Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-05-12
THE PERILS OF THE BORDER.

thrilling event which occurred in the Wild
west, a short time subsequent to the Revolu-
ton, IN which highly accomplished young
lady, the daughter Of q distinguished officer Of
the American army, played an important part.
The story being of most thrilling nature and
exhibiting in a striking manner the 'Perils Of
the Border. We have concluded to give an ex-
tract from it, as originally published, as fol-
lows:
The angle on the right bank of the Great
kanswhs, formed by its junction with the
Ohio, is called Point Pleasant, and is place of
historical note. Here on the 10th of October
lI14, during what is known as Lord DunmOre' 8
War, was fought one Of the iercest and most
desperate battle, 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 victOrs, which became
post Of great Importance throughout the san
culinary scenes Of strife which almost immedi-
ately followed, and which in this section of the
country were continued for many years after
that establishment of peace which acknOwl-
edged the United Colonies Of America a free
and independent nation.
At the landing Of the fort, on the day our
story opens, was fastened a hatbOat Of the
kind used by the early navigators of the West
eIn rivers.
Upon the deck Of this boat, at the moment
We present the scene to the reader, stood five
individuals. alike engaged in watching u group
OF persons, mostly females, who were slowly
approaching the landing. Of these FIVE, one
was stout, sleek negro, in partisl livery and
evidently a house or body servant; three were
boatmen and bOrderers, rs indicated by their
rough, brOnzed vissges and coarse attire; but
the NTH was young man, some twO-and-
twenty years ct age, Of fine cOuntenance !;
and IN the lofty carriage of his head-in the
CLEAN of his large, bright, hazel eye-thcre
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 approach
ing 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 SER
want following some five six PAGES in tho
rear, there was one whom the most casual eye
would have singled out and rested upon with
pleasure. The lady in question, WAS apparent
1y about twenty years Of age, of n slender and
graceful figure, and of that peculiar cast of
feature, which. besides being beautiful in every
inesment rarely fails to affect the beholder with
something like charm.
Her travelling costumc-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 grOund--was both
neat and becoming; and with her riding-cap
and its waving ostrich plume, set gaily above
her flowing curls, her appearance cOntrasted
fOreibly with the rough, unpublished looks of
those OF her sex beside her with their lnsey bed
gowns, scarlet flannel petticoats, and bleached
linen caps.
"Oh, Blanche said one Of the moro vener
able of her female companions. pursuing a con-
yersatiOn which had been maintained since
quitting the open fort behind them, @ cannot
bear to let you go for il just seems to me rs if
something were going to happen to you, and
when feel that way, something generally does
"Well, aunt" returned Blanche, with a
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 dutiful daughter to her parents
and that will be something that has not hap
pensd for two long years at least "
But dom mean that Blanche, - returned
the other, somewhat pstulantly; land you just
laugh like = gay and thOughtless girl, whom
you ought to be seriOus Because YOU have
come safe thus far, through a partially settled
country, you think. perhaps, your own protty
face Will ward of danger in tho more perilOus
wilderness-but / warn you that a fearful
journey is before you. Scarcely boat 0e-
sends the Ohio, that does not encounter more
Orless peril from the savages that prowl along
either shore; and some OF them that go down
freighted with human life, are heard of 10
more, aad none ever return TO tell the tale
But why repeat this to me, dear aunt, y
returned Blanche, with a more serious air
when you know it is my destiny, either good
OF bad, to attempt the voyage! Ny parents
have sent for me to join them in their new
home, and it i. my duty to 80 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,
" Blanche Bertrand never did know what il
was to fear, believe
Just like her father, y" Joined in the hus-
band of the matrOn, the brother of Blanche +.
mother, the Commander of the station, and the
mddle-aged gentleman mentioned as one OF
the party; "a true daughter Of true soldier
Her father, Colonel Philip Bertrand God bless
him for L true heart never did seem to know
what il was to iedr-and Blanche is lust like
him"
by this time the parties had reached the
boat; and the young man already described
EuXene Fairfax, the secretary of Blanche s
ltther-at once stepped forward. and, in n po-
lite and deferentlal manner, offered his hand
20 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 10 the deck-but a cIOse observer
might have detected the slight flush which
mantled his noble expressive features as hi.
eye for single instant met hers. She might
herself have seen lt-perhaps she did-but
there ~As lao corresponding blow on her own
bright, pretty face, as she inquired the calm,
digDihed tone 0f one having the right to put
the question, and who might have been aware
Of the inequality Of position between herself
and him she addressed
Eugene, IS every thing prepared for our de-
parture' Ii will not do for our boat to .prin,
a leak again, as it did coming down the, Kama
wha Tor II will not be safe Tor us, | am told,
10 touch either shore between the diferen forts
aud trading posts on our route, this side Of our
destinatiOn,-th Falls Of the Ohio
No indeed - rejoined her aunt. quickly.
- 1t will be az much as your live. are worth 10
venture foot from the main current OF the
OhiO-fOr new. reached us only the other day.
that many boat: had been attacked this spring,
and several lost, with all on board
- No one feels more concerned about the safe
passage Of Miss Bertrand than Myseli, replied
Eugene, in deferential tone; . and since our
arrival here, have left nothing undone that 1
thought might poss bly, add to her security and