Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-04-05

possible, more promising than he was, at exact
ly the same age, like blighted flower, wither-
ed and expired. am sceptic no longer; and
whenever behold these precocious blossoms, !
pity the parents, who are doomed to see them
fade and die. But am sniveling; and you, too,
are piping your eye we'll beiay all that, and
get on with my story.
'The attack which had been so successfully
repealed, admonshed me to provide for future
emergencies. /, therefore, procured long slid
ing doors, and window shutters, of oak, rugged
to run In grooves, West India fashion well
provided with hooks and staples, to keep them
in their places, when once fastened, if the grooves
should be knocked away. In each of these a
loop-hole was cut, and every evening, at the
beat of tattoo, they were well secured. A bat
tie lantern, in readiness to be lighted, was pla-
ed in the fan-light of each hall-door, front and
rear; the muskets were kept in good order for
service; and all other arms in equal readiness.
sit was not fortnight after we had strength
ened our fortress, when, little before SHUTDOWN,
Isaw, by the aid my glass,a whaleboatround-
ing the point of the neck close in with the land;
which continued to follow the curvatures of the
shore, as nearly as possible. From this eau
tious manner Of proceeding, became convinced
that she was from the other side and as the
went over, and reported what had seen to the
officer in command. He ordered the troop to
keep their horses ready for mounting, at the
first alarm. then FASTENED home to prepar
my garrison. Soon every thing was in readi-
ness: The women and children placed beyond
the reach of fire from without: and our arms
and accoutrements properly disposed. AS we
did not expect them until midnight, Mungo was
ordered to turn in. with his clothes on, in the
kitchen; while, wrapped in my cloak, l occupi-
ed an easy chair in the palor; leaving to cap
ital Newfoundland dog, the task of sentinel
we'll knowing that Shelly would sound the a.
larm, at the slightest foot fall from without
had slept in full security for couple of hours
when Shelly gave the signal; and springing to
my feet, | found Mungo already at my side.-
He had awakened at the first symptom of Wig
lance in our sentinel, before he sounded his bu-
gle. The attacking party rushed on, hoping to
find an easy entrance: but the doors were more
formidably defended than they expected. And
finding that the axes with which they had pro-
vided themselves, made but little impression
they were effectually checked. They then drew
up their main body in front, for volley, while
the pioneers desperately attacked the barricades
anew. For night services, | had chalked the
barrels of my pistols, and stationing myself at
the front door, awaited the lighting of the lam
tern over head. As the first flash of light
CLEANED outward, / discovered file of half a
dozen men, at the distance of ten feet. The
CLEAN was reflected from something which
hung upon the body of the leader; when taking
quick aim at this, fired, and the man FELL
At the instant the whole line returned my fire;
and by the flash of their guns, distinctly saw
in the right of the file the face of the old enc
my, Joe Bullock. was sorry that he had not
received my first salute and anxious to repair
the omission, aimed my second pistol, but not
with equal success. Meanwhile, Mungo had
not been idle. Two discharges had been given;
and disorder in the ranks of the enemy became
visible; which was not decreased, as the gal
looping of horses was distinctly audible. /
now heard the voice of Bullock, ordering the
wounded to be led off; and retreat to the boat.
The patrol soon came up: but this bout left no
cases for the coroner; though traces of blood to-
wards the wood were plainly visible. was
much surprised to find none on the spot where
l had dropped my man; for the ringing of his
arms, as he struck the ground, proclaimed that
his fall was instant and heavy. The assailants
succeeded in getting into the wood: but the pa
troll pushing sharply for the place at which it
was conjectured that they had debarked, came
near capturing the whole party for they were
scarcely beyond the range of their pistols, when
they delivered their voiley, and received harm
less fire in return; and the marauders were soon
out of sight.
''The next morning, a short distance within
the wood, Mungo discovered kind of military
cap, with leathern frontlet, on which were
painted, the letters, J. B., No. 4; containing
within, tuft of coarse black hair, of that pc
cuniary texture and buckle, which used to dis
tinguish the bovine poll of our old enemy; and
which our classic friend, Bob Parsons, used to
say, remind him of Jove on his visit to Europe.
This tuft, at the roots, was bloody; and some
pieces of the scalp on which it grew, were adj
herring to tia convincing proof that, my sec
und shot had not been badly aimed: The woods
were searched, in hope of finding the owner Of
the cap, but the quest was fruitless.