Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-04-18
A RACE FOR LIFE.
Chased by Indians Through the
Rapids.


When 1 went into the Indian Terri
tory, in 1878, lived with an old ac-
quaintance by the name of Green, who
had settled on Manson's River. Green
had wife and one of the most inter-
esting little six-year-old girls l ever
met, and they treated me just like one
of the family.
AT that time the Indians were all
around US, and one day we received
the alarming news that gang was on
the rampage, and having massacred
several families up the river, were COM
ing down in a canoe to serve US in the
same manner.
We made up our minds that the only
way to escape was by water, and fifteen
minutes after receiving the alarm the
four of US, in light canoe, were speed
ing down the stream. We had scarcely
showed off when a Wild whoop struck
our ears, and turning we saw the In
dian canoe in sight. They had dis
covered Us and determined that we
should not elude them.
l never saw Green use the oar with
such skill. He had seen enough OF In
dians to understand that 1t was now a
case of life and death, and with his
wife and only child depending upon his
exertions, it need not be said that
every particle of strength and skill that
he possessed were needed and put into
use.
Every moment or two the Indians
uttered one or their frightful yells-so
frightful, indehd, that the little girl
began crying through terror
"a nj nf
Green, the savages gained steadily upon
US, fact which was as apparent to
them as to us, and which their re-
peated yells were intended TO signalize.
When we embarked in our canoe
don't think either of US thought of the
rapids below. We started in such
haste that we had little time to think
of anything except as to how we could
get away as speedily as possible, But
when the roar began to rise in our ears
my friend looked iueuiringly at me. l
nodded my head.
The best thing that could be for
u.s."
offered to take the paddle several
times, but he was not willing. The
changing of places would involve a
moment or two OF delay, and there was
no time for that. However, as we ap-
preached the rapids, 1 could see that he
was little uneasy. and he made no OBJ
lection TO my taking the paddle in
| hand.
Our hopes now centered upon the in
| ability OF our enemies to guide their
| craft through these rapids. There was
no question but that the Indians could
manage their canoe with skill equal.
| if not superior, to that with which we
controlled ours; but in going through
this dangerous place there wers ne-Ils
which II ght easily shipTTeck the most
! skilfui OF their number, as many of
them were hidden.
Before l attempted to shoot these
rapids had spent several hours in sur
veying them from the shore, a proceed
! ing which, am well satisfied, proved
my salvation il the exploit afterwaId
performed.
steered straight for the rapids. AS
we neared them the roar became deaf
ening, the mist filed The air and the
sight of the plunging, lashing waters
was so appalling that Mrs. Green COW
cred her face TO shut out the dreadful
sight, and the father was compelled to
grasp his shrieking little girl, who was
fairly wild sC the sight.
The canoe danced and spun around
like an egg-shell. and the binding mist
so covered us and the foaming waters
so surrounded US that more than once
| feared it was all over with usJ but /
guided the canoe with all the GOODNESS
L could summon and, thanks to Provi-
dence, We shortly reached the compar-
atively calmer water below,
''lldro they follow us?" inquired
Green.
Yes; it's too late to retreat.''
The Indian canoe was at this time
close on to the rapids, and anxiously
watching their movements l saw the
occupants stop using the paddles, while
one of their number took his position
ID the sterH.
THAT looks as though lie understood
It" / remarked, as l ceased padding,
and we all gazed back at them.
So it proved. The savage soon de-
monstrated that he had been through
tn channel before. He followed pre-
cisely the course 1 had taken, and
which was the only one offered the
least chance of safety.
There is only one who can bring
them through" added, ''and lie wont
be there longl"
he'd my rifle until sure of my aim
and then fred. The Indian who held
the guiding oar uttered q shrek that
sounded far above the roar of the
rapids, and springing several feet IN
the air. disappeared in the foaming
abyss of waters.
The canoe. left without controlling
power, was seen to spin around as if
in the maelstrom, and then, striking a
fragment of projecting rock, was shat
tered to fragments, the Indians strug-
Cling frantically for life.
L reloaded my gun as quickly as pos
sible, and Green and managed to send
a bullet through couple of the shaven
crowns, which were tossed hither and
thither like corks. The others needed
no such treatment. They were so
mangled by the furious waters that
when they iOated out of their grasp
not a particle of life remained.
We made our way down the creek 10
the nearest neighbor's, where we re-
mained several days, when we returned
TO our home and found that it has not