The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-06-16
A HAIRS BREDTH ESCAPE.
BY A VIRGINIA SETTLER.

1t was about the year 1905 that I settled
in Virginia, near the falls OF kanawha. The
country at that time was an unbroken wilder
ness. But few settlements had been made
then by the whites; and they were so far
apart as to render vain all hopes of assistance
in case of an attack from hostile Indians,
numbers Of whom still infested the neigh
borhood. lived there alone with my wife
several months unmoIested; and by dint Of
perseverance, being then young and hardy.
had succeeded in making large clearing in
the forests, which had planted with corn,
and which promised an abundant yield.
One morning, after we had despatched our
humble meal, and had just prepared toyen-
ture forth upon my regular routine OF labor,
my attention was arrested by the tinkling Of
a COW bell in the corn field.
/" There" said my wife, !" the COW is in the
corn field"
But the ear of the backwoodsman becomes
By education, very acute, especially SO from
the fact that his safety often depends upon
| the nice cultivation q that sense. was not
SO easily deceised.tsl listened; the sound
was repeated.
That" said |, in reply to the remark ofmy
wife, was not the tinkle of bell upon the
neck of a COW. 1t is decoy from some
Indian, who desires 10 draw me into am
4 brush"
Believing this to be the case, took down
my old musket, q had no rile,) and seeing
that it was properly loaded, stole cautiously
around the field towards the point from
which the sound seemed to proceed. As |
had suspected, there in cluster Of bushes,
crOuched an Indian, waiting for ne to appear
n answer to the decoy bell, that he might
send the fatal bullet to my heart. approach
ed without discovering myself TO him, until
within shooting distance, then raised my piece
and fired. The bullet sped true 10 its mark,
and the Indian fell dead.
Not knowing but that he might bS accom-
panied by others, | returned with all speed
. to the cabin and having firmly barrieaded
the door, l watched all day from the portfolios
J in anticipation Of an attack from the com
panions IT the Indian had killed. To add
10 the danger, aud seeing the hopelessness Of
I nv situation, had butO charge OF powder
! left. could make but one shot ; aud then,
. iiattacked by numbers, should be complete
I " in their power. Determined to do the
: best with what had, poured out the last
! charge Of powder and put it into my musket,
y and then waited in almost breathless anxiety
. for the approach Of the night, feeling eonf-
i dent Ui al attack.
Night came at last. 4 beautiful moonlight
b night, il was, too; aud this favored me
I greatly, ~ wodli thereby be able to observe
!. the movements Of the enemy as they APP
j preached nv cabin. Ii was some two hours
: after night fall, and as vet had neither heard
or seen sign of the Indians, when suddenly
u | was startled by the blying Of my dog at
e tile stable. knew that thl Indians we're
" coming.
" The stable stood little TO the west Of the
Il cabin. and between the Two was patch Of
L cleared ground, upon which the light Of the
j" full moon fell unobstracted. Judging from
the noise awhe stable that they would advance
E. from that direction. posted myself at the
ii port holes on that side Of the cabin. | had
Il previously placed nv wife on tbe cross pole
Ie in the chimney, - that in case our enemies
vi effected an entrance into the cabin, she might
DJ climb out through the low chimney aud effect
her escape. Flr myself | entertained no
IN hope but determined not 10 be taken alive,
) resolved TO scl nv life dearly.
.e With breathless anxiety watched al the
II porthule. AZ length ! saw them emerge from
le the shadow of the stable, aud advance acros.
the vacant ground towards my cabin. One
r. two. three, great Heaven! six stalwart w.
e. dians, armed to the teeth. and urged on b,
ii hope Of revenge aud alone to oppose them
Il with but one charge Oi powder NJ case
4. was desperate indeed. With quick ba'
er stealty step in close single fle they approach.
is ed, aud we're already within a few yards Ol
IN the house, when slight change in the m1ye.
sf. ment of the forward Indian altered the posi-
ed ton Of the entire six. so tha; portion OF th,
10 lett side of each was left uncovered. The,
wcrs il rau.e --Jns aim W0ald cover al