Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-04-05
VOL. IS, NO. 29-WHOLE NO. 1898.

OF my hopes
81 am ready" answered Kate, blushing, and
without raising her eyes,
They rose from their seats, and advanced to the
pnrson, who Immediately commenced the cere-
mony. II was impossible to tell, whether pleos-
ure or pain predomnated on the countenances of
the guests as they pressed forward to witness The
solemn ceremony of uniting two beings for life
In the intervals of the thunder a faint smile would
| play upon their faces, but, q rafting volley
would strike their ears their shrinking forms and
bloodless lips betrayed their terror. The tempest
seemed for moment TO have held its breath, as if
to witness the conclusion of the nuptals; but
now as the parson concluded with "salute your
brides" peal of thunder keener and more start
ling than any yet, struck such terror TO their souls,
that none not even the parson, or Castor himself,
both of whom had been shocked, perceived that
the chimney had faIlen to the earth until awaken
ed to sense of their situation, by the shrill war
whoop Of the Indians, which mingled in
dreadful unison with the bowling storm.
All thought Of the storm vanished at once-de-
fence against the savages seemed to be the first
idea of all, as each man, with determined look,
grnsped his rifle. and gathered around the females
The Indians, led on by their noted chief Eagle
Eye, TO avenge the death of their comrade, found
III Lae morning, would perhnps have awaited tho
subsiencs of the storm, bad not the falling ofthe
chimney displayed to them the disorder and con-
fusion within the cabin. Viewing il as The most
favorable time for attack they raised their
dreaded war-whoop, and sprung to the breach
That whoop, however, served but to nerve the
hardy pioneers, and chase from their bosoms the
Tears which the wars of nature alone created
Richard CASTOR, from custom, assumed the COM
mand; and with GOODNESS and selipossesslon,
which indicates undauned bravery, proceeded to
give such orders as the time would allow
"Let the females said he "g0 above, and lay
upon the floor and we, my brave boy will show
them what stout hearts and strong arms can do in
defence of beauty. Six OF you 90 in the next
room and see that the villains enter not, except
over your dead bodies; the rest will remain, and
defend this opening"
The reader must not suppose that all was still
during this brief address The Indians, whose
numbers amounted to several hundred, had fired
once, aud not being able on account Of the rain to
load again, now attempted TO enter over the rufus
OF the chimney, and through the windows. The
lights had been extingushed at tho first yell, and
! all was dark, save when the flashes of lightning
revealed to the few within, the fearful odds against
them without. Several volleys had meanwhile
been poured into the indians, and momcntary
J flash revealed the effects. Many were lying dead
or dying, forming sort of breastwnrk nj the
r breach. Becoming more iniuriGted as those who
r had gone before fell under the constant fire OF the
! whites, the savages now in compact body, at
tempted AN entrance; and the whites, still cool, rs
iii danger threatened not, waited until they reach
cd the very breach, and then every man, with his
o muZzle almost touching the Indians discharged
y his piece. The savages wavered and then fell
: back amid the shouts of the victorious ycomeH.
4 The next flash of lightning discovered the lndi-
= ans retreating to the woods, aud dragging many
of their dead with them. Another wild shout
barst from the lips of the victorious mites. When
9 all was again still, the voice of Mr.. Lee was
heard in hanksgiving for their delivereuce SO far;
| and when he had concluded, he proposed a con-
slation upon the best means to be pursued, as it
was certain the Indians had only retredto de.
wise some other means of attack. Some were for
deserving their present situation, and flying the
is ptha md ,ha
number, proposed remaining where they were,
D because the indians had not certainly gone far,
and if discovered, unprotected by the logs, they
must fall an easy prey to such superior nuinbers,
h while by remaining, they had some advantage,
: and small chance TO keep them off,
d The rain meanwhile had ceased, and the distant
e nuuerings of the thunder could be heard only at
t, intervals. AN silent in the cabin, awaiting
II the expected approach of the saVages Kate had
IT approached Castor when she first came lnto'the
n room, and lndly asked if lie Was hurt. Having
J. received satisfactory answer, she had renamed
silently by his side, until all was prepared for
ID action. Then, Tor Il moment forgetting the
!" dangers which surrounded him, CASTOR yielded
! TO The impulse of his heart and drawing the !ovo-
Nv heing who now his welded wife, in all
ID the ardor OF passionate love, TO his bosom, im'
,e printed upon her ruby lips, the kiss of which he
le had been suddenly deprived by the onset OF the
~ sayages.
to "My own Kate" said he, "if you find we are
to be overcome, You must try and make your es-
rs cape through the back door, and thence to the
y woods. Here is one Of my pistols, take 1t, and It
81 you are pursued, you know how TO use it shoot
10 down The first foe who deres to lay hand on
lyou. Make for the river, you know where my
canoe is the current is rapid and dangerous bur,
II it you reach the other bank you are saie.-
Farewell now, my own sweet love, and if fall,
IS may heaven shed its Prot .ction over you"
CASTOR was not man TO melt at every circun-
It stance, but TO be thus separated from his bride,
n perhaps never 20 meet again. brought tear 10 his
e manly cheek. Love, had for a moment unman-
> ned his firm and noble heart; but il had passed,
= and he was again a soldier; thinking only how
= best TO Defend what he valued more than his life,
g his wife.
], AT this instant the wl.oop Of the Indians again
: sounded to the assault. Each man sprung TO his
Il post. The whites had been equally divided, and
r. party stationed in each room. The rooms were
n now simultaneously attacked by the foe; aud
4 with clubs and large stones, they endeavoYed 10
d force the doors The silence of death reigned
!. within, and without all was tumut and confusion.
i The door AT length yelded-onc board and then
b another gave way, while yell upon yell rose ut
: their success
Y Hold on boys, until give the word" said
: CASTOR, sand then stopyour blows only with your
: lives" SD .,.ur
n The door and It's whole support yielded, and
II in poured the savRgcs like n whrIwind. sire
r now y cried CASTOR, "and club your guns"
Il Almost report, sounded The guns OF eve
# ~ one in the house-the yes and cries OF The
t wounded and infatuated foe, almost appalled, the
stoutest hearts, but this was no time to admit
il fenr if they felt il. the Indians were making
: nv exerton TO enter over the pile OF dead bodies
!. That blocked up the doorway = and the gun Of
h each man within, FLASHED by the barrel was low
cred only TO add another 10 The heap For twenty
minutes the fight had ragged with unahaed fury,
and with unreaxed exertons when the moon,
: breaking forth in all her splendor exhibited the
combalants plain as in the light of mid-day.-
One Indian, stouter and holder than the rest, had
: gained an entrance, and fixing his eyes on Gus
) ton, as he saw him encouraging and directing Tho
others their work of leAh. be gave loud yell