Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-04-04
A CRUEL sTRATAGEy.

Did you ever hear OF od Smith," that used TO live away
down tsst, during the early settlement Of the county,
called Maiso7 Old Smith had lost seveBl relations by
the hands Of the Indians and had vowed cnmty to
the whole lie had beoG twice taken by the savage
tribes, bat cOnrved 10 escape from them, and had killed
several of ;hei. number. lie sought every opportunity 10
do them mischief IN any way. BY this he had
exceedingly obnoxious 10 tie red men. that they
would not kill him directly II they coula, but were
almost constantly the watch to take him oyc for the
purpose OF satisfying the vengeance by the inicon Of
the utmost torture that barbanty oSpld Smith was
o this disposition of the sayages and the lei
afraid Of their bullets 10 reported that Smith wac ~ ono
tine engaged in splitting pine logs for fence rails and
the srtor OF his employment he hsd neglected his "ook
out" I'LL six rdiars came upon him with yell Of exulia
ton. The chief Of the party, whose name Wahsoos
seized him by hi5 nrmS, cxcaiming, "NOw SmIi. now
Sn! me got YOU" Smith II would he vain resist
and assuming air Of c0mp0se Illus addressed his cap
tors snow. Wahsoos. will tel you wbs, will do: If you
Will now help 10 split open this log will then 10 with
you without any resistance Otherwise will not walk ste
and you wi have u carry XII me-" The Indians now
having him safe IN their possession and wiling save
themselves trouble agreed To help split io log, he would
tell them how Smith had already opened one end Of the log
with large wooden wedge and wing his blows on the
wedge With beetle, hc directed them take hold of the
separated paris oi tie log, three each side sud pull with
oil their might, wbhs hE should drive IN the wedge The
red men not without suspicious but kept their yes ON
Smiths motions while they pulled the sunJored parts Of
The tg. Every blow NJ Smith opened the creyice wider
which enabled the Indians renew their hold by inserting
their fingers deeper tic croscc when Smith, slightly
changing the direction Of the beetle struck the side Of
force, caught every foe by the bands save one Who
seeing the pedioomegt Of bis companions took TO hs
heels; but quickly brought dosn BY Sm,hs long bar
relied gun. which be had Kept hm. no other five
expected no mercy, ond DISAPPOINTED PIye blows
from Smiths axe, slenced their death song.
year after this affair, Smith returning one
evening bYg excursion, ond passed bend of tho
AndOscOggB ryc, cbOut mile above the fas which
tie Lewiston Mile LOCATED: II nearly dark and
he dscOyead on Indian making Lre rock by the ri
yer bank. Smith through The business the
fire for beacon, guide the landing Of suOng par
w. With unouing uim he sO the lone savage, who pich.
ed into the water, and Smith quickly threw the ire aud
6se-brands after p; aud then proceeded down the fa
and there bs kindsd 9n0her fire projecting rock
snd then ounR the river bsnk email distance, await
cd DE result lie hoard the songs Ut company Of
WARRIORS who had discovered tie fire. aud were .ieadiy
padding towards e ~ high Ree. Smith could hardly re
fran from laughing aloud they heared the Iau
Tho songs were suspended by surprise ~ the rapid motion
Of iher canoes ond the hOars OF the falls revealed
too late tho G5osdlu truth; brief death SOM uttered in
savage wells end o ees oi several squaw- and popoos
were all th1 preceded their ss cod dreadful pungo over
the perpendicular falis.-N. y. hsebasIe.