Nick of the Woods

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. These remarks will serve as an explanation, and, if it be necessary, as an apology for some of the characters that figure in the following pages, particularly that of the hon est colonel of militia. In a story written to illustrate the early period in which those men were busily engaged in strengthening and securing their little State — a period the darkest and stormiest in the annals of the Indian border it was both fitting and necessary that some representative of the race should appear. The outlines may be ruder than was proper or just; but they will be the better foil to the generous qualities of spirit, common at that day to all the men of Bruce''s class.