Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-06-13
C II A P r E r II.

We call them savage--O be just!
Their outraged feelings scan;
A voice comes forth-'tis from the dust,
The savage was man!--SPPAGUE.
Hope is a lovers staff, walk hence with that,
And manage it against despairing thoughts.
Two GENTLEMEN OF VERONA.
Our tale opens in June, 1853, on as
bright day as ever burst upon the
world. Not cloud obscured The res
plendent azure of the heavens. All ma
tGre smiled in beauty and exulted in
happiness. The whole chain of the
Allegheny mountains, at whose eastern
base, just where Wills creek forms its
junction with the majestic Potomac, the
first scene of the following tradition is
located, was bathed in one continuous
flood Of golden sunbeams. They fash
ed like shower of diamonds amid the
waves OF the Potomac, and were reflec-
ted from the dark green foliage of the
trees that adorned its banks.
AT the intersection of those streams,
where now stands the city Of Cumher-
land, with its thousands of en,erprising
population, there were, at the time of
which we write, but four or five small
log cabins. West of il the foot of the
white man had seldom irod. 1t was one
interminablc forest, over which the wild
beast and the still. wilder savage held un-
disputed dominion. For mutual protec-
ton, in the event of an incursion from
the Indians. these cabins were erected in
social proximity TO each other; and were
inhabited by people simple and uaob-
lrusive in their habits, who. by their vi
cinity to the Indian hunting grounds,
which extended from the eastern base
Of the Allegheny mountains far beyond
the valley Of the Mississippi. over which
The light of civilization had never shed
its benignant rays, well versed i'll all f.
nesse of savage warfare. But their wis.
dom was often purchased from mournful
experience. Every now and then the
Indian arrow claimed its victim, and the
reeking scalp dangled at the girdle of
the blood-thirsty savage. II was life
beset with multitude of dangers, bu,
these hardy pioneers, these way-blazers
Of the bowling wilderness, rejoiced in
the excitementiis perils Afforded. II was
the element they loved to breathe.
At the opening Of our narrative, un-
mistakeable evidence assured them that
the sullen passions of the Indians had
been lashed into fury at beholding their
noble forests rapidly disappearing before
the energy of the pale-faced invaders oi
the soil, and that an incursion, whose
nature they fully comprehended in all
its horrid details, was in contemplation.
To be in readiness for the emergency, q
council of the settlers was convened
and after the suggestion Of multiplied.
ty Of plans 10 avert the evil that was sc
darkly suspended over their heads, i
was finally determined to despatch q
scout to observe their movements. The
duty Of this dangerous mission was as
signed to our hero, Roland Tomlinson.
Roland was as manly and intelligent Q
youth as ever dwelt on the outskirts oil
civilization. His form was symmetri-
cal in the extreme, and seemed endowed
with strength and activity combined with
endurance. No difficulties inundated
no apprehensions cnervated him. I'm
der all circumstances he was the same
cool and calculating to fault. And
whilst his courage stood pre-eminent
his knowledge of Indian strategem was
almost perfect. Many brave warrior
had been over-reached by his consum
mate skill and fled aifrighted into the al
most inaccessible Businesses of the noun
tain.
But il Roland was brave on the san
culinary Geld Of battle, he was no dastart
IN love. Like a genuine hero Of 70