Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-24

ped his rifle. Tom knew that tif the
Indian recovered his gun, his own case
was hopeless; and throwing away his
ride barrel, he drew his hunting knife,
and rushed IN upon him. A desperate
strife ensued. and several deep gashes
were inflicted; but the Indian succeed
ed IN casting Higgins from him, aud
ran to the spot where he had thrown
down his gun, while Tom searched for
the gnn Of the other Indian Thus
the tw"a1AIseding and out of breath,
were ching ~ ms 10 renew
By this time, thel smoke which lay
between the combatants and the main
body @ hdians, had passed away,
aud ihe latter having pass
ed tin ere in foil siew.
IL seemed, thefeV~V as ifi norhiag
could save our heroic stranger. But
relief was at hand. The little garrison
at the station, six or seven in number,
had witnessed the whole of this remar-
kable combat. There was among them
heroic woman, Mrs. Purseiy, who,
when she saw Higgins contending sim
gly with the foe, urged the men to go
to his rescue. The rangers at first
considered the attcmpt hopeless, as:tLe
Indians outnumbered ten TO one. But
Mrs. Pursely declaring that so fine
fellow as Tom should not be lost for
want of help, snatched a rife ont of
her husbands hand, and jumping on a
horse, sailed out. The men, who
would not be outdone by woman, fol-
lowed, full gallop, towards the place Of
combat. A scene Of intense interest
ensucd. The Indians at the thicket
had just discovered Tom, and were
rushing down towards him with savage
yells-his friends were squirting their
horses to reach him first Higgins, ex-
hausted with loss Of blood, had fallen
and tainted while his adversary, too
intent on his prey 10 observe any thing
else. was looking for a rifle. The ran
gers reached the battle ground first
Mrs. Pursely, who knew Toms spirit.
thought he had thrown himself down i,i
despair for the loss of his gun, and ten
dered him the one she carried: but
Tom was past shooting. His friends
lifted him up, threw him across "a horse
before one OF the party, and turned TO
retreat just as the Indians came up
They made good their retreat, and the
Indians retired.
After being carried into the fort, he
remained insensible for some days, end
his life was preserved with difficulty
by his friends, who extracted all the
bullets but two, which remained in his
thigh, one Of which gave him a great
deal Of pain Tor several years, although
the flesh was healed. AT length he
heard that physician had settled with
in days ride Of him, whom he went
to see. The physician was willing to
extract the ball, but asked the mode
rate sum of fifty dollars for the opera
ton. This Tom fatty refused 10 give,
as it was more than half years pen
sion. AS he rode home, he turned the
matter i'm his MIND, and determined up
on a cheaper plan. When he reached
home he requested his wife TO hand
him razor. The exercise Of riding
had so chafed the part, that the ball,
which usually was not discoverable to
the touch. could be felt. With the as.
sistance OF his helpmat' he very DELHI
erateIy laid open his thigh, until the
edge of the razor touched the bullet,
and inserting his two thumbs into the
cash " flirted it out" as he assured us,
without costing a cent" The other
ball remains in his limb yet, but gives
him no trouble except when, he uses
violent exercise. He is now one OF
the most successful hunters in the
country, aud il still takes the best kind
Of man TO handle him. -IHinois Nag