The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-10-13

he called them. His companions dis
covered them almost as quick as he,
and at once communicated to ef ca
other the necessity for a keen watch.
They slowly trailed them along
the fence toward the house, whose
situation they well knew, until they
stood upon the brow of the bluff
bank which overlooked it. A sight
of the most terrible description met
their eyes. The cabin lay mass of
smouldering ruins, from whence a
dull blue smoke arose in the clear
August sunshine. They observed
closely everything about. Brady
knew it was customary for the In
dians after they had fired a settlers
cabin, if there was no immediate dam
ger, to retire to the wood close at
hand, and watch for the approach of
any member of the family who might
chance to be absent when they made
the descent. Not knowing but that
they were even then lying close by,
he left BeVington to watch the ruins,
lying under cover, whilst he proceed
ed to The northWard, and biggs south
ward, to make discoveries. Both
were to return to BeVington, If they
found no Indians. IF they came
across the perpetrators, and they
were too numerous to be attacked reg
ulariy, Brady declared it to be his
purpose to have enc fire at them, and
that should be the signal for both of
his followers to make the best of
their way to the fort.
All this rapidly transpired. and
with Brady to decide was TO act. As
he stole cautiously round to the north
| ward side of the enclosure, lie heard
a voice in the distance singing. He
listened keenly, and soon discovered,
from its intonations, that it was a
white mans. He passed rapidly III
the direction whence the sound came.
| AS it approached, he concealed him
self behind the trunk of large tree.
Presently white man, riding fine
horse, came slowly down the path.
The form was that of Albert Gray,
a stalwart, brave, deyil-may- care set
tier, who had built him IL home miles
away from the fort, where no one
would dare to take family except
himself.
Brady wore, as he almost always
did, the Indian garb, and had war
paint upon his face. He knew that
if he showed himself upon the path,
Gray would shoot, taking him to be
an Indian. He therefore suffered
Gray quietly to approach his lurking
place. When the time came, he
sprang forward ere the settler could
have time to prepare, drew his TOM
ahawk, and seizing him dragged him
from his horse. AS he did so, he
whispered to him: Il am Captain
j, Brady, for Gods sake be quiet"
Gray, with the instructive feeling
of one who knew there was danger,
and with that vivid presence of mind
which characterizes those acquainted
with frontier life, ceased at once to
struggle. The horse had been start
led by the sudden onslaught, and
sprang to one side. Ere he had time
to leap forward, Brady had caught
him by the bride. His loud snort
ing threatened to arouse any one who
d was near. The Captain soon soothed
p the animal into quiet.
Gray now hurriedly asked Brady
Il what the matter was. The gallant
7fspy turned away his. face IS he HIF-
! swered him. The settlers already y
excited fears were thus turned into
realities. The manly form shook
4 like an aspen leaf with enIetion-
tears fell as large drops of water oReI
his bronzed lace. Brady permitted
the indulgence for moment, whilst
he led the horse into thicket close
at hand and tied him. When he re-
turned Gray had sunk to the earth,
and great tremulous c0nvulsion
;. writhed over him. Brady quietly
touched him and said, Come" Ee at
once arose, and had gone but few
yards until every trace of emotion
had apparently vanish ed. He was nc
) longer the bereaved husband anG
. father-he was the sturdy well train
ed hunter, whose ear and eye were
acutely alive to every sight antl sound
/ the waving of leaf, or the CT acklins
of the smallest twig. r,...-- ~
He desired to proceed directly tow
arr the house but Brady object ed tt
| the liver bank. AS they procee dec
they saw from the tracks of horses
and nroccasin prints upon the place
where the earth was moist, that tsl@
party W as quite a numerous one. AZ
ter thoroughly examining every cover
and possible place of concealmeIt
In6y pdSSl'u Ou " IIC SOuIuWdIu duI
came back in that direction to the
spot where Bevington stood sentry
When they reached him they found
:. Biggs had not returned. LII a few
minutes he came. He reported thai
the trail was large and broad the In.
dams had taken no pains to conceal
their tracks-they simply had struck
back into the country, SO as to avoid
coming in contact with the spies
whom they supposed to be lingering
along the river.
The whole four now went down to
the cabin and carefully exa mined the
ruins. After q long and minute
search, Brady discovered that none oi
the inmates had been consumed
This announcement at once dispelle6
the most narrowing fears of Gray
As soon as all that could be discover
ed had been ascertained, each one OF
tile party proposed some course of ac
tion One desired to so to Pittsbure
an obtain assistance--another thought
it best to return to Mcintosh and ge
SOME volunteers thsre. Brady lis
ten ed patiently to both these PROPOSE
ton s, but arose quickly, after talking
a m, 3ment apart with Biggs, and salt
" COZ ne." s. J .srsg -af.la
Cir ny and Bevington obeyed at once
nor d i'd Biggs object. Brady struck
the rail and began following it il
that manner for which he is so fa
nous. 1t was evident that If the saw
ages ere overtaken, it could only b.
done b y the utmost exertion. The.
were 81 lme hours ahead, and from th
/ numheo.- of thei;, horses mnst he near
ly all mounted. Brady felt that i
they W. ere not overtaken that night
pursuit would be utterly futile.
was evident that this band had beel
sonth OF the Ohio and plundered tn
homes of the settlers. They hat
pounced upon the family of Gray oil
their retu IN.
When ,the pursuit began it mus
have been two o'clock, at least tw
hours had been consumed by tn
Il Il Il.