Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-15

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his own position, and using still greater caution,
D they proceeded on their way.
} They had not gone more than five minutes
longer through the wood, when they reached the
deep bed OF stream, torrent, full in the rainy
season, but now dry. They prepared TO cross
1t, using the boughs of trees to assist themselves
when Tuscarora John suddenly drew his com
panions attention. Afar of, in The distance II
appeared, in the bed of the stream, thew could
see the faint glimmer of light. There was
camp evidently at no great distance in the
WOOD. The emigrant whispered TO the Indian
not to mind it, but TO advance. The Tuscarora.
however, caught him violently by the arm pulled
lllm down, just as he himself caught the re1ec
ton OF gun-barrel in the pale moonlight fol-
lowed by the flash and report of an Indian fusil.
The lowing scoundrels,' muttered John.
they have seen us, and taken us for sortie.
What shall we do p
Lie still-one inute-two-think,' said
the Indian, preparing, however, for desperate
action, by looseing his tomahawk and holding his
rifle in his hand; now, follow me-
AS he spoke, STOPPING low, bending his head
beneath the bushes, the Tuscarora led the way
down the bed of the torrent. 1t was soft and
ciayey, there being no pebbles in Texas, even
on the sea shore; no rocks, no stones-all
alluvial soil. They trod gently, without noise,
save the occasional cracking of twig; but thew
left an evident and clear trail. This, however.
they could not avoid, and they noted it not.
Suddenly, however, they came to bend in the
tiny gulley-a place where the water had hewn
away deep hollow in the earth, the roof of
which had escaped crumbling down by the
presence Of long roots and parasitical plants,
while across the bed Of the stream Law a dead
tree, used as bridge by stray hunters, by red
skins, and whites, now that the wandering tribes
Iof Anglo-Saxons and other European nations
have gone fourth to reclaim the wilderness, at
the price, alas Of the destruction, not only of
the wOndrOus herds Of various animals that
people priarie, wood, and mountain, but Of the
races that have come from the regions OF the
sitting sun to meet the eastern tribes.
At this moment they heard steps behind; the
Indians were in full chase. They mad no time
for thought or reflection. They threw them /
selves into the deep shadows Of the hollow.
leaping across breast-work of earth and wood
and cooking their rifles, peered ansiously forth
TO spy the force of the enemy. Ii a moment
six came in sight, marching stregh. for the !
position they occupied. They fired and without
waiting TO see the effect, loaded. Scarcely had
the echoes died away in the forest, Ihan all lay
still, placid, calm, as if never had those leafy
woods been disturbed since that mysterious hour
when the spirit Of God went forth upon the
globe, and flowers, and plants, and myriad
pleasant things burst into fife for tle Joy and |
well-being of the world. The two men could
hear the beating of their own hearts SO utterly |
silent was all nature-not even the usual signing
of the forest-glade being heard.
Then there came yell, horrid cry, fearful H
sound as if demons had been let loose in Para
disc, and from every quarter of the wood came
Sha fla nd ha Of Tba ,haIa
force of the Waccc Indians was on them--at all |
events itappeared so. But the next minute they
heard the quick exchange of shots 4 Elscoate, |
toward which they had been returning. They
knew not what TO do. They couldsee none of |
their enemies. One looked up andone looked |
down the stream, watching every rec, every
stump under cover Of which a redskin could |
advance. Presently, the Indian spoke, in
whisper so low as to be all but inaube
See! Indian very cunning John more
cunning, too, and he pointed up tn, bed of the
torrent.
What is it p askedthe emigran1 who could
make out nothing in that faint light.
Look tree down yonder, said tle red-skin
in the same low tone.
What is it p again repeated Jofn, hechani-
cally, though he suspected the truth
Indian I" replied his companion, quietly taking
aim at the apparently inanimate bloc.
One of the cunning men of the yaccos had |
sided noiselessly down into the Ied of the |
torrent, and lain himself fiat On hs stomach. /
In this position he was pushing HIMSELF along \
with all the stealthy crawl of serpeA-sRwly, /
but without sound, moving impercebtiblN but /
advancing toward the cover Of the two nen in /
a way that promised to place him shorly il very /
dangerous proximity. But Tuscaora John |,
fired, the motioness Indian sprang 10 hi feet,
gave n scream, and fell headlong like stcken I
deer into the bed of the stream. Two iaccos |,
burst from the adj accent bushes and dreV him
out Of sight. II
'Wacco fool = said the chief, contempiusly; a
John Christian no take scalp
Il am delighted to hear that repledohn h
Waters, earnestly and solemnly. Il feel dain Id
that my time is up. But it is a relief to low h
that shall die beside Christian man, ", if Il,
he survives, will carry my blessing to myife Il
and babes Itc
No die whispered the TuscarOra TT C,
kill-cheat REDSKINS 81
Il hope so,' said John Waters, ferventlfor Id
it would be sad to die without ore partineord lad
with my Jane, my boys, my innOcentoOd to
girls
Let son marry Dutch squaw? p askdhe u
EndtaN, q tittiS UAFCastieuity mo matterw, Yes
if made up mind TO die Itll
MOI exclaimed John, quickly, Il wo,nOt in
consent to that. Edward is nay eldest sony Il
Representative. He nay one day retu 10 Sc
England, and should like the possible h of Ia
the Earl Of Elscoate to take lady home his OF
wife, lat
What him pale face brother call lady aid c,
the Indian. d
"A well educated young woman, with Quilted Id
, mind elevated thoughts and a pleasinO GER In.