Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-12-25
Entered according 10 Act ofC0ugress n tho year 1856
oy hohEHr BoNNFa, IN the Clerks Office OF TIE Das
triei Court FOR the southern District 81 New York
T IL Z r Il f L G EES:
AN INDIAN TALE or 1879.
BY EMERSON BENNETT,
AUTHOR OF the PRAIRIE FLOWER" ARTISTS
BRIDE" CLARA MoRELAND," "BoRDER
RovEa' FOREST ROSE" ETC. ETC
BY EMERSON BENNETT,
CHAPTER l.
rnE MResEnarn

1917, threw DFoNd tnOet OF bUfnl6hed gold
over the western heavens, from the horizon
almost to the zenith, horseman, IN green
hunting irock with ride resting on the pom
mel of bis saddle, and tightly grasped with
one hand, while the other held the reins Of
his painting and foam-coyersd beast, dashed
swiftly through the great, dark, gloomy for
est which then stretched over vas tract OF
country IN tho northwestern portion Of the
State Of Ohio. Guiding his gallant steed
over the,moist, level ground through the dense
growth Of ash, elm, oak, beech, cottonwood
and poplar trees, whose thickly matted bran
ches made twilight of MONDAY, and darkness
of twilight, he soon reached the banks of a
dark, deep river, known as the Manmee, or
Miami of the Lakes. Here he refined bis
travel-worn beast to halt threw himself
from his back aud ran up aud down the bank
for the space Of three hundred yards, in ca
ger search for the ford, which he did no. find.
Then he looked up and down tho 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 therght
bank Of the river, he again urged his weary
beast forward through a gloomy wood
where night had already spread her Plutoni
an pail, and a solemn, awful silence brooded,
disturbed only by the dismal howl OF the
prowling wolf, or the hideous screech of the
ominous owl-and in fifteen minutes more he
gained an opening, and drew rein at the door
of an humble log-hut, through whose crew.
ces faint light glimmered. Throwing the
reins upon the neck of his dropping beast,
and tightly grasping his rife, he dism,ucted
| lt~,f lob
door.
"Who's there % demanded voice from
within, with the intonation peculiar to the
natives 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,
large, strong, hard-featured, muscular man,
Of middle age-a small pale, sharp-fea-
tured, thin-lpped woman of forty-a long,
lank, awkward youth OF twenty, with pOcked
face, flaxen hair, light blue eyes, and freckled
skin-and plump, fair, brown haired, hazel
eyed, comedy maiden of nineteen.
"Why, Eden Stanforth, De you back al
ready? Who on earth thought OF seeing you
here Tonight" said the 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 ard handsome, possess
ing fine, manly form, in the full flush and
vigor of early manhood, with an open, frank,
honest intelligent countenance, an eye clear,
bright and expressive, and with waving locks
rolling back from broad, high, smooth fore
head, and clustering around healthy
cheeks and temples.
81 hoped to surprise you, aunt" he said
quickly, as he pushed in and closed the door;
"for had failed in doing SO. fear you would
soon have received surprise of more tan
gible nature"
"Mercy on us ! what's happenedr cried
the aunt in alarm, while the others held their
breaths to listen to the reply.
First" said Eden Stsnforth, edo you
know that war has been declared between
our country aud Great Britain?''
"Nol" exclaimed the uncle of the young
messenger, starting up from his seat: as such
the fact?''
"Such is the fact" pursued Eden hurried
ly; "war was formally proclaimed by or gov
eminent against Great Britain on the 18th of
last June-though it is said that when the
imbecile, treacherous, aud cowardly old Hull
marched through hero, 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?"
inquired the brother of the young man
father.
"Would that my words were dsggers,
to let out his hearts bloOd!n crie6 Eden,
fercely. "Oh woe the day that such a
man was appointed to command such gall
liant band as he has basely betrayed and sac
rificed ~
"Eden, speak explain !" demanded the
uncle. who was a man of few words.
He has surrendered Detroit, his army,
and all the forts, garisons, and military
stores within his jurisdiction into the hands
of the British, without so much as permit
ting a single blow to be struck 10 our de-
fence %
"You don't tell me so !" exclaimed the
elder Stanforth, turning slightly pale, and
Involuntary clenching his hand.
mercy on us t' cried Mrs. StaDforth,
clssping her hands in alarm "whatll this
do to US, Edenr"
"Put us to fight, aunt, to save our lives !"
cried the young man, excitedly. "Fhe horde
of Indians, collected under the leadership Of
Tecumseh, having now no check at the
North, will soon be upon these defenseess
borders, to slaughter, pillage, and burn, and
lay waste the country-even now / fear they
are on their ay hither."
"This is indeed startling newsl" said the
uncle, musiDgly; "war declared and Hull sur
rendered. Eden, you haven't made any
mistaken"
"No, uucle-no mistake-for even / was
one of the parties surrendered"
you, Eden-you?"
ayes, uncle"
"Tell me all about il as quick as you can /"
said the uncle.
al must be very brief, then, uncle" replied
Eden, "for l have not yet been home, "Here,
Peeg" he continued, turning to the young
man before mentioned, who, with blanched
features, open mouth, dilated eyes, and trem-
bling limbs, stood listening to every word, and
looking from one to the other, in terror
"here, run over to our house, and tell the
news, and set them at making preparations
leave at once-say | will be with them in
few Minutes"
"I-I-don't msnt to-" said Peleg, shrink
ing back, and looking fearfolly around him.
"Id rather not"
"Are you afraid to go?'' said Eden.
mo, amt" replied Peieg; "but | don't
see no use in going, when you're going right
along yourself"
"You are afraid Peleg so DO not deny IT."
exclaimed Mabel, catching up sun bonnet
and putting it upon her head. 'rll go Eden"
mo, no, Mabel cried the young man,
taking hold of her, "you shall not 60 l viii
go myself in few minutes, and Psleg White
can remain, to boast some other day Of what
he would have done had he ever been plac-
ed in a situation of peril" And then he adj
ded in lower tone, and one that brought
deeper blush to the cheeks Of the brave girl
mabel your life is too precious TO be risked
without absolute necessity. Hasten to pre-