The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-06-15


dat rascal dar, and de oder stop 'ston-
ished to look at him, I concluded I'd quit
playin' de possum, and git up and do suf-
fin. an I did it-dat's trufe. An Mars
JONAS" he pursued, bending down by his
side, and speaking in very sympathetic
tone, "you is hurt bad-yery bad-I know
you is-an' rs berry sorry, but you know
I said dar was Injun eyes in de bushes" 1"
"You did, Tom; and had I then hur-
ried immediately it is possible I might
have escaped, though it is equally prob
able that the Indians were on the watch
to take US at advantage in which case
the result might have been no better than
it is. Oh that Was at home with my
family; for they must have heard the fir
ing here and been terribly alarmed, or if
not they may have been off their guard
and successfully attacked by another par
tY, for it is more than likely these few
have not ventured here by themselves
Ah God forbid ~ he calculated the next
moment, fairly starting to his knees "that
they should have attacked and murdered
them first But no, for then think we
would have heard their cries, and then it
is probable the savages would have wrap
ped the house in flames. I must 60 home,
Tom, oh 1 must get home! But how /?
how 2"
''Why, Mars Jonas, ef you'll just let
dis nigger tote you on his back he'll fetch
you there"
"But what of the other Indians, Tom?
have they fed or no 2"
doesn't know-but guess they am, I
axed one of dem to stop-as he did-but
I guess de oders did not want to-"
"You are brave fellow, Tom, for all, {"
said his master, "and if live will not
overlook this affair."
"Well, you see, Mars Jonas, I is one
OBJ dem as goes in for prudsnce--for keep
ing out OBJ de fight, but when de fight
does come rs dar--I is-during dis
nigger's life."
Hist" whispered his master, as he
carefully brought his rife forward. Il
think 1 see one of the Indians peeping
around yonder tree. All! am too
weak to raise the gun. Get down here
Tom, and let me rest it across your
shoulder. There-that will do. Quiet
now"
"Does you see him, Mars Jonas 7"
whispered Tom, after keeping silence
half minute. Scarcely were tho words
spoken, when crack went the rifles Of
both white man and Indian at the same
moment; and then the latter, uttering q
wild yell, was seen to run staggering from
tree to tree on his retreat, while his
companion, taking advantage of the op
portunity, bounded forward and secur
ed his person behind large oak near a
hand, keeping his rifle ready to fire upol
his foe.
:: drop down, Mars JONAS" whispered
, Tom, and let dis chile fix him.
Taking his masters hat as be s2ok
} Tom placed it on the end of gun, ant
: pushed it with some noise through tn
bushed few feet in advance of him.
, Scarcely was it visible to the savage, when
believing it contained the head of his enc
my, be brought his piece to his eye. an
sent ball whizzing through the middl
of it.
: Fairly chuckling at the success of hi
Q ruse, Tom instantly dropped the hat. an
t making threshing among the bushe,
!, uttered fcw groans, and then kept pei
: fectly quiet; and Mr.. Parker, compre
j. hending the design, kept quiet also
i though managing meanwhile to reload hi
q rife.
i. But though he believed his shot. ha
B been effective, the wary warrior was re
S solved upon prudence and caution. Fir,
n reloading his rifle, he next carefully re
t connoitered the thicket; and then findin
r all still, be suddenly darted from this ire
!, to another, and so by q sort of SEM
e circular movement came up as it were i
the rear of his enemies.
= Still finding all quiet, he advanced cat
tiously to the bushes, and began to pal
them gently. In this direction the thickt
: extended some twenty yards from wher
t our friends lay concealed; and with th
= assistance of Tom, Parker now got noise
lessly into position to cover the advanc
n of the savage. Then waiting in breatt
= less silence till the Indian had 30 far I'd
e vanced as to make his aim sure, he FIRE
It again. A sharp yell Of pain, and q hour
dering among the bushes followed. To-
IS seized his axe, and at once bounded fo
!, ward towards his fallen adversary.
i, The Indian was badly wounded. thoug