The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-05-12
Srltrtrh sturu.
The Perils of the Border.


families by the Black. foot Indians wa
were reminded OF thrilling event which
occurred in the "Wild West" short
time subsequent TO the Revolution. in
wh'ch a highly accomplished young Isdy
the daughter Of a distinguished officer of
tne American Army, played an important
part. The story being of most thrilling
nature, and exhibiting in striking man
'ner the "Perils of the Border" we have
concluded 20 give an extract from it, As
originally published, as follows:
The angle on the right bank of the
Great kanawha, formed by its junction
with the Ohio, is called Point Pleasant
and IS a place of historical note. Here,
on the 10Th Of October, l774, during
what is known as Lcr1 Dummor's War.
NaSIought ore of the iiercest and most
desperate battles that ever took place be
tween the Nirginians and their fores,
fees.
After the battle in question, in which
The Indians were defeated with great loss
fort was here erected by the victor,,
whlch became a post of great Importance
throughout the sanguinary scenes of strife
which ALMOST immediately followed. and
which IN this section Of the country were
cpntlrued for many years after that es-
adjustment OF peace which acknowledged
the United Colonies OF Africa a free and
independent nation.
At the landing Of the fort, on the iay
our story opens, was fastened flat boat
OF the kind used by the early navigato,s
Of the Western rivers.
Upon the deck Of this boat, at the mo.
ment we present the scene 10 the reader.
stood five individuals, alike engaged in
watching group of persons, mostly fe.
males WHO were slowly approaching the
landing. OF these five, one was n stout
sleek negro, in partial lively, and evident
~ house or body servant; three we're
ooatmen and bordercrs, as indicated by
their rough, bronzcd visages and coarse
attire; but the fifth was Young man.
some two and twenty wears Of age, Of a
line 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
something 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 present, and
turn TO the approaching group, whom he
seemed to be regarding with lively inter.
csc.
vi TINS group, composed Of middle
aged man and four females, with black
female 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. Tie lady
III question, was apparently about twenty
years OF age, OF a slender and graceful tig-
ure, and OF that peculiar cast OF feature
which, besides being beautiful in every
lin eament, rarely fails to affect the behoi
der with something Ike charm.
Her travelling costume--a fine brown
habi', high in the neck, buttoncd CLOSELY
over the bosom and coming down to her
small pretty feet, without trailing on the
ground--@as both neat and becoming:
Shd with her riding cap and its waving
"S'rich plume, set gaily above her fowing
curis, her appearance costrasted torcibv
with the rough, unpolishcd looks of those
OF her sex beside her, with their lnsev
oed'gowns, scarlet flannel pctticoa,s. and
b'eachad linen caps.
'Oh, BIanchc,' said one Of the more
venerable of her female companions, pur
SUNG conversation which had been
maintained since quitting the open fort
behind them, i cannot bear to let YOU 90;
LOT IL JaSt seems - me rs If something
were gong to happen to you,and when
,'el that way, something generally does
happen
We'll, aunt returned Blanche, with y
hght laugh, 4 do rot doubt in the least
tHat something will happen-for | expect
one OF These days to reach my dear father
apd blessed mother, and give .hem such
an embrace as IS duc from dutifuI
dHnghter 10 her parcnts-and that will
something that has not happened for
20 long years at least
But don't mean that, Blanche,' re-
'"rned the other, somewhat petuIantly (;
and you Just laugh like gay and
thoughtless Girl, when you ought to be Sc.
r'ous. Because you have come safe thus
'ar' through partially settled country,
on th'nk, perhaps, your own pretty face
VIII ward off danger in the more perilous
wliderncss--but warn YOU that fear
mi Journey is before you, Scarcely a boat
descends the Ohio, that does not encoun
ter more or less peril from the savavcs
that ProwI along either shore and some
o' them THAI go down freighted with hu
man life, are heard Of no more, and none
ever return to tell the tale
But why repeat this to me, dear aunt
returned Blanche, with , more serious
air, when you know i, is my destiny,
either good or bad, to attempt the yoy.
ages My parents have sent for ne to
JON them in their new home. and it is my
dstg to go to them. I've the peril wha, il
may
You never did know what it was 20
fear" pursued the good woman. ra,bor