Middletown transcript., 1873-03-08
MDDLEwN COUNTY DELAWARE SATURDAY MORNING. MARCH g.

strength Of two or three common men.
Jim wss always Boosting TO his master o.
bis great bravery, telling him ''dst dia
chile could whip dozen Injuns any time. y
He was = good servant, and his boss val.
ued him highly.
After the Doctor and his interestiua
family had been living in their new home
about two years, and had enjoyed health
aud happiness. during which time this
locality had not been troubled by the In.
dians. and the future looked bright and
promising. 1t was in the month Of june
that one evening about sunset the Doctor
received an urgent message TO attend q
patient about twelve miles distant. Jim
quickly had his masters horse ready, and
he started on his professional visit, little
dreaming Of the wild scenes that were to
occur at bis happy home before bis return
When be started hc told Jim he might
not be back before morning. aud for him
TO look well to the safety OF the family in
his absence. Jim answered, "dat nobody
dnrssnt kum where dis chile am, AZ da
all no dat I is 30 brave dat me can kin
twenty Injuns."
Smiling at Jim's braggadocio. the Doc
tor loft. The evening was clear aud
beautiful; the moon was riding high in
the heavens. casting its mellow light over
the peaceful plateau. Mrs. Hickman and
Betty were seated on the porch, which
frontcd towards the river. The little bows
tired from their gambols were sleeping on
a rug in the parlor. and the brave Jim
was "a setting in dc kitchen looking
outen de winder." Whilst thus sitting,
Betty drew the attention Of her mistress
TO band Of men that had just made their
appearance from the banks Of the river
aud were boldly marching for the house
As they came nearer they had no difYicul.
y in seeing that they were Indians, their
bright musket barrels glittering in the
shimmering rays Of the moon One Of
the men led two females, which the ladies
in tho porch took to DO captives. jim,
do brave nigga" saw them too. aud
slipping out at mn opposite door he crawl
ed on his hands and knees until he reach
ed thicket. when he arose and bounded
away us il Old Nick was after him.
Mrs. II now fully comprchended the
dreadful situation, and determined to meet
it calmly. She whispered to Betty to be
calm and show no signs Of nlarm. The
maraudcrs were quickly in the yard and
formed themselves in front Of the porch.
one OF them taking charge IF the two cap
tivcs, whom he had tied to two small sap-
lipgs in the lawn. telling tb m that il
they made any noise "lnjun would kill"
I'll -
wards the murderers aud inquired wba,
the braves wanted. Her question. de-
livercd in the silvery accents of her voice,
accompanied with sweet smile. appeared
to please the savagcs, and although ben.
on murder most foul. yet the chief seemed
to think there was time enough to eat
supper and do their Gendish work after
wards. He told Mrs. H. that "Iniun
much hungry; lnjun want eat; Injun
want fire. water"
With a smile the lady told them to be
seated on the grass and their wants would
be supplied. While speaking with them
she saw by the moonlight their belts were
hung with rccking human scalps.
Her stern aud terrible resolution was
nt once formed. The Indians now were
all squntted on the grass at the command
Of their leader. while the ladies went into
The kitchen for some refreshments for
hem. They soon returned with a basket
flled with bread aud dried venison hams,
which they carried to tho villains, and
smiling swcctly on them told them to eat
The savages did not know the purport Of
hose sinsistcr smiles, and were com mple,s-
y thrown of their guard The lady now
old them that they would go and fetch
he fire. e-watcr. at which tho villains gave
grunt OF satisfaction.
Mrs. II. taking Betty with her, went
nto her husbands oifice. She now took
! demijohn which she knew contained n
gallon Of fine old brandy She tncn took
rom the medicine shelf vial containing
ounces Of clenr, inodorous liquid,
which was powerful narcotic. With a
irm hand she poured the contents of the
'ial into the brandy. She and Betty now
rent boldly and gave the liquor to the
indians The chief first smelt the bever-
'ge. then tasted il, pronounced il good,
md commenced drinking and gulping It.
)ne Of them said to the ladies' Pale
quaw. good make Injun wife. Kill
hildren. msbbe. but no kill sgunw."
Mrs. II. knowing that a wild scene
rould now occur as the eight in number
lad drank gallon Of strong brandy and
our ounces Of a powerful narcotic, took
Betty and went up stairs aud watched
hem from window. The medicine was
,ov NJ vapk Tbov Gr., nn,.,l
nughing; peal after peal of laughter came
rom their savage mouths. They now at.
cmpted to rise, but their limbs were par
lyxcd. and they could not move. With !;
orrid yells, they one after another sank ,
rome upon the ground. In deep supor-
&c, drunk. sleep, from which the fa.cs !.
ad decided they should never awaken
Is soon as they had all got quiet. eur i
eroiues again made their appearance on
he sceua NJ ont na,ty Io.s - A.. 4