Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-02-24

Now away while the enemy are partially
Withdrawn.
/ But here Elizabeth stepped forward, ant
addressing her brother, said
"Silas, let me undertake this enterprise!
"You!' replied her brother, viewing
her with astonishment. ''lmpessble! Dc
you know the danger of the attempt?"
"Psrfectly," she answered. 'You
have no men to spare. Every one is need,
ed in the defence of the fort; and this is
the only service can render.''
"But man would be more fleet, Eliza
beth, and more certain of success" said her
brother.
"Slill you have no men to spare, and a
woman would not run the same danger in
passing the enemy. Besides, if fall, |
shall not be so much missed, nor the force
weakened"
The Colonel was affected to tears, and
embracing his sister, said
''Then go! Gods will be dole, and may
he protect you!''
A dozen men now sprang forward, pro.
maaed by the devotion of this heroic wo.
man, and Ashley Harper, more urgent than
the rest, insisted that it was his right, as
he was the first to propose. But Elizabeth
would hear to no objections, and at once be-
gan to make preparations for the enter.
prise. Partially divesting herself of her
clothing, in order that her speed might
be less impeded, she was let out of the gate
of the Fort followed by the prayers and
blessings Of all within; while from the
ennbrasures, the anxious eyes of Ashley
Harper followed her as she fled like roe
through the lines of the enemy. Now she
falls! Twenty muskets are raised by the
savages to stop her progress; but cry OF
squaw! squaw! saved her. She reaches
the block house in safety, and is admitted.
A period of awful suspense awaited them
in the Fort. The men were anxious for
relief; the Colonel was regretting that he
permitted his sister to 60. and Ashley Har-
per was breathing prayers for her safety.
In the block house the excitement was
equally as great, and astonishment was
expressed by every one at the intrepidity
of the maiden. Her brother there persua-
ded her to stay with him, offering to send
one Of his own men 10 the Fort with the
powder. But she overrnled his arguments
with the same logic she bad used with her
brother Silas, and at last was permitted to
return. A keg of powder was poured into
table eleth and she again sailed forth to
run that desperate race.
In the Fort every heart was beating
with the utmost anxiety, and as the dusky
Zoe was seen gathering around, scarce q
vestige of hope was left for the safety of
the maiden. Still watched her lover from
the embrasure, and still prayed her broth.
er silently. Forward she sped on her re,
tarn with her precious burden, as though
her feet were winged, while the enemy, at
length suspicious OF her errand, were pour
ing showers of lead after her. Yet onward
she came unharmed-opparently unalarm-
ed-preserved by an omni potent power,
and at length reached the gate of the Fort,
which was thrown open with eagerness to
admit her. AS it closed with safety upon
the little band within, assaulted with an
hundred bullets, while the savages around
made the air peal with their demoniac yells
Of disappointment and rage, the brother
welcomed her with tears. All pressed
around her to thank her for her bravery
all but Ashley Harper, his heart was too
full for expression.
The result of this adventure was the sue
eessful defence of the Fort against the be-
siegers. But ere the war of the revolution
was ended, Ashley Harper slept with the
heroes of our country, having fallen in the
battle Of Saunders Creek. North Carolina,
August l6, 1880.