The Shasta courier., 1864-03-05
The Mothers's Defense.


Among the early settlers ofKentuckY was
one Jonathan Wells, who located himself in
a pleasant valley, not far from the Ohio river
where for couple of years he remained in
peaceful quiet, unmolestcd by the Indians
One pleasans day in early autumn, he setofi
for the nearest settlement, leaving his wife
and little three year old daughter at home,
telling the former that he should probably
be back by dark, and charging her, if he was
not, to secure the house. and open the door
to no one but himself
In the afternoon. Of that day, Mrs Wells
who though small and delicate, possessed the
true spirit of border heroine-happened to
be doing something a few rods from her
dwelling. when, CHANGING to look toward the
woods that surrounded the clearing, she es-
pied couple of savages cautiously recon
noitering the place. She tho't of her hus
band away, her helpless little child in the
house, her own lonely and almost defence
les situation. and felt ready TO sink with des-
pair; but she called on God for aid, neryed
herself with firm resolve, and walked quiet
ly back to the house, with the air and man
ner of one who had seen nothing TO occasion
the slightest alarm.
No sooner was she in the house, however out
of sight Of the Indians than, catching up her
little girl. she pressed her to her heart, with
maternal anguish and prayed God to pre-
serve her harmless, even though her own
life should be sacrificed.
What for mamma say so?'' inquired the
little curly haired pet, LICKING up into her
mothers fearful face with childish wonder.
g You must keep still, Ella, and not make
the least noise, because there are wicked In.
dians about, and want to hide yuu SO they
can't find you"
''Oh. mammal
g Hush, now you must be good little
girl and not cry, and not even speak to me,
no matter what you hear'
. But | 'fraid Indian, mamma ~
:. Then you must keep still, and they won't t
find you'f
g Where papa?"
"Oh, would to God he were here ~ cried
the poor wife and mother, with wild burst
of emotion.
She then FASTENED to hide the child among
the straw of the bed, strongly impressing it
with the idea that its own constant silence,
and nothing else could save it from the hands
of the wicked Indians. This DONE she turn
ed toward the window that looked in the d.
rection where she had seen the Indians, and
perceived four of them leisurely, bnt some
what cautiously approaching the house.
What was she to do? Leave the door open
and let them enter, trusting to her own peace
full intentions to effect like result in them
or close and bar the house, and make the best
warlike defense she could? For n few mo-
ments she was undecided which course to pur-
sue, for there were about equally strong ar
guments in favor of either Should she let
them in peacefully, treat them well, and of.
Ter them few presents, they might go away
without doing her any harm or should
they even kill her, or take her prisoner, ste-
ing no one else about, they might overlook
her child, and let it thus escape; and such
was her maternal love. that she would have
been willing TO sacrifice herself to insure the
safety OF her offspring. On the other hand,
should she bar up the doors and windows
and make use of the gun ard ak at her COM
mand perhaps she could keep them out al
together, till such time as her returning
husband should become apprised ofthe siege.
who might then 90 and bring force to the
rescue.
Recollecting her husbands iniunctions
while arguing with herself, she decided upon
the latter course and in less than a minute
after that the dwelling was as secure against
her enemies as it was possible for her TO make
1t. She then took down gun that was rest
ing on some hooks overhead. and hastily ex-
amined it. She knew how to load and fire
1t, even though she might not be able to
sight it well. The piece was found already
loaded, and remembered having heard her
husband say ne put in large charge of back
shot but to make doubly sure. she hastily
put IN some more which she found in leath-
ern ponch. lie had taken bis favorite rifle
hi I,,f = L g.
horn Of powder, and with this in her hands
and the certainty that she had plenty of am
munition, she felt slightly relieved from that
had minute before experienced
She had put in some extra shot. as we have
said. and secured them with light wad. and
was in the act of repriming the piece, with
hands that trembled SO as to spill some of the
powder on the floor, when loud rap sound
ed on the door, as if it were struck with
tomahawk.
. Who is there, and what do YOU want? ~
demanded Mrs. Wells. bracing her nerves for
the severe trial which she felt was now at
hand
Me lniun-come see how do?r said
voice in broken English.
Very well, you see that where you are.''
Squaw open-Iniun want come in say
how do, Injun no HARM,
No, | cannot let you in; and so if You
are good and peaeeable Indians, you will 90
away.
No go way first. Come in frst-sav
how do-eat hominy-den go right way
:. No, don't know you-you may be bad
indians-and SO shall not let you in but
Il you are hungry | will give YOU food
:. Yes, Iniun heap hungry
Mrs: Wells hastily collected some cold
meat, bread and vegetables, and cautiously
opening the window, dropped them on the
ground ''-'
" There is food for you," she said. as she
secured the shutter. and now if Won are
good Indians you viii go away.
she Judged by the sounds that the savases
picked up the food and ate it. and for some
time she could hear them conversing in low
tones among themselves.
As this affair happened when the Indians
were known 70 be a. peace with the whites