Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/362

338 HISTORY OF of an iron constitution, and swifter on foot tlian any one that ever pursued him. He obtained a double-barrelled rifle of the best kind. He carried the tomahawk and scalping-knife he took on the night he and Captain Harper killed the ten Indians, and could use them all as skilfully as any Mohawk. He soon became a terror to the red men. His many miraculous escapes and bold exploits led them to believe that he was protected by the Grreat Spirit. He hovered around them like a vulture ; many of their braves fell beneath his brawny arm. He spent most of his time in the woods alone, seeking his hated foe. He never hesitated to attack a party of three Indians, and not un- frequently dispatched the whole. His courage was as cool as his revenge was direful. Such was Murphy, a revenging foe of the red man — with a warm heart for his friends. The next day after the battle at the lake, he prepared him- self, and pursued a party of Indians that retreated down the Delaware. On the 2d night, he came in sight of their encamp- ment, and by the light of the fire, counted twenty-seven war- riors, some of whom were evidently wounded. He determined to wait until all was quiet, and make their number less hy one. This he effected about midnight, and retreated without being pursued, as the night was quite dark. He followed this party until he dispatched six of their number, when he returned to his friends, who received him with joyful hearts, fearing he had fallen into the hands of his butchering foe. They entreated him to desist from such exposure to danger, but all in vain. He rested under an oath, and most fearfully did he perform it. He desired no angel's tear to blot it from the record ; he held his life in his hands, but put upon it a high prize. He then replenished his knapsack and started for the hills bordering on the Mohawk river. On the 2nd day he arrived at a settlement of whites, who were much distressed for the loss of one of their number a few hours before. Early in the morning, a young lady had ventured outside the block-house