The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-08-14

large fire, which they had kindlcd of such mate
rals they could collect.
Alice, though worn down with fatigue, could
not compose herself to sleep; scenes Of the past
fitted across her memory, and she looked wist-
fully at the entrance of the cave, and bcthought
herself how she mi ght escape. Yet to escape
seemed impossible, for the bodies of two sturdy
savages lay directly in the way, over which she
| would have to pass; and even if she could es-
cape, where should she fly for projections Here
the thoughts of her murdered parents again
haunted her, and she wept long and silently. 1t
was past midnight, and Alice kncelcd beside the
cold damp wall, and poured forth her soul to her
Creator, and sinking upon the ground soon for
got her woes, in calm, holy slumhcr, such as
only visit the innocent.
| Stanwood, with feelings of the most ablect
grief, left the desolae home of the Herberts, and
Fastening % the camp, immediately communica-
ted to his friend the fate of his parents, and the
absence of Alice. Herbert listened to the hor-
rid tale in profound silence, although the ruddy
hue which had ever tinged his check, faded to
the cold marble Of death, and on the moment
/ which Stanwood concluded; he sank apparently
liteess upon the ground. After the necessary
restorativcs had been administered, and he had
become somewhat composed, the two friends re-
tired for the night, but not to sleep. On the
succeeding morning, by the request of Herbert,
|
his murdered parents
Herbert and Stanwood stood together by the
graves Of the murdered-lowered them to their
place of eternal sleep, and smoothed the last sod
upon their lowly beds, and as the Chaplain in
full, clear tones, pronounced his prayer, a tear
was seen to start from the eye of the former, but
he quickly brushed it away, and the calm,
pressed lip, told of some dread resolution, which
only needed opportunity to be carried into exc
| Al, l..
to the dead, Herbert requested of the Command
erin Chief leave of absence for weeks; al
so trusty band of followers to 90 in pursuit of
his captive sister; Herbert was we'll aware of
her fate, which granted, as he made
acquainted With the circumstances. Much to
the disappointment Of Herbert, as we'll as his
friend, Stanwood was not permitted to accompa-
ny the party, as he, being active and efficient
soldier, his presence was daily needed in the
field. 10 aid in striking death blow at the
captors, and to rescue Alice from the hands of
the mercilcss savagcs, had been his hope, and
his determination; and then, thought he, "that
angel smile perhaps will beam kindly on me,
and that guilcless heart treasure her preservcr,
and beat only for me- Imagine his disappoint-
mcnt, when his request to accompany the party
was refused. Herbert badc his friend adeu, and
the little band of pursuers, consisting Of only
eight persons, with provisions for three weeks,
SCI ouL lloil luc AllcIlCd1l CtlllD, ana
their course northWard, the direction which they
calculated the savagcs must have taken; scour-
ing every cover, ravne and swamp. 1t twas the
evening, Of the ninth day after their departure;
the little band, worn down and weary, had fallen
asleep, except a solitary sentinel who paced back
ward and forward, as if to guard the slumbers of
his sleeping comrades. The night was excess
lively dark, and the small fire which had been
kindlcd, shed strange light on the surrounding
| II Id
his post, when the sound of an approaching
tootstcd caught his ear; he listened attentively,
and each moment they become more and more
audible At last he discovered the form of a
man through the trees, making his way quietly
toward the encampment, at no great distance,
and hailed with, s'who comes there?'
No reply was made, and the sharp report of
his rifle rc-cchoed amid the gloomy wilderness,
while every man sprang TO his feet and seized
his weapon 'You must take better aim next
time, said the stranger, rushing into the camp,
followed by large bound, chad been one OF
the cred skins you would have hardly done
me justice''
"Stanwood, by ST. George cried Herbert
cor his ghost, did you drop from the clouds, my
dear fellow, to frighten us out of our senses, to
bring us to feet teeth set for battle, and kick
the devils racket here at this late hour? Our
good Commander has granted your. request?'
i "No"
"Iocn why como you hcrc:'
"My thoughts were so much with you, that
l found it impossible to attend to my duty, and
left the ranks to join your cnterprise?'
"Y ou mean to be understood, that your thoughts
were with the object of our search; but you have
not deserted''
/ eyes
81 fear the consequences" said Herbert, sha-
king his head ominously, ssI fear the consequent
ces; but how did yo1 succeed in finding u.s.
| 'sBy the aid of this faithful friend,' said Stan
wood, patting the dog, who had accompanied
him.
cit is too late for chat said Herbert, sslet
us take rcpose.' Here every man sought his
blanket, and Stanwood being provided with one
| by the sentinel, quiet was soon restored.
On the following morning, as soon as the first
blush of the fair aurora began to tinge the East
ern horizon, the party, with their new recruit,
I commenced their march, each one straining his
eyes to the utmost, to discover, if possible, some
trace of the retreating foe; but in vain. Nor,
although they proceeded in the most profound
silence, could a sound be heard, save the dash
of some lonely cascade, as it lcaped over pro-
jecting rock, or the melancholy song of some
warbler, as he fingered short time, ere he wing
ed his flight to some far off summer cline. Still
the same vigilance was preserved, the same an
xety sat upon every brow, as when they first
set out, on what now seemed an almost frutless
enterprise. . ......, ....r,.. ......
1t was past noon; the hardy pioneers had par
took of a hasty meal, and were again on their
way "@ ".
Stanwood was some distance in advance, and
Herbert observed that he suddenly stopped, and
began very mnutely to examine the ground.
"Herc we have them," he at length exclam-
ed; sshere we have them" As the party came
up, Herbert examined the spot, which Stanwood
pointed out, and discovered the impress of an
Indian moccasin upon the soft clay. AS the
soil was of the same nature for some distance a.
round each one commenced strict examination,
and a little further on, large number more were
found .,.,.,ezt .- .,,. ~ .as, -5-.e ,,,
ssThc Red devils are III force said Herbert,
Struggling up his shoulders; 'but if we can only
have the blessed luck Of discovering their where
abouts we will teach them play, not quite so
congenia to their blood-thrsty natures, as rapine
and murder. Let usprocecd with as much rapid
ity possible p. ,...-...,, ..,...... :. -
"They must have gone in the direction Of the
lake. said Stanwood. .-..- .,. .r "a,
"Exacny Of my opiniof,' replied Herbert,
"which path will it be the most expedient to pur-
sue?" "Thc western, by all means, - said Stan