Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-04-23
From the Portland Transcript
The Rescue; a tale Of The Woods Of Maine,
BIT CHARLES S. ILsLET.
CHAPTER |.

the remote settlementso the Floridas, may serve
20 give US some, though faint idea Of the trials
and dangers TO which the early settlers oi New
England we're exposed. Few in numbers, with
no bower TO RELY on but their own strong hands
and stout hearts-surrounded by an unoroken
wilderness, oyerrun with an enemy who never
headed the calls Of mercy-their situation was a
Thousand times worse than that OF the Florida set
tler, over whom powerful Government threw
its protecting shield.
The scene of our story is laid in one Of our
Maine settlements, at that trying period of their
history when they were exposed 10 the long and
bloody wars Of the Indians, who, ,insrgated by the
French, carried desolation and death wherever
they went. There we're cases, however, when
the dreaded toniahawk was arrested and the victim
spared-not from motives of humanity, but from
the sordid lust Of gain-for though the French a.
warded what may truly be called bood-money
Tor each reeking scalp, yet higher price was
given for captives. especially if females, deliver
ed in Canada; so that cupdily olIen stayed the
murderous hand when mercy plead in vain.
Toward the close Of summer day, about a
century ago, two young men were seated upon
little knoll amidst dense forest--the site of a
populous village in the neighborhood of our city.
They were fine, hardy looking fellows, with WELL
knit Joints and brawny muscles, evidently Injured
TO the tolls and hardships Of new country
They were each armed with a rife and hunting
knife, and their dress and equipments evidently
showed that they were out on no common errand.
This was indeed the case. They were on the
pursuit of a band Of savages, who, the night be-
fore, had attacked and burntthe house Of a neigh.
bor, the uncle of one Of them, and after severe.
ly woundng the father, had taken into captivity
two of his daughters, who were just on the verge
of womanhood. Soon as,he fact became known,
pursuit was made by such as could by any pos
sibility leave their own households. Among the
foremost were the young men in question, whose
activity and eagerness had given them the start
of all others.
At the time we have introduced them to the
reader they had come to halt, after a fatiguing
tramp in a vain search for the trail of the saga
pes. They had kindled fire for the purpose Of
preparing the evening meal, and had been for a
short time seated upon knoll, consulting in re-
gard 10 future movements, when q slight ruslling
in the woods in front of them attracted their atien.
ton and caused themho springto their feet in hos
tile attitude. They had barely time 10 assume Il
defensive position, when from a clump Of bushes
near which they had kindled fire, and which
was sending up thick curs Of smoke, the tall.
gaunt form of a man appeared, dressed in the ha-
biliments of a hunter In his hand he bore RI
Ae of unusual length, and depending from his
deer.skin belt was u broad knile-both Of which
instruments bore signs Of constant use. There
was something peculiar in the appearance OF the
new conner which could not fail TO arrest the OBJ
servers attention. He was full and straight as an
arrow. and though but slightly built, his form ex-
hihited n muscular development which betokened
great physical power. His face was bronzed by
the weather, and from under singular looking
can. made from the skin of some wild animal, d
few gray hairs struggled, ,tellingof lengho Of years.
The expression of his countenance was rather
mild than otherwise. though the wrinkles anc
scars of time had made sad havoc with features
apparently once more than ordinarily good look
ing. His eye, however, still retained all the fire
of youth, and its quick rolling seemed to take al
things in at on comprehensive glance. Scarcely
looking at the startled young men, he strode to
ward the fire, and in a moment the smoking EN-
bers were trampled beneath his feet.
"What on 'arth possessed you-are you stark
staring mad, youngsters" exclaimed the intru
der, ds he ground the last expiring ember beneath
his heel.
"Why, Joe, what are you ubout-you havt
spoilt our support" said one Of the party, step
ping forward.
"And saved your scalp, mayhap, young man,
returned the hunter whom some of our reader
will recognize as the "Scout," prominent char
acter in former story relating TO our early his
tory. Those who now meet him for the first tim
will gain proper insgh of the man as they fol
low us in our story
al don't see," said the first speaker, not relish
ing the idea Of losinghis evening meal, show lh
fire YOU have so unceremoniously extnguishe'
was to endanger us!"
"That'sall owing yourignorance, Jim Smith
When you've lived in the woods as long as
have, YOU will have larnt something, boy, tha
YOU don't find in the books"
"Butwhat harm could the fire do?" asked Smith
in more conciIiatory tone.
UThe fire is sharmless, ,youngster- the smok
that might play the mischief"
81 cannot perceive how" rejoined the youn
man, inquiringy. 49,,
"That's cause YOU don't know. Why don
YOU shout aloudl-why don't you discharge you
rifle in the airl-tell me that
"That would be madness indeed, surrounde
as we are by the Indians"
"Do YOU think, boy, the red skins haint eye
a, we'll as earsl Look up, youngster-don't yo
think that smoke wreath whiting over the top
wonder pine is not as good signal as the cruc
Of arifle7 saw it a mile off, and there are sha
per eyes prying about the woods than mine,
consate."
The truth at once flashed upon the minds
the young men. They saw their folly, and III
superior wisdom of the new conner.
"Youarc right, scout" remarked the other an
elder of the party sit was blind in us; but it h,
served us one good turn, in directing your steT
hither."
al was on your trail, youngsters, and shou
have found you out sooner or later. But this
no place to waste ourtime in. There may be oil
ers directed here whose company might not