-.-
, .. . ...... v c
ERICAN
6
II. B. MASSEK, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. ! r
OFFICE, MARKET STREET, OPPOSITE THE POST OFFICE.
El jramfla ilftospapcr-DrtbUto to DolfHcS, nttcraturr, lHoralfis jForctfjn auto Ooinntfc ilrtus, Serene ana th arts, aarfculturr, .fHartuts, amusements, &c.
NEW SERIES VOL. 3, NO. .7
SUNilURY, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, tAM SATURDAY MAY 11, 1 830
OLll SERIES VOL. 10, NO. 334
. .1 . A S IT
L-vi .n v. a- v.,-.-- if i 'L5,-- im i mm i
M l I J
1 :JI-X
TERMS OF THE AMERICAS.
. THE AMERICAN li pnbHshen eve ry Salnrday TWO
5)0LLARa per ranim to be paid half yenrly in advance,
Ne paper discontinued mull ail arrearage, ere plU.
AU eommu.iie.tinn. or letter, on busim-M relating to the
'oftc. t iuaure attention, moil be POST .All).
TO CLUBS.
'Tare, eoples to one address,
li.ven 5"
esoo
to oo
-W.t.n DO WO
Fir. dollar. In advanca will pay for thre. year'. subwrip
'tion to the American.
'On. Sou.', of 16 line., 3 timee,
cry subsequent insertion,
Square, 3 months,
TSrx month.,
'On. year,
Jilness Card, of Five line", per annum,
Merchant, and other., advertising by this
f 100
.l
t.'.d
378
600
3 00
-ear, witn tne privilege 01 inserting uu-
1000
isT'
jvger Advertisements, a. per ggteemetit.
ATTOREY AT LAW,
60W'7TRT PA
T!. ........ .,,.i..,i :- m
the t;nnntte. of n
turpi fflatid, Union, l.C0l.."lu
HefVr lot
P. St A. Povoi'iiT,
Low EH Si Hinrtos,
Somkrs St 8ononAs,
nil luluinliia.
1
1'"
Mini-
Ra.aoLDt. McKabiasii A C
Srsaiao, 'Joon &. Co.,
BANK TABLE.
CORRECTED M EEKLY.
TF.NXSYLVAN1A.
CITT OP VHlLAnKLPHlA
MAfSACAUPETTS.
All solvent hank. di.
U. 8. Bank note. lAdis;
KHODl, II.A.JJ.
All lvent Imnki. I in
CONNECTICUT.
AU aolvent bunk. d'
NEW YORK.
CITT.
All ."Ivent bi.uk. i
tjTWIi note, under W i dn
rol'STRY.
All ilvenls Imiik. 1 til"
NEW J HUSKY,
rtelvulere Hunk
('oiunierr'iQl Hunk J di.
Far. Hank M .lit Holly I""
All aolvent bunk. pni
coDMrav.
Bank of Chainlwraburg 1 dia
Hank ol Uliealer Co. pui
Bank of Del. Co. Chester par
Bank of Uermautowil par
Hank of Uettvsburg 1 dis
Hank of I.ewislnwn
P.nk irf.MiddletOH ll 1 di.,
MulltgonKryUoll.uk purl
Hank of Norlltumtwrl lltl-
Mar.kitt I'ittab.irg 1 di
Bank of D.'iuvill. .
Carlisle Hank
t F. Jt M .. Miiblleiowii It. par
Colombia B'k ITg'
Co w.r .Miinni. hi. .rwm i
T5tiyelstovii Hank
Royelsuuvu Hank .r.. Uk of li'hf'i
-,.i,.on Bank It J M""- J!" UC" lZ
trie Bank '''"li "rr,"LC;'1L""1k , . m ! A .
Exchange B-kritt.l.nrg I di.N.-wark Bk g k In.. Co J J s
KicliaiiBe H k. Ilraneli 1 dis'Orunce Honk i '
Frneri' Hk, Bucks Co pur''pie a Hk I'alleraoll f d,s
ram.,' Ilk. lAiicaaler inrll'riui-elou Hank
par
F.ruiers' Hk, Hauling .r.!lei Uaukiug t',
F.rm. Bk Schuvlkill Co ar ?emf rrct Co Bank
F 1). Bk Wnviiffib'g Itdi. "",Ht "n'rt,n
Franklin Bk. Wa.li'u IJdis Suae Bk r.limbfthton
t :i U....I, 1 .li. Sf:Or llailk N,.Vrk
par
dis
pnr
dis
di.
HoeKlale Bunk 1 di.'ale hk. . in un. k . .
L.ncasier B.uk pnr.fiiw
I. .ballon Bank 'ir
Merch. Man. Hank t ills
Miner.' B'k, l'oltsvllle per
Munoiuralicla Bank 1 dia
I'nior Bank. Dover J uia
I rciiTon iiatiK:',.: u p..
ty Bk notes iimlcr So J dia
Ynrmeyv'le A Ucl Or V i ii
'"aylor.v'e Del B' Co IS dis
Weal Branch Bank pnr
Wyoming lik, Wilkesb'e ir
York Bank. 1 li
tarR.lief liolc. 1 tin
1IKIAV Aur..
Bank of Delaware P'
Hank of Smvnia lr
Delaware Citv Hank par
Hk Wilnur'n Hranilvw. iar
WAINF,.
Fnrmpra' BkW Delaware par
Bank of Wlieiiock 5di
Mercantile Uk.'Himgor Hi dis
I ,ii, .ti Hunk. Wilmington pur
(" Under BTa J dis
All nlreut hauler.,. , ill
N'l-.W HAMI'SfilRE.
IMIIVJ.
Ml .Ivenl Iwinks S di.
All solvent Inuks J dis
VERMONT.
U?Hk note, under S'a 4 di.
NOHTII I'AKUIJ.KA.
All aolvent Hmk. 8 H a
H.nkof St Allnn. 2 disl
ll solvent bank. 1 di.
IT Under 5-a, 8 d S
A CALL TO HOUSEKEEPERS
At the Cabinet Ware Boom of
SEIVN 1IOUBT k CO.
Market Square,
Also at the comer of Fawn street $ the Railroad,
SUXUURY, PA.
Thankful for tha patronngc of hia friends and
cuntomcr. during the 17 yenra he has been in bum
nr.s in this plare, he solicits from the public a cen
tmusnce of their favor. During this period he
lias endeavored to keep up with the improvements
of tha day, and ha. accordingly extended hi. bust
ns.a in every branch and variety. The public are
therefore invited to the attention ef the present
atock of
(,'AIIINKT WARE AND CHAIRS,
" MANy FACTUIIED BY
SEBASTIAN IIOUPT & CO,
; At Hie Old Stmid,
Where in addition to their former stock af the
establishment they now manufacture
.Mahogany, Wabrnt & Cane-Seat Chairs,
Lart Spring Seat Rocking Chairt,
Dressing Bureaus, Centre Tables,
Marble Top Wash, Stands,
and a variety of other
new ilyle and
Taliioiiabie runiilur'cw
Havimi secured a Hearse and made the nces-
aary arrangements for the pcrr-ow, tu.y are now
prepared for Undertaking ill all its branche., in
this vicinity or ut any coueuient diblance.
Ye muid. awl mistresse., and busbamls too,
Here's furniture of every style and hue,
From aide board, down to kitchen taUea,
From rocking chair, to locking cradle.
' Phoald yoa not hava the ready Jobs, to py,
We'll wait awhile for a brighter belter day,
' Or take potatoM, oaU, corn, wheat and ry. i
- Bork, hoop polca, staves, or lumber wet and dry,
-. Or any thing but yoke, and torching fluita,
, Flora pig. and lurkiea Uowu to Utile quailfc
Coma on then friend., eome one and all,
Keep trade a moving, ao "g' on the buU."
ry Orders from a ditanre promptly sttended
a and work of all kinds delivered with dispatch.
Sunbury, March . 1850 tf
REFORM YOUR HABITS.
Come ya, with gartient. lnre and .eeily,
Ye bach'lors, wido'er. and husband, too,
If, in tha outward man you'r needy,
Wa aoon can make you a. g'Hid as new.
THE subscriber respectfully informs his fiiciuU
sud the public, that he will commence in this
place, ou the bth of April next, the
TAII.OHIG I1US1XESS
in all ita branches. Ha will be careful to see that
his work is made up in the best manner, and he
flatters himself, that he will be able to give entire
sstLfsetion in point of cut, fit and style, as well
as in price. He therefore respectfully solicits his
friends and the public generally to call and give
him a trial,
- His shop is a new building in Fawn street be
low Weaver's Hotel.
JACOB O. DECK.
Sunbury, March 30, 16500ra
EDWIN 11A.LL,
(L.TS Of TBS FlBM OS WtTIHMI & IIaLL,)
JV'o. 24 South Seeond Street,
Philadelphia,
13 E6PECTFULLY inform, his old friend, and
customers, as well as the public generally,
that he has opened an entire new stock of elegant
styles of .. .
- Spring & Summer Sresi Goods.
His assortment consists of the latest and most desi
rable atyles of English, German, French tV Ame
rican Goods. Buch aa Delaines', Tissues, Hera-
res, Bilks, Lawns, M uslins, Shawls, Hdkfls, Gloves,
i.in.1 every variety of Dress and ranry t.ooo..
fhilsd. Msrrh 1, 180. Iv
SELECT POETRY
- (For the Enncaarer Urilort and Tribune
TO BE ALONE.
BY LYDIA JANG PEIRSON.
To bo alone whrni sorrow nyg
Her hand upon fhe heait,
And with her burning fingers, tears
The chords of joy apart.
When cherished hopes, like summer birds
Un mocking wing have tlown ;
When all hur dewy flowers are dead
This is to be alone.
To be alone when Ihose we love
Turn carelessly away :
And Friendship, with a light excuse
Protests she cannot stay ;
When base born hearts from gilded heights
With lordly pride look down,
And launt us with sarcastic sneers,
This is to be aione.
To Te alone when to the soul
The cup of grief is given,
And wrongs, and woes, with raven wing,
Obscure ihe light of heaven ;
To huve no breast on which to lean,
No love, to call our own,
No sympathy no earnest aid
This is, to be alone.
Alone-al'o.-?e while God is near,
Who leached in wori,
That with an ever-fre-nt caro
He keeps the little i.'rd;
Kind Father! give megra.ieto say
Always Thy will be done.
Then though l he world be desouue
i shall not be alone.
grilling Skctcl).
MARY BOCK.
BY TERCY B. ST. JOHN.
Tl
j
..
e'V
The Rock family had emigrated to the
verge of wild Jndtan life, wnen me
recent war between the United States and
Mexico burst out, an event which while
awakening prospects of fierce struggles be
tween the rival republics, aroused also the
hopes and passions of the swarthy Indian
tribes that people the (rentiers of the con
tending powers. Certain predatory and
wandering habits already alluded to (in
previous story) as characteristic of this
family, had driven Captain Rock from the
easy neighborhood of Dickenson's Bayou,
and from all others, one after another, until
at last he found himself far nearer than Was
generally considered safe to Spanish Peak
and its troublesome tribes ot Kea-smns.
This time the old man, his wife, son and
daughter the other having remained with
her husband had to build a house, instead
of taking -possession of one abandoned by
former proprietors. They chose the mouth
of a deep gulley, and the verge of a dense
forest. Their hut was, as usual, blocks of
wood rudely put together ; and their ener
gies had this time gone so far as to induce
the cultivation of a small field of maize.
This excepted, their whole existence de
pended on hunting fend fishing. Mary,
who, it seems, had become more slim than
when I knew her, was all the more inde
fatigable in her pursuit of the game afforded
by the fertile and happy plffins of Upper
Texas. She and her brother were ceaseless
in their endeavors to track deer, wild tur
key, and partridges ; and supported their
family entirely. The old couple did abso
lutely nothing but eat, drink, sleep and
smoke, utterly forgetful of their former po
sition in society.
A little while before the outbreak of the
late war, the Rocks became aware of the
presence of a neighbor-. A tall young Ken
tuckian, passionately fond of a wild life,
suddenly located himself within a mile of
their abode, with a sturdy assistant from
his own land, four negro slaves, a doien
horses, a herd of cattle, and a wagbn. He
erected a solid frame house, and called his
place Snowville his name being given
out as Captain Snow. With peace and
tranquility, his farm would probably soon
have been the centre of a neighborhood,
and ultimately the site of a town, But a
great pestilence, more destructive than cho
lera or plague, was coming : Texas was
the cause of a terrible war.
As soon as Captain SnoW had settled
himself, built his house, and set his fields
going, he thought it but right to pay a visit
to the Rocks, despite the piratical charac
ter which he had heard of them round about
Galveston. The chief things, however,
which struck him on the occasion of his
visit were the wretchedness of their abode,
the wilful dotage of the parents, the indus
try of the children, and the matured beauty
. . . n r a 1 '111?
ol Alary. Ul a rank ana sociaDie inspec
tion, he made friends with young Rock :
and very soon became the invariable com
panion ot the brother ana sister in ineir
huntings and wanderings. The conse
quence was natural. Had she not been the
only female within a hundred miles, Mary
would have won the Heart ol any youtn
not already enchained by her simplicity,
truth, and sincerity. Captain Snow, in a
month, was over head and ears in love, and
in two was the accepted lover of Miss
Rock. It was agreed on all sides that im
mediately after the maize harvest they
should freight a boat with their various
goods, aridj going down to the settlements,
be married.
The interval was chiefly spent In hunt
ing, fishing boating, and ridingj when the
various parties concerned Were not engaged
in necessary avocations. Captain Snow
heard with a bounding heart of the war, but
his murderous propensities were wholly
quelled by the sight of Mary, whom he
loved with all the ardor of a single-minded,
honest and frank back-woodsman. Still,
he could not divest himself of regret at not
partaking of the dangers of the expedition,
and to divert bis mind, proposed to the bro
ther and sister a week's bunting in the buf
falo regions higher up the country. Both
frankly acquiesced, and one morning at
dawn of day they started.
I This time all the huntefs rode horses', the
Very best which Snow could pick from hit
lot. Each had rifle, a powder horn, a
bundle of corn-cakes, a flask of native whis
key, and a hunting-knife. Mary, on this
occasion, was dressed almost in as mascu
line a costume As her companions, and
never Was happier, more sprightly, or filled
with more Of tne enthusiasm of prairie-life;
Their journey was up deep gullies, along
heaving plains, by cool streams, and be
neath the shadow of thick woods. They
rode along in the morning until they found
a place fit for sport; and then halting; lit a
fire, shackled their horses, and started bn
foot in search of game, sometimes together,
sometimes separate. When success croWn
ed their efforts or when night approached,
they returned to their camp and supped.
After this operation, which in the prairies
is a very serious one, they made a sober
attack on their whiskey gourds and tobacco
pouches, and after a little gossip, were glad
to find rest. Mary had a little hut always
formed of boughs and their three cloaks,
the brother and affianced husband keeping
guard on each side.
Thus they wandered for more than a
Week, and none thought of turning back. -When
'the 'Wild passions of rapine, and
slaughter, and rhtirder, almost inseparable
from savage life vhich has generally all
the fault of civilized life, With scarcely any
of its virtues are kept in the back-ground,
a wandering existence'rn the virgin woods
and fields of America has an inexpressible
charm. They all felt it. To camp at
night beneath trees hundreds of miles from
nouses and men, is a thing which excites
romantic feelings in the rudest, and none of
the trio bt.'onged quite to the rough cast.
Capt. Snow i.ad received some education,
and Mary Rock had learned to read before
I left the country. They had thus some
common topic of conversation, and their
excursion gained redoubled charms.
One evening, a little after dusk, having
failed during the day to find suitable en
campment in an arid plain, they had turn
ed back towards that which they left in
the morning They had ridden pretty
hard, and when they came to the dry bed
of a torrent which they had to cross, their
horses Were very tired.
"I reckon." said Capt. SnoW, "we'll not
tircUmvent Dicks Ferry this night. My
horse is getting cranky like, and trails his
legs like an old mustang."
"Hush!" said young Rock, in a )ov
tone.
"What's up?" whispered the other in
an equally cautious manner.
Young Rock pointed doWn the bed of
the torrent, which was thick with bushed,
and overhung by trees, and at some con
siderable distance the blaze of a fire seem
ed reflected faintly on the silvery branches
of a larch. The fire itself was completely
hidden, and would have been admirably
concealed but for an accidental opening in
the trees.
"Ingines Red-skins !" observed Cap
tain Snow. "Do you and Polly slope away
to yonder clump of trees, and hide away
spoy, while I creep down to the reptiles,
and look at their paint.
With these words, the Kentuckian de
scended from his horse, took off his cloak
or poncho; and divesting himself of rifle,
pouch, everything, in fact, but his lough
pantaloons, flannel shirt, mocassins, and
hunting knife, began to descend the stony
bed of the river. Mary and her brother
rode away with every precaution, leading
the third horse between them.
Snow moved with all the stealth and
caution of an Indian warrior. He had
lived three years with the Cherokees, and
seen their arts and contrivances in the pro
fession of man-slaying. He now roused
all tiis recollections. The neighborhood
of Indians might be harmless, but it like
wise might be dangerous; and the safety of
his affianced wife quickened the young
man's blood, but took nothing from the ad
mirable coolness of his head which was as
fertile in expedients as that of a back wood
lawyer is in abuse. It look him fully an
hour to reach a little hillock, behind which
lay the camp. Snow now scarcely breath
ed. The spot he occupied was rough, and
filled by thorny bushes. It was about
twenty yards from the dangerous vicinity
of the fire. Slowly and gravely he raised
his head, and then his eyes fell upon a party
of n arly a hundred Indians in their hideous
War-paint. Some were sleeping;, some
smoking, while two or three were on the
watch. . One of these stood within three
yards of him, leaning against a tree.' His
side was towards the Kentuckian, and his
eyes were fixed oh vacancy. Once he
turned qnickly in the direction of Snow ;
but the darkness, and the scout's motionless
position, made him see nothing, and the
white man could continue his survey in
fieace. The long lances of the Indians
eaning against the trees showed him that
the warriors were cavalry, and this circum
stance made his heart beat. He had hoped
that the horsei of his party would have
given him a certain superiority over the
Indians, Which, he now saw did not exist.
With this conviction he was about to re
tire, when a voung Indian moved aside the
trees near the fire, and advanced into tne
Centre of the opening, until he stood before
the chief, who was smoking his red-clay
pipe with becoming gravity
"Pale faces ! said the young man, after
tne Usual pause.
"Ugh!" replied the chief.
"Three," continued the young man
"one squaw two warriors. Sqtlaw dress
ed like warrior j her voice toft and tweet
like a pale face girl." .
"Ueh!" said the chief..
Another pause ensued1, aAer which the
young man, having explained that the white
party was tired and weary, and could not
go far, the chief of Ihe war-party ordered
him to take dozen warriors about dawn
and attack them. The Howllrt r-Wind
tjrunted his reply, and sat down.
Captain Snow was now amjfly satisfied
as to the nature of the Indian tribe. They
were Camanchees, the Arabs of the great
prairie Wilderness, outlaying in the woods
in the hope of cutting off volunteer parties
going to Mexico. Using all his caution he
crept aWay from his dangerous post; nor
departed from his noiseless walk until half
a mile distant. He then made boldly for
the clump where he had advised his friends
to retire. He foUnd them camped in its
very centre, Well concealed; their horses
grazing With shackled feet, and a small
fire.
"Ileap bn more wood bog," said Captain
Snow as he came up ; "the varmints have
seen us; and. the sight of our camp may
keep Ihetn in good humor. I conclude
their scouts are spying us out this very
minute." And he explained all he had
heard.
A hastv meal, but an amnio one. Was fa-
ken at once, and then some portion of rest
was snatched. Indeed the Rocks, with
all the careless security of their Irish blood,
slept soundly until I Wo hours before day
light, when SnoW roused them up; The
horses were saddled in silence, a mouthful
of corn cake eaten. SnoW then doled out
to each a small panekin full bf brandy, half
of which they drank, while with the other
half, mixed with water, they washed the
joints of their horses, their mouths, and ears.
Then they piled a great quantity of wood
on the fire, and mounting their horses, rode
off.
Not a word was spoken, while Snow,
who headed the party, forbore to press the
horses, reserving their strength for sudden
emergencies. They soon entered a beaten
trail in the forest, which they followed
until dawn. The night had been dark,
Without moon or slars; and when the gay
morning broke, they found that their imper
fect knowledge of the country had deceived
them, and that they were getting away
from home. They retraced their steps,
guided by the lofty smoke of their own
hre, not With Hit intention of getting so
far back, but 'of gaining another trail which
led across a vast open prairie in the direc
tion of their hbme Presently the skirt of
the wood was reached, and they Were on
the huge plain, It was of the rolling char
acter, covered with lofty 'high grass, and
extended far out of sight. A heavy cloud
n the distance, hanging over the edge of
the horizon, showed in that direction the
prairie was on fire. Towards this The trto
rode slowly, in a line Which promised lo
leave the vast conflagration which Was be-
ng formed to their left hand.
"Whinhatiilsomely !" suddenly exclaim
ed Snow : -'the varmint are on us !"
At the same moment the War-cry of the
Indians was heard in all its horror from a
hundred screeching throats, and the long
lances of the Camanches were seen waving
in the distance. The fugitives now gave
wbip and spur, and the horses hounded along
at a rapid pace, and for a short time they
succeeded in heading the Camanches; but
their long lances were never out of sight.
For four holirs Ihey rode hard over the
plain, until they were not more than two
miles distant from the crackling, smoking,
blazing high grass, which bore down to
wards tbem like a fiery avalanche. To
their left lay a stream of water, to their
right a level sWard, which had been burnt
some months back, and was now covered
with short turfy grass. IN ear its edge gra
zed a number of wild horses, which pre
sently raised their heads as they approach
ed ; for this mode of escape they had pre
ferred lo trying for a ford.
"ihe reptiles!" suddenly exclaimed
Snow, reining in his horse. "Do you see
them horses 1 Well, every one ot them
has an Indian devil hanging by his side,
ready to catch us ! I know that trick a
mile off.1'
The Mexican Indians, by means of a
thong round the saddle, and a peculiar stir
rup, Will hang for hours beside a horse,
which will thus appear to be galloping ol
its oWn accord over the plains. The trick
is usually adopted when flying before supe
rior forces, to guaranty their bodies from
arrows arid btilletsi
Captain Snow looked anxiously around
him. The pursuers were about a mile be
hind them, the ambushed Indians about a
hall a mile to their right, while at about an
equal distance before them was the fire.
"We have little choice," said he calmly.
"My friends, We milst do ,a dreadful bold
thing! The horses will be a little skeary
like, but a quick eye and a cool head tvill
do it. We must shoot the prairie fire."
The Rocks had heard such a thing, but
they stood amazed at the very thought.
But Snow left therrj no time for reflection.
The concealed Indians, finding themselves
discovered, leaped into their saddles, and
bore down upon them. But they remained
unnoticed. The three fugitives were busily
engaged. Thef had placed their powder-
flasks out of reach of the fire ; they had
wranned their rifles in strips of the torn-un
cloaks; and then, having carefully and
lightly bound their own clothes, they tied
bandages over the eyes and nostrils ot the
horses. , Tjien thev mou
nled!
again, the
Indians being close upon them, and made
for the rampart ol smoke and name that lay
between them and life;
The line of fire was about three miles
ion: The prairie, composed o'f reeds and
grass, damp with recent rains, did not burn
with that lightning-like rapidity which
leaves no chance of escape. It burned
quickly, but steadily, and Snow remarked
that in some places smoke predominated
over flame. Just before them a lofty clump
of bushes burnt high and brightly, but to
the left of this a thick black smoke teemed
to indicato a swampy expanse where the
fire had less purchase. They were moving
raoidlv: the Indians not two hundred Yards
behind them, along the line of the flame,
and the Cammancbes were yelling with d
light. They gained ground every minute
on the fugitives, and taw no chance of rs-
csi'e for them.
"Close your eyes and follow," suddenly
cried Captain Snow, seizing Ihe bridle of
Mary's horse, and plunging headlong into
the thick smoke of the mouldering swamp.
The atmosphere, which for a long time had
been oppressive, now became absolutely
suffocating. The noise Was infernal.
Crackling reeds, hissing damp bushes, fla
ming grass, a black vapor that choked and
blackened, was all that they could distin
guish, with a sense of intense heat, and then
a black plain covered with charred wood,
with smouldering heaps of charcoal, lay be
fore them. They had passed With the least
possible amount bf injury. A few burns, a
scorching sense bf thirst, faces as black as
negroes, were all that had ensued from their
desperate and daring act. Snow pressed
the hand bf Mary in silence, and then ex
amined the horses. They were irreparably
lost. J heir legs had suffered burns, Which
would render much farther journey impos
sible ; but thpy were compelled, despite
their friirhtfu! slate, to urge them on again
at their fullest siierdi
A hoWl, that Snow knew too Well, Warn
ed him of a new danger The savage
wolves of the mountains Were upon them
n vast droves. 1 hese animals follow prai
rie fires in Search of tile carcasses of deer.
turkeys, rabbits; hares, &c. that perish in
the flames; and, collected in such force,
become formidable. The wretched horses
instinctively darted away, and the fugitive
band hiade for a wood about five miles off,
which had been spared by the fire, the grass
near the trees being too damp and too short
to burni As they rode, they looened rifles
and pistols, and took their huge powder
horns from the many swathes which had
protected them. Several times thry halted
and fired at the furious beasts, which, to the
number of about four hundred came on be
hind them. Their shots told, and a general
halt showed that the caiotce were engaged
in devouring their unlucky companions.
At length the wood was reached ; and
while by a general discharge, they for an
insiant checked the advance of the hungry
brutes, Mary climbed a tree, took up the
arms, provisions, and other traps, and was
then followed by the weary men. The
horses galloped away, and became instantly
a prey to the savage white wolves.
It required an hour of absolute repose to
enable the fugitives to talk over their posi
tion. They then ale and drank, and
smoked in silence for half an hour, when
all were sufficiently recovered to hold a
council. I be wolves were howling around
the tree, which was lofty and thick, end
seemed determined not lo abandon their
prey. But the backwood trio laughed at
them. Their chief concern was the loss of
their poor horses and the prospect of a
tramp home. They were now pretty se
cure from the Indians, who must believe
them to have eri.shed in the flames, and
who would choose a road removed from
the track of the conflagration.
They spoke some time in a low tone,
until the howling of the wolves became in
tolerable, and Captain Snow and young
Rock resolved to rid themselves ot the nui
sance. 1 hey descended n tne lowest
branches of the tree, and looked down. A
fearful yell from a hundred throats greeted
them; and the aspect of the long, hanging
tongues, fierce eyes, and savage teeth of so
many animals would have terrified any but
men inured to dangers and hardships. A
quick volley from their revolving five-barrelled
pistols drove the jackals batk an in
stant. Snow was perched over a large pile
bf leaves driven together by the wind. On
this he rapidly emptied n good handful of
powder. Wilh a handlul ot Spanish moss
from the tree, and the lighted tobacco from
his pipe a flame was produced, and (he burn
ing moss dropped as the WolVes returned to
the charge. The animals retreated with
terrific yells, as the leaves took fire, and the
gunpowder flashed, and then, kept . a re
spectful distance. Young Rock leaped
down, flung some wood on the fire, and,
joined by his party, soon had a fiery ram
part round tne tree, w itnin mis mey rest
ed, and dressed their wounds, or rather
burns.
The next day, after sixteen hours of re
pose, the whole party started on foot. The
wolves, which only collect in dangerous
numbers on rare occasions, hud dispersed
over the black and smouldering plain.
Weary and tiresorne was the journey
through the forest, through swamp, along
dreary and interminable plains, with a
heavy rine on the shoulders. 1 hey rarely
fired a shot, eating saringly, and at long
intervals, for the crack of fire-arms had now
become dangetdiis.
Ten days they tramped aloilj, and on tho
morning of the eleventh they were within a
mile of the dwelling of Captain Snow. Two
or three smart reports of guns made thotn
prick up their ears, quickly fullowed as they
were by the duller report of Indian fusils.
The trio plunged into the thicket, loosened
their rifles, and advanced, Ten minutes
brought ttiem to the skill of the wood. The
buildings of Snowville were a little more than
a hundred yards distant: The Indians lay
uboul fifty yurds to their left, behind the
wauon and cuin-stalx liame. ituck as
thought Snow and his companions fired, and
then, wilh a loud yell, rushed across. Taken
in flunk, Ihe savages sought tho cover of the
wood, and made no effort lo prevent the junc
tion of the whites. Snow found that his
house bad been blockaded two days by the
Indians, but that bis assistant and ihe four
negro slaves had made a very spirited de
fence. 51a ry was alarmed about her parents;
but during the day any movement was im
possible, They accordingly resied until
night, making meanwhile every preparation
for further resistance ; and darkness once sot
in, Snowville was abandoned lo two negro
slaves. Snow had always been kind to his
blacks, and they acted accordingly. The
aity of six cti','1 on hands and knees thioujh
a maize field and thus gained a trail that led
to the hotise of the nocks. A huge blaze
soon informed them that the place was burn
ing. Mary felt sick, at heart, and darted for
ward. She was only restrained within the
bounds of prudence by the exertions of her
lover. They soon stood at tho mouth of the
gulley, and tho scene, illumined by the blaz
ing hut, Was revealed in all its gravity. Old
Rock and his wife cowered down by two
posts; the Indians were preparing for the
torture; they were at least twenty In num
ber. But the whites hesitated not. A quick
volley revealed their presence, and then on
they rushed. But before they had gone half
tho distance tho old couple wero ainotig
them, wilh Indian guns in their hands. A
retreat was beat ut once ; anil before the as
tonished savages rallied, the Pale-faces com
manded the entrance of tho gulley, and re
treated in good order. The magic reputation
of the Western riflo kept the Ciimnnchcs a'
a respectful distance.
Two days more were they within their
post, but then the Indians gave up tho siege.
On the fifth day tho whole party was mount
ed ; Ihe wagon, drawn by oxen, contained
all their valuables, and on the top old Hock
and his wife. The rest served us escort.
Their destination was a county two hundred
miles distant, where Captain Snow was to be
united to Mary. They were married; and
then, joined by four enterprising families,
the bold backwoodsman again entered the
wilderness, and returned to their old resi
dence. A village was formed, rind Captain
Snow was at once chosen as sheriff. Tho
community was small, but full of perseve
rance ; and though they have suffered a little
fiom Indian attacks, ceurnge and industry
soon repaired the damage; and Mrs. Snow
seems in a fair way of presiding over a con
siderable town at no very distant period.
Peace is now restored, and, a wife anil mo
ther, the heroine of this narrative has given
up tho nomadic habits of Mary Rock.
A SG11T SCE E is ynw ORLEANS.
A correspondent of the New Orleans Delta
gives the following touching sketch ofa death
scene that lie recently witnessed in the Cres
cent City. The story is one of falsehood,
credulity, abandonment and ruin :
But a few weeks ago, having waited jn
vain tit a coffee l'.o'jse for a lull, I determined
on returning to the Second Municipality, where
1 resided. The clock had struck eleven,
without any sign of a change; so gathering
my cloak around me, and holding my head
well down, I stepped on rapidly. Nnt a soul
was stirring, and save the howling of the storm
the only sound 1 heard was the watchman's sig
nal and the occasional coarse laugh of ihe pro
fligate, mingled witti the thrill tenor of his
wrclehed companions. As I passed the
houses of these poor outcasts, a few care
worn faces, wreathed in smile., now and
then peered into the daikness from between
the partially closed s!u;lter.. their hanged
features causing to shudder and quicken my
pace. On I went, revolving in my mind the
past, present mid future of their Hi es, when,
ou passing a dilapidated building, a voice.
low and quiveiing, as if in prayer, reached
my car and arrested riiy footsteps.
The building was old and in many places
had crumbled to decay, and the windows
wero utterly destitute of glass. A dingy,
faded screen alone concealed the interior, and
the light was so indistinct that nothing was
distinguishable through the half opened door.
I was about moving on again, when I heard
a few words which riveted me to the spot.
It was a femule voice, calling upon Cod fur
deliverance from her misery. I at once
pushed open the rickety door, and groping
my way into the interior, the retched occu
pant was before me. On a handful of straw
lay a woman, apparency twenty year of
age, her long light hair hanging disheveled
around her careworn and haggard face, her
attenuated form almost destitute of clothing,
and her eyes bloodshot and wandering. I
felt her pulse, and found she was in a high
state of fever.
"How long have you been ill t inquired.
'III! Oh God, release me from lliia world
of sin. A fire consumes me; death stares
me in the face, but will not take me. I am
thirsty; give me
but
1 must not
have brandy. Oh, save me, sir, I am dying!'
I gazed for a moment on the unfortunate
woman before me. Heis must have been
an eventful life. Evidently born of respecta
ble parents, even nurturned in refinement,
and now dying alone, friendless, and starving!
I told her I would return a;ain, immediately,
and hurried froth trie apartment in quest of a
medical friend, who lived not far from the
spot, and also lo secure a room, and attend
ance for her.
In less than an hour all was arranged a
clean, comfortable apartment was prepared
for her, and such restoratives as were deem
ed necessary were administered by my friend
But, alas, we soon saw that the flame was
but flickering in the lamp the time she
could occupy it would be but short, For a
short lime she slept a deep unnatural sleep.
My friend and myself sat by her bed fide,
determined to soothe her troubled mind as
much as lay in our power when she awoke,
and silently we watched her. At length,
with a loud, tremulous sigh, she opened her
eyes, and after surveying the loom she rested
her feverish hand on mine. 'Oh, that I
could live to thank you," said the poor crea
ture ; "but my time is short--1 feel tha cold
hand of death upon me ; but far belter is i'
die thau suffer as I have doue. Is it too late 1
No. I have repented I have sought and
prayed lo ihe Almighty for a new life, and I
dare hepe ftugtvenesa "
She sunk hack again on her pillow exhaus
ted, and for a short time seemed to sleep j
but again her eyes opened, and looking lO'
wards me, she said, "I have a locket, let it
be buried with me it is a likeness of my
father, and on it is inscribed his name ; It
was bequeathed to me by my father as my
solo legacy, and 1 have never parted from it.
Through misery and degradation this relic
have I preserved carefully, and, at times,
when beset by the keen pangs of remorse, 1
have pressed it to my heart and went. Oh,
my father, could you but have lived, could
you but have fought against the cruel World
and lived to guard your Itelen ; but no he
died hunger and disease had at length bro
ken down the once proud heart of , and
I, his daughter Oh, God forgive me, I feel I
am dying."
Her head then fell back on the pillow, and
an instant after, her spirit fled from earthly
tenement.
'May she rest In peace, said the old wo
man, (the ottner of the room,) in a half-sobbing
voice. Hers was a terrible life, but
many's the girl I've seen dio in the same
way, and many jist like her, what was born
to better things."
THE LEARNED PROFESSION.
Said a gentleman to us, yesterday, "i have
a son just about to leave Ihe High School
what shall I do wilh him 1"' Not a week
passes that we do not hear a similar enquiry.
In all such cases, the wisest course is to study
the bent of the lad's genius, and endeavor to
give him a pursuit for life which will agree
wilh his capacities and wishes alike. Thou
sands of young men are made useless mem
bers of society, by being placed at avocations
which are out of harmony wilh their organi
zation, or from other reasons distasteful to
them. Others are ruined by being taught
professions and trades which are over-crowded,
and for which they want that peculiar
filness which will enable them to rise above
all competition. As a general rule, the learn
ed professions have too many votaries, and
mechanical pursuits too few. Commerce
also is overstocked, while agriculture is com
paratively neglected. On this subject of the
learned professons, we find a:i excellehl ar
ticle in the New Orleans Delta, worthy of
being quoted. It is as follows :
"This term formerly had a definite me!tn:
ing. Hut now that meaning has been entire
ly peiveited. We have known men witM
licenses and diplomas who could not write a
sentence ol F.nglish correctly. The country
is ovennn with pretenders to a knowledge of
law and medicine ; the only wonder Is that
people manage lo live and aecumlale proper
ty when surrounded by thcro charlatans.
In addition lo these, there are many thorough
ly educated men, deserving of confidence
and support. But between the shams and
the leals. there are too many members of
these professions. Just think there are irt
I lie United States 4G00 medical students.
Certainly the country cannot support this ad
ditional number cf physicians every year.
The lawyers are increasing as rapidly, though
it is impossible to ascertain the number of
students, as they are net compelled to attend
law schools.
All this is a great evil. !t can only be re
medied by convincing young men that other
occupations, equally respectable, pay better.
Dr. Bidtlell, in his lecture before the Lyceum
staled that there was a deficiency of scienti
fic men in the country. We have not enough
of engineers to meet the demands of the times.
The engineer w ho devotes himself to the theo
ry as well as practice of physical science, is
sure of a remuneration, and adds to the
knowledge of the world. To throw a bold
arch over some yawning abyss to curb a
turbulent river wilh granite bits and compel
it to lend its unwilling strength to the help of
man to cut a tunnel through a mountain
these are nobler labors than to make the
finest argument ever heatd In a court house
Dul besides this, our coutitry wants the ex
penditure of physical labor rightly directed
by educated mind. If half the young meri
now studying professions, or confined in counting-rooms,
were preparing themselves for
the labors wh!cH require mechanical skill and
and scientific attainments, the country and
themselves would be the gainers. The fault
falls too frequently on the parents. An iu
stance is at this moment under our observa
tion. A small planter in the neighborhood
of ihe city began life with "an arpent front"
and two negroes. He worked in the field,
and the wife worked in the house. Year by
year he increased his force his slaves work
ed cheerfully, for he shared their labors. He
grew rich. His sons, instead of being taught
to woik, had their horses, dogs and guns.
They were gentlemen. The old couple died
rich. In a few years the estate which had!
been accumulated by the labors ofa long life
was gone, and the children, ignorant of any
trade w hatever, are in a most miserable con'
dilion.
During the same time, another man in this
city, followed the laborious trade of the black
smith, in lime his forge and anvil enlarged
into the foundry, where he carried on the
most extensive operations, lie too had sons,
but instead of being brought up to iJltuett
aitd gentility, they learned the father's busi
ness, and when his labors ceased, the blast
was not stopped, nor did the molten Iron cool,
but fiercer burnt Ihe fires, and redder glowed
Ihe metal, and quickai felt tha pond roue
hammers. . And tha tons, proud ef tbeir
father's trade, ai the great machinists ef lb
South. Now, who are the gentlemen T wha
the useful utueiis! who the true fat riots, 1