The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-08-08
A Close SHOT.


sstfler By the name Of Rufus Branscn.
Who with his wife and only child, q
2 charming little girl Of some eight or
nine years, occupied a rude cabin at the
base Of precipioe little back from the
river.
Although greatly exposed TO danger
the Indians at that time being plentiful
throughout the region-hc managed 10
live quietly for many years.
The Indians frequently visited the
home Of the rude hunter, being always
welcomed and provided with such food
rs might be in the harder, they main
tanned very friendly attitude.
Especially were they fond Of the child
Maggie, and more than one fierce war
rior had been seen sitting on the grass in
front Of the cabin listening to the childish
prattle of the little one or else engaged
in making some toy or plaything from
twigs or bark.
In this manner several years had been
passed, and Rufe Branson came to feel
ss secure as though he was in the walls
Of q frontier fort.
One evening Brsnson and his wife
were seated near the doorway when sud
denly a shadow fell across the thresh-
hold, and the next moment, tall saw
age, whose reeling form and blood-shot
eye, told that he was intoxicated, ap-
peared, staggered to the log steps and
threw himself upon them.
His first demands were for "fre-wa-
ter" which were, Of course, refused on
the plea that there was not any of il in
the house.
The Indian became cross and ugly,
swearing with terrible oaths that If the
liquor was not produced he would muir
der the household.
Branson was brave man, and al
though he dreaded the necessity, yet he
saw that he would be compelled TO take
prompt steps to prevent the savage from
executing his threats. Waiting until
the warrior had made denomination
which he soon did by attempting to draw
his tomahawk--Banson sprang upon
him, knocked him down by a blow Of
his fist, and then disarmed and bound
him where he lay. After few minutes
of futile efforts to free himself, the saw
age rolled over and sunk into drunken
slumber.
He did not awake until next morning
but before he did 90 the settler had quiz
city removed his bonds and restored the
weapons, which he laid by the slespers
side. -
The savage, on waking. rose slowly to
his feet, felt his wrists, as though the
thongs had left feeling there, took up
his weapons, and, without speaking a
word, left him and disappeared in the
timber that stood near by.
"what do you think Of thats" asked
the wife, turning to the husband, with n
scared look.
"Pashaw Don't trouble yourself a.
bout the drunken BRUTE" answered the
settler lightly. but as he turned away,
and stepped into the yard, he muttered;
Like it'll Well, not much. The fel-
low must be watched. / was in hopes
he wouldno have rememberedit; but that
lump. where my fist landed, was enough
If nothing else, to recall the circum-
etance." ~
The summer passed; they saw the
drunken guest no more. He failed to
make his appearance. But as the leaves
began to fall, the settler. one day, while
returning from hunting on the hills. and
passing through dense piece of timber.
caught sight of figure lurking in
the bushes, but which quickly disap-
peared when he advanced toward the
spot where il was.
The figure was that of theIndian war
rior. and Rufe Branson would have
swyrn that il was the Indian whom he
had knocked down and bound during the