Holly Springs gazette., 1843-06-16

4
strife and danger, he was taught, at an early
age to rely upon his own energies for sup
! port and protection. and many are the tales
we have heard Of his indomitable bravery.
presence cf mind, and sagacty-qualties that
distinguish the pioneers of civilization in the
Boundless West, and enabled them to trI-
umph in the darkest hour. and compass
difficulties that less hardy race would have
deemed insurmountabie.
/ AT one period of kenton's adventful ca
reer, he was setting on a rude bench in front
of his cabin, smoking a corncob pipe. and
| entertaining a number of Responsibilities"
with narratives of by gone days and stirring
events, in which he was prominent actor.
/ The sun had "gone down in blaze Of
glory" as the novelist says tinging the for
est with mellow light, and robing in gor-
geous oaks, that stand like pillars against
the cerulean frmament. An Eden-like
stiffness around the humble dwelling Of the
war-worn veteran-the hum of insects ceas-
ed, and twilight was stealing on apace sooth-
ing the turbulent passions of our nature, and
lending an indescri5able charm to the wood
land scene. AT this moment, a noise was
heard by Kenton, and in an instant the form
Of an Indian was seen emerging from thick
ct in front Of the hut. The red man did not
advance with the caution Of his tribe, but
crashed the reeds that obstructed his passage.
marched with bold step to the cabin, and
stood before Kenton "in all his native ma
jesty"
"Good evening"" said the Indian, who
spoke good English, how is "Mr. Kenton,
the Eagle Eye. as we call him2"
Well, very well, you red-skinned vaga-
bond What brought you to Simon Ken
tons cabin at such an hour as this p
Revenge"
"Ah you can't forget that brush, Ell ?"
Never old man. You killed my father
and the Great Spirit says. must have blood
. for blood"
i "Well, Ingen, you know where Simon
) Kenton's hut stands, and when you call up
! on him IN daylight like white man, you'll
{ find him on hand"
| Enough. We will meet at the rising
OF the sun to morrow, in the Fallen Tim
l ber,' You know the place. l could have
: revenged my father. who has gone to hap
: py hunting ground. by killing you at YOU
door, but that would not have been accor
: ding to my notions of honor among rec
: men,"
! "Yes, Ingen, we will meet at sunrise, ex
!, actly, and recolect as soon as we pass tht
I.
l You want to kill me for revenge. as you say
y as happened to kill your father. Very
n WE'LL Ingen. Simon Kenton knows what
; right, and when we meet, luck will decid
f. it. l will take my old rifle. and can b.
!, found at the crossing-you know where
g All you have got to do in the morning mak'
b bee line for the spot, and when you SCI
!. old Simon blaze eway!"
n 1.-The two parties parted In apparen
!. frienship, and the old man retire to rest
! AT dawn, he arose and made preparation 70
q the conflict, which he knew must be deadly
. Balls were made-flints picked-powde
3 examined etc, and without communicating
i to his family his intention. he saunteret
. forth, and was soon at the appointed place
o He found the Indian had anticipated his al
! rival, and was leaning upon his rife a.
4 short distance from the place he had designa
o. ted in thoughtful mood. Signs were eS
r changed and then commenced terribl
r "bush fight" the Indian fired and missed an
J. then took shelter behind large hickory
;, Kenton was cool and collected, and tryin,
: again the flint of Black Bet" told his anita g
; onist to stand forth. The Indian had reload
:. ed and both chose position and fired with
out effect. Quick as thought the piece
were reloaded, and the "artful lodging" tha
followed can be better imagined than descri
bed. From tree to tree the assailants gil
ded and every means ingenuity could inven
was resorted to by them to gain advantage
e This lasted for some moments when the In
e dian finding he could not outwit his whit
ntagonist, In the woods, came forward
,. and proposed that both should go to clear
v ing at hand with unchanged rifles. and at
/ signal agreed upon, load and fire. Kento
readily accepted the. offer and repaired t
i the clearing. The remainder is soon told
e As soon as the signal was given both begal
loading with the utmost haste, being distar
from each other bu- a few yards. The In
!. dams movements were hurried but certain
= -Kenton was more methcdical but no les
a effective and ramrods were drawn out q
n the same time. Kenton. however mad e
n fatal mistake. Instead of throwing his ro
1t on the ground. as bis antagonist did, he al
e tempted to put il in its place and while dc
d ing so, received ball that sent his spirit Z
G a better world.
e Years have rolled away since the occur
y renee We have mentioned, but there are ma
: ny in the land Of the living who remembe
I, ihe sad fate Of the old warrior Near tn
o translucent Licking may be found the grav