Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-01-30

BY the 81 st shock to bis stomach, Adam seiz-
Cd him by the scalp lock, put bis head ui-
der water, and held il there until the
faint struggl Of the Indian induced him to
believe he was drowned, when he re-
lleaSed his hold and attempted to draw bis
knife.
The Indian had only feigned, and the mo-
ment Adam let go his hand, he regained his
| feet and in turn put his adversary under. In
the struggle both were carried into dep wa
| ter, and each was compelled to relax his hold
| and swim for his life. There was still one
| loaded ride on shore, and each swan hard IN
order 10 reach it; but the Indian proved the
most expert, and Adam seeing that be should
i be too late turned and swan into the stream
intending to dive and thus frustra his ene-
my's intention.
AT this instant Andrew havino heard that
| his brother was alone with two Indians, and
| in great danger, ran to the edge OF the bank
| above, in order to assist him. Another white
man followed him closely. Adam turned
and seeing his brother, called upon him to
shoot the big Indian upon shore. ADAMS
gun was empty. Fortunately Big Foot had
seq d the gun with which Alan had shot
the lesser Indian. The contest now was who
1
| D ,wd r first, but drawing his ramrod in too
great 4 hurry, threw It into the river, and
/ While he ran to recover it, Andrew ha gain
CT. an advantage. GA fEf
t Still the Indian was but second too late.
! for his gin was ut his shoulder when Adams
/ bail entered his breast. The gun dropped
/ from his hands, and he fell forward upon
| his face, upon the very brink OF the river.
| Andrew was alarmed for his brother, who
! was scarcely able to swim, threw down his
| Gun. and rushed into the river TO assist his
brother to the shore; but Adam, more intent
upon securing the scalp Of Big Foot as a
| trophy, than bis own safety, called upon h IN
! to leave him alone and scalp the big Indian,
who was now cndeavoring to roll himself in
to the water. Andrew refused to obey, and
! insisted upon saving the living before attend
/ ing the ded. Big Foot in the meantime, had
succeeded in reaching the deep water before
he expired, mot man of the Indian party had
escaped. Five Of Big Foo.'s bro hers, the
! flower Of the Wyandott nation, had accom-
panied him N the expedition, and all perish
ed.
/ Adam Poe recovered OF his wounds, and
| lived many wears after this m emorable event.
lie was the grandfather Of the Rev. Adam
Poe, now the book agent of the Methodist
Episcopal Book Concern in Cincinn I'll.
The great loss sus aimed by the Wyandott
nation in the death Of the Big Foot brothers,
created an implncabic hatred toward their
destroyers. Many an Indian III ledict on
had been poured on the head of Adam Po1,
and many prize had been offered for his
scalp.
The residence Of Adam Poe was on the
west bank Of the Ohio river, ut the mouth Of
Yellow cretk, and well known to the Indians.
1t seemed however, that none OF the nation
possessed sufficient courage to encounter him
alone for a long time.
At length the nation made choice of ther
bravest warrior i'll the person of Rhon Yam
ness, one Of their chiefs. having made all the
preparation necessary for the accomplish
ment Of his mission, he started on foot for
the residence of Poe. After passing through
the then wilderness Of Ohio, on the banks of
VII CHI his intended victim lived. No sooner
had he placed his foot within the door of
Poe. than he was received with the utmost
cordially and friendship, while every hos
pitallty that the cabin atfor led was rendered
to the Indian guest. When the time for re-
tirement to rest had come, there being but
one room and one bed, Poe made comfort
able pallet for the Indian on the floor by
the fire. after which he and his wife retired
to rest, without any suspicion in regard to
the design of the Indian.
1t was now u time Of peace, and the Indi-
ans particularly the Wyandolts were regard
ed as friendly. 1t was not long till they both
fell ASLEEP Rhon- Yam ness rose stealthly
from his couch, and proc ,edtd cautious y
with his tomahawk and scaling knife to th,
bedside of the unconscious slsepers. Scarce
~ had he arrived at the spot .htn the kind
ness of his host flashed upon bis mind 'llow'
thought he can 4 pei pe'raie an &c Of cruelty
upon ne who has taken me into bis wigwam
and treated me with 50 much kindness and
fricLdship?o The better feel ngs Of his
IA ure overcame INN, aud he found it impos-
sbIe to commit the act. Though it might
be honor for HIM with his nation, as The
avengcr of Big Foot, he could not nerve him
self up to such pitch of desperat ton us to
oblitarate all tie gratitude Of his heart.
With these feelings he, crypt softly back to
his bed.
He had not lain long until the question
came upon him in somewhat Of o different as
pect. lie sumed thus-"Haye YOU not
been solemnly set apart by the nation to
avenge the death Of its bravest warrior, and
will not the ghosts Of the departed haunt YOU
in chase in the wilderness until it is appeased
by the death or Poe?' At this, Rhon- Yam
ness again seized his deadly instrument and
sprang to his feet. Ii was now past midnight,
and all was still. The light of the fire had
gone out, and there were only a few burning
Goals left upon the hearth, from which was
emitted kind Of twilight glare that ena bled
him to gaze upon the features of his victim.
Summoning all his courage, he raised the
fearful tomahawk, and was about to bury it
in the head of his host, when something
whispered, ''Shame on the Indian that can
| strike friend. Mean and cowardly is the