The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-03-18


visitors had disappeared.
For food, they depended on ierkcd vcnison
and corn bread, with which their knapsacks
were well stored. They dare not kindle a
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 rain water which still stood in the hollows
of some of the rocks but, in short time this
store was exhausted, and MClcland and
White must abandon their enterprise or find
new supply. TO accomplish this most haz-
arIous enterprise, MClcland being the oldest
resolved to make the attempt: and. with his
trusty rifle in his hand and their two cantcens
strung across his shoulders. he descended, by
a circultous route, to the prairie, skirting the
hill on the north. and under cover of the ha-
zc thicketS, he reached the river, and turn
ing to a bold point of the hill. he found a
beautiful spring within few feet of the river
now known hy the name of Cold Spring, on
the farm Of ID. Talmad-c. Esq. He filled his
cantcen>. and returned in safety to his watch
full companion. 1t was row determined to
have a fresh supply of water every day, and
this duty was performed alternately
On one of these occasions after White had
filled his cantccnS. he sat few moments
watching the limpid element as it came "urr-
ling out Of the bosom of the earth, when the
light sound Of footsteps caught his prac;iScl
ear. and upon turning around he saw two
>Quaw> a few feet from him. Iron turninn
upon The foot of the hill the eldest <,juaw
gave one ofiho>c tar-rcacliny whoops pccu-
liar to Indians. White at once comprchenlcd
his pcri!ous situation. If the alarm SHOULD
reach the camp or town. he and his compan-
ion must inevitably perish. Self prc>rrva-
ton compelled him to inil;ct noisc!cs> death
on the squawS, and in such manner as. If
possible to leave no trace lchinl Ever rap
ii in thought and prompt in action. he >prang
upon his victims. with The rar;lit; and pow
cr Of a lion, and "ra>iinG the throat o.: carl,
>:ran- into the river. He thrust the head
OF the eldest under the wafer. While max
inc strong efforts 10 s,llncr,c the vounrrr.
who however. powerfully resisted him. and
during Tie short struggle with this vonnr
athletic. to his .rcat a>tonishmcit she al
dressed him in his own language, though in
almost inar:iculatc sounds
Releasing his hold. She informed him that
she had been prisoner for ten wears. 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 2nd night in making
his escape. Durin. this narrative White had
drowned the eide. <quaw, and let her float of
/, with the current, whore it would probably not
be- found ont soon He now directed the rrl to
> follow him. and with his usual speed and cncr-
o ". pushed for the mount. They had scarce
lv gone half way. when they heard the alarm
! cry some quarter Of mile down the stream
:. 1t was supposed some party of Indians return
ing from hunting struck thc river lust as the
! squaw iioatcd past. White and the Girl sue
: ccc'lcd in reaching the mount. where McC
: land had been no Indifferent spectator to III,
o sudden commotion anon. the Indians.
G The prairie parties of warriors were seen i'm
G mc,liatclv to strike I'll in every direction, and
:. White and the girl had scarcely arrived, be-
i fore a party of some twenty warriors hao
o reached the eastern acclvitv of the mount
and were cautiously and carefully Keeping
. under cover. soon the spies saw their >war
:. thy tacs as they cilcd from tree to tree and
:. from rock to rock till their position was sur
J. rounded. except ,hc west perpendicular side
i and all hope OF escape was cut OIL In til,
5 pcrilouS condition. nothing was LEFT but tc
Il sell their lives as dearly as possible, AID hi>
V they resolved to do, and adj. i>,d the nirl tc
: escape to the Indians and tell them she Lad
J. been taken prisoner. She sad mo: death
t to me, in the presence of my own people, i.
h thousand times swccter than captivity and
: slavery. Furnish me with a Gun, and | will
a show YOU how can FIGHT as well as die. Tni,
: place leave not. Here my bones shall lie
I bleaching with your>. and should either OF vo,
n escape You will carry the tidin.S of my dea,l
/ to my few relations.
Rcmonstranccs proved fruitlcSs The two
: spies quickly maturcd their plan of defence
r and vigorously commenced the attack from
:, the front, where, from the very small back.
d bone Of the mount the savagcs had to ad
: vance IN single file, and without any covert
Il Beyond this neck the warriors availed them
r selves of rocks and trees in advancing. bu. j.
: passing from one to the other thev must he
!, exposed for a short time. and moments cx-
t, posure of their swarthy forms was enough 70,
S the unerring rifle of the spies. The Indian:
: being entirely ignorant how many were in
S ambuscadc were more cautious how they ad
h vauced.
5 After bravely maintaining the fight in
front and keeping the enemy in check, they
= discovered a new danger threatening them
d The arch foe now made evident preparation:
n to attack them on the flank, which could bt
n more successfully done Ly reaching an i>o
II LATED rock lyinr in onn of tbo r,v;,o, ~,