Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-18
THE UNEXPECTED RESCUE.
AN INCIDENT OF THE BORDER.

About eighty one years ago, (17S9,) Joshua
Davidson, with his wife and three children re-
moved from PennsJ lvania, and settled in Ken
tucky and at that day all that country was a
deep and nearly unbroken wilderness. Here
and there might be seen a small settlement, or
the lonely cabin of some more bold and ad
venturous pioneer; but the Indians, the des-
peradoes, and the wild beasts held an almost
undisputed sway.
Perious adventures, hair breadth escapes,
violence and suffering were everyday occur
rences then and there; and the poor women,
what few of them there were, had no alterna-
tive even if they desired any, which am
certain they did not, but to share the common
fate which beset the footsteps OF all. Among
the brave women of that day. was Joshua Da-
Wilson's wife, Janet, strong, healthy, fine
looking female of forty: at the date OF this
occurrence.
/: seems that, one day Mr. Davidson went
ont into the forest, and not long after leaving
his cabin, he encountered a half dozen blood
thirsty savages, who sprang upon bim from
behind the trunks OF trees and before he could
do anything to defend his life or give the
slightestj alarm, felled him to the ground and
chopped him almost to pieces with their TOM
ahawks. One of them tore the scalp from the
poor mans head after which they all cautious
iy started forward toward the cabin-a few
moments after wildly bursting in upon the
astonished and frightened inmates, poor Mrs.
Davidson and her children, three in number,
two boys and girl; aged respectfully eight,
eleven and sixteen years. AT the same time,
quick as thought itself, the oldest child named
Charles, darted down under the arms of the
Indians and dashed out of the open cabin door
with the speed Of a race horse, directing his
steps towards an adjacent wood. With loud
yell, the redskins spIapg to the cabin door
Byt mom9nt after, at the conclusion of some
updistingnishsd jabberiDg, five of them re-
turpad, the sixth one only starting of in pur-
suit Of the fugitive boy.
Meanwhile, the other children were crying
and clngng to their poor mother, who was
Standing in the centre of the apartment, the
very picture Of the deepest despair.
40, mother don't let them kill US don't
let them hill ~ cried the children in one
voice.
"God help you. my poor children, l am
powerless to do you any good 20 moaned the
poor mother. eve are in the hands of Him
who mad. us.'
At the same time. the Indians were frant-
eally dancing all around the cabin, hourishing
.heir tomahawks, and yelling hideously and
every moment the poor mother expected that
herself and hsr poor children would be brutally
murdered. In the midst of their dancing, the
redskin who had scalPed Mr.. Davidson shook
the CORY trophy in the face of the poor wife
and mother, telling her in broken Eng ish how
s,ere killed and scaped him. At the sight Of
her husbaud's hair, which she readily recog
hRed, the poor woman uttered a cry of agony,
aud buried her face in her weak and trembling
hshds.
In this way the time passed until the Indian
who had went in pursuit of Charles returned,
which he did after the lapse of half an hour or
80. As he entered the cabin, the redskin held
mp lis hands, which apparently, we're CORY
with human blood, announcing in broken
English that it was the blood of the boy he
had gone in pursuit Of
The children screamed and clung the closer
TO their mother, but Providence had opened
The eyes of Mrs. Davidson, and she was not so
easily deceived. The death of her husband
sFe could not doubt, for there his scalp
At The Indians gIsdle but the redskin who
went in pursuit Of her son showed no such
Nophy-as he would have done bad he been
successful; while to her eye the color of his
nahds looked much more like pokeberry stains
thah human blood. Altogether she felt conf
osnt that the savage was uttering falshood
snd IN her heart of hearts, she prayed God
sa sna' ume might prove she was correct At
'ass, the Indians prepared to depart; and after
Eoobing the cabin of whatever they took a
laney to, they drove the poor captves outside,
anu Set lire to the little log house, which, in
te" minutes, was completely enveloped in
names. With cries, and yells, and screams of
eAuiAtion, the redskins finally started on
tneir course, driving poor Mrs. Davidson and
.s ner children on ahead of them, more as if
n.,'ey were dumb beasts than human beings.
sor many long and weary mile, thro' the
aAlk aud deep wildwoods, that poor woman
ana her children were compelled to tramp
anaong; and If they halted, or Jagged behind a
.H,ie, as sometimes the children would, the
teaskns whipped them forward, and with vio-
eht gestures, threatened to tomahawk them if
wey did not keep up the requisite speed.
M,earled and worn, the poor creatures trudged
sslons; aud whils the mother, made strong to
ossr her cross, betrayed but little outward
,,hMotion, the children, despite OF blows and
"ieats, at times vented their feelings in cries
and wailings.
n on' my children, be strong, be brave %
'A' anxieus mother would whisper to them.