Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-07-10
THE INDIANS LEAP.
A Legend Of Beach Island.
BY Z. L. wHATLEY'

ucorSid, duu VI tu0 oOueA S S
Of the river. the passenger on the steam
boat, or the passenger across the ferry
would scarcely fail to have his notice at
tracted by bold eminence rising from
the margin Of the stream and II, while
the steamer is stopping at the woodward,
below, and while waiting on the tardy
movements Of the ferry fiat, they will take
the trouble to climb to the summit of the
cliff, they must be insensible to the beau
ties Of Nature if thoy do not feel COM
pensated for the rough scramble. Not
often is it the case that one who stands
for the fret time on the edge OF "Fort
Moore Bluff and takes in the beautiful
surroundings, does not confess to new
and pleasant experience. Many times In
boy.hood have we rambled about picking
up old clay pipes. and musket balls, and
broken pieces Of crockery ware, originally
belonging 10 what the domesticated Afri-
cans, our principal companions in those
days, gravely informed us were "lnjun
bottles"
Often on a bright Saturday morning, a
day peculiarly loved by school boys, have
we laid down on the green grass under
some one of the trees overhanging the
precipice and watched the coming steam
boat as it turned so gracefully ths point
below the city, and glided BY on its way
to the distant seaport; and longed "to be
man" when we might take passage
and 90 aboard to see the worlds wonders.
But as the boat disappeared around the
bend of the stream, and we could just
catch O glimpse of the smoke settling to
the horizon, we could only settle down in
the sad thought that we were only boy,
and gloomily watch the ferry boat as 1t
crossed slowly back and forth across the
river.
But there are sources of enjoyment even
to those who Cannot get away" and as
we stood up or walked along the margin
of the cliff, what charming prospect
opened to the view The river winding at
our feet, its banks fringed with willow
and ash, over which lowered the tall cot
ton tree in front lay plantations and pas
ture lands, and still farther the city SEEM
ed sleeping in the blue haze, and beyond
all, high up on the sand hills, and over
looking all the intervening space, was the
grim old arsenal with the "Stars and
Stripes floating from the flag staff on the
summit. And as we gazed upon the
enchanting panorama, we could almost
imagine ourself transported to fairy land,
or the poetical regions Of Araby the blest.
But, the story of the Indian in his peril
GUS leap. Really, we seem likely to for
get them in the recollection of youthful
fancies, as
"Fond memories bring to light
0fother days around US"
When and by whom Fort Moore was
built, is probably now not known. Its
origin reaches back beyond the revolution,
and very likely was military post in
colonial times, chiefly designed for matters
pertaining to the Indians. The "oldest
inhabitant" of Beach Island ian old Ger
mano-Swiss settlement, for whose benefit
perhaps the fort was built), can give no
information on the subject. The exact
site of the fort is now known only by a
sink in the earth, which likely was made
in throwing up an embankment. But all
around for acres in extent may be found,
or could have been found some years ago,
evidences Of the warlike character Of the
place.
Once upon time, 80 the legend AYERS, an
Indian was tnken prisoner, and, for some
offense, according to Indian custom, was
condemned to death by torture. What the
offence was, tradition does not inform us.
| 1t might have been treason to his tribe; 1t
might have been that he belonged to some
other tribe which was hostile TO his cap
tors, and they wished to wreak their VEN
geance on him for injuries received at his
hands or it might have been that some
dusky maiden was connected in some way
with the terrible ordeal about to take
place. 1t might again have been none Of
these, but he was nevertheless condemned
to the torture, and preparations were in
| process to carry out the sentence. A large
| fire was built. in which were iron spikes
and rods and old gun barrels, to be used in
the horrid work
The Indian stood by, tied to post, and
| looking with stoicaI Indifference upon
the preparations which were making to
test his courage and endurance, while his
savage tormentors danced and yelled with
delight.
"You think to scare the Wild Cat by your
screeching ?" said the condemned.
"The Wild Cat will become tame," they
answered in derision, "before all his hair
is singed off"
"Loose these hands, and lay in them the
hottest of those irons and see how the
Wild Cat will hold them still and laugh
you to scorn."
Indians are slow in perceiving trick
about to be played upon them and think
ing only of the amusement it would afford
them to see him drop the irons in his pain,
they proceeded to unite his hands from the
brought him up to the fire.
"Take this in your hand" they said, as
! they extended to him on couple of
forked sticks, one Of the glowing gun bar
rels.
A brighter light was in the Indians eyes
as he reached forth his hand, and suddenly
withdrew it as though afraid to touch the
burning metal A wild shout went up
from the Indians at this exhibition of fear.
| Instantly the Wild Cat seized the gun
barrel in the middle, and making fiery
circle about his head bade them "elear the
way"
He did not have to repeat the order. A
road through the crowd was easily made,
as they rushed aside from the danger, and
having escaped, he dropped the barrel, not
fearing that any one would take it up, and
ran with oil his might toward the edge Of
the Bluff, two hundred yards off. So aston
ished were the Indians that the thought Of
pursuits did not occur them until the fugi-