Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-12-29
CHAPTER II.
TEE MIDNIGHT DsPARrURE.

opening to the right bank of the Mauulee, where
cuusy built barge of midllng size was fastened
to the shore. Seven of this party Of eight were
laden with different household articles which they
Immediately deposited among numerous others Of
a similar character which had been previously
brought of to the boat from their dwelling and
being now all collected on board, and having with
them all they intended taking from their deserted
homes they forthwith loosed the boat and pushed
il out into the MIDDLE of the stream where for the
time being, itwas allowed to float quietly down on
the bosom ofthe current.
This party, as the reader has doubtless conccs
tured, consisted of our young hero, en- Stanforlh,
aud bis father, mother. sister, uucle and aunt and
Mabel Dun an, and Peleg White.
Having f0ated short distance down the stream,
Eden took counsel with his uncle AMI father, AMI
it 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 sffect their safe
ty, our vOyagers had neglected to do at first
4 take shame to myself, SAID Eden in whisper,
for it was not deemed prudent to speak in a loud
tone, lest lurking enemy might hear the sound,
and so be attracted TO their place Of concealmeut
4 take shame to myself that did not ride to n al
SpOfords and give him warning so that be might
convey the news 10 the next, and thus spread the
evil Lidpgs, and put all on their guard
1T ought to have teen done, Eden replied his
father, and if il can be done without too great
risk, We must'Bt neglect it in the morning.
IF you think best, father, | will attend TO it to-
night
No, my son, no; you've done enough to need
rest Two days on horseback, and only one nights
iitful sleep on the bare grouno! Go aud lie down
at once, and trust your uncle Amos to watch the
boat
Eden lid not require much urging TO induce him
to sc K rest for the night and speaking few quiet
ing words to his mother sister aunt aud Mabel all Of
whom we're more or less nervous and e1cited-he
threw himself down on loose pile OF bedding and
was soon fast asleep.
Not so the others, who were not so Etigued as
Eden, and upon whom the exciting news had pro
duced effect calculated to bnnsh sleep for seVe
raj hours. At the request Of David Staniorth, the
father OF Eden, who had been for years invalid,
and whose constitution 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 conJecturGg
as to the future and narrating occurrences of the
past, till each was prepared to hear an Indian in
every sound, see one in every shadow or in eve
rything ha wing motion.
But as the night wore slowly away, without pre-
sentng in tangible shape the objects of their fears
ments OF nature; and even Peleg White, the most
frightened one OF the party, fell into dozc, and
began TO dream.
Suddenly he started up, with a Wild terrified
Shrek and dropping down on his knees and clasp
ing his head with bis hands, began to bes for his
lie in a most ptilul manner. His shrek aroused
all parties, and Was echoed by the females, who
fully believed the Indians were upon them; and for
afew minutes scene Of the widest confusion pee
vailed.
Fool cried Amos Stanforth Peleg's guardian,
who reached him frst-and who, sefzing him by
the collar of his hunting shirt, jerked him to his
feet, and shook him till all the teeth in his head
ratified; Fool coward what dye We mean by ma
king all this here fuss for nothiug?'
By this time Peter had become fairly awakened;
and as be feared his guardian in his anger almost
much he did the savages themselves, he sunk
away without utteTing a word in his defence.
But further sleep for any of the parties after this
was cut OF the question: and Eden Stanforth-who
at the first sound OF alarm, bad started up and
grssped his rifle ready to sell his life dearly in de-
fence of those he loved-now turned his whole at
tenton to quietins the nervous excitement of the
iemales-a.l OF whom, except Mabel Duncan, were
still trembling from their late fright end apprrhen-
sions tor the future.
Come, motheT-cOme, auut-and you, Carrie
| am sstonished you should permit such a cowardly
j,ckanapes as Peleg White to ffighten you Oh oat
OF your senses. Let me eutreat you to lie down
again, and get what rest you cam for really DO not
think there is any danger ! do not think the In-
dians have reached this quarter yet, or We should
have heard something OF them
From what Eve heard Of them, they generally
move about pretty quiet replied the father
Until they make attack said Eden, 'aud
then they give vent TO their most terrific yelis II
they about Tonight in this vicinity il is quite
likely they would have attacked some of our neigh
bors before this, aud we should have heard their
death. signal
4 don't feel altogether at ease said the father,
drawing bis son aside, and speaking low tone,
which reached no ear but Ejen's; ! feel strangely
oppressed with something like presentimeut OF
danger, bat keep this TO yoursell-uot word OF
il to the women folks, or we shall have Bedam
over again. There is Pelecl That boy ought to
be gagged, to keep him quiet; and if any haIu
comes TO as Tonight, shall blame him for e.
4 never yet saw bOaster that was not al heart
a coward, replied Eden; 'and Peleg has often an
noyed NE by boastiog what he would do 10 case ne
should ever be 90 unfortunate rs TO be placed in
position OF dauger'
This is very gloomy work, said the father, sit
ting here In this old boat on the nger, on a DARK
night, watching tor an unknown iod wonder
how long il is to day breakY'
The dswn cannotbe far of. replied Eden Look
yonder, over the treestops, TO the eastward
think see the FIRST streak Of day now"
The sky looks reddish IN that direction but Ton
not sure ms morning. said the other. WI do
you think Amosg' be continued, addressing bis
brother, Sho was standing within few feet Of him
apparently trying 10 peer into the darkness, which
the thick shadows Of the heavy trees on the near
est bar rendered almost impenetrable to Ihe eye.
rs DOT the dawI. David. Il I'm Judge was
fha in a los
What do you think Il IL. uncls" asked Eden.
'Fire ! Eas the laconie reply.
Tia J said Eden, with a start; then the Indians
mast certainly be abOut-perhaps have already
begun their horrible work Had We not better
take 20 oar anchor and drop inrther down the
streams'
Hush Istenr returned The uncle, 10 a whisper;
your ears are younger than mine, and ought 70 BE-
better-do You hear anyihiagg'
All listeued each holding bis breath to catch the
siightest sound Each, too. turned rs eyes upon
The nearest shore, and stroye in vain 70 distinguish
a single 0ijsci In the swiul blackness, which, n
that direction seemed TO rise hke wall before
them. Is was starlight nighs but 81 hts hezs,
snd looking directly upwaEd, line Of the heavesrs
could be perceived. and this iiae, aud this Gals,
could be traced for some distance ether way show
ing the coaFss Of he dask river, ~hieh made the
oPsaiag ID the grand old gloomy Forest, Nasse
giant tees ami thick undergFoslh lined iss banks
% ether side FSom The position Of The boal--bs.
ins iairly ia the dim light d the opening 10 "a.
possible Cor ID 20 be seen by any oae The
hank sh0 BAD become accustomed 20 the deeper
daakaess Of tbs wooded shore-bai. for the same
reason, h nas Impossible soF any ono on ne boat
oukips b tAat direction, % ten feet iHio he
gl5omg sao8oss of the nights forest
] heaF oalg The slighi fippliRg o. the satsr
sai1 Eden a lenesh. In The same eariioas shisp<F
7 thnaEht oare or twice hear3 he suapping d
siick o. fhs banA rrioiael ais uncle, 'thoagh a
mighs hare been ouly fancy