The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-07-08

tlcman named Smith, who had been MAJOR y,
in the militia of Virginia, and possessed a iuii
share of the gallantry and noble spirit Oh ms
native state. In the absence of Boom ne was
chosen on account of his military RANK anu
talents 70 command the rude citadei "hioi,
contained all the wealth of this patriarChal
band-their wives, their children ana ,he.r
herds. 1t held also an object particularly
dear to this young 'soldier-a iady' 'ne
daughter of one Of the settlers, 10 "hoih ho
had pledged his affections. 1t came 10 pass
upon a certain day, when the siege was osc.,
tranquility restored, aNd the emPioyine
at husbandry resumed, that this young iauy
with female companion stroliea OUT as
those in love are apt to do, along Inc paiA'
of the Kentucky river. Having ramoiea
bout for some time, they espled canoe
ing at the shore, and in frolic stepped INTO
it with the determination of visiting neigh
Dor on the opposite bank. Il seems that they
were not so skilled in navigation as the Lazy
of the Lake, who "paddled her own canoe
very dexterously-for instead of gliding to
the point of destination, they were whiflco
about by the stream, and at length thrown on
a sand bar, from which they were Obliged 10
wade to the shore. Full of the mirth excit-
ed by their adventure, they hastily arranged
their dresses, and were proceeding to cilmo
the bank, when three Indians rushed from
aneighboring covert, seized the fair wander
ers, and forced them away. Iher savage
captors, evincing no sympathy tor their dis-
tress, nor allowing them time tor rest or re-
Election, hurried them along during the whoie
day by rugged and thorny paths. lheir
shoes were worn offby the rocks, their CLOTH
es torn, and their feet and limbs lacerated,
and stained with blood-To highten their
misery, one of the savages began to make
love to Miss, (the intended OF major 81
and while goading her along with apointcd
stick, promised i'll reeompencc for her suf-
fering, to make her his SgnQ7p. 1his at once
ronscd all the energies of her mind, and call
ed its powers into action. In the hope that
her friends would soon pursue them, shc
broke the twigs as she passed along ana DC
layed the party as much as possible by
tardy and laundering steps. But why dwen
on the heartless and unmanly cruelty OF the
savagcs ?-Thc day and the night passed
and another day of agony had nearly rolled
over the heads of these afflicted females,
when their conductors halted to cook Wild
repast of buffalo meat.
The ladies were soon missed from the
garrison. The natural courage the sagacity
Of fSmith, now hightendc by love, gave him
the wings of the wind and the ficrccness OF
the tiger. The light traces of female feet
led him to the place of cmbarkation the
canoe was traced to the opposite shorc-the
deep print of the moccasin in the sand told
the rcst--and the agonized Smith. accom-
panied by n few fhis best woodsmen, pursued
g the spoil encountered foe" The tract
once discovered, they kept it with that uncr-
ring sagacity SO peculiar to our hunters; tho
Blended grass, the discntanglcd briars, and
shrub, aflording the only, but to
them the certain indications, of the route OF
the enemy. When they had sufficiently as
certained the general course OF the retreat
of the indians Smith quilted the trace, as
surfing his companions that he would fall Ill
with them at the pass of Il certain stream
a head, for which he now struck direct
course thus gaining on the foe who had ta-
ken the most difficult paths. Arrived at the
stream, they traced its course until they dis
covered the water newly thrown upon the
rocks. Smith leaving his party, now crcpt
forward on his hands and feet until he dis
covered one OF the savages seated by a hire,
and with ii deliberate aim, shot him through
the heart. The women rushed towards their
deliverer, and recognizing Smith, chung to
him i'll the transport ofncwly awakened JOY
and gratitude, while second Indian sprung
towards him with his tomahawk. Smith dis
engaging himself from the ladies, aimed a
blow at his antagonist with his rife, which
the savage avoided by springing aside, but
at the same moment the latter received a
mortal would from another hand. The other
and only remaining Indian, fell in attcmpt-
ing to make his escape. Smith with his in
tctcresting charge returned i'll triumph to the
fort, where his gallantry no doubt was repaid
| Inv fhc SNpttpSt of all rewards
ptrVENVN DE GTTEHG