The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-07-28

/ ~ iaiu Wy uiS tcOfnIaueS, lS pub 10 fepeat
every day scenes in the early history Of the
West. ass ts Ffsssf w
/ Long years ago, when every foot Of the
| Western frontier was disputed ground, Capt.
| Ward left his home of peace and security in
| the East to endure the hardships and share
the dangers of frontier life, taking with him
his wife and several small children. Hewas
accompanied by, . widowed sister and her
son, q noble youth of nineteen. The con-
senience of a luxnrinnsly furnished room in
majestic steamer, plowing her way through
the rippling wavelets laying her sides, was
then unknown. Our pioneers embarked
in a square built boat, some eight or ten
feet broad by fifty IN length. They had on
board about a dozen horses, besides other
stock, and with the man engaged to work
the boat there were nearly dozen persona
Slowly and weariiy they drifted down the
broad and beautiful Ohio, keeping in the
middle of the stream, as well to enjoy the
current, as to avoid danger from the parties
of Indians which might be prowling along
the shore. Day after day fdawned and
closed on them, and they had passed the
great border battle-ground, where wild, un-
| disciplined valor was struggling to resist
the approach of usurpation and civilization.
They no longer feared the deadly missiles
from the shores, nor started at every sound
that came to their ears, as at the footsteps of
an unseen foe A sense of security natural
ly brings with it a relaxation of vigilance and
diminution of caution. anH 80 .s!s fatf
just at the close of beautiful day, the
rowers weary of labor, had ceased and the
boat was drifting down the current, when
Ward called to his pilot: s. -s 4stseiat5 i5.
Rogers, suppose we put in this side of
that point yonder fasten our boat to one of
those trees, and put up for the night, atA
at looks like good place." replied Rog-
ers. "and am in favor ofstopping; besides,
hear some wild turkeys, and would like
to have one for breakfast" - 2a. e.a.
| The boat turned toward the point in
QUESTION, the children were all animation at
the idea of stretching their cramped and
wearied limbs on the shore; the women
were already getting out their provisions and
making preparations for supper. They were
within fifty yards of the shore, when their
attention vas arrested by the cracking of a
stick. The Captain remarked that instead Of
Turkey they might have supper on venison.
mo-" shouted Rogers, who was steering the
boat, ats Indians! Row for your lives,
or we are all dead % With all haste the
boat was put about, but before it was head
ed towards the middle of the stream, the
crash of a hundred rifles broke upon the
stiffness of those mighty solitudes, and a
shower of balls swept around the little boat.
The nephew of the Captain sprang up, seiz-
ed his rifle and fired at the foremost Indian,
who from his dress appeared to be the lead
er of the band. The Indian fell, and the
young man at the same moment. The cool
and intrepid exertions of the orasmen soon
placed them beyong the reach of danger !;
as they, knew it to be only, hunting party.
they were aware that they were destitute of
canoes and did not fear pursuit still their
condition was deplorable one. Many of
their horses were killed, others were wound
ed and plunged fearfully; one child. severe
ly wounded lay in the boat, his head sup
ported by his mother, while the crimson
current of life flowed rapidly from his bosom
He whispered few words Of encourage
ment and consolation to his mother, breath
ed prayer commencing his spirit to heav-
en-, and expired. s .eFS s
Night thickened around them. Silently
they sought the shore, and in silence par,
took of their humble repast, and in sorrow
PiePaieu thc itst tcStitig-pldce OF the dead.
No white-robed priest stood beside the lone
| ly grave to utter prayer over the departed,
but the heart-broken mother knelt beside
the remains Of her only child; and placing
her hand above that heart, now stifed for.
ever, breathed suchaa prayer as only soul
crushed by sorrow still relying on Heaven
can utter. Manly cheeks were wet within
that little group, and, from eyes unused to
weep, the tear of fpitty flowed. In the morn
ing. Rogers assisted the mother in placing
a rough stone at the head Of the grave, and
the little band of adventures, saddened by
the events Of the past yet hopeful Of the flu
ture, started again ON their journey towards
the setting sun.
Long and chequered years have passed,
and the whole face of the mighty West has
changed. The red man, driven back before
the rolling tide of fertilization, no longer Turks
upon the banks of the Queen Of Rivers. The
unsightly RATS that drifted upon its quiet
waters have given place to floating palaces,
furnished with all the conyeniences and com
forts that taste or comfort can suggest. Long
after the event which we have related had
transpired, Rogers, then sn old hunter, stood
i beside that simple stone, the mound they