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


dians had taken. Now and then she caught
a glimpse Of their forms as they moved
rapidly through the trees, but as the twi-
light deepened and surrounding objects be-
came more indlstinct even that slight com
fort was denied her, and she traced her
gloomy pathway without knowing whether or
not it would bring her nearer the object of
her pursuit. Yet she paused not moment
in indecision, but fastened onward through
the increasing darkness, unconscious of the
uncertainty OF her search, and the wildness
of her expedition. She had but one
thought-one hope and that was to be
near her chiId-to save it, if it could be
saved, or perish with it, if perish it must
Strong in this determination, she pushed
forward, thoughtless of fatigue, and fearless
OF peril. As the night advanced, the wind
rose and sighed among the trees with
mournful and heart chilling sound. The
stars, that had hitherto shed a faint light
through the branches, were now yelled in
black clouds that seemed to presage
storm; and ever and anon the shrill croak-
ing of night bird, or the prolonged howl
Of some beast of prey, was borne to the ear
OF the unhappy wanderer, waking fearful
thoughts, and warning her of the dangers
by which she was surrounded.
Those who have never rOamed in forest
that Is terrifying is connected with such
journey. At one time, the howl of the
hungry wolf will burst SO suddenly and
clearly on the ear that we can scarcely per-
suade ourselves the monster Is not close at
our side-at another, the falling of decayed
branch will. produce such loud and fearful
sound, that we deem it the fatal plunge
which must doom us to destruction. Now
the wind will come with htful and moan
ing cadence, so like the human voice, that
we for an instant believe it the wall of an
agonized being-and again it viii sweep by
with a rushing sound like a troop OF en-.
ragged monsters bent on mission of death.
Sometimes an unseen, low dropping branch
will softly touch the shoulder, congealing
the warm current of lIfe with the idea that
a spectral hand has suddenly arrested our
progress and again a black and blasted
tree, with one or two branches pro-
Jruding from its side, will, for an instant,
still the pulSation of the heart as we behold
in it Il frighiiul phantom, stretching forth
It's arms to grasp our shrinking forms.
All this, and more must one feel and fear
in lonely midnight pilgrimage through the
forest; and all this the mother endured as
she pursued her almost hopeless enterprise.
She had travelled far, very far. for the dark
ness OF night, and the intricacies of the
wood, had scarcely lessened the speed with
which she commenced her walk, and she had
been many hours on the way. WEAKNESS
was beginning to overcome her-hope was
departing from her heart, and despair chill
ling ali her energies, when she discovered
aiar of through the trees, a light 1t was
but feeble glImmer, yet oh how it IRA
dated the path of the wanderer The in
slant she teheld it, hope sprang back to her
heart, and strength invigorated her frame |
That faint and lar off ray seemed the light
OF returning happiness, and she watched it
as eagerly as the mariner watches the star
which guides him over ocean S stormy waves.
She now fastened onward with redoubled
energy, and though her steps sometimes fall
tered, and her heart sunk within her, as the
light disappeared behind some Intervening
object, she still kept her eye steadily in the
direction Of the beacon, and soon gained
position where it shone brightly before her,
and she could approach without losing sight
of IL again. As she drew near, she gazed
upon the scene which that light revealed,
with mingled feeling of astonishment. hope
and fear
There was large fire built of the dried
branches Of trees, and around it lay the dus-
Ky forms Of FIVE or six Indians, repoSing
upon the ground. Their appearance was
savage in the extreme; each with his paint
ed feathers lighted by the ftful glare of the
fire, and his tomahawk and Scalpirg knife
cleaning at his side. Near them were i'm
pIementS of hunting, and around the fire lay
scattered bones and fragments of a recent
rude repast. The whole scene was calcula-
ted to strike terror into the heart of the del
icate being who gaZed upon it.
But she scarcely saw the rude savages or
their i'm plements of death, for her whole
soul was absorbed in contemplating portion
Of no 1h
described, and which rivited her attention
with thrilling and magic power. Bound
to a tree was the form of her husband and
at his feet on the cold ground, lay her child.
The father : lace was pale, and stained with
blood the infant 5 face was covered by its
dress, and its form was motionless as if chill
ed by the cold hand of death. How felt
the ond wife and mother when that sight
of horror met her eyes? RepressiHg by a
mighty effort the shrek of agony that rose
to her lips and conquering, by the strength
of heroic soul, the almost Irresistible de-
sire she felt to rush forward, and clasp those
dear ones to her aching heart, she stood ga
zing upon the scene with feelingswhich can
not be described. She saw with throb of
sudden joy, that her husband lived, but her
heart grew cold again as she watched the
motiOnless form of her child. She longed
TO fly to Its side, and ascertain the truth, for
the suspense that preyed upon her spirits
was terrible, but again her resolute mind
restrained her, and she began to deliberate
upon the situation of her husband, and de-
wise means Tor releasing him.
The vivid light east by the fire on all things
near it, enabled the wife to note the scene
distinctly. She saw with a thankful heart,
that the savages all slept, and that she could
reach the side Of her husband without pas
sing near enough to awake them; but she
saw that he was bound by strong cords, which
she could not hope, in her wearied state to
uutasten, and she looked about for something
TO sever them. There was nothing, save the
knives which the Indians wore at their sides.
Looking more iutently, she saw that one OF
these had slipped from its place, and lay on
the ground by its owner, so near that his
hand almost touched the hlt A pang of
intense fear shot through her frame, when
she thought of approaching so close to the
terrific form OF he.savage but another look
upon the pale face of the prisoner, ,reasSured
her, and she determined to rescue him, or
perish in the attempt. She could not ap-
proach the Indians wi thout revealing her
self to the eyes Of her husband, and she
feared, in that case. an exclamation of sur
prise would follow her appearance, and rouse