The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-06


move forward at a rapid pace, still toward the
mountain. was in hope that ono or two of
the friends Of Monsieur Pichaud might take
another road, and felt assured, should such
be the case the three slaves who besides my
self were Of The party, would hesitate to cap
ture Pierre or Martin should they be found,
particularly if ! should favor their cause,
which had made up my mind 10 do; yet
dared not speak on the subject TO my COM
rades, for fear Of exciting suspicion.
1.-The journey was continued rapidly until
five in the afternoon, latiguing, indeed, to us
who followed on foot the horses were like
wise suffering from the heat Of the day, and
the difficulty OF the ascent OF this cloud
capped mountain The gentlemen perceived
the necessity Of giving rest to their beasts
and to MS their slaves, when violent barking
from the foremost dog again attracted atten-
ton; it was followed by the immediate report
Of pistol, and the animal was stretched life
less on the ground Our comrade Pierre's
hand was there, beyond a doubt. The re-
naming dog was sometime before he could be
recovered from his fright; but cheered on by
his master, who followed with caution, he
was again advancing, when stopping suddenly
he uttered a most savage growl. The gem
tlcman Immediately dismountcd, and rushing
into the thicket, found the body of man.
On inspection it was asceriained to be that
of Martin; he was still warm and could not
have been dead many minutes.
"''fhis accounts for our successful pursuit
so far exclaimed Monsieur Pichaud, taking
the bandage from The wounded arm Of the
corpse,--'but what can have caused his
death flesh wounds, indeed, like these, dis
able, but they do not kill open his frock,
let us examine further on this being done,
the mark Of recent wound was discovered,
which had been inflicted with knife, and
had reached the heart desperate scoun-
drels,' continued M. Pichaud, where will
their guilt end Let us proceed; the other
villain has slain his comrade to prevent his
capture alive !, he must, therefore, be near at
hand, for neither the instrument with which
this wound has been inflicted, nor the pistol
with which the dog has been shot, are to be
found. On then, my friends, to secure the
william Pierre and the boy The party were
again in motion following the dog, but the
progress was slow, as the scent was not so
easily found and KEEP, up, and it was with diff
ficulty'they could get the hound from the re-
Gently slain man, so much does their savage
nature delight TO revcl in human blood. The
pursuit was, therefore not continued long af-
ter dark, and the party assembled round fire
kindled under shelter of the mountain peak,
and partook Of some refreshments which had
been provided by the care Of my masters
friends. We, the slaves, were separated
several yards from the gentlemen, and the
time was portioned out in watches to last till
the dawn of day. About midnight, when my
companions were asleep, and our master was
holding scarcely audible conversation with one
Of his friends, felt slight pull by the
sleeve of my frock, and on looking round be-
held the figure Of man on the ground. By
a signal from him, Immediately recognized
the object of the search. 1t was Pierre,
weary and worn out with the vast endeavors
he had made TO escape made noise af-
fecting to sing, whilst he in whisper told
me that he had the misfortune to sprain an
ankle, and could proceed no further seeing
the fire, he had crawled thither to endeavor
to obtain some refreshmcnt, as he was dying
from thirst. gave the exhausted wretch my
canteen, which he most greedily emptied.
and then asked if the dog was dead: Or shall
l. said he, still be traced even if hide my
self from mortal eyer 'I'he dog is dead
was nv reply Thanks for that fiercely
answered Pierre, 4 thought my hand was too
true to fire in vain | may still hope to be
Free 1t was with suppressed groan he
heard me say, another dog was with his per-
scouting hunters, not so savage, but equally
keen-sccnted and true as the one he had
killed. Then, there is no hope for me- con-
tinued he I; curses on this accident, which
has deprived me Of my strength and made
child of me, would else sell my life dearly,
and show those men, who call themselves
our masters, that if they provoke their slaves
to desperation it is not always to be done
with iinpunity;' then imposing silence by
placing his finger on his lips he pressed me
by the hand and crawled away as quietly as
he had approached.
- could not hope for his ultimate escape
crippled as he was by sprained ankle, but
looked forward with much interest and some
alarm to the time of his being found, feeling
assured, from his resolute and determined dis
position, loss Of life would ensue ere he was
captured, be it when or where it might.
'.'At dawn our party were again in pur-
suit; the too sure bloodhound was led round
and round for several minutes when utering
his usual growl he took up the sent on the
very spot which had been occupied by me the
preceding night, and advanced in the same
track Pierre had crawled away. Monsieur
Pichaud darted look at me which evinced
strong suspicion Of my fidelity. There was
now no doubt that Pierre would be taken, as
he could not be far away. Our master and
his friends mounted their horses, and fol-
lowed my companions with a heavy heart
to be an unwilling spectator Of the death or
capture Of my friend.
%. From the very pr,at caution taken by