The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-13
LITERATURE.

OF DAY, dat Is. What ud dis chile do? Golly heb
bens! ia just stand up and fight EN-, like Marse
Philip fit the Britishersw
But if have been rightly informed my brave
Dake,' pursued Blanche with mischievous smile,
.you were not always noted for courage for during
the time that your Master Philip fought the British,
and especially upon any report being made that the
latter were near, It is said you were not always to
be found; and that when our barn was burned you
made rather narrow escape from the hay nov; but
then perhaps you had stolen thither to get your "ea
"Well, dar now, Miss Blanche" returned Duke,
hanging his head and looking not little foolish;
"dar, now-dont say muffin more bout dat; kase
dats clar case, dat U.s. and rs pusson always has
dc maggonimity to own up beat when rs cotched
car, IL. But den you see, Miss Blanche" pursued
Duke, rousing up with . more martial air, Z" was
younger den; and dem dar relocated Britishers
to fight. dey is"
"Well, only hope you will prove Is brave as You
talk for it is more than likely your courage will DO
put to the test before we reach our destination"
"You doesn't see muffin, does you, Miss Blanche,
to glib you dat dar nogsticstion?" inquired Duke,
glsncing rather more uneasly from one shore TO the
ter OF one SO very courageous.
"Well, thought did see something rather sus-
picious,' said Blanche, with serious air.
"Golly, hebbens! wharf" cried Duke. bis eyes
opening to their greatest extension, and his face
losing q shade OF its midnight hue Then perceiv-
ing rather mischevous twinkle in the eyes of his
mistress, and comprehending at once that she was
playing upon his feelings, he instantly recovered
himself, and added, in q tone intended to be very
dignfed and warlike, Just show me de suspercious
obeck, Miss Blanche, and you'll see dar's no finch
every well. Duke. returned Blanche, n will take
your word for the present And now 10 and tell
Master Eugene wish to speak to him."
Eugene, who was below when the message Of
Blanche reached him, instantly turned on his heel
with slightly flushed face, and repaired to the
bpv bo haan hal
her wonted dgnifed courtesy.
II have sent for you, Eugene" she said, " to
know if you think we really have anything to fear
during this voyage ?-You have made the journey
twice, believe, and ought to know. 1t is true, you
told me something of it before crossed the noun.
tains; but confess paid little heed to it then; and
probably should not now have thought of question
ing you on the matter, except that the repeated
warnings of my relatives at Point Pleasant have
made me, in spite of myself, little uneasy Not
that l by any means intend to play the tmid
maiden" she added, with q somewhat kinding
eye; "but STILL where there is danger, one likes TO
know it, and be prepared for it, and so wish You
to speak freely, and tell me the worst without any
reserve"
al believe there is little danger, Miss Blanche
should say comparatively litte-so long we keep
yigilant, and do not venture to approach either
Shore reIlied Eugene. Many boats and their
crews have been captured in descending the Ohio il
is true two three have in fact been seized by the
savages this spring. and several Others had very
believe, the misfortune has resulted, either from
negligence and careessDess the part of the crew.
or from their giving ear as your uncle expressed 1t,
to the most earnest appeals of humanity"
81 do not exactly comprehend the last remark,
which you ascribe TO my uncle said Blanche.
"He had reference to what is known on the river
as decoys," explained Eugene. "In other words,
you must understand there are q number of white
men among the Indians either renegades or prison.
ers, who occasionally, either voluntarily by com.
pulsion, appear upon the banks Of the Ohio, hail
some passing boat, and most piteously plead to be
taken on board alleging they have just effected their
escape from horrible DOOM and IL Is hard for men,
with feeling hearts, to listen TO their touching pray
ers and refuse to aid them. And in attempting to
aid them many have been lost, for often a number
OF Indians are lying in ambush to attack the boat
the moment 1t touches the shore; and it not unfre
quently happens that the kindly disposed boatmen
and passengers, when not all killed are forced in
turn 70 act as decoys to Others before being carried
into captivity which generally results in death of
the most agobizingtortures."
But since 1t is 20 well known that men are thus
acting Us d.coys," said Blanche, "it seems very
strange that any party should be so foolish as to
give heed to them for a single moment"
"But you must AFRO understand, Miss Blanche,
that these men are not known 70 be decoys, even
when suspected, until too late for the escape of
those who have sought In good faith To assist them;
for many times the cry for mercy has come from
those in the greatest need, and many deserving
fellow has been rescued in this manner II there
were any means Of knowing the true from the
alse, these sad results which often follow might
be avoided on both sides: first Ia the boats being
able to escape danger secondly, in those in need
receiving due assistance for IL men have lost
their lives by Bleeding the false appeals for succor
the truly suffering have likewise lost their lives
through their abandonment by those who suspected
them Of treacbery."
~ pcrceive il Il not easy TO discriminate bet seen
the right and wrong in either case" retained
Blanche.
Therein has ever lain the difficulty, with brave,
q al nh, tvv,ll
certainly not exist on our voyage"
why will 10 notyn inquired Blanche.
Because, having one valuable life 10 preserve, we
have resolved not 10 be turned aside by any human
prayer, whether true or false
"You say one valuable life !" repeated Blanche,
with like emphasis on the numeral lis there only
one. then, Of value aboard this boat"
There Ia certainly one we esteem Of more value
than all the rest" bowed Eugene.
well. suppose must consider myself highly
sin Y IL would be the height of aecta
tion On my part TO feign ignorance Of the party
mehntW rejoined the proud beauty, with a look aud
In tone 40 equivocal a. 70 leave some doubt upon
the mind Of Eugene whether she was pleased or
otherwise.
Perhaps il Is less q compliment than simple
statement Of fact, that The single life OF the sole
daughter and heiress Of Colonel Bertrand IL Of more
TO the world than half dozen lives Of
persons in more humble conditions" rejoined Ea-
gene, in tone and manner which left his own mean
ing az ambiguous a. hers.
n
steady searching gaze-a scrutiny which he bore
with unchanged countenance, though he felt that
she seeking 70 read his very soul and then she
said, as II wishing TO resume the main subject
81 trust nothing will happen 70 put any life In jeo-
pardy, however valuable, or however hnmblew
"Such Is my most earnest prayer! " replied Eu-
gene; "and assure you. Miss Blanche, that nothing
my part shall be wanting TO insure the safety of
ALL"
"while looking a, yonder beautiful forest with lie
green leaves bright blossoms and estooning vines
pursued Blanche, after pause, pointing 10 the
thern shore Of the dark placid river lit IL difficult
10 realize that numbering savages lurking in its
shadowy depths"
at Is like many a human face and form" re-
turned Eugene; fair and lovely TO the view, but
base and trtacherous soul within"
niaftha again turned quick searching glance
upon the speaker, as II she fancied there might be
n hidden meaning in his words but II such was her
surmise, his clear hazel eye met hers 700 frankly
and openly for the suspicion 10 be verified and re
tanned 10 his disadvantage; and she forthwith re-
sumed the conversation in buoyant tone, advancing
tIcaa ffavo poth ov and oh