The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-04


noes up the Kennebcc river in pursuit o
their enemies. The last trace OF civiliza
, ton was left behind and the loLg shad
ows Of the skirting forest met and blend
ed in the middle Of the broad stream
which wound darkly through them. d Al
every sound from the adjacent shore
the rushing wing Of some bird or the foot
steps of some wild beast, the dash OF the
oar was suspended and the rangers grasp
.ightened upon his rife. Al! knew tbr
peril Of the enterprise, and that silence
which is natural OF jeopardy, settled like
q cloud upon the midnight advepturers.'
| "Hush-softly mcn,", said the watch.
ihl Hermon, in voice that scarcely above
a whisper, US the canoe swept around a
rugged piomcntory, "there's light
ahead ~ p ~ .t,' eA."y.''' VI
All ewes were bent toward the shore.
a tall Indians fire cleaned amiGs, the
great oaks, casting red and strong light
ipon the dark waters. FOR u single and
oreathlcss moment the operation OF the
oars was suspended, aud every eur listeu.
cl with painful caruestness TO catch the
well known sounds that indicated the pro
pinquity OF the savages. But all was now
silent. With slow and faint movement
of the oar the canoe gradually approached
the suspected spot. The landing was at.
.ccted in silence. After NOV. ny cautious
v tor u considerable distance in the dark
shadow the party at length ventured with.
in the broad circle Of the light which FIST
attracted their attention. s.'
Hcrmon was at their head, with an eye
and hand as quick as those OF the sav.
age enemy whom be sought. ~
The body OF u fallen tree lay across the
path. AS the rangers were on the point
of lcaping over It, the hoaSe whisper OF
Hcrmon again broke that silence. ,
"God OF Heaven" he exclaimed, point.
ing to the tree. "See herc-'tis the work
OF the cursed red skins"
A slnothered curse growled upon the
lips Of the rangers, as the grimly bent
forwards in the direction pointed out by
their commander. Blood was sprinklcd
upon the rank grass, and the hand OF o
white man lay upon the log.
There was not word spoken, but cve-
ry countenance worked with terrible emo.
iion. Had the rangers followed their
own inclination, they would have hurried
recklessly onward to the work Of ven-
gcancc; but the example Of their lcadet,
who had regaincd his usual composurc
and scli.command, prepared item Tor a
less speedy, but NOR, certain triumph
Cautiously passing the fearful obstacle in
their pathway. and followed closely by
his companions, he advanced stealthily
and cautiously upon the thick trees. In
a few moments they obtained a full view
of the object Of their search. Stretched
ut their full length around large fire,
but at a convenient distance from it, lay
the half naked and painted forms Of TWEEN
ty savages. 1t was evident from their up.
pcarance that they had passed the day in
one oi their revels, and were now suffer.
lng from the effects OF intoxication. Oc.
casionally a grim warrior from among
them started upright, grasping his toma.
hawk rs ii to combat some vision OF his
disordcred brain, but unable to shake of
the stupor E ON his senses, uniformity fell
back into his former position.
The rangers crept nearer. As they
bent their keen eyes along their well tried
rifles, each felt sure OF ccess. They
awaited the sigual from Hcnnon, who
was endeavoring to bring his long rifle to
ear upon the head OF the most distant
OF the savages. u.rr .s.g rw.H
"Fire!" said he at length, rs the sight
of his piece interposcd full and distinct
between his eyes and the wild salp lock
of the Indian-"Fir,, and rush on"
The sharp voice thirty rifles thrilled
the heart of the forest. There was a
.roan, slno,hcrcd cry, a wild and con-
vulsivc motion among the sleeping lnd.-
ans, aud all was silent. d . I1. .n9I
The rangers sprang forward with their
dubbed miskcts andhnnting.knivcs; bat
yhcir work was done. The red lnen had
zone to their last audit before the Great
Spirit, and no sound was heard save the
.irgling OF the hot blood from their life
less bosons. ..
They were lett unburicd on the place
Of their rcvclling-a prey to the foal birds
of the air, and the riyenous beasts Of the
wilderness. Their scalps were borne
honeward in triumph by the successful
party, whose children aud grand children
shuddrrc,l long alter a. the thrilling rar.
rativc Of the midnight adventure. ad