Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-09-20

him they had not been oes'royeo VIII
the building. The son had been SC
shocked with the scene, as to be for 4
time almost overpoweved. 1t required
but a moment for the bold and hardy pi.
oneer to decide upon his course. DIS,
covering, near by, an Indian trail which
had the appearance of fresh footprints,
he raRied the despairing youth by words
Of stern but hopeful import, command
ing him to mount his horse and follow.
Until night-fall, and so long as they could
discover the track, they dashed on with
furious haste for the recovery OF the
coot;ves-for such he now believed them
to be. They then halted for the night,
sheltering themselves beneath clump
Of cedars, and so hitching their horses
that they might browse and Craze at
their leisure. The day had scarcely
dawned, ere they we've again in full pur,
suit. but the nj ght once more closed
around them, and they had made no new
discovery which tended to strengthen
their hopes or alleviate their fears.
Wearied and disheartened, as they
laid themselves on their hard couch.
that father spoke c@urage to the heart
of the son, and they slept soundly until
daylight. Once more they were noun
ted, but their horses seemed well nigh
exhausted by over fatigue and want OF
suitable food no urging could persuade
them into their former speed. The
hopes of Kilborn now began to droop !;
he feared he was upon an old trall--that
the captors and captives had taken some
other route; and by the time night had
again set in, he was ready to return.
But avhat had he to return to-? A feel
ing Of inter desolation took possession OF
him, as the reality occurred TO his mind
and he resol, ed never to rest until his
family were recovered, or Their loss aven'
ged. As he sat musing in the dim twI'
light, he discovered in the distance a
smoke slowly curling above the tall
trees. He hailed it as a beacon OF hope
and JOY Hastily re-saddling his Jadeo
horse, and ordering his son to do the
same, they pursued their way slowly and
cautiously toward the spot whence the
smoke proceeded. An hours ride bro't
them within fifty rods of the watch fire.
Dismounting, Kilborn placed his horse
in his sons charge, whom he babe to
wait where he was until his return
Stealthily he wound his way as near to
the fire as possible without being discov-
erad and look a careful survey of the
scene before him. He could count five
savages lying upon the ground asleep,
and one (the sentine) sat leaning against
q tree apparently as sound asleep as his
companions. A little to the right of the
santiinel he discovered an indistinct pile,
half covered with Indian blankets, bush
es, &c. The heart Of Kllbon beat quick
er and lighter at the discovery. Who
could tell but the objects of his affection
were there concealed2 He looked for
their weapons. These he also discover
ed living together near the sentinel.
Having completed his examination, he
returned to his son who had spent three
fourths Of an hour in the most fearful
suspense. AS they had no instrument
Of warfare, huge club was found by
the elder Kilborn, with which, it was
agreed. he should first dispatch the SEN
incl. With valient hearts and firmer
nerves, they walked silently towars the
sentinel. The pioneer rushed like a IT,
ger upon his prey, who was dispatched
in raoment-each of the assaiants sci
zefl tomahawk, and the onslaught COM
menced. Three of the sayages were Kill
led before they could rise from the
ground; the two others, who had war;
clubs by their sides, sprang fercely to
the rescue, raising the most .uneaHthly
warcries, and brandishing their weapons
in a manner known only to the NEST ex>
pert of the Indian warriors. Long and
desperate was the conflict, in which many
hard blows were given and received on
both sides. At length the Indians grew
weak, from the loss Of blood which flow
cd from wounds made by the tomahamks,
and begged for quarter" This was
given them on condition that they should
suffer themselves to be bound-a condi-
ton which they readily complied with.
During the hottest Of the fight, these
heroic white men heard mot without ioy)
the groans aud shrieks of women and
children proceeding from the confused
heap Of. bushes hard by. The savages
being secured their first business was to
throw off heconcealment and release the
cAPr1vEs-for such they proved to be.
How great was the joy Of the heroes, as
they recognized one and another of their
friends and kindred, in good health, tho
worn down with sorrow and fatigue
The husband clasped his rescued wife
and children to his bosom-the gallant
son welcomed to his arms mother, sis
tiers, and brother. Yet shade of
sadness and disappointment was seen
gathering upon the brows of father and
brother. One Of their number avas mis-
sings Josiah. lad Of four years of age,
was not among the rescued. where
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