Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1855-11-15

whose fragrance seemed to breathe OF home
like the sighs of an eXile's heart.
The family at the period of their taking
refuge in the fort at Cherry Valley con-
sisted oc three sons and an infant daughter
the last born in America J, the man Davie,
and a maid servent. Douglas, the elder
son, lad of twelve or thirteen, was brave
high-spirited, somewhat self-willed boy,
tall and handsome, and the especial pride
of his mother-not alone because he was
her first born, but because he most vividly
recalled to her heart her husband in his
happy days Angus, the second son, was
a slight, delicate fair-haired boy, posses
sing highly sensitive and poetic nature.
Unconsciously displaying at times singular
and startling MISUNDERSTANDING uncom-
pretended dreams, which were sometimes
strangely verified, and uttering involuntary
prophecies, which time often fulflled-he
was always spoken of as a strange child, p"
and for all his tender years and sweet pen
sive face, was regarded with secret shrink
ing awe, even by those nearest to him. In
truth, the child seemed to be gifted with
that weird, mysterious faculty known as
second sight.
Archie, the youngest son, his father S
own darling, was sturdy, rosy-cheeked,
curly headed boy of five.
Ellie was vet at the mothers breast, a
little rosy-bud of beauty-a fair promise of
infinite joy and comfort to her mother s
saddened heart.
AS have stated, this family took refuge
in the fort in the spring of seventeen hun
dred and seventy-eight somewhat against
the will of Mr. Lindsay-who, as he re-
mained neutral, had little fear of the In
dians-and also of his eldest son, who
fancied there was something cowardly in
flying from their forest-home before it had
been attacked The latter, however, was
soon reconciled by the opportunity afford
ed him, for the first time for several years,
of associating with lads of his own age,
of whom there were q gOodly number at
the fort and settlement. The sports and
exercises of the men and youth were en-
tirely of a military character; and Doug
las, who had inherited material taste from
la long line of warlike ancestors, and who
had been instructed by his father in mill
tary rules and evolutiOns, soon became the
: captain of company of boys, armed with
; formidable wooden guns, and fully equip
ped as mimic soldiers. Angus was made
his lieutenant but this was piece OF
favori,ism, the child having little taste OF
4 talent for the profession of arms.
f One bright May morning. as these young
amateur fighters We're parading on the
, green before the fort, they lad spectators
whom they little suspected. Upon the hill
about mile away, Joseph Brant had post
: ed a large party of his braves, where con-
: cealed by the thick wood, they were look
r ing down on the settlement. 1t had been
: his intention to attack the fort that night
!, but this grand parade Of light infantry de-
: ceived him. At that distance, he mistooL
f the boys for men, and decided to defer
+ his attack till he could ascertain, by his
i scouts, the exact strength of the place. In
the meantime he moved his party north
ward few miles, to a point on the road
: leading from Cherry Valley to the Mohawk
: River, where he concealed them behind
: rocks and trees. At this spot the road
t passed through thick growth of ever
n green, forming a perpetual twilight, and
: wound along a precipice a hundred and
: fifty feet high, over which plunged small
: stream in cascade, called by the indians
d Tekaharawa
j Brant had doubtless received informa
: ton that an American officer had ridder
:. down from Fort Plain, on the Mohawk
!, River, in the morning, to visit the fort
: and might be expected to return before
night. This officer had come to inform
# the garrison that a regiment of militia
e would arrive the next day, and take uT
: their quarters at Cherry Valley His name
e was Lieutenant Woodville; he was young
o man of fortune-gay gallant, handsome and
II daring He was dressed in rich suit O
g velvet, wore a plumed hat and a jewel
# hilted sword, and let his dark, waving hail
}, grow to cavalierish length. He rode full
+, blooded English horse, which he managed
!, with ease. This Lieutenant Woodvill,
b fingered so long at the settlement that hi:
S friends tried to persuade him to remain al
:, night bot he laughed, and, as he noun
: ted, flung down his portmanteau to one o
G them, saying, 81 will call for that to-mor
e row." When it was nearly sunset thu
y little garrison came into the courtyard t.
d watch his departure. Among the spec
IS tators were the boy-soldiers whose parad,
1t of the morning had daunted even the ter
1t rible Brant. Foremost stood the doughty
:. Douglas, and by his side the timid Angus
is gazing with childish curiosity on the dash
2, ing young officer, and marking with won
e dering delight his smiling mastery over hi
# steed
II Suddenly the boy passed his hand owe
l, his eyes, grew marblewhiie and rigid 70
e an instant then shuddcred, and burst int.
1t tears. Before he could be questioned, h
J., had quilted his brothes, rushed forward
e and was clinging to the lieutenant's knee
n crying, in tone of the most passionat
/ entreaty,
$ "Oh, sir, we maun stay here tonight
here, where "a is safe Dinna gang they'l
,r kill ye! Oh, dinna gang!'
80 ''Who, my little lad, who'll kill me =
le gently asked the officer, looking down int
tha Halrn fs,<a <scs Al. Il