Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-16

| meath it, and scattered fragments of the splin-
| tered stone in every direction. One piece (the
| same which reused little Bell's curiosity en-
tered the sleeve of my dress, and hung there,
| while blood drippled from its ragged corners
| upon my hand. This maddening ceremony
over, Queen Esther descended, and then came
| the reality. She, she-but cannot-oh IL
| cannot describe that most horrid transaction,
but saw it all, all. tried to close my eyes,
but their lids, were literally frozen back, and
| everything seemed magnifcd to frightful
| distinctness. An agonizing shrek and pros
| trate form at my side, told me that Rosette,
too, had witnessed the slaughter of some
of those resistless victims. Alas! mer-
might be forever blotted from my memory
Miraculous as it may appear, Philip actually
| broke from those who held him, and made his
escape. A loud hue and cry warned me of
| their intention to pursue, and saw Wilmer
was foremost in the bloody chase. We were
now ordered back to the wigwanl, and Rosette
being still in swoon, they were obliged to
carry her. "The daughter OF the pale face no
sleep tonight" whispered half familiar
="
"Long Bow remember, Long Bow saves L
Immediately recognized the hunter, whose
child we had found in our journey. The kind
ness with which these few words were spoken
quite affected me, and for the first time since
my confinement, enjoyed the luxury of tears.
Night came. Little Annie had fallen into
quiet slumber, and Rosette sat upright beside
me. She had not spoken the whole day; her
eyes were dull and inexpensive, and could
not help fearing that the terrors of the MORN
ing had disordered her mind. All had become
perfectly still about the encampment when the
dark form Of the hunter stole stealthily thro'
the cabin door. He carefully severed the
cords with which we were bound, and motion
ing extreme caution, bade us follow. hug
ged my little sleeping sister closely to my bo-
som, and glasping Rosette's arm, I'VE were soon
beyond the reach of immediate danger. At
the base Of a small hill, our guide removed
handful of brush wood from the mouth of
narrow cave, and babe us enter, nor for our
lives attempt coming out, without his permis-
sion. In a few hours he returned and gave me
the chilling information of my brothers. re-
capture. He called ME out of the cave. and
putting hatchet in my hand, asked me if
loved my brother. Immediately comprehen-
ded his meaning, and assuming his own pecu-
liar style, replied, ssdoes the wigwam of the
red hunter hold daughter? and has that
daughter a brother ?'' eyes, there is light in
the cabling of Long Bow; for the red fawn is
there, like bright star; her step is like the
spring of the wild cat, and she fears not to
speak with a tomahawk. But the heart of the
white girl is pale, she trembles at the sight of
blood, and fthe Ratchet would fall from her
hand" "Oh! but the love of the white girl
is strong she has great love for her friends
she could do all things for her brother" He
said no more, but proceeded noiselessly along
the beaten path. We were in sight of the
lodge. A few steps aside from the circle of
dusky -sleepers, sat my poor brother, strongly
bound to apine saplng, and by his side Gas the
faint rays of the moon discoyered) his invete-
rate foe Wilmer, and another equally athletic
figure, apparently in sound sleep. l saw
that Philip was awake, but did not stir. The
red hunter carefully cut the band which bound
the prisoner to the tree, and bidding me to
strike the Indian while he despatched the To-
ry, he raised his arm. Now was the trying
moment of deep and deadly peril, for a single
struggle or groan might betray US, and then
would ensue the long routine of inquisitorial
torture; and should we succeed, the life of a
human being, the blood of fellow creature
would be upon my head my breath almost
ceased at the thought. But then the life of a
brother was at stake, and could hesitate /
felt my arm descending with power, but nv
senses fed, and knew no more till foupd
myself in the cave with my brother hanging in
speechless anxiety over me. aThank God.
she lives!" exclaimed he, as once more o.
pened my eyes upon the light of day. The
sun shone dimly through the uncertain vistas
of our retreat, and felt, when 1 looked upon
the pale haggard features around me, as if
had awakened in the land of spirits. Little
Annie seemed overjoyed to hear me speak a
gain. But poor Rosette did not appear to no.
tice the least thing, and her pulse indicated
high fever.
Philip had promised our deliverer that he
would not attempt to leave the cave in two
days, without his special advice, as there was
no doubt but that tie woods would be secured
in every direction to discover MS. And so
they were, as the sound of footsteps and busy
voices declared to as. We heard them around |
us,venting their angry threats, in words which
made me family gasp for breath. Some one
enquired if there was no cave in which they
could be secreted. ssAtthe big run, !" answer
ed quick voice, which knew to be the red
hunters. Some seemed turning away at this
information, when ssa trail, trail," from the