Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-05-07

g. -asa-4-
ty Of the scene. ~ loot broke the still
ness at last with its disnal cry, and | di.
rected my attention toF6ings about me.
Nearly half way around the lake in the
direction which l knew tie path took,
deserted the Pickering Eight Of a fire be
tween the trees, the fdrky flames rising
high as the occupants heaeed on the pine
and hemlock branches. his I coniectar-
ed was the camp Of the party | was in
search Of, so turning away from the bank
[ again sought the trailaGa FASTENED for
ward. Halt the distance had been accom-
plished when [ again caaght sight of the
fire from between the openings. Stand
ing on one side, leaning on his rife was
the tall gaunt form Of Bill Mackenzie the
scout; seated side bYside on a little
mound near the fire wee a gentleman in
British uniform, and aflady. so slight and
slender in figure, she ~ssarccly seemed able
to endure the fatigues seassory to a Jour
ney through the forest. Size leaned her
head upon his shoulder cdnfidingly and
trustingly, as though she feared nought
with him. A beautiful siglti it was to see
that young creature far away from home,
family and friends, in an American vii,
d~erness, trusting herself and her fortunes
to one man, and wellhe seemed fitted for
the trnst, well could his arm defend and
protect her.
My fears in some measure quelled,
was proceeding along rather more leisure
ly when being quite near the party, al
though | was screened from their view by
a ridge which interviewed, | heard the
sharp crack of a rife followed by a scream
then all was silent-but only for a mo,
ment, and the report Of a pistol rung out
on the night air. | started and quivered
In every muscle, my worst fears had beer
realized; recovering my self.possession
dashed madly forward with lightning
wpeod a fcsv-5ou1seS ne III
camp, and then what q sight met my eye
VIII it ever haunt me thus" groanec
the poor old man, and burying his face il
his hands he wept in silence for some min
utes. Again looking up he resumed his
narrative.
ION the ground, Mr.. Graham, weller
ing in his blood, lay my poor brother, hi;
pale face distorted with agony: a dis
charged pistol was tightly clenched in one
hand, the other in his bosom, grasped an
other weapon. His wife was in the clutch
es of that villain who had betrayed them
Mackenzie-his coarse features gloatina
in q demoniacal triumph on the frighten
ed yet beautiful courtenance Of the poor
girl who struggled to free herself from
him. | raised my rifle to my shoulder
and fired almost at random; the ball wen
wide Of its mark, and throwing down my
piece rushed forward, caught the surpris.
ed scout by the throat and hurled hin
back on the ground. He rose glaring al
me from beneath his shaggy eyebrows, and
drawing his knife, was or me in an in
slant. 70 seize his arm and divert the
stroke with one hand, while | clenched
the other was the work Of a moment, and
we both fell heavily to the ground, roll
ing and struggling. He e~ndeavored to
get free his right hand, but finding that
impossible, at last succeeded in shifting
the knife to the left, and dealt me a severe
stab in the shoulder. | did not notice ii
much, | was SO excited in the contest
Perceiving that in the end | must get the
worst OF the fight. unless | could disable
my antagonist in some manner watching
my opportunity, | after a great deal ofdif
ficulty, succeo ded in securing his knife
which | threw in the bushes, preferring
to fight without weapons. and knowing
that In a regular rough and tumble my
chance was as good as good his. The
knife being disposed of, | sprang to my
feet, and retreated to a low fat rock of
there to the right of the fire. Mackenzie
regained his feet and seized his rifle, which
| well knew was unl0aded. He r~ecolIec
ted that and turned towards me. | stooG
firm and awaited his approach, he came
up and made an effort to strike me with
his fist, which | lodged, and stopping
quickly pulled his feet from under him
Totally unprepared for such an onset, he
tell with his whole weight upon the hare
rock. The result was as | had supposed
he lay insensible, completely stunned. il
not dead. | tore some wild grape withe;
and secured him hand and foot. Thi.
done L turned my attention to my poor
brother; opening his coat | found the
blood oozing from a small hole just above
and to the right Of the heart. [ staunch
ed the flow Of blood as we'll as | could
without the slightest hope of saving hi.
lille, for one glance was sufficient to tel
me that the scouts aim had for once been
too true. His wife by this time recover
ed from her swoon approached US, and ia
king his head in her lap, smoothed the
matted locks that chung around his pale
forehead. | procured some water from
the lake, and dashed it into his face; he
seemed to 0 a little, and raising him
self on his left arm, looked around; as his
eyes fell on me he gave an almost conyul
siye start forward.
!" Archie, my brother! can it be?" he ex.
claimed, %endeayoring to stand upright
but too much weakened from loss of blood
he sank back into the arms of his wife,
| knelt at his side and watched every
breath that left his lips. At last recover
ing himself he grasped my hand and EN-.
braced me long and feryently. That this