Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-14
THE PERILS OF THE BORDER.

Revolution, IN which highly accomplished
young lady, the daughter Of a distinguished
officer of the American Army, played an im-
portant part. The story being of most
thrilling nature, and exhibiting in striking
manner the "Perils of the Border" we have
concluded to give an extract from 1t, as OIL
ginally published, AS follows:
''The angle on the right bank of the Great
Kauswha, formed by its junction with tie
Ohio, is called Point Pleasant and is place
of historical note. Here, on the 10th Of o.
tober, IVA, during what is known as Lord
Duamvre's War, was fought one of the fer.
cest and most desperate battles that ever took
place between the Nlrgi ians aud their forest
foes.
After the battle in question, in which the
Indians were defeated with great loss, q fort
was here erected by the victprs, which be-
came post Of great importance throughout
the sangulnary scenes of etrite which almost
Immediately followed, and which IN this Sec
ton of the country were continued for many
years after that esta blishment Of peace which
acknowledged the United Colonies OF Ameri-
Ca free and independent nation.
At the landing Of the fort, on the day our
story opens, was fastened a fat Iost Of the
kind used by the early navigators 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 watch.
ing group of persons, mostly females, who
were slowly approaching the landing. Vi
these five, Que was stout, sleek negro, In
partial livery aud evidently house or body
servant; three were boatmen and borderers,
"a indicated by their rough bror zed Visages
and coarse attire; but the fifth was young
man, some two-and-tweuty years of age, OF
inc commanding person, and clear, open,
Intelligent cOuntenance; and in the lofty car
riage of his head-in the CLEAN OF his large,
bright, hazel eye-there was something
which deR0ted 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 Tor
the present, and turn to the approaching
group, whom he seemed to be regarding with
lively interest.
OF this group, com posed Of middle-aged
man and four females, with black female
servan, following some five or six PAGES 10
the rear, there was one whom the most cas-
ual eye would have single out aud rested
upon with pleasure. The lady in question,
was apparently about twenty years OF age, OF
q slender and graceful figure, and OF that
peculiar cast of feature, which, besides being
beautiful 10 every lineanent, rarely fails to
affect the beholder with something like a
charm.
Her travelling costume--a fine brown
habit, high 10 the neck, buttoUed closely
Il m har
small pretty feet, without trailing on the
ground--Hss both neat aud becoming; and
with her riding-cap and its waving ostrich
plume, set gaily above her flowing curls, her
appearance contrasted forcibly with the
rough, unpublished looks OF those Of her sex,
eslde her, with their linsey tet gowns, scar
let flannel pettcoats, and bleached linen Gaps.
"0a, Blaoche," said one Of the more vene-
rable of her female companions, pursuing 9
conversation which had been maintained
since quitting the open fort behind then, 81
cannot bear to let you g.; for it just seems to
me as if something were going to happen to
you, and when feel that way, something
generally does happen"
"Well, aunt" returned Blanche, with a
light laugh 81 do not doubt in the least that
something will happen-ior | expect one OF
these days TO reach my dear father and
blessed mother, and give them such un EN-.
brace as is due from dutiiul daughter to
her parents--and that will be something
that has not happened for two long years at
least"
But don't mean that, Blanche, return
ed the. other, somewhat petulantly; land you
just laugh like gay and thoughtless girl,
when you ought to be serious. Because you
have come safe thus far, through a partially
settled country, you think, perhaps, your
own pretty face will ward Oft danger In the
more perilous wilderness--but | warn you
that fearful journey is before you! Scarce
ly boat descends the Ohio, that does not
encounter more or less peril frou the sava-
yes that prowl along either shore; and some
ot them that go down treigh'ed with human
life, are heard Of no more, and none ever re-
turn 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 voysgeY MY
parents have sent for me to DIN them in their
new home, and it is my duty to 90 to them,
be the peril what it may"
You never did know what it was to fear!
pursued the good woman, rather proud "
No." she repeated, turning to the others,
blanche Bertrand neser did know what 1t
was to fear, believe"
Just like her fatherw joined in the bus
band Of the matruD, the brother OF Blanche
mother, the commander of the station, and
the niddle-aged gentleman mentioned as one
of the party !; "a true daughter of a true SOL
der. Her father, Colonel Philip Bertrand,
God bless him him for true heart never
did seem to know what it was to fear--and
Blanche is just like him."
By this lime the parties had reached the
boat; and the young man already dcscrIb-
ed-Eugene Fairfax, the secretary OF Bian.
ohe's tather--at once stepped forward, and
10 polite and deferential manner, Offer
ed his hand to the different females, to as
sist them OH board. The band OF Blanche
was the last to touch his--and then but
slightly, as she sprung quickly and lightly
to the deck--but cl"se observer might have
detected the slight flush which mantied bis
noble, expressive features as his eye for a Elm.
gle instant met hers. she might herself
have seen it--perhaps she did--but there " as
no corresponding glow on her own bright,
pretty face, a. she inquired, in tbe calm. Dig
ni6ed tone Of one having the right to put
the question, and who might also have been
aware of the inequality of position between
herself and bin she addressed