Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-05-14

| NN-@t@N Oee'Ntt SCo'N'Hoo PN1uANhtiJ
"and you just laugh like a gay and thought
less girl, when you ought to be serious
Because you have come safe thus far
through partially settled country, you
think, perhaps, your own pretty face viii
ward off danger in the more perilous wild
ernoss-but warn you that fearful
Journey is before yOul Scarcely boat
descends the Ohio, that does not encounter
more or less peril from the savages that
prowl along either shore; and some oi
them that go down freighted with human
life, are heard of no more, and none ever
return to tell the tale.
"But why repeat this to me, dear aunt,
returned Blanche, with more serious air,
"when you know it is my destiny, either
good or bad, to attempt the voyage2 My
parents have sent for me to join them III
their new home, and it is my duty to go 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, "Blanche Bertrand never did
know what it was to fear, believe I"
Just like her father" joined in the
husband of the matron, the brother of
Blanche's mother, the commander of the
station, and the middle-aged gentleman
mentioned as one of the party; "a true
daughter of a true soldier. Her father,
Colonel Philip Bertrand, God bless him for
a true heart never did seem to know what
it was to fear-and Blanche is just like
him."
BY this time parties had reached the
boat and the young man aleady described
Eugene Fairfax, the secretary of Blanche S
tather-at once stepped forward, and, in a
polite and deferential manner, offered 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,
as she sprung quickly and lightly to the
deck-but a close observer might have
detected the slight flush which mantled
his noble, expressive features as his eye
for single instant met hers. She might
herself have seen it-perhaps she did
but there was no corresponding glow on
her own bright, pretty face, as she inquir-
ed, in the calm, dignified tone of one hav-
ing the right to put the question, and who
might also have been aware of the ine-
quality of position between herself and
him she addressed:
Eugene, is everything prepared for our
departure? 1t 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, am told, to touch either shore be-
tween the different forts and trading posts
on our route, this side of our destination
tho Falls of the Ohio"
"No, indeed p rcjoined her aunt, quick
ly; sit will be as much as your lives are
worth to venture foot from the main
current of the Ohio-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 my
self, replied Eugene, in deferential tone;
"and since our arrival here, have left
nothing undone that l thought might
possibly add to her security and comfort"
"That is true, to my personal knowledge,
joined in the uncle of Blanche; "and l
thank you, Mr.. Fairfax, in behalf of my
fair kinswoman. There will, perhaps" he
pursued, 'be no great danger, so long as
you keep in the current; but your watch
must not be neglected for single moment,
either night or day; and do not, / most
solemnly charge and warn you, under any
circumstances, or on any pretence what
soever, suffer yourselves to be decoyed to
either shore !"
81 hope we understand our duty better,
Colonel, said one of the men, respect
fully,
81 doubt it not, replied the commander
of the Point; II believe you are faithful
and true men, or you would not have been
selected by the agent of Colonel Bertrand,
for taking down more precious freight than
vo,, ovcr corriad hafora but still tha ,v;saot
and the best of men have lost their lives
by giving ear to the most earnest appeals
of humanity, You understand what I
mean? White men, apparently in the
greatest distress, will hail your boat, re-
present themselves as having just escaped
from the Indians, and beg of you, for the
love of God, in the most piteous tones, to
comn to THAR ralief. hut turn N daoc 90