The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-07-11

Big Foot compelled his companion to strike
such was Adams dcxtcrity, however that he
managed to receive tie :cmahawk in a glanc-
ing direction apon his left wrist, woundins
him deeply bat not disabling him. He now
made sudden effort to free himself from the
arms of the giant. and succeeded. Instantly
snatching up a rifle, (for the Indian could
not venture to shoot for fear of hitting his
companion) he shot the lesser Indian through
the body Bat scarcely had he done so when
Big Foot arose and placing one hand upon
his collar, and the other hand upon his hip,
pitched him into the air. as he himself would
have pitched child. Adam fell upon his
back at the edge Of the water, but before his
antagonist could spring upon him, was again
Oh his feet. ard stung with rage at the idea
of being handled SO easily, he attacked his 81
gantic antagonist with fury which for a
time compensated for infcriority of strength.
1t was now fair fist fight between them, for
in the hurry of the struggle neither had time
to draw their knives. Adams superior
activity as pugiist gave him great advan-
tagc. The Indian struck awkwardly, and
finding himself rapidly dropping to the lee
ward. he closed with his antagonist and again
hurled him to the ground. They quickly
rolled into the river. and the struggle contin-
ued with unabated fury, each attempting to
drown the other.
The Indian being unused to such violent
excrtion. and having been much injured by
The first shock i'll the stomach, was unable to
cNcr, the same powers that had given him
such a decided superiority at tir>t-and Adam
sciziny him hy the seal plock put his head
under water and held him there. until the
faint struggle Of the Indian induced him to
hclev" tliat he WAS drowned. when he relax ed
his hold and attempted to draw his knife
The Indian. however. to use Adams own
expression had OILY been roSSuming. He
instantly rc&:,ined his feet, ard 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
lis hold and swim ;or his lie. There was
still one loaded rife upon the shore, and each
swan hard in order to reach it. bat the
Indian proved to be the most expert swimmer
and Adam seeing that ne would hc too late.
turned and swain out into She stream. intcnd
ding TO dive, and thus Illustrate the cnemy'>
intention. Vt this instant Andrew, having
heard that his brother was alone in the struy
gle with ;wo Indians. and in great danger
ran up hastily to the edge of TIE bank above
IN order 10 assist him.
Another white man followed him closely,
and st, ;n- Adam in the river covered with
blood and swimming rapidly from shore
mis:ooi, him for the Indian. and fired upon
him, wvu"i:"g HIM dangerously in the
shoulder. Adam turned and seeing his
brother, c2ll"d loudly upon him TO shoot
the h.., Indian on The shore" Andrews )
gun. however was empty. having just been
discharged. Fortunately Big Foot also
>,izri tie gun with which \dam had shot the
Indian. 50 that both were upon an equality.
The co,tps; va. HOW which could load first
BIZ Foot po'.rcd his powder in ti:>,. and
drawing his rLmrod out Of its sheath in too
great . hurry. threw i; into the river, AID
while Ic ran to recover Ii. Andrew gained an
advantage. ;'t;.l the Indian WAS bat >ac-
end TOO late, tor h;> gun WAS at his shoulder
when Andrew : h.,il cn.cye his breast. The
g,.i4 dropped! from his hands, and he fell up
on IN" very margin of the river. Andrew.
alarmed for his hrcthcr who was scared,
able 10 swim. threw down lis gun and rush
Ct! into the river, 70 bring him ashore but
Adam. more intent upon receiving the scalp
Of Big FOO, Is a trophy. than upon his own
safety. called loudl, upon his brother to leave
him alone and scalp the BIG Indian. who
WAS now cndca,orinS to roll himself into the
water. from a romantic desire. peculiar to
the Indian warrior. of securing his scalp from
the enemy. Andrew. however, refused to
obey. and insisted on saving the living before
attending on the dead. Big Foot in the
meantime had succeeded in reaching deep
water, before he expired. and his body was
borne off By the waves without being strip
ped of III" prid" and ornament of the Indian
warrior.
Not man of the Indians had escaped
Five Of Big Ioot's brothers. the flower of
the Wvandot nation, had accompanied him
i'll the expedition, and all pcrshcd. 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 cxcrtcd on the side of
humanity. Their powerful ntcrpos,ion say
ed 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
wears after this memorable conflict: but
never forgot the tremendous hug which he
sustained in the arms of Big Foot.