Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-03-22


away, they looked in vain for the seventh
and last Of the Hurons. He had vanish.
ed as If swallowed up in the earth. No
trace of him was visiblc--no sound Of
retreating footsteps were audible. The
Mohican, however, still kept his posi-
ton behind the log itself, but with his
fiery eyes bent in quick and searching
glances in almost every direction at
once. lie was obviously at fault as well
as the rest. No one dared to move or
even to speak above his breath. There
was something awful in the mysterious
and sudden disappearance.
The silence contnucl for some ten
minutes, when the sharp crack of Il rife
was heard, and the Mohicnn sprang to
his feet with lke blood streaming down
one si'lc ofhis face. His only exclama.
ton was an emphatic "ush" In an in
stant the fatal bow and arrow were again
in Iequisition, and, his face toward the
Indian, he sent another arrow on its NOR.
tai mission. The soldiers heard slight
scrabbling overhead, and on looking up
they saw the Huron falling through the
limbs Of a neigiboring tree. Into this
he had had the address to swing himself
up, unseen by his enemies, during the
momcntary confusion occasioncd by the
warning cry Of his companion. From
that perch he had soon discovered the
lurking place of the Mohican, and, bent
upon vengeance, had Immediately frel
at him, without considering, and per.
haps without caring, whether or not enc.
mics were near. The imprudcnce cost
him his life; and, wi,hal, he had only
succeeded in inaicting upon the Moh.
can slight wound in the temple.
The scene, however, now rapidly
changed. Shortly after the report of the
rife, the distant heavy tramp of body
of regular troops was heard approaching
through the woods. They too, plunged
into the fatal pass, and met with like
but not equally Jloolless reception, by
the soldiers in ambush. This time it was
the rifle that did the business. The a..
vancing column, however, was compos.
ed of veterans who for a few moments
seemed TO push forward i1to the abyss
where their comrades and guide were ly.
ing wounded and dead; but as they were
ignorant Of the strength of the concealed
enemy, and could hardly even tell from
what direction the danger came. they
finally beat a retreat and drew Off into
the wools again.
The check was all that could have
been desired. That force was not cngag.
ed during the battle of Plat tsburs; and
after learning the disastrous fate Of the
day, it made precipitate retreat north.
ward into Canada.
1t was noticed that as soon as the Sc.
ven Hurons were slain, Stockbridgc
Hank seemed to take no further interest
in the fray. Shortly after the firing com.
mencel, he disappeared, and did not ac'
company the soldiers back to the army.
The next day, however, he appeared a.
gain before the officer, accoutrel as at
the time of his arrival into camp, but
with the addition of seven bloody scalps
attached 10 his belt, and with the war.
paint washed from his face. His mission
seemed to be acc omplishel.
He was thanked for his services, and
received promises of liberal reward.
10 all that was said, he remained 81.
lent listener, and only pointed to the
glorious trophies which he wore, seem.
ing to signify that they were sufficient
compensation. In truth, the Hurons
were the hereditary foe, and he had been
fighting instinctivcly for the Tradition Of
his fathers.
After this second visit he was never
again seen in the army. The story of
this exploit was long the talk and won.
der Of the army.