Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-05-14
The PERIES OF THE BORDER.

While reading recently an account OF
the frightful massacre of several white
families by the Black.foot Indians, We
were reminded of thrilling event which
occ urred in the "Wild West short
time subsequent to the Revolution, in
which highly accomplished young lady,
the daughter Of distinguished officer of
the American Army, played an import
ant part. The story being of most
thrilling nature. and exhibiting in a
striking manner the "Perils of the Bor-
der we have concluded to give an ex-
tract from it, as originally published, as
follows
The angle on the right bank of the
Great Kanawha. formed by its junction
with the Ohio, is called Point Pleasant,
and is place of histori al note. Here,
on the 10th of October, 177f, during
what is known as Lord Dunmorc's War,
was fought one of the fiereest 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.
a fort was here erected by the victors,
which became post of great Importance
throughout the sanguinary scenes of
strife which almost Immediately followed,
and which in this section of the country
were continued for many years after the
establishment of peace which acknowl-
edged the United Statessof America
free and Independent natien.
At the landing Of the fort. on the day
our story opens. was fasteaed fat boat
of the kind used by the erly navigators
OF the Western rivers.
Upon the deck eff this boat, at the mo-
ment we presen: this scene to the reader,
stood five individuals, alike engaged in
watching group Of persons, mostly
females. who were slowly approaching
the landing. OF these Ave, one was a
st out, sleek negro, in partial livery, and
evidently house or body servant; three
were boatmcn and bordcrers, as indicat-
coars their rough, bronzed visages and
ed by attire; but the fifth was young
man, some two-ana-twenty years of age,
of a fine commanding person, and clear,
open, intelligent countenance; and in
the lofty carriage of his head-in the
gleam of hi. large, bright, hazel eye
there was something which denoted one
of superior mind but as we shall have
occasion in the course of our narrative
to fully set forth who and what Eugene
Fairfax was, we will leave him for the
present, and turn to the approaching
group, whom he seemed to BE- regarding
with lively interest.
Of this group, composed Of a middle
aged man aud four females, with a black
female servant following some five or SIX
PAGES in the rear, there was one whom
the most casual eye would have singled
out and rested upon with pleasure. The
lady in question was apparently about
twenty years of age, Of a slender and
graceful figure, and Of that peculiar east
of feature which, besides being beautiful
in every ineament. rarely fails TO affect
the beholder with something like a
charm.
Her travelling costume-a fine brown
habit, high in the neck, buttoned closely
over the bosom and coming down to her
small pretty feet, without trailing on the
rround-was both neat and becoming;
and with her riding-cap and its waving
ostrich plume, set ga'ly above her flow
ing curls. her appearance contrasted for
cbly with the rough, unpublished looks
of those of her own sex BESIDE her, with
their linscy bed gowns. scarlet flannel
pctticoats, and blcached linen caps.
"Oh. Blanche" said one Of the more
venerable Of her female companions,
pursuing a conversation which had been
maintained since quitting the open fort
behind them, Il cannot bear to let you
90; for it just seems to me as if some
thing was going to happen to you. and
when feel that way, something gcner.
ally does happen
"Well, aunt" returned Blanche, with
light laugh, Il do not doubt in the
least that something will happen-for |
expect one of these days to reach my
dear father and blessed mother, and give
them such an embrace as is due from n
dutiful daughter to her parents - and
that will be something that has not hap
pened for two long years at least
bat | don't mean that Blanche
returned the other, pctulautly; "and you
Just laugh like gay and thoughtlcss
girl, when you oughtto be serious. Be.
cause you have come safe thus r,through
partially settled country, you think.
perhaps. your own pretty face will will
ward off danger in the more perilous will
derness-but l warn you that fearful
journey is before you! Scarcely boat
dcscends the Ohio, that does not encoun-
ter moro or lees peril from the wages
that prowl along either shore; and some
of them that 90 down freightcd with hui
man life, are heard of no more. and none
ever return to tell the tale"
''Dut why repeat this TO me, dear
aunt" when you know it is my destiny.
either good or bad, to attempt the voy-
age? My parents have sent for me to
JOIN them in their new home. and it is
my duty to 50 to them, be the peril
what it may"
"You never did know what it was to
fear - pursued the good woman, rather
proudly. "No.' she repeated, turning
to the others. "B.anchc Bertrand never
did know what it was to fear believe -
Just like her father! joined in the
husband Of the matron, the brother Of