Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1851-05-10

knew the unprotected situation of my adopted
district, and trembled for the life of those l
held most dear At first diseredited the
rumor chance, however, threw in my way
an opportunity of ascertaining the reality of
the reported descent and became convinced
that a moment was not to be lost, if | would
save the lives Of those loved at home. My
determination was at once taken-l solicited
for leave of absence-it was refused; / then
resigned my commission, and set forth TO Wy
oming. a.- tas..t,s. - -,7 s.-
j never shall forget my emotions when
drew nearthe Inflated place; It was on the very
day of the massacre-and the first intimation
had ofthc calamity was the mangled body
of one of the inhabitants, whom | had known,
floating down the stream. A cold shiver ran
through every vein as gazed on the terrible
sight, and thousand fears agitated my bo-
som; but my worst surmiSes fell far short Of
the truth. hen, hours after | met some of
the fugitives, and they rehearsed to me that
tale of horror / stood for moment thunder
struck. refusing TO believe that beings in human
form couId perpetrate such deeds-butit was
all too true.
Almost my first inquiry was for Kate-no
One fthose who had escaped the fight told
me that her father had been killed at the be-
ginning of the eenflict-and that deprived of
a protector, she had probably fallen victim
to the infuriated savages, while the other in
habiuanls were srverally engaged in protect
iny themselves How cursed them for this
selfshntss! And yet could expect ought
rlsr OF human nature, than that each should
project these dearest TO them, even to the de-
sertiun of others?
| But my mind was soon made up. re-
solved come what might. To ascertain clearly
the fate Of Kate-sO that if dead, / might re-
venst her, andif living might rescue her.
| Bidding farewell to the flying group,
shouldered my lifie. and struck out boldly
into the forest. trusting 10 the guidance Of
that God who never deserts US in our extFem-
ilies.
i will not tire you BY protracted nara.
tive; will only say, after numerous inqui-
rieS from the fugitivcs | met, | learned that
Kate had been last seen in the hands of u par
ty Of Savagcs This was sufficient for clue
i once more began To Rope waited until
nightfall, when | sought the spot which had
been described TO mr, the one where Kate
had been last Aeen-and never shall forget
my feelings ofalmoSt rhpturous pleasure, when
| iOund III the nriehboting forest fragment
"f her dress sticking on bush, by which il
had doubtless been torn from her in passing
| was now satisfied that Kate hate been ear
rird off captive. Fortunately, had met in the
group of fugilivcs IA hunter who had been un-
der some obligations TO her family, and he
WAS easily persuaded 20 join me in the search
|
ages. He was an adept in the forest warfare
could fulew the truil as hound the chase
knew the course which would most likely
be chosen by a flying party of Indians, and
wiihall was one Of the keenest shots that car
ried a rifle on the border.
Its my opinion said he, that these var.
mints did not belong TO the regular body o
Indians who followed Butler though even
they were bad enough think. however, he
wouldn't suffer u deed like this These villains
seemed 10 have acted On their own behalf
and if 50 they would fly TO the back country
as quick as possible. You may depend upor
it we shall overtake them if we pursue that
way.
4 felt the truth of these remarks. and as
sented to them at once. In less than quarter
Of an hour after we first discovered the trail
we were in pursuit of the savages.
Let me hasten to the close. Hour aftei
hour, all through the live long day, we pur
sed the flying crossing swamps
clambering over rocks, fnrding streams, anC
picking our way. uniil TOW ards nishtfall, We
reached the edge of an open space, or. as i
were, meadow. shut in by gently sloping
hills.
Hist said my companion, we are upor
them Do you not see that thin thread o
smoke curling upward over the top of yonde
hemlock -
Aye. it must be them-let us on
Softly. or we lnse all, We know not Ger
tainly. that this is the party We seek; let u
rrconnoitre.'
Slowly and stealthily. trembling lest twie
should crack under our feet, we crept up TO
wards the edge of the meadow. and peepiuI
cautiously through the underwood, behrld tn,
objects of our search in six tall swarthy sava
yes, sitting smoking round the remains of
fire. AT a little distance with her hand
hound and her eyes appraised to heaven sa
my own Kate. Oh, how my heart leaped a
the sight. raised my rifle convulSivrIy ant
was about to fire, when my companion caugh
my hand and said
Softly or you spoil all. Let US get the var
mnts in range. and we shall fire with SOM
taste. Ilist!' .... ......-.
, This last exclamation was occasioned b,
the sudden rising of one If the savages. III
gazed moment cautiously around, and thei
advancing towards the thicket where we lal
concealed drew my breath in and tremblrt
at the beating of my own heart. The savag
still approached. My companion laid his hant
! upon my arm, and pointed from my rife to on
If the Indians. understood him. AT thi
juncsurr, the advancing savage warned Of on
presence by the cracking of an unlueky twi!
= beneath my companion's feet sprang bacl
with loud yell towards the fire. ~
Now. said my companion strrnly.
Quick as lightning raised my piece nnt
fired My companion did the same. The re
treating savage and IN" "f his companions frl
dead upon the ground. Each Of us then spran!
To ~ tree. loading as We ran, II was well VI