Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-07-03
MISCELLANY.
The Forest Prayer,
OK MRS. JANE 7. II. ROSS.

The boatwas floating down the river. Noun
tains of awful grandeur arose OH every side
and in the narrow valley between, in the
midst of this solitude, flowed the waters of
the Tennessee. The eyes of the children we're
turned in awe to the huge masses of rock that
lay piled up to the very clouds or, with
sense ofrciof, rested upon the pretty shad-
ows of the syCamores that wore trembling in
the water, or upon the pale wild flowers that
grew along tho mountain side. Sometimes q
scared waterfowl arose from tho thick cane
brake and flew for miles down the stream i'm
advance of the boat-a white winged pioneer
in this wild and beautiful country-somc-
times an eagle performed his immense circles
above the mountain tops, and seemed to hoy
cr, like protecting genius, over the party of
emigrants.
The boat kept constantly in the middle of
the strcm, never nearing the margin, even
when passing those swift rapids and boiling
whirlpOols that give interest to this beautiful
river. No gay flower nor curious pebble at
tracted them to the shore. but they looked
into the thick underground cautiously and
viSilantly, though not timidly, for fear had
no part in those brave natures that first pen
etratcd the western wilds.
a small cannon was mounted in front of
the boat and various other warikc prepara-
tions might be observed, Indicating their
sohsc vi W""Scr luC pcaceinily the parry
floated down-thc father, the mother, and
numerous family of childrcn-until they ar
rived opposite the village of Nick-a- jack
Here they perceived some Indian boats ap-
preaching, bearing white flags. Doubtful of
them. however, in spite of the peace cmblem,
Mr. Brown, the commander of the boat, turn
ed his cannon toward them and warned them
off. They came to parley. Among the In
dians was a white man, who, dcceiving, or
deceived, assured the emigrants of the kind
and peaceful intentions of the sayages. Af-
ter a conference of some length, the Indians
were permitted to board the boat They
came on in great numbers, and soon they
grew insolent and boisterous. At a moment
when MIR. Browns back was turned, an In
dian gave him strock across the neck part
ly sevcrng his head from tho body, and caus-
ing his instant death They then took pos
session ofthe beat, making the mother and
two oor three small children commence their
march through the wilderness towards the
south; and disposing of the other membcr of
the family i'll various ways they took boy
about twelve, whose name was Joseph, to the
house of Kiatchatalu, an Indian brave, whose
mother had married a white man and for this
mother Joseph was destined as slave.
The taste Of blood, however, infuriates man
and beast. The Indians were now rayening
for their prey and the tondcr years of this
poor boy could not protect him. They rusl-
ed to the lodge where he was resting and,
with loud clamors, demanded him. The
white man of the tent begged that they would
spare him. and assured them that Kiachata-
In would be very angry. 1t was of avail.
Their fierce natures cried for blood. Then
the woman approached and pleaded. "Do
not kill the boy in my tent" The eye of an
earnest woman is not powerless, even on the
heart of q savage. They said eve will not
kill him here; we will take him outside OF
the tent" Again the woman's voice was
raised for mercy. "Oh do not kill him near;
let not his blood be upon my path as go for
water" Again she was heard and they
said, "We will take him deop into the forest"
They led him along, the trembling child, his
fair face forming striking contrast with the
tawny skins and the fierce and demoniac
countenances around him. Tho yells and
whcops of thnbarbariaps af'righted the flying
silence the outrageous grove reechoed
clamor through all its mysterious labyrinths;
the birds ceased their songs and flew awayin
terror, or crOuched beneath their leafy coy
erts. The boy, in this wild wood thought OF
the dying Stephen; he clasped his pale hands
together, sunk upon his kneos In the path.
way, and lifted his face and his heart to Ste.
phen's God Like Stephen, he ''looked up
steadfastly into Heaven" The Indians stood
around gazing on the amazement. What a
scene for painterl The forest--the sun
shine struggling down through the leaves
wonder stricken sayagos-the praying boy
The hearts of the stern warriors began to
molt, lie who had been invoked had touch
cd them, and they said. "The boy shall
liveW Early did this child prove the cffca-
ey of prayer, and tho powcf of Him who is
"mighty to save"
T.t .-------e As--------fl
a Spanish writer remarks of "a lady 5 black
eyes" They were in mourning for the
murders they had committed"
81. @--------s-
BETTIEd is immoral but how can the
man who bets be worse thsE the one who
80 ~ hattar