Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1884-02-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Brave Woman.

A Brave Woman.
Nearly century ago, when West
Virginia, thinly settled and cleared,
was a favorite fighting ground of the
Indian tribes, there lived near the
Kanawha Falls settler of Dutch cx-
traction named Van Bibber, man
of some note and distinction in those
early days. His homestead stood
below the Falls; and opposite to it,
on the other side of the river, was
an overhanging rock of immense size,
iutting out about hundred feet over
the seething whirlpool, caused by the
Falls, and rising to nearly one hum
drcd feet above the water. This rock
was once the scene of remarkable
adventure, which exhibits what wo-
mans love will give her courage to
achieve for the defense and rescue of
those to whom she is united in the
tcndcrest bonds of affection.
Van Bibber was one day returning
from an expedition into the dense
forest on the opposite side of the river
to his home, when he unfortunately
crossed the path of a party of Indians
returning from some distant fray, and
dressed in tho full glorics of the war
path-paint, feathers, and wampum.
A moment more, and they were in hot
pursuit after him; and the settler,
though possessed of great agility, and
being a swift runner, found himself
unable to gain the bank of the river
before the flying steps of the savages
had enabled them to double on him,
cutting off all approach to the water.
He was thus driven to the summit of
the over-hanging rock, where by the
aid of his rifle, he kept the enemy for
g moment at bay.
lie stood up brayely in full view of
who yelled with triumph at the pros
pect of his speedy capture. Across
the river before him lay his home;
and as he looked he saw his wife
emerge from the house, startled by the
noise, with her babe nestled in her
arms. She stood as if petrificd with
terror and amazcmcnt, helpless, as he
thought, to render assistance. Sud-
denly, borne upon the light breeze,
came to his car, the clear tones of her
voice, "Leap into the water and meet
mel" Aud laying her baby on the
grass she flew to the little landing,
seized the oars and sprang into the
skiff alone. Well for her that her
arms were strong, and that so many
of their hours had been passed on the
sunny river, which flowed with hun
dreds of eddies in its rapid current
past the wall of their humble home.
There is no indecision or weakness
in the steady, firm stroke Of the oars
which bear her rapidly on her dam
be rescued, and there is no human
arm to save him but hers. Nerved
by love to double exertion, the brave
woman steadily ncars the middle of
the river.
''Drop lower wife"
" Lower yet;'' and with the last
words, Van Bibbcr sprang from the
crag, and descended like an arrow
into the water.
With every pulse beating wildly
the devoted wife rested on her oars
to see him rise to the surface, while
her frail canoe danced like cork on
the top of the whirling waves. Ages
seemed to pass in that awful suspense.
Had the fall injured him? Had he
struck the boulders which lay, as she
well knew, in multitudcs under the
water, carried down from the Falls
above! Would he never rise? Her
eyes tried in vain to penetrate the
depths of the water; and, in an
agony, she swept the canoe still fur
ther down the stream. A moment
more, and head rose suddenly near
her, and all her mind was directed to
helping him climb into the shelter of
the canoe, amid the shower of arrows
and shot that the baffied Indians
poured upon their escaping foe.
No word was spoken between them.
Though her husband was rescued,
they had not yet reached shore, and
the brave woman saw that, after the
perilous leap and sudden immersion
into the ice cold water, Van Bibbcr
was more dead than alive. Every
thing depended on her strength being
maintained till she could reach the
bank; and with heart that almost
stood still with fear, the devoted wife
bent once more to the oars with her
whole powers of mind and body
God be thanked! she was successful
After their desperate adventure the
exhausted husband and wife landed
on the spot, whence she had started
on her periIous voyage, where the
baby still lay, growing and laughing
in the last rays of the afternoon sun
Two or three neighbors, who haC
been gathered by the report of tht
rifles, pulled the canoe to the sand.
and helped to lift Van Bibber to hi,
feet. He could not walk, SO they
laid him on the greensward by his
baby; and falling by his side in hel
utter exhaustion and thankfuIness
the over-excited woman found ven
in a wild and uncomfortable fit O
weeping.