xt7vmc8rcc9r https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7vmc8rcc9r/data/mets.xml Ellis, Edward Sylvester, 1840-1916. 1862  books b92-239-31299712 English Beadle, : New York : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Riflemen of the Miami  / by Edward S. Ellis. text Riflemen of the Miami  / by Edward S. Ellis. 1862 2002 true xt7vmc8rcc9r section xt7vmc8rcc9r 





































     BEADLE AND COMPANY,
NEW YORK: 141 WILLIAM STREET.
      LONDON: 41 PATERNOSTER ROW.

 This page in the original text is blank.

 


























    Entered according to Act of Congress, tn the Year 1862, by
              BEADLE AND COMPANY,
k the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Ulited States fod the
                Soathern District of New York.


 






THE RIFLENEN OF THE M1IAM11.



                   CHAPTER          I.
                       TEE RESCUE.
          If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well
          It were done quickly.-MACBETH.
  "QuIcK, boys, and be careful that they don't see your
heads."
  Four men were moving along under the bank of the
Miami, with their bodies bent, at a gait that was almost
rapid enough to be called a run. They were constantly
raising their heads and peering over the bank, as though
watching something in the wood, which in this section was
quite open. All four were attired in the garb of hunters, and
were evidently men whose homes were in the great wilder-
ness. They had embrowned faces, and sinewy limbs, and the
personnel of the woodman-of the men who hovered only
upon the confines of civilization, rarely, if ever, venturing
within the crowded city tr village. It is hardly necessary to
say that each carried his rifle and his hunting-knife.
  Between the three foremost was a striking resemblance; it
appeared impossible that more than five years divided them
in age. Two were brothers, George and Lewis Dernor, -lwhile
the third answered to the sobrqwuet of Dick-his real name
being Richard Allmat. The fourth-he who brought up the
rear-possessed an individfiality which must have marked
him in any situation. Barely more than five feet in height,
and with bowed legs, instead of owning a jovial temper, as
one would have a right to expect from his jolly-looking face,
he was, in reality, a most irascible fellow. Never known to
express satisfaction at any occurrence, gift or suggestion, he
was constantly finding fault, and threatening dire vengeance
upon those who surrounded him. These threats never being

 
THlE RIFLEMEN OF THE MIAMI.



carried out, attracted little attention. " Tom" (as he wu
callea) was considered a privileged individual, and, in spite
of his disposition, was a favorite with those who knew him.
This may seem strange when we add that, in addition to his
sour temper, the natural defect of his legs prevented him from
placing any dependence upon them. At his best speed he
was but an ordinary runner. A stranger well might wonder
that he should adopt a life where fleetness of foot was so
necessary-in fact, so almost indispensable. Tom O'Ilara
turned ranger from pure love for the wild, adventurous life;
and, despite the natural defects to which we have referred,
possessed accomplishments that rendered him a most valuable
ally and companion. He never had met his superior with
the rifle, and his knowledge of woodcraft was such that,
although he had spent ten years on the border, his slowness
of foot had never operated against him; nor once had he
been outwitted by the red-men of the woods. Besides this,
he had the enviable reputation of being a lucky individual-one
whose rifle never missed fire, or sped wide of its mark-one
to whom no unfortunate accident ever occurred; so that, take
him all in all, few hunters were safer in the wood than this
same Tom O'Hara.
  These four were known as the Riflemen of the Miami, of
whom Lewis Dernor was the leader. Another member, then
a 1ong way uff, will be referred to hereafter.
  " Quick, boys, and be careful that they don't see your
heads," admonished Lewis, ducking his own and gesticulating
to those behind him.  "Sh ! look quick ! there they go !"
  The four stretched' their necks, glancing over the bank, out
into a small clearing in the wood.
  " They'll cross that in a minute," whispered the first speaker.
"Don't raise your heads too high or you'll be seen."
  "You don't appear to think nobody knows nothirg but
you," growled Tom, with a savage look.
  " Quiet!  There they go !"
  One Indian strode into the clearing, followed by another,
then bv two abreast, between whom a wonman was walking,
her head bent as if in despair, with steps painful and labored.
Behind these came three other savages. They passed across
the clearing-the whole seven, with their captive like the



a

 
rtES IN AMBUSIEL



moving figurea in a panorama, and entered the wood upon
the opposite side.
  " Every mother's son of them is in his war-paint," said
Lewis-who, by the way, divided his words with Tom, the
other two rarely speaking except when directly appealed to.
  "Who said they wasn't" demanded Tom. "And what
difference does it make  They've got somebody's gal there,
hain't they  eh   Say.  And what's the odds whether
they've daubed themselves up with their stuff or not "
  " Well, what's the next move To set up a yell and pitch
after them "
  " None but a fool would want to do that."
  " But don't you notice the bank gets so low down yonder
that it won't hide us, and we'll have to show ourselves "
  " It'll hide us as long as we want to be hid. Come, don't
squat here, or we'll let the rascals slip, after all."
  Again the three moved down the bank, as rapidly, silently
and cautiously as spirits, ever and anon raising their heads as
they gained a glimpse of the Indians passing through the
wood. Thle latter were following a course parallel with the
Miami, so that the relative distance between the two parties
remained nearly the same. It was manifest to the hunters
that the Indians intended crossing the river with their captive
at some point lower down, and were making toward that
point. It was further evident from the deliberation in their
movements, and from the fact that they were not proceeding
in " Indian file," that as yet they had no suspicion of being
pursued, although every one of their number knew of the
existence of the Riflemen of the Miami-that formidable con-
federation whose very name was a word of terror even to their
savage hearts. Entirely unsuspicious of the danger which
menaced them, every thing was in favor of the hunters.
  For several hundred yards further, the two parties main-
tained their relative distance, the Indians proceeding at a
usual walk, and the whites at a very irregular one-now
running rapidly a few steps, and then halting and gazing
over the bank to ascertain the precise whereabouts of their
enemies; then skulking a few yards further, and halting as
before, remaining all the time nearly opposite the " braves."
Suddenly the latter came to a stand.



7

 
TE RIT7'LEMEN OF THE MIAMI.



  " Now for a confab," said Lewis, as his companions Zatheed
about him. "I wonder what they are going to jabber about "
  "What do you want to know for, ch " asked Toni.
  "It's pretty plaiii they're going to cross the river, but, con-
found it, how can we tell where it's going to be done  I've
told you that the bank gets so low, just yonder, that it won't
hide us any longer."
  " Who wants it to hide us  They intend to cross the
river here, and in about ten minutes, too. Just watch their
actions, if you can do it without showing your head."
  The Indians stood together, conversing upon some point
about which there seemed a variance of opinion. Their deep,
guttural, ejaculatory words were plainly audible to the hunters,
and their gleaming, bedaubed visages were seen in all their
hideous repulsiveness. They gesticulated continually, pointing
behind them in the direction of their trail, and across the
river, over the heads of the crouching Riflemen, who were
watching every motion. Nothing would have been easier for
the latter than to have sent four of these savages into eternity
without a moment's warning; yet, nothing was further from
their intentions, for, of all things, this would have been the
surest to defeat their chief object. The captive would have
been brained the instant the savages saw they could not hold
her. The great point was to surprise them so suddenly and
completely as to prevent this.
  From the present appearance of matters, this seemed not
very difficult of accomplishment, as it was a foregone con-
clusion upon the part of the hunters that the savages would
endeavor to ford the river at the point where they lay in
ambush for them. It only remained for the Riflemen to bide
their time, and, at the proper moment, rush upon and scatter
them, and rescue the captive from their hands.
  " I wonder whether they're going to talk all day," remarked
Tom, impatiently, after they had conversed some twenty or
thirty minutes.
  " They're in a dispute about something. It won't take
them long to get through with it."
  "How do you know that, I should like to know  Like
enough they'll talk till lark, and keep us waiting. Conforuv4
'em, what's tMe use "



8

 

TE IRNDIANS IN CONSULTATION.



  No one ventured to reply to Tom's sulky observation, and,
after several impatient exclamations, lie added:
  " The longer they talk the louder they get, which is a sure
sign the dispute is getting hotter, which is another sign it'll
be considerable time before they get through."
  "I am sure we can wait as long as they can," said Dick,
mnildly.
  " SMy heavens! who said we couldn't Just hear 'em jabber !"
  The conversation of the Indians had now become so earnest,
that every word spoken was distinctly heard by the Riflemen.
The latter, from the dress and actions of the savages, under-
stood they had no chief with them, but were merely seven
warriors, who had been out on this barbarous expedition, and
were returning to their town with the booty and the captive
they had secured.
  "They're talking in the Shawnee tongue," said Lewis.
"Can't you understand what they're driving at "
  "If you only keep your jaws shut a minute or two, I
could; but if you three fellers mean to talk all the time, I
.should like to know how I am going to understand any thing
they say. See whether you can keep quiet a minute, just."
  Tom's companions did as requested, while he bent his head
forward, and seemed to concentrate all his faculties into thle
one of listening. Upon the part of the Riflemen all was still
as death. After several minutes of the acutest attention, Tom
raised his head, and said, with a glowing expression:
  " They're talking about us."
  "The deuce! what are they saying "
  " Don't you see they're pointing up the river and across it
Well, the meaning of all that is, that they're wondering which
way we'll come from."
  " What seems to be the general expectation'"
  "The trouble is just there-the expectation is altogether
too general. Some think we're oln their trail, others that
We're following the other side the river down, and waiting for
the chance to let drive at 'em, while one, at least, feels certain
we're coming up the stream to meet 'em."
    Is that their dispute "
  "A part of it, of course, but the trouble is-what to do.
Scme want to strike off in tine woods and take a, roundaboutl



9

 

THE RIFI EMEN OF THE MIAI.



way to reach home; but the greatest number want to cros the
stream at this point."
   " They'll probably do it then."
   " Of course they will-no; I'll be shot if they ain't going
further into the woods !" suddenly exclaimed Tom.
   "They're going to start in a minute, too. Get ready, boys,
for a rush-it's all we can do."
   " Hold still a minute," commanded Tom, excitedly.
   Then dropping his rifle, he ran down to the river's cdge,
and picked up several large pebbles, one of which he placed
in his right hand as if about to throw it.
   " What are you going to do with that " asked Dick.
   "That's none of your business; you've only to wait and
see. Just keep your heads down now, if you don't want
them knocked off.
   Tom, drawing his hand back, struck it quickly against
his thigh, accomplishing what is generally termed "jerking"
the stone. The latter went circling high over the heads of
the disputing Indians, and came down upon the other side of
them, cutting its way through the dry leaves of the trees with
a peculiar zip-ztp, which was distinctly heard by the Riflemen
themselves.
  The unusual sound could not fail instantly to attract the
attention of the Indians. They paused in their conversation,
and turned their alarmed gaze toward it, as if in expectation
of some danger. With their instinctive caution, they sepa-
rated, and partially protecting themselves behind the trees,
prepared to receive what they supposed to be their enemies.
A noticeable fact did not escape the eyes of the Riflemen.
The captive, a weak, defenseless girl, was not allowed to
screen herself, as did her captors, but was compelled by them
to stand out in full view, as an additional safeguard against
their bullets.
  It was at this moment that Tom hurled the second stone
over the heads of the Indians, it descending with the samne
sharp, cutting sound, and resolving their suspicions into a
certainty that their white enemies were indeed at hand.
Lewis Dernor, now that the moment of action had arrived,
was as sllrew(l and far-sighlted as either Tom or any of the
others. It was these very qualities, coolness and self-reliance



10

 

THE MOMENT OF PERU.



in the crisis of danger, that made him nominally the leader
of the diflemen of the Miami. He saw the great advantage
gained by O'Hara's artifice in attracting the attention of the
Indians to the point opposite to that from which the peril
threatened; but, at the same time, he well knew that those
same Shawnees were too well skilled in woodcraft to suffer
their gaze to be diverted for any length of time from the
river-bank.
  As matters now stood, the captive herself was the only one
who was looking in the direction of the latter, while her gaze
was a mere mechanical one, wandering hither and thither
without resting for a moment upon any particular object.
Lewis felt that the all-important point was to make her aware
of the vicinity of friends. Shel being a total stranger to them,
and evidently with no hope of any immediate rescue, made
this a matter of considerable difficulty; but, without hesitating
a moment, Lewis suddenly arose to the upright position,
thereby exposing his head and shoulders, and beckoned to the
girl to approach him. The instant he had done this, he
dropped on his face and disappeared.
  The attempt was only a partial success. At the moment
of rising, the gaze of the captive was toward a point further
down-stream; but the figure of the hunter, as it rose and sunk
from view, was in her field of vision and did not entirely
escape her notice.  The unusual occurrence drew her look
thither, making it certain that a second attempt, could it be
made, would succeed far better than the first. All this Lewis
comprehended, and as quick as possible repeated his move-
ment precisely as before.
  This time the girl saw him and perfectly understood his
meaning; but, with a precipitancy that filled the hunters with
the greatest alarm, she started directly toward them, with
outstretched arms, as if imploring assistance. It was at this
instant that Lewis discovered a quickness of perception, cool-
ness and promptness of action that was absolutely wonderful.
Looking out upon the exciting drama being enacted before
him, he saw with unerring certainty how far the girl could
run before being fired at by the savages. Waiting until she
had gone the distance, he raised his head and.shoulders to
view, and called out in a voice of thunder:



IS

 

THE RIFT-'AXEN OF THE MIAMI.



  " I say, gal, drop flat on your face and stay there."
  The quickness with which this command was obeyed, ana
the almost simultaneous crack of two rifles, might well have
caused the belief that she had fallen because shot through the
heart; but such was not the case. The command of Lewis
broke upon her like a thunder-peal, and as quick as a flash of
liglhtnin-g did she comprehend the fearfully imminent peril in
which she was phlced. So marvelously close had been the
calculation of the hunter, that at the very instant she obeyed
him, the rifle of the nearest Indian was pointed full at her.
This did not escape the eagle eye of O'Hara, who, with the
same coolness that characterized the action of his leader, dis-
charged his piece at the brazed head of the Shawnee, his aim
scarcely oacupying a sec;,d. The bullet sped sure, striking
the savage at the very moment his own weapon was fired,
and his deatlh-yell mingled with the whistle of his own harm-
less rifle-ball.
  Even in this moment of terrible danger, the manner in
which the Indians shifted to the opposite side of the trees
could but attract the notice of the hunters. It was simulta-
neous on the part of all, and resembled that of automata,
moved by machinery. First, every copper-colored body was
exposed to full view; and the next minute six gleaming rifle-
barrels only showed where they had sheltered themselves from
the fire of the whites. They no longer doubted the point from
which their danger threatened, and a genuine strategic Indian
fight now commenced.
  Had the captive, who was now literally between two fires,
done nothing but merely fall upon her face, her situation
could niot have been improved in the least thereby. But the
nature of the ground near her was such that, by lying per-
fectly motionless, the bullets of the Shawnees could not strike
her, unless they could gain a position nearer to the hunters.
As matters stood, she was safe only so long as her captors
could be kept from changing their places.
  This was manifest to both the whites and the Indians; and
while tVre latter were now actuated by the desire to slay the
girl, the efforts of the former were turned toward her salva-
tion. It wa' further evident that the Shawnees were aware
that they were now opposed to the IRifiemeD of the Miami,



12

 

N ARKSMANSELIP.



and were noth.neg Both for a trial of skill. The loss of one of
their number was such a matter of course, that it operated
only as an incentive for exertion and skill upon their part.
  A portion of the dress bf the girl, as she lay upon the ground,
could be seen by several of the Indians, and they fired numer-
ous shots at it. Finding this accomplished nothing, they
resorted to a far more dangerous expedient-that of shooting
away enough earth in front of her to allow the free passage
of one of their bullets to her body. It will be seen that great
skill was required to do this, but the expertness of the Shaw-
,lee marksmen was equal to the task. They commenced their
work by sending a ball so as to strike the earth immediately
before her, and a few inches below the surface. The instant
this was done, another fired his bullet directly after, with such
skill that it varied but the fraction of an inch from following
directly in its path. The force with which these balls were
discharged was such that the twelfth one would most assuredly
take the life of the girl.
  None knew this better than Lewis Dernor, who, in the same
trumpet-like tone that had characterized his former command,
called out:
  " Young gal, clean away tnt dirt in front of you and bde
yourself better, or the imps will riddle you."
  It required no more incentive to do this, and she used her
hands-with such vigor that a few moments accomplished all
she could wish. The ground, being soft and moist, favored
her, and when she dragged herself a few feet forward, all of
her dress disappeared from the view of the Indians, and she
was as safe from their bullets as if behind the river-bank it-
self.
  A few more shots convinced the Shawnees of this, and they
now sent several bullets whistling over the heads of the Rifle-
men as if to remind them that they were to receive attention.
So long as the members of the two parties maintained their
respective positions, this affray could amount to nothing;
accordingly, several of the savages made an effort to change
their posts in such a manner as to outflank the whites. Despite
the admirable skill with which this attempt was made, the
deadly rifle of George Dernor brought down a warrior as he
fitted from tree to tree. This, for the present, put a stop tc

 
THlE RIFLEMEN OF THE MIAMI.



the movement and turned the efforts of the savages in anothei
direction.
   Two brawny Shawnees, convinced that nothing coii l bd
done against the Riflemen, renewed their attempts to secure a
shot at the girl, who all this time lay as motionless as if dead.
They commenced working their way slowly but surely toward
the. river, while she, unconscious of the murderous stratagem.
patiently awaited the turn of affairs which would free her from
her terrible thralldom. Finally, an Indian, who was squatted
behind a tree, gained a view of a tuft of her hair and brought
his rifle to his shoulder. The sunlight that scintillated along
the barrel Gf his weapon made it resemble a burnished spear,
poised in his lhand, while following it up to the stock, not only
his crooked arm which supported the gun, but his entire pro-
file was visible. Forgetting his own peril in his anxiety to
slay the helpless girl, the Shawnee leaned several inches further
forward, thereby discovering one-half of his shaven hea'l.
Ere he could draw it back, the whip-like crack of another rifle
broke the stillness, and he fell forward on his face, pierced
through and through the brain.
  " I've a great notion to break your head for you !" exclaimed
Tom, in an excited whisper to Dick, for it was the latter who
had fired the fatal shot.
  " Why, what's up now "
  " I'd just got that Shawnee sure when you picked him off.
Don't you serve me that trick again."
  With this ebullition, Tom subsided, and turned his attention
once more toward their common enemy.
  The shot of Dick really decided the affray. It convinced
the Indians that not only were they unable to shoot the girl
or avenge themselves upon the Riflemen, but the latter had so
much the advantage of them, that to prorong the contest would
only be to insure their own annihilation. Three of their
number were already slain, and the remaining four, from their
respective positions, had not the shadow of a chance to pick
off any of the whites. What might naturally be expected
under the circumstances occurred. The savages commenced
a retreat, conducting it with such caution that the whites could
not gain another shot. The last seen of them was a shadowy
glimpse in a distant part of the wood, as the four fled, thereby



14

 

THE CAPTIVE RESCUED.



doing only what the Riflemen of the Miami had before com-
pelled many a body of Indians to do.
  A few minutes later, Lewis rose up and said
  " This way, gal; there's none of the imps left."
  The girl, timidly raising her head, glanced about her, and
then, Lewis' invitation being repeated, she arose and walked
toward him, looking furtively backward as though still fearful
of her late captors.
  "Bless your dear soul," said Lewis, warmly welcoming her,
"you've had a skeery time with them Shawnees, but you're
safe for the present. You may set that down as a question
that needn't be argued."
  "Oh I how can I thank you for rescuing me! I can never,
never repay you," said she, with streaming eyes.
  " Who the deuce wants you to pay us " asked Tom, gruffly.
  " Come, come, Tom, see whether you can't be civil once,
even if you.'ve got to be sick for it. Don't mind him, little
gal; he loves you all the more for what he said."
  " I know he does, or lie would never have risked his life to
save a stranger as he has just done."
  Tom, from some cause or other, was obliged to gouge his
eye several times Writh. his crooked finger. One might have
suspected that they were more moist than usual, had he not
looked particularly savage at that moment. Dick, who, by
the merest accident, glanced in his face was nearly startled
off his feet by the irascible fellow shouting:
  "What you looking at   Say I Can't a chap rub his eyes
without your gaping at him that way "
  Dick meekly removed his gaze, while Tom looked ferocious
enough to annihilate the whole party.
  The girl, just rescuesd from the Shawnees, was a comely
maiden. Though attired in the homespun garb of the back-
woods, she would have attracted attention in any society. If
not beautiful, she certainly was handsome, being possessed of a
countenance rich with expression, and a form of perfect grace.
Blue eves, golden hair, a well-turned head, small nose and a
health-tinted complexion, were characteristics to arrest the eye
of the most ordinary observer. Even under disadvantageous
Circumstances like the present, these were so striking that
they could but make an impression, and a skillful reader of



15

 
ToH RIFLEMEN OF THUE M  AMI.



human nature would have seen that Lewis had been tohd.d
-that, in short, the leader of the Riflemen of the Miami had
reached the incipient stages of the passion of passions, in the
short interview to which we have referred. That he would
rasier have been scalped than have been suspected of it by
his companions, was very true.
  Taking the small hands which were confidingly placed in
_tis own, he said;
  "Let us hear all about this scrape, my little one."
  "My home is, or was until night before last, many miles
from here. On that evening, I was left alone by my dearest
friend, who little dreamed of the danger which hovered over
our house. The Indians must have been aware of his absence,
for, before it was fairly dark, three of them stalked in the door
without sayiLg a word, and led me away. They have traveled
constantly ever since, and I was almost wearied to death,
when you came up, and by the assistance of kind Heaven,
saved me. How came you to be so interested in a stran-
ger '
  " As for that matter," replied Lewis, " it ain't the first time,
my little one, that we've been interested in strangers. I might
say we've a particular interest in all the whites and reds of
this region. The Rifleinen of the Miami-"
  " Are you the men who are known by that name " asked
the girl, with a glowing countenance.
  "At your service," replied Lewis, with a modest blurpu.
  "Indeed, I have heard of you, and have heard your name
blessed again and again by the settlers further east."
  " Which certainly is pleasant to us. As I was going to say,
we were coming down the Miami, this morning, when we
chanced to strike the trail of these identical Indians. It was
easy enough to see that it was but a short time since they had
gone along, and, as it was in our line, of course we jogged on
-fter them. The red imps were taking it coolly, and in a
louple of hours or so we got sight of them going down the
river. Well, we followed on after them till they made their
halt out here, when-well, you know the rest."
  '' Of course she does," said Tom, "so what's the use of
talking  What's the gal want to do Go back to her friendl.
I EposC P"



16

 

OLD SMITH;S HOUSE.



    lf you could take mne there. I could not express my thank-
fulne.s."
  " Where is it you belong "
  The girl gave the name of a settlement nearly a hundred
.miles distant. Lewis bent his head a moment, as if delibera-
ting something, and then said:
  " We've got a job on our hands that must be done this very
Iinghlt, and it is going to be such a lively one that it won't do
to have you in the vicinity. Consequently, although there
isn't one of us but what would risk his life to take you back
to your friends, it can't be done just now."
   You will not leave me " plead the girl.
   "Leave you  that's something the Riflemen, I make bold
to say, never did yet. No; of course we'll not leave you. I'll
tell you the plan. About five miles off from the river, lives
old Caleb Smith and his two bigr sons, all as clever and kind
as so many babies. We've got to be back at our rendezvous
to-night, where the other member of our company is to meet us;
and on our way there, we'll leave you at Old Smith's and return
for you in a few days. Won't that be the best we can do,
Tom "
  " S'pose so."
  The girl herself expressed great satisfaction a, this conclu-
sion; and, as it was getting well along in the day, the Rifle-
men set out with their charge. In due time they reached
"Old Smith's house," who was well known to them, and who
received them with the most hearty cordiality. IHe gladly
took charge of the rescued girl, promising that she should be
guarded as-nuch as if his own child. Just as the shadows of
evening were closing over the wood, the Riflemen took their
departure.
  Three days later they returned to fulfill their promise to the
girl, when old Smith told them that, fearing some unexpected
'occurrence had detained them, he had sent his two sons to
,conduct her to her home.



17


 
6THEC RYFLEMEN OF THE YOWAML



                   CHAPTER II.
                      THTE SETTLERS.
         We will rear new trees under homes that glow
         A8 if gems were the frontage of every bough;
         O'er our white walls we will train the vine,
         And sit in its shadow at day's decline,
         And watch our herds as they range at will
         Through the green savannas, all bright and still.
                                             MRS. LIECHAI.
  TVE incident narrated in the preceding chapter occurred
one autumn, many years ago. In the spring succeeding this
autumn, a company of settlers, with their loaded teams, and
unwieldy baggage, were making their slow way through the
labyrinths of an Ohio forest to a sparse settlement buried many
miles further in the wilderness.
  At that day, so comparatively recent, such a sight was
rarely witnessed in this section, as a deep-rooted hostility ex-
isted between the settlers and Indians, and an undertaking
like the present was attended with too great danger for it to
be often repeated. The rut of a single wagon, half obliterated
by accumulated leaves and rankly-growing grass, showed
that this route had been traveled over but once before, and
that on the preceding season. At regular intervals, trees were
passed with chips hacked from their Sides, the track having
frst been " blazed " before being passed over.
  Like the emigrant-party which had preceded it, the present
(fine i)ossessed but a single wagon, drawn by two pair of slow
but p)owerful oxen. It had a substantial cover, beneath which
were stowed an immense quantity of baggage and some six or
eight children, including also four women, two of whom were
married and two unmarried. At the side of the front oxer.
walked the driver, whose whole attention was devoted to their
direction. Several yards in advance rode two horsemen, and
beside them three men plodded forward on foot. In the rear,
scarcely a yard behind the lumbering wagon, walked " old
Caleb Smith," and his two overgrown sons, as proud of them
As was any monarch of his favorite generals. In addition to
the men enumerated, there were three more - who mrty



to

 
AN EMiIGRIANT-PA-TY.



properly be called the scouts of the party  One of these was
a couple of hundred yards in advance, stealing his way along,
as carefuilly as if p),urs-ted by an unrelenting foe, his whole
soul occupied in w.utchun- for signs of the dusky red-mnen of
the woods. At a sMm r  ]ivat less distances on either side of
the road, and in such a position as to be opposite the wagon,
was one -of the remaiining scouts, as watchful, vigilant and
skillful as the one reforred to. Thus the party progressed,
neglecting no precaution that could make their safety more
secure, and although numerically small, still far more powerful
than were many emigrant-parties who had preceded them in
penetrating other portions of the Great West.
  One of the young women, that we have mentioned as being
in the wagon, was Edith Sudbury, the heroine of the preceding
chapter.  She had not a single relation among all those
around her, and it was certainly singular that she should have
united her destinies with those who, several months before,
were entirely unknown to her. But, though not related, every
one was her friend. Tier amiable disposition, her grace and
beauty of manners, her own prepossessing appearance, and
above all, her unremitting kindness to every one with whom
she came in contact, had won upon the hearts of all. Old
Smith's two sons, Jim and Harry, one eighteen the other
twenty, both over six feet in height, looked upon " lit