Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-01-18
MistellanenMs.
A Border Heroine.
-
BY EDWARD s. ELLIS.

| AT the close Of the Revolutionary war,
the tide of emigration commenced pouring
into the Great Northwest, with unexampled
rapidity. Kentucky, as it is known, was
the dividing ground between civilization
and barbarism Even by the savages it
was considered neutral territory belong
ing to no one, and upon which all trespas-
sed with the same peril.
But, westward the star of empire ever
takes its way; and even the awful gloom
that hung around the DARK and Bloody
Ground, could stay it but for season.
First, the great Daniel Boone plunged in
to its perilous canebrakes, and then 9TH
ers followed, until in ime it became one
of the proudest States of our glorious con-
federacy.
At the time of which we write, there
were two passes to Kentucky and the ad-
joining country, viz: the Ohio River and
Boone's Trace-the latter simply 'blaz-
ed path, leading from South Kentucky to
North Caroliua. Most of the emigrants
preferred to pass in fat-boats down the river
at the risk of being decoyed ashore, bold
y attacked by an overwhelming force, or
outwitted by the coasammatc cunning of
their foes.
But there were few who took Boone's
Trace and followed it clear through, the
wilderness swarming with hordes Of saw
ages. Those who had the temerity to at
tempt this. generally formed themselves
into bands, numbering at least twenty men
who were armed to the teeth, and ever on
the alert. Besides this they generally
had among them several scouts of rangers
whose duty was to guide and warn them
of any ambush or scheme Of the Indians.
Those were the days when such men as
Kenton, Brady, McAuthur, McCleland,
'Bannion, White, and host of other
border heroes, lived and acted, and each
of whose lives would make volume
more wonderful than the history oil the
knights of the olden time.
One pleasant afternoon in the autumn
of 1874, company Numbering some thir-
ty men, with about the same number of
women and children, were making their
way over the Trace They were pro-
ceeding leisurely along, their teams walk
ing slowly and lazlly forward and the men
chatting and relating stories to while away
the monotony of the long and dreary
march. Most OF the women were III large
covered wagons with their children, al
though, now and then, several might be
seen stretching their limbs for u few min
utes, by walking beside their wagons
Two thirds of the men were noun ed on
horseback, while the others udgel mer-
rily on foot,
1t was picturesque sight the plodiing
meekeyed oxen, dragging the numbering
baggage wagons, in which the rosy face OF
more than one happy youngster could be
seem the mounted pioneers, with their ri
fes slung over their shoulders, so as to be
ready at moments warning,-and the
reckless drivers plunging fearlessly ahead
as though no thought of danger had ever
entered their heads.
1t is needless to say that all were fully
armed-and the scouts were olt-scouts
were ahead, in the rear, and on either
side, who were ranging the forest with
such caution and suspicion that hardly
the fall of leaf escaped their vision,
In the very hindcrmost wagon was Mrs.
Childs and her daughter Sarah. The lat
ter was brave, joyous hearted girl,
some fifteen or sixteen years Of age, upon
whom it was impossible to make the
least impression of the peril the company
daily underwent The father was walk
ing upon one side Of the wagon chatting
with companion, casting his eyes now
and then ahead as if to note the progress
of the train, The mother had fallen into a
dose unmindful of the capers of her child,
who for the last hour or so had betrayed
an unusual restlessness.
As soon as the mother was fairly uu-
concious, the girl arose to her Feet, pecred
cautiously out, and with light bound
sprang out Of the rear Of the wagon and
secreted herself in the woods,
Her intention in doing this was per-
f.ctly innocent Through the afternoon
she had noticed peculiar looking berry
growing abundantly in the woods and had
petitioned to her father that she might be
allowed to pick few. Being refused,
the willtul little thing determined that
she would do it at all hazards. She
could see no reason why he should deny
such simple request. The Indians had
not disturbed them as yet, and she could
not believe they would at all. She had no
personal fear for herself.
As soon as the train had passed few
rods farther she sprang up and started in
quest of the coveted berries. She was
obliged to 60 quite a distance before find
ing them, but in a short time she stum-
bled npon creek, the margin Of which
abounded with them, and she lost no time
in filling her apron.
1t was while she was thus engaged
that singular terror all at once took
possession of her. 1t seemed as though
some horrid monster was approaching
her, and she had no power to flee or resist
him. Faint and trembling she couched
to the earth, and waited for it to approach
or pass by.
4 moment later, and the bushes upon
the opposite side of the creek ported, aud
through the insterstiees before her. she
discovered the forms of several Indians,
apparently ir consultation. For mo-
ment she was too terrified to notice them,
but in abort time recovered her self pos
session and from her hiding place noticed
every movement. What was her horror
to discern the dead body of one of their