Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-11-06
A, Thrilling Adventure.

ASIO"tuS Cali CASlly U6 lOuuu. 1ne story
was told US by an old and valued friend,
now residieg in the country near this city,
but whose early days were spent near the
tragic adventure here recorded: r., ..-...-.
= We give the story as related to US, in
the words of the hero. -,,-,..,. .-.....,-.-....-
a. 1t was. about the year 1895 that /
settled in Virginia. near the fall of. the
hanaWha. The country at that time was
an unbroken, Wilderness. But few settle
ments had been made then BY the whites,
and they were SO far apart as TO render
vain, all hopes OF assistance. in case of an
attack from hostile Indians-numbers of
whom still infest the neig ghborhood.
"a l lived there alone with my wife for
several months unmolested, and by dint
OF perseverance, being then young and
hardy, had succeeded in making quite
large clearing in the forest, which had
planted with corn. and which promised
an abundant yield. ... 0......
One morning after we had despatch
cd our humble meal, and had Just pre-
pared to venture forth upon my regular
routine OF labor, my attention was arrest
ed by the LInkllng Of q COW bell in Ihe
elrnfeld.
There" said my wife. " the COW is in
t! 9 corn field"
But the ear Of the back woodsman
becomes BY education. very acute. espe
cIaliy SO from the fact that his safety Of
ten depends up, n the nice cultivation OF
that sense. II was not SO easily deceived.
listened-the sound was repeated.
That said l. in reply TO- the remark of
my wife, was not the tiukle of bell up
he # T. =,
some Indian, who desiIee to draw me in
to ambush ......
Believing this to be the case, I took
down my old musket, (I had no rifle }
and seeing that it was probably loaded.
stole cautiously around the field toward
the point. from which the sound seemed
to proceed. As l had suspected. there,
in q cluster of bushes, crouched an In>
dian waiting for me to appear in answer
20 his decoy bell. that he might send the
fatal bullet to my heart. l approached,
without discovering myself 10 him. until
vi hin good. shooting distance. then rails
Olmy piece and fred. The bullet sped
true 10 its mark, and the Indian fell dead.
"a Not knowing but that be might be
accompanied by Others. l returned with
all speed to the cabin, aud having firmly
tarrlcaded the door, watched all day
from the port holes. in anticipation Of an
attack from the companions Of the Indian
/ had killed. To add TO the danger, and
teemiug hopelessness of my situation. l
discovered that had but one charge OF
powder left. I could but mako one shot.
and then, if attacked by numbers.
should be entirely in their power. b De-
termined 10 do the best with what l had,
1 poured out the last charge Of powder
and put it into my mus ket and then watt
cd for the approach Of night. feeling con
fdent of an attack. Night came at last.
A beautiful moonlight night it was too,
and this favored me greatly. as l would
thereby be able to observe the move
ments of the enemy as they approached
my cabin. 1t was some two hours after
nightfall. and as yet had neither heard
nor seen sign OF the Indians, when sud
denly was startled by the baying of my
dog at the stable. knew that tue Iudi~
aus were coming. The stable stood adit-
tie to the west Of the cabin and between.
the two was patch Of. cleared ground.
upon which the light Of the full moon fell
unoostruc;ed. Judging from the noise at
the stable that they would advance from
that direction. l posted myself at the
p)rt hole on that side Of the cabin.
Z" l had previously placed my wi in
the cross pole in the chimney, SO that in
case our enemies effected an entrance in
the cabin she might climb out through
the low chimney and effect her escape.
For myself I entertained no hope; but,
determined not to be taken alive-I re-
solved to sell my life dearly. ., .ss-
A." With breathless anxiety watched at
the port hole. At length saw them
emerge from the shadows Of the stable
and advance across the vacant ground to-
ward my cabin. observation-disclosures
great heaven! six slalwart Indians
armed to the teeth, and urged on by the
hope OF revenge. and I alone, to oppose
them with but one charge Of powder.
My case was desperate indeed. With
quick aud stealthy step, in close single
fleGthey approached. and were already
in few yards ofthe house, when slight
change in the movement Of the h forward
Indians. changed the position Of the en-
tire six, SO that portion Of the left side
OF each was uncovered. They were all
IN a range-one aim would cover all.
Qalek-asathought. aimed and fired. AS
the smoke cleared away ! could hardly
credit what my senses showed meas the
result otmy shot. The fifteen slugs with
winch had loaded my musket had done
'nelI workswell.'' Five Of the sf3 indians