Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-05-15
The Perils Of the Border.

WIZ VI
occurred in the "Wld West," short
time subsequent 10 the Revolution, in
which highly accomplished young la
dy, the daughter of a distinguished officer
Of The American Army, played an impor-
iant part. The story being of a most
thrilling nature, and exhibiting in stli-
king manner the "Perils of the Border"
we have concluded 10 give an extract from
it, as originally published, as follows
The angle on the right bank of the
Great Kanawha, formed by its junction
with the Ohio, is called Point Pleasant,
and is place Of historical note. Here,
on the 10Th of October. l774. during
what is known as Lord Dunmore's War,
was fought one Of the iercest and most
desperate battles that ever took place be-
tween the Virginans and their forest foes.
After the battle in question, in which
the Indians were defeated with great loss,
a fort was here erected by the victors,
which became post of great importance
throughout the sanguinary scenes OF strife
which almos! Immediately followed, and
which in this section of the country We're
continued fol many years after that estab-
lishment Of peace which acknowledged
the United Colonies Of America free and
independent nation.
At the landing of the fort. on the day
our story opens, was fastened Aat-boat
of The Kind used by the early navigators
OF the Western rivers.
Upon the deck Of this boat, at the mo-
ment we present the scene 10 the reader,
stood five individuals, alike engaged in
watching a group Of persons. mostly fe-
males, who were slowly approaching the
l'nding. Of these five, one was stout,
sleek negro, in partial livery, and evident
ly house or body servant three were
boatmen and borderers, as indicated by
their rough, bronzed visages and coarse
attire but the fifth was young man,
some ,wo,and-twenty years of age, Of a
fine commanding person, and clear, open.
intelligent countenance and in the lofty
carriage of his head-in the CLEAN Of his
large, bright, hazel eye-ihere was some
thing which denoted one of superior
mind but as we shall have occasion in
the couVse Of our narrative to fully set
forth who and what Eugene Fairfax was,
we will leave him for the present, and
turn 10 the approaching group, whom he
seemed to be regarding with lively inter-
est.
Of this group, composed Of a middle
aged man and four females, with black
female servant 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, was apparently about
twenty years Of age, of slender and
graceful figure. and of that peculiar cast
of feature, which, besides being beautiful
in every lineament, rarely fails TO afec,
the 5eholder with something like a
charm.
Her travelling costume-a fine brown
habit, high in the neck, butioned closely
over the bosom and coming down to her
small pretty feet, without trailing on the
pround--w both neat and becoming !;
and with her rding-caP and its waving os-
trich plume, set gaily above her flowing
curls, her appearance contrasted forclbIy
with the rough, unpublished looks OF those
of her sex beside her, with their linsey
bed-gowns, scarlet flannel peiticoais, and
bleached linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche" said one of the more
venerable of her female companions, Pur-
suing a conversation which had been
maintained since quitting the open fort be-
hind them, IL cannot bear TO let you go !;
for it just seems 10 me as if something
were going 10 happen to you. and when
l feel that way, something generally does
happen"
"Wel, aunt" returned Blanche, with
light laugh, Il do not doubt in the least
that something will happen---for | expect
one OF these days to reach my dear father
and blessed mother, snd give them such
an embrace as is due from duliful
daughter TO her parents-.and that will be
somelhlng that has not happened for two
long years at least
"bni don't mean that, Blanche" re-
turned the other, somewhat petulan,ly ::
sand you just laugh like gay and
thoughtless girl, when You ough, 10 be Sc.
rious. Because you have come safe thus
far, through partially settled country.
you think, perhaps, your own pretv face
will ward off danger in the more ne,;Ious
wilderness--but warn you ,ha, fearful
journey is before you! Scarcely boat
descends the Ohio, that does rot en,opn.
ter more or less peril from the savaoes
that prowl along either shore ard some
of them that go down freigbted with hu-
man LIE arn card Of M mnrn nnL