Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-05-04

4 lllG ul iuSl tll;IlllOllCt SlkiIS NCiC
seen about half mile from the station,
md at night the suvages were discovered
prowling ncar the font, but no alarm was
gwen. On the following morning early,
Mr. Journey moved out with his party in
pursuit Of the Indians. Passing round
the fence OF a corniold adjoing the fort,
they struck across the prairie, and had
lot proceeded more tliun a quarter OF
mile, when in crossing q small ridge,
which was covered with hazlc thcket,
and in full view Of the station they fell in
10 an ambuscadc OF the Indians, who rose
su idenly around them, to the number Of
10 or 80, and fired. Four of the party
were killed, among whom was Lieutenant
Journey: an other fell badly wounded
nd the rest fed except Higgins.
1t was an uncomnioniy suhry morning,
the day was just dawn ng: l heavy dew
had fallen the preceding night; the air
was still and humid, and the smoke from
the guns hung i'll heavy cloud over the
spot. Under CO. er OF this cloud. Ilig
6 MS surviving companions had escaped,
supposing that all that were lett dead, or
| that at all events il would be rashncss to
rescue them from so overwhelming Il
,orce. Higgins horse had been shot
through the neck, and fell TO his knees
and rose again several times Believing
the animal to be m rtally wrunded, he
di>m unted, but finding that the wound
had not greatly disabled him.h continued
to hold the bride; for as he now ielt con-
tident OF being able to make gnod his re-
treat he determined to fire off his gun be-
lore he retired. He looked round ior
tree, There was but onc,a small elm and
he made for this, intending to shoot from
behind it, but at this nom mt the cloud OF
smoke rose partially from before HIM,
disclosing to his view Il number oil Indians,
none OF whom discovered him. One of
them stood within few PAGES loading
his gun, and Higgins took d liberated m
at hlm and fired and the Indian fell. MIR.
Higgins still concealed by the smoke, re-
lolded his gun, mounted and turned to
fly, Wien low voice near him, hailed
him with, Tom, you wont leave me?
On Looking round, he discovered the
speaker to be one OF his companions, nam
ed Burgess, who was lying wounded ON
the ground, and replied instantly, ~, I'll
not loave you; come along, and iii take
care of you.
can't come, replied Burgess, my leg
is smashed all 10 pieces.
Higgins sprung from his saddle, and
picking up his comradc, whose ancIe bone
WIS bfok m, in his arms, he proceeded to
lit him on his horse, telling him to fly,
and that he would make his way on foot.
But the horse taking fright at this in
,tant, darted of, leaving Higgins with his
wounded friend on foot. Still the cool
bravery OF the formor was sufficient for
every emergency, and setting Burgess
down g ntiy, he tod him, now my good
friend, you must hop off on your three
legs, while stay between you and the
Indians and keep them of:-instructing
h m at the SINE time TO 6 Into the high
,,,t grass and crawl us Close to the ground
as possible. Burgess followed his advice,
and escaped unnoiiccd. History dos
not relate more d sinlercsteti act OF he
roism, than this of Higgins, who having
in his hands the certain means Of escape
from such imminent peril, voluntarily
give them up, by olf,ring his horse 10
! wounded comrado; and who wien that
g ,ncr3us intention was defeated, and his
own retrcat was still pra, ticoble, remain
ID ut the hazard OF his life to protect his
crippled friend.
| The cloud OF smoke which had partial
y opened before him, as he faced the en-
my, still lay thick behind him, as he
pIungrd through this, he left it to 6 ,ther
with the ridg :, and the hazle thickct, be-
tween him and the main Iody Of the lndi
ms, and was retiring unobserved by ttcm.
Under these circumstances, it is probable
that if he had ictreaied in direct line
ownrds the station he nigh easily have
effected his cs ape; but Burgess was
slowly cr,wlng away in t.at dir ction,
lnd the gallant Higgins. who cody sur
veycd the whole ground, forcsaw that ii
he pursuc.: the sams track and should be
discovered, his friend would be endangor
ID. He therefore to,k the heroic resoIu-
ton o' diyerging from the true course so
ar. as TINT any of the enemy who should
oIow him, would not fall in with Bur-
CESS. With this intention, he moved
sealthily aIong thriugh the smoke and
u ihes, intending when he emerged, to
retreat at full speed. But MS he lcf! tho
thicket he b,hcld large Indian near him,
two other, on the 81 le; in h direction
If the fort. Tom coolly surveyed his