North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-04-29


ating surfaces were clothed with the brown
hued verdure autumn-long, thick grass,
patched and dropping from the effects of
burning sun, intermixed with numerous beds
of wild flowers, whose leaves were whitening
and strewing the ground with every passing
breeze. Here and there grew innumerable
bushes OF brier and rose-tree, and in their
midst, like the GEM guardians Of the scene
pointed up all the tall and graceful trunk Of
the poplar, the widespread sycamore, or the
gnared and rugged limbs of the acorned mo-
march OF the forest. Opposite to these hills
rises steep, conicle shaped mountain, and
on the other side OF the Mohawk as fer as
the eye can reach, extends the darkling gloom.
OF almost impenetrable woods-the growth
OF centur les long since past. Immediately
opposite to the point where Hargraye lay,
the river emerged from the forest shade, and
alter ripping over continuous surface of
granite rocks, whose rough and cragey bed
Juts out into thousand fantastic shapes,
tails down distance of nearly hundred
feet, into wide, deep basin below This ba
sin, which countless Hoods have followed cut
from the solid rock forms wide circuit of
| considerable extent, with narrow opening al
the farther end, through which the pent-up
stream rusheS iercely ely-dashing white foam
against the sides, and which the water has
long since worn as smooth as wall OF 10
lshed masonry. But the most striking fea-
ture o. this nature basin is sharp, craggy
point of rock, which juts out from the side
fronting the falls, and ovethangiDg perpendic-
uiar descent still greater than the distant
still previously mentioned. The water be.
meath the cliff is still deep, and clear as
crystal spring.
At short distance from the upper peak Of
toe rock, and extending along each siIe for a
considerable distance, vas a low, oYeGnanging
ridge OF granite which formed q natural path
way towards the edge Of the basin; and it
was beneath the shelter of the turning point
OF one of these where Hargra7e lay and from
whence good view could be had oc the o.,en
space lying between that situation and the
surrounding woods.
To return to the sleeper. lie had lain thus
for several hours, when he was awakened by
hearing the shrek Of female ;and on sudden
ly raising his head from the ground, he behed
that which caused his blood to course through
his veins in wild fury, and his frame to trem-
bic with inexpressible emotion. Round the
corner OF the point, cn the opposite side of
the pathway, and at distance of about .
hundred feet was his lc7ed Eva, struggling to
free herself from the hands Of Lawrence Ker-
rit; and beyond, just within the edge of the
woods, were some twenty or thirty Indians
all duly equipped for war. In moment
Hargrave's rifle was raised to his shoulder.
and, quickly lowered he could not shoot Law
renee without eadangering the life of Eva.
Grinding his teeth with bitter agony. he
crouched upon the grass, his keen eve bent
| towards the william for whose blood he now
thirsted with almost demon ike ferocty. for
the moment he nigh venture to fire. Twice
he had taken deadly aim, and as often would
the form of Eva become the shield ofthe fend
| who he'd burned her fathers dwelling, and
caused her parents death. He was about
to raIse his rife for the third time, when the
fair girl escaped from the grasp of Kerritt
and bounded toward the place where Her
grave was crouching, with the speed of star
tied fawn. Running on, with her dishevelled
hair streaming in the wind, she gained the
extreme point of the jutting crag, and stood,
overhanding the stream below, with pale
face and deternlind mien, which plainly told
the firm resolve she had formed, should Law
renee again attempt 30 seize her ; and so quick
had all this been accomplished that Hargrave
lay beWildered, and almost without power to
move. But when she reached the cliff, aud
he could read the meaning of her eyes proud
| flash, he sprang to his feet, and uttering sh e
single word Eva, turned to Kerritt, who was
standing at but few PAGES distant, with 4
look of deep and terrible meaning. Quick as
light, he again raised his rifle, and pulled the
trigger-the next instant flung it to the
ground with passionate gesture, and draw
ing his hunting knife, sprang towards his foe.
In his eager anxiety he had knocked the prim-
| ing from the pan, and had been, in conseque-
nee, unable to fire.
The sudden APPEARANCE of Hargrave, as tho
rising out OF the earth, had for an in
stant completely paralyzed the energies of
Lawrence F.; but when he saw him spring to-
wards him, with the huge knife brandished
In his grasp, he made step backwards, and,
pulling pistol from his belt, shot the former
through the heart.
Mingling with the sound of that fatal shot,
there went forth shrll agonizing cry from
the bursting heart of Eva, as she clasped her
hands above her head, with look of unut-
terable anguish. But the next moment,
seeing Lawrence stealing towards her, she
cast one hook towards Heaven-her quivering