Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-01-02

> | could towards Z tree that was IN Il
{ middle Of tho lillle- PLAIN over winch
! was passing, intending TO make that On
. fighting place, by setting my back 10
and so 10 protect myself in the rear.
The spears few around and near nj
but Preached The tree, and instantly tut
ming round fred among the sdVanciD
naiiVes. This checked them, for the
we're becoming afraid Of my fOrmidsbl
weapon, aud seeing that stood resolut
aud prepared for them, they reireated &
some distance; but they continued &
throw some SPEARS, most Of which fel
short, aud kept shouting and yelling ia /
fightful manner, capenng and dancing
about in a sort OF frenzy--feIociOus e
get al me, but kept at bay by my terrible
gun. Fg.4Hg o .g Eaa slTt
| 81 My blood was now up! ! was excited
to pitch Of exultalion by my escape
from the burning hut, and i felt thai
courage of excitement which almOS'
prompted me 10 rush on ny enemies and
TO bring the matter 10 an issue. But PTu-
dence prevailed-and | placed my hope
and my dependence on my lrnsty gun,
which had already done me much good
service. ,-.t .....
Taking advantage Of The temporary
inaciion of the natives, | fell for my pow.
derhorn, to reload the barrel which had
discharged. To my unspeakab!e horror
and disappointment, it was missing! !
searched euery pocket in vain. ] had
laid it on the table in The hut, and there
/ had left it! To recover it was impOssi-
BILE, as the hut was all in Aames; and
while gazed on the burning mass, a
dull report aud burst Of sparks from
the building, made known to me that The
powder had become ignited, and was lost
to me forever. .s -r...-..
In my agony ofmind al this disco,e,
ry, my bair seemed 10 brislle up; and the
sweat ran down my forehead and obseUr-
ed my sight! Inow felt that nothing but
miracle could save me, but the love Of
life increased,in proportion 10 the danger
of losing it !. | foac more summoned up
my falling energies for last effort. |
ahd thrse barrels loaded-one in my foul
ing piece and two in my pistols. !
had also my broad -sword, but that would
not avail me against their spears
i'll could hold out till night, ] thought
| might be able then 10 elude my savage
enemies, as the natives have fear Of NOV
ing about al night, believing that in tho
darkness an evil spirit roaTDs about, seek
ing 10 do them mischief, and who then
has power over them. Casting my eyes
upwards TO the branches of The Tree un-
der which | was standing, observed that
il was easy 10 climb, and there appeared
to me indications of hollow 10 the trunk
between the principal branches, which
might serve me for place of shelter I'LL
the night should enable me, under the
cover of its darkness, TO escape from my
pursuers. ..., .4.i.
formed ny plan on the instant and
without losing moment Islung my gun
behind me,and, catching hold OF branch
within reach, / clambered up The ma
lives who were watching my notions
renewed their shouts and yells at ms
mannoeuvre, and rushed towards the Tree
in body.
scrambled as fast ns could to the
fork of the tree, and found TO INV infin
ite relief that my anticipation was right;
there was hollow large enough TO ad-
nit my whole body, and effeciuaIIy to
shield me from the spears of the savages
As my foot reached the bottom, il en-
countered some soft body, which quick
" learnt was an oppossum, the owner of
the habilation, which asserted its rights
by sharp attack on the calf Of my leg
with teelhsand claws. | was not in a hu.
NOR to argue The matter with MY new
assailant, so with my thick bush shoes l
trampled the creature down into Jelly,
though it left its remembrance on my
torn flesh, which smarted not little
When l recovered my breath, listened
TO ascertain the motions Ofmy enemies
outside. aaa. .o4 s Il
They had ceased their yells, and there
was dead silence, so that could hear
my own quick breathing within the
trunk OF the tree. gua4d lsa
What are they SB0ui9 Thought IL
WhilelEejacula,ed this thought. / felt an
agitation flhe tree, from which 4 guess.
ed some veuturOus savage was climb
ing up to attack me in my retreat. /
cautiously laised myself up to look a.
round me, but the appearance Of nv bat
above the hole was the signal for half.a'
dozen spears, three OF which passed
through il, enc Ofthem grazing tie scalp
Of my head. That plan will not do.'
thought III must keep close. .aaa
AS crouched myself down, Thought
Ihesrd a breathing above me. ! looked
up and beheld the hideOus vissge of one
Of the savages glaring on me with his
white eye-balIs,2 which exhibited tero1
ciOus sort Of exuhation. He had 6's
wardie in his hand, which he slowly rals'
ed. 10 Give me nat on the head, think >