Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-07-18

could spring upon hum, he was agar
upon his feet, and stung with rage a
the idea Of being handled so easily, he
attacked his gigantic antagonist with q
fury which fos time compensated for
inferiority of strength. 1t was now a
fair fist fight between them, for in the
hurry of the struggle neither had lei
sure to draw their knives. Adam,
superior activity and experience as {
pugilist gave him great advantage
The Indian struck awkwardly, anC
finding iimselfrapidly dropping to lee
ward, he closed with his antagonist
and again hurled him to the ground
They quickly rolled into the river, and
the struggle continued with undated
fury, each attempting to drown the 0.
Their.
The Indian being unused to such vio>
lent exertion, and having been much
injured by the shock in his stomach,
was unable to exert the same powers
which had given him such decided su.
periority at FIRST; q Adam seizing him by
the scalp lock, put his head under wa
ter, and held il there, until the faint
struggles of the Indian induced him to
believe that he was drowned, when he
relaxed his hold and attempted to draw
his knife.
The Indian, however to use ADAMS
own expression ''hadonly been possnnl
ing," He instantly regained his feet
and in his turnput his adversary under.
In the struggle, both were carried out
into the current, beyond their depth,
and each was compelled to relax his
hold and swim for his life. There was
still one ldadedrifle upon the shore, and
each swan hard In order to reach it,
but the Indian proved the most expert
swimmer, and Adam seeing that he
should be too late, turned and swan out
into the stream, intending to dive and
thus. Illustrate his enemy's intention.
AT that instant, Andrew, having heard
that his brother was alone in a struggle
with two Indians, and in great danger,
ran up hastily to the edge Of the bank
above, in order TO assist him. Another
white man followed him closely, and
seeing Adam in the river, covered with
blood, and swimming rapidly from the
shore, mistook him for an Indian and
fired upon him, wounding him danger
ously in the shoulder. Adam turned,
and seeing his brother, called loudly
upon him to "shoot the big Indian upon
the shore" Andrews gun, however
was empty, having just been discharg-
ed. Fortunately, Big Foot had also
seized the gun with which Adum had
shot the lesser Indian, so that both were
upon an equality. The contest now
was who should load first. Big Foot
poured in his powder first, and drawing
his ramrod out of its sheath in too great
a hurry, threw it into the river, and
while he ran to recover it, Andrew
gained an advantage. Still the Indian
was but a second too late, for his gun
was at his shoulder when Andrews
ball entered his breast. The gun Drop
ped from his hands and he fell forward
upon his face on the very margin Of
the FLYER. Andrew, now alarmed for
MS brother, who was scarcely able to
swim, threw down his gun and rushed
into the river in order to bring HIM d.
shore--but Adam, more intent uron
securing the scalp of Big Foot as tro.
ply, than upon his own safety, called
loudly upon his brother 10 leave him a
lone and scalp the big Indian, who was
aow endeavoring to roll himself into
the water, from romantic desire, Pc
culiar to the Indian warrior, Of secur-
ing his scalp from his enemy. Andrew
however, refused to obey, and insisted
upon saving the living before attending
to the dead. Big Foot, in the mean
time, had succeeded in reaching the
deep water before he expired, and his
body was born off by the waves with
out being stripped of the ornament and
pride ofan Indian warrior.
Not man ofthe Indians had escap-
cd. Five of Big Foot's brothers, the
flower Of the Wyandott nation, had
accompanied him inthe expedition, and
all persisted. II is Said that the news
of this calamity threw the whole tribe
into mourning. Their powerful inter.
position hadsasedmany prisoners from
the stake, and had given mildet cha
racter to the warfare Of the Indians in
that part Of the country. A chief Of
the same name was alive in that part
of the country 50 late as 1902, but
whether brother or son Of Big Foot Is
not known. Adam Poe recovered Of
his wounds, and lived many years after
this memorable corfiict-but never for.
got the tremendous f.hug" which he
sustained in the arms oil the Big Foot
n HICKS All - Co,,,a r,,s.x. aaax,, a.,