Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1853-12-10
The Spirit of the Olden Time.

| Early in the war tof American lndepen,
dence) the inhabitants on the frontier Of
Burke county, North Carolina, being appre.
hensive of an attack by the Indians. it was
determined to seek protection in a fort in a
more densely populated neighborhood in an
interior settlement. A party of soldiers was
sent to protect them on their retreat.
The families assembled, the line Of march
was taken towards their place of destination,
and they proceeded some miles unmolested
soldiers marching in hollow-square, with
the refugee families in the centre. The In
dams, who had watched these movements,
had laid plan for their destruction. The
road to be travelled lay through dense
forest in the fork of a river, where the Indians
concealed themselves and waited till the
travellers were in the desired spot. Sudden
ly the war-hoop sounded in 'front.' and on
either side large body of painted war
riors rushed in, filing the gap BY which the
whites had entered and an appalling crash
of firearms followed. The soldiers, how
ever, were prepared: such as CHANGED to be
near the trees, darted behind them, and be-
gan to ply the deadly rife; the others pros
trated themselves upon the earth, among the
tall grass aud crawled to trees. The fami-
lies screened themselves as best they could.
The onset was long and fiercely urged /;
ever and anon, amid the din and smoke the
warriors would rush. tomahawk in hand, to-
wards centre; but they were repulsed by
the cool intrepdity of the backwoods rifle
men. Still they fought on. determined on
the destruction of the victims who offered
such desperate resistance.
All at once an appalling sound greeted
the ears OF the women and children in the
centre; ii was cry from their defenders
a cry for powder! ''Our powder is given out"
they exclaimed. sHase you any? Bring
us some, or we can fight no longer!' A
woman of the party had good supply. She
spread her apron OH the ground, poured her
powder into it, and going round from soldier
to soldier: as they stood behind the trees,
babe each who needed powder put down
his hat, and poured quantity upon it. Thus
she went round the line of defence, tilk her
stock, and all she could obtain from others,
was distributed.
AT last the savages gave way. and, press
ed by their foes, were driven off the ground.
The victorious whites returned 10 those for
whose safety had ventured into the wilder
ness Inquiries were made as to who had
been killed !! and one running up, cried
Where is the woman that gave Us the
powder want to see her"
" Yes! yes! let US see her." responded
another and another; without her we
should all have been lost!u
The soldiers ran about among the women
and children looking for her, making in
quiries. Directly came others from the rur-
suit, one of whom observing the commotion,
asked the cause, and was told.
You are looking in the wrong place." he
replied.
as she killed. All, we was afraid of
thatm exclaimed many voices.
mot when saw her." answered the SOL
dier. "When the Indians ran off, she was
on her knees in prayer at the foot Of yonder
tree, and there left her"
There was simultaneous rush to the tree
and there, to their joy, they found the woman
safe. and still on her knees in prayer. Think
ing not of her herself. she received their ap.
plause without manifes.ing any other feel
ing than gratitude to heaven for their great
deIiyerance.-Nobled deeds of Amer'n ,romen.
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