The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-02

the fearful expectation OF its victims blood
He had enlisted in the service year pre-
vious, as private; and although promo.
tion 10 the rank OF non.c commissioned ed
officer had been offered him on account o
his good qualities as soldier, and his in.
telligence as man. he had refused its &C.
ceptance, declaring, that, as his only de.
sire was to serve his country, he was will.
ling TO serve through the war as a private,
leaving all conditions above that to SOL
dlers more competent or more ambitious.
He was the son of a respectable farmer
whose industry had enabled him to raise
up, and respectfully educate, large fam.
ily-a man Of severe discipline, whose
watchful eye detected youthful faults in
time to prevent their maturing to crimes
He had been intimate with the family OF
the Zanes, and, when Ashley expressed a
desire TO enlist, the old man easily pre-
vailed on Col. Silas to enroll him among
his own men.
Now we will not pretend to say that
there had been any particular understand
ing between Miss Elizabeth and the young
gentleman above spoken Of previous to
his becoming a soldier, though such a
thing might possibly have been in mute
way. Verbal declarations certainly had
not been made; for an owl told how, one
might evening, while he was sitting
in the shady branches of chesnut; that
stood but few yards from the Fort,
-Considering, as we'll he might,
Ways and means for supper that night
he looked about with solemn scowl, and
beheld coming from the shadow of the
Fort, lover and his mistress, they spoke
to one another so tenderly.
They came out from the Fort stealthly,
and stole softly over the green sward, to
the foot of the chesnut, and sitting down
upon one of the knarled roots, said kind
things, uttered sacred VOWS, and breathed
fervent sighs one to the other. They sat
there an hour-a good hour by the march
of Saturn-talking and signing all the
while, when, calling upon all the stars to
witness their oalhs, and sealing their VOWS
with kiss. they retired.
| 1t was but short time after this occur
renee that the siege of Wheeling was
commenced by the British and Indians;
and although the place was defended with
zeal and an unlimited amount Of courage,
the hopes of the besieged grew somewhat
dim as they looked forth upon the masses
that surrounded them. A scarcity OF pro-
visions was not what alarmed them, for of
those at present they had sufficient sup
ply; but alarm became almost consterna-
ton when it was announced, on the second
day Of the siege. that their powder was
short. Several desperate assaults had been
made by the enemy TO break into the fort,
but Colonel Zane and his men repulsed
and drove them back as vigorously as they
assaulted. The Indians on two or three
occasions attempted the destruction Of the
fort and bock-house by fire; but in each
instance they were shot down ere the fagot
and the burning brand could be applied.
But ultimately those in the fort began 10
fail in their hopes OF a successful defence,
when the word was passed around that
they were in possession of few charges
OF powder only. There was an abundant
supply in the block. house, which they had
been prevented from removing by the sud-
denness Of the assault; but how was it to
be gotten now? Surrounded by the most
inveterate Of foes, what possible method
could be adopted to procure them supply
Of ammunition! Their condition must be
known to the enemy the moment their fire
slackended, and then they could easily be
destroyed without the least show OF de-
fence.
The second day of the siege had we'll
nigh worn away-it was in the middle of
the afternoon. The last shot had been
fred-the last grain Of powder was ex-
hausted. Now, what was to be done?-
Make terms of capitulation, or despairing,
submit to fate! They in the block house
still held out bravely, and little longer
concert of action might save them, for the
enemy already began TO show symptoms
of wavering. AT this crisis Colonel Zane
called his men around him, and after de-
scribing TO them the situation in which
they were placed, he desired TO know if
there was any one among them desperate
enough 10 attempt a passage through the
enemy to tho block-house. He added that
indeed it was forlorn hope, but al the
worst could not be more disastrous than to
remain in their present condition. No
answer followed the appeal. The men
gazed at their commander and into the
eyes OF each other with the most complete
despair, and with faces blank, without any
ray of hope. Elizabeth stood by the side
of her brother, silent; but that silence was
more eloquent Than the words of the colo.
mel. Perhaps, though, slight pang might
have futtered her pulse to hear no one
speak. Was there not one brave enough
to peril life for the salvation of the whole?
Ammunition was all that was wanted One
keg Of powder and they were free! At
that moment a young man stepped mod
estly forward and said
Colonel, | will attempt the passage. If
| fall, remember me; if | succeed
His eye caught the expression Of Eliza
beth's features, as thew plowed upon him