Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-03-18

the lad wanted. The Indian had put him
where he could move without disturbing the
others, and had not only removed the strap
from him, but had rolled off Of it himself
Pro6ting by this, the boy slowly and eau.
tiously rolled away from his companions,
and commenced trying to undo the thongs
with which his hands were tied. Forum
ately tho Indians had not fastened him very
securely. He worked slowly and softly, SO
slowly indeed that it seemed that he would
never free himself Every movement seemed
to his excited imagination more violent than
was prudent, and he dreaded lest the In
dians should suddenly awake and discover
his attempt to escape. In such case, he
felt sure they would kill him. The time
wore away very slowly, but at length he sue
ceeded in removing his fetters, and rising
gently to his feet, he looked around to assure
himself that all was well. Tho huge forms
of the Indians were stretched out at full
length, and their heavy, regular breathing
showed him that they were sound asleep.
Another glance revealed to him the great,
round blue eyes Of his little brother Henry,
watching his movements with the most in
tense eagerncss. He placed his finger warn
ingly on his lips to caution the little fellow
not to make any sound that might alarm the
savages, and then stepping cautiously to the
boys side, he raised the strap softly, and
motioncd to his brother to get upon his feet.
The astonishcd Henry did so, and his broth
er led him softly few PAGES awaw from the
sleepers, and commenced to unite his hands.
How their hearts beat, as they stood there
in the dark woods with danger and death so
near them Pho very signing Of the night
wind, the rustling Of the leaves, and the
murmuring Of the waters Of the little stream
by which they had cncamped, made them
start and tremble with fear. The slightest
sound might arouse their captors, and then,
poor boys, home and mothers face would
never gladden. their eyes again.
At last Henry's hands were released, and
the boy, intent only upon getting off safe,
whispered to his brother:
"Come now, brother John, let US run
home as fast as we can.' -,
John knew this would never do. Henry
would be sure to arouse the Indians in at
tempting to run away, and he seized the lit
tie fellow, who had already turned to put
his proposal into execution, by the shoulder
firmly, and whispered to him: .r--
Don't run away yet, Hen. IF You do,
you Il wake the Indians, and they'll Kill u.s.
You mustn't stir yet, for we must kill these
Indians before we co."
Henry was afraid at first, for he was very
little fellow, and only eleven years old, and
the idea Of killing one Of the great, stalwart
savages that lay sleeping at his feet seemed
to him an utter impossibility; but his broth
CT told him that he must make the attempt,
and after some hesitation the little fellow
consented to do SO. .....,
The plan upon which John had decided
would have done credit to an old hunter, and
it is remarkable as coming from a boy so
young, inasmuch as it exhibits an unusual
degree Of originality, fertility of resource,
and determined courage. The lad was only
thirteen years old, but had he been fifty he
could not have acted with greater coolness
and determination. Stealing noiselessly up
to the indians, he took one Of their rifles,
which was loaded and primed, and cooking
it, placed it on u log with the muzzle only
an iuch Or two from the head of one Of the
Indians. He then placed Henry at the
breech Of the weapon, and made him put
his finger on the trigger. He told him to
pull the trigger, and shoot the savage as
soon as he should strike the other, Then
stepping back, he possessed himself Of the
Indians to,nahawk, as he found that it
would be impossible to remove the rife with
out arousing its owner. He grasped the
firmly, and then assuring himself
by q glance that his younger brother was
ready to cooperate with him, he stepped
softly to The sleepers, and placed himself
astride of one Of them. They were still uu-
conscious, the fatigue Of, their long march
on the previous day having thrown them in
profound slumbcr, The boy raised the tom
ahavk with both hands, and concentrating
all his energies in the blow struck the sleeper
with it. The blow fell on the back Of the
Indian neck, and little to the side, SO as
not to be fatal. Half stunned, the savage
attempted to spring up and defend himself,
but John struck him again, this time on the
head. Even this blow, though it cut through
he skull with horrible crash, did not kill
he man, but the little fellow, rendered des-
perato by The gravity Of his situation, struck
hin so fast and SO often, and with such fatal
effect, that as the lad afterwards expressed
t himself "the Indian lay still, and began
(. .quiver." In another moment, the huge
avage lay motionless at his feet, and having
atisGed himself that there was nothing more |
o apprehend from this one. John turned to |
zee what disposition his brother had made
# the other. ,. -,5.../ ..s. 60, .,,I
Little Henry had also done his part we'll
Is soon as he saw his elder brother strike |