Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-05-06

DTOWn addressed ner kindly, ana She awaited
his approach without speaking a word, until
he was within several yards of her, when she
1 told him, in few words, that she had been a
captive among the Indians, from whom she
had just escaped, and with tears in her eyes,
asked his aid and protection.
Dill then left his place of concealment, and
took both the rifles on his shoulder, and went
to the cabin. The three then sat down on a
log together, and the female related her story,
which was listened to with great interest by
| both the hunters.
| She was the daughter of wealthy planter
in Virginia, and had been taken captive the
proceeding fall, and carried, first to Chilicothe,
and afterward to Sandusky, where she was a.
dopted into the family of an Indian, who had
two sons and two daughters, who generally
treated her kindly. Several weeks prior to
her escape, this family had come to the Ohio
river in search of game and plunder, and had
encamped several miles above, where the men
| constructed light canoe, and crossed to the
Kentucky side, leaving the women alone ut
their camp.
After their return in the evening, she gath
cred from their conversation that there were
white men not far off. They crossed over the
river second time, and on coming into camp
in the next evening, held council about some
matter apparently of great importance to them.
The next morning the men started early In the
direction of Chilicoths, charging the women
to remain about the camp until their return !;
and it was her opinion they had gone for REIN
forcements to attack the white men whom they
had discovered. During their absence she
formed the resolution of attempting an escape,
and managed to seperate herself from her
companions, and jumped into the canoe the
men had constructed, and rowing for life,
reached the Kentucky shore. After wander
ing about for three days, she discovered the
hunters hut, and then withdrew, resolved to
watch for its owners, and if they were friends,
as she doubted not they would prove to be, to
cast herself upon their kind protection. Her
name she gave as Sallie Green the only daugh-
ter of Richard Green, of Virginia.
The hunters had pretty good supply of
wearing apparel left, from which Sallie was
directed to select such articles as were most
suitable, and make them into dress for her
self, which she promptly did, and the next day
had herself decently clad. Being barefoot,
Dill presented her with pair of shoes and
socks, which, though much too large for her
feet became of great service to her afterward.
What was now to be done 1t was quite
manifest that the party's situation was unsafe.
The Indians had discovered them, and would
undoubtedly attack them before many days.
The warm sun had opened the seams of their
boat, and it was leaky and unfit for use. The
river was at low ebb, and it was not likely
that any boats would soon descend the river
on which they might secure passage to some
of the settlements below. After full Gelibe-
ration, it was resolved to attempt escape from
their perious situation by land, and endeavor
to reach the border settlements of Virginia.
They would be obliged to leave their few i'm
plemcnts and stock of skins behind-5ut what
were these compared to their own lives, which
would be jeopardized by remaining much
longer?
A little of their stock and meal still remain
ed, and they had a sufficient supply of jerked
venison to last them during their journey land
a pocket-compass by which to direct their
course. The remainder of the day was spent
in arranging their packs, and on the following
morning they were to take up the line of march
for Virginia, through an undroken wilderness.
Who can tell what tomorrow may bring
forth Whilst these preparations were gsing
on at the cabin the old Indian and his sons,
with two others whom they had met in the
path to Chilicothc, returned to camp, and on
learning the escape of the 'pale-faced squaw,'
Immediately went to work and constructed a
small raft, on which they crossed the river in
the night and proceeded toward the cabin
Just as it became clear enough to discern OBJ
jects, the hunters dogs grew very restless and
set up a low growl. Sallie expressed her be-
lief of Indians lurking about. Brown and Dill
seized their rifles, and placed themselves i'm
mediately outside of the entrance of the cab
in, ready for emergencies. Presently, two In
dians were seen approaching with stealthy
steps. They were suffered to come within
| range of rie-shot, and then both hunters fired
and both Indians fell. Three others, who had
stood concealed behind some large trees, now
rushed forward over the dead bodies of their
comrades, and before the hunters had time to
reload, they were within few rods of the cab
in, brandishing their tomahawks and yelling,
as they are wont to do when making an attack.
Brown and Dill prepared to meet them, the
| former with a hatchet, and the latter with the
but of his rife, whilst Sallie was cody reload
| ing the other rifle The Indians paused Tor
| moment in the face OF such foe, and In ano-
| tber moment a ball from the rife in the hands
| of the maiden laid one of them sprawling en-
the ground.
| The hunters now sailed out, and averting