Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-06-14

Dcnuel IelldIhCu " lldllluOuu
I'VE must try it tonight, or it is
all up with us.
1t will be great undertaking,
replied Hammond, but | suppose
it is our last chance"
They have found out who am,
added Bennett, land know they
intend to put me to torture. !
see no reason either for your hop
ing that they will spare you. We
may succeed tonight and reach our
families, but if we do not it will
be better to be killed outright than
to suffer the torment they have in
store for us.
81 am with you, returned Ham
mond. with Gods assistance |
will do all ! can.
Andrew Bennett said very little
daring this conversation, but he
did an immense amout of thinking.
He was old enough to appreciate
the position of himself and father,
and he was as ready as he for a
blow for liberty"
The men converscd awhile long
er, and arranged their plans by the
time the Indians returned with
the deer They then ceased talk
ing, and endeavored to show by
their words and manner, that no
new idea had entered their heads.
Upon reaching the Meshappen,
it was found so swollen with melt
ed snow and ice, that they had to
search for Il considerable time be-
fore II place was found that could
be forded, Having crossed the
creek. fire was built under Il
shelving rock. While engaged in
roasting and devouring the veni-
son, the leader of the party, who
spoke tolerable English, became
quite communicative to Hammond.
He stated that he expected to meet
large body of Indians at that
place, but they had probably en-
camped further up the river. In
turn the savage became very in
quisitiye.
when was there to be peace?
Were the whites anxious to make
peace with the red men ?'--he had
heard so. did he know Lieuten-
ant Boyd
This officer, it should be remark
ed, had been sent out on an recon-
noisance by General Sullivan, in
Genesee, some months before, and
while thus engaged, was surround
ed by a superior force Of Indians
and put to the most revolving tor
turC.
I'VE led the party that took
him, added the Indian, with con-
siderable animation,
Boyd brave man--cut off fin
gers and toes-picked out eyes
but Boyd say nothing, Boyd brave
man. After giving some further
details Of the torture Of the young
officer, produced a sword, and re-
marked: There Boyd's sword
Upon examination Hammond
found the lieutenant's initial
stamped OH the blade, yet he dared
express no emotion at the horrible
recital, as it would have instantly
brought vengeance upon his own
head
On this night, as before, our
friends were papposed, The In
dams then drew their blankets
over their heads and fell into a
deep slumber One of the savages
only, seemed to be on watch.
Somewhat after midnight, Bennett
manifested great uneasiness, and
asked permission to get up.
Most day; lie down, dog
But Bennett persisted that he was
sick, and must get up. About
this time all the Indians arose and
allowed their prisoners to do the
same. Bennett employed himself
in bringing wood and throwing it
upon the fire. Shortly after, all
the captors were loudly snoring ex-
cept the same one who had refused
to lie down. lie engaged in roast
ing the head of the deer, and then
scraping off and devouring the
meat upon it. Soon, how ever, he
began to nod and show natural
indifference to what was passing
around him. The crisis had come.
Hammond placed himself by an
axe, and the boy stationed himself
by the guns, which were stacked.
Both watched the motions of Ben
net who was stirring the brands of
fire. He had on very long coat,
and as he came near the nodding
Indian, he stealthily took hold of
spontoon or war spear, and con-
cealing it under his coat, stepped
behind the savage, and concentrate
ing his strength, drove it clear
through his body. With a hideous
scream the Indian sprang up and
fell upon his face in the fire. The
spear was SO immovably fixed in
the body Of the victim, that it
could not be withdrawn, and Ben
net instantly cought up toma-
hawk and gun.
The Indian who had tortured
Lieutenant Boyd, was the first to
awake and give the alarm. He had
hardly time to utter his warming
yell, when Hammond Glove his
skull with an axe. The second
tremendous sweep of the terrible
instrument crashed upon the head
of another, and he, too, fell upon