The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-05-05
,stiee e Aebs, 1aeratnre, ,stbe Arts iaao ;,
SAVED BY. A. BULLET.
Br r SHAFTS, 3sR. Is

~ Br r STARTS, 1jR. si :
e9I- 'efil - ----.; 4g ~
1T was in the summer of 1S4l, on a
clear and pleasant day in June, when
two .hofsemeu emerged from the forest
and seemed the scenery before them
with 'a,look of satisfaction. They had
been travelling through q dense growth
of woods and had come upon large
prairie. As far as the eve could observe
was "a clear stretch. of land over which
they bad to pass before they would be
atitheir journeys end. sl 5es;, 4
The Largest and also most noticeable
efithese two travellers was q hunter and
trapper He had long barreled rife
slung over his shoulder, and in his belt
could be seen two large revolvers and
aslsng bowie knife. He was, little
over six feet in hight, and of very pow
.erful build, and looked to be at least
fifty years old, and was considered the
best shot with the rifle for miles around
His companion was dressed in blue
military clothes and cap, and carried a
sword and two army reyplvers. He
was young lieutenant,y and belonged
at the fort on the other side of the prai
rie, and to which they we're now travel
ing e., bts Wv ..f ara 81 $50.
Edward Evans was the name of the
old hunter, but he was better. known in
that part of the country as sold Ned"
the trapper. His companion was known
at the fort as Lieutenant Charlie. He
wasla nephew Of the old hunter at : his
side, and they had been to q settlement
some six, miles from the fort to see
some friends, and were just returning
from their visit at the commencement
of ourlstory. i rgonfho.ssna9s 5,z.rs
AS soon as they had cleared the
woods they halted p and both leaped
lightly to the ground 10 ssas7.ai ..7
swell, Charlie, shall we have a little
lunch now, or wait until we get to the
fortS asked Old Ned of his nephew.
"Just sEyou say, UNCLE" replied the
young officer; shut ]. think we will be
better able to cross that hot prairie af-
ter we have had bit of something to
eat. and our horses, / dare av,woulin't
object to little rest and food.',' 81
GAIL right, my boy, Suppose you
lead the horses down to that creek of
yonder and water them, while prepare
lunch" mai ,.-ea
So SAYING the old hunter unstrapped
the saddlebags from his own horse while
the lieutenant led the horses toward the
creek The old man, ss soon as the
officer had departed, commenced laying
the lunch upon the ground under the
shade of a tall chestnut tree. And lit
tie did he suspect that his every move.
ment was seen by band of blood -thirs
ty redskins concealed from view by q
large clump of bushes to the right ol
the hunter; but not long was the hun
ter to remain in ignorance of the close
proximity of an enemy, for, while oc
cupied in fixing lunch, hesheard a sligh'
rustling noise, so slight, indeed, thai
none but an experienced hunter might
have heard it. He instantly arose to
his feet, and cooking his rife, looked ir
the direction from VIII ence the sound
proceeded. su}roa h!iw sd3 har .ora4lar
The Indians, knowing they were dis
covered, sprang with one acco I'd from
among the bushes and rushed towart
the old man with uplifted tomahawks.--
AS soon as the nforemost Indian had
come within ten feet of Old Ned, HI
raised his long and trusted rife ami
fired The Indian gave one unearthly
yell and fell dead at the feet of hi
Icompanions. He b continued ito SEM
bullet after bullet fromshis revolvers
but soon the redskins closed iniupol
him; when be b adito use his knife; bu
there were too many for him, SO he hal
forgive up to- superior numbers ant
was soon bound hand and foot, and al
so gagged, and laid up against tree
fadThe savages now proceeded to gathe
their dead and wounded together an'
after concealinga them among som
bushes, they crcpt toward the large
clump Of bushes before mentioned, o ia
king the told hunter with them, % an,
waited patiently for the return Of th'
young army officer, whom we leftillead
ling the horses toward thescreek, wher
1heitook a long draughr otvthe clear ant
cool water, and then proceeded to le
the; horses quench their thirst, Whil
doing SO he heard cthe ureports of hi
uncle rife and revolversgR oniob aan
4 'a"Ha! hair he mutteredd 'iuncle he
shot some kind lof game no, ,'doubt, 8
I'll hurry back and help fix themnq oj
81 He was soon on his way back to th
place wherehe had left his companion
and upon reaching 9it and not .perceivin
his uncle, he called lightly, and recei'
ling no answer, he called again, some
1 what louder, and still receiving no n
ply, he became slightly alarmed and b.
gan looking around to see il he coul
find any signs of his uncle's wher'
]iabouts As he neared the clump c
bushes among which the Indians wer
concealed, those WORTHLESS sprang sue
Idenly out from their ambush and il
stantly surrounded him. The youn
j officer was for some moments speecl
less with surprise, so suddenly had IL
4 Indians come upon him, but catchin
sight of his uncle lying among Il
bushes helpless, he took in the situatio
] at glances and drawing his sword las
ed away right and left among the saw
j ges, and after killing and,awoundir
about six or seven, he was seized q fro
! behind and thrown to the ground, whe
!, he, likeqhis companion, was soon boun
The Indians looked at their twe,ca
> tiyes with fiendish delight, and, then b
! gan to devise some means o. torture
& a After, the lapse of few minutes ,o
ofsthe dusky braves strobe toward II
} young lieutenant, and cutting his thong
led him to a large tree and tied him
it. As soon as be was thus secured, 8
the braves, with their chief at the
head, gotin line about fifty PAGES, fro
the tree, and each fitted an arrow to b
bow, aud proceeded to, see how ne
they could come to the young man wit
r ont hitting. Two OF the sharp point
arrows went through his cap and lodg
r in the tree just above his head. T
] officer closed his eyes, and knowi
. there was no hope for escape, prepar
: to meet his fate like d man The n