The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-03-23


stand what was meant, and Immediately
ran away as fast as she could. To add
weight and confirmation to her statement
the subjects of her fear were seen leisure
ly making towards the spot where the
speaker stood.
Don't be afraid, Sarah" said Effiing-
er, as he saw an expression Of dread up
on her features; "tbey cannot hurt you
here; and let US hear what they have to
say for themselves; they are from friend
ly tribe"
eyes," remarked Bush, "I should just
like to see them do you any harm, how
easy | could put bullet through them;
but the best policy is to be as friendly to
them as possible"
The Indians gradually approached the
place where the three stood. Two Of
them were ordinary looking men, as
frightful as paint could possibly make
them, but the other had striking and
even handsome countcnance, and body
of proportions that evinced immense mus
cular strength.
"The daughter Of the pale face" said
he, in a muscular tone of voice, "need not
fee from the sight of Attalba. Her form
is more beautiful than the young fawn, or
the wild flowers that grow by the stream
Attalba is the hero of his tribe; there is
plenty in his house. But his lodge is va
cant, and if the daughter of the pale face
will consent to be his wife, Attalba will
be her slave, and her life shall be as hap
py as the joyful song of summer birds"
Sarah, at this sudden offer, crept closer
to Effnger for protection, and be, color
ing with feeling of jealousy, rather than
anger, answered -
''Indians," said he, "the daughters Of
the whites mingle not their blood with
that of the red men; our manners, our
habits, our lives, are different Let each
of US follow the tribe in which he was
born, let each of US work out his destiny
in peace"
The Indians eyes, upon the reception
of this speech, shot forth some most re-
vengeful CLEANS, but with the seeming
stoical indifference, for which these peo-
pie have always been remarkable, he mo-
toned to his companions, and together
they Immediately departed.
Sarah and Eainger had for sometime
been betrothed lovers, and in the mutual
happiness they felt in each others society,
this meeting and the fears it was calcula-
ted to engendcr, were soon forgotten.--
Time for them did not fly along upon
Ieaden wings, but with the richest plumes,
and surrounded BY a crowd Of the rosiest
hours.
Not so did it speed along with the In
dian. Accustomed, as he had been, to
the sight of rude, careless women, treated
in many instances almost worse than
beasts of burden, the beauty and grace of
the white girl had burst upon his presence
like vision from some brighter land
The shaft of love had pierced deeply into
his heart A feeling, which he could not
at first understand, had taken possession
of his nature The woods, the streams,
the excitement of the chase, the deeds of
war, in which he had gained so many
scalps, and risen to be the chieftain of
his tribe, had lost for him their charm
Thus for a long time, he dropped in
loneliness and solitude; but at length a
plan occurred to him by which his fame
might be increased, and his highest hope
realized. This was, to make a sudden
and treacherous onslaught upon the in
fant settlement, and to take the white girl
prisoner.
In the execution Of this project, ,howev-
er, he had more difficulties to encounter
than he first imagined, for the tribe had
gained some advantages by having a
peaceable settlement of industrious men
near them; and their naturally shrewd
minds did not see that any good could
be gained by an open rupture. Here At
talba found his personal influence and ell
oqueuce of the greatest use, and by point
ing out the encroachments of the whites
and how, by stealth, they were driving
the red men to distant hunting grounds,
he gradually reused the jealousy of his
tribe, and the passions of their savage ma
ture, easily excited to scenes of cruelty
and war. The preparations were soon
made, and after their usual dances and
customs, before setting out upon such ex-
petitions were performed, more than a
hundred warriors,-the flower Of the tribe
pressed forward on their march, to car
ry death and destruction to the homes
that were resting in security and peace.
But for one circumstance the annals OF
Fishers Hollow woald have soon been
closed. Bush had been from home long
er than was his usual custom, and for,
tunatcly, when thinking of returning, he
came upon the Indians and with the
usual caution Of the back woodSman, with.
out being discovered himself, perceived
that all of them we're Fastening to the vii
, lage with hostile intent. He waited tc
know no more, but made all the haste he
possibly could, to inform bis friends o.
their danger, and to prepare for the en-
counter. The danger was most unexpec-
ted; but, in short time, about twenty
men were soon ready for service; and
Il fhav poStnd