Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-08-02

and how reckless and fatal it must be to HIM
self, should he kill one Of his antagonists. He
knew full well that the blood of his enemy
would be washed out in his own, and that,
too, at the stake, whereas, if he surrendered
peaceabIy, he stood chance of being adopted
by the Indians as one of themselves. Revolv-
ing these things in his mind, he quietly deliv-
cred up his rifle to his enemies, and was led
away by his captors, who rejoiced exceeding
ly over their prisoner. Bare-headed, with his
arms bound tightly behind him, without a
coat, and bare-footed, he was driven forward
some two hundred miles toward the Indian
towns, his inhuman captors urging him on
when he Jagged, with their knives, and taunt-
ingly reminding him of the trials which await
ed him at the end of the journey. Nothing
daunted, however, by their threats and men,
aces, he marched on in the weary path which
led him further and further from his friends,
perfectly tractable, so far as his body was con-
cerned, but constantly busy in his mind with
schemes of escape. He bided his time, and at
length the wished-for moment came. As the
distance from the white settlements increased,
the vigilance of the Indians relaxed, and his
hopes increased. As the party passed along
the edge Of a precipice some twenty feet high,
he, by powerful effort, broke the cords
which bound his arms, and made the leap
The Indians, whose aim was to take him
alive, followed him, and then commenced a
race for life and liberty, which was rendered
the more exciting by the fact that his pursuers
were close upon him, and could at any mo-
ment have dispatched him. But such was
not their desire, and on, on, he sped, now
buoyed up by hope, as his recent captors were
lost to sight, and anon despairing of success
as he crossed an open space which showed
them almost at his heels. At length, taking
advantage of a thicket, through which he
passed, and which hid him from their sight
for moment, he darted aside and essayed to
leap fallen tree which lay across his path.
The tangled underbush and reeds which grew
thickly around and almost covered the decay
ing trunk, tripped him as he leaped, and he
fell with considerable force on the opposite
side. For an instant he was SO stunned by
fall as TO lose his consciousness, but soon re-
covered it to find that the Indians were ac-
lively searching every nook in his immediate
vicinity, and that he had fallen almost direct
ly upon large rattlesnake which had thrown
itself into the deadly coil SO near his face that
his fangs were within a few inches of his
nose. Is it possible for the most vivid imag-
ination to conceive Of a more horrible situa-
tion. The pursuit OF his now highly exasper-
ated and savage enemies, who thirsted for his
re-capture that they might wreak upon him a
fearful revenge, which of itself was fearful
danger, calculated to thrill the nerves of the
stoutest system, had now become a secondary
fear, for death in one of its most terrifying
and soul sickening forms was vibrating on the
tongue, and darting from the eye Of the fearful
reptile before him, so near, too, that the Vi
bratory motion of his rattle as it waved to and
fro, caused it to strike his ear. The slightest
movement of a muscle,-a convulsive shudder
almost the winking of an eyelid, would have
been the signal for his death. Yet in the
midst of this terrible danger, his presence Of
mind did not leave him, but like faithful
friend did him good service in his hour of tri-
al. Knowing the awful nature OF his impend-
ing fate. and conscious that the slightest quiv-
ering of nerve would precipitate it, he scarce
ly breathed, and the blood flowed feebly
through his veins, as he lay looking death in
the eye. Surrounded thus by the most ap-
palling danger, he was conscious that three
of the Indians had passed over the log behind
which he lay, without observing him and dis
appeared in the dark recesses of the forest
Several minutes-which to him were as many
hours-passed In this truly terrifying situa-
tion, until the snake, apparently satisfied that
he was dead, loosed his deadly coil, and pass
ing directly oUer has body, was lost to sight in
the luxurIant growth of weeds which grew up
around the fallen tree Oh what thrill
what revusion of feeling shook his frame as
he was relieved from his awful situation.-
Tears--tears of joyous gratitude coursed down
his cheeks ashe poured out his heart to God
in ihankfulness for his escape. 81 had eaten
nothing said he to his companions after his
return, for many days; | had no fire arms,
and run the risk of dying with hunger be-
fore could reach the settlements but rather
would have died than have made meal OF
that generous BEAST He was still in immi-
nent danger from the Indians who knew that
he had hidden in some secluded spot, and
were searching with the utmost zeal every
nook and corner to find him. He was fortu-
nate enough, however, to escape them, and
after weary march through the wilderness.
during which he suffered intensely from
hunger, he reached the settlements. United
States Magazine.
CoURAGE.-True bravery is sedate and IN.
offensive if it refuse to submit to insults, il