The North-Carolina standard., 1843-05-03

Farewell, Ida. God be with thee"
Ida quickly joined the Indian Night had
thrown her mystic veil over almost every object
as she took her seat in the frail canoe which was
tn convey her to the retreat of her treacherOus
guide. Upas seized light paddle, and in an al
most incredible short space of time, they neared
the opposite shore. Ida marked that the canoe
was guided far below the usual landing place,
ard for the first time vague suspicion took pos
session of her mind-still she questioned not
her conductor until the keel Of the bark harshIy
grated upon the pebbles of the shore, and UPas
bade her follow him.
"Where dost thou lead me?" demanded Ida,
in breathless suspense.
"FolIow me ~ repeated UPas, in a firm tone.
"Wilt conduct me to Walter!" asked Ida.
"Nor' shouted the Indian, "thy home is in
til cave of the red skin ~
"Monster I'' cried the fearful Ida, ''yOu will
darer'
"Darer' interrupted Upas, "dare !-ha, ha,
ba! Listen, Ida Preston! l had a father-the
old man saw the suns of seventy summers drive
the ice of as many winters from yOn broad wa
ters and there never came harm to him from
the hand of man, until the blow was given that
sent his aged soul to the Great Spirit! Who
think ye was the murderer %
Agitated by the phrcnzied aspect Of the
savage, Ida spoke not.
"Walter Carlton! he it was that slew the
father of Upas the avenger!" shouted the In
dian.
s.'Tis falsel' exclaimed Ida, indignant at the
charge "a rank falsehood! Who stands his
accuserr'
"Colonel Osborne!' calmly replied the In
dian.
ssOh, God the horrors of my situation break
have been duped Could'st thou believe the vii
lain Has thou so soon forgot the many deeds
of kindness done thee and thy parent, by Walter
and my father! No, no! thou could'st not -
Osborne was the assassinr'
"Ha! speak -
"Before Heaven, solemnly VOW, Upas, that
Osborne's was the hand that gave thy father his
death %
Ida paused.
The couptenance of the Indian darkened-
doubt, hesitation and anxiety came alternately
upon his frowning brow. He stood motionless
while the fair Ida rccounted the whole of the
bloody scene that had been enacted in her fathers
house-how she had sent the old Indian for her
father-and how Osborne had burst into her a.
partment. She told him all, even to the most
minute particular.
SIT must be 20 muttered Upas, when she
had concluded. 'Maiden, tomorrow the white
warriors meet in battle. Until it is decided, the
home which have marked for thee will afford
a retreat; thy lover could give thee none as safe.
Wilt thou accePtit!''
Il WILL" said Ida.
SIT is well. No harm will reach thee there,
for Upas will be thy protector. Osborne must
dier' he added, as he gently bade her follow
and they disappeared in the darkness of the
forest.
The morrow came. Long before the rising
of the sun, the heights Of Red Bank were clus-
tered with small groups of men, who were re-
solved that day ''to conquer or die ~ Stern and
fixed determination was stamped upon the hardy
features of those sons of freedom. A loud
shout came upon the air, as Walter Carlton sud-
denly joined the party.
"a fair morn, my friends - said Walter, as he
approached.
Even as he spoke, there was a quick cry of
"To arms to arms!' And figure was seen
running in breathlcss haste on the road from the
south. In an instant, each one grasped his wea-
pom, and young Walter was disposng ofhis little
band to the best possible advantage. Some for
ty or fifty of those who were armed with rifles
he distributed along the margin of the forest,
each protected by his respective tree, and from
whence they could pour destructive or annoy
ing nre upon the enemy. The remainder he
drew up into solid body OH the hill, where they
awaited the onset of the British.
Strains of martial music now broke the silence
of the scene, and the glittering uniforms of the
British and Hessians were discovered advancing
up the road. In front rode Col. Osborne-I
When they had arrived within about eighty
yards of the Americans, they came to a sudden
halt.
''Friends ~ said Walter, addressing those with
in the wood, ''reserve your fire until you have
the word"' and turning to the main body, he
said "stand firm and keep to your ranks They
comew
Slowly and majestically advanced the enemy, |
when suddenly the voice of Osborne broke forth
''Let the cursed rebels have it %
Undaunted and unmoved the patriotic, band
withstood the assault while the voice of Walter
rose hig above the din, snow then my men, for
ibertyw The front of the enemy wavered
beneath the well directed vollcy. "Ready-fre ~
again rose upon the air, when from the forest
came shower of bullets, that sent terror and
dismay to the hearts of the assailants.
"UPon them! my men," again shouted Wal
ter. and before the enemy could recover their
scattered columns, and ere a second volIey had