Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-01-16

as to his having acquired possession " ~
by stating that it was q present to him
from an English officer, whose life he had
saved during the late war, and who, to re.
ward his preserver and show his gratitude,
had presented him with the weapon which
so excited Shomberg's curiosity. The
execution, so said the Indian, far exceed
ed the beauty of the external workman
ship, and his praises of his loved weapon
were SO extravagant thatshomberg Offer 81
ssls ed e I Bss it. psIse, gsgSiasa
"Me no sell him-but me show you,
said the Indian, and twas Determined
that this much vaunted liao should be
tried in the morning, ere they started back.
Various attempts did Shomberg make to
come to terlns-his own rifle, tobacco,
powder, lead, money, in fact, every in-
ducemcnt to tempt an Indian trade was
used, but all in vain. Night found him
no nearer the much coveted Prize than did
the morning. And as the party retired
to rest; more correctly VIC should say,
stretched themselves out to rest.
Morning found the whole party refresh
ed and ready to renew their march after
the settlement. After hearty breakfast,
at Shombcrg's request the Indian cut 4
small chip out of an oak some $50 yards
from the wigwam. At this he fred, and
the bail struck scarce an inch from the
mark. Again he fired, and this time nit
the mark. Shomberg now tried his hand,
and was very successful, so much so, that
of six shots fired, Il circle Of four inches
would have covered the chip and all the
bullet holes besides. Loud were all Of
them in praise of the wcapon-nonc more
so than Shombcrg. Most literally did he
offer blankets, money, rifle, tobacco, even
spirits were added with the hope Of indu
cling the Indian to part with the weapon.
Al efforts were unavailing, the lndian
most firmly refused every Offer; he would
not part with his rifle, so he said, but with
his life. He had, it seems, taken charge
of the English officer when desperately
wounded, and had conceived strong at-
lecton for him while tending TO his wounds,
and highly did he prize the present OF his
white brother:
Finding the Indian firm in his refusal,
the party gathered together their instru-
mcnts and arms, bestowed almost the
whole of their scanty stoc! OF tobacco
on their generous hearted entertainer, and
with every expression OF good feeling
they parted An hour had scarcely pass
ed, when man glided into the open space
in front of the Indians wigwam. In the
sunny nook sat 4 decrcpid, dried-up old
woman, fast tottering to the grave. Near
at hand sat the Indian repairing moca'
sins. Greatly to the Indians surprise he
recognised the man Shomberg, who seated
himself by the Indians side, and again re
newed the attempt to possess the highly
priced rifle. AS well might he have at
tempted to move the rock of Gibraltar al
the stern resolve of the warrior. He saw
it useless, but yet he was bent upon his
purpose. Suddenly his face lit up with
most demonaical expression, as if some
unholy purpose had fitted across his mind
After while he asked to see anothe
trial, to which the Indian assented. Again
the tree was blazed, again the rifle sen
forth its unerring bullet. Shomberg ask
ed for shot; the Indian loaded his riff
!, and handed it to him. Carelessly he tool
f his aim at the tree, but with the speed Q
lightning, he changed the direction. II
t fired; down fell the Indian, weltering i
his blood, corpse, for the ball had pass
| ed through his heart. Shomberg, COOL
4 and deliberately walked away with tn