Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-09

| laying plans for future happiness, did L linger
behind to gaze down some dark unfathomable
raTine, where the owl sat tapping his wings in
eternal solitude, and mingling his hoarse
| Shrek with the monotonous murmurs of the
! subterranean stream. / had stopped one day
as usual, at spot where the roads were bro
ken by small hidden current of water, and a
few logs thrown across, so that our horses with
much care were able to pass. 1 stood some
time listening to the rushing voice of the un-
seen cataract, when l thought could dtstin-
gulsh above the roaring of waters, a cry re-
| sembling the moan of an infant. 1t continued
and L rode forward and got my brother to come
back and descend the precipitous recess. He
soon returned, bearing in his arms little crea-
| ture, with jet hair, black eyes, and skin of a
shining copper. We were at no loss to dis
cover that our prize was young papoose, ap-
| parently three or four years old, who had pro-
badly been lost, and had fallen to the spot
! from whence he was taken, for there were ma
ny contusions upon his head, and we found
upon further examination, that his left arm was
broken. Philip fixed the bone to its place,
and Rosette very humanely bound her fine
handkerchief about the arm, while fed him
with cake from my basket which he swallowed
in right Indian style. But what should we do
with him Our doubts were soon removed by
tall stern Indian coming directly before US.
At first he grasped his tomahawk but after
he saw what We had done for his child he
clapped his hands in token of great thankful
ness. and finging ihe little fellow over his
shoulder, he CALCULATED as he passed us, sswhite
faces good; Long Bow much friend no for
get goods
We passed through many Indian villages.
and observed that in Wappasening, Sheshe-
quin and Wysox, the male part of the popula-
tion were all absent, although we did not then
know the reason. The women manifested a
determined hostility towards US, many of them
following and menacing US, with long glitter
ing knives. These appearances were certain
ly ominous, and we greatly feared all was not
right in the settlements below. It was nearly
dark on the second evening of July, when we
arrived at our place of destination. Instead
of the cordial and happy welcome we had an
ticipated, we met nothing but looks of anxiety
and hurried explanations about approaching
evils. My fathers house was entirely desert
ed. And we learned from neighbor who was
accidently passing, that my father had been
many weeks with Washington at Valley Forge;
and that our mother, terrified at the threaten
ing aspect of war, had, with her family, re-
moved to the Fort, across the river. Thither
then, we Immediately bent our course, and
admitted within its fortified walls.
This fort had been built and defended some
hatn l1t-f fnr4.- -oft
circumstance gave it the name of Forty Fort.
1t had undergone recent repairs, and was very
well fitted for the accommodation of several
families. Many had already removed there
with their principal effects; but some, suppo-
sing in case OF an attack, that the force of the
enemy would be there concentrated, and that
their superior numbers would cause an imme-
diate surrender, preferred the safety promised
by their own dwellings. We found our dear
mother weeping bitterly over the probable des-
tiny of her little ones, who were clinging a.
round her in fearful surprise, while my second
brother, George, was vainly endeavoring to in
spire her with confidence in the issue of the
perils which surrounded them. ssMother, dear
mother,' cried Philip, advancing, while we
followed silently along, will you not welcome
your wanderers back! sister Matty, aye, and |
nave brought you another daughter, who will
love you as she-the wife of your Philip, mo-
ther. 'Oh my chi ldren, my Children ex-
claimed she, rising and fiinging her arms wild
ly around us, sit viii indeed sound cruel for n
mother to say she is not glad to see the dar
lings of her bosom, but do wish to heaven
you had staid away you have only come to
swell the crimson tide, which must ere long
deluge these devoted shores. ssWith Gods
leave, no." muttered Philip, while the flush
of manly pride and conscious valor mantled
his high forehead, sswith Gods leave, no say
that we have come to swell the shout the VIC
tory, which will soon thunder in the ears of
the accursed Brandt and Butler, telling them
that their bloody career is over have courage
dear mother, we have much to hope, our
he was interrupted by cry of sto order,''
from distant part of the Fort. The officers
were holding council to decide upon the most
efficient measures to be adopted in their pres
ent straitened condition, and the gallant young
Capt. Stewart had just risen to speak. He
went Through a brief recapitulation of the for
mer difficulties of the settlements, and then
dwelt at more length upon the dangers with
which they were now threatened, and the only
means by which he thought they could be O.
vercomc.
John Butler with army of about 500, con-
sisting of British, tories and Indians had taken
possession of Fort Wintermoot, situated about
mile above the head of the Valley, and was
continually annoying the inhabitants by plumb
| of hair rfv nd w m