The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-03-11

was given from one OF them, which
wounded Mr.. Tucker through the hip 80
severely that his leg hung only by the
flesh, and shot Mr.. Light just below his
ribs. The three canoes placed them
selves ut the bow, stern, and on the right
side of the boat SO that they had on OPP
portunity of raking in every direction.
The fire was commenced from tho boat
and had powerful effect in checking the
confidence and fury of the Indians. The
Captain, after firing his own gun, took mp
that of ono of the wounded men, raised
il to his shoulder and was about to dis
charge it when ball came and took
away the lock; he cody turned round,
seized brand of fire from the kettle
which served for caboose and applying
il to the pan discharged the piece with
effect. A very regular and constant fire
was now kept mp on both sides. The
CAPTAIN was Just in the act of raising his
gun third time when ball passed
through his right arm and for moment
disabled him. Scarcely had he recovered
from the shock and reacquired the use
of his hand which had been suddenly
draOn up by the wound, when he OBJ
served the Indians III one OF the canoes
inst about to board the boat In Its bow,
where the horses were kept belonging to
the party. Sonear had they approached
that some of them had actually seized
with their hands the side of the boat.
Severely wounded as he was he caught
ND pair Of horsemen' s pistols and rushed
forward to repel the attempt at boarding.
On his approach the Indians fell back
and he discharged pistol with effect ut
the foremost man. After firing the sec
ond pistol he found himself without arms,
and was compelled to retreat; but step
ping back upon a pile of small wood
which had been prepared for burning in
the kettle the thought struck him that it
might be made use of in repelling the
foe and he continued for some time to
strike them with it so forcibly and ac-
lively that they were unable to enter the
boat, and at length he wounded one OF
them so severely that with a yell they
suddenly gave way. ALI the canoes III
stantly discontinued the contest and
directed their course TO Captain Great
houses boat which was then in sight.
Here a striking contest was exhibited to
the frmness and intrepidity which had
been displayed. Instead of resisting the
attack the people on board of this boat
retired to the cabin in dismay. The In
dams entered it without opposition and
rowed it to the shore. where they in
stantly killed the Captain and lad OF
about fourteen years OF age. The wo-
men tLey placed in the centre OF their
canoes and manning them with fresh
harls again pursued Captain Hubbel
and party A melancholy alternative
now presented itself to these brave but
almost Responding men, either to fall a
prey TO the savages themselves or to run
the risk of shooting the women who had
been placed in the canoes in the hope Of
deriving protection from their presence.
But "self preservation is the first law of
nature" and the Captain very Justly
remarked there would not be much hui
mainly in preserving their lives at such
a sacrifice merely that they might be-
come victims of savage cruelty at some
subsequent period.
There were now but four men left on
board Of Captain Hubbell's boat capable
of defending it, and the Captain himself
was severely wounded in two places.
The second attack, however, was resisted
with almost Incredible firmness and
vigor. Whenever the Indians would rise
to fire their opponents would commonly
give them the first shot, which in almost
every instance would prove fatal. Not
withstanding the disparity of numbers,
and the exhausted condition of the de-
tenders Of the boat, the Indians ut length
appeared TO despair of success, and the
canoes successfully retired to the shore.
! Just az the lGSt one was departing Cap
tain Hubbell cal ed to the Indian who
was standing in the stern, and on his
turning round discharged his piece at
him. When the smoke which for mo-
ment obstructed the vision was dissi-
pated, he was seen lying on his back
and appeared to he severely, and per-
haps MORALLY, wounded.
Unfortunately the boat now drifted to
the shore where the Indians were col
| lected, and large concourse, probably
between four and five hundred were seen
rushing down the bank. Ray and Plas-
cut, the only men remaining unhurt,
were placed ut the oars, and Us the boat
was not more than twenty yards from
the shore it was deemed prudent for all
to lie down In as safe a position as posi-
bic and attempt to push forward with the
utmost practicable rapidity. While they
continued in this situation nine balls
were shot into one oar and ten into the
other, without wounding the rowers,
who were hidden from view and pro-
tected by the side of the boat and the
blankets in its stern. During this dread
full exposure to the fire of the savages,
which continued about twenty minutes,
Mr. Fitzpatrick observed q particular In
dian whom he thought n favorable mark
for his rifle, and Notwithstanding the
solemn warning of Captain Hubbell, rose
to shoot him. He Immediately received
ball in his mouth, which passed out at
the back of his head, and.wns almost at
the same moment shot through the
heart. He fell among the horses, that
about the same time were killed, and
presented 10 his afflicted daughters and
fellow-travelers who were witnesses oi
the awful occurrence, spectacle OF
horror which we need not further at.
tempt to describe.
The boat was now providentiallv and
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