The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-05-03

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cular as her companion, yet her skill IN man
aging the canoe was but little inferior to hIs.-
They were now enabled TO keep on withou
losing ground, though safety was far from Ger
tain, as several miles yet renamed to be Passe'
over, before they could hope to find assistance
Directly in the gorge between Mount Hol
yoke and Mount Tom is, short bend in thu
I river, forming peninsula, now faniliarly call
ed "I'he Bellows" from its supposed resem
blance 10 that article. The distance arounC
this peninsula is perhaps two or three miles
while the direct course of the river is only
bout fifty rods. The isthmus connecting the
bellows with the main land, does not now exist
as it did then for, a year or two since, the ice
collecting in the river just below, the water
swept over the narrow barrier, and washing
away the earth, formed for itself new channel
many feet in debth. When the fugitives
reached this isthamus they turned the canoe
towards the shore. and lillian, springing out,
directed the two girls 10 walk across the mar
row strip of land, while he should drag the
light boat over to the other bank. This was
but an easy task, compared with that ofimpei-
ling il against the current, for two or three
miles-whle the whole distance was efiec-
Fortunate was it for them that they adopted
this stratagem, and fortunate. too, that there
was no moon, and that the bushes from the
foot of HoIyofe here swept 10 the very shore J;
for they had hardly crossed half way over the
isthmus before their pursuers were opposite
TO them, close under the western shore. As
it was they were not discovered, and the ca
noes in chase went sweeping round the whole
length of the stream.
Again the little party embarked, and hope
began TO beat strong in their breasts. They
pushed on with renewed energy, and at length
their eyes rested on the little island of Hook
anum. 1t is always a sweet spot to look upon,
but never did it appear so beautiful to any eye
as it did TO them on that night when they could
Just discern its dim outline.
"You are safe, Eliza, you are safe ~ cried
William.
But the savages below, growing fearful of
being b:fllcd in their pursuit, were pressing on
with all their strength and the furious Wa
whillowa, in the foremost canoe, was continu-
ally urging on his men, while he stood in the
prov with his eyes eagerly strained INTO the
dim distance beyond.
"We are salel' cried William but at the
gave the lie 10 his exclamation.
As soon as the canoe touched the southern
extremity of the island, William sprang oil
shore, and hurrying out the females, all three
fastened to the tent of Shaomet. The OLE
man had been in waiting for them, and, as sool
as they entered, pointed 10 4 corner OF the wig
wan. where lay a heap OF fagotS and a mum
Der of skins which be had prepared as means
of concealment should concealmept become
necessary. William quickly led Eliza TO the
S of, and placing her behind the fagots threw
the skins over the top. While he was doing
this the ycls of the Indians grew louder and
more terrific, for they had now gained the
island, and were certain of their prey. VIII
lam had scarcely turned away from the corner
where Eliza was concealed, when the door was
thrown open, and the savage features of the
Nonotuck chief glared full upon his face
Quick as thought the rifle Of Shaomet was in
RusseI's hand and levelled full at the Indian s
breast.
Hold, hold - cried Tahattawa, '.your prom
ise-your oath - and she snatched at inc rifle.
Ii was too late. William had already fired,
and the tall form of WawhiIlowa fell heavily
TO the ground. The poor girl turned mourn
fully away, and, covering her face with her
hands, burst into a flood of tears.
BY this time the other canoe had come up,
and six or eight stout Indians were surrounding
the wigwam. They Immediately drew away
the body of their chief; and as it fell outwards,
those within were uncertain whether or not the
wound was mortal. A council was now held
by the besiegers as to what mode of action
should be adopted. Some proposed to fire
IL a e h. hut. 9TH 20 hrr
it /; but both of these plans were rejected, as
it would endanger the lives Of Shaomet and his
daughter, which was far from being their OBJ
iect for Shaomet had been bold and renown-
ed chief. and still possessed much influence
among the ncigh5oriDg tribes; while the beauty
of the girl obtained for her an. influence and
celebrity, but little less extensive than her IA
theirs. though of an entirely different kind
At last it was decided TO burst into the wig
wan, and secure the fugitives, doing no harm
to the old man or his daughter, even though
they had endeavored to give protection to their
enemy:
Whilst they were hesiiating what course TO
pursue, William reloaded the rifle, together
with an old musket which he found hanging in
the tent. As soon as the door opened, and an
Indian appeared, he fired. The shot was eff
fectua, but still the odds were fearful. Anoth-
er and another savage entered, and the FORE
most had levelled his rifle at Williams heart.
The musket was in Shaomet's hand; with the
quicknes; of his youth he brought the piece
to his shoulder. 1t missed fire. In another
instant William Russell lay bleeding corpse.
They Immediately advanced to secure his
scalp, bat the old man would not permit them.
"You have killed my friend,'' said he, sin
my own wigwam, and now | will protect his
BODY while / live. Shaomet is old now-he
will soon be buried with his fathers; you may
shoot me if you will, but never shall you take
his scalp"
All this time Tahattawa sat upon the bundle