Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1900-09-12
A Brave Struggle.
BIZ EDWARD s. ELLIS.

years ago, and erected his cabin in the
wilderness, three or four miles from
the nearest settlement.
He had been q 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 theoryi
for common report placed the red men
so far to the west that 1t looked TN
reasonable to count upon their ventur-
ing into this neighborhood; but the
aborigines had 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
neishboring field, became uneasy
over their long absence, and started in
quest Of them. OF course, he carried
his rife, 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
dians were standing 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 rife. The house was
almost mile distant, but the children,
terrified almost out Of their wits, Inn
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
could 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-l.2e Tor home,
and ran q considerable distance, with
a feetness which astonished himself; I;
but he couldn't keep it up and he
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 oil of which We're too
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 dashing through the woods,
the painting fugitive passed q 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
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 q 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 eneruies 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 afruse or not;
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 not
possess even knife with which to de-
fend himself. The short respite he
had gained gave him his wind. and he
made good time for short distance;
but his pursuer was young athlete,
who gained rapidly. until within 20
yards, then fired a 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
a tomahawk and began dancing about
and brandishing the weapon.
The painted warrior looked dreadful
in prancing. around, whooping and
hourishing the glittering tomahawk,
while at the same time, he continued
edging closer and closer to his victim.
But Morgan manfully stood his ground,
with his rifle dubbed, until the dreaded
tomahawk was about to descend.
Then he threw himself slightly for
ward and brought down the butt of
his gun, the two blows being stimuli
'taneous, and took effect.