Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-05-14
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ct Ty OF DlauCue > idtucT-dt ONCE stepped
forward, and, in polite and defcrentia
, manner, offered his hand to the ditfercn
females, to assist them on board. The
hand of Blanche was the last to toucl
his-and then but slightly, as she sprung
quickly and lightly to The deck-but
close observer might have detected the
slight flush which mantled his noble, ex-
pressive features, as his eye for a single
instant met hers. She might herself
have seen it-pcrhaps she did-but
there was no corresponding glow on hel
own bright, pretty face, as she inquired
in the calm, disniied tone of one having
the right to put the question. and who
might also have been aware Of the inc.
quality of position between herself ant
him she addressed
Eugene, is everything prepared for
our departure? 1t will not do for our
boat to spring leak again, as it did
coming down the kanawha- it will
not be safe for us. am told. to touch
either shore between the different forts
and trading posts on our route, this side
Of our dcstination-the Falls Of the
Ohio
No, indeed, rejoined her aunt, quick
ly; 'it will be as much as your lives are
worth to venture a foot from the main
current Of the Ohio-for news reached
us only the other day, that many boats
had been attacked this spring, and sever
al lost, with all on board
No orc feels more concerned about
the safe passage of Miss Bertrand than
myself replied Eugene, in dccerential
tone; and since our arrival here. | have
left nothing undonc that | thought might
possibly add to her security and COM
fort
That is true, to my personal knowl
edge joined in the uncle of Blanche;
and l thank you, Mr.. Fairfax, in behalf
of my fair kinswoman. There will, per-
haps,' he pursued, BE no great danger,
so long as you keep in the current; but
your watch must not be neglected for a
single moment, either night or day; and
do not, most solemnly warn and charge
you, under any circumstances, or any
prctencc whatsoever, suffer yourselves to
be decoycd to either shore =
4 hope we understand our duty better,
Colonel said one Of the mou, respect
fully.
L doubt it not rcjoincd the COM
mandcr of the Point; Il believe you arc
all faithful and true men. or you would
not have been selected by the agent of
Col. Bertrand. for taking down more
precious freight than you eyer carried
before; but still the wisest and the best
of men have lost their lives by giving
ear to the most earnest appeals of hu-
manity. You understand what | mean .
White men, apparently in the greatest
distress, will hail your boat, represent
themselves as having Just escaped from
the Indians, and beg of you. for the lcve
of God, in the most piteous tones, to
come to their relief; but turn deaf ear
to thcm-to each and all Of thcm-cven
should you know the plcaders to be Of
your own kin for in such a case your
own brother might deceive you-not
wilfuily and voluntarily. pcrhaps-but
because of being goadcd on by the sava-
ces, themselves concealed Yes, such
things have been known as ono friend
being thus used to lure another to his de-
structon; so be cautious. vigilant, brave
and true, and may the good God keep
Won all from harm !.
As he finished speaking. Blanche pro-
cccdcd to take an afectlonate leave Of
all, receiving rany tender message for
her parents from those who held them
in love and veneration; and the boat
sWunr out, ard began to feat down with
the current, now fairly entered upon the
most dangerous portion OF long and
pcrious journey.
The father of Blanche, Colonel Philip
Bertrand. was native of Virginia, and
descendant of one Of the Huguenot
refugees, who fed from their native land
after the revocation of the edict OF Nam
tez. in 1865. He hid been an officer of
some note during the Revolution -
warm political and personal friend of the
author of the Declaration of lndcpcnd-
ence and a gentleman who had always
stood high in the esteem of his assocl-
ates and cotemporarles.
Though at one tine man OF wealth.
Colonel Bertrand hal lost much and
suffered much, through british invasion;
and when shortly after the close OF the
war, he had met with & few more serious
revcrses. he had been fain to accept a
grant of land, near the Falls of Ohio.
now louisville, rendered him by Virgin
ia, which then held jurisdiction over the
entiro territory now constituting the
State of Kentu ky.
The grant had decided the Colonel
upon seeking his new possessions and
building7 up new home in the then
Far West, and as his wife had insisted
upon accompanying him in his first tour,
he had assentcd to her desire, on condi-
ton that Blanche should be left among
her friends, till such time as place
could be prepared which might in some
degree be considered fit abode for one
so carefully and tendcrly reared.
Blanche would gladly have gone with
her parents; but on this point her father
had been MISUNDERSTANDING that she
would have to remain at the East till he
should see proper to send for her; and as
he was a man of positive character. and
rigid dlsciplinarian, the matter had
been settled without argument.
When Col. Bertrand removed to the
West, Eugene Fairfax, as we have seen,
accompanied him.. and coming Of age
shortly after, he had accepted the liberal
ofF.r of his noble benefactor, to remain