Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-04-14
A Tale of the Juniata.
BY 'EDwARD JAMES.

1t was night. One OF those dark,
gi,1omy periods when the very stiffness
siarl-s The solitary thinker and causes
him TO coniure up sights the most
horrible. Awful murders, fearful TRACE
dies. bloody assassinations and kindred
scenes .ush past his mental vision with
such painful rapidl:!g and vividness as to
make him fondly wish for the early ap-
proach of dawn, with its cheering, horror
dispelling light.
The scene Of my sketch is few miles
southwest of Waynesburg, now McNey-
town. Penn. small settlement on the
historic Blue Jauiata, Il stream Justly
famed for the limpldness OF its waters and
the grand and sublime scenery OF the Val
lev through which it winds lis sinuous
course. The time of the occurrence dates
back almost century ago and time, with
its changes, has almost effaced the ola
land marks, but enough vet remain to
make the site referred 10 familiar 10 all
readers conversant with that portion OF the
Juniata Valley.
In the woods which run down to the
river stands heavy log house, embowered
in deep foliage, soon 10 be the scene oil a
most exciting adventure. The little riyu-
let hard by rIpples over the moss-covered
stones, making peculiarly pleasing noise
as il hurries on TO join the placid river be-
low-iust at this tims, however, subsidine
from the autumnal floods. Inside the
b.9yy building all is still as death; no
light can be seen whatever ard as the
hours pass on the darkness seems TO become
more inpenetrable and the stiffness more
intense until the suspense is almost I'M
bearable. when bark. the defying, chal-
longing war-whoop of an Indian rends the
air and echoes throughout the distant
n n,ouu,ains. 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 Ioop-hole. followed BY flash,
q report and SIS the sound reverberates
through the naghboring hills and glens,
tSe death shrek of a savage is heard and
once more the portals open and another
duslv spiri, enters the happy hunting
grounds.
Not many minutes elapse until the house
is surrounded by a score or more OF blood
IL
thirsty wretches anxious to aveDge the
deash of their brother.
At this stage short description Of the
occupants of this beseiged place is neces-
s1rv to a proper understanding of the fore
go;np remarks. and will enable the reader
,o form an idea of the perilous life and ad-
ventures of the primitive settlers of the Jun
lata region. =,
Alexander DePush-fof such we shall
call him-was an old and experienced nun
Ter. who with his family consisting OF his
wife, son aged twenty, and daughter, the
latter a beautiful girl of eighteen summers,
had settled here because of Its seclusion
and its being the center of good hunting
section.
ON the day upon which our story opens,
vo,,t. q DePugh was out on hunting and
6shins. expedition and being of fearless
and yenuresome natu.e had wandered sew
eral mile. from home. About noon, being
yery much fatigued, he extended his tired
=. H. la.f c,ra,rn ,yro,Ind beneath
the spreading branches of a large tree,
while he partook of refreshing lunch'
He had no. remained in this position long,
boweyer. until his trained ears were greeted
with tine gruff voice of man near by IN
c,ose conversation with another. DePugh
raised himself upon his elbow and, with
an intentness born of experience, listened
IN their conference. But few moments
satisfied him that the speakers were indian
scouts and that, too, from hostile party
who were devising plans for the captee o'
| his fathers family.
With stealthy steps the young
hunter stole away from the dangerous spo'
and not having been discovered. made IN
way rapidly home, reaching there Just III
time 10 inform his unsuspecting family O.
| the impending peril. He had been In TIM
house but a short time when peering int
The darkness through a loo2-hoie be espiet
savage with lighted fagot skulkiSi
through the trees toward the dwelling
This latter movement on the part of al
Iadian. as well as the signal shsnt bef'r