Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1853-11-26
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JENNY BIRCH; OR, THE RESCUE
A Tale of Revolutionary, fines.
BY A. s. BASEH.
CHAPTER The AttGck.

necessary that W. should refer our read
ers back that they may know the existing
state of things in h at the time of
the commencement of our story.
The war had been raging with great fu-
ry, and ihe little settlement of R--
had not been exempt from the ravages of
the ruthless savages in the employ Of the
British. Numerous attacks had been
made, and several of the inhabitants had
been killed but all attempts al general
surprise and massacre had failed as from
the superior skill Of the brave settlers Of
r they were enabled TO encounter
the Indians in their own mode of warfare,
and were always on their guard.
Having failed in all attempts to surprise
the settlement, the Indians suddenly dis
appeared-probably in search of easier
prey. But there was one among them, a
Young chief, who was still determined to
accomplish the object, and he had greater
inducement than pIunder-revenge
Ondega, the chief, loved-but with the
wild love Of savage-the brightest and
best flower that bloomed in the pretty
valley of R. Before the war he
had endeavored to gain the maiden's con-
sent to become his bride, and be the mis-
| tress of his forest home. But the lovely
Jenny Birch had smiled at his vivid and
\ glowing representations of happiness, and
endeavoled to teach him that white mai
den could never be happy in such STU
alton. But he still perseve:ed, and she at
last refused him kindly and decidedly.
Ondega's love was now transformed into
bitter hatred and with vows Of revenge
he disappeared from the settlement, and
nothing more was heard of him till the
breaking out of The Revolutionary war,
when news was brought by some of the
settlers that Ondega was one Of the lead
ers of the Indians that were continually
ravaging the surrounding country, and had
led one of the parties that at one time at
tackled tie Settlement and were repused.
When this was communicated TO Jenny
Birch, she was very much alarmed, for
she remembered the threats of Ondega at
PAIRING, and rightly guessed that he was
row endeavoIing to carry the threat into
execution; but, on her making known her
fears to the settlers, she was assured that
mo hand should harm her as long as there
woa a man IN R that could raise q
rihet
Among the most earnest IN their efforts
% oa,iet her fears was Edwin PiersOn, a
hyoShg man, just one year the senior OF
Io,nv--twenty. He was noble-hearted,
handsome. intelligent, brave, and acknow-
ledoe6 as the best marksman in The settle
ment. There was a similarity of Senti-
ment between Edwin and Jenny, and they
were always happy when in each other S
company.
As we have said before, all the indians
had left the vicinity of Il but On
deus and his followers. He had resolved
10 take advantage of the fact of the settlers
som.what relaxing their wachiulness, IN
consequence of the apparent vacation OF
the country by the Indians, TO make last
and desperate effort for revenge. All his
plan: were matured, and he was ready to
Strike ne OlOW Uldls III SuCCC0SINIS "ONi>'
send sorrow to SO many hearts.
Nearly week before the opening OF
our story, large number of the most eX-
perienced and hardy settlers had left the
settlement to 90 TO another portion OF the
country TO aid in The battles for liberty
Little did they know how much their SER
vices were needed at home.
All the settlers in the village at the time
were assembled in the church on the Sab
bath. Not one, young or old, but was
present. 1t was the first time for long
while that the privilege was theirs to hear
the word of God spoken to them, and they
had assembled to thank Providence, for
preserving their lives amid surrounding
dangers.
Jenny Birch and her parents were there
and also the parents OF Edwin Pierson
but Edwin was not there! He had ac-
companied the party that had left the SET
Ilement.l
The Structure where the services were
held was substantial log building, and
Tor safety from attack, the windows were
placed high from the ground and furnish
ed with heavy oak shutters which were
.controled from the interior Of the building,
The roof was covered with species OF
slate. The building had been made as
Mace of refuge in times of danger, hence
The peculiarly. Now TO return:
81 The services had commenced, and the
;copOre cation had just finished singing the
morning hvmn, when the shrill war whoop
rN,ar,ed Them all to their feet. and at the
sSne moment the large oak door was
,brawn open. and an Indian with up pllited
,omahSwk, sprang into the church and