Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-08
HANNIBAL, MO, THURSDAY MORNING. JULY s. 1852

y,
keeping down deep emotion, with great difficult
ty, aan Indian visit is rare in this part Of Texas,
and hope tog give these redskins lesson which
they will not forget"
"Ah, Johnl John /" cried his wife, sobbing
wildly, unable any longer to repress her feel
ings, +" should not fear the Indians much with
la good house and gallant men and boys around
me, had l all loved, here. But where is my
eldest born, my boy, my Edward? How know
that he is free from the hands of these terrible
men?"
John Waters held down his head and made
no reply, but struggle as he would with his pride
and his manly strength to back him, his tears
fell upon his plate. In that hour OF tribulation,
in that day oftrouble, his nerves were stretched
to their highest pitch, and his feelings over
wrought, acted upon him with extreme Violence.
"a song is singing in the woods, and the bird
that sings it, says that the son Of the gray beard
is safe, 4" said the Indian girl, in her sweet and
musical tones, after exchanging curious look
with her father.
"Thank you, girl" exclaimed the mother,
warmly, " word Of comfort is delightful, and
Jane Waters dearly blesses the Indian girl who
saved her family from slaughter by her generous
warning, and who now would seek TO console. y
."God bless you, girl, ~ repeated John, " we
owe you all much. When this day of tribulation
Us past, John Waters will not Be slow to show
his gratitude"
The Indian girl smiled sweetly, and took
hand of each SO prettily, so ohildisbly, that all
were charmed at this little act, and Fred, good
looking boy of nineteen, thought within himself
that she was the most beautiful lady he had ever
dreamed of, and made up his mind on the spot
| to ask his fathers consent, as soon as the fight
was over, to beg the hand of the Indian girl. So
little do we take warning in this world by the
faults and misfortunes of others The rest Of
the dinner was spent in laying plans for the
night. All the rooms had thick shutters, which
had been closed ever since the morning, and it
was arranged that all the females should take up
their quarters for the night in an upper room,
while the men were TO make guard-houSe Of
the general parlor. One sentinel was to be
placed upon the roof on the lookout, while those
in the log house were also TO be wary. John
Waters directed that all but one should lie down
at an early hour. In the meantime, however,
the males went up TO the roof.
II was beautiful night. The sky was clear
and c.o;i3.css, and t!.is moon hung about foo;
above the submits Of the deep cedars, silvering
the tips Of the trees, and casting all beneath into
deep black shadows, except where here and
there came a gap in the wood which allowed the
pale, cold rays Of the minor planet TO penetrate
below the surface. To the right could be seen,
where John stood with the Indian, the opening
of the forest, where lay the fields, with behind
the prairie, the tail green grass and reeds tremb-
ling, waved by the wind, silvered by the moon,
while to the left the waters Of the lazy stream,
and all streams in Texas are lazy--shook, rip
pied and broke upon the sedgy bank, beautiiied
| by the same influence, a sparkling sheet of mol
T. - Ga q, a.
drous birth of the next day, grand Christmas
apart in the corner with the Indian. He was
very grave.
"What my brother think about }" said the
Tuscarora, in low, cautious tones.
"Indian this is Christmas Eve. Do you know
what it means {? "
"To-morrow Christ born,--Tuscarora Chris
tian, n,--name john" replied the other in his
cultural tone.
"Ah!" said John Waters, with considerable
animation. Then let me have talk with you.
Could we walk to the Oak Point to-night?"
Eyes, but say presently" replied the Indian;
&" no talk now, fight, redskins coming, see."
John looked cTiously FORTH and truly along
THE skirt Of the wood, he saw ing column
of Indians. John sighed! There was still
ness in the air. serene and sacred tone in the
atmosphere, his thoughts were so attuned Il
harmony and love, the violent death, always
abhorrent TO the feeling of the good man, was
now peculiarly so. But there was no alternative
His wife and little ones, his serving men, were
all there depending on his coolness, courage and
, vigilance, and he leveled his gun simultaneously
with the Indian, and fired. Scarcely did the
echoes of their two rifles awaken all natur,
around, than those in the log house followed
and then the rest of the garrison. Loud were
the yell OF the redskins as the shot fell from
, above like hail among them, and away they cam,
scampering across the clearing, wildly, madly
| reokessly. They were received by secon'
steady and unanimous volley, which arresle,
, their progress, and sent them for refuge agail
/ to the wood
(To he Continued \