Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-03-27

:
It was the most expert swordsman Of
France against the most adroit and pow
erful wielder of the tomahawk ever
known to the Matches tribe. Such a
duel meant an exhibition Of strength and
skill seldom witnessed, especially in
deadly combat.
The Sun measured his antagonist with
one searching look; then rushed upon
him, and aimed swinging blow with
his tomahawle. A 6ne, clear steel note,
as the Frenchman's blade parted the
stroke, rang out like the sound of bell
when its sonorousness is suddenly
checked. The sword flashed through q
short curve and leaped forward in q
straight thrust. Quick ns-lightcning, it
was turned aside by short sweep of tho
hatchet, which again was dashed at the
face of the white man, who caught it
fairly near his sword hilt, and, by a deft,
strong turn, wrung 1T from Suns hand,
and sent it whirling away.
1t would have been easy for Alphonse
dc VilIars to have run the Sun through
the heart rs he stood defenseless, but he
did not do it. Something in tho proud
bearing of the savage checked his hand
for the moment.
The two men looked straight into each
others eyes. They were breathing hard;
neither finched; not word was spoken.
Aiadamc Roman had tainted, and lay
unconscious on the grornd.
The tumult OF hideous sounds was be-
ginning to lessen, rs the bloody work of
the Indians neared completion. Not a
white of the garrison was spared.
Claire flung herself forward, and,
spreading out her arms, ciasped the Sun.
"Oh, my red fatherl" she cried, "have
mercy on usl"
Her long, golden hair fell down, and
the breeze blew it across the Suns shout
der like u scarf. She continued to plead
in the most piteous tones.
Meantime four or five Infatuated braves
rushed to the spot, eager to continue the
slaughter.
Alphonse de villars faced them with
sword ready.
The Sun with Claire still clinging to
him, stepped between and gave some or
ders ill the Indian tongue. The braves
stood still.
Turning now to the Frenchmau, the
Sun said:
'White man put down his sword"
Alphonse hesitated, but when Claire
besought him he surrendered and was
made prisoner.
A drunken orgic followed the massacre,
the Indians finding stores of liquors in
the warehouses of the fort; but the Sun
having gathered all the women, the
wives and daughters of the murdered
garrison, ordered them to be protected.
Alphonse dc Villars was the only man
taken alive, and he, tightly bound, was
kept apart from the rest of the prison
crs.
1t is recorded in the history of Louisi-
ana that the Matches, after their terrible
act of vengeance, took their prisoners to
strong fort and there kept them until
the twenty-fifth of the following Febru-
| airy.
Caevalier Loubois, with six hundred
| soldiers from New Orleans and large
body of friendly Indians, invested the
fort and forced the Sun to come to
terms. A parley was held and it was
agreed that if the prisoners were released
at the end of ten days hostilitics should
cease.
Before the close of the stipulated
period, however, on a dark and stormy
night, the Sun and his braves stole forth
from their stronghold and escaped, leav-
ing all the prisoners behind
Among these prisoners were Alphonse
de Villars, Madame Roman and Claire.
Monsieur Roman had been killed early in
the terrible struggle at Fort Rosalie
The young people were married at
New Orleans and shortly afterward went
to France, where their descendants still
keep alive the story of White Apple and
the massacre mt Fort Rosalie. The same
of the great Sun is connected with The
family history by u manuscript in deli
cate writing of Claire (Roman) de Vii
rs.-Ne'0 York Ledger.
Queer Facts About Beavers.
|