The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-14
y, va, md when I feel tina, way, something


S.,w.i 80, " returned Blanche, with
-, ,.n,b 81 do not doubt IN the least that
pu,s,h;n, will hsppen-for | expect one oi
S. 'i.s. 10 reach my dear father and
'isss.J r,o,b.r. and give them such an en-
80. =. /, due from dutiiul daughter to
~. n.,ents-and that will be something
hat has not happened for two long years al
east"
.But don't mean that, Blanche" return,
ed the other, somewhat petuian'iY' anu
YOU Just laugh like gay AMI though'ioss
girl, when you ought to be serious De
cause you have come safe thus lar, through
a partially settled country, you thinS' per,
haps, your own pretty face VIII ward on
danger in The more periIous wi,derness-oui
I warn you that fearful journey Is before
youl Scarcely boa, descends the Ohio,
;b,, does not encounter more or less peril
from the savages that prowl along either
shore: and some OF them that 60 down
freirhted with human life, are heard OF no
more, and none ever return to tell the tale.
"But why reteat this TO me, dear aunt
returned Blanche, with more serious air.
"when you know II Is my destiny, ehner
good or bad, TO attempt the voyage! MY
parents have sent for the to Join them III
their new home, and it is my duty 20 90 10
them, be the peril what it may"
.You never did know what II was 10
fear" pursued the good woman, rather
proudly, "No," she repeated, turning To
the others, "Blanche Bertrand never DID
know wha, il was TO fear, believe"
AUST ike her father" joined IN the hus-
band Of the matron, the brother OF Blanche
mother, the commander Of the station, and
the middle-aged gentleman mentioned as
one Of the party; "a true daughter ola true
soldier. Her father, Colonel PhihP Ber-
tr,nd, God bless him for true heart. new
or did seem to know what II was to fear
and Blanche is Just like him."
By this time the parties had reached the
boat; and the young man already described
-Eupene Fairfax, the secretary OF Blanehe's
father-at once stepped forward, aud, IN
polite and deferential manner offered his
hand 10 the different females, 10 assist them
on board. Ths hand Of Blanche was the
las, 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 mantled his noble,
expressive features, rs his eye for single
instant met hers. She might herself have
seen it-perhaps she debut there was no
corresponding glow on her own bright,
nre,,v face. as she inquired, in the calm,
aiyni6ed tone Of one having the right to put
the question, and who might also have been
aware of the inequality OF position between
herself and him addressed:
"Eupene, is everything prepared for our
denarture? IL will not do for our boat to
spring leak again, as Il did coming down
the Kanawha-ior II will not be sale Tor US,
am told, TO touch either shore between the
different forts and trading posts on our route,
this side Of our destination,-the Falls oil
the Ohio"
"No, indeed ~ rejoined her aunt. quick
" at will be as much as your lives are
worth 10 venture foot from the main cur
rent of the Ohio-for news reached Us only
the other day, that many boats had been at
tackled this spring, and several lost with all
on board"
mo one feels more concerned about the
safe passage Of Miss Bertrand than myself,
replied Eugene, in a deierential tone and
since our arrival here, have left nothing
undone that thought might possibly add
10 her security and comfort"
"Tbat is true, to my personal knowledge"
;o;ned in the uncle Of Blanche "and
th,nk YOU. Mr.. Fairfax, in behalf OF my
fair kinswoman. There will, perhaps" he
nursued, abe no great danger, so long as
Won keep in the current; but your watch
must not be reelected for a single monent,
either night or day; and do not, ! most
solemnly charge and warn you, under any
circumstances, or on any pTetence "ha'so-
ever. suffer yourselves 10 be decoyed to
either shore"
81 hone we understand our duty better,
Colonel, " said one Of the men, respectfully.
81 doubt il not" replied the commander
of the Point; 81 believe you are all faithful
and true men, or you would not have been
selected by the agent OF Colonel Bertrand,
for taking down more precious freight than
YOU ever carried before; but still the wlsest
and the best ofmen Rave lost their lives by
giving ear TO the most earnest appeals OF
humanity. You understand what mean
White men apparently IN the greatest dis
tress, will hail your boat, represent them
selves rs having Just escaped from the In
dians. and beg OF you, for the love OF God,
in the most piteOus tones, to come to their
relief; but turn deaf ear 10 them-to each
and all Of ,hem-even should you know the
plcaders to be Of your own kin; for IN such
a case your own brother might deceive you
NOT wilfully and voluntarily, perhaps-but
because of being goaded on by the savages,
Themselves concealed. Yes, such things
have been known as one friend being thus
used 10 lure another to his destruction al d
no be cautious, vigilant, brave and true, and
NAV the good God keep you al from harm )"
As he finished speaking, Blanche proceed
cd 10 take an afiectionate leave OF all, re-
cc;yinp many a tender message for her
parents from those who held them in love
and yeneration; and the boat swung out,
and began to float down with the current,
now fairly entered upon the most dangerous
portion OF long and perilous journey.
The father OF Blanche, Colonel Philip
Bertrand, was a native Of Virginia, aud u
descendent Of one OF the Huguenot refugees,
who fed from their native land after the re-
vocation Of the edlct Of Nan,z in 1865. He
had been an officer Of some note during the
ReyolutioD-a warm political and personal
friend Of the author Of the Declaration Of
Independence-and gentleman who had
always stood high in the esteem Of his as
sociates and contemporaries.
Though at one time man OF wealth,
Colonel Bertrand had lost much, and suiier-
ed much, through British invasion; and
when, shortly after the close Of the war, he
had met with few more serious reyerses,
he had been tain TO accept grant Of land,
near the Falls Of the Ohio, now Louisville,
rendered him by Virginia, which then held
jurisdiction over then entire territory now
Constituting the State Of Kentucky.
The grant had decided the Colonel upon