The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-07-07
Miscellaneous.
From the Knickerbocker for June.
T h G Hunters
OR AN INDIAN TALE.

by THE AUTHOR OF 'THE SCALP HUNTER
Concluded
They skrted the wood banks of a long island that
lay parallel to The main land and close to it, near the
entrance Of the NaETows II n beautiful sight to
the trees glide past them, and the water ripple
upon the pebbles with the motion of the deep laden
canoes; but when the island past the main shore
lay off their right, with its swelling foliage obscur-
ed by rich shade, and the cool dark waters sleep
ing in its shadows Endicott was not in poetical
mood--indced he seldom was; but he could not help
gazing on g scene quiet and yet so picturesque
He was startled suddenly into life and action fe-
male voice. in hasty and terrified accents, came from
the woods Il am here dear Eadicou keep n
way keep away they are going to t. but
here it abruptly stiAed. The ins,inciivey
ceased padding, and then pushed The canoes further
into the lake. The matter required no explanations
all at that nothing had saved them from
falling into ambush Of the enemy they were in
pursuit o. but the heroic scdevoon of the prisoner
Most OF the party made reckless by misery,
with every feeling and instinct overwhelmed by
burning hatred of the Indians, and keen thirst for
vengeance upon the uccursed race. Only two or
three Of them hestaed as to the course to he pursu
ed. Neither regard for their own lives nor that Of
dicott his part, eager as the rest and long
ed to rush to the Of Sarah without thinking Of
the peri which his rnshnesss would expose her. if
indeed she had already been mado victim to the
fury of her captors The drew back and re-
raced their along the island, which efFectpaly
protected them and concealed their motions, ill they
rounded its farther extremity and made directly for
the Shore Then it was a matter OF doubt whether
r. L,II.a.
their temerity The very hardihood of the attempt
alone saved them; for the savages, who were twice
their number, did not dream that they would ven
ture to land in the teeth of such peril The
poughed the water into burrows. My ancestors
blood up He jumped from tho foremost canoe,
and wnded to the beach, but he reached it, sim
envy hand grped his shoulder, and stern voice ad-
monshed him that that place time to
yield 10 frantic impulses.
1t would be hard to imagine situation peri
lous than that into which these had placed them
selves, or in which danger appeared under
more horrd and insidiops aspect. Nothing Of the
enemy was visible after :hey had entered the woods,
though they nigh: be concealed behind every
rock. They listened awhile, then began cautiously
to advance towards that part of the shore whence the
voice had proceeded. In a few minutes they came
upon the manifest traces Of large body of savages;
and here again they stopped to listen. 1t close
by large brook that descended from the upland for.
ests to the lake, urging its way great piles of
moss-grown rocks; plunsing with sullen, heavy
into obscure ravines, pouring itself into deep
basins and halows along the rocks, before it streamed
gancng out through the foliage into the gay sunshine
OF the lake. The forest dismal contrast to the
bright landscape they had just left The chill con-
fined air was of that heavy nature that Expresses the
spirit, and brings consumption to the lungs. Not a
ray of sum ight could penetrate the dense foliage
bove; all around breathed cold and dampness; the
black columns Of the standing trees that seemed
sweating clummy moisture; the moss grown car
of those that lay PROSTATE and decayng, piled
in masses together; and the slippery green rocks
themselves. There was no undergrowth but the stiff
spreading shoots Of the hardy spruce and basam fir,
which covered the rough and broken ground. afford
ing abundant lurking places for an enemy. All was
ing.
They stood still for minutes, when man at
length offered himsefto go forward and search for
the enemy. Crouching from tree tree, he began
TO pick his way the distinctions Of the Danger
Gus ground, glancipg wqtchfuly in every direction,
and gradually approaching ridge ofrocks overgrown
with fringe and piles of dripping moss, that was dis
ccrnable through the trees several rods higher up
Here he paused and listened long before lie ventured
to ascend. When he had got to the top. and cling