The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-10-11

As he spoke a loud whoop rang over the
still waters from up the lake, and in the dis.
lance. where the rays of the noon glim-
mered on the surface. the canoe of the saw
ages was seen 10 hot pursuit.
Don't be frustrated, youngsters exclaim
ed the old man in loud, encouraging tone
Put in all you know-a long sweep and
a strong one, and we will distance them
yet = and exeriing al! his skill and strength
the canoe literally leaped over the water.
But on-and on came the pursuers, evidPn.
lily gaining fast upon them, and uttering
ye'ls oftriumph as the distance between
them lessened.
'Ha.' CALCULATED the scout as his quick eve
detected their approach, I'VE must put stop
this.
Don't lag. boz s. he added as he drew in
his paddle. well see if there's any vatiue
in smooth bore,' and seizing his long rifle
he turned carelessly in his seat, and raised
the weapon TO his shoulder and drew the
trigger. | he fame leaped forih-a wreath
of smoke 1onied asiern--,he surrounding
banks gave back echoes of the loud report +.
and high above them arose frighrfu l shrek
from the canoe in chase, which fully indi.
Gated the fatality of the hunters aim.
Now we are on more equal farms was
his cool reply as he exchanged his rife. af-
Ter carefully reloading it, for the paddle.
Burning 10 revenge their comrades death,
the Indians seemrd endowed with addition !
strength and their iIghi canoe flew over The
lake with the swifiness of swallow. Had
the distance 10 the shore been grealer,or had
not the death Of one of their party thrown
them into mumentary confusion, the fu>
giiives would inevitably have been over
taken aud have encountered the fatal strug-
gle in a situation in which the foe would
have them at great advantage. Forum
aiely the lake at this place was narrow,
and. painting with exerIion, the pursued
reached the land soma rods in advance Of
the savages.
Smith, look 20 the gals = shouted the
scout leaping 10 the shore, rifle in hand.
followed by Sahds--'get 'em out of harms
way-Sands aud me will take care of these
waller snakes =
Yelling with rage as they saw them land,
The saveges swep madly on--blini to every
tting--thi king of nothing but TO wreak ven
geance on the pale faces. The scout and
his young companion were on the bank,
which arose gradually from the waters
edge. the weapon of the latter resting The
trunk of fallen tree, behind which he
kneeled.
'Mind your aim youngster-wnit for the
word. Take the for'ard one. you can bring
him down easier. Don't be skeared al
their believing, Ills The critters natur'''
Raisin g his rifle slowly, as if on ordinary
occasions. The scout gave The signal, and The
reports of the two pieces were almost SIM
ultaneous.
When the smoke cleared AWAY the Indi-
an in the bow of The canoe was seen stan
ding with uplIfied paddle, brandishing it
with wild gestures in the air like war club
then giving piercing howl he sprang in
The direction of the shore. There was
heavy plash--a momentary struggled
groan--and the bright water closed over
the sinking savage. A second glance
showed the form of another in the Stern Of
The canoe, the head lying over the gunwale,
moIionless ant ghasrly.
That hDIsheS TWO OF the varmIntS, fX
claimed the scout. bringing the buu of his
piece TO The ground in The act of reloading
it--''now for the other
But before the lords were fairly out of
his mouth shot from behind :he tree.
little distance 10 the left where Smith
had stationed himself had finished the
work of destruction and the light bark rock
ed VIOLENTLY for a while on the agitated wa
ters, disturbed by The struggles Of its sur
viving occupant as he fell headlong iuto The
lake.
For some time the party on shore gazing in
silence upon the place where this scene Of
death had transpired. until The waters re.
. aimed their pacidiiv. and the frail canoe
fuated in the qniel moonlight alone and de-
serted thing, 10 be driven with its ghastly
freight whether the wind should list.
Feeling the insecurity of the present neig.
preparations we're made 10 leave
j, and in a short time the party were NOV
ing slowly and silently through the forest
oward their distant home.
We will not follow Them on their fat
guing and dangerous journey. Enough !
hat the settlement was at last safely reach /,
ID. and the captves rstored. like those +
rom The dead, TO their friends. who wei !
,omed them aud their deliveries wi III tears !!
md thanksgivines.
Tr,rp.r The hus;nase nm