The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-07-25
RIDGWAY Pa. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1872.

OuUS1ue Jne SUOCKaue Un6 urdROOnS
tied their horses. The men, regardless
of the cries and means of their adversa-
ries, were watering their animals from
the tank in the yard, while the flames
of our cabin curled upward with de-
vouring rapidity.
Captain Lecompte, who commanded
the detachment, then told my father
that, two nights before, he had been
warned by friendly Indian of the
contemplated massacre of our colony.
He had at once saddled up, and he and
his gallant band had ridden sixty miles,
at hard gallop the best part of the
way, hoping to reach us before they had
done us any harm. Soon the dragons
began to come in; for their captain,
with commendable skill, had distributed
his force through the colony before at
tacking. They brought woeful tidings.
The Starbucks were all murdered. So
were the Willis family. The Montanyas
had shared similar fate. Old Hanks
had been found murdered, by the side
of his son Joshua; his younger son Sam
and his beautiful daughter Amanda
were not to be found; either they had
been burned in the house or carried off
by the Araphoes.
When Liph heard this, he raised his
hands to heaven, then tore his hair in o
frenzy, and grasping rifle that lay on
the ground, essayed to take his own
life, but some dragons seized him and
held him fast. He raved like a maniac
for several hours; then, his strength ex-
hausted, he sank to the ground.
Not long afterward the dragons
commenced making preparations for de-
parture. Their horses were watered
and fed the men sat down, and, open
ing their haversacks, partook of frugal
meal of salt pork and army biscuit-the
latter better known among military
men as rd-tack-their canteens all be-
ing filled from our tank.
Everything being ready, and our own
horses having been saddled up (for
omitted to state that the stable was un-
touched by the flames, and the Indians
had not time to get away with any Of
the horses), we took last look at the
smoldering embers of our desolated
cabin; the bugles sounding "Boots and
saddles" we, preceded by the dragons
started out on the prairie in the direc-
ton of Fort Leavenworth.
Poor Liph he was terribly shattered
He spoke not a word his eyes wandered
hopelessly across the prairie, as if he
could penetrate to where his beloved
one had been taken. Then a look Of
horror would succeed this, and his head
drop despondingly upon his breast. The
stout, strong man bent beneath the
weight of aftiiction.
Walking the horses slowly, we pro-
ceeded that day without an incident tc
disturb our monotonous march. Al
night we laid down by the bivouac-fres
and slept; refreshing and welcome
sleep fell alike on wearied man and
beast. The next morning we were al
up at break of day, and, after partakine
of the same frugal meal as before, we
proceeded more rapidly, we all having
somewhat recovered from the fatigue oi
the previous night.
Arriving at little settlement known
as Allersontown (since destroyed), judge
of our astonishment at seeing Sam
Hanks sitting on a stump in front of a
cabin, and beside him, on the grass
wrapped in buffalo-robe, Amanda !
Amanda, the pride of the colony =
Amanda, safe and well, but pale and
haggard, her eyes red with weeping, hel
hair unkempt, and hanging wildly about
her shoulders.
To spring from his saddle, to seize
the PROSTATE girl in his muscular arms
was for Liph the work of an instant
and the dragons opened wide theil
eyes with amazement at seeing him, il
an ecstacy of Joy, kissing his lost sweet
heart.
Amanda had been terribly shaken by
the news of her fathers death, and still
further overwhelmed at hearing th'
rumor that all of our family had perish
ed in the flames of our cabin.
The account given to us by Sam Hank
was, that on that memorable night
shortly after I left his house, his fathel
became alarmed, and ordered him t.
saddle up two horses, and, taking Aman
da with him, to ride with all speed to
ward Fort Leavenworth. His sister
however, becoming exhausted, the,
could not proceed beyond Allersontown
This accounted for our meeting then
there. What goodly spectacle it wa
to see Liph and Amanda riding sid
by side all the way to Fort Leaven
worth, which we reached in safety tn
next day.
We were treated with great kindness
and remained upward of year near tn
post. Amanda shortly afterward wa
married at Captain Lecompte's quarters
the noble captain giving her away t.
Eliphalet Busch, who swore eternal low
and truth. Every one who heard hi
manly voice felt that he was worthy o
all trust and confidence, and particular
ly qualified to become the guardian an
protector of the beautiful and gentl
Amanda, the pride of the colony"