The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 9, August, 1836Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 9, August, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Our hero is next seen in Kentucky, where we find him, on the night of
the 10th of August 1809, in the woods, on the banks of the Ohio, in
company with one Mr. Earthquake, a hunter. A cry is suddenly heard
proceeding from the river. Stealthily approaching the banks, Mr. R.
and his friend look abroad and discover—nothing. Earthquake, however,
(whom our hero calls Earth for brevity) is of opinion that the Indians
have been murdering some emigrant family. While deliberating, a light
is discovered on the Illinois bank of the river, and presently a band
of Indian warriors become visible. They are dancing a war-dance, with
a parcel of bloody scalps in their hands, and (credat Judæus!) with
Mr. Rolfe's very identical little sweetheart in their abominable
clutches! “Is there a human bosom callous to the appeals of pity?”
here says Mr. Richard Rolfe, attorney at law, placing his hand upon
his heart. Mr. Earthquake, unfortunately, says nothing, but there can
be no doubt in any reasonable mind, that had he opened his mouth at
all, “Humph! here's a pretty kettle of fish!” would have come out of
it.
It appears that Mr. Rolfe having decamped from Petersburg, old Mr.
Foreman, as a necessary consequence, becomes unfortunate in business,
fails, and goes off to Pittsburg—or perhaps goes to Pittsburg first
and then fails—at all events it is incumbent upon him to emigrate and
go down the Ohio in a flat-boat with all his family, and so down he
goes. He arrives, of course, before any accident can possibly happen
to him, exactly opposite the spot where that ill-treated young
attorney, Mr. Rolfe, is sitting as aforesaid, with a very long face,
in the woods. But having got so far, it follows that he can get no
farther. The Indians now catch him—(what business had he to reject Mr.
Rolfe?) they give him a yell—(oh, the old villain!) they kill
him—(quite right!) scalp him, and throw him overboard, him and all his
family, with the exception of the young lady. Her they think it better
to carry across to the Illinois side of the river, and set her up on
the top of a rock just opposite our hero, with a view, no doubt, of
letting that interesting young gentleman behold her to the greatest
possible advantage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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