The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-05-23

afternoon, about half a mile from bis
dwelling, to look after some cattle he
heard a stick snap behind him, aud turn-
ing quickly around found himself con-
fronted by huge savage, III all The hide
business Of his war paiut,and with his rifle
or musket leyclled at his head, the muz-
zle not more than four feet from him
Bowditeh himself had a rifle ii his hand,
but as he knew the Indian could shoot
him before he could raise il aud fire, he
did not make the attempt, but immedi-
ately dropped it to the ground, and held
up his palm in token Of submission
On seeing this the savage walked up,
and said
Give lnjun gun
see you're big chief, and hope we
shall be good friends.
Where live? asked the savage, as he
produced stout thong of deer skin, and
proceeded to bind the hands ofhis captive
who, being a small man, saw be was no
match for the other, even without weap-
ons on either side, and so submitted quiz
etly, though agonized at the thought of
his poor helpless wife and children in
their lonely cabin over the hill
live yonder not a great way from
here, replied the captive, nodding his
head in the proper direction.
How many got? queried the savage.
The settler hesitated about telling cor
rectly. lie first thought he would name
number large enough to deter the lndi-
an from going thither, and thus, perhaps,
save his wife and children from fate like
bis own; but after moments reflection,
IL occurred to him that should the savage
take him there, chance might arise for
him to regain his liberty, and he decided
upon speaking the truth.
Why no long-knife tell? demanded the
Indian, with an impatient frown. No
make liel
No, chief; I'll tell YOU the truth.
There are only three persons in my cabin
my wife and two children--but know
a big, brave chief like you won't hur'
'em.
Me 90 see 'em! returned the savage
with fierce CLEAN of triumph, which the
other did not fail to notice.
Having tightly bound the hands of his
captive behind his back, the savage felt
about his dress for any other weapons,
took away his ammunition, and putting
both weapons over his shoulder, told the
white man to lead the way. This the lat,
ter did, full of hope, fear and general
anxiety, till he came in full view Of his
humble log dwelling situated in pleas
ant valley, through which flowed pretty
little stream, a branch Of the Green River
when the Indian ordered him TO stop,
and proceeded TO make him fast to tree
by means of another deer skin thong Sc.
cured to that around the wrist.
'Aint you going to let me 90 down tc
the house with you? inquired the captive
now beginning to feel much alarmed foI
the safety Of his family.
Me 90 alone! returned the savage
gruflly Me big chief-want scalp.
o, for Gods sake, don't kill my poor
innocent wife and children! pleaded
Bowditch, fairly agonzed at the thought
You are great chief, know, and you'l
remember that they never did you any
/ harm.
Long-knife scalp much good reioinec
the Indian, sullenly, a. he finished bind
ing the other to tree, and strobe away
| down the hill, carrying the two weapon
, with him.
Bowditch watched him, step by step
as be glided away under cover Of the tree
keeping some rock, stump, or bushes be
, tween him and the inmates Of the dwell
ing, so they might not by any chance
perceive his approach and take the al
arm.
, At any rate, can holler yet! mutteret
! the captive, and may be they'll hear me
i and forthwith he set mp series Of yells
/ that echoing and reeehoing away throngl
/ the forest.
The setter saw his wife and childrei
6 come ia haste to the door, and look VI
D at the bin in alarm. At this be shouted
) al the top Of bis lnngs:
Quick, Esther, 90 back into the houst
and bar Il up tight. The lnjuns are afe
: You, aud I'm pris0ner' Quick quick
or you're lost, and the children to0
!. For moment Or two the mother ani
o children stood a. IL paralyzed with aston
e ishment aud terror, aud then, 10 bis grea
relief, be saw his little boy point iu tb
9 direction Of The skulking savage, and d
r three retrealed and closed the door
r The Indian now uttered fierce yell
o and stepped out into plain view, fire
Il both pieces, one after the other, AZ "a
dwelling, as II be had impulsiyely adopl
n ed this means 10 yeut bis rage IL bein
r discovered and foiIed Of his murierou
purpose Then looking around AZ 81
= captive, be threw down The rifle belong
o ing to the latter and drawing bis toms
il hawk, started towards him on a fui
BoWditeh, who had watched every ID,
a ton, and knew that the savage woul
p brain and scalp him, now gathered al d