American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-07-09
FROM THE PORT FOLIO.

An incident which occurred here is not only deetss
ly interesting in Itself, but is highly illustrative Of
The suferings OF the first Settlers Among the adj
venturers whom Boon described ss having teinfor.
ced bis little colony, was young gentleman nam
ed Smith, who had been major in lie militia of
Virginia, and possessed full share of the gaantry
and noble spirit of his native states In the absehc6
OF BooD he was chosen on account Of his military
rank and talents to command the rude citadel which
contained all the wealth of this patriarchal BAUD.
their wives, their children, and their herds. II held
also object particularly dear 10 this young soldier
"a lady, the daughter OF one oil the settlers, to-
whom he had pledged bis affections. 1t cams to
pass, upon certain day, when the siege was overS
tranquility restored, and the employmehtg at hus-
bandry resumed, that this young lady with ernals
companion stoled out, as persons ID love are very
apt 10 do, along the banks OF the Kentucky fiser$
Having ranibled abou, for some time. they espied g
canoe lying at the shore, aud in lrolit STEPPED INFO
it with the determination Of visiting heg hboF on
the opposite bank 1t seems that they we're moi So
skilled in navigation the Lddg of tie Ldice, HiW
|" padjed her canoe'' very dextetousiy-- for in
stead OF gliding to the point of destinations they we're
whired about by the stream, and at length thtoE1
on sand bar from which they were obliged to sssis
to the shore. Full of The ninth e&cited by ereif
adventure they hastily arranged their dresses, auH
were proceeding to climb the bank, when three Fis
dians, rushing from neghboring covert, seized li:3
fair wanderers, and forcedthem away. Their sat
age captors evncIng no sympathy Tor their dis;fEs5s
allowing them time Tor rest or reflection; bbiyfs
ed hem along during the whole day hy rugged ara
horny paths. Their shoes were worn of BY sfG
ocks their clothes torn, and their feet 5nd lifi5S
acerated, and stained with blood To heightfit
their misery, one of the sa,sges began TO make love
to Miss - ,(the intended Of Major S.) and yhllG
eoading her along with pointed stick promised lii
recompepse of her sufferings 10 make her. MS
Iolsf ArsrG-t ~ s.S
mind, and called its powers into actions 1.-The hope
that her friends would pursue THEM, she eFtkf
The twgs she passed along and delayed the party
Jas much possible by tardy and laundering stGbss
But why dwell on the heartsess and unmariy erGeff
~ Of the savages ?--The day aud the night passed
and another day of agony had nearly rolled o7sf
the heads Of these afflicted females when their cotIs
ducors halted cook wild repast of bufaloe meat,
The ladies' were soon missed from the garrSo1'
The natural courage and sagacily OF Smith, ROW
heightened by love, gave him the wings ofihe winds
and the hcrceness OF the tiger. The light traces OF
female feet led him to the place of embarkaiiof,-s
The canoe was traced to the opposite shor@, the
deep print OF the moccasin in the sand told the rssG
land the agonzed Smith. accompanied by lew
of his best woodsmen, pursued "the spoil encufd-
bered foe" The track once discovered, they keps
il with that unerring sagacy so peculiar to our huns
|ters-the Bonded grass, the diseutahgled briafss
and the compressed shrub, affording the only, bus
to them the certain indications, of the route Of tbs
enemy When they had sufficiently ascertained
the general course OF the retreat of the Ind;ah5J
Smith quilted the trace, assuring his companions
that lie would fall in with them at the pass OF ceF@
tain stream ahead for which he now struck direct
lcourse--thus gaining on the foe, who had taken The
most difficult paths Arrived at the stream, they
traced its course until they discovered the water
newly thrown upon the rocks Smith, leaving his
party, now crept forward upon his hands and lees
until he discovered of the savages seated by a
FIRE, and with deliberate aim, shot him through
the heart. The women rushed towards their deIiSs
eter, and recognizing Smith, chung to him in the
transport of newly awakened joy and gratituds
while a second Indian sprung towards him with his
tomahawk Smith disengsging himself from the
ladies', aimed blow at his antagonist with his riAes
which the savage avoided by spinging aside, but at
The same moment the latter received mortal wound
from another hand. The other, and emily remaining
Indian, fell in attempting 10 escape. Smith with
his interesting charge returned in triumph to the
FORT where his gaanny no doubt was repaid BY tbs
sweetest OF all rewards.