Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-07-06

ins thicket, which bordered small creek.
flowing into the river. The men conceal
ed themselves among the bushes as
quickly as possible, while the Indian
crawled stealthily to position somewhat
behind the trunk of fallen tree. He
then enjoined upon them not to fire or
make any noise until they should receive
from him certain signal. For some dis
tance forward of the place where he lay,
the woods were tolerably clear of under
brush. and kind of path which skirled
the bank of the river crossed the creek
near lis mouth, about ten rods from where
the soldiers were concealed. From the
position the Indian occupied. this pass
WAS in full view. In order to cross the
stream. any one going along that path
had 10 descend about ten feet. almost per-
pendicularly; so that while he WAS in the
bed of the brook. he could not be seen by
those who should happen To be any dis
tance behind.
The solIiers had not remained in am
bush long. when by quick sign the
scout gave them Io understand thai some
o.e was approaching. Tney soon saw
AN Indian coming at a rapid though 81
lent pace along toward the crossing.
He had just got Clearly in view. when at II
distance of two rods behind. appeared
another and 50 on to the number of Sc
ven. They were all in war paint. armed
with rides and tumahawks. The sol
dters were all attention To the movements
of their guide. expecting every moment
to receive the signal to fire. To their
surprise. however. they saw him lay down
his gun anl draw from beneath the lns
long and powerful bow. and body of
flint headed. sharp pointed arrows. He
then turned himself about under the log.
until he managed to face the pass in the
creek.
The strange Indians appeared TO move
forward without the least hesitation or
suspicion. The foremost of them ON CO.
ming to the creek. dropped at once down
to Cross it. At this moment the guide
WAS observed to draw in his bow with IA
quick AMI powerful effort, and so rapid,
ly AS to almost elu'ie the sight. an arrow
was sped OH its mission OF death. The
stranger was seen TO drop in the middle
of the brook. ana not cry issued from
his mouth. Quick as Ii Lightning. :. the Mo-
hican adjusted an her arrow in his bow. so
that as soon as the second Huron had
dropped down to cross the stream. he too,
was observed to reel ami fall without IA
groan.
In the same manner was the third, and
the fourth and the fifth Huron pierced
as he lcaped the fatal ditch. They were
SO close 10 each other, and the whole
scene. passed with such miraculous si-
Ience and rapility that neither of them
had observed the fate of his companion
until he met his own. The SIKH Indian,
however, being little more behind than
the others, seemed To be somewhat sur
priSed ihat he dill not see them in view
on the opposite bank. For this reason he
descended into the gully with little he
station. He was Immediately aware OF
the horrible fate that had arrested their
steps ani silenced their tongues. He en-
deavoreI To recuiI, but it was already too
late. A fatal misSive was also ON the
wing for him-he was struck with the
rest. but not with immediate death. and
he had time to raise into the depths OF
the forests. one of the most appalling
yells of warning and rage. which announ.
ces among the people OF his race the pre-
sence of mortal danger.
The soldiers looked upon this fearful
scene in aStonished silence. entranced bv
the murderuus magic which took place
before them. When The stiffness ot the
spell was broken by that warning cry,
they expected to see the wood swarminy
with hostile s;iVages. None. however.
appeared and when :he echo had died
away, they looked in vain for the Sevenl h
and last of the Hurons. He hal vanish
cd as if swallowed up in The earIh. No
trace Of him was yisible-no sound OF
rrtreatins footsteps were audible. The
Mohican. however, still kept his posi-
ton behind the lor itself. but with his
fiery eyes bent in quick and searching
glances in almost every direction at once
He was obviously at fault. AS well as the
rest. No one dared TO move or speak
above his breath. There was something
awful in the mysterious auI sudden dis
appearan ce.
The silence was continued for some 10
minutes. when the sharp crack of rifle
was heard. and the Mohican SpranS TO
his feet, with the blood streaming down
one side of his face. Ills only exclama-
ton WAS an emphatic 'Ush!' In an in
slant, the fatal bow and arrow were cal
led again into requisitiOn. and his face to-
ward the Indian. he sent another arrow
on its mortal mission. The soldiers
heard slight scrabblins overhead. and
on looking up til y saw the body of the
Huron falling through the limbs of a
neis shb"ring tree. Into this, he had
the address to swing himself up. unseen
by his enc les. during the momeLtary
confusion occasioned by the warning cry
of his companion. From that perch he
had soon discovered the lurking place of
the Mohican. and bent upon vengeance.