The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-12-07
W00DSFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OIIO DECEMBER T. 1858.
Selves, with the long barrels OF their rifles
supported by its trunk.

selves, with the long barrels OF their rifles
supported by its trunk.
The harvest moon had now risen in all
its splendor, shedding glorious flood OF
light over the scene. The river seemed
one bed of liquid silver. The fog rising,
and the distant hills stealing out through
their hazy azure mantle, seemed like
ghostly sentinels or mountains in dream
land. The nearer forest as they seemed
to Chamber up the steep hill sides, were
here tipped with silver, there wrapped in
impenetrable gloom.
little ridge which ran out into the river
from one end Of the cove giving it pecu-
I liar shape, was crowned with bristlng
array Of young forest trees that stood out
with strange distinc,ness against the clear
blue sky.
BE still, boy!' said the old man in a
whisper. as the youth moved uneasily in
his position. ''They will be here soon.''
}, All was still indeed The river did make
a low ripping, splashing noise among the
bushes that hung down Into its waves, and
an owl in neighboring tree sent forth his
long and melancholy hooting; but all else
was calm and noiseless.
Curse that owl, muttered the old man,
forgetting his own injunclions, sit was jus,
that way he hooted this very night five
years ago"
The young man shuddered. as the tale
brought to his mind. and made him reflect
how soon the same fate might fall upon
his sister and his bride.
A moment and the low splash Of oars is
heard; another. and the boat swept rap
idly around the projecting point which
formed the upper end Of the cove. In the
bright moonlight every figure was plainly
discernable. In the stern sat small In
dian steering. and occasionally speaking
to the two girls in the middle Of the boat,
who with terrified countenances. lay clasp
ed in each others arms as if for protec-
tiou. In front stood tall and magnifi-
cent looking fellow in sll the war finery oi
an Indian Chief. with scalp lock, feathers.
paint, and silver bracelets. He too, hand
led an oar while his rifle lay al his feet.
! As the boat came near enough for them
to distinguish the features Of those on
board, the old man started es if an adder
had lit him.
by heaven! It's the Black Wolf! Thank
God, the hour is come! Don't move," he
whispered between his clenched teeth. Gun
til say the word then fire at the small In
diam
The youth felt excited also, but by a
+ strong effort. quelling their emotions, the
two lay motionless as statues, while the
polished tubes Of their rifles cleaned like
, fire, in the moonlight
| The boat strikes the shore. The Chief
I steps out, and orders the girls TO rise and
follow him; but insensible with grief and
fear, they neither hear nor heed his COM
mand. The smaller Indian enraged al
their obstinacy, rises with an oath, and
} stepping forward. clutched Mary by the
arm, as if to pull her from her seat. The
hunter can contain himself no longer. A
quick, clear report rings out upon the air
and the smaller Indian with a single cry
leaps up and falls dead in the boat. The
I old hunter, taken by surprise, fires hurri-
edly, and half smothered groan from
2 the Chief, as he springs back into the boat
tells thai he is wounded. but not mortally
) He seizes an oar and pushes the boat from
, the land. Quick as thought, with bound
F, like that of tgress robbed Of her young
= and terrible shout of vengeance, the
hunter has sprung into the boat. and crap
! pied with his last and most deadly enemy
But the warrior though wounded is no.
conquered. The long, keen blade OF ar
! Indian scalping- knife CLEANS an instant in
the moonlight-the next it finds sheath
time for second blow-the hands Of the
H. .,,sx,
The cry of BLOOD for blood," rings in his
p ears! The boat rocks with the terrible
] struggle. They totter. they fall with G
1 heavy splash and 60 down in the terrible
embrace Of death. A sulen wave, few
J bubbles, and the dark waters of the Ohio
p roll over the hunter and his Indian foe
: Such was the hunters revenge.
S "And were their bodies ever found?"
a inquired, when the old man had finished
! his story.
0 "Yes, long years afterwards, when ths
: waters were unusually low, in bed o
s drift wood which must have lain upon thu
bottom for half century, two Skeleton
9 forms were found by startled fisherman
: still locked in last embrace. They have
r been buried upon the summit Of the hill
where once stood the hunters hut, ant
!, there. they repose side by side.''
o "And the young hunter-what of hing
h II am he, and there is the young bride,
k and he pointed with smile to the gray
IT haired matron, in the opposite chimne.
i corner.
: looked up and saw the eyes of the oil
Il couple filled with tears.
e @ beautiful mind is like preciou
If and prolific seed-the mother of lovelines
a tho fountain Of bliss-the produce Q
!, many treasured and inestimabe flowers
t. no canker can deface, nor time destroy