Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-05-13
The Perils of the Border.


While reading recently an account of the
frightful massacre of several white families by
the Black foot Indians, we were reminded of a
thrilling event which occurred in the "a Wild
West" short time subsequent to the Revola-
tion, In whic highly accomplished young la
dy, the daughter of a distinguished officer ofthe
American Army, played an important part.--
The story being of the most thrilling nature, and
exhibiting in striking manner the I" Perils of
the Border" we have concluded to give an ex-
tract from it, as originally published, as fol-
lows: a
The angle on the right bank of the Great Kan
awha, formed by its junction with the Ohio, is
called Point Pleasure, and is a place of histor>
&c Eote. Here. on the 10th of October, 1774,
during what is known as Lord Dunmores War,
was fought one of the fercest and most desper-
ate battles that ever took place between the Vir-
ginians and their forest foes.
After the battle in question, in which the In
dams were defeated with great loss, fort was
here erected by the victors, which became post
OF great Importance throughout the sanguinary
scenes of strife which almost Immediately fol-
lowed, and which in this section of the country
were continued for many years after that es tab
lshment of peace which acknowledged the Uni
ted Colonies of America a free and independent
nation. .s.. 3 ~ ...l
At the landing Of the fort, on the day our sto-
ry opens. was fastened hst-boat of the kind
used by the early navigators of the Western riv-
ers.
Upon the deck of this boat, at the moment we
present the scene to the reader, stood five indi-
viduals, alike engaged in watching group of
persons, mostly females, who were slowly ap-
proaching the landing. OF these five, one was
a stout, sleek negro, in partial livery, and evil
IDENTIFY house or body servant; three were
boatmen and borderers, indicated by their
rough, bronzed visages and coarse attire; but
the fifth was young man, some twe-and-twen-
ty years of age, of a fine commanding person,
and a clear, open, intelligent countenance; and
in the lofty carriage of his head-in the CLEAN
of his large, bright, hazel eye-there was some
thing which denoted one of superior mind but
as we shall have occasion in the course of our
narrative to fully set forth who and what Eu-
gene Fairfax was, we will leave him for the pres
ent, and turn to the approaching group, whom
he seemed to be regarding with lively interest.
OF this group, composed of middle aged man
and four females, with a black female servant
following five 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 feature, which, be-
sides being beautiful in every lineament, rarely
fails to affect the beholder with something like
charm.
- Her travelling costumes fine brown habit
high in the neck, buttoned closely over the bo
som and coming down to her small pretty feet
without trailing on the ground-was both neat
and becoming and with her riding-cap and its
waving ostrich plume, set gaily above her flow
ing curls, her appearance contrasted forcibly
with the rough, unpublished looks of those Of hei
5la hnr - III
scarlet flannel petticoats, and blsaehed liner
caps.
| - Oh, Blanche" said one of the more vener
able of her female companions, pursuing con
versation which had been maintained since quit
| thug the open fort behind them, " / cannot beai
to let you go for itjust seems to me as if some
thing were going to happen to you, and when
feel that way, something generally does hap
pen."
We'll, aunt" returned Blanche, with lighi
| laugh ." do not doubt in the least that some
| thing will happen-for / expect one of these
days to reach my dear father and blessed moth
/ er, and give them such an embrace as is due
from dutiful daughter to her parents-and thai
will be something that has not happened for two
| long years at least. =. eeeaa
but don't mean that, Blanche" returned
| the other, somewhat petulantly land you jus
! laugh like gay and thougltless girl, when you
ought to be serious. Becauseyou have come
safe thus far, through partially settled country
yeu think, perhaps, your own pretty face vii
1 ward off danger in the more perllous wilderness
but l warn you that fearful journey is before
you Scarcely boat descends the Ohio, tina
does not encounter more or less peril from tht
savages that prowl along either shore anC
some of them that go down freighted with hu
man life are heard of no more, and none ever re
turn to tell the tale"
But why repeat this TO NE, dear aunt" re
turned Blanche, with a more serious air, " whel
you know it is my DESTINY, either good or bad
to attempt the voyage Ny parents have sen
for me to Join them in their new home, and il j
my duty to so to them, be the peril W hat it may.
'You never did know what it was tie fear !!
pursued the good woman, rather proudly
No." she repeated, turning to the others
" Blanche Bertrand never did know what it wa
to fear believe ~
Just like her fathert Joined in the husban
of the mstron, the brother of Blanche,s mother
the commander of the station, and the middle
aged gentleman mentioned as one of the party
"a true daughter of true soldier. Her father
Colonel Philip Bertrand, God bless him for
true heart never did seem to know what il wa
TO fear-and Blanche is Just like him.
BY this time the parties had reached the boat
and the Young man already described-Eugen
Z Fairfax, the secretary of Blanchss fathers
once stepped forward, and, in polite and 6ei
efenH3t HlahRcFs oticftd tAc uAhStok
females, to assist them on board The hand {
Blanche was the last to touch his--and then bu
slightly, as she sprsng quickly and lightly
the deek-but close observer might have dc
tected the slight flush which msntled his nobls
expressive features, as his eye for single IL
slant met hers. She might herself have seen
u perhaps she did-but there was no cerrespol
ding glow on her own bright, pretty face, as 81
inquired, in the calm, dignifed tone Of one hs,
ing the right to put the question. and who migl
is also have been aware of the inequality of pos
ton between herself and him she addressed:
Eugene, is everything prepared for our d
b parture, 1t viii not do for our boat TO sprin
a leak again, as il did coming down the Kan
wha--for it viii not be safe for Us, am told,
touch either share between the different for
and trading posts on our route, this side OF OF
81. destnatien,-- Falls Of the Ohio"