Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-09
MISCELL A N Y.
Scene OH the Ohio.
BY REV. j. TODD.

by REV. j. TODD.
"Wen, it Is now nearly forty years since
first saw the glorious OHIO, shouted
when first saw it; l have loved it eVel
since, and when ! die, ! hope | shall be
buried on its banks. On certain day
engaged to go down the river to Kentucky
with Captain Ward, as he was removing
his family from the East. The journey
was long, and at best would be tedious.
went as kind of pilot. for was we'll ac
duainted with the river, and all points O
danger. The country was full of Indians,
and no settlement of any note had beer
made in Ohio. The whites and the Indian;
too, were Continually making war upon eacl
other. | do not know who was the mos
to blame. The whites aalled the most, and
the Indians were the most cruel. We pur,
chased an old, crazy, square built boat be.
tween forty and fifty feet in length, and a,
bout eight or ten feet wide. We contrived
to spike on single pine plank on each
gunnel, and this was the only thing we hsc
to defend us. We had heavy load, fur
niture, baggage, horses, pigs, fowls, ant
ploughs, besides nearly dozen people,
These consisted Of the captain, his wife,
and their young children, widowed sister
and son, besides several men to manage the
boat. When we left, we were fearful les
the Indians should attack US from the shore
but we knew that by keeping IN the mid
die of the river, we should be beyond the
reach of their rifles, Or could be in few
moments. Thus we passed on for severa
days, till we supposed we were beyond the
haunts of the Indians. One day just a
sunset, after we had become tired with
rowing, we let our boat DRIFT lazily and
carelessly along the current. We were
just getting ready to put up for the night
The mother was promising the children q
good run on the shore. The widow was
getting out provisions, and making arrange
ments for our supper. The captain and his
nephew had hold Of the oars, and moved
them just enough to allow me TO steer the
boat.
Rogers" said the captain, Suppose We
pat in this side of that point, and tie our
boat to one of those big trees, and there en-
camp for the night"
"It's right good place, captain, and
like it. Besides, thought few moments
ago, heard w.ld Turkeys over the hill, and
l should like to have oRe for supper"
So we put in towards the shore, and had
got within fifty yards of that point around
which the steamboat had Just passed,
when | heard stick crack as if broken by
a toot
"A DEER" said the captain.
"No, no." | shouted, 'row. row for life
or we are all dead
AT that instant down rushed scoses oil
Indians to the shore, with a shout that
made the hills across the river echo it back
again. The mnrderoas creatures rushed
down to the waters edge, and presented
their guns and opened heavy fire upon
us. IN an instant the young man snatched
his rife, and raising up his full length, fired
at the nearest Indian, who had shabby
head dless. The Indian fell, and SO did
the young man at the same instant. As he
fell, the captain brought the boat round
and still nearer. The Indians yelled, the
women screamed, the horses were falling
aud plunging, and bullets were flying thick
around us. Yet above it all, the voice Of
captain Ward rose cool--'Rogers take my
oar"
took it, and he at the same instant
seized piece of plank, and rowed 10 such
purpose that in few minutes we were out
in the river. beyond the reach of their RI.
ies. We knew they had no canoes, being
on hunting excursion, and that we were
then safe. But oh what sight, the hor-
ses were all dead or dying, one child bad.
ly wounded, the boat half filed with water,
and the young man in his blood at the bot
tom of the boat. By this time the GOODNESS
of the captain was all gone. He lay down
by the side of his nephew, whom he loved
as his son, and exclaimed, 20 John, Johrl
o Lord have mercy, have mercy 1 have
brought the deag boy to this death !' But
the widowed mother! She was as pale as
a sheet; but she came to her SON, raised
his head in her lap, and opened his bosom
where the blood was coming still. He was
yet alive.
"John," said she, in sweet voice, as If
speaking to the babe, "John, do you know
me"
"My mother" said he IN a whisper.
'Can you swallow. John?" said Sue, pat
ting her hand over, and dipping up some
water from the river.
He tried, but could not.
''My son, do you know that you are dy-
ing"
"Yes mother bu! are you hurt'"
"No, no: but don't think of me. Can
you pray with the heart now, my dear son?"
"God be mcrcful to me sinner, for the
sake of -"
"Jesus Christ" said the mother for he
was gone. She bent over him few mo-
ments as ifin silent prayer, then kissed his
lips, and for the first time tears filled her
eyes. Till that moment you would have
thought she was talking to child just 60
ng to sleep; her voice was so calm and so