Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-10-01
From the Coos County Democrat
ThelaSt Canoe ride Of Wanaten

This local story lives moi in his.erv, but
stalks like gigantic shadow in the twilight
of tradition-lnd 10 my view appears on
the bare brow of a ledgy bill, an Indian with
an earnest gaze bent 10 the western bank
of the Connecticut, where is seated siran-
ger looking from under the shade of tree
near the watei's edge, on a point of land
formed by The river and brook (supposed
TO be Meals brook,) that in deep muddy
channel mingles here with the pure waters
of the broad rolling Connecticut. The In
dian on the bib Withdrawing his fixed gaze,
cast about him one long searching Took
wrapped his blanket tightly around his
shoulders, aud strobe down the eastern slope
with bow in hand, toy aids the river II
was near the close Of a day in The sunny
month of May. A spring cloud had just
distilled its refreshing influence upon the
green growing woods all around in the form
of gentle shower, and then hung in dark
folds about the massy peaks of the White
Hills which to the east rose like ....G
Some towering battement built by giant hand,
AS sentinel post for this northern land.
The sound of thunder with the rain had
passed far away-the winds were hushcd,
and the water of the Connecticut moved
down its winding way unruffled by breeze
-mists were TRANQUILITY resting on messy
hill slopes, where the setting sun threw
back its farewell rays as it INK behind the
hills in the blue west. A deep roar from
the south came upon the quiet air, and
echoed far to the north among the dense
G.. 81. o;,l,, IL.
where now may be seen the peaceful farm
houses of veal by meadow owning men of
LuneRburg and Lancaster. 1t was the
load thunder song of the Connecticut,
which for ages has been sung by its waters,
as from their level course above they foam
and break with fury over the rocks Of the
Fifteen Mile Falls below.
About half mile from these fills IN
the river, on the Vermont shore, sat a man
under tree where the Indian from the b II
had seen the strange cooking form. He
;wls white man, dressed after the manner
soi the F,ench in Canada, and travelling
alone down the,river through the unbroken
wilderness then standing all over the north.
He had sought shelter from the shower TN
der the pine tree hy the mouth OF this brook
He was old--lcep wrinkles were upon his
time worn face, aud long locks Of white
hair hung from under his hat about his neck.
When the rain passed, and the sunlight OF
the delightful evening described above,
agln began te play upon the wild scenery
tine old maa arose and mlde an attempt to
shoulder heavy pack that lay by his side
ii succc eded, but when he took his our
and started on his journey down, his wou
limbs refused to bear The weight upon h:
shoulders, and staggering few steps lie
fill his pack, and sci down with groln fol
his head grew dZzy-hc WIS wearied out
by his long journey from the north. r
sing TO renew the attempt, stiff and slow he
hefed Ii pack and said 10 himself, 'can
carry this gold which has become the mucf
worshipped idol of my heart yet anolhe
hundred milcs?' He set down, and bal
shuddcrng at the thought of his gathering
weakness, muttcred 'imposslblen
Though fear that he might die in tht
woods friendlcss and alone, he thought t,
bury his treasure and leave it in safely un
der ground hoping by the way that fortune
might grant him The fIver of reaching hi:
future destination alive, and that he nigh
give directions to his friends and regain his
money. He shaped a rude paddle from the
splinter of pine he found on the river
bank, and with it dug deep hole near the
mouth of the brook, whereby he sat and
sccreted his money, and after obliteratne
every mark that might lead wandering hun
tiers to suspect secret was hid, prepared
to leave the spot, and seek convenlen
place to shelter his old journey-sjck frame
with the hope that in the morning renewed
strength would enable him 10 90 on will
his treasure. He was on the point ofstart
ing with his gun and lghtened pack, wheI
startled by grutf sound Gom among thu
trees on the knoll above, he discovered al
Indian leaning partly upon his bow, with his
hand grasped around il as high as his chir
against which he rested his face. Evident
" from his smiling look he bad watched a
leisure the old mans motion for some time
Exhausted IS he was, the old man was 60
ing 10 recover the thrown aside paddle, anc
redig the hole where he had put his money
TO prevent its falling into the hands of the
one who had doubtless seen il buried. No
ticing the action, the Indian stepped for
ward and said in broken English, with a,
accompanying good look of trankness, tina
served to inspire confidence in the ole
mans mind, Fear not Wanaton--let um be
me no tell where YOU put um, you be pale
YOU be sick. me see you SET down here, pity
old man, come to my cabin, me spread ;
bear skin for you forest and IN Ike you we'll
Weary and deserted as the Old man was il
body and condition, he could do no bette
than to yie.d to The pressing invitation glvel
in the spirit of So much kindness. Wanatol
led the way the brook, bearing upon hi!
shoulder the old mans pack and gun, anC
close behind han, by the aid of stat
walked his intended guest. They arlfvec
soon at the rude wgwam of Wanaton. A
fire was kindled, light struck, and after
being refreshed by food TO cat, they lac
down to resi- for The night warmly wrapped
III skins of bears. .#
In the morning the old man rose much
refreshed by souud sleep. Wanaton invi.
ted HIM to tarry several DAYS, and go out
upon the bulls hunting that he nigh; dis.
play bis expcr'ness with his bow, and SEE
The old m4n practice with his gun. 10 the
IS ,,skt H.,