BLACK   PARTRIDGE.                          203
pected every moment to see them fall by the tomahawk of the murderous savages. Soon a warrior with an uplifted tomahawk approached her, but dodging to one side the blow intended for her head took effect in the shoulder, producing a ghastly wound. She caught the savage around the neck, and attempted to get possession of his scalping knife which hung in a scabbard on his breast, but the "warrior threw her to one side and was about to use his tomahawk on her head, when she was caught in the arms of another Indian, who bore her off, struggling, into the lake. Here she was plunged under water, but her head was as frequently raised, so she soon discovered that the Indian did not intend to drown her. On looking into the face of the Indian she recognized Black Partridge, the white man's friend, notwithstanding he was disguised by paint. When the fight was over her protector conveyed his charge to the Indian camp, and delivered her over to a friendly squaw who dressed her wounds.*
About two months after the events above narrated, Black Partridge learned that Lieutenant Helm, the husband of the woman whose life he had saved, was still a prisoner among the Indians
* This Indian encampment was on a small stream or slough which ran along the line of State street, and entered the river near Clark street bridge. This camp, according to the statement of Billy C'aldwell, was near wbere Jackson street crosses State.