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

CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, AUGUST IA, 1850

| satlle silence as De1Ore. lne sun had already
set, as they gained the vicinity of lake--.
AS the party from the hardness of the soil, had
discovered no further traces of the enemy, they
concluded to halt for the nj ght. AS the weather
was not cold, they did not deem it necessary to
kindle fire, but concluded to set watch, which
should be relieved every hour. Stanwood wrapt
himself in a blanket, and attempted to sleep, but
such was the state of his feelings that he found
it impossible. He reflected that he had deserted
from the army, in which he had enlisted,
trary to the express wish of his commander
The reader will perceive that it was not from
any falling off of his devotion, to the cause
which he had espoused, but the internal anxiety
which he felt for the fate of Alice, goaded him
on, till he could no longer resist the impulse of
his feelings. He had been successful in finding
his friends, but the prospect then appeared ex-
tremely doubtful, whether they should be able to
recover the captive He also reflected ifhe re-
turned to the ranks, he should be tried, and per-
haps shot for desertion.
After several vain attempts to compose him
self to sleep, Stanwood on the point Of re-
lieving the watch, when he thought he saw in
the distance a faint gmmer oflghts. ltwas not
long before his suppositions were confirmed, as
q broad glare illumined the woods for some dis
tance around, and died away into pale, ftful
light
| Stanwood concluded that the light must pro-
or party of hunters; he therefore determined to
reconnotre, before he awoke his companions
Starting from the camp unperceived, he directed
his steps toward the place from whence the light
proceeded. He pursued his course some dis
tancc from the camp, in silence, and on turning
the corner Of steep ledge ofroclls, he discover
ed that the light issued from the mouth Of large
cave, at no great distance from the spot where
he now stood. Creeping softly his hands
| hn nod
a position from which he could make such OBJ
servatons as he deemed necessary He discov-
cred lying around large fire, whose light had
brought him thithcr, the whole band of the enc
my, amounting to some twenty or thirty, and a
little further back the object of the search, reclin-
; ing against the damp wall. His first impulse
was to rush over the bodies of the sleeping sava-
ges, and bear Alice away, but on further reflec-
ton he saw that it would not only endangcr his
, own life as we'll as that of the captive. Return,
ing with the same caution with which he had
come, he gently awoke his companions, anG
communicated to them his discovery
, Each man seized his gun, and forming into
single file, after the manner of the Indians, pro-
ceeded towards the cave, intending to surprise
: their foes But the wary of the forest was
not to be taken thus unawares Nigilant and
: watchlul as the wild beast in his lair, the foot.
, steps of the whites caught their ears Stand
wood, who was in advance, could detect the
: slightest movement the part of the sava.
ges.
Slowly their chief arose to his feet; Stan
wood halted, and making slight movement
with his hand, his companions followed his ex-
ample; for moment all was SILENT but at length
t a musket, carried by of the party of Herbert
was accidentally discharged, and as the report
rang through the woods, the savages rushed to
: the mouth OF the cave, prepared for the worst
we'll directed fire from the whites, and five OF
: their number measured their lengths upon the
, ground, but before they could reload, the chief
: seized blazing taggot, and rushed toward
the spot where they were Stationed The sharp
: report of the Indians pieces rang along the air
, and two Of the whites lay stretched in death.
The savagcs thought by surrounding thei1
foes, to overpower and massacre them in short
, time, but in this they were disappointed The
1 party of Herbert received them with deadly
fire, and the savage Chief ere the battle had las
ted haitian hour, had the modification of behold
t ing more than one half of his warriors slain
while but two Of the whites had lost their lives
Stanwood on the first onset made his way direct
i, ly for the cave, and with broad sword which
7 had done service in days Of yoro, dealt death OF
all who dared to oppose him. He gained its en-
< trance, but two savages remained to guard tht
r captive
On beholding Stanwood the first raised hi
piece, but before it was discharged his head drop
ped heavily on ground, severed from his body
by the sword of Standwood. The second, OF
beholding the fate of his conrade, hurled hi
tomahawk with the velocity oflightning at tht
S head of the intrudng white, but Stanwood, by
? quick movement avoided it, and it fell harmless
OH the ground, at some distance from the spot
Seeing himself thus foiled, he sprang with the
ferocity of tiger upon Stanwood, and will
: Herculean strength dashed him to the ground
and drawing his knife from his belt, raised il
with the intention of plunging it deep into the
heart of his victim, but on the moment which
Stanwood calculated would be his last; the bo
dy of the Indian fell dead across his own pier
ced by his own sword, which had fallen in the
; struggle, and was snatched by an invisible hand
1t was some time before he could disengage
himself from the weight of his dead foe, and
when he arose he beheld Alice, whom he had
not seen since the attack, standing erect, hold
) ing his sword, yet reekng with the blood Of the
; slain savage
'"My preserver!'' exclaimed Alice, on behold,
ing Standwood.
81 feel the appellation is due you from my
self, for you have indeed saved my life" replied
Stanwood. ..
"True," rioincd Alice, 81 deprived one OF
life who would have been your murderer, who is
the murderer of my parents; only done my du-
ty. You have penetrated these wilds, and have
endangered your life to rescue-.
81 know what you would have said, dearest
Alice" replied Stanwood "I have penetrated
these wilds to rescue you, and have endangered
my life in more ways than one, but the glory is
not mine; to as brave and trusty 4 band as ever
breathed the pure air of heven, headed by you,
noble brother, you must return thanks for you,
delivery not to William Stanwood, although he
has sacrificed much, and would spill his own
hearts blood rather than you should suffer the
slightest injury.
Alice blushed deeply and hung her head.
i Here long conversation ensued, which
will omit as the language of love is usually un.
interesting to all, except the parties concerned
suffice it to say that ere an hour had elapsed
their hearts were phghted at the altar of love.
TIE conflict had ceased, and the lovers were
seated upon a rock, the hand Of Alice clasped in
that of Stanwood, looking unutterable love from
eyes that
/ Quafd deeply Of each others Brightness
!, When on sudden Herbert entered the cave
begrmmed with gun powder, and not perceivine
the body Of the Indian whom Stanwood had be
headed, tripped over it, and fell PROSTATE upon the
ground. @asfa Ill gtf3t48z f,5a.st .stl,.t.J, n