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

fEk1LS UF The bURDEH
While reading recently an account of tho
frightful massacre of several white families
by the Blackfoot Indians, we were reminded
Of a thrilling event which occurred in the
''Wild West" n short time subsequent to the
Revolution, in which highly accomplished
young lady, the daughter Of a distinguished
officer Of the American Army, played an i'm
portant part The story being Of most
thrilling nature, and exhibiting in striking
manner the "Pcri!s of the Border" We have
concluded to give an extract from it, as Origi-
nally 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 Oc-
tobcr, 1774, during what is known as Lord
Dunmores War, was fcughtonc Of the firrccst
and most desperate battles that ever took
place between the Virginians and their forest
foes.
After the battle in question, in which the
Indians were defeated with great loss, fort
was here erected by the victors, which be.
came post of great importance throughout
the sanguinary scenes Of strife which almost
Immediately followed. and which in this Sec
ton Of the country were continued for many
years after that establishment 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 q tiat-boat Of the
kind used by tho carly navigatorS of the
Western rivers.
Upon the deck Of that boat, at the moment
we present the scene to the reader, stood five
individuals, alike engaged in watchingn group
of persons, mostly females, who were slowly
approaching the landing. Of these five, one
was stout, sleek negro, in partial livery, and
evidently house or body servant; three were
boatmen and bordcrcrs, as indicated by their
rough, brOnzcd visagcs and coarse attire, but
the fifth was a young man, some two and
twenty years Of age, of fine commanding
person, and clear, open intelligent cOunten-
ance and in the lofty carriage Of his head
in the glcam Of his large, bright, hazel eye
there was something which denoted one of
superior mind but AZ we shall have occasion
in tho course Of our narrative to fully set forth
who and what Eugene Fairfax was, We will
leave him for the present, and turn to the
approaching group, whom he seemed to be
regarding with lively interest.
Of this group, composed Of middlc-agcd
man and four females, with black female ser
want following some five PAGES in the rear,
there was one whom the most casual eye would
have singled out and rested upon with pleas
ure. 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 cv-
cry lincamcnt, rarely fails to effect the behold
er with something. like a charm.
Her travelling cOstumc-a fine brown habit,
high in the neck, buttoncd closely over the
bosom aud coming down to her small, pretty
feet, without trailing on the ground-was
both neat and becoming; and with her riding
cap and its waving ostrich plume, set gaily
above her flowing curls, her appearance con
traStcd forcibly with the rough, unpublished
looks of those of her sex beside her, with
their linsy bcd-gowns, scarlet flannel petit
tiOUV, and beachcd linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche, " said one Of the more ven
cradle Of her female companions, pursuing n
conversation which had been maintained since
quitting the open fort behind them, ~ cannot
bear to let you go for it just seems to me as
If something were going to happen to you, and
when feel that way, something generally
does happen"
"Well, aunt" replied Blanche, with
light laugh, ~ do not doubt in the least that
something will happen-for l expect one of
these days to reach my dear father and bless.
cd mother, and give them such an embrace as
is due from dutiful daughter to her parents
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 petulontly land you
just laugh like a gay and thOughtlcss girl,
Vl.h 40 tO h.,
have come safe thus far, through partially
settled country, you think, perhaps, your own
pretty face will ward Of danger in the more
perilOus widerness-but l warn you that
fearful journey is before you! Scarcely q
boat deScends the Ohio that does not cncoun-
ter more or less peril from the savages that
prOwl along either shore and some of them
that so down freightcd with human life are
heard OF no more, and none are left to tell the
tale"
but why repeat this to me, dear aunt
returned Blanche, with q more serious air,
''when you know it is my destiny, good or
bad, to attempt the voyage? Ny parents
have sent for me to join 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,
Blanche Bertrand never did know what it
wis to fear, believed"
"JuSt like the father Joined in the hus-
band Of the matrOD, the brother Of Blanchc's
mother, the commander Of the station, and
the widdle;sged gentlemen mentioned a. one
Of the party; 'Atrue daughter of true SOL
der. Her iather, Col Philip Bertrand God
bless him for q true heart nsxer did seem to
know whatit was to feAr-And Blanche isjust
like him.
By this time the parties had reached the