Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-06-27


among the bushes above, announcing
that the other parties were engaged, but
the trio below were too busy 10 attend
to any thing bot themselves. Big Foot
was for an instant stunned by the VIC.
lence of the shock, and Adam Was en-.
abled 10 keep them both down. But
the exertion necessary for that purpose
wasso great that he had no leisure to
use his knife. Big Foot quickly reco-
vered, and without attempting to rise,
wrapped his long arms around Adams
body, and pressed him TO his breast
with the crushing force Of Boa Con.
strictor!
Adam, rs We have already remark.
ed, was powerful man, and had sci.
dom encountered his equal. but never
had he yet felt an embrace like that Of
Big Foot. lie instantly relaxed his
hold Of the small Indian, who sprung
to his feet. Big Foot then ordered him
to run for his tomahawk which lay
within ten steps and kill the white
man while he held him in his arms
Adam seeing his danger, struggled
manfully to extricate himself FROM the
folds OF the giant, but in vain. The
lesser Indian approached him with his
uplifted tomahawk, but Adam watched
him closely, aud as he was about to
strike, gave him kick SO sudden and
violent as to knock the tomahawk from
his hand. and send him staggering back
into the water. Big Foot uttered an
exclamation in q tons Of deep con.
tempt at the failure Of his companion,
and raising his voice TO its highest
pitch, Numbered out several words in
the Indian tongue, which Adam could
not understand, but supposed to be a
direction for the second attack. The
lesser Indian now again approached,
carefully stunning Adams heels, and
making many motions with his toms.
hawk, 10 order to deceive him as to the
part where the blow would fall. This
lasted for several seconds, until q
laundering exclamation FROM Big Foo,
compelled his companion to strike
Such was Adams dexterity and vigi'
lance, however, that he managed to re.
ceive the tomahawk in n glancing di.
rection upon his left wrist, woundine
him deeply but not disabling him. He
now made q sudden and desperate eff
fort to free himself from the arms o.
the giant. and succeeded. Instantly
snatching up rifle (for the Indian
could not attempt to shoot for fear Of
injuring his companion) he shot the les
ser Indian through the body. Blu,
scarcely had he done 80 when Big
Foot arose, and placing one hand upon
his collar and the other upon his hip,
pitched him ten feet into the air, as hs
himself would have pitched a child
Adam fell upon his back at the edgs
OF the water, bat before his Antagonist
could spring upon him he was again OF
his feet, and stung with rage at the ide,
Of being handled so easily, he attack.
ed his gigantic antagonist with fury
which for time compensated for infs
riority of strength. Ii was now fai
fist fight between them, for in the bur
~ Of their struggles, neither had lei
sure TO draw their knives. Adam
superior activity and experience as
pugilist, gave him great advantage
The Indian struck awkwardly, an,
finding himself rapidly dropping 4
leewsrd, he closed with his antagonist
and again hurled him to the ground
They quickly rolled into the river. an,
( the struggle continued with unabate,
fury, each attempting TO drown th,
other. The Indian being unused 4
surh v;nia0k awnresor .oI heinz ~.
much injured by the first shock in hi
stomach, was unable to exert the sam,
powers which had given him such
/ decided superiority at first; and Adam
seizing him by the scalp lock, put hi
head under water, aud held il there
until the faint struggle Of the lndiaI
induced him to believe that he wa
drowned, when he relaxed his hold an,
attempted to draw his knife. The In
diaD, however, to use Adams own ex
preston, chad only been poSsoming''
Tie instantly regained his feet, ADD il
his turn put his adversary under. u
the struggle, both were carried into th'
current beyond their depth, and escI
was compelled TO relax his hold an,
swim Tor his life. There was still on
loaded rife upon the shore, and eacI
swan hard in order to reach il, but III,
Indian proved to be the most exper
swimmer, and Adam seeing that hr
should be too late, turned and swan
OFT into the stream, intending TO div,
and thus frustfats his enemy's inten
tions. At this inetani, A ndrew, haVin,
heard that his brother was alone, an,
in q struggle with two Indians, and IL
great danger. ran up hastily 20 the edg
81 the bank above. in order 10 assis
him. Another white man followed hin
closely. and seeing Adam ia the river
covered with blood, aud swimming 70
pidly from shore, mistO0k him Zoe q
Indian and fired upon him, woundinI
him dangerously ~ the shoulder =
Adam turned, and seeing h,s brother
y called loud upon him 10 - sto0t the b.