The native American., 1838-06-16
From Tim Illinois Monthly Magazine.
+ ADVENTURES OF A RANGER.

II We do not know that we can fill few pages
more pro6tably than by relating an adventure Of
our neighbor and friend Mr.. Higgins, as we have
heard il from his own mouth. lie resides within
few miles Of Vandalia, and receives pension
from the United States for his services. Mr..
Higgins is a man Of strict yeracity; his compan-
ions have corroborated his narrative. and his
wounds are ample proof Of his courage and suf-
ferngs. Il
Tom Higgins, as he is usually called, is ma
tive OF Kentucky; and is one Of the best exam
Piles extant of the genuine back woodsnan. Dur
ing the last war, at the age Of nineteen he en-
listed in the rangers, corps Of mounted men,
raised expressly for the protection Of the western
frontiers. On the 30th Of August, 1914, he was
one Of a party oftwelve men, under the command
of Lieut.. Journey, posted at Hills Station,
a small stockade, about eight miles south of the
present village Of Greenyille, and something more
> than twenty miles from Vandalia. These towns
were not then in existence; and the surrounding
country was one vast wilderness. During the.
day last mentioned, Indian signs were seen about
half mile from the station, and at night the saw
ages were discovered prowling near the fort, but
no alarm was given. On the following morning
early, Lieut.. Journey moved out with his party
in pursuit of the Indians. Passing round the
fence of corn field adjoining the fort, they struck
across the prairie, and had not proceeded more
than quarter Of mile, when in crossing small
ridge, which was covered with hazel thicket,
and in full view Of the station, they fell into al,
ambuscade of the Indians, who arose suddenly
around them, to the number of seventy or eighty,
and fired. Four Of the party were killed, among
whom was Lieut.. Journey, one other fell badly
wounded, and the rest fled, except Higgins.
II was an uncommonly sultry morning, the day
Just dawning; a heavy dew had fallen the prece-
ding night; the air was still and humid, and the
smoke from the guns hung in the heavy cloud
over the spot. Under, cover of this cloud Hig-
gins surviving companions had escaped, suppo-
sing that all were left dead, or that at all events
il would be rashness to attempt to rescue them
from 50 overwhelming a force. Higgins horse
had been shot through the neck, and had fell to
his knees, and rose again several times. Beliey-
ing the animal to be mortally wounded, he dis
mounted, but finding that the wound had not
greatly disabled him, he continued to hold the
brides for as he now felt confident of being able
to make good his retreat he determined to fire of
his gun before he retired. He looked round for
tree. There was but one, a small elm, and he
made for this, intending to shoot from behind it,
but at this moment the cloud of smoke rose par
tally from before him, disclosing to his view a
number OF Indians, none of whom discovered
him One of them stood within few PAGES
loading his gun, and at him Higgins took delib-
crate aim and fired, and the Indian fell. Mr..
Higgins still concealed by the smoke reloaded his
gun, mounted, and turned TO fly, when a low
voice near him hailed him with Tom, you won't
leave me!
On looking round he discovered the speaker to
be one of his companions, named Burgess, who
was lying wounded on the ground, and he replied
instantly, no, III not leave you; come along and
Ill take care OF you
Ican't come, replied Burgess, my leg is smash
ed all to pieces.
Higgins sprung from his saddle, and picked up
his comrade, whose ancle bone was broken, and
proceeded to lift him on his horse, telling him to-
fly, and that he would make his way on foot.
But the horse taking fright at this instant, darted
of, leaving Higgins with his wounded friend on
foot. Still the cool bravery Of the former was
sufficient for every emergency, and setting Bur-
CESS down gently, he told him, now my good
friend, you must hop off on your three legs, while
stay between you and the Indians, and keep them
off--instructing him at the same time to get into
the highest grass and crawl close to the ground
as possible Burgess followed his advice, and
escaped unnotced. History docs not relate a
more disinterested act Of heroism than this Of
Higgins, who having in his hands the certain
means Of escape from such imminent peril, vo-
UNFAIRLY gave them up by offering hls.hoise to
wounded comrade; and who when that generous
intention was defeated, and his own retreat was
still practicable, remained at the hazard Of his life
to protect his crippled friend
The cloud Of smoke which had partially open
ed before him, as he faced the enemy, still lay
thick behind him; as he plunged through this ha-
eel thicket, between him and the main body Of the
Indians and was retreating unobserved by them
under these circumstances, il is probable that if
he had retreated in direct line towards the sta
ton he might easily have effected his escape; but
Burgess was slowly crawling away in that direc-
tion, and the gallant Higgins, who coolly survey
ed the whole ground, foresaw that if he pursued
the same track and should be discovered, his
friend would be endangered. He therefore took
the heroic resolution Of diverging from the true
course SO far, that if any Of the enemy should
follow him they would not fall in with Burgess.
With this intention, he moved stealthily onward
through the smoke and bushes, and intending
when he emerged, to retreat at full speed. but
as heleft the thicket he beheld large Indian near
him; two others on the side in the direction OF the
fort. Tom coolly surveyed his foes, and begun
to chalk out his track; for although in the conf
dence Of his activity and courage, he felt undis-