The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-06-22


portfolio in hand, for the purpose of taking
some sketches; and in the course of my
wanderings came upon pretty little dwell
ling by the side of waterfall, in a sweet,
sequcstered spot. On a mossy bench by
thedoor sat ayoung girl ofwonderful beau
ty, in showy but picturesque dress, with
a guitar in her hand, the sweet melody of
which blended delightfully."- with the soft
murmuring dash of the waterfall, and the
gurgling ofthe little stream beyond it. It
was picture of surprising beauty and
loveliness, and l immediatly sat down on a
fallen tree to commit it to paper.
While thus employed, man was obser-
we'd approaching, whom soon found was
no other than. Elliott himself. AS he
neared the cottage the young girl, who had
evidently been expecting him, threw down
her guitar and ran eagerly to meet him.
He satdown beside her on the bench; when
suddenly On observing me, he started as
if a serpant had stung him, and hastily ap-
preached me, He glared upon me in a
lcok in which all the hatred that had gath
cred SO many years seemed to have concen-
trated.
"This is the second time, sir" said he,
fercely, "'that you have crossed my path
it shall be the last time! Follow me, if you
dare."
"Ifby crossing your path,' said I, you
mean an allusion to that young woman, I
assure you have not spoken to her, or ap-
preached nearer to her than am now"
"Must I call you coward?" said he.
"Will you follow me or not?"
Threw down my drawing materials and
followed him. He entered the chapparel.
and led the way to clear space, near a
running brook. Here he turned and drew
his sword, Defend your self!'' he ex-
claimed.
"Captain Elliott" said I, "although ]
am not conscious Of having injured you,
I am ready to give you tie satisfaction you
demand. But had we not better return to
the camp, obtain seconds, and conduct the
affair in the regular manner?'
NO" said he; II will not wait. Twill
not hold no farther parley with you. De-
fend yourself"
Thus abjured, drew my sword, but
had scarcely done so, when something
whizzedpast me, sharp reportwas heard,
and with wild cry, Elliott fell dead at
my feet looked for an instant behind
me, and saw the dark countenances ol
half-a, dozen Mexicans as they prepared to
reload their pieces, and then fled into the
Ichapparel, 'tarrying no longer to question.
On-on I Izsped;=this way and that way,
through the tangled thicket tripping my
feet on long, trailing vines, scratching my
hands on thorns, until completely worn out,
l climed up lofty tree and hid myself
among its leafy branches. Here remain
ed for several hours, and heard nv pur-
suers crashing amongst the underwood,
shouting, swearing, calling to each other;
but gradually the sounds died away, the
chase seemed to be given up, and I was
left alone in that wild, unbroken solitude
The afternoon was far advanced, when
driven partly by hunger, partly by the
dread ofpassing the nightin the ehapparel
I ventured to descend from my leafy covet
where the mosquitoes had made feast
upon me, and the monkeys had chartered
at ne with their mocking gestures. By
the aid of my pocket compass, I found
my way back to the clearing from whence
I had SO suddenly departed. After care
fully reconnoitering, to see that none O.
my Mexican friends were lingering neal
Ito this day l pectthat young woman
of having sent them after us l advanced
to the spot where poor Elliott had fallen
He was lying on his face in a pool o
blood, his hands clutching the grass, his
hair and uniform dappled in blood, and
his fine manly form (he was one of the
finest lookingfellows in the army pierced
with three or four ghastly wounds.
''Ah! poor fellow!' said I as I stood ant
gazed upon him; for though was rid of {
mortal enemy I could not help feeling sor
ry that so brave soldier should thus per
ish like a dog, shot down by an unseen foe
''But, thank God!'' | cried with thrill o
Indescribable pleasure, ''thank God! die
not kill him!"
had turned him over on his back, a
| stood moralizing, thought I saw hi
bosom heave. l placed my hand On hi
heart and found that he still lived. AS
knelt by him, uncertain what to do, h
opened his half glazed eyes, and l saw hi
parchedlips try to form the word Water!'
My first impulse was to run to the broo
which flowed at short distance; my mex
to stop and consider. Should I restore t
life the man who, few minutes before ha
been thirsting for my blood?" who hate
me all his life? Who had wronged me
sighted me, and even called me coward