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

Eagle Eye, it seems had chased the deer,
and without seeing Geo. Ryerson, when it hal
ted, had fired simultaneously with him. The
Indians ball struck one horn of the buck, CLAN
ced and penetrated the white mans shoulder.
Eagle Eye was strong man, full six feet high,
and giving his arms to Blue Bird, his wife,
helped George home, and would leave no one
but himself attend him. Ryersoas wife, as a
matter Of course, much frightened at first
and wanted to send for physician; but Eagle
Eye said ssme cure him . and under his treat
ment in few days George was quite well a.
gain. y strong attachment grew up between
George Rycrson and Mary, and the Indian and
his wife.
Often the newly made friends hunted the
deer together, and as winter melted into spring,
and spring blossomed into summer-their
hearts knew no change of seasons-they re-
mained brothers in words and deeds.
1t wasin the morning OF July Sd, 177S. The
weather was extremely sultry, and to enjoy the
cool of the day, the family at the farm had
risen early.
After partaking of pleasant breakfast, Mr..
and Mrs. Ryerson hung listlessly over the ta-
bic. discoursing of the past and future, and
thriving condition of their settlement and the
whole beautiful valley of the Susquehanna.
s'It is such comfort, George said the
young wife, 'sto know that the late unhappy
differences between the wings and tories have
all melt d into moonshine; ard not only our
tory neighbors, but the savagcs themselves
seem now to be veing with each other in man
cf Ii nj
u.s.
awe have certainly much cause for gratii-
cation TO our Father in Heaven, dear Mary,
for all this seeming good faith may He in his
mercy grant that it is not the calm which ush-
ers in the tempest"
Just then the red turban of Eagle Eye pas
sed before the window, and in another instant
he opened the door without knocking and Step
ped into the centre of the room. In place of
the wolf-skin vest, in which we first introduced
him to the reader, he wore white cotton shirt,
with broad collar open at the throat, and
turned down, displaying fine muscular neck,
and part of his broad, tawny chest. He car
ried his rifle, and his powder horn was suspen-
dcd by strap his shoulder. George
read new expression in his countenance and
Mar almost feared to look upon him: he was
so stern, calm, yet sorrowful.
sSit down. my brother,' said George.
ssWill you cat 20 said Mary.
esMe want nothing-me no hungry. Come
with me, - he said, looking at George. .sTake
the gun, the wild cat is on the mountain come
and shoot him.
ssOh, only a wild cat ?'' said Mary laughing,
s:Well, declare, Eagle Eye, your grave looks
frightened ME terribly please bring him down
after you take him, but look will do for me
no steaks this time, after E.double shot"
She alluded to their first meeting in the woods.
No smile lightened up the face of the Indi-
an George waxed shade paler as he picked
up his hat and gun, and followed him he knew
not WHITTIER and Mary grew sad and silent as
they walked slowly along the rivers side.
Noon came the hottest, most suffocating
| noon ever known in the valley of the Susque-
hanna Not leaf stirred upon the trees, not
zephyr lifted a blade of grass, but the sun
poured down scorchingly, vegetation witller-
ed, and every living thing sought shelter from
his burning rays under some friendly roof or
| shade tree the very stones were like heated
irons, and the river glowed like liquid fire.
George Ryerson had not returned, and Mary
looked out from the window hour after hour
with strange foreboding of evil. Mary pre-
pared dinner, but she merely tasted it, then re-
seated herself at the window with fearful eyes
Baby laid its velvet cheek against hers, and
then it sobbed aloud. With her eyes fixed
upon the road, she sang il gentle lullaby and
it fell asleep
Hark what sound is that-that long, louo
terrific yell? What mean those guns {? Tha
trampng, shouting, crying-that despairinG
wall He who is absent flies to his home the
bows come down from the cherry trees, thu
girls rush in from the garden, shrieking, cling
ing to their mothers skirts; the d og sends VI
4 howl of horror the cattle snuff the wind
and run believing hther and thither
ssThe English the tories !! the savages ar
upon usi,, was shouted from house 10 house
from field to field; it echoed wildly along tn
banks of the river, and reyerberated from MI
to hill. The strong men girded on their armo
and went forth to meet the Heterogeneous mas
of murderers the aged and the sick, timi
womanhood and helpless childhood RENAME
to weep and pray.
On they came like legion of fiends, shout
ing, cursing, killing the red coats of tn
English mingling with the naked shoulders
the half-clad savages; their tall military CAP
contrasting strangely with their shaven heao
and horrid scalping tufts.
.sTo the fort to the fort ~ shouted nelgi
Dor, bursting open the door, and lnstantan'
ously disappearing.