The native American., 1837-09-23


face rapidly changed TO joyous and happy expression,
and the tears rolled down, he vowed never cease
his exeriions till his masters family once
safe. ss. .
His first attempt to glide off unperceived. frus
trated by the sennels, who, with presented arms
babe him stand back He then returned the house,
and taking on his head large bucket proceeded,
caelessly wistling to spring on the edge OF the,
cleared fand. II situated the of small
HILL which, though open and cleared upon one side,
was upon the other covered with forest nerIaced with
the thousand wild vines and thick bushes which form
the underground Of our woods. Here too, sentinel
had been placed, and our friend Juba advanced dane
ing up the ascent, swaying his body to preserve his
equilibrium. The sharp challenge of the sentry, en-
forced by the rattle Of his muske as il was thrown
| up to his shoulder, warned him 10 stand.
Hi massa; don't shoot poor ngger, Sa!" and he re-
coiIed in we.acted fear. The soldier, laughing at the
effect Of his order, called to him: Swell, my dark
beauty what are yon now! You can't pass herc.'
mo, sa on'y want lilly water. sa, for the buckra
won't drink none. sa, but from dis ere spring!"
4 "Oh, we'll If that's ALL COME and fill your tub,
there; and he quick, d ye hearl"
Juba soon filled his tub, and apparently struggled to
the goodnatured soldier help him. This he readily
consented TO do and holding his re-ock in hand,
and grasping the handle of the tub, with the other
raised il to the height Of his shoulder. This what
the willy Juba wanted, and rapidly turning the whole
contents over the dragoon he eauted him with The
bottom of the tub on his head with such force as
drive out the boards, and leave the hoops and slaves
dangling round his neck. order Of merit; and
then gaining the woods, by succession OF rapid
bounds, he sped away with the quick and light steps
Of the mountain deer. The soldier, who was some
what staggered by the blow, rapidly recovering his
carbne and presence Of mind, pulled trigger on him
before he rearhed the covert. But the powder, tho
roughly wetted, refused ignite; and before he could
.eprime, Juba was far out Of reach and sight WELL
said the Englishman, "hera's pretty go! may as
we'll fire, though, and whenthe guard comes out, make
the best of my story. The cur sed cucumber-shnned
rascal! How his handy legs twinked as he rant
Upon the discharge Of his piece, he was immediate
" relieved, and conducted the captan who after
many oath, ordered to sound TO horse Instantly, and
make the best OF their way back The prisoners were
placed in the centres the files formed, and at rapid
trot they entered the long rough, and mazy roadby
which they To alive to the beauty of forest
and mountain scenery, every part was in the highest
degree interesting. Here, they passed, along the side
Of the mountain, bearded and rough with pine and
cedar, there, in the deep declivity, weed calmly out
tho clear and peaceful sream which, after its tossing
and troubled course down it's racky bed, seemed glad
to be at rest. The signing Of the wind among the
tree tops, and the indescrbabe murmnr which pro-
ceeds from deep forest, when the winds at
peace, grew full and loud, the wild wind in.
creased waving aside the lofty and matted branches
and startling the son,bre retreats Of the dark woods
with rare gmpses Of sunshine. Now and then tho
antered deer bounded from the thcket, and clearing
the road with high and curvng leap, noiselessy glanc
ed away the mountain side; the black SNAKE the
of his tribe reused from his baskng in the sun,
rapidly wound his way among the dry aud rustng
leaves, his brilliant eye flashing and beaming in his
swift and toruous course. Here the creeper Of the
southern woods. having mustered, in its parasiting
grasp, tall and siaely flung it's crimson,
tfumpet-shaped flowers, and fantastic drapery,
the rough path. All hushed in noon day silence
the occasional note Of the mocking bird in the
wild essamine, the harsh scream Of the lordy and
lonely eagle, he circed broad vans, high in the
quiet air.
The party had just descended into one Of the verdant
des which issued from the mountain side, and the
leading files gradually mounted the ascent. The off
in turned in his saddle raised his arm and
was about to speak, when the sharp crack of rifle
rang upon the silence. He struggled moment TO re-.
tain his seat but vainly, and fell to the earth, with
deep groan. His followers fell back and watched in
anxiety the spot from which the report had come
Captain C, who by no means wanted courage,
instantly ordered them to unsng their carbines, and
fire upon the first suspicious movement Some seconds
passed by in perfect Stiffness when slight rustling
in the brushwood drew the attention Of the troopers
but they could come 10 'present again, from the
top of the bank, streamed The deadly shot Of the back
woods rifle; and the slight smoke cleared away, the
vacant saddles and bloody forms below, told of their
dreadful accuracy of aim.
"First and second files! to the front! charge shout
ed the captain "On them. my boys Give them your
carbines, and then cold steel!"
The brave fellows dashed forward, under cover OF
their fire. and spurred for aclose encounter, know
ing well that their only hope to dslodgc their
half armed antagonists. But of the bold and brave
men who rushed up that trifing ascent, how few
reached the top! The deadly aim, and rapid and
inuous discharge Of the countrymen, presented in
snrmonnt BILE obstacle.
They recoiled once more, in confusion and dsmay.
Again and again their undaunted captain brought them
to the charge and with last desperate effort, he and
of his bravest attained the top though with ter
rible loss. Then the wild faces and rough hunting
shirts of the backwoodsmen appeared as with heavy
rifles, clenched in their burnt and sinewy hands,
they rushed with loud shout to the close. The broad
swords Of the troopers flashed their heads and de-
scended with full sway, only to shiver on the solid
breech OF the rifle. One by they fell, struck down
by blows which no skill could parry, and the captain
himself with the blade shivered to the h only cs-
capped his guard, close followed by the exulting
mouniaineers.
Stand firm, my lads'' said he; 81 know not how
to keep of their bullets" So saying he seized Miss
Edwards, and placing her the saddle before him,
called to his men to retreat fast possible, and
keep him between them and the enemy; and thus rein.
ing bat k his managed steed upon the narrow path,
aud with pistol pointed at the fair girls head, he
shouted, with loud and scornful toHe {" Now dogs,
one step nearer. one bullet more, and this ball passes
through her BRAIN" :. Fire, for Heaven, and your
couniry's sake!' shrieked the noble girl; :. rid the
l eli 4