Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-10-11
Story of an old Settler.

| The SHOWS Of many winters have left their
whiteness upon my head, but many events of
the war are still fresh in my memory. During
the long bloody struggles for independence /
was compelled to witness many horrors
Ny father was one of the earlier settlers of
the Kennebec. | was the Oldest of four soDs.
Before the commencement of the war, my
father had built him cabin, quite conforta-
bic enough for his purpose, and commenced
clearing-converting the savage wilderness in
to garden, to teen with corn aud grain.
| and my brothers of course assisted him in
his laborS. The war broke out the second year
after-our settlement on the Kennebec At first
we apprehended but little danger from the
savages, as they had hitherto manifested
I friendly disposition. But we were conscious of
danger. The Indians commenced their depre-
datiOnS.
Tales Of blood were borne to our ears We
went to our daily labor with our weapons in
our hands. At the close of a summer day we
were seated in our comfortable cabin as usual.
\ knocking was heard at the door. My moth
err turned pale and looked at my father, as if
entreatiug him not to open it until he was GER
tain who was without, | Immediately acted
upOu Wis A'ltb "a SICppiu5 SOIIlI W tuO cut ~
was enabled tOrecounoitre the premises through
a smaI! crevice My mothers fears were not
without foundation. An athletic savage stood
at the door. His face was panied in the most
hideous manner. Instead OF uudoing the fast
enings proceeded to add to their strength
| reported the discovery had made.
" Bnt one, did you say ?" said my father.
"Only QUE" replied.
Now see what you can discover on the
other side of the cabin"
did SO, and to my surprise saw three more
of the rascals, crouched like serpents in the
grass | reported this also
The knocking continued until became furious
My father Of course turned deaf ear to his
eutreatieS for admission. Finding that arti-
flee would not answer, he was Joined by his
companions, and together they made a. more
furious attack upon the door. In truth we
were but little alarmed for there were but four
SaYages, and we felt able to contend with them
The fact was they supposed that the male
members of the family had not yet returned
from work consequently they had only to deal
| with females. The saVageS now brought
large stick Of wood, and with their united
strength used it as battering ram. The door
began to yield.
In the cabin were loaded muskets They
were already in hands skilled to their use We
know disagreeable surprise was in store for
our foes, and this knowledge gave US strength
and courage. The door welded and they ruSh-
ed in. Poor fellows, it was the last rush three
Of them ever made for they fell dead upon
the threshold, beneath our well directed fire
The fourth one fled in CONSERVATION. We pur-
sued him far into the forest, but he was swift
of foot, and bafled pursuit.
He will bring down more of the red skins
upon u.s." said my father wiping the perspira-
! tion from his brow
! Indeed the escape of the Indian was unfor-
| tunate. After this, we were KEEP; in continual
alarm. We we're fired at in the fields by un.
seen foes, and were obliged to take the greatest
precauton to guard against surprise by night.
One of the Indians slain was brother to him
who was so fortunate as to escape, and We
knew that to avenge his death would hence
forth be the greatest object of his life.
Once we were attacked in the middle of the
night. After a hard battle we succeeded in
driving them away, with the loss of several of
their number.
Finding our situation growing more critical
every daywe began to think about leaving our
SOiltdlg NdoluJ duu oCChIll5 SOiHS "ullC SelIe-
ment. Before our dwelling stood the stump of
a tree, which had been broken off by strong
wind about four feet from the ground This
stump was hollow. One morning as my father
opened the door to go to bis work Il heard the
report of gun and almost Immediately anoth-
er, while simultaneously with the first report a
ball struck the chimney near me, / ran to the
door. . 's
Go look in that hollow stump" said my
father
/ did so, and to my astonshment saw an
Indian in the agonies of death. | recognized
him instantly as the one who had made his
escape. He had secreted himself there during
the night, in order to shoot my father as he
left the cabin. Fortunately his aim was bad
The ball passed within an inch of the intended
victims head.
Before he had time to escape, he received
the contents of my fathers rife.
With our united strength we dragged him
forth. We now Telinquished the idea of leav
ing our home, thinking that after this event
we might live 10 comparative safety.
Soon after this l joined the ranks of my
countrymen, encountered much hardship, and
saw reel service. 1t SO happened, once upon
time, that / was sent out on scouting
party, In our zeal we went so far that we were
obliged TO pass the night from camp There
was not dwelling near aud we were In the
vicinity OF oar savage fees whose cunning We