Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-08-16
A Brave Struggle.
BY EDWARD g. ELLIS.


David Morgan settled upon the Mo
nongahela river, more than a hundred
years ago, and erected his cabin in the
wilderness, three or four miles from
the nearest settlement.
He had been a splendid type of the
pioneer-stalwart, powerful, active,
and an unerring shot with the rifle,
but he was now 10 years of age. He
knew the risk he ran from Indians,
but he was brave, and the spot where
he located was so admirable in every
respect that he believed other settlers
would speedily follow, thus steadily
lessen the danger, until it should cease
altogether.
Morgan was warranted in his theory,
for common report placed the red men
so far to the west that it looked un-
reasonable to count upon their ventur-
ing into this neighborhood; but the
aborigines had a disagreeable habit of
making their appearance where they
were not desired.
One morning, Morgan, having sent
two of his children to do some work in
a neighboring field, became uneasy
over their long absence, and started in
quest Of them. OF course, he carried
his rifle, for such was the custom Of
every pioneer in venturing the briefest
distance from home.
Reaching the field. the old gentleman
was inexpressibly relieved to observe
his youngsters at work, and he sat up
on the fence a few minutes to watch
and give them necessary directions. 1t
was while thus employed that he made
the alarming discovery that two In
dams were standing a short distance
off. talking and gesticulating in such a
fashion that there could be no doubt
they were planning the capture or
death of the little ones.
The father instantly called to his
children to run home as fast as they
could, while he would cover their re-
treat with his rifle. The house was
almost mile distant, but the children,
terrified almost out of their wits, i'm
mediately started on run for home.
They were soon beyond danger, and
the Indians turned their whole atten-
ton to the pioneer himself.
A score of years before, Morgan
gould not have been overtaken by any
red-skin, but he was now too old to
run fast. However, as the only re-
source, he struck bee-line for home,
and ran considerable distance. with
feetness which astonished himself;
but he couldn't keep it up and h,
speedily realized that he was only post
poning a deadly hand-to hand en-
counter.
Another frightful disadvantage un-
der which the old man was laboring
was the woods through which he was
running consisted of thin scattered
trees nearly all of which We're too
small in size to afford shelter. Thus
one of the trunks, placing his hat on
the end of his ramrod, and drawing
the shots of his enemies, in accordance
with the fashion of men, when placed
In similar peril.
But in dashing through the woods,
the painting fugitive passed a large
walnut tree, which he Immediately saw
was the very thing he needed. To
reach it. it was necessary to wheel
about and run back rod or two. He
did so.
The Indians failed to understand the
meaning of the movement 1t looked
as If the venerable gentleman had sud-
denly changed his mind. and concluded
to assume the aggressive. The result
was that the redskins were so terrified
that they turned also, and lodged in
among a lot of saplings where they
made desperate efforts to shelter them
selves. 1t is not impossible that If
Morgan had continued his retrograde
movement his enemies would have
kept up their flight, but he prudently
concluded to stick to the shelter of the
walnut tree.
At this day, it is hard to say whether
his next proceeding was ruse or net;
but when he saw the frantic efforts of
the Indians to hide behind the sleek,
slim saplings," he raised his rifle and
blaZed away. From that point for
ward one of the noble red-men failed
to display any interest in the proceed.
ings.
The survivor. instead of showing
enough courage to wait until Morgan
could reload his piece, Immediately
sprang from shelter and advanced up,
on the pioneer. with the evident pur.
pose of disposing of him before he
could reload.
This compelled the old man to take
to his heels again. for he did n
possess even knife with which to de
fend himself. The short respite h,
had gained gave him his wind. and hC
made good time for a short distnnce