Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-09-20

boat would soon appear and render furth-
err intimacy with the sus picious tavern I'M
necessary. We therefore placed our
trunks in hollow square, and seating
ourselves upon them, waited patiently for
the expected boat. When the sun at length
set, and no signs Of her rewarded our long
and intense gazing, we began to wish we
had waited at Cincinnati for St. Louis
boat, as the Broadway House we all sck-
nowledged was far more comfortable than
the broad side Of river bank. The land
lord, now, on our application TO him,
roughly replied that his rooms were full.
We had observed as we went to the house
several suspicious men lurking about the
tavern, one Of whom recognized as
well known Natchez gambler. We felt
no disposition TO remain in their company
at the tavern, well knowing the vindic-
tiveness which they entertained, since
their expulsion, against all Mississippi
ans, and the annoyance we might expect
if we were recognized TO be from the
south. As the night promised to be clear
and the moon rose as the sun set, we de-
cided on remaining on the bank all night.
We arranged couchcs for the ladies with
cloaks and Buffalo skins within the space
enclosed by the trunks; and suspending
on four stakes large crimson Mexican
blanket that belonged 10 the travelling e.
quipment Of the Louisianian, formed a
serviceable canopy TO protect them from
the dew. We then opened our trunks and
took out our knives and pistols, and the
brother Of the bride unlocked from his
case new, double-barrelled fowling piece
he was taking home. There were Of our
party seven men, including two young
merchants returning home to St. Louis
from the east, who were bivouacked few
PAGES from us, but who on invitation Join
ed us. We had arms,-the double bar
relied fowline piece just named, nine pis-
tolls and five Bowie knives, and powder
and ball: we therefore felt very sure of
giving good reception to any who mo-
Tested us; for we knew that defenceless
parties Of bivouacking travellers had been
attacked by armed banditti, and robbed of
every article Of baggage, and their jewel
ry, stripping their persons; we had heard
also Of travellers landing at the point " no
never embarked again. We therefore quiz
city loaded our arms, and having establish
ed a watch both for security and al look
out for a steamer, and awaken the rest on
its approach, we settled ourselves about
our bivouac for the night. The ladies'
soon went 10 sleep, confiding in our guar
dian>hip as women should ever do. Mr.
Town>ley all at once showed himself to
be man Of resolute character; for the
probable danger Of the party reused him
from the contemplation Of his own SORROWS
to sympathy with the feelings Of those a.
round him.
The moon shone bright, and the two
great rivers flowed majeslically past, their
broad surface looking like torrents Of mol
ten steel, meeting mile below the point,
and blending into one dark field which
lost itself in the gIPmy forests, TO the
south. 1t was two inthe morning. was
standing watch with Mr. Townsley and the
knight of the fowling piece and one of the
young merchants, when we observed
party Of men suddenly issue from path
leading into the forest in the direction of
two or three log huts. Hitherto the night
had been still the lights had been early
ex,ineuished in the tavern, and the groups
of boatmert that were lingering about the
shore had returned on board their flat
boats. The party which we now saw
was, when we discovered it, abou, three
hundred yards off, moving at a quick
tramp directly towards our bivouac. We
instantly Weakened our companions without
disturb bling the ladies', and having prepar-
ed our arms 10 give them good recep-
ton should they prove hostile, we remain
ed seated upon our trunks watching them.
The moon now shone upon them so clear
ly that we could count their number
fourteen men, marching three and four
abreast; it also cleaned upon weapons
which some Of them carried. We were
now sati>ti that we were the object Of
an open attack by some Of the despe' ADDE'S
who infested the point, who probably ex-
pected to find us unarmed and sleeping,
and SO pillage our baggage and persons, if
not do murder, If resisted. We let them
advance within fifty PAGES and then chal-
lenged. One who walked by the side of
the first rank then spoke to them and they
halted.
"If you approach any nearer, be your
errand peaceful or hostile, we shall fire
upon you," we said firmly.
"Ha they are prepared!' said one.
"No. Ii is bravado. Let US on!'
shouted another.
"On, them" was the general cry, and
they rushed towards US in an irregular
body.
We let them come within close pistol
shot, all fired regular discharge-but
| over their heads.
They suddenly stopped, with cry Of
surprise, fired pistol or two. and then
retreated few PAGES and made stand.
One of them was evidently wounded for we
saw him fall, and with difficulty and groan-
ing drag himself after his companions.
The challenge and firing aroused the fe-
males Of our party. who at first shrieked,
and were in great terror, but were pre-
vailed upon to keep their recumbent posi-
tions sheltered from any fire Of the assail-
ants, by the trunks we had fortunately
piled around their lodging place. We now