Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-05-19
THE PERILS OF THE BORDER.

a thrilling event which occurre in the s'Wild
West.' short time subsequent to the Revo
luton, in which highly accomplished young
lady, the daughter Of distinguished officer Of |
the American Army, played an important part. |
The story being of a most thrilling nature, ,and |
exhibiting in a striking manner the 'sPerils Of
the Border" we have concluded to give an
extract from it, as originally published, as fol-
lows:
The angie on the righ. bank of the Great
Kanawha, formed by its junction with the o.
hio, is called Point Pleasant, and is place OF
historical note. Here, on the 10Th oil Octo-
Der, IVA, during what is known as Lord Dun
more's War was fought of the fercest and
most desperate battles that ever took place be-
tween the Virginians and their toes-
After the battle in question, in which the
Indians were defeated with great loss, fort
was here erected by the victors which became
post of great importance throughout the san
culinary scenes of strife which almost immedi-
ately followed, and in which in this section OF
the country were continued for many years al
ter that establishment of peace which acknswl-
edged the United Colonies of America free
and independent nation.
At the landing of the fort. on the day of our
story opens, was fastened fiat-boat, OF the
kind used by the early naYigatorS of the Wes-
tern rivers.
We present the scene to the reader, stood five
individuals, alike engaged in watching group
OF persons mostly females. who were slowly
approaching the landing. Of these five, one
was stout, sleek negro, in partial livery, and
evidently house or body servant; three were
boatmen and borderers, as indicated by their
rough, bronzed yisages and coarse attire; but
the fifth was young man, some two-and-twen-
ty years of age, OF fine commanding person,
and clear, open and intelligent countenance;
and in the lofty carriage OF his head.In the
CLEAN of his large, bright, hazel eye-there
was something 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 Eugene Fairfax was, We Will leave
him for the present, and turn to the approach
ing group, whom be seemed TO be regarding
with lively interest.
OF this group, composed of q middle aged
man and four females,wi black female ser
want 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,w was apparent
ly about twenty years OF age, OF a slender and
graceful figure, ard of that peculiar cast Of
feature, which, besides being beautiful in eve
~ lineament, rarely fails TO affect the behold
er with something like 4 charm.
Her travelling costUme-a fine brown habit,
high in the neck, buttoned closely over the
bosom and coming down to her small pretty
neat and becoming; and with her riding-cap
and its waving ostrich plnme, set gaiIy above
her flowing curls, her appearance contrasted
forcibly with the rough, unpolished looks OF
those Of her sex beside her, with their linscy
bed-gowns, scarlet flannel petticoats, and blea-
ched linen caps.
ssOh, Blanche said one OF the moro vencr-
able of her female companions, pursuing a
conversation which had been maintained since
quitting the open fort behind them, 81 cannot
bear to let you go; for it just seems to me as
if something were going 10 happen to you, and
when l feel that way, something generally
does happenr''
s.Weil, aunt returned Blanche, with 4 light
laugh, 81 do not doubt in the least that some
thing will happen-fOr I expect one OF these
days to reach my dear father and blessed moth
er, and give them such an embrace as is due
from dutifuI daughter TO her parents-and
that viii be something that has not happened
for two long years at least"
ssBut don't mean that, Blanche" returned
the other, somewhat petulently; ''aEd you
just laugh like gay and thOughtless girl,
when you ought TO be serious. Because you
have come safe thus far, through 4 partially
settled country, you think, perhaps, Your own
pretty face will ward off danger in the more
perilOus wildcrness-but l warn you that
fearful journey is before You! Scarcely boat
descends the Ohio, that does not encounter
more or less peril from the saYages that pTowl
along either shore and some of them that 90
down freghted with human life, are heard Of
no more, and none ever return to tell the
tale.''
ssBut why repeat this to me, dear aunt, - re-
turned Blanche, with more serious air, sswhen
you know it is my destiny, either good or bad.
to attempt the voyage? Ny parents have sent
for me to join them III their new home, and it
is my duty to go to them, be the peril what it
may"
ssYou never did know what it was to fearr'
pursued the good woman, rather proudly
ssNo,'' she repeated, turning TO the others.
s.Blanche Bertrand never did know what it was
TO fear, believe -
s'Just like her fatherI' Joined in the hus-
band OF the matron, the brother of Banche's
mother, the commander of the station and
the middle-aged gentleman mentioned as one
of the party; .sa true daughter of a true SOL
dier. Her father, Colonel Philip Bertrand.
God bless him for a true heart never did
seem to know what it was TO fear-and Blanche
is Just like him -
BY this time the parties had reached the
boat; and the young already described
Eugene Fairfax, the secretary Of Blanche S
father-at once stepped forward, and, in po-
lite and deferential 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 close
observer might have detected the slight fush
which mantied his noble, expressive features
as his eye for single instant met hers. She
might herself have seen it-perhaps she did
but there was no corresponding glow on hel
own bright, pretty face, as she inquired, IN the
calm, digniied tone OF one having the right
to put the question, and who might also have
been aware of the inequality of position be
tween herself and him she addressed:
'sEugene, is everything prepared for our de
parture! 1t viii not do for our boat to spring
leak again, as it did coming down the IA