870

MASSACRE NEAR CHICAGO.

1812.

lives dearly. Mrs. Helm, the wife of Lieutenant Helm, who was in the action, behaved with astonishing presence of mind, (as did all the other females) aud furnished Mr. Kinzie with many thrilling facts, from which are made the following extracts:

"Our horses pranced and bounded and could hardly be restrained, as the balls whistled arouud them. I drew off a little and gazed upon my husband and father, who were yet unharmed. I felt that my hour was come, and endeavored to forget those I loved, and prepare myself for my approaching fate.

"While I was thus engaged, the surgeon, Dr. V., came up; he was badly wounded. His horse had been shot under him, and he had received a ball in his leg. Every muscle of his countenance was quivering with the agony of terror. He said to me, ' Do you think they will take our lives? I am badly wounded, but I think not mortally. Perhaps we might purchase our lives by promising them a large reward.   Do you think there is any chance ?'

"'Dr. V.' said I, 'do not let us waste the few moments that yet remain to us, in such vain hopes. Our fate is inevitable. In a few moments we must appear before the bar of Ood. Let us endeavor to make what preparation is yet in our power.' ' Oh! I cannot die!' exclaimed he, 'I am not fit to die   if I had but a short time to prepare   death is awful!' I pointed to Ensign Ronan, who, though mortally wounded, and nearly down, was still fighting with desperation, upon one knee.

"'Look at that man,' said I, 'at least he dies like a soldier!'

"'Yes,'replied the unfortunate man, with a convulsive gasp, 'but he has no terrors of the future   he is an unbeliever!'

"At this moment, a young Indian raised his tomahawk at me. By springing aside, I avoided the blow which was aimed at my skull, but which alighted on my shoulder. I seized him around the neck, and while exerting my utmost efforts to get possession of his scalping knife, which hung in a scabbard over his breast, I was dragged from his grasp by another and an older Indian.

" The latter bore me, struggling and resisting, toward the lake. Notwithstanding the rapidity with which I was hurried along, I recognized, as I passed them, the lifeless remains of the unfortunate surgeon. Some murderous tomahawk had stretched him upon the very spot where I had last seen him.

"I was immediately plunged into the water, and held there with a forcible hand, notwithstanding my resistance. I soon perceived, however, that the object of my captor was not to drown me, as he held me firmly in such a position as to place my head above the