Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-07-02


supposed the enemy were all killed or driven oye-
the fatal precipice, and when they had begun TO
think of the women whom they had come to rescue,
light canoe shot suddenly from behind the wood,
where it run down in point to the waters edge,
aud came sweeping by the little meadow, directly
toward the brink Of the fall tall, powerful In
dian, with branching tuit OF eagles feathers rs-
ing over his head guided the little bark with long,
swift strokes of the paddle. 1t was Philip himself
he had escaped through the wood, TO a canoe hid
among the rushes that skrled the water. The
general shout Of surprise among the English was
instantly followed by the discharge Of five six
muskets at the bold sachem But he swept by I'M
touched, without turning his eye to the shore, but
keeping it steadily the centre OF the passage be-
tween the rock Of the island and the western bank,
where the water leaped in a curve over the precl-
pice The Indians had a mode OF descending that
passage in their canoes; but it fearful expert
ment and the least Of the eye shrinking Of
the arm would dash the vessel from to the
other side Of the deep trough, which ran in the cen
ire Of the torrent and plunge the adyenturer into
the waste Of waters he had dared to brave. The
sachem rode safely on, passed the men who crow
ded the shore, steadying his canoe, which already
began to lremble, as if in anticipation OF the dan
gerous leap when Englshman suddenly appear
ed below him, on the rock upon the bank at the
distance OF only few rods. As the boat came
rushing down the stream, this man was seen hur-
riedly preparing the lock Of his gun. Fire fire
cried his comrades from above. The gun flashed
the plume Of the chieftan scattered TO the wind
and its feathers hoated gracefully down. kissing
the water on its rapid path aud knocking by their
light and easy motion, the Intellectual attempt
Before the Englishman could retreat out Of the
way the canoe had received its right direction to-
ward the trough Of the cataract. The sachem rails.
ed his paddle from the water, poised it for half a
second in his hand, and then darted it like spear
into the face Of his foe-now but few feet from
hm-and was instantly riding in safety below the
falls. The blunt handle OF the prostrated the
Englishman upon the rock. There he grappled to
the sharp points of the ledge for moment slipping
lower and lower as his hold gave way, and at length
dropped into the boiling surge to rise no more
Just as the rush made toward the fall, in pur-
suit of the sachem, one of Captain Turner'S men
discovered female in the English dress upon the
island that divides the cataract. Soon the whole
party that had been carried of from the village Of
Hatfield, appeared upon the rocks that beetle over
the stream, and mutual recognition took place
between them and their kindred on the bank.
The old clergyman beheld his daughter, aud all
saw some relation friend neighbor; but the
ing waterfall was between them, and there seemed
to be no means Of rescuing the unhappy women
from their present position They called TO each
other from both sides to catch the sound of well.
known voices; but the deep sound Of the plunging
waters frustrated every atteHipt al COmHunlCdilon
except by signs, although each party could distinct
y see every feature in the countenances ofthe 9TH
cr At length, Turner directed the attention of his
men to passage along the course Of the stream
below the falls, where the waters were compare
lively smooth being protected by the island, which
divided the force Of the waves, and confined their
violence to the two channels on eGch side Of it,
Here he proposed to them TO ascend to the island
and bring off the captyes. The attempt, however,
e.. LID 70 s.o ttnlan md
several of the Indians who had escaped destruction
under the falls, still lingering on the rocks,
through which the adyenturers had TO thread their
way. With the greatest hazard they had succeed
ed in crossing the rough channel which inierVened
between the shore and the less turbulent passage in
the centre of the stream when the Indians rush
ed upon their boats, needless Of their guDs-which
blew their very brains into the water-and endeav-
ored to overturn them, But the well directed aim
of the whites soon destroyed or repulsed these
ASSISTANTS; and after toing against the stream for
short time they reached the island and received
the women into the boats. When they again land
ed on the western bank where the anxious relations
of these females had watched the expedition, every
thing seemed accomplished and all hearts were
given mp to the flow of gratitude aud JOY.
But now they were to commence their retreat
/ through wild and swampy country, filled with the
war parties OF the Indians, and after they had in
/
seFeresl vengeance. When they reached their
horses, on the other side of the ridge, they found
| that the guard who had been left with them, and
! animals had been killed. Large puddles OF blood
| stood upon the ground and had been splashed upon
the grass by the dying commissions Of the horses
One animal only had escaped, and came neighing
out of the wood, into which il had fled, and where
it could not be taken by the Indians. II proved to
be the horse of Captain Turner; and that officer
was now nearly exhausted by his efforts, the escape
of his horse seemed proVidental. The little army
! formed themselves into close body, with the
women in their centre, and began their march
But they had not proceeded more than two mile;
before an attack was made on their rear by large
body of Indians, and nearly half their number wal
cut of. little further on, the whole forest seem
ed to swarm with the enemy; and it was finally re
solved that their only chance of safety was TO dis
perse and hide themselves. Before this could b,
effected, fresh attack had driven them down 4
, the brink OF small siream-one Of the tributarie
, of the Connecticut and Captain Turner, 6ndn!
: ii impossible TO make any stand against the enemy
ordered the few men who still remained with then
TO take Miss Atherton-the only female now to b
seen-across the stream; he himself fingered, reen
ing leebly the neck Of his horse, ia hopes tina
her father might appear. But he was no where t
+ be seen; the savsges were coming on again; b
e therefore turned his horse into the stream, whe
{ what was his surprise and vexaton. 10 see ths
G the whole party were hurrying on into the fore'
!, beyond, leaving the young lady behind them.-
He tried to call after them, but his voice failed;
. felt suddenly sick and dizzy exhausted nature coul
! do no more, aud he had Just strength enough
d spur his horse, when shot from the wood piercin
e his side. he fell across the animals neck cngin
n to his name. The Indians, thinking him Dead an
not seeing the lady on the opposite shore, gave d