Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-12-08
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kk OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
( MY AUNT'S PEWTER PLATE k
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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other direction, all through thick
woods.
The block houses were built as places
OF refuge from the Indians, when they
were known to be abroad committing
1epredatfons. These houses were large
enough to accommodate number OF
families, very strongly built of logs,
and surrounded by a yard in which
cattle could be kept, and. this in turn
fenced in by a very high, strong fence
OF logs, containing loopholes, through
which to reconnoiter and fire upon foes
when they appeared; the block house
also had loopholcs, and the upper story
projected over the lower one, so that
should the Indians succeed in getting
inside the fence or stockade, as it was
called, they could be held in check
and perhaps finally driven off from
the house itself.
For some years William Woodleigh
had titled his little farm unmolested
by the Indians, but as news of their
bloody deeds became more and more
frequent, and each day brought rumors
of their nearer approach, he became
troubled, and each night barricaded
door and window with the thick blocks
each settler kept for the purpose, leav-
ing only the loopholes through which
to fire upon them should they make
sudden descent upon his home. In
the meantime, he made preparations
for the speedy removal of his family
to the block house should definite news
of their approach be heard.
His household consisted of his wife,
Ave children, the eldest, my grand
mother, then twelve years old, James
Smith, a young man who worked for
him, and himself.
well, Mary" said Mr.. Woodleigh
to his wife, one twilight in June, "are
you ready to start for the garrison to.
morrow? James and have finished
planting, and think perhaps it might
be best to be on the safe side. Not
that apprehend any immediate. dan.
ger" he added quickly, as he noted bis
wife's anxious face as she glanced
quickly toward the children, who were
playing about the floor, ''but in these
times it is better to be too soon thar
too late in seeking safety, and red
skins are such 'pesky sly varmints,
as old Joe Wier says"
Before his wife could reply they
saw James Smith running rapidly to
ward the house, evidently much ex
cited.
Whats the matter, vJames?' saii
Mr.. Woodleigh, as the man drew near
"'Indiansv' said Smith, breathlessly.
Mrs. Woodleigh hurried her children
into the house, the door and window
were quickly barricaded, and Will,
Mr.. Woodleigh was filling his powde
horn, Smith examined the flints and a
the same time related his somewha
startling experience.
He had gone some distance from th
| house in search Of cow which ha.
| strayed, and in crossing a wet piece o
ground, his quick eye had detected I
! trail where Indians had passed, hov
| single file, each stepping in the tract
| OF the one ahead. But" said Smith
earnestly, ''they must be very near, fo
| the water had not settled in, thei
| tracks,
There could be no question of al
tempting to reach the garrison tha
night with the willy foe SO near, an,
perhaps, at that very moment, watch
| ing the house from the cover of tn
surrounding forest.
! 1t was a lovely night, the moon wa
near her full and the landscape wa
flooded with light; every object wa
distinctly visible in the little clearing
each tree and shrub cast deep shado1
on the ground, and often some membe
of the little garrison would Imagine b
detected a erouchfng foe; profOun
| silence reigned, which was almost or
pressiye to our anxious watchers.
| 1t was past midnight, and they wer
congratulating themselves on their e:
cape, when the melancholy hoot of a
owl attracted the attention of MI
| Woodleigh. 'Keep watch,'' he whi:
pered to his wife and Smith, II al
afraid that is signal. The Indian
often use the notes Of birds and th
cries Of beasts to call each other.''
In a short time the hoot was repea
ed, but this time from the Opposit
side of the clearing.
II think can see dog or some an
mai near the edge Of the woods" whi
pered Mrs. WOOdleigh.
Her husband Immediately came I
her side, and, after a few second
scrutiny, he whispered. Indians
''They are coming on this side," whi
pered Smith, who was watchin
through chink OH the opposite sid
of the house.
s'Don't fire until they make som
demonstration said Woodleigh, .'the
i may think there is no one here an
J pass ON, if we don't mOlest them.''
II Just then a stealthy step was hea,
at the door and a creaking noise {
though heavy weight pressed again
it; but the heavily harricaded door II: