The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-19

waved in thick masses over his venerable fore
head; "Young man, once led host more nu
merons than the trees of yonder forest. I was
chief OF mighty nation--now Mendowit dwel
alone. lam the last Of my tribe" As he ended
he sank down and covered his face with his hands
Roberts life had been a laborious but very
happy one He was naturally Of cheerful tenn
permanent, and had seldom, even in Imagination
dwell on the dark shades of human life. lie
had felt, as youth and health are prone to feel
as if earth were made purposey for the happi.
ness of man, and existence would never have an
end few hours had taught him solemn les
sons OF the vanity and change of all created
things. Without and around him was The DIES
;roying tempest dashIng to atoms the works OF
nature; within, was Mendowit, an image of moral
desolation.
Robert sat down; and while the picture OF
human vicissitudes were presented thus wildly
mouInfu TO his mind, mingled with the though,
of his own Notwithstanding disappointment, he
wept like an infant. The tears he shed were no,
merely those of selfish regret. He wept the mis-
cries to which man is exposed, till his mind was
insensibly drawn to ponder on the sins that must
have made such miseres necessary punish
ment And never had he breathed so contre a
prayer as now came from his soul, humbed be-
fore that Almighty Power who only can say to
the mourner "peace !"-to the tempest, "be stin'
sweet calm at length fell on Roberts tossed
mind; the calm of childlike confidence in the
be found TO have been ordained in mercy, that
all his trials were for the best, and he sunk into
| a profound sleep, from which he did not awake
till aroused by Mendowt
1t was late in the morning, tie storm had ceas-
ed; and they sailed forth to examine the appear
ances without. An exhalaton like smoke, arose
from the dripping woods and wet grounds be-
meath and around them, concealmg most of the
devastations the storm had wrought. The clouds
were moving slowly up the sides of the noun
tain, still entirely shrouding its tall peaks but
they did not wear the threatening hue of the pre-
cedng evening, They had discharged their
contents, and their lightened folds were now
gradually melting and ready to dispense before
the rising sun, though his beams had not penet-
rated their dark masses.
The wind was entirely hushed and not n
sound, except the monotonous roar of a distant
waterfall, broke on the stiffness. While Robert
was contrasting the almost GREATNESS tranquility
he now gazed upon with the wild uproar of the
preceding night, Mendowit touched his Shout
der; looking around he belield the features of the
Indian distor while he gazed and pointed up
ward towards huge mountain that rose at some
distance before them. Above its tall peak re-
posed a black cloud, and it was the appearance
Of this cloud which had so terrified Mendowit.
sit is the Abamocho," said he, in suppressed,
hollow tone. And certainly, by the aid of lit
tie Imagination, it might be likened to a human
form of gigantic proportions, The durk face
drawn against cloud of lighter hue, was seen
i'm profile; projection of cloud from the body,
That might pass for an arm, stretched forward a
vast distance; and then shapeless mass of va
por, that an Indian might call robe, fell down
and covered the surrounding precipice.
"Your evil genius" said Robert, half laughing
as he glanced alternately at his guide and the
cloud, has to my thinking most INDUSTRIOUS and
evil looking uose."
sHughs!p said Mendowit, interrupting him
That part Of the cloud which formed the arm of
the spirit was beginning 10 move towards the
body, and it incorporated with it in such man
ner that the Indian might well he pardoned for
thinking AbamocIo had folded his arm OH his
breast H
Mendowit had held his breath suspended dur.
ing the movement of the cloud, and his deep
voice as he emphaticaly said, -" Abamocho is
pleased; we may now so in safety" sounded
like the breathing of drowning man, when he
rises to the surface Of the water. After hastily
refreshing themselves, they descended from their
retreat, and began their progress through the
defile
The storm had oblitcrated all traces of the
Mohawks, but there were no dvergng paths
those who once entered the pass must proceed
onward 1t was now that Robert became fully
sensible of the devastations of the storm. Their
way was INSTRUCTED with fallen trees, fragments
of rock, deep gullies and roaring waterfalls, pour
ing from the sides of the mountain, and swelling
the Saco, till its stream nearly flooded the whole
for more than an hour, when Mendowit suddenly
paused, and whispering to Robert 81 scent the
smoke of fire." sunk on his hands and knees
and crept forward softly as cat circumventing
his prey. few rods distant lay huge tree,
uprooted by the late storm sheltered behind
this, Mendowit half rose, and through the inter-
stlces of the roots, examined the prospect be-
fore him.
He soon signed for:Robert to advance, who,
Initiating the posture of his guide, instantly crept
forward, and at little distance before them be-
held-MARY. She, with the two Mohawks, was
seated beneath shelterng rock, whose proJec-
ton had been their only shelter from the storm.
The height of the rock did not allow them to
stand upright; but the Indians had kindled a fire
at one corner, and were now partaking their
rude meal. Their backs were towards Robert,
their faces fronting their prisoner who, wrapped
in a covering of skins, recned against projec-
ton of the precipice.
Just as Robert gained his station, one of the
MCho Irc, IF Moru ho