Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-06-29

ing the wound had not greatly disabled
him, he continued to hold the bride; for
as he now felt confident of being able to
make good his retreat, he determined to
FIRE of his gun before he retired. He
looked around for tree. There was
but one. small elm, and he made for
this. intending to shoot from behind it,
but at that moment the cloud of smoke
arose partially from before him. disclos-
sing to his view a number of Indians
them stood within few PAGES. loading his
gun. and at him Higgins took delibe-
rate aim and fired, and the Indian FELL
Higgins still concealed by the smoke,
reloaded his gun, mounted his horse, and
turned to Iy. when a low voice near
hailed him with: "Tom, you won't leave
me ?"
On looking around, he discovered the
speaker to be one of his comrades named
Burgess. who was lying wounded on the
ground. and he replied instantly mo.
I'll not leave you. Come along, and I'll
take care of YOU"
81 can't come" replied Burgess. my
leg is smashed all to pieces"
kASh4 kAtS SaAAlO anu
picking up his comrade-wkose ankle
bone was broken-in his arms, he pro-
ceededed to lift him on his horse. telling
him to fly, and that he would make his
own way on foot. But the horse taking
fright at this instant, darted off, leaving
Higgins with his wounded friend on foot.
Still, the cool bravery of the former was
sufficient for every emergency and set
ting Burgess down gently, he tolo him !:
Now, my good fellow, you must hop off
on your three legs. while stay between
you and the Indians, to keep them off,
instructing him at the same time. to get
into the high grass. and crawl as close to
the ground as possible. Burgess followed
his advice and escaped unmolested.-
History does not relate a more disinteres-
ted act of heroism than this of Higgins.
who having in his hands the certain
means of escape from such imminent Pc
ril, voluntarily gave them up, by offering
his horse to q wounded comrade. and
who, when that generous intention was
defeated, and his own retreat was still
practicable, remained at the hazard OF
his life to protect his crippled friend.
The cloud of smoke-which had parti-
ally opened before him as he faced the
enemy-still lay thick behind him I; and,
as he plunged through this, he left it, to-
gether with the ridge and the hazel thick
ct between him and the main body of the
Indians, and was retiring unobserved by
them.
Under these circumstances. it is possi-
bic, that if he had retreated in a direct
line towards the station, he might readily
have effected his escape. But Burgess
was slowly crawling away in that direc-
ton. and the gallant Higgins-who cool
ly surveyed the whole ground-foresaw
that if he pursued the same track and
should be discovered, his friend would
be endangered. He therefore. took the
heroic resolution Of deyiating from the
true course, so far that any of the en-
my who should follow him would not fall
in with Burgess. With this intention he
moved stealthily along through the smoke
and bushes, intending, wheh he emerged,
to retreat at full speed. But as he left
the thicket, he beheld large Indian near
him and two others on the other side in
the direction of the fort. Tom coolly sur
veyed his foes. and began to chalk out
his track, for, although, in the confidence
OF his own activity and courage. he felt
undismayed at such odds, yet he found
it necessary TO act the general. Having
an enemy on each flank, he determined 70
separate them and fight them singly.-
Making for ravine which was not far off,
he bounded away but soon found that
one of his limbs failed him. having re-
ceived a ball on the first fire which, un-
til now he had scarcely noticed. The lar
gest Indian was following him closely
Higgins turned several times to fire, but
the Indian would halt and dance about to
prevent hin from taking aim. and Tom
knew that he could not afford to fire at
random. The other two were now clo-
sing on him; and he found that unless he
could dispose of the first one he must be
overpowered. He therefore halted and
resolved to receive fire; and the Indian,
at a few PAGES distant. raised his rifle
Higgins watched his adversary's eye,
and Just as he thought his finger pressed
the trigger, he suddenly threw his side 10
him.
1t is probable this motion saved his
life for the ball entered his thigh which
would have pierced his body. Tom fell.
but rose again and ran. and the largest
Indian certain of his prey loaded again.
and then, with the two others. pursued.
They soon came near Higgins. who had
again fallen, and, as he rose. they all
three fired, and he received all their balls.
He now fell and rose several times, and
the Indians throwing away their guns. ad-
vanced on him with spears and knives
They frequently charged upon him. but
on his presenting his gum at one or the
other, they fell back. At last, the lar
gest one-thinking probably. from Toms
reserving his fire so long. his gun was
empty-charged boldly up to him. and
Higgins, with a steady aim. shot him