The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-01


ty Of all held dear.
swell, little later in the day than
this, just five years aye, I was seated by
my hearth with my children ON my knee,
while my wife was busted in the prepara.
ton of our evening meal. The sun went
down, and darkness came on, but the air
was so pleasant that 1 left the door omen
to enjoy the fresh breeze that seemed max
ing music among the branches of the
great oaks before the door. I had lent
my dogs to neighbor for hunt, and
there was nothing to give warning ofdan-
ger save the melancholy hooting of an
owl in the neighboring forest. More than
once my wife spoke of the effect that dis
NAL sound had upon her feelings, but I
laughed at her fears. Suddenly, as she
was crossing the room, heard her utter
scream of terror. ! turned, and beheld
a dozen dusky forms crowding into the
doorway. Even now, can see their ewes
giaring and their white teeth shining as
the tire-light flashed upon them. Spring
ing from my seat, was suatchipp down
my rifle which always hung over the fire.
place, when received blow from toma-
hawk, which made that scar upon my
forehead. A thousand lights CLEANED in
my eyes, and horrid sounds echoed in NV
ears as fell insensible. Severe "a was
the blow, soon returned to consciousness.
owing, no doubt to the excessive flow Of
blood. How awful the sight which be-
held! My wife standing bound in one
corner Of the room, the little children sob
oing and clinging to her kness as il for
protection, while the fends were heapinp
all my little furniture into the centre Of
the room, evidently with the intention Of
hrlng the house. Making a desperate
effort to rise, gained my feet, and stag.
gered forward step or two, when the
blood gushed over my eyes, and fell,
helpless and blinded, upon the floor. The
sthrrleklng and sobbing Of my wife and
children at this pitiable sight, were ming
led with laugh of derision from the saw.
ages, who supposed that was dead at
last. At this moment, one Of their sen.
t'nels rushed in, exclaiming in their own
language, "Fly! fly! the whites are COM
ing!"
II heard few words Of consultation.
Then command was given in tones |
shall never forget. Then came blows and
shrieks. They were numbering nv chill.
dren ! o, Go how writhed and strup.
gled, in vain, to rise! In mement their
infant cries were stilled in death. Then
came crashing blow, fall, gsoap ana
sll was oyer oT The bad J.aa1, my
all! not one-not one left !"
The big tear-drops fell like rain through
the old mans clasped hands, and his strong
frame shook with agony. The young
man said nothing. but wept. At length
the hunter calmed himself, and proceed
ed:
~ became again insensible. A party
Of hunters who happened to be in the
neighborhood, came in time to snatch my
body from the burning dwelling, but not
soon enough to take vengeance on the
murderers. No, thank God, that task was
left for me
was taken to n station. I was nun-
cd and tended most kindly, but for weeks
and weeks fingered upon the brink of
the grave. I wished to die; was deliri-
Gus not only with pain and fever, but
with grief and rage. But, at length. good
treatment and my own iron constitution
proved victorious. l recovered my health
aud strength of body, but there was a
fever at my heart, which no time, no med
icine could cure. came forth twenty
years older in feelings and appearance.
My hair was gray, and my face wrinkled,
as you see them now. But my change in
body was nothing to my changs in soul.
|, who before was too kind hearted to have
harmed worm, was now a tiger, thirst
ing for human blood. Thought of moth
ing. prayed for nothing but revenge l
sold my land, and swore never to rest un.
I'll the last of that band had fallen be-
meath my hand. / have nearly fulfilled
my vow. Though l saw them but once
each Of their features was burned into nv
brain, and could not mistake OF forget
them. Day and night, summer and win
ter, alone, and with bands Of men, over
rivers and mountains, through forest and
morasses, in all shapes and in all disguises
| have tracked and followed them. They
made me demon, and the demon has
turned again and rent them. in their
tents at midnight, with their wife's around
them, in the battlefield, and alone in the
dark forests, have met and slain them
One after another they have fallen, and
still one remains--the most subtle and
ferocious Of them all; and have followed
him here. He leads band upon the
Ohio side, and have watched and sough,
for him day and night. They call him
the Black Wolfofthe Prairie. You have
heard Of him before; but when we NEE,
you will not hear Of him again n
The hunter clenched bis rife fercsly
and was silent His companion sat mute
and motionless.
CHAPTER ~.
The boy had not sat thus many minutes
4 however Hsfast;r<, ~ aha Loo ha1d ksaa Al