Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-02-21
From the Sketch Of Western Adventures.
THE TWO JOHNSONS.

Early IN the TALL OF vs., two boys by the
name ofJohnson,the one twelve and the 9th.
err nine, were playing on the the banks of
Shercreek, near the mouth of the Musk.
ingum, and occasionally skipping stones in
to the water. At distance they saw two
men dressed like ordinary settlers in hats
and coats, who gradually approached them
and from time 10 time threw stones into the
water, in imitation Of the children.
AT length when within one hundred yards
of the boys they suddenly threw off their
masks, and rushed rapidly upon them, took
them prisoners.
They proved TO be Indians of the Della
ware tribe. Taking the children in their
arms, they ran hastily into the woods and
after rapid march of about six miles they
encamped for the night. Having kindled
fire, and laying their rifles against tree,
they lay down to rest with each child in
his arms. The children as may be readily
supposed were too much agitated to sleep.
The eldest at length began to move his
limbs cautiously, and finding that the In
dian who had him remained fast asleep, he
gradually disengaged himselffrom his arms
and walked to the fire, which had burned
low: he remained in suspense of what was
to be done. Having stirred the fire, and
ascertainng the exact position Of the enc.
mics arms, he whispered softly to his bro.
Their to initiate his example, and, if possible,
to extrcate himself from his keeper. The
little boy did as his brother directed and
both stood irresolute around the FIRE. AT
length the Oldest who was Of very reso-
lutte disposition proposed that they should
kill the sleeping Indians and return home.
The eldest pointed at one Of the guns, and
assured his brother if he would only pull
the trigger of that gun after he had placed
it at rest, he would answer for the other
Indian. The plan was agreed upon. The
rifle was levelled with the end resting on a
log which lay near, and having stationed
his brother at the breech with positive or.
ders not to touch the trigger until he gave
the word, he seized the iomahawk and ad.
vanced cautiously TO the sleeper. Such was
the agitation Of the younger, however, tina
he touched the trigger too soon, when his
brother was not prepared. He struck the
blow, however, with firmness, though IN the
hurry of the act, it was done with the blum
part Of the Ratchet, and only stunned his an
tagonist. Quickly repeating the blow will
the edge he inflicted deep wound upor
the Indians head, and after repeated stroke:
left him lifeless upon the spot.
The other frightened at the explosion o.
his own gun, had already taken to hi:
scrapers, and with much difficulty was over
taken by his brother. Having regained thu
road by which they had advanced, the ell
der fixed his hat upon bush TO mark the
spot, and by daylight they rcgained thei
homes. They found their mother in al
agony of grief for their loss, and ignoran
, whether they had been drowned or taker
by the Indians. Their tale was heard witt
establishment, not unmingled with ncredu
!. lily, and few of the neighbors insisted up
OH accompanying them to the spot where 81
extraordinary recontre had occurred
Tho place was soon found, and the truth O
/ the boys story placed beyond doubt.
, The tomahawked Indian lay in his bloo
where he fell, but the one who had beef
{ shot was not to be found. A broad trai
of blood, however, enabled them TO tract
his footsteps, and he was at length overta
ken. His under jaw had been shot away
! and his hands and breast were covered wit
, clotted blood. Though very much exhaus
! ted, he still kept MS pursuers at bay, an
faced them with the most determined reso
{ luton. Either his CORY appearance, or tn
apprehension that more were in the neigh
borhood, had such an effect upon his pur
suers, that notwithstanding their number
he was permitted to escape. Whether b
: survived or persisted in the wilderness coul
{ not be ascertained, but from the severit
, of the wound, the latter is most probable.