The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-11-28

MARY ROCK.
BY PERCY b. ST. JOHN.

The Rock Family had emigrated to
the very verge of wild Indian life, when
The recent war between the United States
and Mexico burst out, an event which
while awakening prospects of fierce strug-
giles between the rival republics, aroused
also the hopes and passions of the swarthy
Indian tribes that people the frontiers OF
the contending powers. Certain predatory
habits characteristic OF this family, had
driven Captain Rock from the easy
neighborhood of Dickenson's Bayou, and
from all others, one after another, until he
found himself far nearer than was gener-
ally considered safe the Spanish peak and
lis troublesome tribes Of Redskins.
This lime the old man, his wife, son
and daughter-the other having remained
with her husband-had to build house
instead of taking possession of one aban-
doned by former proprietors. They chose
the mouth of a deep gully, and the verge
OF dense forest. Their hut was, as usual,
blocks Of wood rudely put together; and
their energies had this time gone so far as
10 induce the cultivation of a small field
of maize. This excepted, their whole
existence depended on hunting and fishing.
Mary, who, it seems had become more
slim than when knew her, was all the
more indefatigable in the pursuit of the
game afforded by the fertile aud happy
plains OF Upper Texas. She and her
brother were ceaseless in their eudeavors
TO track deer, wild turkey, and partridges,
and supported their family entirely. The
old couple did absolutely nothing but eat,
drink, sleep and smoke, utterly forgetful
IS al
A little while before the outbreak of
the late war, the Rocks became aware of
the presence of neighbor. A tall young
kentuckian, passionately fond of wild
life, suddenly located himself within a
mile of their abode with sturdy assistant
from his own land, four negro slaves, a
dozen horses, a herd of cattle, and a
wagon. He erected a solid frame house,
and called his place Snowvlle-his name
being given out as Captain Snow. With
peace and tranquility, his farm would
probably soon have been the centre of a
neighborhood, and ultimately the sight of
a town. But great pestllence, more
destructive than cholera or plague, was
coming; Texas was the cause of terrible
war.
As soon as Captain Snow had settled
himself, built his house, and set his fields
going, he thought it but right to pay a
visit to the Rocks, despite the piratical
character which he had heard of them
around about Galveston. The chief things,
however, which struck him on the occa-
sion of his visit, were the wretchedness OF
their abode, the willful dotage of their
parents, the industry of the children, and
the matured beauty of Mary. Of frank
and sociable disposition, he made friends
with young Rock, and very soon became
the invariable companion of the brother
and sister in their huntings and wander
ings. The consequence was natural.
Had she not been the only female within
hundred miles, Mary would have won
The hear, of any youth, not already en-
chained by her simplicity, truth and sim
cerity. Captain Snow, liz a month, was
over head and ears in love, and was also
the accepted lover of Miss Rock. 1t was
agreed on all sides, that Immediately after
the maize harvest they should freight a
boat with their various goods, and going
down to the settlements, should be married.
The interval was chiefly spent in hunt.
ing, fishing, boating and riding, when the
various parties concerned were not en-
gagged in necessary avocations. Captain
Snow heard with bounding heart Of the
war, but his murderous propensities were
wholly quelled by the sight of Mary,
whom he loved with all the ardor of a
single-minded, honest and frank back
woodsman. Still he could not divest
himself of regret at not partaking of the
dangers of the expedition. and to divert
his mind, proposed to the brother and
sister weeks hunting in the buffalo
regions, higher up the country. Both
frankly acquiesced, and one morning at
dawn OF day they started.
This time, all the hunters rode horses.
the very best which Snow could pick
from his lot. Each had a rifle, powder
horn, bundle of corn-cakes, a flask of
native whiskey, and hunting knife.
Mary, on this occasion, was dressed in
almost as masculine costume as her
companions, and never was happier, more
sprighily, or filled with more of the en-
ihusiasm of prairie life. Their journey
was up deep gullies, along heaving plains,
by cool streams, aud beneath the shadow
Of thick woods. They rode along in the
morning until they found place fl for