Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-17
Original 5tnrg.
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
I II E LON E Y II U T;
A Tale of Indian Schemes
AND THE EVILS OF THE FIRE WATER
by wM. NJ. TURNER.
CHAPTER VII.

Two or three hours passed and still no
Indians. The sitting silence was broken
only by the continual tho irregular tread of
Mike, as he paced his lonely rounds, and
the impatient stamping Of the horses as they
paved the earth All at once Mike heavy
tread was heard no longer, and Murdant
peering out through the interstices Of the
covering, saw dark body reclining against
a large tree, at one Of the termini Of Mikes
rounds, aud which he took to be Michael. |
And it was really the faithful fellow who
worn out at length for want Of rest, had yiel
ded to the sleep god, and was no doubt,
dreaming of Bddy, ould Ireland and swate
Irish whiskey, all at once.
Murdant tried every means he could to
arouse the sleeper, without making too much
noise but finding his efforts futile he de-
termined to let the good fellow take his nap,
and he himself would get out and stand sens
tinel in his place. Apprising Fanuuil of
this, he cautiously got out and commenced
pacing the lonesome tramp. Becoming
weary after an hours lonely tramping, he
went to the wagon, Ga short distance from
the spot where he had been walking guard, }
TO get Fannuil to relieve him. lie had sue
ceeded agreeable to his wishes and was a
bout to get into the wagon, when he was
much surprised to hear Mike say in a loud
voice - Faith, | have been watching ye all
this time, be the Houly St. Patrick. Ye
think was green enough to think there was
hogs about these ere parts, eh ? Say, mis-
ter red divil, for | know yes no more hog
AN me own self, Micheal O'Flannagan from
ould Ireland, Cthe ould Pope his self and
the houly st. Pater Patrick bless herr who
is no hog at ALL at all. Ye had better kape
yer own distance and not come here both
ering honest paple, at this time o'night. Be
gone in jist about minnet, sure ye had bet
ter"
Murdant looked toward Mike, who had
now Strengthened up and was intently ga
zing on something before him, but at Grst
could see nothing. Presently, he thought
he saw something black and shaped like a
hog. lie kept his eyes fixed on the object
for somo time but happening to cast his gaze
into the thick underground and shrubbery
behind Mike, what was his surprise to see
tall form suddenly stand erect and then
spring with the swiftness of lightning upon
him, who not expecting anything from
that quarter, was pressed quickly to the
ground. At the same instant he saw the
object which had before attracted his notice
straighten up, and throwing skin or some
thing Of the kind in which he was disguised
with a loud whoop and demon-like yell
spring forward to aid his other companion
Quickly bringing his gun to his eye, Muir
L. L., Il.
null was soon out ofthe wagon, gun in hand
thinking that the Indians had all come II
and Murdant stood for n moment in terribl
silence. They could hear q fierce struggl
going on in the dense brushwood, and Muir
dant knowing that Mike was engaged in it
was about to 60 to his rescue, when sudden
ly he saw him spring to his feet, and catch
ing the Indian in herculean grasp, ant
summoning all his remarkable strcngt
pitched him high in the air, and snatchin
his shillelah struck the fellows head such
blow as silcnced him forever.
Murdant and Fannuil had not much tim
to admire this wonderful feat of strengt
and skill with the shillelah, for in three min
cutes after it occurred, their ears were starr
led again by the thrilling war-whoop, an
innumerable Indian arrows stuck in the fror
of the wagon and covering, and with cry
sudden pain, Fannuil grasped his left ar
MS 1t sank powerless to his side. Then con
menced, with another burst Of terrific ycl
on the side of the Indians, the unequal col
test. The savages had como out boldly
open fight, and were sending their arroy
thick and fast. The white men howev
were safe from their deadly missiles, for th
had lain flat in the wagon and shot wi
deadly precision and considerable execute
from the front scat, which was used as a re-
Fannuil was greatly disabled, but his q
fcieucy was made up for by the heroic Bi
dy, who loaded his gun, and also loaded Al
fired incessantly an old troopers pistol wi
some havoc into the ranks Of the enemy,
the time fighting by the side of her below
Mike, who, by-tEo.by, was shooting aw
with all his might, and heartily wishing
could get smasher at the thaving r
divils with his Gown darlint shillaly.'
length white mans bravery overcame |
dian ferocity, and the confident savages Sc
ing that they had to contend with detc
mined courageous, destructive foe, and wor
than all, an invisible one, despairing Of V
tory, turned and fed precipitately, compile
ly discOm6tted, leaving more than half th
number, slain by the long kniyed whites