Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-06-24
Miriam now thought she heard the two

Miriam now thought she heard the two
remaining savages tearing the upper logs
of the chimney, and presuming they Intend
ed to effect an entrance that way, she ran
down stairs 10 prepare for them. "The
| feather bed the feather bed J" she shout
ed as she reached the lower room, and this
! much priced article in frontier-man's in
ventory Of household chaites was quickly
brought forth and thrown into the huge
fire place. By this time one OF the Indians
had fairly got into the chimney. The saw
age made an effort TO scramble up again,
but the pugent efiluvia of the feathers over
came him, and he fell heavily on the hearth
stone. In the meantime Miriam had grasp.
ed the rifle and held it ready for his recep-
tion. Scarcely had he touched the floor,
when the iron-bound point of the breech
crushed through bis skull. The other who
had caught Whit OF the vapor in time to
avoid like fate, hastily descended from
the roof.
| Four OF the thirteen Indians were now
killed, but these casualties only added new
fury to the remainder. They well knew
that the cabin was occupied by women on
ly-and nothing could be more degrading
| in the eyes of these swarthy warriors than
to be batiied by parcel OF squaws. They
now furiously assailed the door with toma-
hawks. 70 this proceeding the inmates
could offer no resistance. In striking the
savage who had fallen down the chimney,
Miriam had broken the lock OF her hus-
bands rife, the only one they had, and
now handing the weapon to her sisier-in-
law, she armed herself with the axe OF
young McAndre, which stood in the corner,
and prepared herself for the last extremity.
Alice be,ook herself to very formidable
weapon, the slaughter knife OF the estab-
lishment, and thus armed, the three women
ranged themselves on either side of the
door, determined TO sell their lives as dearly
as possible.
In half an hour the Indians had nearly
cut two planks out OF the door, beneath The
bar, space Just sufficient for a man 10
force his body through in STOPPING pos
ture. They brought heavy pieces from the
adjacent pile, and using them as battering
rams, soon beat in the weakened portion ol
the door, and at the same time driving the
articles which had been placed against the
door into the middle of the room. Taught
caution by the losses they had sustained
they did not Immediately attempt to enteI
through the aperture, but thrusting in and
crossing their rifles, discharged them into
the house. In this they had double de-
sign-that OF killing or manning some o
the occupants, and getting in under cove
OF the smoke.
Before the deafening sounds had ceaset
the feather crested head of the Wyandot
warrior parted the smoke cloud that ha,
obscured the interior but, as he rose from
a STOPPING posture, on entering, Miriam
axe descended with tremendous force, cut
ting through the collar bone into the chest
He dropped with wild cry-half defiance
half agony. Another savage folowed-an
ano,her-each to sink in turn under tn
axe of the courageous matron. The fit
she missed--but instantly she grapple
with him and held him poweress in he
arms while Alice plunged the knife n h
: bosom. Oh the next two that entered, on
was disabled by severe blow on his hea
, from Hopes rifle, and the other very nea
: y decapitated by Miriam's well-drectt
:. axe.
= OF the thirteen bronzed warriors wh
: had left their war tribe for the war path
. few days before, only two were unwoun'
J ed and capable Of service, and they, seizt
\, with panic at the havoc among the
. companions by the 'long knife squaws
: abandoned the siege and fled back 10 Il
" village. To the wounded left behind 1
quarter was given. To have spared the
would have been treason TO the deaG.-
. Miriam's axe and the long knife Of Ali
!, made short work of them, and the du
. fulfilled, the family lost no time in pr
: ceeding to Frankfort.