West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-12-11
rnz SETTLER'S STRATAGEk.
by CLINTON MnNrAauE.

Mark Stanton was ose OF tbcse
ksIdy pioneers who, in the early Get.
tIsmeRt Of the country, moved from
me more tnoaly tettlsd zeal card
and pitch bis cabin in The valley,
CT the Saco, far away from tho seats
ri civilization. HIS nearest neigh
bor lived at distance of two miles.
near the western border of how
wells Poid. A 70 and ore child
accompanied him into the wilder
ness.
The Indians at this period were
peculiarly troublesome. Psngu, IN
deed was desd-lhs great Sagsmore
wAose name had been a SQUIRE. OF
terror Tor yesrr, 10 even defiant eel
Elements but the remnant oil bis
tribe still made their home upon ia.
broad meadow Of The Saoo and
among the adjacent hills, UGab.e
10 make suy large or connected at
'scks upon the invading whites ths
red msn conteBted thsmselves With
piIlage and theft and other annoy
eRces. Against these numerous
depredations he settlers had no al
equa.s means of defence. aud if The,
found their iOHls, swine or cows
missing they hal to submit TO the
loas as best thoY might.
Stanton lad bSsn victim TO
these deprsdations on severa! coca
sions, but had attempted no retalia-
ton. The eEi-f leadsrs OF the ssva-
ges in these plunderiug threads ware
Two braves noted for their strengt h
and ferocity, named Mattampa and
halarna. Gu more THAI ons coca
sion these warriors hs1 even burned
cabins and sc4iPed the owners, sud
The settler deemed himself fortunate
that no such iDjuries had been o.
tered him.
Ole Septem bsr day Mark Star
ton found 1t necessary 10 visit his
neiGhbor D.over's to obtain le.
supplies that they stood in nsed or
So kissing bis four yesr-oid deugh-
tor. and bidding his wife to guard
carefully against any attack OF the
indiana, tao settler took HE rife
snd departed for the settlement.
His stay was protraoted to la
ter hour than he had auticipatsd.
and 1T was nearly sundowu when hs
set out oa bis return. lie hurried
bis slap almost to a rua az he
thought OF the aIx.s ETY. that won d
be bis wiie's at his prolonged alb
ssnce. Yst, IN his haste, 10 neg
iected not to use both eyss and
ears for the settler was A trus
hunter, aOd had more than one,
saved hls lie by his craft and forest
lore.
When about half the intervsnipp
defiance had been passed, Stanton
heard a noise that made him pane
II sounded like the cry Of child
and It was not far from his path.
de liateRed In suspense and again
heard the cry repeated. This time
he recognized the voice IS that Of
his own child, his darling Annie
whom be had last seen ia har moth
er's arms al hems. The cry was one
OF eDtresty, Of terror, too, and
Stantou'a heart beat loudly al the
thought OF the girls dagger.
lie guessed instinctivsly whs, had
happened. Toe Indians bad VIA
ted bis boao daring has absence ana
accomplished their fell purpose, Az
soon az the 6rst SHOCK OF horror wss
passed be was nerysJ to action.
Bending HE ear TO the erouad be
plainly heard the jar Of foststeps
bat be was surprised to discover
that there was but single savaao.
Quickly, but cautiously. be crept
through ths baslys, sad finally hs
got glimpse the d man, at =
Atue defiance, Lurrying through
tie deep wood. TIE Indian va5tsl
and powerful, and bs bore the ngh,
form Of tie Child under his srr,s 49,
though 1t bad teea mere hather'e
wsioLt The li,tIo thing bad ceased
70 struggle, Tor oDs Of tho great red
hands w. pressed hard over her
mouth, AID -Ae seemed nearly ,z-
Lslstsd.
!, took M@rk stanton bu, no
nsut % cJucI1is what IL d.. III
d.i cot dare rush upon tbs s4vsls
aud attempt TO by4t bIG doan. for
he knew that % The rel mau va
alarmed before BE- reached h.m 40.
JIls OF his Child would 10 s1cr6.s9
On the otter Ls1d, % BE- trusted a..
his q there va bare pos-.g.It.