The Democratic advocate., 1873-07-05
Popular GALES.
THE Two KENTUCKY HEROINEO.
A Tale of the Dark and Bloody Ground.

A Tale of the Dark and Bloody Ground
During the early settlement of Ken
tucky scene occurred in the Ozark ant
Bloody Ground, that stamped the nam,
of lady and her servant girl, with tn,
name of heroines. Mr. David Hickman
removed from eastern Virginia into the
then new State of Kentucky. lie bough
house and parcel of ground from one Of
the first settlers, which was situated OF
the Kentucky River, at place now called
"lIickmans Bridge" about sixteen mile,
from Lexington. The Doctor was high
toned Southern gentleman, an able phys
clan, and was highly esteemed by ali who
knew him. He was of romantic tenn
perament, and his new home answered hi,
every wish His little farm was on Q
beautiful plateau formed by bend in the
river, which here winds its tortuous cours,
between high perpendicularlimeston rocks
Those grand limestone cliffs, the beautiful
placid river, the gigantic forest trees, the
profuson of wild flowers of every hue, and
tne iicn apuhu"hce VI IuNurlOus pastures
all combined to make the place a modern
Eden.
The Doctor, by his social and urbanC
manners soon made himself very popular
IN ms new home, and he soon obtained an
extensive ana remuneratiye practice. His
family consisted of his wife, tive children
fine boys of six and eight years, an Irish
servant girl named Betty Malone, and an
athletic negro slave named jim.
Mrs' Laura Hickman was lady Of re-
hnement ana education She belonged to
one oil the INST families OF the Old Domin'
ION she was KIND, loving and affection
ate, and was possessed OF large share Of
true bravery Always calm and collected
IN time OF danger yet she had the will and
ability to act IN cases OF emergency.
Betty was handsome Irish girl of about
twenty summers. She idolized the Doctor
and his family, and would have exposed
her own life to save any member Of her
masters household. She, like her mis-
tress, had the art of being calm in case OF
danger. She had complete control of her
passions, but woo to the man that attempt
ed to injure her or any of her friends
Jim was 4 remarkably large negro He
was as active as wild cat aud had the
strength of two or three common men.
Jim was always boasting to his master of
his great bravery, telling him "dat dis
chile could whip II dozen lniuns any time,
lie was good servant, aud his master val
ued him highly.
After the Doctor and his interesting
family had been living in their new home
about two years, and had enjoyed health
and happiness, during which time this
locality had not been troubled by the Iu-
dians, the future looked bright and prom
Using. 1t was in the month of June that
one evening about sunset the Doctor re-
ceyed an urgent message to attend pa
tient about twelve miles distant. Jim
quickly had his masters horse ready, and
he started on hls professional visit, little
dreaming OF the wild scenes that were to
occur at his happy home before his return.
When he started he told Jim he might
not be back before morning, and for him
to look well to the safety of the family in
his absence. Jim answered, dat nobody
darsent kun where dis chile am, as da all
no dat | is so brave dat me can kill twenty
lnjuns.
Smiling at Jims braggadocio, the Doe
tor left. The evening was clear and
beautiful; the moon was riding high in
the heavens, casting its mellow light over
the peaceful plateau. Mrs, Hickman and
Betty were seated on the porch, which
fronted towards the river. The little boys
tired from their gambols were sleeping on
rug in the parlor, and the brave Jim
was "a setting in de kitchen looking
outen de winder. Whilst thus sitting,
Betty drew the attention of her mistress
to band of men that had just made their
appearance from the banks Of the river
and were boldly marching for the house.
As they came nearer they had no difficult
ty in seeing that they were Indians, their
bright musket barrels glittering in the
shimmering rays Of the moon. One of
tho men led two females, which the ladies'
in the porch took to be captiyes. jim,
"de brave nigga" saw them too, and
slipping out ut an opposite door he crawled
on his hands and knees until he reached
thicket, when he arose and bounded away
as if Old Nick was after him.
Mrs. II. now fully comprehended the
dreadful situation, and determined to meet
it calmly. She whispered to Betty to be
calm and show no signs of alarm. The