The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-03
II II F. n E w E X A.
From the New York Mechanic.
A CRUEL STRATAGEM.

Did you ever hear af " old Smith," that used
I" live away down east, during the ca rly settle
ment OF the country, now called Maine Old
Smith had lost several relations by the hands of
the Indians, and had vowed eternal enmity To the
whole race. He had been twice taken by the
savage tribes. hut cOntrved tn escape from them,
ana had killed several of their number. He
sought every opportunity To do them mischief in
any way. BY this course he had becnue SO ex-
ce'dlnIly obnoxious Ia the red men. that they
would not even kill him if they could. but were
almost constantly the watch To take him alive
Tor The Pnrp"se Of satisfying their revenge by The
nfictIon of the utmost torture that barbarity could
invent. Smith was aware of this disposition of
The savages, and was The less afraid of their bull
leis. u is reported that Smith was al one time
engaged IN splitting pine logs for fence rails,
and In the ar'lnr of his employment he had neg
lectrd his e" look out" till SIX Indians came upon
him with yell of eXultaiion. The chief of the
party, whose name was Wahsuos. seized him by
The arms, excaiming, " Now Smit now Sui,I
me gol yOn." Smith saw il would be vain TO re.
Sis', and assuming an air of composure, thus adj
dressed his capt"r: Now, Wahsoos, will tell
YOU what will de-: if y"u will now helm me TO
split open this log. will then go with you with
ont any resistance: otherwise | will not walk
step, and you will have carry or kill me" -
The Indians nnw having him safe in their posses-
sion. and willing To save themselves irunble a.
greed to help split the log, if he would show them
how Smith had already opened one end of The
log with large wouden wedge and renpwna his
blows on the wedge with beetle. he directed
Them To take hold Of the separated parts Of The
l"g. three on each side, and pull with all their
might. while he should drive in the W edge The
red men were not without suspciuns, but kent
Iheir eyes on Smiih's motions. while they pulled
al The snnderrd paris of the log. Every hl,w of
Smith opened The crrvice wider, which enabled
me Indians To renew their holds. by inserting their
fingers deeper into the crevice hen Smith
slightly changing the direction nr The beetle struc,
"n the side of the wedge, Knocking il ont of Tia
log, which closing with great fnrce, caught every
i"e 10y the hands, save one, who seeing the pre-
dicainen! oi his companions. took To his heels hut
was quickly brought dnwn hv Smiths lOnu bar-
relied gun, which he had kept near him. The
DINER i've expected no mercy. and were not dis
appointed. Five blows from Mr.. Smiths axe ST.
fenced their dea tn song
A year or more after this affair Smith was re-
turning one evening from excursion, and pass-
Ell near bend Of The Androsc0ygin river abnuta
mile ahove the falls. ON which the Lewiston Mills
are no" located: II was nearly dark, and he dis
covered an Indian making a fire on rnck by the
river bank. Smith saw through the business at
once the FIRE was for bracon 10 guide the land
ing OF strong party. With unrrrinp aim. he
shot The lone savage, who pitched into the water.
and Smith quickly brew The fire and fire brands
after him; and then proceeded down 10 the faIls
and there he soon kinded another FIRE ON A pro-
j'cted rock ; and then retiring mp the river bank
small distance, awaited The result He soon heard
The songs OF company Of Warriors who had then
discovered the fire, and steadily paddlino to-
wards 1t In high glee. Smith could hardly re-
fraln from laughing aloud, IS they neared the fatal
beacon. The songs were suspended by surprise.
at the rapid motion Of their canoes and the hoarsc
roar of the falls, revealed tnu late The dreadful
truth brief death sung uttered in savage yeIIs,
ana me cries ct seve'fl sqnaws and papooses.
were all that preceded their last and dreadful
plunge over the perpendicular falls