The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-04-27
A Thrilling Narrative.


most pioneers Of the West he had cut down the
cane, built cabin, deadened the timber, enclosed
held with a worm fence, and planted some
corn.s 1t was on the l7th of August, 1882. The
sun had descended; pleasant breeze was play.
ing through the surrounding wood, the cane bowed
under It's influence, and the broad leaves OF corn
waved in The air.
Morgan had seated himself in the door of his
cabin, with his infant his knee. His Young
and happy wife bad laid aside The spinning wheel,
and was busy engaged in preparing the fruga!
meal. That afternoon he accidentally found a
bundle Of letters which he had finished reading 20
his wife before he had taken his seat in the door.
1t was n correspondence in which they had ac-
knOwledgPd early and ardent attachment to
each other, and the Perusal left evident traces Of
JOY in the faces of both; the little infant, too,
seemed 10 partake Of its kind parents feeling,
by cheerful smiles, playful humor and infante
caresses.
While thus agreeaby employed. the report of a
rife was heard; another followed in quick sue
cessIon. Morgan sprnng 10 his feet, his wife ran
10 the door, and they simultaneously exclaimed
"lndIsns J The door was Instantly barred and
the next instant their fears were realized by
bold and spirited attack Of small party of In
dians:
The cabin could not be successfully defended,
and time was precious. Morgan, cool, brave and
of coEceaIing her under the floor, mothers feel.
iBgs overcamc her: she arose, seized the infant
but afraid hat lis cries would betray its plac ce
OF conceament. She hesated, gazed silently
upon it momenary struggle between duty and
afit ctlon took place. She once more pressed her
child 10 her bosom, and again kissed it with i'm
passionate tenderness. The infant, alarmed at
the proluson of tears that fell upon lis cheeks,
looked in its mothers face threw its little arms
around her neck, and wept aloud.
In The name Of Heavens, Eliza, release the
child or be lost !" said The distracted husband, in
a Soft implorIng tone, as he forced the infant from
his wife, took up his gun, knife and hatchet, ran
up the ladder that led to the chamber and drew it
after him. In moment The door was burst open
ard the savages entered.
BY this time Morgan had secured his child in
a bag and lashed il to his back, and then throwing
off some clapboards from the cabin roof he reso-
Iutcly leaped TO the ground. He assailcd by
two Indians AS the first approached be knocked
him down with the butt end of his gun. The
other advanced with his uplilted toma hawk Aior-
gan let fall his gun, and closed in.
The savage made blow, missed, but severed
the cord that bound the infant to his back and it
fell. The contest over the child now became
warm and fierce, and carried on with knives
only. The robust and athletic Morgan at length
got the nscendancy both we're cut, and bled
and deeper, and the savage fell TO the earth.-
Morgan hastily took up the child and hurried of.
The Indians in the house, basev engaged in
drinking and plunderlng, were not apprlsed Of the
contest in the yard until the that had been
knocked down gave signs of returning life, and
called them 10 The scene Of action. Morgan was
discovered, Immediately pursued, and dog put
upon his trail. Operated upon by all the feelings
OF husband and father he moved with all the
ppI of brlDfa tod and nno1 fba
indians, but the dog kept in close pursuit Find
ing ii impossible 10 ouIrun elude the cunning
animal, trained TO hunts Of this kind, he halted
and waited ill it came within few yards of him.
fired and brought him TO The ground.
In short time he reached the house OF his
brother, who resided near Bryant's Station, at
Lexington, where he left the child and the brothers
left for the dwelling. AS they approached, light
broke upon his view his steps Quckened, his
fears increased, and the most agonrzng apprehen.
sions crowded upon his mind Emerging from
the cane brake, he beheId his house in flames, and
almost burnt 10 the ground. My wife r he eX-
claimed, as he pressed one hand to his forehead,
and grasped the fence with the other 10 support his
to:terng frame. He gazed on the ruin and desc
lation before him, advanced few PAGES and fell
Exhausted 10 the earth.
Morning came, and the luminary Of Heaven
arose and still found him seated near the expiring
with which he tracing the name of " Eliza "
the ground, and his left hand lay on his lavorite
dog by his side looking first on the rain and then
on his dog, with evident signs OF grief Morgan
arose. The two brothers now made search, and
found some bones burned to ashes, which they
gathered and silently confined 10 the mother earth,
beneath the high spreading branches of veEer-
able oak consecrated by the purest and holiest
recOlleciiOns.
Several days after this, Morgan was engaged in
n desperate battle al the Lower Blue Licks. The
Indians came off victorIous!y, and the surviving
whites retreaied across the Licking pursued by
the enemy for distance Of six and thirty miles.
James Morgan among the last who crossed
the river, and was in the until the hill
descended. AS he behed the Indians reappear
on the ridge, he felt and his wrongs, and
collected the lovely object of mis- affections. He
urged his horse and pressed 10 the front. While
in The act OF leaping from his saddle, he received
rifle ball in his thigh, and fell the Indian sprang
upon him, seized him by the hair, and applied the
scaping knife.
AT this moment Morgan looked up and recog-
niscd The handkerchief that bound the head of the
savage, and knew il to be his wite's. This added
renewed strength to bis body, and increased his
activity to fury. He quickly threw his left arm
around the Indian, and with dea'h.like grasp,
huggpd him to his bosom, plunged his knife into
his side, and he expired in his arms. Releasing
himself from the savage, Morgan crawled under