The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-12-11

and Boyu, went on to the premises and took off
house armed with rifle and double barrel
shot gun. As they passed the house, he fired
upon them, killing Morrison dead, and severely
wounding Boytt. The company rode on with
the negroes, leaving Morrison's body on the
ground. Wilson reloaded, cut through the
| field, got ahead of them and fired again, killing
Clark and probably Gibson. Simpson and Boytt
and three negroes got off and arrived at DR. Fish
er's neighboring plantation. The other negroes
took to the woods Gibsons horse arrived at
DIR Fishers. 1t was believed Gibson was killed.
The Sheriff and his posse were soon out in pur-
suit of Wilson.
THE TWO JOHNSONS.
Early in tho fall of 1898, two boys by the
name of Johnson, the one IL and the other
years of age, were playing on the banks Of Short
Creek near the mouth of the Muskinghum, and
occasionally skipping stones into the water,-
AT distance they saw two men. dressed like
ordinary settlers, in hats aud coats, who gradu-
ally approached them, and from time to time
threw stones into the water in imitation of the
children. At length, when within 100 yards of
the boys, they suddenly threw off their masks,
and rushing upon them took them both prison
ers. They proved to be Indians OF the Della.
ware tribe. Taking the children in their arms,
they ran hastily into the woods, and after rap
id march of about miles, encamped Tor the
night Having kindled fire and laid their rifles
and tomahawks against tree, they layIdown to
rest, each with boy in his arms. The children
as may be supposed were too much agitated to
sleep. The eldest at length began to move his
limbs cautiously, and discovering that the In
dian who held him rema med fast asleep, he
gradually disengaged himself from his arms and
walked towards the fire, which had burned low
He remained several minutes in suspense of
what was to be done. Having stirred the fire
and ascerained the exact position of his enc
mies' arms he whispered softly to his brother to
initiate his example, and If possible to extricate
himself from his keeper. The little boy did as
his brother directed, and they both stood reso-
who was of bold disposition, proposed that
they should kill the sleeping Indians and return
home. The eldest pointed to one of the guns
and assured his brother that if he would only
pull the trigger of'that musket after he had plac-
ed it to rest, that he would answer for the other
Indian. The plan agreed upon. The rifle
was leveled, with the muZZle resting upon a
log which lay near; and having stationed his
little brother at the breech, with positive orders
not 10 touch the trigger till he gave the word, he
then seized the tomahaWk and advanced cauti-
ously towards the Indian who had held him.
Such was the agitation of the younger brother,
however, that he touched the trigger too soon,
and the report of the. gun awakened the other
Indian before his brother was quite prepared
He struck the blow, however with firmness, al
though in the act it was done with the
antagonist. Quickly repeating the blow, how
ever, with the edge. he inflicted a deep wound
upon the Indians faceand after repeated strokes
left him lifeless on the spot
The other, frightened at the explosion of his
own gum had already taken to his heels, and
with much difficulty was overtaken by his broth
en- Having regained the road by which they
had advanced, the elder fixed his hat upon a
bush to mark the spot, and hy.daylight they re-
turned to their homes. They found their moth
err in an agony OF grief fer their loss and ignor-
ant whether they had been drowned or taken by
the Indians. Their tale was heard with aston
ish ment mingled with incredulity, and few Of
the neighbors insisted on accompanying them
to the spot where SO extraordinary Il rencontre
had occurred, The place was soon found and
the truth of the boys story placed beyond a
doubt The tomahawked Indian lay in his
blood where he had fell but the one who had
been shot was not to be found. broad trail OF
blood, however, enabled them to trace his foot
steps, and he was at length overtaken. His I'M
der Jaw had been entirely shot away. and his
hands and breast were covered with clotted
blood. Though very much exhausted, he still
kept his pursuers at bay, and faced them from
time to time with an air of determined resolu-
ton. Either his CORY appearance, or the appre-
henson that there were more in the neighbour
hood, had such an effect upon those who en-
their numbers he was permitted to escape
Whether he survived or erished in the wilder
ness, could never be ascertained but from the
severity Of the wound, the latter supposition is
the most probable-Sketches Of Western .4dUen-
tue.
From the Madison (IV.) Bonner .Nov. 90.