Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-02-19

upon inc DrOW OF inc DluH Dduh WHICH over
looked it. A sight of the most terrible de.
scription met their eyes. The cabin lay a
mass of smouldering ruins; from whence a
dull blue smoke arose in the clear August
sunshine. They observed closely everything
about it. Brady knew it was customary for
the Indians after they had fired settler S
cabin, ifthere was no immediate danger, to
retire to the. woods close at hand, and watch
for the approach of any member ofthe fami-
ly who might chance to be absent when they
made the descent. Not knowing but that
they we're even then lying close by, he left
Bevington to watch the ruins, lying under
cover, whilst he proceeded to the northward,
and Biggs southwark, to make discoveries.
Both were to return to Beviugton, if they
found no Indians. If they came across the
perpetrators, and they were too numerous to
be attacked regularly, Brady declared it to
be his purpose to have one fire at them, and
that should be the signal for both of his fol
lowers to make the best of their way to the
fort.
All this rapidly trauspired, and with Bra
dy to decide, was to act. AS he stole eau
tiously round to the northern side of the in
closure, he heard voice in the distance sing
ing. He listened keenly, and soon discov-
cred from its intonations, that it was white
mans. He passed rapidly in the direction
whence the sound came. As itapproached, he
hid himself behind the trunk of large tree.
Presently white man, riding fine horse,
came slowly down the path. The form was
that of Albert Gray, the stalwart, brave,
devil-may-care settler, who had built him a
home miles away from the fort, where no one
would dare to take family, except himself.
Brady wore, as he almost always did, the
Indian garb, and had war paint upon his
face. He knew that if he showed himself
upon the path, Gray would shoot, taking
him to be an Indian. He therefore suffered
Gray quietly to approach his lurking place
When the time came, he sprang forward ere
the settler could have time to prepare, drew
his tomahawk, and seizing him, dragged him
from his horse. AS he did so, he whispered
to him: ri am Captain Brady, for Gods
sake be quiet"
Gray, with the instructive feeling Of one
who knew there was danger, and with that
vivid presence Of mind which characterizes
those acquainted with frontier life, ceased
at once to struggle. The horse had been
started by the sudden onslaught, and sprung
TO one side. Ere he had time to leap for
ward, Brady had caught him by the bride.
His loud snorting threatened to arouse any
one who was near. The Captain soon sooth-
ed the frightened animal into quiet. -.
Gray now hurriedly asked Brady what the
danger was. The strong, vigorous spy, turn
ed away his face unable to answer him
The settlers already excited fears were thus
turned into realities. The manly form shook
like an aspen leaf with emotion-tears fell
as large drops of water over his bronzed face.
Brady permitted the indulgence for mo,
ment, whilst he led the horse into thicket
close at hand and tied him. When he re-
turned Gray had sunk to the earth and
great tremulous convulsons writhed over
him. Brady quietly touched him upon the
shoulder and said, "Come." He at once
arose, and had gone but few yards until
every trace of emotion had apparently van
ished. He was no longer the bereaved hus-
band and fathcr-he was the sturdy, we'll
trained hunter, whose ear and eye were
acutely alive to every sight or sound, the
waving of leaf or the cracking ofthe small
est twig.
He desired to proceed directly toward the
house, but Brady objected to this, and they
passed down toward the river bank. As
they proceeded, they saw from the tracks of
horses and moccasin prints upon the places
where the earth was moist, that the party
was quite numerous one After thorough
ly examining every cover and possible place
of concealment, they passed on to the south
ward and came back in that direction to the
spot where Bevington stood sentry. When
they reached him they found that Biggs had
not returned. Iu few minutes he came
He reported that the trail was large and
broad; the Indians had taken no pains to
conceal theirtracks-they simply had struck
back into the country, so as to avoid COM
ing in contact with the spies whom thcysup-
posed to be lingering along the river.
The whole four now went down to the
cabin and carefully examined the ruins. At
ter long and minute search, Brady declar-
ed in an authoritative manner, that none of
the inmates had been consumed. This an
nouucement at once dispellcd the most har-
rowing fears&f Gray. As soon as all that
could be discovered had been ascertained,
each one of the party proposed some course
of action. One desired to 60 to Pittsburg
and obtain assstance-another thought it
best to return to Mcintosh and get some
volunteers there-Brady listened patiently
to both these propositions, but arose quickly,
after talking a moment apart with Biggs,
and said, "Come."
Gray and Bcvington obcyed at once, nor
did Biggs object. Brady struck the trail
and began pursuit in that tremendous rapid
manner for which he was so famous. 1t was
evident that if the savages were ovcrtakcn,
it could only be done by the utmost exertion.
They were some hours ahead, and from the
number of their horses must be nearly all
mounted. Brady felt that if they were not