Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-11-09
STORY OF Am OLD SETTLER.

The SHOWS of many winters hsVs left theip
whiteness upon my head, but many events in
the war ara Htill fresh iu my memory. During
the Long and bloody struggle for independence,
was compelled 10 witness many horrors.
4 Nv father was one Of the early settlers OF
the Kenebec. | was the oldest OF four sons.
Before the commencement Of the war, my
father had built hiln cabin quite comfortable
for his purpose. and commenced clearing
converting tha savage wilderness into gar
den, TO TEEN with corn and grain.
and my brothers OF scSrsa assisted him in
his labors. The war broke ont she ssoond
year after our settlement On the Keneb6G. At
hrst wa spprehendsd bus little danger from the
saveges as they hitherto manifested friendly
disposition. But we we're soon conscious of
the danger. The Indians commenced their
/ depredations upon the RhIte settlers.
] Tales OF blood were daily borne to our ears.
We went to our d 4:iy labor With our weapons
l lD our hands. At the close of summer day
we we're seated in our comfortable cabin 40
usual. A knocking was heard at the door
Aly mother turned pale and looked at my
father 40 il eutreating him not to open il until
he was certain who was without. | i'm
mediately acted upon this hint, and stepping
softly to the eutry, was enabled to reconnoitre
the premises through small creVlce. My
mothers fears wore not without foundation
Al athletic savage stood at the door. Hs
face was painted in the most hideous manner.
Instead of undoing the fastenings, proceeded
TO add 10 their strength. / reported he dis
ooVsrg | had made.
"But one, did you Hay - said my fathor.
"Ouly one," replied.
/ hat AL
other side of the cabin"
did so, aud 10 my surprise saw three more
of the rascals couchod like serpents in the
grass. ! reported this also.
The knocking continued until ID became
| furious. My father of course turned deaf
ear to bis entreatiss for admission. Finding
that artifce wouli not answer, be was joined
by h4 companions, and together made fari-
| Gus attack upon the door. In truth We we're
but little alarmed for there were but four
saVages, and we felt able 10 contend with them.
''l4 f~ar -s fha9, ~rf >R sha ma a rangs4fiars
OF the family had not yet retured from work:
consequently that they lad only to daai Sish
females. Tho saVages now brought large
stick OF wood, and with their united strength
used II as hatterlng ram. The plan promised
to DO successful. The door began to yield.
In the cabin were three loaded rnuskets. and
they were already In hands skilled IN their
use. We knew disagreeable sunrise vas in
store for our foes, and this gave us strength
and courage. The door yielded and thew
rushed in. Poor fellows ID was the last rush
that thrss of them made, for they fell dead
upon the threshold beneath our we'll directed
fire. The fourth one fed in cops,eruatiou.
We pursued him far into The forest, but he was
swift of foot and baffled pursuit.
"lde will bring down more of the red 6euds
on u.s." said my father, wiping ths pcrspirsuon
from biz brow.
Indeed the escape Of the Indian w.s un-
fortunate. After this we kept in continual
alarm. We were fired at in he fields hv nm
seen toes, aud we're obliged to take tie great
est pfecaution to guard against surprise all
night One of the Indians slain was a BROTH |
CT 81 hlm who was SO furtunats as to escape, |
and We knew that to avenge bis death would |
neheeiorfh De the great object of bis life.
onee we we're attacked in the middle of the |
Glght Dat after hard fight we succeeded in |
driVlDg them away with the loss of several of |
their 1umber. Finding our position growing |
more critical every day We began to think |
ABOUT leaving our solitary cabin, and seeking |
some white settlement.
before our dwelling was the stump eff tree
which had been broken off by strong wind
about Tour feet from the ground This stump |
was hollow. One morning as my father opan-
cd the door to go to work, heard tue report
OF gun, snG almost hmm ediatcly another.
while simultaneously with the frst report
ball struck the chimney near me- Iran 20 the
door,
$50 look into that hollow stump said my
father"
did SO. and to my assonishneut saw an
Indian In the agonies of death. recognized
him Instantly as the one wis made his ercane
lie bad secreted himself there during The
night, IN order to shoot mr. father us he left
the cabin. Fortunately his aim was bad and
aud the ball passed within all inch of his in
tended victims head.
Before he had time to make his escape be
had received the contents of my fathers rifle.
With our united strength we dragged him
torthi and We now ralinquished the idea of
leaving our home, thinking that after this event
we might live IN comparative safety.
Soon after this joined the ranks Of INV
countTymeD, encountered much hardship. and
saw real service. 1t so happened, once unon
q time, that was seLt out With acoutin o
psrty. La our zeal, we went so far tha. we
were obliged to spend the night from camp.
There was no dwelling near, and we we're ia
the viDclnity of our sa7ags foes, who're cum
nIng we had every reason to dred. We made
arrangements TO pass the night "a follows:
We were in small clearing, which had been
made before the war broke out, and afterwards
abandoned as untenable on account of the In
dians. Near the middle of this trunk Of
largo tree which had been blown down, aud
whose roots bad taken from the soil whereon
they grew, an immense quantity of earth, /
placed myself ON one side OF this rampart Of
earth, and my friend ON the other, with the up.