The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-14

quite a little community-of which, as !,
matter Of course, he became the head ana
chief; and to supply the wants OF ms own
family and others, and increase his gains IN
legitimate way, be hadopeneo s'o'e' snu
filled it with goods from the Eastern mn..'
which goods were transported oy isnu o'e'
the mo,,ntsins TO the Ksnawhs, and thence
by water In The Falls Of the Ohio, where
their removal to Fort Bertrand became az
easy matter. To purchase and snip ,nese
goods, and deliver a package OF letters 70
friends in the East. Eugene had been three
dispatched-his third commission also ex,
tending TO the escor,ing OF the beautiful
heiress, with her servants, To her new home
This last commission had been 30 Tar exc.
cuted al the time chosen for the opening oil
our story, as to bring the different parties to
the mouth of the great kanawha, whence
the reader has seen them slowly floating on
upon the still, CLASSY bosom OF the "belle OF
rivers"
The day, which was an suspicious one
passed without anything occurring worthy
of note, until near four o'clock, when, as
Blanche was standing on the iorePart oil the
deck gazing at the lovely scene which sur
rounded her, she saw seemingly hying
body suddenly leave limb Of gigantic
tree, Whose mighty branches extended fai
over the river, and near which the boat was
then swayed by the action OF the current,
and alight with crash upon the deck OF the
boat, not more than eight feet from her..-
One glance suffced to show her what the
object was, and to freeze the blooi IN he'
veins. The glowing eyes Of huge pam
.,her met her gaze. The suddenness oil the
shock. which this discovery gave her was
overpowering. With a dcaiening shrek
she fell upon her knees and clasped he'
hands before her breast. The panther
crouched for his deadly leap, but ere he
sprang, the hunting knife Of Eugene Fair
fax lwho, with the steersman, was the only
person ON deck besides Blanche) was buried
to the hilt in his side, INJECTING severe but
not fatal wound. The infurlated beast at
once turned upon Eugene, and deadly
STRUGGLE ensued. But II was n short one
The polished blade Of the knife played back
and forth like lightning flashes, and at ev-
cry plunge il was buried TO the hllt IN the
pan,her's body, who soon fell TO the deck,
dragging the dauntless Eugene with him.
On seeing her protector fall, Blanche utter.
ed another shrek and rushed TO his aid but
assistance IRON stouter arms was at hand
The boatmen gathered round and the saw
age monster was literally cut IN pieces with
their knives and hatche,s, and Eugene, Gov.
cred with blood, was dragged from under
his carcass. Supposing him 10 be dead or
mortally wounded, Blanche threw her arms
around his neck and gave way to passion.
a.e burst OF grief But he was not dead
he was not even hurt, with the exception OF
a few slight scratches. The blood with
whick he was covered was the pan,her's,
no, his own. But Blanche's embrace was
his-a priceless treasure-an index Of her
hearts emotions and affections. IL 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, aud plash Of the stecrsman's oar,
the boat of our voyagers 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 ss,ir cx-
cept the watch, was suddenly startled, by u
rough hand being placed upon his shoulder,
accompanied by the words, IN the gruii voice
OF the boatman:
81 say, Cop'n, here's trouble !"
"What is 1t, Dick" inquired Eugene,
starting to his feet.
"Don't you see ,har's heavy fog rising,
tha,'ll soon kiyer III so thick that we won't
he able To tell a white man from niger ~
replied the boatmon-Dick Winter by name
Ia tall, bopy, muscular, athletic specimen
OF his class.
"Gool heaven! 81 there is" exclaimed
Eugene, looking off upon the already misty
waters. ut must have gathered very sud-
denly, for all was clear minute ago. What
is 10 be done now? This is something
was no, prepared for on such night as
this"
at looks troublous, Cap'n, I'll allow" re-
turned dick "but we're in fort, that's sar-
tin, aud s'Pose we'l have to make the best
ont"
"Bu, what is to be done what do you
advise 2" asked Eugene, in quick, excited
tone. that indicated some degree OF alarm.
"Why, eff you warn't so skeered about
the young lady, and il warn't 50 dead agin
the orders from head quarters, my plan
would be cl'ar and easy one-Fd Just run
mo, no." said Eugene, positively; THAT
will never do, Dick-that will never do
| would not think Of such thing for mo-
nent We must keep in the current by all
meansw
AFT you can" rejoined the boatman "bu,
when il gifts so dark as we can't tell one
thing from t'o,her, it'll be powerful hard to
do; and ef We don't run agin bar or bank
aforc morning, in spite Of the best o US, it'll
be the luckiest 20 that ever had hand IN.
See, Cap'n-i,'s thckening up fast; we
cant see ey,her bank at all, nor the water
nyiher; the stars is getting dim, and It looks
as If thar war a cloud all round u.s."
81 see! SCI" returned Eugene, excit.
edly. "Merciiul Heaven! ! hope no acct
den, will beiall US herc-nnd yet my heart
almost misgiyes me for this, believe, Is
the most dangerous par: Of our journey
the vicinity where most Of our boats have
been captured by the savages."
Saving this Eugene fastened below, where
he found the other boatmen sleeping so
soundly as to require considerable effort on
his part to wake them. At last, getting
them faiIly reused, he informed them, almost
in whisper, for he did not care to disturb
the Others, that heavy Jog had suddenly
arisen, and he wished their presence on deck
Immediately.
"a fog, Cap'ni" exclaimed one, in a tone
which indicated that hs comPrehended the
peril with the word. .
"Hush !" returned Eugene; "thcre Is no
necessity for waking the others, aud hav-
= All Il