Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-02-26
NO. 9.
Oldsn Times.

About the year 1854 or 1885 Mr.. An
drew Rowan embarked in barge at
the falls of the Ohio, where Louisville
now stands, with u party to descend
the river. The boat having stopped at
the Yellow Banks, on the Indiana side.
some distance below, Mr.. Rowan, bor-
rowing rifle of one of the company,
stepped on shore, and strolled into the
bottom, probably rather in pursuit of
amusement than game, for, from having
always been of a feeble constitution
and adverse to action, he knew not how
TO use rifle, and besides, had with him
but the single charge of ammunition
which was in the gun. He uncons-
ciously protracted his stay beyond what
he intended, and returning to the spot
where he had landed, saw nothing of
the boat nor the company he had left.
1t being time of hostility with the In-
dians, and suspicion of their approach
having alarmed the party, they had put
off, and made down the stream with all
possible haste, not daring to linger for
their companion on shore. Mr.. Rowan
now found himself alone on the banks
of the Ohio, vast and trackless forest
stretching around him, with but one
charge of powder, and himself even too
unskillfull in the use of the rifle to pro-
hit even by that, and liable at any mo-
ment TO fall into the hands of the sa-
wages. The nearest settlement of the
whites was Vincennes (now in india
na), distant probably about one humid
red miles. Shaping his course as near
ly as he could calculate for this, he
commenced his perilOus and hopeless
journey. UraccustOmed to travelling
in the forest, he soon lest all reckoning
of his way and wandered about at ven-
ture. Impelled by the gnawing of
hunger, he discharged his rifle at deer
that happened to pass near him, but
missed it. The third day found him
still wandering, whether toward Vim
cennes or from it he knew not-ex-
hausted, famished and despairing. Sew
eral times had he lain down, as he
thought, TO die. Reused by the sound
of a gun not far distant, betokening,
as he well knew, the presence of the
Indians, he proceeded towards the spot
whence tine report had come, resolved,
as last hope of life, to surrender him
self to those whose tender Eaercies he
knew to be cruel. Advancing a short
distance he saw an indian approaching
who, on discovering him-as the first
impulse was on any alarm with both
the whites and Indians on the frontiers
in time of hostilities-drew up his rifle
10 his shoulder in readiness to fire. Mr..
r. turned the butt of his, and the Indi-
an, with French politness, turned the
butt of his also. They approached each
other. The Indian seeing his pale and
emaciated appearance, and understand
ing the cause, took him to his wigwam,
few miles distant, where he cooked
for him for several days, and treated
him with the greatest hospitality.
Then, learning from him by signs that
ne WISueu 10 20 10 luCeHHcs, Ine III
dian Immediately left his hunting. took
his rifle and small stock of provisions,
and conducted him in safety to that set
tlement, a distant from his cabin of
about eighty miles. Having arrived
there, and wishing to reward well the
generous Indian to whom he owed his
life, Mr.. r. made arrangements with
a merchant of the settlement, TO whom
he made himself known. to give him
three hundred dollars. But the Indian
would not receive a farthing. When
made to understand by Mr.. Rowan,
through an interpreter, that he could
not be happy unless he would accept
something, he replied, pointing to a
new blanket near him, that he would
take that, and added, wrapping his own
blanket around his shoulders, 'w hen |
wrap myself in it will think of YOU"