The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-09-18

oOuDtS WcIo icuoscu W p"iy " Au
lians, making their appearance OH both
sides Of the creek, to the amount Of five
or six hundred, who beckoned them to
come ashore. As retreat was now inn
possible, Golfer turned the head Of the
canoe, and at the moment ofits touching
an Indian seized the rifle belonging to
Potts; but Golfer, who is a remarkably
strong man, Immediately retook it, and
handed it to Potts, who remained in the
canoe. and on receiving il pushed off in
to the river. He had scarcely Quilted
the shore, when an arrow was shot at
him, aud he cried out, "Colter I am
wounded !" Golfer demonstrated with
him on the folly of attempting to es-
cape, and urged him 10 come ashore.
Instead Of complying, he instantly lev
elled his rifle at the Indian, and shot him
dead on the spot. This conduct, si.uat-
ed as he was, may appear to have been
an act Of madness, but il was doubtless
the effects of sudden but sound reason
ing; for, if taken alive, he must have ex-
pected to be tortured to death, according
to their custom. He was instantly pierre
cd with arrows so numerous, that, to use
Colter's words, she Was made riddle Of"
They now seized Golfer, stripped him
entirely naked, and began 10 consult OH
the manner he should be put to death.
They were first inclined to set him up
as mark to shoot at, but the chief inter-
fered, and seized him by the shoulder,
asked him if he could run fast? Golfer,
who had been some time amongst the
Kee-katso or Crow Indians, hnd in a
considerable degree acquired the Black
foot language, and was also well ac-
quainted with Indian customs he knew
that he had now to run for his life, with
the dreadful odds Of FIVE or six hundred
against him, and those armed Indiuns |;
he therefore cunningly replied that he
was very bad runner, although he was
considered by the hunters as remarkabl
swift. The chief now commanded the
party to remain stationary, and he let
Golfer out on the prarie three or four
hundred yards, and released him. bidding
him save himself if he could. At this in
slant the horrid war-hoop sounded in the
ears of poor Golfer, who, urged with the
hope of preserving life, ran with speed
at which himself was surprised. He
proceeded towards the Jefferson Fork,
having to traverse plain six miles in
breadth ;-abounding with prickley pear.
on which he was every instant treading
with his naked feet. He ran nearly half
way across the plain before he veniured
to look over his shoulder, when he per-
ccived that the Indians very much scat
tered, and that he gained ground 70 a
considerable distance from the man
body but one Indian, who carried a
spear, was much before all the rest, and
not more than ninety or one hundred
y~~ds r-n1' him A flint pleam of hope
now cheered the heart Of Golfer, he de-
rived confidence from the belief that es-
cape was within the bounds Of possibility;
but that confidence was nearly fatal to
him, for he exerted himself to such de-
gree, that the blood guslied from his nos
trils, and soon almost covered the fore
part Of his body. He had now arrived
within mile Of the river, when he dis
tinctly heard the appalling sound of foot
steps behind him, and every instant ex-
pected to feel the spear of his pursuer.
Again he turned his head, and snw the
savage not twenty yards from hun. De-
tcrmined, if possible, to avoid the ex-
pected blow, he suddenly stopped. turned
round, and spread out his arms. The
Indian, surprised by the suddenness Of
the action, and perhaps by the bloody
appearance Of Golfer, also attempted to
stop but, exhausted with running, he
fell whilst endeavoring to throw his
spear, which struck in the ground and
broke. Golfer Instantly snatched up the
pointed part, with which he pined him
to the earth, and then continued his
fight. The foremost Of the Indians, on
arriving at the place stopped till others
came to join them, when they set up a
hideous yell. Every moment Of time
was improved by Golfer; who although
fainting and exhausted, succeeded in
gaining the skirting of the &C tton tree
wood. on the borders of the Fork, through
which he ran and plunged into the river.
Fortunately for him, little below this
place was an island, against the upper
part Of which, a raft of drift timber had
lodged. He dived under the raft, aud
after several efforts got his head above
water amongst the trunks Of the trees.
covered over with smaller wood to tho
depth Of several feet. Scarcely had he
secured himself, when the Indians arriv-
ed on the river, screaching and yelling,
as Golfer expressed it, "Gke so many
depii.." They were frequently or the
raft during the day, and were seen
through the chinks by Golfer, who was
congratulating himself on his escape,
until the idea arose. that they might set
the raft on FIRE. In horrible suspenss