Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-08-08
16IsCHI.xAHHous.
f}sm ihs .3~e1Ieaa Tre.~isr.
THE RIFLEMAN OF CHIPPEWA.

THE RiFLEMAN OF CHIPPEWA.
Atths time Of the French and Indian
wars, the American army were en-
camped on tho plains Of Chippewa.
Col. st. Clair the commander, was q
bold and meritorious officer; but there
vas mixed with his bravery, a large
share Of rashness or indiscretion,
which too often exist in the br casts Of
the brayest generals. His rashness in
this case, consisted 10 encamping upon
an open plain, beside q thick wood,
from which an Indian scout could east
ly pick of his out posts, without being
exposed in tho least to the fire of the
sentinel. Five nights had passed, aud
tho tranquility Of each night was dis.
turbed by the disappearance Of a SEN
try, which stood at . lonely post IN
tho vicinity of the forest. These re-
peatcd misfortunes had struck such a
dread into the breasts Of the remain
ing soldiers, that no one would volun.
teer to take the post and the com
mander knowing it would be throwing
away their lives, let il stand unoccu.
pied for a night or two. AT length a
riaeman Of the Virginia corps, volun-
teered his services. He was told the
danger Of the duty, but he laughed at
their fears, saying he would return
safe to drink the health Of his com.
manders in the morning. The guard
marched up soon after, and he shout.
dering his rifle, fell in. He arrived at
his bounds, and bidding his fellow
sentinels good night, assumed the du.
ties of his post The night was dark
from the thick clouds that overspread
the armament, leaving no star to shine
upon the seatinel as hs paced his lone
ly path, and nought was heard but the
mOurnful hoot OF the owl, a. she raised
her nightly song from the withered
bran ch of the venerable oak. At length
a low rustlins Of the branches on the
right, caught his ear; he gsZed long
towards the spot whence the sound ap.
peared 10 proceed but saw nothing,
save the impenetrable gloom of the
thick forest which surrounded the en-.
campment. Then as he marched on.
ward, he raised DER the gentle breeze
OF night the joyful cry Of 'All's we'll >
after which he seated himself upon the
stump. and dropped into a deep fit of
musing. While he thus sat, q savage
entered the open space behind him,
and after buckling his tunic with its
numerous folds tight around his body,
drew over bis head the skin Of a wild
bear, with the natural appendages Of
those animals; aud thus accoutred,
walked slowly past the soldier, who
seeing the object approach, quickly
stood upon his guard. But q well
known grunt eased his fears, and he
suffered il to pass, il being too dark for
any one 10 discover the cheat. The
beast quietly sought tie thieket to the
left-it was nearly out Of sight, when
through sudden break Of the clouds,
the mosn sbone bright upon II The
soldier then perceived the ornamented
moccasins of savage, and quick as
thought prepared to FIRE; but fearing
lest he might be mistaken. and thus
falsely alarm the camp, and also sup
posing if il were so, other Savsges
would be nigh at hand, he RETAINED;
and having a perfect knowledge Of In.
dian subtlety, quickly took of HE coat
and cap, aud after hanging them upon
the stump where he had reclined, took
his rife and carefully CROPPED his way
towards the thicket. lie had barely
reached IL, when the whizzing Of an
arrow past his head, told him of the
danger from which he had SO narrowly
escaped.
Upon turning his eyes towards
small spot Of cleared land within the
thicket, he perceived dozen Of those
animals, sitting upon their hind legs,
instead Of feeding upon the numerous
acOrns which lay at this season upon
the surface Of the leaves; and on listen.
ing attentively, he heard them converse
in the Iroquois tOngUe-the substance
Of which was, that if the sentinel did
not discover them. the next eve, so
soon ss the moon should give them sui.
hcient light to carry into effect their in. \
iernal operations, they would make
an attack upon the American camp. -
They then left their rendezvous, aud
sOon their tall forms were lost IN the
shadows Of the forest The soldier
then approached has post, and Ioand
the arrow buried deep within the stump,
Il having passed through the breast ol
his coat
After Offering up lervent prsysr 10
the Cod Of Heaven for his escape, he
sought the camp; and entering tie
marque, desired the orderly TO ,nform
the Colonel Of be return and also 10
request an audience, 80 he bad q sub
jeet OF great importance to communi-
cate The Colonel ordered hlm to en-.
ter, and after hearing him through, !
bestowed upon him The then vacant
oihee Of Lieutenant Of the corps, direct |
ing him a. the same tine 20 be ready /
With = piqust guard, TO march At 3 I
O'Clock that evs-again TO place his I