Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-11-09


after hour, all through the livelong day,
We pursued the flying savages-crossing
swamps, clambering over rocks, fording
streams, and picking our way, UNTIL to-
wards nightfall, we reached the edge of
an open space, or as it were meadow,
shut in by gentle sloping hills.
Hist said my companion, we are
upon them. Do you not see that thin
thread of smoke curling upwards over
the top of yonder aged hemlocki 2
SAy, il must be thern-let us on
Softly or we lose all. We know not
certainly, that this is the party We seek /;
let US reconnoitre.
Slowly, and stealthily trembling, lest
twig should crack under our feet, we
crept up towards the edge of the mead
ow, and peeping cautiously through the
underwood, beheld the object of our
search in six tall, swarthy savages, sit
ting smoking around the remains of a
fire. At little distance with her hands
bound, and her eyes upraised to heaven,
sat my own Kate. Oh, how my heart
leaped at the sight. raised my rife
convulsively and was about to fire, when
my companion caught my hand and said:
Softly, or you spoil all. Let US get
the varmints in a range, and then we
shall fire with some taste. Hist
This last exclamation was occasion
ed by the sudden rising of one Of the
savages. He gazed moment cautious
ly around, and then advanced towards
the thicket where we lay concealed.
drew my breath in and trembled at the
beating of my own heart, The savage
still approached. My companion laid his
hand upon my arm, and pointed from my
rifle to one Of the Indians. | under
stood him. At this juncture, the advan-
cling savage warned Of cur presence by
the cracking of an unlucky twig beneath
my companion's feet, sprang back with
loud yell towards the fire.
Now said my companion sternly.
'Quick as lightning l raised my piece
and fired. lily companion did the same.
The retreating savage and one Of his
companions fell dead upon the ground.
Each of US then sprang to a tree, load
ing as we ran. 1t was well we did, for
in an instant the enemy was upon US.
Shall l describe that dreadful fight
Ny emotion forbids It. Fighting from
tree to tree-dodging, loading, and en-
deavoring to get sight on foe, we kept
up a eight for nearly five minutes-at
the end of which time / found myself
wounded, while four of six saYages lay
PROSTATE on the ground. The other two
finding their companions dead, and de-
spairing of being able to carry off their
prisoner, suddenly rushed on her. before
we could interpose, had seized their hap
less victim. I had only been prevented
hitherto, from rescuing Kate, by the
knowledge that an attempt Of that kind
while the savages were still numerically
superior to as, would end in the certain
ruin Of US both but now worlds could
not restrain me, and clubbing my rife
for the piece was unloaded, / dashed ou
from my covert, shouting to my compan
Jon
'Oni on In Gods name, on p
Take care that taller varmint r thun
dered my companion.
'The warning came too late. In tht
tumult Of my feeling, / had not observes
that the savage fartherest from me hat
his piece loaded, and before / could avail
myself of my companions cooler obser
Vation, / received the ball in my right arm
and my rife dropped powerless by M
side, had / not sprung inyoluntariIJ
aside at my eonpaniOn's cry, / shouli
have been shot through the heart.
'Oni on = roared in agony, as
seized my tomahawk il my almost use
less left hand.
Sloop, said my companion, stoo
lower And as / did 50, his rife cracl
] On the siin air, and the Indian fell deal
All this did not occupy an instan
. ] was within few feet Of her loyeG
, who was struggling in the grasp Of an
, other Indian. he had already eniwine
bis hand in ber long hair--his tomahaw
was already cleaning in the setting sur
q Never shall / forget the demoniae fur
4 with which the wretch glared On bis vi
!, tim. A second only was left for hop
Ny companion was far behind, with /
. rife unloaded. made q desperai
> spring forward, ard hurled my toni
r hawk af the savage's head. God of n
I fathers the weapon whizzsd harmless
4 by tie wretch. and buried Itself 10 Il