Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-11-09

before experienced, the war of the rev.
olution broke out, and, after hard strug-
| gle between my passion and my duty,
the latter conquered, and joined the
army. Kate did not attempt TO dissuade
me from the act-she rather loved me
more for it. Though her woman's ma
ture caused her to shed tears at my de-
parture, her reason told her / was right,
and she bid me God speed.
Heaven bless you, Harry she said,
and bring this war to a speedy conclu-
sion. I cannot bid you stay, but pray
that the necessity of your absence may
soon cease
/ Time rolled by-the American cause
was still doubtful, and the war bid fair
to be protraeted into years. had risen
to be a captain in the regiment, when /
received information that the tories and
Indians intended making a descent on the
valley of Wyoming. I knew the un-
protected situation of my adopted district,
and trembled for the life of those most
dear. At first I discredited the rumor
chance, however, threw in my way an
opportunity of ascertaining the reality of
the reported descent, and became con-
vinced that a moment was not TO be lost
| if l would save the lives ofthose loved
at home My determation was at once
taken-I solicited for leave of absence
lit was refused; then resigned my
commission, and set forth TO Wyoming.
I never shallforget my emotions when
drew near that ill-fated place; it was
on the very day of the massacre-and
the first intimation I had Of the calamity
was the mangled body of the inhabitants
whom l had known, floating down the
stream. A cold shiver ran through
every vein as l gazed on the terrible
sight, and a thousand fears agitated my
bosom; bat my worst surmises fell fa1
short of the truth. When, hours after
l met some of the fagitives, and they
rehearsed to me that tale of horror,
stood for moment thunder-struck, re.
fasiag to believe that beings in human
form could perpetrate such deeds-buti il
was all too true.
Almost my first inquiry was for Kate
no one knew, alas! what had become
Of her. One of those who had escaped
the fight told me that her father had beer
killed at the beginning Of the conflict
and that deprived of protector she has
! probably fallen victim to the infuriatel
r saFages, while the other inhabitants wert
f severally engaged in protecting them
selves. How I cursed them for thii
selfshness And yet could I expec
: ought else of human nature, than tha
, each should protect those dearest TO then
even TO the desertion of others?
f But my mind was soon made up.
resolved, come what might, to ascertain
clearly the fate of Kate-so that if dead
! / might revenge her, and if living, nigh
= rescue her. Bidding farewell to the f YIN
4 group, l shOuldered my rife, and strucI
D out boldly into the forest, trusting to tn
. guidance of that God who never desert
us in our extremities.
Twill not tire you by a protracte,
!, narrative; will only say, after numer
g Gus inquiries from the fugitives l met,
a learned that Kate had been seen last i
# the hands of a party Of savages. Thi
e was sufficient for clue-I once NOR
7 began TO hope. I waited until nightfall
n when / sought the spot which had bee
It described to me, as the one where Kat
e had been last seen-and never shall
4 forget my feelings of almost rapturou
y pleasure when l found in neighborin
e forest fragment of her dress stickin
r on bnsh, by which it had doubles
b been torn from her in passing. wa
E now satisfied that Kate had been carrie
as of captive. Fortunately, l had met
? the group Of fugitives, a hunter who ha
1t been under some obligations to her famil,
and he was easily persuaded to join n
in the search. Together We began
70 pursuit of the savages. He was a
le adept IN the forest warfare-could folio
at the trail as a hound the chase-knel
ly the course which would most likely /
d chosen by a flying party Of Indians, ar
th withal was one Of the keenest shots til
e carried a rife on the border.
r 1T Is my opinion said be, that Il
ae varmints did not belong TO the regul
sr, body Of Indians which followed Butt
ae though even they we're bad enough.
I'd think however, be would'at suffer de-
so Ike this. These villains seem to Ia
be acted CD their own behalf-and if
re they would fly back 70 the country
&. ,s.t, a. ,.,geff,Ia You NAV depend :