The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-03-30
Vol. A. NO. :sS---Vvhole NO. I9I.

post Inc whites had been equally divided and
n party stationed in each room. The rooms were
now spontaneously attacked by tho foe; and with
clubs aud large stones, they endeavored to force
| the doors. The silence of death rejgned within.
while without all was tumult and confusion. The
door at length yieded--one board and then another
gave way. while yell upon yell rose Al their sue
cess. t
"HoId on boys, until give the word" ead Gas
! liv es." WV '
] The door and its whole support yielded, and in
poured tho savages like a whrlwind. Sire now
cried Castor, "and club your guns"
Almost at one report seunded the guns Of every
ono in the house-ihe yes and cries Of the woun.
ded and nfuraed foe, almost appalled, the stoutess
hearts, but this was no time 10 admit fear If they
| feit IT, The Indians were making every exertion
TO enter over the pile Of dead bodies that blocked
up the doorway; and the gun Of each man within,
FLASHED by the barrel, lowered only to add an
other 10 the heap. For twenty minutes the fight
had ragged with undated fury, and With unrelaxed
exerions, when the moon, breaking forth in all
her splendor, exhibited The combatants as plain as
in the light Of mid>day. One Indian, stouter and
holder than the rest, had gained an entrance, and
fixing his eyes on Castor, as he saw him encoura-
ging and directing the others 10 their work Of death
he gave loud yell, and sprang at him like Tiger
on his prey. The quick eye and Of CASTOR
were too rapid for him; and in an instant he lay
dead from a blow of the young mans rife.
But the strength Of the brave little band began
at length to fail. Their numbers had diminished
more than half Before The enemy had howe yer
entered, it had been proposed and aroeded to, as
| the only chance. that the females should atfemp,
escape from the back door, next the river, while
the should cover their retreat, we'll as their
diminished numbers would admit. Accordingly
| the attempt made, and an exit gained; tia
whole force of The Indiens being collected at the
front door TO overcome the stubborn resistance of
the whites. ,t
The little phalanx stood firm 10 its post until
they the women had sufficient to reach
| the woods before they could be oyertaken; and
tken pressed by superior numbers, they slowly fell
back to the same door, and the few ,hat survived,
made rnsh, and drew the door close after them.
If o,ertaken before reaching the woods, they were
inevitably Iost--f they could gain them they might
escape. The delay caused by the closing OF the
door short, and the enemy scarcely
| fifteen yards in the rear. Fear moved the one par
ty almost tie speed of lghtning--thirst for re-
yenge gave additional strength to the o'ber. The
Indian fiesher than his chase, gained upon them
rapidly. AS they heard the savages close upon
them, every nerve was excited, every nerve strain
] ed to the utmost For n short distance indeed they
muin tanned the space between them-but. alas! the
strength OF the whites failed, and too many of them
overtaken, fell beneath the clubs Of the savages.
CASTOR, who was equal in activity TO any OF his
pursuers, had soon gained the lead, and with the
speed o an arrow had increased the distance be
tween hIu and the Indians.
lie knew that his vie would make for the riveI,
/ n :.
and it was his object get there If possible, in
! time to assist her the rocky and rapid
rent, CT at least to that she safe beyond
pursuit The river was not far, and he bound
ed down the rough hills sides, he could distinctly
hear the rolling Of tho waters, rte rocky bed
lie took the neaics course TO the landing and the
wells of the Indians, scattered in every direction
through the woods, strained him TO the greatest OK
er,ons lie reached the river-his canoo was
lhere-hs wife was despair overcame his
soul --
"Sho mus, be talk en-, and too viii dle,". he ,ex
claimed in bitter agony
Al that moment, high and bounding step, like
that of n star lled lawn, drew his attention to the
| top of the bank, and his we-whoin he had given
| up for lost his darling Kate bounded into his EN-.
brace This was time for love- lie took bu;
ono embrace and hurried her into his canoe; for
| the Indians were but a lew yaTds ocuihu. AZ was
but the work Of moment 20 cut loose the line thai
held his bark; but before he could spring into II,
three stout Indians upon HIM.
"Shove off, Kate, and trust to fornne TO reach
the other shore,' cried CASTOR, dstrac,edy, as ns
turned 20 engage the Indians, while his bride es-
caped The devoted g'rl seemed dontful whether
to fly, or stay arrd die with her husband nas'on'
seeing her hesitation again called frantically to her
10 escape before the Indians were upon them.-
Sho now attempted to push her boat off, but she
h.d remained minute too long-a brawny and
athletic savage seized the boat and sprang into it
within II few leet of the alarmed maiden, She
quickly rr,rcated to the other end and laced about
despair painted in every lineament of her face. The
Indian nvoluntarily stopped to gaze upon the beau
,ifuful form before him, That pause was total to
HIM. Kae.s self possession ins'anianeously re-
turned, and as tho savage sppng towards her she
levelled her husbands pistol and fired The bull
let entered the savages BRAIN he fell over the side
Il - arel haueath The bulbing