Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-05-21

out argument.
When Colonel Bertrand removed TO tho
West, Eugene Fairfax, as wo have soen, ac.
conpanicd linn; and coming o. age shortly
after, he had accepted the liberal ofcr a
his noble bcncfactor 10 remain with him il
tho capacity Of private secretary and conf
dontial agent On taking possession Of his
grant The Colonel had almost Immediately
erected fort, and offered such Inducements
TO settlers as to speedily collect around hm
qntc little community--of which, ns s
matter Of course ho became The head and
chief; and to supply the wants Of his own
family and others, aud increase his gains Ia
q legitimate way, he had opened n store,
and filed il with goods from the Eastern
maris, which goods were transported BY
land over the mountains to tho Kanawha,
and thence by Water TO the Falls Of the Ohio,
whence their removal to Fort Bertrand be-
came an easy matter 70 purchase and
ship these goods, and deliver a package Of
letters to friends in the East, Eugene had
been thrice dspatched--his third commits
sion also extending to the cscorting Of the
new homo. This last commission had been
so far executed at the timo chosen for tho
opening Of our story, ~ 10 bring tho differ
ent parties to tho mouth Of tho Great Ka-
nawha, whence the render has seen them
slowly floating off upon tho still CLASSY
bosom Of "ths belle Of riversn
The day, which was an auspicious one
passed without anything occurring worthy
of note, until near four o'clock; when, as
Blanche was standing on the forepart Of the
deck gazing at the lovely scene which sur
rounded her, when she saw seemingly
flying body suddenly leave limb of gi-
gautic tree, (whose mighty branches extern
ded FAR over the river, and near which the
boat was then swayed by the action Of the
currently and alighted with a crash upon the
J deck of the boat not more than eight feet
from her. Ono glance suficcd to show her
what the object was, and TO freeze the blood
in her veins. The glowing eyes of huge
panther met her gazo. Tho suddenncss Of
the shock which this discovery gave her was
overpowering, With doafening shriek
she fell upon her knees and clasped her
hands before her breast Tho panther
crouchod for his deadly leap, but ero he
sprang, tho hunting knife Of Eugene Fair
fax, (who, with the steersman, was the on
ly person on deck besides Blanche,) Was
was buried to the hilt 10 his side, inhicting
a severe but not fatal wound. The infuri-
!: ated beast at once turned upon Eugene,
: and deadly struggle ensued. But it was
} short one. The polished blado of the
knife played back and forth like lightning
flashes, and at every plunge it was buried
to the hilt in the panther's body, who soon
fell to the deck, dragging the dauntless Eur
gone with him. On seeing her protector
fall, Blanche uttered another shrek and
; rushed to his aid; but assistance from
stouter arms was at hand. Tho boatmcn
gathered round, and the savage monster
, was literally hacked in pieces with their
knives and hatchets, and Eugene, covered
with blood, was dragged from undor his
carcass. Supposing him to be dead or NOR
) tally wounded, Blanche threw her arms
around his neck and gave way to passion
1 ate burst Of grief. But he was not dead
z he was not even hurt, with tho exception
of few slight scratches. The blood with
which he was covered was the panthers not
his own. But Blanche's embrace was his
/ priceless trcasuro-an index Of her hearts
Y emotions and affections. 1t was to color
Q his whole future life, as will be seen in the
5 progress Of our story.
a Slowly and silently, save the occasional
, creak, dip. and plash of the steersman's oar,
: the boat of our voyagers was borne along
: upon the bosom of the current, on the third
r, night of the voyage. The hour was wax
r ing late, and Eugene, the only one astir ex-
cept the watch, was suddenly startled by
:, a rough hand being placed upon his shoul-
!" dor, accompanied by the words, in the gruft
II voice of the boatman: -s
ii IL say, Cap'n, here's troublew
n "What is it, Dick?" inquired Eugene
], starting to his feet.
IN "Don't you see thars a heavy fog rising
st that'll soon kiver US up so thick that w
v won't be able to tell white man from {
l. nigger n replied the boatnan--Dick Win
ter by namc--a tall, bonny, muscular, ath
s. letc specimen Of his class.
4 "Good heaycn so there isr' exclaimed
l. Eugene, looking off upon the already misty
d, waters. at must have gathered very sud
ir denly, for all was clear minute ago. Wha
to is to be done now! This is something
~ was not prepared for, on such q night q
n; this"
BIT ait looks troublous, Cap'n, I'll allow re
y, turned Dick; "but we're in fort, that's sari
% in, and sposo wen have to make the bes
IS, ont"
ID "But what is to be done l--what do yo'
e. advise r. asked Eugene, in quick, excitst
Ve tone. that indicated some degree of alarm
~ "Why, eff you warn't so skesred about th
young lady, and twsrn't so dead agin th
O. orders from head quarters, my plan woul
II, be cl'ar and easy one-I'd just run over
or the Kaintuck shore and tic upp
We mo, no. said Eugene, positively; "ths
At, will never do, Disk-that win never do
ut, would not think Of such thing for mt
err Imentl We must keep in tho current by a
meansw
lip "Ef you can" reioined the boatmar
q 'but when il gifts so dark rs we can't te
fn- ono thing from t'other it'll be powerful bar
Ter to do; and if We don't run agn bar or ban
g. afore morning, in spite Of the bsst o us, il
'te be the Iuckiest go that ever | had Q hand i
,al See, Cap'n--it's thickening up fast; y
he cant see eyther bank at an, nor the vat
m nythcr; the stars is getting dim, and il lool
he as fthar war cloud all round us."
es. 81 see ! l see y returned Eugene, excite'
th, ly. 1Merciful Heaven. hope no accids