Page:The Overland Monthly, Jan-June 1894.djvu/248

184 Three of the Indians remained to escort them to the fort, while the others with the whites went on to spread the alarm. Kent went to where Lindley and the little sister were sleeping. How calm and peaceful they looked, and how little they dreamed of the danger that threatened!

In a very short time all was bustle and commotion. The sleeping children roused from their slumbers, the frightened women hurrying to and fro, and the stalwart, silent Indians waiting for the rest to start, made the scene a strange one, and one never to be effaced from my memory. As we closed the cabin door after us, we saw a dark form glide into the woods near the clearing.

We reached the fort in safety, but in less than three hours the firing began. Kent, inquiring as to his father's whereabouts, was hushed with, "Take your father's place here."

He did so. Both he and Lindley fought with courage and will, but the close of that sad day found them fatherless. This was one day of many similar ones.

The war continued until the fall of 1856, when the few whites remaining again betook themselves to their homes. Many, however, were discouraged, and in so much dread of another outbreak that they were unwilling to return to their homes in the country, thus adding to the cares at the settlement.

The courage and patience displayed by the pioneers was marvelous. There followed a winter of pinching want, hardly paralleled by that of 1852–53, but it was braved through.

We returned to our desolated cabin, and Kent and Lindley struggled manfully to keep us from suffering. With energy and zeal born of our great need, they accomplished much. With their rifles as their friends, they took long and dangerous hunts to provide game not only for us but others.

Mrs. Campbell never quite rallied from the shock of that terrible year, but she was the same devoted parent, and kind, helpful friend. Her good common sense, her untiring energy and beautiful unselfishness, had their influence on all in the settlement, and "the Campbells" was a synonym for helpfulness and cheer.

Today Kent and Lindley are both prosperous men, on whom fortune has smiled. Both in their fair manhood exemplify that labor ennobles; that duty cheerfully and reverently met is a greater motor of true culture than many a medium through which it is supposed to come.

I close with an extract from a letter written by Kent to an inquiring friend, whose attention had been drawn to the great Northwest.

"If you have strength, courage, and the capital of willing hands and active brains, come to this Western country. The rude pioneer work has been done, but there is yet much to be accomplished, for every field of industry is awaiting development. Rich mineral wealth hardly discovered; commerce spreading its maritime arms invitingly, agriculture and manufactures both their infancy; and the road to every profession waiting with honors to lead competent and useful men to a proud destination. Under sunny skies and genial atmosphere, health, wealth, and honors, await many."

Rose Simmons.