Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-02-26
4 THRILLING NARRtfEI. J,

James Morgan was a native of Maryland married
early age, and after settled Bryant's
Station in the wlds of Kentucky. Like most PiOn-
GERS Of the West he had cut down most of the cain,
built cabin, deadened the timber, enclosed field
with worm fence and planted some corn. 1t was
on the evening of the 9th of August, 1882. The
sun had descended pleasant breeze was playing
through the surrounding wood, the cane bowed under
its influence, and the broad leaves of waved in
the air.
Morgan had seated himself in the door Of his cabin,
with his infant on his knee His young and happy
wife had laid aside her spinning wheel, and was busiy
engaged in preparing the frugal mea The afternoon
he accidentally found bundle of letters which he had
finished reading to his wife before he had taken his
seat in the door, 1t was correspondence in which
they acknowledged early and ardent attachment for
each other, and the perusai lett evident traces OF JOY
in the faces of both the little infant, too ened TO
partake of its kind parents feelings by cheerful smiles
playful humor, and infantile While thus
agreeaby employed the report of rifle was heard,
another followed in succession. Morgan -sprang to
his feet, his wife to the door and they simultaneously
exclaimed g Indians :"
The door was instantly barred and the next instant
their fears realized by bold and spirited attack
! of small party of Indians.
The cabin could not be successfully defended, and
! time precious Morgan, cool, brave and prompt,
decided. While he in the act OF concealing
her under the floor, mothers feelings overcome her
she arose, seized the infant but afraid that its
cries would betray its place of conceamen She hes
taed, gazed silently upon it-a momentary struggle
between duty and ELECTION took place. She once
more pressed her child to her bosom and again kissed
it with imprisoned tenderness. The infant alarmed
at the profusion of tears that fell upon its cheeks look
ed up in its mothers face threw its little
her neck, and wept aloud "In the name of Heaven
Eliza release the child or be lost said the distracted
husband in soft implorng tone as he forced the in
FAINT from his wife, hastily took up his knife and hatch
et ran up the ladder that led to the chamber, ant
drew it after him. In moment the door was burs
t open and the savages entered.
By this time Morgan had secured his child in bas
and dashed it his back, and then throwing of som
clapboards rem the cabins roof he resoutey leaPe
e to the ground. He assalled by two Indians. A
the first approached he knocked him down with TIL
butt end of his gun. The other advanced with toma
I'll hawk Morgan let fall his gun and closed in.
+ The savage made blow, missed, but severed tn
cord that bound the infant his back and it fell Tn
v contest over the child became warm and herce an
was carried on with knives only! The robust and ath
letc Morgan at length got the ascendency; both wer
badly cut and bled freely but the stabs OF the whit
man were better and deeper, and the savage fell
earth in death. Morgan hastily lookup his child an
hurried of.
The Indians in the house. busily engaged in drinl
ing and plundering, were not aPprised OF the eonte
in the ward until the one that had been knocked dow
gave signs of returning lie, and called them to tt
Is scene of action.
is Morgan was discovered, Immediately pursued, al
t. dog put upon his trail Operated upon by all II
feelings OF InoAcu nlth q
the speed of a hunted stag and outstripped the Il
n dams, but the dog kept in close pursuit. Finding
e. impossible to ontrun elude the cunning anins
e trained to hunts of this kind he halted and waited +
n it came within few yards of him. fred brought III
to the ground In a short time he reached the hou
s. of his brother, who resided near Bfyans Station
i Lexington where he left the chile-and the tV
brothers left for the dwelling. As they approaaeh
be light broke upon his view his steps lulckened'
tears increased and the most agon!zing aPprenehsio
Il brake he behed his house flames and almost bur
to The ground my wife !" he exclaimed, as he pres
n ed one hand to his forehead and grasPed the fen
hit with the other, g ps l9slelilg lsiile
~ few paees and fell exhausted to The earth aiei