The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-04-12

molestation, the Indians probably being a.
ware, that little if anything could be obtain-
ed from him, and fearing that an attack up
on him would lead to immediate detection
and pursuit. On the third day he observed
that the bushes around the log were appa-
rently dying, and being unable to conjecture
the cause, was attracted by curiosity to-
wards the spot, and had advanced to within
about ten feet, for the purpose of ascertain
ing what was the matter, when his atten~
tion was caught by the auttering of a beauti-
full bird, entangled in some burs just by him.
He instantly turned and caught the bird,
which drew of his curiosity about the dying
bushes, and he returned to the fort and
spent the remainder of the day in making q
cage for his bird. Had he not been inter-
rupted, he would instantly have been taken
by the Indians without the firing of single
gun. So completely were his thoughts occu-
pied with his little bird, that he forgot to
mention the circumstance OF the dying BUSH
es. The next morning early, pack-horse
driver and his son went out to see after their
horses when the concealed Indians shot
them both, scalped and stripped them before
the people of the fort who heard the guns,
could get to the place. They having pre-
viousy stolen and secured number OF hors-
es, they instantly made off.
One Sunday morning three men, one by
the name OF Poor, another named Wade,
the name of the third not recollected, who
had been in the habit of accommodating the
country in the capacity OF spies, proposed
to Mr.. Downing to so with them to Mud
Lick, now the Olympian Springs, seven
miles distant from the fort. They accord
ngly set out together on foot, and travelled
unmolested until they came i'll sight of the
Lck.-As they ascended hill, they dicov-
cred several hundred buffaloes, elks and
deer, which they considered an indication
that there were no Indians there; but whilst
they were surveying the prospects and were
descending the hill, Poor and Wade, who
were some distance in advance OF Downing
and his companion, suddenly turned round
and gave notice that there were ten or tt-
teen Indians sitting and endeavoring to con-
ceal themselves in the drain that proceeded
! from the Lick, and that it was necessary
that thev should ny for their lives. They
Immediately tarted and ran with all possi-
BILE speed, but soon heard the Indians behind
them. The pursued took one path and the
pursuers took another, but after short dis
tance the two paths came together-the
whites however, reached the point of junction
before the Indians, although the latter gain
ed the choice of paths. Young Downing be-
| iilH Sthdll, duu hoi ihC mo w" "PobA0hS az
customed to running, was unable to keep up
with them, and was advised as the only
chance of escape, to embrace the first oP-
portunity when the situation of the road
should throw them out of sight of the Indi-
ans, to step behind log and lie concealed
whilst the rest OF the party ran on. Reluct-
ant as he felt to be left in the woods sur
rounded by savages, he considered it the on
| ly alternative, and followed the advice.-Ac-
corlingly the first opportunity that present.
ed itself, he jumped aside from the path, and
lay close behind log. The Indians soon
came along, and eagre in the pursuit to over
take those whom they still saw before them,
passed by Downing who lay trembling by the
way side. About ten minutes after they
PASSED, he ventured to raise and leave his
place of concealment-for some time how
ever, he was utterly at loss what course
to pursue. To go back towards the Lick
was his first thought. but it was abandoned
almost as soon as conceived. In this state
of uncertainty, he slowly walked along the
path in the direction the Indians had taken.
A little reflection, however, convinced him
of the danger of this course; as it was very
probable they would soon turn and come the
same direction back-he therefore left the
path, and, after wandering through the
woods, reached the fort in safety, several
hours after his companions, who had outrun
their pursuers and returned likwise.