The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-07-13

/ where John had Just gone, but found only
! room enough for his ugly head.
After little he turned about, and saying
: in broken English, "Good-by me go way, ="
walked slowly around the root and dsap-
peared. The boy knew, however, that it
was only trick, and kept his eyes and ears
: alert against surprise.
| Immediately he detected the snakish eyes
of the savage cleaning at him from among
the dry leaves on the ground at the corner
of the root on the opposite side Of the fence,
where the old rascal had ciept in order to
watch the youngster unseen.
After lying in this position for two or
three minutes-ouly his head in sight and
that covered with leaves-he made another
dash around the root. But John was too
quick for him, and slipped safely between
the logs once more.
Failing again, the wicked red skin re-
sorted to another ruse. He began to par
| ley, saying "Me good Injun-me no hurt.
Shake hands ~ And lie thrust his hand
through the barricade. OF course he did
not succeed in cheating the little fellow by
such a shallow device, and so again changed
his tactics.
Presenting his gun he commanded John
TO surrender or be shot /; but the lad pre-
ferred 10 die by bullet rather than toma-
hawk, and so stood his ground. Strangely
enough, the Indian did not shoot; but after
looking across the sights of his gun and
making fearful faces, he placed the weapon
behind tree some rods away, and resor.ed
to the dodge of parleying once more.
"lnjun hungry-good boy go home get
Injuu bread"
But John did not think it best to start
for home on such an invitation.
The next effort was to kill the lad by
throwing his tomabawk at him between the
trees but he miscalcuiated the space and
struck the weapon against a log, breaking
out the handle, which, falling at Johns
feet, was Immediately picked up by him as
a means of defense.
One of The savage's devices, by which,
perhaps he meant to frighten his victim
was to place his hideous face at the open
ing between the logs, and howl and gnash
at him like a wolf.
But the boys courage had rallied, and
he began to pelt his enemy with stones and
I Jumps of earth obtained from the upturned
soil, giving him many a stinging hit. This
SO maddened the Indian, that he drew his
scalpng knife aud gave chase for long
time, perhaps thinking to tire the youngster
out by constant dodging. But i'll this plan
lie was mistaken, for a resolute, hard work
ing, frontier boy has a vast fund of endu-
rance. Once the cleaning knife, thrust
between the logs after him, came near do
ing its bloody work but Johns grit was
aroused, and he struck the brutal hand a
heavy blow with the tomahaw< handle.
But the many turns aud tides, tricks and
lodges of that fearful struggle, can never be
related. There are some scenes too tragi-
cal for words Besides the particulars are
covered under the drifts of forgetfuluess
ever heaping above the past.
OF course, during all that terrible after
noon, Johns thoughts and eyes were con-
stantly turning in the direction OF his home.
lie knew that his father would seek him
before night, and as the hours wore on he
began to look with great anxiety for his
coming. He had the common faith of all
children in parents, and felt they would not
leave him to perish.
AT length he caught distant glimpse of
a form coming up the pa:h. oh, how his
heart bounded
With renewed force he began again TO
hurl al his foe everything he could seize,
! raising such commotiou as 10 attract his
| fathers notice, who comprehended the
whole scene at glance, and stole up within
gunstot of the unsuspecting redman.
The sequel is soon told. The crack of
| the settlers rifle signaled the Indians fate.
| The warriors wca pons aud trinkets were
! taken as trophies the gun having a bullet
! but no powder in its chamber could not be
! fired, thus explaining why he had not shot
! the boy when lie had threatened to do so.
! These trophies are still treasured by the
| graDdch ildreu of Our hero, who are Justly
! proud of such an exploit. In those early
! times, American boys were trained in a
school that developed a rugged and noble
manhood.