Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-06-03
The Perils of the Border.

L CIllS OC1utls
While reading recently an account OF th
frightful massacre of several white familie
by the Blackfoot Indians, we were rem int
ed OF a thrilling event which occurred i
the " Wild West" short time subsequer
to the Revolution, in which highly accor
plished young lady, the daughter of distin
guished officer OF the American Army, play
ed an important part. The story being of
most thrilling nature, and exhibiting in
striking manner the "Perils of the Border,
we have concluded to give an extract from
it, as originally published, as follews: i
The angle on the right bank of the Grea
Kanawha, formed by its junction with tn,
Ohio, is called Point Pleasant, and is
place OF historical note. Here, e,Sns4e IUti
of October, l744, during what is known as
Lord Dunmore's War, was'fought enc of The
fercest and NEST desperate battles that ev.
er took place between the Virginians ant
their forest .oes.
After the battle in question, in which the
Indians were defeated with great loss. fort
was here erected by the victors, which be.
came post of great importance throughout
the saDguinary scenes of strife which al
most Immediately followed, and which in
this section of the country were continued
for many years after that establishment OF
peace which acknowledged the United Col
onies of America free and independent
nation.
At the landing of the fort, on the day our
story opens, was fastened a fiat boat of the
kind used by the early navigatoss of the
Western rivers.
Upon the deck of this boat, at The mo-
merit we present the scene to 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 stout,
sleek negro, in partial livery, AMI evidently
a house or body servant; three were boat
men and borderers, as indicated by theif
rough, bronzed visages and coarse ott;re;-
hut the fifth was young man., some two
years of age, of fine COM
person, and clear, open, intelli-
gent countenance; and in the lofty carriage
of his head-in the gleam of his large,
bright, hazel eye-there was something that
denoted one of superior mind; but as we
shall have occasion in the course Of our mar
rative to fully set forth who and what Eu-
gene Fairfax was, we will leave him for the
present, and turn to the approaching group,
whom he seemed to be regarding with live
" interest.
of this group, composed of middle-aged
man and four females, with black female
servant following some five or six PAGES in
'he Fess, thoror sIosfse :z,s
lal eye would have singled out and rested
upon with pleasure, The lady 10 question,
was apparently about twenty years of age,
Of slender and graceful figure, and of that
peculiar cast of feature, which, besides be-
ing beautiful in every lineameht, rarely
'ails TO affect the beholder with Something
ike charm.
Her travelling costume--a fine brown hab.
i, high in the neck, buttoned closely over
he bosom and coming down to her small
pretty feet. without trailing on the ground
was both neat and becoming; and with
Ter riding-cap and its waving ostrich plume
set gaily above her flowing crrls, her ap-
'earance contrasted forcibly with the cugh
lnpolished looks of those of her sex beside
ler, with their linsey bed-gowns, scarlet
iannel petticoats, and bleashed linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche" said one of the more ven-
'rable of her female companions. pursuing
| conversation which had been maintained
'ince quitting the open fort behind them,-I
i cannot bear to let you 60; for it Just
seems to me as if something were going to
happen to you, and when feel tina, way
generally does happen"
swell, aunt" returned Blanche, with a
light laugh, 81 do not doubt in the least that
will happen-for expect one of
he.e days to reach my dear father and bles-
eG mother, and give them such an embrace
Is is due from dutiful daughter to her pa
ents-and that will be something that has
lot happened for two long years at last"
"But don't mean that, Blanche" eturn-
ID the ether, somewhat petulantly; "and
1ou jus: laugh like gay and thoughtless
yirl, when you ought to be seripus. Be-
cause you have come safe thus far. through
partially settled country, you think, per-
,aps, your own pretty face will wa.d off
langer in the more perilous Wilderness
,ut warn you that fearful journey is be-
'ore you! Scarcely boat descends the |
nhiA, that d-os nc. oaeeuntor n,ors>;s, less |
peril from the sayages that prowl along
either shore; and some Of them tha, 90
iown freighted with human life, are heard
Of no more, and none ever return to tel the |
.ale." aA
"But why repeat this to me, dear .untl'
returned Blanche, with more seriou air,
'when you know it is my destiny, either
good or bad, to attempt the voyage. Ey pa
rents have sent for me to join them il their
new home, and it is my duty to go to them,
be the peril what it may"
you never did know what it was ttfearr
pursued the good woman, rather proudly
"No," she repeated, turning to the ouers-
Blanche Bertrand never did know What il |
was TO fear, | beleye!"
"Just like her father!" joined in tie hus-
band OF the matron the brother of Banche's /
mother, the commander of the s,atiu, and
the middle-aged gentleman men timed as
one of the party; ga true daughter f a true
soldier. Her father, Colonel Phhp Ber-
trand, God bless him for true hert! ney-
er did seem to know what it was t, iear,-l
and Blanche is just like him.