The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-05-03
MIDDLEBURY VT. MAY 3, 1912.


river from Hockanum island, on the east side
of the range of hills abruptly terminated by
Mount Tom, and renewed again on the other
side of the Quonnecticut. by Holyoke and the
peaks with which ii is connected, is sort of
natural amphiatheatre enclosed on three sides
by steep and precipitous hills and on the other,
3 towards the river, closely shut in by belt of
dense forest. This was the spot selected by
j THE Indians as place ofretreat should retreat
!, ibe necessary and thither they had fed after
bly, calculated for the purpose of concealment
land security. The huge grey rocks lifting their
shaggy crests far above the little plain at their
+ base, seemed to bid defiance to all the world
around. The only way of access to the Indian
encampment was by striking through the for
est that separated il from the river.
I The sun had already gone down behind
those rough peaks and the twinkling stars,one
by one appearing in the blue vault above, told
that the night had come. The pale moon was
not looking on-yet 1t was bright and lovely
night too brighton far too beautiful for
the many scenes of wickedaess and crime that
were, all over the earth, about TO be transacted
under its shades!
, In the ampitheatre which we have described
sat the chiefs, who had that day been in the
action, in grave and solemn council. The
causes oftheir defeat were discussed, land twas
determined that conciliatory offering must be
made to the Great Spirit, and that the captive
maid must be theSacri6ce. Wawhllowa arose,
and long, and earnestly, and even eloquently
pleaded for her life. He claimed her as his
own he wished not for her death, but chose
to keep her for his slave. His suit was unsuc-
! cessful and when he sat down, murmur OF
dsapprobation was all that he heard. The
voice was unanimous against him, and he was
at last obliged TO acquiesce.
i Now fagots were thrown upon the council
fire. The dance began with slow and
measured tread. The fires biazcd, and glared
on the painted and hideous cOuntenances OF
the jewellers, giving them an unearthly and
demon-likc appearance. The march quicken
ed, and the wild song rose up in deep and dead
" tones, and was echoed back from those high
rocky hills. The stake was driven, and Wa
| whillowa ordered the guard to bring forth the
victim. The man stirred not--dnswered not;
and the chief himself flew TO the spot, burning
with rage He soon came back with infiamed
countenance and muttering curses deep and
loud. The prisoner had fad-the savage that
had been left to guard her lay weltering IN his
own gore A wild, unearihly shout of fury
rent the air as the maddencd sayages learned
their disappointment.
J We left William Russell and the Indian
maid, Tahattawa, just leaving the wIgwam OF
| her father for the rescue of Eliza W ebster.-
They entered light canoe and glded swiftly
down with the current of the river. AS they
approached the place where the Indians were
encamped, the two travellers kept close under
the western bank to be more secure Against the
observation of any one who might have been
stationed as lookout BY six o'clock they
were within mile of the cncampmcnt, and
here by the advice Of the girl Russell moored
the canoe, and they struck into the woods -
1ahattawa, taking the lead. glidcd through the
dense bushes with surprising tacllIty-so swiftly
| indeed, that her companion found some din
Guilty in keeping her in ght,aihough his heart
was continually prompting him to put forth
every effort At length, just as the shades OF
night began TO appear, they caught glimpse
of the council fire. They now proceeded with
| the utmost caution till they came in sight OF The
wirwam in which the prisoner was bound
Fortunately, it was placed on that side OF the
opening which was nearest them, just IN the
edge Of the forest. Tahattawa crept along
keeping the tent between herself and the In
dams, till she could look through small hole
in the rear. She now mOtioned Russell TO
approach. He did so, and looking through the
opening, he saw sitting, his lost bride, her face
! buried in her hands. At the door OF the tent
sat brawny Indian, who, confident OF the Sc
curitv of his prisoner, was gazing towards the
fire and quietly smoking his pipe.
Tahattawa quickly drew Williams knife
from his belt, and, without the Leaf noise, cut
LARGE piece from the thin bark-covering OF
the hut then placing the knife in Russell's
hand. she directed him by signs, to enter and
despatch the savage. As he was passing Eliza,
she raised her head, and would have screamed,
had not Tahattawa been already at her side,
and covered her mouth with her hand. At
! that mement the Indian turned his head; he
crashed his tomah1wk, but before he could give
a blow the hot blood spirited from his hear, he
fell back anddied without groan.
The fugatives now began as rapidly as pos
sibIe to retrace their steps towards the canoe,
which had been left and concealed about a mile
I'M the river. Their progress however, was
slow. and the underwood was very thick, and
all three ofthe party were already wearled with
the tolls of the day. Still they struggled on,
and. at length, succeeded in reaching the spot
y,bere the canoe had been left, before the he
deous veil that came sweeping up the river
warned them but too surely that the escape of
the prisoner, and the death of the Indian in the
wigwam, had been discovered
+! Notwithstanding the fatigue ofits occupants
tbe l;qbt bark swiftly stemmed the current, its
sbarp prov gracefully cutting the tiny waves
as if darted on, curling the water from its path
as if il disdained to touch them. And well
might it be for that light craft held a bold
heart and a strong armand one too, that had
il not already been worn out by exercise, would
Ahouf ono hi he