The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-03-09
THE SETTLER AND SERVANT.
a Tale Of Western Virginia.
By EMERSON BENNETT.

Just before the breaking out OF this common
iy known as Lord Dunmore's war, a man By
the name of Parker, settled in the Western part
of Virginia, on small creek that empiies itself
into the Ohio. His family consisted of his wife
and three children, ranging from FIVE TO twelve
and negro servant. The place where he To-
Gated was some distance from any settlement or
station, and the scenery around very wild and
romantic, with lofty and heavily wooded hills
sloping back frtm the valley. He brought hls
fnmily here early in the spring, built himself
rude log cabin, and by great exertuon succeeded
in planting considerable patch of ground the
same season.
One day near the close of summer, as Mr..
Parker and his negro Tom, were at work in the
woods, about half a mile from the dwelling,
the latter, who had gone to the creek near by,
came hurryng back, with an expression of a.
larm depicted on bis black face.
"Wel, Tom, what's the matter with you
now 2" inquired his master, suspending bis work
at the frightened domestic.
sob, Mars Jonas" answered Tom, in Quiv-
ering voice, looking fearfully around as be
spoke, 81 tink seed sutiin down dar.''
"You are always seeing something wonder
ful," pursued the other. s'but it generally turns
out very trIfing affair. Did you see black
face IN the water when you stopped down to
| drink"
"Ob, Mars Jonas, seed sufin woIsen dat.
Don't srf Mars Jonas Great Goliy seed
eyes in the bushes-'relseI neber seed muffin a.
fore nutiin-durln dis life."
"Well, eyes are not apt to hurt anybody
Tom," returned Mr.. Parker, with laugh Pve
seen good many eyes in my time"
"Yes, but Mars Jonas, it is difference what
fhey'S 'tached to-
''That's very true, Tom. Well, what did
yours eyes belong to 2''
81 tink de eyes seed was 'tached upon de
head oh big lnjun."
''Ah - exclaimed the other appearing for the
first time little startled "Why did you not
say that you thought SO in the first place, you
blundering too2 Pshaw there are no Indians
abop. here, except IN your Imagination. What
makes you think 1t was an Indian -
"Case tink de Inun was dar, dats all, ,'mut-
tered the black, looking timidly around him
81 tink, Mars Jonas, we had better go down to
de house and 'tect M.ssus and children
81 believe it would be folly for US to do so,''
said Mr.. Parker, for | am almost certain you
have sFen nothing at all. Still you have made
me uneasy, will 60 back but if YOU fool me
many times, look out for tanning"
"PSe not the child TO fool you, Mars Jonas"
said Tom, hastily gathering up his tools, whilst
his master took up his rifle, which was leaning
against :ree, and casting his eyes warly about
hlm, proceeded TO examine the priming. "No,
I'se not de chile to fool you, Mars Jonas,'' pur-
sued Ton, quickly. "And if didn't see de
b,rribta md
den nebeT seed nufin."
Mr.. Parker now suggested that il might be
we'll to 60 down TO the creek, and make a
search through the bushes but to this PROPOSE
ton the negro excltedly demurred-saying that
if they were Indians, they would be certain to
shoot him.
"That's true Tom," replied the other, s'but
do not believe there are any Indians down
there. However, as you seem so much alarmed
and as arm willing to admit the possibility OF
such a thing, we will return home''
Accordingly Mr.. Parker and his servant set
off along the side of the hill, to point where
they could get view OF the dwelling, he car
rylng the rifle so as to be ready for instant use,
and The negro keeping close at bis heels, with
axes and other implements, aud both looking
wariy about them, scanning every tree and
bush.
Nothing occurred to justify the alarm Of the
negro until they reached the edge oi the corn
field, which ran down to the house when Mr.
Parker was Just in the act of reproving his ser
want for exciting his fears without cause, there
suddenly came reports of three or four rifles in
quick succession-instaaty followed by wild
Indian yells-and both Tom and his master
dropped together, the latter struck by two balls,
one in tae side and the other in the leg.
''Oh, nv God my poor tamil, }" he groaned
as he gathered himself upon hIs feet, and beheld
the negro stretched out upon his back apparent
ly dead, and the Indians with q savage yell OF
triumph, in the act of bounding forward to fin
lsh their work and secure the scalps of their
victims.
Hastily staggering TO the nearest tree, Mr..
Parker now set his back against it, and drew
his rifle for the foremost, and stood as it were
at bay. Perceiving this, and knowing too well
the certainty of the white mans aim-and also
feeling themselves secure of the prize, and
therefore not caring TO throw away single life
the Indians Immediately took shelter behind
different trees and began TO reload their pie
ceS.
To remain where he was Mr.. Parker saw now
would be certain death in a few moments,
wounded as he was, and continually growing
weaker from loss OF blood, il was VAIN TO think
of flight and yet, with death staring him IN the
face, and an almost maddening desire for self
preservation, equally for his family's sake as his
own, he felt that something ought to be tried
for his salvation, though ever so helpless the
attempt.
Looking quickly and searchingly about, be
perceived abou: ten PAGES distant, an immense
thicket, and believing fine could reach that bis
chances of life would be increased-as the saw