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

"Thst's true, Tom, replied the other,
but I do not believe there are any Indi-
ans down there. However, as you seem
90 much alarmed, and as I am willing to
admit the possibility of such q thing, we
will return home"
Accordingly Mr.. Parker and his SER
want set of along the side Of the hill, to
q point where they could get view of the
dwelling, he carrying the rife SO as to be
ready for instant use and the negro keep
ing close at his heels, with the axes and
other implements, and both looking wari-
ly about them scanning every tree and
bush, nothing occurred to the alarm of
the negro until they reached the edge of
the corn6eld, which ran down to the
house; when Mr.. Parker was just ip the
act Of rsproving his servant for exciting
bis fears without cause, there suddenly
came reports of four rifles in quick sue
extraordinarily followed by wild Indi-
an yells-and both Tom and his master
dropped together, the latter struck by two
balls, one in the side and the other in the
leg.
"Oh my God my poor family" he
groaned, as he gathered himself upon his
feet. and beheld the negro stretched upon
his back apparently dead, and the Indi-
ans with savage triumph, in the act of
bounding forward to finish their work and
secure the scalps of their victims.
Hastily staggering to the nearest tree,
Mr.. Parker now set bis back against it,
and drew his rifle for the foremost as it
were at bay. Perceiving this, and krow-
ing too we'll the certainty of the white
mans aim-and also feeling themselves
secure of the prize and therefore not car
ing to throw away single life-the Iu-
dians immediately took shelter behind
different trees and began to reload their
pieces.
To remain where he was Parker saw it
would be certain death in few moments,
wounded as he was, and continually grow
ing weaker from loss of blood, it was to
think of fight. and yet with death staring
him in the face, and an almost maddening
desire, for self-preservation, equally for
his family's sake as his own, he felt that
something ought to be tried for his SAL
vation, though ever SO hopeless the at
tempt.
Looking quickly and searchingly about
he perceived some ten PAGES distant On
immense thicket, and believing if b" could
reach that his chances for life VIC lid be
increased-as the savages could not make
their aim sure without actually entering
be gathered all his strength and nerve
for the effort; and ran forward to the spot,
falling in the midst of the bushes just in
time to escape two balls of the enemy
which at the same moment whizzed over
his head. Seeing him fall and supposine
their last shots had proved fatal, the two
savages who had just fired, uttered yells
of triumph, and aourishing their scalp
ing knives, bounded forward to the thicket
but ere they reached it Mr.. Parker, who
had succeeded in getting upon his knees
and his rife to bear upon the foremost
pulled the trigger.
There was fash, crack and yell a
the same moment, the Indian springinl
, some three feet in the air fell to tn
earth, yes, fell back dead at the very fee
> of his companion, who suddenly stopped
uttered q howl of dismay, and seemed un
j determined whether to advance o. retreat
The momentary hesitation proved fata
to him also, for the negro who had beel
q all this time feigning death, was really un
harmed, now thinking there might be
| possibility Of escape clutched one of hi
3 own axes nervously. made two suddel
bounds forward, the distance being abou
ten feet, and before the astonished warrio
) had time to put himself on his guard
? brought the g!ittering blade down lik
lightning. cleaving the savage throug1
. skull and brain, and laying him ghastl
and bleeding corpse beside the other.
"Dar, take dat, you thieven red nigger,
shouted Tom with an expression of de
moniac 6erceness, "take dat ar, and dom
say muffin more bout shootin down gem
men,"
The words were hardly uttered, whe
crack went the rifles of the other two sav
! ages, one grazing the left cheek Of tn
negro, and the other causing the righ
ear to tingle.
Great golly! cried Tom, "dat ar we
; most near being de finishing OBJ dis chile
but as you isn't got nc more loads in you
] you old varminters,' he added, shakin
t his FIST in the direction of the savage
'sposen you doesn't shoot any moro afor
}, Us gemmen does"
Then seizing the. guns of the two slai
u warriors rushed into the thicket, whel
t Mr.. Parker lay concealed, exclaiming-
"Mars Jonas, hope you isn't dead ye
but two oh de Injuns are, and here I
9 wild dar two guns, dat only wants snfin
'em to blow de oder two to the debil."
;, "Ah, Tom," groaned Mr.. Parker, as /
d lay on the ground, making every effort t
J. raise bis rife which his failing power
. would permit "Thank God, you hav
" escaped. I feared that you had bee
: killed at the 6rst ire,"
u mot 'zacly dat time, Mars Jonas; hr
dis niger was dreadfully skesred, dat's d
10 ltrnfe and aeein Won dram. toupht I'd i'm,