The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-01-06
For the Bloomfield Times.
THE MYSTERIOUS FRIEND.
A Story Of Old Virginia

HNHE incidents recorded in our story
Il take us back to the period when Vir-
ginia was prosperous colony, and when
the vicinity of the now thriving town of
jamestown was surrounded by a dense for
est. 1t was on a pretty morning in the month
of May, that a young hunter was seen stand
ing on the northern bank of the James
river careessly leaning on his rifle, as he
waited for any game that might come
within range.
AS he thus stood, his ears caught the
sound of oars some distance above him, and
caused him quickly to prepare himself
to guard against danger from the In
dians which at that time occasionally
gave the settlers some trouble.
Ere many minutes had elapsed, the youth
caught sight of small boat pulled by four
stout negroes, and in the stern of which
were seated young girl and her black
female attendant. The negroes were pull
ing at their oars with all the strength they
could command, while the girl, with fran
tic gestures, was urging them to increase
their speed if possible The boat was
now nearly quarter of mile distant from
where the hunter stood, but yet he could
plainly see the anguish that dwelt in the
features of the fair pleader-not that he
could make out those features in form
but the attitude, the streaming hair, and
the agonized movements conveyed them to
his mind, and he knew that the vindictive
red man was upon their watery trail OF
course young Chester's first and only i'm
pulse upon coming to this conclusion, was
to give his aid but moments reflection
showed him that his best course was to
wait till he could see the exact position
and number Of the enemy.
Five minutes passed away and the hunt
er could not only see the features of those
in the boat, but he could plainly hear the
entreaties the girl put forth to her almost
exhausted oarsmen. The boat was in the
middle of the river and three minutes
more would bring it opposite to where he
stood and just as he was beginning to
wonder that the enemy had not come in
sight, the sharp crack of rifle struck
upon his ears, and on the next instant, one
of the negroes dropped his oar and fell
forward at the feet of his mistress. On
the next moment another report, almost an
echo of the first, rang through tho air, and
second negro dropped his oar. Quickly
throwing his rifle across his arm, the
hunter sprang down the rivers bank, and
on casting his eyes up the stream he saw,
not more than forty rods distant, large
canoe containing four Indians, which had
come down under cover of the bank in
order to avoid the current which the boat
had buffeted. With a presence of mind
that never forsook him the young man cast
hasty glance over the canoe, and his
quick eye told him in an instant who were
the two that had fired, for their rifles lay
carelessly by their sides, while the remain
ing two held theirs ready for use in theil
arms while they padded.
The young hunter saw chat he had moi
been detected by those in the canoe, but
glance at the boat told him that the gir
had seen him. Not twenty seconds hat
elapsed after he sprang down the bank
before he was back in his place, and with
his cap in his hand he beckoned earnestly
for the girl to have her boat turned towards
the shore. The hunter could see that she
understood his signal, and also that SD,
trusted him, for he saw that she was urg
ing the terror stricken negroes to pull fol
the bank where he stood. The canoe hat
turned It's head towards the middle of tn,
river, now that the boat was brought 81
near, and Chester could sec the heads O.