Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-25
CHAPTER II.
THE MIDNIGHT DEPARTURE.

A little before midnight of the same day
our story opens, party of eight persons, four
Of either sex, were slowly and silently NOV
ing across small opening to the right bank
of the Maumee, where clumsiiy built barge
yf middling seize was fastened to the shore.
Several of this party were laden with differ
ent household articles. which they imme-
diately deposited among numerous Others OF
similar character, which had been previous
I " Brought of to the boat from their dwell
ling; and being now all collected on board,
and having with them all they intended
taking from their deserted homes, they forth
with loosed the boat and pushed it out in the
middle of the 5stream, where, for the time
being, it was allowed to float quietly down
on the bosom Of the current.
This party, as the reader has doubtless
conjectured, consisted of our young hero,
Eden Staniorth, aud his father mother, sis
ter, uncle and aunt, and Mabel Duncan, and
Peleg w hite.
Having floatsd a short distance down the
stream, Eden took counsel with his uncle and
father, and it was decided the boat should be
brought to an anchor some little distance
from the shore, and that one SHOULD remain
on the watch till morning-when, should
there be no signs Of the enemy, warning
message could be sent to the inhabitants
above, which, in their haste to effect their
own safety, orr voyagers had neglected to Go
at first.
81 take shame to myself" said Eden in a
whisper, for il was not deemed prudent to
speak in a loud tone, lest a lnrking enemy
might hear the sound, and so be attracted to
their place of concealment; al take shame to
myself that did not ride to Major Spot
ford's aud give him warning, so that he might
convey the news 70 the next, and thus
spread the evil tidings and put all on their
guard.
1T ought to have been done, Eden" re-
piled his father, land if it can be done with
out too great a risk, we must MT neglect it in
the morning."
elf you think best, father, will attend
TO it tonight"
"No, my son, no; you've done enough to
need rest. Two days on horseback, and on
IL one nights fitfn sleepon the bare groundl
GO and lie down at once, and trust your un-
Gle Amos TO watch the boat"
| Eden did not require much urging to in
duce him to seek rest for the night; and,
speaking few quieting words to his mother.
sister, aunt and Mlbel-all of whom were
more or less nervous and excite6-he threw
himself down on a loose pile of bedding and
was soon fast asleep.
Not so the others, vino were not so fatigued
as Eden, and upon whom the exciting news
had produced an effect calculated TO Danish
sleep for several hours. At the request OF
David Stanforth, the father Of Eden, who
had been for years an invalid, and whose con-
sisution was so broken and impaired as 10
render him unable to bear any great fatigue,
they all repaired to their places of rest, where
they conversed in whispers for a long time,
conjecturing as 10 the future, and narating
occurrences of the past, till each was pre-
pared to hear an Indian in every sound, or
see one in every shadow, or ia everything
having motion.
But as the night wore slowly away, with
out presenting in a tangible shape the objects
of their fears, they all at last gradually yield
ed to til e requirements of nature; and even
Peleg White, the most frightened one of the
party, fell into a doze and began to dream.
Suddenly he started up, with wild, terri
fed shrek; and dropping down on bis knees,
and clasping his head with his hands, began
to beg for his life in a most pltilul manner.
His shrek aroused all parties, and was echoed
by the females, who fully believed the In
dams were upon them ; and for few min
utes scene Of the widest confusion pre-
vailed
"Fool ~ cried Amos Stanforth, Peleg's
guardian, who reached him iirst--and who,
seizing him by the collar Of his hunting shirt
ierked him to his feet, and shook him till all
the teeth In bis head ratified Fool cowardl
what dye mean by making all this here fuss
for nothing ri
By this time Pcleg had become fairly
awakened; and as he feared his guardian IN
anger almost as much as he did the savages
themselves, he skunk away, without uttering
a word in his defence.
But further sleep for any Of the parties
after this was out of the question; and
Eden Stauforth--who, at the first sound OF
alarm, mad started up and grasped his rife,
ready 10 sell his life dearly in defence Of
those he loved-now turned bis whole atten.
ton TO quieting the nervous excitement Of
the females-all of whom, except Mabel
Duncan. were still trembling from their late
fright and apprehensions for the future.
Come, mother-come auat-and you Car
rel am astonished you should permit such
cowardly jaclIanapes as Peleg White to
frighten you all out Of your senses. Let me
entreat YOU to he down again, and get what