The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-05-25
Written for the Evening Post and Saturday News.
THE RESCUED.
A Tale of the Florida U'ur.


when the stout hearts Of certain section
of Florida were assembled according to ap-
pointment at the dwelling of Captain Stew
art He had served in the revolution and
his locks were graved with seventy toll
some years. In his early life while enlist
ted against the Indians, he had been noted
for activity and courage; and now, when
tales of wo were related to him-when he
heard of mother and child at once butch
cred, whilc the husband was preserved to
undergo more painful fate; he was again
endued with the strength and ardor of
youth.
The Indians were at this time in state
of hostility; and their present warfare was
still characterised with cunning and cruel
ty.
They frequently had plighted their faith;
and suddenly attacking the whites, either at
once cut them down or subjected them to
unparalleled tortures. The people on the
frontiers had now become thoroughly con-
vinced that the best and only course to pur-
sue would be retaliation, and the keeping of
a strict and constant guard, should the Indi-
ans be discovered entering the territory of
the settlers.
Rude and temporary forts had been erec-
ted, and measures concerted for speedily
forming the inhabitants into defensive or
offensive state, whenever necessity should
require. There had already been several
in the neighborhood between the
whites and the Indians, and much danger
was apprehended. No one would venture
any distance from home without gun or
some other weapon, and it was with hesi-
tation and hazard the people came to the
meeting before mentioned, Its design was
partly to talk Of some common means of
defence, and partly to spend social eve
ming with Captain Stewart. The particular
business of the meeting being concluded,
Captain Stewart was requested to recount
some of the adventures of his younger
days. The proposal was readily acquies.
ced in, for he delighted as much as he ex-
celled in telling his former exploits and es-
rapes. Their attention was quickly en-
gagged in the narration of the Indian wars
at the time of the revolution and the part
he had taken in them. They eagerly lis
.ened while hour after hour rolled on, and
none seemed willing to depart. Their minds
were fired with revenge as they heard Of
he bloody deeds of the savage; and they
onged for an opportunity of meeting the
ioes and avenging the death of their race.
All was as still as the grave, except the
oantive voice Of the old man as it rehears-
I'd in solemn accents the dark actions un-
Known to any surviving besides himself
Occasionally, also, sigh and gritting of
he teeth would discover their inward mo-
lions. A distant shrek vibrated indstinct-
ly lin ther ears--it grew louder and louder,
till the yell of the savages startled them as
though train of lightning had shot through
The room. They for moment eyed one
another in suspense and then indistinctly
rushed TO their fire arms. Each carefully |
examined his piece to see if it were we'll
oaded--and again they stood horror strick-
en-; but was for moment. Captain Stew
art at this was reused; his eyes, though |
limmed by age, now cleaned like tigers,
and springing through the door he cried
- Follow me-" He was promptly obeyed
by all but few whom he had ordered to
remain at the at the house to defend it in
case of attack. He exhored his men TO be
Of good cheer, and to confde in him as a
leader and in themselves as full match for
the Indians; same time bounding fleet
Iy and silently along; he posted his men be-
hind trees and logs, and awaited the ap-
proach of the enemy.
In few moments female, whom they
supposed to be squaw from her appear
ance, was seen making all haste toward
them. 1t was evident that she had been
4 ~