The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-12-05

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cotah, enveoped in the skin Of giganth
bruin, who, thus disguised, had attempted L
reconnoiter the position of the frontiers men
Frank now felt assured that they were neal
their enemy, and followed their trailSin silence
on the alert for their foe. On reaching the
summit of knoll, they saw their village be-
fore them-a collection of high concal tents
made of dressed buffalo skins, sewed together
and ornamented with rude representations oil
the battle or the chase. On the outskirts
were the squaws busiy engaged in the labo.
rious occupations which fell TO their lot
Their infants, tightly bound to straight strips
of bark, were tied to small beni-over hirches
which gently danced them to sleep; and the
boys of the village, with bow and arrow
We're firing at the representation of Kansas
hunter In the centre of the village, before
the towering tent of the chief, sat the braves
smoking their tomahawk pipes with stoical
gravity.
The white men looked at the priming oil
their rifles, put their sharp hunting knives
between their teeth, and with deafening
yell rushed down through the frightened
squaws, ere the Decotahs could comprehend
what caused the alarm. Dashing into the
startled group Of warriors with fierce war
hoops, they dealt destruction around them.-
The chief was the first slain, bravely defend
ing himself and encouraging his warriors who
nobly struggled to avenge his death but all
in vain.
Frank Bates fought like demon, and n,
one time was nearly victim to a stalwart
warrior. But glancing at his opponent,
Frank recognized in gay red handkerchief
around his head his marriage gift to his lost
wife. This added new strength and activity
to his body and increased his fury. He seized
his assaiIant with the left arm, lifted him from
the ground, and at the same time, with nerv.
Gus force. plunged his knife to his heart
This decided the battle, for the surviving
Decotahs, panic struck at the sudden attack,
rushed to the spot where their horses were
tethered, and escaped to the forest. Upwards
OF fifty dead warriors remained on the field
and Others grievously wounded, but not sin
gle white man was seriously injured.
The women and children fled to the woods
and the whites found an abundance of plum
der, comprising blankets, rich furs, horses,
dried meats and tents But Frank Bate felt
sad at heart, for the mementO Of his wife
made him fear she had been tortured before
perishing in the flames. Night came on and
feeling positive that he could not sleep, he
volunteered to keep watch. II was 4 bright
moonlight night, and rs he was pacing his
solitary round, planning new schemes of ven.
geance, he heard light step approach from
the thicket.
Frank at first raised the rife to shoot
down the intruder, but secret influence led
him to call out, "Who comes?"
"Are you white man?' was the reply in
tones that produced an ndescribable effect
upon the stout-hearted pioneer.
"Yes-and you?"
81 am Frank Bates wife who was taken
prisoner over the Mississippi" and as she
spoke she advanced.
The rifle fell to the ground, and Frank
stood rs il under the influence of n magic
spell. His hands were convusively cinched,
his hair stood erect on his head n shiver ran
through his frame and he tottered back sew.
erul PAGES. But not so the female, who had
recognized her husband as she drew near,
and now exclaimed as she threw herself into
"Frank! my own Frank! Do you not know
your wites"
feature stamped with sorrow, but still retain.
ing her early beauty. Mutual explanations
followed, and when the delighted wife learn
ed the safety of her boy, all hardships vanish.
ed. 1t now appeared that when the Indians
had entered Bates house, they saw keg Of
whskey. which they drank freely, and then
pundered every thing, removing the chest in
their researches. Soon two of them began
to quarrel about the handkerchief Bates had
seen the day previous, and drawing their
scalp knives, one speedily received mortal
stab, and fell directly upon the door, through
which his blood ran upon the hidden wife,
She believing that it came from her husband
shrisked aloud, thus betraying her place OF
concealment. Dragging her forth, her cap.
tors bound her, then rifling the cabin, applied
was consumed, and over his bones Bates had
mourned as for those of his wife.
That day they packed the plunder upon
what horses the DecOiahs had left aud start
ed for their homes, which they regained in
safety. The proceeds of Frank Bates share
Of the spoils enabled him to rebuild his house,
but this time close to that of his father, and
enclosed with high stockade. The Drcotahs,
however, never returned, and in course OF
time We're driven to the far West. Frank
Bates is member OF the State Senate, Judge
of the County Court, and Mayor General OF
Militia. Time has dealt lenlenty with him
and his wife, but neither forgets her captivity.
Their son never passes the scene of his faith.
er's ght on that memorable night without
feeling a renewed sense of his filial obliga-
tions, and deeper love for his boyhood's
home.
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