Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesEllis, Edward Sylvester
History
Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- Anecdotes; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
"And a look of human wo,
From his staring eyes did go;
And a sharp cry uttered he
In a foretold agony
Of the headlong death below."
The next moment horse and rider were in the air. Down, down they went
with fearful velocity, without resistance or impediment, until one-half
of the space was passed over, when the horse's feet struck the smooth,
precipitous face of the rock, and the remainder of the distance was slid
and scrambled over until they reached the bottom, _alive and uninjured_!
With a shout which proclaimed his triumphant success to his foes above
him, McCulloch pushed his steed into the stream, and in a few moments
horse and rider were seen surmounting the banks on the opposite side.
No pursuit was attempted, nor was a shot fired at the intrepid rider.
His enemies stood, in awe-struck silence, upon the brow of the bank from
whence he had leaped, and, as he disappeared from their view, they
returned to the investment of the fort. They did not long continue their
unavailing efforts, however, for its capture; the numerous additions it
had received to its garrison, the fearlessness exhibited in its defense,
together with the feat they had witnessed, disheartened them, and they
beat a hasty retreat on the morning after the event I have attempted to
describe—not, however, until they had reduced to ashes the cabins
without the stockade, and slaughtered some three hundred head of cattle
belonging to the settlers.
An adventure equally marvellous, and somewhat resembling this, is
related of Major Robert Rogers.
Among the most noted characters, whose exploits upon the frontier a
century since were the theme and admiration of every tongue, the leader
of the celebrated "Rogers' Rangers" stands pre-eminent. He was a man
tall, vigorous, and lithe as the panther of the forest, with an eye that
never quailed before the gaze of any human being. A perfect master of
the art of woodcraft, he was resolute and fearless, and yet so cautious
at times as to incur a suspicion of cowardice; but, although his name is
tarnished by treachery to his own native state and country, the
impartial observer of his life and actions cannot fail to award him the
most unflinching courage and bravery.
Robert Roberts was born in New Hampshire, and, about the year 1760, was
the leader of a body of provincial rangers, known by his own name. Among
his associates was Israel Putnam, whose most daring exploits were
performed while engaged with him in his forest warfare.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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