The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-06-23
attack on q Settler.

t1uence with the Susquehanna, you enter
wild, secluded dell where in some places
the banks rise steep and rocky above the
flowing river, forming scene OF romantic
beauty verging on sublimity.
In one place where the cliff has per-
pendicular descent of fifty feet, an early
settler had erected his log dwelling upon
the very brink. 1t was almost an impos-
sible thing for the Indians to assail it on
the side next to the water, and to prepare
way for retreat, in case of its being sue
cessfully Stormed in front, or on the land
side, he had dug kind of well, nearly
down to level with the water. enIarging
the excavation at the bottom sufficiently
to contain small boat, with an outlet di-
rectly on the ,Juniata, and concealing this
outlet with thin shell of earth and
stones, so disposed as to resemble the nat
ural cliff itself At the bottom of the we'll
a small boat was placed, which could be
launched in a few minutes by destroying
the thin barrier, and pushing it out upon
the water, and it was thought the family
might in the dire event Of which we
speak, escape in this manner before the
asSailing foe should discover their secret
Thus prepared, with a windlass for low
ering the inmates, and stockade on three
sides of the dwelling, the fourth forming
Il perpendicular line with the bank, the
settler felt as much at ease as any one
could in his exposed situation, and went
vigorously to work, with his two sons
aged sixteen and eighteen, clearing and
tilling the land of his purchase.
The household Of Job Hanson consisted
of five souls-himself, wife, the two sons
Just mentioned. and Il daughter of twelve.
AT the precise period of his settling in the
valley of the Juniata the Indians were at
peace with the whites, and nothing occur
red to disturb the tranquility Of the tami
| ly for couple of years, when vague ru-
mors of savage discomfort and probable
hostility began to reach them and excite
feeling of uneasiness. Not long after
this came the fearful intelligence of the
destruction of Wyoming, and on the very
heels Of this, as it were, 4 party of saw
ages. headed by white man, were dis
covered approaching the dwelling. The
two Sons. who were at work about quar-
ter of a mile from the house, saw them
Just in time to get home and give the
alarm The father was already there, be-
inc indoors with an attack of rheumatism.
and though it was with great difficulty he
could move about. his head was clear to
direct. which was of great consequence to
the less experienced inmates. He ordered
the gate of the Stockado to be securely
closed, the rifles to be reprimed, and then,
to guard against accidents, had his wife
and daughter lowered to the boat already
mentioned Bv the time this had been
accomplished, the savages were whooping
before the dwelling.
) - How many of the painted imps are
there ," he inquired of his sons.
Il don't exactly know. father" an
swcrcd the elder. "but | should think
somewhere about twenty"
well, if that is all, we ought to be
able to hold out against them for two
hours at least, by that time it will be dark
enough for us to put off in our boat with.
, out being seen. Thank heaven that they
came so late in the day, BE cool, boys
and firm, and don't waste any powder
If YOU have to shoot at all, be sure tc
fetch one of the Scoundrels down every
time. which will make the others very
cautious how they expose themselves, an(
they'll probably haul off to wait to1
night. of their own accord
5. "There's white scoGndrel among EN-
and lust want to draw 4 bead on him. >
:. said tho younger, with a flash of his eye
as he tightened his grasp on the rifle HI
held in his hand.
sTake care, Sam" said his father
"don't you 90 to being rash, and expos
= inc yourself any more than is absolutel,
necessary, for if anything should happel
S. to you, it would be a sorry day for you
mother. to say nothing of the rest Of us
: Take pattern by your brother Jim, wh'
is always cautious."
p ooh, I'll be careful don't you fea
for me, father" replied the youth. AN
he muttere,l to himself: "Ill fix tha
: white sco,lndrel, though, if there's an
chance"
1t Ialloo the house," at this momen
t. sang out voice from the outside.
IS The brothers went to the second story
J. which projected about two feet over tn
le lower. and commanded the little cOur
# within the stockade, ard the elder shoute
l. back:
d "Well, what's wanted of the house ?
ID awe wapt to come in peaceably," re
o piled the white man, ''and Ill pledge m
t, honor that no one shall be harmed.'
III eff that's all you've got to pledge
in you're poor, miserable jackanapes
T. called out the younger, before the eide
i brother had time to reply.
b. "You defy us, then ;" said the man,
re an angry tone.
a. "We'll not let you in pcaceably, at a
tie events was the rejoinder. "and if yO
r. attempt to break in, look out for the col
II. sequences-tor there's number of II
IS. ard we're we'll armed
in ''And we're enough to force our We
rs. in, and burn your cabin about your heads
a. shouted back the white man. "If YOU
as throw open your gates and doors, and |
.er us in at once, we'll not hurt hair
r;t .-o,,r hoads-for WORE hungry and tire