Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-07-21
A Brave Struggle.
BY EDWARD y. ELLIS.


David Morgan settled upon the Mo-
nongahcla river, more than II 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 stalwnlt, powerful, active.
and an mcrring shot with the rife,
but he was now 10 years of ag'. IL.
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 rcd men
so far to the west that it looked nm
reasonable to count upon their ventur-
ing into this neighhorhOOd; hut the
aborigincs had a diSagrecabla habit of
making their appearance where they
were not desired.
One morning, Morgan. having sent
two o: his children to do some work In
neighboring field. became uneasy
over their long absence. and stan ted in
quest of them. or 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 inrNprcssibly relieved to observe
his Youngsters Mt work. and H. sat up
on the fence few minut, to watch
and give them necessary directions. 1t
was while thus employed that he made
the alarming discovery that two L.
dams were standing II short distance
off, talking and gesticulaling in such Il
fashion that there could he no doubt
they were planning the capture OF
death of the little ones.
The father instantly called to his
children to run home. as fast as thy
could, while he would cover their ie-
treat with his rifle. The house was
almost mile distant, but the children,
terrified almost out of their wits, i'm
mediately started on IL run for home.
They were soon beyond danger, and
the Indians TUNED their whole attca-
ton to the pioneer himself.
A score of years before, Morg IN
could not have been overtakon by any
red-skin, but he was now too old to
run fast. However, as the only re-
source, lie struck n bce-line for hone,
and ran a considerable distance, with
a fleetness which astOnished himself;
but he couldn't keep it up and Ii,
speedily realized that he was only post
poning deadly hand-to-hand en-
counter. .
Another frightful disadvantage un-
der which the old man was laboring
running consisted of thin scattered
trees nearly all Of which Were tlo
small in size to afford shelter. Thus
he was shut off from crouching behind
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 dasling 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 Il rod or two. He
did SO.
The Indians failed to understand til,
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 Il 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 a rusc or not;
but when he saw the frantic efforts If
the Indians to hide behind the 'slerk,
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 pu"-
pose of disposing of him before lie
could reload.
This compelled the old man to take
to bis heels again. for he did mt
possess even Il knife with which to de-
fend himself. The short respite he
had gained gave him his wind, and Ii.
made good time for short distance;
but his pursuer was young athlete,
who gained rapidly. until within 90
yards, then fred shot that missed
the fugitive.
This left the combatants upon some
what more equal terms, though the old
gentleman was quite exhausted from
his severe running; but nothing daunt-
ed, he clenched his rifle. and awaited
the onslaught of the Indian, who drew
n tomahawk and began dancing about
and brandishing the weapon.
The painted warrior looked dreadful
lu prancing around. whoopinE and
hourlshing the glittering tomahawk.
while at the same time, he continued