Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-07-19

ken his seat in the door. 1t wasa cor
respondence in which they had ac-
knowledged an early and ardent attach.
ment for each other, and the perusal left
evident traces ofjoy onthe conntenance
OF both the little infant, too, seemed to
partake of its parents feelings, by its
cheerful smiles, playful humour, and in.
fantlle caresses. While thus agreably
employed, the report of rifle was
heard another and another followed in
quick succession. Morgan sprang to
his feet, his wife ran to the door, and
they simultaneously exclaimed, Indi-
ans -
The door was Immediately barred,
and the next moment their fears were
realized by bold and spirited attack
Of small party Of Indians. The cabin
could not be successfully defended, and
time was precious. Morgan, cool, brave
and prompt, soon decided. While he
was in the act Of concealing his wife un
der the floor, mothers feelings over
came her-she arose-seized her in
FAINT, bat was afraid that its cries would
betray her place of concealment. She
hesltated-gazed silently upon it--a
momentay struggle between affection
and duty took place. She once more
/ pressed her child to her agitated bosom,
again and again kissed it with impas-
stoned tenderness. The infant, alarm.
ed at the pro!usion oftears that fell upon
| It's cheek, looked up in its mothers face
threw its little arms around her neck,
and wept aloud. " In the name of
Heaven, Eliza, release the child, or we
shall be lost" said the distracted hus-
band, in soft implorng voice, as he
forced the infant from his wife, hastily
took up his gun, knife, and Ratchet, ran
up the ladder that led to the garnet, and
drew it after him, In moment the
door was burst open, and the savages
| entered.
By this time Morgan had secured his
child IN bag, and dashed it to his back,
throwing off some clapboards from the
roof OF his cabin, resolutely leaped to
the ground. He was instantly assaile6
by two Indians. AS the first approach.
ed, he knocked him down with the butt
end of his gun. The other advanced
with uplllteG tomahawk Morgan let
fall his gun and closed in. The saw
age made blow, missed aim, but sever.
ed the cord that bound the infant to his
back, and it fell. The contest over the
child now became warm and fierce, and
was carried on with knives only. The
robust and athletic Morgan at length
got the ascendency. Both we're badly
cut and bled freely, but the stabs ofthe
white man were better aimed and deep.
er, and the savage soon sunk to the
earth in death. Morgan hastily took
up his child nnG hurried off.
The Indians in the house, busily en-.
gagged in drinking and plundering, were
not apprized of the contest in the yard,
until the one that had been knocked
down gave signs of returning life, and
called them to the scene of action.-
Morgan was discovered, Immediately
pursued, and dog put on on his trail.
Operated upon by al! the feelings of
husband and father, he moved with
all the speed of a hunted stag, and soon
outstripped the Indians, but the dog
kept in close pursuit. Finding it i'm.
! possible to out run or elude the cunning
animal, trained to hunts this kind, he
halted and waited until it came within
few yards Of him, fired and brought him
down-reloaded his gun, and pushed
forward. In short time he reached
the house Of his brother, who resided
between Bryant's Station and Lexing-
ton, where he left the child, and the two
brothers set out for his dwelling. AS
they approached, light broke upon his
view-his speed quickenod, his fears in
creased, and the most agonizing appre-
tensions crowded upon his mind. He
emerged from the canebrake, beheld his
house in flames, and almost burnt to the
ground. My wife !" he exclaimed,
as pressed one hand to his forehead, and
grasped the fence with the other, to sup
port his lettering frame. He gazed for
some time on the ruin before him, ad.
vanced a few PAGES, and sunk exhaus-
ed to the earth.
Morning came /; the bright luminary
Of Heaven arose, and still found him
seated near the almost expiring embers.
In his right hand he held small stick,
with which he was tracing the name of
" Eliza" on the ground A; his left hand
was thrown on his favoritc dog, that
lay by his side, looking first on the ruins
and then on his master, with evident
signs of grief. Morgan arose. The
two brothers now made search, and
t found some bones, burnt to ashes, which
: they gathered, and silently consigned
r to their mother earth, beneath the wide
s spread branches of venerable oak,
n consecrated by the purest and hottest