Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-11-05
CARROLLTON OHIO-FRIDAY, NOvENBER s. 1871

blow Oi the young mans rife.
But the strength of the brave liule band began
At length 10 l5il. Their numbers had diminish.
ed more than holt. Before the enemy had. how.
ever, entered, II had been proposed and acceded
10, as The only chance, that the females should
attempt an escape from the back door, next the
river, while be men should cover their retreat,
as well as their diminished numbers would admit.
Accordingly the attempt was made, and an exit
gained; the whole force Of the Indians being
collected al the front door, 10 overcome The stub
born resistance Of the whites.
The llule phsanx stood firm 10 ils post, until
they saw The women had sufficient slau TO reach
The woods before they could be overraken; and
then pressed by superior numbers they slowly
iel back 10 the same door, aud the few that sur
vlved, made a rush, and drew the door close af.
Ter them. They had now gwen way, aud moth.
log but superior speed could possibly save them.
/ II overaken before reaching the woods, they
we're inevitably lost-if they could gain them
/ they might escape. The delay caused by the
closing Of the door was shou, and the enemy
were scarcely fifteen yards in the rear. Fear
moved the one parry almost 10 the speed Of lighI.
nlRg-thirst for revenge gave additional strength
( 10 the other. The Indian, lreSherl than hschase,
gained upon them rapidly. As they heard the
sayagcs close upon them, every nerve was excl
ted every muscle strained 10 the utmost. For a
short distance indeed, they maintained the same
space between them, but alas! the strength ol
the whites failed, and too many Of them oyerla.
ken, fell beneath the club Of the sayages. Gas.
ton, who was equal in ACTIVITY to any Of his pur.
suers, had soon gained the lead; and with the
] Of k,l; IL.
tween him aud the Indians.
He knew that his wife would make for the rv.
er, and in all probability would be able 10 reach il
and il was his object to get there also, if possible
in time 10 assist her across The rocky and rapid
current or at least 10 see that she was safe be-
youd pursuit. The river was not far, and as h,
bounded down the rough hill. sides, he could dis
IrinclIy hear the rolling of It's waters, over The
rocky bed. He took the nearest course 10 tn,
landing, and the yeIs Of the Indians, scattered
in every direction through The woods, slraincC
him 10 the greatest exerllons. He reached The
ryer-his canoe was lhers-his wife was not
despair overcome his soul.
"She must be taken, and | TOO will die, he ex.
claimed, in bitter agony.
Al that moment, light and bounding step like
that of a startled iawn, drew his attention TO the
top Of The bank, aud his wife whom he had gy.
en- up for lost-his darling Kate, bounded inc
his embrace. This was no time for love. liz
took but one embrace and hurried her Into hi
canoes for The Indians were bu, Il few yards be
IhlHd Ii was but the work of a moment, 10 Gu
oo33 h- line that held his bark; but before h.
could spring INTO it, three Stout Indians were clio
sel upon him.
Shove off Kate, and trust to fortune to reacl
the other shore" cried CASTOR dislractedy, as he
turned 10 engage the Indians while his BRIDE es
cap2d. The devoted girl seemed doubtful whe.
Ih2r 10 fly, or stay aud die with her hJsband.-
Castor, seeing her hesitation, again called fran.
ucaIIy 10 her to escape, before The Indians were
upon thAn. She now attempted TO push her boa
Off, but she had remained minute too Iong-a
brawny and athletic savage seized the boat and
sprang into it, within few feet of the alarmed
maiden. She quickly reWeaed 10 The other end
and faced about, despair panied in every Inca
menl of her face. The Indian voluntarily stop
ped to gaze upon the beautiful being before him
That pause was fatal 10 him. Kale's sell.pos
session, inslananeouSy returned, and as the say
age sprang towards her, she Ieveed her hus
bands pistol and fired. The bullet entered III,
savage's bran he fell over the side Of the boat
and disappeared beneath the bubbIing waters
while instantly seizing The oar which had drop
ped from her hand Oh her first alarm, Kate lurn
cd The bow Of her boat in The direction of tn
opposite shore, aud began 10 stem The rapid cur
rent.
During the few seconds that had thus elapsed
the canoe had shot below tie place where he
husband struggled with the remaining Indians
and she was now out Of hearing Of the combat
ants. Srandirg erect in the boat, her long hal
: hanging loosely onhcr uncovered neck, her whit
dress moved gently in the soft breeze, and he
ule bark avoiding the many rocks jutting thei
; heads above the rushing waters, it gave 10 be
holder the idea Of some fairy skif, kept up an
guided by the superior power Of its MISTRESS
Steadily she moved ON, until near the middle
the river, when she heard splash, followed by
, voice some distance behind her. Al first sh
} thought il was another Indian in pursuit, BIT
: soon The chilling thought was dlspeIed. He
own name, brcahod in accents that had o!te
thrilled her 10 the soul, was heard, sounding
thousand times more swecty Than ever on he
ear. She quickly turned the head of her boa
ard although she could not propol against tn
steam, she kept it stationary, unuI Castor, wh
) had overcome his pursuers, reached it. Iii
great exertions in the unequal struggle on III
bark, his efforts TO reach the boat and The loss
blood from deep cut on his arm had left so litll
: of the powers OF life, thai he tainted few me
/ menls aer he had regained his wife. Kate kne,
| The peril Of permitting The boat 10 float down tn
current, and with all that courage and coolnes
which woman possesses in times of danger, sh
r did not stop TO weep over him, ,butagan sezedlh
our, directed her bark to the opposite bank
] Guided by the careful hand o. love, how couI
e the fragile skiff be lost, even amid the rushin
Whirpoos it had 10 pass. They safely reache
the bank, and Gasron having returned 10 cor
Z sciousness, supported by the arm of his wife
> slowly wendcd his way 10 his farm.
/ Their anXielY. however. was. for some time