American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-02-16


the Red-man's camp-lire. We'll do l
recollect the circumstances of my ac-
quaintancc with the spot, which excite
in me yet, feelings Of mingled sorrow
and horror But Of that hereafter.
"Itwasin October, in the year ITS;
when L was aboutIten years old, bro
thur Levi and myself left fathers on
visit to uncle David Morgan's, who re-
sided near Prickett's fort. On,Thurs-
day father opposed our going, fearing
we should fan in with Indians, signs
having been seen, in ,unwelcome abun-
dance in, tho noighborhood but few
days previous. Levi urged, but faith
er objected for some time, when Lewis
importunitics prevailed over fathcr's
better judgments He observed to him
"Go, Your disobedience and rashness
will yet, [ fear, bring you into trouble,
and myself too. But how in The world
do you think to getJ along with you?
The streams 2are up between here and
the fort, at which place you must cross
the river, and see now wonderful high
it is; though i do suppose the creeks
are falling. But, although the weather
presents a half appearance Of bccom-!
ing settled this morning ati31 O'clock,
| Ishould notbe surprised to see it rain
in torrents before you get three miles
on your way. A cunning Indian would
not think OF starting on Journey
such bright starlight morning as
this, Immediately after q storm Of days
daration, respectfully at this season Of
the year." gi5QWaJ 3aan lUe
"Wcll, father" replied Levi, off
your reasoning be correct, we Shall be
less likely to faltin with Indians"
"Mother laughed right out at father
for this take-o off, (for she favored our
broad, strange as it may seem, but we
were restrained from fear of the ram
rod which father was polishing, and
which, On a similar or previous occa-|
sions he had, introduced. "f5r.ss E
8" Iknow,,i continued,father, "there
larenumbcrs OF Indians from thcmonth
Of Cheat up rs high as the fort on tho
head waters of the West fork Of the
Monongahcla, watching every move
ment, t,--for this is the last visit they
will pay, US till Spring, and they will
not return without doing US SOME mis-
chief. And / am well assured in my
own mind that they witness every ar
rival and departure to and from this
place, unless performed at night" W.
/ "Wcll, father, I am resolved to 90,
should it cost the life Of an Indian or
two, and myself foot-race. But [
fear not as you do, and would like to
have Jim along for company's sake. |
do wish Mod. was here, but when he
gets out on a scout he never knows
when to come in again, rejoined Levi.
! "Bring your rifles here" said father,
"and let me examine thcm, if youwill
CO." !
4" Mine is in prime order," said Levi.
so 10 is" said father, returning it.
jim, bring me that small rifle, you
cannot carry this large Queen Anne,
and you will have to throw it away
should a Shawnee get after you"
I" How many bullets have you, Leyi?"
"Just fifty-ono with the one | have
i'll my gun, and with it intend to kill
an Indian, or beat cousin Steve shoot
ing at mark the first shot, as ne has
sent me challenge" ao3
:" ] believe there arc no bullets for
your gun, jim. Zack, get and r,m
some, as soon as you cuu Rash, you
can meck them, and | will see these
fellows over Booths Greek" "
On Friday the 23d, little before
5 o'clock, we set out, leaving the river
on crossing Dccker's Crock, which was
done in, o canoe, swimming a horse a.
longsidc, passing over What was since
Kcrn's farm, crossing below Cobun's
Greek about two miles from its mouth,
and continuing our course through the
late Evan Morgan farm, keeping the
high ground for two miles beyond this
point, we 9enturod toward Booths !
Creek, which. we crossed with much
difficulty and danger on a drift.dam
that had completely slut up the stroam,
now too much swollen to be rode.
"Tathcr having accompanied US over
gave us the direction Of The fort, then
near ten miles distant in straigbt
course, which VIC could preserve could
We readily cross White Day.
eve were now standing on the west.
ern bank of the stream, the atmosphere
had become humid and chill since wc
crossed Cobun's Creek, and distaat
thunder warned us of the probability
Of a wet day, and yet higher waters.
"Wo had not been standing here
more than five or ten minutes receiving