Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-30
MASCELE A NV.
A WESTERN ADVENTURE

Early in the spring of 1880, Mr.. Alexsn-
dsr M Connei, of Lexington, XIV. wen, into
the woods on foot TO hunt deer. He soon
Killed large buck, and returned home for
horse, IN order 10 bring ii in. During his
aosence,a party of Indians, on one of their
usual skulklng expeditions, accidentally
Summed on the body Of the deer, and uer-
ceiVing that IL had been recently killed. thew
naturally supposed the hunter would speedily
return 10 secure the flesh. Three of them.
therefore, took their station within close rife
shot of the deer, while the other two follow
ca the iran OF the hunter. and waylald the
path by which he was expected to return
Connel expecting no danger, rode care
'ess'y along the path, which the two scouts
were watching, until he had come within
view OF the deer, when he was fred upon by
me whole party, and his horse killed. While
iaooring 10 eXiricaie himself from the DIVING
animal, he was seized by his enemies, in !.
SANITY overpowsred, and borne off AS a prl-
s"her. P:S caftors, however, seemed 10 be
O merry, good natured set of fellows. and
permitted him TO accompany them unbound:
ana what Was rather extraordinary, allowed
MIN 10 re!n'n his gun and hunting accoutre-
"sh's' lie accompanied them with great
apparent cheerinlness through the day, and
displayed his dexteri,y in shooting deer for
me use OF the company, until they began TO
regard him with great partially. Having
travelled with them in this manner for seve-
raj days, they al length reached the banks of
The Ohio river. Heretofore, the Indians had,
taken the precaution 10 bind him at night. al :
though not very securely but on that even
ing, he had demonstrated with them on the
SUBJECT, and complained so strongly of the
pam which the cords gave him, That they
merely wrapped the buffalo tug loosely q.
round his wrists, and having lied il in an ca
sy Knot, and attached the extremities of the
rope 10 their own bodies in order 10 prevent
his moving without awakening them, they
very composediy went to sleep, leaving the
prisoner 10 follow their example or no, as he
pleased.
M Conneli determined TO effect his escape
That night if possible, os on the folowin p
morning they would cross the river. which
would render il much more difficult. He.
therefore, lay quietly until near midnight,
anxiousiy Illuminating upon the best means of
ehecslns bis object. A accidentally casting his
eyes 10 The direction Of his feet, they fell upon
The glItterng blade of knife, which had es
eaped lts sheath, and was now lying near the
ieet OF the Indians. To reach il with his
hands, without disturbing the two Indians to
whom he was fastened, was impossible. and
was very hazardous to attempt TO draw il
up with HIS feet This, however, be a,temp-
ied. with much difficulty he grasped the
o'ade between his toes, and after repeated g.
long continued efforts, succeeded at length in
bringing 1t within reach Of his hands. TIE
cut MS cords was then but the work of a
moment, and gradually and silently extricat-
ing ms person from the arms of the Indians,
ne walked to the fire and sat down. He ss "
'nss ms work was but halfdone. That if he
should attempt TO return home, without de.
sIroyIog his enemies, he would assuredlv I've
pursued and probably overtsken, when his
late would be certain.-On the other hand
u seemed almost impossible for style man
10 succeed in a conflict with Eve Indians. e.
ven though unarmed and asleep He could
not hope TO deal blow with his knife so ST.
Iently and fatally, as TO destroy each of his
enemies in turn, without awaking the rest
ibeir slumbers were proverbiaIly light and
Festless-and il be Jailed with a single one. he
must instantly be overpowered by the snrvi-
Vors. The knife, therefore, was out of the
question.
After anxious reflection for few minutes
be formed his plan. The guns of The Indians
were Stacked near the fire-tbeir knives and
. s1I were in sbeaths by their side
he latter he dared not touch for fear Of a.