The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-05-27
Sslfrt Stotp.
AN INDIANS REVENGE.
A STORY OF THE FRONTIER.

way through the Mountains having on
either bank bold, rugged cliffs, that lift
their SUBMITS five hundred or a thousand
feet, as the case may be, above the
stream, there lived in early days a set
tier by the name of Rufus Branson, who,
with his wife and only child, a charming
little girl of some eight or nine years,
occupied a rude cabin at the base of a
tall precipice little back from the
river. e.'s
Although greatly exposed to danger
Throughout that region-he managed
TO live quietly for several years.
The Indians frequently visited the
rude home of the hunter, and being al
ways welcomed and provided with such
as might be in the larder, they maintain
ed friendly attitude. 81 5al
Especially were they fond of the child
Maggie, aad 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, OF
else engaged in making it some toy OF
plaything of willow twigs or plant
bark. In this manner several years had
been passed, and Rufus Branson came
to feel secure as though he were within
the walls Of frontier fort.
One evening Branson and bis wife
were seated near the doorway when sud-
denly shadow fell across the thresh'
hold, aud the next moment tall savage
whose reeling step and bloodshot eyes
told that lie was intoxicated, appeared
and staggering to the log steps, threw
himself down upon them. 9o III,
His first demand was for sfire water,
which of course was refused on the plea
that there was none in the house. US
The Indian became cross and ugly,
swearing with terrible oaths that if the
liquor was not produced, he would muir.
der the household. Of ilaE.ssso9 ..ilf.cti
| Branson was brave, determined man
and although he dreaded the necessity
vet he saw that he would be compelled
to take prompt steps to prevent the saw
age executing his threat. sss
Waiting until the warrior made dem
onstration, which he soon did by at
tempting to draw his tomahawk, Bransor
sprang upon him, knocked him dowl
with blow of his fist. and then quietly
disarmed and bound him where he lay
After few moments of furious raving
and futile efforts to free himself, the say
age rolled over and sank into drunker
slumber, sF s.f y
He did not awake until the next NOR
ming, but before he did so the settler hat
quietly removed the bonds and restored
the weapons, which he laid by the sleep
er's side. .,eao
) The savage on, awaking, rose slowl.
to his feet, felt his wrists as though thu
thongs had left a feeling there, took vi
his weapons, and without speaking
word, left the cabin and disappeared il
the timber near by. "a.
"Wbat do you think of that" asked
the wife, turning with a scared look tt
her husband. .5s...
"Pshaw! Don't trouble your heat
about the drunken BRUTE" answered thu
settler; but as he turned away and step
ped into the yard, he muttered: "Lik'
it?, Well, not much. The fellow mus
be watched. I was in hopes he wouldn'
have remembered. but that lump wfer
my fist landed was enough, if notllin!
else, to recall the circumstances"
The summer had passed, ,and they hat
seen the drunken guest no more,
But as the leaves began to fall, tn
settler, one dav, while returning from
hunting on the hills, and passing through
the dense piece of timber not far from
the house, just caught sight of a figur
lurking among the bushes, but whic'
quickly, disappeared when he advances
toward where it was. The figure wa
that Of an Indian warrior, and Ruff
Branson would have sworn that it wa
the Indian whom he had knocked dow
and bound the previous summer. Bu
the knowledge was not in any way com
lforting. and hence he did not tell hi
wife of his discovery. R@-s
1t would only alarm her, without, pei
haps, any good result, simply telling he
4 that he had discovered bear tracks nea
by, and that she and the child must sta
within, or close to the house, when h
was absent r s}ra
Several days afterward, Rufe Branso