The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-06-10

What dye make p eagerly asked 10.
"' It looks like an old aat-boat, but l
can't surely make out. 10, if they've got
boat, we're in bad fix
9" Fact, captain. An it's goin' to be a
moonlight night, full moon, an comm up
airly. Weemin aboard, too.'
go Well, 10, we'll prepare for 'em, and
then run our best. It's all we can do
'As If 10 prove their suspicious were cor.
rect, an arroS was hurtled at them from the
shore, falling short of its mark, which was,
probably, the tall form of Captain Hobart,
as lie stood boldly up in his boat.
I" This decided him. He called together
the Manufacturing the emigrants; there
wero only eight men, all told-directed the
women TO lie fiat down in the bottom of the
boat, aud made all the preparations he could
for fght, in case it came.
They did not need to wait very long.
Even before the moon was fully risen they
,ould see that the woods were full CT NOV
ing, painted, half-naked forms, and heard
yells which could come from none but an
Indian throat
Keeping a careful watch, they could
after time distinguish dark object upon
the water, and as it drew nearer they saw
that it was a dat-boat filed with Indians.
az 1t must DO the old thing thai used 10
lie up at Port Mason, says 10. y, it is,
we kin sink EN-
&c Wait till they get near, men, said the
captain, and then aim low, and give them
the first fire.
Breathlessly the men crouched in the
bow of the boat, near which the Indians
were rapidly drawing. As soon as they came
within rihe-range, eight bullets sped at the
word of command, and made havoc among
the pursuers.
Shouts and groans followed, and the
savages poured a fierce volley into the little
group. One of the horses was killed-there
were three in the boat-but not man fell.
q Load quick ordered the captain.
Swiftly and silently his order was obey
I'd; not too swift, for the Indian boat was
rapidly drawing nearer and nearer.
Another volley, and three of the pursu-
ers tumbled overheard, but as they returned
the fire one of our emigrants dropped groan.
ing ut his post.
&c Steady and quick Fire in success
sion, ordered the captain. They aim too
low. Disable 'em before they can board
u.s.
"The bows Of the two boats almost graf
ID together, and one daring savage sprans
upon the flat-boat's gunwale. Captain Ho-
bart aprang isAward, but before he could
raise his rifle shot passed through his
shoulder. He staggered, but with desperate
courage rallied and fired, his adversary fall
ing backward and over into the river.
Maddened at this, for the assailing In
dian was their leader, the Indians made
rush to the craft. In the impetuosity of
their onset, the old, unseaworthy thing cap
sized, and the swift current was full of
struggling, screaming, wounded, and drown
ing sayages.
" The violence of tho shock gave the
other boat n sheer which sent it directly in
to the middle of the river, and drifted ii
rapidly down, too far from the shore fos
any danger from lurkers on the bank, and
safe from its terrible pursuer.
" A great shout of joy at their deliyerance
rose up from the little crew, at least from
all who were able to shout. Captain Hobart
lay senseless in the bottom of the boat, one
man was dead, and three others badly
wounded. leaving but three unhurt to care
for the rest With the help of the two brave
women, who had not uttered a cry during
the fight, they did this, and, after Their
arrival at home three men recovered, as did
Captain Hobart. But Captain Hobart car.
red to his grave shoulder scared with
the bullet received in that fierce fight ON the
Ohio River"