The Spirit of the Border: A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio Valley

nds lingered in their ears. Now the great looming bulk of the fort above them faded into the obscure darkness, leaving a feeling as if a protector had gone-perhaps forever. Admo

dows, for all the splash they made; they cut the water swiftly and noiselessly. Onward the frail barks glided into black space, side by side, c

cover of a willow thicket, and the beginning of a long day while they were lying h

time not on the broad Ohio, but on a stream that mirrored no sh

m for long moments. Any movement the air might resound with the horrible Indian war-whoop. Every second was heavy with fear. How marvelous that these scouts, penetrating the wilderness of gloom, gl

Wetzel ran his canoe into the bank ju

d Jim, seeing Jonathan tur

der, around the bend,

here, so I'll take

range, steady glance it was-and then saw him fix his eyes upon Nell, watchi

en canoes lay upon the well-cleared banks; a log bridge spanned the stream; abo

little Indian boy, who was playing in the

dian boy," wh

tle fellow!"

e shining in his dusky eyes. Save for tiny buckskin breeches, he was naked, and his

in English, holding

e

ed with a curious light in his dark eyes; Mr. Wells and Jim looked as though they doubted the evidence of their o

ion Nell bent over the

lipped out of sight round the bend. Presently its gray, curved nose peeped from behind the will

other?" asked J

swered Zan

e? Perhaps you have missed t

re bot

t each other with sl

Zane, getting out of his canoe. All noticed th

ns-this disappearance?" asked

didn't calkilate on the lad. Mebbe he followed Wetzel, mebbe

Village of Peace which he had conjured up in his imagination. Confronting him was a level plain, in the center of which stood a wide, low structure surrounded by log cabins, and these in turn encircled by Indian teepees. A number of large tree

or. A short, stoop-shouldered white man, clad in faded linsey, appeared on the threshold. His se

those he had guided. Then, without another word, never turning his dark face

hat Jonathan, as well as Wetzel, hated the sight of an Indian. No doubt long years of war and bloodshed had

Mr. Zeisberger, wringing the old missionary's hand. "T

ells. "I have brought my nieces, Nell and Kate, who were children when you left Williamsbur

ness. We need young men. Come in, all of your, and share my cabin. I'll have your luggage brought up. I have lived in this

nt contained a chair, a table, and a bed of Indian blankets and buffalo robes. A few pegs driven in the chinks between the logs comp

d friend. "I want to hear all about your work,

nd our wildest dreams," responded Mr. Zeisber

iving on the other side of the Allegheny Mountains, the missionaries had succeeded in converting many; and it was chiefly through the western explorations of Frederick Post that his Church decided the Indians of the west could as well be taught to lead Christian lives. The first a

ed Indians and missionaries, drifted down the Allegheny to Fort Pitt; thence do

Chiefs and warriors, squaws and maidens, were attracted by the new doctrine of the converted Indians. They were astonished at the missionaries' teachings. Many doubted, some were

e; the deep, swift streams were teeming with fish. Meat and grain in abundance, buckskin for clothing, and soft furs for winter garments were to be had for little labor. At first only a few wigwams were erected. Soon a large lo

dians were alike amazed at the change in their brethren. The good-fellowship and industry of the converts had a widespread and wonderful influence. More, perhaps, than any other thing, the great fields of waving corn, the hills covered with horses and cattle, those evidenc

nights the savages in distant towns could hear at dusk the deep-toned, mellow notes of the bell summoning the worshipers to the evening service. Its rin

Edwards and Mr. Young are working to establish other missionary po

me to learn the Delaw

i

eed to speak the Indian tongue, f

ued. "The frontiersmen declared that every rod of the way was beset with savage foes, and that, even in the unli

r them. We invite them. Our work is to convert the wicked,

ings. He thought of the wonderful precaution and eternal vigilance of Jonathan and Wetzel-men of all men who most understood Indian craft and cunning. It might well be possible that these good missionaries, wrapped up in saving the souls of these children of

natures; not to preach one word of the gospel to them until he had mastered their language and could convey to their simple m

I hope you have res

he conclusion of this

e into t

efreshed. The substitution of clean gowns for their former travel-stained gar

d, his pleased eyes resting on Nell's piquant beauty and Kate's noble propo

Indians Christi

Christians. Our converts employ themselves in the fields or shops. Come; take a peep in here. This is whe

few windows let in the light. Spacious and barn-like was this apartment; but undoubtedly, seen through the beaming eyes of the missionary, it was a grand amphithea

"Here we make brooms, harness for the horses, farming implements-everyth

on on an anvil, while a brawny brave wielded a sledge-hammer. The sparks flew; the anvil rang. In another corner a circle of braves sat around a pile of dried grass and flags. They were twistin

two things, Jim vo

wear long hair, smooth and

address, war-bonnet, nor scalp-lock," repl

h's anvil out here in the wilderness

it. That anvil has a history. It was lost once, and lay for years in the woods, until some Indians fo

doted with browsing cattle, droves of sturdy-limbed horses, and pens of fat, gru

d to and questioned Mr. Zeisberger, Jim was silent and

Nell by the golden-fringe

back; surely he will return to us when he has satisfie

at he so much hoped for-that no harm had befallen Joe, and that he

swered Nell

hy do you

e. He gazed long at me as we separated. Oh! I

t mean he went away de

not s

the wilderness called him mo

erstand. He really loved you-I know it. He loved me, to

tears. "His coldness-his neglect those-last few days-hur

rn, and I when I say he loved us both," said Jim sadly

pealed out. So thrilled, so startled were they by this melody wondrously breaking the twilight stillness, that they gazed mut