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

broken off, ten feet from the ground,
by strong wind. This stump was
hollow. One morning, as my father
opened the door to go to his work,
| heard the report of a gun, and al
most Immediately another, while ST.
simultaneously with the first report,
a ball struck the chimney near me.
| ran to the door.
$50 look in that hollow stump"
said my father.
did so, and to my astonishment
found an Indian in the agonies of
death. | recognized him instantly
as the one who had made his escape.
He had secreted himself there during
the night, in order to shoot my
father as he left the cabin. Fort
unately his aim was bad. The ball
passed within an inch of his intend
ed victims head. Before he had
time to make his escape, he received
the contents of my fathers rifle
With our united strength we
dragged him fourth. He sang his
death-song and died.
We now relinquished the idea of
leaving our home, thinking that
after this event we might live in
comparative salty.
Soon after that Joined the ranks
of the Federals, encountered much
hardships, and saw real service
1t so happened, once upon a time,
that | was sent out with scouting
party. In our zeal we went so far
that we were obliged to pass the
night from camp. There was no
dwelling near, and we were in the
vicinity of our savage foes, whose
cunning we had reason to dread
We made arrangements to pass the
night as follows:
We were in small clearing,
which had been made before the
war broke out, and afterwards
abandoned as untenable on account
of the Indians. Near the middle
of this was the trunk of a large tree
which had been blown down, and
whose roots had taken up from the
soil whereon they grew an immense
quantity of earth. Iplaced myself
on one side of this rampant and my
friend on the other, with the under
standing that we should watch each
other during the night.
BY making a small opening
through this natural fertilization
| was enabled to thrust my gun
through, and watch the approach Of
an enemy toward my friend, and hi
by similar operation could do thu
same favor for me.
The night was not very dark, ant
objects could be seen at consider
able distance. Having arranged
matters in this manner, we felt Blu
little apprehension in regard to
surprise. The hours rolled on.
felt very sleepy, and hardly able t.
keep my eyes open. About md
night my attention was arrested b.
a bush which / did not recollect see
ing in the early part of the night
At first ! gave but little heed t.
this circumstance, but at length be
gan to fancy that it came nearer
Still | strove to persuade mysel
that the appearance was to be attri
buted to my eyes, rather than real
ity. After watching it for half al
hour longer, | could no longe
doubt that it was in notion
| waited with breathless anxiety I'm
til it was within gunshot. Takin!
deliberate aim, | fired into the bush
1t fell instantly, and | heard heav.
groan.
"What have you done?" asked IN.
companion.
1--WE will see in the morning."
replied.
We kept our position until sun
rise, for fear of a surprise. Upol
examination we found the body o
stout Indian, lying in pool o
coagulated blood, under the BUSH
He had taken this method to re
connoitre. AS it happened, i
proved fatal to him and his purpose
| have passed through many tryin,
scenes, but | shall never forget tn
A Il