Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-05-22
THE PERILS OF THE BORDER.

by the Black-foot Indians, we we're remindet
Of thrilling event which occurred in th
wild West" short time subsequent to th'
Revolution, in which highly accomplished
young lady, the daughter of distinguished
officer OF the American Army played al
important part. The story being of mos
thrilling nature, and exhibiting in striking
manner the "Pers of the Border" we have
concluded to give an extract from it, as origi
nally 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 a place
of historical note. Here, on the 10th oI
October, l774, during what is known as Lord
Dunmores War, was fought one of the
fiercest and most desperate battles that ever
took place between the Nirginians and their
| forest foes.
After the battle in question, in which the
| Indians were defeated with great loss, fort
was here erected by the vctors, which be-
came post Of great Importance throughout
the sanguinary scenes of strife which almost
| Immediately followed, and which in this ses.
| tion of the country we're continued for many
years after that establishment of peace which
acknowledged the United Colonies of Ameri-
ca free and independent nation.
Al the landing of the fort, on the day our
story opens, was fastened fat boat of the
kind used by the early navigators of the
Western rivers.
Upon the deck of this boat, at the moment
we present the scene to the reader, stood five
individuals, alike engaged in watching group
OF persons, mostly females, who were slowly
approaching the landing OF these five, one
was a stout, sleek negro in partial livery
and evidently house or body servant three
were boatmen and borderers, as indicated by
their rough, bronzed visages and coarse
attire; but the fifth was young man, some
two.and-twenty years OF age, Of a fine CON-
manding person, and clear, open, intelli-
gent countenance; and in the lofty carriage
of his head--in the gleam Of his large, bright,
hazel eye-there was something which demo-
ted one of superior mind but as we shall
have occasion in the course OF our narrative
&c fully sci forth who and what Eugene Fair
fax was, we will ,eaTe 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 and four females, with 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 pecu-
liar cast OF feature, which, besides being
beautiful in every lnament, rarely fails to
affect the beholder with something like a
charm.
Her travelling costume--a fine brown hab
it, high in the neck, buttoned closely over tie
bosom and coming down to her small pretty
feet, without trailing on the ground-was
both neat and becoming and with her riding.
cap and Its waving ostrich plume, set gaily
above her flowing curls, her appearance con-
trasted forcibly with the rough, unpublished
looks of those of her sex beside her, with
their lnsey bed gowns, scarlet flannel petit
coats, and bleached linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche" said one of the more vene-
rable of her female companions, pursuing
conversation which had been maintained since
quitting the open fort behind them, Il cannot
bear to let you go for it just seems TO me as
if something were going to happen to you
and when feel that way something generally
does happen"
"Well, aunt" returned Blanche, with q
light laugh, Il do not doubt in the least that
something will happen-for l expect one Of
these days to reach my dear father aud bless
ed mother, and give them such an embrace
as is due from dutiful daughter to her pa
rents-and that will be something that has
not happened for two long years at least"
"But don't mean that, Blanche" returned
the other, somewhat petulantly; "aud you
just laugh like q gay and thoughtless girl,
when you ought to be serious. Because you
have come safe thus far, through q partially
settled country, you think, perhaps, your own
pretty face will ward off danger in the more
perilous .wilderness-5ut l warn you that a
fearful journey is before you Scarcely boat
descends the Ohio, that does not encounter
more or less peril from the savages that prowl
along either shore; and some of them that
60 down freighted with human life, are heard
of no more, and none ever return to tell the
tale"
"But why repeat this to ME, dear aunt"
returned Blanche, with q more serious air,
"when you know it is my destiny, either good
or bad, to attempt the voyage? My parents
have sent for me to join them in their new
home, and it is my duty to go to them, be the
peril what it may"
"You never did know what it was to fear |"
pursued the good woman proudly. "No,"
she repeated, turning to the others, Blanche
Bertrand never did know what it was 10 fear,
/ beleve!'
"Just like her father" Joined in the hus-
mother, the commander of the station, and
the middle-aged gentleman mentioned as one
of the party "a true daughter of true
soldier. Her father Colonel Philip Bertrand,
God bless him for true heart never did
seem to know what it was TO fear-and
Blanche is just like him"
By this time the parties had reached the
boat and the young man already described
-Eugene Fairfax, the secretary of Blanche's
iather-at once stepped forward, and, in
polite and deferential manner, offered his
hand to the different females, to assist them
on board. The hand of Blanche was the last
to touch his-and then but slightly, as she
sprung quickly and lightly to the deck-but
close observer might have detected the
| slight flush which mantled his noble express
i've features, as his eye for single instant
met hers. She might herself have seen it
perhaps she did-but there was no cores
ponding glow on her own bright, pretty face,
as she inquired, in the calm, dignified tone of
one having the right to put the question and
who might also have been aware of the ine-
quality of position between herself and him
she addressed:
eugene, is everything prepared for our
departure 1t will not do for our boat to
spring leak again, as it did coming down
ha 4 ana sha To- 4. r.. r.