The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-01-03
.AtarfllaMp.
A TALE.


The following is extracted from &C The Tray
eller," tale by the author of Redwood
family Of travellers is represented as hav-
hg stopped at . point Of land at the juno
tion of the Oswegatchie with the St. Law
renee, to view the remains of an old fnrti6-
cation, While they were viewing this mon
ument of olden time, gentleman appear
ed, who Ike them had been attracted to the
spot by curiosity, and, after introducing him
self, begged leave 10 relate a Evolutionary
story, which he had picked up in his jour
ney through Canada, some of the events Of
which hal been located at this place. The
family vey readily assented to the proposal,
and the stranger related the following par
ticulss:
A cdnnandant Of this fort (Which was
built Ey the French, to protect their
traders against the savages, married a
young lroquois, who was, before or after
the marriage, converted to the Catholic
faith. Her brother lurked in this neigh
boFhooa, and procured interviews with
her, and attempted 10 win her back, by
all the motives Of national pride and
family affection but all in vain. The
young GraDga, or TO call her by her bap.
tismal name, Marguerite, was bound by
a threefoid cord-her love TO her hus-
band, her son, and to her religion
Mecumeh, finding persuasion Intellectual,
had recourse 10 stratagem. The CON-
mandant was in the habit Of going down
the river often on fishing excursions, and
when he returned he would Gre his sig
Nal gun, and Marguerite and her boy
would hastento the shore TO greet him.
On one occasion he had been gone
longer than usual, Marguerite was filled
with apprehension, natural enough at any
time, when dangers and hair-breadth es-
capes we're of every day occurrence
She had sat in the tower, and watched
the returning canoe till the last beam OF
day had faded from the water. The
deepening Of twilight played tricks with
her imagination. Once she was startled
by the waterfowl, which, as it skinned
along the surface Of the water, imaged
to her fancy the light canoe, impelled
by her husbands vigorous arm. Again
she heard the leap of thu heavy muska.
lOnghi, aud The splashing waters sounded
to her fancy like the first dash of the
oar. That passed away, and disappoint.
ment and Tears followed. Her boy was
beside her; the young Louis, who,
though scarcely twelve years old, al.
ready had his Imagination filled with
daring deeds. Born and bred in fort
he was an adept IN the use Of the bow
and the musket courage seemed TO be
his instinct, and danger his element, ant
battles and wounds were &c household
words" with him. He laughed at hi.
mothers fears; but in spite Of his boy
sh ridicule, they strengthened, till ap.
preheusion seemed reality. Suddenly
the sound o. the signal gun broke on the
still of the night. Both mother and son
sprang on their feet with cry Of ioy,
and were pressing, hand in hand, towards
the outer gate, when sentinel stopped
them 10 remind Marguerite that it wal
her husbands order that no one should
venture without the walls after sunset
She, however, insisted on passing, and
telling the soldier that she would answ e
the commandant for his breach of or.
ders, she passed 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 preserved these triAing
circumstances, as the events that follow.
ed rendered them memorable.
The distance, continued the stranger,
from the fort 10 where the command
ami moored his canoe, was triAog aud
quickly passed. Marguerite and Louis
few along the foot-path, reached the
shore, and were in the arms Of
Mecumeh and bis fierce companions
Entreaties aud resistance were alike
vain. Resistance was made, with u
manly spirit, by young Louis, who drew
knife from the girdle of one Of the
Indians, and attempted to plunge il into
the bosom of Mecumeh, who was
roughly binding his wampum belt over
Marguerite's mouth, 10 deaLen the sound
OF her screams. The uncle wresied
the knife from him, and smiled proudly
OIL him, as it he recognized in the brave
boy scion from bic own STOCK