Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-15
as well he might,

.
-"Consderng well he might,
Ways aud means for supper that aight,'
he looked ahou, viii solemn scow l. and beheld. coming
from the shadow of the fort lover and his mistress; he
knew i, was lover and mistress they spoke SO tender
ly 10 another.
They came out from the fort stealthy, and stole softly
over green swad the fool Of the rhesnut and Sit
ting downupon OF the gnarled roots said knd things
sacred VOWS, and breahed ferven sghs one to
the 9th r. They sat there houra good hour by the
march of Sa,urn talking signing allthe wh, when,
calling upon all the stars to Witness their oats and seal
ing their with kiss, they retired.
twas but short after this that the
siege of Wheeling commenced by the British and
Indians; and although the place defended with zeal
and unlimited OF courage, the hopes of the be-
seged grew somewhat dim they looked forth upon the
masses that surrounded 'hen. scarcity OF provisions
was not what alarmed lheR for Of those present they
had sufficient sappy; bat alarm became almost
slernaoR when it announced, the end day Of
the siege, that their powder short. Several desper
att assaults had been made by the enemy break into
the fort, but Col Zane and his repulsed and drove
them back vigorously as they assaulted. The lnaans
on two or three occasions attempted the destruction othe
We're shot down the f,ggot and the burning brand
applied. But ultimately those in the fort began
fail in their hopes of successful defence, when the word
passed around that they in the possession Of
few charges If powder only. There was an abundant
supply in the block house, which they had been preven
ted from removing by the suddenness Of the ASSAULT but
how was it TO he gotten now Surrounded by the most
nveera,e of foes what possible ehod could be opted
to procure them supply Of ammunition? Their condi-
tion be known 10 the eneny the moment their fire
slackeaed and they could easily destroyed without the
leas, show o defence
the second day Of the siege had well-ngh away
it in the middle Of the afternoon. The last shot
had been red-,he last grain of powder exhausted.
Now, what to be done! Make terms Of capituia.
lion, despang, submit to fate They in the block
house still held bravcly and little longer concert
Of action might save them. for the enemy ready began
to show symptoms of wavering At this crisis Col.
Zane calld his around him, and after describing
them the situation in which they placed he desired
to know ii there was any among them desperate E.
nough to attempt passage through the enemy 10 the
block house. He added that it was indeed forom
hope but "a, the could be mere disastrous than
to reuain in present condition. Noanswer follow
ed the appeal. The gazed at their commander and
eyes VI each other with the complete drs
pair and with faces without any ray OF hope. Elz-
abe,h stood by side of her bror silent, but that
lence eloquent than the words Of the Colonel.
Perhaps hough, slight pang nigh have auttered her
purse W ied' no o"o .i,or. mt one brave
enougho peril life frthe salvation Of the holes Am
muIation all THAI wanted. One k-g of powdcr
and they free! At this moment young step.
ped mod silly forward and said:
Colonel, will attempt thu passage Ii fall, remem.
Der me; ifI succeed
Hspye caught h. expression Of Eizabeth's ea ures
they gIowed upon hn with unu.terabe fondness and
PRIDE and fell the ground. Col Zane stepped for
ward. and taking tn" soldiers hand, said
"H"u the expected would volunteer for this
enterprise 60, and God protect you! II they see you
from the block house, they will Try 10 cover you with
their fire. Srli-possession is your only hope. Now a.
way, while the enemy are partially withdrawn"
But here Elizabeth stepped forward and addressing
her brother, said
"Slas. let undertake this dangerous pntrrprse!"
"iou!" replied her brother, viewing her with aston
ishnenr. 'lmpossble! Doycu know the danger ofthe
at,empt"
"Perfrcily." she answered. "You have no men to
spare Every is needed in the defence Of the ior
and this is the only service can render"
"But uan would be feet, Elizabeth, and more
certain of snccess," said her brother.
''Stili you have to spare; and woman would
not run the danger in passing through the enemy
Besides if fall, shall be SO much missed, nor the
forces weakened"
The colonel was affected 10 tears, and embracing his
sister Sxcaimed--
"Then go Gvd's will be done, and may tIe protect
youl"
dozen men sprang forward prompted by the De.
voon Of this choice woman; and Ashley Harper more
argent than the resh insisted that it his right he
was the first 10 propose But Elizabeth would bear no
objections, and at began to make preparations for
the enterprise Partially devesting herself of her cloth
ing, in order that hr speed nigh he less impfded she
was lei out Of lhs gate Of the fort, followed by the
prayers and blessings of all within; while from the EN-.
erasures The anxious eyes Of Ashley Harper followed he,
she fed like young through the lines of the sne-
my. Now she fails! Twenty muskets are raised by
the savages to stop her progress; bu, cry of squaw
squaw!" saved her. She reaches the block house in
Safety and is admitted
period Of awful suspense awaited them in the fort
The were anxious for relief the Colonel was regret
ting that he permitted his sister to CO. and Ashley Har-
per was>oreaihlns prayers for her safety.
, " w """" "o"Ne' III" eAciteheht was equally as
great, and asonsh ~rr"essd by every at
the n'repdity Of the maiden. Her brother there endeav-
orpd to persuade her to stay with him. offering to send
one OF his own men to the fn with the powder But she
overrnled has arguments with the some logic she had
sed with her brother Sas, and at last was permitted 10
return X Of powder poured into tabIe.cl IN.
and she again sailed forth to tina, desperate oaunt.
lt.
In The fort every heart was beating with the utmost
anxiety and as the dusky foe gathering around
scarce v"sge "f hope left for the safety of the
maiden S'l! watched her lover from the and