Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1860-08-25
a Leap for Life.


never hsrbOrs in their hearts.
Nature has given BETTING home TO
her lavoriie sons. The scenery ot
KENT cSy abounds in the wild and
sublime, soft and beautiful. We see
"Knobs" bristIing with tall trees, rear
their lofty heads ill they are lost IN the
clouds, and then sink gently into lovely
and leemlng valleys. Her rivers rush
IeapnC, dashing, foaming, Ike mad de-
mons down the rugged heights. then gent
Iy flow along through smiling meadows
with a bosom Unruiiled as tie face ol
sleeping babe.
The scene Of this sketch is on the "RoI-
ling Fork" On the right from The wa
ter's edge rises perPendicularly a"knob,
to the height of a hundred feet, and then
floats gradually to the summit. This
"knob," 10 distinguish it from others.
was known as the Cedar Lick, from us
being entirely covered by tall cedars' and
rhe salt taste of the earth, which the deer
came IN droves TO lick.
Among those who were the first to set
lie Kentucky, was the hero of our tale
Daniel Banks, better known AS hardy
Dan. Having been crossed IN love- and
of restless and danger-lovlng disposition
he eagerly embraced the first opportunity
offered TO emigrate 10 the "dark and bloody
ground" AT the time the following lrcl-
dent happened, he had been three years IN
Kentucky, and together with six Of his
companions, he had settled near the ace
dar Lick"
In height Dan was over six (eet-large
Iimbed, of grea, strength, ard the best
shot in the "cIearing." Being bold and
fearless, he assumed the charge OF Prov.
ding his companions with game.
! Many were the hair. breadth escapes
from the savages while hunting. Con-
ming as were the "red skins" yet Dan, by
his wonderful skill in wood craft, always
contrived to elude their snares and gener.
aIlv left them to mourn one or more OF
their braves.
Dams favorite place for hunting was
the Cedar lick" So hither lie would
repair early in the morning, ard conceal
ing himself watch for game. One NOR
ming while thus occupied he sal down
under a tree and was soon TraDt in deep
thought. Suddenly the cracking OF a
twig struck his ear. Instantly he crouch
ed behind Tree, cooked his rifle and CLAN
ced in the direction from which came the
sound but instead of fine buck bound
ing from the bushes, he perceived the dark
form of an Indian creeping through the
bushes about hundred yards from him.
Quick as thought. Dan raised his rifle 10
his shoulder, glanced along the barrel and
fired. With yell the "red skin" leaped
to his feet. staggered few PAGES, and
fell TO the ground quvering corpse.
Before Dan had time 10 reload, another
savage, who had crept up unrercelved.
sprang upon him, and both fell struggling
to the ground. our hero under. Escape
seemed now impossible, bu, making an
effort for his life, he eXerted all his i'm
mense strength, and turned his assailant,
but could not use his hands, for the In
dian cIasped him tightly around the body.
d Having no other weapon, lie seized him
by the throat with his teeth and ground
them till they met. Tho relaxed hold
and stiffened limbs of his enemy, soon
told how deadly was the bite Of the Ken.
tuckian. Already the woods resounded
with the yells of numerous savages-io
resist this was madness. 10 flight lay
his only chance Of escape, bot where =
on every side except towards the river,
were enemies the woods appeared alive
with them. But Dan was not a man 10
submit tamely. He knew well the hor-
rid death he would suffer were he taken,
and he had often sworn TO kill himself
rather than be toasted alive for the amuse-
ment of pack of numbering red skins.
The Indians pressing close, drove bin 10
the river bank. He could go no further,
for he was on the brink Of a precipice.
He shuddered as he looked from the Dizzy
height at the deep and rapid stream far,
far below, but close behind him were lis
blood thirsty pursueTs. BETTER" ex-
claimed he, "be dashed to pieces, than be
toasted ali,e.' He hesitated but for a.
moment. Collecting all his stenRth for
the leap, and casting one look TO Heaven,
he sprang from the peak just as the saVa-
ges gave yell OF the fercest JOY at the
certainty OF securing their prey.
Down. down he sped with tie swift
ness of an arrow. sirack the water and
disappeared. tie soon rose 10 the surface
and Gualed moment, stunned. Then
recovering. he struck oul for Ibe opposite
bank. gained il, aud disappeared IN The
forest.
The descendants Of The hardy pioneer
still point out % Ihe wandering traveller
the spot where Dan Banks took his ''lesp
for life. - CmcinnGfH NeWs.