Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-04-24
ATerrible Indian Fight.

in the northern part ot Michigan. IL WAS nea'
the close of cold day. and | WAS anxously
looking for some quiet little warm place to
stow myself away for the night. Pleasant ideas
of huge oak fires, roaring up wide chlmneys
and hot corn dodgers, were running in my head.
Night closed in, and benumbed and weary, SYM
pathisng with my horse, who ever and anon
manifested his disapprobaton of any further
peregrinaton by toss Of his head and sundry
spiteful snorts, splashed through the soft
snow, which had been diluted in the morning
by brisk rain, but which was then beginning
to freeze. At length, suddenly turning an angle
in the path. for such it could only be termed,
a bright light beamng from one Of a cluster
of houses, half concealed by leahess oaks, led
me to hope that food and rest were near at hand
Iappeal to any one who has travelled much
DER Gfe's vast stage, who has felt himself a
stranger in strange land ifany sight, however
magnificent and grand. has cheered his heart
like bright light from a wide, uncurtained
window, when he has travelled two hours after
sunset, through cold and wet, without seeing
Il single human habitation, particularly when
there is danger of losing his way, and his
thoughts naturally turn upon the inconvenien-
ces of nights lod gng with the beasts Of the
forest. In the present instance had arrived at
alttle group of houses, the prime ipal of which
was a house of entertainment, as the rough
board attached to the top of a postpnrported'
kept fer the comfort, or rather discomfort, of
travellers.
Having dismounted, entered the principal
room-there were but two--and found group
of dozen individuals, seated around cheer
ing fire, smoking and talking to while away the
long winter evening, until it should be time to
retire to their respective homes. There were
also two or three wayfarers, like myself, who
had arrived a few hours previous. After partak
ing.of plain but very acceptable supper, to
which did ample justice, took my seat in
front of the cracking logs and became an atten-
tive listener to the conversation of the company.
There is something peculiarly interesting in
the discourse of backwoodsmen, especially
when they dilate upon their own exploits in
the wild woods; sitting around the fire and
partaking deep and frequent draughts from a
huge mug of cider, which was kept warm by
exposing one side to the FIRE, each one taking
especial care not to present the hot side to his
labials, nv comrades amused themselves by
recounting their individual exploits in days
gone by. A little fellow, about five feet two
described terrible encounter with two pam
ters, in which he was the hero, and like many
other more distinguished historians, was not
sparing in praise Of his own prowess. Anoth-
er told Of terrific encounter with the injuns,
while along, lank, cadaverous individual dis
coursed most eloquently of glorious bar
fight; others of adventures among the wolves,
catamounts, wild cats, and wild animals in gems
eral e
l listened with lively interest, for | believed
every word uttered by these unsophisticated
dwellers in the forest. Some circumstances
related, it is true, required large stretch of the
organ of credulity, but was not fully aware
of their real merit, until one of the wayfarers
proposed to relate an adventure of his own
which, be said, weuldtop them all. Previous
", as each one had concluded the recital of
some hair-breadth escape, which he had passed
through, burst of applause would fill the
room, and plaudits and EXPLANATIONS of sthat
beats mine" "that beats ALL" &C., produced
quite an excitement among the tobacco smoke
with which the closely chinked room was filed
almost to suffocation.
"Well;" said the wayfarer, whom shall call
B., call these dangersome 'sploits may be
veay fine in these clarins bnt can you little
bit of rub of mine which will knock all your
fights and narser 'seapements into a, cooked
hat"
B-was a hearty, blnff looking yeoman,
clothed in blue blanket coat of ample
size and comfortable thickness, with coun-
tenance indicating its owner to be keen,
observing, and well informed man, though
his accent smacked strongly Of the western
backwoods. His observation was received with
so much surprize, that the whole party took
their pipes from their mouths, and actually
suffered the fire to 60 out, SO great an interest
had the wayfarer excited in their bosoms- But
when they saw him about to commence his
Wonderful narrative, they took a pullall round
at the mug, and re-lighting their pipes, await
ed in silence. b unbottoned his huge col
Lar, and turning his chair round so as so front
the audience, leaned back until the force of
gravity inclined his weight against the Chin
ney corner; placing one foot on the round
Of his chair, and throwing the leg attached to
the other one over that support, commenced:
'You see, a party Of we settlers in the nor-west