Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-10-20

rTOin AueI carly yOulH tuey Hhu Uebu on
the frontier, and were well practiced in all
the subtilty, craft and cunning of Indian
warfare, rs well as the ferocity and blood
thirsty nature Of these savage warriors. -
They we're, therefore, not likely to be en-
shared by their cunning, nor without des.
perate conflict, to fall victims to their scalp
ing knives or towahawks On several oc-
casions, small parties left the prairie and
assembled the mound from the eastern side.
On these occasions the spies would hide
in the deep assures of the rocks on the
west, and again leave their hiding places
when their uninvited and unwelcomed vis-
i,ors had disappeared.
For food, they depended on jerked ven-
son and corn bread, with which their KNAPP
sacks were well stored. They dare not
kindle fire, and the report of one of their
rifles would have brought upon them the
entire force of the Indians. For drink,
they depended on some ran-water which
still stood in the hollows of some of the
rocks; but. in short time, this store was
exhausted, and M'Cieland and White must
abandon their enterprise or find a new sup
ply. To accomplish this most hazardous
enterprise, M'ClelBnd, being the Oldest, re-
solved to make the attempt, and with his
trusty rifle in his hand, and their two cam
teens strung across his shoulders, he de.
scended by a circuitous route, to the prai-
re, sklrting the bill on the north, and under
cover of hazel :hickets, he reached the riv-
err and turning to bold point of the hill
he found beautiful spring within a few
feet of the river, now known by the name
of Cold Spring. on the farm OF D. Tall
madge, Esq. He filled his canteens, and
returned in safety to his watchful compan-
ion. 1t was now determined to have
fresh supply Of water every day, and this
duty was performed alternately.
On one Of these occasions, alter White
had filed his canteens, be sat few mo.
ments watching the limped element as it
came gurgling out of the bosom of the
earth, when the light sound of footsteps
caught his ear, and upon turning round be
saw two squaws within few feet of him.
Upon turning the jut of the bill, the eldest
squaw gave one of those far-reacbing
whoops peculiar TO Indians White at once
comprehended his perilous situation If
the alarm should reach the camp or town,
he and his companion must inevitably per-
ish. Self preservation compelled him to
inf1lct nOiseess death on the squaws and
in such manner as, if possible. to leave no
trace behind. Ever rapid in thought and
prompt in action. he sprug upon bis victims
with the rapidity and power of lion, and
grasping the throat Of each, sprang into the
river. He thrust the head of the eldest
under the water. While making strong
efforts to submerge the other. who, howev-
er, powerfully resisted him. and during the
short struggle with this young athletic, to
his astonshment she addressed him in bis
own language, though in almost inarticu-
late sounds
Releasing his hold, she informed him that
she had been prisoner for ten years, and
was taken from below Wheeling, and that
the Indians had killed all the family, and
that her brother and herself were taken
prisoners, but he succeeded on the second
night in making his escape. During this
narrative White had drowned the elder
squaw, and let her float off with the cur
rent where it would not probably be found
out soon. He now directed the girl to fol-
low him, and with his usual speed and en-
ergy pushed for the mount They had
scarcely gone half way when they heard
the alarm cry some quarter of mile down
the stream. 1t was supposed some party
OF Indians, returning from hunting, struck
the river just as the body of the squaw
foated past White and the girl succeed
ed in reaching the mount, where M'Cleland
had been no Indifferent spectator to the
sudden commotion among the Indians
The prairie parties of warriors were seen
Immediately to strike off in every direction !;
and White and the girl had scarcely arriv-
ed, before party Of some twenty warriors
had reached the eastern activity of the
mount and were cautiously and carefully
keeping under cover. Soon the spies saw
their swarthy foes as they glided from tree
to tree and rock to rock till their position
was surrounded, on the west perpendicular
side, and all hope of escape cut off In this
perilous condition nothing was left but to
sell their lives as dearly as possible, and
this they resolved to do and advised the
girl to escape to the Indians and tell them
she had been taken prisoner. She said,
"No, death to me, in presence of my own
people, is thousand times sweeter than
captivity and slavery. Furnish me with
gun, and will show you l can fight as
well as die. This place leave not Here
my bones shall lie, bleaching with yours,
and should either of you escape you will
carry the tidings of my death to my few
relations"
Remonstrsnces proved fruitless. The
two spies quickly matured their plan of de-
fense, and vigorously commenced the attack
from the front, where from the very small
backbone of the mount. the savages had to
advance in single file and without any COW
ert. Beyond this neck the warriors avaled
themselves of the rocks and trees in ad-
vancng. but in passing from one to the
other they must be exposed for short
time, and a moments exposure Of their
swarty forms was enough for the unerring
rifles Of the spies. The Indians being en-
tirely ignorant of how many we're in am
buscade. were the more cautious how they