Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-11-11
A FIST FIGHT WITH INDIANS.
An oLD-TInE ADVENTURE

an O1D-IIiE ADf
Joe Logston was ono of that class of half
horse half alligator Kentuckians, that could
TO use his own words-ssout run, out hop, out
jump, throw down, drag out and whip any
man in the country"
Joe was a powerful fellow of six feet three
in his stockings, and proportionably stout and
muscular, with handsome, good natured face
and fist like q sedge hammer. Fear was
word he knew not the meaning of, and to
fight was his pastime, particularly if his scalp
was the prize he fought for. On one occasion
he was mounted on his own fayorite pony,
doe owned two or three others which he had
ssrun'' from the Indians which was lesurely
picking his way along the trail, with his head
down and half sleep, while his rider was en-
joying feast on some wild grapes which he
had picked as he came along. Neither dream
ed of any danger until crack of two rifles on
either side of the path killed one and wound
ed the other. One ball struck Joe, passing
through the paps OF his breast-grazing the
skin above the breast bone, but without doing
any material damage. The other passed thro-
his horse, just behind the saddle and in an in
slant of time Joe found himself on his feet
grasping his trusty r1e-he had instinctively
seized it as lie slipped to the ground and look
ing for his foe. He might easily have escaped
by running, the guns of the Indians were
empty and they could not pretend to compete
with him in speed. But Joe was not of that
sort. He boosted that he never left battle
field without making his mark, and he was
not going to begin now.
mi ba pafh and
made at him; but finding his opponent pre-
pared for him, he retreated again Joe know
ing there were two of the varmints, looked
earnestly about i'm for the other, and soon
discovered him between two sapiings engaged
in re-loading his piece. The trees were scarce
" large enough to shield his person, and in
pushing down the ball he exposed his hips, and
Joe, quick as thought drew a bead, fired, and
struck him IN the exposed part. \ ow that his
rifle was empty the big Indian who had first
made his appearance rushed forward feeling
sure of his prey, and rejoicing in the antici-
pated possession of Joe's scalp. Joe was not
going to loose the natural covering to his head,
however, without : struggle, and stood calmly
awaiting the savage with his rifle clubbed and
his feet braced for powerful blow. Perceiv-
ing this, his foe halted within ten PAGES, and
with all the vengeful force of a vigorous arm
threw his tomahawk full in Joe's face. With
the rapidity Of lightning it whirled through
the air, but Joe equally quick in his movements
lodged it. suffering slight cut on his left
shoulder as it passed, and then rushed in. The
Indian darted into the bushes and successfully
lodged the blow made at Eis head by the now
cnraged hunter, who becoming mad with rage
at the failure of his successive efforts, gathered
all his strength for final blow, which the cum
ming savage lodged as before, and the rifle,
which by this time had become reduced to the
simple barrel struck tree and few out of Joe
hand at least ten feet in the bushes.
The Indian sprang to his feet and confron-
ted him. Both empty handed, they stood for
n moment, for the blood was flowing freely
from the wound in Joe's breast, and the other
thinking him more seriously wounded than ne
really was, and thinking to take advantage OF
his weakness, closed with him intending 10
throw him: in this however he reckoned with
out his host for in less time than 1t takes to re-
count it he found himself at full length on his
back with Joe on top. Slipping from under
him with the agility of an eel, they were ooth
on their feet again-and again closed. TINS
time the savage was more wary, but the same
result followed, and he was again beneath MS
opponent. But, having the advantage OF joe
in being naked to the breach clout and oiled
from head to foot, he could slip from out OF the
grasp of the hunter and resume his perpendic-
ular. Six different times was he thrown with
the same effect; but Victory-fckle jade
seemed disposed to perch upon the banner OF
neither of the combatants. By this time they
had in their struggles and contortions, re-
Turned To the omen path. and Joe concluded e