The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-09-26

som.
"The next day one of our men came in.
His name was Oliver Hammond. The to-
ries had taken him prisoner and delivered
him TO the Indians. He knew what his fate
would be, and determined, he was their
prisoner, he would not be their victim,
without an effort for his life. He suddenly
attacked them with his fists. They could
not fire upon him for he was in the very
midst Of them. He escaped, and saw
him come back with a flesh wound ia
his arm. He had aeon Captain Ransom
He was prisoner and would probably
soon be sacrificed to their vengeance.
81 have said that Capt. Ransom's men
loved him consequently l had no difficulty
in persuading others to assist me in attemp-
ting his rescue. That same night eight of
us LEFT the fort with Hammond for our guide
and by daylight were close upon the en-
campment Of the enemy. We agreed upon
a signal at which TO make the attempt and
then each choose for himselfa binding place
where he might be concealed. All the
morning the Indians were engaged in coun-
Gil. l had selected place on a craggy en-
inence, covered with small underwoo l.
near the little plain where they had en-.
camped, and could distinctly see all that
was taking place. Brandt, the notorious
half breed, was there--and was loud and
long in his declamalion--I could trace The
efforts Of his discourse, upon the stern and
savage spirits around him--and as lis tones
grew deeper and his gestures more violent
and the expressions of his countonance like
that of tiger springing on his pray-theit
eyes kindled, their teeth gnashed, till at las
at his concluding burst of indignation and
savage elOquence, each one grasped his
knife or tomahawk-and they sprang sim
ulaneouslY on their feet. as-
r,L-l.I- 'agu Ia si'o Si~~d vi tlleIF Nlctlh'
Then knew that all hope of his safety
from the mercy of the savagos was vain, land
that unless we saved him--iortues and ill.,
suits and every thing worse than death mus
be his portion"
" Near the centre, of the place stood a
small tree. He stood there, mark for the
insults of the merciless squaws, whilst the
men, all of them as thought, went to the
forest at some distance, some TO hunt, Others
to collect fuel for the fire. l saw THAI The
moment of trial had come--changing my
plan did not fire my gun which was th'
signal agreed upon but rushed down as 81
Iontly as possible, hoping | might be able tC
free the captain and escape with him before
the sayages could get the alarm. l wa
mistaAen--they were too cunning 10 leave
such prisoner in charge of few squaws ON
Ily-and before | could reach the spot
brawny savage rushed towards me from
tent near by. levelIsd my gun; itmssec
fire; | felt that my hour had come. l stoo(
/ facing my foe determined to die bravely.-
; His gun was legelled at my brsast--but be
, fore he had time to draw the trigger, an In
? dian girl--just growing into womanhoot
, sprang between US and offered her owl
| breast 10 the bullet. Ii was Meantonimo
4 She had recognised me, land in return ior m.
( former kindness had thus periled her life t
4 save mine. Her dark eye flashed with in
1 dignation, strong resolution sat upon he
/ brow, and as she stood thus, ,one hand upo
- her head, the other pointing in a manna
1 half threatening half enireating, to the bloc
e thirsty savage before me, queen migt
,. have enVied her that figure and that grac
S Of attitude which could never be approache
n in all the limitations Of the most gifted arli
q that ever handled the ceIsel. Brandts gu
IF for il was himself, dropped from his shou
I der for moment he stood in dumb su
d prise, then the spirit OF unsated vengeanC
n flashed in streams of fire from his eycs,a
Y quiyered on his lip. "ZHe aghite ana
v shall not die ~ said Meantonimo, 'yo
a. dare not fire Tis Meantonimo tn
N speaks" Am l fool, said he, that sha
Il, spare the life Of the pale face, my enemy
-, Ard does MeantnninO trU IN hinder n