The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-03-24
we will not go.'

the filial love was crushed, and my dark
life grew darker to see how easily was
torsaken and forgotten for the stranger
how lightly my lie was held in CON-
parison, but the wounded heart is heal
ed now. Go, my children, time passes
the Indians will not hurt me-" He
opened the little door and gently push
ed them out. Quickly and silently they
slided from rock to rock to the falls, and
crossing on some loose stones, specially
gained the entrance to the upper cave.
An embrace-a loEg passionate kiss, and
they parted, for The moon was rapidly
nearing the clouds edge; he disappear
ing in the cave which was formed by the
mighty hand of God, leaning three pom
drous socks against each other at the top
and she swiftly regained the house.
George paced backward and forward
in his narrow tenement, his thoughts wild
and umultuous, uppermoSt among which
was feeling OF shame at having left that
old man to suffer indignlty, if not cruel
ty on his account.
Several times he approached the mouth
Of the cave to Chamber out and surrender
himself, but love restrained HIM. Sud-
denly the bright moonlight flashed into
the mouth of the cave, and for few
minutes he scarcely breathcd-then a
wilder and more dazzling light shot into
the dark recess where he stood.
"Good heavens" he exclaimed, "can
they have fired the house," and wild with
apprehension he scrambled from the cave
and sprang upon an elevated rock. 1t
was too true--the savages dlsbellevlng
Mr.. Umsted's statement that the young
man had escaped, searched the house, and
when they discovered that he was really
gone, their rage knew no bounds. They
fired the house and then made furious
attack upon Mr.. Umsted who defended
himself with the frenzed strength Of des-
pair, Some impulse from on high seemed
suddenly to inspire the pious John, who,
sprlnglng to his feet, seIzcd musket and
rushed to his masters assistance, and two
of the red skins fell before they were
overpowered and bound. Mr.. Umsted
and Anna had both tainted with terror;
and We're carried out and bound to a
tree. The house being all OF wood and
dry, burned SO rapidly that one Of the In
dams, busy in the search Of plumber was
consumed before he could escape the fall
ling OF the roof.
1t was then that the three remaining
Indians perceived George standing on the
rock petrifed with horror at the scene
before him; with their thirst for ven
geance, heightened by theil m!sfortunes,
they plunged into the creek to 60 to him;
two lost their footing on the slippery
rock, and falling, were dashed from rock
to rock by the raging flood until their
mangled bodies were lost to sight The
other succeeded in crossing, and would
have slain George before he was aware of
his presence, had not his tomahawk IN
its wide swing, struck an overhanglng
limb which wrenched 1t from his hand.
and it fell into the foaming water. This
aroused George to true sense OF his po-
sition. The next moment the Indians
fingers were in his throat. The rock on
which they stood overhung the stream.
1t was to be a struggle Of life and death
"a trial of strength who could put the
other off the rock into the raging flood
George was still weak from Ills recent
illness; but the greatness of the prize to
be won, the bliss there would be in liv-
ing now, the strong ties that bound him
10 earth, nerved him with superhuman
strength. Snatching the Indians fingers
from his throat, the struggle commenced
Their arms coled round and round each
other; and their legs were twined and
wreathed and twisted together. Now
one would be uppermost near the brink,
and franticly end to release himself
from the others grasp, that he might
whirl him over; then by violent effort
on the part ofthe undermost, would pla-
ces change with the same result. The
breath OF both came short and think. The
perspiration streamed from every pore
in large drops, and the muscles Of the
arms from which every rag was torn,
stood out like cords by the violent strain.
George at length succeeded in getting the
Indians head over the rock, but every
effort to tear himself loose from his grasp
was vain. The Indian held him as firm.
ly to him as if he was bound in chains of
steel. Georges unnatural strength be-
gan TO fail him. His frantic struggling
grew weaker and weaker, and he was on
the point ofgiving up in despair, although
it was double agony to die then. Con-
sciousness WAS BEGINNING to fail him.
when suddenly the Indians grasp relax
ed, his limbs unwound themselves, when
springing to his feet. by one last effort,
George hurled him headlong over the
rock, and soon the roaring pillows bore
him down on their angry crest. Stag
gerlng back, George saw Anna, who with
dagger she held in her hand, had hero
ically released him. Overjoyed at seeing
her safe, and exhausted by his terrible