Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-04-02
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

We question whether in the history OF
the hair breadth" escapes, parallel to
the following narrative can be found
The story was told by an old man. and
valued friend now residing in the coun-
ty near Dayton, Ohio, but whose early
days were spent near the tragic adyeR-
ture now related. We give the story as
related, in the words Of the hero.
sit was about the year 1895, that !
settled in Virginia near the falls Of the
Kanahaw. The country at the time was
an unbroken wilderness. But few set
Elements 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 the hostile Indians
numbers of whom still infested the neigh
borhood.
Il lived there alone with my wife for
several months unmolested, and by dint
of perseverance, being then young and
hardy, had succeeded in making quite 4
large clearing in the forest, which had
planted with corn and promised an abun-
dant yield.
"One morning after we had dispatch
ed cur humble meal, and had just pre-
pared to venture forth upon my regular
routine of labor, my attention was arrest
ed by the tinkling of COW bell IN the
corn field.
"There," said my wife, "the COW is in
the cornfeld.'
"But the ear of the back woodsmaD
becomes, by education, very acute, especi-
ally so, from the fact that his safety offen
depends upon the nice circulation of that
sense. / was not so easily deceived. !
listered-the sound was repeated.
"That," said l to my wife, "was not
the tinkle of bell upon the neck Of a COW,
1t is a decoy from some Indians who wish
to draw me into ambush"
Believing this to be the case, ! took
down my old musket, and seeing that ii
was properly loaded, | stole cautiously
round the field to the point from which
the sound seemed TO proceed. As l sus'
pacted, there in a cluster of bushes
oroueI,eI 80, I->I;a,., ..-~:.;,ss fe- aP
pear TO answer his decoy bell that hi
i might send fatal bullet to my heart.
: approached without discovering myselftt
e him until within a good shooting distance
L then raised my piece and fred, and th'
e Indian fell dead.
Fearing that he might be accompa
MED by others, / returned with all speed
It to the cabin, and having firmly barricade,
IS the door, / watched all day at the por
holes in anticipation Of an attack from tn
e companions ofthe Indian l had killed
To add to the seeming helplessness Of m,
r situation | discovered that | had but on
Is charge of powder left. could make bu
y ore shot, and if attacked by numbers,
y should be entirely in their power. De
termined to do the best with what | hat
n | poured out the last charge of powde
n and put it into my musket, then waite
of for the approach Of night, feeling conf
if, dent of an attack. Night came at last
ID beautiful moonlight night too, and this Fl
Ie vored me greatly, as | would thereby |
Of able to observe the movements of Il
10 enemy as they approached my cabin.
lis was some two hours after nightfall aud y
. | had neither heard or seen any signs
ce the Indians, when suddenly was startl'
as by the baying Of my dog at the stable
Of The stable stood a little to the west Of 4
cabin. and between the two was a pat
mt of ground upon which the light Of t
- full moon fell unobstructed. Judgi
!, a from the noise at the stable that th
be would advance from that detection,
'as posted myself at the port hole on that 81
yht of the cabin.
'he 81 had previously placed my wife
j. the cross pole IN the chimney, so that
the case our enemies effected an entrance
lor to the cabin, she might climb out throu
the low chimney and effect an escape.
For myself entertained no hope ; bu
Is determined not to be taken alive. /
1ep solved to sell my life dearly.
10 "With brcathless anxiety watche,
the port hole. At length ] saw Oh
-, emerge from the shadow Of the stable
liz advance across the vacant ground towa
my cabin. One - two - three g
Heaven six stalwart Indians, armet
bon the teeth and urged on by the hope Of
city venge, and alone to oppose them $
ave bnt one charge Of powder (! My ease
desperate indeed. With quick bat q
thy step in close single file they appros
ia ed and we're within few yards of
dev house, when a slight change IN the in'
ment Of the forward Indian changed
position Of the entire six, 50 that a