The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-08
SAVED BY A SPIDER.
How q Little Web Preserved Mans
Iif9

How a Little Web Preserved a Mans
Life.
Edtc. ". Ellis in Louisville Courier-JournaI.
There recently died in the state of New
York a man W hose grandfather had one Of
the most singular escapes from Indians that
was ever known. 1t is believed that nothing
of the kind ever occurred before or since.
Noah Hopkins was a wealthy gentleman,
living in Duuchess county, near the Con-
necticut line. He sold his handsome estate
in Armenia and became one of the largest
shareholders in the Susquehanna company,
whose object was the development Of Wy
oming valley, whittier Mr.. Hopkins made
preparations TO remove his family.
He was in the region on this business
when the famous massacre Of July, ITS
took place. Brandt and his Indians and,
tories overran the lovely settlement. and
fire, the tomahawk, the scalping knife and
the bullet held high carnival for days and
nights. Hordes Of fugitives fed through
the dismal woods in the direction OF the
Delaware, SO many perishing on the way
that the stretch Of forest has been known
ever since by the gruesome name of "The
Shades of Death"
Mr. Hopkins was one of those who hur-
ried in the direction Of the Delaware. He
became separated from the rest and sped on
going. His one desperate aim was to get
far away from the accursed spot as quickly
as he could.
In his panic he ran until he could scarcely
stand, then pausing only long enough to re-
gam his breath, he was off again. keeping
at it as long as he could drag one foot after
the other.
1t needed only a few miles Of this kind OF
work to wear him out. He finally dropped
to the ground as weak as a child.
AS he lay there painting, he was suddenly
startled by hearing number OF Indian sig
nails, so close thai he knew the savages
would be there within the next few min
utes.
| He could travel no farther. He glanced
hurriedly around for some place to hide
| himself.
A few rods away lay a hollow tree.
Without stopping to reflect that its very
availability for refuge would be sure TO at
tract the eye of the Indians. he ran to it,
stopped down and backed in.
Try as hard as he might, he could only
force himself FAR enough to take his head
| five or six feet from the opening.
By the time he had compressed himself
| into this small place, he realized he had
done the most foolish thing possible. Hav-
ing no weapon, he had put it out of his
power to make the slightest effort in the
way of defending himself. He had walked
/
and he awaited his doom.
| He heard the Indian calls again, this time
| so close he knew they were in sight Of the
hollow tree. He looked out of the opening,
where he expected the savages to show
themselves every moment. and observed a
tiny spider industriously spinning Its web
across the mouth of the log
At such time a person often notices
| trides which under other circumstances
| have no interest for them. He watched the
spider as it ran back and forth, over it!
own delicate bridges, carrying the tiny web
here and there, seemingly without any
definite purpose, but gradually evolving 6
pattern of marvellous beauty and ingenuity,
In oil his life Mr.. Hopkins had never
watch the actions Of the insect so closely a.
he did when he believed he had only few
more minutes to live.
The spider was running nlmbly back and
forth. when he suddenly paused. Some
thing had alarmed the little artifcer. II
came to a dead halt. when near the small
round opening in the center of its partly
finished web, as if it detected danger.
Hopkins, who was still studying the work
saw the next minute the mocoaSlns and
part of the leggin Of an Indian halt il
front Of the opening. The savage was
looking for the fugitive, and the hollow los
had caught his attention.
Walking to it, he stopped down anC
peered in. All was dark and he saw nothing
though. being in the sunlight himself, tn,
white man plainly observed the painted
visege, as the brow contracted and thu
black eyes tried to pierce the gloom within
the tree.
AT that instant the Indian noticed tn,
spider web spun across the entrance. h,
accepted it as men do the presence Of cob
webs on a wine bottle, or anywhere else
1t meant age. No man could be lurking
beyond the spider web.
The savage Investigated no further bu
sat down on the tree with several of hi
companions. Hopkins said be not only
heard them talking, but caught the sounC
} made by the bullets rafting in their pouches
BY and by they went off. The fugitiv,
waited as long as be could stand it within
the log, when he crept out and resumed hi
} wanderings. He was lost and several day
passed before he reached the settlement
his clothing in shreds and himself in a fam
ishing condition.