The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-10-31

th0 MoJoA oHtSiPotCu tudt SOIle Oh the
Indians who yet remained hostile in
those regions, and who were thirsty to
revenge the deaths of their lost COM
rades. would attempt to commit some
depredatIons on the peaceful citizens,
whom they might find engaged in their
domestic occupations. sl..
1t has been often remarked, and the
observation is no less true for being
trite, that the American Indian, when
enranged, is the most blood-thirsty
creature that bears the name of man
when his anger IS once aroused, whe n
his desire for vengeance is once inflam-
ed, he knows no limit to his cruelty;
defenceless age, childish innocence, fe-
male purity are alike the victims OF his
lawlssss brutality. And who that bet
ter knew this fact than Major Putnam?
He himself had suffered all the severi-
ties that savage injustice could inhict;
he himself had travelled night after
night, whipped on by ths lash Of the In
dian, his uncovered back exposed to
the winds and rains of heaven, naked
feetto orn and bloody by the sharp tllorns
and cutting rocks over which he was
compelled to walk, and when at his
journeys end, he himself had been
bound to the malefacter's stake, had
seen the dry wood heaped around him,
the torch lighted, and had felt the lam.
bent flames lick his naked body, while
a savage yell arose over his agonies.
Well, indeed, could he appreciate what
barbarities awaited any Of his country
men who might fall into the hand ofhis
relentless foes; and with that determin-
ed bravery and heroic patriotism which
eser. distinguished him in times of dan
ger, he was fixed in this purpose of
boldly repelling the aggressor, should
he make his appearance this morning.
The Major and his comrades had not
been sitting long upon the bank, when
the former ever watchful to the inter-
est Of his friend, rose to see if his ex-
pected visitants were in sight.
He stood upon the bank, looking
down the placid lake as far as eye could
reach, but nought appeared IN visw.-
Rejoicsd that the enemy did not appear,
yet disappointed in his expectations, he
turned his head to make the announce
ment to his friends. He said as yet, no
foe was seen--that though the expec-
tations which he had excited in them
seemed 10 fail in being realized, he him
self felt slight presentiment that the
crafty enemy would yet show himself;
that he would not let pass so fair an
opportunity of attacking his white
skined brother, at time when he well
knew the latter would be engage in
the necessary avocations of the day.
By this speech his men were encour-
aged, for they were eager to spend the
force of well aimed ball upon their
cunning adversary, and they knew
that their leader seldom formed false
Judgment with respect TO the future;
that when he told them his belief that,
any thing would come to pass, the re-
suit almost invariably proved his opin-
ion correct.
Thus elated they sank back upon the
green grass, from which they had aris-
en- in honor to the Major when he COM
menced speaking. The latter had
scarce turned his head again to watch
for the adversary, when he saw in the
dim distance what seemed to him
small band of canoes, moving, he could
not tell which direction. Keeping his
eye steadfastly on them, he soon per-
ceived that he was not deceived, and
that three canoes filled with Indians,
were slowly and cautiously proceeding
up the lake towards him. The major,
significantly motioned to his men, ST.
lenty approached them and announc-
ed the discovery; and as the enemy
were not far distant, it became him to
make quick preparations to receive
them. The spot on which he had de-.
termined TO wait them was an immense
rock that extended along the lake some
thirty-tive or forty feet, and back from
itabout thirty feet, and sloplng toward
the water. A short distance to the
north Of this, and in the direction from
which the enemy were approaching,
there was small number fhalf grown
trees, consisting of shad plum, beacon
and elm, which helped to conceal the
majors party; but what contributed
most TO this effect was thick copse
r L A AI.ns hs.I AL 80