Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-05-20

/ erential manner, offered his hand to
the different females, TO assist them Oh
board. The hand OF Blanche was the
last to touch his-and then but slight.
ly. as she sprung quickly and lightly
on the deck-but a close observer
might have detected the slight flush
which mantled his noble. expressive
features, as his eye for single instant
met hers. She might herself have
seen it-perhaps she did---but there
was no corresponding glow on her
own bright, pretty face, as she inquir-
ed. in the calm. dignifed tone of one
having the righs to put the question,
and who might also have been aware
of the inequality Of position between
herself and him she addressed:
Eugene, is every thing prepared
for our departure? 1t will not do for
our boat TO spring leak again. as it
did coming down the Kanawha--for
it will not be safe for MS. am told, to
touch either shore between the differ
ent Forts and Trading-Posts on our
route, this side of our destination,
the Falls Of the Ohio"
mo, indecdl" rcjoined her aunt,
quickly: 'it will be as much as your
lives are worth to venture foot from
the main current of the Ohio-for
news reached us only the other day,
that many boats had been attacked
this spring, and several lost, with all
on board"
mo one feels more concerned about
the safe passage Of Miss Bertrand than
myself" replied Eugene, in deferen-
tial tone; land since our arrival here,
l have left nothing undone that l
thought might possibly add to her Sc
curity and comfort"
That is true, to my personal
knowledge" joined in the uncle of
Blanche; land l thank you Mr.. Fair
fax, in behalf of my fair kinswoman.
There will, perhaps" he pursued. ''be
no great danger, so long as you keep
in the current; but your watch must
not be neglected for single moment.
either night or day; and do not, most
solemnly charge and warn you, under
any circumstances, or on any pretence
whatsoever, suffer yourselves to be de-
coyed to either shore!'
"Ihope we understand our duty bet
ter, Colonel" said one of the men, re-
spectfully.
Il doubt it not" replied the COM
mander of the Point; Il believe you
are all faithful and true men, or you
would not have been selected by the
agent of Colonel Bertrand, for taking
down more precious freight than you
ever CARRIED before; but still the wisest
and the best of men have lost their
lives by giving ear to the most earnest
appeals OF humanity. You understand
what l mean? White men, apparent
ly in the greatest distress, will hail
your boat, represent themselves as hav
ing just escaped from the Indians, and
beg of you, for the love of God, in the
most plteous tones, to come to their
relief; but turn a deaf ear to thcm-to
each and all of them-even should
you know the pleaders to be Of your
own kin; for in such case your own
brother might deceive you-not will
fully and voluntarily, pcrhaps-but
because Of Icing goaded on by the saw
ages, themselves concealed. Yes,
such things have been known as one
friend being thus used to lure another
to his destruction; and so be cautious,
vigilant. brave and true, and may the
good God keep you all from harm!"
AS he finished speaking, Blanche
proceeded to take an allectionate leave
of all, receiving many a tender mess
age for her parents from those who
held them in love and vcneration; and
the boat swung out, and began to float
down with the current, now fairly en-
tered upon the most dangerous portion
of long and perilous journey.
The father of Blanche, Col Philip
Bertrand. was native of Virginia,
and descendent Of one of the Hugue-
not refugees, who fled from their native
land after the revocation of the edict
of Nantz in 1865. He had been an
officer of some note during the Revo-
lution-a warm political and personal
friend of the author of the Declaration
of Independence-and gentleman
who had always stood high in the es-
teen of his associates and cotempora-
ries.
Though at one time man of wealth,
Colonel Bertrand had lost much, and
suffered much, through British inva-
sion; and when, shortly after the close
of the war, he had met with few
more serious reverses, he had been fain
to accept a grant of land. near the
Falls OF the Ohio, now Louisville, ten
dered him by Virginia, which then
held jurisdiction over the entire Terri
tory now constituting the State oi
Kentucky.
The grant had decided the Colonel
upon seeking his new possessions and
building up new home in the then
Far West, and as his wife had insisted
upon accompanying him on his first
tour, he had assented to her desire, or
condition that Blanche should be lef,
among her friends, till such time as g
place could be prepared which might
in some degree be considered fl
.koIo e. - % o.~of,,ilx- onl topdar
ly reared.
! Blanche would gladly have gone
with her parents: but on this point hcl
father had been nexorable-declarine
that she would have to remain at III,
East till he should see proper to senc
for her; and as he was a man of posi-
tive character. and rigid discipline
rian, the matter had been settled with
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