Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-08-02


turn for his gallantry he was always per-
mitted to attend her to her fathers gate on
their return from school. Their friend
ship as they grew older ripened into love
but never until the evening referred to
had William HerVey ventured to speak of
the secrets of his heart. The moon was
high in the heavens ere they parted that
night. What passed between them need
scarcely be told-they were affianced-
he was to follow the Cameron family to
the wilds of Kentucky in the course of
the succeeding spring.
An interval Of few months must be
passed over. The family arrived safely at
theirnew hOme-improvements were made
--and the arrival of young Hervey expected.
He atlength made his appearance, and again
there was rejoicing under the humble roof
of the settlers-though in the midst of dam
ger, and every moment liable to an attack
from their enemies. Late in autumn the
marriage of Hervey and Edith was to be
celebrated. The appointed day rolled
round-the company assembled, and the
blazing of the huge maple and hickory
wood fire, as it reflected its light upon the
rude ceiling, impaired an air of comfort to
the well filled building. The bride arrayed
in virgin white, leaning upon the arm of
the groom, made her appearance-silence
prevailed-the aged minister, his hair sill
vered by the frOsts of many winters, ap-
preached and began the ceremony which
waste unite the young and happy couple
IN bonds to be severed only by death, when
yells fierce and terrific were heard without
A moment more, and a score of disguised
demons forced the door-but the astonish-
ment and awe into which those within the
house were thrown gave way, and their
assailants were met at the threshold with
a determination not anticipated by the
swarthy band. The females retired to an
inner room for protection while the men
defended the doors. AZ the entrance to
the house was narrow, the whites had the
advantage, although in point of number
they were less than the Indians. Warrior
after warrior fell back dead upon those in
the rear until the Indian force was much
weakened. For hours the strife continued
with unabated fury-hope on the part of
the whites had almost fled, when suddenly
the Indians retired from the contest, and
left them in possession of the house. The
whole party (now weakened by the loss of
three Of the stoutest hearts that ever beat)
again assembled to finish the ceremony
which was interrupted before It's conclu-
sion, and to consult as to the future. Hav-
ing determined TO abandon the place and
retire to the fort, they were upon the eve
OF doing so when their foes returned TO the
assault with renewed energy-and with
more success. In the thickest of the fight
appeared tall warrior, towering above the
rest-he seemed to be the leader of the
band. Brandishing his hatchet he made
his way into the midst of the whites, and
seizing the almost inanimate form of Edith,
bore her in his arms to the door in safety.
A scream of misery and despair burst from
the lips of the groom and his friends, when
it was perceived that he had gained the
open space, as they knew it would be mad
ness to fire upon the savage protected as
he was by his senseless burden. Followed
by the rest of his band, the warrior disap-
peared in the recesses of the forest.
Pursuit was determined upon. Rein
forced by party from the fort, the younger
Cameron and Hervey, within half an hour
after the retreat of the savages, were upon
their trail. For nearly twenty-four hours
the Indians did not venture to delay mo-
mcnt, knowing that instant pursuit would
be made. Upon the evening after the bat
tie the pursuers caught glimpse of their
foes rs they were ascending hill some
half mile distant from them. They wisely
determined not TO risk an engagement until
night, when by stratagem they might be
able to succeed with less danger to them
selves.
The Indians halted at dark, but as if
anticipating an attack their fires were ex-
tinguished in the gloom. The night was
dark and stormy-the moon failed to shed
It's rich and genial influence over the scene
and the winds whistled the forest fear
fully. No bird of omen warbled its
mourntul notes in token of its loneliness
not even the murmur of distant waterfall
as it fell from rock to rock from the noun
tain's top was heard-the wind alone broke
the stiffness of nature. The darkness
prevented them from making an attempt
(as was first agreed on) to rescue the pris-
oner-it was determined to await the first
dawn of day and make the onset while
they were yet sleeping. The whites were
nine in number-while the Indian force |
amounted to fourteen.
The Indians did not take the precaution
to bind closely their prisoner, so that upon
the first discharge of the rifles of the pur-
suers she was enabled TO disengage herself
from the chords with which she was bound, |
but before she had gained her feet her cap
tor stood over her, brandishing war club |
which he had snatched from the hand of
another as he was rising from the ground.
Instantly the keen eye of Heryey recog-
nized the savage, and levelling his gun he