DELAWARE COUNTY. 329 The Indian then ran off some distance^ and putting up a mark against a stump, returned. You shoot first/' said the Indian. "No; no/' said Murphy, ^^you shoot first. The Indian then shot, and to the astonishment of Murphy, pierced the centre of the mark. The rifle was then reloaded, and on Murphy's receiving it, he bounded back, exclaiming, "/am Murphi/ The savage gave a yell that reverberated through the hills, and drawing his hunting-knife, sprang to- ward Murphy ; but ere he reached him a ball from the rifle entered his breast. In stature. Murphy was about five feet six inches, with an eye that would kindle and flash like the very lightning, when excited. He was exceedingly quick in all his motions, and possessed an iron frame that nothing, apparently, could affect. And what is very remarkable, his body was never wounded or scarred during the whole war. He had nine children by his first wife, and was married again in 1812 or 1813, to Miss Mary Robertson, by whom he had four children. Soon after this marriage, he removed to Charlotteville, in Schoharie county, where he remained until a short time before his death, when he moved back to Fulton. He had suffered many years from an obstinate cancer on his neck, which finally terminated his existence in 1818, in the 67th year of his age. He was a good and charitable neighbor, but inveterate to his enemies. He detested the very name of tory, and if possible, with more acrimony than that of Indian ; and took the greatest delight in relating the feats and adven- tures in which he participated ; saying that he was resolved to kill himself rather than be taken a prisoner, knowing that they would inflict on him the most inhuman tortures. He re- peatedly declined holding civil office, considering it would in- fringe on his natural independence ; he always refused promo- tion during the war, on the ground that it would confine him 28*
