Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-06-13

fro" NE Desfefn Monthly Magazine for .lfap.
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THE DARK AND BLOODY (;ROt-SD,
JAMES MORGAN, . native of Mary.
land, married ut an early age. and soon
after settled himself near Byrant's sta.
ton, in the wilds Of Kentucky. Like
most pioneers Of the west, he had Gu,
down the cane, built a cabin, deadened
the timber, enclosed a field with a
worm.fence, and planted some corn.
Ii was on the 18th day Of August,
1882, the sun had descended. pleasant
breeze was playing through the sur.
rounding wood, the tall cane bowed
under its gentle influence, and the
broad green leaves of the corn proudly
waved in the air; Morgan had seated
himself in the door Of the cabin, with
his infant on his knee; his young and
happy wife had laid aside her spinning.
wheel. and was busily engaged in pre-.
pairing the frugal meal. That after.
noon, Morgan had accidentally found
q bundle Of letters, which he had fin-
ished reading to his wife, before he
took his seat in the door. II was a
correspondence in which they had nc.
knowledsed an early and ardent at.
tachment for each other, and the peru.
sal left evident traces Of ioy on the
countenance Of both ; the little infant,
too, seemed to partake Of its parents
feelings, by its cherub smiles, its play.
tul humor, and iblantile caresses.-
While thus agreeabIy employed, the
report Of rifle was heard another,
and another, followed in quick success.
sion. Morgan sprang TO his feet, his
wife ran 10 the door, as they simulta.
neously exclaimed Tndians!' The door
was Immediately barred, aud the mex,
moment all their fears were realized,
by q bold and spirited attack from q
small party Of Indians. The cabin
could not be successfully defended.
and time was precious. Morgan, cool,
braye, and prompt, soon decided. A
Puncheon was raised while Morgan
was in the act of concealing his wife
under the floor, q mothers feelings
overcame her, she arose, seized her in.
FAINT, but was told that its cries would
betray her place Of concealment. She
hesitated. gazed silently upon it. A
momentary struggle between affection
and duty, took place. She once more
pressed her child to her sgitated bosom,
and again and again kissed it with i'm.
FASHIONED tenderness. The infant,
alarmed at the prOfusion Of tears that
fell upon its cheek, looked up in its
mothers face, threw Its little arms a
round her neck. and wept aloud. In
the name of Heaven, Eliza, release
the child or we shall all be lost,' said
the distracted husband, in a soft i'm.
ploring tone IF Voice, as he forced the
infant from the arms of his wife, hash,
ly replaced the puncheon, took up his
gun, knife, and Ratchet, ran up the
ladder that led to the garrett, and drew
u after him. In q moment the door
was burst open, and the savsges enter
ed. BY this time Morgan had secured
his child in a bag, and dashed it to his
back, then throwing OF some clap
boards from the roof Of the cabin, re.
solutely leaped 10 the ground. lie
was instantly assaulted by two Indians.
As the first approached, he knocked
him down with the butt Of the gun. -
The other advanced with upIifted to.
mahawkj Morgan let fall his gun, aud
closed IN. The savage made q blow,
missed his aim. but severed the cord
that bound the infant to his back, and
It fell. The contest over the child,
now became warm and fierce, and was
carried on with knives only. The
cOmbatants thrust add plunged their
deadly instruments into each olher, with
desperate fury. The robust and ath
letie Morgan, at length got the ascen
deney. Both were badly cut, and
bIed freely, bot the stabs Of the white
man were better aimed and deeper. -
The Indian new became frantic with
rage and disappointment. Ills teeth
were elenehed together, the veins in
his neck swollen, his eyes seemed 70
emit sparks Of Ere, as he grAsped Nor.
gan by the hair, elevated himself on
tip-tOe, and raised his bloody knife.
II descended with . desperate intent,
but Morgan, walehful as he was brave,
took advantage Of the moment, made q
quick and violent thrust a the side Of
liz frIsa.fk. hf...F ~uskaI ont Al.