Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-04-26


posed to be direction for second attack
The lesser Indian now again approached,
carefully stunning Adams heels, and ma
king many motions with his tomahawk, in
order to deceive him as to the point where
the blow would fall. This lasted for seve
raj seconds, until laundering exclamation
from Big Foot, compelled his companion to
strike. Such was Adams dexterity and
vigilance, however, that he managed to re-
ceive the tomahawk in glancing drec-
ton upon his left wrist, wounding him deep
ly, but not disabling him. He now made
sudden and desperate effort to free him
self from the arms Of the giant, and sue
ceeded. Instantly snatching up rifle,
(for the Indian could not venture to shoot
for fear Of hurting his companion he shot
the lesser Indian through the body. But
scarcely had he done so when Big Foot
arose and placing one hand upon his col
lar and the other upon his hip, pitched him
into the air, as he himself would have
pitched a child. Adam fell upon his bach
at the edge Of the water, but before his an
tagonist could spring upon him he was again
upon his feet, and stung with rage at the
idea of being handled so easily, he attacked
his gigantic antagonist with a fury which
for time compensated for inferiority Of
strength. 1t was now fair fist fight be-
tween them, for in the hurry of the strug-
gle neither had leisure to draw their knives.
Adams superior activity and experience as
apugilist, gave him great advantage. The
Indian struck awk wardly, and finding him
self rapidly dropping to the leeward, ne
closed with his antagonist, and again hurled
him to the ground They quickly rolled
into the river, and the struggle continued
with undated fury, each attempting to
drown the other
The Indian being unused TO such violent
exerton, and having been much injured by
the first shock in his stomach, was unable
to exert the same powers which had given
him such decided superiority at first; and
Adam, Selling him by the scalp lock, put
his head under water and held it there un-
til the faint struggles of the Indian induced
him TO believe that he was drowned, when
he relaxed his hold and attempted to draw
his knife. The Indian, however, to use
Adams own expression, chad only teen
PossUMINGl" He instantly regained his
feet, and in his turn put his adversary un-
der. In the struggle, both we're carried
out into the current beyond their depth,
and each was compelled to relax his hold
and swim for his life. There was still one
loaded rifle on shore, and each swan hard
in order to reach it, but the Indian proved
the most expert swimmer, and Adam see
ing that he should be too late, turned and
swan out into the stream, intending to dive
| and thus illustrate his enemy's intention.
At this instant Andrew, having heard that
his brother was alone in a struggle with
two Indians, and in great danger, ran up
hastily to the edge of the bank above, in
order to assist him. Another white man
followed him closely and seeing Adam in
the river, covered with blood, and swim
ming rapidly from shore, mistook him for
an Indian and fired upon him, wounding
| him dangerously in the shoulder. Adam
turned, and seeing his brother, called loud
ly to "shoot the big Indian on shore."-
Andrews gun, however, was empty, hav-
ing just been discharged. Fortunately,
Big Foot had also seized the gun with
both were upon equality. The contest now
was who should load first. Big Foot poured
in his powder first, and drawing his ram
rod out Of its sheath in too great hurry
threw it into the river, and while he ran 20
recover it, Andrew gained an advantage.
Still the Indian was but second too late,
for his gun was at his shoulder, when A n
drew's ball entered his breast. The gun
dropped from his hands and he fell for
ward upon his face upon the very margin
/ of the river: Andrew now alarmed for his
brother, who was scarcely able to swim
threw down his gun and rushed into the
river IN order to bring him ashore-but
Adam, more intent upon securing the scalp
of Big Foot as a trophy, than upon his
own safety, called loudly upon his brother
to leave him alone and scalp the big Indian,
who was now endeavoring to roll himself
| into the water, from q romantic desire, Pc
culiar to the Indian warrior, Of securing
his scalp from the enemy. Andrew, how
ever, refused to obey, and insisted on sa-
wing the living, before attending TO the
dead. Big Foot, in the mean time, had
succeeded in reaching the deep water be-
fore he expired, and his body was borne
off by the waves, without being stripped Of
the pride and ornament of an Indian war
| rior. ..
Not a man Of the Indians had escaped
Five of Big Foot's brothers. the flower Of
the Wyandot nation, had accompanied him
in the expedition, and all persisted. |, is
| said that the news threw the whole tribe
into mourning. Their remarkable size,
their courage. and their superior intelli-
geuce gave them immense influence, which,
greatly TO their credit, was generally ex-
er,ed on the side of humanity. Their pow
erful interposition, had saved many priso-