Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-09-10

they strengthened, TIL apprehension
seemed reality. Suddenly The sound OF
the signal gun broke on the stiffness OF
the night, Both mother and son sprang
on their feet with cry of Joy, and were
pressing hand in hand towards the outer
gale, when a sentinel stopped them to re-
mind Marguerite it was her husbands or
der that no one should venture without
the walls after sunset. She, however, in-
sisted on passing, and telling the soldier
that she would answer TO the comman-
dant Tor his breach OF orders she pass
| ed the outer barrier. Young Louis held
up his bow and arrow before the sentinel,
saying gaily, +" am my mothers body
guard you know" Tradition has pre-.
served these striking circumstances as
the events that followed rendered them
memorable.
! The distance" continued the stran-
ger, d" from the fort to the place where the
commandant meored his canoe was tri-
fling and quickly passed Marguerite
and Louis flew along the narrow foot path,
reached the shore, and were in the arms
ON ecumeh and his fierce compa-
Mons. Entreaties and resistance were
alike vain. Resistance was made, with
manly spirit, by young Louis, who drew
knife from the girdle OF one OF the In
dians, and attempted TO plunge it in the
bosom OF Mecumeh, who was roughly
binding his wampum belt over Marsue-
rite's mouth, to deaden the sound OF her
| <b, L. tai . he nile
from him, and smiled proudly on him, as
ii he recognised in the brave boy, scion
from bis own stock.
The Indians had two canoes Mar
gueriie was conveyed to one, Louis to the
other-snd both canoes were roweo INTO
the Oswegatchie, and up the stream, as
fast as i, was possible 10 impel them
| against The current Of the river.
| Not word or cry escaped the boy
he seemed intent on some purpose, and
when the canoe approached near the
| shore, he took off military cap he wore
and threw 1t SO skilfully, that il lodged
where he meant il should, on the branch
Of tree which projected sger the wafer.
There was long white feather in the cap.
The Indians had observed the boys
movement--they held up their oars for u
moment, and seemed to consult whether
they should return and remove the cap
but alter moment, they again dashed
their oars in the water and proceeded for
ward. They continued rowing for a few
miles, and then landed; hid their canoes
behind some trees on the rivers bank,
and plunged into the woods with their
prisoners. 1t seemed to have BEEN their
mention 10 have returned 10 their canoes
in The morning, and they had not proceed
ed far from the shore, when they kindled
a fire and prepared some food, and offer
ed share of it to Marguerite and Louis.
Poor Marguerite, as you may suppose.
had no mind to ca, it; but Leui,, saith
tradition, ale as heartily as it he had been
safe within the walls oil tho Tort. Afei
the supper, the Indians stretched them.
selves before the FIRE, but not I'LL they had
taken he precsution 10 bind Marguerite
to tree, and to compel Louis to lie down
IN the arms of his uncle Mecumeh.--
Neither OF the prisoners, as you imagine,
fixed on his mother. She sal upright be-
side an oak tree; the cord was fastened
around her waist, and bound around thu
tree, which had been blasted by light
ming the moon poured us beams through
the naked branches upon her face, CON
vulsed with the agony OF despair and fear.
With one hand She held crucifix to her
r., i,ap hpr
sight of his mother in such situation,
stirred up daring Thoughts in the bosom
Of the heroic boy-ou, he lay powerless
in his uncie's naked brawpy arms. He
,ried to disengage himself, but at the
slightest movement, Mecumeb, though
still sleeping, seemed conscious, and
strained him closer to him. Al last the
strong sleep, that in the depth OF The night
sleeps the senses in utter forgetfui ness,
overpowered him his arms relaxed their
hold, and dropped beside him and lef,
Louis Tree.
He rose cautiously, looked for one
instant on the Indians, and assured HIM
self they all slept profoundly. He then
possessed himself OF Mecumeh's knife,
which lay at his feet, end severed the cord
that bound his mother 10 the tree. Nei-
Their OF them spoke word; but with the
least possible sound they resumed the
way by which they had come from The
shore. Louis in ,he confidence, and Mar
guerite with the faint hope OF reaching II
before they were over aiken.
/" hey had nearly attained the margin