Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-10-10
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BJJGSD1AI SOUJo
Thrilling Adventure.

We question whether, in all the histo-
ry of hair breadth escapes, a parallel TO
the following can easily be found. The
story was told us by an old man and VEN
erable friend now residing in the country
near this cllv, but whose early days were
spent near the scene of the tragic adven-
lure here recorded. We give the hislo
ry as related to us, in the words OF the
hero.
at was about the year l795, that set
Ned in Virginia near the falls of the Kama
wha. The country was al that time an
unbroken wilderness. But few settle
menls had been made then by the whites,
and they were so far apart as TO render
vain all hopes of assistance in case Of al
tack from hostile Indians-numbers Of
whom still infested the neighborhood
IL lived here alone with my wife for
several months unmolested, aud by dnI
of untiring perseverance, being then young
and hardy, had succeeded in making quite
clearing in the forest which had plant
ed with corn, and which promised an
abundant yield.
"One morning, after we had dispatched
our humble meal, and had just prepared
TO venture forth upon my regular routine
of labor, my attention was arrested by The
dnkIng of a COW bell in the corn field.
"There," said my wife, "the COW is in
the corn6eld."
"But the ear of The backwoodsman be-
comes by education, very acute. especI-
ally so from the fact that his safety often
depends upon the nice cultivation OF that
sense. was not so easily deceived. lis
tened-the sound was repeated. "Thst."
said |, in reply 10 my wife, "was not the
tinkle of bell upon Ihe neck OF COW.
Ii is decoy of some Indian who desires
10 draw me into an ambush" "
"BeIieving this TO be the case, took
my old musket down q had no rife and
seeing that it was properly loaded stole
cautiously around Ihe field towards the
point from which the sound seemed TO
proceed. As had suspected, there IN
cluster of bushes, crouched an Indian
waiting for me TO appear in answer TO his
decoy bell, that he might send the fatal
bullet TO my heart. | approached with
out discovering myself 10 him, until with
in good shooting dstahce, then raised my
piece and fired. The bullet sped true TO
lis mark, and the Indian fell.
"Not knowing but that he might be &C.
companied by others, returned with all
speed TO my cabin, and having firmly bar
ncaded 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 seem
ing hopelessness of my situation. ! dis
covered that had only one charge Of
powder left.
IL could make but one shot, and then
if attacked by numbers. should be en-
ilrelv in their power. Determined TO do
the best with what had, ! poured out
nv last charge Of powder and pot into my
muskel fifteen slugs, and then waited Tor
the approach Of night, feeling confident OF
al attack. Night came at last. bean-
tiful moonlight night it was too, and this
favored NE greatly. as would thereby be
able TO observe the movements OF the enc
my as they approach ed my cabin. II
was some two hours after night fall, and
as yet, had neither heard nor seen sign