Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-17

tie enemies. Often, when they had come
with party to take him, he escaped their
lures, and after destroying his hut, on their
return homoward, some of their boldest war
riors were picked off by his unerring aim
or, on arriving at their home, they learned
that one Of their swificst hunters had fallen
a victim TO his deadly rifle. lie had lived in
this way for several years, and had so often
ballled them, that they had at last become
weary of the pursuit and for some time had
left him unmolested.
About this time party Of Indians made
a descent on one of the settlements and had
taken three prisoners, whom they were car
rying home to sacrifice for the same number
of men that had been shot by Peabody. 1t
was towards the close of the day, when they
had passed his abode, most of the party in
advance Of the prisoners, who with their
hands tied and escorted by five or six In
dams, were almost worried out by their long
march and but just able to crawl along. He
had observed this advanced guard, and sus-
pecting there were prisoners in the rear, let
them pass unmolcsted, intending to try some
Yankee tricks to effect their rescue. He
accordingly followed on the trail of the par
ty, keeping among the thick trees which on
either side skirted the path. He had pro-
ceeded but short distance, before he heard
the sharp report of rifle, apparently very
near him, which he knew must be one of the
Indians, who had srolcd from the main
body to procure some game for their even
ing meal. From his acquaintance with their
habits and language, he only needed dis
gusc to enable him to join with the party if
necessary, and aided by the darkness, which
was fast approaching, with but little danger
of detection. The resolution was quickly
put in operation, TO kill this Indian and pro-
cure his dress.
lie had got bat few PAGES before he dis
covered his victim, who had just finished
loading his rifle. To stand forth and boldly
confront him, would give the savage an equal
Glance, and if Peabody proved the best shot,
the party on hearing the report of two rifles
at once, would be alarmed and commence a
pursuit. The chance was, therefore, two to
one against him, and he was obliged to con-
trive a way to make the Indian fire first
Planting himself behind large tree, he took
off his fox skin cap, and placed 1t on the end
OF his rifle, and began TO move it. The In
dian quickly discovered it, and was not at a
loss to rccollect the owner by the CAP
Knowing how often he had cludcd them, he
resolved to despatch him at once and with
out giving him notice of his dangerous prox-
unity, he instantly raised his rifle and its
contents went whizzing through the air. The
ball Just touched the bark Of the tree, and
pierced the cap, which rose suddenly, like
the death spring of the beaver, and then fell
amidst tie bushes. The Indian, like a true
sportsman, thinking himself sure of his vic
tim, did not 90 to pick up his game till he
had reloaded his piece; and dropping it to
the ground lie was calmly proceeding in til,
operation, when Peabody as calmly stepped
from his hiding place and exclaimed: :" Now
you tarnel crlttcr, say your prayers as ths
as you can!''
This was short notice for the poor Indian
Before him and scarcely ten PAGES dstan
stood the tall form of Peabody, motonles
as IA statue--his rifle at his shoulder-h
finger on the trigger, and his deadly ain
firmly liked upon him. Ito was uLo". t,
run, bat he had no time TO turn round ere
the swift winged messenger had taken it.
flight; the bail pierced his side-he spran:
into the air and fell liicless to the ground.
No time was to be lost. He immediately
proceeded to strip the dead body and array
himself in the REQUIREMENT, consisting OF /
hunting shirt, pair of moccasins or lcggins
and the wampum, belt and knife. a litl,
of the blood besmearcd on his sunburnt coun
tcnance served for red paint, and it woull
have taken keen eye, in the grey twilight
| NIL tli,I n1,D,,, Of tl,, I,
have detected the counterfeit Indian. Shout
dcring his rifle he again started in the pur
suit and followed them till they arrived in til,
Glen, where their canoes were secrcted.-
Here they stopped and began to prepare fo
their expected supper. A fire was blazin!
brightly, and the party were walking impa
tently around, awaiting the rcturn of thl
hunter. The body Of Peabody was salel,
deposited behind a fallen tree, where he
could see every motion, and heard every
word spoken in the circle. Here he hat
been about hall an hour.
Night had drawn her table curtains arounc
the scene. The moon shone fliully through
the clouds which almos, covered the horizon
only serving occasionally to render the dark.
ness visible The Indians now began t
evince manifest signs # impaiencc for tho
return Of their comradc. They feared that a
party Of whites had followed them and taken
him prisoner; and at last resolved to 90 il
search of HIM. The plan, which was tor,u
naicly heard by Peabody, was 10 put the
captiycs into one Of the canoes, under the
care Of five of their number, who was to Sc.
crete themselves in case of an attack, mas
sacre the prisoners and then 90 to the assis-
lance Of their brethren.
As soon as the main body had started
Peabody cautiously crept from his hiding
place to the water, and sliding in feet fore
most, moving alone on his back, his face
lust above the surface to the canoe which
contained the rifle of the guard. The prim-
ing was quickly removed and the powder
horns empticd. He then went to the canoe
in which the captives were placed, and gave
them notice Of the intended rescue, al the
same time warning them not to show them
selves above the gunwalo till they were in
safety. He next with his Indian knife scpa-
rated the thong which held the canoe to the