Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1854-09-16

TIE ESCAPE.
a THRILLING HISTORICAL NARRATIVE.


ander Mcdonnell, of Lexington, ky.,went
into the woods on foot to hunt deer. lie
soon killed a large buck and returned
home for horse, in order to bring il in.
During his absence party Of five lndl-
ans, in one Of their skulking expeditions,
accidentally stumbling on the body Of the
deer, and pcrceIving that it had been re-
Gently killed, they naturally supposed that
the hunter would soon return to secure
the flesh. Three of them, therefore, took
their station within close rifle sIot of the
deer, while the other TWO followed the
rail of the hunter, and wavlayed the path
by which he was expected to return.
Mcdonnell thinking not Of dangor,rode
carelessIy along the path, which the
scouts were watching. until he had come
within view Of the deer, when he was
fired on by the whole party, and his horse
killed. While laborilg to eXtrcale him
self from the dying animal, he was seized
by his enemies, ovcrpoWered and bore of
prisoner. His captors, however, seem
ed merry, good nalured set OF fellows,
and permitted him to accompany them
unbound-and what was rather eXtraor-
dInary, allowed him to retain his gun and
hunting accoutremenIs. HeaccOmpanled
them with great apparent cheerlulness
through the day, and displayed his dexter
'iry by shooting deer for the use of the
company, until they regard him with
great parlialily. Having travelled with
him in this manner for several days, they
at length reached The bank of the Ohio
river.
Heretofore the Indians had taken the
precauuon to bind him at night, although
not very securely but on that evening he
demonstrated with them on the subject and
complained so strongly of the pain which
the cord gave him, that they merely wrap
ped the buffalo tug about his wrists, and
having tied ii in an easy knot and then at
tached the eXtremilics Of tie rope to their
bodies, in order to prevent his moving
without awakening hem, they very COM
posedly went TO sleep, leaving their Prls-
oner to follow their example or net, just
as he pleased.
Mcconnell determined to effect his e>-
cape that night If possible, as on the fol-
lowing morning they would cross the riv
er, which would render it more difficult.
He therefore lay quietly until midnight,
anXiously ruminaling on the means of ef.
feeling his escape. Accidentally casting
his eyes in the direction of his feet, they
fell upon the glittcrng blade of knife
which had escaped from his sheath, and
was now lying near the feet Of one Of the
Indians.
TO reach it with his hands, without dis
turbing the Indians to whom he was las-
tened was impossible, and it was very
hazardous to attempt to draw ii up with
his feet. This, however, he ATTEMPTED.
With much difficulty he grasped the
blade between his toes, and after repeated
and long continued efforts, succeeded at
length in bringing ii within reach of his
hands. To cut the cord was the work of
a moment and gradually and silently ox-
Treating himself he walked to the fire and
sat down. That if he attempt 10 return
home without destroying his enemies, he
would be pursued and probably over'a-
ken, when his fate would be certain. On
the other hand, it seemed almost imposs- .
bic for single individual TO succeed in
conflict with five Indians, unarmed and
asleep. He could not hope 10 deal blow
with knife so silently and fatally as to
destroy each of his enemies in turn with
out awakening the rest. Their sumbers
We're proverbially light and restless; and
if he failed with single ore, he must in
evtabIy be Overpowered by the survivors. |.
The knife was therefore out of the ques-
ion. After anxious reflection for few
moments he formed this plan.
The guns of the Indians were stacked
near the fire. Their knives and toma-
hawks were shealhed bv their sides. The
latter he dare not touch for fear of arou-
sing their owners, but the former he care.
fully removed with the exception of two
and hid them in the woods. where be
knew the Indians were still ignorant of
Ihe fate preparing for them. and taking
one IN each hand and resting the muzZIe
on 4 log within six feet Of his victims and
having taken deliberate aim at The head
Of one and the heart Of another he pulled
both triggers at the same moment. Both
shots were fatal.
At the report OF tie guns, the others
sprang to their feet giancing wildly about
them. McConncl. who had run to the
spot where the other rifles were hid,
hastily seized one of them and fred attwo
OF his enemies who happened to be stand
inc IN a line with each other. The near
est fell dead, being shot through tie CEN
ire of the body, The second fell also, bel
IowinO Ioudly; but soon recovering limped