The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-03-30

upon his mind. Emerging from the cane
brake, he beheld his house in flames and
almost burnt to the ground: "My wife!'
he exclaimed, as he pressed one hand to
his forehaed and grasped the fence with
the other. to support his tottering frame
He gazed on the ruin and desolation be.
fore him, advanced a few PAGES, and fell
exhausted to the EARTH
Morning came, and the lumina ary ofheav-
en- arose. and still found him seated near
the expiring embers. In his right hand
he held small stick; with which he was
tracing the name Eliza on the ground
and his left hand lay on his favorite dog by
his side. Looking first on the ruins, and
then on his dog with evident signs ofgriet
Morgan arose. The two brothers now
made search ard found some bones burn.
ed to ashes, which they gathered and ST.
lently confined to the mother earth, beneath
the high spreading branches of venera-
BILE oak. consecrated by the purest and no.
liest recollections.
Several days after this. Morgan was en-
gagged in desperate battle at the lower
Blue Licks. The Indians came off victo-
riously, and the surviving whites retreated
across the Licking. pursued by the enemy
for distance Of six and thirty miles.
James Morgan was among the last who
crossed the river, and was in the rear un-
iii the hill was descended. As he beheld
the Indians reappear on the bridge, he felt
and saw his wrong, and recollected the
lovely object Of his affections. He urged
his horse and pressed to the front. While
in the act of leaping from his saddle. he re-.
ceived rifle ball in his thigh, and fell; an
Indian sprang upon him, seized him by the
hair and applied the scalping knife. At
this moment Morgan cast up his eyes and
recognized the handkerchief that bound
the head OF the savage, and knew it to be
his wife's. This added renewed strength
to his body, and increased his activity to
fury. He quickly threw his left arm a.
round the Indian, and. with death-like
grasp. hugged him to his bosom. plunged
his knife into his side, and he expired in
his arms. Releasing himseiftro the saw
age, Morgan crawled under small oak,
on an elevated piece ofground short dis
tance from him; the scene Of action shifted
and he remained undiscovered and un-
scalped, an anxious spectator Of the bat
tie.
1t was now midnight. The savage band
had, after talking all the scalps they could
find, left the battle ground. Morgan was
seated at the foot OF the oak; its trunk sup
ported his head. The rugged and uneven
ground that surrounded him was covered
with the slain; the once white and project.
a. bol 49, %h 6
centuries, were crimsoned with blood, that
had warmed the heart and animated the
bosom of the soldier. The pale glimmer.
ing of the moon occasionally threw faint
light upon the mangled bodies of the dead;
then a passing cloud enyelopeG all in
darkness and gave additional terror to the
feeble cries OF few still lingering in the
last agonies of protracted death, render.
ed doubly appalling by the hoarse growl
of the bear, the loud howl of the wolf, and
the shrill and varied notes of the wild cat
and panther, feeding on the dead and dy-
ing. Morgan beheld the scene with heart
rending sensations and looked forward
with the apathy of despair to his own end.
A large ferocious looking bear, covered
all over with blood, now approached him;
he threw himself on the ground, silently
commended his soul to Heaven, and in
breathless anxiety, awaited his fate. The
satiated animal slowly passed without no.
ticing him. Morgan raised his head and
was about to offer his thanks for his unex
pected preservation. VIXEN the cry OF pack
Of wolves opened upon him and awakened
him to a sense OF his danger. He placed
his hands over his eyes, fell on his face
and in silent agony awaited his fate. He
now heard a rusting in the bushes; steps
approached, cold chill ran over him.
imagination creative, busy imagination
was actively employed--death the mosl
horrible awaited him; his limbs in all pro-
liability, would be torn from him and be
devoured alive. He felt touch; the vi
tai spark was almost extinguished. An
other touch more violent than the first-he
was turned over.
The cold sweat ran down in torrents
his hands were violently forced from his
face. The moon passed from under cloud
Ia faint ray beamed upon him; his eyes
involuntarily opened and he beheld his
wife. who in scarcely audible voice ex.
claimed, "My husband! my husband! and
fell upon his bosom.
Morgan now learned from his wife. thai
after the lnGians entered the house they
found some spirits. OF which they drank
freely. An alteration soon took place
one ofthem received a mortal stab and fell
and the blood ran through the floor on her
Believing it to be the blood of her husband
she shrieked aloud and thus betrayed the
place of her concealment
She was Immediately taken and bound
The party, after setting fire to the house
proceeded to Bryant's station. On the
day of the battle Of the Blue Licks, horse
with saddle and bride rushed by her
Which she knew to be her husbands.
/ During the action the prisoners wer,
left nguarded-made their escape, ant
lay concealed beneath some bushes nea
the bank Of the river. After the Indian.
had returned from the pursuit, and left tn,
battle-ground, she, with some other per
sons. who had escaped with her. deter
Nmined to make search for their friends ant
lif on the field, and living. to save them
possible from the beasts OF prey. Ate
marching for some time, and almost des
pairing Of success, she fortunately discov