The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-06-10
An american Sturp.
THE RANGERS CHASE.
A Tale of Early Life on the Frontier.
BY j. NJ CONN Ell.

1t did not seem to prove Edgar's ardor
in the pursuit, that he thus ordered a halt
in the very opening of the chase but there
was not man in the company who did
not know that this was the wsest course.
The hearts of the brothers grew heavy,
however for Notwithstanding Edgar hope
of finding the Indians at the grove, it could
not escape them that he expected long
pursuit.
In truth he was too we'll acquainted with
the Indian character, to have faith in his
own expectations. "f," he reasoned, they
had designed to spend the night at COlton's
Grove, they would have been at some pains
to battle us on our trail-they would have
gone into the timber, or-at least-swerved
from the direct course. But, here, they
have travelled for thirty miles, straight as Il
bird flies, for the point we would naturally
expect to find them. They must be dcceiy-
ing us !"
The thought was by no means pleasant
one ; for, calm AS he appeared, his impa-
tence amounted almost to agony. And,
when he briefly stated the argument to
White, the ranger before mentioned, in
whose Judgment he had much confidence,
the weight which it seemed to have with
him, only deepened his misgiving
There is no choice, however" said the
Ranger we must go on now to the grove !
for-at least--we shall he Rearer to the Por-
tage there, than here
And this was the course resolved upon.
The hour of rest passed slowly away /;
and at its end, the captain again gave the
word to mount and follow. There was now
no trail to guide them but their course
was due north, and, led by the stars, Edgar
once more put himself in tho advance, and
gallsped away. The prairie was as silent
as night and profound calm would make
it and rolling away down the lCwlands,
and reverberating along the ridges, the
sound of their horses footsteps seemed
like the rumble of an earthquake. The
voices of those who spoke sounded hollow
and echoiess and the jiDgling Of spurs,
and rafting of arms, ReeiGed amothered by
the stiffness. The men of that time were
taciturn and earnest and the scene through
which they were riding was no bad type
Of thsir gtern characteristics. They were
in pursuit of indian marauders; and ha-
tired of the savage-which was natural to
every man-gave depth even to their bear-
ing. Each carried his rifle in his right
hand and while he governed and assisted
his horse over the inequalities of the ground
with the left, kept his face steadily to the
front.
They had been riding thus little more
than two hours, when Edgar suddenly drew
up to walk.
7" We must take it slowly now, boys" "
said he turning III the saddle, as his men
followed his example for, at a gallop,
our horses could be heard five miles"
"Captain," said White, riding forward,
" isn't that light yOnder, to tho north
here, Just above the ground 7"
at is, indeed" exclaimed Edgar A" in
the grove, too"
Rather too far to the right isn't it ?"
said the Ranger.
we have been following the Pointers,*
and their wheeling 10 the west must have
taken lis little out of our course" replied
Edgar. " II must be in the grove"
lie turned little to the right as he spoke
1.-TWO stars in the constellation of Ursa Major,
much better known TO prairie travellers than the
Polar Star itself.