Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-02-03

began to sink below the western forest
| Slowly she watched the lengtbening shadows
as it disappeared, until the landscape was al
most entirely shrouded in gloom; and then
with last prayer for her lovers safety, she
was about to retire from the window, when
her attention was suddenly attracted toward
what seemed dark, moving mass on the edge
of the neighboring woods.
What could it Be The cattle Of the set
Element were all carefully housed, she knew,
and it was an hour at which no human being
would be likely to be abroad. Her indeiina-
BILE fears again returned Her heart nuttered
with nameless dread. She concealed her
self instinctively behind the window curtain,
and watched this dark, moving object for sew
eral moments, until finally emerged from the
shadow of the forest, when its uncertain out
Hines resolved themselves unto those Of two
Indians in their war pas.s
The curtain fell from her hands and she
sank into her chair completely unneryed.-
All her late trcmors were now explained -
The hostile savages, instead OF being far dis.
tant, were close at hand. The very warriors
she had just seen might have intercepted her
lover; and bis scalp might be even now at
the girdle o. one Of them AT this horrible
idea she clasped her hands shudderingly over
her eyes and, for an instant, forgot her mis-
cry in oblivion.
/ But this lasted only for a moment Lizzy
Zane was no weak, timid girl whom danger
rendered burden to her friends; on the con.
trary hers vas soul cast in the heroic mould
Of Joan of Are and others Of the brave and
dauntless of her sex. Hastily springing to
her feet, she cried, This tremor IS childish,
What if Francis is dead. since peril surrounds
my parents, and not only them, but the whole
Settlement. The Indians have waited till the
moon was down to commence their attack,
hoping to surprise us ; and the two | have
seen are doubtless outlaying scouts, who,
fortunately for us, have shown themselves too
soon. will rouse father at cnce. 1t will
be time to weep for the dead, when my duty
to the living has been fulfilled"
With these words she hurried from the
chamber, though not till size had taken anoth-
er guarded look from the easement. This
time not a living soul was in sight She
rightly judged that the scouts had gone to
bring up their companions and lost no time
consequently 10 arousing the household.
AT that neriod in tha history of tho West
evarv front;e, man elent &c 4 vero nm b;s
arms Rpt tho nycsont ,enmr,ons was sonn-
sxneeted and lie assanlt ~ the savages
MIGHT he Looked far so soon that nronarations
for defence copld not lo mails ,r;tb Tho us,,l
care Col Zana m being aroused d.snatcb.
ed servants to summon lis neighbors to the
contiguous fort, which stood about forty rods
answered the cali briinpfnp witt, them IL cir
! families. but necessarily Abandoning Their
, stock and everything else to the chances o,
war He determined himself TO hold his
, mansion it being fayorablv situated as an
outpost and corhaipirn large stores.of ammu-
milton accord;Mlv retain;no thl men r
assist him be ordered the Remainder &C his
neonle 10 rena;r 20 the fort. In vain did hi,
: douobter entreat 10 remain with him. he badt
! her Remember that while duty made him s,ay
it would be criminal temerity for her to re.
/ main: and de|uged with tears. she obeycd
| his commands.
Scarcely had the rates Of the fort beer
r closed less than half an hour had elapsei
since the first alarm. when the army of saya.
I pes emerged from the forest. Ii was MOI
lorO before tbey saw that their approach haC
been discovered and that the fort was II
readiness to receive them so. with a veil O
race and hate thew rushed to the assault.
"Kcep cool, nv men" said the command
/. opt If the fort an nnclc Of orr heroine SAM
i, fire. onlv whom Won can clearly make ont NJ
. indian II i easv % confonnd the dusk,
/ devils with tho shadows and this ibevtnow
! 80 take care and waste no ammunition. III,
women will load for Won when the he'll hound
. come TO close ouarters and quick firing !,
noooss =. fortnnotsly we have nlenty q
mustets % That fresh ones can he handed /,
!, van rs fast al Won reouire them. / will Sc
! 90, an ovannlo and nv nieeo q cd Hess ber
! lin Load sor ma and show how an America,
woman can assist n the hour Of periln
!, Ills roras yera c,.t short AZ the necess;.,
6 for ;ns,ont evort;or The Indians had h,
: ,b;s .;ma o,ossa5 the fold IN front of Tho q !,
: and wero annroacb;nc partlv upder coyer o
treas toward tho entrapce boning to fore,
!, tha;r 49, - Tnstan,lv from, Tie borse :