The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-06-04
THE PERILs OF THE BORDER.


were reminded of a thrilling event which
occurred in tue "Wild West, "a short time
subsequently to the Revolution, in which
a highly accomplished young lady, the
daughter of distinguished officer OF the
American Army, played an important
part. The story being Of most thrilling
nature, and exhibiting in striking man
ner the Peril. of the Border" we have
concluded to give an extract from 1t, 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, IVA, during
what is known as Lord Dunmore War,
was fought one of the iiorcest and most
desperate battles that ever took place be-
tween the Virginians and their forest foes
After The battle in question, III which
the Indians were defeated with great loss,
fort was here erected by the Vlctors,
which became post Of great Importance
throughout the sanquinary scenes OF STRIFE
which almost Immediately followed, and
which in This section Of the country were
continued for many years after that eStaD,
lishmcnt 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 hat-boat
of the kind used by the early nsvigatorS
Of the Western rivers.
Upon the deck of this boat, at the mo-
ment we present the scene to the reader,
stood five individuals, alike engaged IN
watching group of persons, mostly te-
males, who were slowl y approaching the
landing. OF these five, one was stout,
sleek negro, in partial livery, and evident
" a house or body servant; three were
boatmcn and bordercrs, as indicated by
their rough, bronzed visages and coarse
attire but the fifth was young man,
some two-and-twcnty years of age, of a
fine commanding person, and clear, open,
countcnancc; and III the lofty
carriage Of his head-in the glcGm Of his
large, bright, ifazt, oyo-t!svTg ss.-..--,
thing which denoted one of superior mind;
but as we shall have occasion in the 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 APP
group. whom he seemed to be
regarding with lively interest.
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 Iineament, rarely fails TO affect
the beholder with something like charm.
Her travelling costumc-a fine brown
habit, high in the neck, buttoned close ly
over the bosom and coming down to her
small pretty feet, without trailing on the
both neat and becoming
and with her riding-cap and its waving
ostrich plume, set gaily above her flowing
,urls, her appearance contrasted forcibly
with the rough, unpublished looks of those
If her sex beside her, with their linscy
scarlet flannel petticoats, and
olcached linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche" said one of the more
venerable Of her female companions, pur-
suing conversation which had been
since quitting the open fort
behind them, % cannot bear to let you
20 for it just seems to me as if some
hing were going to happen to you, and
when | feel that way, something generally
loes happen.
DWELL, aunt" returned Blanche, with
light laugh, 81 do not doubt in the least
hat something will happen-for | expect
nc of these days to reach my dear father
nd blessed mother, and give them such
N embrace as is due from dutitul
laughter to her parcnts---and that will be
omething that has not happened for two
ong years at least.
But | don't mean that, Blanche,
cturned the other, somewhat pctulantly
and you laugh just like gay and
houghtless girl, when you ought to be
erious. Because you have come safe
hus far, through a partially settled coun-
ry, you think, perhaps, your own pretty
ace will ward of danger in the more per-
lous wilderness but | warn you that
carful journey is before you Scarcely
/ boat descends the Ohio, that does not
more or less peril from the
ayagcs that prowl along either shore and
omc of them that go down freighted with
human life, are heard Of no more, and
hone ever return to tell the tale.
"But why repeat this to mo, dear
lunt," returned Blanche, with a more Sc
'ious air, "wben you know it is my des-
iny, either good or bad, to attempt the
'oyago? My parents have sent for me
o join them in their new home, and 1T is
ny duty to 60 to them, be the peril what
I may"