American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-01


in an instant, for her first glance had been sui.
fcicnt-and comprehendng her danger at once
she fed from the spot with all the swiitreSsshe
could. But ere she had gone many PAGES size
felt the hand of the Indian upon her shoulder,
while dozen of his conicderates sprung up as II
by magic all around her. AT this instant u la
borer of her father was seen in field close by.
Offering a wild whoop the troop OF Indians
burst after him, leaving her in the charge oil
her caFtor, and following them with her eyes,
she saw with agony the tomahawk OF the fore
most savage dashed into the brains of the hus-
bandman. The whole band then rushed to-
ward the house, and as the little garrison had
been only one man and the maid servant, there
was scarcely any resistance made to The furious
onset of the savagcs. Their struggles soon
brought destruction on themselves. With the
ruthless barbarity of the Indian warfare, they
were nhumaniy butchered; a fate which Ruth
expected every moment to fall &pon herself,
but from which, so far as she could Judge, she
was saved by her captor, apparently the leader
Of the party. In less than an hour after sunset
the home where she had passed go many
peaceful hours, was smou!dcring heLp OF
ruins, and even the hoary bock-house itself
had been given up to the torch of the barba-
rians.
No sooner had the confag.ation reduced the
buildings to ruins, than the band set out or
their retreat, Ruth being hurried along betweeE
two OF the sayages at rate that almost sur
passed her feeble power.
During this rapid march the emotions in her
bosom detied description She saw herself sud
denly cut off from all that she loved with the
prospect before her of speedy death or lin
gering captivity. But she thought not so much
oF bar Tar M SIn Il of tho
which awaited her lover and her parent when
they returned to find her late home a ruin, and
to tort ire themselves with dark suspicious Of
her fate.
Meanwhile, after march of some hours, the
savages paused for the night, in "a little glade,
surrounded by thick woodlands, but admirably
protected from observation by the nature o. the
Surrounding country.
Their captive was placed in the circle, around
which the savages sat, and, by their gestures,
Ruth became aware that she was the subject Of
the conversation, warm debate appearing to
be carried on between the leader of the party
and one who seemed to be next to him in au-
thority-and by the angry vchcmencc CT the
subordinate and the occasional scowls of his
companions she Judged that her captor advoca-
ted, against the rest, the preservation of her
life. For long time she knew not but that
the next moment would be her last. Flow d
savage would turn frowning toward her, and
| c!utching his knife, fiercely speak with angry
vehemence Tor several minutes-while the ap-
proving gestures cf his companions made her
mon1entariy tremble for her life. Once she
thought her last minute had come: it waG when
the angriest of the group suddenly starting
from his seat, spiang toward her, and dexter
ously waving his left hand into her hair, ex-
tended the other, in which gllttered a sclaplng
knife, on high. But Ruth neither shrieked nor
treinbled, she knew that her life was in the
hands of her creator, and closing her eyes to
shut out the sight Of the fatal weapon, she bow
ed her head meekly TO the stroke. a minute
elapsed and then another, and yet the blade de-
sceaded not, and opening her eyes with shud-
der which even her resigned mind could not
avert, she saw, to her surprise that the savage
had sheathed the fatal weapon, and was stand
| ing modify over her, while her captor pointed
exultingly to her In minute after the In
dian relaxed his hold Of her hair, and retreated
apparently crest-tallen to the group. Al this
was inexpIicable; and the only solution to the
riddle which Ruth could think Of, was that the
attack of the savage had been intended as u
trial of her firmHeas, upon which, perhaps, her
life had depended.
/ often, however, during the ensuing hour,
while the Indians continued smoking around
her, would the sullen countenanCe OF the dis
appointed savage be turned upon her with a
look ct nate aimoI' demonlacal'
And thus passed away more than ono drcary
hour, during when the mind OF i, t'o ha'oeIi
was tortured with the most uieaalui suspense
The Indians hung around their ire, seemingly
engaged in recitng their exploits Ill battle;
while as their narrat!ons proceeded, huIa coGia
sec by The glarinS eyes and quicker speech th4t
their thirst for blood was becoming aroused 1t
was terrible situation Tor sensible mind ilAc
hers. Wholly at the mercy OF her ruthless
captors, with the butcheryo Of hertatAeI S house
hold still before her eyes, she expected m9mcn'
tarily, as the passions c! her c2pIofs became M
famed by ta2 recital Of Their deeds, to see them