Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-12-15

| Hasty and frantic inquiries were made. The
boys threw down their rakes, the colonel leap
ed from the load, Isaac detached the pin
which fastened the oxen to the cart and, in
less than aminute, all were in the road run
ming, calling, shouting, exploring the woods in
various directions, and making every effort
which the agony of terror or the suggestions
of hope could inspire.
They soon found the little basket, filed with
berries, which she had left under the tree
Unfortunately this happened to be by little
path, which went into the woods towards the
| north, at a right angle with the road which
she had pursued /; and they inferred that she
had taken that path, especially as it led to a
grove of sugarmaples, where was a little hut
used in the sugar season, and where the sap
troughs and other conveniences were kept
She had been led there once to see these won
ders, and was much delighted with them all
therefore turned to explore the woods in that
direction, and tired the echoes with their fran
tic calls, while Amy was waiting under the old
maple, two miles distant, for God to come and
take her
Meanwhile Aunt Deborah hurried back to
the house alone for Ann could not be kept
back from joining in the search. Alex had
come after his mother in the wagon, and all
were instantly Informed of the terrible truth
Aunt Deborah haStened home with the horse
and wagon to summon the family and Alex
flew to join in the search
In an hour, all the men within two miles
were in the woods, and women in wagons hur-
rying for more help. The search was kept up
all that night. In the morning before sunrise,
hundreds of men and BOYS from every direction.
were collected at Col. Bowler's, ready to follow
any orders from him. By the advice of Dea-
con Arbor, horns were sounded as signal for
the men in the woods to return, and council
of proceedings was held 1t was pretty clear
that the missing one was not in the direction
where they had been searching, for the whole
woods on that side had now been explored for
miles.
A systematic plan of thorough search was
now speedily adopted. The whole company
formed in line, extending more than two
miles, the individuals being within hailing dis
tance All were directed to march in silence,
except at every minute the word MIrh was
passed along the line The silence was requir-
cd to listen for any sound and the frequent
shout of Haardd, not only to attract the atten-
ton of the lost one, if in hearing, but also to
give such individuals as could not see the
others proper indication of course and distance
In this way they extended themselves, and
took up their march towards the river, from
little beyond where Amy left her basket and
if she had but remained where we left her. un-
der the old maple-tree, they would soon have
found her Every rod Of ground was explored
as they passed aud long before noon the rib
bon which bound her hair was found under
the old maple, and Immediately sent TO the
house, TO communicate the encouraging pre-
sage OF SuceesS. and also to show that search
in other directions was not needed for the
search was still being pursued, by women and
others, in the direction Of the maple-groye and
elsewhere
Refreshments of bread cheese. beer and
water. were brought, and passed along the line.
without intermitting the search but no fur
ther indications of their object were discover
Ell that day. Before night they had explored
the whole ground swept by their line of march
to the river, being nine or ten square miles,
besides their previous search. When they ar
rived at the river, another council was held
The company divided, and two lines were
formed, each extending from the river as far
towards their first point Of starting as their
number would allow. and which was far enough
in any likelihood have passed
In the same order as before one wing moT-
eed down the river and the other moved up
The wing moTins down the river was longest,
extending nearly two miles back on the other
side, the course of the river made less extern
Sive line sufficient TO cover the ground. The
upper wing had also but about two miles
ahead, before coming 10 country road, which
of course, must terminate their march in that
direction The roHte of the lower line was, in
one sense, iatcrnlgahle, for the forest stretch
Ell south aud west to an indefinite distance :
but there were streams running into the maiu
! river, some of which, within few miles. were
! broad and deep enough TO prevent the chill's
! crossing.
The upper wing swept the whole ground in
their line of march before dark they reached
! the main road, which, if the fugitive had found
! she would have kept, and it soon led to houses
in either dire-tion. They, therefore turned To
aid the down river wing. on the extremity of
which they formed themselves, 30 as TO extend
/ the line still farther from the river. This ar
-anycnleat must hare been infalliblv success
/ full but for most extraordinary cause Of fail
ure far they were now sweeping all the groHd
I remaining uGeNIlored which she could possibly
1 pass
While thus moving on in regular order, aud
I exploring. every foot Of the way and in lscF
I feet silence, except that the word alros was
regularly passed along the line, the approach
/, of night delsyed their progress In those old
dark woods. shut in by the thick branches over
( head. and, for the most part, OhoiTucted ty
thick tangled growth beneath, the light fadeI
I fast with the declining Sau but they had ad-
vauced some three or fo1r miles from their last
/ point Of starting. and had swept nearly all the
! ground where the child could have stragei-
(. Bat for mile er two further On, their pro
sress would be stopped by broad, deep, slug
( giSh stream, kneEa IS the Dead Brock