The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-11-18

near-sood STILL cropping in the air with his hands
for n moment. and then fell One of his compan-
ions had hit the wrong mark. The Indians saw
the fatal error, and filled the air with their yels
ran making for a creek we had passed in the
early part of the day. soon found that no one
was after me, but there little safety in that ::
the savages could not look my trail without find
ing thar was wounded, and this would encourage
them to hunt me down. My wound, too, began to
he very painful, and felt that it would be imposs-
BILE for me to reach the creek without a rest yet
scarce dared STOP till at last came to a sycamore
tree, which was followed out by rot. Here l de-
termned to make my resting place. In the upper
part of this hollow l could probably remain con-
cealed, or, if discovered, sell my life dearly. The
only opening to this tree about four feet from
the ground, scarce large enough to permit a man to
crawl in once in, the space would easily permit
dozen men to stand at case. ] crept in, and began
to take n regular survey Of my little fortress |
found there were several small holes, the size of
dollar, and one, near twenty feet from the ground,
where limb had broken off, which was larger than
that at which l had entered. Here / rested for
some time, and having plucked some leaves as
went through the woods, 1 now chewed, and ap-
piled them to my wound with great relief You
may well suppose l kept good look out all the
while, lest the savages should come on me unawares
had watched there for more than hour, when
caught sight of them following my trail. The first
was chief, large, tall, powerful fellow, with a
feather in his high tuft of hair medals his breast
and wampum beads hanging in strings from his
dress. At his belt hung fresh scalp, which knew
could only be poor Johnson's. He was followed,
in Indian file, by six others. Slowly and cautiously
they advanced on the trail, till they came within f-
ty feet Of the tree. Here they halted, and could
have picked off very easily, but thought
would wait and see what plan they would adopt.
After some whispering and gestculating, two of the
Indians were detached and made a circuit round
the tree apparently to discover whether the trail led
beyond it.
When they had completed their round and Joined
their companions, they had another long talk f.
nally, three raised their rifles and fired at the hole
in the tree. One Of the balls only entered the hole
but took good to be out of range, it did no
harm. Again they held talk they seemed ire
solute what to do, and began to think they would
leave me, but such was part of their intention.
saw them again raising their rifles for n shot, when
a plan entered my head by which hoped to get
two lives at least; when they fired gave fur-
Gus scream, as though wounded, and then began to
groan at first very loud, and finally slowly and
softly, as though just dead. The stratagem had its
effect. At the first scream the indians gave shout
of triumph, and then they heard the groans they
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 eager attention. Finally, the head man stood
beside the opening, he pokcd in his rifle, moving it
about then he thrust in his head and lust MS he
was fairly in, fired and blew the top of his head
all off. He fell forward, his body blocked up the
hole In an instant sprang on him, wrested the
-ife from his dying grasp, pointed il from one of
he small loop-holes, fired, and another Indian.was
lead beside his Chief; the others gave one yell of
despair and took to trees. There was now, for a
while, cession of our warfare. The Indians each
Md behind some neighboring tree, were concealed
me- l not mn incl pI foI
leave their covert In the meantime was busy RI
fling the dead Chief The gun had taken, and
which had already done such good service, j
found, on looking Mt it, Johnson's the savage
had well filled bullet pouch and horn of powder;
he ammunition was 6f immense importance to me,
as had not above dozen charges left, and there
was telling how long this fight might last. al
so got large bag Of parched corn, and a small
pity it was smalD flask of whiskey. Having Sc
cured these valuable spoils, l resumed my quiet
watch of the savagcs.
The sun was near setting, when | saw thcm at a
signal, fly each from his tree, and take refuge be-
mind small rise in the ground about twenty thr-
y yards from my tree. Here they were out of my
sight, and what worse, they could creep round
and approach either side without my knowing
where to look for them. "Ths" thought "w
never do; Ill see if can't break up the council
they are holding, or at least get idea of what
they are about" l began to climb the sides of
the tree. As the rot had eaten in irregularly, it
left good many knots and knobs; SO that, not
my lame leg, 1 made out finally to
reach the upper hole. Cautiously poked my head
out, and was rejoiced to find that could command
a full view OF my enemies. There lay the whole
five, their heads together talking and pointing,
identity Matching some plan for my destruction.
Having satisfied myself that from the top Of my fort
could hit one Of the savages, descended agan
and fastening end of my belt to my side, and
tying the two rifles, ready loaded to the other as
cended again. Just as caught sight of the sava-
ges, two of them made off, rolling and creeping
along until they were out of range of my rifle
then they took to the woods and saw no more of
them Here was another hint for me to be in haste,
as the varmin were sending for renforccments.
Slowly and carefully pushed out my rifles, and
the crnfca 18th L