Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-16


dcrs directly OIL the chesnut tree. Re-
becca felt the scorching heat, while the
sufocating vapour almost deprived her
Of the power Of respiration. She grew
dizzy, yet, still, the only movement she
made was to turn her child little in her
arms, that it might be more effectually
shielded from the smoke and cinders.-
At that moment one Of the savages ap-
preached, in the wild movements Of his
war dance, close 10 the tree. An eddy
of wind swept away the smoke the
light fell full on the pale face Of Rebec-
ca; her eyes, as if by the power Of fas-
cination, was rivetted on the Indian, his
fiery glance was raised towards her, and
their gaze met. The savage gave
start, aud the note Of his war-song was
shrller as he intently regarded his VIC
tim. Suddenly he turned away. Rebec-
ca murmured prayer and resigned her
self to death as she heard them all send
forth prolonged whoop.
MY boy! my husband! we shall meet,
we shall all meet in heavenp she cried.
But why did not the savages approach?
She listened, looked around-the whole
clearing was illuminated by the bright
glare, and she saw three Indians flying,
with the speed Of frighted deer, to the
covert Of the wood. She did not stop to
consider what had caused their flight;
but obeying that instinct which bids shun
the present danger, she sprang from the
tree and rushed towards the river. She
recolected spot where the bank pro-
iected, beneath which during the sum-
mer months, the bed of the river was
nearly dry; there she should at least, be
secure from the fire. And there she
sheltered herself. Her feet were i'm
mersed in water, and she stood in a
STOPPING posture to screen herself from
observation should the savages return to
seek her. But her infant sumbered
peacefully None of her fears and dan.
gers disturbed lis repose, and when the
morning light allowed her to gaze on its
sweet face, tears Of joy and thankiulness
flowed fast down her cheeks; chat she
had been enabled thus to shield that dear,
innocent one from the savages and the
flames.
Soon after sunrise she heard sounds
as of people approaching, and soon re-
cognized the voices of her friends from
the garrison. Rebecca and her child
were conveyed to the village, which her
husband, she found, had left about sun
set on the preceding evening. Nothing
was known, or could be discovered of
his fate; the Inhabitants had been alarm
ed by the light from the burning building,
and as soon as the morning was sufficient
ly advanced 20 allow them to penetrate
the forest, they hastened TO discover the
cause of the fire.
Grief for the loss Of her husband, COM
bincd with the terrors she had suffered,
threw Robecca into violent fever, and
her life was despaired Of; but just as the
disorder seemed approaching final ter
mination, Edward Abbot arrived at Rum
ford. He was surprised while walking
homcward, by four Iddians, one Of whom
seized his rifle, while another struck him
such blow on his head with a toma-
hawk, as totally to deprive him for sew
eral hours of all recollection.
When he did recover he found him
self lying al the foot of the tree, his
hands bound and an Indian guarding
him. All efforts to escape he found to
be in vain, and he silently submitted to
his fate. In about day the three saw
ages joined the one who guarded him,
and convcrsing hastily for few mo-
ments, they began hurried march,
Edward perceived one of the Indians
examining him often and attentively.-
At length on the fourth day, as the saw
age was alone with the prisoner, he by
signs, questioned Edward concerning
the house where he used to reside. Ed
ward made, on the white birch with a
coal taken from the fire, drawing Of
his little plantation and house, including,
of course, the chesnut tree. The In
dian surveyed it in silence, and Edward
thought no more Of the matter. Early
the next morning Edward was awaken
cd by the same Indian, who motioned
him 10 rise and follow. The rest of the
party were not in sight. Edward obey
ed, and followed him two days, travelling
! rapidly, till he found himself Oh the bor-
dcrs Of the Merrmac. The Indian
then pointed in direction to Concord,
and instantly disappeared in the woods.
1t is, perhaps, unnecessary to add,
that Edwards presence operated much
more favorably on Rebecca than had all
the remedies prescribed by the good
DIR. Carter, and she soon recovered
The conduct of the Indian excited great
[ curiosity, and made much talk in the
! village; but, for long time, the mystery
baflled all conjecture. After many
| months an Indian that could speak En-