Litchfield enquirer., 1835-11-26
--...: From a, Western Magn.ine.
THE HUNTERS PER41S
FROM TIE LEGENDS or .A.f0n nAp,,

Is We cams upon the trail VI a large
body ~ Indians, who had passed there tie
Say before, and were going up the river. II
was not war party, as the tracks Of wo-
men and children were mingled with these
OF grown men. We followed four or I've
miles, when, at a soft piece of ground, l
caught sight of footInark knew very
WE'LL '1was the broad fat foot Of an In
dian, whom we called Bfoa'Ifoot. show
ed ii to John, who agreed that there could
be no'donbf as To whom it belonged. We
traced it along till at the top of a ridge the
party separated, Broadfou, and four others
taking course directly out from the river;
and the others, principally old men, women,
and children. still following up the stream.
Here Johnson and ! called halt, and COLI
suited whether we should follow Broadfoo.
and his gang, or the larger party. John
| son was for the latter plan, saying, that
where there were so many women aud
children, they must needs move slowly,
and we should easily .oyertake them, and
like enough take a scalp or two. want
ed to track Broadfoot still, both because /
llonged to take the scoundrel's scalp, and
because could not but think we stood the
best chance Of finding the boy, by keeping
on the trail of the enemy Of whom. we were
in search. Finally, Johnson gave in, and
we followed the smaller, or war party
Poor Jim grumbled a good deal a, what
he called my wrong -headedness. 'There
were twenty or thirty tracks," he said !;
"they were going slow, and by night we
could have overtaken them, and taken
scalp or two at least. Even a squaw's
scalp would have been some satisfaction ::
may, child's would have been better than
nothing" 49, 7a' b''t ...' '.a', i.'' s'o' .
What ON earth do you wan, with a
squaw's scalp, much more with a poor po-
poose's, Jim Johnson e. said !. ,..s. =,
81" Why, Bait, don't want a squaw's
scalp, nor popoose's, IL can get a war
rior's but surely half a loaf is better than
no bread. Here we have been on "a range
four days, and have not had shot at a
red Skin, man, woman, or child, 'sl,oagl,
we all know The woods are full Of them.-
1t is too bad; ! vow il is a disgrace to the
settlement, there has not single scalp
been brought into Harmer in month. -
johnson went on grUmbling and complain
ing. but did not mind him, but kept
sharp eye on tho trail. We followed il
steadily and pretty rapidly, ill nigh,fall !;
we then camped, lighted our fire. cooked
a bit Of bear steak, and wen, quietly to
sleep. Next morning we were early on
the trail, and followed it steadily till near
noon; then a new footmark joined it
gave but one glance: twas Ham Glass;
The sight Of the foo,marks warmed my
heart; gave glad shout, and followed
the trail with renewed energy. did not
lose the chance Of Dragging over Jim.-
"See, Jim, wasn't right after all /
knew the boy was true breed, the genuine
old hunter blood is in him, and for all his
book learning, it will show itself. Yon see
he is on the right scent now, and my word
for it, he will tree the game" Just as
Johnson began some light and Joking reply,
! heard the sharp crack, crack, crack
three rifles. Johnson, who was a step or
up into the air, aud fell dead at my feet
At. the same time felt numbness in my
right leg ], too, was hit. ! looked up
the hill side, Eve Indians were bounding
down at a great rate. There was no time
to lose, ran for life. Luckily the ball
had not touched the bone. In moment
they we're MI after me at fnl speed. ]
gave one glance over my shoulder, TO see
how they were coming only one was very
near me, and il could but escape him,
had no fears foE the rest; for, on level
ground, even with my hurt leg, / could
leave any Indian Gar behind me on shor.
race. In minute more heard another
rife glanced behind. The Indian who
was nearest me-and he was fearfully near
stood still. cropping in the air with his
hands for a moment, and then fell. One
Of his companions had hit the wrong mark.
The Indians saw the fatal error, and filled
the ais with their yells. ! ran on, making
for creek we had passed in the early part
Of the day. ! soon found that no one was
after me. but there was litile safety in
that; the sayages could not look at my
trail without finding that ! was wounded,
and this would encourage them tn hunt
me down.. My wound, too. began to be
very painful, and I felt that it would be
impossible for me to- reacl, tho creek with
out rest; yet scarce dared stop, till al
last | came to sycamore tree, which was
followed out by rot. Here / determined
10 make my resting place. in the uppel
part Of this hollow could probably re-.
main concealed. or, If discovered, sell my
life dearly. The only opening 10 thi.
tree was about four feet from the ground
Il 4 A.