The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-05-27
Tho Peril. or one Rorder.

i--Whlie reading, recently IN account VI
the frightlul massacre Of several white fam.
/, lilies by the Black.foOt Indians, we were re.
: minded of thrilling event which occurred
in the "Wild West" short time subse'
quent to the Revolution, in which a highly |
5 accomplished young lady, the daughter of
,. distinguished officer of the American Army, !
played an important part. The story being
Of most thrilling nature, and exhibiting
. in a striking manner the "Perils of the
Border" we have concluded to give an ex.
tract from it, as originally published, as fol.
lows:
, The angle on the right bank OF the Greatl
Kanawha, formed by it's junction with the
Ohio, is called Point Pleasant, and is place
of historical note. Here, on the 10th of
October, 1774, 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 through.
) out the sGnguinory scenes of strife which
almost 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.
d onies of America a free and indebendeut
/; nation.
: AT the landing of the Fort, ON the day
n that our story opens, was fastened a fiat.
e boat, of the kind used by the early naviga.
, tors of the Western rivers.
!. Upon the deck of this boat, at the mo.
II ment we present the scene to the reader,
j. stood five individuals, alike engaged in
II watching group of persons. mostly fe.
a males, who were slowly approaching the
}. landing. Of these five, one was a stout,
u sleek negro, in partial livery, and evidently
H. house or body servant; three were boat
o men and borderers, as indicated by their
Fl rough, bronzed visages and coarse attire;
s. but the fifth was young man, some two
'e and twenty years of age, of fine com.
m nandng person, and a clear, open, intelli.
= gent countenance; and in the lofty carriage
OIL of his head-in the CLEAN of his large,
Is bright, hazel eye-there was something
;, which denoted one of superior mind; but as
I'd we shall have occasion in the course of our
lg narrative fully TO set forth who and what
I'd Eugene Fairfax was, we will leave him for
Ell the present. and turn to tho approaching
" group, whom he seemed to be regarding
10 with lively interest.
OF this group, composed of middle aged
e; man and four females, with black female
at servant following some FIVE or six PAGES in
~ the rear, there was one whom the most cas-:
sh ual eye would have singled out and rested
an upon with pleasure. The lady in question
tn was apparently about twenty years of age
a. of slender and graceful figure, ond of tha,
as peculiar cast of feature, which, besides be.
ed ing beautiful in every ineament, rarely fails
n. to affect the beholder with something like q
IN charm.
e. Her travelling costume-a fine brown
ee habit, high in the neck, buttoned closely
IS over the bosom, and coming down to hel
to small pretty feet, without trailing ON the
on ground-was both neat and becoming; and
ng with her riding cap and its waving Ostrich
I'D plume, set gaiy above her fowisg curis, .he
e, appearance contrasted forcbly with the
he rough, unpublished looks of those of her sex
OF beside her, with their linsey bed gowns
ne scarlet flannel petticoats, and bleached lin.
ge en- CAPS.
ed "Oh, Blahche," said one of the more
a. venerable of her female companions, pur.
ID suing 4 conversation which had been main.
d. tanned since quitting the open fort behind
er them, Il cannot bear to let you go; for il
H. just seems TO me as if something were 90.
q ing to happen to you, and when feel that
In way, something generally does happen"
a "Well, aunt" retorted Blanche, with 0
m light laugh, 81 do not doubt in the least
v, that something will happen-for | expect
10 one OF these days to reach my dear father
ID aud blessed mother, and give them such an
L. embrace as is due from dutiful daughter
- to her parents-and that will be something
p that has not happened for two long years al
is least"
n, "But I don't mean that, Blanche," re.
u turned the other, somewhat petulantly; "and
- you just laugh like gay and thoughtess
L; L; girl, when you ought to Be serious. Be.
~ cause you have come safe thus far, through
VI partially settled country, you think, per
III III haps, your own pretty face will ward of
sh danger In the more perious wilderness
- = but warn you that fearful journey is be.
Is tore you! Scarcely boat descends the
e Ohio, that does not encounter more or less
VI peril from the savages that prowl along eli.
le ther shore; and some Of them that 20 down
.. treighted with human life, are heard of NO
NJ more, and none ever return to tell the tale"
a. "But why repeat this to me, dear aunt
lie returned Blanche, with more serious air,
q. "when you know it is my destiny, either
.. good or bad, to attempt the voyage! MY
81 parents have sent for me to join them in
~ their new home, and it is my duty to 20 to
'e them, be the peril what it may"
:. You never did know what it was to
7. fear!" pursued the good woman, rather
~ proudly. "No," she repeated turning to the
s. others, "Blanche Bertrand never did know
'e what it was to fear, believer
. "Just like her father!" Joined in the hus.
band OF the matron, the brother of Ban che's
A. mother, the commander Of the station
r. T. and the middle.aged gentleman men.
~, ~ toned as one of the party; ga true daughter
q a. OF true soldier. Her father, Col. Philiu
NJ Bertrand, God bless him for true heart!
(: never did seem to know what it was to fear
~ II. and Blanche is just like him."
~ = by this time the parties had reached the
- 6oat; and the young man already decfBed-
~ Eugene Fairfax, the secretary of Blanche's
=. iather-at once stepped forward, and, in a
iis Polite and deferentiai manner, offered his
hand 10 the different females, to assist them
ss ss on board. The hand of Blanche was the
~ ~ last to touch his-and then but slightly, as
- he sprung quickly and lightly on the deck
i, but close observer might have detected
~ ~ the slight flush which mantled his noble, ex.
VI VI pressiVe features as his eye for q single in.
~ slant met hers. She hnioh, barsAl3 -.