Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-09-06
no. 81


IN canoe, when they suddenly herd great
noise, resembling the trampling Of animals:
but they could not ascertain the fact as the
high perpendicular banks on each side of the
river imnedcd theirview. Golfer immediate
iy pronounced II TO be occasioned by Indians
aud advised an instant retreat. but was accu-
Sod OF cowardice by Potts. who insisted that
the noise was caused by butialoes. and they
proceeded on. In few minutes afterwards
their doubts were removed by party Of In
dlans. making their appearance on both
sides OF the creek. to the amount ofiive or six
hundred, who beckoncd them 10 come a, bore.
AS retreat was now impossible, Golfer tur-
ned the herd OF the canoe, aud at the mo-
ment of its touching. an Indian seised the
rifle belonging to Potts; out Golfer. who is
remarkable strong man, immediately re-
took il and handed il to Potts, who remain-
ed in the canoe, and on receiving II pushed
or into the river He had scarcely Quilted
the shore when an arrow was shot at him.
and he cried out "Coller | am wounded!''
Golfer demonstrated with him on the folly Of
attempting TO escspe, and urged him TO como
ashore Instead OF comply x, he instantly
ieveied his rifle st the Indian and shot him
dead on the spot. This conduct, situated as
he was. may appear to have been an act Of
madness. but il was doubtless the effects Of
sudden bat sound reasoning; for IL taken alive.
he must have expected TO be tortured TO
death, according to their custom. lie was
instantly pierced with arrows SO numerous.
that, 20 Use Golfers words. The tcas made %
riddle a." They now seized Golfer, strip
ped hlm entirely naked and hogan to con-
suit on the manner he should be put to death.
They were first inclined 10 set him up al
a mark to shoot at but the chief inteffefed,
a 4 4. a.. "A.
IL he could run Iaslp Golfer, who had been
some time amongst the l<ee katso or Crow
Indians, had IN considerable degree acqui-
red ,he Blackfoo language, and was so web
acquainted with Indian customs, he knew
that he had now TO run Tor his life, with tho
dreadful odds OF five or six hundred against
him, and those armed Indians; he therefore
cunningiy replied, that he was a very bad
runner, although he WAS considered by the
hunters as remarkably swift The chief now
commanded the party TO remain stationary,
and lie let Golfer out on the prairie three or
four hundred yards aud released him, bid.
ding him seec himself il he could. At this in
slant the holrid 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 lie proceeded
towards the Jefferson Folk, having 10 ira
verse .pan six miles in hr adth; abouDdng
with prickly pear, on Witch he was every
Instant treading with his naked feet lie ran
nearly half away across the plain before ho
ventured 10 look over bis shoulder, when ho
perceived that the Indians were very much
scattered. and that he gained grnnnd 10 a
considerable distance from the main bodys
but one Indian, who carried spear. was
much before the rest. aud moi more than ono
hundred yards from him. A faint CLEAN OF
hope now cheafcd the heart Of Golfer, he de-
rived confidence from the belief. that escape
was within the bounds Of possibility; but that
confidence was nearly fatal 90 him, for he ex-
erted himself 10 such degree that the blood
gHshed from his nostrals, and soon slnpost
covered the fore part OF hIs body lie had
now arrived within mile ofthe river, when
he distinctly herd the appalling sound offoot-
steps behind him, and every instant expec-
ted 20 feel the spear Of bis pursuer Again
to turned bis head, and saw the savage not
twenty yards from bin. Determined, il pos
sible, to avoid The expected blow. he sudden
ly turned round, and spread out his arms.
The indisn, surprised by the suddenness OF
the action, and perhaps by the bloody appea-
rance Of Golfer. also attempted TO stop, but
exhausted with running, he fell whilst endea-
vo,iting TO throw his spear; which stuck in
the ground, and broak. Collier Instantly
snatched up the pointed part, with which ho
pinned him 10 the earth. and then continued.
his fight The foremost OF the Indians, on
arriving at the place, stopped I'LL others came
up to io,n them, when they set up hidcous
YELL Every moment OF time was improved
by Golfer, who, although fainting and ex-
bausted succeeded in gaining the skirting OF
the cotton tree wood, on the borders OF the
Folk through which he ran and plunged IN
to the river Fortunately for bun, little be-
low this place was an island, against the up
per part OF which, a raft OF drift TIMBER had
lodged. He had Owed under the raft, and at
ter several efforts, got bis head above water
amongst the trunks Of the trees, covered
over with smaller wood to the depth OF sevea
raj feet Scarcely had he sscnred himself
when the Indians arrived on the river. sere q.
ching and Yelling. as Golfer expresss1 Il
.tise so na,.g depiis They were fregs emily
on the raft during the day. and ws' . seen
through the chinks by Golfer; whu was con-
graduating himself on his eseaiie. until The
idea arose that they might ses the 1. II o,s
FIRE. ln horrible suspense he re0lai. ,e.s until
night when hearing 10 more of ne tnaians.
he diyed under the raft, and .o,.s. s,len,Iy
dowB the river 10 a consid, .rabEs distance:
where be landed. aud trav ..ied an !, sbt. Al
though happy in havipr esesped nom the
indians, his situation was still dreadful. he.
was completely ma. led, Under burning sun:
the soles OF his Feet wer. entirely filled with
The lhornes OF the pFiesly pear; he was hum
cry, anu lau no aieans Of killing game. al