Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-29
E~TgS GArIE
kkIiANT'.

AZ 'hc S"u'ISti tAticIbity, nca'Iy Ut
the verge OF The shore, is situated the
phenomenon dcn0ia.inatcd sthe Swal-
lows Cave Descending from the
bank, along the steep sravelly hill, the
path suddenly turns a high shadowy pro-
lection, into a deep, Gothic-like excava
ton about five feet high, and pursucs,
through the solid rock, a distance Of
about twcnty-four yards. The ceiling is
carved by nature into tall but irregular
Gothic arches, and rises through the
whole passage from eighteen to twenty
feet. The sides are ruggedly pcrpcndic-
ular, and the floor uneven by its eleva-
ton and cavities. Perpetual humidity
roigns in this dreary cavern, from the
continual dropping Of water through a
assure ofrocks from which one enjoys a
fine view of the sea; you step along the
rugged beach, and grope your way up
the opposite side OF The hill to that you
just descended. 1t is called tho Swal-
lows Cave from the great number of
that species which hatch their young,
and inhabit there the greatest part ofthe
year, and are even said to exist in it dur
ing winter, in n completely torpid state.
From a circumstance, said TO have hap
pened there about two hundred years
ago, when the primitive settlers of Mas
sachusetts werc cmbroiled in war with
the Indians, it may be more properly dis
iinguished by the apPclIaiion of'thc In
dams Cave
The wars Of king Philip, Sachem Of
the Wampanoaes, with the original set
tiers of New England, filed it with ter
ror, devastation, and blood. Jealous of
the growing wealth aud influence Of the
English, and cXasperatcd at the diminu-
ton oftheir paternal territory and priyi-
leges, the Indians took occasion, from.
the execution of three Of their people, TO
open an immediate warfare. The whole
contest consisted in u series of ambush
es, skirmishcs and skulking battles, re-
curing the most uldaun.cd courage ant
i~inesse; and such as distinguished Capt
Church, who was remarkably successful
in the war. Sometimes Philip and hi.
people would secretly attack the settle
ments and villages, and put TO dealt
many orthcir peaceful inhabitants; Of
ten they would swarm the country il
search Of plunder, consume the dwellin,
houses-carry away their families, AM
treat them with every kind Of cruelty
and commit all those barbarous outrage
congcnial to their method of warfare
Much may be offered in their cx.enua
|%tion, when we recollcct the wrongs the
endured, in being driven from their ma
tive soil, in beholding their huntin
grounds wros,cd from their possession
and in their everlasting alienation fror
the homes Of their childhood. Who're
the patriot who would not thus have bee
aroused to shed his dying blood, at tn
loss ofhis liberty, his commonwealth an
his home!
About this time an attack was apprc
hendcd by the peaceful inhabitants {
" Lynn.-Thcy were mostly a colony {
: Friends, mingled with a latgo body
) Puritans, who, strongly tinctured by Tia
ii superstition OF the times, attributed the
calami,ies to their own, or to their al
c%cstors' crimes. Witchcratt, at this pr
Rod, maintaining considerable sway
the New England colonies, many o
women not only profcssed demoniacJ
inspiration, but the power Of diyinatioI
with regard to public and domesti
events. Numerous a~tmosphcrical pin,
nomena happening about this time, gay
kindred tone to the feeling Of the PC,
pie; and battles, earthquakes, and dealt
were IA accurately determined by Sc,
ond sight, as if the facts themselves ha
actually occurred 1t had been public
reported, that a large body of Indian
were in ambush around The village. =
Sometimes, several were said TO Ia,
been skulkiug in the cnyirons at othe