Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-04-25

Having once got clear Of the broken
ground, Howard, looking back, found
himself well ahead and was congratu-
lating himself on so easy an escape,
when he saw directly before him, spring
ing out of the grass, a formidable array
of Indians, intercepting his flight; those
pursuing in the rear closed up, and al
most before he could realize the situation
he found himself again entrapped, this
time by line of Indians that entirely
encircled him, numbering about 100, as
nearly as he could judge. They rapidly
narrowed the limits of the circle, and be-
gan taunting him with all manner of in
suits, and telling him of the tortures that
awaited him and of the slow roasting
that they proposed to give him. Fol-
several minutes he sat on his horse,
trying to reconcile himself to the GER
ta;nty that death was before him, but
when the first struggle was over all
trembling ceased, and with as true an
aim as ever huntsman leveled at a
deer, he drew up his rifle, and fired at
the nearest man, killing him instantly.
Earlier in the fight he had realized that
he was more lightly armed than usual,
having that morning left his belt, with a
brace of pistols and box of cartridges.
in camp to be cleaned, taking only his
Winchester carbine, carrying twelve shots.
He now determined to sell his life as
dearly as possible, and, counting every
shot, to be sure that he saved one for
himself as a dernier resort in case OF
capture, since death by his own hand
was preferable to torture. Twice more
he shot in quick succession without fatal
effect, when he suddenly put spurs to
his horse and dashed through the line.
At this moment there was general
scramble and rush for him, some trying
for him with their spears, others se!zing
his legs and trying to unhorse him. He
succeeded in the twinkling of an eye in
throwing them all off, and even killed q
second man riding at his side, putting
his gun against his Qhe Indian's) body
and blazing away, the blood squirting
over Howard's buckskin leggings, saddle
and horse. The instant he freed him
self from them and got clear alone on
open ground ahead of them, where they
were not in danger of killing each other
in shooting at him, they fired vollev OF
bullets and arrows at him. None of them
hit him, and up to this moment he was en-.
tirely unframed. Had his horse beer
equally fortunate this would doubtless
have ended the fight, as the horse was q
fine, high-spirited animal, superior tC
any of the Indian ponies. But the first
shot received at the beginning of hostili
ties had cut a small artery, and from
this the blood was pumping out a steady
stream, that, together with his violent
exertions, was fast sapping his strength
The Indians seeing this, were encour-
aged to continue in pursuit, and theil
leader, mounted on an American stage
horse (stolen the day before at stage
station few miles back, which they haC
burned, numbering all the inmates) sue
ceeded so well in keeping pace with hin
that Howard could almost feel tht
breath from the nostrils of his pursuer's
horse. Thus they rode, nose to tail, fot
mile or two, the Indian occupying the
time in shooting at Howard. Three
pistols, Fix-shooters, he emptied, ant
bullets flew around poor Howard
on every side. -Four more entered
the poor horse, already so badl,
wounded, a bullet pierced Howard
clothes at his side, another cut the stral
of his field glass, which was lost, anothe
cut off his spur, bruising the heel slight,
but not drawing blood; fourth pierced
the wooden breech of his ride, rs he car
ried it in his hand-almost striking i
from his grasp; others struck the saddle
and in short they seemed to strike every
where but where they were aimed. Al
this time Howard was endcavoring t
reach over his shoulder and get a shot a
the Indian, but at every such movemen
the savage slipped under the belly of hi
horse, and was out of sight, except ham
on the name, and heel on the back. Final
ly, all ammunition exhausted, the India
resorted to his spear, and with the woode
handle gave Howard one or two sever
raps on the head trying to knock hin
out of his saddle-without avail, but a
last Howards horse, that had been tottel
ing shakily, from loss of blood, fell O.
his knees, and the Indian rushed up t
end the contest. At that instant til
horse struggled to his feet again, an,
Howard saw that his opportunity ha,
come, his foe was at his side, and h
quickly thrust his rifle against the In
dams body and fired, blowing a hol
through that seemed as large as one
arm. The Indian shrieked, leaped out {
his saddle, and fell to the ground on hi
face, dead.
looking about, Howard saw the re
mainder of the band following at
prudent distance, for by this time the
began to look upon HIM as a god, invul
nerable to all their weapons. When, q
last, the poor horse fell PROSTATE, and ar
parently dead, they all flocked up t
make final disposition of their trouble
some enemy. But Howard, undauntcC
lay quietly down behind the body of hi
horse, and when they came within sho
range, took deliberate aim and free
killing another man. This unlooked-f
disaster completely demoralized then
and they fled in all directions. With
three minutes not an Indian was in sigh
He turned his attention to his horse
loosened the girth to take off the saddle
and was surprised when the animal DIRE
a deep breath and struggled to his fee
He then led him slowly to where the re
of the party had made a stand abol
their wagon, and as he approached fro
one direction | came limping up from IL
other, with bullet in my right leg. I'll
Indians had paid their general attention
to the rest of us during the time Howar
was having his fight but fortunately NJ
in force, and we succeeded in getting t.
gether at the wagon without the loss of
man, l being the only one wounde
in the whole engagement. AS SOC
as Howard joined us we startt
on the retreat for camp, the L
L. i s.a....... - l.o LII 81 q .un.- n1L.