The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-19
sT. JoMNsBURY, W., sEPTEmBEHs no, fsss.

He was interrupted by flash OF lightning SO
vivid that for a moment, the mountains and theli
recesses were all revealed their high heads that
reached upward to the heavens their yawnng
chasms and deep gullies; the hinge rocks, some
fixed as earth's foundations, and others apparently
suspended in mir, ready TO toppe on the heads Of
those beneath the dark trees, their roots and fibres
twisted, like serpents, amid the precipices over
which they were bounding, and, as it were cling
ing for safety. A tremendous peel of thunder
| followed tits roarshook the earth, and its echoes
reverbrated through the pent air with deaeniig
noise. 1t seemed to have rent the Clouds for in
a moment after, the rain burst in torrents. Pew
1t was vain TO attempt moving forward while
the wind and rain beat so filrously; Robert asked
his guide where they could shelter. Mendowit
pointed to the west side of the mountain, near
which they stood, and began hastily to ascend
Robert followed The path was perous and re-
qured much caution: but the Indian seemed
well acquainted with the way, and easily sur
mounted the difficulties, till he reached kind of a
cavern in the side of the precipice, which they
both entered in safety ~
They were now safe from the peltings of the
storm, but not from its uproar. 1t seemed us il
the elements of air, fire and water were allowed
to wreak their fury on the shrinking and quak-
ing earth. The lightning that blazed in one
continued glare, the rolling of the thunder, that
shook to their foundation, these everlasting hills;
the rain, that did not fall in drops, but poured in
large streams from the black clouds; the bowling
ofthe wind as it raved from the narrow passes,or
filed the hollow chasms; the frequent and loud
crash of falling rocks and trees-nll united to
give to the scene sublimity, which the arous-
ed soul could feel, but no language can ever
communicate OF describe.
Amid this wreck of matter, and what seemed
as it were, the crush of worlds, Robert needed
not his own dangerhe only thought of his young
and tender bride. At every fresh burst of tenn
pest, ooh, where is Mary now?" came over his
heart till his knees smote together, and large
drops of sweat started on his pale forehead.
Then he would rush TO the narrow entrance of
the cell with cienched hands, and looked abroad
to see if there was any abatement of the storm;
and then, in despair, he would seek the further
est gloom of the cavern, throw himself down on
the damp rock, close his eyes, and struggle to
banish all thought from his mind.
Thus passed the hours till after midnight
when, during pause in the wind, a strange
sound was heard. 1t was not like n shrek or
cry from any human voice, or the yell moan
from wild beast; il was deep dismal sound,
an unearthly tone, thrilling the listener like war
ming call from some perturbed spirit.
Robert started on his feet A bright flash Of
lightning showed him Mendowit rising from his
recumbent posture; his hands were falling pow.
erless by his side, and his face expressed an in
ternal agitation and terror which n red man rare
ly exhibits.
SIT is the voice of the Abamocho," said the
Indian, in q tone that evidently trembled. l
have heard it once before. He calls for VIC
tim"
nWho is hep" demanded Robert, misleading
his sword.
ale is the spirit of the dark and" said Men
dowit shrinking down as if to hide himself from
some dreaded object. "Ie rules over these
mountains; he comes in the storm, and none
whom he marks for destruction can escape
him.
Roberts whole soul had been so engrossed
with the idea Of Mary, and how to rescue her,
that scarce thought of care for any other hui
man being had entered his mind since he left
Dover. The appalling noise he had just heard,
and Mendowit's singular manner, now aroused
his curiosity and he enquired of Mendowit why
he was 80 moved Mt the idea of approaching
Agiocochook.
Mendowit, after hcaving deep sigh, thus re-
plied:-Thesc mountains belong to the evil spirit,
Abamocho. This spirit always fuvors the Mo-
hawks. 1t was to make them path, when they
were fleeing before the arrows ofTookenchosen,
the great sachem of the Massachusetts, that he
rent the mountains asundcr. The evil spirit sat
on rock; OH the highest peak of the mountain.
He beckoncd the Mohawks TO pass by, laying |
his hand OH his breast. They obeyed, and went
through the pass in safety. But when Token
chosen would have followed,the evil spirit threw
bis arms abroad, and great stones and trees were
hurled upon the warriors, till all persisted except
the chief.
"rThis was many,many moons before the white
men came; but none of our warriors dared ven
ture to Agiocochook to bring away the bones OF
the slain AT last my father was sachem, OF the
He was a great chief Ills
tribe was more numerous than the leaves or the
summer forest. A thousand warriors followed
his steps, be said he would bring back the homes
of his fathers. He called his young men;he took
me that | might learn the paths of the woods.
| was child then: could not bend warriors
bow-but they went not to fight"
Mendowit paused and Robert knew by the
low tones of his voice, MS the sentence died
away that recollectons of other yearsspassed sad
ly on his mind. After few moments of deep
silence, he resumed:
loud as YOU now hear. In this very cave my
father and passed the Might've heard the
voice of Abamocho. In the morning we saw
him seated on rock. l saw it and trembed;
but my father would not go. He sought all the
secret places; but the bones of our fathers mad
narisbed