Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-02-13


pressed a desire to enlist, the old
man easily prevailed upon Colonel
SiIas to enrol him among his own
men.
Now we will not pretend to say
that there had been any particular
understanding between Miss Eliza
beth and the young gentleman above
spoken of, previous to his becoming
soldier, though such thing might
possibly have been in a mute way.
Verbal declarations certainly had
not been made; for an owl told how,
one moonlight evening, while he was
sitting in the shady branches of a
chestnut, that stood but a few yards
from the Fort,
-Considering as well he might,
Ways and means for supper that night,
he looked about with a solemn scowl,
and beheId coming from the shadow
of the Fort,a lover and his mistress
he knew it was a lover and his mis-
tress, they spoke to one another so
tenderly.
They came out from the Fort
stealthily, and stole softly over the
greensward, 10 the foot OF the chest
nut, 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 cal
ling upon the stars TO witness their
oaths, and sealing their vows with
kiss, retired.
1t was but a short time after this
occurrence that the siege Of Wheel
ing was commenced by the British
and Indians, and although the place
was defended with zeal and an un-
limited amount of courage. the hopes
Of the besieged grew somewhat dim
as they looked forth upon the masses
that surrounded them. A scarcity of
provisions was not what alarmed
them, for of those at present they had
d sufficient supply; but alarm be-
came almost CONSERVATION when il
was announced that their powder
was short. Several desperate as
saults had been made by the enemy
to break into the fort, but Col. Zane
and his men repulsed and drove
them back again as vigorously as
they assaulted. The Indians on two
or three occasions attempted the de-
struction of the fort and block house
by fire; but in each instance they
were shot down ere the fsggot and
burning brand could be applied
But ultimately those in the fort be-
gan TO fail in their hopes ofa sue
cessful defence, when the word was
passed around that they were in pos
session of a few charges Of powder
only. There was an abundant sup
ply in the block house, which they
had been prevented from removing
by the suddenness 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 a sup
ply of ammunition! Their condition
must be known TO the enemy the
moment their fire slackened, and
then they could easily be Destroy
ed without the least show Of de-
fence.
The second day OF the siege had
well nigh worn away-it was in the
middle Of the afternoon. The last
shot had been fired-the last grain |
OF powder had been exhausted. Now,
what was to be donel Make terms
of capitulation, or, despairing, sub
nit to fate2 They in the block house
still held out bravely, and a little
longer concert Of action might save
them, for the enemy began already
to show symptoms OF wavering.-l
At this crisis Colonel Zane called
his men around him, and after de-
TO them the situation in
which they were placed, he desired
to know if there was any one among
them desperate enough to attempt
passage through the enemy to the
block house. He added that it was
indeed a forlorn hope, but at the
worst could not be more disastrous
ihan TO remain in their present con-
1ition. No answer followed the
appeal. The men gazed at their
commander and into the eyes of each
other with the most complete de-
'pair, and with faces blank without
any ray of hope. Elizabeth stood
BY the side of her brother, silent; but
hat silence was more eloquent than
he words of the Colonel. Perhaps
.hough slight pang might have fut-
ered her pulse 10 hear no one speak.
Was there not one brave enough to !
peril his life for the salvation of the !
Whole2 Ammunition was all that
vas wanted. One keg of powder {
" I /