Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1854-04-06


stop a minute. may be we are too fast.
the girls have often been out. and wha, if
they should only be staying little long
er for fun?'
1T would be cruel fun of which they
surely could not be guilty-we dare not
hesitate longer. See, there will be nc
stars tonight
Still We risk so much. ard make SO
much misery. if we alarm the stution
needlsssly. we will be laughed at always.
i can't help it. II is almost dark now
and our sisters are not at home. Al least
they are lost. and on such n sht as this,
they will be frozen 10 death or torn in
pieces by the cursed wild beasts. Go we
must let every one know
What is the matter. boys? inquired
Buffalo Dave who with his rifle on his
shoulder. was passing to take his posi-
tion on watch in the block house. And
lhe strong man trembled. and planting his
rifle on the ground. supported himself BY
it with difficulty, when told that Patsy
and Mary were out in the woods.
In few minutes every heart within
the walls cf that station was agonized By
the information that the dear girls were
gone. Aud the mothers of the lost ones
but it is vain to speak Of their grief,
brcause it was unspeakable. The gener-
al alarm was not attended by any u7roar
Of screams and shouts. The dismay and
anguish was too great to be vented in moi
I'll Io.i
from house 10 house. still as ghosts as
they ran. and communed in harsh whis-
perings. The few children were speech
less with alright, forgetting even 10 cry.
or daring not 10 do so. The younger wo.
men. companions Of the missing ones.
were gathered in Mrs Millions house pal.
lid and subdued to 9ietness. The men
moved hastily to and fro, all carrying guns,
and gathered in groups about the block
houses, counselling as TO what might be
done. and what. under the circumstances
should be. The most earnest advocate OF
an immediate expedition in search of or
10 avenge the missing ones. was Carroll.
He spoke low but with intense vehemence
urging instan, action. and contending
that the proba bilities were in favor Of
finding the g,rls. He swore that he would
as soon die as not, and that when he pass
ed the gate he never would return alive
without the objects Of his search. His
determination ard impetuosity was start
ling, and even a. that moment. some per.
sons marked his extraordinary behaviour.
and looked upon him with indie Enable g..
larm.
There were many reasons to urge against
a sortie at night. The darkness and the
tangled density Of the woods. the uncer-
sainty reigning every where. and the liza
bilitv TO smbuscades. The inefIiciency
of small portion of the men in the sta
ton for an attack upon powerful band
Of savages, and the insecurity to which
the station. with the women end child
rem would be subjected. in case the prn-
cipal portion of its defenders were detail
ed upon an expedition of at most and
best bet Of equivocal propriety. These
reasons and reflections caused the bold
high hearted pioneers TO hesitate. even
whan precious ones of their flock were
subjected to the peris Of the woods. or
had undergone the utmost that the bar
barity Of wild men or the fury of savage
beasts. could inAict.
Capt. Campfeld moved about from one
group to another. gathering the views of
all and pondering deeply on his response
bilities. The women gathered around
him and begged in piteous tones that he
would not ler their husbands, brothers
and sons stir beyond the pickets. for there
was awful danger everywhere. They uIg-
ed with fearful applications that the In
Gians might be concealed Immediately
q bout the station ready to fire upon the
first who should dare issue from the gate
The Captain was far from deaf TO their
do the best that he could. and all that
was possible for their safety and ttat Of
the men. SO far as safety was consisten!
with duty.
Presently it was whispered around that
one Of the young men was missing
Strangely enough no one had seen the
girls pass the gate. with the exception of
a child who said she saw a man follow
them. The missing man turned out TO
be John Johnson. and the announcement
of the fact gave momentary relief to the
tension Of the hearts;rings of,hose earnes.
and affectionate people. But deeper dis
may and stronger agony followed on a
little reflection. If Johnson had been
with them, they could not have been lost.
for he was familiar with the woods--nor
imperiled By wild beasts. for he carried a
loaded rifle.
No doubt was now entertained that Ma.
nv and Patsy had fallen into the hands OF
the Indians, and it was no, long that even
IA hope remained. Hurried steps were
heard approaching tho gate, and young
Johnson appeared breathless with haste
He was admitted hurriedly, and instantly
proceeded to relate the anxiously awaited
report of himself.
Noticing the girls leave the station not
long before dusk, he was struck with the
Of the movement, and ventur
ed TO desire them 20 remain. or accept him
for protector. They laughingly declin
cd TO do either, and he deter mined TO take
bis gun and follow them a, some distance.
10 shield them from possible harm. Their
business seemed 10 be TO gather grapes and