The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-12-02


ward as fast as possible; bur when they reach
ed The bank of the Missouri, the Indians wcr,
/ IN The middle of the river--'hree ia number
| The moment they broke coveri. and stood a
| the waters odge. The Indians drove aud swan
under water some distance: bat the first on,
that showed his head above the su,race was
mark for long tom He sprang half his Ienai
out of the water, founde,ed about a momen
and then oU With evident difficult G,ave,
fred upon smother, but apparently with les,
effect. a
81, is ION far" said Drlcroix sbu, he ha.
cot something he cannon very well carry of. i
he lives. he wont be likely 10 foseet long tom
| The wounded savage reached The shore. an1
was assisted up the bank by his moro fortunate
companins.
| They have bafled u.s." said The bsckwoods.
man. 'lt wont be safe tn follow them any
ia'ther. We had better return TO the cabin
fer we shall be likely to have warm work there
before msny days" .
II shall not desert you.' replied Grsvier -.
'.Ii there is fighting to be done, ! claim my
| share Of the Danger. for j am not avcise TO n
the soil, epecislIy when there is q fair woman
TO defend"
"Thank you. answered Delcroix. "You are
atrne bsck~oodsmsn nj heat knew you
was of the right sort, the momeu, put my eye
on pou."
Tho hunters reached the cabin before dark,
without accident. Gravier dreamed agsio that
night, Of Iudisn na,aud and kalheen DeIcro-
*. IL is true, that he had known her but u
day, yet he had conceived for her genuine
affection. which he felt assured, time aud cir.
cums,ances could never estrange., or render
less ardent. Sometimes he was ready TO con-
graluaie himself that hs had i, in his power
to do her n service, aud that the late occrrences
had furnished an adequate excuse fcr him to
liuger near b r !; but when he reflected on the
dangers TO which she might br exposed, he was
ready to reproach himself for the unworthy
thought, rs il then appeared TO be.
But how was il with the fair daughter OF the
hnn'er of the bachwoods 7 Looked she 90
The hauds0uir srtaugrr "nii inolnerence Boai
her heart no i,sier when she heard the sound
ui lis fuotsjeI,s. or his voice
Judging by her iimiI and her bushes, she
was by no mcans indifferent to The merits aud
personal coneliness OF Gravier; and We are 10
believe that her respect for him iuciesed, when
she saw him ready and anSious t. larry, to be
Que of her defenders from savage cruelty.
Though reti,ug and abashed at f,si, Kathleen
was soon able 10 converse with hun with tole-
rable ease aud assurance, upon suhjecis espec-
tally interesting to them at that c'isis; and she
was iuwardly pleased ~ fnd him man Of
learning and feeling, differing from all those
who bad, 10 her knowledge, boon her faher's
friends aud guests.
Gravier suggested 10 Delcroix the propriey
Of abandoning the cab'D, and selling out for
Fou Leavenworlb, without delay; but was as
sured that such step would he attended with
mole eanger than remaining where they were;
Tor there unprotected situation during tie night
oSt 'i'i4 t6er designs. This certainly looked
sonsble for the cabin would be fortified in
such a manoer US TO enable them TO make a
very cnod defence, Tor il was built Of the hoa-
Wy trunks of the largest sized coiton-woo1s.
1--WE must make ourselves as strong rs we
can here" said Delcroix, 'for we shall be nj
lacked to night, or Tomorrow night, and shall
have hard battle to fight butii will be vo'y
strange if they do not have the worst oil u in
the end"
"Hos many do you suppose there may be.
who have sucn an invererate feeling Of hostility
sgaiasi YOU T. asked Gragier.
..Only the e'aIives Of the one shot, as !
have told YOU. ! shall have but little peace Till
,hcy are all dead. You know the old proverb
III. Indians do not forget nor forgive"
Duting The day, the cabin was put into as
eood condition ot defence as possible. The
CONS we,c pat in excellent order, and loaded
with unusual csre, while all other available
weapons were placed where they could be used
in case they shoDlti be waGied.
The feelings OF Kaihleen-a young girl, who
though roared in the backwoods, possessed all
the refined seusibilities OF the more favored Of
Ger sex-canuot well be analy zed. She did uot
fear TO, herself alone, She confessee feelings
more enabling 10 human nature, and woman
iu particular. She feared Tor the sseiy Of her
fathor, whose locks were sprinklcd with gray
her natural protector and her best friend Tor
her brother the companion and iiiend oil her
destined 10 be her counsellor. when
tho first should be no more Tor The generous
stranger about to peril his life 10 her defence
Kathleen possessed much Of her fathers
frmness of character, and the circumstances
and associations which had surrounded her
from childhood, and developed an energy and
self reliance not found 10 young woman moving
in the more fashionable circles OF lie; corse-
uuenily, 10 hours Of danger, her department
was more calm and J,gnihed. lhan could possI-
ble have been expected, had she been reared 10
a rliforent manner.
This was so apparent, that il did not escape
Tho observation of Gravier; and his respeoi i"r
her character increased. Though her iee was
pale. aud her expression grave aud even mel
cncholy, she was not seen In weep IN prospec
OF The dagger so ncaI imminent though her
heat was full of pen; up emotions.
F,on, = small aperture IN The cabin, she
watched the sun go down, and saw us 'asl red
rays filling across tho grave Of her mother.--
The feelings OF the backwoodsman's daughter,
a, tha, u,omeut, we will leave TO the Kind rea-
der to i,nsgIae. II her heart ever wished 10
discharge It's load of anxiety and sorow, II was
undoubtedly at that crisis Of her lille.
The s,n. .ligbt fadoI ftom her mothers grave
and soft and pensve twilight prevailed. Az
orninous stiffness seemed to perVade in the air.
The winds were hdshed, ali the vesper song
Of The birds had ceased. With the gloom. of
night. came gloom Of the spirit. which dis.
con,sed &C danger. captivity. tortufes and
death. All felt an oppression OF soul which
they strove 10 vain to d'.pel, BY forced ar oi
checifu lness. rrfsr.
IL was ono Of those nights whose very dark
moss has something nournlul In II. aside from
everything else that might servo 10 depross the