Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-10-14

back to it, and so protect myself in The
rear. t.. u.. ..... ...
"The spears flew around me and near me
but reached the tree, and instantly turn
ing round, | fired among the advancing ma
tives. This checked them, for they were
now becoming afraid of my formidable
weapon. and seeing that stood resolute
and prepared for them, they retreated to
some distance; but they continued TO throw
some spears, most of which fell short, and
kept up shouting and yelling in fright
ful manner, capering and dancing about in
a sort of frenzy--ferocious to get at me.
but kept at bay by my terrible gun.
"My blood was now up! l was excited
to pitch of joyful exuItaiion by my es-
cape from the burning hut, and felt that
courage of excitement which almost
prompted me to rush on my enemies, and to
bring the matter to an issue by bodily
conflict with my broadsword. But pru-
dence prevailed and placed my hope and
my dependence on my trusty gun, which
had already done me such good service.
Taking advantage of the temporary in.
action of the natives, felt for my powder
horn, to reload the barrel which had dis
charged. To my unspeakable horror and
disappointment, it was missing! Isearched
every pocket in vain! l had laid it on the
table in the hut, and there had left it! To
recover it was impossible. as the hut was
all in flames, and while gazed on the
burning mass, dull report and burst of
sparks from the building made known to
me that the powder had become ignited,
and was lost to me forever!
SIN my agony Of mind at this discovery
my hair seemed to bristle up; and the sweat
ran down my forehead and obscured my
sight now felt that nothing but mira.
Gle could save me; but the love of life in
creasing in proportion to the danger of To-
sing it, once more summoned up my fail
ing energies for last effort. had three
barrels loaded; one in my fowling piece
and two in my pistols; had also my broad
sword, but that would not avail me against
their spears.
If could hold out till night, thought
might be able then to elude my savage en-
emies, as the natives have fear of moving
about at night believing that in the dark
ness an evil spirit roams about, seeking to
do them mischief, and who then has pow
er over them. Casting my eyes upwards
to the branch of the tree under which
was standing, observed that it was easy
to climb, and there appeared to me indica
tons of hollow in the trunk between the
principal branches, which might serve me
for place of shelter till the night should
enable me, under cover of its darkness. to
escape from my pursuers.
81 formed my plan on the instant and
without losing a moment | slang my gun
behind me. and catching hold If a branch
in reach, | clambered up. The natives,
who were watching my motions, renewed
their shouts and yeIls at this manenvrc, and
rushed towards the tree in body.
Il scrambled as fast as | could to the
fork Of the tree, and found to my infinite
relief that my anticipation was right; there
was hollow large enough to admit my
whole body, and etfectuaIIy to shield me
from the spears Of the savages. As my
foot reached the bottom, it encountered
some soft body, which | quickly learnt wa:
an opossum, the owner of the habiation
which asserted its rights by sharp attack
on the calf of my leg with teeth and claws
| was not in the humor to argue the mailer
with my new assailant, so with my thick
brush shoes | trampled the creature down
into Jelly, though it left its remembrance.
on my torn flesh, which smarted not a little
When recovered my breath, listened t,
ascertain the motions of my enemies out
side.
They had ceased their yells, and there
was a dead silence, so that could hea
. my own quick breathing within the trunk
of the tree. "What are they about?
thought /. While l mentally CALCULATED
this thought, felt an agitation of the tree
from which guessed that some venturou
I savage was climbing up to attack me in m,
retreat. / cautiously raised myself up t,
n look around me, but the appearance of m,