The national Republican., 1860-12-25
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.
THE HOUSE ON THE poToMAC1N IN 1879

lhD iloocE YIN lHE fOlOMAC in 1915.
Standing on bluff above the river Potomac
was small log house, two stories in height,
with kitchen and dining room on the first
floor and two bedrooms on the second. Old
Spelman the owner, was known in the yicini.
ty as the greatest Indian hunter of his day.
The red skins feared his rife, and when Il
came to rough and.tumble fight, they feared
his powerful arm more than his rife. or course
he was marked among the savages, known to
each warrior, and held in awe by all. The
Indian who would bring in old Spellman's
scalp would be reverenced, worshipped, and
be regarded as motto and example for all
young warriors to initiate. lhe family of
Spellman consisted Of the father and mother,
daughter and son. The parents were well ad
vanced in years, but stout hale, and hearty.
The son was young man of promise-large
muscular frame, and, like his father, possessing
a Herculean power. The daughter was q girl
of eighteen, fair and beautiful. Being Injured
to the forest, she was brave and daring, cool,
calculating, calm, and self possessed in times
Of the greatest danger and most imminent peril.
The hous stood within few yards of a
precpice, about twenty feet high, which ex.
tended some distance up and down the river,
aud afording it on that side protection
against an enemy. A high palisade, com.
around the house to the bluff on the opposite
side, thus enclosing it on three sides BY the
palisade, and one side protected by the bluff.
1t was considered by the neighbors as strong
post, and the old man himself thought it al.
most impregrable.
About this time the Seneca Indians made
war upon the Susquehaunahs, and drove them
from the head Of the Chesapeake. They wan.
dered along the banks of the Potomac, and six
OF the chiefs applied to the whites, desiring to
negotiate terms Of peace; they were, however,
put to death, on which occasion Sir William
Berkeley said "They came in peace, and
would have sent them in peace though they
had killed my father and mother" This in.
hamed the minds of the savages, and they
made war on the whites, staying indiscrminate.
ly all who fell into their hands.
1t was a cold evening in November, that Mr.
Spellman was seated BY the table with book
in his hand. The old lady was doing before
the fire, with her knitting part the time going
ON and part the time lying idle in her lap.
The son was mending and generally preparing
his traps for the wiuter service. The daughter
was seated at her spinning wheel, occasionally
casting sly glances at fne.looking young
man near her, who smiled graciously in return.
The gentleman alluded to was beau of Miss
Spellman's, and had that evening walked
through lonely forest five miles to see his
sweetheart. His name was Robert RSler, and
brave stouthearted man, willing and able to
defend his lady-love from harm.
The wind was whistling dolefully about the
house, making everything without seem cold
and dreary, and all within look more cheerful.
The old gentleman laid down his book took
off his specs, and turned his ear towards the
back end OF the house. The sou noticed the
fathers actions, laid down his traps, and fol.
lowed the old mans example.
" Hist, " said he to his sister, putting up his
finger in token Of silence.
:" Did you hear anything, pap?" asked the
Old lady, starting up in her seat.
There is something wrong" replied the
old man "the horses seem uneasy, and the
dogs whine. i am afraid the Indians will be
on u.s."
ooh! don't say that" plead the old lady.
Don't be frightened there is a pretty
good party Of US. Risler, you, and Nancy, col.
lect all the arms together, and put them in
order; there are strong indications of Indians
Guard well the doors, and keep sharp look
out"
The old man arose from his chair, and noise.
lessly stole up stairs. There we're several port
holes in the upper part of the house, through
which the old gentleman took an observation
what he could observe, he was satisfied that
Indians were lurking about, and, as war exist.
ed between the whites and savages, of course
their intentions were not of friendly char.
acter.
When he returned to the room below stairs
he assisted in preparing the arms and dis
tributing the ammunition. There were fire.
arms enough for ALL except the old lady, and,
tor better security, she was placed in one end
OF the room. A screen was made to shut off
the light from the fire. by suspending before it
two or three bed.quilts.
All the necessary preparations having been
completed, the family waited, in perfect silence.
the result OF their suspicious 1t was perhaps
midnight, when there was slight rusting out.
side the door, and, by closely observing and
listening, voice could be heard. The old man
ordered three of the party up stairs to fire upon
the savages who might be in the yard, while
he would defend the door. The command was
put in the hands Of Risler, who, on looking
out, saw, by the faint light the moon cast
through the clouds, body of Indians, lust in
side the palisade. They were standing, per.
fectly quiet, watching the movements Of their
companions near the door.
lake the three Indians to the right" said
RiScr. I" will take the first one, Harry take
the second, and Nancy the third"
Noiselessly they placed their weapons in the
portfolios, and at the same instant the arms
beIched forth fire, and three Indians fell dead
on the spot. The Indians seemed stricken
with panic, and preciptately fed, but a mo.
ment after returned and attat ked the house fu.
rously. Their principal point of attack was
the door, which the old man was defending.
While they were battering at it, the old lady
put kettle of water over the fire. and in
few minutes had it boiling. She then ascended
the stairs, and softly raising small window
dlrecly over the savages, she threw the whole
contents over them. With loud howls they
fled, and as they retreated the party up stairs
gave them volley, and two or three were