The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-01-27
ern Indiana, distant many days jour

t durance.
/ AT the Indian village the reception
usually extended to prisoners awaite,
them, the women and children gather
ing all around the poor boys witt
shouts ofexultation loading them witt
reproaches, pelting them with dirt anC
stones and heaping all manner Of in
, dignities on them.
But the gallant little fellows were
prepared for all this and more. For {
long time they submitted quietly, but
ut length the Linn blood became heat
ed, and the youngest Of the brothers
losing all patience, singled out dusky
Indian boy, who had struck him in
the face, and dealt him Iow that
knocked him down.
This exploit delighted the savages
for they admire bravery more than
anything else, and they applauded
with shouts and laughter.
Another champion assailed our hero
who, springing upon the juvenile saw
age delivered blows kicks and scratch
es with a vigor that delighted the
spectators.
The white boys now all long2d to
participate in the fight, and soon join
ed their compauion. The heroic lads
fought against odds, but displayed such
provinces that they soon cleared the
ring, and were rescued from further
annoyance by their captors.
Such noble youths soon became IA
voritcs. Bold and bright-eyed, mus
cular and healthy, equal to the InGian
boys in ali athletic sports. while last
ly superior to them IN intelligence,
they were readily adopted into the
tribe and domesticated in families.
Young Wells one of the boys was
adopted by an Indian chief residing
in distant town, whittier he was
taken, and thus, when. ouly nine years
old, was separated from his friends
and companions, whom he, saw no
more.
He remained with the Indians all
his life, and when he grew to man
hood married beaetiful Indian maid
en- sister to the celebrated chief ''Lit-
tie Turtle"
The other four boys adapted them
selves so completely to their new mode
of life, and seemed so we'll satisfied
with the employments and sports of
the savage yourh-fishing, hunting,
racing and riding Indian ponies-that
all suspicion in regard to them was
quoted, and they allowed to roam
about unguarded.
But these valiant little heroes were
only Gliding their time with a watch
fulness that never slept. They sought
a good pportunity to make their es-
cape.
Their perseverance was rewarded at
last. In the autumn-the Indians
favorite hunting season-they set out
on their annual hunt, roaming far off
from their homes, leaving the village
IN the care of the old women and
children.
The four white boys who always
stayed together, found Il en-
selves one day at a camp at some dis
tance from the village engaged in fish
ing, with no companion save an old
Indian and a squaw. The long-sought
opportunity for escape was at hand,
BIT they could regain their liberty on
ly by killing their two guards.
These good-hearted little fellows
hesitatcd, for to their noble minds it
seemed Il cowardly act, but although
these people had treated them kiudly,
they were hostile race, who had drag.
ged them from their happy homes, and
had murdered the father Of two Of
them-the Linn boys. Thus all their
scrupIes yicl.lei to the stern necessity.
The bold resolve was taken, the plan,
and the unsuSpicious Indians Kill
eI.
Pursuing the nearest conrse, the
BOYS now struck through the wilder
ness for home. Travelling by night,
and lying concealed during the day,
living upou wild fruits and nuts, after
weeks of self-denial and patient endu
rance, they reached the Ohio River,
opposite Louisville.
Having no way of crossing the riv
er, which here at the head Of the falls
is wide and rapid, they tried 10 attract
the attention Of the people on the other
side, but these good settlers feared the
signals were an Indian decoy, and
paid. no heed to them.
The poor children now marched up
tie shore Of the river near'y SIX miles
and al a place near the SiX-miIes Is
land constructed a raft, but it was too
firil TO carry them all, and
the Oldest Linn boy, being an expert
swimmer, plunged into the water, and
pushed the clumsy craft before him.
while his companions padded with
poles.