The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1878-09-19
ough Highland County Ohio Thursday September 49, 1875

not so with the other Dorderers. BY
the diving light they scanned the trail,
reading it as one reads the page Of a
printed book.
The captors were five in number
probably some of the army that had
recently besieged BoonesborOugh, lurk-
ing behind to pick off stragglers. The
girls had been carried away in the
arms Of the savages, for their footprints
were no longer to be found, nor any
trace Of blood to tell of violence.
That was long, weary night to the
bereaved ones, especially to Smith
Nothing could be done until daylight,
while they knew that every moment
was adding to the start gained by the
RbductOrs.
With the first glimmer Of dawn the
trail was taken up by Smith and three
comrades. More could not be spared
from the settlement. All that day
they followed it without pause Orrest.
at night, when darkness put a stop TO
their labors, Smith lay down, but could
not sleep. His heart was sore with
thoughts of his loved ones suGerings.
That these had been great, that day
had told him. The savages had tTay-
eled at a rapid rate, forcing the cap
tives to keep pace with them. Their
shoes were cut and torn by the sharp
rocks and roots. at times blood traces
showed where they had passed. And
vet Smith knew that they were keep
ing up hope-that they felt confident
friends were working for their free
dom. The trail was marked by Occa-
sional broken twigs, or bits Of cloth
That had eIuded the eyes of the savages.
Even in the midst Of his misery, the
Young ranger felta peculiar pride III
the courage and GOODNESS of the one he
so dearly loved, who could so cunning
Iy deceive the foe, While aiding tho
pUTsUer.
He was correct in his guess. Anne
eft the sign for their guidance. One
Of the savages, while gOading her on
with pointed stick, promised to make
amends for her sufferings by making
her his squaw as soon as the village
was gained. Instead of crushing her
spirits, these threats aroused the maid
en-. She broke twigs as she passed
along, delaying the party as much as
possible by her tagging and laundering
footsteps.
At dawn the bOrdeTers again started
forward. but the past night had greatly
composed Smith, and he was once
more the cool, keen-witted scout.
Through the forenoon he carefully
noted the course pursued by the Shaw
anese. lie began to fear that they
would reach their village before being
overtaken, and urged on by this dread
he resolved upon a desperate course.
Should the same course be held, he
knew the Indians must cross the next
stream at a certain pass, 1t being the
only ford for miles. BY making direct
for this point, without pausing TO spell
out the trail, much valuable time might
be gained, and as a last hope the set
tiers resolved to attempt it.
The pass was reached, and to their
great Joy the trail was found. The
rocks in the stream were still wet with
the water splashed up by the passage.
The savages could not be far distant
now.
'LoOkl A smOkel" suddenly NUT
tered Grafton.
"Wait here. I'll go forward and re-
cOnnoiter," whispered Smith.
Scarce two hundred yards he crawled
then paused, peering out upon the
camp Of the savages. They were eat
ing. Anne and Jessie sat near them,
their hands bound, and their feet free.
Suddenly, one Of the savages arose and
strobe to Anne's side, offering her
some food. AS she refused it he struck
her. That was his last insult The
scouts rifle was raised and spoke, and
the Indian, with a shrill death yell, fell
to the ground, shot through the brain'
The other Indians seized their weap-
ons. Smith sprang forward. The
maidens uttered cries Of JOY and rush
ed to meet their friends. The Indians
Ieveled their rifles. Smith rushed upon
them with clubbed rife. Ills riaebutt
crushed one Indian to the ground,
dashing out his brains. Then-crack-
crack-crackl three rifles spoke, and
three Indians fell, dead and dying.
The long trail was ended.
The little party reached Boonesbor-
ough in safety, and Henry Smith was a
truly happy man, for during the jour
ney Anne forgot her cOquetry, and
confessed that his love was returned.
Before the first snow fell they were
married.
Both are long since dead, bat their
descendants still tell the story of how
the daring young ranger won his wife,