Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-05-22
THE PERrLs OF TIE BORDERS,

While reading recently an account OF
the frightful massacre Of several white fam
lilies by the Black-foot Indians, we were
reminded of thrilling event which ec-
cured in the"Wild West" short time
subsequent 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 manner the
"Peflls Of the Border" we have concluded
to give an extract from it as originally pub
lisl ed, as follows:
The angle on the right bank of the
Great Kanawha, formed by its juncture
with the Ohio, is called Pleasant, and is a
place Of historical note. Here, On the 10th
of Oct, l774, during what is known as
Lord Dunmore's War, was fought one of
the iercest and most desperate battles
that ever took place between the Virgin-
ans and their forest foas.
After the battle in question, in which
the Indians were defeated with great loss,
fort was here erected by the victors,
which bacamesa post of great important
throughout the sanguinary scenes of strife
which almost Immediately followed, and
which in this section of the country were
continued for many years after that estab-
lishment of peace which acknowledged
United Colonies Of America free and in
dependent nation.
At the landing Of the fort, on the day
our story opens, was fastened fat-boat of
the kind used by the early navigators of
the Western rivers.
Upon the deck Of this boat, at the mo-
nent we present the scene to the reader,
stood five individuals, alike engaged in
watching a group Of persons, mostly fe-
males, who were slowly approaching the
lanling. Of these five, one was stout
sleek negro in partial livery, and evident
ly house or body servant; three were
bostmen and borderers, as indicated by
th cir rough, bronzed visagcs and coarse
attire; but the fifth was young man,
some two-snd-twenty years Of ge,of fine
commanding person, and a clear, open,
intelligent countenance; and in the lofty
carriage of his head-in the CLEAN Of his
large, bright, hazel eye-there was some
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 resent, and turn to the APP
preaching group, whom he seemed to be
regar ding with lively interest.
OF this group, composed Of a middle az
ed man and four females, with black fe-
male 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 q slender and graceful fig
IRE, and of that peculiar cast of feature,
which, besides being beautiful in every
ineament, rarely falls TO affect tho behol
der with something like charm.
Her travelling costume-a fine brown
habit, high in the neck, buttoned closely
over the bosom and 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 os-
trich plume, set gaily above her flowing
curls, her appearance contrasted forcibly
with the rough, unpublished looks of those
o. her sex beside herewith their linsey bed
gowns, scarlet flannel petticoats. and
bleached linen caps. =
"Oh, Blanche, said one Of the moro ven
cradle of her female companions, pursuing
conversation which had been maintain
ed since quitting the open fort behind
them, 81 cannot bear to let you go; for il
lust seems to me as if something were go
ing to happen to you, and when | feel
that way, something generally does hap
pen."
"Well, aunt" returned Blanche, with a
laugh, Il do not doubt in the least that
something will happen-for | expect one
of these days to reach my dear father and
blessed mother, and give them such an
embrace as is due from dutiful daughter
to her parents-and that will be some
thing that has not happened for two long
yeas at least"
"But don't mean that Blanch, return
ed the other, somewhat petulantly; "and
you just laugh like gay thoughtless girl,
y hen YOU ought to be serious. Because
you have came safe thus for, through 3
partially settled country, you think, per
haps, your own pretty face will ward of
danger in the more perilous wilderness
but / warn you that fearful journey is
before you Scarcely boat descends the
Ohio that does not encounter more or less
peril from the savages that prowl along
either shore; and some Of them 90 down
freighted with human life, are heard Of
no more, and none ever return to tell the
tale"
"But why repeat this to dear aunt,
returned Blanche, with more serious air
"when YOU know it is my destiny, either
good or bad, to attempt the voyage' My
parents have sent for noe to join them in
their new home, and 1t is my duty to &C