The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-11-13
gu Suterestiug STORY.
A SETTLERS EXPLOIT.

A SETTLERS EXPLOIT
Az Samuel Bowditch, one Of the early
settlers on Grand river. in Kentucky, was
going across a patch Of swamp, one after,
noon. about half mile from his dwelling,
Z TO look after some cattle. he heard q stick
snap behind him. and, turning round, found
himself confronted with q huge savage. in
all the nhideousness Of his war paint. and
With rife or musket levelled at his head,
the muszle not more than four feet from him.
Bowditch himself had a rife in his hand. but
he knew the Indisn could shoot him be-
fore he could raise il and fire. and he did not
make the attempt. but Immediately dropped
IL TO the ground and held up his palms, in
token OF submission.
On seeing this. the savage walked up and
said:
"Give Injun gun!"
II see you're a big chief. and I hope we
may be friends"
'.Where livs?" asked the savage. as he
produced . stout thong Of deer-kin. and
+ proceeded to bind the hands of his captive,
who, being . SIN Ill man, saw that he was no
2 quietly. though agoaized at the thought oi
his poor helpless wife and children, in their
lonely cabin over the hill.
81 live out yondsr, not great way from
here" replied the captive. noddiDg his head
in the proper direction.
"How many gotT" queried the savage.
The settler hesitated about telling cor
Yectly. He 6rst thought he would name
q number large enough to deter the Indian
from going thither. and thus. perhaps. save
his wife and children from a fate like his
own: but, after q moments reflection. it oc-
Cured to him that, should the savage take
him there. q chance might arise for him to
regain his liberty. and he decided upon
speaking the truth.
"Why no Long knife tell?" demanded
the Indian. with an impatient frown. mo
make lie!"
mo chief, I'll tell you the truth. There
are only three persons in the cabin, my wife
and two children; but I know . big brave
chief like you won't hurt EN-"
me go sec emil returned the savage.
with fierce gleam Of triumph. which the
other did not fail to notice.
Having tightly bound the hands of his
captive behind his back. the savage felt
about his dress for aEy other weapons. took
away his ammunition. and. putting both wea
pons over his shoulder. told the white man
10 lead the way. This the latter did, full
OF hope and fear. and general anxiety. till
ne came in sight Of his humble log dwell
ling. situa,ed in q pleasant valley. through
which flowed pretty little stream. a branch
Of the Green river. when the Indian order
ed him to stop. and proposed to make him
fast to q tree. by means of another deerskin
81
"Aint you going to let me 60 down to
the house With you?" inquired the captive,
now beginning to feel much alarm for the
safety Of his family.
''Me go alone!" returned the savage.
erufiy. "Ms big ohief-want scalp
ooh, for Gods sake. don't kill my poor
innocent wife aud children!" pleaded Bow.
ditch, fairly asonixed at the thought. "You
are a great chief, / know, and you'll re-
member that they never did you any HARM 2
"Long-knife scalp much good!" rejoineh
the Indian sullenly. as he finished bindius z
the other to q tree; and strods away down
the hill. carrying the two weapons with him
Bowditch watched him, step by step. as he
ulided away under the cover Of the trees,
keeping some rock, stump or clump of bush
p, between him aud the inmates OF the
dwelling. so they might not by any chance
perceive his approach and take the alarm
"As any rate can holler yet?' mutte,ed
the captive. "aud maybe they'll hear me-
and forth with he set up . ssres of yells that
went echoiug and re-echoing far away
through the forest.
The settler saw his wife and children
haste to the door. aud look mp the hill in
alarm. Al this he shouted at the top Of his
voice.
"Quick. Esther-go back into the house
and tar il up tightl The Injuns are arter
YOU, and I'm prisoner Qaickl quick! ol
vou'rs lost, aud the children tooi' fJ
For . moment or two the mother and
children stood as If paraly zed with astouish.
unsut and terror. and then. to his great re.
lief, he saw his little boy point in the drec
tion Of the skulking savage. and all thres
rssrested and closed the door.
The Indian now uttered . fierce yell. ant
stepped out into plain view. fred both piece
one after the other. as the dwelling. as il b
had impulsively adopted this means to ven
his rage =, being discovered and foiled o
his murderous purpose. Then lookin!
around at bis captive. he tbrsw down th
ride belonging 70 shs latter and drawing
his tomahswk, started tswsrd him on
run. Bowditeh. who had watched ever,
motion, and knew that is his rage the sav
wosld brain and scalp him. now Eathsre,
al his strength, and made one desperate
effort 70 fses himself. acting rather from
che Instincts Of seh- pressrvssion shan from
any hope OF success. Bat to his great Joy