Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-10-11
From Dickens Household Words.l
TEE CHILD SEER.

One OF the darkest pages IN American history is
that relating to the suterings of the inhabitants
of Tryon County, n. Y, during the war of the
revolution, from the attacks of the Indians and
Royallsts, under the Mohawk chief, Brant, and
the more savage Capt. Walter Butler. Early in
the war, Cherry Valley was selected as place of
refuge and defence for the inhabitants Oft the small
er and more exposed settlements. Blockhouses
were bnilt, Notifications thrown up, Il final
ly fort was erected, under the direction of Gen.
La Fayettc. The inhabitants ofthe surrounding
settlements came in, and lived for several months
as i'll garrison, submitting to strict military regu-
lations.
Among the families which took temporary re-
fuge in this fort that of Captain Robert Lind
say, formerly a British officer, brave and adven-
turous, who, only at the entreaty of his wife, had
left his farm which stood in lonely, unprotected
situation, several miles from any settlement
This Captain Lindsay was reserved melancholy
man, about whom the simple and honest pioneers
wondered and speculated not little. His Ian
guage and manner bespoke the man of education
and breeding. Hiswife, tho quiet, heroic woman
was evidently lady, by nature and association.
Captain Lindsay had a native love of solitude
and adventure-the first requisite for a pioneer;
and for several years no other reason was known
for his seeking the wilds, and exposing his tender
family to all the perils and privations Of frontier
life. But at length an emigrant coming from his
native place, in the highlands of Scotland, bro't
the story of his exile, which was briefly this -
Captain Lindsay, when a somewhat dissipated
young man, proud and passionate, had quarrelled
with a brother officer an old friend at mess din
ner. Both officers had drunk freely, and their diff
ference was aggravated by hot-brained, half
drunken partisans. Insulting words were ex-
changed, and duel on the spot was the consc-
quence. Lindsay escaped with slight wound,
but his sword pierced the heart of his friend
lie was hurried away to a secure hiding place,
but not before he had learned that III the matter
of dispute he had been in the wrong.
Lindsay made all the reparation in his power,
by transferring his paternal estate, for the term
of his own lifetime, to the homeless widow and
Young daughter of his friend. Then, with his
wife's small property, and the price of his COM
mission, he secretly emigrated to America. lie
left his family in New York, while he went up
the Hudson, purchased a small farm, and built
house for their reception. He was accompanied
in his expedition by an old family servitor, who,
with true Highland fidelity, chung to his unfor-
tnnate master with exemplary devotion.
Mrs. Lindsay's heart sunk within her when
she found that her new home was so far from any
seftlement-lterally in the wilderness: but she
understood her husbands misanthropic gloom,
almost amounting to melancholy madness and
did not murmur. Yet her-forest home was very
bcautiful-a small valley farm, surrounded by
densely-wooded hills, dark gorges and messy
dels. The house was rough notwithstanding
structure, containing but three small apartments
ard low chamber, or rather loft. But it was
comfortably and securely built; and, oyerhung
by noble trees, overrun by wild vines, was not
unpicturcsquc. Under the tasteful care OF Mrs.
Linsday, a little garden soon sprung up around
it where, among many strange plants, doomed
few familiar flowers, whose fragrance seemed to
breathe of home like the signs of an exile's
Lcart.
The family at the period Of their taking refuge
in the fort at Cherry Valley consisted of three
sons and an infant daughter, (the last born in
American the man Dayie, and maid servant.
Douglas, the elder son, a lad of of IL or ID, was
brave, high-spiritcd, somewhat self-willed boy,
tall and handsome, and the especial pride OF his
mother-not alone because he was her firstborn,
but because he most wildly recalled to her heat
her husband i'll his happy days. Angus, the sec
ond son, was slight delicate, fair-haired boy,
possessing a highly sensitive and poetic nature.
unconsciously displaying at times singular and
startling Misunderstanding uncomprehended
dreams, which were sometimes strangely veriti-
ed, and uttering involuntary prophecies, which
time Gifted fulfiled-he was always spoken of as
a strange child" and for all his tender years &
sweet pensive face, was regarded with secret
awe, even by those nearest to him.
In truth the child seemed to be gifted with that
weird, mysterious faculty known as a second
sight.
Archie, the youngest son, his fathers own dar
ling was sturdy, rosy-cheeised, curly-headed
boy of five. at
Fife was yet at the mothers breast, little
rosy-bud OF beauty-a fair promise of infinite Joy
and comfort to her mothers saddcned heart.
AS l have stated this family took refuge in
the fort, in the spring of 1878, somewhat against
the will of Mr.. Lindsay-who as he remained
neutral, had little fear of the Indians-and also
of his eldest son, who fanced there was some
thing cowardly in flying from their forest home
before it had been attacked. The latter, howev-
or, was soon rceonciled 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 goodly number Mt the fort and
settlement, The sports and exercises of the
men and youth were entirely of military char
actor; and Douglas, who had inherited martial
tastes from long line of warlike ancestors, and
who had been Instructed by his father in military
rules and evolutions, soon became the:captain of
a company ofboys, armed with formidable wood
en- guns, and fully equipped as mimic soldiers.
Angus was made his lieutenant, but this was
piece of iavoritsm, the child having little taste
or talent for the profession of arms.
Ore bright May morning, as these young am
ateur fighters were parading on the green before
the fort, they had spectators whom they little
suspected. Upon a hill, about a mile away, Jo-
seph Brant had posted large party his braves,
where, concealed by the thick wood, they were
looking down upon the settlement. 1t had been
his intention to attack the fort that night, but
this grand parade of light infantry deceived him.
At that distance, he nistook the boys for men,
and decided to defer the attack till he could as
certain, by his scouts the exact Strength of the
place. In the meantime. he moved his party
northward few miles, to point on the road
leading from Cherry Valley to the Mohawk Ri
yer, where he concealed them behind rocks and
trees, At this spot the road passed through a
thick growth of evergreens, forming perpetual
twilight, and wound along aprecipice hundred
and fifty feet high, over which plunged a small
stream in cascade, called by the Indians Teka
harawa.
Brant had doubtless received information that
an American officer had ridden 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 regiment of militia would ar
rixn the next day, and take up their quarters at
Cherry valley. His name was Lieut.. Woodville;
he was young man of fortune-gay, gallant,
handsome and daring. He was dressed in rich
suit of velvet, wore plumed hat and jewel
hilted sword, AID let h.s DARK, waving hair grow