Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-03-05

river, about mile above the fort, and
where they must cross the Ohio, if they
continued upon the North side. Bigg fl
nally yielded his objections and they
crossed the Beaver, and proceeded with the
habitual caution of woodsmen who fully
understood their business. They had start
ed early, and by rapid travelling they had
reached, ere noon came, the last piece Of
bottom land on the North side of the riy-
er, lust below what is known as the Mar
rows. Upon this bottom a pioneer, more
daring than most Others had built a cabin,
and opened small spot of cleared land.
He had planted it in corn, and it gave
promise of a most abundant harvest.
But as they approached the edge of the
clearing, just outside of the fence, Brady
discovered Indian signs as hecalled them.
His companions discovered them almost as
quick as he, and at once, in low tones com
municated to each other the necessity for q
keen watch. They slowly trailed them
along the side of the fence toward the
house, whose situation they well knew, until
they stood upon the brow of the bluff bank
which overlooked it. A sight of the most
terrible description met their eyes. The
cabin lay mass of smouldering ruin; from
whence dull blue smoke arose in the clear
August sunshine. They observed closely
every thing about it. Brady knew that it
was customary for the Indians after they
had fired settlers cabin, if there was no
immediate danger, to retire to the woods
close at hand, and watch for the approach
of any member of the family who might
chance to be absent when they made the
descent. Not knowing but they were even
then lying close by, he left Bevington to
watch the ruins, under cover, whilst he pro-
ceeded to the Northward, and Biggs South
ward, to make discoveries Both were to
return to Bevington, if they found no In
dians. If they came across the perpetra-
tors, and they were too numerous to be at
tack regularly, Brady declared it to be his
purpose to have fire at them, and that
should be the signal for his followers to
make the best of their way to the fort. ''-
All this rapidly transpired, and with
Brady to decide was, to act. As he stole
cautiously round the Northern side of the
enclosure, he heard voice in the distance
singing. He listened keenly, and soon dis
covered from its intonations, that it was
white mans. He passed rapidly in the di-
rection whence the sound came. AS itap-
he concealed himself behind the
trunk of large tree. Presently white
man, riding fine horse, came slowly down
the path. The form was that of Alfred
Gray, the stalwart brave, devil-may-care
settler, who had built him 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 him
self upon the path, Gray would shoot, TAX
ing 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; Il am
Captain Brady, for Gods sake be quiet d
GRAY, with the instructive feeling of one
who knew there was danger, with that Vi
tai presence of mind which characterized
those acquainted with frontier life, ceased at
once to struggle. The horse had been start
ed by the sudden onslaught, and sprung
TO one side. Ere he had time to leap for
ward, Br~dy had caught him by the bride.
His loud snorting threatened to arouse any
one who was near. The Captain soon
soothed him into quiet. % ''ss 'a r.
Gray now hurriedly asked Brady what
the danger was. The strong, vigorous spy,
turned away his face unable to answer him.
The settlers already excited fears were thus
turned in TO realities. The manly form
shook like an aspen leaf, with emotion
tears fell as large as drops of water over
his bronzed face. Brady permitted the in
diligence for moment, whilst he led the
horse into thicket close at hand and tied
him. When he returned, Gray had sunk
to the earth, and great tremulous convul-
sions writhed over him.. Brady quietly
touched him 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
husband and father-he was the sturdy,
well trained hunte,, whose ear. and eye
were acutely alive to every sight and sound,
the waving of leaf or the cracking of the
smallest twig.
He desired to proceed directly towards
the house, but Brady objected to this, and
they passed down towards the river bank.
As they proceeded they saw from the
tracks Of horses and mocasin prints upon
the places where the earth was moist, that
the party was quite numerous one. AT
Ter thoroughly examining every cover and
possible place Of concealment, they passed
on to the. Southwark and came back in
that direction to the spot where. Bevington
stood sentry. When they reached him
they found that Biggs had not returned.
In few moments he came. He reported
that the trail was large and broad; the
Indians had taken no pains to conceal their
tracks-they simply had struck back into.
the country, so as to avoid coming in con
tact with the spies whom they supposed
were lingering along the riser.
The whole four now went down to the
cabin and carefully examined the ruins.-
After long and minute search, Brady de-
clared in an authoritative manner, that none
of the inmates had been consumed. This
announcement at once dispelled the most
narrowing fears of Gray. AS soon as all
that could be discovered had been ascer-