Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/352

328 HISTORY OF impunity, and rising, as the tory walked toward the door, he pitched him headlong from the stoop. The tory picked him- self up, and left for Canada, or some other country, as he was never heard of afterwards. Just before the conclusion of the war, as Murphy was at labor in clearing a piece of woodland, he saw a tall Indian ap- proaching him from the woods, with a rifle on his shoulder. As he came nearer, a belt might be seen around his waist, in which were a tomahawk and scalping-knife, that were partially concealed by a large blanket thrown over his shoulders. "Which way are you travelling?" asked Murphy. "Don^t know," said the Indian. " Where do you live V inquired Murphy. "^There," returned the Indian, (pointing toward Canada,) "and where do ^ou live V "Down here." " Do you know old Murphy ?" was the next question. "Well — well — yes !" was the response. "Where does he live?" "Away off — ^yonder," (pointing in a wrong direction,) "but what do you want of him ?" " Oh, nothing," said the Indian, apparently embarrassed. " Murphy was a wicked old devil." "Yes," said the Indian; "he kill my brother — he kill Indian — he scalp Indian. They say he witch — he shoot with- out loading— Indian no hit him — he kill good many Indian — but he no kill me — I kill him." Murphy's blood began to boil, but he concealed his excitement as much as possible, and remarked : "YouVe a very good rifle there." "Yes." " Did you ever shoot at a mark ?" "Oh, yes — do you shoot at mark ?" "Well, suppose we try," said Murphy.