Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-05-09

the revolutionary war, al this time had
ycntured 10 occupy cabin at the distance
Of several miles from any settlement
One morning in May, 1871, having sent
his youngest children out 10 field at q
considerable distance from the house. he
become uneasy about them, and repaired
TO the spot where they were working. arm
ed as usual with a good rifle. While sit
ting upon the fence. and giving some di
rection as to their work. he observed two
Indians upon the other side OF the field
gazing earnestly upon the party he IN
stantly called TO the children 10 make
their escape, while he should attempt 10
cover their retreat The odds were great
ly against him, as in addition 10 other
circumstances he was nearly seventy
yesrs OF age. and of course unable 10 con
tend with his enemies in running The
house was more than mile distant. but
the children, having two hundred yards the
start. and being efiectually covered by
thefr iatber, we're soon so lar IN frot. thai
the Indians turued their attention entirely
to the old man He ran Tor several hun
dred yards with an activity WHICH aston
,shed himself, but perceiving he would be-
overtaken, he fairly turned at bay, and
prepared for a strenuous resistance. The
woods through which they were running
were very thin. and consisted ALMOST en-
tireiy Of small trees. behind which Il was
difficult TO obtain proper shelter When
Morgan adopted the above mentioned re
solution. he had jnst passed large wal.
nut, which stood like a patriarch among
the sapIngs which surrounded IL, and II
became accessory 10 run back about ten
steps IN order TO regain It. The Indians
become startled al the sudden advance OF
The fugitive. and were compelled to halt
among cluster OF sapliugs. where they
anxiously strove TO shelter themselves.
This. however. was impossible. and Nor
gan, Who, was an excellent ma, ksman,
saw enough of one Of them TO justify him
IN risking shot. His enemy Instantly
FELL. nor,ally wounded. The other Indi.
an. taking advantage of Morgan's empty
gun, sprung from his shelter and advanced
rapidly upon him. The old man having
no time 10 reload his gun, was compelled
TO Dy second time, The Indian gained
rapidly upon hina, and when within TWEEN.
~ steps, fired. but with 40 unsteady an aim
that Morgan struck with the butt Of his
gun, and the Indian mhirled his ,omaha~k
at one and the same moment. Both blows
took effect and both were wounded aud
dlsarnied The breach of the rifle was
broken against the Indian's skull, and the
edg Of the tomahawk was. shattered a.
gsinst the barrel OF the life. having cut
III two OF the fiogers OF Morgan's left hand,
The Indian then attempting 10 draw his
kaiie, Morgan grappled him anu bore him
TO the ground A furious struggle ensued
ia which the old mans strength failed, s.
the Indian succeeded in tuning him.
Planting his knee IN the breast Of his enc.
my. and yelling Loudly, As is usual with
them upon any turn OF fortune, he again
felt for his knife in order To terminate the
struggle al once-but having lately stolen
a woman's apron, and tied it around his
waist, bis knife was so much confined,
that he had great difficulty in finding the
handle, Morgan in the mean time. being
a regular pugillist, according to the Gus
tom OF Virginia, and perfectly at home in
u ground struggle, took advantage of the
awkwsr,iness .of the INDIAN, and got one
OF The fingers ofhis right hand between
has teeth. The Indian tugged and roared
IN vain, struggling TO extricate il. Nor
gan held him fast, and began TO assist hin,
IN hunting for the knife Each seized il
at the same time, the Indian by the blade.
and Morgan by the handle but with
slight hold The Indian having the firm
est hold, began TO draw the knife further
out Of IFS sheath, when Morgan suddenly
giving his finger furious bite, twched
the knife dexleToilsly through his haud,
cutting il severely. Both now sprung TO
their feet. Morgan brandishing !. his adyer-
sary's knife, and still holding bis finger
belweeB his teeth 10 vain the poor In
diaa struggled 70 get away---rearing,
plugging, and boiling like an unbroken
colt 4 he teeth Of the white man were
ike vice, and he at length succeeded in
giving him stab IN the side. The Indian
received it without falling, the knife hay-
ing stuck his ribs, but second blow. aim
I'd at bis stomach, proved more effectoal,
and the savage fell Morgan, thrust the
smile. handle and all, into the cavity Of
he body, directed it upwards, and start
ny 10 bis feet, made the best Of his way
lome., .i
The Eeighbourhood was quickly alarm
I'd, and hurrying TO the spot where the
struggle had taken place, they found the
irss Indian lying where he had fallen
'ut the second had disappeared A broad
rail OF blood, however, conducted to
allen tree top, within one hundred yards
II the spot into which the poor fellow had
ragged himself, and where he now lay
bleeding, but still alive. He had plucked
he knife from bis wound. and was en-
30 dress il with the apron
which hal cost him his life, when his en-
mics approached love Of life APP
'eared sull strong visa him. however
lie greeted them with what was intended +
or an insinuating smile. held out his band
nd exclaimed in broken English, show
e do, broders how de do! glad to see youi