The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-07-15

conveyed to one, Louis to the other; and boti
canoes were rowed into the Oswegatchie, and uI
the stream, fast as IT was possible to mpel then
against the current Of the river
Not word or cry escaped the boy he seemed
intent on some purpose and, when the canoe ap
preached near the Shore he took off military caI
he wore aud threw it so skillfullv, that it lodged
where he meant it should, on the branch Of tire,
which projected over the water. There was lone
white feather in the cap, The Indians had obser
we'd the boys movement; they held up their oar:
for a moment, and seemed to consult whether they
should return and remove the cap; but, after mo-
ment, they again dashed their oars in the water
and proceeded forward.
They continued rowing for a few miles, and ther
landed, hid their behind some trees, on tho
rivers bank, and plunged into the woode with the
prisoners 1t seems to have been their intention tC
return to their conoes in the morning and they hao
proceeded far from the shore, when they kndlec
fire and prepared food and offered share of it tC
Marguerite and Louis.
Poor Maguerite, as may be supposed had ne
mind to eat but Louis, saith tradition, ate heart
lily if he had been safe within the walls Of tn,
fort. After the supper, the Indians stretched them
selves before the fire but not till they had taker
the precaution TO bind Marguerite to a tree, and tc
compel Louis to lie down in the arms Of his uncl,
Mecumch.
Neither Of the prisoners closed their eyes, Loui,
kept his fixed on his mother. She sat upright be-
side an oak tree the cord was fastened around he
waist, and bound around the tree, which had beer
blasted by lightning; the moon poured its beam,
through the naked branches upon her face con.
vulsed with the agony of despair and fear. Will
one hand she held crucifx to her lips, the Other
was her rosary.
The sight Of his mother in such situation
stirred up daring thoughts is the bosom of the hero
ic boy but he lay powerless in his uncle's naked
brawny, arms. lie tried TO dsengage himself, but
at the slightest movement, Mecumeh, though still
sleeping, seemed conscious, and strained him. A
last the strong sleep, that in the depth of the nigh
sleeps the senses in utter forgetuncss overpowerec
him his arms relaxed their hold, and dropped beside
him, and left Louis free.
He rose cautiously, looked for one instant on tn,
Indians, and assured himself they all slept profoun-
dly. lie then possessed himself of Mecumch':
knife, which lay at his feet, and severed the cord
that bound his mother to the tree Neither of them
spoke n word but, with the least possible sound
they resumed the way by which they had come from
the shore; Louis in the confidence and Marguerite
with the faint hope, of reaching it before they were
overtaken.
IL may be imagined how often the poor mother
tlmid as fawn, was startled by the evening breeze
stirring the leaves but the boy bounded forward as
If there were neither fear danger in the world
They had nearly attained the margin of the river
drop down the current, when the Indian yell, re-
sounding through the woods, struck their ears.
They were missed, pursued, and escape was i'm
possible Marguerite, panic-struck, sunk to the
ground.
Nothing could check the career of Louis "On,
on, mother" he cried, "to the shore" She rose
and instinctvely followed her boy. The sound of
pursuit came nearer and nearer. They reached the
shore, and there behed three coming swiftly
tho watchword of the garrison and was answered
by his fathers voice.
The possibility of escape, and the certain APP
proach Of her husband, infused life into Margucr-
itc " Your father cannot see us" she said, as
we stand here in the shade of the trees hide your
self in that hcket, | will plunge into the water.
Louis croucbcd under the bushes, and was compile
telv hidden by an ovcrhangng grapevine, while
his mother advanced few steps into the water and
stood erect, where she could be distinctly seen.
shout from the canoe apprsed her that she was
recognized, aud at the same moment the Indians
who had now reached the shore, rent the air with
their cries of rage aud defiance. They stood for n
moment, as if celebrating what next to do; Mccu-
meh maintained an undaunted and resolved air ;
but, with his followers the aspect of armed men and
n force thrice their number, had its usual effect
They fled.
He looked after them, cried " shame I" and then.
with desperate YELL lcapcd into the water, and
stood beside Marguerite. The canoes were now
within few yards; he put his knife to her bosom |;
the daughter of Mecumeh" he said, should have
died by the judgment of our warriors, but now by
her brothers hand must she PERISH; !" and he drew
back his arm to give vigor to the fatal stroke, when
an arrow pierced his breast, and he fell insen-
sible at his sisters side.
A moment after, Marguerite in the arms OF
her husband, and Louis, with his bow unstrung
bounded from the shore, and was received in his
fathers canoe; and the wild shores rung with the
acclamaions of the soldiers, while his fathers tears
of pride and JOY, were poured like rain upon his
cheek.
From the Florists Guide
THE MATRIMONIAL GARDEN.