White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-11-12

| -AAs~h Pe1eohihs VI picdodub DIC1Ald1t,
aud Mrs. RyersOn hung listlessly over the table
discOursing of the past and future, the thriving
condition of their settlement, and the whole
beautiful valley Of the Susquehanna
"Itis such comfort, George" said the young
wife, " to know that the late unhappy differen-
ces between the wings and tories have all melt.
ed into moonshine; and not only our tory neigh.
bors, but the savsges themselves seem now to
be vieing with each other in manifestations Of
kindness and good win towards as''
ave have certainly much cause for grati6ca-
ton to our Father in HeaN en-, dear Mary, for
all this seeming good faith may he in his mer-
cy grant that it is not the calm that ushers n
the tempest''
Just then the red turban Of Eagle Eye passed
before the window, and in another instant he
opened the door without knocking, and stepped
into the centre of the room. In place of the
wolfskin 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 a
part of his broad, tawny chest. He carried his
rife, and his powder horn suspended BY strap
over his shoulder. George read a new express
sion in his countenance; and Mary almost feared
to look upon him, he was so stern, calm, vet
sorrowfuL
"Sit down, my BROTHER" said George.
"Will you eat1" said Mary. ~.
" Me want nothing-me not hungry. CaS
with me-" he said, looking at George. "Take
the gun, the wildcat is on the mountain; come
and shoot him.
"Oh, only Wild cat" said Mary, laughing;
"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 double shot" She
alluded to their first meeting in the woods.
No smile lightened up the face of the Indian;
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 sufocating noon
ever known in the valley of the Susquehanna.
Not leaf stirred upon the trees, not zephyr
lifted blade of grass, but the sun poured down
scorchingly, vegetation withered, and every liv.
ing thing sought shelter from his burning rays
under some friendly roof or shade tree; the very
stones we're like heated irons, and the river
glowed and sparkled like liquid fire.
George Ryerson had not returned, and Mary
looked out from the window hour after hour with
a strange foreboding of evil. Mary prepared
dinner, but she merely tasted it, then reseated
herself at the window with fearful eyes. Baby
laid its velvet cheek against hers, and locked
into her face; its little lip quivered, and ther
it sobbed aloud. With her eve fixed upon the
read, she sang it a gentle lullaby, and il ther
fell asleep.
Hark! what sound is that-that long, loud
terrific yell7 What mean those guns7 That tram
ping, shouting, crying-that despairing vail
He who is absent flies to his home; the boy:
come down from the cherry trees; the girls rust
in from the garden, shrieking, .clinging to theil
mothers skirts; the dogs act up howl of ter
ror; the cattle snuff the wind, and run below
ing hither and thither.
"Ths English! the toriesi the savages arr
upon usr' was shouted from house to house
from field to field; it echoed wildly along the
banks of the river, and reverberated from hill
to hill. The strong men girded on their armor
and went forth to meet the heterogeneous mas,
of murderers; the aged and the sick, timid wo
manhood and helpless childhood remained t.
weep and pray.
On they came like legion of 6ends, shouting
cursing, killing; the red coats Of the English
mingling with the naked shoulders Of the half
clad savages; their tall military caps contrastet
strangely with their shaver heads and horiC
scalping tufts.
ITO the fort, to the fort"' shouted neigh
Dor, bursting open the door, and instantaneously
disappearing.
ITO the fOrt" shouted the frightened servan
shaking her mistress violently to arouse herfrou
the stupOr into which she had fallen.
"TO the fort! what, Margaret, has he come
is my husband here7"
"No, nO-but the English-th0 tories-tht
Indians are upon US! Haste! Ay! for Gods SAX,
keep your senses"
Margaret tied on her bonnet, hastily made u
a small bundle of necessary clothing for mothe
and babe, which she put into her hands, thel
herself taking the child on one arm, dragged
her out, and along in the direction of Fort King
ston-
Poor beWildered Mary! abe awoke to the con
sciousness of her danger, when she found her
self flying over the dusty road, with scores o
helpless women and children, wagons rolling pas
at full speed, mounted horses leaping ike rein
deer, with pale and hatless riders, all rushin,
Mildly on, while ever and anon came the din o
the war-Whoop, and the shrieks Of the sufferer
overlook by the blood hounds in the rear. Moth
ers and children tainted and fell, old men sa
down unable to go another step, and those whom
God granted strength to proceed, arrived at tn,
fort over-heated, utterly exhausted. One ate
another tOttered in, images of grief and despair
Inside were . few mattresses, scanty suppl,
Of provisions, a few cooking utensils; and Their
with melancholy thaRkfulness, they ate the eve
ming meal with sickening foreboding of to-mor
row. Scores arrived during the night; cominI
from the mountains and all along the river, IN
I'll all the houses and barracks were full; som
lay down to rest, Others sat up, watching the ct
full slumberer1. as ever and anon they started i
their dreams and murmured prayers to Heave
against the cruelty Of man. Among the watch
ers vas Mary Ryerson, sitting beside her bah
J and Margaret all night long, with folded hand