Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1851-04-05
The rlufian smiled grinrnly, moved away, and


to the 'birch,' drag it into the water, cross
the river. and then destroy it9 or should
make the best of my way towards Council
Bluffs, or the nearest tribe of Indians without
any delay
After some hesitation I decided on the
former course. and hurried towards the river
as fast as was able. soon reached the
spot where the canoe was hauled mp, and drew
i: silently into the water.
NY feelings during the period that was
within rife distance Of the shore, I will not
attempt to describe, but leave the subject
altogether to imagination Of the sensible reader.
The perspiration rolled from my forehead
in great drops, and respired like person
!who has been running violently, when Ispepp-
ed upon tn opposite bank
| Taking from the birch what articles I
should need and conveniently carry, scutt-
led it, and saw it sink before Iturned away i
then struck into the woods and walked from
the vicinity like one who has life at stake.
determined to seek the Pawnee village,
and warn Janet of her danger; accordingly !
pushed forward with my thoughts full of the
trappers daughter, and thankful for my es-
cape from the power Of Williams.
To tell the truth, the rude description which
| Vanburton had given, filed me with curiosity
to see such prodigy of beauty in the wild
| erness.
| Whether travelled onward, or whether /
stopped to take hurried repast, or snatch
moments rest my mind was full of Janet; !
and my sole anxiety was to reach the Pawnee1
village before the Voyageurs, in order to battle
their Infamous purpose.
The following day / unfortunately fell in
with Pawnee brave, who willingly under
took to guide me to the encampment of his
people. -
Arrived there. it was easy to find the lodge
of old Willet, the trapper.
L am the bearer of government papers to
I Fort Laramie, said, and have called to re-
ceive your hospitality for a day or two.'
1 give you a trapper's welcome" he replied
and though it be not polished, tits neverthe
less true and hearty. This is my wife, and
yonder you see my daughter
My eyes instantly turned in the direction
indicated, and rested upon a young creature
of such exquisite beauty that I was dumb
with surprise, Her features were indeed beauti-
full and her figure divine.
The hair was as redundant, as dark, and as
long as Vanburton had represented 1t. Her
eyes were lighted up with supernatural bright
ness She approached us,and her motions were
characterized with that peculiar ease and
gracefulness which nature alone can teach
Thank Heaven that l Lave FASTENED
hitherH l exclaimed as the fair girl returned
my greeting with a timid blush.
And for what reason y asked the trapper,
with some surprise at my yehemence.
4 will tell you,' 1 replied, and narrated
| what the render alreadv knows
| During the rehearsal the females grew pale
with fear, and the face of Willet grew dark
with passion.
4 know them both, and from this moment
they are doomed men, he said with an en-
phasis shall long remember Those villains
lhave merited death a thousand times. Let
til EN- come to make desolate my home. and
|see what will follow. Poor Janeti my heart
would break to be rifed of her in such man
tnerl We can spare everything but Janet!
Generous strangerP cried the the trapper's
daughter sinking gracefully upon her knees
accept my warmest thanks for the interest
you have taken in the fortunes of a poor,
young girl. wholly unknown to you. With
these hands would toll all the days of my
life torepay you, bat have nothing but
grateful words to give YOU
/ And need no N ore fair jane" replied
deeply moyedat such touching expression OF
gratitude.
I soon felt myself fnos stranger in the trappers
Hodge. Days glided on; but had no disposi-
ton to leave my new frieds.
The interest which had felt for Janet rip
ened into friendship, and friendship finally rip
ened into love. ! sat hour after hour by her
side, telling her of the ways and wisdom OF
the great world she had never seen. We
took long walks together, and in the seclusion
of the forest forgot all but ourselves.
4 One day, during one ofour noctural ram
bles, unwittingiy left herside for moment
A shrek, loud and piercing, warned me OF
my imprudence, l ran toward the spot
where had left her, and beheld strong man
bearing her away in his arms. A second look
was enough to assure me that Vanburton was
the man with whcm know had to deal
Absorbed in my new passion,and charmed by
the society of its object, had forgotten the
danger that hung over u.s. raised my rifle
70 fire, but the fear of harming Janet made
me hesitate, pause, and lower my piece
essayed a second time with similar result
and was bracing up my nerves for adellberate
aim, when the sharp crack of rifle rever-
berated through the woods
Iheard heavy, deathlike groan; Fanbur-
ten dropped his precious burden, and fell
The next moment the old-trapper emerged
from the cover of some sycamores, with the
smoke still curling from the barrel of his rife
4 told you he was doomed man. he NUT
tered, with fierce scowl. He will never
again make an old man childless.'
Iran and raised Janet from the ground
; and as held her in my arms, ,Vanburton raised
his glazing eyes, recognized me, and an ex-
preston of bitter hatred passed over feature
already rigid with the coldness of death. His
purple lips move, a rattling sound came from
his throat, and that was the last ofthe voyageur
+
After had delivered my paper safely Al
Fort Laramie, returned to the traper's lodge
One evening, just as the bright sun wa;
setting in blaze of glory drew Janet to my
side, told her how much love her, and en-