Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-02-19

approached it, and in examining the ruins.
Not word was spoken upon the route by
any one. Their leader kept steadily in ad.
vance. Occasionally he would diverge from
the track, but only to take itup again mile
or so in advance. The Captains intimate
knowledge of the topography of the country,
enabled him to anticipate what points they
would make. Thus he gained rapidly upon
them by proceeding more nearly in straight
line toward the point at which they aimed to
cross Beaver River.
At last, convinced from the general direc-
ton in which the trail led, that he could d.
vine with absolute certainty the spot where
they would ford that stream, he abandoned
it and struck boldly across the country. The
accuracy of his judgment was vindicated by
the fact, that from an elevated crest of a
long line of hills, he saw the Indians with
their victims just disappearing up a raVine
on the opposite side of the Beaver He count
ed them as they slowly filed away under the
rays of the declining sun. There were thir-
teen warriors, eight of whom were mounted
another woman, besides Gray's wife, was
in the cavalcade, and two children besides
his-in all, five children.
The odds seemed fearful to Biggs and
Bevington although Brady made no CON-
ments. The moment they had passed out of
sight, Brady again pushed forward with un-
tagging energy, nor did his followers hest
tate. There was not man among them
whose muscles were not tense and rigid as
whip-cord, from exercise and training, from
hardship and exposure. Gray's whole form
seemed to dilate into twice its natural size at
the sight of his wife and children. Terrible
was the vengeance he sworc.
Just as the sun set, the spies forded the
spies forded the stream and began to ascend
the ravine. 1t was evident that the Indians
intended to camp for the night some distance
upa small creek or run, which debouches
into Beaver River, about three miles from
the location of Fort Mcintosh, and two be-
low the ravine. The spot owing to the Pc
ninsular form of the tongue Of land lying
west of the Beaver, at which they expected
to encamp, was full ten miles from that fort.
Here there was famous spring, so deftly
and cunningly situated in deep dell, and
so densely inclosed with thick mountain
pines, that there was little danger of discov-
cry! Even they might light fire and it
could not be seen one hundred yards.
The proceedings of their leader, which
would have been totally inexplicable to all
others, were partially, if not fully under
stood by his followers. At least they did
not hesitate or question him. When dark
came, Brady pushed forward with as much
apparent certainty as be had done during
the day. So rapid was his progress, that
the Indians had but just kindlcd their fire
and cooked their meal, when their mortal
foe, whose presence they dreaded,as much as
that of the smallpox, stood upon a huge
rock looking down upon them.
His party had been left short distance
in the rear, at convenient spot, whilst he
went forward to reconnoitre. There they
remained impatiently for three mortal hours
They discussed in low tones the extreme dis
parity Of the force-the propriety of going
to get assistance. But all agreed that if
Brady ordered them to attack, success was
certain. However impatient they were, he
returned at last.
He described to them how the women and
children lay within the centre of crescent
formed by the savages as they slept. Their
guns were stacked upon the right, and most
of their tomahawks. The arms were not
more than fifteen feet from them. He had
crawled within fifty feet of them, when the
snortings ofthe horses, occasioned by the ap-
proach of wild beast, had aroused a num-
Der of the savases from their light sumbers,
and he had been compelled to lie quiet for
mere than an hour until they slept again.
He then told them that he would attack
them. 1t was impossible to use fire arms
They must depend solely upon the hnifc and
tomahanh. The knife must be placed in
the left hand and the tomahawk in the right
To Bigss he assigned the duty of securing
their arms He was to begin the work of
slaughter upon the right, Gray upon the
left, and Bevington in the centre.
After each fairly understood the duty as
signed him, the slow, difficult, hazardous ap-
proach began. They continued upon their
feet until they had gotten within one hun
dred yards of the foe, and then lay down up
on their bellies and began the work Of with
ing themselves forward like serpent ap-
preaching victim. They at last reached
the very verge of the line, each man was at
his post, save Biggs, who had the farthest to
60. Just as he passed Brady's position, a
twig cracked roughly under the weight of
hi bo1y, and 4 huge savage, who lay with
in the reach of Grays tomahawk, slowly sat
up as if startled into this posture by the
sound. After rolling his eyes, he again lay
down and all was still.
Full fifteen minutes passed ere Biggs NOV
cd then he slowly went on. When be reach
ed his place, a very low Kissing sound indi-
Gated that he was ready, Brady in turn reit-
Grated the sound as signal to Gray and
Bevington to begin. This they did in the
most deliberate manner. No nervousness
was permissible then. They slowly felt for
the heart of each savage they were to stab,
and then plunged the knife. The tomahawk
was not to be used unless the knife proved