Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-05-21

been officer of note during the Revoution-a
political and personal friend of the author of the
Declaration of Independence gentleman who had
always stood high in the esteem of his associates and
contemporaries.
Though at one time a man of wealth, Colonel Ber-
trand had lost much and suffered much through British
invasion, and when shortly after the close of the
he had met with few more serious eyeses he had been
an to accept grant of land the Falls of the Ohio
now Louisville rendered him by Virginia, which then
held jurisdiction the entire territory nov constu
ting the State of Kentucky.
The grant had decided the Colonel upon seeking his
possessions and building up new home in the then
Far West and his wife had insisted upon accompa-
nyng him his first tour he had asented to her desire the
condition that Blanche should be left among her friends
till such time place could be prepared which might
in degree be considered fit abode for one so care
fully and so tenderly reared.
Banch would gladly have gone with her parents but
on this point her father had been MISUNDERSTANDING
that she would have to remain at the East till he should
see proper to send for her and he of pos
itiva character, and rigid discrlinaran the matter
had been settled without argument.
When Col. Bertrand removed to the West, Eugene
Fairfax, as we have seen, accompanied him and COM
ing of age shortly AFTER he had accepted the liberal offer
OF his noble beneacor, to remain with him in the capa
city OF private secretary and confidential agent. On
taking possession of his grant, the Colonel had almost
Immediately erected FORT and offered such inducements
to settlers to speedily collect around him quite lit
tie communty-of which, matter Of course, he be-
came the head and chief and to supply the wants of
his own family and others, and increase his gains in
legitimate way he had opened store, and filled it with
goods from the Eastern marts which goods trans
ported by land over the mountains to the Kanawha,
and thence by water to the Falls of the Ohio whence
their removal to Fort Bertrand became easy matter
10 purchase and ship these goods and deliver package
of letters to his friends in the East Eugene had been
thrice dspatched-his third commission also extending
to the escortng of the beautiful heress with her SER
wants. to her home This last commission had been
%ol +HoL
story, to bring the different parties to the mouth of
the great kanawha, whence the reader has them
slowly floating off upon the STILL CLASSY bosom Of the
belle of rivers
The day which auspcious one, passed without
anything occurring worthy ofnote until four O'clock
when, as Blanche standing the fore part of the
deck gazing at the lovely which surrounded her.
she saw seemingly flying body suddenly leave limb
of gigantic tree whose mighty branches extended far
the river and which the boat was then sway
ed by the action of the currently and aght with crash
On the deck OF the boat not than eight feet from
her. One glance suficed to show her what the object
was and to freeze the blood in her veins The glowing
eyes of huge panther met her gaze The suddenness
of the shock which this discovery gave her was over
powering. With deafening shrek she fell upon her
knees and clasped her hands before her breast The
panther crouched for his deadly leap but he sprang
the hunting knife of Eugene Fairfax (who, with the
steersman, the only person deck besides Blan
chez buried to the h in his side infcting severe
but not fatal wound. The infuriated beast at once
turned upon Eugene, and deadly struggle ensued. But
1T was a short one The polished blade Of the knife
played back an forth like lightning flashes and at every
plunge buried to the hilt in the panthers body
who fell to the deck, dragging the dauntless El-
gene with him. On seeing her protector fall Blanche
uttered another shrek and rushed to his aid but assis
tance from stOuter arms at hand. The bOatmen
gathered round and the savage monster was literally
hacked in pieces with their knives and hatchets and
Eugene covered with blood was dragged from under his
carcass. supposing him to be dead mortaly wound
ed Blanche threw her around his neck and gave
way to passionate burst of grief. But he was not
dead-he not even hurt with the exception of few
slight scratches The blood with which he covered
was the panthers not his But Blanches embrace
was hsa prnceless treasure-an index Of her hearts
emotions and affections It was to color his whole future
life, as will be seen in the progress of our story
Slowly and silently, save the occasional creak Dip
and pash of the steersmans oar the boat of voya
gers was borne along upon the bosom Of the current
the third night of the voyage. The hour was waxing
ate and Eugene the only one astir except the watch
was suddenly startled by rough hand being placed up
On his shoulder accompanied by the words in the gruf
voice Of the bo Altman
l Il say, Cap'n here's trouble!
"What is it, pck?" Incurred Eugene, starting to his
feet
Don't you see thars heavy fog rising, thatll soon
kver up thick that won't be able to tell white
man from nigger?' replied the boatman-Dick Win
ter by namea tall, bony, muscular, athletic specimen
! Of his class.
GOOD heaven so there is " exclaimed Eugene look
ing off upon the already misty waters 1t must have
gathered very suddenly for all clear minute ago.
What is to be done now? This is something was not
prepared for, on such night this
at looks troubous, Cap'n, I'll allow" returned
Dick but we're in fort, that's sarn and spose we'll
have to make the best on't.'
But what is to be done ?-what do you advise ?'
asked Eugene, in quick, excited tone that indicated
some degree Of alarm.
/ "Why, eff you war'nt so skeered about the young
lady, and it warnt dead agn the orders from head
quarters, my plan would be cl'ar and easy one-Id
just run over to the Kaintuck shore and tie up''
"No, no." said Eugene positively; that will
do, Dick that will never do [ would not think Of
such thing for a moment We must keep in the cur
rent by all means!'
"Ef you can,' rejoned the boatman but when it
gifts so dark can't tell thing from t'other it'll
be powerful hard to do and ef we don't agn bar
bank atore morning, in spite of the best O. u.s. it'll be
the luckiest go that ever had hand in. See, Cap'n
its thickening up fast can't eyther bank at
all, the water nyther the stars gettn dim, and
it looks as it thar cloud all round u.s..
Il see! l see!' returned Eugene excitedy. " Mer-
ciful Heaven hope accident will befa here =
and yet my heart almost misgives me for this be-
leve is the most dangerous part of our iourney-he vi
cnity where most of boats have been captured by
the savages.''
Saying this, Eugene hastened below, where he found
the other boatmen sleeping soundy to require con-
siderable effort his part to wake them AT last get
ting them fairly reused, he informed them, almost in
whisper for he did not to disturb the Others that
heavy fog had suddenly arsen and he wished their pres
ence on deck Immediately
"a fog, Cap'n?" exclaimed one in tone which in
dcated that he comprehened the peril with the word
& Hush p returned Eugene; there is no necessity
for waking the others, and having scene Up! and
follow me, without a word p
He glided back to the deck and was almost mmed-
ately joined by the boatmen to whom he briefly made
known his hopes and fears. .