Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-02-08
THE RESCUE.

The incident about to be related is one of
many similar ones which occurred during
the early settlement OF America. Those
who sought home in the savage wilds,
which then covered the land. welded them
selves to a life of peril and hardship. The
dangers which continually threatened them
called forth all the heroic qualities of their
nature, and their lives were marked by
many lofty deed of daring and devotion
Such deeds should not sink into oblivion,
for they belong TO the history of our country.
and as such, should be recorded and re-
membered.
We would present picture to the imag-
ination OF the reader. There Is broad and
beautiful stream, with its deep, still waters
flowing between banks covered by luxuriant
foliage; and It's bright surface dotted here
and there with fairy little isles, where grace
ful shrubs and fragrant flowers bud and
blossom undisturbed in wild and lonely love-
illness. Bright plumed birds of many va
rieties are wiDgiDg their way over the quiet
water, and the surrounding scene echoes
with their tuneful minstrelsy. On tie bOr-
ders OF the river at the edge Of forest that
stretches far away over hill and dale, stands
the rude but picturesque dwelling OF a back
woodsman with the blue smoke curling up
from It's lowly roof, and its humble walls
surrounds them. There are some indca-
tons of taste and refinement near the wood
mans home, which give a cheerful appears
ance to that otherwise wild and lovely
scene. 4 graceful vine curtains the l0Wly
window, and many bright flowers, natives Of
a distant soil, shed their grateful perfume
around. Near the door hangs a cage, con
tainiug rare and beautiful bird, whose song
OF glainess breaks sweetly upon the still
ness Of that solitary place.
On low seat, at the entrance of the
dwelling, Is seen Young woman, caTeSSiGg
an infant. She has lost the blooming love-
Illness of early youth-her cheek is pale, and
her brow wears that thoughtful expression
which Is imprinted by the touch Of care !;
set she Is still beautiful in form and feature,
and none may look upon her without ad-
mlraton As she bends over the child in
her arms. her eye fills with that unutterable
tenderness and love which are only seen in
the eye Of a mother and which make the
face OF a beautiful woman almost angelic.
Now and then she turns from the child, to
send an anxious glance towards the forest.
as II she watched for the approach of some
one from that direction. She is mOmen-
tary expecting her husband. He left his
home at morn the hour appointed for his
return had passed away; the shadows of
the trees are lengthening in the rays of the
setting sun, and yet he comes not. The
ioni wife begins to trembe for his safety
fearful tOrebodIng OF evil steals over her
mind, and the dark dread of some approach
ing caismlty haunts her Imagination.
She has reason to fear; for that portion
OF country was, at this time, the theatre of
many tragic scene. Sometimes the wood
man. in penetrating too far into the path.
less rccasScs of the forest lost his way, and
wandering for days in the dreary wilderness,
suffering many miseries and perishiUG at
last by the paugS Of hunger. Sometimes
the willy red man, who yet lurked about
those lonely wilds, entrapped the white
hAnter and from a spirit OF revenge, or the
tH.rSt for blood, sacrificed his victim with
the most barbarOus cruelty.
A. the anxious wife thoughts of these
things, her fears and f0rebodings became al
most lnsupportable. flushing the infant to
sleep she carried it into the dwelling, and
GeposIted II in its cradle bed She then
niNiened forth again, and wandered along
lte path that led to the forest, arxiously
looking forward the while for her husband
che walked onward for some time, fondly
hoping to see the object of her search, but
Ner hopes were vain, and sending one more
searching glance around, and seeing nothing
Ddt the gloomy shadows of the trees, she
turned with a heavy heart to retrace her
steps. As she was proceeding homeward,
sudden fear for her child, whom she had
!eIt alone, crossed her mind and caused her
10 hasten forward. Drawing nearer to the
u"eiing, this fear became so intense, that
amounted almost to a conviction of some
terrible calamity. Flying, rather than walk
lng, she reached the house and sprang to
'Ie cradle-it was empty, and the child no
where to be seenl With frantic eagerness
sGe rushed to the back door of the dwelling,
winch she had LETT closed, and which she
no" found was open. She was just in time
10 see party of Indians making rapidly to
She woods. Her heart whispered the fear
iuI assurance that they bore away her
treasure. Here was trying situation for a
umId and helpless woman-her husband
siar of-perhaps in peril-her child-her
hrst born and only one, torn away by the