Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-07-30


lief of ii speedy death; for knew from my
disabled condition, that the Indians would
not think Of taking me prisoner, but butch
er me at once. And yet the instincts of life
were greater than the temptations | speak
OF. And these same instincts, by the way
seems wisely set for our prcservation-to
act when reason tells us all hope is lost, and
We had better end our woes ut once
How painfully | watched the dawning OF
the day how eagerly and tremblingly
listened to every sound At length could
hear the Indians astir, and soon after they
began to traverse the scene of slaughter, and
gather up the arms of my companions, and
strip the bodies Of every garment. At time s
when they drew near the spot where lay,
felt my heart in my very throat, and it
seemed as if should die of sulfocation.-
Twice small party of them came SO close
that could see their half naked, and hide
ously painted forms through the leaves; and
once single warrior stalked by me within
range of my rifle. Up and down, and over
the ground they passed and re-p,ssed many
times, till they We're evidently satisfied that
none of the dead or wounded had escaped
their notice. They then drew off in body
manned for hours-n fact, till late in the
day-when, being joined by the rest of their
companions, who had probably made a long
journey in pursuit of the fugitivcs, they re-
paired to the boats.
With feeling of thankfulncss when
cannot express, heard them put off from
the shore, and every sound gradually died
away to silence, And yet, shortly after
there came am awful reyuls,n of feeling: tor
now felt that | was alonc-alone in the
wldcrness-afar from fricnds-so crippled
that | could not walk-could only move my
body, in fact, by Il great eflort-suiferng
all the most excrutiating agonies, ard in
danger of pcrishing from starvation, Had
| been able to move about, even though new
cr 50 slowly and fecbly, could have rcjoiced
in my good fortune, but situated us | was, |
felt that an ovcrrulug Providence, such as
had 50 far pres rived me, could still save me
from even Il more horrible dom than | had
escan d.
As thus lay on my bAck, in a position
which had scarcely been changed for twenty
hours, looked up through the leaves, and
to my surprise, mi sht almost say, joy, be-
held raccoon IN the act of descending the
branches Of large tree, some Of whose
branches even canppicd the spot where
lay. Was this poor animal cane messenger
Of hope? Had Providence directed it hither
for my preservation? f.ncied 50 them
almost fancy 50 still. At all events, eau
tiously raised my only remaining friend, my
rifle, took a quick bat certain aim and fired.
The ball sped to his mark, and the animal
dropped de ID within u few feet of me- and
as raised myself along the limbs, with the
intention of dragging myself to it, | was
startled by hearing human cry.
Fearing the Indians had not all gone,
hastily re loaded my rifle, and then remained
perfectly still, fairly trembling at the thought
of what might next behold, but determined
to sell my life dearly and shoot the first
human figure should see approaching me
Presently heard the same loud startling
cry vpeated. but this time much nearer
than before. Still, | kept silent, my riff
firmly grasped, for could recognize nothing
like the voice of one Of my race. Again
heard the same singular sound, but still
nearer yet. and rustling among the under
brush, apparently at IL distance of about
twenty yards | cooked my rifle, and poised
it, resolved to shoot the first object thai
should appear. But fortunately, nothing
did appear, till my heart had been made t(
leap for joy by the utterance OF words in my
native tongue, which fell clearly and dis
tinctIy upon my ear, and assured me it wa.
Il countryman, perhaps a companion.
"Who are you? Where are you? Fol
Gods sake, speak ~ cried the voice.
now gave an answering shout, and soof
was gratifed by the si:ht Off human fs
ure pushing through the bushes, whom
IL ,twitl standing his hagsard ami blood
stained features, | ut once recognized IA
Peter Brent On getting sight Of me, h'
stopped and exclaimed;
My God! Captain Benham-is this yoH
How did you escape? thought was tn,
only being left alive by the butcherin!
wretches ~
"Al.s! ;" returned, I'm as good as
dead-for I'm badly wounded in my hip
, and cannot walk step
"See :" he rcjoir,ed, 'I'm no better OF
both my arms are broken, and I've no power
to use weapon, and couldn't feed mysel
ifI had anything to eat, think of th'
two, Captain, you're the best off, after all
for you can shoot game, and 50 won
starve."
"Aye," said 7, "but how am to get i
when have shot ?''
Il see, he replied with a sort of laugh
1.-THE two Of us only make one decent man
You've got arms, and I've got legs; and Il
? ever we get out of this internal scrapc at all
reckon We'll have to work out together
E And if heaven is willing, and the red devils
will only let us alone, we'll be able to do 1t,
and cheat the bowling imps of two scalp
any how."
1t was very singular and remarkable oc-
currence, that only two men should have es
E capcd that scene of slaughter; and Of these