Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-24

by the people OF the island, together with hall
of the halibut caught in the month OF March
He bore the evil of scarcity, so it was not occa-
stoned by Incidence, with great composure. But
if cheat were attempted upon him, or any part
of his tribute distracted, he was as angry as an
English rector upon the eogning Of 1.-THE
pig, and growled like the Native of Virginia
at the national defaulters The Indians OF the
vicinity, and all liable to the assessment, little
disposed at any time to battle with the internal
spirits, paid their parochial dues with their
grim Apolyon Of neighbor. To :ell the truth,
it was not Tor their interest to quarrel with him
He was of main importance to them in many OF
their pursuits, and assisted them with much
good advice. He frequently directed them to
fine school of blackGsll, read to them from
Lows Almanac the proper time for planting
and gathering their corn, and foretold 10 them
the approach ofstorms, with an accuracy which
proved that he did not study the aspect OF the
heavens from any astronomical diary whatever.
He also assisted the young people in their court
ships, up to the time of joining hands, but this,
it was said, he did from disposition very pro-
per to a naughty being like himself Was any
little glossy rogue OF squaw, solicited to De-
come the wife of a youth, whose parents $1,000
cat to the tune of more usquebaugh, who but
Siwanticot was called in to negotiate for less
quantity. Taking all these circumstances into
view, it will be readily concluded, that he was
a sort Of favorite with the people OF the island.
Indeed, my grandfather was told by the old In
dian woman, that he was once their governor,
which | verify believe, from view OF some old
local laws, where the traces OF him are very VI
sibe.
Bu goblir.S, as we'll as the children OF this
world, are subject to changes OF opinions, 10
whims, and phantasies. Siwanticot grew harsh
and i'll natured as he grew older, and began TO
harass his subjects with new demands and que
rulous exactons. He now frequently demand
ed half of whale, instead Of 1.-THE, or took N
ct arnais the entrieta Of grampus. He broke
many well ordered matches, and soured much
matrimonial bliss. He set families by the ears,
frightened the wild ducks by terrible shouts, cut
the springs set for grouse, and in fact became
very troublesome and impertinent spri,e.-
I here was no use in frettng, he was seated as
firmly on their necks, as the Old Man of the
Sea was upon the back Of Sinbad. The island
ers bore his freaks with great patience, calmly
took up with the offals Of the whale, and only
adopted the precautionary measure of remov
ing from the immediate vicinity of the uncivil
hend.
Upon the southern shore Of the same island
of Martha's Vineyard, at some ten or twelve
miles distance from the residence of the goblin,
lived, at the same period Of time, sachem, the
proud and arbitrary chieftain Of territory three
miles square. He was very wealthy in ponds
well stocked with perch, CLAIMS, oysters, and
wild fowl, in swamps Astounding with terrapins,
in grounds adapted to the growing of maize,
and in numerous other riches of the sea and of
the land. He escaped all contributions, taxes,
imposts, and tithes, because, as the goblin said,
clericuS, clericum non decimal, the substance Of
an Indian phrase, which means, goblins do not
take from COLLINS. This legitimate had daugh-
ter, young, brisk, and, for unprecedented
damsel, very beautiful,
With bright black eyes, and long black locks,
And voice like the music ofrills
Withal she was the most accomplished lady in
the sachemry of Sanchequntaeket None drew
the bow with equal strength, or tortured the
prisoner with equal ingenuity, danced the
war dance with equal agility, or piped the war
song with lungs as efficient. ] must remark
that, according to tradition the Indian females
were much behoiden to her for their taste in or
namentlng their persons, and that she was the
first, who ever introduced that beautiful jewel,
q CfdO > Claw, lnlo tht HdSdi carthage II ID
not to be Supposed, that so much strength, and
agility, and ingenuity, and musical skill, and
taste in dress, failed of exciting love and admi-
ration in the other sex The paternal palace re-
sembled Grenada liz the time of the Abencerra-
ges. She was solicited in marriage by divers
sachems and warriors, whose names | would
lay before the reader with pleasure, if remem-
bered them. But no, she was deaf to their in
treaties, laughed at their presents of conch
shells and terrapins, and carefully and scrupu-
lousy barred the door Of the royal wigwam, "a
gainst all those suitors, who, according to In
dian modes of courtship, came to whisper soft
tales at the side Of her nocturnal couch The
truth is, she had placed her affections upon
young savage, stern to his enemies, but to her
all genteness, who dwelt at a-remote part Of
the island, and was termed kind of proiege of
the Internal gentleman, who figures 10 our tale
The course of true love, it is said seldom
runs smooth The father objected to the match,
because the lover had slain but three foes, nor
was of royal parentage, and positively forbad
the union. What was 10 be done? The lovers
talked the matter over again and again, and f.
nally determined to apply to Siwanticot for his
aid and advice. They forthwith repaired to