The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-10-04
TT. BELL, Editor and Proprietor.
From the Portland Transcript.
The Nesrug.
A TALE OF THE WOODS OF
MAINE.
By CHARLES p. ILsLEY.
From the Portland Transcript.
The Resrue.
CHAPTER 1,
By CHARLES P. ILsLEY.

lcres IN the remote settlements of the Flori.
das, may serve TO give US some, though a
very faint idea of the trials aud dangers 10
which The early settlers of New England
were exposed. Few in numbers. with no
power 10 rely on but their own hands and
stoct hearts-surrounded by an unbroken
wilderness, overrun with an enemy who new.
er needed The calls OF mercy-ther situa-
tion was thousand times worse than thai
OF The Florida settler, over whom DOW.
erful Government threw its protecting
shield.
The scene OF our story is laid in one of
our Name settlements, at that trying period
oftheir history when they were exposed 10 the
long and bloody wars with the Indians, who
instlcated by the French. carried desolation
and death wherever they went. There
were cases, however, when the dreaded tom-
ahawk was arrested and the victim spared
NOT from molivss Of humanity, but from
the sordid lust Of gain--for though the
French awarded what may truly be called
blood money for each reeking scalp. yet
higher price was given for captives, espe-
cially if females, delivered in Canada so
that cuPidi:y often stayed the murderous
ha1d when mercy plead in vain.
! Toward the close of summer dav, about
century ago, two young men we're seated
upon knoll amidst dense forest--the site
ola PuPulous village in the eighborhood of
our city. They were fine, hardy looking
fellows, with well knit joints and prawnv
muscle, evidently Injured 10 The tolls and
hardshIPs of a new country. They were
each armed with hunting knife, and their
dress and equipments evidently showed that
they were out on no common GRAND. This
indeed was The case. They we're on the
pursuit of band of savages, who, the night
before, had attacked and burnt the house OF
neIghbor the uncle of one of them, and
after severely wounding the father. had la
ken into captivity two of his daughters, who
were just on the verge of womanhood.-
Soon as the fact became known, pursuit was
made by such as could by any possibility
leave their own households. Among the
foremost we're The young men in question,
whose activity and eagerness had given them
the Start of all the others.
At the time we have introduced them 10
the reader they had come to a halt, after
tatlgulRg tramp in vain search for the trail
of The savages. They had kindled fire
for the purpose OF preparing the evening
meal, and had been for short time seated
on the small knoll, consulting in regard to
future movements, when a slight rusling in
the woods in front of them attracted their
attention and caused them 10 spring 10
their feet in a hostile attitude. They had
barely time 10 assume a defensive position.
when from a clump of bushes near which
they had kindled their fire, and which was
sending up thick curls of smoke, the tall
gaunt form of a man appeared. dressed in
the habillments of hunter. 10 his hand
he bore rife OF unusual length. and Deepen
ded from his deerskin bel; was broad knife
both of which instruments bore signs of
constant use. There was something pecu-
liar in the appearance of the new conner
which could not fail TO arrest the observers
attention. He was tall and straight as an ar
row, land though slight bull his form exhibit
ed muscular development which bel0kened
great physical power. His face was bronz
ed by the weather, and from under singu.
lar looking cap. made from the skin of some
wild arima'. few gray hairs struggled, TEL
ling oflength of years. The expression of
his counicnance wss rather mild than other.
wise, though the wrinkles of scars and lime
had made sad havoc with features apparent
" once more than ordinarily good looking.
His eye, however, still retained all the fire
Of youth, and its quick rolling seemed 10
take all things ir one comprehensive glance.
Scarcely looking at The startled young men
he strobe toward the fire, and in moment
the smoking embers were trampled beneath
his feet.
What on 'arth possessed you-are you
stark. staring mad, Youngsters 2 exclaimed
The intruder. as he ground The last expiring
ember beneath his feet.
why, Joe, what are you about-vou
have spoiIt our SUPPER said one of the par.
ty stepping forward.
And saved your scalp. mayhap young
man y returned the hunter, whom some Of
our readers will recognize as The scout
prominent character in a former story re-
lating to our early history. Those who now
meet him for the first time will gain prop
er insight of the man as they follow us in
our story.
: don't see.' said the first speaker, not
relishing the idea of losing his evening
meal, how the fire you lave so uncere-
moniously extinguished was TO endanger
u.s.
That's all owing to your ignorance,
Jim Smith. When you've lived in the
woods as long as have you will have larnt
something. boy. that you don't find in The
books
But what harm could the fire do 7 as k
ed Smith, in more conciIiatory tone.
The fire is harmless youngster-'tis the
smoke that might play mischief
q cannot perceive how rejoined the
young man inquiriugy.
That's cause you don't know. Why
don't you shout aloud l-why don't you
discharge your rife in the air tell me
that
8 That would be madness indeed, surroun.
I<ad L.. A.