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

CHAPTER
mE VOYAGES
The angle on the right bank of the Great Kama
wha, formed by its junction with the Ohio, is calle
Point Pleasant, and is place Of historical note
Here, on the 10th of October, IVA, during what i
known as Lord Dunmores War, was fought one o
the fercest and most desperate battles that tool
phce between the Virginians and their forest foes
. battle which is believed by some to have been
rather than the action of Lexington and Concord
The opening scene of the great drama of the Revolu
tionfor the Indians in this instance, IT has since
been sscertaned, were urged on by the British
agents to strike death-blow against the frontiers
in order to pave the way for easy conquest in the
event of the rebeously incned colonists venturine
npon an open rupture with the mother country.
After the battle in question, in which the Indians
were defeated with great loss, and driven back to
their towns in the interior of what is the State
u Ohio-snd whence they would again have been
routed by their indignant and chivalrous foes, but
SOr the pusllanimous condSct of Virginia. governor
Lord Dunmore, who, as commander-in- chief Of all
the forces, pretended to have formed treaty of
peace with an almost conquered and barbarous
enemy and insisted upon inglorious retreat-after
the battle of Point Pleasant and the unwilling retreat
Il the Vrginians we say fort was here erected by
the latter, which became post of great importance
throughout the sanguinary scenes Of strife which al
most Immediately followed, and which in this Sec
ton of country continued for many years after
that establishment Of peace which acknowledged the
united colonies of America free and Independent
nation.
In fact it may be said that there was no real
safety for the hardy and daring settlers of the West
Till after General Wsynes celebrated treaty Of
Greenvile in 1885, and Point Pleasant and vicinity,
during the interval, witnessed many bloody scene,
il being . prominent frontier post, magazine and
rendezvous for the different traders and emgrants Of
the great interior Of Virginia, who found the deep
and navigabe waters Of the Kanawha safe and
tha tran Hat,n
goods to and from the banks of the Ohio.
The first fort erected here was large rectangular
stockade; and within this enclosure, year or two
subsequent TO the battle of Point Pleasant fell the
pobIe and celebrated Shawnee chief, Cornstalk, to
sether with his son, Elinipsico. Red Hawk and
another lndisn-all basey murdered by the garri
son. in revenge for the loss Of one of their compan-
ions. who was unfortunately shot near the fort by
another party of Indians during the time that Corn
stalk and his comrades, on a visit 10 the command
ant, were being detained as hostages.
As If curse had fallen upon the fort because OF
This most foul assassination OF innocent parties, II
was soon after destroyed; and another and smaller
enc, composed of a circle Of cabins, was erected
higher up the bank of the Ohio, about two hundred
yards above the mouth OF the Kanawha. This latter
was standing at the period we have chosen for the
opening of story, and contained several families
of men women, and children who lived by trading,
hunting, and cutivsting the lands In the immediate
vicinity
For some distance back Of the fort. and all be.
tween the angle of the two rivers, the ground had
been swept of trees and put under cultivation; and
between the fort and the usual boat landing, cover
ing the sharp point Of the angle, and the large
grave Of those who had fallen so nobly In the bat
tie already mentioned, was kind OF lawn-the
soft, green play ground Of the youth and junior
members of the station, who not unfrequently
frocked here with all the light and hearty joyous
pes of children who had no cause for fear, though
each had more than once heard the shr war wnoop
OF the red man, and knew not at what moment it
might startle him again.
no which We rpn now prauarpd A prpa N
10 the reader was one Of placid and picturesque
beauty. The bright sun Of clear and beautiful
morning in the spring OF 1890, was pouring down
his glorious rays upon q great forest, sweet and
frcsh with new green leaves and gay blossoms upon
the two CLASSY streams rolling like mirrors between,
and rejecting far down In their still depths every
object presented above them-upon the open ground,
fenced fields browsing cattle and fortified dwellings
Of the settler-and lastly upon the settlers them
selves, in idle, busy or rumPing groups, according
10 age, condition or inclination, as they were
seen scattered over The green lawn between the land
ing and their stronghold, which was now deserted
by all save the aged and infrm.
At the landing we have mentioned was fastened a
Hat boat Of the kind used by the early navgators OF
the Western rivers. In shape and appearance II
vas not unlike the canal boats Of modern times
thoogh more roughly put together u being only re
CURED for the downward voyage. lts gunwale, al
most straight from stem 10 stern, was some five OF
six feet above the water; II had an arched deck
reaching forward nearly 10 the bow, while couple
Of long sweeps lying across and long steering oa
nj the stern, denoted the manner In which ii wa,
controlled and steered.
Upon the deck Of this boat at the moment W.
present the scene 10 the reader, stood five indivi
duals, Of three distinct classes Of society, but al
alike engaged IN watching group of persons, most
Iy females, who were slowly approaching the land
ing over the green lawn already mentioned. O
these five, one was stout, sleek negro, ia partia
livery. and evidently house body servant three
were boatmen and borderers, az indicated by the
rough, bronzed visages and coarse attire; but th,
fifth of different cast and higher grade than ethel
pf the others would deserve from us more than 4
rassing notice were he not indeed so connected
with the thread and incidents Of our story as U
render general description both necessary aud pro
per ,.
He was q young man, some two and twenty year
Of are Of a fine commanding person, and a clear
open, intelligent countenance; and in the loft
carriage Of his bead-in the CLEAN OF his large
bright, hazel eye-in the internal lighting up of hi
features generany-and in his easy, graceful, bu
unstudied attitude there was a something which
denoted one Of superior mind refinement and educs
ton HIS dress, too, though fashioned after Oh,
manner OF the borders gave evidence Of one WIN
had an eye 70 his external appearance. His greer
hunting frock, Of finer fabric than those usually
worn in that section 81 country, was tastefully
ornamented with frnges Of different colors
his buckskn trowsers fitted him as II cut by a
tailor: his lecgns and mOccassins were close neat
and ornamented also; and his felt hat with III
broad band slightly looped brim, and dark droop
ing feather, was set proudly almost jauniily upon
his classic shaped head. Above the polished belt
around his waist the bright blade concealed i'm its
sheath below. projected the silver mounted bnck
horn handle Of his hunting knife; his notified pow
der horn and ouanented bullet pouch were properly
aud conveniently adjusted under his right arm; ant
in an attitude Of exquisite grace, that would hav,
made model for sculptor, he partially leaned upOt
his siiyerm rife. That he was passenge
through the wilderness, who had dressed and armed
himself I'M accordance with the customs Of the COM
N.sf,r han who taI taIr rrr hau 1fg1i