The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-04
A Tale Of the Juniata.
BY EDWARD JAMES. y

1t was night. One of those dark,
gloomy periods when the very stiffness
startlos the solitary thinker and causes
him to conjure up sights the most
horrible. Awful murders, fearful trage-
dies, bloody assassinations and kindred
scenes rush past his mental vision with
such painful rapidlty and vividncss as to
make him fendly wish for the early ap-
proach Of dawn, with its cheering, horror
dispclling light.
The scene Of my sketch is fcw miles
southwest Of Wayncsburg, (now McVcy-
town, PENN small settlement on the
historic Blue Janiata, a stream justly
famed for the limpldness of its waters and
the grand and sublime scenery of the Val
ley through which it winds its sinuous
course. The time of the occurrence dates
back almost century ago and time, with
Its changes, has almost effaced the old
land marks, but enough yet remain to
make the site referred to familiar to all
readers conversant with that portion of the
Juniata Valley.
In the woods which run down to the
river stands heavy log house, embowcrcd
in deep foliage, soon to be the scene of a
most exciting adventure. The little rivu-
let hard by rlpples over the moss-covcrcd
stones, making peculiarly pleasing noise
as 1t hurrics on to join the placid river be-
low-just at this time, however, subsiding
from the autumnal floods. Inside the
heavy building all is still as death; no
light can be seen whatever and as the
hours pass on the darkness seems to become
more impenetrable and the stiffness more
intense until the suspense is almost I'M
bearable, when hark the defying, chal-
longing war-whoop of IN Indian rends the
air anu echoes throughout the distant
mountains, chilling the blood of all who
hear it.
Soon all Is hustle and excitement within
and cautiously the barrel of gun is thrust
through the loop-hole, followed by a flash,
& report and as the sound rcverberates
through the nelghboring hills and glens,
the death shrek of a savage is heard and
once more the portals open and another
dus]sy spirit enters the happy hunting
grounds.
Not many minutes elapse until the house
is surrounded by score o. more of blood
thirsty wretches anxious to avenge the
death of their brother
At this stage short description of the
occupants Of this beseigcd place Is neccs-
sary to proper understanding Of tho fore
going remarks, and will enable the reader
to form an idea of the perilous life and adj
venturesof the primitive settlers of the Jun
lata region.
Alexander DoPugh---for such we shall
call him-was an old and experienced hun
ter, who with his family consisting of his
wife, son aged twenty, and daughter, tho
latter beautiful girl Of eighteen summers,
had settled here because Of It's seclusion
and it's being the center Of good hunting
section.
On the day upon which our story opens,
young DcPugh was out on hunting and
fishing expedition and being of fearless
and venturesome nature had wandered sew
cral miles from home. About noon, being
very much fatigued, ho extended his tired
limbs on the leaf ground beneatl,
the spreading branches Of large tree,
while he partook of refreshing lunch.
He had not remained in this position long,
however, until his trained cars were greeted
with tho gruff voice Of man near by In
close coversation with another. DcPugh
raised himself upon his elbow and, with
an intentness born Of experience; listened
to their conference. But few moments
satisfied him tbat the speakers were Indian
scouts and that, too, from hostile party
who were devising plans for the capture Of
his fathers family.
With stealthy step' seuug