Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-09-14
AhO1aha
A LITTLE MARYLAND CAPTIVE
An Historical Romance Of the Pioneer History of
Western Maryland
BY the late Rev. A. L. Oertel

uuy CounITy, tHrouSH WHICH Incy du
vanced more slowly, and were obliget
to ford several streams, one Of which
was so deep that the horses almos,
had to swim, and it seemed as though
the little pony would not be able to gel
across.
"Oh, Dannie," said Marie, "if Pear
only doesn't stumble and throw US in
to the water, like he did at the post.
81 don't think he WILL" replied Dan
ME, to reassure her, "just hold or
tight"
With some difficulty they crossed
safely, and not long afterwards as
cended a hill, from the summit of
which they saw two rivers, the one
rushing down from the north and the
other flowing with smoother current
from the south, the Allegheny and the
Monongahela, uniting to form the
headwaters of the Ohio. In the east
ern angle formed by these rivers they
saw fort. 1t was the fort which the
French soldiers who stopped at the
traders post on their way down the
river had abandoned after setting it on
fire, then Fort Duquesne, so named in
honor of the Marquis DuQuesne, the
French Governor of Canada, but re-
named by the British and Colonial for
nm. tb,+ bod @oLo, - Eo,f Dit copoo
years later to be the nucleus of lit
tie town that was to expand into the
great city of Pittsburg. AS it was
near sunset, the Indians said they
would stop there for the night.
To reach the fort they must cross
the Monongahela, which they success
fully accomplished after finding the
shallow ford by which General Brad
docks army had crossed the river a
few years before, still known as Brad
docks Ford. Advancing by the road
through the forest which led them
over the battle ground between the
two gullies or ravines from which the
French and Indians had poured their
CALLING fire into the ranks of the Eng
lish army, they saw gruesome evil
dences of the terrible slaughter. Some
skulls and bones of men and horses
were still scattered about, bleaching
on the ground, while here and there
were fragments of broken wheels, bits
of harness and torn fragments of uni
forms.
| Turning up some leaves and loose
mold, Dannie found an empty powder
horn and soon afterwards an arrow,
still intact, which he showed to one
of the warriors, who, after examining
it, showed it to the others. They
seemed to recognize it as belonging to
a certain tribe of Indians which had
taken part in the battle. For some of
these warriors had themselves been
among the Delawares, who, with the
Ojibways, -Ottawas, Hurons and other
tribes assisted the French in that en-
counter with Braddock's army, and
they pointed out to the others the po-
sitions occupied by the Indians in the
ravines on each side of the road.
Marie and the other female captives
were glad when they had passed this
dismal locality, and after advancing
some distance farther, emerged from
the forest into the clearing around the
fort. Now they could see that the
Notifications were being rebuilt and
enlarged, and that the British flag was
flying over them.
When they came near the fort, they
were halted by a sentry. The Sachem
informed him that they were friends,
were going to Philadelphia to give up
the captives they had with them, and
wanted to stay at the fort that night.
Calling another soldier, the sentry told
him to report the arrival of Indians
with their captives to the commandant
and a subaltern soon came with an or
der for the captives to enter the fort
and lodge there; the Indians to camp
outside.
Leaving har pony in Johann's care
Marie and the others followed the Off
GER into the fort, gazing with mute
wonder at the ramparts, the cannon
and the barracks, all so new to them.
They were conducted to an apartment
in which the Commandant was seat
) ed at table, examining some papers
and drawings. He arose as they en-
), tered, and greeted them courteously
|, saying, II understand you are some OF
the captives held by the Indians dur
ing the war, and that they are now
taking you east, to give you up, ac-
!, cording to the terms of the treaty
j made with them. Where did they
, capture you, and where have they
been keeping you?"
l "We were taken in Maryland and
j Virginia, sir" said Mrs. Robinson
! "and have been kept in an Indian vii
,llage not far from the Ohio, from