Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-11-26

N eH1NV1~fy ~ vi
the trail, ill they came within liffy feet al
The tree. Here they halted, and | could
have picked of one very easily. but
thought would wait and see what plan
they Would adopt. After some whisper
ing and gesiicula'iag, two Of the Indians
were detached and made a circuit round
the the tree, apparently TO discover whe-
ther the trad led beyond it.
When they had completed their round
and joined their companions, they had
another long talk finally, three raised
their rifles and fired at the whole in the
tree. One Of the balls only, catered the
hole, but as | took good care TO be out oil
range, II did no harm. Again they held a
talk they seemed irresoluie what to do
and ! began to think they would leave me,
but such was no part of their intention.-
saw them again raising their rifles for a
shot, when a plan entered my head, by
witch J hoped TO get two lives al least; so
as though wounded, and then began 10
groan, at ifst very loud, and finally slow
aud softly, as though justdead. The s,ra-
tagem had lis effect. At the first scream
the Indians gave a shout Of triumph, and
then as they heard the groans. they advan-
ced towards the tree. Still their natural
craft did not entirely desert them, for they
crept on very slowly, STOPPING every now
and then, and listening with z atten-
lion. Finally, the head man stood beside
the opening. he poked in his rifle, moving
II about. then be thrust in his head and
just as he was fairly in. | fired and blew
the top Of his head all off He fell forward
his body blocking up the hole. 10 an in
slant ! sprang on him, wrested the rifle
from his grasp, pointed it from one of the
small loop holes, fired, and another Indian
was dead beside his Cbief; the others gave
one yell Of despair and took to the trees
There was now, for a while, a cessation
of our warfare. The Indians, each be
hind some neighbosing tree, were conceal
ed from me, and did not seem very much
inclined to leave their covert. In the
mean time ! was busy riaiug the dead In.
dian. The gnn which ! had taken, and
which had already done me such good ser.
vice, | found on looking at il. was John
sons the savage had a well filled bullet
pouch and a horn Of powder ; the smmu
milton was Of immense value 10 me, as
had not above a dozen charges left aud
there was no telling how loog this tight
might last. ! also got a large Bag OF pagch
ed corn, and a small flask Of w~hiskoy.-
Having secured these valuable spoils, | re
sumed my quiet watch over the savages.
The sun was near setting, when | saw
them, at a signsl. fly each from his tree
and take refuge behind a small rise in The
ground about twenty or thirty yards from
my tree. Here they were out Of sight, and
what was worse, they could creep round,
aad approach on eilEer side without my
knowing where TO look for them. The
thought |, wlll neger do; III see if can't
break up the co,lcil they are holding or
al least get anidea Of what they are about
| began TO climb the tree, AS the rot had
eaten in itregularly, it left a good many
knots and knobs; so that Notwithstanding
my lame leg, | made ont liualIy 20 reach
the upper hole, Cautiously | poked my
bead out, and was rejoiced 10 find that (
could command a full view OF my enemies
There lay the whole five, their heads 10
gether, talking and pointing. evidently
hatchirg some plan for my destruciion.-
Having satisfied myself that from the top
ofn4y fort | could hit one Of the savages,
| descended again and l~astning one end Of
my belt TO my side, and tying the two Vi
nes, ready loaded, TO the other, / ascend
ed again. Just as ] caught sight Of the
sayages, two of them made off, rolling &
creeping along until they were out OF range
Of my rife; then they took to the woods
and | saw no more of them. Here vas a.
mother hint for me 10 be in haste, as
the yarmin were sending for reinforce
menis. Slowly aud carefully | pushed oul
my rifles, and resting one in the crotch OF
the tree, | took deliberate aim al the near.
es: Indian. lie lay fiat on the ground &
my ball hit the centre Of bis head. His
companions sprang on their feet, gazing
all ABOUND, evidently al a loss 10 tel
whence the blow came. AS they stood
there | could take perfect aim and in :
moment another fell, with a ball through
his body, The second shot aroused thu
remaining Indian to the necessity Of put
ting shelter between him and me. Fl,
sprang behind a tree. Here be remained
a long time, till finding he was not liked,
10 move, and knowing that their Ieinforc,
ment could not be far distant, | determin
ed TO be off. ! went to work with my 10
mahawk, cutting a hole 10 the tree oppo
site to where he lay. and in half an hour
time | could creep out,
then Lio Jobnson's rifle, took my owr
in my hand, and crept softly out. Takin.
advantage Of the ground. | was soon on
Of sight Of the Indian ; then | .sprang d
my feet and made towards the creek " i'll
my best speed. walked more than a
. hour u~ndisturbed, and began TO indulg
the hope Of reaching the creek withou
further danger. | gained the top Of th
: last hill, and the creek lay in the valley b
low /; | paused for a moment, and lookin
| back, | saw four stout Indians on the or
/ posite hill, not more than a mile benin
/, me. They must have seen me at th
t same time, for their loud warhoop ran
1 through the woods. didn't wait Tor ans
ther look at them, but made for the creeI