The people's press, and Addison County Democrat. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1838-1841, 1841-05-11

public snip carries no protection Tor her men
but her flag. do not expect to succeed in a
contest with you. but will die at my quarters
before a man shall be taken from the ship"-
The crew gave three hearty cheers, fastened
with alacrity 10 their quarters, and called for
Yankee Doodle. The Captain of the Surprise
on hearing of the determination of the Yankees.
chose rather to pursue his course, than 10 do
battle for dead men.
Revolutionary Anecdofe. A story is told Of
a sergeant who travelled through the woods of
New Hampshire, 90 his way 10 the American
army, which will show the character of the In
dams. He had twelve men with him. Their
route was far from any settlement; and they
were obliged in the night 10 camp in the woods.
The sergeant had seen q good deal of the Indi-
ans, and understood them well. Early in the
afternoon, one day, as they were marching ors
ever hogs, swamps and brooks under the great
maple trees. body of Indians, more than their
own numbers, rushed cut upon hill in front of
them.
They appeared TO be pleased at meeting with
the sergeant and his men. They; considered
them their best friends. For themselves thev
had taken up the Ratchet for the Americans,
and would scalp and strip those rascally Eng
! lish for them like SO many wild cats. 3
elbow do you do prof" (meaning, brother.I
said one; and "lIow do you dol" said AMOR.
er; and so they went about shaking binds T'iiY
the sergeant and his twelve men.
They went off at last: and the sergeant hav-
ing marched mile or two, halted his men and
addressed them thus: ANY brave fellows, we
must use all possible caution, or before morn:
ing we shall all be dead men. You are anna
zed: but dcpend'upon me-. these Indians have
tried to lul suspicion. You will see more by
and by.
They concluded finally to adopt the following
scheme for defence. They encamped for the
night near a stream of water. which protected
! them from behind. A large oak was fclled aud
brilliant fire kindcd. Each man cut a log
J Of woud about the size Of his body, rolled it up
nicely in MS blanket, and put his hat on the
end of it, and laid it before the FIRE, that the
enemy might take it for man. Thirteen logs
were fitted out in this manner, representing the
sergeant and his twelve men. They then pla'
ced themselves with loaded guns, behind tito
fallen tree. BY this time it was dark, but the
fire Yves kept burning till midnight. The
sergeant knew tEat if they ever came, they
would come now.
u Tall iidian was seen through the GUNNER
ing of the FIRE, which was getting low. He
moved towards them, skulking as an Indian
always does. He seemed to suspect at first
that guard might be watching, but seeing nc
one, he came forward more, rested en- mis- tee.
ard was seen 10 move his finger as he counted
The thirteen mon sleeping, as he supposed. by
the fire. He counted them again and retired
Another came up and did the same. Then the
whole, sixteen in number. came up and glared
silently at the logs, till they seemed satisfied
they were fast asleep. Presently they tool,
aim, fired the whole number of guns upon the
logs, yelled the war-whoop, and rushed forward
to murder and scalp their supposed Victims
They were fired upon by the sergeant and his
party, and not one Of the Indians was left TO tell
the story Of that night. The sergeant and his
party reached the army in safety.