OLD CHARACTERS AND NEW.
It was toward night of a hot sultry day in the month of August, that
Ella Barnwell was seated by the door of a cabin, within the walls of
Bryan's Station, gazing forth, with what seemed a vacant stare, upon a
group of individuals, who were standing near the center of the common
before spoken of, engaged in a very animated conversation. Her features
perhaps were no paler than when we saw her last; but there was a tender,
melancholy expression on her sweet countenance, of deep abiding grief,
and a look of mournfulness in her beautiful eyes, that touched
involuntarily the hearts of all who met her gaze.
Since we last beheld her, days of anxious solicitude, and sleepless
nights, had been apportioned Ella; for memory--all potent memory--had
kept constantly before her mind's eye the images of those who were gone,
and mourned as forever lost to the living; and her imagination had a
thousand times traced them to the awful stake, seen their terrible
tortures, heard their agonizing, dying groans; and her heart had bled
for them in secret; and tears of anguish, at their untimely fate, had
often dimmed her eyes. Even now, as she apparently gazed upon that group
of individuals, whom she saw not, and whose voices, sounding in her ear,
she heard not, her mind was occupied with the probable fate of her uncle
and Algernon, the still all-absorbing theme of her soul.
While seated thus, Mrs. Younker approached Ella from behind, unperceived
by the latter, and now stood gazing upon her with a sorrowful look. The
countenance of the good dame had altered less, perhaps, than Ella's,
owing to her strong masculine spirit; but still there was an expression
of anxiety and sadness thereon, which, until of late, had never been
visible--not even when on her march to what, as she then believed,
was her final doom--the excitement whereof, and the many events that
occurred on the route, having been sufficient to occupy her mind in a
different manner from what it had been in brooding over the fate of her
husband for months in secret, and in a place of comparative safety. At
length a remark, in a loud voice, of one of the individuals of the group
before alluded to, arrested the attention of both Mrs. Younker and Ella.
"I tell you," said the speaker, who was evidently much excited, "it was
that infernal cut-throat Girty's doings, and no mistake. Heaven's curses
on him for a villain!--and I don't think he'll more nor git his just
dues, to suffer them hell fires of torment, hereafter, that he's kindled
so often around his victims on arth."
At these words Ella started to her feet, and exclaiming wildly,
"Who are they--who are Girty's victims?" sprung swiftly towards the
group, followed by Mrs. Younker.
All eyes, from all quarters, were now turned upon her, as, like a
spirit, she glided noiselessly forward, her sweet countenance radiant
with the flush of excitement, her eyes dilated and sparkling, and her
glossy ringlets floating on the breeze. Curiosity could no longer remain
unsatisfied; and by one spontaneous movement, from every point of
compass, women and children now hurried toward the center of the common,
to gather the tidings.
The quiet, modest, melancholy air of Ella, had, one time with another,
since her first appearance in the Station, attracted the attention,
and won the regard of its inmates; most of whom had made inquiries
concerning her, and learned the cause of her sadness; and now, as she
gained the crowd, each gazed upon her with a look of respect; and at
once moving aside to let her pass, she presently stood the central
attraction of an excited multitude, of both sexes, all ages and sizes.
"Who are they?" cried she again, turning from one to the other, rapidly,
with an anxious look: "who are the victims of the renegade Girty?"
"We were speaking, Miss Barnwell," answered a youth, of genteel
appearance, doffing his hat, and making at the same time a polite and
respectful bow: "We were speaking of the defeat, capture, and burning
of Colonel Crawford, by the Indians, in their own country, in which the
notorious Simon Girty is said to have taken an active part[19]--news
whereof has just reached us."
At the mention of the name of Crawford, so different from the one she
was expecting to hear, the momentary insanity, or delusion of Ella,
vanished; she saw her position at a glance, and the hundred eyes that
were upon her; and instantly her face became suffused with blushes;
while she shrunk back, with a sense of maidenly shame and bashful
timidity, almost overpowering to herself, and really painful for others
to behold. She now strove to speak--to give an excuse for her singular
conduct--but her tongue failed her, and she would have sunk to the
earth, only for the support of Mrs. Younker, who at this moment gained
her side.
"Never mind it. Miss Barnwell--it don't need any excuse--we understand
your feelings for lost friends," were some of the remarks from the
crowd, as the throng again made a passage for her to depart.
"Goodness, gracious, marcy on me alive! what a splurge you did make
on't, darling!" said Mrs. Younker to Ella, as they moved away by
themselves. "Why, you jest kind o' started up, for all the world like a
skeered deer; and afore I could get my hands on ye, you war off like an
Injen's arrow. Well, thar, thar, poor gal--never mind it!" added the
good dame, consolingly, as Ella turned towards her a painful, imploring
look; "we all knows your feelings, darling, and so never mind it.
Mistakes will happen in the best o' families, as the Rev. Mr. Allprayer
used to say, when any body accused him o' doing any thing he hadn't
oughter a done."
"Mother," said Ella, feebly, "I feel faint; this shock, I fear, may be
too much for my nervous system."
"Oh! my child, darling, don't mind it--every body knows your
feelings--and nobody'll think any thing strange on't. In course you war
thinking o' your friends--as war nateral you should--and so war I; and
when I heerd the name o' that ripscallious renegade, it jest set my hull
blood to biling, like it war hot water, and I felt orful revengeful. But
the Lord's will be done, child. He knows what's best; and let us pray to
him, that ef our friends is among the land of the living, they may be
restored to us, or taken straight away to His presence."
As Mrs. Younker said this, she and Ella entered the cottage.
"Poor girl!" said a voice among the crowd, as soon as Ella was out of
hearing; "they do say as how she eats but little now, and scarcely takes
any rest at all lately, on account of the trouble of her mind. Poor
girl! she's not long for this world;" and the speaker shook his head
sadly.
"But what is it?--what is it as troubles her so?" inquired an old woman,
in a voice tremulous with age, who, being somewhat of a new-comer, had
not heard the oft-repeated story.
"I'll tell it ye--I'll tell it ye," answered another gossiping crone,
standing beside the querist, who, fearful of being forestalled, now
eagerly began her scandalous narration.
Meantime, the male portion of the crowd had resumed their conversation,
concerning the unfortunate campaign of Crawford; during which manifold
invectives were bestowed upon the savages, and the renegade Girty. Some
of the more reckless among them were for raising another army, as soon
as possible, to pursue the Indians, even to the death, and spare none
that fell into their hands, neither the aged, women, nor children; but
these propositions were speedily overruled by cooler and wiser heads;
who stated that Kentucky had scarcely fighting men enough to protect
one another on their own ground--much less to march into the enemy's
country, and leave their wives and children exposed to certain
destruction.
While these discussions were in progress, the attention of each was
suddenly arrested by the cry of some person from the right hand
block-house, looking toward the south, announcing that a single horseman
was approaching with a speed which betokened evil tidings. These were
times of excitement, when news of disaster and death was borne on almost
every breeze; and consequently all now sprung rapidly to the southern
pickets, where, through loop-holes and crevices in the partially decayed
pallisades, they perceived an individual riding as if for life.
"How he rides!--Who is it?--What can have happened?" were some of the
remarks now rapidly uttered, as the horseman was seen bounding forward
on his foaming steed. Instantly the nearest gate was thrown open; and,
in less than two minutes, horse and rider stood within the enclosure,
surrounded by a breathless multitude, eager for his intelligence.
"Arm!" cried the horseman, a good looking youth of eighteen: "Arm--all
that can be spared--and on to the rescue!"
"What's happened, Dick Allison?" asked one who had recognized the rider.
"I have it on the best authority," answered Dick, "that Hoy's Station
has just been attacked, by a large body of Indians, and Captain Holder
and his men defeated."
"But whar d'ye get your news?" inquired another voice; while a look of
alarm, and resolute determination to avenge the fallen, could be seen
depicted on the upturned countenances of the assemblage.
"I was riding in that direction, when I met a messenger on his way to
Lexington for assistance; and turning my horse, I spurred hither with
all speed."
"Have the red devils got possession of the fort?" inquired another.
"I am not certain, for I did not wait to hear particulars; but I'm under
the impression they have not, and that Holder was defeated outside the
walls."
"Well, they must have assistance, and that as soon as it can be got
to 'em," rejoined a white-haired veteran, one of the head men of the
garrison, whose countenance was remarkable for its noble, benevolent
expression, and who, from love and veneration, was generally called
Father Albach. "It's too late in the day, though, to muster and march
thar to-night," continued the old man; "but we'll have our horses got up
and put in here to night, and our guns cleaned, and every thing fixed
for to start at daylight to-morrow. Eh! my gallant lads--what say ye?"
and he glanced playfully around upon the bystanders.
"Yes--yes--yes--father!" cried a score of voices, in a breath; and the
next moment a long, loud cheer, attested the popularity of the old man's
decision.
"Another cheer for Father Albach, and three more for licking the
ripscallious varmints clean to death!" cried our old acquaintance, Isaac
Younker, who, having been otherwise occupied during the discussion
concerning Crawford's defeat, had joined the crowd on the arrival of the
messenger.
"Good for Ike," shouted one: "Hurray!" and four lusty cheers followed.
All now became bustle and confusion, as each set himself to preparing
for the morrow's expedition. Guns were brought out and cleaned,
locks examined, new flints put in place of old ones, bullets cast,
powder-horns replenished, horses driven within the enclosure, saddles
and bridles overhauled, and, in fact, every thing requisite for the
journey was made ready as fast as possible.
Isaac, on the present occasion, was by no means indolent; for having
examined his rifle, and found it in a good condition, he immediately
brought forth an old saddle and bridle, somewhat the worse for wear, and
set himself down to repairing them, wherever needed, by thongs of
deerskin. While engaged in this laudable occupation, a young lad came
running to and informed him, that there was a stranger down by the gate
who wished to speak with him immediately.
"A stranger!" replied Isaac, looking up in surprise. "Why, what in the
name o' all creation can a stranger be wanting with me? Why don't he
come and see me, if he wants to see me, and not put me to all this here
trouble, jest when I'm gitting ready to go and lick some o' them red
heathen like all nater?"
"Don't know, sir," answered the lad, "what his reasons be for not
coming, any more nor you; but he said to the man as opened the gate for
him, 'Is Isaac Younker in the fort?' and the man said, 'Yes;' and then
he said to me, 'Run, my little lad, and tell him to come here, and I'll
gin you some thing;' and that's all I knows about it."
"Well, I 'spose I'll have to go," rejoined Isaac, rising to his feet;
"but I don't think much o' the feller as puts a gentleman to all this
here trouble, jest for nothing at all, as one may say, when a feller's
in a hurry too. Howsomever," continued he, soliloquizing, as he walked
forward in the proper direction, "I 'spect it's some chap as wants to
hoax me, or else he's putting on the extras; ef so, I'll fix him, so he
won't want to do it agin right immediately, I reckon."
Thus muttering to himself, Isaac drew near the front gate, against
which, within the pallisades, the stranger in question was leaning,
with his hat pressed down over his forehead, as though he desired
concealment. His habiliments, after the fashion of the day, were
originally of a superior quality to those generally worn on the
frontiers, but soiled and torn in several places, as from the wear and
tear of a long, fatiguing journey. His features, what portion of them
could be seen under his hat, were pale and haggard, denoting one who had
experienced many and severe vicissitudes. As Isaac approached, he raised
his eyes from the ground, turned them full upon him, and then, taking a
step forward, said, in a voice tremulous with emotion:
"Thank God! Isaac Younker, I am able to behold you once again."
As a distinct view of his features fell upon the curious gaze of the
latter, and his voice sounded in his ear, Isaac paused for a moment, as
one stupefied with amazement; the next, he staggered back a pace or two,
dropped his hands upon his knees, in a stooping posture, as if to peer
more closely into the face of the stranger; and then bounding from the
earth, he uttered a wild yell of delight, threw his hat upon the ground
in a transport of joy, and rushed into the extended arms of Algernon
Reynolds, where he wept like a child upon his neck, neither of them able
to utter a syllable for something like a minute.
"The Lord be praised!" were the first articulate words of Isaac, in a
voice choked with emotion. "God bless you! Mr. Reynolds;" and again the
tears of joy fell fast and long. "Is it you?" resumed he, again starting
back and gazing wildly upon the other, as if fearful of some mistake.
"Yes! yes! it's you--there's no mistaking that thar face--the dead's
come to life again, for sartin;" and once more he sprung upon the
other's neck, with all the apparent delight of a mother meeting with a
lost child.
"Yes, yes, Isaac, thank God! it is myself you really behold--one who
never expected to see you again in this world," rejoined Algernon,
affected himself to tears, by the noble, heart-touching, affectionate
manner of his companion. "But--but Isaac--our friends here--are
they--all--all well, Isaac?" This was said in a voice, which, in spite
of the speaker's efforts to be calm, trembled from anxiety and
apprehension.
"Why," answered Isaac, in a somewhat hesitating manner, "I don't know's
thar's any body exactly sick--but--"
"But what, Isaac?" interrupted Algernon, with a start.
"Why, Ella, you know--"
"Yes, yes, Isaac--what of her?" and grasping him by the arm, Algernon
gazed upon the other's features with a look of alarm.
"Now don't be skeered, Mr. Reynolds--thar han't nothing happened--only I
'spect she's bin a thinking o' you--who every body thought war dead--and
she's kind o' grown thin and pale on't, and we war gitting afeared it
might end badly; but as you've come now, I know as how it'll all be
right agin."
Algernon released the speaker's arm, and for some moments gazed
abstractedly upon the ground; while over his countenance swept one of
those painful expressions of the deep workings of the soul, to which,
from causes known to the reader, he was subject. At length he said, with
a sigh:
"Well, Isaac, I have come to behold her once again, and then--"
He paused, apparently overpowered by some latent feeling.
"And then!" said Isaac, repeating the words, with a look of surprise:
"I reckon you arn't a going to leave us agin soon, Mr. Reynolds?"
"There are circumstances, unknown to you, friend Isaac, which I fear
will compel me so to do."
"What!" cried the other; "start off agin, and put your scalp into the
hands of the infernal, ripscallious, painted Injens? No, by thunder!
you shan't do it, Mr. Reynolds; for sting me with a nest o' hornets,
ef I don't hang to ye like a tick to a sheep. No, no, Mr. Reynolds;
don't--don't think o' sech a thing. But come, go in and see Ella--she'd
be crazy ef she knew you war here."
"Ay," answered Algernon, sadly, "that is what I fear. I dare not meet
her suddenly, Isaac--the shock might be too much for her nerves. I have
sent for you to go first and communicate intelligence of my arrival, in
a way to surprise her as little as possible."
"I'll do it, Mr. Reynolds; but--(here Isaac's voice trembled, his
features grew pale as death, and his whole frame quivered with intense
emotion)--but--but my--my father--what--"
He could say no more--his voice had completely failed him.
"Alas! Isaac," replied Algernon, deeply affected, and turning away his
face; "think the worst."
"Oh God!" groaned Isaac, covering his face with his hands, and
endeavoring to master his feelings. "But--but--he's dead, Mr. Reynolds?"
"He is."
For a few moments Isaac sobbed grievously; then withdrawing his hands,
and raising himself to an erect posture, with a look of resignation,
he said:
"I--I can bear it now--for I know he's in Heaven. Stay here, Mr.
Reynolds, till I come back;" and he turned abruptly away.
In a few minutes Isaac returned--his features calm, but very pale--and
silently motioned the other to follow him. On their way to the cottage,
they had to cross the common, where their progress was greatly impeded
by a crowd of persons, who, having heard of Algernon's arrival, were
deeply anxious to gather what tidings he might have concerning the
movements of the Indians. In reply, he informed them of the threats made
by Girty to him while a captive; and that, having since been a prisoner
of the British at Detroit, he had learned, from reliable sources, that
a grand army of the Indians was forming to march upon the frontiers,
attack some stronghold, and, if possible, desolate the entire country
of Kentucky; and that he believed they were already on their way.
"More'n that, they're already here," cried a voice; "for it's them, I
'spect, as has attacked Hoy's Station, of which we've just got news, and
are gitting ready to march at daylight and attack them in turn. Arm,
boys, arm! Don't let us dally here, and be lagging when the time comes
to march and fight!"
With this the speaker turned away, and the crowd instantly dispersed to
resume their occupations of preparing for the coming expedition, while
our hero and Isaac pressed forward to the cottage of Mrs. Younker. At
the door they were met by the good dame herself, who, with eyes wet with
tears, caught the proffered hand of Reynolds in both of hers, pressed it
warmly in silence, and led him into the house. Ella, who was seated at a
short distance, on the entrance of Algernon, rose to her feet, took a
step forward, staggered back, and the next moment her insensible form
was caught in the arms of the being she loved, but had long mourned as
dead.
[Footnote 19: This happened in June, 1782. For particulars of Crawford's
disastrous campaign, and horrible fate--_See Howe's Ohio_, p. 542.]