Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-07-27
Escapes Of an Old Settler.

early events are still fresh in my memory
During the long and bloody struggle fc
Independence, l was compelled to wi,nes
many horrors. My father was one of tn
earl " settlers of the kennebec. Twas th
Oldest of four sons. Before the commence
ment of the War, my father had bull, bin
cabin, quite comfortable enough for bi
purpose, and commenced clearing-con
vertiDg the savage wilderness into q gar
deu, TO TEEN With corn and grain. l ant
my brothers OF course assisted him in BIZ
labors.
/ The second year after our settlement OF
the kennebec, We apprehended bu, little
danger from the savages, as they had hi,h
erto manifested a friendly disposition
Bu, soon the Indians commenced theil
depredatiOus upon the white settlers. Tales
Of blood were daily borne to our ears
We went to our labor with our weapons
in our bands.
At the close Of a summer day, We were
seated in our comfortable cabin as usual.
A knocking was heard at the door. Ny
mother furued pale, and looked at ny
father, as if entreatipg him not to open i,
until be was certain who was without.
Immediately acted upon this hint, aud,
stepping softly to the entry, was enabled
to recOnnOitre the premises through a
small crevice. My mothers fears we're
not without foundation. An athletic saw.
age stood at the door, his face painted in
the most bideous manner. Instead of uu-
doing the fasteniDgs, proceeded to add
to their strength. reported the discOv.
cry l had made.
"bu, one, did you say ?" said father.
"Only one," replied
"NoR see what you can discover of the
other side Of the cabin"
l did so, and to my surprise saw three
more of the rascals, croucbing like ser
pents in the grass. Ireported this also.
The knocking continued, until it became
furious. Father Of course turned deaf
ear to his eprIeaties for admission. Find
ing that ar,ifce would not answer, be was
Joined BY his comrades, aud together they
made more furious attack upon the door
In truth, We we're but little alarmed, fer
there were but four savages, and We fel,
able 10 contend with them. They supposed
that the male members of the family had
not yet returned from work; consequent
ly they had only to deal with females.
The savages brought large stick Of
wood, and with their united strength used
it as battering-ram. This plan prom
ised to be successful In the cabin we're
three loaded muskets, in hands skilled in
their use. We knew disagreeable sur
prise was in store for our foes, aud this
knowledge gave US strength and courage.
The door yielded, and they rushed in.
Poor fellows. it was the last rush that
three of them ever made, for they fell .
dead upon the threshold, beneath our
well-directed FIRE. The fourth, fed in
We pursued him far into
the forest, but be vas swift Of foot and
bsffled pursuit.
"He will bring down more Of the red
lends upon Us" said my father, wiping
he perspiratiOn from his brow.
Indeed, the escape Of the Indian was
unfortunate. After this, we were kept in
continual alarm. We were fred a, 10 the
ield by unseen foes, aud we're obliged to
axe the greatest precaution to guard
gains, surprise by night. One of the In.
lIaDs slain was brother to him who was
o fortunate as to escape, and we knew
hat to avenge bis death would henceforth
re the great object of his life. Once, We
'ere attacked in the middle of the night
after hard fight, We succeeding in driv-
ug them away, with the loss of several of
heir number.
Finding our position growing more crit
sal every day, We began 20 think about
saviDg our solitary cabin, and seeking
ome white settlement Before our dwell.
,g vas the stump Of . tree which bad
cen broken of BY q strong wind about
'ur feet from the ground. This stump U
as hollow. One morning, as my father J.
pened the door to 60 to bis work, l heard c
,e report of = gun, and almos, immedi- &
ELY another, while almost Simultaneous a
with the FIRST report ball struck the il
,imney near me- ran to the door. o
$50 look in that hollow stump" said b
y father.
l did SO, and to my astonishment saw +,
Indian in the agOnies of death. l rec /
snized him, instantly, as the one who r
'ade bis escape. He had secreted him. :
III 'oere' during the night, in order to >,
IDOL my father as be left the cabin. ,
his aim vas bad. The ball . :.
,ssed within an inch Of bis intended VIC :, :,
ms head. Before he had time to make