The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-04


the impending peril. He had been In the
house but short time when peering into
the darkness through u loop-holc he espicd
savage with lighted fagot skulking
This latter movement on the part of an
Indian, as well as the signal shout before
spoken Of, were unusual for such willy ras-
Gals, but they were so condfent of victory
that they forget their cunning trcachery
The young man grasped his rifle, and run
ming it through the aperture fired the shot
which killed the rascally scout and brought
the Indians around the building
Anxious to wreak vengeance on the de-
voted family for the death of their COM
panion, the savages commenced to light
fire-brands and throw them about the
house, but these onl Y served to reveal their
foes
"Robcrt." said the father, 'aim low and
be sure of your mark"
With this advice from his parent. the
sun ran out his gun and fired again with
Gencd yells Of the red devils which lloated
away Oh the stilly.night air.
Occasional firing was kept up for num-
her Of hours when suddenly all became
quiet.
The old settler knew that this ominous
stiffness BODIED him and his family no good
and that the Indians were only waiting for
the light of day to aid them III the destruc-
ton of his family and home. Arriving at
this conclusion he ordered preparations 10
be made for al immediate flight, If such u
thing was possible. He saw that unless
they hurried daylight would be upon them
and their escape would be impossible, in
deed the gray light of dawn was already
appearing. This last resort was decided
upon after much mental torture to the anx-
ious paronts.
TO flee to the river was thought the best
plan. but ah! what dangers attended 1t!
The red ficnds were watching every point
OF exit, but when tic hunter built his house
he had run kind of subtcrraneah passage
from the cellar several hundred feet to-
ward the river (n anticipation of such an
exigency as this one) and it was thought by
following this to the end they could reach
the river and their canoes and from thence
get to the settlement below.
Having secured their most precious relics
the whole family commenced their danger
GUS retreat. The end of the passage was
gained in safety and they were making
their way through the underbrush to the
river, silently congratulating themselves
upon their escape, when a savage yell at no
great distance warned them that they were
discovered.
Now was the supreme moment. In a
few seconds the whole band of blood thirsty
demons would be upon them.
The poor man knew now that unless he
reached the river all would be lost Sum
moning his great strength he caught his
wife up In his arms while Robert lifted his
sister and both ran toward the canoes
The Indians came rushing on, yelling
like ficnds incarnate, yet happily they were
several hundred yards in tho rear.
The race of life and death was continued
in this manner Tor some minutes. but the
father saw that unless they made an extra
dash they would fall victims to their foes.
A few more seconds and the boats would
be reached. Could they hold QUIZ they
asked themselves.
Ifotbar oOf ocn 1;J rab1x ,,,1 oo +I>o,,
rushed on the veins in their faces stood out
like whip cords and the pcrspiration rolled
from their heated brows in great drops.
The Indians were gaining upon them
but the tried hunter makes a
Hcrculean effort, while his son follows
closely after with his charge and with a
desperate strain the canoes are reached.
The women are laid in the bottom of the
boats to shield them from tho arrows of The
savages and with the father in one and the
son in the other tho canoes are padded
rapidly out into the stream--just in time to
escape shower of arrows which 90 whis-
tling harmlessly overhead.
The baffled Indians stand along the shore
venting their rage in fearful, blood-curdling
yells that echo and re-echo along the dis
tant hills.
All danger was not yet over, for an In
dian, followed by several of his comrades,
was seen running along the shore, with the
intention evidently of getting on project
ing point of land below, where they could
reach the fugitives with their arrows when
they passed in their boats.
Fortunately the river was higher than
usual, but though the escaping family kept
along the eastern shore they felt they could
hardly pass the point above mentioned
alive and were almost ready to give up in
despair when they were encouraged by a
loud, ringing cheer. Looking up the river
hey deserted large party Of hunters ap..
preaching In their boats and the imperilled
family knew they were saved.
The red skins quickly disappeared In the
woods and were subsequently nearly all
killed or conturod