The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-11-01

of human vicissitudes was presented thus
wildly mournful to his mind, mingled with
the thought of his own heartsickeniDg dis
appointment, he wept like an infant. The
tears he shed were not merely those of sell
fish regret. lie wept for the miseries to
which man is exposed, till his mind was in
sensibly drawn to ponder on the sins that
must have made such miseries necessary
punishment. And never had he breathed
so contrIte PRAYER as now came from his
soul, humbled before that Almighty power
who only can say to the mourner peace p
to the tempest. be still ?
A sweet calm at length fell on Roberts
tossed mind; the calm of child>like conf
dence in the goodness of God. He felt that
all would finally be found to have been or
dained in mercy, that all his trials were for
the best and be sunk into profound sleep
from which he did not awake until aroused
by Mendowet
1t was late ir the morning the storm had
ceased and they sailed forth TO examine
the appearance without. An exhalation,
like smoke arose from the dripping woods
and wet grounds beneath and around them,
eoncealing most ofthe devastations the storm
had wrought. The clouds were moving
slowly up the sides of the mountain. still en-
tirely shrouding its tall peaks but they did
not wear the threatning hue Of the preceding
evening. They had discharged their con.
tents, and their lighted folds were gradually
melting and ready 10 dispense before the ri.
sing sun, though his beams had not penetra>
ted their dark masses.
The wind was entirely hushed. and not
sound, except the solemn, monolonous roar
of distant waterfall, broke on the stiffness.
While Robert was contrasting The almost
GREATNESS tranquility he VOW gazed upon
with the wild uproar of the preceding night,
Mendowet touched his shoulder; looking
around, he beheld the features of the Indian
distort. while he gazed and pointed upwards
towards huge mountain that rose at some
distance before them. Above its tall peak
reposed black cloud which mad so terrified
Mendowei.
1T is the Ambamocho,' said he in sup
pressed tone. And certainly by the aid of
a little mag inalion, it may be likened 10
human fern of gigantic proportions. The
dark face drawn against cloud of lighter
hue, was seen in the profile; and projec-
lion Of a cloud from the body, that might
pass for an arm, stretched forward a vast
distance. and than shapeless mass of va
por, that an Indian might call robe. fell
down and covered the surrounding preci.
pice.
'Your evil genius said Robert, half
laughing, as he glanced alternately at his
guide and the cloud. has to my III hiking, a
most monstrous and evil looking nose
'Hughp said Mendowei, inlerrupting
him. That part of the cloud which formed
the arm Of the spirit was beginning 10 move
towards the body, and it incorpo. aled with
it in such manner that the Indian might
well be pardoned for thinking Abamocho
had folded his arm on his breast.
Mendowei had held his breath suspended
during the movement of the MYSTERIOUS
cloud and his deep voice as he erphalically
said bamocho is pleased we may now
go in safety sounded like the breathing of
a drowning man, when he rises 10 the sur
face of the wafer. After hastily refreshing
themselves they decended from their retreat
and began their progress through the de.
file.
The storm had obliterated all truces OF
the Mohawks, but there were no diverging
paths +; those who once entered the pass
must proceed onward. 1t was now that
Robert became fully sensible of the devas-
iatious of TIE storm. Their way was OBJ
with fallen trees. fragments OF rocks,
deep gullies and roaring waterfalls pouring
rom the sides of the mountain, and swelling
the Saco till its stream nearly flooded the
whole valley.
They proceeded silently and cautiously
for more than an hour when Mendowel sud-
denly paused. and whispering TO Robert,
scent the smoke of fire. sunk on his hands
and knees, crept forward softly as cat cir
cumnavigaiing its prey. A few rods DIS
iant lay huge tree, uprooted by the late
storm, sheltered 5ehind this Mendowet half
rose, aad through the insterstices OF the roots
examined the dark prospect before
hem.
lie soon signed for Rober, TO advance,
who initiating the posture Of his guide, in
stan,ly crept forward, and at little distance
before them beheld-Marv. Sic with her
wo Mokawks, was seated beneath a shelter
ing rock, whose projection had been their
priv shelter from the Storm. The height
Of the rock did not allow them TO stand up
right-but the Indians had kindled ire a,
one corner, and were now paraking of their
rude meal. Their backs were towards Ro.
pert, their faces fronting their prisoner, who
wrapped in covering Of skins, reclined
against projection of the precipice.
Just as Robert gained his station one of
he Mohawks was offering some food 10 Ma
y she uncovered her face, and BY gen.
lie motion refused the morsel. Her cheek !
vas so pale, and her whole countenance ap-
reared so sunken, and wobe. gone that Rob-
,rt thought her expiring. His heart and
brain seemed on fire, and his eyes flashed
lround to discover if any advantage might
We taken ere he rushed on the foe. AT that
moment The Mohawks. ultering horrible
;ell, sprang upon their feet and ran TOWARDS
he Saco.-He raised his gun; bu, Mendo.
vet SEEING his arm. drew him backwards,