The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1858-05-21
turned the other, somewhat pctulently /;

turned the other, somewhat petulently
"and you just laugh like a gay and
thoughtless girl, when you ought to be
serious Because you have come safe
thus far, through partially settled coun
try, you think, perhaps, your own pretty
face will ward off danger in the most per
ilous wilderness--but l warn you that a
fearful journey is before! Scarcely a boa
descends the Ohio, that does not encoun'
ter more or less peril from the sayages
that prowl along either shore and some
Of them that 60 down freighted with hu
man life, are nevsr heard Of no more, and
never even return to tell the tale"
But why repeat this to me, dear aunt,
returned Blanche with more serious air,
"when you know it is my destiny, either
good or bad, to attempt the voyage? My
parents have sent for me to join them in
their new home, and it is my duty to 60
to them, be the peril what it may"
"You never did know what it was to
fear" pursued the good woman, rather
proudly. "No," she repeated, turning
to the others, blanche Bertrand never
did know what it was to fear, I believed"
"Just like her fatber!" joined in the
husband Of the ma!ron, the brother of
Blanche's mother, the commander Of the
station, and the middle-nged gentleman
mentioned as one Of the party; "a true
daughter Of a true soldier. Her father,
Colonel Phillip Bertrand, God bless him
for true heart! never did seem 10 know
what it was to fear--and Blanche is Just
like him."
By this time the parties had reached
the boat; and the young man already de-
scribed--Eugene Fairfax, the secretary Of
Blancbe's father-at once stepped for
ward, and, in polite and deterential
manner. offered his hand to the different
females, to assist them on board. The
hand of Blanche was the last to touch his
and then but slightly. as she sprung
quickly and lightly to the deck--but a
close observer might have detected the
slight flush which mautled bis noble, ex.
prcssive features as his eye for a single
instant met hers. She might herself have
seen it--perhaps she did-but there was
no corresponding glow on her own bright
pretty face, as she inquired, in the calm,
1ignifed tone of one having the right to
question, and who might also have been
aware of the inequality Of position be-
ween herself and him she addressed:
eugene, is everything prepared for
,ur departure? 1t will not do for our boat
o spring leak again, as it did coming
lown the Kanawha-for it will not be
,afe for us. am told, to touch either
shore between the different forts and ira
ling posts on our route, this side of our
destination, the Falls of the Ohio"
"No, indeed p rejoined her aunt,
quickly; "it will be as much as your lives
re worth to venture foot from the main
urrent of the Obio--for news reached
is only the other day, that many boats
ad been attacked this Spring and sever
i lost, with all on board"
"No one feels more concerned about
he safe passage of Miss Bertrand than
,yself," replied Eugene, in a deferential
3ne; "and since our arrival here, I have
1T nothing undone that I thought might
ossibly add to her security and COM
,rt."
"Tbat is true to my personal knowl-
lge," joined in the uncle of Blanche
and I thank you, Mr.. Fairfax, in be-
alf oi my far kinswomen. There will,
erhaps," he pursued, "be no great dan
er, SO long as you keep in the current
ut your watch must not be neglected for
single moment, either night or day; and
0 not, I most solemnly charge and warn
ou, under any circumstances, or on I
~ pretence whatsoever, suffer your ,
lives to be decoyed to either shore!" :
"Ihope we understand our duty bet
r, Colonel" said one Of the men re- I
,ectfully.
II doubt it not" replied the comman.
,r of the Point; II believe you are ell
ithfal and true men, or you would not
I'VE been selected by the agent of Col.