The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-02-15
AN EXCITING STORY

1t was sultry evening towards the close
of June, 1772, that Captain Harmon and his
eastern Rangers urged their canoes up the
Kennebeck River in pursuit of their savage
enemies. For hours they toiled diligently
at the oar-the last trace OF civilization was
LET behind, and the long shadow of striking
forests met and blended in The middle ofthe
broad stream. AT every sound from the adj
Jacent shores-the rafting Of some ngnt
bird, or the quick foot steps of some wild
beast--the dash of the oar suspended and
the Rangers grasp tightened on his rifle
All knew the enterprise; and that silence,
which is natural to men who feel themsei YES
in the extreme of mortal jeopardy, settled
like cloud upon the midnight adyenturers.
'Hush-Sc4ily, rnenm said the watchful
Harmon, in voice which scarcely rose above
a hoarse whisper, as his canoe swept round
a raggad promontory, "there's light aheadl"
All eyes were bent towards the shore. a
tall Indian fire cleaned up amidst the great
oaks, casting red and strong Eight upon the
dark waters. For single and breathless
moment the operation of the oar was suspend
ed, and every ear listened with painful earn
estness to catch the we'll known sounds which
seldom failed to indicate the proximity of the
savages.
All was now silent With slow and faint
movements of the oar, the canoes gradually
approached the suspected spot The land
ing was effected in silence. After moving
cautiously for considerable distance in the
dark shadow, the party at length ventured
within the broad circle ofthe light which al
first attracted their attention. Harmon was
at their head, with an eye and hand as quick
as those Uf rnU srvase errerr-y -ss.ss-.- L.
sought.
: The body Of a fallen tree lay across the
path As the Rangers were on the point of
.leaping ever it, the hoarse whisper Of Harmon
again broke the. silence, "Look here" he
exclaimed, pointing to the tree; "it's the
work of the redskins"
Snothered wrath glowed on the lips OF the
Rangers as they bent grimly forward in the
direction pointed out by their commander.
Blood was split on the rank grass, and hu-
man hand-the hand of white man lay
upon the bloody log.
There was not word spoken, but every
countenance worked with terrible emotion.
Had the rangers followed their own incli
nation, they would have hurried rscklessly
on to the work ofvengeance; but the example
of their leader, who had regained bis usual
calmness and seltcommand, prepared them
for less speedy but more certain triumph.
Cautiously passing over the fearful obstacle
in the pathway, and closely followed by
his companions, he advanced stealthily and
cautiously TO the light, hiding himself and his
10 hot nd "a
trees. In few moments they obtained a full
view of the object of their search. Stretched
at.ther length, around hugh fire, but at
convenient distance from it, lay the painted
and half naked forms of twenty savages. Ii
was evident from their appearance that they
had passed the day in one Of their horrid re-
vels, and that they were now suffering under
the effects of intoxication. Occasionally
grim warrior among them started half up
| right, grasping his tomahawk, as if to COM
bat some vision OF his disordered brain; but
unable to shake off the stupor from his sem
ses, uniformity fell back into his former po-
stion.
The Rangers crept nearer. As they bent
their keen eyes along their well tried rifles,
each felt sure of his aim. They waited for
Tue SlSldi vi IAdliiVli, WIZ Noo OhhOofoiiHs
to bring his long musket TO bear upon the
head of one OF the most distant savages.
"FIen' he at length exclaimed, as the
sight of his piece interposed full and distinct
between his eye and the wild scalp-lock of
of the Indian. Fire and rush on"
The sharp voice of thirty rifles thrilled
through the heart of the forest. There was
a groan-a smothered cry--a wild and con-
vulsive movement among the sleeping lndi-
ans, and all again was silent.
The Rangers sprang forward with their
dubbed rifles and hunting knives, but their
work was done. The red man had gone to
their last audit before the Great Spirit,
and no sound was heard among them save
the gurgling of hot blood from their lifeless
bodies.
! fET-If there is a man who may eat his