The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-09-19
A TALE OF THE BORDER.
BY DAWSON FINLEY.

BY DAWSON FINLEY.
Settlers along the banks Of the
WarIopa river, in Texas, had been
worked to a pitch bordering on
frenzy. For long time the Com
manchc Indians had been commit
ting dcprcdations of Il fearful char.
actor, and it was evident that an
open warfare must cnsuc. The saw
ages must be eXtcrminatcd, or near
y 30, else the white man would be
driven from his home, or butchercd
upon his threshold.
A settlement of some thirty cab.
ins had been formed upon the Warl,
opa; and, for its protection, and
the safety Of its inhabitants in case
OF an attack, Il block house had
been erected on the bank Of the riv-
cr. 1t was strong building, sur.
rounded by high stockadc, and
from within, Il handful of men could
defend themselves against hundreds
Of their savage foes. 1t was well
supplied with provisions and ammu-
milton; several large hogshcads Of
water were placed within reach, in
case of an attacking party rcsorting
to fire.
The settlers were anticipating an
attack that very night, and were
busiIy engaged in moving the wo-
men and children, and such articles
Of household goods as could be car
ricd without the use of teams.
Scarcely had the settlers, with their
families, secured themselves within
their stronghold, when Il wild cry
was raised, and the white men gath
cred around the remains Of one Of
their ncighbOrs who had Just been
brought in from II distant field. The
body had been so horribly muiiIatcd
that it was scarce y rccognlzabIc;
but it was discovered to be that of
George Marcy, u gentleman highly
esteemed by all. lie had left homo
but Il few hours before to look after
his cattle, and this was all thai re-
manned to tell the story Of his butch
cry.
Revenge was pictured upon every
face, and each hand clasped tighter
the rifle it held. Then the shout
burst forth, death to the red devils
death to the COmanchcs !"
Death and determination to the
accurscd Comanches !" repeated
Colouel John Pool. But We must
act with prudence, boys, They are
strong; at present, we are weak. We
must all remain in the block-house
tonight, but | expect the boys, who
are coming to1oin us from the val
ley, will be here by daylight, if not
before. We can count then at least
three hundred, with brave hearts
and steady nerves. We will march
into the very heart of the enemy's
country, and with rifle, knife, and
fire, teach those red devils II lesson
they will never forget"
A wild cheer followed this brief
address, but the sound was given
back by the wild shrieks of women
and children. Every eye was turn
ed in the direction whence the voices
came. Out of the block house came
women and children in the widest
confusion aud fright, running in all
directions to escape fury that all
the settlers had not yet seen; but it
was understood at once that the
savages were at their horrld work.
"Lcok well to your weapons,
boys, and be ready for any emergen-
cy," said Colonel Pool, as he cooked
his rifle. eve may have hot work
soon; follow me-"
The flying women were met and
questioned. They stated that the
savages had got within the stockade
unobserved, while the settlers were
viewing the remains of Maloy, and
were prepared to burn the block
house. That this was true, became
apparent, for the flames We're now
seen to leap up, cnclrcling the main
building within the stockade.
Forward. men!' cried the Colon.
ell. And in II few minutes the set.
tiers had reached the burning mass.
1t was found impossible TO rave it,
so completely was the stronghold
enveloped in the deyouring element.
But a new horror presented itself.
Upon the very top Of the building a
female form was seen clinoiOg to the
flag /; the flames leaping around
her. She glanced down on a seeth-
ing furnace beneath her. and made
q movement rs if to make fearful
leap to the earth, but she paused,
that would be certain death. The
distance was some forty feet, and
all within the stockade was a glow
ing mass, where brushwood had
been heapcd by the savages to facil-