Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-07-31
THE DEATH STRUGGLE.



1t was during the eventful period
when all the evils of nm Indian war
stalkeG through our land uncheck-
ssl, and continual conflict made our
country a changing panorama Of
blOOdshed and rapine, that the in
Cident we are about TO relate occur
red. On one of the western from
Tiers, in an isolated spot, stood a
small fort, surrounded irregularly
by few cabins, bearing marks of
hasty erection, for the temporary
convenience of n few adventurous
settlers who had chosen this spot in
which to hew out for themselves a
livelihood. This fort occupied a
piece of rising ground, and COM
lnanded a good view OF the surroud-
ing forest, and its advantageous
situation eVinced considerable
knowledge of Indian strategy and
cunning in its protector. a large
space OF ground around the fort was
cleared, and every object capable of
screening an Indians body was
carefully removed, in order TO pro-
tect against sudden surprise and at
tack. The fort was intended as a
place Of refuge, where the settlers
might convey their families and
effects when an attack was antici-
pated; and at the time of our story,
the cabins were deserted for the safe
protection of the fort.
One autumn morning, the strong
gate securing the entrance TO the
fort was opened, and young man
attired in a hunting-shirt came out.
He was a tall, notwithstanding
man, and his well-propOrtioned
body and elastic movements gave
evidence of activity and strength.
He carried a long rifle under his
arm, which, with his powder horn
and bullet-poueh, comprised his ac-
cOutrements.
Tom Savage, or what was more
properly his name, Tom Mason,
was one of the adventurous few
who cheerfully yielded up the coy
comforts and plenty of civilized
communities, and emigrated to this
wilderness, where all the dangers
and privation of q baclzwoOds life
were prevailing with stern reality.
He was the acknowledged leader
on all dangerous excursions, and so
impetuOus was he in every bloody
encounter, that his companions had
named him Tom Savage name
indicative of his character, which
he bore ever after with no little
pride. When alone on any of these
spying tours, his dog Nero always
accompanied him, and his shaggy
black coat concealed many honor
able evidences of his proves.
About a mile from the fort we
have described, was tributary of
the Mohawk, on the bank OF which
was a thicket or marsh, wherein
deer often resOrted to feed and TO
this spot the young hunter directed
his steps, hoping to find game of
some description that would vary
their mOnOtOnOus rations at the fort.
Keeping a watchful eye on every
side, Tom cautiously made his way
over the leaves and dry branches,
until, reaching the bank of the
stream, his mOccasined feet sunk
nOiseleSsly into the soft earth, rem
dcring his caution unnecessary. He
soon reached a spot commanding a
good view of the deer-haunt, and
seating himself upon the protrud-
ing roots of large oak, he COM
menced observations. His we'll
trained dog placed himself at the
feet of his master, and he, too,
watched the covert as knowingly
as his master. The place that Tom
had chosen to watch the thicket,
was on a high perpendicular bank,
the brow of which seemed to pro-
ject over the water, and about six
PAGES back from the edge was the
oak mentioned.
The morning had advanced too
far into the glaring day for deer to
come from their cOncealment, when
Nero suddenly picked up his ears
and arose slowly to his feet. Tom |
looked at the thicket, and saw the |
slender bOughs waving, as if by |
some other agency than the wind.
Soon the motion became quite per- |
ceptible, and finally the antlers of a |
buck were visible.
Slowly rising from his seat, Tom
leaned his long rifle against the
gnarled trunk of the oak, and |
glanced along the polished barrel,
while Nero placed himself in readi-
ness for Il participation in the strug-
Gle. The buck emerged from the
thicket and stopped a moment to
recOnnOiter. Tom saw his chance
and was about to discharge his rifle,
when a shrill hiss-s-s-s arrested his
and lowering his rifle he
bent forward to catch repetition
if any should follow; but all was
silent.
To persons unacquainted with the
willy expedients practised by the
Indians, these peculiar sounds would
convey no apprehension, for it was
not unlike the whistling of the tree
tops; but to the willy hunter they
were of stern import, for they are
signals used by warriors when war
ming each other of the presence of
an enemy. Tom we'll knew this,
and felt certain that he had been
discovered by some straggliug war
riOrs. While standing considering
how he should act, he heard the ia
miliar tWang of a bOW-String, and
an arrow planted itself in
the tree above his head, where it
remained qWvering with the con-
russiOn.
1t was now high time to act; and
with Tom Savage to plan was to
carry into instant execution. There
fore, he threw up his arms with a
fearful grOan, and seizing the ar
row i'm his hands fell heavily to the
ground, thinking stratagem the sur
ast method of bringing his hidden
Zoe from his covert. He had scarce
" touched the earth when he rose
10 his knees and held his rifle in !,
readiness for well he knew his scalp,
he Indians evidence of proves,
vas a powerful incentive to bring !
him from his ambush. Nor was he
for he soon detected the
features of his enemy peer
ng guardedly over the bushes.
That look was his last, for instantly ,
/ bullet was sent full into the Indi- t,
ms frOntispiece. lie gave "A wild ,
'ell of pain, and fell forward among !
he bushes. :
Tom sprang to his feet, and under :
over of the oaks trunk, dubbed :
lis rifle and prepared for further
.ction. Scarcely had this precau- :
ion been taken when a second In :
liam rushed from his lurking-place :
ntO full view. Posing his gleam- :
ng tomahawk high in the air, he :
Iurled it at the hunter but it was =
lot the first time TOMS head had :,
cen target, and his adrOit eVas- :,
On of the weapon showed him to :