Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-08-22
STORY OF A SETTER.

settlers of the Kennebec. | was
the oldest of four sons. My father
had built cabin quite comfortable
enough for his purpose, and COM
menced clearing, converting the
savage wilderness into a garden, to
TEEN with corn and grain. | and
my brothers of course assisted him
in his labors. At first, we appre-
hended but little danger from the
savages, as they hitherto manifested
friendly disposition. But we were
soon conscious of our danger. The
Indians commenced their depreda-
tons on the white settlers. Tales
of bloodshed were daily borne to
our ears. We went to our daily
labor with our weapons in our hands.
At the close of a summer day we
were seated in our comfortable cabin,
as usual. A knocking was heard
at the door. My mother turned
pale, and looked at my father, as if
entreating him not to open it until
he was certain who was without
| Immediately acted upon this hint,
and stepping softly to the entry, was
enabled to reconnoitre the premises
through small crevice. My moth
er's fears were not without found
alton. An athletic savage stood at
the door. Instead of undoing the
fastenings, quietly proceeded to
add to their strength. | reported
the discovery | had made.
"But one, did you say?" said my
father.
"Only one" replied.
"Now see what you can discover
on the other side of the cabin"
| did so, and to my surprise saw
three more of the rascals, crouched,
like serpents, in the grass. REPORT
ed this also.
The knocking became more furi-
Gus. My father, Of course, turned
deaf ear to his entreaties for adj
mission. Finding that artifice
would not answer, he was joined by
his comrades, and together they
made more furious attack upon
the door. In truth, we were but
little alarmed, for there were only
four of the savages, and we felt able
to contend with them. The fact
was, they supposed the male men,
bers of the family had not yet re-
turned from work, consequently
they had only to deal with females
The savages now brought large
log of wood, and, with their united
strength, used it as a battering-ram.
This plan promised to be successful.
The door began to yield. In the
cabin were three loaded muskets.
They were already in hands skilled
in their use. We knew a disagree
able surprise was in store for our
party, and this knowledge gave us
strength and courage. The door
yielded, and they rushed in. Poor
fellows, it was the last rush three
of them ever made, for they fell
dead upon the threshold beneath
our well-directed fire. The fourth
one fled in CONSERVATION. We pur-
sued him far into the forest, but he
was swift Of foot, and baffled pursuit.
HE will bring down more of the
red fends upon us" said my father,
wiping the perspiration from his
brow.
Indeed, the escape of the Indian
was extremely unfortunate. After
this we were kept in continual alarm.
We were fired at in the fields by
unseen foes, and were obliged TO
take the greatest precaution to
guard against surprises by night.
One of the Indians slain was a broth
er to him who was so fortunate as
to escape, and we knew that to av-
enge his death would henceforth
be the great object of his life.
Once we were attacked in the
middle Of the night. After a hard
fight we succeeded in driving them
away with the loss of several Of
their number.
Finding our position growing
more critical every day, we began
to think about leaving our solitary
cabin, and seeking some white settle
ment. Before our dwelling was