Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-07-07

'OHhoiHs nun oSt ply out NV uiSdOtttlS
him. lie now made sudden and de-
sperate effort tofree himself from the
arms of the giant and succeeded. In
stantly snatching up rifle, (for the In
1 dian could not venture to shoot for fear
of hurting his companien.) 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 hand upon his hip,
pitched him into the air as he himself
! would have pitched child. Adam fell
upon his back at the edge of the water,
but before his antagonist could spring up
on him was again OF. his feet, and stung
with rage at the idea of being handled so
easily, he attacked his gigantic antagonist
with fury which for time compensat-
ed for inferirity Of strength. 1t was now
fair fist fight between them, for in the
hurry of the struggle neither had leisure
| to draw their knives. Adams superior
activity as pugiist gave him great ad-
vantage. The Indian struck awkwardly,
and finding himself rapidly dropping to
the leeward he closed with his antago-
mist; and again hurled him to the ground.
| They quicklv rolled into the river, and
the struggle continued with undated lu-
ry, each attempting to drown the other.
The Indian being unused to such vio-
lent exertion, and having been much in
jured by the first shock in the stomach,
was unable to exert the same powers that
had given him such decided superi-
GRITTY at first-and Adam. seizing him by
the seal lock put his head under water
and held it there, until the faint strug.
giles of the Indian induced him to believe
that he was dro wned, when he relaxed
his hold and attempted to draw his knife.
The Indian, how ever, to use Adams own
expression, ''had only been possumang"
He instantly regained his feet and in his
turn put his adversary under. In theI
struggle both were carried out into the
current beyond their depth, and each
was compelled to relax his bold and swim
for his life. There was still one Ioadedi
rifle upon the shore, and each swan hard
in order to reach il, but the Indian prov
ed the most expert swimmer, and Adam
seeing that he woald be too late turned
and swan out into the stream, intending
TO dive, and thus Illustrate the enemy's
intention. At this instant Andrew, hay-
ing heard that his brother was alone in
the 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 swimming rapidly from
shore, mistook him for the Indian and
fired upon him, wounding him danger
ously in the shoulder. Adam turned and
seeing his brother, called loudly upon.
him to ''shoo: the big Indian on the shore. -
Andrews gun however, was empty, hav-
ing just been discharged. Fortunately
Big Foot had also seized the gun with
which Adam had shot the Indian, so that
both were upon equality. The contest
now was who should first. Big Foot
poured in his powder first, and drawing
bis ramrod out of its sheath in too great
hurry threw it into the river, and while
| he ran to recover it, Andrew gained an
advantage. Still the Indian was but
second too late, f or his gun was at his
| shoulder when Andrews ball entered
his breast. The gun dropped from his
hands and he fell upon his face upon the
very margin of the river. Andrew, al
armed for his brother, who was scarcel;
| able to swim, threw down his gun and
rushed into the river in order to bring
him ashore-bu Adam more intent upon
receiving the scalp of Big Foot as tro-
ply, than upon his own safety, called
loudly upon his brother to leave him al
one and scalp the big Indian, who was
now endeavoring to roll himself into the
water, from romantic desire peculiar to
the ladian warrior, of securing his scaIp
from the enemy. Andrew, however, re-
fused to obey, and insisted on saving the
| living before attending on the dead. Big
FOOT IN the mean time had succeeded in
reaching.the deep water before he expir-
ed, and his body was borne off by the
waves, without being stripped of the bride
and ornament OF an Indian warrior.
Not man of the Indians had escaned
Five Of Big Foot's brothers, the flower
/ OF the Wyaneot nation, had accompanied
MN IN the expedition, and all persisted.
1t is said that the news threw the whole
tribe INTO mourning. Their remarkable
size. their courage, and superior intelli-
/ sence gave them immense influence.
which, greatly to their credit. was sener,
ally exerted on the humanity. Their
powerful interposition, had saved MANY
prisoners from the stake, and given a
milder character to the warfare of the IN.
| dams In that part of the country. Adam
Poe recovered of his wounds. and lived
many years after this memorable conflict,
but never forgot the tremendous "hug''.
which he sustained in the arms of Big
Foot.
-026-
HABITS OF ANIMALS.
The following entertaining letter on
this subject is extracted from the last
number Of "The Gardeners Magazine.