The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-05-07


followed Immediately by the discharge of
a large number of rifles. A deadly silence
ensued, which was only broken by one
of the hunters hallooing to Willie. and
informing him of the extent and nature of
the danger, which in fact, he had already
but too surely surmised. Fortunately,
the tree was so singularly placed, and so
large in bulk, that it both screened them
from the sight Of the enemy, and prevent
ed them from being out flanked Spring
ing to his feet, he looked up the aaclivity,
and the sight which there met his gaze
wrung the youths heart with agony.
Within the distance of fifty yards, lay the
bodies of four of his company. With the
exception of them not a soul was to be
seen; and had it not been for the thin
blue vapour which hung sluggishly under
the lower branches of the stately forest
trees, and the report of the rifles, the be-
holder could scarcely have OWNED the
nature of this sudden interruption to so
peaceful scene,-an interruption des-
tined to break off, forever, the earthly
happiness of two beings. who, but mo-
ment before, had raised the chaice of
love to their unsuspecllng and guileless
lips! Happiness,-l3e!-thou art, in
deed the sunbeam on the wave the mo-
mentary fragrance of the fragile flower
and yet clung to with all the lervor of
youth and hope
While examining the state of affairs,
and devlslng means for Joining the re-
mainder of the men, who had taken pos
session Of peace of ground, very thickly
studded with laurel-bushes, and covered
with high grass, Willie incautiously ex-
posed his figure, and instantly he became
the mark of half dozen savages, whose
unerring aim quickly planted as many
bullets in the bark, within an inch of his
head. He turned to the other side, and
whilst there watching, he perceived the
glass wave gently, and tile form of an
Indian move slowly in the direction of
his station. 1t was but the work of
moment to aim his rifle, and to fire. A
suppressed yell of anguish burst from the
savage and falling on his side, Willie
could behold the convusive workings of
his countenancc, as the soul flew back to
its Maker. An Indian sprang to his feet,
followed by two others, and made direct
for the tree. They were within few
feet of the coveted spot, when discharge
from the rifles of his friends brought two
of them to the ground, dead; the third,
unhurt. with tomahawk in hand, gained
the shelter of the tree. TO cvade the
blow and grapple with his antagonist was
the first impulse, but faint shrek behind
him from Mary, who had fallen insens-
BILE at the first onset, and at lhat moment
began to recoverable turned, and the
sight which he beheld paralysed his facul-
ties. Mary, at the moment the Indian
threw his tomahawk, was slowly revving,
and as she raised her head, it struck her
forcibly on the neck and inflicted deep
wound, -severing at the same time one
of the principal arteries. When Willie
turned to learn the cause of that cry he
saw her bathed in blood His foe, taking
advantage OF his CONSERVATION, would
speedily have had his scalp hanging at
his girdie; had not bullet struck him on
his arm, as he raised it TO strike, and
shattered the bone. Recovering, he drew
his own knife and the warrior perccivng
that all hope had fled, firmly grasped him
with his dhinjured arm and dragged him
toward the rivers brink, within few
feet Ut which the struggle had taken place.
Thrusting his knife,into the Indians side,
he endeavored to free himself from the
foeman's grasp, but it was not till the
blade had thrice pierced his heart, that his
sincwy hold slackened. They were at
the edge of the river: another stcp--ano-
Their struggle-would plunged them both
into eternity. Quick as thought, he drew
his faithful knife alhwart the tendons Of
his arm, and springing back, the tall figure
of the savage lowered to It's full height,
then, with convulsive sob, fell into the
swift current below While this scene
was being enacted, the hidden combatants
had suspended their firing as if by mutual
consent, but no sooner did the Indians
witness the fate of their companion, than
voIley was Immediately discharged al
the unsheltered and exhausted victoria
sharp, burning thrill passed through his
frame, and he fell beside the corpse of his
betrohed
The sun had sunk behind the western
hills. and their deep shadows spread {