Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-31
CHAPTER XIV.

fore related they Immediately ran to the loop
holes, where Deampon the aged tho still
courageous and dauntless warrior stood, and
where the tall form Of Fannuil again lowered
in oil its. pristine power, both lighting man.
fully in defence of their lives and property
There a scene presented itself which they
were not quite prepared to behold, Some
hundredand irty sayages were in front of the I
Hut, armed and painted in the regular war
dress, and making the air resound with their
hideous yells and demon like shouts. I'll
seemed as if they were incarnate fiends, and
not men creatures on whom God had left
his own impress. There they were, to the
number Of some hundred and fifty, shout.
ing iicndishly and sending showers of arrows
from their long bows at the loop holes Of
the Hut, with all the vengeance and hate
that the Archfcnd himself could imbue
them with.
Thcaim Of Delampon and Fannuil had not
been carclessly drawn, nor had they dischar.
ged their faithful pieces in vain. Eleven
sayages wcltcred in their gore and more
than bali as many more we're capering about
like madmcn on account of the wounds they
had received from the bullets of Fannuifs
big gun Dclampon's aim was at the head
and death always followed the discharge of
his long barreied rife
Soon Murdaut's wife and Mikes double
barrclled gun were in full play upon, and
spoke in convincing tones to, the dusky as
salants Dreadful WAS the havoc; for
the Indians now huddled together, gave
them fair chances of killing two birds with
one stone and in several cases they did so :
for after a discharge from both barrels of
Mikes gun, which he had fired, inadvertent-
ly. at the same time, the rebound of which
sent the brawny lrishman tumbling across
the Hut against the opposite wall four In
dams were seen to double themselves and
fall forward. In spite of bis mishap, the
Irishmau was as much elated at his success
as the Indians were chagrined at their loss.
The sun had now dis
appeared and impenetrable dark mess was
about to clothe the earth in sable gloom, and
still the Indians, now reduced to the num-
Der Of about sixty or seventy, showed no
signs Of retreat They retired beyond the
reach Of the guns at the Hut, and built q
large fire. A hasty meal was prepared by
Alcora, Biddy and Mrs. Fannui, and car.
ried around to the four defenders of the Hut
who fearing to leave their post determined
to stay and keep watch. After supper, they
held a council Of war, and it was determin
cd that two should keep guard at a time
at two loop holes in the palisades, fearful, il
the darkness their enemies would stealthily
crawl up, and taking them by surprise
might gain entrance into the Hut So i
was determined that Mike and Murdan
should keep watch at the loop holes the frs
part Of the night, and to let any suspicion
movements Of their wary foes without b
communicated to their friends within an
Faunuil and Dolampon were to stand til
latter part Of the night.
AS soon, therefore, as they had dispatch
cd their supper, Murdant and Mike wen
out cautiously and gained the loop holes
the palisades in safety. They then careful
ly raised the doors and commenced the
long watch. They vigilantly kept their po
until their time had expired, and no moV
had as yet transpired on the part of Il
enemy. So as cautiously gaining the hou
as they had left it, they awoke Fannuil an
old DeIampon who took the places vacatc
by the two young men. They had watchC
some time, aud every thing was as still
the grave, except the ripping of the waite
of the Ohio, which could be heard distinct
as they flowed onward and onward and d
gentle sghing Of the midnight breeze as
agitatcd the calm air and gave unmistak
able evidence of the presence and power
Omnipoteuce. About an hour after mi
night, Delampon saw something moving
the ground not more than a hundred var
from tho Hut. After remaining stationa
for awhile II suddenly straightened up, a
tall savage stood before the old warrlo
view, apparently examining with care t
palisades Had this savage known Il
within that enclosure the muzzlc Of a tyu,
rifle bore on him, there is no doubt but
would have hurried from that spot A.
was. hc knew not this fact and doubtless
thinking that all were asleep in the Hut,
stood gazing on the palisades, as he thoug
in perfect security. He remained thus
some moments, all the time the fingers
old Delanpon itching to draw the trig
and send his soul to the Land Of spirits
being prudent and well acquainted W
modes Of Indian warfare, h. deemed it b
to let him remain in happy ignorance Of
guard kept the Hut. Alter looking so
time, the savage slowly turned upon
heel and Ioisurcly disappeared in the gloo
forest.
De!amp)n now cast his eye around
Hut, to the post of Fannuil, and there
infinite horror and terrible surprise,
saw red skin standing over the prostl
form Of the unlucly Fannuil, and tear
tho recbing scalp from the head Twas
" the work Of moment to bring to bear
deadly. rife and send bullet through
heart Of the exuldng Indian. Ere the p
cling crack Of the rife had finished its
tant reverberations band of savages spr
on the palisades whittier the fallen red
had clambered over, and at the same I