Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-05-20
THE PEnILs OF THE BORDER.

dams, we were reminded of thrilling
event which occurred in the "NVilc
West" short time subsequent to tn,
Revolution, in which a highly accom-.
lplished young lady, the daughter of Q
distinguished officer of the American
Army. played an important part. The
story being of most thrilling nature,
and exhibiting in striking manner
the "Pcrils of the Border" we have
concluded to give an extract from it,
as originally published. as follows:
The angle on the right bank of the
Great Kanawha. formed by its june
tion with the Ohio, is called Point
Pleasant, and is n place Of historical
note. Here. on the 10th of October,
IVA, during what is known as Lord
Dunmore's War, was fought one OF
the fierccst and most desperate battles
that ever took place between the Vir-
ginians and their forest foes.
After the battle in question, in
which the Indians were defeated with
great loss, fort was here erected by
the victors, which became a post OF
great importance throughout the SAN
culinary scenes of strife which almost
Immediately followed, and which in
this section of the country were con.
tinued for many years after that cstab-
lishmcnt of peace which acknowledged
the United Colonies of America a free
and independent nation.
At the landing OF the Fort, on the
day our story opens, was fastened q
hat-boat of the kind used by the early
navigators of the Western rivers.
Upon the deck of this boat. at the
moment we present the scene to the
reader, stood five individuals, alike en-
gagged in watching group of persons.
mostly females, who were slowly ap-
preaching the landing. OF these FIVE,
one was stout. sleek negro, in partial
livery, and evidently house or body
servant; three were boatmen and bord-
crers. as indicated by their rough,
bronzed visages and coarse attire; but
the fifth was young man, some two
and-twenty years of age, of fine COM
manding person, and clear, open, in
tclligent countenance; and in the lofty
carriage of his hcad-in the CLEAN Of
his large, bright, hazel cye-thcre was
something which denoted one of supe
rior mind; but as we shall have occa-
sion in the course of our narrative to
fully set forth who and what Eugene
Fairfax was, we will leave him for the
present, and turn to the approaching
group, whom he seemed to be regard
ing with lively interest.
Of this group, composed OF q mid
lle-aged man and four females, with a
black female servant following some
five or six PAGES in the rear, there was
one whom the most casual eye would
have singled out and rested upon with
pleasure. The lady in question, was
apparently about twenty years of age,
of slender and graceful figure, and of
that peculiar cast of feature, which,
besides being beautiful in every Inca
ment, rarely fails to affect the behold
er with something like a charm.
Her travelling costumc-a fine brown
habit, high in the neck, buttoned close
ly over the bosom and coming down
to her small pretty feet, without trail
ing on the ground-was both neat and
becoming; and with her riding-cap and
it's waving ostrich plume, set gaily
above her flowing curls, her appear
ance contrasted forcibly with the rough,
unpublished looks of those of her sex
beside her, with their linsey bed-gowns,
scarlet flannel petticoats, and bleachcd
linen caps.
"Oh. Blanche" said one Of the more
venerable of her female companions,
pursuing a conversation which had
been maintained since quitting the
open Fort behind them, Il can not
bear to let you go; for it just seems to
me as if something were going to hap
pen to you, and when i feel that way,
something generally does happen"
well, aunt" returned Blanche,
with light laugh, Il do not doubt in
the least that something will happen
for expect one of these days to reach
my dear father and blessed mother,
and give then such an embrace as is
due from a dutiful daughter to her pa
rents-and that will be something tina,
has not happened for two long years
at least"
but don't mean that. Blanche, y
returned the other, somewhat petulant
"; ''and you Just laugh like gay and
thoughtless girl, when you ought to b.
serious. Because you have come safe
thus far. through a partially settled
country, you think, perhaps, your owr
: pretty iace will ward off danger in tht
more perilous wilderncss-but | war;
you that a fearful journey is before
you. Scarcely boat descends the Ohio
that does not encounter more or les
peril from the savages that PROV
along either shore; and some Of then
that go down freighted with human
; life, are heard of no more. and nom
; ever return to tell the tale"
But why repeat this to me, dea
aunt" returned Blanche, with a NOR
serious air, when you know it Is III,
/. destiny. either good or bad, to attemp
the voyage! My parents have sen
for me to join them in their new home
and it is my duty to so to them, be tn
peril what it may"
you never did know what il wa
to fear." pursued ;he good woman
rather proudly. NO." she repeated
:. turning to the others, Blanche Ber
trand never did know what it was I
fear, believed"
just like her father" joined in tn
husband Of the matron, the brother {