Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-12

to the different females, to assist them on
board. The hand Of Blanche was the last tO
touch him-and then but slightly, as she
sprung quickly and lightly to the deck-but
close observer might have detected slight
flush which mantlcd his noble, expressive fca-
tnrcs as his eye for . single instant met hers.
She might herself have seen it-perhaps she
di1-but there was no corresponding glow on
her own bright, pretty face, as she enquircd,
in the calm, dignificd tone of one having the
right to put the question, and who might al
50 have been aware Of the inequality Of posi-
ton between herself and him she addressed /!
Eugene, is everything prepared for our
departure! It will not do for our boat to
spring leak again, as it did coming down the
Kanawha-for it will not be safe for US, | AIN
told, to touch either shore between the differ
cnt forts and trading posts on our route, this
side Of our destination-thc Falls of the
Ohio"
"No, indeed rCjoincd her aunt quickly /;
"it will be as much us your lives are worth to
venture foot from the main current Of the
OhiO-fOr news reached us the other day,
that many boats had been attacked this
spring. and several lost on board. "
No one feels more concerned about the
safe passage Of Miss Bertrand than myself"
replied Eugene, in dcfFcrcntial tone; "and
since our arrival here, have left nothing I'M
done that thought might possibly add to her
security and comfort.
THAT is true, to my personal knowledge"
joined in the uncle of Blanche; "and thank
you, Mr.. Fairfax, in behalf of my fair kins-
woman. There will, perhaps" hc pursued,
''be 10 great danger, SO long as you keep in
the current; but your watch must not be
neglected for single moment, either day or
night; and do not. sOlcmnly charge and
warn you, under any circumstances, or on
any prctcnse whatsoever, suffer yourselves to
be decoycd to either shore.
I" hope we understand our duty better,
Colonel" said one of the men, respectfully.
81 doubt It not, replied the commander
of the point; II believe you arc oil faithful
and true mon, or you would not bc selected
by the agent Of Colonel Bertrand, for taking
down more precious freight than you ever car
ried before; bat still the wisest and the best
Of men have lost their lives by giving car
to the most earnest appeals of humanity
You understand what mean? White men,
apparently In the. greatest distress, will hail
your bOut, represent themselves as having
just escaped from the Indians, and beg of you
for tho love Of God, in the most piteous tones,
to come to their relief; but turn deaf car to
them--to each and all Of thcm--cvcn should
you know the pleaders to be Of your own
kin; for in such q case your own brother
might deceive y0u-nOt wilfully and vOlunta-
rily, pcrhAps-but because Of being goadcd
on by the Savages, themselves concealed
Yes, such things have been known as one
friend being thus used to lure another to
his destruction; and SO be cautious, viglant,
ahtEtrucy and may the God keep you from ali
harm!
As he finished speaking, Blanche proceeded
TO take an aftectionate leave Of oil, receiving
many tender ficSsagc for her parents from
those who held them in love and veneratiOn ::
and the boat swung out, and began to float
down with the current, now fairly entered
upon the most dangerous portion Of a long
and pcrilous journey.
The father Of Blanche, Colonel Philip Bcr-
trand, was native Of Virginia, and descen.
dent Of one Of the HIgucnOt refugees, who
fled from their native land, after the revocation
of the cdict Of Nantx in 1865 lie had been
an officer of some note during the Revolution
"a warm political and personal friend Of the
author Of the Declaration Of Independence
and gentleman who always stood high in the
esteem Of his associates and contemporaries.
Though at one time q man Of wealth, Colo
mel Bertrand had lost much, and suffered
much, through British invasion; and when,
shortly after the close Of tho war, he had met
with few more serious revcrses, he had been
fain to accept grant Of land, near the Falls
Of the Ohio, now Louisville, rendered him by
Virginia, which then held jurisdiction over
the entire territory, now constituting the
State Of Kentucky.
The grant had decided the Colonel upon
seeking his new possessions, and building up
u new home in the then Far West and as his
wife had insisted upon accompanying him on
his first tour, he had assented to her desire,
on condition that Blanche should be left
among her friends, till such time as place
could be prepared which might in some de-
gree bc considered fit abode for one so care
fully and tenderly 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 man
Of positive character, and rigid discipline
rian, the matter had been settled without ar
gumcnt.
When Colonel Bertrand removed to the
w cSt1 E1u6CuS cdHAoAS 40 VIC nave ScCU, UC-
companicd him; and coming of age shortly
after, he had accepted the liberal offer Of his
noble benclactor, to remain with him in the
capacity Of private secretary and confidential
agent On taking possession of his grant,
the Colonel had almost Immediately erected
fort, and offered such inducements to settlers
as to speedily collect around him quito a lit
tic community-Of which, as n matter Of
course, he became the head and chief; and to
supply the wants Of his own family and 9TH
crs, and increase his gains in legitimate way,
he had openCda store an d filed It with goods,
from the Eastern marts, which goods were
transported by land over the mountains to the
Kanawha, and thence by water to the Falls
of the Ohio, whence their removal to Fort
Bertrand became an easy matter. To pur-
chase and ship these goods, and deliver
package Of letters in the East, Eugene had
been thrice dCSpatched-his third commission
also extending to the escOrting Of the bcauti-
Cul hcircSa, with her servants, to her new
home. This last commission had been SO far
executed at the time chosen for the opening
Of our story, as to bring the different parties
to the mouth Of tho great Kanawha, whence
the reader has seen them slowly floating off
upon the still, CLASSY bosom Of ''thc belle Of
rivers"
The day, which was an auspicious one,
passed without anything occurring worthy Of
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