The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-01
without the old man proceeded somewhat

"For several years after the interior Of
the state had began to settle up, and was
becoming quiet, this part of the country
remained continually liable to incursions
10y the wild, rowing tribes of Ohio. Com
Panles OF lncians, sometimes consisting OF
thirty or forty, sometimes of only three or
four were constantly crossing over in ca
noes at night, setting fire to barns and
helds, of grain, stealing horses, and some.
times carrying off women and children.
True, there was one petty Station" not
Tar from where we now are, but the scant,
though valiant garrison could do little for
the defense of the frontier beyond protect
ing the families Immediately within or a.
round the walls, and by chasing retreat
ing parties of the enemy to the river. II
was about the year 17-that the Indians,
taking advantage Of this defenseless state
OF the border, increased their depredations
TO an alarming extent. And it was in the
spring of that year that there appeared at
the station l have mentioned, a man,
whose character and actions seemed for a.
while to infuse new spirit into the despond-
ing frontiermen.
Who lie was, or whence he came, no
one knew, though his singular habits and
appearance called forth many inquiries.
Tall, sinewy AMI raw-boned, with sun
burnt countenance, scanned across the fore
head with deep scar, deep-sunken eyes,
which IN moments of excitement gleam-
ed with strange, lurid fire, and dressed
in the wild, half.Tndian costume of the
times, he presented rather remarkable
figure. In spite, however, OF his looks.
his dress and accoutremcnts, there was
something in his conversation and
manners which showed that he possessed
an intelligence and breeding above the
rude, unirttered men among whom he
moved.
The most prominent feature of his char
acter, the one thought of his soul, seemed
to be deadly, uncompromising hostility to
the who'e Indian race. In his ordinary
intercourse with men he was shy, taciturn
and retiring. But in moments of the
chase and the conflict, he seemed changed.
transformed, and filled with mysterious
hire which rendered him an object Of won
der even to the bravest of the old hunters
who looked upon his reckless daring.
Illus uniting TO superior intelligence,
undaunted courage and fierce energy #
purpose, he acquired at once, and without
appearing to seek it, that ascendancy over
the minds of the simple backwoodsinan.
which such qualities must ever gain in any
e"nrmunity. i'et ue seemed, rs mucn as
possible, to avoid mingling with his fel-
lows. He refused to live in the stockade
fort, but built himself little hut upon
the summit Of a hill about three miles
distant, where lie passed most Of his time
with no society save that of his dog.
But whenever the alarm was given that
the foe had crossed the river, he was seen
mt the station, commanding, organizing,
and planning; seltappointcd dictator, to
whom all yielded implicit obedience. In
the pursuit and the conflict he was ever
'o.elnost. He sought To make no prison
erS; death to the enemy WAS his watch
word and his only object. When the
hight was over, he was heard claiming no
booty, disputing with no man about his
share in the conflict; but silently and un-
noticed he stole back to his mountain hut
"S az" o'''"l ihouc VI lilc. linus
The woodsmen came to regard him with
awe and almost with superstitious rever-
ence, and the inquiries concerning his past
life, checked by his stern and austere man.
ner, gradually died away.
There was but one living being, beside
his dog, Tor whom he seemed to entertain
any feeling of interest or affection. This
was young hunter living at the station,
and who had once, in an Indian battle,
saved the old mans life at the risk of his
own. Tbs boy he sometimes suffered to
join him n his hunting expeditions, and to
share his frugal meals. But even to him
he never spoke Of his past history, and
the boy was too discreet to allude TO it.
CHAPTER II.
Months had passed since the stranger
made his first appearance at the fort.-
Spring and summer had come and gone,
and autumn had thrown his rich mantle
of bright and t,aalloyy k,o. ..,n. Al -