Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-10-12
AhOlaha
A LITTLE MARYLAND CAPTIVE
An Historical Romance of the Pioneer History OF
Western Maryland
By the late Rev. A. L. Oerter

fed bearing, yet without any trace Of
vanity or self-assertion. His oper
countenance and noble brow indicated
at the same time strength of charac.
ter and kindness of disposition, while
there was magnetic power in his
glance that invited confidenc and com.
plete reliance on his strength and fl
deity. Although still young man.
married only few months previously
he had, before that happy event, been
engaged in arduous expeditions, and
had rendered distinguished service to
his country in military campaigns
against the French and Indians, until
after the taking of Fort Duquesne,
when he had been retired for season
to private life, on his estate in Vir-
ginia.
Friend George and Friend Israeli "
said Mr.. Williamson as Marie and her
companions entered the library, "let
me present to you these young friends
who were carried off by the Indians
during the war, and have just recent
ly been released from their captivity.
Come hither, young friends, and pay
your respects to Colonel Washington
and Colonel Putnam, who have bravely
contended with the French and In
dians, some of whom harassed your
people so much"
The whilome captives advanced, and
the two officers shook hands with them
congratulating them on their release
and inquiring where they had lived
when they were taken captive by the
Indians.
"Those were indeed sad and terrible
times. l can assure you, Friend Will
hanson, the suffering of the people
on the frontiers distressed me beyond
measure, and could do so little with
the insufficient force at my command
to help them. That whole region was
almost depopulated, and there were
many poor victims of the Indians"
$50 it has been everywhere" re-
marked Colonel Putnam, "but | think
we have them checked now"
PUTNAM" said Washington, "tell
them how you got that honorable
scar on your check"
"Oh," 1ejoined Putnam, "that was
only one incident among many"
"Pray tell them, Friend Israeli
said MI. Williamson, land they will
see that thee can sympathise with
them"
"There is not much to tell" said
Colonel-later General Putnam. "Only
what soldiers have to expect when
they fight with Indians and get caught
You see," he continued with smile
"they ambuscaded my command, took
me prisoner, tied me to stake, piled
wood around me and set it on fire
and one of them threw his tomahawk
and gashed my cheek. Then the
French Colonel Marin rushed up, scat
tered the firebrands, cut my bonds,
took-me to his quarters and saved my
life; that's ALL"
aye, and quite enough" said Mr.
Williamson; ~ hope thee will not fall
into their hands again."
When the young people were about
to leave the room, Colonel Washing
ton placed his hand on Marie's head
and giving her compassionate look
which she never forgot, said, 81 hope
my young friend, you will soon be re-
stored to your, parents. If can ever
be of any service to you, or to any of
you, be so good as to send me word
at Mount Vernon, and I shall gladly
do all in my power to help you."
Some weeks later, a>special. messen-
ger brought to Friend Williamson q
letter from Colonel Washington. The
letter stated that Colonel Washington
I Hdu fllSI dIl uilClC VI SSItiuuC oliN
Pauline, who lived in Frederick Coun-
ty, Virginia, and was glad to learn
that the Colonel had seen them ir
Philadelphia. He was desirous tc
give his sisters children a home with
him, and had requested Colonel Wash
ington to forward to Mr.. Williamson
the enclosed funds for their journey
to Annapolis, where he would meet
them. The letter also said that ths
messenger who would accompany
them was entirely reliable, being the
Colonel's faithful body-servant, Bish
op, bequeathed to him by Genera
Braddock, and that he would bring
them to Mount Vernon where the
Colonel had invited their uncle to meet
them.
"That is just like our good friene
George" said Mr.. Williamson, as HI
congratulated the sisters on theil
good fortune. "a truly noble man il
ha and will surely some day be al