University of Virginia Library

18. CHAPTER XVIII.

On the following morning, Miss Pendleton met the
young officer who had a second time been instrumental
in saving her life, with some embarrassment. She had
seen him first in the spring-day of her happiness and
the pride of her beauty, and had mentally awarded to him
that preference over most other men of her acquaintance,
which the heart so readily accords to a pleasing and
amiable exterior. He was associated in her mind with
the last of her days of joy, and with the dawn of her
misfortunes. She had twice witnessed his courage,
voluntarily and generously exerted in her behalf; and if
she acknowledged to herself the existence of no more
tender feeling, she felt that she at least owed him a debt
of gratitude. His abrupt departure from Virginia, at a
time when his own conduct had seemed mysterious, and
when some explanation appeared to be due to herself,
or to the representatives of the deceased Major Heyward,
surprised and perplexed her. She had ascertained that
he was related, in what degree she knew not, to the
guardian of her youth, and his interests had been placed
in painful opposition to her own. These recollections
passed hastily through her mind, and she met him with
a flushed cheek, and a constrained manner, very foreign
from the usual easy frankness of her deportment. But
she saw in him the same traits of character which at first
won her confidence—the same calm self-possession,
cheerful conversation, and open countenance; and the

thin clouds of suspicion which had cast a momentary
shadow over her mind, floated rapidly away.

After an early breakfast, the whole party mounted
and commenced the journey of the day, for in new countries,
ladies as well as gentlemen travel only on horseback.
They were not without their apprehensions that
the Harpes, who were desperate and unrelenting villains,
might endeavor to take revenge for the disappointment
of the preceding night by firing upon them from some
covert in the woods; but Colonel Hendrickson, confident
that his name and standing would deter their late confederates
from joining in any such attack, considered his
party sufficiently strong to repel any attempt that might
be made upon it. But every precaution was used to
insure safety; the gentlemen, who were all provided
with rifles, loaded them carefully, and the little company
was arranged with all the precision that would have
attended the march of a squadron of cavalry. Fennimore
managed, as young men are apt to do in such cases,
to place himself by the side of Miss Pendleton, the other
two gentlemen took the van, while the servants brought
up the rear. Their way led through the same lonesome
expanse of forest, which had been traversed by Mr. Lee,
when suddenly ejected from the hospitable roof of Captain
Jenkins, in the manner related: a vast wilderness, rich in
the spontaneous productions of nature, but in which the
travellers could not expect to see a human being, or a
dwelling, until their arrival at their place of destination.

In travelling, many of the restraints of social intercourse
are necessarily laid aside; and those whose lots
are thus for the time being cast together, find it expedient

as well as agreeable to render themselves acceptable to
each other. There is a race of islanders, who, in travelling,
become even more unsocial, morose, and supercilious,
than they are at home; but the ordinary effect of
this occupation upon human nature is such as we have
suggested; and well-bred persons, in particular, always
bring their politeness into active exercise, when the
necessity of the case renders this accomplishment a virtue.
And at the risk of being accused of national vanity, we
will assert, that our own countrymen are the best travellers
in the world, the most affable, patient, and cheerful,
and the least incommoded by accidental hardships. An
occasion like the one before us, is peculiarly calculated
to produce the effects to which we have alluded—when
the long and lonesome way exhibits a wild but gloomy
monotony of scenery, and a sense of danger unites the
parties in the bond of a common interest. Thus felt the
young and graceful pair of riders, who had, besides, so
many reasons for entertaining a strong interest in each
other. Mr. Fennimore exerted all his powers in the
endeavor to render himself agreeable, and people who
try to please most generally succeed, for the art of
pleasing depends almost entirely upon the will; and the
young lady, with that admirable tact, in the possession
of which her sex is infinitely superior to ours, displayed
her conversational powers with more than ordinary
vivacity and eloquence. We shall not set down what
passed, because we were not there; and if we had been, it
would ill become us to give publicity to those sprightly
and unpremeditated sallies, which were never intended
for other ears than those to which they were addressed,
but flowed spontaneously from young hearts in the glow
of unrestrained feeling. Tradition has only preserved
the fact, that although they rode forth from the woodland
fortress, on a bright sunny morning, as stately as a hero
and heroine of chivalry, it was not long before they were
laughing and chatting like people of flesh and blood, and
wit and feeling.

They had travelled for some hours when the experienced
eye of Colonel Hendrickson discovered the fresh
track of a horse in the path before them. On dismounting
and examining more closely, it appeared that several
horses had entered the path at this place, and passed on
in the same direction pursued by our travellers; and one
of the tracks was pronounced by Colburn to be that of the
horse of Patterson. That the gang whose villany they
had so much cause to dread, should have taken the same
direction with themselves, and at the same time should
have avoided the beaten path, for so great a distance,
were circumstances so suspicious as to leave little doubt
of a design to attack them at some point, which was
now probably near at hand. In the irritation of the
moment, nothing would have pleased these gentlemen
more than to have marched directly upon the ruffians;
but a proper care for the lady under their charge rendered
more prudent measures advisable; and, after a
short consultation, it was determined to abandon the
road, and to endeavor to avoid the danger, by taking a
circuitous route through the forest. They now proceeded
rapidly through the woods, observing all the precautions
of a warlike party; avoiding the thickets and low
grounds, and keeping along the ridges, and in the most

open woods. This mode of travelling was extremely
arduous, for they were now obliged to pass over many
inequalities of ground, and to surmount a variety of
obstacles. At one moment they leaped their horses over
the trunk of a fallen tree, at another they climbed a
steep hill; sometimes deep ravines were to be crossed,
and sometimes low branches, or the great grape-vines
swinging from tree to tree, obliged them to bow their
heads as they passed along.

After riding several miles in this manner, guided only
by that knowledge of natural appearances which enables
the experienced hunter to ascertain the points of the compass,
under almost any circumstances, they arrived at the
bank of a deep creek, which was not fordable except at
the spot where it was crossed by the road they had forsaken,
and where the robbers would be most likely to
await their approach. As there are several modes of
passing over streams, practised by backwoodsmen, they
rode along the bank consulting as to the most practicable
expedient, when they reached a place where a large tree
had fallen across the creek, affording the very facility
which they desired. Few ladies, however, would have
possessed sufficient courage and dexterity to have walked
over this natural bridge. The banks of the creek were
extremely high, and the trunk of the fallen tree was still
further elevated by the large roots at the one end, and
the immense branches at the other, so that its distance
from the water was so great, as to render it unpleasant
to look downwards. But Virginia had a mind which
could not be daunted by ordinary dangers, and stepping
nimbly upon the log, she walked with a firm step along

its round and narrow surface, and reached the opposite
shore in safety. The saddles and baggage were carried
over by the same way. The greatest difficulty was to
cross the horses, for the banks were so steep and miry,
as to render it almost impossible to get them into the
water. By dint of coaxing, pushing, and whipping, however,
all the animals were forced in, except that belonging
to Colburn; and after swimming part of the way, and
floundering through mire the remainder, they struggled
up the opposite bank, where Colonel Hendrickson
and Fennimore stood to receive them. Colburn had
remained alone, and was about to send over the last
horse which was still fastened to a tree, when the rapid
tramp of horses' feet was heard upon the dry leaves, and
he had barely time to unloose his steed and spring upon
its back, when Patterson and his confederates came
sweeping towards him at full speed. To cross the creek
with his horse was now impossible; to abandon the animal
and seek safety for himself on the other side, would
have been but the work of an instant, but Colburn loved
his horse, and had too much spirit to give him up to an
enemy. Besides, the heroic idea occurred to him at the
moment, of making a diversion in favor of his friends,
by drawing the pursuit upon himself. Catching up his
rifle which leaned against a tree, he shouted to his companions
to take care of themselves, and turning towards
the pursuers, flourished his weapon round his head in
bravado, and dashed off through the forest. The outlaws
saw that the party which had crossed the creek was
beyond their grasp, as it was but a few miles to Colonel
Hendrickson's settlement, which could be reached by the
fugitives, before they themselves could accomplish the
tedious process of crossing with their horses; nor were
they willing to attempt the passage in the face of two
resolute men armed with rifles. Their whole fury, therefore,
was turned towards Colburn, and, uttering a volley
of execrations, they put spurs to their horses, and went
off at full speed in pursuit of the young forester.

Colburn, well mounted and admirably skilled in all
the arts of the hunter, had little doubt of being able to
evade his enemies by speed or artifice; and guided only
by the sun, and by his knowledge of the country, pressed
onward through the trackless forest. Relying on the
great strength of his steed, and his own superior horsemanship,
he often chose the most difficult ground, leaping
over ravines, plunging down steep declivities, or
dashing through dense thickets where thorns and tangled
vines seemed to render it impossible for any animal to
pass; and he had the satisfaction of seeing more than
one of his pursuers thrown from their horses, while
others were left in the rear. Still they kept upon his
track, with the unerring sagacity of woodsmen.

Patterson, who, although the largest man, was best
mounted, soon left his comrades, straining forward to
overtake the young hunter; while Colburn, confident of
success, and anxious only to separate his pursuers and
keep them in his rear, so as to prevent their surrounding
or intercepting him, held up his horse, to husband his
powers for a long race. But he had judged too meanly
of the animal ridden by Patterson, who soon came in
sight, uttering a loud yell when he beheld the young forester,
and madly urging his steed over every obstacle.

Still the advantage was in favor of Colburn, who, being
the lightest rider, and mounted on a fine blooded animal,
led the outlaw through the most intricate ways, passing
dexterously through thickets apparently impenetrable,
plunging into deep morasses, and leaping ravines which
seemed impassable. The latter pursued with spirit,
sometimes gaining a view of his adversary, and sometimes
falling in the rear.

At one time an accident had nearly decided the contest,
for Colburn's horse became entangled in a close thicket
of hazle and grape-vines, and the outlaw came near
enough to discharge his rifle deliberately, and with so
true an aim, that the ball passed along the side of the
hunter, inflicting a severe though not a dangerous wound.
The young man extricated himself from the tangled
brushwood, reined up his horse, and turning towards his
enemy, waved his hat in the air, shouted in derision, and
then rode on with unsubdued alacrity. At last, in leaping
over the trunk of a fallen tree, his horse sprained an
ancle, and Colburn found that it was impossible to
retreat any longer. A gentle swell of the ground concealed
him at that moment from Patterson, who had
stopped to reload his rifle, and hastily pushing his horse
into a clump of bushes, he crouched behind a tree, to
await the coming of his foe. In a few minutes Patterson
came in sight, pressing eagerly forward, with his
heels closed into his horse's flanks, his eye gleaming
with fury, and his countenance animated by the excitement
of an anticipated triumph. When he arrived
within a few paces of the spot where Colburn stood concealed,
the latter stepped boldly out, directly in front of

the advancing horseman, and presented his rifle. Patterson,
with a powerful arm, reined up his well-trained
horse, dropped the bridle, and threw his gun to his
shoulder; but before he could fire, the young forester's
ball passed through his body, and the wretch fell forward,
with a deep groan, upon his horse's neck. Instantly
recovering his strength, he raised himself in his stirrups,
and charged upon Colburn with his rifle presented; but
the latter, no longer avoiding the combat, darted nimbly
upon his foe, and throwing his arms around him, dragged
him from the saddle. For a moment they struggled
fiercely upon the ground; the ruffian, abandoning his
gun, drew his knife; but Colburn parried the stroke, and
at the same time disengaging himself, seized the loaded
rifle of his adversary, and stood on the defensive. Patterson
attempted to rise, but his career of crime was
ended!

The young forester now caught the outlaw's horse,
which stood trembling beside his own disabled animal,
and having re-loaded his rifle, continued his retreat. He
was pursued no further. The ruffian gang were struck
with panic when they reached the spot where their comrade
lay in his gore, a mangled corpse. They had perhaps
carried their scheme further than had been at first
intended, and they now feared the consequences of their
audacious attempt. The remains of Patterson were
hastily buried, at the lone spot where he had fallen; and
the unprincipled companions of his guilty life, dispersing
in different directions, sought safety in concealment or
flight.

Colonel Hendrickson and his young friends had been

greatly shocked, on beholding the peril in which Colburn
was placed, when surprised, as we have narrated. But
it was impossible to render him any assistance, and when
the sounds of the pursuit died away, they recommenced
their journey with heavy hearts. They soon regained
the road which they had left in the morning, and descending
from the high grounds, struck into a rich flat,
through which a deep creek was sluggishly meandering.
On their right hand the Ohio, smooth and transparent as
a mirror, suddenly burst upon their view. They stopped
and gazed for a moment with delight—for there is
something so cheerful in the appearance of a beautiful
sheet of water, that the same scenery which had seemed
gloomy without it, became, with this addition, gay, brilliant,
and romantic. The western bank of the river
was low, and fringed to the water's edge with trees,
whose long limbs dipped into the current, while their
shadows stretched far over the stream, and pictured the
exact contour of the shore upon the green surface.
Nearer to them, the beams of the setting sun fell upon
the water, tinging it with a golden hue. There was a softness
and repose in this landscape that were irresistibly
charming; no living object was to be seen, not a leaf
moved, not a sound was heard; all was serene and silent.

Their path now pursued the course of the river for a
short distance, then turning from it at right angles, crossed
the creek by a deep ford. They had nearly reached
the fording-place, when their horses pricked their ears,
snorted aloud, and stopped trembling in the path. At
the same instant the travellers discovered that they were
beset on all sides by a party of Indians, hideously painted,

who had risen from an ambuscade, and stood around
with their rifles pointed, and their black eyes gleaming
with a hellish triumph. They uttered a terrific yell
when they beheld their victims; our travellers saw their
ghastly smiles, their murderous looks, their flashing
knives, and felt in anticipation the tortures of a lingering
death. A single glance satisfied them that it was impossible
to reach the ford, as the largest body of the
savages stood in that direction, while on either hand they
were so stationed as to cut off all hope of retreat. One
of superior stature stood in the path, a few paces before
them, laughing with demoniac exultation, as he took a
deliberate aim, and discharged his rifle. This was the
signal of attack; several others fired at the same time,
and a number of tomahawks whistled around the heads
of the assailed party.

Colonel Hendrickson and Mr. Fennimore closed up
on each side of Miss Pendleton, endeavoring to shield
her with their own persons, and beating back the assailants,
with the most desperate courage. But they were
overpowered by numbers. Colonel Hendrickson was
dragged to the ground. Fennimore received a wound
which caused him to reel in his saddle. A faint and
sickly numbness was creeping over him. At this instant
his horse wheeled suddenly, and plunged into the thicket.
He rushed through the savage band, who in vain attempted
to arrest his flight, and in a moment stood on
the margin of the creek. The bank was perpendicular,
arising to a considerable height above the water; but the
noble animal without hesitating leaped forward, and
alighted in the turbid stream, about midway from either

shore. A few powerful struggles brought him to the
opposite side, which was steep, but less precipitous than
the other. Clambering up the bank, he soon reached
the level of the plain, and darted through the forest with
the swiftness of an arrow, bearing his rider, wounded,
and nearly insensible, beyond the reach of pursuit.