Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-02-27

trail and began pursuit in that tremen-
dous rapid manner for which he was so
famous. 1t was evident that if the sava-
ges were overtaken, it could only be done
by the utmost exertion. They were
some hours ahead, and from the number
of their horses must be nearly all mount
ed. Brady felt that if they were not
overtaken that night, pursuit would be
utterly futile. 1t was evident that this
band had been south of the Ohio and
plundered the homes of other settlers.
They had pounced upon the family of
Gray upon their return.
When the pursuit began, it must have
been two o'clock, at least two hours had
been consumed by the spies in making
the necessary exploration about the house,
ere they approached it, and in examining
the ruins. Not word was spoken upon
the route by any one. Their leader kept
steadily in advance. Occasionally he
would diverge from the track, but only to
take it up again mile or so in advance.
The Captains intimate knowledge of the
topography of the country, enabled him
to anticipate what points they would
make. Thus he gained rapidly upon
them by proceeding more nearly in
straight line toward the point at which
they aimed to cross Beaver River.
AT last, convinced from the general di-
rection in which the trail led, that he
could divine with absolute certainty the
spot where they would ford that stream,
he abandoned it and struck boldly across
the country. The accuracy of his judg-
ment was vindicated by the fact, that from
an elevated crest of long line of hills,
/ he saw the Indians with their victims lust
disappearing upva rayine on the opposite
side of the Beaver. He counted them as
they slowly filed away under the rays Of
the declining sun. There were thirteen
warriors, eight of whom were mounted
another woman, besides Gray s wife, was
in the cayalcade, and two children besides
his-in all, FIVE children.
The odds seemed fearful to Biggs and
Bevington; although Brady made Nc
comments. The moment they had passed
out of eight, Brady again Pr.shod fa,,v-,o,,e
with unfagging energy, nor did his fol
lowers hesitate. There was not a maj
among them whose muscles were not tens,
and rigid as whip cord, from exercise AM
training, from hardship and exposure
, Gray's whole form seemed to dilate int
twice its natural size at the sight of hi
wife and children. Terrible was tn
vengeance he swore.
Just as the sun set, the spies forded tn
stream and began to ascend the ravint
d 1t was evident that the Indians intende
to camp for the night some distance up
small creek or run, which debouches int
{ Beaver River, about three miles fro1
5 the location of Fort Mcintosh, and tw
/ below the ravine. The spot, owing to th
peninsular form of the tongue of th
u land lying west of the Beaver, at whic
t they expected to encamp, was full te
miles from that fort. Here there was
q famous spring, so deity and cunningl
situated in deep dell, and so densely Ell
{ closed with thick mountain pines, tn
ie there was little danger of discovery
ie Even they might light fire and it cou
:, not be seen one hundred yards.
~ The proceedings of their leader, viii,
- would have been totally inexplicabIe
q all others, were partially, if not fully, u
" derstood by his followers. AT least, tn,
'- did not hesitate or question him. VIII
a. dark came, Brady pushed forward wi
as much apparent certainty as he b
u done during the day. So rapid was
progress, that the Indians had but il
i kindled their fire and cooked their me
when their mortal foe, whose presen
> they dreaded as much as that of t
smallpox, stood upon huge rock loo
= ing down upon them.
all His party had been left a short
ad tance in the rear, at a convenient So
. whilst he went forward to reconnoit
he There theyremained impatiently for TIN
act mortal hours. They discussed in
De tones the extreme disparity Of the fo
the propriety of going to Mcintosh
NE get assistance. But all agreed that
Ms. Brady ordered them to attack, succ
'dy was certain. However impatient Il
nat were, he returned at last.
ed. He described to them how the won
the and children lay within the centre 0
bon crescent formed by the savages as Il
zen slept. Their guns were stacked ul
no. the right, and most of their tomahaW
de- The arms were not more than fifteen
as from them. He had crawled within I
re- feet of them. when the snortingS of