Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-02-23


the thick leaves, and almost felt the hot pant
ing of savage breaths on the air. In the faint
light which shone from the open door of her
home. she saw her husband stricken down by
a blow from skillfully aimed tomahawk, and
heard the deep groan which burst from his
lips he fell.
She partially understood the Indian dialect
from having heard it frequently spoken by the
wandering members of the different tribes who
had from time to time called at the cabin for
food and drink and now from the hasty consul
tation among the red warriors, she gathered
that they were to scalp her husband, murder
his family and fire the house.
The leader of the gang raised his scalping
knife over tie unconscious VICTIM but anoth-
er Indian detained the blow. Mrs. Moreland
plainly heard his words
"Stay, brother let us kill the squaw, and
the young papoose, and have the light of the
wigwam to scalp him by 20
This speech was met with favor, and with
one simultaneous rush, they made for the
house, leaving one of their number to guard
the captive.
Instantly, with the speed of light, Ellen
Morcland flew from her covert ard springing
to the entrance of the hut, closed noiselcssly
the heavy oaken slab which served as a door
and thrust stout stick through the great iron
staple, which held it firm. The savages were
as safe as though the walls of a Bastile shut
them in-for the hut was built of ponderous
unhewn logs pinned together by strong bolts
the only break in the walls being the door;
for in those days in that savage region, win
dows were n species of comfort unknown.
But the Indian that had been left without to
guard the captive, saw the deed. and with a
fierce cry of rage he hurled his tomahawk at
the brave hearted wOman Fortunately it
missed aim and sunk into the door Just over
her shoulder. With an effort of great strength
she wrested it from the slab, aud stood with it
in her hand awaiting the. onslaught.
With his hunting knife brandshed aloft, his
eyes glowing like live Goals, he sprang upon
her, and buried the knife in her side She
closed her arms about him ; a desperate strug-
gle, and the tumahawk of the treacherous
Pegnawket entered his own brain One hor-
riblc yell, and he sank backward upon the
turf corpse
In the meantime, the efforts of the impris-
oned savages to break their bonds were never
released for moment. Frantic blows fell fast
and furious upon the door, and Ellen knew
that in time, it would yield to their assaults
and set them at liberty There was but one
way to avert this-it was a terrible alternative,
and for moment her woman's heart shrank
from its contemplation.
But the thought of her sleeping child and
her murdered husband, decided her, and she
had strength for the work. She drew from
her pocket a finder box which every settler
kept about the person in case of accident, and
struck light to the dried leaves, round about;
then invoking Gods pardon for the act, ig-
nitcd pine torch and threw it upon the crisp
ed bark roof of the hut. 1t was but an i'll
slant; the flames leaped up and danced merri-
iy over the tammable material, then conimu-
nicating to the hay stored in the loft, they
streamed up until far and wide the grim old
mountains glOwed like watch fires in the glare.
Bnt Ellen was hardly satisfied with the pro-
gress of the fire. Close by the hut in rude
clubhouse there were some barrels Of pitch,
gathered from some of the pine trees around to
supply the nearest market place. She took
shovel and from these barrels bedaubed the
outside walls of the house. until the heat from
the fire drove her back, when retiring toward
her husband, she watched the ravages of the
flames.
1t was terrible. The cries of the Indians
when they realized the snare into which they
had fallen, were enough to appal the stoutest
heart. Groans, shrieks, mad execrations and
curses upon the damnable pale face who had
given them such a tate But all was vain.
The burning mass from the loft fell in upon
them, the red hot walls glowed and seethed
the fire communicated itself to the pitch, the
cries of the perishing savages grew fainter,
the blows upon the door ceased, and the wait
ing woman without knew that the work was
done.
Then with an almost bursting heart she
approached her husband. If for a moment
she wavered in her purpose If she had thought
OF relenting, the feeling was changed to hard
and impossible stone, when she lifted up the
bloody head of hin, she loved well, and
saw the deep, fearful cash in his deathly fore
head The clots of blood concealed his fea-
tures,'his eyes were closed, his face like the
face we under coffin lids, and his hair
that soft, brown hair which had been his Wife s
pride, was dripping heavily with his ife-blood.
In that hour she forgot her babe, forgot her
ruined home; her memory went back to those
long sunny days, upon the shore OF the blue
sea, those walks upon the golden sands with
James by her side, on those quiet evening
musings upon the gray head lands, when he
sat weaving sea-weed wreaths, low at her feet.
She remembered it all, even the very shine
with which the June moon used TO silver that
calm sea, and the fairer light which burned in
her heart, when one hand held hers and one
voice whispered that she was dearer to one
heart than all the jewels which Eastern princes
held, far over that gittering sea.
1t all came back to her, fearfully vivid and
distinct from the contrast, and alone in the
dark night, with the light of her burning
home pouring its red baptism over her, she
held the inanimate body of her husband in
her arms, and thought with piled up agony of
the past.
She thought she felt the cold form tremble;
it was a glorious thought. 1t infused new
| life into her veins and courage to her heart.
She started up, and tearing open his vest,
placed her hand upon the fountain of life.
| Oh, what wild cry of joy rose to her lips.
ssHe lives, he lives. Thank God !"
| She resorted to every means in her power,
they were but little, alas! how very littie-to
restore him, and Heaven was pleased to bless
! her efforts with success. Breath came back
| to James Moreland's nostrils, and life and
warmth to his heart. His first words, when he
| opened his eyes, were but an added assurance
| of his fervent love.
.eMry;fa Ellep-Heayen be praised. She