Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-06-07

possible that 1t was not, however
but II the Indians ran into the tree;
top. IS 1t looked as II they intended
to, 1t certainly would be IL he re-
| manned crouching on the tree. He
lowered himself n0iselessly into the
water until only his head remain
ed above the surface.
1 The Indians ran the front of the
canoe upon the trunk of the float
ing top, and one of them got out
and stood upon it, steadying him
self by holding on to the branches,
while his comrades made some
changes in the blankets and other
articles in the bottom of the canoe.
The Indians feet were not foot
from Roberts head. The extra
weight caused the tree-top to sink
lower in the water, and once or
twice, while the Indian stood there,
Robert came near strangling, for
the water rose to his mouth. But
he managed to lift himself a little
higher, and keep above the threat
ened danger. 1t was with such
intense relief as only they can inn
agine who have been in similar
position that he saw the Indian get
back into the canoe.
After that Robert saw no more OF
the Indians, though he heard sew
eral whoops and their answers q
little distance back from the banks.
By-and-by he knew from the
trees and some of the bluffs along
the stream, that he was nearing
the settlement where his sister liv-
ed. III ats5e a .gE
Half an hour later he padded his
leafy boat ashore, and climbed the
bluff bank. Before him, peaceful
and unsuspicious of danger, lay the
little settlement of "Armstrong's.p
He hurried to the house where
his sister lived, and reused the
owner of it. To him he told his
story i'm few brief words. The
place was in, danger. The settlers
must be got together, and that at
once. The Indians might come at
any time. =
I The man started In one direction
and Robert in another. 1t did not
take long to visit all the houses, and
rouse their inmates. Armstrong;
house was the largest one in the
settlement, and the most substan-
tally built, and here the settlers
gathered, bringing guns, pitchforks,
scythes, and whatever seemed |
likely to be of any possible use as a.
weapon. The house had a large |
cellar under it, and in it the women
and children were placed. |
In less than half an hour from
the time of Roberts arrival they |
were ready for the Indians. And |
had expected to find their victims
asleep; but they found them very |
wide awake. There were three or
four guns of the repeating kind in
the little party, and as soon as the
Indians were seen coming across
the clearing, fire was opened on
them. The shots were fired with
such rapidity that the besiegers
thought the besieged to
be much stronger in number than
they were. The surprise of the
sudden and altogether unexpected
attack threw them into confusion,
and they retreated after firing a
few harmless shots.
The next day assistance came to
the little towns along the river.
But If Robert had not done what
he did it is quite likely every soul
at "Armstrong'sn would have been
that night. He was a
hero among the thankful settlers ON
account OF his brave deed, and he
deserved to be, for by it he had
saved good many lives. Such
deeds are grand and truly great
ones, and the doers OF them are our
truest heroes. ID