The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-23
From the Christian Keepsake.
SCENE ON TIE OHIO.
BY REV. J. TODD.


Well, it is now nearly forty years since l
first saw the glorious 9hio. / shouted when l
first saw it; have loved it ever since, and when
die hope | shall be buried on its banks. On
a certain day, engaged to go down the river
to Kentucky, with Capt Ward, as he was re-
moving his family from the east The journey
was long and at best would be tedious. was
kind ofpilot for was well acquainted with
the river and all points of danger. The coun-
try was full of Indians, and no settlement OF
any note had been made in Ohio. The whites
and the Indians, too, were constantly making
war upon each other. do not know who was
the most to blame; the whites killed the most,
and the Indians were the most cruel we puT-
chased an old, crazy, square built boat, be-
tween forty and fifty feet in length, and about
eight or ten feet wide. We contrlved 10 spike
on single pine plank on each gunnei, anu
this was the only thing we had to defend us.
We had heavy load, furniture, baggage,
horses. pigs, fowls, ploughs, besides nearly a
dozen people. These consisted OF the Captain,
his wife. and their young children, a widowed
sister erA son, besides several men to manage
| the boat. When we left, we were fearful les'
the Indians should attack US from the shore, bu
we knew that by keeping in the middle OF the RI
| yer we should be beyond the reach oftherr1ffes.
or could be in few moments. Thus we pas
sed on for several days, till we supposed we
were beyond the haunts of the indians. One
day. Just at sun set, after we had become tired
with rowing, we let our boat drift lazlly and
carelessly along the current. We were just
getting ready to put up for the night. The mo-
| Their was promising the children good run on
shore. The widow was getting out provisions,
and making preparations for our supper The
CAPTAIN and his nephew had hold OF the oars,
| and moved them just enough to allow me to
steer the boat.
Rogers said the captain, suppose we pull
in this side of that point, and tie our boat TO one
of those big trees, and there enca1nP for the
| night
/ Fit is good place, captain, and like it; Be,
sides, a few moments ago, l thought / heard
wild turkies over the hill, and | should like &c
have one for our supper.
So we put in towards the shore. and mad go
within fifty yards ofthat point around which
the steamboat had Just passed, when | heard
stick crack as il broken by the ioet.
"a deer, said the captain.
NO, no., shouted, row. row, ioF Tile or w
are all dead
I At that instant down rushed scores oil lndlan
10 the shore, with shout that made the NIL
across the river echo it back again ne muir
derous creatures rushed down to the water
edge, and presented their guns and opened
heavy fire upon u.s. Inan instant the youn
man snatched his rifle, and rising up his fu
length, fired at the nearest Indian, who had
shabby head dress;-the Indian fell, and so On
the Young man at the same instant AS he lei
the captain brought the boat still nearer. In
Indiars yelled, the women screamed, the morse
were falling and plunging, and bullets We're ny
ing thick around u.s. Yet above ALL me Volc
Of C.ntain Ward rose, cool-'Rogers, take ID
oar.
| took If. and he at the same instant seize'
a piece of plank, and rowed to such good pul
nose. that in a few minutes we were out
; the river, beyond the reach Of rifles. we kheN
( they had no canoes, being on hunting eXcuf
sion, and that we were safe. But on what
sight! the horses were all dead or ayihS' on
child badly wounded, the boat haii nllea "" ~
water, and the young man IN MS pioou s az ~
bottom of the boat. BY this ume' the SooihI l
of the captain was all gone he ray ooWh l:
the side Of his nephew, whom ne IoVe y as ~ y,
have mercy. have mercy have brought tn
dear bov to this DEATH But the widowed ih'
e therl She was pale as sheet: but she came
. her son, raised his head in her.lap, ana orehe
A his bosom, where the blood was sun coming
! he was yet alive.
! ySsJohn, said she In sweet VOICE., as
1 sneaking to babe, John, do you know me!
4 my me- Their, said he in whisper, -.
I Can you swallow, john said she, putin
/ her hand over aud dipping up some water ITO
4 the river,
j He tried, but could not. a,;nn
4 INV son, do you know that your dying.
Eyes, mother, but are you hurt; o. =,
Z mo, no, but don't think OIL me. .a wsn =
, pray with the heart row, my aeai s Sun .ho ga
'' God be merciful to me, sihhei' io' '''' -
J. Jesus Christ, said the mother, Tor ne ~ "
10 oone~She 'bento him few minutes as
n silent prayer, then kissed his ps FPS, ana mai l0r
: first tire tears filled her eyes, -. In had he
ment, you woad have thought , she h ha y d
talking to child Just going to sleep hea ; xS
was SO calm and SO mild. she Vas s.,1 w,
: and he her only child, and q noble ielom
was. But she was religious "oms s;n
H. hot