Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-09-22

will give You my answer"
Rupert Wythely was wealthy young
planter near jamestown, who with a well
proportioned person and manly countenance
possessed noble heart and cultivated intel
lect. His idea of female excellence had been
formed upon an ideal model of perfection, in
which he had blended the accomplishments
of all the heroines Of poetry and romance.
Vain had been his search hitherto, but ere
he had been long with Henrietta he imag-
ined. if her qualities of mind corresponded to
her personal charms, he had at length found
the beau ideal of female perfection.
Meanwhile. her brother had been sorely
troubled at heart by the invitation to lead
his fellow citizens. Like every true Nirgini-
an, he felt that the country was in danger
for death was ravaging the land under the
hideous forms of savage cruelty. The force
out under Capt. John Washington had
proved entirely insufficient yet the governor,
instead of adding to it, had rebuked them for
killing party of chiefs because it injured
the beaver trade on which he had monopo-
ly. That an armed resistance 10 the Indians
was necessary he did not doubt, but the
thought of rising in arms against the will of
the Kings Governor rcther staggered him.
at any way" said he to Wythely, as they
sat enjoying their wine after dinner, Il will
Il.
Let the news reach me that q single white
man has been harmed by the savages, and
will lead you on to vengeance, commission or
no commission"
\ long storm, at the conclusion of which
the iords were impossible. detained Rupert
Wythely week with the Bacons. He well
improved the time. for, ere he left, Henrietta
acknowledged that she was not dsinclined to
treasure up the rich harvest ofailectou which
he laid at her feet. Nay, she was rather
disposed to become more republican in her
feelings, and to admit that Nirginians might
be capable Of self.governmPnt.
Weeks passed, and in vain did Nathaniel
Bacon urge Governor Berkley to abandon
his scheme Of detached forts, and authorize
a volunteer force of rifemen. At last he left
jamestown in despair. and, ere going home
paid visit to llenrico, where the sharp
shooters were encamped, unapalled by the
edicts of the governor commanding them to
disperse. The men soon went on parade
under command Of Rupert Wythely but ere
he had heard the reports of sergeants q horse
man approached at full gallop. Riding up
in front of the line, lie checked his foaming
steed, and shouted:
The savages are at the falls Of James
River, killing and plundering Turn out
Turn out :"
Where are they 2" asked Bacon, pale with
apprehension.
"They first killed all at the mills, and then
camped around Bacons house on the hill
They say it is Powhattan's council ground
aud no white man shall possess it,"
And Miss Bacon?" eagerly inquired
Wythcly.
Il heard they'd got white gal prisoner
and meant to torture her in few days at q
great war dance
Bacon" exclaimed Wythely, "do you now
hesitate ?"
mo, no :" Then raising his voice until il
rung in trumpet tones over the field he con
tinued "Nirginians forgive my hesitation
Now, that my own home is desOlate can
ask you to follow me to the rescue of loved
sister,"
A loud shout Of Lead on '" made The
hearts of Bacon and Wythely beat high
again, nor was it many hours ere the force
was in motion. 4 Drawer set of men never
fastened to the fray. Tine sun had set il
: clouds behind the blue Ridge, and the woods
grew dim as the Nirginians approached tn,
, house Of their general. Scouts, who hat
been sent in advance to reconnoiter reported
that there was an intrenchment around thu
house, within which huge council fire hat
been lighted exactly at sunrise. 1t wa
evident no time was to he lost. The noun
ted cavaliers, under the command of Wythe
! ly, were ordered to sweep around to the right
while Gen. Bacon led the bulk of the fore,
, directly up the hill, against the frowning
} silent breastwOrk
5 On they moved with cautious tread, un
certain as to whether their coming wa
: known to the entrenched foe. But whel
they were within about twenty PAGES Of th
[ breastwork there came along from its who'll
r front a cloud Of arrows, making many q brav
man bite the dust. The scene which follow
: ed is described as one of deadly warfare, io
r no sooner had the Nirginians reached tn
breastwork than yell was given, and tn
rude terrace swarmed with painted warriors
, each hearing in his left hand blazing torch
= and in his right hand war club. Springinl
into the midst of their assaants, the savage
{ dealt their murderous blows on all sides, ofteI
thruSting their burning torches into IT,
1 faces of the whites, who could not use thei
fire arms, so close was the encounter
l Sound retreat !" shouted Genera
b Bacon ard in obedience to the brazen trum
pets his men fell back. At that momen
S the cavaliers under Wythely charged througl
the savages, and when they had passed, tn
5 infantry, hastily formed into line and poure
+, in murderous volleys. Again the cavalier
t moved off swarth of the now discomftte,
e savages, again storm Of iron had swep
] through their painted ranks, and then, wit
] a cheer, the inirenchment was stormed. A
the head of those who first entered III
: breastwork, fighting like very demon, wa
Rupert Wythely and al the door of the oil
/, mansion, as he rode up to it with heav
y heart, he saw his own Henrietta.
Safe safe Thank God she is safe !" h
r shouted, and in an instant he had reache
g her side and she was clasped TO his heart.
Our limits will not permit us to portra
y the story of her Imprisonment as she nara
a ted it that night ar und the family heartl
: stone Destined for sacrifice, she had bee
5 carefully treated and allowed the unmoleste
:, liberty of her own room. But that nigh
was TO have witnessed her immolation. !
n Divine Providence had nerved her hear
h though escape appeared impo ssihe, as sh
s. was already summoned to the burning pill
e when a scout gave the alarm cry. Then.
c the light Of the torches she plainly witnesse
IS the fray, implOring, upon her knees befoI
p the window, that heavenly arm would su
tain those whom she loved so well.
e. Morning dawned, and horrible seer
e presented itself around the house. There
lie where st. Johns church now stands--lo
ID the mangled corpses in the stiff attitudes
re death, and the stream near By was tingl
with lifa.hlood Tho u,onndad ,yora oa.,