The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-04-15
himself about under the log, until he faced


in the pass the creek.
The strange Indians appeared to move for
ward without the least hestit alton or suspi-
cfon. The foremost of them on coming to
she creek, dropped at once down to cross it.
AT this moment the guide was observed to
draw IN his bow with a quick and powerful
effort; and so rapidly as almost to eIude the
sight, an arrow was sped on its mission Of
death. The stranger was seen to drop in the
middle of the brook. and not a cry issued
from his mouth. Quick as lightning the Mo-
hcan adjusted an arrow in his bow, SO that
as the second Huron had dropped down to
cross the stream, he too was observed to reel
and fall without a groan.
In the same manner was the third and the
fourth, and the fifth Huron pierced as he leap
led into the fatal ditch. They were so close to
each other, and the whole scene passed with
such miraculous silence and rapidly, that
neither of them had observed the fate Of their
comrades until he met his own. The sixth
Indian, however, being little more behind
than the others, seemed to be somewhat SUR
lprised that he did not see them in view on the
opposite bank. For this reason he descended
into the gully with a little hesitation. He
was Immediately aware of the horrible fate
that had arrested their steps and sienced
their tongues. He endeavored to recoil, but
/ was already too late. A fatal missive was
tlso on the wing for him-he was struck with
he rest, but not with immediate deata, and
he had time to raise into the depths OF the for
ets one of those appalling yelIs of warning
and of rage which announces among the
people of his race, the presence of mortal
| sanger. M rA -
The soldiers looked upon this fearful scene
With astonished silence, entranced by the
nurderous magic which took place before
hem. When the stiffness and the spell were
lroken by that warning cry, they expected
D see the wood swarming with hostile saw
gees. None, however appeared; and when
he echo had died away, they looked in vain
br the seventh and last of the Hurons He
lad vanished as if swallowed up in the earth.
No trace of him was visible-no sound Of re-
,reating footsteps were audible. The Mohi-
can, however, stil kept his position behind
THE log itself, but with his fiery eyes bent in
quick and searching glances in almost every
direction at once. He was obviously at fault
as we'll as the rest. No one dared to move or
speak above his breaths There was some
thing awful in the mysterious and sudden dis
appearances.
The silence. continued for. some ten. min
utes, when the sharp crack of a rifle was heard
and the Mohican sprang to his feet with the
blood streaming down one side of his face
His only exclamation was an emphatic
sUghp In an instant the fatal bow and arrow
were again in requisition, and his face toward
the Indian, he sent another arrow on its NOR
tai mission. The soldiers heard light
scrabbing overhead, and on looking up, they
saw the Huron falling through the limbs of a
neighboring tree. Into this he had the adj
dress to swing himself up, unseen by his
enemies, during the momentary confusion oc-
casioned by the warning cry of his compan-
ion.. From that perch he had soon discovered
the lurking place of the Mohican, and, bent
upon vengeance, had Immediately fired at him
and perhaps without caring whether or not
enemies were near. T,e imprudence cost
him his life; and withal, he bad only succeed
ed in inhiciing upon the Mohican slight
wa.nd in the temple.
The scene, however. now'rapidly changed.
Shortly after the report of the rifle, the dis
tant 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 no equally bloodless re-
ception, by the soldiers in ambush. This
time it was the rifle that did the business.
The advahcing column, however, was COM
posed of veterans, and who for few moments
seemed to push forward into the aby-s where
their comrades and guides were lying wound
ed and dead; but as they were ignorant of
the strength OF the concealed epemy, and
could hardly even tell from what direction
the danger came, they finally beat retreat
and drew off into the woods.
The check was all that could have been
desired. That force was not engaged during
the battle of Plattsburg; AMI after learning
the disastrous fate of the day, it made pre-
ciptate retreat northward into Canada.
1t was noticed that as soon as the seven
Hurons were slain, Stockbridge Hank seem
ed to take no iurther interest in the fray.
Shortly after the firing commenced, he disap
peared, and did not accompany the soldiers
back to the army. The next day. however,
he appeared again before the ofhcer, accout-
red as at the time OF his arrival in the camp,
but with the addition Of seven bloody scdIps
attached to his belt, and with the war paint
washed from his face. His mission seemed
to be accomplished.
He was thanked for his services, and rs-
ceiyed promises of liberal reward. To all
that was said. he remained silent listener,
and only pointed to the glorious trophies
which he wore, seeming to. signify that they
wero sufficient compensation. In truth, the
Huron was the hereditary foe, and he had
been fighting instinctiveIy for the tradition of
his fathers.
After this second visit he was never again
seen in the army. The story of this explcit
YVES long the talk and the wonder of tbf
army. -...-.