Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-06-26

and finding himself rapidly dropping to the
leeward, be closed with his antagonist, and
again hurled him to the ground They
quickly rolled into the river, and the strug-
gle continued with undated fury, each at
tempting to drown the other.
The Indian being unused to such violent
exertion, and having been much injured by
the first shock in the stomach, was unable
to exert the same powers that had given
him such decided superiority at frst--and
Adam, seizing him by the scalplock put his
head under water and held him there, until
the faint struggle of the Indian induced
him to believe that he was drowned. when
he relaxed his hold and attempted to draw
his knife. The Indian, however, to use
Adam s own expression, had only been pos
Soming. lie instantly regained his feet,
and in turn put his adversary under In
the struggle both were carried out into the
current beyond their depth, and each was
compelled to relax his hold and swim for his
life. There was still one loaded rife upon
the shore, and each swan hard in order to
reach it. but the Indian proved the most ex-
pert swimmer, and Adam seeing that he
would be too late, turned and swan out
into the stream, intending to dive. and thus
Illustrate the enemy's intention. At this
instant Andrew, having heard that his brcth
er was alone in the struggle with two In
dams, and in great danger, ran up hastily
to the edge of the bank above, in order to
assist him.
Another white man followed him closely,
and seeing Adam in the river covered with
blood and swimming rapidly from shore
mistook him for the Indian, and fired upon
him, wounding him dangerously in the
ahOnldnr q o,,l &c
brother, called loudly upon him to shoot
the big Indian on the shore" Andrews's S
gun, however, was empty, having lust been
discharged. Fortunately Big Foot also
seized thegun with which Adam had shot the
Indian, SO that both were upon an equality.
The contest now was who should load first.
Big Foot poured his powder in FIRST, and
drawing his ramrod out Of its sheath in too
great hurry, threw it into the river, and
While he ran TO recover it, Andrew gained
an advantage. Still the Indian was but a
second too late, for his gun was at his
shoulder when Andrews ball entered his
breast. The gun dropped from his hands,
and he fell upon the very margin of the
river Andrew, alarmed for his brother, who
was scarcely able to swim, threw down his
gun and rushed into the river, to bring
MN ashore but Adam, more intent upon
receiving the scalp of Big Foot as trophy,
than upon his own safety, called loudly
upon his brother to leave him alone and
scalp the big Indian, who now ende-
avoring to roll himself in to the water. from
romantic desire, peculiar to the Indian
warrior. of securing his scalp from the en-
emy. Andrew, however, refused to obey,
and insisted on saving the living before at
tending on the dead Big Foot in the mean
time had succeeded in reaching deep water,
before he expired, and his body was borne
off by the waves without being stripped of
the pride and ornament of the Indians war
rior.
Not man of the Indian had escaped
Five OF Big Foot's brothers. the flower of
the Wyondot nation, mad accompanied him
in the expedition, and all pershed. 1t is
said that the news threw the whole tribe
into mourning. Their remarkable size,
their courage and superior intelligence gave
them immense influence, which, greatly to
their credit, was generally exertcd on the
side OF humanity. Their powerful interpo-
sition saved many prisoners from the stake.
and gave a milder character to the warfare
OF the Indians in that part Of the country
Adam Poe recovered Of his wounds, and lived
many years after this memorable conflict !;
but never forgot the tremendous hug which
he sustained in the arms Of Big Foot.