Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-08-17
RESCUED,


i7sa, and the sun, which had Just sunk
behind tho "hr forest line" III mp with
his declining raya ono Of those homely
scenes OF comfort and happiness which
make tho hearts Of kings ache witt,
envy, and appeal TO the warmeNt sym
pathies Of the most stocial philosopher,
At tho door 0i q rude aud humble
log cabin In tho midst OF the primeyal
forests OF Kentucky, sat man whose
personal appearance nj the present day
might challenge tho attention OF the
most casual observer although such
men were abundant IN tho western
country seventy years ago, lie stood
upward OF six feet In his moccaSinH, and
G,rong aud robust IN proportion, with q
head such ~ u sculptor would admire,
which was covered with profusion OF
jet.black hair. falling In masses over his
temples and mingling with heavy whisk'
ers OF the same raven hue, which cover.
oil his throat AMI extended downward
III hid under the collar Of his linscy-
woolscy huntingshir, His strong and
sinewy arms gave further evidence of
the strength acquired IN welding the
woodman's AK, while his lower limbs,
tapering from the thigh 10 tho ankle,
combined strength and agility,
James Morgan was settler on the
Elkhorn, near Bryants station, He had
moved to Kentucky soon after his mar.
riagc, had built a plain, but comfortable
log cabin. cleared the rich lands. plant
cd the golden corn, and was rejoicing in
the prospect Of I'M abundant harvest M
n reward for his eyertions.
A portion Of the afternoon had been
spent in reading TO his wife, and COM
menting upon package ofletters which
had passed between them previous TO
their marriage, and the pleasing remin.
iscences which their perusal had called
up, had left their impress in joyful
smile upon his faco MS he sat at the door
dandling his infant child upon his knee,
while his wife was busy preparing the
evening meal her clear voice ringing
forth merry household ditty of other
days.
The crack of three or four rifles, fired
almost simultaneously, rang out on the
evening air. and the father spmng to his
feet, casting for an instant an inquiring
glance toward the neighboring woods /;
not to inform himself as to the source Of
the sounds-the peculiar thug of the
balls as they entered tho logs of his
cabin in close proximity to his head,
had already warned him of the approach
of enemies but to discover the number
OF the foe.
As he entered the door, the single
word "Indians !" replied to the inquir.
ing look of his wife, who met him on
the threshold, and informed her CT the
danger of their situation. A moments
thought, however, satisfied him that he
could not defend his cabin successfully,
and some other course must be adopted.
Cool headed, and quick in expedi.
ents, he decided to hide his wife beneath
the puncheon floor, while he attempted
to escape with the child by the rear, as
the enemy should enter by the front of
the house. The slab was raised, and his
wife had crowded herself into the space
beneath, as the footsteps of the Indians
were heard in the yard butthe mothers
heart yearnef for one long, last embrace
of her child and Selling it, she pressed
it to her bosom with desperate energy,
as though she would reunite its little
being with her own.
Agonized at the idea of parting with
her little one, she begged that she might
retain it, but the cries of the little one,
who had become alarmed at scene
which it could not comprehend, warned
her of the danger to herself, and she saw
that it might not be yet how could she
part with it, perhaps for ever! The
thought was anguish, and she chung to
it, until her husband was compelled to
take it from her by force, and urge her
to conceal herself, as the rapid and
heavy blows of the Indians tomahawks
upon the door admonished him that
time was precious.
Placing the infant in bag, which he
dashed to his back, he hastily assembled
to the loft above by means OF the ladder,
which he carefully drew up after him.
By this time the door began to yield
ment more it gave way; and the savages
rushed in, tomahawk in hand.
This was the propitious moment, and,
quickly throwing off Il portion of the
roof Morgan passed through the open
ing and slipped to the ground and
made his way to his brothers cabin,
few miles distant, upon the
threshold of which he sank exhaust
ed. As soon MS he had explained
the cause of his sudden appearance and
recovered his strength, he started in
company with his brother and another
man-an inmate of his cabin-to return
to the scene he had so recently left
Night had spread her mantle DER the
earth and as he approached the vicinity
OF his home, bright, ruddy glare shone
high above the tree-tops, and lit up his
path. 4 moment and the terrible
thought burst upon his affrighted brain
the Indians had fired the house, and
the partner of his bosom was perish.
ing in the flames. An agonizing cry
"My wife !" leaped from his lips, and
with reloubled exertion he bounded
forward TO save her from the horrible