks--Hooray!"

In a few minutes the whole company was gathered around Isaac, whopointed triumphantly to his discovery. 

"That's the trail, sure enough, " observed Boone, bending down to scanit closely; "and rather broad it is too. It's not common for the wilyvarmints to do thar business in so open a manner, and I suspicion it'sdone for some trickery. Look well to your rifles, lads, and be preparedfor an ambush in yon thicket just above thar, while I look carefullyalong 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 thinkto deceive one that has been arter 'em as many times as I, they've madequite a mistake; for I can see clean through their tricks, as easy aslight comes through greased paper. "

"What discovery have you made now?" inquired young Millbanks, who, together with the others, pressed eagerly around Boone to hear hisanswer. 

"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 givingus trouble, or leading us astray from them as they cares most about. Seehere!" and bending down to the ground, Boone pointed out to his youngcompanions, many of whom were entirely ignorant of that ingenious art ofwood-craft, whereby the experienced hunter knows his safety or danger inthe forest as readily as the sailor knows his on the ocean, and whichappears to the uninitiated like a knowledge superhuman--Boone pointedout to them, we say, three distinct foot prints, which he positivelyasserted were neither made by the Indians nor the captives of theravine. 

"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 somelittle delay, was willing to gratify his young friends, by imparting tothem what information he could regarding an art so important to frontierlife: "Obsarve that print thar (pointing with his finger to the largestone of the three;) now that war never made by Master Reynolds, for it'smuch too big; and this I know from having got the dimension o' his trackafore I left the ravine to trail him; and I know it war never made byone o' the red heathen, for it arn't, the shape o' thar feet, ; andbesides, you'll notice how the toe turns out'ard from the heel--a thingan Indian war never guilty on--for they larn from children to treadstraight 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 ofReynold's, and it's too big for Ella's; and moreover I opine it's awoman's--though for the matter o' that I only guess at it. The third youperceive is the child's; and them thar three are the only ones you canfind 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 tokeep 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 torescue all my fellow creaters who're in distress; but more particularly, prehaps, them as I know's desarving; and as I set out for MasterReynolds, and his sweet companion, Ella Barnwell, God bless her! Isomehow 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 thistrail 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 finallyagreed that Isaac, with six others--two of whom were Switcher andStokes--should proceed on the present trail; while Millbanks and theremainder should accompany Boone. Isaac was chosen as the most suitableone to lead his party, on account of his foresight and shrewdness, and, withal, some little knowledge which he possessed of the country and thewoodsman's art, previously gained in a tour with his father, whenseeking a location, together with an expedition of considerable extentshortly after made with Boone himself. 

To him, as the leader, the noble old hunter now turned, and in a briefmanner imparted some very important advice, regarding his mode ofproceeding under various difficulties, particularly cautioned himagainst any rash act, and concluded by saying, "Wharsomever orhowsomever you may be fixed, Isaac, and you his companions, (addressingthe young men by his side) don't never forget the injunction o' DanielBoone, your friend, that you must be cool, steady and firm; andwhensomever you fire at a painted varmint, be sure you don't throw awayyour powder!"

He then proceeded to shake hands with each, bidding them farewell andGod speed, in a manner so earnest and touching as to draw tears frommany an eye unused to the melting mood. The parting example of Boone wasnow imitated by the others, and in a few minutes both divisions hadresumed their journey. 

Dividing his party again as before, Boone proceeded with them to examineclosely both banks of the stream for the other trail. Commencing wherethey had left off on the announcement of Isaac, they moved slowlydownward, taking due note of every bush, leaf and blade as they wentalong--often pausing and bending on their knees, to observe some spotmore minutely, where it seemed probable their enemies had withdrawn fromthe water. Cæsar, too, apparently comprehending the object of theirsearch, ran to and fro, snuffing at every thing he saw, sometimes withhis nose to the ground and sometimes elevated in the air. At length hegave a peculiar whine, at a spot about twenty yards below that which hadbeen reached by his master, on the side opposite Isaac's discovery; andhastening to him, Boone immediately communicated to the others thecheering intelligence that the trail had been found. 

Each now hurrying forward, the old hunter was soon joined by his youngfriends; not one of whom, on coming up, failed to express surprise thathe should be so positive of what their eyes gave them not the leastproof. The place where they were now assembled, was at the base of ahill, which terminated the flat or hollow in that direction, and turnedthe stream at a short bend off to the left, along whose side its watersran for some twenty yards, when the arm projection of the ridge ended, and allowed it to turn and almost retrace its path on the oppositeside--thus forming an elliptical bow. At the point in question, rose asteep bank of rocks, of limestone formation, against which the stream, during the spring and fall floods had rolled its tide to a height of sixor eight feet; and had lodged there, from time to time, various sorts ofrefuse--such as old leaves, branches and roots of trees, and the likeencumbrances to the smooth flow of its waters. On these rocks it wasthat the eyes of the party were now fixed; while their faces exhibitedexpressions of astonishment, that the old hunter should be able todistinguish marks of a recent trail, where they could perceive nothingbut 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 aquiet 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 redpepper and salt, ef ever I'm cotched bragging on my eyes agin, " returneda 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 andhunters. Now mark that thar small pebble stone, that lies by your feeton the rock. Ef you look at it right close, you'll perceive that on oneside on't the dirt looks new and fresh--which proves it's jest beenstarted from its long quietude. Now cast your eyes a little higher up, agin yon dirt ridge which partly kivers them thar larger stones, andyou'll see an indent that this here pebble stone just fits. Nowsomething had to throw that down, o' course; and ef you'll just lookright sharp above it, you'll see a smaller dent, that war made by thetoe of some human foot, in getting up the bank. Agin you'll observe thatthar dry twig, just above still, has been lately broke, as ef by theperson war climbing up taking hold on't for assistance; but that warn'tthe reason the climber broke it--it war done purposely; as you'll see bythe top part being bent up the hill, as ef to point us on. By the Powerthat made me!" added Boone, gazing for a moment at the broken twigintently, "ef I arn't wondrously mistaken, thar's a leaf hanging to itin a way nater never fixed it. "

"Right, there is!" cried Henry, who, looking up with, the rest, chancedto observe it at the same moment with Boone; and springing forward witha light bound, he soon reached the spot, and returned with it in hishand. It was a fall leaf, which had been fastened in a hasty manner tothe twig in question, by a pin through its center. On one side of it wasscrawled, 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, Boonestarted, clutched his rifle with an iron grasp, and merely saying, in aquiet manner, "Onward, lads--I trust you're now satisfied!" he sprang upthe rocks with an agility that threatened to leave his young companionsfar in the rear. 

All now pressed forward with renewed energy; and having gained thesummit of the hill, which here rose to the height of eighty feet, theywere enabled, by the aid of Cæsar, to come quickly upon the trail ofthe Indians, who, doubtless supposing themselves now safe from pursuit, had taken little or no pains to conceal their course. Of this theirpursuers now took advantage, and hurried onward with long and rapidstrides; now through thick dark woods and gloomy hollows; now up steephills and rocky barren cliffs; now through tangles and over marshygrounds--clearing all obstacles that presented themselves with an easewhich showed that notwithstanding some of them might be inferior aswoodsmen, none were at all events as travelers in the woods. 

By noon the party had advanced some considerable distance, and wereprobably not far in the rear of the pursued--at least such was theopinion of Boone--when they were again, to their great vexation, put atfault for the trail, by the cunning of the renegade, who, to prevent allaccidents, had here once more broken it, by entering another smallstreamlet--a branch of Eagle river; and although our friends set to withall energy and diligence to find it, yet, from the nature of the groundround about, the darkness of the wood through which the rivuletmeandered, and several other causes, they were unable to do so for threegood hours. 

This delay tended not a little to discourage the younger members of ourpursuing party, who, in consequence, began to be low spirited, and lesseager than before to press forward when the trail was again found; buta few words from Boone in a chiding manner, telling them that if theyfaltered at every little obstacle, they would be unfit representativesof border life, served to stimulate them to renewed exertions. To add tothe discomfort of all--not excepting Boone himself--the sun, which hadthus far shone out warm and brilliant, began to grow more and more dim, as a thick haze spread through the atmosphere overhead, foretokening anapproaching storm--an event which might prove entirely disastrous totheir hopes, by obliterating all vestiges of the pursued. As the gallantold hunter moved onward with rapid strides--preceded by the faithfulbrute, which, on the regular trail, greatly facilitated their progress, by saving the company a close scrutiny of their course--he from time totime cast his eyes upward and noted the thickening atmosphere with ananxious and troubled expression. 

For some time the sun shone faintly; then his rays became entirelyobscured, and his position could only be discerned by a bright spot inthe heavens; this, ere he reached the horizon, became obscured also;when the old hunter, who had watched every sign closely, lookinganxiously toward the west, observed:

"I don't like it, lads; thar's a storm a brewing for sartin, and weshall 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 theelements in all thar stages, and don't fear 'em no more'n a dandy does afeather bed--but the trail will be lost, in arnest this time; and thenwe'll have to give in, or follow on by guess work. It's this as troublesme; for I'm fearful poor Ella and Reynolds won't get succor in time. Butkeep stout hearts, lads, " he added, as he noticed gloomy expressionssweep over the faces of his followers; "keep stout hearts--don't getmelancholy; 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 seeahead like into futurity. "

With this consoling reflection the hunter again quickened his pace, andpressed forward until the shadows of evening warned him to seek out anencampment for the gathering night. Accordingly, sweeping the adjoiningcountry with an experienced eye, his glance soon rested on a rockyridge, some quarter of a mile to the right, at whose base he judgedmight be found a comfortable shelter from the coming rain. Communicatinghis thoughts to his companions, all immediately quitted the trail andadvanced toward it, where they arrived in a few minutes, and found, totheir delight, that the experienced woodsman had not been wrong in hisconjectures. A cave of no mean dimensions was fortunately discovered, after a short search among the rocks, into which all now gathered; andstriking a light, they made a small fire near the entrance; around whichthey assembled and partook of the refreshments brought with them--Boonedeclaring he had not tasted a morsel of food since leaving Boonsboroughearly in the morning. The meal over, the young men disposed themselvesabout the cave in the best manner possible for their own comfort: andbeing greatly fatigued by their journey, and the revels of the nightprevious, they very soon gave evidence of being in a sleep too deep fordreams. Boone sat by the fire, apparently in deep contemplation, untila few embers only remained; then pointing Cæsar to his place near theentrance, he threw himself at length upon the ground, and was soonimitating the example of his young comrades. 

Early in the evening it came on to blow very hard from the east; andabout midnight set in to rain, as Boone had predicted; which itcontinued to do the rest of the night; nor were there any signs of itsabatement, when the party arose to resume their journey on the followingmorning. 

"What can't be cured must be endured, " said Boone, quoting an oldproverb, 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 wishingit war a little more to our liking. Howsomever, " he added, "prehaps itwon't be so much agin us arter all; for the red varmints mayhap 'llthink as how all traces of 'em have been washed away, and, feeling safefrom pursuit, be less cautious about their proceedings; and by keepingon 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 oftheir provision as well as ammunition in the ample bosoms of theirhunting frocks--which were always made large for such and similarpurposes--tightening the belts about their bodies, and placing theirrifles, locks downward, under the ample skirts of their frocks, toshield them from the rain, the whole party sallied forth upon theirsecond day's adventure. Regaining the spot they had quitted the eveningbefore, Boone took a long look in the direction whence they firstapproached; and then shaping his course so as to bear as near aspossible on a direct line with it, set forward at a quick pace, going avery little west of due north. 

In this manner our pursuers continued their journey for some three orfour hours, scarcely exchanging a syllable--the storm beating fiercelyagainst their faces and drenching their bodies--when an incidentoccurred of the most alarming kind. 

They had descended a hill, and were crossing an almost open plain ofsome considerable extent--which was bounded on the right by a wood, andon the left by a cane-brake--and had nearly gained its center, when theywere startled by a deep rumbling sound, resembling the mighty rushing ofa thousand horse. Nearer and nearer came the rushing sound; while eachone paused, and many a pale face was turned with an anxious, inquiringglance upon Boone; whose own, though a shade paler than usual, wascomposed in every feature, as he gazed, without speaking, in thedirection 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 oldhunter's--as, at that moment, a tremendous herd of buffaloes, numberingthousands, was seen rushing from the brake, and bearing directly towardthe spot where our party stood. Escape by flight was impossible; for theanimals were scarcely four hundred yards distant, and booming forwardwith the speed of the frightened wild horse of the prairie. Nothing wasapparent but speedy death, and in its most horrible form, that of dyingunknown beneath the hoofs of the wild beasts of the wilderness. In thisawful moment of suspense, which seemingly but preceded the disuniting ofsoul and body, each of the young men turned a breathless look of horrorupon the old hunter, such as landsmen in a terrible gale at sea wouldturn upon the commander of the vessel; but, save an almost imperceptiblequiver of the lips, not a muscle of the now stern countenance of Boonechanged. 

"Merciful Heaven!--we are lost!" cried Henry, wildly. "Oh! such adeath!"

"Every man's got to die when his time comes--but none afore; and yournhasn't come yet, Master Harry, " replied Boone, quietly; "unless, " headded, a moment after, as he raised his rifle to his eye, "Betsey here'sforgot her old tricks. "

As he spoke, his gun flashed, a report followed, and one of the foremostof the herd, an old bull, which had gained a point within a hundredyards of the marksman, stumbled forward and rolled over on the earth, with a loud bellow of pain His companions, which were pressing closebehind, snorted with fear, as they successively came up; and turningaside, on either hand, made a furrow in their ranks; that, graduallywidening as they advanced, finally cleared our friends by a space oftwenty yards; and so passed they on, making the very earth tremble undertheir mighty trend. [8]

It was a sublime sight--to behold such a tremendous caravan of wildbeasts rushing past--and one that filled each of the spectators, evenwhen they knew all danger was over, with a sense of trembling awe; andthey stood and gazed in silence, until the last of the herd was lost totheir vision; then advancing to the noble hunter, Henry silently graspedhis hard, weather-beaten hand, and turned away with tearful eyes--anexample that was followed by each of the others, and which was moreheart touchingly expressive of their feelings, than would have been avocabulary of appropriate words. 

Our party next proceeded to examine the wounded bull, which was stillbellowing with rage and pain; and having carefully approached anddespatched him with their knives, they found that the ball of Boone hadentered a vital part. Taking from him a few slices of meat, to servethem in case their provisions ran short, they once more resumed theirjourney--the wind still easterly and the storm raging. 

About three hours past noon the storm began to show signs ofabatement--the wind blew less hard, and had veered several points to thenorth--an event which the old hunter noted with great satisfaction. Theyhad now gained a point within ten miles of the beautiful Ohio; when thedog--which, since he had had no trail to guide him, ran where hechose--commenced barking spiritedly, some fifty paces to the left of theparty, 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 ofboth captors and captives, who had evidently passed there not over threehours before, could be distinctly traced in the soft earth. A shout--notinferior in power and duration to that set up by crazy-headedpoliticians, on the election of some favorite--was sent away to thehills, announcing the joy of our party; which the hills, as if partakersalso of the hilarious feelings, in turn duly echoed. 

This new, important, and unexpected discovery, raised the spirits of allour company to a high degree; and they again set forward at a fastergait than ever, so as to overtake the pursued if possible before theycrossed the Ohio river. The trail was now broad and distinct; and thefootprints of the Indians, as also those of their captives, Algernon andElla, could be clearly defined wherever the ground chanced to be of aclayey nature. In something like two hours our pursuers succeeded inreaching the river; but unfortunately too late to intercept theirenemies and rescue their friends, who had already crossed sometimebefore. By trailing them to the water's edge, they discovered the veryspot 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 theywar aware on't. Howsomever, as it is, I suppose we'll have to make araft 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 gametribe, and have crossed here together, when they came over to make theattack? and that the boats of the other division, unless they haverecrossed, may still be secreted not far hence?"

"By the Power that made me!" exclaimed Boone, energetically; "a goodthought, 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 tookoff to the east, it am't improbable they've just steered a little roundabout, to come down on 'em, while these went right straight ahead. "

At once proceeding upon this suggestion, Boone and his companionscommenced a close examination along the shore; which finally resultedin their finding, as had been premised, not the canoes themselves, buttraces of where they had recently been, together with the trail of theother party, who had also arrived at this point and crossed over. This caused no little sensation among our pursuers; who, scanning thefootprints eagerly, and perceiving thereby that the prisoners werestill along with their captors, scarcely knew whether most to grieve orrejoice. One thing at least was cheering--they were still alive; andcould their friends, the present party, succeed in crossing the riverduring the night, might be rescued. But where was Isaac and his band, was the next important query. If, as they ardently hoped, he and hiscomrades had not lost the trail, they might be expected to join themsoon--a reinforcement which would render them comparatively safe. 

Meantime the storm had wholly subsided--the wind blew strong and coldfrom the northwest--a few broken, dripping clouds sailed slowlyonward--while the sun, a little above the horizon, again shone out clearand bright, and painted a beautiful bow on the cloudy ground of theeastern 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 scarcepresently, we'll improve what there is, in constructing a raft to crossover on; and maybe Isaac and the rest on 'em will join us in time to geta ride. "

As the old hunter concluded, he at once applied himself to laying outsuch drift logs as were thought suitable for the purpose, in which hewas assisted by three of the others, the remaining two proceeding intothe bushes to cut withes for binding them together; and so energetic anddiligent was each in his labors, that, ere twilight had deepened intonight, the rude vessel was made, launched, and ready to transport itsbuilders over the waters. They now resolved to take some refreshment, and wait until night had fully set in, in the faint hope that Isaacmight possibly make his appearance. With this intent, our party retiredup the bank, into the edge of the wood that lined the shore, for thepurpose of kindling a fire, that they might dry their garments, androast some portions of the slaughtered bull. 

Scarcely had they succeeded, after several attempts, in effecting abright, ruddy blaze--which threw from their forms, dark, fantasticshadows, against the earth, trees and neighboring bushes--when Cæsaruttered a low, deep growl; and Boone, grasping his rifle tightly, motioned his companions to follow him in silence into an adjoiningthicket. Here, after cautioning them to remain perfectly quiet, unlessthey heard some alarm, he carefully parted the bushes, and glidednoiselessly 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 Icommit myself. "

For some five or ten minutes after the old hunter disappeared, all wassilent, save the crackling of the fire, the rustling of the leaves, thesighing of the wind among the trees, and the rippling of the now swollenand muddy waters of the Ohio. At length the sound of a voice was heardsome fifty paces distant, followed immediately by another in a loudertone. 

On hearing this, our friends in the thicket rushed forward, and weresoon engaged in shaking the hands of Isaac and his comrades, with aheartiness on both sides that showed the pleasure of meeting wasearnest, and unalloyed. 

As more important matters are now pressing hard upon us, and as ourspace is limited, we shall omit the detail of Isaac's adventures, asalso the further proceedings of both parties for the present, andsubstitute a brief summary. 

The trail on which Isaac and his party started the day before, beingbroad and open, they had experienced but little difficulty in followingit, until about noon, when they reached a stream where it was broken, which caused them some two hours delay. This, doubtless, prevented themfrom overtaking the enemy that day; and the night succeeding, not havingfound quarters as comfortable as Boone's, they had been thoroughlysoaked with rain. The trail in the morning was entirely obliterated; butpursuing their course in a manner simitar to that adopted by Boone, theresult had happily been the same, and the meeting of the two parties theconsequence, at a moment most fortunate to both. 

All now gathered around the fire, to dry their garments, refreshthemselves with food, tell over to each other their adventures, andconsult as to their future course. It was finally agreed to cross thestream that night; in the hope, by following up the Miami, to stumbleupon the encampment of their adversaries; who were, doubtless, at nogreat distance; and who, as they judged, feeling themselves secure, might easily be surprised to advantage. How they succeeded in theirperilous undertaking, coming events must show. 

[Footnote 8: A similar occurrence to the above is recorded of Boone'sfirst 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 reluctantlymoved onward, captives to a savage, bloodthirsty foe, are impossibleto be described. To what awful end had fate destined them? and in whatplace were they to drain the last bitter dregs of woe? How much anguishof heart, how much racking of soul, and how much bodily suffering wasto be their portion, ere death, almost their only hope, would set themfree? True, they might be rescued by friends--such things had beendone--but the probability thereof was as ten to one against them; andwhen they perceived the care with which the renegade sought to destroyall vestiges of their course, their last gleam of hope became nearlyextinguished. 

We have previously stated that Ella was left unbound; but wherefore, would perhaps be hard to conjecture; unless we suppose that therenegade--feeling for her that selfish affection which pervades thebreasts of all beings, however base or criminal, to a greater or lessdegree--fancied it would be adding unnecessary cruelty to bind heirdelicate hands. Whatever the cause, matters but little; but the factitself was of considerable importance to Ella; who took advantage ofher freedom, in passing the bushes before noticed, to snatch a leafunperceived, whereon, by great adroitness, she managed to trace with apin 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 footthe 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 therenegade and his allies--who appeared to treat her with the same respectthey would have done the wife of their chief--were in striking contrastwith their manners toward Algernon, on whom they seemed disposed to venttheir scorn by petty insults. Believing that his doom was sealed, hebecame apparently resigned to his fate, nor seemed to notice, save withstoical indifference, any thing that took place around him. This quiet, inoffensive manner, was far from pleasing to Girty, who would muchrather have seen him chafing under his bondage, and manifesting a desireto escape its toil. But if this was the outward appearance, not so wasthe inward feelings of our hero. He knew his fate--unless he couldeffect an escape, of which he had little hope--and he nerved himself tomeet and seem to his captors careless of it; but his soul was already onthe rack of torture. This was not for himself alone; for Algernon was abrave man, and in reality feared not death; though, like many anotherbrave man, be had no desire to die at his time of life, especially withall the tortures of the stake, which he knew, from Girty's remark, wouldbe his assignment; but his soul was harrowed at the thought of Ella--herawful doom--and what she might be called upon to undergo: perhaps apunishment a thousand times worse than death--that of being thepretended wife, but in reality the mistress, of the loathsome renegade. This thought to him was torture--almost madness--and it was only by themost powerful struggle with himself, that he could avoid exposing hisfeelings. 

For a time, after ascending the rocky bank of the stream and gaining thehill, the renegade and his Indian allies, with their captives, movedsilently onward at a fast pace; but at length, slackening his speedsomewhat, Girty approached the side of Algernon, who was bound in amanner similar to Younker, with his wrists corded to a cross bar behindhis back; and apparently examining them a moment or two, in a sneeringtone, said:

"How-comes it that the bully fighter of the British, under the cowardlyGeneral Gates, should be so tightly bound, away out in this Indiancountry, and a captive to a _renegade_ agent?--ha, ha, ha!"

The pale features of Algernon, as he heard this taunt, grew suddenlycrimson, and then more deadly white than ever--his fingers fairly workedin their cords, and his respiration seemed almost to stifle him--sopowerfully were his passions wrought upon by the cowardly insults of hisadversary; but at last all became calm and stoical again; when turningto 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 withso mean a _thing_ as Simon Girty the renegade. "

At these words Girty started, as if bit by a serpent--the aspect of hisdark sinister features changed to one concentrated expression of hellishrage--his eyes seemed to turn red--his lips quivered--the nostrils ofhis flat ugly nose distended--froth issued from his mouth--while hisfingers worked convulsively at the handle of his tomahawk, and his wholeframe trembled like a tree shaken by a whirlwind. For some time heessayed to speak, in vain; but at last he hissed forth, as he whirledthe tomahawk aloft:

"Die!--dog!--die!"

Ella uttered a piercing shriek of fear, and sprung forward to arrest theblow; but ere she could have reached the renegade; the axe would havebeen 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 theShawanoe dialect, "that he lets passion run away with his reason? Is notthe Big Knife already doomed to the tortures? And would the white chiefgive 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 besidemyself. The stake--the torture--the stake--ha, ha, ha!" added he inEnglish, with a hoarse laugh, which his recent passion made soundfiend-like and unearthly; and as he concluded, he smote Algernon on thecheek 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 insilence. 

Toward night, Ella became so fatigued and exhausted by the long day'smarch, that it was with the greatest difficulty she could move forwardat all; and Girty, taking some compassion on her, ordered the party tohalt, until a rough kind of litter could be prepared; on which beingseated, she was borne forward by four of the Indians. At dark theyhalted at the base of a hill, where they encamped and found a partialshelter from the wind and rain. At daylight they again resumed theirjourney; and by four o'clock in the afternoon arrived at the river, which they immediately crossed in their canoes; and, as the water wasfound in a good stage, did not land until they reached the first bendof the Miami--the place agreed on for the meeting between Girty andWild-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 shelterunder one of the largest trees in the vicinity, to await their coming. Of this expected meeting, the captives as yet knew nothing; and it wasof course not without considerable surprise, mingled with a saddenedjoy, that they observed the approach, some half an hour later, of theirfriends 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 thethought 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 heartis ever buoyed up with hope, until completely engulfed in the darkbillows of despair--so she could not, or would not, altogether banishthe animating feeling, that something might yet interfere to save themall from destruction. As the canoes touched the shore, Ella sprungforward to greet her adopted mother and father; but her course wassuddenly checked by one of the Indian warriors, who, grasping hersomewhat roughly by the arm, with a gutteral grunt and fierce gesture ofdispleasure, pointed her back to her former place. Ella, downcast andfrightened, tremblingly retraced her steps, and could only observe thepale faces and fatigued looks of her relatives and the little girl at adistance; but she saw enough to send a thrill of anguish to her heart;and Girty, who perceived the expressions of agony her sweet features nowdisplayed, at once advanced to her, and, modulating his voice somewhatfrom its usual tones, said:

"Grieve not, Ella. I will endeavor to procure you an interview with yourfriends. "

The kindness manifested in the tones of the speaker, caused Ella to lookup with a start of surprise and hope; and thinking he might perhaps bemoved 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. " Herethe compression of Girty's lips, and a knitting together of his shaggybrows, warned Ella she was treading on dangerous ground, and she quicklyadded: "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 ourhearts we are not; and to do acts which our calm moments of reason tellus 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, SimonGirty, whose acts hitherto have been such as to draw down reproachesand even curses upon your head, from many of your own race, may now beinduced, by the prayer of her before you, to do an act of justice andgenerosity. "

"Speak out your desire!" returned Girty, as Ella, evidently fearful ofbroaching the subject too suddenly, paused, in order to observe theeffect of what had already been said. "Speak out briefly, girl; foryonder stands Wild-cat awaiting me. "

"Oh, then, let me implore you to listen, and God grant your heart maybe touched by my words!" rejoined Ella, eagerly, as she fancied shesaw something of relentment in his stern features. "Look yonder! Beholdthat poor old man!--whose head is already sprinkled with the silverythreads of over fifty winters--beside whom stands the companion ofhis sorrows--both of whose lives have been spent in quiet, honestpursuits--whose doors have ever stood open--whose board has ever beenfree to the needy wayfarer. You yourself have been a partaker of theirhospitality, in their own home--which, alas! I have since learned isin ashes--and can testify to their liberality and kindness. Is thisa proper return therefor, think you?"

"But did not he, yon gray-headed man, then and there curse me to myface?" returned the renegade, fiercely, in whose eye could be seen thecold, sullen gleam of deadly hate; "and shall I, the outcast of myrace--I, whose deeds have made the boldest tremble--I, whose name is aby-word for curses--now spare him, that has defied and called down God'smaledictions on me?"

"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Ella, energetically. "Convince him, by your actsof generosity, that you are not deserving of his censure, and he, Iassure 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, " answeredGirty, with a strong emphasis on the word Christian, accompanied with asneer; "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 Ipossess for you a passion stronger than I have ever before felt for anyhuman being--but were I ever so much disposed to grant your request, itis 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 shudderso, and turn away, and look so pale--a worse fate than being the wifeof a British agent might have been apportioned you. To win you by fairwords, I knew at once was out of the question--for one glance showed memy 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 havegood reasons for fearing and hating me--therefore I resolved on yourcapture. I had already meditated an attack on some of the settlers inthe vicinity, and I resolved that both should be accomplished at onetime. The result you know. Younker and his wife became my prisoners. This was done for two purposes. First, to revenge me for the insultsheaped upon Simon Girty. Secondly, to spare their lives; for had it notbeen for my positive injunctions, they would have shared the fate oftheir neighbors. My design, I say, was to spare their lives and sendthem back, whenever it could be done with safety, provided they showedany signs of contrition. Did they? No! they again upbraided me to myface. I was again cursed. My blood is hot--my nature revengeful. Thatmoment sealed their doom. I gave them up to Peshewa. They are no longermy 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 towhom the conversation was disagreeable; and Ella listened breathlessly, with a pale cheek and trembling form; for she saw, alas! there wasnothing 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 peacein this world and salvation in the next--restore me--restore us all toour homes--and to my dying day will I bless and pray for you. "

"Umph!" returned the renegade, drily; "I had much rather _hear_ yoursweet voice, though in anger, than to merely _think_ you may be prayingfor me at a distance. But I see Wild-cat is getting impatient;" andas he concluded, he turned abruptly on his heel, and advanced toPeshewa--who was now standing with his warriors and prisoners on thebank of the stream, some fifty paces distant, awaiting a consultationwith him--while Ella hid her face in her hands and wept convulsively. 

"Welcome, Peshewa!" said Girty, as he approached the chief. "You andyour 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 tothe Indian. "Kitchokema has learned Peshewa is here!"

"Come! come!" answered the renegade, in a somewhat nettled manner; "noinsinuations! I saw Peshewa when he arrived. "

"But could not leave the Big Knife squaw to greet him, " added theIndian. 

"Why, I am not particularly fond of being hurried in my affairs, youknow. "

"But there may be that which will not leave Kitchokema slow to act, insafety, " 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 hishand 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 excitedtone. 

"Peshewa a chief, " answered the Indian, in that somewhat obscure andmetaphorical manner peculiar to his race. "He sleeps not soundly on thewar-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 hadbeen diligently on the watch and as his course had been shaped in aroundabout, rather than opposite direction (as the reader might at firstglance have supposed) from that taken by Boone, he and his band, byreason of this, had encamped, on the night in question, not haif amile 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 itssource. Without venturing near enough to expose himself, the wily savagehad, nevertheless, gone sufficiently close to ascertain they were thefoes of his race. His first idea had been to return, collect a part ofhis warriors, and attack them; but prudence had soon got the better ofhis valor; from the fact, as he reasoned, that his band were now in theenemy's country, where their late depredations had already aroused theinhabitants to vengeance; and he neither knew the force of Boone'sparty--for the reader will remember they were concealed in a cave--norwhat other of his foes might be in the vicinity;--besides which, hispurpose had been accomplished, and he was now on the return with hisprisoners;--the whole of which considerations, had decided him to leavethem unmolested, and ere daylight resume his journey; so that, evenshould they accidentally come upon his trail, he would be far enough inadvance to reach and cross the river before them. Such was the substanceof what Wild-cat, in his own peculiar way, now made known to Girty; andhaving inquired out the location distinctly, the latter exclaimed:

"By heavens! I remember leaving that ridge away to the right, whichproves that the white dogs must have been on my trail. I took painsenough to conceal it before that night; but if they got the better ofme, I don't think they did of the rain that fell afterwards--so thatthey 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 useit against his foes?--why caution, but that he might avoid danger?"

"Why that, of course, is all well enough at times, " answered Girty; "butI don't think either particular cunning or caution need be exercisednow--from the fact that I don't believe there is any danger. Even shouldthe enemies you saw be fool-hardy enough to follow us, they are not manyin number probably, and will only serve to add a few more scalps to ourgirdles. However, we are safe for to-night, at all events; for if theyreach the river, as I said before, they won't be able to cross, unlessthey make a raft or swim it; and you may rest assured, Peshewa, theywill sleep on the other side, if for nothing else than their ownsafety. "

"What, therefore, does my brother propose?" asked Wild-cat. 

"Why, I am for encamping, as soon as we can find a suitable spot--saywithin a mile of here--for by ----! I am not only hungry but cold, and myvery bones ache, from traveling in this untimely storm, which I perceiveis 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 onthe latter word; "and so suppose you take the prisoners, with a part ofthe band, and go forward, while myself and the balance remain behind toreconnoitre in the morning; for by ----! that will be time enough to lookfor the lazy white dogs. Yet stay!" he added, a moment after, as ifstruck by a new thought. "Suppose you take the two Big Knives, and leavethe squaws with me--for being very tired, they will only be a drag uponyour party--and then you can have the stakes ready for the others, ifyou get in first, so that we can have the music of their groans to makeus merry on our second meeting. "

To this latter proposition, the chief gave a grunt of assent, and thewhole matter being speedily arranged, the council ended. 

The conversation between these two worthies having been carried on inthe Indian dialect, was of course wholly unintelligible to Mrs. Younkerand her husband, who were standing near; and trying in vain, for sometime, to gain a clue to the discussion, the good lady at last gaveevidence, that if her body and limbs were weary, her tongue was not;and that with all the warnings she had received, her old habits ofvolubility had not as yet been entirely superseded by thoughtfulsilence. 

"I do wonder what on yarth, " she said, "that thar read-headed SimonGirty, 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 therest on 'em come together agin, as we did afore? Thar she stands--thedarling--as pale nor a lily, and crying like all nater, jest as ifher little heart war a going to break and done with it. I 'spect thevarmints is hatching some orful plans to put us out o' the way--prehapsto hitch us to the stake and burn us all to cinder, like they did ourhousen, and them things. Well, Heaven's will be done!--as PreacherAllprayer said, when they turned him out o' meeting for gitting drunkand swearing--the dear good man!--but I do wish, for gracious sake, Icould only jest change places with 'em--ef jest for five minutes--andI reckon as how they'd be glad to quit their gibberish, and talk likeChristian 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 thegist on't. "

The foregoing remarks of Mrs. Younker, were made in a low tone, and evidently not intended, like Dickens' Notes, for generalcirculation--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 civillyinformed by Girty, that she was now at liberty to join Ella as soon asshe pleased. 

"Well, now, that's something like, " returned the dame, with a smile thatwas intended to be a complimentary one; "and shows, jest as clear as anything, that thar is a few streaks o' human nater in you arter all. "

Then, as if fearful the permission would be countermanded, the goodlady at once set off in haste to join her adopted daughter. Subsequentevents, however, soon changed the favorable opinion Mrs. Younker hadbegan to entertain of Girty--particularly when she discovered, as sheimagined, that the liberty allowed her, had only been as a ruse towithdraw her from her husband--who, as she departed, had beenimmediately hurried away, without so much as a parting farewell. 

Orders now being rapidly given by Girty and Wild-cat, were quickly andsilently executed by their swarthy subordinates; and in a few minutes, the latter chief was on his way, with four warriors, the two maleprisoners, and the little girl--Oshasqua, to whom the latter had beenconsigned by Girty, as the reader will remember, and who still continuedto accompany Wild-cat, refusing to leave her behind. 

When informed by Girty, in an authoritative tone, that he must join thedetachment of Wild-cat, Algernon turned toward Ella, and in a tremblingvoice 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 heremotion, had power to reply, he had passed on beyond the reach of hersilvery voice. 

Immediately on the departure of Peshewa, Girty ordered the canoes to bedrawn ashore and concealed in a thicket near by, where they would beready in case they should be wanted for another expedition; and thenleading the way himself, the party proceeded slowly up the Miami, forabout a mile, and encamped for the night, within a hundred yards of theriver. 

[Footnote 9: Americans, or Big Knives. We would remark here, that wehave made use altogether of the Shawanoe dialect; that being most commonamong all the Ohio tribes, save the Wyandots or Hurons, who spoke anentirely 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 wasseated by a fire, around which lay stretched at full length some six oreight dark Indian forms, and near him, on the right, two of another sexand race. He was evidently in some deep contemplation; for his hat andrifle were lying by his side, his hands were locked just below hisknees, 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 inthe wind, threw over his ugly features a ruddy, flickering light, andextended his shadow to the size and shape of some frightful monster. The clouds of the late storm had entirely passed away, and through thecheckered openings in the trees overhead could be discerned a few brightstars, which seemed to sparkle with uncommon brilliancy, owing to theclearness of the atmosphere. All beyond the immediate circle lighted bythe fire, appeared dark and silent, save the solemn, almost mournful, sighing of the wind, as it swept among the tree-tops and through thebranches 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 theposition we have described, some moments, without moving, he suddenlystarted, unclasped his hands, and looked hurriedly around him on everyside, as if half expecting, yet fearful of beholding, some frightfulphantom; but he apparently saw nothing to confirm his fears; and witha heavy sigh, he resumed his former position. 

What were the thoughts of that dark man, as he sat there?--he whose soulhad been steeped in crime!--he whose hands had long been made red withthe blood of numberless innocent victims! Who shall say what guiltydeeds of the past might have been harrowing up his soul to fear and evenremorse? Who shall say he was not then and there meditating upon death, and the dread eternity and judgment that must quickly followdissolution? Who shall say he was not secretly repenting of that life ofcrime, which had already drawn down the curses of thousands upon hishead? Something of the kind, or something equally powerful, must havebeen at work within him; for his features ever and anon, by theirmournful contortions--if we may be allowed the phrase--gave visibletokens of one in deep agony of mind. It would be no pleasant task toanalyze and lay bare the secret workings of so dark a spirit, even hadwe power to do it; and so we will leave his thoughts, whether good orevil, to himself and his God. 

By his side, and within two feet of the renegade, lay extended thebeautiful form of Ella Barnwell--with nothing but a blanket and her owngarments between her and the earth--with none but a similar coveringover her--with her head resting upon a stone, and apparently asleep. Wesay apparently asleep; but the drowsy son of Erebus and Nox had not yetclosed her eyelids in slumber; for there were thoughts in her breastmore potent than all his persuasive arts of forgetfulness, or thoseof his prime minister, Morpheus. Was she thinking of her own hardfate--away there in that lonely forest--with not a friend nigh thatcould render her assistance--with no hope of escape from the awful doomto which she was hastening? Or was she thinking of him, for whom herheart yearned with all the thousand, undefined, indescribable sympathiesof affection?--of him who so lately had been her companion?--forthe heart of love measures duration, not by the cold mathematicalcalculation of minutes and hours, and days and weeks, and months andyears, but by events and feelings; and the acquaintance of weeks mayseem the friend of years, and the acquaintance of years be almostforgotten 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 lasttrembling farewell, and gone to suffer a death at which humanity mustshudder! Ay, all these thoughts, and a thousand others, were rushingwildly through her feverish brain. She thought of her own fate--ofhis--of her relations--pictured out in her imagination the terrible doomof each--and her tender heart became wrung to the most excruciatingpoint of agony. 

By the side of Ella, was her adopted mother--buried in that troubledsleep which great fatigue sends to the body, even when the mind isill at ease, filling it with startling visions--and around the fire, as we said before, lay the dusky forms of the savages, lost to allconsciousness of the outer world. The position of Ella was such, that, by slightly turning her head, she could command a view of the featuresof the renegade; whose strange workings, as before noted, served to fixher attention and divide her thoughts between him, as the cause of herpresent unhappiness, and that unhappiness itself--and she gazed on hisloathsome, contorted countenance, with much the same feeling as onemight be supposed to gaze upon a serpent coiling itself around thebody, whose deadly fangs, either sooner or later, would assuredly givethe fatal stroke of death. She noted the sudden start of Girty, and thewildness with which he peered around him, with feelings of hope andfear--hope, that rescue might be at hand--fear, lest something moredreadful was about to happen. At length Girty started again, and turnedhis head toward Ella so suddenly, that she had not time to withdraw hereyes 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 friendsexposed, " returned Ella, bitterly. 

"Ah! true--true!" rejoined Girty, again looking toward the fire, in amusing 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 answerfor, Simon Girty. "

"And who told you the past tortured me?" cried Girty, quickly, turningon 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, pressingthe words slowly through his clenched teeth, knitting his shaggy brows, and fixing his eye with intensity upon hers, until she quailed andtrembled beneath its seeming fiery glance; which the light, whereby itwas seen, rendered more demon-like than usual; while it made shadowchase shadow, like waves of the sea, across his face: "You have beena spy upon my actions, eh? Beware! Ella Barnwell--beware! Do notput your head in the lion's mouth too often, or he may think the baittroublesome; and by ----! had other than you told me what I just nowheard, he or she had not lived to repeat it. "

"Far better an early death and innocence, than a long life of guilt andmisery, " returned Ella, at once regaining her boldness of speech; "Farbetter the fate you speak of, than mine. "

"And would you prefer being wedded to death, rather than me?" askedGirty, quickly, in surprise. 

"Ay, a thousand times!" replied Ella, energetically, rising as shespoke, into a sitting posture, and looking fearlessly upon the renegade, her previously pale features now flushed with excitement. "I fear notdeath, Simon Girty; I have done no act that should make me fear thechange that all must sooner or later undergo; but I could not join myhand to that of a man of blood, without loathing and horror, and feelingcriminal in the sight of God and man; and least of all to you, SimonGirty, whose name has become a word of terror to the weak and innocentof my race, and whose deeds of late have been such as to make me join myvoice in the general maledictions called down upon you. "

During this speech of Ella, Girty sat and gazed upon her with the lookof a baffled demon; and, as she concluded, fairly hissed through histeeth:

"And so you would prefer death to me, eh? By ----! you shall have yourchoice!"

As he spoke, he grasped Ella by the wrist with one hand, seized histomahawk with the other, and sprung upon his feet. His rapid movementand wild manner now really frightened her; and uttering a faint cry ofhorror, she endeavored to release his hold; while the warriors, arousedby the noise, bounded up from the earth, weapon in hand, with looks ofalarm. 

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 againencamping, when crack went some five or six rifles, followed by yellslittle less savage than their own, and four of them rolled upon theearth, 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 thehelve of the tomahawk in his hand, in front of his breast, showed himhe had been a target for no mean marksman, and that his life had beenpreserved almost by a miracle. For a moment he stood irresolute--hisnostrils fairly dilated with fear and rage, still holding Ella bythe wrist, who was too paralyzed with what she had seen to speak ormove--straining his eyes in every direction to note, if possible, thenumber of his foes and whence their approach. The whole glance wasmomentary; but he saw himself nearly surrounded by his enemies, whowere fast closing in toward the center with fierce yells; and pausingno longer in indecision, he encircled Ella's waist with his left arm, raised her from the ground, and keeping her as much as possible betweenhimself and his enemies, to deter them from firing, darted away towarda thicket, some fifty yards distant, pursued by two of the attackingparty. 

Just as Girty gained the thicket, one of his pursuers made a suddenbound forward and grasped him by the arm; but his hold was the nextmoment shaken off by the renegade, who, being now rendered desperate, drew a pistol from his belt, with the rapidity of lightning, and laidthe bold adventurer dead at his feet. Almost at the same moment, Girtyreceived a blow on the back of his head, from the breech of the rifle ofhis other antagonist, that staggered him forward; when, releasing hishold of Ella, he turned and darted off in another direction, firing apistol as he went, the ball of which whizzed close to the head of himfor whom it was designed; and in a moment more he was lost in the mazesof the forest. 

Meantime the bloody work was going forward in the center; for at themoment when Girty darted away, the report of some three or four riflesagain echoed through the wood, two more of the red warriors bit thedust, while the other two fled in opposite directions, leaving Boone andhis party sole masters of the field. 

Eager, excited, reckless and wild, several of the young men now rushedforward, with yells of triumph, to the wounded Indians, whom theyimmediately tomahawked without mercy, and began to scalp, when the voiceof Boone, who had been more cautious, reached them from a distance:

"Beware o' the fire-light, lads! or the red varmints will draw abead[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 forrevenge, turned and fired almost simultaneously, with aims so deadly, that one of the young men, by the name of Beecher, fell mortally woundedand expired a moment after; and another, by the name of Morris, had hiswrist shattered by a ball. This fatal event produced a panic in theothers, who at once fled precipitately into the darkness, leaving Mrs. Younker, who had by this time gained her feet, standing alone by thefire, a bewildered spectator of the terrible tragedies that had solately been enacted by her side. To her Boone now immediately advanced, notwithstanding the caution he had given the others; and turning to himas 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 howon yarth did ye git here--and what in the name o' all creation has beenhappening? For ye see I war jest dosing away thar by the fire, anddreaming 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 ralesoldier; and the battle had opened, and the big guns war blazing away, and the little guns war popping off, and the soldiers war shrieking andgroaning 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, andjumped up, and seed all them dead Injen wretches; and then I jest begunto think as how it warn't no dream at all, but a living truth, all 'ceptmy being a man and a soldier, as you com'd up. Well, ef this arn't aqueer world, " resumed the good dame, catching breath meanwhile, "asPreacher Allprayer used to say, then maybe as how I don't know nothingat 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 inscattering the burning brands, to prevent the recurrence of another sadcatastrophe; "and I'm rejoiced to see that you've escaped unharmed, amidthis bloody work. Allow me to set you free;" and as he spoke, he drew hisscalping knife, and severed the thongs that bound her wrists. 

"Gracious on me!" cried the dame, chafing the parts which had beenswollen by the tightness of the cords; "how clever 'tis to get freeagin, and have the use o' one's hands and tongue, to do and say jestwhat a body pleases; for d'ye know, Colonel Boone, them thar imps ofSatan war awfully afeared o' my talking to 'em, to convince 'em theywar 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 colonieswar 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 shenow missed her adopted daughter for the first time. 

"She's here, mother, " answered a voice close behind her; and turninground, the dame uttered a cry of joy, sprung into the arms of her sonIsaac, and wept upon his neck--occasionally articulating, in a chokedvoice:

"God bless you, Isaac! God bless you, son!--you're a good boy--theLord's presarved you through the whole on't--the Lord be praised!--butyour 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 forceof his feelings: "I--I know the whole on't, mother--Ella's told me. I'drather 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 oldhunter, with tearful eyes, now stood weeping by his side. "No help forit! 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, andexclaimed: "Oh! sir, speak! tell me they can be saved--and on my kneeswill I bless you!"

A few words now rapidly uttered by Isaac, put the old hunter inpossession of the facts, concerning the forced march of Younker andReynolds, of which he had previously heard nothing; and musing on theinformation a few moments, he shook his head sadly, and said, with asigh:

"I'm sorry for you, Ella--I'm sorry for all o' ye--I'm sorry on my ownaccount--but I'm o' the opinion o' Isaac, that thar's no help for itnow. They're too far beyond us--we're in the Indian country--our numbersare few--two or three o' the red varmints have escaped to give 'eminformation o' what's been done--they'll be thirsty for revenge--andnothing but a special Providence can now alter that prisoners' doom. Ihad 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 awaya tear, and turned aside to conceal his emotion; while Ella, overcome byher feelings, at the thought of having parted, perhaps for the lasttime, from Algernon and her uncle, staggered forward and sunk powerlessinto the arms of Mrs. Younker, whose tears now mingled with her own. 

By this time the whole party had gathered silently around their nobleleader, and were observing the sad scene as much as the feeble light ofthe scattered brands would permit, their faces exhibiting a mournfulnessof expression in striking contrast to that they had so lately displayed, previous to the death of their comrade. To them Boone now turned, andrunning 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 orfour 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 hishand. 

"Dead?" echoed Boone. 

"Dead?" cried the others, simultaneously. 

"Yes, " rejoined Isaac, with a sigh; "He and I war chasing that tharinfernal renegade Girty, who war running away with Ella thar; and he'djest got up to him, and got him by the arm, when Girty shuk him off likeit warn't nothing at all, and then shot him dead on the spot. Ef hehadn't a bin quite so quick about it, I think as how it wouldn't ahappened; for the next moment I hit him a rap on the head with thebutt-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 hiscompliments for me in the shape of a bullet, which, ef it didn't do meno harm, it warn't 'cause he didn't intend it to. I jest stopped to lookat poor Harry; and finding he war dead, I took Ella by the hand and comestraight down here. "

"Who's that you said war dead, Isaac?" inquired his mother, who hadpartially overheard the conversation. 

"Harry Millbanks, mother. "

"Harry Millbanks!" repeated the dame in astonishment. "What, youngHarry?--our Harry?--Goodness gracious, marcy on me! what orful meanwretches them Injens is, to kill sech as him. Dear me! then the hullfamily is gone; for I hearn from Rosetta, that her father and mother andall war killed afore her eyes; and now she's bin taken on to be killedtoo, the darling. "

"Ha! yes, " said Boone, as if struck with a new thought; "I rememberseeing the foot-prints of a child--war they made by this unfortunateyoung man's sister?"

"I reckon as how they war, " answered Mrs. Younker; "for the poor thingwar a prisoner along with us, crying whensomever she dared to, like allnater. "

"Well, " rejoined the old hunter, musingly, "we've done all we could--I'msorry it didn't turn out better--but we must now leave their fates inthe hands o' Providence, and return to our homes. We must bury our deadfirst; and I don't know o' any better way than to sink thar bodies inthe Ohio. "

Accordingly, after some further conversation, four of the partyproceeded for the body of Millbanks--with which they soonreturned--while Boone conducted the ladies away from the scene ofhorror, and down to where Ella informed him the canoes were hidden, leaving his younger companions to rifle and scalp the savages if theychose. In a few minutes from his arrival at the point in question, hewas joined by the others, who came slowly, in silence, bearing themortal remains of Millbanks and Beecher. Placing the canoes in thewater, the whole party entered them, in the same silent and solemnmanner, and pulled slowly down the Miami, into the middle of the Ohio;then leaving the vessels to float with the current, they uncovered theirheads, and mournfully consigned the bodies of the deceased to the wateryelement. 

It was a sad and impressive scene--there, on the turbid Ohio, near themidnight hour--to give to the rolling waters the last remains of thosewho had been their friends and companions, and as full of life andactivity as themselves but an hour before;--it was a sad, impressive, and affecting scene--one that was looked upon with weeping eyes--andone which, by those who witnessed it, was never to be forgotten. There were no loud bursts of grief--there were no frantic exclamationsof woe--but the place, the hour, and withal the various events whichhad transpired to call them so soon from a scene of festivity to one ofmourning--together with the thoughts of other friends departed, or interrible captivity--served to render it a most painfully solemn one--andone, as we said before, that was destined never to be forgotten. 

For a short space after the river engulphed the bodies, all gazed uponthe waters in silence; when Boone said, in a voice slightly trembling. 

"They did their duties--they have gone--God rest their souls, and givepeace to their bones!" and taking up a paddle, the noble old hunterpulled steadily for the Kentucky shore in silence, followed by the otherboats in the same manner. There they landed, placed the canoes insafety, in case they should again be needed, rekindled their fire, andencamped 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 comealmost immediately upon what are termed the Bottoms, or Bottom Lands, which are rich and fertile tracts of country, of miles in extent, andsometimes miles in breadth, almost water level, with the stream inquestion slowly winding its course through them, like a deep blue ribboncarelessly unrolled upon a dark surface. They are now mostly underculture, and almost entirely devoted to the production of maize, which, in the autumn of the year, presents the goodly sight of a goldenharvest. At the time of which we write, there were no such pleasantdemonstrations of civilization, but a vast unbroken forest instead, somevestiges 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 formerdays. 

On these Bottoms, about ten miles above the mouth of the Miami, Wild-cat and his party, with their prisoners, encamped on the eveningthe attack was made upon the renegade, as shown in the preceding chapter. Possessing caution in a great degree, and fearful of the escape of hisprisoners, Wild-cat spared no precautions which he thought might enhancethe security of Younker and Reynolds. Accordingly, when arrived at thespot where he intended to remain for the night, the chief ordered stakesto be driven deep into the earth, some distance apart, to which the feetof the two in question, after being thrown flat upon their backs, inopposite directions, were tightly bound, with their hands still cordedto the crossbars as before. A rope was next fastened around the neckof each, and secured to a neighboring sapling, in which uncomfortablemanner they were left to pass the night; while their captors, startinga fire, threw themselves upon the earth around it, and soon to allappearance were sound asleep. 

To the tortures of her older companions in captivity, little Rosettawas not subjected; for Oshasqua--the fierce warrior to whom Girty hadconsigned her, in the expectation, probably, that she would long erethis have been knocked on the head and scalped--had, by one of thosestrange mysterious phenomena of nature, (so difficult of comprehension, and which have been known to link the rough and bloody with the gentleand innocent, ) already begun to feel towards her a sort of affection, and to treat her with great kindness whenever he could do so unobservedby the others. The apparel of which he had at first divested her, toornament his own person, had been restored, piece by piece; and this, together with the change in his manner, had at length been observed bythe child, with feelings of gratitude. Poor little thing! to whom couldshe look for protection now? Her father and mother were dead--had beenmurdered before her own eyes--her brother was away, and she herself acaptive to an almost merciless foe; could she feel other than gratefulfor an act of kindness, from one at whose hands she looked for nothingbut abuse and death? Nay, more: So strange and complex is the humanheart--so singular in its developments--that we see nothing to wonderat, in her feeling for the savage, under the circumstances--loathsomeand offensive as he might have been to her under others--a sort ofaffection--or rather, a yearning toward him as a protector. Such she didfeel; and thus between two human beings, as much antagonistical perhaps, in every particular, as Nature ever presented, was already establisheda kind of magnetic sympathy--or, in other words, a gradual blendingtogether of opposites. The result of all this, as may be imagined, washighly beneficial to Rosetta, who, in consequence, fared as well ascircumstances 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 thenight in question. 

With Younker and Reynolds there was little that could be calledsleep--the minds of both being too actively employed with the eventswhich had transpired, and with thoughts of those so dear to them, whohad been left behind, for what fate God only knew. Besides, there waslittle wherewithal to court the drowsy god, in the manner of theirrepose--each limb being strained and corded in a position the mostpainful--and if they slept at all, it was that feverish and fitfulslumber, which, though it serve in part the design of nature, bringswith it nothing refreshing to the individual himself. To both, therefore, the night proved one of torture to body and mind; and bad aswas their condition after the encampment, it was destined to be worseere the gray dawn of morning, by the arrival of Girty and the only twoIndians who had escaped the deadly rifles of the Kentuckians. 

"Up, warriors!" cried the renegade, with a blasphemous oath, as he cameupon the detachment. "Up, warriors! and sharpen your wits to invent themost damnable tortures that the mind of man can conceive!" and at thesound of his voice, which was loud and hoarse, each Indian sprung to hisfeet, with an anxious and troubled face. 

"And you, ye miserable white dogs!" continued Girty, turning to Younkerand Reynolds, on whom he bestowed numerous kicks, as if by way ofenforcing the truth his assertion; "were you suffering all the tormentsof hell, you might consider yourselves in perfect bliss, compared towhat 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 bina rescue--you've lost your prisoners--for which the Lord be praised! Ican die content now, with all your tortures. "

"Can you, by ----!" cried the renegade, in a paroxysm of rage; "we shallsee!"

As he concluded, he bestowed upon Younker a kick in the face, so violentthat 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 theothers the intelligence of what had transpired since their parting; foralthough they believed it to be of the utmost consequence, and tragicalin all its bearings, yet so far there had not been a question asked noran event related concerning it on either side--such being the force ofhabit in all matters of grave importance, and the deference to hissuperiors shown by the Indian on all similar occasions. 

As soon as Girty had made known the sad disaster that had befallen hisparty, there was one universal yell of rage, accompanied by violentdemonstrations of grief and anger--such as beating their bodies, stamping fiercely on the ground, and brandishing their tomahawks overtheir heads with terrific gestures. They then proceeded to dance aroundYounker and Reynolds, uttering horrid yells, accompanied with kicks andblows; after which, a consultation was held between Girty and Wild-cat, wherein it was agreed to take them to Piqua, a Shawanoe settlement onthe Miami, and there have them put to the tortures. Accordingly, withoutfurther delay, they unbound their prisoners, with the exception of theirhands, and forced them to set forward at a fast pace--treating them, meanwhile, in the most brutal manner. Oshasqua, however, took good carethere should be no violence done to Rosetta; for he kept her closely byhis 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 whoprobably had never before loved or sought to protect aught bearing thehuman form--now exhibiting such tender regard for a weak, tremblingprisoner, placed in his hands for a speedy sacrifice. It was withal anaffecting sight, to Younker and Reynolds, who looked upon it withmoistened eyes, and felt it in the force of a revelation from Heaven, that He, who sees the sparrow fall, was even now moving through thewilderness, and teaching one lesson of mercy at least to the mostobdurate heart of the savage race. 

To the renegade, however, this conduct of Oshasqua was far from beingagreeable; for so much did he delight in cruelty, and so bitterly did hehate all his race--particularly now, after having been foiled by themso lately--that he would a thousand times rather have heard the dyinggroans of the child, and seen her in the last agonies of death, than inthe warrior's arms. At length he advanced to the side of the Indian, andsaid 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 moreexpressive of contempt, and one that would have been more severely feltby the savage warrior, who abhors any thing of a womanly nature, couldnot have been selected; and this Girty, who understood well to whom hewas speaking, knew, and was prepared to see the hellish design of hisheart meet with a ready second from Oshasqua. For a moment after hespoke, the latter looked upon the renegade with flashing eyes; and thenseizing Rosetta roughly, he raised her aloft, as if with the intentionof dashing her brains out at his feet. She doubtless understood fromhis fierce movement the murderous intent in his breast, and uttered aheart-rending cry of anguish. In an instant the grim features of theIndian softened; and lowering her again to her former position in hisarms, 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 hislife whom he loves!"

Girty bit his lips, and uttering a deep malediction in English, turnedaway to consult with Wild-cat on the matter; but finding the chief wouldnot join him in interfering with the rights of the other, he growled outanother 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 theirapproach, their prisoners, and the sad disaster they had experienced ontheir journey. In the course of an hour the messenger returned, bringingwith him a vast number of savages of both sexes and all ages, whoimmediately set up the most horrid yells, danced around Younker andAlgernon like madmen, not unfrequently beating and kicking themunmercifully. They then departed for the town, taking the prisoners withthem, where their fate was to be decided by the council. [12] But eresentence should be pronounced, it was the unanimous decision of thesavages, that they should have some amusement, by forcing the prisonersto run the gauntlet. This, to the women and children, as well as thewarriors themselves, was a most delightful sport, and they at once madethe welkin ring with yells of joy. 

"It's a hard task we've got to undergo now, Algernon, " said Younker, ina low voice; "and God send it may be my last; for I'd much rayther diethis way, nor at the stake. I don't at all calculate on escaping--butsomething tells me you will--and ef you do--"

Here the old man was interrupted by Girty, who forced himself betweenthe two and separated them. Younker being the first selected to run thegauntlet, was immediately unbound, and stripped to the skin, [13]preparatory to the race. The assemblage now formed themselves into twolines, facing each other, only a few feet apart, and extending thedistance of a hundred yards, terminating near the council-house, whichstood in the center of the village. Through these lines, the old man wasinformed by Girty, he must run; while the savages on either side, armedwith clubs, were at liberty to inflict as many blows upon him as theycould in passing; and therefore it would stand him in hand to reach theother extremity as soon as possible. 

"I'm an old man, Simon Girty, " said Younker, in reply, "and can't run asI 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 wecan't spare you quite so soon, as we want you to try the pleasures ofthe 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 mywife and Ella rescued?"

"Why, " said Girty, "if it will do you any good to know it, I will tellyou they were; but I will add, for your particular benefit, that theywill again be in my power; for I will excite every tribe of the SixNations to the war path; and then, woe to the pioneers of Kentucky!--fordesolation, rapine and blood shall mark our trail, until the race becomeextinct. I have sworn, and will fulfill it. But come--all is ready. "

"For the first o' your information, I thank you, " returned Younker; "forthe last on't, I'll only say, thar's a power above ye. I'm ready--leadon!"

Girty now conducted the old man to the lines; and having cautioned thesavages, in a loud voice, to beware of taking his life, gave the signalfor 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 ablow; but now they fell hard and fast upon him, accompanied with screamsand yells of the most diabolical nature; and ere he had gone thirtyyards, he began to stagger, when a heavy stroke on the head laid himsenseless on the earth. In a moment the renegade, who had kept himcompany outside, burst through the lines, just in time to ward off theblow 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 hislife 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 momentor two, ordered him to be taken to the council-house, and, if possible, restored to consciousness. He then returned to Algernon, who had beenleft standing a sad spectator of the whole proceedings, and said, in agruff voice:

"Now, by ----! young man, it's your turn; and let me tell you, it willstand you in hand to do your best. Come, let us see what sort of afigure you will cut. "

As he concluded, he severed the thongs around the hands of our hero, andunceremoniously began to strip him, in which he was aided by a couple ofold squaws. 

The features of Algernon were pale, but composed; and he allowed himselfto 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 hecould command. As his vestments were rent from his body, the woundin his side was discovered to be nearly healed; and would have beenentirely so, probably, but for the irritation occasioned it of late byhis long marches, exposure and fatigue, which had served to render it atpresent not a little painful. As his eye for a moment rested upon it, his mind instantly reverted to its cause--recalled, with the rapidityof thought, which is the swiftest comparison we can make, the many andimportant 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 beenspared 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 tobleeding afresh, and, in spite of himself, caused Algernon to utter asharp cry of pain, at which all laughed heartily. Thinking doubtlessthis species of amusement as interesting as any, the old hag was on thepoint of repeating the blow, when Girty arrested it, by saying somethingto her in the Indian tongue, and all three turned aside, as if toconsult together, leaving our hero standing alone, unbound. 

A wild thought now suddenly thrilled him. He was free, perchance hemight escape; at least he could but die in the attempt; and that, atall events, was preferable to a lingering death of torture! He lookedhurriedly around. Only the renegade and the squaws were close at hand, and they engaged in conversation. The main body of the Indians were at adistance, awaiting him to run the gauntlet. He needed no second thoughtto prompt him to the trial; and wheeling about, he placed his hand uponthe wound, and bounded away with the fleetness of the deer. In a momentthe yells of an hundred savages in pursuit, sounded in his ear, andurged him onward to the utmost of his strength. He was no mean runner atany time; now he was flying to save his life, and every nerve did itsduty. Before him was a slope, that stretched away to the river Miami;and down this he fled with a velocity that astonished himself; whileyell after yell of the demons behind, now in full chase, were to himonly so many death cries, to stimulate him to renewed exertions. At lasthe gained the river and rushed into the water. It was not deep, and hestruggled forward with all his might. On the opposite side was a steephill and thicket. Could he but gain that, hope whispered he might eludehis pursuers and escape. Again he redoubled his exertions; and, joy--joyto his heart--he reached it, just as the foremost of his adversaries, a powerful and fleet young warrior, dashed into the stream from theopposite bank. He now for the first time began to feel weak andfatigued; but his life was yet in danger, and he still pressed onward. Alas! alas! just on the point of escape, his strength was failing himfast, the blood was trickling too from his wound, and a sharp, severepain afflicted him in his side. Oh God! he thought--what would he notgive for the strength and soundness of body he once possessed! Thethicket he had entered was dense and dark, so that it was impossible tomove through it with much velocity, or see ahead any distance; and asthe thought just recorded rushed through his brain, he came suddenlyupon a high, steep rock. By this time his nearest pursuer was alsoentering the thicket; and in a minute or two more he felt capture wouldbe certain, unless he could instantly secrete himself till his strengthshould be again renewed. Fortune for once now seemed to stand hisfriend; for stooping down at the base of the rock, he discovered itto be shelving and projecting somewhat over the declivity; so that bydropping upon the ground and crawling up under it, he would, owing tothe density and darkness of the thicket, as before mentioned, be whollyconcealed from any one standing upright. To do this was the work of amoment; and the next he heard his pursuing foe rush panting by, withmuch the same sense of relief that one experiences on awakening from ahorrible dream, where death seemed inevitable, and finding oneself lyingsafely and easily in a comfortable bed. 

We say Algernon experienced much the same sense of relief as theawakened dreamer; but unlike the latter, his was only momentary; foryell upon yell still sounded in his ear; and plunge after plunge intothe stream, followed quickly by a rustling of the bushes around, thetrampling of many feet close by, and the war-whoops of his enemies, warned him, that, if he had escaped one, there were hundreds yet tobe eluded before he could consider himself as safe. Wildly his heartpalpitated, as now one stirred the bushes within reach of his hand, and, slightly pausing, as if to examine the spot of his concealment, uttereda horrid yell, as of discovery, and then, just as he fancied all waslost, to his great relief darted suddenly away. 

Thus one after another passed on; and their fierce yells graduallysounding more and more distant, renewed his hope, that he might yetescape 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 theblood course swiftly through his heated veins!--and then, when somesound was heard more near, how his heart sickened at the fear he mightagain be captured, and forced to a lingering, agonizing death!--how heshuddered as he thought, until his flesh felt chill and clammy, and colddrops of perspiration, wrung forth by mental agony, stood upon his palefeatures! Even death, before his escape, possessed not half the terrorsfor 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 offreedom, 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 bushesaround it. Then, dropping upon his knees, one of the Indians actuallyput his head to the ground, and peered up into the cavity. It was ahorrible moment of suspense to Algernon, as he beheld the hideous visageof the savage so near, and evidently gazing upon him; and thinkinghimself discovered, he was on the point of coming forth, when a certainvagueness in the look of the Indian, led him to hope he was not yetperceived; 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, heuttered 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 whichmeans 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 thesignal whoop of success made by the one who first discovered him. Amongthe rest came Girty; who, as he approached Algernon, burst into a loudlaugh, saying, in a jocular manner:

"Well, my fine bird, so you are caught again, eh? I was most infernallyafraid you had got away in earnest; I was, by ----! But we'll soon fixyou now, so that you won't run away again in a hurry. "

Then turning to the savages around him, the renegade continued hisremarks in the Indian tongue, occasionally laughing boisterously, inwhich they not unfrequently joined. In this manner, the whole partyreturned in triumph to the village--being met on their way thither bythe women and children, who set up yells of delight, sung and dancedaround 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 therace; but fatigued in body and mind, from the late events--weak andfaint from the bleeding of his wound and bruises--he scarcely reachedtwenty paces down the lines, ere he sunk overpowered to the earth; fromwhich he was immediately raised, and borne forward to the council-house, where, according to the Indian custom, the chiefs and warriors were todecide upon his fate. 

[Footnote 12: Lest there should seem to the reader an inconsistencyin one tribe yielding the fate of their prisoners to the decision ofanother, we would remark here, that at the period of which we write, theSix Nations were allied and fought for one common interest against theAmericans, on the British side, and therefore not unfrequently sharedeach 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, oflarger dimensions than its neighbors, stood on a slight elevation, and, as we before remarked, near the center of the village. Into this thewarriors and head men of the Piqua tribe now speedily gathered, andproceeded at once to business. An old chief--whose wrinkled features andslightly-tremulous limbs, denoted extreme age--was allowed, by commonconsent, to act as chairman; and taking his position near the center ofthe apartment, with a knife and a small stick in his hand, the warriorsand chief men of the nation formed a circle around him. 

Among these latter--conspicuous above all for his beautiful and gracefulform, his dignified manner, and look of intelligence, to whom all eyesturned with seeming deference--was the celebrated Shawanoe chief, Catahecassa, (Black Hoof) whose name occupies no inferior place on thehistoric 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 puttogether, with a countenance marked and manly, and one that would bepleasing to a friend, but the reverse to an enemy. He was a greatorator, a keen, cunning and sagacious warrior, and one who held theconfidence and love of his tribe. At the period referred to, he was farpast what is usually termed the middle age; though, as subsequent eventshave proved, only in his noon of life--for at his death he numbered onehundred and ten years. 

Upon the ground, within the circle, and near the old chief in thecenter, were seated Algernon and Younker--the latter having recoveredconsciousness--both haggard and bloody from their recent brutaltreatment. They were sad spectacles to behold, truly, and would havemoved to pity any hearts less obdurate than those by which they weresurrounded. Their faces bore those expressions of dejection and wandespair, 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 thateither Younker or Reynolds felt criminal, or feared death in itsordinary way; but there were a thousand things to harass their minds, besides the dreadful thought of that lingering, horrible torture, whichwas enough to make the boldest quail, and which they now had not thefaintest hope of escaping. There is ever something solemn and awful inthe thought of death, let it come in the mildest form possible--for theindividual feels he is hastening to that silent bourne, whence nonehave e'er returned to tell its mysteries--yet such is as nothing incomparison with the death our prisoners were now silently awaiting, awayfrom friends and all sympathy, in the full vigor of animal life, to befairly worn out by the most excruciating pains, amid the hootings andrevilings of a savage foe. It was enough to have made the stoutest heartfaint, trembling and sick; and thus our unfortunate friends felt, asthey slowly gazed around and saw nothing but fierce, angry looks bentupon them. 

Girty was the first to address the assemblage, in the Indian dialect, in an animated and angry speech of five minutes duration; occasionallyturning his sinister visage upon the prisoners, with an expression ofmortal hatred; gesticulating the while in that vehement manner whichwould have left no doubts on their minds as to the nature of hisdiscourse, had they not previously known him to be their determined foe. He narrated to the savages, clearly and briefly, the wrongs which hadbeen done them, as well as himself, by the whites; how, as the ally andfriend of the red-man, he had been cursed, defied and treated with muchcontumely, by those here present; how their friends had followed andslaughtered his braves; how the whites were every day becoming strongerand more aggressive; how that, unless speedily exterminated, they wouldpresently drive the red-men from their hunting grounds, burn theirwigwams, and murder their wives and children; referred them, as a proof, to the sacking and burning of the Chillicothe and Piqua villages, on theLittle Miami and Mad rivers, the year preceding, by General Clark andhis men;[15] and wound up by demanding the death of the prisoners at thestake, and a speedy and bloody retaliation upon the pioneers ofKentucky. 

As Girty concluded his speech, which was listened to in breathlesssilence, there was a great sensation in the house, and an almostunanimous grunt of approval from the chiefs and braves there assembled. It needed but this, to arouse their vindictive passions against thewhite invader to the extreme; and they bent upon the unfortunateprisoners, eyes which seemed inflamed with rage and revenge. Girtyperceived, at a glance, that he had succeeded to the full of his heart'sdesire; and with a devilish smile of satisfaction on his features, hedrew 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 moreeloquent strain; during which his countenance became greatly animated;and it was easy for the prisoners to perceive--who could not understanda word he uttered--that he spoke with great enthusiasm. He also pressedupon his companions the vast importance of exterminating the whites, ere they, as he expressed it, became as the leaves of the forest, andcovered the red-man's soil; that, for this purpose, they should preparethemselves as soon as possible, to open a deadly, unyielding warfareupon the frontiers; but said, withal, that he was opposed to burningthe prisoners--as that was a barbarism which he feared would not besanctioned by the great Spirit--and urged that they should be put todeath in, a quicker and milder form. [14]

Black Hoof's speech was warmly received, with the exception of whatreferred to the prisoners, and this rather coldly. They were excited toa powerful degree--their passions were up for revenge--and they couldnot bear the idea of sending a prisoner out of the world, without firstenjoying the delight of seeing him writhe under the tortures of thestake. 

Wild-cat next followed Black Hoof, in a brief speech, in which he butechoed the sentiments of Girty throughout, and received, like hiscolleague, an almost universal grunt of approbation. He was succeeded byone or two others, to the same effect--each urging the burning of theprisoners--and on their conclusion, no other appearing to speak, the oldchief in the center at once proceeded to decide, by vote, the matterat issue. Advancing to the warrior nearest the door, he handed him awar-club, and then resumed his place in the circle, to record the willof each. He who was in favor of burning the prisoners, struck theground fiercely with the weapon in question, and then passed it to hisneighbor; he who was otherwise disposed, passed it quietly, in silence;thus it went through the whole assemblage--the old chief recording thevote of each, by cutting a notch on the stick in his hand; those formercy being placed on one side, and those for the torture on theopposite. Some three or four only, besides Black Hoof, passed itquietly--consequently the sentence of death was carried by a decidedmajority. Had there been any doubt in the minds of Younker and Reynoldsas to the result, it would have needed only one glance at Girty, who wasnow grinning upon them like a demon, to assure them their doom wassealed. 

The question next came up as to the time and place for executing thesentence; and after some further debate, it was decided that the old manshould be burnt forthwith, in the village, that their women and childrenmight have a holiday pastime; but that Algernon must be made a grandnational example of, before the assembled tribes at Upper Sandusky, whenthey should be met to receive presents from the British agent. [16] Thislatter decision was mainly effected by the eloquence of Black Hoof; who, from some cause, for which it would be impossible to account--only as amysterious working of an overruling Providence--had secretly determined, if such a thing were possible, to save the life of Algernon; and tookthis method as the only one likely to aid his purpose by protecting himfrom immediate death. 

The trial concluded, the council now broke up, and Girty was authorizedto inform the prisoners of their sentence; while four young braves wereselected to take charge of Algernon, and to set off with him, so soon asthe burning of Younker should be over, for Upper Sandusky, where he wasto 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 manmildly. 

"Don't you, by ----!" rejoined Girty. "Perhaps it's just as well youdon't--ha, ha, ha! Come, old dotard, " he continued, "down on your marrowbones and say your prayers; for, by ----! you will never behold thesetting of another sun. "

"I've said my prayers regular for thirty year, " answered Younker; "andI'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 thisparticular time, than ef I war told I war going to live twenty yearmore. 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, SimonGirty, to return you your advice, which is very good, and which, ef youfollow yourself, you'll be likely to make a much better man nor you'veever done afore. "

"Fool!" muttered the renegade, with an oath. Then turning to Algernon, he continued: "You, sirrah, are destined to live a little longer--thoughby 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 countenanceof Algernon slightly brighten at his intelligence; "for, by ----! if Ithought there was a probability of such a thing happening, I would brainyou 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 asYounker, 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 understandme, before you go further, that though life is as dear to me at thepresent moment as to another, yet so much do I abhor and loathe the verysight of you, that, could I have it for the asking, I would not stoop tobeg 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 letme 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 thefrontiers of Kentucky; and by all the powers of good and evil, I swearagain to get possession of the girl you love, but whom I now hate--hateas the arch-fiend hates Heaven--and she shall thenceforth be my mistressand slave; and to make her feel more happy, I will ever and anon whisperyour name in her ear, and tell her how you died, and the part I took inyour death; and in the still hours of night, will I picture to her youragonies and dying groans, and repeat your prayers for death to releaseyou. Ha! you may well shudder and grow pale; for again I swear, by allthe elements, and by every thing mortal and immortal, I will accomplishthe deed! Then, and not till then, will I feel my revenge complete. "

The countenance of Girty, as he said this, was terrible to behold; forso enraged was he, that he fairly foamed at the mouth, and his eyesseemed like two balls of fire. As he concluded, he turned away abruptly;and muttering something in the Indian tongue, to some of the savages whowere standing around, immediately quitted the council-house. 

As Girty departed, the four young warriors who were to have charge ofAlgernon, immediately advanced to him; and one of them tapping him onthe shoulder, moved away, motioning him to follow. As he prepared toobey, 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'tnever meet agin. Keep up as stout a heart as you can, and ef you shouldescape, tell my (here the old man's voice faltered so that he couldscarcely articulate a syllable)--tell my wife, and--and children--thatI 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 fairlysobbed aloud; while the rough warriors stood looking on in silence, andAlgernon 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 theoutskirts of the village; where, after receiving food and water, andhaving his clothes restored to him, he was informed by one of theIndians--who could speak a smattering of English--that he might be boundand remain, or accompany them to see the Big Knife tortured. He chosethe former without hesitation; and was immediately secured in a mannersimilar to what he had been the night previously, and then left alone tothe anguish of his own thoughts. What the feelings of our hero were, asthus he lay, suffering from his bruises and wound--his mind recurring tothe dire events taking place in another part of the village, and his ownawful doom--we shall leave to the imagination of the reader: suffice itto say, however, that when his guards returned, some two hours later, hewas found in a swooning state, with large cold drops of perspirationstanding thickly on his features. 

Meantime, Younker was brought forth from the council-house--amid thehootings, revilings, and personal abuse of the savage mob--and thenpainted black, [17] preparatory to undergoing the awful death-sentence. He was then offered food--probably with the kind intention ofstrengthening him, and thus prolonging his life and tortures--but thishe absolutely refused, and was immediately conducted to the place ofexecution, which was on the brow of the slope before described asreaching to the river. Here his wrists were immediately bound behindhim; and then a rope, fastened to the ligature, was secured to astake--driven into the earth for the purpose and left sufficiently longfor him sit down, stand up, or walk around a circle of some six or eightfeet in diameter. 

During this proceeding, the Indians failed not to abuse him in variousways--some by pinching, and others by pounding him with their fists, with stones, and with clubs, --all of which he seemed to bear with greatpatience and resignation. 

As soon as all was ready for the more diabolical tortures, Girty madethe announcement, in a brief speech to the Indians; and then taking up arifle, loaded with powder only, discharged it upon the prisoner's nakedbody. A loud yell of satisfaction, from the excited mob, followed thisinhuman act; while several savages, rushing forward with rifles loadedin the same manner, now strove who should be first to imitate therenegade's example; by which means, no less than fifty discharges weremade, in quick succession, until the flesh of the old man, from the neckdownwards, was completely filled with burnt powder. Younker uttered afew groans, but bore all with manly fortitude, and made no complaints. 

This part of the hellish ceremony over, a fire was kindled of hickorypoles, placed in a circle round the stake, outside of that which hisrope allowed Younker to make, in order that he might feel all thetorments of roasting alive, without being sufficiently near to the flameto get a speedy relief by death. To add even more torture, if possible, to this infernal proceeding, the Indians would take up brands, and placethe burning parts against the old man's body; and then, as they saw himcringe and writhe under the pain thus inflicted, would burst into horridlaughs, in which they were ever joined by the renegade. The old squawstoo, and even the children, not wishing to be outdone in this refinementof cruelty, would take slabs, and having loaded them with live coals andashes, would throw them upon his head and body, until not only bothbecame covered, but the ground around him, so that there was no coolplace for his feet; while at every new infliction of pain, the crowdwould break forth in strains of wild, discordant laughter. 

Thus passed some three-quarters of an hour of tortures the mosthorrible, during which the old man bore up under his sufferings witha strength and manliness that not only astonished his tormentors, butexcited 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 hehad hitherto used:

"You bear up well, old man--well. I have seen many a one die, in asimilar way, who was thought to be courageous--yet none with thatfirmness you have thus far displayed. "

Younker, who was slowly walking around the stake, with his face benttoward the earth, suddenly paused, as Girty addressed him, and turninghis eyes mildly upon the renegade, in a feeble voice, replied:

"My firmness is given me from above. I can bear my torments, SimonGirty, for they're arthly, and will soon be over; but yourn--who'll saywhat yourn'll be, when you come to answer afore Almighty God for thisand other crimes! But that arn't for the like o' me to speak of now. I'ma dying man, and trust soon to be in a better world. Ef I ever did youwrong, Simon Girty, I don't remember it now; and I'm very sartin I neverdid nothing to merit this. You came to my house, and war treated to thebest I had, and here am I in return for't. Howsomever, the reckoning'sgot 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 mannerand tone of Younker: "But say, old man, that you forgive me, and I willown that I did you wrong. "

"I don't know's I've any enemies, except these round here, " replied theother, feebly, "and I'd like to die at peace with all the world; butwhat you ax, Simon Girty, I can't grant; it's agin my nater andconscience; 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'sone I've got to answer for myself. No, Girty, I can't forgive--pre'apsGod 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, lookingupward devoutly; "and ef I've done wrong, oh! pardon me, for Christ'ssake!"

With these words, the lips of Younker were sealed forever. 

Girty stood and gazed upon him in silence, for a few minutes, as onewhose mind is ill at ease, and then walked slowly away, in a mood ofdeep abstraction. Younker continued alive some three-quarters of an hourlonger--bearing his tortures with great fortitude--and then sunk downwith a groan and expired. The Indians then proceeded to scalp him; afterwhich they gradually dispersed, with the apparent satisfaction of wolvesthat 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, andanother day's sport thus spoiled, they immediately called in their greatmedicine man, who at once set about bandaging his wound, and applyingto it such healing remedies as were known by him to be speedilyefficacious, and for which the Indians are proverbially remarkable. Hisbruises were also rubbed with a soothing liquid; and by noon of the dayfollowing, 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 moreimportant events; merely remarking, by the way, lest the reader shouldconsider the neglect an oversight, that, on entering the Piqua village, Oshasqua had taken care to render the life of little Rosetta Millbankssafe, and had secured to her as much comfort as circumstances wouldpermit. 

[Footnote 14: In the action at Piqua here referred to, Simon Girtycommanded three hundred Mingoes, whom he withdrew on account of thedesperation 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 wasa fierce, determined warrior, and the very last to hold out against apeace 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--sokeen was his sense of honor, that no entreaty nor persuasion couldthenceforth induce him to break his bond; and he remained a firm friendof the Americans to the day of his death. He was opposed to burningprisoners, and to polygamy, and is said to have lived forty years withone wife, rearing a numerous family of children. --_See Drake's Life ofTecumseh_. ]

[Footnote 16: The reader will bear in mind, that these events transpiredduring 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 thatday, with all prisoners doomed to death. ]

CHAPTER XIV. 

HISTORICAL EVENTS. 

From the first inroads of the whites upon what the Indians consideredtheir lawful possessions, although by them unoccupied--namely, theterritory known as Kan-tuck-kee--up to the year which opens our story, there had been scarcely any cessation of hostilities between the tworaces so antagonistical in their habits and principles. Whenever anopportunity presented itself favorable to their purpose, the savageswould steal down from their settlements--generally situated on theBottom Lands of the principal rivers in the present State of Ohio--crossover _La Belle Riviere_ into Kentucky, and, having committed as manymurders and other horrible acts as were thought prudent for theirsafety, would return in triumph, if successful, to their homes, takingalong with them scalps of both sexes and all ages, from the infant tothe gray-beard, and not unfrequently a few prisoners for the amusementof burning at the stake. 

These flying visits of the savages were generally repaid by similaracts of kindness on the part of the whites; who, on several occasions, marched with large armies into their very midst, destroyed their cropsand stores, and burnt their towns. An expedition of this kind wasprosecuted by General Clark, in August of the year preceding the eventswe have detailed, of which mention has been previously made. He hadunder his command one thousand men, mostly from Kentucky, and marcheddirect upon old Chillicothe, which the Indians deserted and burnt onhis approach. He next moved upon the Piqua towns, on Mad river, wherea desperate engagement ensued between the whites and Indians, in whichthe former proved victorious. Having secured what plunder they could, together with the horses, the Kentuckians destroyed the town, and cutdown some two hundred acres of standing corn. They then returned toChillicothe on their homeward route, where they destroyed other largefields of produce, supposed in all to amount to something like fivehundred acres. 

We have mentioned this expedition for the purpose of showing why theyear which opens our story, 1781, was less disastrous to the frontiersettlers than the preceding ones--the Indians being too busily occupiedin repairing the damage done them, and in hunting to support theirfamilies, to have much thought for the war-path, or time to follow it;consequently the year in question, as regards Kentucky, may be said tohave passed away in a comparatively quiet manner, with no events moreworthy of note than those we have laid before the reader. 

But if the vengeance of the savage slumbered for the time being, it wasonly like some pent up fire, burning in secret, until opportunity shouldpresent for it to burst forth in a manner most appalling, carryingdestruction and terror throughout its course; and in consequence ofthis, the year 1782 was destined to be one most signally marked bybloody deeds in the annals of Kentucky. The winter of '81 and '82passed quietly away; but early in the ensuing spring hostilities wereagain renewed, with a zeal which showed that neither faction hadforgotten old grudges during the intervening quietude. Girty did allthat 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] whowore the uniform of British officers. It was the design of the renegadeto raise a grand army from the union of the Six Nations, lead themquietly into the heart of Kentucky, and, by a bold move, seize someprominent station, murder the garrison, and thus secure at once astronghold, from which to sally forth, spread death and desolation inevery quarter, and, if possible, depopulate the entire country. Longand ardently did he labor in stirring up the Indians by inflammatoryspeeches; till at last he succeeded in uniting a grand body for hishellish purpose; which, on the very eve of success, as one may say, wasat last frustrated by what seemed a direct Providence, of which moreanon, and its proper place. 

Previously, however, to the event just referred to, parties of Indians, numbering from five to fifty, prowled about the frontiers, committingat every opportunity all manner of horrid deeds, and thus rousing thewhites to defence and retaliation. One of these skirmishes has been moreparticularly dwelt on, by the historians of Kentucky, than any of theothers; on account, probably, of the desperate and sanguinary strugglefor mastery between the two contending parties, and the cruel desertion, at a time of need, of a portion of the whites; by which means theIndians had advantage of numbers, that otherwise would have been equallyopposed. We allude to what is generally known as Estill's Defeat. 

It is not our province in the present work to detail any thing notdirectly connected with our story; and therefore we shall pass on, aftera cursory glance at the main facts in question. Sometime in March, aparty of Wyandots made a descent upon Estill's station, which stood nearthe present site of Richmond; and having killed and scalped a younglady, and captured a Negro slave, were induced, by the exaggeratedaccount which the latter gave of the force within, to an immediateretreat; whereby, probably, the lives of the women and children, almostthe only occupants, were saved--Captain Estill himself, with hisgarrison, and several new recruits, being at the time away, on a searchfor these very savages, who were known by some unmistakable signs to bein the vicinity. Word being despatched to Estill, of what had transpiredin his absence, he immediately sought out the trail of the retreatingfoes, which he followed with his men, and toward night of the second dayovertook them at Hinston's Fork of Licking, where a desperate engagementimmediately ensued. At the onset, there were twenty-five Indians, andexactly the same number of whites; but the immediate desertion, in acowardly manner, of a certain Lieutenant Miller, with six men under hiscommand, left the odds greatly in favor of the Wyandots, who were allpicked warriors. Notwithstanding the cowardice of their companions, ourlittle Spartan band fought most heroically for an hour andthree-quarters; when the few survivors, on both sides, being almost wornout, ceased hostilities as by mutual consent. In this ever memorableaction, Captain Estill, a brave and popular man, together with nine ofhis gallant companions, fell to rise no more. Four others were badlywounded, leaving only the same number of unharmed survivors. TheIndians, it was afterwards ascertained, had seventeen warriors killed onthe field, among whom was one of their bravest chiefs, and two othersseverely wounded; and there has been a tradition since among theWyandots, that only one survivor ever returned to tell the tale. 

The news of the foregoing disastrous skirmish flew like wild fire, touse a common phrase, throughout the borders, and, together with othersof less note, served to kindle the fire of vengeance in the bosoms ofthe settlers, and excite a deeper hostility than ever against the savagefoe. Nor was the subsequent conduct of the Indians themselves calculatedto soften this bitter feeling against them; for, to use the words of amodern writer, "The woods again teemed with savages, and no one was safefrom attack beyond the walls of a station. The influence of the British, and the constant pressure of the Long Knives, upon the red-men, hadproduced a union of the various tribes of the northwest, who seemed tobe 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 isimpossible 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 itsbearings; and because many months being supposed to elapse, ere ourcharacters are again brought upon the stage of action, it seemedexpedient to give a general view of what was taking place in theinterval. Having done so, we will now forthwith resume our narrative. 

About five miles from Lexington, a little to the left of the presentroad leading thence to Maysville, and on a gentle rise of the southernbank of the Elkhorn, at the time of which we write, stood Bryan'sStation, to which we must now call the reader's attention. This stationwas founded in the year 1779, by William Bryan, (a brother-in-law ofDaniel Boone, ) who had, prior to the events we are now about todescribe, been surprised and killed by the Indians in the vicinity of astream called Cane Run. 

This fort, at the period in question, was one of great importance to theearly settlers--standing as it did on what was considered at the time ofits erection, the extreme frontier, and, by this means, extending theirarea of security. The station consisted of forty cabins, placed inparallel lines, connected by strong pallisades, forming a parallelogramof thirty rods by twenty, and enclosing something like four acres ofground. Outside of the cabins and pallisades, to render the fort stillmore secure, were planted heavy pickets, a foot in diameter, and sometwelve feet in height above the ground; so that it was impossible for anenemy to scale them, or affect them in the least, with any thing shortof fire and cannon ball. To guard against the former, and prevent thebesiegers making a lodgment under the walls, at each of the four cornersor angles, was erected what was called a block-house--a building whichprojected beyond the pickets, a few feet above the ground, and enabledthe besieged to pour a raking fire across the advanced party of theassailants. Large folding gates, on huge, wooden hinges, in front andrear, opened into the enclosure, through which men, wagons, horses, anddomestic cattle, had admittance and exit. In the center, as the readerhas doubtless already divined, was a broad space, into which the doorsof the cabins opened, and which served the purpose of a regular common, where teams and cattle were oftentimes secured, where wrestling andother athletic sports took place. The cabins were all well constructed, with puncheon floors, the roofs of which sloped inward, to avoid as muchas possible their being set on fire by burning arrows, shot by theIndians for the purpose, a practice by no means uncommon during a siege. This fort, at the period referred to, was garrisoned by from forty tofifty men; and though somewhat out of repair, in respect to a few of itspallisades, 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 commonto most of the stations of that period--which was, that the spring, supplying the inmates with water, had not been enclosed within thepickets. The reader can at once imagine the misery that must have ensuedfrom this cause, in case of their being suddenly assaulted by a superiorenemy, and the siege protracted to any considerable length of time. 

Within this fort, on their return from captivity, Mrs. Younker and Ellahad taken up their abode, to remain until another cabin should beerected, or it should be thought safe for them to live again in a moreexposed 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 grieffor the loss of his father and friend, and receive her sympathy for hisaffliction in return. The disastrous affair which had called him and hiscompanions so suddenly from a scene of festivity to one of mourning--theloss of so many valuable neighbors, and the result of the expeditionin pursuit of the enemy--created at the time no little excitementthroughout the frontiers, and caused some of the more timid to resortto the nearest stations for security. But as time wore on, and asnothing serious happened during the fall and winter, confidence andcourage gradually became restored; and the affair was almost forgotten, save by the friends and relatives of the deceased and those particularlyconcerned in it. 

Spring, however, revived the alarm of the settlers, by the reappearanceof the enemy in all quarters, and the outrages they committed, as beforementioned; so that but very few persons ventured to remain without thewalls of a fort; and these, such of them as were fortunate enough toescape death or captivity, were fain to seek refuge therein before theclose of summer. 

Immediately on the receipt of the alarming intelligence of Estill'sdefeat, Isaac, his wife, and the family of his father-in-law, Wilson, repaired to Bryan's Station, and joined Mrs. Younker and Ella, who hadmeantime 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, thatElla Barnwell was seated by the door of a cabin, within the walls ofBryan's Station, gazing forth, with what seemed a vacant stare, upon agroup of individuals, who were standing near the center of the commonbefore spoken of, engaged in a very animated conversation. Her featuresperhaps 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 touchedinvoluntarily the hearts of all who met her gaze. 

Since we last beheld her, days of anxious solicitude, and sleeplessnights, had been apportioned Ella; for memory--all potent memory--hadkept 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 athousand times traced them to the awful stake, seen their terribletortures, heard their agonizing, dying groans; and her heart had bledfor them in secret; and tears of anguish, at their untimely fate, hadoften dimmed her eyes. Even now, as she apparently gazed upon that groupof 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 uncleand Algernon, the still all-absorbing theme of her soul. 

While seated thus, Mrs. Younker approached Ella from behind, unperceivedby the latter, and now stood gazing upon her with a sorrowful look. Thecountenance of the good dame had altered less, perhaps, than Ella's, owing to her strong masculine spirit; but still there was an expressionof anxiety and sadness thereon, which, until of late, had never beenvisible--not even when on her march to what, as she then believed, was her final doom--the excitement whereof, and the many events thatoccurred on the route, having been sufficient to occupy her mind in adifferent manner from what it had been in brooding over the fate of herhusband for months in secret, and in a place of comparative safety. Atlength a remark, in a loud voice, of one of the individuals of the groupbefore alluded to, arrested the attention of both Mrs. Younker and Ella. 

"I tell you, " said the speaker, who was evidently much excited, "it wasthat infernal cut-throat Girty's doings, and no mistake. Heaven's curseson him for a villain!--and I don't think he'll more nor git his justdues, to suffer them hell fires of torment, hereafter, that he's kindledso 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 thegroup, followed by Mrs. Younker. 

All eyes, from all quarters, were now turned upon her, as, like aspirit, she glided noiselessly forward, her sweet countenance radiantwith the flush of excitement, her eyes dilated and sparkling, and herglossy ringlets floating on the breeze. Curiosity could no longer remainunsatisfied; and by one spontaneous movement, from every point ofcompass, 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 inquiriesconcerning her, and learned the cause of her sadness; and now, as shegained the crowd, each gazed upon her with a look of respect; and atonce moving aside to let her pass, she presently stood the centralattraction 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 genteelappearance, doffing his hat, and making at the same time a polite andrespectful bow: "We were speaking of the defeat, capture, and burningof Colonel Crawford, by the Indians, in their own country, in which thenotorious Simon Girty is said to have taken an active part[19]--newswhereof has just reached us. "

At the mention of the name of Crawford, so different from the one shewas expecting to hear, the momentary insanity, or delusion of Ella, vanished; she saw her position at a glance, and the hundred eyes thatwere upon her; and instantly her face became suffused with blushes;while she shrunk back, with a sense of maidenly shame and bashfultimidity, almost overpowering to herself, and really painful for othersto behold. She now strove to speak--to give an excuse for her singularconduct--but her tongue failed her, and she would have sunk to theearth, only for the support of Mrs. Younker, who at this moment gainedher side. 

"Never mind it. Miss Barnwell--it don't need any excuse--we understandyour feelings for lost friends, " were some of the remarks from thecrowd, as the throng again made a passage for her to depart. 

"Goodness, gracious, marcy on me alive! what a splurge you did makeon't, darling!" said Mrs. Younker to Ella, as they moved away bythemselves. "Why, you jest kind o' started up, for all the world like askeered deer; and afore I could get my hands on ye, you war off like anInjen's arrow. Well, thar, thar, poor gal--never mind it!" added thegood dame, consolingly, as Ella turned towards her a painful, imploringlook; "we all knows your feelings, darling, and so never mind it. Mistakes will happen in the best o' families, as the Rev. Mr. Allprayerused to say, when any body accused him o' doing any thing he hadn'toughter a done. "

"Mother, " said Ella, feebly, "I feel faint; this shock, I fear, may betoo much for my nervous system. "

"Oh! my child, darling, don't mind it--every body knows yourfeelings--and nobody'll think any thing strange on't. In course you warthinking o' your friends--as war nateral you should--and so war I; andwhen I heerd the name o' that ripscallious renegade, it jest set my hullblood to biling, like it war hot water, and I felt orful revengeful. Butthe Lord's will be done, child. He knows what's best; and let us pray tohim, that ef our friends is among the land of the living, they may berestored 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 ofhearing; "they do say as how she eats but little now, and scarcely takesany rest at all lately, on account of the trouble of her mind. Poorgirl! she's not long for this world;" and the speaker shook his headsadly. 

"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, hadnot 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, noweagerly began her scandalous narration. 

Meantime, the male portion of the crowd had resumed their conversation, concerning the unfortunate campaign of Crawford; during which manifoldinvectives were bestowed upon the savages, and the renegade Girty. Someof the more reckless among them were for raising another army, as soonas possible, to pursue the Indians, even to the death, and spare nonethat fell into their hands, neither the aged, women, nor children; butthese propositions were speedily overruled by cooler and wiser heads;who stated that Kentucky had scarcely fighting men enough to protectone another on their own ground--much less to march into the enemy'scountry, and leave their wives and children exposed to certaindestruction. 

While these discussions were in progress, the attention of each wassuddenly arrested by the cry of some person from the right handblock-house, looking toward the south, announcing that a single horsemanwas approaching with a speed which betokened evil tidings. These weretimes of excitement, when news of disaster and death was borne on almostevery breeze; and consequently all now sprung rapidly to the southernpickets, where, through loop-holes and crevices in the partially decayedpallisades, they perceived an individual riding as if for life. 

"How he rides!--Who is it?--What can have happened?" were some of theremarks now rapidly uttered, as the horseman was seen bounding forwardon 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--allthat 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 Stationhas just been attacked, by a large body of Indians, and Captain Holderand his men defeated. "

"But whar d'ye get your news?" inquired another voice; while a look ofalarm, and resolute determination to avenge the fallen, could be seendepicted on the upturned countenances of the assemblage. 

"I was riding in that direction, when I met a messenger on his way toLexington for assistance; and turning my horse, I spurred hither withall 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 underthe impression they have not, and that Holder was defeated outside thewalls. "

"Well, they must have assistance, and that as soon as it can be gotto 'em, " rejoined a white-haired veteran, one of the head men of thegarrison, whose countenance was remarkable for its noble, benevolentexpression, and who, from love and veneration, was generally calledFather Albach. "It's too late in the day, though, to muster and marchthar to-night, " continued the old man; "but we'll have our horses got upand put in here to night, and our guns cleaned, and every thing fixedfor 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 thenext moment a long, loud cheer, attested the popularity of the old man'sdecision. 

"Another cheer for Father Albach, and three more for licking theripscallious varmints clean to death!" cried our old acquaintance, IsaacYounker, who, having been otherwise occupied during the discussionconcerning Crawford's defeat, had joined the crowd on the arrival of themessenger. 

"Good for Ike, " shouted one: "Hurray!" and four lusty cheers followed. 

All now became bustle and confusion, as each set himself to preparingfor 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, saddlesand bridles overhauled, and, in fact, every thing requisite for thejourney was made ready as fast as possible. 

Isaac, on the present occasion, was by no means indolent; for havingexamined his rifle, and found it in a good condition, he immediatelybrought forth an old saddle and bridle, somewhat the worse for wear, andset himself down to repairing them, wherever needed, by thongs ofdeerskin. While engaged in this laudable occupation, a young lad camerunning to and informed him, that there was a stranger down by the gatewho wished to speak with him immediately. 

"A stranger!" replied Isaac, looking up in surprise. "Why, what in thename o' all creation can a stranger be wanting with me? Why don't hecome and see me, if he wants to see me, and not put me to all this heretrouble, jest when I'm gitting ready to go and lick some o' them redheathen like all nater?"

"Don't know, sir, " answered the lad, "what his reasons be for notcoming, any more nor you; but he said to the man as opened the gate forhim, 'Is Isaac Younker in the fort?' and the man said, 'Yes;' and thenhe said to me, 'Run, my little lad, and tell him to come here, and I'llgin 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 thishere trouble, jest for nothing at all, as one may say, when a feller'sin a hurry too. Howsomever, " continued he, soliloquizing, as he walkedforward in the proper direction, "I 'spect it's some chap as wants tohoax me, or else he's putting on the extras; ef so, I'll fix him, so hewon't want to do it agin right immediately, I reckon. "

Thus muttering to himself, Isaac drew near the front gate, againstwhich, within the pallisades, the stranger in question was leaning, with his hat pressed down over his forehead, as though he desiredconcealment. His habiliments, after the fashion of the day, wereoriginally of a superior quality to those generally worn on thefrontiers, but soiled and torn in several places, as from the wear andtear of a long, fatiguing journey. His features, what portion of themcould be seen under his hat, were pale and haggard, denoting one who hadexperienced many and severe vicissitudes. As Isaac approached, he raisedhis eyes from the ground, turned them full upon him, and then, taking astep 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 thelatter, and his voice sounded in his ear, Isaac paused for a moment, asone 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 peermore closely into the face of the stranger; and then bounding from theearth, he uttered a wild yell of delight, threw his hat upon the groundin a transport of joy, and rushed into the extended arms of AlgernonReynolds, where he wept like a child upon his neck, neither of them ableto utter a syllable for something like a minute. 

"The Lord be praised!" were the first articulate words of Isaac, in avoice choked with emotion. "God bless you! Mr. Reynolds;" and again thetears of joy fell fast and long. "Is it you?" resumed he, again startingback 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'scome to life again, for sartin;" and once more he sprung upon theother's neck, with all the apparent delight of a mother meeting with alost child. 

"Yes, yes, Isaac, thank God! it is myself you really behold--one whonever expected to see you again in this world, " rejoined Algernon, affected himself to tears, by the noble, heart-touching, affectionatemanner of his companion. "But--but Isaac--our friends here--arethey--all--all well, Isaac?" This was said in a voice, which, in spiteof the speaker's efforts to be calm, trembled from anxiety andapprehension. 

"Why, " answered Isaac, in a somewhat hesitating manner, "I don't know'sthar'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, Algernongazed 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--andshe's kind o' grown thin and pale on't, and we war gitting afeared itmight end badly; but as you've come now, I know as how it'll all beright agin. "

Algernon released the speaker's arm, and for some moments gazedabstractedly upon the ground; while over his countenance swept one ofthose painful expressions of the deep workings of the soul, to which, from causes known to the reader, he was subject. At length he said, witha 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 fearwill compel me so to do. "

"What!" cried the other; "start off agin, and put your scalp into thehands 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'dbe crazy ef she knew you war here. "

"Ay, " answered Algernon, sadly, "that is what I fear. I dare not meether suddenly, Isaac--the shock might be too much for her nerves. I havesent for you to go first and communicate intelligence of my arrival, ina way to surprise her as little as possible. "

"I'll do it, Mr. Reynolds; but--(here Isaac's voice trembled, hisfeatures grew pale as death, and his whole frame quivered with intenseemotion)--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 hisface; "think the worst. "

"Oh God!" groaned Isaac, covering his face with his hands, andendeavoring 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--andsilently motioned the other to follow him. On their way to the cottage, they had to cross the common, where their progress was greatly impededby a crowd of persons, who, having heard of Algernon's arrival, weredeeply anxious to gather what tidings he might have concerning themovements of the Indians. In reply, he informed them of the threats madeby Girty to him while a captive; and that, having since been a prisonerof the British at Detroit, he had learned, from reliable sources, thata grand army of the Indians was forming to march upon the frontiers, attack some stronghold, and, if possible, desolate the entire countryof 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, andare 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 comesto march and fight!"

With this the speaker turned away, and the crowd instantly dispersed toresume their occupations of preparing for the coming expedition, whileour hero and Isaac pressed forward to the cottage of Mrs. Younker. Atthe door they were met by the good dame herself, who, with eyes wet withtears, caught the proffered hand of Reynolds in both of hers, pressed itwarmly in silence, and led him into the house. Ella, who was seated at ashort distance, on the entrance of Algernon, rose to her feet, took astep forward, staggered back, and the next moment her insensible formwas caught in the arms of the being she loved, but had long mourned asdead. 

[Footnote 19: This happened in June, 1782. For particulars of Crawford'sdisastrous 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 EllaBarnwell, relating the sad story of his many hair-breadth escapes andalmost intolerable sufferings. A rude sort of light, on a rough table, afew feet distant, threw its faint gleams over the homely apartment, andrevealed the persons of Isaac and his mother, his wife and her parents, together with several others, attracted hither by curiosity, groupedaround our hero, and listening to his thrilling narrative withbreathless attention. 

"After being sufficiently recovered from my wound and bruises, toproceed upon my journey, (continued Reynolds, to resume the accountof his adventures since leaving him at Piqua) Girty came to me, andinquired what I thought of my fate, and how I felt concerning it; towhich I replied, rather briefly, that it was no worse than I hadexpected, 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 savagegrin; 'for I'm determined you shall experience the torture to itsfullest extent, if for nothing else than to revenge myself on you foryour insults. I have only one thing to regret; and that is, that youdidn't suffer in place of Younker, who is the only one whose torments Iwould I had had no hand in. But you--_you_ I could see tormentedforever, and laugh heartily throughout. But I'll wreak my vengeance onyou yet; I will by ----!' and with these words he left me to the chargeof my guards, with whom he spoke a short time in the Indiantongue--probably giving them instructions of caution regarding myself. 

"It was about mid-day, when, with my arms tightly bound, we set offfor Upper Sandusky, where, as I had previously been informed by Girty, I was condemned to suffer before the assembled tribes of the differentnations, who would there shortly meet to receive their annual presentsfrom the British. Our march, very fatiguing to myself, was withoutincident worthy of note, until one night we arrived at a small villageon the Scioto river, where one of my guards, who could speak a littleEnglish, informed me resided the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan. Athought suddenly flashed across my brain. I had often heard of Logan, as the great and good chief, humane in his principles, and friendlyto the whites--particularly those who were signally unfortunate--and itoccurred to me, that could I gain an interview, I might perhaps prevailupon him to assist me in making my escape; and accordingly I at onceexpressed to my informant my desire of beholding one so celebrated. Tomy great delight, he replied that it was in Logan's cabin I was to passthe night--such being the private orders, as I afterwards learned, ofBlack Hoof--who had, it seems, from some cause unknown to myself, formedthe 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, womenand children, who stared hard at me, but offered no violence. In a fewminutes we gained Logan's hut, in the door of which I observed standingan old, noble-looking warrior, with a commanding form, and mild, benevolent countenance, who proved to be the chief himself. To him oneof 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 allpassed in. Here I soon had a good supper of homminy provided me, whereofI did not partake lightly, having been from sunrise to sunset withouttasting 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 occurredrespecting the proceedings of Girty, from first to last. Logan listenedthroughout 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 thatnight. 

"Early in the morning, however, he came to me, and said that I was toremain at his cabin through the day; that he had laid a plan to effectmy release from death, but not from captivity--the latter not being inaccordance with his principles, nor in his power; that for this purposehe had despatched two young braves to Upper Sandusky, to speak a wordin my favor; but that I must not be elated with hope, as it was verydoubtful how much they might effect. [21] Notwithstanding his caution tothe contrary, my spirits became exceedingly exhilarated; and graspinghis hand in both mine, I pressed it to my heart in silence; while myeyes became suffused with tears, and the old chief himself seemed nota little affected. 

"Late the night following, the messengers returned; and on the morningsucceeding, we resumed our journey. In parting from the noble old chief, he shook my hand cordially, but gave me no intimation of what wouldprobably be my fate. 

"When within sight of Upper Sandusky, crowds of warriors, women andchildren came out to meet us, and, seeing me, set up many a hideousyell, until I again became alarmed for my safety, and fearful that Loganhad not succeeded in his magnanimous design. This impression was themore strongly confirmed, shortly after, by one of my guides informing methat I must again run the gauntlet. Accordingly every preparation beingspeedily effected, I started upon the course; but possessing morestrength and activity than before, and a better knowledge of what I hadto perform, I succeeded in breaking through the lines, and reaching thecouncil house unharmed. Here I was safe for the present; or until, as Iwas informed, my fate should once more be decided by a grand council. 

"The council in question was speedily convened; and on the openingthereof, a British agent, one Captain Druyer, made his appearance, and requested permission to address the assemblage, which was readilygranted. He spoke rapidly, for a few minutes, with great vehemence; andthough I understood not a word he uttered, yet something whispered me itwas 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 toDruyer, urging him to exert all his influence in obtaining my reprieve;and to effect this humane design, the latter had begun by stating tothe Indians that their great white father, of whom he was an humblerepresentative, was at war with the Long Knives; that nothing wouldplease him better, than to hear of his red children having sacrificedall their enemies; but that in war, policy was ofttimes more effectualthan personal revenge in accomplishing their destruction; and that hedoubted not, if the prisoner present were put in his possession andtaken to Detroit, that the great white chiefs of his own nation wouldthere be able to extort from him such valuable information as wouldmake the final conquest of the Long Knives comparatively easy. To thisproposition, which was received rather coldly, he had added, that forthis privilege he was willing to pay a fair recompense; and that so soonas all the information necessary had been gleaned from the prisoner, heshould, if thought advisable, again be returned to them, to be put todeath or not, as they might see proper. To this arrangement, all havingat 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 toaccompany him to Detroit, where I would be treated as a prisoner of war. 

"It is impossible to describe my feelings, on hearing this joyfulintelligence; therefore I shall leave you to imagine them, aided as youwill be by your own experience under similar circumstances. And now letme close my long narrative as briefly as possible; for the hour isalready late, and I must rise betimes on the morrow to join thisexpedition against the savages. "

"Surely, Algernon, " exclaimed Ella, with pale features, "you are notgoing to leave us again so soon?"

"Where duty calls, Ella, there is my place; and if I fall in honorableaction, in defence of my country and friends, perchance my life mayatone 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; butstill it was captivity, and I longed for freedom. Many, many an hourdid I employ in planning my escape; yet month upon month rolled on, andstill I remained in durance. At last startling rumors reached me, thatthe Indians of the different tribes were banding together, to march uponthe frontiers and depopulate the country; and remembering the savagethreat of Girty, I doubted not he was the instigator, and would beleader of the expedition; and I determined, at all hazards, if such athing were in the province of possibility, to effect my escape, and givethe country warning of the impending danger. To be brief, I succeeded, as my presence here tells for itself; but no one knows, save myself, andHe who knows all things, the misery I suffered from fatigue, lack offood, and the fear of again being captured by some roving band ofsavages--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 Iarrived, a few days since, in a state of complete exhaustion. The nobleold hunter received me warmly; from whose lips I heard, with thrillingemotion, the particulars of the pursuit, headed by himself, and therescue of two of my dearest friends, their present abode, as also manystartling events that had transpired during my absence; and in return, I communicated to him the alarming intelligence which I have beforealluded to. So soon as I felt myself sufficiently strong for thejourney, I left Boonesborough for Bryan's Station, and here I am, andthus my tale. "

"And a mighty tough time you've had on't Mr. Reynolds, for sartin, andno 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'swill be done. The good Book says, 'The Lord giveth, the Lord takethaway, blessed be the name of the Lord;' and them good words, my childrenand friends, must be our consolation. "

But little more was said; for each of the party felt oppressed with aweight of sadness, at the thought of the many mournful events a year hadbrought forth; and as the hour was late, each and all presently betookthemselves to rest. 

Meantime, the preparations of the garrison for the morrow had been goingforward in every part of the station; lights were moving to and fro; andall within the cabins, and on the common, was bustle and activity. Atlast the sounds gradually ceased, the lights went out one by one, andall 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 thegates and march forth so soon as it should become sufficiently light forthe 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 lasttime, with their fathers, husbands and sons; some were running to andfro with anxious messages; some were clasping each other to theirhearts, in agonizing silence, and praying in secret that the Great Rulerof all might preserve and happily restore them again to the idols oftheir affections; some had mounted their noble steeds, or were leadingthem 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 ofits weeping inmates, among whom was the wife and mother-in-law ofIsaac. "Farewell, dearest Ella; we may never meet again on earth. Farewell--farewell!" and pressing her hand to his lips, he rushedforth with a heaving heart, not daring to trust himself longer in herpresence. 

Isaac and his father-in-law followed the example of Reynolds, moved awaywith weeping eyes, and all were quickly in their saddles. 

A few minutes later the roll was called, and the order given by thecommanding officer to form in double file and throw open the easterngate. Scarcely were the words uttered, when there arose a series ofterrific Indian yells, accompanied by a volley of firearms, and everyface became blanched with surprise and dismay, and looked from one tothe 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 thewomen and children, now rushed to the southern pickets, where, throughloop-holes and crevices, they beheld, only a few rods distant, abouta hundred savages, running to and fro, jumping up and down, whooping, yelling, screeching and firing at the station, accompanied with allthe 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 fora fight. "

"Hurray for a fight!" echoed a dozen voices, as they rushed back toremount their horses. 

"Hold!" cried the deep voice of Father Albach. "Hold! lads; don't dothings rash! Them Indians wouldn't be dancing and sky-larking round thatway, ef thar warn't some object in it, you may depend on. "

"And that's my opinion too, " answered another gray-headed veteran. "Thefact 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 easyconquest on't. I tell you, friends, thar's no mistaking it; we'resurrounded by a tremendous body o' the red heathen, and we're likely tohave warm work on't. I've lived in the woods all my life, and I know thenater of the painted varmints as well as I know my own. Ef them war allthar war on 'em, we'd have seen very different proceedings, I assureyou. "

"But what's to be done?" cried several voices in consternation. 

"I would suggest that we send immediately to Lexington for areinforcement, " spoke up Reynolds, in reply. 

"Who'll volunteer to go with me on the dangerous mission?" cried a youngman, by the name of Bell. 

"I will!" instantly responded another, called Tomlinson. 

"Brave lads!" returned Father Albach. "You'll be doing us and yourcountry a service, which we at least will ever gratefully remember. I'dadvise your leaving by the western gate, riding round the station, andkeeping 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 andcourage, and prayers for their safety and success. 

A council of the leading men was now speedily convened to deliberateupon 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 mainpart 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, thatthar's a large party in ambush close by. "

"Ay, and doubtless led by the renegade, " said Reynolds; "as I presumethis Indian army is the same whose approach I have foretold. Thank God!"added he, with energy and emotion, as his mind reverted to Ella, "thatthey came as they did; for an hour later, and they would have found thefort defenceless, when all within would have been food for the tomahawkand scalping knife. "

He shuddered at the thought, and placed his hand to his eyes. 

"Indeed, it seems like a direct Providence in our favor, " rejoinedanother. 

"But thar's one thing you've overlooked, in your proposition, Albach, "said the old veteran called Nickolson. "Ef the seige be protracted, whatare we to do for water?"

Each face of the company blanched, and turned toward the speaker with astartled look. It was a question of the most grave importance, and allfelt it to be so. The spring was without the pallisades, as we havepreviously mentioned, on the northwestern side of the station. The pathto it was through a rank growth of tall weeds, wherein the main body ofthe Indians was supposed to be concealed--so that, should the garrisonventure forth in that direction, they would in all probability be cutoff, and the fort fall into the possession of the enemy. This of coursewas not to be thought of. But what was to be done? To be without waterin a protected siege, was a dangerous and painful alternative. In thisagitating dilemma, one of the council suddenly exclaimed:

"I have it!--I have it!" All looked at the speaker in breathlessexpectation. "I have it!" continued he joyfully. "The women!--thewomen!"

"The women!" echoed several voices at once. 

"Ay! you know they're in the habit of going for water--and this thesavages know too--and ef they venture forth by themselves, as usual, thewily scoundrels will be deceived for once--for they won't mistrust tharhiding place is known; and as thar object is to carry the fort bystratagem, they won't unmask till they hear firing on t'other side. "

"Good!--good!" exclaimed several voices; and forthwith the councilproceeded to summon all the women of the station, and make known theirplan 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 malecritters?" 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 thepart of the council; "but we do think, as I before explained, that youcan 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 gatesand be butchered at once. "

This last brief speech produced the desired effect, and a few words fromMrs. Younker completely carried the day. 

"Is this here a time, " she cried, with enthusiasm, her eyes flashing asshe 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'nthe 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 Hisprotection now, when a hundred lives is at stake? No! no! I'm notskeered; 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 seizingupon 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 thanthis--of men allowing their wives and daughters to deliberately putthemselves into the power of a ferocious, blood-thirsty enemy, and womenwith nerve and courage to dare all so bravely--can not be found. Butthese were times of stern necessity, when each individual--man, womanor child--was called upon to dare and do that which would surprise andstartle their descendants. Still it must not be supposed that they, oneither side, were without fears, and those of the most alarming kind. Many a palpitating heart moved over the ground to the spring, and manya pale face was reflected in its placid waters; while many a courageoussoul within the fort trembled at the thought of the venture, and whatmight be its result, as they had never done before--even with deathstaring 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, theirown lives, and those of their fathers, husbands, and children weredepending; and in consequence of this, they assumed an indifference andgaiety the most foreign to their present feelings. As for Algernon, we leave the task to lovers of imagining his feelings, when he saw thelovely Ella depart with the rest. It was indeed a most anxious timefor all; but the stratagem succeeded to a charm; and, to use the wordsof a historian on the subject, "Although their steps became quickerand quicker on their return, and, when near the gate of the fort, degenerated into a rather unmilitary celerity, attended with somelittle crowding in passing the aperture, yet not more than one-fifth ofthe water was spilled, and the eyes of the youngest had not dilated tomore than double their ordinary size. "

[Footnote 20: In both the foregoing and subsequent details, we havefollowed history to the letter. ]

[Footnote 21: The reader, familiar with the history of the earlypioneers of Kentucky, will doubtless observe a similarity between theaccount 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 servednot a little to revive their spirits; and when at length the women hadall entered, the gate been barred, and they had seen themselves wellsupplied with water, they could restrain their feelings no longer, andone grand, simultaneous cheer burst from their lips. 

"Now then, " said Father Albach, "let 'em come, and I reckon as howthey'll meet with a warm reception. But to draw 'em on, we must send outa 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 theremainder, with loaded muskets, were to range themselves along thewestern pickets, and be ready to pour their deadly contents into theswarthy horde of besiegers, in case their attack should be made in thatquarter. As the young men departed, all relapsed into a solemn silenceof anxious suspense; which was presently broken by the rapid dischargeof firearms, outside the fort, accompanied with cheers and yells fromboth the whites and Indians. Now was the all important moment--the warsounds were gradually growing more and more distant--and every eye ofthe inner garrison was strained in breathless expectation, in thedirection of the spring, while every rifle was cocked and in rest, readyfor any emergency. 

Suddenly the tall weeds--which a moment before had been quietly wavingin the morning breeze--became dreadfully agitated; and the next instant, as if by magic, the ground was peopled by some five hundred hideoussavages; who, led on by the notorious renegade, now rushed forward, withwild frantic yells, to the western pallisades, where our gallant littleband stood drawn up ready to receive them. They had advanced in atremendous body, to within a few feet of the fort, when the word "Fire, "uttered in a clear, manly voice, resounded above their own frightfulyells, and was followed the next moment by a terrible volley of leadenballs, that carried death and terror into their serried ranks. With onesimultaneous yell of rage, consternation, and disappointment, theyhalted a moment in indecision; when another death-dealing volley, fromthe gallant Kentuckians, decided their course of action; and againyelling fearfully, they parted to the right and left, and bearing theirdead and wounded with them, rushed for the covert of a neighboringforest. At the same moment, the party which had sallied forth upon theLexington road, to make a feint of attacking their decoys, entered thefort by the eastern gate, in high spirits at the success of theirmaneuver. 

The warfare was now carried on in the usual manner, after the failure ofstratagem, for several hours, with but little success on either side. The block-houses were immediately manned by the garrison, who by thismeans could command every point of compass; and whenever an Indiancame in sight, he was at once made the target for three or four keenriflemen, who rarely missed their mark. In consequence of this, thewily savage rarely showed himself in an open manner; but would creepstealthily among the tall weeds, or among the tall standing corn, thatcovered about an hundred acres of ground on the southern side of thestation, or ensconce himself behind some stump or trunk of a tree inthe 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, wasordered upon the roofs of the houses, to throw off these burningmissiles; but notwithstanding their great vigilance, so rapidly werethey sent at one period, that two of the cabins, being in a verycombustible state, took fire, to the great consternation of all, and, before they could be extinguished, were totally consumed. Here again thehand of an overruling Providence was manifest; for a light wind drovethe flames from the other buildings, and thus a terrible and fatalcalamity was averted. 

From the attack in the morning by the main body, a sharp fire wasmaintained on both sides till towards noon; when it began to slackenconsiderably; and a little past meridian ceased altogether--the savageshaving withdrawn for another purpose, as we shall show anon, leaving thegarrison in suspense as to whether they had totally abandoned the siegeor not. 

We have previously stated that Bryan's Station stood on a gentle rise onthe southern bunk of the Elkhorn, whereby it commanded a view of muchof the surrounding country. A considerable portion of the land in theimmediate vicinity had been cleared and was under cultivation; butstill, in some places, the forest approached to a close proximity; sothat it was impossible, without traversing the ground, to determinewhether the foe had withdrawn altogether, or, as was more probable, nowlay hidden therein, awaiting an unguarded moment of the besieged torenew hostilities. Where the Maysville and Lexington road now runs, wasa long narrow lane, bounded on one side by the large cornfield beforealluded to, and on the other by a heavy wood. Through this lane thereinforcements from Lexington must naturally pass, to reach the station;and knowing this, and that they were expected, (for the escape of thetwo couriers in the morning had not been overlooked) the Indians, tothe number of more than three hundred, had concealed themselves in thethicket, within pistol shot of the road, and were now quietly waiting tocut them off. 

Notwithstanding the quiet which had succeeded the sounds of warfare, thegarrison were still on the lookout, fearful of being surprised. In thismanner an hour or two passed away, without any event occurring worthbeing recorded, when a voice shouted joyfully:

"The Lexington reinforcements are at hand!"

In a moment the whole station was in commotion--men, women, and childrenrushing to the block-houses and pallisades nearest to and overlookingthe long lane just mentioned. The force in question numbered somesixteen horsemen, and about twice as many foot; who, not having heardany firing, nor seen any savages thus far, were somewhat carelesslyapproaching the fort at a leisure pace, thinking, as was not uncommon inthose times of danger, when such things were often exaggerated, thatperhaps the alarm had been unfounded, or, at the most, based only onslight grounds. They had been overtaken on the road between Lexingtonand Hoy's station, for which place they had marched on receiving thenews of Holder's defeat, and had been informed by Tomlinson and Bellthat Bryan's station was surrounded by a large body of Indians, of whosenumbers they knew nothing. On hearing this, and knowing the unguardedcondition of Lexington, they had instantly turned back, and pressedforward 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, inconsternation. "See!--see!--they are ambushed, and will all be cut off!"

As he spoke, a long rolling line of fire could he discerned; andpresently was heard the report of a tremendous volley of musketry, followed by a cloud of dust and smoke, which for a time completely hidthem from view. In a few minutes, however, the horsemen were seen closeat hand, spurring forward with lightning speed. Some three or fourindividuals instantly sprung to and threw open the eastern gate, and inless than two minutes they reined in their panting steeds in the courtof the station. At the first shot of the savages, they had put spurs totheir horses, and, as the ground was very dry, a cloud of dust hadinstantly enveloped them, by which means, fortunately, every one of themhad escaped unharmed, although on their way they had drawn the fire ofmore than three hundred Indian rifles, successively discharged at themwhile 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 towardthe station through the cornfield, and, being completely hidden fromthe savages thereby, they might, had they pressed rapidly forward, havegained the fort in safety. Not so was their conduct. They were brave, hot-blooded, noble men. They could not think of flying and leaving theirfriends in danger; and more noble and reckless than wise and prudent, they turned and rushed to their assistance. They saw their error, buttoo late to retrieve it. Their friends had fled, and were safe, butthey were now placed within a few paces of three hundred blood-thirstywarriors. On seeing them, the savages uttered the most hideous yells, rushed forward and cut them off from the fort, and then sprung afterthem, 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 atbay--the savage, in all cases, being too cautious to rush upon a weaponso deadly, with only a tomahawk wherewith to defend himself. Moreover, the corn was stout and tall, among which they ran and dodged with greatagility; and whenever an Indian halted to load his rifle, the fugitivefor whom its contents were designed, generally managed, by extraexertion, to gain a safe distance before it was completed, and thuseffect his escape. Some five or six, however, were so unfortunate asto be knocked or shot down, when they were immediately tomahawked andscalped; but the remainder, in various directions and by variousartifices, succeeded in making their escape. A few reached the fort ina roundabout manner; but the main body of them returned to Lexington;where, had the savages followed them, they would have found an easyconquest. Fortunately for the whites, however, the red men were notso inclined; and pursuing them a few hundred yards only, the latterabandoned the chase as hopeless. 

One of the most active and ferocious on the part of the Indians duringthis skirmish, which lasted nearly an hour, was Simon Girty. Enraged tomadness at the failure of his stratagem in the morning, he gnashed histeeth and rushed after the fugitives, with all the fury depicted on hiscountenance of a demon let loose from the infernal regions of Pluto. Twowith his own hand he sent to their last account; and was in hot pursuitof a third--a handsome, active youth--who, being hard pressed, turnedround, and raising his rifle to his shoulder, with a scornful smile uponhis 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 yellof despair, instantly gathered round him, while the man effected hisescape. This closed the exciting contest of the cornfield--which hadbeen witnessed throughout from the station with feelings better imaginedthan described--but, unfortunately for humanity, did not end the careerof Girty; for the ball had taken effect in his shot pouch instead of hisbody; and though wounded, his case was in no wise critical; and he wassoon able to take his place at the council fire, to deliberate upon whatfurther should be done. [22]

The council alluded to, lasted some two or three hours. The Indians weredisheartened at their loss in the morning, and the failure of all theirstratagems, even to cutting off the reinforcements of the enemy. Theywere sufficiently convinced they could not carry the fort by storm; andthey also believed it unsafe to longer remain where they were; as thealarm of their presence had spread far and wide, and there was notelling at what moment a force equal to their own might be broughtagainst them; therefore, they were now anxious to abandon the siege andreturn home. Girty, however, was by no means satisfied with the turnmatters had taken. He had with great difficulty and masterly persuasionsucceeded in getting them to unite and march in a body (contrary totheir usual mode of warfare, which consisted in skirmishing with smallparties, ) against the whites; and he now felt that his reputation was ina manner staked on the issue; consequently he could illy bear to leavewithout the trial of one more stratagem. This he made known to thechiefs of the council, and offered, in case of failure, to retreat withthem at once. 

As this last design of Girty was merely to deceive the whites, andfrighten 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 thealert, ready to repel another attack should the Indians renewhostilities, as was not unlikely, when a voice cried out:

"Hang me to the nearest cross-bar, ef the red sons of Satan hav'nt sentout a flag of truce!"

This at once drew the attention of most of the garrison to a small whiteflag on a temporary pole, which at no great distance was graduallynearing them, supported in an upright position by some object crawlingalong on the ground. At length the object gained a stump; and havingmounted it, was at once recognized by Reynolds as the renegade--althoughGirty on this expedition had doffed the British uniform, in which weonce described him, and now appeared in a costume not unlike his swarthycompanions. 

"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 itfrom side to side as he spoke, he again proceeded: "Courage can do muchin war, and is in all cases a noble trait, which I for one do everrespect; but there may be circumstances where manly courage can availnothing, and where to practice it only becomes fool-hardy, and is sureto draw down certain destruction on the actor or actors. Such I hastento assure you, gentlemen, is exactly your case in the present instance. No one admires the heroism which you have, one and all, even to yourwomen and children, this day displayed, more than myself; but I feel itmy duty to inform you that henceforth the utmost daring of each andall of you combined can be of no avail whatever. Resistance on yourpart will henceforth be a crime rather than a virtue. It is to savebloodshed, and you all from a horrible fate, that I have ventured hitherat the risk of my life. You are surrounded by an army of six hundredsavages. To-morrow there will be a large reinforcement with cannon;when, unless you surrender now, your bulwark will be demolished, andyou, gentlemen, with your wives and children, will become victimsto an unrelenting, cruel foe. Death will then be the mildest of yourpunishments. 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 acttoward you a friendly part. Do you not know me? I am Simon Girty--anagent of the British. Take my advice and surrender now your fort intomy hands, and I swear to you not a single hair of your heads shall beharmed. But if you hold out until you are carried by storm I can notsave you; for the Indians will have become thirsty for your blood, and no commander on earth could then restrain them. Be not hasty inrejecting my friendly offer. It is for your good I have spoken--and soweigh the matter well. I pause for an answer. "

The effect of Girty's speech upon the garrison, was to alarm them not alittle. His mention of reinforcements with cannon, caused many a stoutheart to tremble, and many a face to blanch and turn to its neighborwith an expression of dismay. Against cannon they knew, as Girty stated, resistance would be of no avail; and cannon had, in 1780, advanced upthe Licking Valley, and destroyed Riddle's and Martin's stations. IfGirty told the truth, their case was truly alarming. 

As the renegade concluded, Reynolds--who saw the effect his words hadproduced, and who, knowing him better than any of the others, believedhis whole tale to be false--at once begged leave to reply for thegarrison, which was immediately granted. Placing himself in full view ofGirty, he answered as follows, in a tone of raillery:

"Well done, my old worthy companion! and are you really there, carryingout another of your noble and humane designs? When, O when, I humbly begto know, will your philanthropic efforts end? I suppose not until deathhas laid his claim, and the devil has got his due. You ask us if we knowyou. 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 hasbeen named Simon Girty, in compliment to you--he is so like you in everything that is ugly, wicked and mean. You say you expect reinforcementsof artillery. Well, if you stay in this quarter long, I know of no onethat will be more likely to need them than yourself and the cowardlycut-throats who call you chief. We too expect reinforcements; forthe country is roused in every direction; and if you remain heretwenty-four hours longer, the scalps of yourself and companions willbe drying on our cabins. Bring on your cannon and blaze away as soonas you please! We shall fear you not, even then; for if you succeed inentering, along with your naked, rascally companions, we shall set ourold women to work, and have you scourged to death with rods, of which wehave on hand a goodly stock for the purpose. And now to wind up, allowme to say I believe you to be a liar, and _know_ you to be a mostdepraved, inhuman villain. This knowledge of your character is notsecond-hand. I paid dearly for it, by a year's captivity. I defiedyou when in your power: I spit at and defy you now in behalf of thegarrison! My name you may remember. It is Algernon Reynolds. What wouldyou more?"[23]

"Would that I had you in my power again, " shouted back Girty; "forby ----! I would willingly forego all other vengeance on the whites, totake my revenge on you. I regret the garrison did not choose some oneto reply who was not already doomed to death. It was my desire to savebloodshed; 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 yourbulwarks in ruins, and yourselves, your wives and little ones, in thepower 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 thestump, when his progress was not a little accelerated by hearing a voicefrom the garrison cry out:

"Shoot the ---- rascal!--don't let him escape!"

Instantly some five or six rifles were brought to bear upon him; andhis fate might then have been decided forever, had not the voice ofNickolson warned them to beware of firing upon a flag of truce. Girty, however, made good his retreat, and the garrison was disturbed no morethat night. Before morning the Indians, after having killed all thedomestic cattle they could find belonging to the station, began theirretreat; and by daylight their camp was deserted; though many of theirfires were still burning brightly, and several pieces of meat were foundon 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 haveseen relating to the attack on Bryan's Station and is, perhaps, familiarto the reader. ]

CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE FOE PURSUED. 

As Algernon had stated to Girty, the country was indeed roused to asense of their danger. The news of the storming of Bryan's Stationhad spread fast and far; and, early on the day succeeding the attack, reinforcements began to come in from all quarters; so that by noon ofthe fourth day, the station numbered over one hundred and eightyfighting men. 

Colonel Daniel Boone, accompanied by his son Israel, and brother Samuel, commanded a considerable force from Boonesborough--Colonel StephenTrigg, a large company from Harrodsburgh--and Colonel John Todd, themilitia from Lexington. A large portion of these forces was composedof commissioned officers, who, having heard of the attack on Bryan'sStation by an overwhelming body of Indians, had hurried to the scene ofhostilities, and, like brave and gallant soldiers as they were, had atonce taken their places in the ranks as privates. Most noted among thosewho still held command under the rank of Colonel, were Majors Harlan, McGary, McBride, and Levi Todd; and Captains Bulger, Patterson andGordon. 

Of those now assembled, Colonel Todd, as senior officer, was allowed totake command--though, from the tumultuous council of war which was heldin the afternoon, it appears that each had a voice, and that but littleorder was observed. It was well known that Colonel Benjamin Logan wasthen in the act of raising a large force in Lincoln county; and at thefurthest would join them in twenty-four hours; which would render themsafe 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 themall, 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 thewhites. Besides which, Boone stated that the scouts who had been sentout 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 ofwhich must necessarily be terrible. In this view of the case, ColonelBoone was strongly seconded by Major McGary, who, though a hot-headedyoung officer, eager on almost all occasions for a fight, now gave hisvoice 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 bedeprived of his authority as commander-in-chief of the expedition, andthe glory which a successful battle would now cast upon him. By him itwas urged, in opposition to Boone and McGary, that to await the arrivalof Colonel Logan, was only to act the part of cowards, and allow theIndians a safe retreat; that in case they were overtaken and theirnumbers found to be double their own--which report he believed to befalse--the ardor and superior skill of the Kentuckians would more thanmake them equal, and the victory and glory would be their own. Whereas, should the Indians be allowed to escape without an effort to harassthem, the Kentuckians would be held eternally disgraced in the minds oftheir countrymen. 

The dispute on the matter waxed warm, high words ensued, and thediscussion was in a fair way of being drawn out to great extent; whenBoone, becoming tired and disgusted with the whole proceedings, replied:

"Well, I've given my conscientious opinion about the affair, and now youcan do as you please. Of course I shall go with the majority, and myseniors in command; and ef the decision's for a fight, why a fight wemust venter, though every man o' Kaintuck be laid on his back for therisking. Ef we fail--and its my opine we shall--let them as takes theresponsibility 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 arenot a _coward_, you talk like one! Don't you know, sir, that if we waitfor 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, withdignity, "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 atime o' danger, on which the welfare o' my country and the lives o' mycountrymen depends, I'd rather be thought cowardly than rash. Ef itmeans a fear to risk my own poor body in defence o' others, I reckon ashow my past life'll speak for itself; and for the futer, wharsomeverColonel 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 wascarried by an overwhelming majority in favor of Todd's proposition, thatthe Indians should be pursued without further delay. It was now aboutthree o'clock in the afternoon; and immediately on the final decisionbeing made, the council broke up, and orders were rapidly given toprepare to depart forthwith. All the horses in or about the stationwere now collected together, on which most of the officers and many ofthe privates were soon mounted; and by four o'clock the eastern gatewas thrown open, the order to march given by Colonel Todd, and theprocession, composed of the flower of Kentucky's gallant sons, movedforth, amid sighs and tears from the opposite sex. Reynolds--who, duringthe past two or three days, since the retreat of the enemy, had employedhis leisure moments in the company of the being he loved, and who wasnow finely mounted on a superb charger which had been presented him byColonel 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 beatingheart. She raised her lily hand, and, with a graceful motion, returnedhis parting salute; and then, to conceal her emotion, retired into thehouse. 

The Indians, it was found, had followed the buffalo trace, and, according to the account given by the scouts, had made their trailobvious as possible, by hacking the trees on either side with theirtomahawks. Their camp fires, however, were very few, comparativelyspeaking, which to Boone seemed plainly evident of a desire to masktheir numbers. He had lived in the woods all his life, was the oldestsettler on the borders, and had been several times a prisoner of theIndians; so that he was familiar with their artifices for decoying theirenemies; and he believed, from what he saw, that it was their desire tobe followed by the whites; and that they would probably seek to draw thelatter into an ambuscade in the vicinity of the Blue Licks, where thewild country was particularly favorable to their purpose. In imaginationhe already saw the disastrous result that was destined to follow thishasty 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 whichalone success could depend, by expressing his fears and laying himselfliable to further reproach and contumely. He had said and done all thatwas consistent in his situation to prevent the present step; and he nowsaw proper to keep his fears of the result to himself; the more so, asa retreat was out of the question. 

About dark the party came to halt, and encamped in the woods for thenight. Early on the ensuing morning they resumed their march; anda little before noon reached the southern bluffs of Licking river, opposite the Lower Blue Lick, distant from Bryan's Station somethirty-six miles, and the place where, according to the opinion ofBoone, 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, ispeculiarly wild and romantic; but at the period in question, it wasrelieved by nothing in the shape of civilization. The Licks themselveshad for ages been the resort of buffalo and other wild animals, whichhad come there to lick the saline rocks, and had cropped the surroundinghills of every green thing, thereby giving them a barren, desolate, gloomy appearance. On the northern bank--the one opposite our littlearmy--arose a tremendous bluff, entirely destitute of vegetation, thebrow of which was trodden hard by the immense herds of buffalo which hadpassed over it from time immemorial on their way to and from the saltsprings at its base. To add to its dismal appearance, the rains ofcenturies had sloughed deep gullies in its side, and washed the earthfrom the rocks around its base, which, being blackened in the sun, nowrose grim and bare, frowning in their majesty like fettered monsters ofthe infernal regions. As you ascended this ridge, a hard level trace orroad led back for something like a mile--free from tree, stump orbush--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 tothe river, which, beginning on the right, went sweeping round a largecircuit, in the form of an iron magnet, and made a sort of inlandpeninsula of the bluff in question. Back from this buffalo trace, on thesouthern bank of the Licking, dark heavy woods extended for miles inevery direction, and made the whole scene impressive with a kind ofgloomy grandeur. 

As our gallant band of Kentuckians gained the river, they descried somethree or four savages leisurely ascending the stony ridge on theopposite side. On perceiving the troops, the Indians paused, gazed atthem a few moments in silence, and then, quietly continuing theirascent, disappeared on the other side. A halt was now ordered by ColonelTodd, and a council of war called to deliberate on what was best to bedone. The wild gloomy country around them, their distance from any postof succor, and the startling idea that perchance they were in thepresence of a body of savages of double or treble their own numbers, wasnot without its effect upon Todd and those who had seconded his hastymovements, and served much toward cooling their ardor, and inspiringeach other with a secret awe. 

Immediately on the halt of the troops, some twenty officers assembled infront of the lines for consultation; when, turning to them, Colonel Toddsaid:

"Gentlemen, for aught I know to the contrary we are now in the presenceof a superior enemy--superior at least in point of numbers--and Idesire to know your minds as to what course we had best pursue. Andparticularly, Colonel Boone, " continued Todd, politely bowing to theveteran woodsman, "would I solicit your views on the matter; believingas I do, notwithstanding any hasty words I may have uttered in the heatof excitement to the contrary, that you are a brave soldier, cool underall circumstances, amply experienced in Indian stratagem, andconsequently capable of rendering much valuable advice in the presentinstance. "

Boone was not a revengeful man under any circumstances; and though hehad felt more stung and nettled at the implication of Todd the daybefore than he cared to let others see, yet now that the other had madethe apology due him, he showed nothing like haughtiness or triumph inhis mild, benevolent countenance, but, bowing slightly, with hischaracteristic frankness replied:

"As you say, Colonel Todd, I've had some little experience with thevarmints at different times, not excepting my capter at these same Licksin 1778; and, besides, I've have traversed this here country in everydirection, and know every secret hiding-place round about, as well asthe rest o' ye know the ground we've jest traveled; and it's on accounto' 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 widetrail, and marked trees behind us, that I'm led to opine thar's atremendous body o' the naked rascals hid in a couple o' ravines, thatrun 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 oneof two things. Either wait for the reinforcement o' Colonel Logan--who'sno 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 getround behind the ravines, ready to attack the savages in the rear; whilethe rest cross the ford here, and keep straight on along the ridge toattack 'em in front--by which maneuver we may prehaps be able to beatthem. 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 bein an ambuscade afore we know it, and prehaps all be cut off. "

"Well, all things considered, " answered Colonel Todd, who now, becomingaware of the fearful responsibility resting upon him as commander, feltlittle inclined to press rashly forward, "I think it advisable to waitthe reinforcements of Logan before proceeding further. It can delay usbut a day or two, and then we shall be sure of a victory; whereas, ifwe press forward now, and run into an ambuscade, of which Colonel Boonefeels 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 delayson the point of a battle are rarely ever beneficial. I think we hadbetter take up with Colonel Boone's second proposition--divide ourforces, and proceed at once to action; though, for the matter ofprudence, it may be advisable to send a couple of scouts ahead, beforedeciding 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 protractedfor some considerable time; when Major Hugh McGary, who had beenlistening to the proceedings with the utmost impatience, suddenlystartled and broke up the council by a loud whoop, resembling that of anIndian; and spurring his high mettled charger forward, he waved his hatover his head, and shouted, in a voice that reached the whole length ofthe line, these ever memorable words:

"Those among you who are not d--d cowards, follow me! I'll soon show youwhere the Indians are!"

As he spoke he rushed his fiery steed into the river, with all the rashimpetuosity 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 animatedwith a wild enthusiasm. Whooping and yelling like Indians, more than ahundred of them now sprung forward, and in a tumultuous body rushed intothe stream and struggled for the opposite shore. A few lingered aroundBoone, Todd, and Twigg, to await their orders. But the pause of thesecommanders was only momentary. They saw their ranks in confusion, andmore than two-thirds of their soldiers in the water, struggling afterthe hot-headed McGary, and most of the other officers. The mischief wasalready done. To delay was but to doom their enthusiastic comrades tocertain destruction; and shouting to those who yet remained to follow, Todd put spurs to his horse, and, together with Trigg and Boone dashedafter the main body. It was a wild scene of excitement. Horsemen andfootmen, officers and privates, all mixed up together in confusion, andpushing forward in one "rolling and irregular mass. "

By violent threats and repeated exertions, with their swords drawn andflashing in the sunlight, Colonels Todd, Trigg and Boone at lengthsucceeded, after reaching the opposite bank, in restoring something likeorder to the half-crazed troops. On gaining the brow of the buffaloridge, Todd commanded a halt; then drawing a pistol from the holster ofhis saddle, he rode to the front of the lines, and, with eyes flashingfire, 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, untilso commanded, I swear to scatter his brains on the land he disgraces!"

His speech produced the desired effect; not a man ventured, bydisobeying, to put his threat to the test; and after gazing on themsternly a few moments in silence, he turned to McGary, who was sittinghis horse a few paces distant, and said:

"Sir! you have acted unbecoming, both as an officer and a gentleman; andif we two live through an engagement which I fear is near at hand, andwhich your rashness will have brought about, I will have you put underarrest and tried by court martial. "

"As you please, Colonel Todd, " replied McGary, with a fierce look. "Butyou will bear in mind, sir, that at the council yesterday, you scoutedat the proposition advanced by Colonel Boone, and seconded by myselfand others, of waiting for the reinforcements of Colonel Logan, andinsinuated 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 camewhere a fight could be had, I would either draw you into action, orforever damn you as a coward in the eyes of your soldiers. If I havesucceeded, 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 twoothers, with whom he held a short consultation as to the propriety ofsending forward scouts before advancing with the main army. This beingdecided in the affirmative, Isaac Younker and another individual wereselected from the ranks, and appointed to go on the dangerous mission;with orders to follow the buffalo trace and examine it carefully on bothsides--particularly round about the ravines--and if they saw any tracesof Indians, to hasten back with all speed; but if not, to continue theirexamination for a half mile further on, where the great trace graduallybecame lost in lesser paths, which branched off in every direction. 

Immediately on the departure of these two scouts, the troops were drawnup in a long line, ready for action at a moment's notice. Colonel Triggcommanded the Harrodsburgh forces on the right; Colonel Boone theBoonesborough soldiers on the left; and Colonel Todd, assisted by MajorsMcGary and McBride, the Lexington militia in the center. Major Harlanled the van, and Major Levi Todd brought up the rear. This was the orderin which they went into battle. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

THE BATTLE OF BLUE LICKS

In less than an hour, Isaac and his companions returned, and reportedthat they had seen no signs of Indians whatever. On the receipt of thisintelligence, the order to march was immediately given, and the wholebody of soldiers, under the scorching rays of an August sun, movedrapidly forward. Nothing occurred to interrupt their progress, until thevan had reached within a few yards of the ravines before mentioned, whenthe appalling truth of a tremendous ambuscade of the savages suddenlybecame known, by the pouring therefrom, into their ranks, a terriblevolley, which carried with it death, terror and confusion. Never weresoldiers taken more by surprise, and at greater disadvantage tothemselves, both as to numbers and position. They had relied upon thereport of the scouts, who had themselves been deceived by the quiet ofeverything about the ravines; and now here they were, less than twohundred in number, on an open spot, exposed to the deadly rifles of morethan five hundred Indian warriors, who were lying concealed among thedark cedars of the ravines. 

The first fire was severely destructive, particularly on the right, where the gallant Colonel Trigg fell mortally wounded, and was soonafter tomahawked and scalped. With him went down several officers ofinferior grade, and a large portion of the Harrodsburgh troops; but, undaunted, his little band of survivors returned the fire of theIndians, and, assisted by those in the rear, pressed forward like heroesto the support of the center and van, where the work of death andcarnage was now becoming terrible. 

"Onward!" shouted Colonel Todd, as he rode to and fro, animating his menby his voice and gestures: "Onward, my noble soldiers, and strike foryour country and firesides! Oh God!" exclaimed he the next moment, as aball 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 hisuntimely doom. 

"Fight, my lads, and falter not!" cried Major Harlan in the van; and thenext moment his horse went down, some five or six balls lodged in hisbody, and he fell to rise no more. 

But his men remembered their orders, and fought without faltering, untilbut three remained alive to tell the fate of the party. 

"At 'em, lads!--don't spare the varmints!" said Boone, as he urged theleft wing into action; and the immediate report of more than fiftyrifles in that quarter, told him he was obeyed. In this wing foughtAlgernon, Isaac, the brother and son of Boone, with a heroic desperationworthy of Spartans; and at every fire an Indian went down before each oftheir deadly rifles. 

But what could avail heroism here on that ill-fated day? Our bravelittle band of Kentuckians was opposed by a foe of treble their number;who, on their first terrible fire being expended, rushed forth fromtheir covert, with horrible yells, tomahawk in hand, and, graduallyextending their lines down the buffalo trace, on either side, so as tocut off the retreat of the whites, closed in upon them in overwhelmingnumbers, and the slaughter became immense. Major McGary rushed hishorse to and fro among the enemy, and shouted and fought with all thedesperate impetuosity of his nature. Major Todd did his best to press onthe rear, and Colonel Boone still urged his men to the fight with allthe backwoods eloquence in his power. But, alas! of what avail wascoolness, impetuosity, or desperation now? The Indians were closing inthicker and thicker. Officers and privates, horsemen and footmen, werefalling before the destructive fire of their rifles, or sinking beneaththeir bloody tomahawks, amid yells and screeches the most diabolical. Cries, groans, and curses, resounded on every hand, from the living, thewounded, and dying. But few now remained in command. Colonels Todd andTrigg, Majors Harlan and McBride, Captains Bulger and Gordon, with ahost of other gallant officers, were now no more. Already had theIndians enclosed them as in a net, hemmed them in on all sides, and theywere falling as grass before the scythe of the mower. Retreat was almostcut off--in a few minutes it would be entirely. They could hope fornothing against such odds, but a certain and bloody death. There was apossibility of escape. A few minutes and it would be too late. Theyhesitated--they wavered--they turned and fled; and now it was that ahorrible sight presented itself. 

The space between the head of the ravines and the ford of the river adistance of more than a mile, suddenly became the scene of a hard andbloody race. As the whites fled, the Indians sprung after them, withwhoops and yells that more resembled those of infuriated demons thanhuman beings; and whenever an unfortunate Kentuckian was overtaken, heinstantly fell a victim to the tomahawk and scalping knife. Those whowere mounted generally escaped; but the foot suffered dreadfully; andthe whole distance presented an appalling sight of bloody, mangledcorses, strewing the ground in every direction. Girty, the renegade, wasnow at the height of his hellish enjoyment. With oaths and curses, andhorrid laughter, his hands and weapons reeking with blood of the slain, he rushed on after new victims, braining and scalping all that camewithin 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 plungedinto the stream--some striving for life and liberty, some for death andvengeance--and the dark rolling waters went sweeping on, colored withthe blood of the slaughtered. 

An act of heroic gallantry and presence of mind here occurred, whichhas often been mentioned in history, tending to check somewhat theblood-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 theirunfortunate companions on foot, when one of their number, a man by thename 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 suddendischarge of more than a dozen rifles, made the infuriated savagesrecoil in dismay, and thereby saved many a poor fellow's life. Thereaction, however, speedily followed. Many of the savages now swam theriver above and below the ford, and gave chase to the fugitives forfifteen and even twenty miles--though with but little success aftercrossing the stream--as the latter generally plunged into theneighboring thickets, and so eluded the vigilance of the former. 

Such were the general features of the disastrous battle of Blue Licks--abattle of dreadful import to the pioneers of Kentucky--which threw theland into mourning, and made a most solemn and startling impression uponthe minds of its inhabitants. Had we space to chronicle individualheroism, we might fill page after page with brave and nobleachievements; but as it is, we shall confine ourself to those connectedwith our most prominent characters. 

We have stated previously, that Algernon Reynolds fought in the leftwing, under the command of Boone; where, for the few minutes which theaction lasted, he sustained himself with great gallantry; and, by hisundaunted courage, inspired those immediately around him with likeardor. On the retreat of the whites, he found himself cut off from theriver by a large body of Indians, headed by his old foe, Simon Girty, who, having recognized him, was now pressing forward with severalstalwart warriors, to again make him prisoner. For the first time sincethe commencement of the battle, he felt his heart sink. To be takenalive was a thousand times worse than death, and escape seemedimpossible. However, there was no time for consideration; another momentmight be fatal; his foes were upon him; it was now or never. Luckily hewas mounted on a fiery steed--which had thus far escaped a scratch--andhad one undischarged pistol in his holster. This he drew forth as hislast hope; and, tightening the rein, wheeled his horse and spurred downupon 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, unfortunatelythough without doing him any injury. 

But Algernon had not yet got clear of his enemies; for on the fall ofGirty, he found himself surrounded by a host of savages, whooping andyelling frightfully, and his direct course to the river cut off by abody of more than a hundred. There was only one point, and that a fewyards to his left, where there appeared a possibility of his breakingthrough their lines. In the twinkling of an eye, and while his horse wasyet under full headway, his decision was made. Rushing his steed hard tothe right, in order to deceive his foes, he suddenly wheeled him againto the left; and the side of the beast striking against some threeor 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 powerfulsavage, who had succeeded in grasping his bridle and was on the point oftomahawking his horse, he passed their lines, amid a volley of rifleballs, which cut his clothes in several places, but left himself andsteed unharmed. 

The worst of the danger now seemed over; but still his road ahead wasbeset with Indians, who were killing and scalping all that fell in theirpower; and behind him were the infuriated renegade and his party now inhot pursuit. His steed, however, was strong and fleet, and he put him tohis wind; by which means he not only distanced those behind him, butpassed one or two parties in front unharmed. About half way between theravines and the river, he overtook Major McGary, and some five or sixother horsemen, who were dashing forward at a fast gallop; and checkinghis fiery beast somewhat, he silently joined them. A little further on, Reynolds observed an officer on foot, who, exhausted by his recentexertions, and lame from former wounds, had fallen behind hiscompanions. On coming up, he recognized in the crippled soldier thebrave Captain Patterson; and with a magnanimity and self-sacrificeworthy of all imitation, he instantly reined in his horse anddismounted, 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 willtake my chance on foot. "

"God bless you, sir!--God bless you for this noble act!" exclaimedPatterson, 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, andrunning along the edge of the river some little distance, plunged intothe 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 ofbuckskin breeches, which, in swimming the stream, had become so soakedand heavy that he was obliged to remove them in order to display hisusual agility. While seated upon the bank and occupied in this manner, he was startled by a hand being placed upon his shoulder, and thefamiliar grunt of an Indian sounding in his ear. On looking up, he atonce recognized the grim features of Wild-cat, and saw himself in thepower of some half a dozen savages. 

"Me wanty you, " said Wild-cat, quietly. "Kitchokema give much for LongKnife. Come!"

There was no alternative now; and Algernon rose to his feet, andsuffered his weapons to be taken from him, with what feelings we leavethe reader to imagine. Taking him along, the savages set forward, on thealert for other game; and presently three of them darted away in chaseof a party of whites; and directly after, two others, leaving our heroalone with Wild-cat. Hope now revived that he might yet escape; norwas he this time disappointed; for after advancing a short distance, Wild-cat stooped down to tie his moccasin; when Reynolds immediatelysprung 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 maintainedhis ground with great coolness and courage, animating his soldiers byword and deed, until the rout became general, when he found itnecessary, to prevent falling into the hands of the enemy, to haverecourse to immediate flight. As he cast his eyes around him for thispurpose, he saw himself cut off from the ford by the large body ofIndians, through whose lines our hero was even then struggling. At thismoment he heard a groan which attracted his attention; and looking down, he perceived his son Israel lying on the ground, scarcely five pacesdistant, weltering in his blood. With all a father's feelings ofaffection and alarm, he instantly sprung from his horse, and, raisingthe youth in his arms, darted into the nearest ravine, and made with allspeed for the river. A few of the Indians were herein concealed, whodischarged their rifles at him as he passed, without injury, and thenjoined in pursuit. One, a powerful warrior, having outstripped hiscompanions, was rushing upon the old woodsman with his tomahawk, whenthe latter, with backwoods celerity, instantly raised his rifle and shothim through the body. Finding himself hard pressed, and that his son wasalready in the agonies of death, the old hunter strained him for thelast time to his heart, with choking emotion, pressed his lips to thosealready growing cold, and then, with a groan of agony, left him to hisfate and the scalping-knife of the savage, while he barely made his ownescape by swimming the river below the bend. To him this was a mournfulday--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 withIsaac Younker, and some three or four others, he succeeded in making hisescape. 

On the day of the battle, Colonel Logan arrived at Bryan's Station witha command of four hundred and fifty soldiers. On learning that thegarrison with their reinforcements had gone the day preceding in pursuitof the Indians, and fearful of some disaster, he resolved on a forcedmarch to give them assistance as soon as possible. For this purpose heimmediately set forward on their trail; but had advanced only a fewmiles, when he met a party of the fugitives returning from the scene ofslaughter. They were alarmed and excited, and of course their account ofthe battle was greatly exaggerated, believing as they did that they werethe only escaped survivors. Their report, to say the least, was verystartling, allowing that only the half were true; and in consequence, Logan decided on retracing his steps to the station, until he should beable to collect more definite news concerning the fight. Gradually oneparty after another came dropping in; and by nine o'clock nearly orquite all of the survivors were assembled in the fortress; when it wasascertained that a little over one-third of the party, or between sixtyand seventy of those engaged in the battle, were missing. It was a sadnight of wailing, and lamentation, and dreadful excitement in thestation; for scarcely a family there, but was mourning the loss of somefriend or relation. Algernon and Isaac had returned, to the great joy ofthose most interested in their welfare; but the father-in-law of thelatter came not, and there was mourning in consequence. 

A consultation between Colonels Logan and Boone, resulted in thedecision to march forthwith to the battle-ground. Accordingly everything 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 thesurvivors of the ill-fated engagement. Towards morning a halt of threehours was ordered for rest and refreshment: when the line of march wasagain taken up; and by noon of the day succeeding the battle, the forcesarrived upon the ground, where a most horribly repulsive scene met theirview. 

The Indians had departed on their homeward route, bearing their killedand wounded away from the field of carnage; but the dead and mutilatedbodies of the whites still remained where they had fallen, presentinga spectacle the most hideous and revolting possibly to be conceived. In the edge of the stream, on the banks, up the ridge, and along thebuffalo trace to the ravines, were lying the bloody and mangled corsesof the gallant heroes--who, the day before, full of ardor and life, had rushed on to the battle and an untimely and inglorious death--nowswollen, putrid, and in the first stage of decomposition, from theaction of the scorching rays of an August sun--surrounded by vulturesand crows, and all species of carrion fowl; many of which, having gorgedthemselves on the horrid repast, were either sweeping overhead in largeflocks, and screeching their funeral dirges, or wiping their bloodybills on the neighboring trees. Some of the bodies in the stream hadbeen 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 theirfriends. 

"Great Heaven! what a sight!" exclaimed Colonel Logan, as he ran his eyeover the scene. 

"A dark and terrible day for Kaintuck, " answered Boone, who was standingby his side; and as he spoke, the old hunter turned away his head toconceal his emotion; for his mind reverted to the death of his nobleson. 

Orders were now given by Colonel Logan, to have the bodies collected, and interred in a manner as decent as circumstances would permit. Thisbeing accomplished, he returned with his men to Bryan's Station, andthere dismissed them--it not being thought advisable to pursue the enemyfurther. In this ever memorable battle of Blue Licks, the Kentuckianshad sixty killed, twelve wounded, and seven taken prisoners, most ofwhom were afterwards put to the tortures. As we said before, it wasa sad day for Kentucky, and threw the land into mourning and gloom. Colonels Todd and Trigg, and Majors Harlan and McBride, were men belovedand respected in life, and bitterly lamented in death by a long list oftrue-hearted friends. 

The great trace where the battle was fought, is now green with lowbranching cedars; and a solitary monument near by, informs the curiousspectator of the sad disaster of by gone times. The Blue Lick Springsare much resorted to in the summer season by invalids and others, forwhose convenience a magnificent hotel stands upon the banks of thelovely and romantic Licking. 

A few words more and our general history will be closed. On receivingthe intelligence of the battle of Blue Licks, General Clark--who thenoccupied a fort at the Falls of the Ohio, on the present site ofLouisville--resolved upon another expedition to the enemy's country; forwhich purpose it was proposed to raise an army of one thousand men, who, under their respective commanders, should congregate opposite the mouthof the Licking, on the present site of Cincinnati. The interior andupper country were to rendezvous at Bryan's Station, under the commandof Colonels Logan and Floyd; and the lower settlements at the Falls ofOhio, under General Clark; who, on all parties arriving at the grandrendezvous, was to be commander-in-chief of the expedition. One thousandmounted riflemen were raised without a draft, who marched upon theenemy in their own country, destroyed their villages, provisions, andcornfields, took several prisoners, and carried with them so much terrorand desolation, that the Indians never sufficiently recovered from theshock to renew hostilities in a formidable body; and the Kentuckianshenceforth, save in individual cases, were left unmolested. 

On their march they came upon the rear of Girty's party, returning fromtheir successful battle; but an Indian scout gave the renegade and hiscompanions warning in time for them to escape the whites by flight. Inthis expedition, Colonel Boone volunteered and served as a private;being the last in which the noble old hunter was ever engaged in defenceof the settlements of Kentucky. Algernon Reynolds and Isaac Younker werehis companions in arms; who, on the dismissal of the troops, returnedagain to Bryan's Station. 

[Footnote 24: It may perhaps add interest to the story, for the readerto know that the foregoing account concerning Reynolds and CaptainPatterson, is historically true; as is also the one which follows withregard to Boone and his son. ]

CHAPTER XX. 

THE FINALE. 

Month upon month rolled away, quiet succeeded to the alarm and commotionof war, hostilities between Great Britain and America ceased, and thecountry both east and west now began to look up from the depression andgloom which had pervaded it during its long and sanguinary struggle forindependence. In Kentucky the effect was really invigorating; and thesettlers, who for a year past had been driven from their homes in terrorand dismay--who had quitted their peaceable farming implements for thedestructive weapons of strife and bloodshed--now ventured to return totheir desolate firesides, and renew their honest occupations of tillingthe soil. Some, however, more predisposed to financiering than theirneighbors, sought only speculation; in consequence whereof the LandOffices of the Virginia Commissioners--which opened in November, after the return of the troops under Clark--were daily thronged withapplicants for the best locations; whereby was laid the first grandcorner-stone of subsequent litigation, disaffection, and civil discordamong the pioneers. But with these, further than to mention the facts asconnected with the history of the time, we have nothing to do; and shallnow 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 Stationduring the siege of August; but still, besides the regular garrison andtheir families, a few of the individuals who had sought refuge therein, yet remained; among whom we may mention Mrs. Younker, Ella, Isaac andhis wife, and so forth. Algernon, too--by the entreaty of his friends, and contrary to his previous calculations, and what he considered hisduty--had been induced to defer his departure until the opening ofspring. Possibly there might have been a secret power, stronger than themere entreaties of others, which had prevailed over his resolution todepart; but further the records say not. Be that as it may, the extremelimit 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 hewas startled by the information that a stranger in the court desired tospeak with him. 

"A stranger!" exclaimed Algernon, in surprise; and as he spoke, his facebecame very pale, his lips quivered, and his hands trembled. Turningupon Ella a look of agony, which seemed to say, "I am an arrestedfelon, " 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 thecommon, a well dressed, good-looking individual, who was standing on theground and holding by the bridle a horse, which, as well as the riderhimself, appeared both travel-stained and weary. Approaching thestranger with a firm step, but with a pale countenance and throbbingheart, he said:

"I understand, sir, you have business with me. "

"Your name, then, " returned the other, quietly, "I presume to beAlgernon Reynolds?"

"The same. "

"You are, too, I infer, a native of ----, Connecticut, and son of AlbertReynolds 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 saythat I have business with you, and of vast importance. A long chase youhave led me, i' faith; and weeks of travel have you cost me; so you mayrest assured that I am happy in finding you at last. "

"Proceed!" said Algernon, compressing his lips, as one whose mind ismade up for the worst. "Proceed, sir. I know your mission. "

"The deuce you do!" replied the other, in astonishment; "then you musthave a very remarkable faculty for divining secrets. I rather guess youare mistaken though, " he added, as he drew forth a couple of lettersfrom a side pocket; "but these will inform you whether you are or not. "

Seizing the proffered letters with trembling eagerness, Algernon hastilyglanced at their superscription; then, breaking the seals, he devouredtheir contents with the utmost avidity; while the stranger stood notingthe varying expressions of his handsome countenance, with a quiet smile. At first his pale features seemed flushed with surprise--then becameradiant with joy--and then gradually saddened with sorrow; yet a certaincheerfulness prevailed over all--such as he had not exhibited for many along month. As he finished a hasty perusal of the epistles, he turned tothe stranger, grasped his hand, and, shaking it heartily, while tears ofjoy filled his eyes, exclaimed:

"I _was_ mistaken, sir--God be thanked! God bless you too, sir! forbeing the messenger of peace between myself and conscience. Excuse me. Tarry a moment, sir, and I will send some one to take charge of yourweary 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 nothingof the matter. Oblige me, though, by showing yonder gentleman and hisbeast due hospitality;" and wringing his hand, he sprung into theapartment where Ella was sitting alone, leaving Isaac staring after himwith open mouth, and wondering whether he were in his right senses ornot. 

"Ella!" he exclaimed, wildly, as he suddenly appeared before her with aflushed countenance: "Ella, God bless you! Listen. I--I am free! I am nolonger a criminal, thank God! These, Ella--these!" and he held aloft theletters with one hand, and tapped them nervously with the other. 

The next moment his features grew pale, his whole frame quivered, and hesunk upon a seat, completely overcome by the nervous excitement producedby 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 hashappened?--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. Itwas 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 hisacquisition to a large amount of property, by a will of his late cousin;and that he, the said lawyer, being executor thereof, required thepresence 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 forthe best!" cried Ella, as she concluded the letter, her eyes moist withtears, 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 didindeed tell me to hope--and you told me truly;" and he pressed kissafter 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 beinghe loves. 

"Now, dearest Ella, " continued Algernon, when the excitement of themoment had been succeeded by a calmer, though not less blissful mood:"Now, dearest Ella, I am free--my sacred oath binds me no longer--andnow can I say, with propriety, that I deeply, solemnly, and devotedlylove you, and you alone. I am not rich; but I have enough of thisworld's goods to live in ease, if not in splendor. Will you share withme, and be partner of my lot, be it for good or ill, through life? Myheart you have had long--my hand I now offer you. Say, dearest, will yoube mine?"

Ella did not speak--she could not; but she looked up into his face, witha 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 aremine--mine forever!" and he strained her trembling form to his heart insilence--a deep, joyful and holy silence--that had in it more of Heaventhan earth. 

 * * * * *

It was a mild, lovely day in the spring of 1783. Earth had donned hergreen 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 seemedevery where to rejoice. In the court of Bryan's Station was a largeconcourse of people--many of whom were from a distance--and allassembled there to witness the solemn ceremony which was to uniteAlgernon Reynolds and Ella Barnwell forever; for who shall say the holymarriage rite is not eternally binding in the great Hereafter. Therewere congregated both sexes and all ages, from the infant to the hoaryheaded veteran of eighty winters. There were assembled youth andmanhood, whose names have since graced the historic page, and whosedeeds have stamped them benefactors of their race and nation. All werein order, and silent, and the scene was most solemnly impressive. On theright and left of the bride and groom and their attendants, stood, promiscuously, the general spectators of both sexes. In front was drawnup the garrison, in three platoons, under arms, in compliment to thenoble bravery of our hero at the battle of Blue Licks. 

Never did Algernon appear more noble than now--never did Ella look morebeautiful; as, pale and trembling, she seemed to cling to his arm forsupport. The ceremony was at length begun and ended, amid a deep andbreathless silence. As the last words, "_I pronounce you man and wife_, "died away upon the air, the first platoon advanced a pace and fired avolley--the second and third followed--and then arose a soft bewitchingstrain of music; during which the friends of the newly married pair cameforward to offer their congratulations, and wishes for their long lifeand happiness. 

Among the party present was Colonel Boone; and approaching Algernon andElla--who were now seated where the solemn rite had taken place--he tookthe 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 behappy. You've both o' ye had a deal o' trouble since I first saw ye--andthat's but a little while ago--but I hope its now over. Don't think Iwant to flatter, sir, when I say I think you're a brave and honorableyoung man, and that you've got a wife every way worthy of ye--and she ahusband worthy o' her--and that's saying much. God bless ye both! and efyou 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, itwill be remembered, whose life Algernon so generously saved at the riskof his own. After the usual congratulations, he took our hero by thehand, and said, with deep feeling:

"Sir! I feel that to you, for risking your own life to save mine, I owea debt I can never cancel; and an attempt to express to you in wordsmy sense of obligation for the noble act, would be worse than vain:therefore accept this, as a slight testimonial of the gratitude of onewho will ever remember you in his prayers, and wear your image in hisheart. "

As he concluded, Captain Patterson placed in the hands of Algernon asealed packet, and moved away. [25]

"Well, its all over, " said Mrs. Younker, coming up in turn to wish theyoung 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 madeabout ye, sure enough, for sartin--han't they? I never seed the likeon'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 houseall bleeding to death like! My! my!--what strange doings Providencedoes! Well, its to be hoped you'll al'ays git bread enough to keepfrom starving, and that you won't fight nor quarrel more nor isnecessitous--as the Reverend Preacher Allprayer said, when he marriedme 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, tomake room for others, and console herself by recounting her afflictionsto some patient listener, together with the virtues of her deceased andliving friends. 

"I don't 'spect it's o' much account my telling you I wish ye joy, " saidIsaac, "when every body's doing the same thing; but it comes from theheart, and I can't help it. Well, you'll be happy, I know; for thar'snothing like married life; and I speak from experience. I'm sorry you'vegot to leave us so soon; but you won't git far from me; for I've got youboth here;" and placing his hand upon his heart, he bowed, smiled, andpassed on. 

As soon as the congratulations were over, Algernon and Ella wereescorted into the cottage occupied by Mrs. Younker; where a sumptuousdinner was already prepared for them, their relatives, and a few selectfriends, among whom was Colonel Boone and Captain Patterson. For theremainder, long tables were ranged around the common, where the greatestconviviality prevailed; and toasts were drank, and songs were sung, andall were merry. After dinner there were music and dancing on the commonand 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 whichwas remembered and spoken of long, long years after, when many of thosewho were then actors in the scene had sunk beneath the clods of thevalley. 

Years have rolled away to the dark and unapproachable past since thetranspiring of the events which we have chronicled, and vast mutationshave marked the steps of all conquering time. Our beloved country, whichthen weak and oppressed was struggling for her independence against themost powerful nation on the globe, has since nobly won a name and placeamong the mighty ones of earth, and planted her stars and stripes fromthe Atlantic to the Pacific, and built cities and towns amid dark andmighty forests, where then roved in freedom the wild, untutoredaborigines of America. 

Kentucky, too, has since become a rich, populous, and powerful state;and her noble sons, by their courage and generosity, have wellmaintained 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'sStation--the theatre of many a scene of gay frolic and sanguinarystrife--of festivity and mourning--has long since sunk to ruin and dust;and on its site now stands the private dwelling of a gentleman offortune. But where are they who once inhabited it? Those hoary headedveterans--those middle aged men--or those fiery and impetuous youthsever ready for either love or war? Where are they now? Gone! Passed awaylike moving shadows that leave no trace behind. Gone out, one by one, aslights in the late deserted hall of revelry, or stars at the dawn ofday. But very few--and these mere striplings then--now remain to tellthe tale; of whom it may with truth be said, "The places which know themnow shall soon know them no more forever. "

Reader, a word or two more and we have done; and in your hands we leavethe decision, as to whether our task has been faithfully fulfilled ornot. 

Shortly after their marriage, Algernon and Ella bade farewell to theirfriends in the west, and returned to the east, where a long and happycareer awaited them; and where they lived to recount to their childrenand grand-children, the thrilling narratives of their captivity, andtheir wild and romantic adventures while pioneers on the borders ofKentucky. 

Isaac returned to the farm of his father--rebuilt the cottage destroyedby the Indians--and there, with his dear Peggy, lived happily to a greenold age, beloved and respected by all who knew him; and there hisposterity still continue to multiply the name of Younker. With him thegood dame, his mother, sojourned for several years, as industrious andtalkative as ever; and at last passed quietly from among the living, even while in the act of making a sublime quotation on the subject ofdying from her favorite, the immortal Preacher Allprayer. 

Boone continued a resident of Kentucky, until he fancied it too populousfor his comfort; when he removed with his family to Missouri; where hespent much of his time in fishing and hunting, and where he finally diedat 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 thecurious stranger the last earthly resting place of the noblest, the mostdaring, 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, continuedto live among the Indians for a great number of years, the inveterateand 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 greatfury, but were at length overpowered and their leader cut to pieces byColonel Johnson's mounted men. The mangled corse of this leader wasafterwards recognized as the notorious and once dreaded Simon Girty. 

[Footnote 25: This was found to contain a deed of two hundred acres ofthe best land in Kentucky. A historical fact. ]

THE END