Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-03

From the Illinois Magdzin
a FRONTIER SCENE.

mo following anccdote which is highly charac-
teristlc of the period of history in which it &C.
CURED, and of the persons to whom it relates was
communicated TO us in conversation, from high
ly authentic source, and is given without alteration
except such as unavoidably occurred in clothing it
In our own language.
Captain Crawford, of Virginia-the same who
afterwards, under the name of Col Crawford, was
taken prisoner inhunlanly tortured, and murdered
| oy The lndians-was marching company from the
frontiers OF his own State to the Ohio river The
occasion is not exactly known; it might have been
during Braddock's expedition in 1853 or in some
OF the expeditions previous to Dunmore's war,
winch occurred in IVA. From the ages of the
parties, we rather incline to the former date
Craw ford's men, of course hunters and far
mers from the outskirts of the Virginia settlements
most probably young, daring, hardy volunteers,
OF the same class as the pioneers who shortly after
that period oyerran the forests of Kentucky: and
he himself was bold, enterprising man. Previous
to his leaving the neighborhood of the settlements
Crawford, from some accident. found himself in
want OF the means of transportation for some of
ms baggage or stores, and at place where he halt
cd in the woods, fortunately fell in with wagon
er, who had soI ID to rest his horses at the same
spot. In such an emergency, Captain Crawford
lelt no hesitation IN pressing the team and its dr-
yer INTO the service, and accordingly communica-
TED MS design to the wagner. The latter, highly
Incensed, inclined to resist what he considered
an oppressive act; but he was alone in the midst
OF military band, who ready and able at a
word, to enforce their commanders order,
The WAGNER was! great gigantic two fsted
square built fellows who bore his face the marks
OF many hard fought battle. He was in fact
noted bruiSer. He received Captain Crawfords or
der with an air of great dissatisfaction and remain
cd for moment silent, looking sulIenly at the
troops, as If Indignantly measuring their strength
against his own weakness. He then observed to the
captain, that it hard to be forced to 90 against
his own wl-that every man ought TO have fair
chdnce-that he had not fair chance, inasmuch
as the odds were great against him as to deprive
MN OF the power of protecting his own. He would
however, make proposition, which he thought the
captain was bound in honor to accede to: sI will
nght you, said be, cor any in your company
IL am whipped, l will 20 with you cheerfuy; but
II conquer, you must let off" In making this
proposal, the wagner showed himself an able ne
goclator lie either knew Crawford's character
or he had read it during the interview The Can
tam was an expert woodsman stout, active and Chi
various, and prded himself on his personal prowcss
for which he had already obtained some selcbrfry
10 have declined the wagoner's challenge might
have seemed to indicate a want of manhood-it
might have essened him in the eyes of his men-and
his own disposition and code of ethics, perhaps,
suggested that the wagner entitled, in Justice
TO the fair chance which he claimed. lie accor-
dinghy accepted the challenge, and both parties be-
gan to strip for the combat.
AT this moment, tall young man. who had re
Gently Joined the company, and was stranger TO
most OF them who had been leaning carclessy a.
galnst tree, cycling tho scene with apparent IN
concern, stepped forward and drew Crawford aside
Captain" said he, ''you must Let me ioht that
mamie will whip y0v.' Crawford was not wilIirr
TO appear to back out, but the youth insisted that 10
nave the Captain beaten, which would DO :he result
II he pes listed, would tarnish the honor of the com
pany, and moreover, that he himself was the only
nan who could whip the WAGNER The conf.
dence OF the youth, and something about hiul
which inspired confidence in Others enabled him
to carry his point. Capt. Crawford having done
all that policy required in accepting The CHALLENGE
very prudently suffered himself TO be persuaded bv
his mon to let the stranger take his place
The two combatans soon stripped and pre-
pared for the fight. There was great disparity
in their appearance, the odds being decidedly in "a
vor of tho WAGNER. Hc was in Che vinor of life. |
big, muscular, hardened by exposure, and experi
enced in affairs Of this kind. The youth who. |
when clad in his hunting Shirt seemed slender, now
showed himself TO be young giant. His frame
had not yet acquired the fullness the cornpactncss.
and The vgor Of ripe manhood which it afterwards
possessed TO so high dcgrec--his limbs seemed TO
be loosely hung together, but his bones and muscles
were enormous, aud bis eye full Of Courage
The conflict, though bloody, was short The
WAGNER was completely and terribly beaten The
youth sprang on him with the fcrocity Of an enrap
ed tiger, and the battle was no longer doubtful
wherever the tremendous fist Of the youth struck
IT inflicted severe wound. The blood followed
every blow; and the wagonor, who had been the 7
victor IN many hard fought field, in few minutes
Iay ntanged and exha hstcd at the feet Of bis van
ft~w D.- -