The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-05-13

high in the neck, buttoned closely over the be
|, som and coming down to her small pretty fee
without trailing on the ground-was both nea
: and becoming; and with her riding cap and it
waving ostrich plume. set gaiIy above he
!. flowing curls, her appearance contrasted for
cibly with the rough, unpublished look. o
those Of her sex beside her, with their linse
bed-e owns, scarlet flannel petticoats, and cap
= :, of blesched linen.
"Oh, Blanche," said one of the more vene
: rable Of her female companions, pursuing
conversation which had been maintained sine
r quitting the open fort behind them" canno
r bear to let you ge; for it Just seems to me a
n it something were going to happen to You, an,
: when feel that way, something general,
does happen"
swell, aunt" returned Blanche, with ligh
laugh, 81 do not doubt in the least that some.
,hng will happen-for | expect one of hes,
days to reach m, dear father and blessed moth.
er, and give them such an embrace as is due
, from dutiful daughter to her parerts-and
that will be something that has not happened
for two long years at least"
"But don't mean that, Blanche, ;" returned
the other, somewhat petulantly; "and vou Just
laugh like gay and thoughtless girl. when
you ought to be serious. Because you have
come safe thus far, through partially settled
country, yoa think. perhaps, your own pretty
face will ward off danger in the more perilous
wilderness-but l warn you that a fearf Il
| IIOlIrnpv 10 hofo
scends the Ohio. that does not enco counter more
or less peril from .he savages that prowl along
either shore; and some of them that 20 down
freghted with human life, are heard of no
more, and none ever return to tell the tale.n
"Bnt why repeat this to me. dear aunt" re-
turned Blanche, with more serious air, s'when
you know it is my destiny, either good or bad,
to attempt the voyage. My parents have sent
for me to join them in their new home. and it
is my duty to 60 to them, be the peril what it
may"
"You never did know what it was TO fear.,
pursued the good woman, rather proudly
"No," she repeated, turning to the others.
"B'anch Bertrand never did know what it was
to fear, believe!''
Just like her father!' joined in : moth.
..''a,inander of the station, and the
middle aged gentleman mentioned as one of the
party, ga true daughter Of true soldier
Her father, Colonel Philip Bertrand, God bless
him for true heart never did seem to know
him."
By this time the parties had reached the
boat; and The young man already described
Engene Fairfax, the secretary of Banche's
father-at once stepped forward, and, in
polite and deferential manner, cfferea 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. q, she sprung quickly
and lightly to the deck-but close observer
might have detected the slight flush which
mantlel his noble, expressive features as his
eye for single instant met hers. She might
herself have seen it-perhaps she did-bnt
! there was no corresponding glow on her own
bright, pretty face, as she inquired. IN the calm
dignifed 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 she addressed:
"Engene, is everything prepared for our de-
parture? It will not do for our boat to spring
a leak again, as it did coming down the Kama
wha.-for it will not be safe for US, am told.
to touch either shore between the different
forts aid trading posts on our route, this side
OF our destination,-the Falls of the Ohio"
"No, indeedw rejoined her aunt, quickly:
s'it will be as much as your lives are worth to
venture foot from the main current of the
Oho-for news reached us only the other day
that many boats had been attacked this spring
and several lost, with all on board"
"No one feels more concerned about the
safe passage of Miss Bertrand than myself"
replied Eugene, in deferential tone; "and
since our arrival here, have left nothing un-
done that thought might possibly add to her
security and comfort"
"That is true, to my personal knowledge"
Joined in the uncle Of Blanche; Sand thank
you, Mr.. Fairfax, in behalf of nv fair kins-
woman. There will, perhaps" he pursued,
"be no great danger, so long as you keep in
the current; bu. your watch must not be neg
lected for single moment, either night or day
and do not, most solemnly charge and warn
you, under any circumstances, or Oh any pre-
tence whatsoever, suffer yourselves to be de-
coyed to either shore!"
81 hope we understand our duty better, CO.
lonel." said one OF the men. respectfully.
81 doubt it not" replied the commander OF
the Point; "I 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 pI ecious freight than you ever car
ried before; but still the wisest and the best Of
men have lost their lives by giving ear to the
: most earnest appeals Of humanity. You un.
; derstand what mean? White men, apparent
" in the greatest distress, will hail your boat
! represent themselves as having Just escaped
from the Indians, and beg Of you for the love
Of God, in the most piteoas tones, to come tc
their relief; but turn deaf ear to them--te
each and all Of them.-even should you know
] the pleaters to be Of your own kin; for in such
! a case your own brother might deceive you-
not wilfnlly and voluntarily, perhaps--but be-
cause OF being goaded on by the savages, them,
selves concealed. Yes, such things have beer