Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-27
CHAPTER l.


ROVER" "FoREsr ROSE" ETC. ETC.
CHAPTER
THE MESSENGER.
AS the setting sun Of the Goth of August
1912, threw a broad sheet of FURNISHED gold
over the western heavens, from the horizon
| almost to the zenith, n horseman, in q green
| hunting frock, with rifle resting on the pom.
m el of his saddle, and tightly grasped with
one hand, while the other held the reins OF
his painting and foam covered beast, dashed
swiftly through the great, dark, gloomy for
est which then stretched over a vast tract of
country in the northwestern portion of the
State of Ohio Guiding his gallant steed over
the moist, level ground, through n dense
growth of ash, elm, oak, beech, cottonwood
and poplar trees, whose thickly IN atted branch
es made twilight Of monday, and darkness of
twilight, he soon reached the banks of a dark,
deep river, known as the Maumee or Miami
of the Lakes. Here he reined his travel-worn
beast to a halt, throw himself from his back,
and ran up and down the bank for the space
of three hundred yards, in eager search for
the ford, which he did not find Then he
looked up and down the dark stream. over
which the shadows of night were fast settling,
and remounting his horse, rode him into the
water, and swan him across to the opposite
shore. On reaching the right bank of the
river. he again urged his weary beast forward
through gloomy wood-where night had al
ready spread her Plutonian pail, and solemn,
awful silence brooded, disturbed only by the
dismal howl Of the prowling wolf, or the hid
eous screech Of the ominOus OWl-and in fifteen
minutes moro he gained an opening and drew
rein at the door of an humble log hut, through
whose crcvices ataint light glimmered Throw.
ing the reins upon the neck of his drooping
beast, and tightly grasping his rife, he dis,
mounted quickly, and tapped lightly on the
slab door.
Who's there?" demanded voice from
within. with the in;Onation peculiar to tho na
tives of New England
Eden StanfOrth," was the reply Of the
hOrseman.
Almost instantly the door was thrown open,
and EXPLANATIONS of pleasure broke from two
of the four persons present
These four persons consisted Of tall, largo
strong, hard featured. muscular man, of mid
die aga small, pale, sharp-featured, thin
Tipped woman Of forty a long, lank, awkward
youth Of twenty, with pCcked face, faxen
hair, light blue eyes, and freckIed skin-and
aplump, fair, brown haired, hazel eyed, come
~ maiden of nineteen.
"Why, Eden Stapforth, be you back al.
ready? Who on earth thought Of seeing YOU
here tonight - said tho elderly female who
had opened the door, which she still held with
one hand, while with the other she took the
hand of the young horseman
For young he was and handsome, possessing
fine, manly form, III the full flush and yigor
of early manhood, with an open, frank, hon
est, intelligent countenance, an eve clear
bright aud expressive, and with waving locks
rolling back from a broad, high, smooth fore
head, and clustering around health y -hucd
checks and temples.
g hoped to surprise you, aunt he said
quickly, as he pushed in and closed the door;
:" for lad failed In doing so, fear you would
soon have receiVed a surprise Of a moro terri
bio nature "
MERCY on US! what's happened?" cried
the aunt IN alarm, while the others held their
breaths to listen to the reply.
First said Eden Stanforth, {" do you
know that war has been declared between our
country and Great Britain %
"Nom exclaimed the uncle of the young
messenger, starting up from his seat. SIS
such the fact?'
"Such is the fact" pursued Eden hurried
ly; "wa- was formally proclaimed by our
government against Great Britain on the eigh
teenth Of last June-though it is said that
when the imbecile. treacherous, and coward
ly old Hull marched through here, on the last
Of the same month, he did not know it
Eden, what do you mean. by speaking in
such disrespectful terms of General Hull pa
inquired the brother of the young man father
would that my words were dsggers, to let
out mis- hearts blood" cried Eden, fercely.
ooh! woe the day that such a man was ap.
pointed to command such a gallant band as he
has fouly betrayed and sacrificed"
Eden, speak explain !" demanded the
uncle, who was q man of few words
"He has surrendered Detroit, bis army, and
all the forts, garrisons, and military stores
within his jurisdiction into the hands of the
British, without so much as permitting a sin
gle blow to be struck in our defence!'
"You don't tell me so!" exclaimed the elder
Stanforth, turning slightly pale, and involun-
tarily clenching his hand.
Mercy on u.s." cried Mrs. Stanforth
elasping her hands in alarm; ''what'll this do
to Us, Eden?"
"Put US to fight, aunt, to save our lives ~
cried the young man, excitedly. "The horde
of Indians, collected under the leadership OF
Tecumseh, having now no check at the North,
will soon be upon these defenceleSs borders to
slaughter, pillage, and burn, and lay waste
the countr y-even now l fear they arc on
| their way hither."
"This is indeed startling news" said the
uncle, musingly; ''war declared and Hull
surrendered! Eden, you haven't made any
| mistakeH'
"No, uncle-no mistake-for even was
one ol tne partles suIlouuoiSu'
"You, Eden-you?"
Yes, uncle"
"Tell me all about it as quick as you can, u
| said the uncle
81 must be very brief, then, uncle, replied
Eden, "for have not yet been home. "Hert
Peleg," he continued, turning to the young
man before mentioned, who, with blancheC
features, open mouth, dilated eyes and trem
bling limbs, stood listening to every word, anC
y L slza ll L
run over to our house and tell the news anC
set them at making preparations to leave a
once-say I will be with them in few min
ute."
I-I-don't want to, said Peleg, shrink
ing back, and looking fearfully around him
I'D rather not -
Are you afraid to go?" said Eden.
Ono, amt" said Peleg but l don't Sc,
no use in going, when you re going right alon
L ~