Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-09

that beautiful valley, within few weeks be-
fore miniature of Paradise, became but one
wild scene of desolation.
Through all that night of gloom and day of
horror, Mary Rverson sat on a low pallet, be-
side her babe and Margaret. hardly caring for
her own safety since the fate of her own be-
loyed.one was unknown. But when the heavy
bolts were at last unbarred, the doors swung
open, and the greedy enemy rushed in, she
was startled by the cry of her servant and the
terrified wall of her babe. Springing from
her seat she caught up the little one, hugged
it to her bosom, and started for the door.
Pressed down on all sides she fell. coarse
tory bent his loathsome glance upon her face
saying, ssfear nothing will save you will you
love me if 1 will, pretty one 7''
As he stopped to HIT her, tall Indian push
ed him aside and caught her up in his arms,
saying sshold baby tight
Close upon their tracks followed a squaw,
leading Margaret by her hand none opposed
them, none questioned.
Sometimes the Indians said gravely as they
passed, ssshe is yours, Eagle Eye?.'
ssShe is mine,'' was the laconic answer.
"Whither away with the white squaw my fine
fellow ~ said John Butler, as he bounded past
him; 'sput her in place of safety and come
back, tae frolic is not over"
s'Take it, said Eagle Eye, putting the baby
into the arms of Margaret, the mother resign
ing it without opposition, and looking up with
strange bewildered air. Oh, the traces of
that days butchery. Here hat, there shoe,
here torn garment, there the red hair. Mer-
cy veil the sight.
Close under the shelving bank OF the river
lay light canoe. Eagle Eye loosened it and
sprang in with his charge, the women follow
ing. The barque shot away like an arrow down
the stream. The sun was low cooler breeze
swept with a lazy wing over the water, as Of
ten, as they padded away, Blue Bird, the
squas dipped up handful of drops and sprink-
led them in Mary's face. Baby laughed to see
the bright showers as they fell; and even his
mother returned his salutations with mourn
full smile.
Eagle Eye turned the canoe, and shot under
the bank; they disembarked in silence and
walked on, crossing narrow strip of land be-
tween the mountain and river, and at the foot
of the hill they all sat down to rest.
The Indian pnt down his burden few mo-
ments, Strengthened up his tall figure, snuffed
the wind as if renewing his strength, he said
sscome,'' as he shouldered poor Mary again.
He took circuitous path over the mountain,
stealing along through underbrush and rock
which seemed too close to allow passage.
Only once he crept to the top of a rock and
pfullC hacl ynrHa pn
The red flames of the burning fields and dwell
lings were curling upwards, the smoke lay in
one mass along the horizon, the river was one
long line Of flames. He groaned, set his teeth
firmly together drew his hands across his eyes
and said in his heart, s'Can they be Christians
| Lo how they deceive each other-curse theil
| Hypocrisy
Through that terrible massacre he had shed
| no blood laid rude hands on none. Burning
with shame for his tribe, who had thus beer
decoyed into treachery, he had met them a.
| the Council fire, demonstrating against theil
intended cruelty. They could not appreciate
his nobleness of character, yet no man called
him "coward,'' he the brave of the past, the
hero of many battles. He went and returned
at pleasure unquestioned; knowing the secret
of their councils, bound by an Indians homo
not to betray his people.
The heavy dew drops fell from the leaves a
they parted them in their way-the shadow
lay heavy upon the rocks.
Eagle Eye Stacked his pace, descending
cautiously into a hollow. covered with under
brush and weeds. He stopped as he proceed
ed, they following wonderingly. PRESENT.
they parted upon the naked rock, while far i
advance they saw single cleaning light
Some times they lost sight of it; again
twinklcd before them like star.
After proceeding, what seemed to some @
them a long journey under ground, they c
merged into an open room, the wall sufficient
" high for them to stand upright; that, an
the sides also, of solid rock. There was tho
star, "a candle,) and there, bound hand an
foot, was George Ryerson, secured by a rop
to heavy rock, yet SO fettered as to feel u
other inconvenience than that.of detentier
Beside him sat an Indian boy and girl; breaC
cold meat and fruit were on a rude table.
corner lay buffalo robe and a blanket, upo
which Eagle Eye bestowed his burden, the
unbound the prisoner, who folded his wife
his bosom, returning thanks to Heaven.
a After the massacre was decided upon, lag
: Eye pondered in his heart how he might say
: his friends. He must not turn informer al
t come to despise himself, and be looked upt
t as a woman by his race perhaps he and b
family might fall victims to the cruel torie
q He knew, that if he informed him, Mr.. Rye
| CON would neyer desert the settlement-eyt
! he would have hated him under such circur