The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-12-14
Rescued by an Indian.

A'-~'A>'-~'
When was quite young, my father went
as missionary to the Indians who lived in
what was known as the Red River district.
We made the voyage down the river from
st. Joseph, Mo-, in twocanoes, which were
dtawn upon shore for us to sleep in at night,
a bright fire being kindled in front of them
to keep off prowling animals.
In this way our little party, consisting of
my father, mother, one older sister, myself,
and two boatmen journeycd to the mission
station. The station was long, low, dou-
BILE building of logs, already occupied BY
another missionary named Mccoy. He had
lived, until our family came, without any
other companion but a half. breed Indian
called Tony.
Supplies were sent to this lonely spot by
the Board of Missions and other friends from
the States. These were brought down the
river in canoes, and hauled up 10 the station
Oh rude sled by yoke of stout oxen,
One day Mccoy aud my father had gone
to the river for a load of supplies. 1t was
days journey to the landing and back. Tony
had gene with them. No one was left at
home but mother and US two girls
The day passed very pleasantly, Toward
noon, Us we were watching mother about
her work, my sister suddenly clappcd her
hands, and cried out, "Oh, what big
dog!"
We turned to the door, and my mother
uttered cry Of terror, for in the do lay
there stood, not a dog, but q large .ck
bear.
He was probably drawn by the smell of
the sugar and molasscs, for bears are very
fond OF sweets. We were greatly frightened
and could not leave the cabin, because the
animal was between us and the door.
II we could have got To the ladder and
up the loft, we might have escaped that
way; but the barrels were in front of the
ladder, and so was Bruin. There was real
~ no way of escape, 30 my mother drew us
TWO children close to her, and took refuge
behind the great packing box, where she
had been at work, thus putting slight bar
rler between us and our nnwecome visitor.
barrel of crackers was open, and we
found out then that bears like crackers, for
that fellow soon upset the barrel and MUNICH
ed as many as he pleased, while we looked
helplessly on and saw our luxuries dlsap-
pear,
But he was anxious to get at the sugar.
anu soon left the crackers and began to
paw and scratch at the sugar barrel, which
was not open, and which stoutly resisted
his efforts.
lie grew angry, and, with fierce growl,
gave II smashing blow with his huge paw,
and lifted his foot for another; when a re-
port from rifle sounded in our ears, and
we heard the pingl Of ball just as Mr..
Bruin rolled, huge, woolly heap, on tho
foor. The sound of horses feet followed,
and, as my mother hnrred out from her
Nr1r1 dali -
way.
He was stalwart Indian, with long
black hair streaming half yard down his
back, and scarlet blanket wrapped around
his strong limbs. we children were almost
as much afraid of him as of the bear. But
all the Indians who came to the mission
were friendly, and my mother knew this
one. He was Cherokee chief called Ma
shoon-tire, which means "rhe Running
Wind"
'Hal Squaw heap scare?' he cried,
with laugh. ''N1e see tracks, track him
in house! Shootce! No hurt2" accom-
panying his words with expressive panto-
mime.
My mother told him we were not hurt,
words which he conld understand.
Ma-shoon-tirc. "Bcar want catee up you.
Now you catce up bcar.h
At my mothers request, he dragged the
huge carcass outside the door; but when
she told him it was his bear, as he had shot
1t, he emphatically refused to claim it.
My mother then gathered up pailrul Of
the scattered crackers and gave them to
Ma-shoon-tire, who, when he learned their
use, seemed to be as delighted with them
as the bear had been. lie filled the capa-
cious hunting pouch at his side with them,
and then began to examine the goods which
my mother had been taking out of The box
when she was interrupted by his bcarship.
Among other things there were two or
three little cotton ocket-handkcrchiefs,
printed with figures of cats and dogs and
large A-B-Cs in bright red. They had
been sent TO us children, but tho great
Cherokee chief was SO delighted with them
that my mother, grateful to Mm for saw
ing her from great danger, gave him two
Of them.
He took them in great glcc from my SIS
ter's hand, tied ono or his streaming black
hair, Bld the other to the end of his rifle
barrel, by one of its corners. Then he
paraded before the small looking glass and
admired himself until he was tired.
At length he turned to my shrinking lit
tie sister, and said, "lIittle papoosc makce
Ma -shoon-tirc tinc Ma.shoon-!re makce
little papoosc fine! Big much heap fnc"
And, taking from his pouch long string
of brilliant beads made of various colorcd
glass, he threw them over her neck, pleas
ing her almost as much as the gay little
handkerchief had pleased him.
An English Farmer Of the Oldon Times.