Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-09-15

ling VI Lne SWulleSI LWlS.
He desired to proceed directly toward the
house, but Brady objected to this, and they
passed down toward the river bank. AS
they proceeded, they saw from the tracks OF
horses and moccasin prints upon the places
where the earth was moist, that the party
was quite numerous one. After thorough
ly examining ever cover and possible place
of concealment, they passed on to the south
ward and came back in that direction to the
spot where Bevington stood sentry. When
they reached him they found that Biggs had
not returned. In few minutes he came.
He reported shat the trail was large and
broad the Indians had taken no pains to
conceal their tracks-they simply had struck
back into the country, so as to avoid COM
ing in contact with the spies whom they sup.
posed to be lingering along the river.
The whole four now went down to the cab.
in and carefully examined the ruins After
long and minute search, Brady declared in
an authoritative manner, that none Of the in
mates had been consumed. This announce
ment at once dispelled the most narrowing
fears of Gray. As soon as all that could be
discovered had been ascertained, each one of
the party proposed some course of action.
One desired to go to Pittsburg and obtain as
sistance-another thought it best to return to
Mcintosh and get some volunteers there
Brady listened patiently to both these propo'
sitions, but arose quickly, after talking mo-
ment apart wit Biggs, and said, Come"
Gray and Be ington obeyed at once, nor
did Biggs object. Brady struck the trail
and began pursuit in that tremendous rapid
manner for which he was so famous. 1t was
evident that if the savages were overtaken,
it could only be done by the utmost exertion.
They were some hours ahead, and from the
number of their horses must be nearly all
mounted. Brady felt that if they were not
overtaken that night, pursuit would be utter
ly futile. It was evident that this band had
been south of the Ohio and plundered the
homes of other settlers They had pounced
upon the family of Gray upon their return.
When the pursuit began, it must have
been two o'clock. At least two hours had
been consumed by the spies in making the
necessary exploration about the house, ere
they approached it, and examined the ruins
Not word was spoken upon the route by
any one Their leader kept steadily in ad-
vance. Occasionally he would diverge from
the track, but ON y to take it up again mile
or so in advance. The Captains intimate
knowledge of the topography of the country,
enabled him to anticipate what points they
would make. Thus he gained rapidly upon
them by proceeding more nearly in straight
line toward the point at which they aimed to
cross Beaver River.
At last, convinced from the general direc-
tion in which the trail led. that he could d.
vine, with absolute certainty, the spot where
they would ford that stream, he abandoned it
and struck boldly across the country. The
accuracy of his judgment was vindicated by
the fact, that from an elevated crest of a long
line of hills, he saw the Indians, with their
victims, just disappearing up ravine on the
opposite side of the Beaver. He counted
them as they slowly fled away under the rays
of the declining sun. There were thirteen
warriors, eight of whom were mounted-an-
other woman, besides Grays wife, was in the
cavalcade, and two children besides his-in
all, FIVE children.
The odds seemed fearful to Biggs and Bev-
ington; although Brady made no comments.
The moment they had passed out of sight,
Brady again pushed forward with unfagging
energy, nor did his followers hesitate. There
was not man among them whose muscles
were not tense and rigid as whip-cord, from
exercise and training, from hardship und ex-
posure. Gray's whole form seemed to dilate
into twice its natural size at the sight of his
wife and children. Terrible was the ven-
geance he swore.
Just as the sun set, the spies forded the
stream and began to ascend the ravine. 1t
was evident that the Indians intended to camp
for the night sor distance up small creek
or run, which d bouches into Beaver River,
about three mile from the location of Fort
Mcintosh, and two below the ravine. The
spot, owing to the peninsuar form of the
tongue of land lying west of the Beaver, at
which they expected to encamp, was full ten
miles from that fort. Here there was ia
nous spring, so deftly and cunningly situated
in deep dell, and so densely " inclosed with
thick mountain pines, that there was little
danger of discovery! Even they might light
fire and it could not be seen one hundred
yards.
The proceedings of their leader, which
would have been totally inexplcable to all
others, were partially, if not fully understood,
by his followers. At least they did not hesi-
tate or question him. When dark came,
Brady pushed forward with rs much appa.
rent certainty as he had done during the day.
So rapid was his progress, that the Indians
had but just kinded their fire and cooked
their meal, when their mortal foe, whose
presence they dreaded as much as that of the
smallpox, stood upon huge rock looking
down upon them.
His party had been left a short distance in
the rear, at a convenient spot, whilst he went
forward to reconnoitre. There they remained
impatiently for three mortal hours. They
discussed in low tones, the extreme disparity
Of the force-the propriety of going to get
assistance. But all agreed that if Brady or
dered them to attack success was certain.
However impatient they were, he returned at
last.
He described to them how the women and
children lay within the centre of crescent
formed by the savages as they slept. Their
guns were stacked upon the right, and most of
their tomahawks. The arms were not more
than fifteen feet from them. He had crawled
within fifty feet of them, when the snortings
of the horses, occasoned by the approach Of
a wild beast, had aroused a number Of the
savages from their light slumbers, and he had
been compelled to lie quiet for more than an
hour, until they slept again.
He then told them that he would attack
them. 1t was impossible to use firearms
They must depend solely upon the knife and
tomohawk The knife must be placed in the