horse  towards  the  Indian  camp,  where  they  had  left  their  squaws  and
papooses,  hotly  pursued  by  swift-footed  young  warriors,  who  sent  bullets,
whistling  after  him.  One  of  these  killed  his  horse  and  wounded  him
severely  in  the  leg.  With  a  yell  the  young  braves  rushed  to  make  him
their  prisoner  and  reserve  him  for  torture.  He  resolved  not  to  be  made
a  captive,  and  by  the  use  of  the  most  provoking  epithets  tried  to  induce
them  to  kill  him  instantly.  He  called  a  fiery  young  chief  a  squaw,  when
the  enraged  warrior  killed  Wells  instantly  with  his  tomahawk,  jumped
upon  his  body,  cut  out  his  heart,  and  ate  a  portion  of  the  warm  morsel
with  savage  delight  I

In  this  fearful  combat  women  bore  a  conspicuous  part.  Mrs.  Heald
was  an  excellent  equestrian  and  an  expert  in  the  use  of  the  rifle.  She
fought  the  savages  bravely,  receiving  several  severe  wounds.  Though
faint  from  the  loss  of  blood,  she  managed  to  keep  her  saddle.  A  savage
raised  his  tomahawk  to  kill  her,  when  she  looked  him  full  in  the  face,
and  with  a  sweet  smile  and  in  a  gentle  voice  said,  in  his  own  language,
"  Surely  you  will  not  kill  a  squaw !  "  The  arm  of  the  savage  fell,  and
the  life  of  the  heroic  woman  was  saved.
Mrs.  Helm,  the  step-daughter  of  Mr.  Kinzie,  had  an  encounter  with
a  stout  Indian,  who  attempted  to  tomahawk  her.  Springing  to  one  side,
she  received  the  £rlaucing  blow  on  her  shoulder,  and  at  the  same  instant


108  HISTORY   OF   THE   NORTHWEST.
