Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-06-29
knew it was empty. they were better sol

diers.''
A fierce and bloody contest ensued.-
The Indians rushing upon Tom stabbed
him in many places but it happened for
tunately that the shafts of their spears
were thin poles. rugged hastily for the oc-
lcasion, which bent whenever the point
struck rib or encountered the opposi-
ton of one of Higgins tough muscles
From this cause, and the continued exer-
tion of his hand and his rifle in warding
I off their thrusts, the wounds thus made
were not deep, but his whole front was
covered with gashes. of which the scars
yet remain in honorable proof of his va
lor. At last one of them threw his tom.
mahawk the edge sunk deep into Hig-
gins cheek, passed through the ear
which it severed, laid bare his skull on
the back of his head. and stretched him
on the plain. The Indians rushed on,
but Tom instantly recovered his self pos
session. and kept them off with his feet
and hands. until he succeeded in grasping
one of their spears, which as the Indian
attempted to pull it from him. aided him
to rise and clubbing his rifle he rushed
upon the nearest of his foes. and dashed
his brains out, in doing which he broke
the stock to pieces. only retaining the bar
rel in his hand. .Taf
The other Indian, however warily he
had fought before, now came manfully
into battle. 1t is probable that he felt
his character as a warrior at stake. To
have fed from a man desperately wound
ed and almost disarmed, or to suffer his
victim to escape, would have tarnished his
manhood. Uttering terrific yell, he
rushed on and attempted to stab the ex-
hausted ranger; while the latter, warding
off the spear with one hand. brandished
| his rifle barrel in the other. The In,lian
unwounded, was now by far the most
powerful man, but the moral courage of
our hero prevailed; and the savage una
BILE to bear the fierce glance of his unta-
med eye, began to retreat slowly towards
the place where he had dropped his rihe.
| Tom knew that if the Indian recovered
his gun his own case was hopeless and
throwing away his rifle barrel, he drew
his hunting knife and rushed in upon
him. A desperate strife ensued, and Sc
veral deep gashes were inflicted but the
Indian succeeded in casting Higgins from
him, and ran to the spot where he had
thrown his gun. while Tom searched for
the gun of the other Indian. Thus the
two. bleeding and out of breath, were
both searching for arms to renew the con-
flict
By this time the smoke that lay be-
tween the comoatants and the main body
of Indians. had passed away. and a num-
ber of the latter having passed the hazel
thicket were in full view. 1t seemed.
therefore. as il nothing could save our
heroic ranger. But relief was near at
hand.
The little garrison at the station. six or
seven in number. had Witnessed the
whole of this unparalleled combat
There was among them heroic woman
named Mrs. Pursley. who. when she saw
Higgins contending singly with the foe,
urged the men to 60 TO his rescue. The
rangers a. first considered the attempt as
hopeless, as the Indians outnumbered
them ten to one. But Ms. Pursley de-
claring that so fine fellow as Tom should
not be lost for want of help, snatched a
rifle out of her husbands hand, and
jumping on horse sailed out. The men
not 10 be outdone by woman, followed
at full gallop towards the place of combat.
| A scene of intense interest ensued the
Indians at the thicket had just discovered
Tom, and were rushing down towards him
with savage yells his friends were spur
ring their horses to reach him first. Hig-
gins, exhausted with the loss of blood had
fallen and tainted. while his adversary.
too intent on his prey to observe anything
else. was looking for rifle. The rangers
reached the battle-ground first. Mrs.
Pursley, who knew Toms spirit. thought
he had thrown himself down in despair at
the loss of his gun, and rendered him the
one she was carrying; but poor Tom was
past shooting. His friends lifted him up.
threw him across horse before one Of
the party, and turned to retreat just as the
Indians came up. They made good
their escape. and the Indians retired.
We repeat this adventure Just as it was
related to US. and have not the least
doubt it is literally correct. or as nearly
SO as Mr.. Higgins opportunity for obser-
walton would admit-for. he very proper
ly observer, he was in a desperate bad
fr." Just about that time, and it was
'.poUerful bad CHANCE for man to take
notice of what is going on around him.
| After being carried to the fort he re
manned insensible for some days, and his
life was preserved with difficulty by his
friends. who extracted all the bullets bat
two, which remained in the thigh one of
which gave him great deal of pain for
several years. although the flesh was
healed. At length he heard that ply
sician had settled within days ride of
him. whom he went to see. The physi-
clan was willing to extract the ball, but
asked the sum Of fifty dollars for the ope-
ration This Tom fatty refused 70 give,
as it was more than half a years pension.
As he rode home, he turned the matter
in his mind. and determined upon a