Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-03-07

any OF them, aS when move was made
In any direction the Indians in front
would rapidly glide away, keeping just
out of reach, while others were discharg
ing their arrows from both sides and the
rear. Exhausted, disheartehed, bleeding
from a hundred bruises, and feeling that
he had already received mortal wound,
William turned his beck upon his pur-
suers and toward the timber. The saw
ages gave chase, concentrating upon him
a perfect shower of arrows; but soon the
majority abandoned The pursuit and fell
back to the river, leaving to continue the
chase two of their number, who were well
armed with bows and full quivers of ar
rows, each of them carrying a rife also
that had been taken from one of the
men.
These two Indiers at ouce placed them
selves on each side of Williams and about
ten feet distant, firing their arrows with
a rapidity not easily realized by one hav
ing no personal knowledge of the manner
in which these weapons are handled by
experts. Their constant orOss-fre rend-
cred it almost impossible for Williams to
dodge many of their arrows; aud as if to
render his chances of escape more hope
less, his breeches became unfastened and
dropped down upon his feet. It was not
a time to be particular ABBOTT toilet, and
dangerous as the circumstances were,
Williams was obliged to stop and kick
the breeches off. Being now encountered
by nothing but bob-tailed shirt, he felt
little more sprightly, but the Indians
were in no greater danger than before.
Why Williams was not completely rid
died during this long running fight across
the prairie, is more than human tongue
can tell; and his only weapon, the gun
barrel, was all that prevented the Indians
from closing upon him. They could play
all around him, but were careful to keep
out of reach of this death dealing instru-
meut, welded by so powerful and des-
perate man. His position now was
more dangerous than ever, and he would
gladly have exchanged it for that earlier
in the combat, where he was struggling
hand to hand in the midst of hundred
Indians, all as we'll armed as these; for
in that instance each individual Indian,
anxious to preserve his own life, was in
terested in keeping out of the way of that
deadly gun-barrel, while now the two who
were chasing him could swiftly glide out
of striking distance, and with safety to
themselves poster him with arrows.
Upon reaching a point about twenty
five yards from the timber, Williams turn
ed his eyes from the Indians to see if it
was possible to enter the tangled mass of
brush and briars along the margin, in
case he should be able to reach the woods,
when stepping In a little hollow, stumbled,
pitched forward, and fell headlong to the
ground. The Indians Immediately rush
ed upon him, and the one who carried
the gun dropped his bows and arrows,
cooked the gun, pushed the muzzle
against the breast of Williams as he was
in the act of rising, pulled the trigger,
and-and the gun snapped. Williams
knew the gun to be good one and loaded,
and as he felt the muzzle against his
breast siokening sensation pervaded
his whole system, cold sweat stood out
upon his brow, his limbs seemed to lose
their power and refused to obey his will;
but when he realized the fact that the gun
bad failed to explode, new life seemed
infused into his veins, and in an instant
he was upon his feet, rifle barrel in hand.
The Indian, instea d of running, as had
invariably been the case before, now met
him face to face, brandishing the breech
OF the rife. The critical moment of the
entire affair seemed now TO have arrived,
struggle he became, if possible, more
active than ever. He closed with the
Indian, and on the first blow missed him
entirely, but on the second he was more
fortunate, and with terrific force
brought the heavy iron gun-barrel down
upon the head of the Indian, killing hiro
instantly. Meanwhile the other Indian
was not over eight feet away, firing his
f. oil
swiftuess.
Williams's first i'm pulse was to seize the
bow and arrows of the dead Indian and
defend himself with these weapons; but
suddenly changing his mind he snatched
up his comrades rife. Then, indeed, the
long practice of Williams as hunter did
him good service. To cock and poise his
rifle were the acts of a single second and
single notion; then aiming almost
without sighting he p1lled the trigger.
A quick and sharp report followed; and
giving the yell that has become historical
for its appalling influence, the Indian, as
the last remaining arrow discharged by
his nimbls fingers grazed the head of
Williams, fell forward upon the ground
corpse.
This terminated the fight; but while
Williams was really the victor, he expect
ed at any moment to die from his wounds.
He looked back toward the river and saw
the Indians swaying back and forth, and
keeping up an internal whooping and
yelling, and throwing into the air pieces
of flesh of bis murdered comrades.
As Williams turned to enter the woods,
Hedden, who had also escaped, called to
him, and joining him they both hurried
off through the timber together. Hedden
had been a witness of the latter Fart of
the conflict in which Williams was
engaged, but powerless to render him any
assistance, had breathlessly watched the
progress of the fight, until with rejoicing
he saw it terminate in Williams's favor.
Williams presented most pitiable
sight; his hands, arms, head, and nearly
every part of his body we're cut, jagged,
bruised and pounded almost TO jelly,
while the only clothing he had was q
shirt. The only course now open to the
two men was to proceed northward along
the coast to the Umpqua settlements,
distance of forty miles. They were
without food, fire or blankets; their route
lay through country full of hostile
Indians, and their only weapons consisted
of the gun without ammunition) that
Williams had brought out of the fight and
a ksife belonging to Hedden.
They travelled all that night as fast as
Williams was able to so, and about noon
the next day lay down to sleep. Hedden,
being auhurt, was soon asleep, wi the
riff (of no practicable use) by his side;
Williams, who was IL too much agony to
sleep, was suddenly startled by heavy
shadow being cast in frost of him, caused