Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-05-21
THE PERILs OF THE BORDER

While reading recently an account of
the frightful massacre of several white
families by the Black-foot Indians, we
were reminded of a thrilling event which
occurred in the " Wild West" a short
time subsequent to the Revolution, in
which highly accomplished young lady,
the daughter of distinguished officer Of
the American Army, played an impor
tant part. The story being of most
thrilling nature, and exhibiting in strik-
ing mauncr tho {. PcriIs of the Bordor,''
we have concluded to give an extract
from it, as originally published, as fol-
lows:
The angle on the right bank of the
Great Kanawha, formed by its junction
with the Ohio, is called Point Pleasant,
and is place of historical note. Here,
on the 10th of October, IVA, during
what is known as Lord Dunmore's War,
was fought one of the fercest and most
desperate battles that ever took place
between the Virginians and their forest
foes.
After the battle in question, in which
the Indians were defeated with great loss,
fort was here erected by the victors,
which became post of great Importance
Throughout the sanguinary scenes Of strife
which almost Immediately followed, and
which in this section of the country were
continued for many years after that es-
tablishment of peace which acknowledg-
ed the United Colonies of America q
free and independent nation.
At the landing of the fort, on the day
our story opens, was fastened fat-boa
of the kind used by the early navigator:
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 il
watching group Of persons, mostly fe
males, who were slowly approaching the
landing. Of these five, one was a stout
sleek negro, in partial livery, and evid
emily a house or body servant; three
were boatmen and borderers, as indicated
By their rou5h, bIO4-4u<l --~:--ey--
coarse attire but the fifth was a youn!
man, some two-and-twenty years Of age
of fine commanding person, and
clear, open, intelligent countenance; an
ir the lofty carriage of his head-in tn
gleam of his large, bright, hazel eye
there was something which denoted on
of superior mind; but as we shall hav
occasion in the course Of our narrativ
to fully set forth who and what Eugen
Fairfax was, we will leave him for tn
present, and turn to the approachin
group, whom he seemed to be regardin
with lively interest.
OF this group, composed of middle
aged man and four females, with bloc
female servant following some five or 81
PAGES in the rear, there was one who
the most casual eye would have single
out and rested upon with pleasure. II
lady in question, was apparently abo
twenty years of age, of slender al
graceful figure, and of that peculiar ca
of feature, which, besides being beau
full in every lineament, rarely fails to g
feet the behoIder with something like
charm.
Her travelling costume-a fine bro7
habit, high in the neck, buttoned close
over the bosom and coming down to h
small pretty feet, without trailing on t
ground-was both neat and becomin
and with her riding-cap and its wavi
ostrich plume, set gaily above her fowl
curls, her appearance contrasted forcit
with the rough, unpublished looks of the
of her sex beside her, with their Inns
bed-gowns, scarlet flannel petticoats, a
bleached linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche" said one of the me
venerable of her female companio
pursuing a conversation which had be
maintained since quitting the open f
behind them, cannot bear to let y
go for it just seems tome as if somethi
were going to happen to you, and wi
feel that way, something generally d.
happen"
"Well, aunt" returned Blanche, W
light laugh, 81 do not doubt in
least that something will happen-fo
expect one of these days to reach
dear father and blessed mother, and g
them such an embrace as is due fror
dutiful daughter to her parents;
that will be something that has not h
pened for two long years at least"
"But l don't mean that, Blanche" F"
turned the other, somewhat petulant
"and you just laugh like a gay ;
tboughtless girl, when you ought to