Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-06-24
\ Tbrillius 5kcttb.
THE MOTHERS DEFENCE.
A TALE OF THE FRONTIER WAR.

"My husbands rifle 70 she shouted SPRING
ing TO her feet, and rushing across the
cabin, she tore the weapon and accuutre-
ments from the wall. But on trying the
piece with the Iamrod it proved 10 be un-
loaded. She thrust her hand into the
pouch, but it contained nothing but mus
ket balls, which her husband had purchased
few days before, to run into bullets suit
able for his rifle. The powder horn was
full, but of what use was the powder with
out the ball, Dropping The weapon she
wrung her hands in despair. Suddenly an
idea struck her-she seized one Of the bull
let's, placed it between her teeth, and by
a tremendous exertion bit it in two. Dash
ing charge OF powder into the barrel, she
rammed down one OF the fragments, primed
and cooked the piece, and the next moment
its muzzle prolruded through the aperture,
and covered the body Of the chief now ad-
vancing at the head of the party towards
the house. The quick eye of the savage
caught the glimmer of the rifle sight as the
sun fell upon it, and he stopped, bu! before
he had time to make rush, Miram's finger
pressed the trigger. When the puff OF
smoke from the distance had cleared away,
she saw him clutching in the air in the
vain effort to recover himself. Before the
other Indians, who seemed paralyzed by
the unexpected catastrophe, could afford
him any assistance, he threw his hands
above his head, and whirliEg quickly
around fell upon his face.
| A shout OF triumph burst from the lips
OF Miriam as she saw the effects OF the
avenging shot, and then Withdrawing from
the loop-hole, she commenced re-loadins
the rifle.
The Indians remained motionless for a
few seconds, transfxed with astonishment
and then lifted the body Of their chief
withdrew to respectable distance from the
cabin, aud the inmates halt believed theiI
peril was over. But they were deceived
After getting on: of gun-shot, the sava'
ges clustered together and appeared TO bs
in close conversation. AT the expiration
of their pow wow, having apparently
agreed upon their plan Of action, the Who'll,
gang took open order and dashed al fol
run, with wild yells, toward the dwelling
AS the foremost came up, Miriam Cook
who was now stationed at another loop-hol,
again discharged her rife, and the unlucky
, Wyandott shot through both legs, droppei
in his tracks with an involuntary shrek O
c agony. The others kept on, aud reachin,
Q the cabin, six ot them clambered on IN
d roof, while the other FIVE commenced frin
on the doors and cutting openings in IN
: = logs. Those on the roof quickly kindled
!, fire on the shingles, which were soon in
blaze. The destruction Of the cabin an
its inmates now seemed inevitable.
- There was hogshead half full Of wat,
IS. in the house. Miriam, bucket in han,
%. mounted 10 the Ion, and Hope and Ali,
is supplied her with water from below l
which she contrived 10 extinguish n
flames as ias, as they broke out, while 81
IL herself enveloped and almost suhocaled
~, steam and smoke, was invisible 10 the I
e' sailant. At length the water was exhan
ed, and one OF the Indians observing ,l
- the efforts Of the besieged party were slse
'ai ening veniured TO poke bis head .hroo
~. one Of the holes that bad been burned
A'' the roof, 10 see how the land lay. U
undaunled Miriam was standing within
- lew ice, Of the opening, and al the iasi.
.s' She whirlsd the empty buckle, around
NC, head, and whirling Il with swing Of
" arm, siruek him directly In the fofeh.
with the sharp edge Of the aavs.
- heard the bones crash and the victim gro
We. . moment silsr which he was drawn an
"a by his companions. three Of whom dssesI
ed IRON the Tooi, bearing him IN N