Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-09-11

some brambles; when suddenly one o
them, rising on one knee, poised his Hft
and fired at a gentleman who was Just e
merging from an adjacent thicket; tner
nttering dreadful 'yauhoo,' as he fcl
with the exclamation my Godn they rush
ed forward, brandishing their scalpne
knives.
Cursed wretchesn cried Croghan, as
he sprang from his hiding place, and got
between them and their victim, you shall
have two to scalp or none,"- and stopping
short, he took deadly aim, at the one
who had reserved his 6re,--the Indian also
levelled at him, but ere he had tine to
pull, received Croghan's ball through his
head, and instantly dropped dead as .lis
piece exploded intbe air. The surviving
savage stood moment, as II to survey
the strength Of lis antagonist; then cast
on him look # contempt, he advanced
with ferociols GOODNESS, well calculated
to intimidatea spirit less intrepid than that
of his adversary, and flung his tomahawk
with force and precision that must have
proved fatal, had he not fortunately parr-
Cd it off with his piece; when springiDg
At him with the celebrity of a mountain ca
lgle, before he had time to place himself
in posture of defence, he felled him to
the ground with the butt end of his rife,
and Immediately despatched him.
'Such be the fate of the dastardly Prov
ler,' said he, as he turned away and APP
preached the gentleman, whom he found
bleeding profusely.
my Grave fellow cried the invalid,
reaching out his hand, Il am infinitely in
dcbted to you for your timely interposi-
ton. trembled for your danger no less
than my own, while ali impotent spectator
OF your extraordinary proves; but thank
heaven, you are victorious, notwithstand
ing the fearful odds against you-What
is it possible?-you too, whom once SO
rudely insulted, are now the man to step
between me and DEATH
my dear friend,' said Croghan, sat the
time 10 which you allude, we were botl
little more than children, and therefore
equally subject to the faults and folies
4 incident to the green age Of immaturity
SO far am from entertaining any thing
like enmity, that shall ever deem thai
event most fortunate occurrence, mas
much, as owe to it the discovery of my
father, whom | had long considered dead
out where are you wounded
'ln the hip, rather severely, but | hope
not dangerously
'Glve me your handkerchief resumed
i Croghan, and joining 10 it his own, he EN-
deavored to staunch the blood; but find
ing them insufficient, instantly added biz
shirt, which he tore into bandages; ;nc
having secured the wound, took him or
his back, and carrying him about half a
mile to the road, and put him into a
wagon, which he happily found on its way
to the city.
This is certainly strange world tho'l
Croghan, as they arrived about dusk
within sight of DR.. Hunters, and the
wounded man pointed 10 the very door by
which he had formerly seen the young lady
enter; when stepping forward 10 prepare
the family for the distressing intelligence
he secretly congratulated himself on BIZ
having saved the scalp of his friend, ever
at the risk of his own; while at every
step, his heart hutteripg like Sterne's star
ling in its cage, seemed to cry with equa
vehemence, 81 can't get OUT
He was met at the door by a femal,
servant, from whom he learned that tn,
doctor was gone out, accompanied by hi
daughter, to visit friend, and was no
likely to return for at least an hour o
two; and further, that the good old lad
being dead, the family consisted of onl,
one more, the doctors son, who had no
yet returned from fishing. Then telling
her that the gentleman had received
slight hurt, and would be back with hir
in moment, he, with the assistance c
the wagner, conveyed him to his bed
and Immediately starting off again, h
soon returned with an eminent surgeon
! who extracted the ball and pronounce
: the wound by no means dangerous.
Croghan. still mindful that he had on
more duty to perform in reference to tn
absent portion of the family, and which,
though now somewhat weary he resol,
f., ed must not be neglected.; acquante
], himself with the particulars of their vi:
It and the probable route homewards, an
taking with him his friends sword cane
at his persuasion, posted away with lmpa
tlence, lest their premature arrival SHOULD
PROSTATE his intended explanation.
4 When alone on his way he fell int