The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1867-12-12


Of despair; sdll'he had one chance lol
bis liloi he mightrcach the caaOo, aud
push of before the savage could Ovsrlake
him, he gained ii, but the Indian was
close at hand; push, the ligh! bark ao@s
upon the stream; he springs in srasPs his
paddle, but before it touches the water
the tomahawL came wbizzing through the
! dir and burios itself in the old mans skull
With an exuliog shout lhesavage sprPng
upon his fallen enemy, and plunged his
Iknjfe into his heart and while Ham 'wos
trying in yaio to ERE the rife, which he
had hustiIy loaded, he saw the scalp torn
from bus la,hcr's head by the Indian,
who again raised bis loud war whocp.
Then, as if in mockery Of the attempts
Of Ham, he tossed the scalp into the air,
catching il as it fell, repeating The feat
again and again, shouting aud whOOping
all the while, 10 the full enjoyment OF
gratifed revenge
Ham stood gazing on the murlererof
bis folher, as if the fdshlrul spectacle
had lurood him into stone, AMI it was
no until be heard The ramrod of the 10;
dian ring in the barrel of his ride, than
he reoOected his own scalp could only
be saved by putting the bank between
the Indian and himself He ran,
scarce knowing whitheT chance direct
cd him towards Harmon four miles below
but before ho had accomplished half the
distance be met a scouting party, cousis
ting OF B sit. Williams and two Others
Ham related his story, though ia very
incoha'en manner but, BY questioning
him they finally got at the wholo story,
and entering canoe which lay conceal
ed in the creek, they returned with him,
On their way one Of the party, think.
ing it strange cold Swift sure" should
miss Gre, drew the charge and turning TO
his comrades, said, Look the old mans
life has been fooled away by o poor sip
of q boy who don'tknow enough to load
rifle He has pu. in the ball and tho
wodjing frs', and the powder on top"
Ham started, and looked eagerly ri the |
charge, but said not worl, though his
lace assumed calm, determined look,
and he sat in the Stern Of the canoe i'm
movable as a rock. II took but short
.lima. a.ta.feasA. .the. .fsialapoi.-.-Tke e.IDdian-l
hadNoqe off with The oanoe butthey
found the body oflhe old man on the
bank, quite cold and dead, The ball
had entered his side, making a flash
wound, from which be would have re-
covered but tho tomahawk had made sure
work.
They thought the sight of tie body
would make Ham crazy, he seemed not
to mind it, seeming cool and Indifferent,
and only spoke once, when they propo-
sad taking the body to the cabin; "No,
no! 10 the settlement" said Ham. AZ
tefholdiDg short consultation it was
arranged that Two of them should take
the body in the coaoo TO the settlement,
aud send a team for Betsy, while Bait
WiIIioms and Ham should go to the cab
iU, and break it out TO her.
When they arrived at the cabin VIII
liams told the story 10 Betsy. She seem
ed fronlic with griei, aud bitterly re-
preached Ham for his cownriico. He
heard her through withou! saving a word
and then turned and left the cabin, and
he did not again make his appearance
until just as the body Of his father was
being lowered into the grave, although
search had been made for him, He
stood b,silO tbs grave until the service
was ended, and then beckoning 10 Bait.
Williams to follow him, he walked away
towards the woods without having ut,
tered word or she'd a tear. When he
reached hi, fathers cabin he molioncd
to Bait. to sit dowo, and taking seat
beside him, "B 1t. Williams" said he,
"yOu are the only one who has not cur.
scd me for my folly and wickedaess in
the murder of my father | will Prove
to you thol, bad as have BEEN am not
SO bad as she called me. lam no cow
ard, Bu6frst show mo how to load this
lriaa. Williams took it aod did a, he
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