Smyrna times., 1858-05-13
THE PEaTLS OF TIE BORDER.

THE PEaTLS OF TLIG BORDER.
While reading recently an account Of the
frightful massacre of several white families by
the Black-foot Indiaus, we were reminded OF L
thrilling event which occurred in the "Wlld
West" short time subsequent to the Revolu
ton, in which highly accomplished young
lady, the daughter of distinguished officer 0
the American Army, played an important part
The story being of most thrilling nature and
exhibiting in striking manner the Perlls OF
the Border" we have concluded to give eX-
tract from it, as originally published, as follows
The angle on the right bank of the Great
kanawha, formed By lis Junction with the Ohlo,
is called Point Pleasant, and is place Of his
sorcal note. Here, on thc 10Th of October,
l77l, during what is known as Lord Dunmore' 5
War, was fought one Of the tcrccst and most
desperate battles that ever took place between
the Virginians aud their forest foes
After the battle in question, in which the In
dians were defeated with great loss, fort was
here erected by the victorS, which became a
post of great Importance thrOu 5hout the SAN
culinary scenes OF strife which almost lmmedr
ate.y followed and winch in this section OF the
country were continued tor many years after
that establishment ofp3ic3 which acknowledged
the United Colonies Of America Tree and IN
dependent nation.
At the landing ofthc f,rt on the day our story
opens was fastened h4t-5oat of the kind used
by the early navigators Of the Western rivers.
Upon the deck Of tins boat, at the moment We
present the scene to the reader, Stood i've lndl-
Vlduals, alike enga ed III watching group OF
persons, mostly tc.naieS VINO were slowly ap-
proaching the landing. OF these five, one was
stout, sleek negro, IN partial livery, and evil
IDENTIFY house or body servant; three were
bJatmen and borderers, as indicated by their
rough, brnnZcI vIsages and course attire; but
the fifth was young .nun, some two ard-twenty
years of age, OF fine commanIing person, and
a clear, open, intelligent cOuntenance; and In
the lottly carriage of his head-In The g Team ot
his large, bright, hazel eye-thcre was some
thing which denoted one OF superior mind; but
as we shall have occ1slon IN the course OF our
narrative to fully set forth who and what Eu-
gene Fairfax was, we will leave him tor the
present, and turn TO the approaching group,
whom he seemed to be regarding with lively Id
terest.
Of this group, composed Of Il mddle-ag ged
man and four females, with black female ser
want following some five or six PAGES IN the
rear, there was one whom the most casual eye
pleasure. The lady in question, was apparent
ly about twenty years of age OF Il slender and
graceful figure, and Of that peculiar cast Of
feature, which, besides being beautiful III every
lneament, rarely fails TO effect the behoidcI
with something like ( charm.
Her travelling costume fine brown habit
high in the neck, buttoned closely over the
bosom and coming down to her small pretty
feet, without trailing on the groInd-was both
neat and becoming; and with her ridiug-caT
and its waving ostrich plume, set gaIy above
her flowing curls her appearance contrastel
fOrcibly with the rough, unPO!lshed looks o
those of her sex beside her, with their linsey
bed gowns, scarlet flannel petticoats, and bleach
ed linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche" said one ofthe more vener
able of her female complnons, pursuing con
versation which had been maintained since quit
ting the open fort behind them, 81 cannot hea
to let you 90 for it Just seems to me as
something were going to happen to you, an
when feel that way, something generaly doe
happen"
"Wen, aunt" retu med Blanche, with ligh
laugh. 81 do not douot in the least that some
thing will happen-for | expect one OF thes
days to reach my dear father and blessed mo
ther, and give them such an embrace as Is uu
from dutiful daughter to her plrents-and Una
will be something that has not hapPeheu ~
two long years at least.
"But don't mean that, Blanche" returne
the other, somewhat petuantly; 6 and you JUS
laugh like gay and thoughtless girl, whsn 70
ought TO be serious. Because you have com
safe thus far, through partially settled coui
try. you think, perhaps, your own pretty lac
will ward off danger in the more perllous WI
derness-but warn you that fearful Journe
is before you! Scarcely boat descends IL
Ohio, that does not encounter more or less per
from the savages, that prowl along elth
shore; aud some of them that go down ireight'
with human life, are heard Of no more, and nor
ever return to tell the tale"
But why repeat this to me- dear aunt
turned Blanche, with more serlousaIr, "wh'
you know it is my destiny, either good or oa
to attempt the voyage! My parents nave Sc
for me TO join them IN their new home, ana II
my duty to go to them, be the peril what
may"
"You never did know what it was 10 rear
pursued the good woman, rather prondiy'
"No," she repeated, turning to the oihe
"Blanche Bertrand never did know what u
TO fear, belcVew