The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-05-11

wife was a woman Of education, an ar.
dent lover Of nature. Often after her
housework was done, she would take
the baby in her arms and retire into
the depths OF the forest that surround.
ed their cabin, where, seated on n log
in the shade OF some broad-spreading
tree, while the baby slept upon her
lap, she would engage in sewing, max
ing or repairing garments for the fam
lily, while she enjoyed the profound
solitude that reigned about her.
For nearly three years this happy
pair had passed their lives uninter-
ruptedly, in the exclusive enjoyment
of each others society, until finally
this condition of things was brought
abruptly to close. % 1t came one after
noon in the month Of August, 1882, AZ
the sun was declining behind the tree
tops. A grateful breeze had sprung
up after the oppressive heat Of the
day, so intense that Morgan did not
venture on his work again that after
noon. He had seated himself on the
doorstep of his cabin, with his infant
on his knee; while his young and
happy wife was busily engaged in pre-
pairing the evening meal. That after
noon Morgan had accidentally found
n bundle of letters which he had
finished reading to his wife. just be-
fore he took his seat in the doorway.
IL was a correspondence in which they
had acknowledged an early and ardent
attachment, for each other, and the
perusal left evident traces of Joy on
the countenances of both The in-
fant, too, seemed to partake Of its
parents feelings, by its cherub smiles,
its playful humor and infantile
caresses.
While thus agreeably employed, the
report of rife was heard, then an.
other and another followed in quick
succession. Morgan sprang to his
feet, his wife ran to the door, as they
simultaneously exclaimed "Indians"
The door was Immediately barred, and
the next moment oil their fears were
realized. There was bold and
spirited attack from u small party of
Indians. The cabin could not be long
successfully defended, and the time
was precious.
Morgan, cool, brave aud prompt,
soon decided. Apuncheon A was raised,
and while Morgan was in the act of
concealing his wife under the floor n
mothers feeling overcame her. She
arose aud seized her infant, but was
told that its cries would betray her
place Of concealment. She hesitated,
gazing silently on IL. A momentary
struggle between affection and duty
took place. She pressed her child TO
her agitated bosom again and again
aud kissed it with impassioned tender
ness. The infant, alarmed at the pro-
fusion of tears that fell on its cheek,
looked up into it's mothers face threw
its little arms around her neck and
wept aloud. ''In the name of Heaven,
Eliza. release the child, or we shall be
lostl" said the distracted husband, in
a soft, imploring voice, as he forced
the infant from the arms of his wife.
He hastily replaced the puncheon,
took up his gun, knife and hatchet,
ran up the ladder that led to the gar
ret, and drew the ladder after him.
In moment the door was burst open
by the savages. BY this time Nor
gan had secured his child in bag
and lashed it TO his back; then, throw
ing of some clapboards from the roof
Of the cabin, he resolutely leaped TO
tho ground. He was instantly as
saulted by two Indians. As the first
he knocked him Gown with
the but of his gun. The other ad-
vanced with uplifted tomahawk. Nor
gan let fall his gun and closed in.
The savage made blow, missed his
aim, but severed the cord that bound
the infant TO his back, and il fell. The
contest over tho child now became
warm and fierce and was carried on
with knives only. The combatants
thrust and plunged their deadly in
struments into each other with des-
perate fury. The robust and athletic
Morgan at length got the ascendency.
Both were badly cut and bled freely.
but the stabs of the white man were
better aimed and deeper. The Indian
now became frantic with rage and dis.
His teeth were clenched,
the veins in his neck swollen. his eyes
seemed TO emit sparks of fire as he
Morgan by the hair, elevated
on tip.toe and raised his
bloody knife. II descended with des.
perate intent. Int Morgan, wstchful
as he was brave, took advantage Of
the moment, made a quick and vio.
lent thrust at the side of the Indian,
the blood gushed ont, the savage gave
n feeble groan, and sauk 10 the earth,
Morgan hastily took up his child and
gun and hurried off.
The Indians in the house, busily en-.
gagged in drinking and plundering.
were not apprised of the contest in
the yard until the one that had been
Knocked down gave signs of return
ing life and called them 10 the scene
OF action. Morgan was discovered.
immediately pursued, and a dog put
on his trail. He rushed on with the
speed OF hunted stag ard soon out.
stripped the Indians. hut the dog kept
in close pursuit. Finding il impossi-
BILE either 10 outrun CT 20 elude the
cunning animal. trained 10 hunts of
this kind, he halted. waited until il
came within a few yards Of him, fred
and brought IL down, -elosded his
gun and again pushed forward.
Brysnfs station wns not far or: