The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-02-24

'ie "e" sui 10 ooiAecialed WIN the chO ceSt
blood of the provinces. 1t is no longer call
cd the Indian hunting-ground, but the white
mans battlefield.
The following thrilling sketch will at once
illustrate the mode oflife of the early settlers,
and the char mlns interest the Rev. lecturer
gave to his subject, by his opposite and jul
dicious introduction of pleasing episodes.
In 1879, or about twenty years after
Boone's first exploration of the country, and
whilst Kentucky was yet knocking at the
door for admission into the Union, the red
men resolved to make yet another effort to
extcrlnnate their foe. A block house, which
served the double purpose of fort and dwell
ing, was the habitation of Boone and his COM
panions. Fearing descent of the savagcs,
from various prcmonitions Of danger UNDER
stood only by the experienced hu nter,-he
sent two trusty scouts, named McLallan and
White, to learn if possible the destination of
the savages. After proceeding some distance
they assembled bluff, precipitously steep on
the one side, and fenced by jutting rocks on
another, whence they had broad and cx-
tensivc prospect-and on another side ran
deep and rapid river, on which side they
found themselves in dangerous proximity to
their enemy. Beneath them they found a
large number Of squaws and wigwarms, the
usual indications Of an Indian village, and in
the open space they observed the warriors
| i,,tn tb.; ch
ing that their mission was one of blood.
They determined to remain and watch the
movements of their enemy, and for this rur-
pose concealed themselves from observation,
till forced from their hiding place by their
water being exhausted, of which they had
but scanty supply. McLallan went in
search of some with two cantccns, and had
not proceed far when he discovered bcauti-
full fountain gushing from rock near the
base of the bluff. Having procured the much
needed element, he returned to his colnpan-
ion. and they determined to get a supply
daily; and continued to do so for several
days. One day White went to the spring,
and after filling his vessels and refreshing
himself with copious draft he laid down his
rifle and sat on it, and child.like, amused
himself by looking at the workings Of nature
beautifully cxcmplificd in the bubbling foun-
tain. This man, educated in the midst of
Indian cunning, whose every sense was
sharpencd to the utmost acutcness, was thus
amusing himself when he heard footsteps,
and sprang to his feet just in time to see and
be seen by two squaws, the elder Of whom
raised the war cry, which he well knew if
repeated and heard by the band, would be
certain death; he splang upon them, and
selling both by the throat plunged into the
stream with them with the intention of
drowning them. This he very soon accom-
plished with the elder, but her companion
being young and vigorous, struggled with
her captor with much effort, and when near
" exhausted he heard her with horror utter
EXPLANATIONS in English. 10 rescue her from
drowning, and bear her up the ascent to the
summit of the bluff to his companion, was
the work ola momcnt-wherc when sufficient
ly recovered she informed them that herself
and her father settle on the present site Of
Wheeling, and were taken prisoners by the
Indians, who soon put her father to death,
and treated her with the utmost barbarity.
In the meantime, the Indians pcrceiying
the body of the woman floating on the liver,
and recognizing the print of the white mans
fingers on her neck, approached the bluff
shouting their war yell The scouts recon-
mcnded the girl to return to the Indians and
consult for her own safety by telling them
how tho affair happened. She replied, Il
would prefer to die in the presence of the
white than to be slave to the Indian. Give
me a rifle, and see what l can do" But this
they could not do-yct they were determined
to sell their lives as dearly as possible. AS
before described, on one side, they were
| shielded by a rock and with unciring accura-
cy shot several Of the bravcst and most dar-
ing of the foe. One point was accessible,
from all impending cliff which ovcrhung bluff
and in that direction was the rifle of McLel-
Ian pointed, with finger on trigger, waiting
ing for sufficient part of the Indian, (whom
he espicd making the attempt to surprise
them from hatquarter) to appear above the
rock to form target to aim at. At last the
savage, with appraised tomahawk and exult-
ing yell, was about to make tho leap and
spring upon his foe, when the flint of McLcl-
Ian rifle hung fire. He had lowered the
butt and was about replacing it with a fresh
flint from his pocket, when he saw the In
dian, whose shout of victory was turned to
one of pain, fall headlong into the chasm be-
meath, but shot by whose rifle he know not.
Several others shared the same fate, and in
similar manner. At the approach of night
the Indians withdrew, and the scouts were
congratulating themselves on their success so
far, and wondering who their unknown
auxiliary was, when they behcld the rescued
girl, rife in hand, approach them. This at
once accounted for the prompt and efficient
aid they received She info rmed them that
at the early part of the conflict she succeeded
in surprising one of the braves asleep, and
possessed herself of his rifle and ammunition.