Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-05-21
The Perils of the Border.

The Perils OF Border.
massacre OF several white families by the Black foot In
dians, we reminded of thrilling event which oc-
CURED IN the Wild West, short time subsequent to
the Revolution in which highly accomplished young
lady, the daughter of distinguished officer of the Amer
lean army, played an important part. The story being
Of most thrilling nature, and exhibiting in striking
manner the Peris OF the Border we have concluded
to give an extract from it, 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 place of historical note Here on
the 10th Of October TIA during what is known as
Lord Dunmores War, fought of the ercest and
most desperate battles that took place between the
Virginians and their forest foes.
After the battle in question, in which the Indians
were defeated with great lOss fort here erected by
the Vlctors which became post of great Importance
throughout the sangunary of strife which almost
Immediately followed and which in this section of the
country were continued for many years after that estab
shment of peace which acknowledged the United Colo
MES OF America free and independent nation.
AT the landing of the fort the day story opens
was fastened fatboat of the kind used by the early
navigators of the Western rivers.
Upon the deck of this boat at the moment we pre-
sent the to the reader stood FIVE Individuals alike
engaged in watching group of persons mostly females
who were slowly approaching the landing OF these
evidently house body servant three were boatmen
and borderers as indicated by their rough bronzed Wis
ages and ATTIRE but the fifth was young man.
some tWo-andtwenty years of age of fine commanding
person, and clear open intelligent countenance and
IN the lofty carriage of his head-in the CLEAN of his
large, bright hazel eye-there something which de-
noted one of superior mind but shall have
sion in the of narrative to fully set forth who
and what Eugene Fairfax was, will leave him for the
present and turn to the approaching group, whom he
seemed to be regarding with lively interest.
OF this group, composed of a middleaged man and
four females, with black female servant following some
five six PAGES in the rear, there whom the
most casual eye would have singled out and rested
upon with pleasure. The lady in question, was appa-
renty about twenty years of age, of slender and grace
u figure and of that peculiar cast of feature which be-
sides being beautiful in every neament rarely fails to
affect the behoder with something like charm.
Her travelling costume-a fine brown habit, high in
the neck, buttoned closely the bosom and coming
down to her small pretty feet, without trailing the
ground-was both neat and becoming and with her
rdngcap and its waving ostrich plume, set galy above
her flowing curs her appearance conrasted orciby with
the rough unpublished looks of those of her beside
her, with their lnsey bedgowns scarlet flannel petit
coats and bleached linen caps
"Oh Blanche" said one Of the more venerable of her
female companions, pursuing a conversation which had
been maintained since quitting the open fort behind
them cannot bear to let you go for it just to
me if something were going to happen to you, and
when feel that way, something generally does happen
"Wel, aunt" returned Blanche, with light laugh,
do not doubt in the least that something will happen
for expect one Of these days to reach my dear father
and blessed mother and give them such embrace
as is due from dutifu daughter to her parents-and
that will be something that has not happened for two
long years at least
"But I don't mean that, Blanche" returned the
other, somewhat petulanty and you just laugh like
gay and hOughtess girl when you ought to be serious
Because you have safe thus far, through partial
ly settled country, you think perhaps, your pretty
face will ward off danger in the perilous wilderness
but [ you that fearful journey is before you
Scarcely boat descends the Ohio that does not encoun
ter less peril from the savages that prowl along
either shore and of them that go down freghted
with human life are heard of 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 it
my destiny either good bad to attempt the voyage?
My parents have sent for to join them in their new
home and is my duty to go to them be the peril what
it may,
You never did know what it was to fear % pursued
the good woman rather proudly. No." she repeated
turning to the others, Blanche Bertrand did
know what it to fear, | beleve'
Just like her father joined in the husband of the
matrOn the brother of Banches mother the commander
Of the station and the mddeaged gentleman mentioned
as of the party true daughter of true soldier
Her father Col Philip Bertrand, God bless him for a
and Blanche is just like him.
By this time the parties had reached the boa; ; and
the young man already described-Eugene Fairfax, the
secretary of Banches ather-at once stepped forward
and polite and deerental manner, offered his hand
to the different females to assist them board. The
hand of Blanche the last to touch his-and then
but slightly, she sprung quickly and lightly the
deck-but close observer might have detected the
slight flush which manted his noble, expressive features
as his eye for single instant met hers. She might her
ICnlf hoyn + hans CHI III b1t No
corresponding glow her bright, pretty face as
she inquired in the calm dignied tone of one having
the right to put the question, and who might also have
been Of the inequality of position between herself
and him she addressed:
Eugene is everything prepared for our departure
1t will not do for boat to spring leak again. it
did coming down the Kanawha-for it will not be safe
for us, told to touch either shore between the diff
erent forts and trading posts on our route this side OF
our destnation,-the Falls of the Ohio
No. indeed J" rejoned her aunt, quickly " it will be
as much your lives worth to venture foot from
the main current of the Oho-for news reached US only
the other day. that many boats had been attacked this
spring, and several lost, with all on board"
No one feels more concerned about the safe passage
of Miss Bertrand than myself replied Eugene in de
ferentla tone; and since arrival here have left
nothing undone that thought Nigh possibly add to her
security and comfort.
That is true to my personal knowledge" joined in
the uncle of Blanche and thank you Mr.. Fairfax
III pehan OF my lar kns"oman. lhere WILL perhaps
he pursued be great danger, SO long you keep
in the current but your watch must not be neglected
for single moment, either night or day and do not,
most solemy charge and warn you, under any crcum
stances any pretence whatsoever, suffer yourselves
to be decoyed to either shore.
al hope we understand our duty better, Colonel,
said one of the men, respectfully.
Il doubt it not replied the commander Of the Point
" believe you are all faithful and true men, you
would not have been selected by the agent of Colone
Bertrand, for taking down precious freight than
euer carried hefnrn still the MseSt and