The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-06-02
ATTACK ON A SETTLER.

{ uuCBCG WIFI TIE CuSt uSuauHA, you enter
Ia wild, secluded dell, where in some
! places the banks rise steep and rocky
above the flowing river, forming a scene
of romantic beauty verging on sublilnity.
! In one place where the cliff has per-
! pendicular descent Of fifty feet, an early
settler had erected his log dwelling upon
the very brink. It was an almost impos-
sible thing for the Indians to assail it on
the side next 10 the water; and to prepare
a way for retreat, in case of It's being
successfully stormed in front, or on the
lake side, he had dug kind of well,
nearly down TO level with the water.
enluging the excavation at the bottom
sufficiently to contain small boat, with
an outlet directly upon the Juniata, and
concealing this outlet with thin shell of
earth and stones, so disposed as to re-
semble the n tural cliff itself. At the
bottom of this well q small boat was plac-
ed, and kept in readiness for the last re-
Holt, WHICH SOLiiAl bC ldlhCtlcIt III u Ic"
minutes by destroying the thin barrier
and pushing it out upon the water; and
it was thought the family might, in the
dire event CT which we speak, escape in
this manner before the assailing foe should
discover their secret. Thus prepared,
with windlass for lowering the inmates
and n stockade on three sides of bis
dwelling, the fourth forming perpen-
dicular line with the bank, the settler
felt as much at case as any one could in
his exposed situation, and went vigor-
ously to work, with his two sons, aged
sixteen and eighteen, cleaning and tilling
the lands of his purchase.
The household of Job Hanson consist
ed of FIVE souls-himself, wife, the two
sons just mentioned, and daughter of
twelve. st the precise period of his set
ding in the valley OF the Juniata, the In
diaus were at peace with the whites, and
nothing occurred to disturb the tran
guilty of the family for couple of years,
when vague rumors of savage discomfort
and probable hostility began to reach
them and excite feeling of uneasiness.
Not long after this came the fearful in
teiligence Of the destruction of Wyoming;
ANA on the very heels OF this, as it were,
a party Of sayages, headed by white
man, were discovered approaching the
dwelling. The two sons, who were at
work IN field about a quarter of mile
from the house, saw them just in time to
get home and give the alarm. The faith
er was already there, being indoors with
was with great difficulty he could move
about, his head was clear to direct, which
was Of great consequence to the less ex-
perienced inmates. He ordered the gate
of the stockade to be securely closed, the
rifles to be reprimed, and than, to guard
against accidents, had his wife and
daughter lowered down to the boat al
ready mentianed. By the time this had
been accomplished, the savages were
whooping before the dwelling.
Chow many of the painted imps are
there ?" he inquired Of his sons.
81 don't exactly know, father, answer
ed the elder; ''but should think some
where about twenty"
''WeI, if that is all, we ought to be
able to hold out against them for two
hours at least. and by that time it viii be
dark enough for us to put off in our boat
without being seen. Thank heaven that
they came 50 late in the day! Be cool,
boys, and firm, and don't waste any pow
der. If you have TO shoot at all, be sure
you fetch one of the scoundrels every
time, which Will make the others very
cautious how they expose themselves,
and they'll probably haul off to wait for
night of their own accord.
''There's white scoundrel among 'em,
and I just want to draw bead on him !"
said the younger, with flash of his eye,
as he tightened his grasp on the rifle he
held in his hand.
''Take care. Saml'' said his father;
''don't you so to being rash, and expose
yourself any more than is absolutely ne
cessary! for if anything should happen
to you, it would be sorry day for your
mother, to say nothing of the rest OF us.
Take pattern by your brother jim, who
is always cautious. :"
'Oh, I'll be careful-don't you fear
for mo, futher !" replied the youth. And
then he muttered to himself: ''rH fix
that white scoundrel, though, if there's
any chance.'
"Halloo the house !" at that moment
sang out a voice from the outside.
The brothers hastened to the second
story, which projected about two feet
over the lower, and commanded the little
court within the stockade, and the elder
shouted back.
"Well, what's wanted of the house ?"
1--WE want to come in peaceably," re
piled the white man, ''and I'll pledge my
honor that no one shall be harmed.
'If that's all you've got to pledge,
you're a poor, miserable jackanapes /"
called out the younger, before the elder
brother had time to reply.
''You DEFY us then 2" said the man. in
any angry tone.
"We'lI not let you in peaceably, st all
events was the rejoinder; ''and if you
attempt to break in, look out for the
conseduences-for there's number Of
Us, and we're well armed.
''And we're enough to force our way
in, and burn your cabin about your bloody
heads !" shouted back the white man.
"lf You'll throw open your gate and doors
and let US in at once, we'll not hurt q hair