Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-04-18
G5e fanilp Gmtle.
The Hidden Cavern.
AN INCIDENT OF THE LATE WAR.

of water that lay before them tinged by
the mellow light of the setting sun. The
scene on which they gazed was indeed
beautiful the dark woods behind the
fort were dressed in all the gaudy livery
of the early months of autumn, ere the
leaves have been touched by the trans
forming hand which prepares the earth
for the approach of Winter, while the
dancing waters, stretched away until they
undiscernably melted into the congenial
blue of the overhanging sky, offered a
rare picture of loneliness unto the eye of
the beholder.
The group that we have mentioned,
consisted of two men, dressed in the ha-
biliments of the hunter, and frontiers
man of that period, 1813,) the eldest of
whom held the rank of captain of the fort,
while the other was his lieutenant, and a
young girl of apparently not more than
twenty summers, who was the daughter
of the commander. The silence that had
prevailed for some time was first broken
by the youngest of the first named indi-
viduals, who addressing the officer, said ::
Capt. Highton, may | enquire who
that person was who came to the fort
Yesterday, and remained but until this
morning ?"
He represented himself as being a
stranger journeying alone to the next
post"
at is unusual for men to traverse these
forests alone, in these troublesome times,
and there was something singular in his
appearance that struck me when | first
saw him-and something suspicious, that
warned me to be on my guard against
him but by the by, sir, they say the In
dians are again beginning their devasta-
tions in this part of the country, and it
might be we'll for US to be on our guard
against them"
"Pshaw, Pshaw! Steward you give
too much credit to idle rumors in my
opinion we might as well return to our
homes, for the war in@eality is over, and
no more danger to be apprehended from
the savages."
But, sir, large body of Shawnees
fully armed, were lately seen by one of
the scouts, and as long as they gather in
large numbers, there is danger to be
feared"
"Well, well have it your own way then,
but for my part, see no necessity in
shutting ourselves up in fort, for fear that
there may be some struggling Indians in
the woods )" so saying, he turned away
and walked to another part of the fort.
And do you really think, Edward.
that there is any danger to be apprehend-
ed from the savages ?" inquired Caroline
I>Highton, who had listened to the CONVEX
sation between Steward and her father.
81 know not what to think" was the
reply. That there are Indians and Brit
ishin the surrounding country, have no
doubt for the former have been repeatedly
seen by our men and have my suspi-
cion in regard to the character of the in
diyidual who paid us SO short visit yes
terday-but come who may, not a hair of
your head shall be harmed while there re-
mains one drop of blood in the veins of
Edward Steward"
The period of our tale was shortly after
the forces Of the British and Indians under
Proctor and Tecumseh, had been defeated
at the battle of the Thames by Gen. Har
rison and a.peace for awhile restored to
the western settlements. The fort was at
the time garrisoned by small force of
twelve men, composed of hunters and set
tiers, who had taken up arms to defend
their homes against the attacks of ruth
less and cruel foe. Lulled into false Sc
curity by the absence for some months of
the bands Of Indians who formerly had
annoyed them by sudden attacks and am
bushes, Capt. Highton and most of his
men had fallen into degree of apathy in
regard to the dangers that threatened
them and spent their time in hunting and
fishing, or idly wishing to return to their
homes, believing the war was at an end,
leaving the gates of the fort open and the
entertainments in an almost defenceless
condition.
Caroline Highton was the only daugh-
ter of the father, and had joined him dur
ing the summer, and taken up her abode
with him in the fort, being the only wo-
man to be found, for miles and miles of
painless forests that lay between the
frontier station and the nearest settle
ments, thrown into connection with each
other, an affection which gradually famed
into love, had grown up between her and
Edward Steward, and they were consider
ed by the other inmates of the fort, as be-
ing in that condition which nowadays
would be called engaged"
Edward Steward knew well to what
dangers the fort was subjected. He knew
that the cessation of hostiities would only
be of short duration, and that before they
were aware of his presence, the dark
forest would pour forth again their bands
of painted savages, before whose sudden
attack an unguarded situation would east
ly fall prey. He had often before
earnestly expressed his sentiments to the
captain, land warned him to be on his guard,
but his words were always met with an
Iincredulous smile, and his warnings fell
UNDECIDED on the ear of his commander.
Not more than week had elapsed,
after the conversation we have related
had taken place. than one night when the
inmates of the fort were reposing in I'M
guard slumbers, sudden YELL uttered as
it were by hundred unearthly voices,
was heard ringing within and without the
fort, and its defenders were suddenly
aroused, to meet unarmed, a savage foe,
led on by the very same stranger who had
been received as we have mentioned few
days before, and who had conducted his
swarthy followers into the fort while the
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