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


saa t- [,poncluded]
Some there wer9, who tried TO dissuadc the
Young husband from the attemptt to recover his
bride by forceas the savages,hey averred always
murdered their prisoners when attacked. They
told him it woGld be best to send messenger
10 the Mohawks5 who would doubtless, disclaim
all knowledge of the violence which had proba-
Div been perpef rated by some straggers from
their tribe, and negotiate for the release or ran
som of The captive. ..g#a a.tr,
Roberts blood chilled at the suggestion that
his rashncss might accelerate the death of his
wife, but the negotiation for her ransom would
he uncertain and the period Of her release might
de distant--Hd thought that she could not long
survive in captivity; and he hoped to surprise
her captors unawares, free her and hear her
sweet voice pronounce lis name as her deliverer.
As the picture, frightened beneath his fancy, he
started from his seat and rushed out to see if the
morning light might not be discovered. ltsoon
dawned; and completely equipped, the Indian,
with his mtisket and tomahawk, and Robert with
a doubl-barreled gun, sword and plenty of
ammunition, aild each carrying pack containing
provisions and restoratives for Mary, they set off
on an expedition fraught undoubtedly with more
real perils than the adventures of many proud
knights, whose deeds recorded in historic
legends, and en,blazoned in the scutcheops Of
their descendants.
Fame is truly more dependent on fortunate
circumstances than great achievements. Had
Robert Wilson lived in the days of chivalry, his
courage and consistency would have been the
theme of poets and songs of minstrels; now, the
only record of his name, or even OF his existence
will be this unpretendlng story.
The adventures entered the deep forest, and
Guided by the traces of the fetreating Indians
pressed forward, at first with all the speed they
could urge. But Mendowit soon checked his
rapd pace, and represented TO Robert that The
two Mohawks were perhaps scouts from large
party: and that caution must be used, or they
might unawares be caught in ambush. Roberts
impatience would never have submitted to this
curb could he by any means have avode! it; but
as he could not quicken the pace of Mcndowit,
he was obliged to conform to it.
Cautiously, therefore, they Journeyed on
through the old woods, where civilized being
had never before voluntarily ventured. All was
silence, when, at long intervals, the cry OF
some solitary bird broke on the ear with startling
shrillness; or, perhaps, rustllng among the dry
branches made the wanderers pause in GREATNESS
silence, till deer, bounding across their path,
would plunge into the opposite thicket; while
they did not dare to send bullet alter him, lest
the report Of their guns should alarm the enemy,
who might even then he lurking close beside
them. There was, during the pursuit, n fearful
apprehension, an undeinabe horror on the heart
and mind Of Robert, far more terrible than the
grief he would have felt had he known that Ma
ny was no more. The fortunes she might be
forced to undergo, haunted his imagination TIL
every sound seemed to warn him to hasten to
her relief; and the delays and obstruction which
were constantly occurring, made his blood boil
with fury he could scarcely control. His I'M
patience greatly surprised Mendowit, who, with
all the philosophic calinness Of a sage, would
take his own time TO examine the traces of their
fleeing foes, calculate the distance they had gain
ed,and the probable time when they should over
take them. This would have been soon accom-
plished had the Mohawks proceeded strait for
ward. But as if anticipating pursuit, these IN
dams continually practicing to elude it
They would often trace back their own footsteps,
like the doublings of a fox; and when following
the course of a rixer,traye in the Waerand cross
and re-cross at places which no skill save the sd
gacity of a red man could have discovered.
These subtle movements convinced MendoWit
that there was no large body of Indians at hand;
and on the morning of the fourth day he an |
nounced that. they should soon see the captive
They were approaching the Mountains, and
Mendowit was eager to overtakc the indians |
before they entered defile which led to the
Notch BY the foot prints they ascertained that
Mary did not walk, probably could not: and
Robert shuddered and clinched his gun with n
conyulsye grasp, as at each step, his eye search
ed around in ever penetIGble direction, dreudlng
TO meet confirmation Of his fears; yet the sight
of her manged corpse would scarcely have add
ed to his hearts agony.
The weather, which ever since they left Do
YER, and, indeed, for some time before, had been
extremely dry and hot now suddenly changed;
and they seemed transported 10 another region.
AHioh, OldCh IuuSSeS VI CiouuS euYeiopeu tne
mountains, and soon covered the whole horizon,
and the darkness of night came down at once.
linen the wind suddenly rose, and at intervals
swept onward with the force of tornado. 1t
required no effort of the Imagination to fancy
That the Old woods were trembling with the APP
prehenson of some terrible calamity. The trunks
OF the largest trees quvered land their lofty heads
were bent almost to the ground, as the Hmoun
tain winds went sounding by" from chasm
far more awful than the 'Roncesyalles straits"
n
'We cannot overtake them.---The secret path Of
Agocochook, Mendowit, must not tread.
"You must" returned Robert,sternly, nistaking
the cause of his guides reluctance; "but you need
not fight. Only show me the Mohawks, and be
there two hundred instead oftwo, will rescue
Mary"
a3a stE &1H