Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-12-26

,arge drops OF water over his bronzed face.
Brady permitted the indulgence for mo.
ment whilst he led the hor"s into thicket
close at hand and tied him. When he re.
% oulneo stray had sunk to tho ground and
S!eat tremulous eonvulsion writhed over
Come" "A" '"'"
oiuy at once arose and had gone but
iew yarus until every trace of emotion had
aPPareutiy vanished. He was no longer tho
pereaveu husband and father, but he was
the sturdy, well trained hunter. whose ear
and eye were acutey alive to every sio bt or
sound, the waving of a leaf or the crackl;ng
of the smallest twig.
lie desired to proceed directly towards
| the mouse, put Brady objected TO this and
they passed down toward the river b.nL "Ae AZ
they proceeded they saw from the moccsain
prints and tracks of horses upon tho nlace
where the earth was moist that the nartv
| was quite numerous one. After thororiohIy
examining every cover and possible place Of
.concealment, they passed on to the south.
ward and came back in that direction to the
spot where Bevington stood sentry.
When they reached him they found that
Biggs had not returned. In few minutes
he came and reported that the trail was
large and broad; tho Indians had taken no
pains to conceal their tracks-they simply
had struck back into the country 30 as to
avoid coming in contact with the spies
whom they supposed to be lingering along
I the river.
The whole four now went down to the
cabin and curefully examined the ruins. Af.
ter long and minute search, Brady discov-
cred that none of the inmates had been con-
sunled. This announcement at once dispel-
| led the most narrowing fears of Grey. As
| soon as all that could be discovered had been
| asccrtained each one of the party proposed
some course of action. One desired to 90 to
Pittsburg and obtain assistance-ano:her
! thought it best to return to Mcintosh and
get some volunteers there. Brady listened
patiently to both these propositions, but
arose quickly and after talking moment
apart with Biggs said:
"Come I"
Gray and Bevington obeyed at once, nor
did Biggs object. Brady struck the trail
and began pursuit in that tremendously
rapid manner for which he was so famous.
1t was evident that if the savages were over
taken it could only be done by the utmost
exertion. They were some hours ahead and
from the number of their horses must be
nearly all mounted. Brady felt that if they
were not overtaken that night pursuit would
be utterly futile.
1t was evident that this band had been
south Of the Ohio aud plundered the homes
of the settlers. They had pounced upon the
family of Gray upon their return.
When the pursuit began, it must have
been two o'clock. At least two hours had
been consumed by the spies in making the
necessary explorations about the house ere
they approached it and in examining the
ruins. Not word was spoken upon the
route by any one. Their leader kept steadily
in advance. Occasionally he would diverge
from the track but only to take it up mile
or 50 in advance. The Captains intimate
knowledge of the topography of the country
enabled him to anticipate what points they
would make. Thus he gained rapidly upon
them by proceeding more nearly in straight
line towards the point at which they aimed
to cross Beaver river.
At last convinced from the general direc-
tion in which the trail led, that he could
divine with absolute certainty the spot where
they would ford that stream, he abandoned
it struck boldly across the country. The
accuracy of his judgment was vindicsted by
the fact, that from an elevated crest of long
line of hills, he saw the Indians with their
victims just disappearing up ravine on the
opposite side of the Beaver, above what is
now known as the "Alum Rocks" and below
Beaver Falls, (Old Brighton.) He counted
as they slowly filed their way up its ascent
under the rays of the declining sun. There
were thirteen warriors, eight of whom were
mounted-another woman, besides Gray's
wife, was in tho cavalcade, and the children.
Tho odds seemed fearful to Biggs and
Bevington although Brady made no COM
ments. The moment they had passed out of
sight Brady again pushed forward with un-
tagging energy, nor did his followers hest
tate. There was not man among them
whose muscles were not tense and rigid as
whip.cord, from exercise and training, from
hardship and exposure. Gray's whole form
seemed to dialato twice its natural size at
the sight of his wife and children. Terrible
was tho vengeance he swore.
Just as the sun set the spies crossed the
stream and began to ascend the rayine. 1t
was evident that the Indians intended to
camp for the night some distance up small
creek or run which debouches into Beaver
river about two miles from the location of
fort Mcintosh and two below the ravine.
The spot, owing to the psninsular form of
the tongue of land lying west of the Beaver,
at which they expected to encamp, was full
ten miles from the fort. Here there was
famous spring so dsftly and cunn,ingly situ,
ated in deep dell and SO denssly enclosed
with thick mountain pines that there was
little danger of discovery. Even they might
light fire and could not be seen one hun.
dred yards.
The proceedings of their leader which
would have been totally inexplicable to all
others were partially if not fully understood
by his followers. At least they did not
hesitate or question him. When dark came
Brady pushed forward with as much appa'
rent certainty as he had done during the
day. So rapid was his progress that the
Indians had just kindled their fire and
cooked their meal when their mortal foe,
whose presence they dreaded as much as
that of the small pox, stood upon huge
rock looking down upon them.
His party had been left short distance
in the rear at a convenient spot while he
went forward to reconnoitre. There they
remained impatiently for three mortal hours.
They discussed in low tones the extreme
disparity of the force-the propriety OF go.
ing to Mcintosh for assistance. But all
agreed that IL Brady ordered them to attack
success was certain. However impatient
they were he returned at last.
He described to them how the women and
children lay within the centre Of crescent
formed by the savages as they slept. Their
guns were stacked upon the right and most
| &c AZ "a. a. uka Thav were not mora