Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-09-11

non OF INUf1aS.
An Indian is at home in any part of the To-
rest he carries with him parched corn pulse
rlsed, andat nght. If lac has shot nothing, he
cooks his parched corn with water alone,
which although insipid to the taste isexceed:
ingiy nutritious, and sleeps in the open air. Ir
lie intends encamping for several DAYS, or The
weather is had, he strips the bark from pine
tree aud makes a shelter that secures him
from rain
passed where a little ei,l had been shot
through the arm. aud scalped, notwithstand
ing which size is III fair way TO recover
Sca!plrg ~ custom among these peopie. when
they have killed or wounded an enemy, by
making a circle round the top of the head
with Knife and stripping of ,lc skin; this is
generally followed by a cOup de grace with
the iomahawk. Sca!ps are trophies held In
great esteem among tseni, and he who can
produce the largest number is entitled TO the
iigh houors awarded great warrior, title of
mnch distinction among them. Frequent in
stances have occurred OF recovery oi persons
who have been scalped whom the otter wounds
they have received were slight. During the
war of the revolution, and in Tie last war, the
Indians employed by the British government
received their compensation IN stipulated
rrice for each SCALP they produced. am sur.
~ to say that the practice OF scalping is some
time adopted by cur frontier militia.
The facility with which an Indian can dis
cover the track er trail of man or beast is really
surprising where an inexperienced observer
is unable 10 discover that either have passed,
an Indian will trace the marks with unerrihg
accuracy, aud be able TO tell how many there
were aud hOw long ii has been since they
passed On all subjects that il is indispensa-
by necessary for them to have an acquaint-
anCe with, i'll the prosecution of their wars,
OF in the pursuit of game, they discover an
scuteness and sagacity very surprising consi-
dering their ignorance on abstract subjects.
General Gaines has had narrow escape
when Gen. Jackson arrived at Hartford, Gen.
Gaines, anxious 10 prepare his brigade for
movement and fearful that the officer com.
e.rl,.,
approach of supplies, abandon his post, resolv-
Cd on making the hazardous attempt to reach
the Fort. The Flint River, oil which Fort
Scott is situated, vas at this time very much
swOln, and IFS current exceedingly rapid and
vide. He embarked on Ooald boat with
two officers and twelve men. He had proceed
ed down the river hut 40 miles, when his boat
struck upon slump on an island then over
fowe ed BY water, the boat filled, but luckily
cid not sink. 1t was night; Major Wright and
two other soldiers immediately attempted to
SWIM ashere, hat they persisted in the attempt.
The General remained on the boat abont one
hour, he then prepared himselfio swim and
started with 1--WE soldiers and strong active
Indian, named Billy, The current was ex.
tremely rapid aud they had half mile to
swim. The lndian had torn a piece of board
from the boat to which lie attached string
that he carried in his teeth, and by that means
rendered the General great assistance. They
reached the shore, with loss OF three ont of
the seven lhat started. General Gaines hailed
lie had sustained, in consequence Of which,
faose who survived remained OH the wreck
until day when they all, except one, reached
the shore, opposite 10 that oil which the Gen.
had landed.
General Gaines now found himself naked
without food. in wilderness, surrounded by
hostile indians, who would Immediately put
hm to death it they discovered HIM. He de-
CideG on eudGas Oring to reach Fort Scott, dis
,ant as he imagined 30 miles, but he soon be-
came weak, sick, exhausted, and uEabie 10
proceed ile dispatChedthe lndan and a SOL
dier, TO enhcavo, toreach Fort Scott aud bring
him assistance and All escort. After waiting,
with an anxiety that may lie readily imagined,
sufficient time for the Indian TO have T"tnrn.
ed, he b. gan to appreheEd that either Fort
Scoit had been abandoned, CT that tlu indian
lad been destroy ell in attempting 10 reach II.
lie determined therefore 10 cndsGy0r 10 reach
IN Iudian settlement, distant about 30 miles,
ilthOnglI doubtful whether IL friendly or
hostile oue. lie wrote on Inc sand State
ment Of the route lie had taken, intending, If
the Indian should return that lac might be a8le
70 find hini, aud in his weak exhausted state
proceeded. lie had 40 guide but the river,
aud his path uterSected by creeks that he had
10 swim, and swaRps 10 wade through. He
was complied 10 travel very cautiously, the
" cod being TILED with hostile Indians, and
unable 10 make fiTe, and without clothes, lie
suffered much from the cold he was without
ans arms but pen knife, with which he cut
clubs for himself and the soldier, and he had
determined, sbUBtd he meet with but two OF
three Indians in body, be would attack aud
emdeayOr 20 take their arms. He frequently
saws tracks Of the savage enemy, and more
than once warmed himself at flies they had
Just quilted. Atleugth. after being four DAYS
without tasting a mOuthful OF food, he reached
an Indian village lie found the warriors had
all left IT, and was received with great cold
ness by an old squaw, 10 whose hut he first
went, aud from whom with much difficulty ht
procured breakfast IL is remarkable thai
although the General aud his soldier had beer
four DAYS without food yet, when some cook Cd
Vgntson was placed before thtm they felt liz
tie disposition, 10 eat. aud experienced no ~
convenience from long abstinence The Gle
Ecrh proceeded, aud soon after joined the ~
my.
TO be continued
EXE(TTION