The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-05-14
SHREVEPORT, LOUISI ANA, .WEDNESDA

reality. The eyes of Edith Cameron filled with
tears she seated herself at the foot OF the hill
lock from which issued stream ofwater whence
she was accustomed to draw the daily supply.
The next days rising sun would find her pre-
pairing to leave those scenes where she had
spent the happiest period Of her life--perhaps
never to revisit them. The ripping brook
its banks bedecked with the sweetest flowers
and the moss covered arbor under which she
delighted to seat herself at the hour of twilight
and weave those webs of anticipation so delight
full to the imagination of youth--would be left
behind. The clear starlight of a southern sky
flashed through the dense forest, and the mu-
sic of the wood lark would be remembered only
with the past. With such antcipatons as
these, need we say that the girl wept tears Of
regret. Edith's companion (for she had one)
was a youth some twenty years of age, of ro-
bust frame the image of health and manly Wig
or. From early infancy they had been asso
ciates--had attended the same school and read
from the same book--he had been her defend
cr from the rudeness of the other boys, and in
return for his gallantry be was always permit
ted to attend her to her fathers gate on their
return from school Their friendship, as they
grew older, ripened into love--but never until
the evening referred to had William Harvey
ventured to speak of the secrets Of his heart.
The moon was high in the heavens ere they
parted that night. What passed between them
need scarcely be told-they were afianced--
vows were plghted before heaven--and he was
to follow the Cameron family to the wilds of
Kentucky in the course of the succeeding
spring.
An interval of few months must be passed
over The family arrived safely at their home
Improvements were made-and the arrival
of young Harvey expected. He at length made
his appearance, and again there was rejoicing
under the humble roof Of the setters-though
in the midst of danger, and every moment lla-
Bile to an attack from their enemies. Late in
autumn the marriage of Harvey and Edith was
to be celebrated. The appointed day rolled
round-the company assembled and the blaz-
ing Of the huge maple and hickory wood fire,
as it reflected its light upon the rude ceiling,
impaired an air of comfort to the well filled
building. The bride arrayed in virgin white,
leaning upon the arm of the groom, made her
appearance-silence prevailed-the aged min
ister, his hair silvered by the frosts Of many
winters, approached and began the ceremony
which was to unite the young and happy cou
pie in bonds to be severed only by death, when
wells, fierce and terrific, were heard without
A moment more, and score of disguised de-
mons forced the door-but the astonShment and
awe, into which those within the house were
thrown, gave way, and their assaarts were
met at the threshold with determination not
anticipated by the swarthy band. The females
retired to an inner room for protection, while
the men defended the doors. AS the entrance
to the house was narrow, the whites had the
advantage, although in point of numbers the
whites were less than the Indians. Warrior af-
ter warrior fell back in the rear, until the In
dian force was much weakened. For hours the
strife continued with unabated fury, hope on
the part of the whites had almost fled, when
suddenly the Indians retired from the contest,
and left them in possession of the house. The
whole party (now weakened by three of the
stoutest hearts that ever beat again assembled
to finish the ceremony which was interrupted
before its conclusion, and to consult as to the
future. Having determined TO abandon the place
and retire TO the fort, they were upon the eve
of doing so, when their foes returned to the as
sault with renewed energy-and with more
success. In the thickest of the fight appeared
tall warrior, towering above the rest; he seem
ed to be the leader of the band. Brandshing
his hatchet, he made his way in the midst of the
whites, and seizing the almost inanimate form
of Edith, bore herin his arms to the door in safe
ty. A scream of misery and despair burst from
the lips of the groom and his friends when it
was perceived that he had gained the open
space, as they know it would be madness to
fire upon the savage, protected as he was by
his senseless burden. Followed by the rest of
his band, the warrior disappeared in the reces-
ses of the forest
Pursuit was determined upon. Reinforced
by party from the fort, the younger Cameron
and Harvey, within half an hour of the re-
treat of the sayages, were upon their trail For
nearly twenty-four hours the Indians did not
venture to delay a moment, knowing that in
slant pursuit would be made. Upon the eve
ming after the battle, the pursuers caught
glimpse of their foes as they were ascending
hill some half mile distant from them. They
wisely determined not to risk an engagement
until night, when by stratagem they might be
able to succeed with less danger to themselves.
The Indians halted at dark; but as if antici-
pating an attack, their fires were extinguished
in the gloom. The night was dark and stormy
the moon failed to shed its rich and genial in
hueuce over the scene-and the wind whistled
through the forest fearfully. No bird Of omen
warbled its mournful tones in token of its lone
liness-not even the murmur of distant water
fall as it fell from rock to rock from the noun
tain s top was heard-the wind alone broke the
stiffness of nature. The darkness prevented
them from making an attempt (as was first
agreed on) to rescue the prisoner-it was de-
termined to await the first dawn of day, and
make the onset while they were yet sleeping.
The whites were nine in number-while the In
dian force amounted to fourteen.
The Indians did not take the sprecaution to
bind closely their prisoner so that upon the
first discharge Of the rifles of the pursuers she
was enabled to disenyage herself from the cords
with which she was bound; but before she had
gained her feet, her captor stood over her,
brandishing his war club which he had snatch
ed from the hand of another as he was rising
from the ground. Instantly the keen eye of
Harvey recognized the savage, and, leveling
bis gun, he fired. The ball pierced the In
dams forehead, who leaped from the ground