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Page 74
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.
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