Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-05-20
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VLW FREEHOLD NJ THURSDAY MORNING MAY MEB@
MORNING, MAY 20, -

he recovered his gun, his owHBase was
hopeless, and throwing away his rifle bar
rel, drew his hunting knife and rushed in
upon him. A desperate strife ensued, and
several deep gashes were inflicted; but
the Indian succeeded in casting Higgins
from him and ran to the spot where he
had thrown down his gun, while Ten
hunted for the gun of other Indian
Thus the two, bleeding and out Of breath
were both searching for arms to renew
the conflict.
By this time the smoke that lay between
the combatants and the main body Of the
indians had passed away, and q number
of the latter having passed the hazel
thicket, were in full view. II seemed
therefore as if nothing could Save the he
roic ranger. But relief was at hand.
The little garrison at the station, six
or seven in number, had witnessed the
whole Of this unparalleled combat. There
was among them a heroic woman, a Mrs
Purseley, who when she saw Higgins con-
tending slngly with the foe, sAa1gEd the
men to go to the rescue. The rangers at
FIRST considered the attempt hopeless, as
the Indians outnumbered them ten to one.
But Mrs. Pursley declaring that so fine a
fellow as Tom should not be lost for want
of help snatched a rifle out Of her hus.
bands hands, and jumping on q horse sal
lied out. The men not to be outdone by
a woman, followed at full gallop towards
the place Of combat. A scene of intense
interest ensued; the Indians at the thick.
ct had just discovered Tom, and were
rushing down towards him with savage
yells; his friends were.spurring their hor
ses to reach him first. Higgins exhaus
ted with the loss of blood, had tainted
and fallen, while his adversary too intent
on his prey to observe anything else, was
looking for a rife. The rangers reached
the battle ground first. Mrs. PursIey
who knew Toms spirit, thought he hac
| thrown himself down in despair Dr the
loss Of his gun, and tenaere2s e oas
she carried; but Tom was past shooting
His friends lifted him up. threw him
across o horse before one of the party
and turned to retreat just as the Indians
came up. They made good their escape
and the Indians retired.
We repeat this adventure just as it wal
related to US, and have not the leas'
doubt it is literally correct, or as nearly
so as Mr.. Higgins opportunity for obser
walton weuld admit-for, as he very prop
erly observes, he was in a " desperate fix,
just about that time, and it was a pow
full bad chance" for a man to take notice
of what was going on around.
After being carried into the fort, he
remained insensible for some days and hii
life was preserved with difficulty by hi
friends, who extracted all the bullets bu.
two, which remained in his thigh; one o
which gave him a great deal Of pain FOL
several years although the flesh was heal
ed. At length he heard that aQhysiciar
had settled within a days FTdS u him
whom be went to see. The physician wa
willing to extract the ball. but asked thu
sum of fifty dollars for the operation
This Tom fatty refused to give, as it wa
more than half a years pension. AS h
rode home, he turned the matter in hi
mind, and determined upon q cheape
plan.
When he reached home, he requested
his wife to hand him a razor. The exer
ton of riding had so chafed the part, tina
the ball which was usually not discover
able to the touch, could be felt. With tn,
assistance of his help mate, he very delib
erately laid open his thigh until the edg'
of the razor touched the bullet, and inser
ting his finger into the cash, 6irted i
out'' as he termed it, without costing
cent The other ball remains in hi
limb yet, but gives him no trouble excep
when he uses violent exercise. Then not
withstanding his injuries, is still n 0
the most successful hunters ~ the coun
try.