Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-04-25

CESS gently down, he told him:
"Now, my good fellow, you must
hop off on your leg, while / stay
between you and the Indians to
keep them off," instructing him at
the same time, to get into the high
est grass, and crawl as close to the
ground as possible. Burgess fol-
lowed his advice, and escaped un-
noticed.
History does not record a more
disinterested act of heroism. than
this of Tom Higgins, who having
in his hands the certain means of
escape from such imminent peril,
voluntarily gave them up, by offer
ing his horse to wounded compan-
ion, and who, when that generous
intention was defeated, and his own
retreat was still practicable, remain
ed, at the hazard of his life, to pro-
tect his crippled friend.
The cloud of smoke, which had
partially opened before him as he
faced the enemy, still lay thick be-
hind him; and, as he plunged
through this, he left it, together
with the ridge and hazel thicket,
between him and the main body of
the Indians, and was retiring, un-
observed by them. Under these
circumstances, it is probable that,
if he had retreated in a direct line
toward the station, he might have
easily effected his escape. But Bur-
CESS was slowly crawling away in
that direction, and the gallant Hig-
gins foresaw, that, if he pursued
the same track, and should be dis
covered, his friend would be en-
dangered. He, therefore, resolved
to deviate from his course so far
as that any of the enemy who
should follow him would not. fall
in with Burgess. With this inten
ton, he moved warily along through
the bushes, hoping when he emerg
ed, to retreat at full speed. But
just as he left the thicket, he be
held q large Indian near him, AM
two more on the other side, in tn
direction of the fort.
Confident in his own courage an
activity, Tom felt undismayed; bu
like good general, he determine
to separate the foe and fight then
: singly. Making for ravine no
far off, he bounded away; but 500,
: found that one of his limbs faile
: him, having received a ball in tn
? first fire, which until now he ha
4 hardly noticed.
! The largest Indian was followin
! him closely. Higgins several time
: turned to fire; but the Indian woul
!. hault and dance about to proven
2 him from taking aim, and Tor
}; knew that he could not afford t
o fire at random. The other tw
were close on him, and he foun
h that, unless he had disposed of tn
d first, he must be overpowered. H
n therefore haulted and resolved
e receive fire. The Indian at fe,
9 PAGES distant, raised his rifle. Hie
d gins watched his adversary's ey,
e and just as he thought his finger
= pressed the trigger, suddenly turne
his side toward him. 1t is probabl
e. that this motion saved his life, fo
the ball entered his thigh, whic
otherwise would have pierced hi
I body.
!. Tom fell, but rose again and rar
9 the largest Indian, certain of hi
q prey, loaded again, and then wit
!, the two others, pursued. Higgin
had again fallen, and as he ros,
, they all three fired, and he receive
) all their balls.
He now fell and rose severe
times, and the Indians, THROWN
away their rifles, advanced on hir
with spears and knives. They re
:. peatedly charged upon HIM; but
- upon his presenting the gun at on
} or the other, they fell back, till a
last the largest Of them, thinking
! probably, from Toms reserving hi
J fire so long, that his gun was empty
attacked him boldly, when Higgins
taking deliberate aim, shot hin
; dead. With four bullets in his bod,
1 with an empty gun, with two In
dians before him, and whole trib
: a few rods off, almost any othe
man would have despaired. Blu
Tom Higgins had no such notion
J He had slain the most dangerous o
his foes, and he felt but little fea
of the others. He, therefore, face,
them, and began to load his rife
They raised a whoop and rushed Oh
him.
} "They kept their distance as lon,