Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-09-09
A Settlers Exploit.

half mile from bis dwelling, one after
noon, he heard a stick snap behind him
and turning quickly round, he found him
self confronted by a huge savage, in al
the hideousness of bis war paint, anC
with his rifle or musket, leveled at bis
head. the muzzle not more than four feel
from him. Bowdtch himself had rife
in his hand, but be knew that the Indian
could shoot him before he could raise il
aud FIRE, and so he did not make the at
tempt, but Immediately dropped it to the
ground, and held up his open palms, in
token of submission.
On seeing this, the savage walked up
and said
"Give Injun gun !"
81 see you're big chief and hope
we may be friends"
"Where live 2" asked the savage as be
produced a stout thong of deerskin, and
proceeded to bind the hands of bis cap
tive, who, being a small man, saw he was
no match for the other, even without
weapons on either side, and submitted
quietly, though agonized at the thought
of bis poor helpless wife and children, in
their lonely cabin over the hill.
81 live out yonder, not great ways
from here" replied the captive, nodding
in the proper direction.
"How many got?" demanded The IN
dian.
The settler hesitated about telling cor.
rectly. He first thought he would name
a number large enough to deter the saw
age from going thilher, and thus, perhaps,
save his wife and children from a fate
like his own ;but after moments rehec
tion, it occurred to him that, should the
savage take him there, a chance might
arise for him to regain his liberty and so
he decided to speak the truth.
"Why no Long knife tell p demanded
the Indian, with an impatient frown.-
"No make lie I"
"No, chief, I'll tell you the truth
There are only three persons in my cabin
my wife and two little children-but |
know big, brave chief like you wont
hurt 'em."
me 60 and see 'em !" returned the
Indian, with fierce CLEAN of triumph
which the other did not fail to notice. d
Having tightly bound the hands of his I
captive behind his back the savage felt t
about his dress for any weapon, took away $
his ammunition, and putting both weap- '
ons over his shoulder, told the white man ?
to lead the way. This the latter did, s
full of hope, fear and anxiety, till he v
came in sight Of bis humble log dwelling Il
situated in pleasant valley, through n
which flowed pretty little stream,
branch of the Green river-when the In- Il
dian ordered him to stop, and proceeded r.
10 make him fast TO tree, by means of ri
another deerskin thong secured to that "
around his wrists. "
"Aint you going to let me 60 down to a
he house with you ?" inquired the cap
i've, now beginning to feel much alarmed b
or the safety of his family. G,
"Me go alone !" returned the savage, r.
,ruffiy. "Me big chief-want scalpv' r,
"Oh, for Gods sake, don't kill my poor q,
innocent wife and children" !" pleaded re
3owditch, fairly agonized at the thought
You are a great chief, l know, and +,
QUILL remember that they never did you n,
ny harm" So
"Long-knife scalp much good !" re- h.
oined the Indian, as he finished binding a
be other to a tree, and strobe away ca
own the hill carrying the two weapons th
nth him. Bowditch watched him, step
y step, as be glided away under cover in
THE tree, keeping some rock, stump or M
lump of bushes between him and the in ho
mates of the dwelling so they might not ~;
y any chance perceive his approach and / >
IKE the alarm. -
"At any rate, / can holler yet p' NUT. No
ared the captive, sand may be they'll N,
ear me;" and forthwith he set up Sc N,
les OF yells that vert echoing and re. tio
,hoing through the forest. alb
The settler saw his wife and children of
,me in haste to the door, and look up
Ie hill in alarm. At this he shouted at "a
lie top Of bis lungs an,
"Quick, Esther-go back into the oy
ouse and bar it up tight The Injurs tbe
e arter you, and Pm a prisoner bo,
nick quick or you're lost and the ~
ildren toow
For moment or two the children
,od as IL paral6zed with amazement and IVY
rror, and then TO his great relief he
W bis little boy point iu the direction car
the skulkiDg So wage, and all three has. auc