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distinct; dark forms were seen
- 4 boisterous shout, threw down thei
‘ing, others laughing in hy.
24 | MALAESICA,
ing her of the adventure which Danforth had met with a:nong the
Indians, and of his departure with Arthur Jones in seareh of aid
from the nearest settlement.’ The old man gloomily added, that the
savages would doubtless burn the houses over their heads, and mas-:
gacre every living being within them, long before the two brave fel-
lows would return with men..: Such; indeed, were the terrible fears
of almost every one in the little neighborhood.’ Their apprehen-
sions, however, were premature. Part of the Indian tribe had gone
out ona hunting-party among the hills, and were ignorant of the
fital shot- with which Jones had aroused the animosity. of their
brethen; while those who remained, were dispersed in a fruitless
pursuit after Danforth.
On the afternoon of the fifth day after the departure of their em-
issaries, the whites -began to see unequivocal symptoms of an at-
ack; and now their fears did not deceive them. ‘The hunting-party
had returned to their encampment, and the de
gathering around * the Straka.?
in the skirts of the clearing,
whites. Soon after, a shot was
tioned, as he returned fro
crown of his hat.
tached .parties were
About dark, an Indian appeared
agif to spy out the position of the
m- his work, which passed through. the
That hostilities were commencing, was now be-:
yond a doubt, andthe males of the. settlement met in solemn con"
on to devise measures for the defence of their wives and children. .
We
eir
all were gathered '
clave,
slender preparations were soon made;
around one of the largest houses in gloomy
men and children within, and the men stand
solving to die in the defence of their loved ones. Suddenly there
came up @ sound from the wood, the trampling of many feet, and
the crackling of brushwood, as if some ]
apprehension; the wo-
arge body of men were.
forcing a way through the tangled forest.
pallid faces, and gathering their children in their arms, waited ap-
palled for the attack. The men stood ready, each grasping his
weapon, their faces pallid, and their eycs kindled with stern cour-
age, as they heard the stifled groans of the loved objects. cowering
behind them for protection. The sound became nearer. and more
dimly moving among the trees, and
The women bowed their
then a file of men came out int
led on by William Danforth and Arthur Jones, The settlers uttered
r arms, and ran ina body to
Women sprang to their feet, some weep-
sterical joy, and all embracing their chil-
meet the new-comers. ‘The
dren with frantic energy. £% :
Never were there more welcome guests than the score of weary
men who refreshed themselves in the various houses of the settle-
ment that night. Sentinels were placed, and each settler returned
to his dwelling, accompanied by three or four guests; every heart
beat high, save one— Martha Fellows; she,
among the general rejoicing ; her lover had not spoken to her
fired at the Englishman, before men-:
ing in front, sternly re-—
othe clearing. They were whites, |
poor girl, was sad-
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