The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-06-09
BY MITcHENHa s MATHEWS
pEABoDY,s LEAP. &
LEerNp o. LAkr cnAnFLAis.

dsnlaSy lore are now only soughtto view their nat
Dtal scenery, while the traditions which formerly gave
Them celebrity are buried in oblivion, Such is the
scene of the following adventures. romantic glen,
Bounded on the north side BY high and rocky hull,
which stretches itself some distance into the lake,
ninating apreeipice some thirty feet in height and
Known the name of"Peabodys Leap"
Y Atthe time of the adventure, Timothy Peabody was
the only man that lived within fifty miles ofthe place,
and his was the daring spirit that achieved it,. In
attack on one Of the frontier settlements his family had
all been massacred by the mercesS and he had
sworn that their deaths should be revenged The bet
ter to accomplish this dread purpose, he had removed
to this solitary place. and constructed the rude shelter
in which he dwe, till the blasts Of winter drove him
TO the home ofhs fellow men, again 10 renew the cons
test when spring had awakened nature into life and
beauty. IIo was man who possessed much shrewd
cunning, combined with thorough knowledge of In>
dian habits by which he had always been enabled to a
void the snares of his subtle enemies Often, when
they had come with party TO take him, ho escaped
their lures and af ter destroying his hut their
turn homeward, some Of their bodest warriors were
picked off BY his unerrng aim: or, arriving at their
home they learned that Of their swilest hunters
had Seen ambuscaded by him, and fallen aFvc tim to
his deadly rifle He had lived in this way for several
years, and had so often bafed them that they had at
last become weary Of the pursuit. and for some lime had
left him unmolested.
About this time party of Tndans made descent on
nne of the small settlements and had taken three priso-
ners, whom they were carrying home to sacrifice, for
the same number of that had been shot by Peabody
1t was towards The close of the day when they passed
his abode most of the party in advance Of the prison
ers who, with their hands tied and escorted by FIVE
six Indians, almost wearied, out by their long
march, and but just abe to crawl along. He had OBJ
served this advance guard and suspecting there
prisoners in the rear had let them pass unmolesed in
tending to try some yankee trick" TO effect their
cue. He accordingly followed on in the trail of tho
party, keeping among the thick trees which, on either
side skirted the path. He had proceeded but short
distance before he heard the sharp report Of rae ap~
Parently very near him, which he knew must be
of the Indians, who had stroled from the main body
TO procure some game for the evsning meal. Prom his
acquaintance with their habits and language, he only
needed disguise to enable him 10 JOIN with the party
Unnecessary, and aided by the darkness, which was
fast approaching, with but little danger of detecton.-
The resolution quickly put in operation to kill this
Indian and procure his dress.
He had got but few PAGES before he discovered his
victim, who had jqst finished loading his rife. To stand
forth and boldly confront him, would give the savage
equal chance, and ifPeabJdy proved the best shot,
the party, hearing the report oftwo rifles at once
would be alarmed, and commence pursuit. The
chance was therefore, two TO against him. and he
was obliged to contrivo way to make the Indian fire
FIRST Planting himself belinda large tree, he took off
his oxskin cap, and placing it on the end of his rae
began to it to and fro. The Indian quick dis
covered it, and was not at loss to ecosct the
of the cap. Knowing how often he had euded them,
he resolved TO despatch him and without giv>
ing him notice of his dangerous proximity he instantly
raised his riae and its contents went whzzing through
the air. The ball just touched the bark ofihe tree, and
pierced the cap, which rose suddenly, like the death
spring ofthe bever and then fell amidst the brshes.
The In6ian like true sportsman, thinking himself
sure OF his victim, did not go pick up his game till he
had reloaded his piece; and dropping to the ground
he was calmly proceeding IN the operation, when Pea
body as calmly stepped from his hiding place and ex-
claimed "Now you arncl krlter say your prayers as
fast as ever you canl"
This was short notice for the poor Indian, Before
him. and scarcely fen PAGES distant stood the tall form
ofPeabody, ,motoness a statue his rifle at his shoul
der-his finger the trigger, and his deadly aim fixed
firmly upon him. He was about to run, but ha had no
time to turn round, ere he swift winged messenger had
taken its fight; the ball pierced his sde-he spranr in
to the air and fell lifeless to the ground.
No time was now to be lost He Immediately pro,
ceeded to strip the dead body and array himself in the
announcements, consisting o. hunting shirt, pair Of
moccasins or leggns and the wampum belt and knife,
A little ofthe blood besmeared on his sunburnt coune-
nance, served for the red paint and it would have ta-
ken keen eye, in the gray twilight and thick gloom
Of The surrounding Forest 10 have detected the counter
felt Indian Shoulderng bis rife he again started in
tho pursuit and following them till they arrived in tho
gicn where their canoes were secreted. Here they
stopped and began TO prepare for their ced supper,
previous 10 embarkaIion for the opposi Shore. The
canoes were launched, and their baggage deposited in
them. fire was blazing brightly, and the pary,were
walking round impatientS awaiting the return Of The
hunter. The body ofPeabody was safely deposited bo
hind fallen tree where he could see every motion e.
hear every word spoken in tho circle. Here ho had
been about Ealfan hour.
Night had drawn her sable curtains around the scene.
Ihemoon had Shone GthIly through the clouds which
almost covered the HORIZON, only serving occasionally
10 render the darkness visible" The Indians now
began to evnce manifest signs Of mpasqcs for the re-
turn oithelr comrade They feared thai party of the