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NEWS & PLANTERS’ GAZETTE.
I>. . COTTIMG, Editor.
No. 32.—NEW SERIES.]
NEWS & PLANTERS GAZETTE.
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AG~ ENTS.
TIIE FOLLOWING GENTLEMEN WILL FORWARD THE
NAMES OF ANY WHO MAY WISH TO SUBSCRIBE :
J. T. 4- G. 11. Wooten, A. D. Slalham,Dnnhurg,
Mallorysville, II- F. Tatom, Lincoln-
Felix G. Edwards, Po- ton,
tersburg, Elbert, O. A. Duckett, Crawford-
Gm. Grier, Raytown, ville, ‘
Taliaferro, llv Davenport, Lexing
* James Dell, Powelton, ton,
Hancock, S. ./. Dash, Irwinglon,
* XVm. D. Nelms, Elber- Wilkinson,
ton, Dr.-Cain, Cambridge,
* John A. Simmons, Go- Abbeville District,
shin, Lincoln, South Carolina.
Mail Arrangcriients.
POST OFFICE, )
’ Washington, Ga., January, 1841. $
AUGUSTA MAIL.
Amu .'ES.
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CLOSES.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at 12, M.
MILLEDGEVILLE MAIL.
ARRIVES,
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CLOSES.
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CAROLINA MAIL.
ARRIVES.
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CLOSES.
Sundav, Wednesday, and Friday, at 8, A. M.
ATHENS MAIL.
* ARRIVES.
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CLOSES.
Sunday and Wednesday, at 9, A. M.
ELBERTON MAIL.
A REIVES; CLOSES.
Thursday, at 8, P. M. | Thursday, at 8, P. M.
LINGOLNTON MAIL.
ARRtVES. * CLOSES.
Friday, at 12, M. | Friday, at 12, M.
Dotting & butler,
ATTORNIES,
HAVE taken an OFFICE over Cozart &
Woods Store.
March lf,lßjl.
* Removal.
rrUIE Store-house of the Subscribers having
J- been destroyed by Fire, they have removed
/to the Store-room at the Eastern end of Mr.
Lane’s Brick building.
Persons indebted for their last year’s accounts
can discharge the same with
t Georgia Hail-Hoad JtSoney,
If done by the 20th of April. Those indebted
bv Note, can pay in the same currency.
WILLIS &. CALLAWAY.
March 25, 1841. ts 30
NOTICES.
THE Subscribers havftg had their Books and
most of their Accounts consumed by the
■late Fire, would respectfully solicit those indebt
ed to call, without delay, and settle either with
•CASH or by NOTE, the amount due as near
as their memory will serve them—for this matter
will be left entirely-to the Honor ofh great many;
we trust no one will be found taking the ad
vantage of our situation; but that all will come
forward, like honest men, to our relief.
BURTON & PELOT.
N. B.—Call at the Bank, on E. M. Burton, for
settlement. ■■
March 11. ts 28
* ■ 1 ‘ ~ “ ’ 1 —’ ~’t - ‘
Caution S
A LL persons are cautioned against trading for
a certain NOTE of hand, made payable to
JOHN W. HEARD, or bearer, for between 70
and 80 dollars, and dated sometime last fall, date
and amount not recollected, it is however the on
ly note ever given by me to said Heard. The
consideration of said note liaving failed, I shall
n#l pay the same, unless compelled by law.
• GEORGE W. JARRETT.
Tty,. 7, 1841. ts 19
EVERY VARIETY
OF
mm
EXECUTED AT THIS
IF IF 0 © IS ■
MISCJESitAMEOUS.
From Graham’s Magazine for March.
THE MAIDEN’S ADVENTURE.
A TALE OF TIIE EARLY SETTLERS OF VIR
GINIA.
“ Well Kale,” said her bridesmaid, Lucy
Cameron, the clouds look very threatning,
and you know it is said to be an unlucky o
rncii for one’s nodding night to be stormy.”
“ Pshaw, Lucy, would you frighten me
witlusome old grandmother’s tale, as if I
were a child ? I believe not in omens, and
shall forget all unlucky presages, when the
wife of Richard Gaston,’’answered the love
ly anti smiling bride.
“ You treat it lightly, and 1 trust it may
not be ominous of your conjugal life,” re
sumed Lucy ; “ but my Aunt Kitty says
that's the reason she never married ; be- -
cause it was raining in torrents the day she
was to have been married, and she discar
ded her lover because it was unlucky.”
“ Ah, Lucy, I do not mean to doubt your
•mod aunt’s word ; hut there must have
been'some more serious cause linked with
the one you have mentioned. My life on it
I do not lose a husband for sosliglitacausc.
it must he something more than a common
occurrence, that shall now break off the
match between Dick and myself. But see
the company are beginning to arrive,” said
Kate, as she looked from the window of her
room, “ and I must prepare for the cere
mony.”
Tiic morning of the day of which we
have spoken, had opened in unclouded
splendor, and all seemed propitious to the
nuptials that were to he solemnized in the
evening. The inmates oftlie cabin in which
the preceding conversation had been carri
ed on, had arisen cheerfully with the first
notes of the early robin, to prepare for the
festival, to which the whole neighbor
hood, consisting of all within . fifteen or
twenty miles, (for neighborhoods were then
large, and habitations scarce) were indis
criminately invited.
Kate Lee was the only child of her pa
rents, and had been horn and raised in the
humble cottage which her father had assis
ted to construct with his owb hands. Mr.
Lee had moved to his present residence,
when few ventured thus far into the Indian
territory; and by his own labors, and that
of his two servants, had erected a double
cabin, and cleared about fifty acres of land
upon a rich piece of high ground, a mile &
a halffrom the James River. By his ur
banity and kindness, he had gained the con
fidence of the Indians ; and in all their dep
redations so far, ho had gone unscathed.—
He was of good birth and education, and
the most hospitable man in the settlement.—
The property which lie held, and the style
in which he lived,together with his superior
kiTttwledge; gave him a standing among the
settlers superior to all. Ever ready to as
sist the needy, and always just in his opin
ions and actions, lie was looked to for coun
sel, rather than treated as an equal.
As we said before, Kate was his only
chikhMlnd had been the solace of her pa
rents for nineteen years. She had now at
tained to full-blown womanhood, and, from
her beauty and intelligence, her hand had
been often ask dll by the sons of the pioneers.
Her heart was untouched, until young Gas
ton laid siege to it. To his eloquent ap
peals she lent a willing ear, and promised
to be his bride.
As Kate \vas the loveliest girl in the
country, so was llichard Gaston the most to
be envied “among the youths. Os fine,
manly stature, superior intellect, and un
flagging energy, he was the best match in
the settlement. He cultivated a little farm
on the other side of the river, and when oc
casion offered, engaged in the practice of
law, for which both nature and education
fitted him. He had been in the settlement
about seven years, antT from his open and
conciliatory manners, his bold and manly
bearing, had become a favorite with all a
round him. He was always the first to take
up his rifle, and sally against the hostile In
dians, when necessity required it, and from
his undoubted courage, was always chosen
leader of the little bands, formed to repel
the savage foe.
When the toils of the week had passed,
Gaston might be seen, with his rifle on his
shoulder, moving toward the river where
his canoe was fastened, and springing light
ly into it, dashing through the foaming wa
ters, and among the rocks, as safely and
cheerfully, as if passing over a smooth and
glassy lake ; and on the following evening
he might be seen again, braving the rush
ing current, with the same careless ease, but
more thoughtful brow ; for who ever yet
! parted from the girl of his heart, with the
WASHINGTON* (WILKES COUNTY, GA.,) APRIL S, 1811.
! same joyful aspect, which lie wore when
going to meet her ? Let us now return to
the wedding day.
. ‘“Have you heard of the Indian that was
found murdered on the hank of the creek
this morning ?” said a young man, after the
company had assembled, to Mr. Lee.
“ No,” answered Mr. Lee, witli surprise,
“ I had hoped from the long peace that has
reigned, we should have no more such out
rages against the poor Indians. But how is
it possible, sir, if they arc thus shot down,
that we can expect them to he quiet ?”
“The body,” continued the speaker “was
found by some of his tribe ; and they im
mediately threatened vengeance if the mur
derers were not given up. But that is im
possible ; because wo do not know them.”
At this moment, a loud crash of thunder
echoed through the woods, so suddenly as
to make all start from their seats.
“ Well, my friends,” said Mr. Lee, as
soon as all was quiet “we shall he as likely
to suffer from this rashness as the offender,
and must he prepared. I am glad you
have brought your guns with you, for un
less they come in too large a body we shall
he able to hold out against them.”
This was said with that calmness which
a frequent recurrence of such circumstan
ces will produce as he re-hung his rifle, af
ter preparing it for immediate use; the
bride entered the room, in all the loveliness
of graceful beauty. Few ornaments deck
ed her person, because none could add to
her natural grace and elegance. Her hair
of jet black, was simply parted in front,
drawn back and fastened behind, display
ing a forehead of marble whiteness; a
wreath, mingling the white rose with other
forest flowers was the only ornament on her
head. Her neck and arms were perfectly
bare, and seemed as if they, with her small
fairy feet and the rest of her figure, had
been made in nature’s most perfect mould.
The storm, which had before been heard
hut at a distance,seemed now to have attain
ed its greatest violence, and to he concen
trated over the house. Peal after peal of
thunder, came ringing through the hollows,
each succeeding one apparently louder and
more crashing than the former. Flash up
on flash, of the quick and vivid lightning,
streamed out, resting awhile upon the sur
rounding scenery, and striking terror into
the hearts of the more superstitious guests.
The rain, which at first fell in large drops,
that could be distinctly hoard, amid the aw
ful silence, save when the thunders echo
ed, now came down in torrents ; and the
thunders pealed out, louder and louder,
quicker and quicker, leaving scarcely in
termission enough for the voice of Richard
Gaston to be heard by his beautiful bride.
He had impatiently awaited the invitation
of Mr. Lee to meet his daughter, but no
longer able, amid the war of elements, to
restrain himself, he advanced to, and seat
ed himself by the side of his beloved Kate,
and gently taking her hand in his, inquired
if she was alarmed by the storm ? To his
enquiry, she only smiled, and shook her
head.
“ I*see not then, why we may not pro
ceed with the ceremony, the storm,”
here a keen and fearful crash jarred tlffc
house to its foundation, leaving traces of
fear on the countenances of all, hut the lov
ers and the parson; Gaston continued,
however, “ the storm may last an hour, and
that is longer, my Kate, than I would like
to defer the consummation of my hopes.”
“ I am ready,” answered Kate, blushing,
and without raising her eyes.
They rose from their seats, and advan
ced to the parson, who immediately com
menced the ceremony. It was impossible
to tell whether pleasure or fear predomina
ted on the countenance of the guests, as
they passed forward, Jo witness the solemn
ceremony of uniting two beings for life. In
the intervals of the thunder, a faint smile
would play upon their faces, but, as a ratt
ling volley would strike their ears, their
shrinking forms and bloodless lips betrayed
their terror. The tempest seemed for a
moment to have held its breath, as if to wit
ness the conclusion of the nuptials; but
now as the parson concluded with “ salute
your bride,’ a peal of thunder, keener and
more startling than any yet, struck such
terror to their souls, that none, not even the
parson, or Gaston himself, both of whom
had been shocked, perceived that tho chim
ney had fallen to the earth ; until awaken
ed to a sense of their situation by the shrill
war-hoop of the Indians, which now ming
ied in dreadful unison with the howling
storm.
All thought of the storm vanished at
once ; defence against the savages seemed
to he the first idea of all, as each man, with
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING.
determined look, grasped his rifle, and ga
thered around the females.
The Indians, led on by their noted chief,
Eagle Eye, to avenge the death of their
comrade, found in the morning, would per
haps have awaited the subsidence of the
storm, had not the falling of the chimney
displayed to them, the disorder and confu
sion within the cabin. Viewing it as the
most favorable time for an attack, they raise
their dreaded war-hoop, and sprung to the
breach. That whoop, however, served hut
to nerve the hardy pioneers, and chase from
their bosoms the fears which the wars of’
Mature alone created. Richard Gaston,
from custom, assumed the command ; and
with that coolness and self-possession,which
iifdieates undaunted bravery, proceeded to
give such orders as the time would allow.
“Let the females,” said he, “go above
and lie upon the floor, and we tny brave
hoys, will show them what stout hearts and
strong arms can do in defence of beauty.
Six of you go in the next room, and sec that
the villains enter not except over your dead
bodies; the rest will remain, and defend
this opening.”
The reader must not suppose that all was
still during this brief address. The In
dians, whose numbers amounted to several
hundred, had fired once, and not being a
ble, on account of the rain, to load again,
now attempted to enter over the ruins of the
chimney, and through the window. The
lights had been extinguished at the first
yell, and all was dark, save when the flash
es of lightening revealed to the few within,
the fearful odds, against them without.—
Several volleys had meanwhile been pour
ed into the Indians, and a momentary flash
revealed the effects. Many were lying
dead or dying forming a sort of breastwork
at the breach. Becoming more infuriated,
as those who had gone before, fell, under
the constant lire of the whites, the savages,
now, in a compact body, attempted an en
trance ; and the whites, still cool, as if
danger threatened not, waited until they
reached the very breach, and then every
man, with his muzzle almost touching the
Indians, discharged his piece. The sava
ges wavered, and then fell back, amid the
shouts of the victorious yeomen.
The next flash of lightning discovered
the Indians retreating to the woods, and
dragging many of their dead with them.—
Another wild shout burst from the lips of
the victorious whites. When all was
again still, the voice of Mr. Lee was heard
in thanksgiving, for their deliverance so
far, and when he had concluded, lie pro
posed a consultation upon the best means
to he pursued, as it was certain the Indians
had only retired to devise some other mode
of attack. Some were for deserting their
present situation, and flying to the woods
for concealment : others, and the greater
number, proposed remaining where they
were, because the Indians had not certain
ly gone far, and if discovered, unprotected
by the logs, they must fall an easy prey, to
such superior numbers, while by remain
ing, they had some advantage, and a small
chance to keep them off.
In the -meantime, the females, the firing
having ceased, had left their hiding-place,
and now mingled with the warriors. It
was soon determined to hold on to their
present situation, and defend it to the last,
should they be again attacked. The bet
ter to add to its security, several of the
stoutest commenced raising a barrier at
the opening, with the logs that had been
thrown down ; while others barricaded the
doors and windows. This being finished,
they began an inquiry into the injury they
had received ; and found six of their num
ber were killed.
The rain meanwhile had ceased, and the
distant muttering?, of the thunder could be
only heard at intervals. All was silent in
the cabin, awaiting the expected approach
of the savages. Kate had approached
Gaston when she first came into the room,
and timidly asked if he was hurt. Hav
ing received a satisfactory answer, she had
remained silently by his side, until all was
prepared for action. Then, for a moment,
forgetting the dangers that surrounded him,
Gaston yielded to the impulse of his heart,
and drawing the lovely being, who was
now his wedded wife, in all the ardor of
passionate love, to his bosom, imprinted
upon her ruby lips, the kiss, of which he
had been so suddenly deprived by the onset
of the savages.
“ My own Kate,” said he, “if you find
we are to be overcome, you must try and
make your escape through the hack door,
and thence to the woods. Here of
my pistols, take it, and if you are pursued
vou know how to use it; shoot down the
first foe who dares to lay a hand on you.—
Make for the river, you know were my ca
noe is; the current is rapid and dangerous,
but if you can reach the other hank you
are safe. Farewell my own sweet love,
and if I fall, may heaven shed its perfec
tion over you.”
Gaston was not a man to molt at every
circumstance, but to bo thus separated from
his bride, perhaps never to meet again,
brought a tear to his manly cheek. Love
had for a moment unmanned his firm and
noble heart ; hut it had past, and he was
again a soldier ; thinking only how best to
defend, what he valued more than his life
--his wife.
At this instant the whoop of the Indians
was sounded to the assult. Each man
sprang to his post. The whites had been
equally divided, and a party stationed in
each room. The rooms were now simul
taneously attacked by the foe ; and with
clubs and largo stones, endeavored to
folee the doors. The silence of death
reigned within, without all was tumult and
confusion. The door at length yielded—
one hoard and then another gave way,
while yell upon yell rose, at their suc
cess.
“ Hold on hoys, until I give the word,”
said Gaston, “ and then stop your blows on
ly with your lives.”
The door and its whole support yielded,
and in poured the savages like a wirldwind.
“ Fire now,” cried Gaston, “and club your
guns.”
Almost as one report, sounded the guns
of every one in the house—the yells and j
cries of the wounded and infuriated foe al
i
most appalled the stoutest hearts ; but this
was no time to admit fear, if they felt it.— j
The Indians were making every exertion)
to enter over the pile of dead bodies that !
blocked up the doorway ; and the gun of
each man within, clenched by the barrel,
was lowered only to add another to the
heap. For twenty minutes th£ fight had
raged with unabated fury, and with unre
laxed exertions, when the moon, breaking
forth in all her splendor, exhibited the com
batants as plain as the light of mid-day.—
One Indian stouter and holder than the rest,
had gained an entrance, and fixing his eves
on Gaston, as he saw him encouraging and
directing the others to their work of death,
he gave a loud yell, and sprang at him like
the tiger on his prey. The quick eye and
arm of Gaston were too rapid for him, and
in an instant he lay dead from a blow of
the young man's rifle.
But the strength of the brave little bqnd
began at length to fail. Their numbers
diminished more than half. Before the
enemy had, however, entered, it had been
proposed and acceded to, as the only chance
that the females should attempt an escape
from the back door next the river, while
the men should cover their retreat, as well
as their diminished numbers would admit.
Accordingly, an attempt was made, and
an exit gained; tiie whole force oftlie In
dians being collected at the front door to
overcome the stubborn resistance of the
whites.
The little phalanx stood firm to its post,
until they saw the women had sufficient
start to reach the wood before they could he
overtaken ; and then, pressed by such supe
rior numbers, they slowly fell hack to the
samedoor, and the few that survived, made j
a rush, and drew the door close after them. )
They had now given way, and nothing hut j
superior speed could possibly save them.—
Ifovertaken befororeaching the woods they
were inevitably lost—if they could gaiii
them they might escape. The delay caus
ed by the closing of the door was short and
the enemy were now scarcely fifteen yards
in the rear. Fear moved the one party al
most to the speed of lightning—thirst for
revenge gave additional strength to the oth
er. The Indian fresher than his chase,
gamed upon them rapidly. As they heard
the savages close upon them, every nerve
was excited, every mustle strained to the
utmost. For a short distance indeed they
maintained the same space between them,
but alas! the strength of the whites failed,
and too many of them overtaken, fell be
neath the club of the savages. Gaston
who was equal in activity to any of his pur
suers, had soon gained the lead ; and with
the speed of an arrow, had increased the
distance between him and the Indians.
He knew that his wife would make for the
river, & in all probability would be able to
reach it; and it was his object to get there
also, if possible, in time to assist her across
the rocky and rapid current or at least to
see that she w'as safe beyond pursuit. The
river was not far, and as he bounded down
the rough hill sides, lie could distinctly hear
n. J. KAPI'EL, Printer.
| the rolling of its waters, over the rocky
lied. He took the nearest course to thr
landing and the yells of the Indians, scat
tered in every direction through the woods,
strained him to the greatest exertions. lie
reached the river—his canoe was there —
his wife was not —despair overcame his
soul.
“ She must betaken, and I too, will dfe.”
he exclaimed, in hitter agon)’.
At that moment, a light and hounding
step, like that of a startled fawn, drew his
attention to the top of the hank, and his
wife, whom he had given up for lost—his
darling Kate, bounded into his embrace.—
This was no time for love. lie took hut
one embrace, and hurried her into his ca
noe, for the Indians were hut a few yards
behind, it was but the work of a moment,
to cut loose the lir.c that held liisbark, hut
before lie could spring into it three stout
Indians were close upon him.
“ Shove off Kate, and trust to fortune to
. reach the other shore,” cried Gaston, dis
tractedly, as lie turned to engage the Indi
ans, while his bride escaped. The devoted
girl seemed doubtful whether to fly, or stav
and die with Tier husband. Gaston seeing
her hesitation, again called frantically to
her to escape, before the Indians were upon
them. She now attempted to push her boat
off, but she had remained a minute too long
—a brawny and althetic savage seized the
boat and sprang into it, within a few feet of
the alarmed maiden. She quickly retreat
ed to the other end, and faced about, des
pair painted in every lineament of her
face. The Indian involuntarily stopped to
gaze upon the beautiful being before him.
That pause was fatal to him. Kate’s self
possession instantaneously returned,and as
he sprang toward her she levelled her hus
band’s pistol and fired; The bullet enter
ed the savage’s brain : lie fell over the side
of the boat, and disappeared beneath the
bubbling waters ; while instantly seizing
the oar which had dropped from her Hand
on her first alarm, Kate turned the how of
j Her boat in the direction of the opposite
| shore, and began to stem the rapid cur.
i rent.
During the few seconds that had thus
1 elapsed the canoe Had shot below tho place
) where her husband struggled with the re
j maining Indians ; and she was now out of
j liearingoftke combatants. Standing erect
! in the boat, her long hair hanging looselv
| on her uncovered neck, her white dress
J moving gently to tiie soft breeze, and her
j little hark avoiding many rocks jutting
their heads above the rushing waters; gave
to a beholder the idea of some ‘fairy skiff’
kept up and guided by the superior power
of its mistress. Steadily she moved on, un
til near the middle of tho river, when she
heard a splash, followed by a voice, some
distance behind her. At first she thought
it another Indian in pursuit, hut soon the
chilling thought was dispelled. Iler own
name, breathed in accents that had often
thrilled her to tho soul, was heard sound
ing a thousand times more sweeter than ov
er on her ear. She quickly turned the
head of her boat, and although she could
not propel it against the stream, kept it sta
tionary, until Gaston, who had overcome
Ills pursuers reached it. Ills great exer
tions in the unequal struggle on the hank,
his efforts to reach the boat, and the loss of
blood from a deep cut on his arm, had left
him so little of tho powers of life, that he
fainted a few minutes after he had regained
his wife. Kate knew the peril of permit
ting the boat to lloaL with the current, and
with all that courage and coolness which
woman possesses in times of danger, she
did not stop to weep over hhn, but again
seizing the oar, directed her bark to the op
sito bank. Guided by the careful hand of
love, how could the fragile skiff’ he lost,
even amid the rushing'whirlpools it had to
pass. They safely reached the hank, and
Gaston having returned to consciousness,
supported by the arm of his wife, slowly
wended his way to his farm.
Their anxiety, however, was for some
time almost intolerable to learn the fate of
their friends whom they iuul left on the oth
er side of the river. Whether the Indians
had triumphed completely, whether & suc
cessful stand had been made by any of
those they pursued, or whether all had been
alike murdered by the relentless savages,
were unknown to Kate and Gaston, and
filled their minds with uneasy fears.-*-
While, however, they were thus in doubt
as to the fate of their friends, a hur
ried footstep was heard approaching, and
Mr. Lee the next moment was in hisdaugli
ters arms. With about half of his visitors,
he had escaped, and, in a few days, rally
! ing around them their remaining border
*
[VOLUME XXvi: