Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-29

hiusketTy, anu mo AnIlI oil
suvagcs wculd tcrrlFy the listener, and
some ofthe inhabitants would be swept
nom their families. The people were
kept IN Continual disquiet. Constantly
under arms, they never know when they
should be attacked; and they dreaded
to be Off their guard, lest they might be
surprised by u party OF Indians. One
night, The villagers were aroused by the
"ar-cry ofiho enemy; the discharge Of
fire arms was heard at a distance; and
about forty Narraganscts made their APP
pe%arance. The LynaiIcs charged so
vigorously upon them, that, panic struck
b. the attack, they fed towmds Inc sea,
in the direction Of Nahant, and were
soon lost sight Of IN the darkness of the
.ii9ht. These assaults became so an-
noying that scarcely a night, some dwell
ling was not burned, or some one found
dead or missing in the morning. Public
measures were devised TO prevent these
dopredalions. But who should pursue
the enemy, and attack them in their "
foltrcsscs! Where were they to be
found? and who should be the guide TO
discover their retreat? There was a bold
fellow, captain Of IA troop of infantry,
who agreed 10 60 upon the expedition,
with n volunteer corps OF twenty five
men. As the utmost caution was ne
cessary, they we're not TO whisper n syl-
liable OF their intention, but set off the
following night on the object of their
embassy. They wcie all armed with
broad swords and muskcts, and each
one, for %safety's sake, carried u bible in
his right, and the Westminster catcchism
in his left pocket. As a pilot to their
course, they resolved to consult u know
ing old witch, by the name Of Wonder
!. full n harmless, koen-tongued woman,
that lived, near the Salem shore, by for
tune telling, discovering lost property,
and predicting mGny odd events, even Dy
the roll ola cows eye, or the curling of
the smoke above her chimney. She was
= always applied TO in every emergency.
and what could be moro important than
the protection of their lives from the In
= dians? 1t was u dismal night, when the
- cavaicade halted at the Misunderstanding
/, hut; but they found the attentive Won
{ dcriul leaning on the crcaking UNDER
5 door, as ifanXiously waiting loriheir ar
r rival. The dim light Of a candle was
seen llaring on Il crazy sort Of table be-
Y hind her, and gave her whole profile
: such ii ghastIy appearance, that she
= might have been almost mistaken for on
inhabitant Of the lower world. W ell
come, my brave soldiers cried the darl.
, withcred dame, lecring her small gray
punS nynrpa.iy,lu ,nAu tha ioo1nr G..
, cess to the enterprise you have under
, taken, TO defend your land! There is
/ plenty Of game, | warrant, where so
many fowlars arc ready with their pie
f ces! But | know where they arc,' whis-
pered she in a slow, drawing tone; and
Q the candle near the door, that instant
was ~extinguished by II gust Of wind
{ and before tomogrow's sun, you'll be
sure Of the wild, yelling deyils!' { Hark
s comrades, are we betrayed said the
: eagle-cyed captain, with his hand upon
h his sword, looking round as he spoke;-
: but, raising his voice, he addcd-'Take
care, what you say, Wonderful TO an
up and down son Of old England, or,
coniound me, witch, you'll wish, TO your
: sorrow, you had IA shorter t%ongue!'--
Dds bugs shsieked out the withered
bag & have not lived these three-scorc
C years to be laughed to scorn by Il bus
: tering soldier of thirty! tell you then,
that you arc after the Indians; and that
/. you will find them, forty in number,
waiting to dip their ~tomahawks in the
G blood OF your families! l have beer
counting the clouds all this past week
| have watched the motion of the cattle
d and the curling of the smoke tina
t. wildly blew towards the Great Neck
III made ne morally certain that somethin.
is terrible is brewing;
D
IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Indians on The shore youIl SEQ
Your death or lle--gcmember mc!'
She bo,ted the door in their faces, an
id with desperate courage they betoo'
y, themselves TO the great beach, %ioinin,
Us the peninsula ofNahant. The dark sc
was beating upon the shore its tumultu
a. Gus waters the loud west wind sweeDin
by over its sandy plain, caused its surlac
a. to resombled Il snow-drilted field; then
NJ would roar along the SIDES Of some pen
n, up hill, causing the dry weeds and brush
m wood to rattle, and again it would di
is away like the spent groans Of some on
in pain. The seeming island before thoI
he resemble n black stormy cloud, Resin
nd on the river; and not a single ray ofligh
glimmered on either o. tho party. Ar
o. you ready men to stand by me and die
of demanded the gallant commander, pau:
- r -. a.. au.oL L., H., ,o.J -. l,..o