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


up a small bundle of necessary clothing for
mother and babe, (which she put into her hands,
then herself taking the child on the arm, drag
ged her out, and along in the direction ofFort
Kingston.
Poor, bewidered Mary. she woke to the
consciousness of her danger when she found
herself flying over the dusty road, with
of helpless women and children, wagons roll
ing past at full speed, mounted horses, leaping
like reindeers, with pale and hatlcss riders, all
rushing on, while ever and anon came the din
of the warwhoop, and the shrek of the suf-
ferers, overlook by the bloodhounds in the
rear. Mothers and children tainted and fell,
old men sat down, unable to go another step,
and those whom God gran ted strength to pro-
ceed, arrived at the fort over heated, utterly
exhausted. One after another tottered in, i'm
ages of grief and despair.
Inside were few mattresses, scanty sup
ply of provisions, few cooking utensils, and
there in melancholy thankfulness, they ate the
evening meal with sickening foreboding of to-
morrow. Scores arrived during the night,
coming from the mountain and all along the
river, until all the houses and barracks were
lull some lay uOWn 10 rest, tltlcTS SIL up,
watching the fitful slumberers as ever and anon
they started in their dreams and murmured
prayers to heaven against the cruelty, of men.
Among the watchers Mary Ryerson, sit
ting beside her babe and Margaret, all night
long, with folded hands and fearless eyes, and
when the stereotyped question of the sentinel,
sswho's there ?'' was asked at the break of day,
she heard it, still hoping in the olden answer,
ga friend, - to detect the voice of her husband.
All night Col. Zebulon Butler and his men
sat up making strong their defence, running
bullets, doing everything human foresight
could for safety. -
Weak and worn they were, but resolved to
sell their lives dearly; and they waited for
the coming conflict with unflinching nerves.
The sun had risen high above the fort, and
stood out in the cloudless atmosphere like a
red ball of fire not leaf futtered, not a
zephyr rippIed the surface of the clear. calm
Susquehanna the grass cracked under the
feet of the kline; the dogs dug holes in the
earth and lay half buried there. Nature her
self seemed awcd by some dark foreshadowing,
and held her hot deep breath in fearful anti
cipaton.
ssAn officer and guard" said the men in
the lookout; ssJohn Butler," they continued,
| and drew nearer ard new hopes sprang up in
many desparing heart; on slowly and silent
ly they came; surely their visit would be
| peaceful.
| Hating, they sent messenger to say that
if Col. Zebulon Butler would come out to
meet his cousin he would propose terms Of
| capitulation. Unsnspicious, not thinking in
his own honest heart that he, one of his own
kinsman would be very fiend, he, accompa-
MED by few men, went ont to meet him.
| In the meantime John Butler and his party
had moved back toward thicke,, and Zcbu-
| lon and his men followed.
ssThey will halt just within the wood, he
said, othe extreme heat of the day causes
| them to seek the shade; let us venture yet
further, my friends,'' and they pressed on, till
startled by wild, demoniac yell-an ambush
was upon them. Bewildcred, overpowered,
they were shot, stabbed, scalped; a few only
escaped by swimming the river, none remain
ed to tell the tale at the fort.
ssThey are long gone,'' said the lookout
s.long gone,'' said Col. Dennison, who was left
|
from lip to lip, with fear of their safety.
The soldiers gazed upon their families with
deep, yearnng tenderness, and mothers upon
their blooming daughters, with the fear which
only mothers can realize, for John Butler and
his tory herd were known to be more brutal
than savages.
ssThey Gomez said the lookout; s'oul
friends are safe,' responded all below.
ssNot Zebulon, but John Butler not oul
friends but the tories,'' and then went up
wall of grief and despair, and a low undertone
, of supplication to Heaven.
Col. Dennison, realizing the weakness of the
force within, thought it but prudence to senc
out flag of truce inquiring upon what terms
they might capltulate.
ssThe hatchet,' - replied John Butler.
Goods will be done can't we at least. di
bravely ?'' he said, mournfully.
esKill them to the last kill :! kill !!'' shout
i ed the demon Colonel, throwing reeking scalp
over the walls of the fort, and with a thunder
: ing cry they rushed to the attack. 1t was
hot, fierce onset, with guns and slaves and i'm
# Elements of war, and then they commenced es
S calading the ramparts. The little band fough
s desperately. but what could they do agains
such fearful odds.
l. One after another they dropped away froI
: the side of their Colonel, until hope was folly
and yalor madness, then he surrendered at dl'
= oretion. History tells the rest. The men WEI
e -, r,rrdered: women and children burned
the country was devastated, crops destroyet
oranarios and dwellings reduced to ashes an