Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-11-18
$500 PER ANNUM, In ADVANCE.

they were prepared TO expect, proved a
rough and tedious one; but they saw
nothing of Indians, as yet. They arfi.
we'd on the banks of the Licking river in
The ordinary time. Harrod, who had
several years since built fort where
Harrodsburg stands, was now returninyj
from visit TO Virginia; and he, with sey-
eral other of the principal men, Smith
among them, lef! their families, as they
supposed, with sufficient sguarf in
camp, and pushed forward to- find Boone,
at either Harrodsburg or Bo6asb borough,
and bring back some supplies.
Alas, for that parting! When they
returned six days afterwards, as the day
was breaking, having accomplished the
object of their mission, they found the
camp just broken up; and following on
the scattered trail, caught up with the
frightened remnan, OF the emigrants, in
lull retreat back for the settlements on
Clinch river. ,....s.. ....
Where is my wife! and where are
my children!' demanded Smith, in
cold, stern tone, of the person under
whose command the camp had been left.
"You will find them where you left
theml Ask the Shawnees; they can
tell you the rest"
"You have neglected your lrust, and
they are murdered" Smith replied, liz
deliberate but trembling voice. "And
YET We find you retreating! Where is
your manhood, wretch! coward! he
shrieked, as he sprang at the throat OF
the man, and hurled him to the ground
with such furious violence that the blood
gushed from his nose and mouth, and
he was thought for long time to De dy.
ing. Without pausing an instant to see
what he had done, the unfortunate man
turned, and with the speed of the wild
dee:. lied back to the deserted camp.
Several hours subsequent, Harrod and
some others returned 10 look after the
dead, aud they found Smith stretched
upon the bodies of Matte and the chill
cren, with his arms spread in the endea
vor TO clasp them all i'll one embrace
He looked up with fearless eyes, and
smiling with terrible serenity, took
the spade from the hand of the nearest
person, and commenced digging grave
for them. The sturdy men around, mo-
we'd and awed By the speechless silence
with which he proceeded, offered in low
whispers to assist him. He motioned
them solemnly away, and would not be
aided. He thus worked on for hours,
until grave wide enough and deep en-
ough had been followed. Then reach
ing the cold form of Matte from the
spot where it lay, he clasped il to his
breasta momenl-held it off for one
long, fixed gaze--pressed those dear
lips, and laid her gently down to rest
He then placed her first born son upon
her right side, and as he saw the frown
OF desperate battle sill on bis fair young
brow, and the shattered rifle clutched in
the grip of death, he smiled a strange
and terrible smile. Her youngest born
he lay next her heart, and TO each, as
he disposed The suffening form in order,
he gave the last embrace and farewell
kiss. This done, he stood on the side
of the grave for some msments, gazing
silently down upon The home, the EARTH
ly heaven he hac lost, and then, with
out word or groan, proceeded to fill up
the grave. His comrades waited until
he had finished, and had heaped pile of
stones to mark the place. They expec-
ted him TO return with them now to iha
new camp which has llis hifi rife. waved his his
~ --.a asid solemn adieu, and without sneaL.
trail of the
Ds -