Newspaper Page Text
VOLUME 11. |
BY C. R. HANLEITER.
P © I T -IS Y
For the “S milieru Miscellany.”
TO CAROLINE.
Thou sny'ut that I will soon forget,
Anri cease to love thee, w hen I’m gone—
That I’ll ’ere “ writhe with sad regret,
For vowing love to tliee alone.”
Thou know’st net such love ns mine,
Is “ pure, is heavenly and divine “
■Conld’et thou but stray nt twilight hour,
When birds, for rest, ilieir carrolS cense,
To tlnitlunc wood of bud and flower,
Where I so fondly muse in’ peace;
There wonhl’st ihuu hear tliy lovely name,
Breath’d forth in luve’s pure, quenchless flame !
Cmikl’st thou but bear tbe tender sighs,
Wltieli 1 so oft do heave for thee—
Couhl’st thou but read my longit g eyes,
When looks are all fidelity ;
Then would’st thou know, and feel, and see,
That I am all, but fulse, to thee!
Could’st thou but bear at morn's first light,
( When mind is fresh, and clear and tree,
And all that’s base retires whit nigh',)
The prayer I breathe to Heaven lor thee ;
Then thou woulu’et know such love as mine,
Is “pure, is Heavenly and divine.” B.
Athens, September, 1343.
&ELE© TIE P T LEi o ’
A TALE OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION.
Many <tf tire; .luid otrti ciating feats of
• the t;tries v! a tried -men's soul’s” nave es
caped Urtf i. -tori •’. pen, ami are only
(known ..> ■ -tu C''• i.o.vi'Vtis sud acquaintances
of those w! were ti e acting Iteroes of the
•scene. As they .fall lieneilb the ruthless
hands of death, the corroding tooth of time j
scobs tlieir history of its richest features,
and hut a faint tribute is paid to their mei
,ils.
The arritnnlod countenance, the strong
-emotions, the trembling voice, the bending
{frame, the furrowed clteek, and the silent
ttear of an old soldier, impart an interest to
diis story, when told by himself, that no pen
-can portray, no eloquence imitate. His ad
ventures, his toils, his su lb-rings, his hair
‘breadth escapes, his struggles for victory
and liberty, are all firmly imprinted and
(fresh upon his tnitnl ; his pntiiorie feelings
4’uii hack to the limes of peril ; his soul is
on the wings of memory ; and hit relutiou
■of ” battles fought and victories won” is
•enlivened by the fascinating -charms of a
pure original, producing an impression tip
,on his listeners, more sweet end chaste than
when from the pen of up amanuensis or the
ilips of an eulogist.
Among the vet eta its of the Amotioau rov -
‘olutioH were two brave spirits, to whom 1
•often listened with thrilling attention, dur
ing the period of niy childhood, as they
rencouuteJ the incidents of by-gone davs.
Although their names ate not conspicuous
on the historic page, their services and fame
were know n and highly appreciated by ma
ny, and their memory is still venerated in
•the neighborhood where their bones now j
moulder. One was Murphy, an Irishman, j
(the other Harper, an American. They
were among the pioneers who settled upon
(the I lead waters of the Delaware river,
•which rises from a fountain of pure water,
calied by the Indians lake Ut say an tho.
Around this lake is a small valley t then
tire central rendezvous of the savage tiifips,
whose walks extended ft'ign the Mohawk iu
the north far down Delaware, the Lack
uwaxeu, the Luckaw jn na, arid the Susque
hanna in the sov‘ c ' n> It was an isolated spot,
uurroumlt*'^' o y mountains and hills, contain
ing nr area*of about sixty acres. It was
Love red with a luxuriant growth of lofty
and covered with n variety of evet -
•ureens. Its scenery was romantic and
beautiful : it was formed by nature for a
•retreat, exactly such a place us the rude
•children of the finest -imagine the Dfetit
tSpirit delights to dwell in. lor years, pol-
Uiapsfor centuties, the sons of the wilder
aiess built their council f. as ill the amphi
theatre of Utstavantho. There they man
ufactured their stone pots, their flint arrow
points, and their bows. There they smoked
Jlte pipe of peace, performed the tcrniic
war dance, and tortured their unfortunate
otfisoners. There they traded with the
•white man, salutetl him asbtoiher, and mur
• dered him iu cold blood ; nud there, many
•of thcirbnldust wtfrtiots fell, beneath the
avenging hands of the enraged inhabitants.
At the commencement of tho revolution,
sthese Indians were-influenced by two tories,
McDonuld and Brandt, to etil.st in favor of
uhe British. Their lomalmwks and scalp
ing knives were soon bathed m blood. Mo
thers and their innocent balms waltered in
*he same gore. In the spring of 77, tliey
murdered several families and took a num
ber of prwonoi-s. Among them Were Mur
phy and Harper. As these were men of
inown courage,it was decided to take them
down the Delaware to an Indian station,
about sixty miles distant. They were put
in charge .if eleven warriors, who started
.with their victims, pinioned and bound.—-
The second night, fatigued with their mat ch
(they all stretched themselves before a fare.
Sid tbe savages soon foil into a sound
A supply of turn duuug the day,
drink as they couched them
ani ♦bribe night, tendered then stupor
selves -lete. This opportunitywaa not
more comp •.* C aptivcs. Altliough close
to be lost by h**-
& : Dcfcoictr to literature, agriculture, piccftauicsf, nsucattou, jFsrctffu ituft Domestic tu tell tenter, sec.
ly wedged between the Indians, they ir.se so
cautiously as not to disturb them. With the
little use they had of tlieir hands, it was
some time before they could relieve their
firms from the thongs that confined them.—
This done, they consulted whether to flee
at uuce, or attempt to dispatch their foes.—
They decided on the latter. They then ro
moved the implements of death some dis
tance ofi, and, with tomahawk in hand, com
menced the featful task. Each blow was
deep and sure—a messenger of death. So
profound was their sleep and so rapid the
work of blood, thi.t eight of the savages
were killed before the other three awoke.
They attempted to start on their feet, but j
two of them met the deadly aim of the pris- j
otters, and fell beneath their own weapons. !
The oilier fled towards Aquaga, to tell the j
sail news to his brethren. After arming j
themselves, securing the sniunition and a
small quantity of parched corn and dtied
venison, the two heroes accreted the re- i
nmiuder in the best possible manner, and, j
by the light of the north star commenced
tlieir journey back. Being hunters and :
1 tappets, they knew the route too Well to
be in danger of loosing tlieir way. When
day light appeared, they left the liver and 1
followed the lidge, to evade discovery, slvould
any of the enemy be passing down. With
cautious steps and light hearts they glided
over the hill*, and in the evening, reached a \
small settlement lying five miles west of the i
Indian path, and ten miles ftom their own, ’
and which was secured by a strong block
house. Had they risen from they dead,
their friends would not have been more sur
prised to see them. The news of their cap- j
sure had been spread, and with news that ;
chilled the blood and wrung the hearts of
Murphy and Harper with the keenest ago
ny. \V fieri Seized by the savages, they !
were in the woods manufacturing maple ru- j
gar, and supposed tlieir families lrul not j
been molested. Imagine, you who ate bus- i
bands and fathers, the intensity of their j
feelings, when informed that tlieir wives |
and children hail been butchered hv a party ‘
led on by the bloody Brandt. The next I
day the settlers turned out cn via-s-se, and ■
accompanied them to their habitations,tbtne {
to witness a scene too awful for reflection,
too horrible for desci iptioti. Murphy bad !
two children, ono about two years old, the j
other about three months. The eldest bad i
apparently fled under the bed, and was
pulled out far enough to receive, the toma
hawk and scalping knife, and left. The
mother, a beautiful woman about twenty
years of age, seemed not to have attempted
an escape, as her hands and aims were se
veitdy gashed, and her body iu a remote
part of the room. l?he had received three
wounds in the head with the hatchet, one
of which penetrated the brain. Her cra
nium was literally skinned, to obtain her
fine long hair. Across her lifeless body lav
her lovely babe, smiling in death. It had
been finished by a single blow, and was not .
mutilated. Low murmuring execrations I
were whispered, tbe tears of sympathy flow
ed from his friends, but Murphy stood si
lent, with dry and glaring eyes fixed on the
partner of his youth and the pledger, ..if
their love. Dark and desperate w\a the i
storm that gathered in his bosom. A* length i
lie look his murdered infant in Lis arms,
swore to be revenged or die, and. sealed the
vow with a kiss upon the cold cheek of the 1
little innocent. A rude gruw was then pre
pared, lined with hark instead of a coffin,
and the mournful duties of sepulture closed
the bloody scene. The children were pla
ced in the arms of their mother, to lest be
neath the clods of the valley.
They then proceeded to the inhabitation
of Mr. Harper find found it empty. His
wife was an amiable young woman, only j
nineteen years old, with a child of about
ten months. She had attempted to escape I
to the woods and was overtaken a few rods
from the house. There she and her little j
son had fallen, and their bodies l.ud been
torn to pieces by the beasts of the forest.—
This spectacle was mot e heart-rending than I
tho other. The husband vvtutig his hands
in anguish, as his friends deposited the seat
i tered fragments beneath the clods of the
vallev. He also, resolved to dtive the foes
from their haunts or perish in the attempt. J
Hit was not the maniac revenge of Mur- |
phy, hut his purposes were as fixed, his re- j
solutions as determined, arid his designs j
more expanding. The surviving settlers
immediately built a block house, to which !
all removed ns soon as completed. Die- !
suming that the Indians would rally in a few ‘
days to avenge the death of those killed by
tbe two prisoners, Murpby proceeded to
Schoharie to obtain assistance from tbe
fort, and Harper went to Albany and ob
tained u captain’s commission, authorizing
him to organize a military company in his
own and neighboring settlement. Ihe co
lonel who commanded the fort at the for- ,
mer place, immediately started with Mur- j
phy for lake Utstayantho, with about ninety >
men. When in the narrows about two
miles east of that place, tho advance guard j
retreated hastily, saying there was a large j
body of warriors, fresh painted, advancing
upon them. One of the guard had been <>
closely pursued us to receive a wound from j
a tomahawk, when, turning suddenly round, ;
lie plunged his bayonet through the body of ,
bis pursuer. The colonel quickly anting
ged his men so os to give the savages a ;
warm reception. Waiting some lime for j
their approach) and hearing nothing from 1
MADISON, MORGAN COUNTY, GEORGIA, SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30, 184-3.
I them, lie despatched Murphy, with six men
; to reconnoitre their position, following, with
I the main body, about sixty rods behind.—
j When within half a mile of the lake, three of
; the enemy wereseen retreating,orient whom
; fell beneath the unerring aim of the unrag
ied Irishman. This was the signal for the
] colonel to rush on, and, in ten minutes, he
i engaged the whole force of the savages.—
Murphy took his station behind a lai s;e pine,
within twelve rods of the Indians, who lay
in a ravine directly below him. For a mo
ment they directed their whole file to that
spot, and pierced the tree with more than
fifty bullets. In front, he discovered the
very savage who had escaped to Aquaga.
He raised his gun to his face, called the red
man by name in a loud voice, tho sound
was recognized by his enemy, who gave a
terrific vvlioop, ami fell lifeless tothegtound.
At that moment a chorge was made, and
the Indians were completely touted. A
part of them fled down the Delaware and a
pjtrt to Charlotte valley. Four of the de
tachment from Schoharie were killed, pnd
about thirty of Brandt’s men. Having left
the fort with a small force, the Colonel re
turned the next day to his station, having
pteviously buried his dead in one common
grave.
In the mean time, Hat per was returning
by the way of Cherry Valley, which be
deemed the safest route, As he was cross
ing the bills west of the while settlements,
he came suddenly in contact with a party of
fifteen Indians, who had been at the recent
fight. To flee he knew would be sudden
death; ho therefore advanced boldly to
them, gave them his hand, and succeeded
in impressing them with a belief that he
was their friend. Tlieir leader he knew
well, but a mutual recognition fortunately
did not take place. He learned from them
the (iisasfets of the buttle at the lake, and
loiitid they were on tlv.-ii way to murfler a
white settlement oit the Susquehanna. He
theti wished them good luck, shook hands
writli them, and they parted. Knowing they
woo’d encamp at Schcnevas Creek early in
*-ie afternoon to replenish their provisions,
• tie Captain hastened to a settlement about
ten miles distant, where a number of arm
ed men were manufacturing maple *ua*t-.
appraised them of the design of tbe sava
ges and proposed immediate pursuit. They
readily volunteered, shouldered their guns
and knapsacks, with a two days provision,
each taking a rope. The party amounted
to fifteen including the Captain. They
made a foiced march tow-auls die place of
destination, and, just before day the next
morning, gained the top of the hill above
the encampment.
Aiound a tire the enemy lay fast asleep.
Captain Harper and his men descended,
forded the creek, succeeded in obtaining
tho arms of the savages, which were stack
ed a few feet from them, without rousing
them from their slumber. As, the day
dawned, each seized his man, and, after a
hr<rd struggle, tliey were bound with the
ropes brought for the purpose. Their lead
er then recognized the Captain, and foamed
w ith rage to think lie had passed through
1 bis hands so adroitly the day previous. In
stead of meeting the merited fate they rea
sonably expected from the injured man in
whose power they were, he conducted
them to a fort a few miies above, and placed
them in the hands of the commanding offi
cer. It was well for them that Murphy was
not there, for he had sworn never to muko
prisoner of a red mau.
Learning from those taken that they left
a patty in the Cliatlolte valley. Captain
Harper and his men determined to pursue
them. They accordingly replenished tlieir
provisions, commenced their inarch, and
the second day struck a fiesli Indian trail.
They advanced rapidly, and, towards even
ing,hcßrd the report ofaguu abouLtwo miles
in flout. They concluded this was from
one of the enemy,, shooting game for sup
per. They then halted to refresh them
selves and wait until tho savage so should
encamp for die night. As near as tliey
could deteimine, there were about twenty
of the Indians. Soon alter dusk, Captain
Harper and his men again advanced with
great caution. After proceeding about two
miles, they discovered the fire, the encamp
ment, and nineteen brawny warriors si.ling
around it. As they wished to make sure
work, they concluded to wait until tlieir en
emy should full asleep. Hours passed
slowly on, and still several of them w eie
awake. At last, all but one closed their
eyes in slumber. The Captain and his
men advanced cautiously. Each one was
instructed, ill case the savages were roused,
to take his station behind a tree, and not to
fire until ’.hey came near enough to uadi
them with the muzzles of their guns.—
Again they halted to examine the priming
of tlieir muskets, and fix tlieir bayonets.—
A deep silence pervaded the wilderness.—
Not a breeze to move the leafofa tree was
perceptible. Tbe moment was one of avv
fill suspense and deep anxiety. The re
cent murder of the Captain's wife and his
lovely babe, nerved him for the combat. —
Enthusiastic courage pervaded every bo
som. Again they udvauccdto within a few
rods of the spot where death or victory
awaited them. ’The quick curs of the
wukuftil Indian soon caught the sound of
footsteps tin the dry leaves. A piercing
war whoop started his companions on their
feel. They seized tlieir urms ana stood
ready for action. For a moment, ijo mo
tion agitated the parties, but the beating
heart and the purple current, rushing
through their veins with ten fold velocity.
At length the savages moved cautiously
from ilie fire directly towards their pursuers, j
They were in the light, their avenging foe
iu an unknown position, cacli man prepared
to mark his victim. Sure and deadly was
the aim. Twelve of the warriors fell at the
first fire, and three were mortally wounded.
The sugar makers advanced, and the next
momentihe surviving Indians were surroun
ded. A short and desperate conflict ensu
ed, and tho nineteen lay vvalfeiing in tlieir
blood, locked in the cold embrace of death.
The Captain and four of his men were
wounded, but not dangerously. This trag
edy was dosed about one o'clock in the
morning. Af'ur dressing the wounded
in the best manner their means would admit, j
and taking some refieshment, two men were
placed on guard and the remainder laid
down to rest. The second day after this
scene was enacted they reached iiorne, laden
with the arms and ammunition taken from
the enemy, having boeu absent but six day*
in which time they had made prisoners •!’
fifteen, and killed nineteen of Jbeil dieudcd
foe, and all without the loss of a man.
This successful expedition placed Cej>-
taiu HnrpeV In high estimation among the
settlers, who pot themselves under his com
mand during the remainder of the war.—
They were organized ss a guerilla corps,
for mutual defence. Duting tbe whole
time of the revolutionary struggle, the oper
ations of tin* company wete limited to that
section of country around the head waters
of the Delaware, which accounts for the
omission of their adventures on the pages
of history. They confined themselves to
the protection of tlieir homes and families,
and rendered essential service in cutting off
small parties of Indians, as they were pass
ing through the narrows of Utstayantho.—
Although many were killed, the survivors
never left their block houses until they re
turned to tlieir inhabitations, at the dose cf
the revolution.
Exasperated jit their misfortunes, the
bloody Brandt and McDonald collected
about three hundred savages, end made a
J*>*j eiifxipon the foil in Schoharie. It wfts
too well fortified to be overcome by this
force, but had not men enough to make a
sally. Learning their situation. Captain
Harper mounted a horse iu disguise, and
slatted for Albany to obtain aid. He pass
ed through the midst of the enemy as a tory
named Rose, wlintn he very much resem
bled. In the evening, he stopped at a public
house for refreshment, where were several
men, whose actions on his entrance were ra
ther suspicious. lie went into another loom
and locked the door. Inashoit time four
tories, one of whom bad recognized him,
demanded entrance. He cocked his pis
tols, drew his sword, opened the doer, and
demanded their business. When inform
ed they wished him, lie coolly remarked.
“ pass that door and you are deud men.”
He WassiifTeied to proceed without any fur
ther molestation from them, as they well
knew lie was not to be trfled with. About
half an hour after he resumed his journey,
lie was fired upon, but fortunately escaped
without injury. The next morning, when
within a short distance of Albany, an In
dian shot at him with a rifle, the ball of
which passed through his hat, cutting the
skin on the top of his head. lie immedi
ately wheeled his horse, in pursuit, the sav
age fled into the hushes and made his es
cape. On iiis arrival ul head quuiters, the
commander despatehr and a squadron of moun
ted men, who started us soon as the Cap
tain and liis horse were refreshed, and rode
all night. ‘The first intimation received in
the fort of any assistance, was b furious at
tack on the enemy by this cavalry, just as
the day dawned. The tn ops of the garri
son immediately sallied out, and a general
slaughter of the ted men ensued. At the
commenremont of the engagement, Brandt
and McDonald fled. Many of the Indians
plunged into the stream, tinging its waters
with blood. They were completely mated
and dispersed in various diiections. Cap
tain Harper remained equally active during
the lemainder of the revolution, and subse
quently received a largo tract of land from
the government as a rew ind for his services,
and enjoyed the esteem and lespoct of an
extensive circle of friends und acquaintan
ces to the Jay of his death.
Let us now return to the enraged and re
venger] M urphy. From the time of t lie bat
tle ul Uistayautho, he commenced “fighting
on bis own hook.” The lecent murder of
his family created iu his bosom a thirst for
vengeance that knew no bounds. To grat
ify that was sweeter than life : to pierce the
heart of an Indian was his highea* ambition.
He w as a man of great muscular powers,
near six feet in height, of an iron constitu
tion, and swifter on fool thou any one who
ever pursued him. lie obtained a double
barrelled rifle of the very host kind, carried
the tomahawk and scalping knife he took on
the night he aided Captain H. iu killing the
ten Indians, anil could use them all with us
niueb skill us a Mohawk. He soon became
a terrnrto the red men. His many miracu
lous escapes and bold exploits, led them to
believe he was protected hy the Great Spir
it. He hoveled over them like u vulture,
and many of tlieir bravest warriors fell be
neath his brawny arm. He spent the most
of bis time alone in the woods, seeking bis
hated foe. He never hesitated attacking a
party of three Indians, and frequently at
tacked a party of four or five. No tine could
load a rifle quicker than him, and no one
had tietves better calculated to give itedead
ly aim. He often boosted that he never lost
a shot. His courage was as cool as his re
venee was direful. Such wss Murpby in
fiis feelings towards the savages. For his
friends’ he possessed a warm heart, and was
over ready to serve them.
The party that retreated dow'n tlie Delu
ware when routed at Utstayantho, he pur
sued. In the day time he would keep the
-ridge, and at night fall into tlieir path. On
the second evening he came in sight of tlieir
encampment, near the hank of the river.—-
By the light of their fire he could count
twenty seven warriois, some of whom were
evidently wounded. He determined to wait
until ail was quiet, and then give them a
shot. About midnight, tbe whole party hud
Inin down but one. Murphyihen approach
ed in the beaten path to uvyid noise, until
within a few rods of’ them. His rifle was
raised, the hail’ spiing was touched, und the
Indian sentinel w as numbered with the dead.
He immediately retreated, and before the
others were sufficiently awake to hear his
footsteps, be was luo far off for them to dis
cover his direction. From tlieir mournful
bowlings, ho concluded tbe one killed was
their leader. Fern ing he might he pursued
the next morning, he crossed over to tho
west side <;f tbe ridge. He now determin
ed to statioh himself on their hunting ground
near Aquago. lie accordingly visited a
white settlement, replenished his provisions,
and the second night, lay within six miles
of the Indian station. In a ledge of locks
the next morning, lie found a cave that ex
tended about two hundred feet back, with
an opening at the farther end sufficiently
lnrgefor egress; admit ting considerable light.
Near it was a spring of water, frequented
hy deer. In that lonely place he made his
location. At the narrow entrance he could
sit, and overlook the ground Inflow hint for
a considerable distance. Early in the after
noon he beard the repot t of a gun near by,
and the next minute u fine buck rushed hy,
and fell deud near the water. Presently
two savages came up and commenced dtess
rug the fintrnnt.-” Murjrtty tlsipnriT'lOrn Ww
minutes to learn if any of their companions
were near. Discovering none, he mstde up
his mind to put another portion into his cup
of revenge. His fatal weapon was pointed,
they both fell beneath bis aliening aim in
quick succession. He charged his faithful
piece, and waited anxiously to see the re
sult of his dating adventure. Night fame
on, and all was silent as-the bouse of death.
He then approached the but lies of his fallen
foes, and proceeded to perform the Indian
ceienionv upon them. He scalped them,
cut out tirtiir tongues, and relieved himself
of a heavy load, that had been hanging, like
dead weight, upon his mind. He then se
creted them 1 etween ihe rocks, secured
their arms ami ammunition, took the saddle
ftbm the deer, and retired to iris narrow
house, to enjoy the sweetest sleep he had
known since the murder of h’s family.
The next day about Tmon, be discovered
three Indiana approaching the spring, appa
rently in search of their lost companions.—
They examined the remains of the buck
very closely, but litllu /thought they were
Heading on the blood of tlieir brothers, w ith
which tlieirs was about to mingle. For
some minutes Murpby hesitated, fearing
there might be more near at hand. He had
tbe other two guns by him ready charged,
and felt safe if lie had none to encounter
but them. As they were about to leave, he
decided to administer the blue pill. One
of them stooped down todiink, the rifle was
levelled, ti e oilier two fell. The third start
mi upon his feet, the next second he too was
struggling in death. Our kero quickly
charged his pieces, and remained at his post
w atching, with a panther’s scrutiny, every
thing around him. Late in the afternoon,
five savages passed some distance below
him in tbe direction of Aquaygo. In the
evening, Murpby took the scalps of the three
he had killed, tomahawked them in true In
dian style, secreted their amis- in the cave,
and concluded to change his quarters. As
the moon rose, he commenced his Journey
back,’ fakitnj with him the scalps as the best
evidence of bis temerity and boldness. The
third day he arrived at the b|pck house in
his own neighborhood. His friends receiv
ed him with glad hearts, fearing he had fall
en into the hands of the butchering sue.
They begged him to desist from such ex
posure and danger, hut all in vain. He
rested under an oath, and fearfully did he
fulfil it. He desired no angel’s tear to blot
it from the record, be detei mined to per
foitn his vinv or polish in the attempt. He
bad his life in bis hand, ready to sell it at a
high price.
He replenished his provisions, and stall
o<l for the hills botdiiing o*i the Mohawk.
The second day he artived at a settlement
of whites, who were greatly distressed at
the loss of one of their number a few hours
before. All the men who wete fit for set
vice bad gone to the nottltem army, and left
the remainder with the women and children
in a strong block house. Early in the morn
ing, a young lady had gone out to milk their
cows. ’ As the enemy had not appeared
there for some time, no danger was appte
bended. She was about forty toil a from tbe
house, when four savages suddenly sprung
upon her aud dragged her into tho woods.
Her crirs were heard, her frantic friends
WM. T. THOMPSON, EDITOR*
could m*t see her struggles, hut dared not
venture out for fear alt might he massacred.
Her father, two brothers, and a young-offi
cer to w hom she was affianced, were all ab
sent on duty. No one was there able to
render her any assistance. Her mother
was overwhelmed with grief, and gave up
her child as lost. She already fancied her
expiring beneath the ruthless hand of the
barbarians, or writhing under the agonizing
tortures of a slow fire, surrounded by de
mons in human shape, drowning her cries’
with their savage yells.
No Irish heart Ireat higher for woman,
than did Murphy’s. Like a knight of chiv
alry, he darted in pursuit. It was then ten
o’clock; four hours had passed since lb*
capture. He soon found the ttail, and ad
vanced rapidly. About five o’clock, when
on tha top of a hold hill, he discovered the
party in the valley below. Their fair cap-/
tive was still ahvo, hut expected that nighs
would close her career forever. Her antic
ipated happiness had laded from her eyes ;
she believed an awful fate was about to seal
her doom; she had resigned her sotd to
God, and became abstracted from the world.
The images of her dear parents, her affec
tionate brothers, and him whose soul was
wrapped in her’s, all passed itt review be
fore her imagination. She bade them a last
farewell, and ouly hoped to meet them in
heaven.
In the valley, the red men encamped for
tbe night. With great caution, Murphy ap
proached as neat as prudence would per
mit, until covered by the mantle of night, de
termined to rush upon thpm if they attempt
ed any violence to the young woman. With 7
an eagle eye he watched every motion.—
They built a fire, prepared their last supper,
and about ten o’clock, tied the bands and’
leet of their prisoner to (wo poles, and were
soon in a profound sleep. For a few min
utes she Struggled, hut found she vvas se
curely confined, and unable to move. Her
bosom heaved with sighs, her eyes rolled
wildly round, and she seemed alieady on
the lot luring ruck. Our knight was so near
that he could see till this by the lighfofthe
fire. It was too much for him to endure.
He drew his knife from its scabbard, and’
wmiinTjty ehmicrrh Me was sonar murnr- -
eted by the young lady. He motioned to
her to keep si cnce. He unbound her, and
removed her, und the guns of the savages a
few tods off, enjoining her to keep quiet,
and flee if he became overpowered ; for he
determined to kill his hated foes or perish
in the attempt. With his tomahawk in own
hand and his knife in the other, he returned.
Waiting a few moments fur their sleep to
become more sound, be approached their
muscular frames. He plunged his knife in
to the hearts of thiee, the fourth awoke, and
as he rose, aimed a despeiate blow at his
antagonist with a tomahawk ; it was parri
ed, and ll e next moment tbe head of the
Savage was cleft to the braitn As the Indi
an rose, the heroic girl, instead oi fleeing,’
seized a gun, and rushed to the aid of her
deliverer. But the work was done; be
stood contemplating with delight, the quiv
ering bodies before him, expiring in the ag
onies ot death. Their dying groans was’
music in his ears, their at reaming blood was”
grateful to his sight. 4 . ..
The libetated captive now gazed on tlie
stranger; to her all was inexplicable mys
'tery. In a few words he explained the
whole matter, and assured lier of his protec
tion hack to her habitation. She lifted her
eyes and exclaimed, “ May God tewnrd my
benefactor.” A flood of teats choked her
utterance,she clasped his hands in gratitude,*
and invoked the richest blessings of heavetr
to rest upon him. That was the happiest
moment <>f Murphy’s life. His pleasure;
was purer und nobler than if lie had gained 1
a crown or conquered worlds. v *
The Rubicon passed,he took the blanket?,-
w hich had not lieen unpacked, the weatlwf
leing warm, end pursusded his fair rltafge
to take a little rest before they commenced
their journey hack. This she needed, as
her nerves had become weakened by the,
trying scenes of the day, tttid a snatch of
near twenty miles.
Although sleep had no charms for her on
that memorable night, ahe felt ttfreshed
when the light dawned. The sun rosJt'lP,
ull the beauty of a June morn log ; note
cloud obscured the sky. The brave knight
slat ted with Ids precious charge, and strived
with her at the block house about three
o’clock in the afternoon. No pen can por
tray the joyful surprise of ail who were
there. No one knew the gallant liisltmio
had gone in pursuit of the lost girl. He had
listened to their story the moridng previous
with apparent indifference, without making
any reply, or eommuuicating his
He vyas to them a strauger, of whose busi
ness or destination they knew nothing. Un
der such peculiar circumstances, their feel
ings may he faintly conceived, hut not fully
described. It was a scene of thrilling inter
est, calculated to awaken the finest leelitrgs
of the human heart, the liveliest sensations
of unalloyed gratitude.
The next morning be left Ihi nr under a
shower of invoked b’essdng* and benedic
tions, anil proceeded to his place of destina
tion. He determined to take the same route
that he passed over the day before, and ob
tain the scalps of his fallen tbe*. As tho
main body of tho Indians was drawn off to
the north to aid the British army, he appro,
bended no danger. About noon, he arrived
at the place of rescue, found the ldVlvts
| NUMBER 27.