The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-13


the utmost difficulty. stand upon our feet. Ii
passed on, marking its course with ruin and
desolation. We stood in mute astonishment
for many minutes after The whirlwind had
passed, but the limbs and twigs which had
been hurled to great height, now began to
fall thick and fast, and gave US warning to
shelter our persons ere some huge limb should
fall and crush us and the warning was taken
in time. for we had but just left the spot. when
the torn branch Of free fell where we had
been standing.
We travelled on slowly, making our way
with difficulty over the fallen timber, when We
encountered bear, which appeared busily en-
gagged in extricating himself from the limbs Of
fallen tree, in which the whirlwind sur
prised him. After striving to run from US,
without being able TO make much Roadway, he
turned about and came towards US, showing
formidable row of teeth, and growing most
sonorously. We both instantly fired upon
him, and 10th shots took effect; my ball en-
tered his body, and Girty's passed through
his neck this treatment only seemed to ac-
celebrate his speed. The blood issued from
both the ball holes, and our only chance was
to keep him at bay, till he became weakened
BY loss of blood. Before he could climb the
intervening brush, he became weak, and in
moment after died. Girty's ball had cut the
jugular vein. This was but prelude TO an
encounter more deadly.
We reloaded and proceeded to skin the
bear, when our attention was attracted by
noise similar 70 the cry Of turkey We were
then ON low ground, and ridge ascended on
each side Of US, SO that we could not be seen
but by persons directly on the top Of either
ridge. This was not the season for turkeys,
or we might not have taken further notice Of
the cry but we both instantly stood up, and
listened attentively, when the cry was repeat
ed, apparently, just behind the top Of the
ridge
We were both on our guard in moment.
and we were none too soon, for the next mo-
ment two Indians stood on the top OF the
ridge. We both fired at the same time, and
the smallest Indian fell, hut the other who was
Of gigantic make, rctreated behind the ridge.
10 gain the top Of the ridge was but the work
OF moment, where we found the fallen In
dian Just expiring; the bali had struck OIL the
frontal bone, and passed through his head the
other Indian was not TO be seen. Perhaps
the reader may accuse me of cruelty, when /
mention that cut off that Indians scalp, with
as much pleasure as an epicure would cut up
turkey; but the unsatisied hate which then
ragged within my breast, will offer some apollo
gy for that action. Whilst ran along the
ridge, Girty leaped some fallen timber, and
ran directly down the steep; soon lost sight
OF him. continued my course along the
ridge, with the trigger Of my gun set, so that
at the shortest notice might be ready to fire.
had not gone far, when two sharp cracks in
quick succession, told me that my companion
was engaged in fight, and was perhaps al
ready killed; I turned about, and leaping
some blackberry bushes, which grew there in
profusion, ran for the spot from whence the
sounds proceeded. The bushes grew thick
and high, and the fallen trees were so scat
tered upon the ground, that advancing with
any kind of speed was impossible.
A few moments, which appeared as hours,
brought me to the spot, where beheld
scene which was worthy The pencil of West,
or the pen of Scott Girty was man Of
herculean strength, and possessed courage
truly indomitable; his opponent, the Indian,
who had crossed the ridge, was equally pow
erful and bold /; and here they had Just met as
| came up. The Indian stood with his up
lifted tomahawk; Girty with his knife drawn,
and they were gaIing upon each other like
two hungry panthers. The Indian suddenly
threw his tomahawk, but Girty, whose eyes
were upon the instrument, as suddeRly stoop-
ed-it passed over his head. and sunk deep
into a fallen tree, where the slender handle
trembled for some moments, from the yio-
lence with which it was hurled! Much has
been written Of the Roman Athlete, Of their
thick necks and muscles, and powerful frames,
but few Of them doubt, could have COM
peted with Girty or the Indian. The savage
gave yell Of disappointment, and drawing his
knife, sprang upon his antagonist.
stood with my fingers upon the trigger Of
my gun, but they for while so closely locked
in each others embrace, that could not fire,
from fear of killing Girty. In the scuffle the
Indians knife dropped, aud no ole but a man
possessed Of invincible courage would have
acted as Girty did at that moment, for he
magnanimously threw down his own and op.
posed the red man, totally unarmed, and in
vited him to bout of what western people
term rough ard tumble. !" Let him alone,
and secure those knives, and I'll beat him to
DEATH" cried Girty, with perfect sang froid.
This request Immediately attended to. The
Indians blows fell with powerful force upon
the breast Of Girty, but did little or no injury
while Girty's thumps were planted full in the
Indians face, who soon fell to the earth appa-
renty lifeless. Giny now took his knife, and
proceeded very deliberately to scalp his foe,
when the savage sprung upon his hands snd
knees, and struggled violently to get up; It
was his last struggle, for the keen knife pene-
trated his heart. After resting awhile, and
taking the usual token of remembrance from
the Indians head, VIC returned to our bear,
upon which we found a wolf busily employed
in making meal, but seeing us coming, ne
contented himself with large piece Of flesh
which he caught up in his teeth and carried
off.
THE pAI AC,E oE, I,Epnn