Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-05-21

less pcril from the savagos that prowl along
either shore; and somo Of them that 90
down froighted with human life, are heard
Of no more, and none over return to tell
the tale"
"But why repeat this TO mo, my dear
aunt" returned Blanche, with more serious
air 'when you know it is my destiny, either
good or bad to attempt the voyagel My
parents have sent for mo to join them in
their new home, and it is my duty to go to
them be tho peril what il may"
"You never did know what il was 10 fear !"
pursued the good woman rather proudly.
NO." she repeated turning TO tho others,
"Blanche Bertrand never did know what it
was TO fear believer
aust like her fatherr' joined in the hus-
band 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; ga true daughter of a
true soldier Her father, Colonel Philip
Bertrand, God bless him for true heart !!
never did seem to know what it was to fear
land Blanche is just like him."
BY this time the parties had reached the
boat; and the young man already described
Eugene Fairfax, the Secretary Of Blancho's
father-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 Tho
last TO touch his-and then but slightly,
as she sprung quickly and lightly to the
deck-but n close observer might have de-
tected the slight flush which mantled his
noble, expressive features as his eye for
single instant met hers. She might her
self havc seen il perhaps she did-but there
was no corresponding glow on her own
bright, pretty face, rs she inquired in the
\ calm, dignified tone of one having a right
to put The question, and who might also
have been aware of the inequality of posi-
. ton between herself and him she addressed
Eugene, is everything prepared for our
departures 1t will not do for our boat to
spring leak again, as it did coming down
the Kanawhs-for it will not be safe for us,
am told, to touch either shore between
the different forts and trading posts on our
! route, this side of our destination,-the
/: Falls of tho Ohio"
"No, indecdl" rejoinod her aunt, quickly
|, "it 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
othsr day, that many boats had been at
, tackled this spring, and several lost, with all
on board"
| ''No one feels more concerned about the
safe passage of Miss Bertrand than myself
. replied Eugene, in defercntial tone; .and
a since our arrival here, have left nothing
h undone that thought might possibly ado
/ to her security and comfort"
b "That is true, to my personal knowledge,
u joined in the uncle of Blanche; "and
a thank you, Mr.. Fairfax, in behalf Of my
t fair kinswoman. There will, perhaps" he
: pursued, "be no great danger, so long a.
t you keep in the current; but your watch
must not be neglected for single moment
y either night or day: and do not, most sol
t emnly charge and warn you, under any cir
0 cumstances, or on any pretence whatsoever
suffer yourselves to bo decoyed to eithe
y shoreH
:, 81 hope we understand our duty better
n Colonel" said one of the men, respectfully
J. 81 doubt it not" replied the commando
g of the Point; al believe you are all faithful
t, and true men, or you would not have beel
y selected by the agent of Colonel Bertrand
t. for taking down moro precious freight tha
ir you ever carried before; but still the wises
}, and best of men have lost their lives by civ
/ irg ear to the most earnest appeals of hu
Q nanity. You understand what / mean
1t White men apparently in the greatest dis
tras sill hail koof . tba,,
t, selves as having just escaped from the Ind
O. ans, and beg Of you, for the love of Goo
ii IN the most plteous tones, TO come to the
ct relief; but turn a doaf car TO them-t
IS, each and all of them--even should yo
m know the pleaders to be Of your own kir
ID for in such case your own brother migl
deceive you-not wilfully and voluntaril
g. perhaps-but because of being goaded o
e. by the savages, themselves concealed. Ye
tx such things have been known as one fricn
le being thus used to lure another to his dt
ut struction; and so be cautious, viglant, brav
ly and true, and may the good God keep 20
ty all from harm -
G. AS he finished speaking Blanche pr
e, ceeded to take an affectionate loave of a.
n receiving many tender message for h
or parents from those who held them in 10,
and veneration; and the boat swung OF
yn and began to float down with the currer
ly now fairly entered upon the most DANCE
er Gus part of long and perilous journey.
he Tho father of Blanche, Colonel Phil
nd Bertrand, was native of Virginia, and
ch descendant of one of the Huguenot ref
Is, gees, who fed from their native land aft
be the revocation of tho edict of Nantz in
ex "a. He had been an officer of some no
rs, during the Revolutions warm polite
en- and personal friend Of tho author of Il
Declaration Of Indepsndence--and n &c
n tleman who had always stood high in Il
ng esteem Of his associates and cotemporari'
ed Though at one time a man Of wealt
m, Colonel Bertrand had lost much and 81
lst fered much, through British invasion; a
to when, shortly after the close Of tho war,
ny, had met with few moro serious revers
he had been fain to accept grant Of lar
near tho Falls of the Ohio, now Louisvil
asst rendered him by Virginia, which then h,
ect jurisdiction over the entire territory now cC
Ter stitnting the State of Kentucky.
an The grant had decided the Colonel up
ter seeking his new possessions and buildi
ng up a new home in tho then Far West, a
at as his wife had insisted upon accompal
ing him on his first tour, he had assent