Thrilling Adventures by Land and Sea eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 349 pages of information about Thrilling Adventures by Land and Sea.

Thrilling Adventures by Land and Sea eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 349 pages of information about Thrilling Adventures by Land and Sea.

The fire was quickly communicated to the rest of the building, and it became necessary to abandon it or perish in the flames.  The door was thrown open, and the old lady, supported by her eldest son, attempted to cross the fence at one point, while her daughter carrying her child in her arms, and attended by the younger of the brothers, ran in a different direction.  The blazing roof shed a light over the yard but little inferior to that of day, and the savages were distinctly seen awaiting the approach of their victims.  The old lady was permitted to reach the stile unmolested, but in the act of crossing, received several balls in her breast, and fell dead.  Her son, providentially, remained unhurt, and, by extraordinary agility, effected his escape.

The other party succeeded in reaching the fence unhurt, but in the act of crossing were vigorously assailed by several Indians, who, throwing down their guns, rushed upon them with their tomahawks.  The young man defended his sister gallantly, firing upon the enemy as they approached, and then wielding the butt of his rifle with a fury that drew their whole attention upon himself, and gave his sister an opportunity of effecting her escape.  He quickly fell however under the tomahawks of his enemies, and was found at daylight, scalped and mangled in a shocking manner.  Of the whole family, consisting of eight persons, only three escaped.  Four were killed upon the spot, and one, the second daughter, carried off as a prisoner.

The neighborhood was quickly alarmed, and, by daylight, about thirty men were assembled, under the command of Colonel Edwards.  A light snow had fallen during the latter part of the night, and the Indian trail could be followed at a gallop.  It led directly into the mountainous country bordering on the Licking, and afforded evidences of great hurry and precipitation on the part of the fugitives.  Unfortunately, a hound had been permitted to follow the whites, and as the trail became fresh, and the scent warm, she followed it with eagerness, baying loudly and giving the alarm to the Indians.  The consequences of this imprudence were soon manifest.  The enemy finding the pursuit keen, and perceiving the strength of their prisoner began to fail, instantly sunk their tomahawks in her head, and left her still warm and bleeding upon the snow.

As the whites came up, she regained strength enough to wave her hand in token of recognition, and appeared desirous of giving them some information, with regard to the enemy, but her strength was too far gone.  Her brother sprang from his horse and endeavored to stop the effusion of blood, but in vain.  She gave him her hand, muttered some inarticulate words, and expired.

THRILLING INCIDENT.

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Thrilling Adventures by Land and Sea from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.