Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-04-03

of the emigrants were directed to the
opposite bank of the river.
Dressed in the costume of frontiers
men of the day, leaning upon their long
rifles, stood four stalwart men, the
leader of whom was gesticulating in q
frantic, eager manner to those on board
the boats.
"What is the meaning Of this p
cried Mr.. Wright in growing alarm.
cit means that we are in imminent
danger" answered Sam. "That is
Simon Kenton and three Of his brother
scouts! For Gods sake, Mr.. Wright,
turn the boats down stream before all
is lost"
BY this time the boats were nearing
the shore rapidly, and it was with a
dismayed countenance that Mr.. Wright
ordered them turned down stream.
But alas! it was too late!
The cunning Indians had forseen just
such turn OF affairs as this, for ere
they had proceeded dozen rods down
stream the boats grounded on a sand
bart
A wild yell now reverberated through
the forest, and to the horror of the
crew on board the Aat-boats some fifty
half naked, paint-be- daubed Indians
suddenly appeared upon the bank of
the river. They were armed principally
with bows and arrows and tomahawks
a few had guns Of the old flintlock make
used in those days, in the use of which,
however, they were not very proficient,
and as consequence, were unable to
I \
Wildly gesticulating they plunged
into the shallow water, and discharging
q shower of arrows at the crew
of emigrants, they began wading toward
the stranded boats.
! Young Worth, with that presence of
mind born of the frontier, now hurried
the women and children into the little
cabin of the boat, and, commanding
every man to stand firm, calmly con-
fronted the swarming horde of savages
In authoritative tones he ordered each
man to select an Indian, make sure of
his aim and fire.
1t was pretty effective charge, for
more than dozen Of the dusky assail-
ants dropped lifeless into the water, be-
sides several others, badly wounned,
went bowling to the shore. For mo-
ment they wavered; but the next in-
slant, with renewed yells, they advanced
again, and ere the emigrants could
reload their pieces the redskins
were swarming the deck of the
boat. The emigrants now re-
treated to the opposite side of the boat
while reloading their rifles.
Young Worth, with lightning rapidity,
had reloaded, and as the first Indian
ieaped on board he emptied the con-
tents of his rifle into the head of the
brawny savage, who instantly dropped
to the deck, dead. Then, club
bling his rifle, the young man swung it
aloft and brought it down with crush
ing effect upon the skull of another In
dian who was just endeavoring to swing
himself into the boat. By this time
the Indians had began to note the eff
fective blows of the stalwarG young
scout, and accordingly gave him wide
birth, but in the meantime were
swarming the boat on either side of
him.
And now followed scene of terrible
confusion. The emigrants and few Of
the negroes had reloaded their rifles by
this time, and they again fired with
good effect But the greater part of
the slaves, entirely unused to such ter
rible scenes, We're so frightened that
they dropped their firearms, and were
running wildly about the boat in
frenzied distress, vainly trying to evade
| the cruel blows of the savages.
Suddenly the sharp report of four
rifles rent the air. and as many Indians
sank in death upon the deck of the
| boat.
| CHANGING quickly in the direction
whence came the shots, the be-
siesed emigrants saw canoe
containing four men rapidly APP.
preaching them. A moment after
wards, with loud shouts, Simon Kenton
and his three comrades leaped upon the
deck of the flat-boat, and instantly
drawing their tomahawks, they com
menced a hand-to-hand contest with
the Indians.
With shout of encouragement to
the emigrants, Sam Worth, brandish.
ing his tomahawk aloft plunged into
the thickest of the fight with renewed
energy.
From the moment that Kenton and
his followers appeared upon the deck
the assailing savages began to waver.
Many of the Indians recognized Kenton
and his comrades, and they had a hearty
dread of meeting such brave men. The
telling blows Of the rangers soon began
to count; and shortly, panic stricken and
bewildered, they commenced leapina
into the water, endeavoring to make
good their escape.
| Amid the tumult and confusion, 8
wild scream, in female voice, instantly
followed by other screams, struck OF
the ear of young Worth, and, hastily
glancing towards the cabin which con
tanned the women and children, he saw
an Indian of giant proportions bearing il
his arms the slender figure of Ads
Wright. Swiftly he bore her to the
edge of the boat, and, leaping into the
water with his burden, he STROBE rapid,
towards the shore.
Shouting wildly to Kenton to follow
him. Sam swiftly darted after the re-
treating savage who bore in his Drawn,
arms one whom he would have fought