The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-02-15

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after it, and gradually rose TO great hon
ors, wealth, and prosperity. Matte be-
came his wife, and their home was blessed
with sons and daughters, till, when the
Declaration of independence was made,
men knew no happier family than that OF
William Smith. He was generous and he
was charitable, but nevertheless one Of the
most opulent men in the province, for he
was prudent and economical.
/ When, however, the war of liberty broke
out, his treasures flowed like water to sup
port Washington in his tremendous cam.
paigns. Matte did not repine when she
saw their riches melting away in the fer
vor of that glorious cause ''Let the gold
! CO." she said; and the gold did go, and
when America was free, it was all gone,
and William Smith found himself a beg
gar! But he was not sorrowfnl; for over
the Allegheny mountains was the country
of Kentucky-beautifu soil and timber,
they might settle, and ,hither many were
going who had lost their possessions in
the terrible but sacred war.
In the. spring of 1884, fifty emisrants
assembled at Powel's on the frontiers oi
the colony. They were to journey in COM
pany over the mountains, for mutual de-
fence, for the swarthy tribes Of Indians
still lowered over the regions. revenging on
the white men that long llliad Of calamities
which had fallen on their race. saa a25
The caravan went forward. 1t passed
| through wild territory. among mountains
and defles, with the shaggy forests still
throwing their primeval shadows over the
slopes. At distance there was known
to be a settlement where provisions might
be obtained. Smith, with a small party,
went in advance to bring back supplies for
the rest. He was six days away. The
1 remainder had promised to await his re.
turn in sequestered little valley. To
that he came with his companions. There
were traces of the camp, and marks of
conflict, but no living being stirred there
mo voice could be heard, no welcome
of the dear ones he had left confused
and broken trail showed that the emigrants
were in fullretreat for the Clinch river. to
1regain the more populous district they
had; Quilted. Smith hurried after Them
1"Where is my wife-where are my chill
dren?" he asked OF the first straggler he
came up to. "You will find them where
you left them. Ask the Shawnees; they
can tell you the rest"
i "You have neglected your trust-they
deliberate yet trembling voice. "And you
{ are retreating, you cowards!'' he added.
and then turned back, rode along to the
abandoned camp in the valley, and there
in the evening he was found looking with
fearless eyes, but a countenance more
mournful than weeping could make it, on
the lost and the ioved-Mattie and her
children.
i Smith with his own hands dug their
lgraves-with his own hands he laid them
side by side; his irst-born on the mothers
right hand, his youngest on her bosom
where it had lain so long. And then he
stood for few minutes looking upon this
}, last couch made for their earthly rest, and
filed the grave, piled stones TO mark the
spot, and bade adieu forever to love in
which his heart had made its home. Iii.
! comrades were standing around in silence
, They expected when he had finished he
would follow them. But he walked abou
the site OF the camp, and found where tht
Indians had come and gone. Then HI
9 shouldered his rife, waved his hand sol
emnly, and speaking no farewell, disap
: -lpeared on the trail OF the Shawnees.-
o From that hour strange mystery sprun!
: up among those mountains. There wa
known to dwell on them lonely hunter
9 la white man--who was seen OCCASIONAL,
d by the Indians, or some solitary trappers
: always with rife in his hand, perpetuall
e silent, never speaking one word to any
: lIf he was addressed he turned and re
u treated into the woods. Gradually he wa
7. lost sight of altogether, except to DAME
s Boone. that ar-famed hunter. whose nem
Riis familiar over the whole continent
d America Daniel Boone was believed I
n have frequent interviews with him. and I
e supply him with powder and ball. but h
d never spoke OF him. and only replied b
a shaking his head, and touching his bro,
e with his finger.
nj This had went on for two years, an
l. men had almos, forgotten Bill Smith. B,
'e at the end OF that time Shawnee India
u was taken prisoner, by the people I
i. Boone's fort, and he once more revive
l. the excitement as 10 the mystery OF tf
II Silent Hunter. lie said that terrib
p. spirit had for two wears hunted the wa
"a path Of the Shawnees-an evil demo
;;ss whose sight was appalling 10 their natloi
tn More than thirty Of their best braves ha
Q, already fallen under his hand. This fea
,k full Medicine man was sent, they believed
rs to punish them for some portentious sill
n So dreadful had he become, that the trit
H. had met, and were nearly determined
ng quit forever their ancient hunting groun'
re in Kentucky. When asked if they ev
as had seen the demon, they said they hs
or never SCENT distinctly, though their your
W. men had pursued it often. and alwa
"a, came back with one Of their number mis-
), ing. At length none dared to follow I
ell terrible apparition.
ne After this story had been rumored
'u' broad, men began to speak Of Bill Smi'
as They spoke of him, however, with an u
!, accountable dread, and always in a Il
in voice. The Shawnees ~ad been former
lP- one Of the most formidable and best {
me ganized of the red nations. They nj
~. bscame timid and carried on the mt