The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-05-13

reared.
Blanche would gladly have gone will
her parents; but on this point her father
had been MISUNDERSTANDING that she
would have to remain ut the East till Inc
should see proper to send for her; and as
he was man Of positive character, and 4
rigid discipinaran, the matter had been
settled without argument.
When Colonel Bertrand removed to the
West, Eugene Fairfax, as we have seen, ac-
companied him and coming of are short.
Iy after. he had accepted the liberal offer of
his noble bencfactor, to remain with him
IN the capacity OF private secretary and con
ildential agent. On taking possession of his
grant, the Colonel had almost Immediately
erected fort, and Offered such inducements
to settlers as to speedily collect around him
quite Il little communicate which, as a
matter of course, he became the head and
ieiI; and to supply 'c wants of his own
family and others, and increase his rains
IN Legitimate way, he had opened store,
and filled it with goods from the Eastern
marts, which goods were transported by
land over the mountains to the kanawha,
and thence by water to the Falls of the
Ohio, whence their removal to Fort Bert
rand became an easy matter. To purchase
and skip these goods, and deliver !. pack
age of letters to friends in the East, Eugene
had been thrice dispatched third COM
mission also extending to the cscor:ing Of
the beautiful hcircss, with her servants. TO
her new home. This last commission had
been so far executed at the opening of our
story, as to bring the different parties to the
mouth Of the great Kanawla, whence thc
reader has seen them slowly floating of
upon the still, CLASSY bosom of 'thc belle
of rivers"
The day. which was. al auspicious one.
passed without any: hin. occurring worthy
y! note, Hntil near four o'clock, when, as
blanche WAS standing on the fore part of
the deck gazing at the lovely scene which
her, she saw seemingly flying
body suddenly leave limb Of gigantic
tree, (whose mighty branches extended f;,r
over the river and near which the boat was
then swaycd by the action Of the currently
and alight with crash upon the deck of
the boat, not more than eight feet from her.
One glance sufliced to show her what the
object was, and 10 freeze the blood in her
veins. The glowing eyes of huge pan
thcr met her gaze. The sudIcmncss Of the
shock which this discovery gave her WAS
ovcrrowcrinS. With deaftElng Shrek she
fell upon her knees and clasp i her hands
before her breast. The panther croucbed
tor his deadly leap, but ere he sprang, the
hunting knife Of Eugene Fairfax (who, with
Tue steersman, was the only person on deck
besides Blanche), was hurried TO the hilt in
his side, intlcting severe but not fatal
wound. The infuriatcd beast at once turn
ed upon Eugene, and deadly struggle cn-
ished blade Of the knife played back and
forth like lightning flashes, and at every
plunge it was buried to the hiIt in the pan
Tiers body, who soon fell to the deck, drag
ging the dauntless Eugene with linn. On
seeing her protector fall, blanche uttered
another Shrek and rushed TO his aid but
from stoutcr arms was at hand.
The boatmcn gatherd round, and the savage
monster was literally hacked in pieces with
their knives and hatchcts, and Eugene, cov-
cred with blood, was dragged from under
his carcass. Supposing him to be dead or
MORALLY wounded, Blanche threw her arms
around his neck and gave way to passionate
burst of grief But he was not dcad-he
was not even hurt, with the exception of Il
few slight scratches. The blood with which
he was covered was the panthcr's, not his
own. But Blanchc's embrace was his-a
priceless treasure-an idcx of her hearts
emotions and affections. 1t was to color
his whole future life, as will be seen in the
progress of our story.
Slowly and silently, save the occasional
creak, dip, and plash Of the steerman's oar,
the boat of our voyagcrs was borne along
upon the bosom Of the current, on the third
night of the voyage. The hour was wax
ing late, and Eugene, the only one astir ex-
cept the watch, was suddenly startled, by
rough hand being placed upon his shoul.
der, accompanied by the.words, in the gruff
voice of the boatman:
II say, Capt, here's troubled"
"What is it, Dick" inquired Eugene,
starting 10 his feet.
"Don't you SEQ etbar's a heavy fog rising,
that'll soon kivor us up so thick that we
won't be able to tell white man from
niggera" replied the boatman-Dick Win
ter by name-a tall, bony, muscular, athle-
tic specimen Of his class.