Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-01-05

Maxwell and his friends were too
wise to attempt any such rash eN-
plot.
The leader of the party, how
ever, could not shut his eyes to tho
fact that the situation of himself
and friends was perilous in the
highest degree. The indians far
outnumbered them, and command
ing the supply Of water, could re-
duce the whites to terms, by sim
ply holding them where they were
provided they should fail in the
direct assault.
A long and anxious consultation
was arranged. 1t was a bright
moonlight night, but the savaSes
seemed to have decided to do moth
ing except 10y daylight, and all was
still around the beleagured settlers.
Finally one yof the whites crept
stealthily out from behind the IN
trenchments, and by great care and
patience succeeded in reaching the
woods undiscovered. Rising to his
feet, he Immediately started for
help.
Maxwell and his friends listened
intently, and without the slightest
unusual noise they drew a sigh Of
relief and hope, confident that the
messenger had got safely through
the lines.
This reduced the garrison to six
persons-Mr. Maxwell, his wife,
daughter, Mr.. Benson, George Par
land and Jester Pruden. Through
the night, the sentinels heard the
Indians riding up the ravine on
their horses, and in the bright
moonlight they were distinctly seen
while at a considerable distance.
When they reached the reek,
they dismounted, tied their ponies
and began crawling toward the
fort
The rifles of the whites were
breech-loaders, and they were con-
fident of making rafting defense.
When the Indians were within
about fifty yards, Maxwell gave
the word to fire, and the fight COM
menced. The bullets went down
the slope with such dreadful rapid
ity that the savages Immediately
broke and fled; but two Of thor
number were seen TO fall, and q
third dropped close to the works
where he lay in plain sight.
"Hold on!" he called out in
broken English. Don't shoot
I'm hit-I'm good Injun."
1t would have been the easiest
matter in the world to have finish
ed him, but the whites could no
refuse his prayer for mercy, auC
they refrained, making no reply tC
him, however
The warrior lay still awhile, auC
then said:
Come and help me; I'm wound
ed
! Crawl in here, and wen lool
out for you," replied Maxwell.
"No, no; lnjun come carry ll'
Off" !.
None of his brethren, however
ventured to his assistance, and af
ter awhile, he rose to his feet witt
great difficulty and staggered dow
the hill some distance, when tvs,
Indians ran up to meet him an,
helped him out Of sight.
The reception of the savages ha,
been of hotter nature than the,
J had counted upon, and they begal
packing up their things an,
made great show as though the.
intended leaving, but the white
were naturally suspicious.
Soon they started, and shortl
after the cattle we're heard lowin
again, the purpose of the redskin
t being to persuade the whites tba
some of the animals had gotte
loose and were wandering abou
the woods. But our friends coul
not be tempted by any such tran,
parent artifice.
Finding all efforts to deceive th
smigrants failed, the Indians wei
t filled with desperation, and chart
; ed boldly up the slope, yelling an
I firing their guns as they came.
They dashed at each side of Il
fort, but the defenders RENAME
4 cool, and fred deliberately and 2
8 fectively, while the shots Of u