Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-01-18

groan upon the log and rolled OFT INTO the
water pierced by an arrow from an Indian
rapidly advancing from below. Hardly had
the first Indian fallen, when another sprang
upon the log TO follow him, and again be-
fore | could raise my pistol, he too fell with
heavy sound upon the water. The third
and last was now rapidly passing across,
when an arrow went whiz7ing past me and
struck IN tree over my head. Instantly
my finger pulled the trigger, and sharp
crack of pistol rang upon the air as the
Indian leaped from the-log, and fell with a
>hrill cry of.horror, into the stream. My
pistol had done its work, but the flash re-
veaIe6 my person to the half-breed, who
drew forth his tomahawk and was about to
hurl it at me, as the lover of the maiden
sprang out behind him. Suddenly, and by
an almost superhuman effor!, the half-breed,
with his precious burden, gained footing
upon the log and was fast crossing, whenl
raised my arm to fire upon him, but sus-
pecting my design, he shielded himself by
bringing the form of the maiden before him.
Scarcely had he done this, however, when
the swift and sure tomahawk Of the lover
buried itself in the arm that bore his treas
ure, dividing ITS tendons so that it released
ITS hold and the maiden fell heavily on the
log. Not so with the half-breed, however,
for the blow from the tomahawk, caused
HIM to loose his footing and fall, but as he
did so he grasped with one arm the gar
ments of the maiden, and dragging her al
ter him, muttered:
81 90 not aloEe, but thou shalt die with
NE p and both sank beneath the water.
The young Indian had already sprang
upon the log, and as the garments of the
maiden rose to the surface, he leaped in,
eager to rescue her from the grasp of his
enemy. The willy half-breed, soon as he saw
the arm encircle the maiden, rose upon the
surface of the water, and with his hunting
knife commenced an attack upon the Indi-
an, who having to sustain himself and her
whom he priced more than life, could only
parry the thrusts CT his assaiant. The con-
fict was only momentary; for the half
breed was so deeply wounded that after one
or two blows he disappeared benea ath the
water, and the young Indian supporting his
precious burden, was nerving all his strength
till assistance could be rendered. had al
ready sprung upon the log, and was about
TO leap into the water when shrill cry,
that still rings in my ears, rent the air, and
casting my eyes down, stood Mortified to
behold the life blood spirting from the mouth
of the maiden. The half-breed's knife had
done the work, and sank with its possessor
to the bottom. As Stood gazing upon this
strange and tragic scene, the young Indian
turned one glance upon the now lifeless
form of the maiden, and then folding it to
a still closer embrace, they sunk through
the water to long aud last repose. In a
moment more, not ripple was left, but the
smooth, quiet stream rolled on as silent as
before, leaving no trace to tell the sad tale.
Thus perishcd the remnant of this once
powerful tribe, for the old chief. when hear
Ing of the sad fate of his daughter, returned
of grief cast himself among the burning ru-
ins and became part ofthe unfeeling con-
1agration; while the remaining warriors ell
ther Joined another tribe or faded from be-
fore the advance of civilization. By the
light OF the lurid flames, | wandered back
TO my tent where my companions stood
hornfed at behoding that greatest of scenes
"a forest on fire.
How TO TELL A COOP TEACHER.-A gen.
tlemau from SwampviIe, State of New
York, was telling how many different occu-
patlons he had attempted. Among others,
he had tried school teaching.
'.How long did you teach!" asked by
stander.
oval, didn't teach long; that is, on
ly went to teach
did you hire out?''
"Wa, | didn't hire out only went to
hire out'
"Why did you give tup?"
"Wal, | gave it up-for some reason or
nuther. You see, travelled intoa deestrict
and inquired for the trustees. Somebody
said Mr. Snickels was the man | wanted TO
see. So found MIR. SnickelS-named my
objic, introducing myself-and asked him
what he thought about letting me try my
luck with the big boys and unruly gals in
the deestrict. He wanted to know if |
raally considered myself capable ; and told
hun / wouldn't mind his asking me few
easy questions in 'rithmetic and Biography,
or showing my handwriting. But he SAID
no, never mind, he could tell good teach
er by his gait" =,
"Let me see you walk off little ways"
said he, land / can tell" says he, "JIs's
wells Id heard you examined" says ne.
"He sot in the door, as he spoke, and |
thought he looked little skitti,h; but l
was Considerable frustrated, and didn't mind
much so turned about and walked OH as
smart as | know'd how" He SAID he'd
tell me when to stop, so ] KEEP on I'LL l
thouobt I'd oone far enough-thenI | s'Pect-
ed s'ihing was to pay, and looked around.
Wal. the aoor was shet, and Snickels was
gore T.
"Did you go back %
"Wal, no didn't 90 back"
Did you apply for another school p
oval, no-l didn't apply for another
school, said the gentleman from Swamp.
vile. 81 rather Judged my appearance
was against me-"
VAsTNEss OF THE UNIvERsE.--Prof.
Hitchcock, in one of his popular scientific
works, has aptly illustrated the vastness OF
the universe. Light, although apparently
visible instantaneously, really requires an
appreclable time to travel. A fash OF light
nlng occurring on earth would no: be visl-
BILE on the moon till a second and quarter
afterwards on the sun till eight minutes
at theplanet Jupiter, when at its greatest
distanse from US, till fifty-two minutes; on
Uranustil two hours on Neptune till four
hours aid quarter; on the star OF Vega, of
the first Magnitude, till one hundred and
eighty yeas and stars of the twelfth mag
nltude, tllltour thousand years-and stars