The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-29

poslte TO the march ofthe army, Dudley con
Jeciured that the pursuers, who must have
lett the fiotllla without orders, would not dare
TO separate themselves far from the main
body. Theres,rlt proved him to be partly
correct The batteauX had proceeded but Il
few miles before they were seen to draw to-
gelller, and after n short conference. g. some
change of parties, two of the vessels turned
about, and the Third, with about dozen men
continued the chase. These, MS the ncrcaJ-
ing light soon showed, were ulI Indians but
one, who 1t need scarcely be said was Wal
don. The distance that now separated the
vessels was about quarter ofn nile, and the
vigor with which the pursuers laid to their
oars eVinced u determination that it should
he less. Their motion was indeed most al
ormIngiy accelerated, and the interval be-
tween the parties was rapidly diminishing {;
but The eXecrated broad shoulders which had
once proved so disastrous we're now ut least
of essential service. Perceiving the exiaen-
cy, Wongah, for such was the name Of the
elder Indian, coolly requested Dudley to sur
render his oar 10 him, and taking the forward
pair, he bent 10 the task like n Sampson be-
meath the gates fGazn. TIC trembling bark
seemed rather to fly tlnu sail, aud the rear
ward onrsman, for a while, were scarce able
TO touch the water, so swiftly did it pass from
=
and except momenRrily to see the giants
strength give out; hut mile after mile WAS
overcome without the least abatement of
speed. The very vessel seemed instinct with
vitality and impelled by fear, while the spray
tell like rnln upon her prov, and the water
boiled, hissngin her wake. A glad smile of
hope and encouragement lit up every counte-
nance, for the distance between the vessels
bad already more than doubled, notwitl-
standing the utmost efforts Of ihe enemy
In vain did Dndley impIore Wongah to spare
his strength, lest il might fail sltogethcr.-
The quiet smile, the calm equable breathing.
the uniform ponderous motion, told him ihat
there was little to fear from fatigue in tire
huge and compact mass Of muscles before
him, as iii bad been some mighty mechan-
cal machine Of levers, wheels and springs.
When L;e,mvii,,"Sat Dudley had :el'nquiSlicd
his oar to the Indian, his change OF pus;;;..on
brought him for the first time near TO Ellen;
but the absorbing excitement Of the race, and
The vlgilant oversight now required of him rs
chetin command, still preventing his disclos-
ing himself. His own tumuluous emotions,
and the alternating fears and hopes Of Ellen
may easily be imagined. She knew nothing,
1t will he remembered of the process by
which her rescue was to he attempted, and
when she found herself once more seated in
the dreaded boat she gave up all for lost
The Subsequent events, occurring so uueX-
pcctedly, were nj first entirely ineXp;cHble to
her although she soon perceived that brave
hearts and strong hands were ut work for
her delivery, she had still no suspicion Of
Dudley's presence. But the Temporary sense
of relief now eXperinced by all afforded nm
opportunity for the lieutenant 10 make him
sell known. The light had fully dawucd,
and he seized an oPportune moment, and
turned with smile oftriumph and affection
10 Ellen, n speechless surprise and Joy that
knew no uttcrapce prevailed her breast
Alas! that there is no Daguerrcoiype for the
heart.
But sudden ejaculation from the younger
Indian, who was looking westward with an
earnest gaze, now attracted attention. Turn
ing, he uttered n few words in his native
tongue to his companion, and the latter i'm
mediately suspended his labors and gazcd in
tently in the same direction.
what do the Onedas see. Mr.. Rogers 2
exclaimed Dudley from the helm, with i'll
disguised alarm. Rogers listened moment
10 their cultural dialogue, and rising 10 his
feet, peered earnestly across the waters; then
turning to the lieutenant, lie said in n low
voice, Il see nothing myself but the Lynx
says that there are TWO armed canoes turning
yonder point 81 coming down with the speed
of wind'
Is Wongah frightened p said Dudley i'm
petuously, turning upon his oars; does lie
think they can overiake us !"
'Wongnh does not fear was the chnrac-
teristic reply; but the hawk is swilter than
the heron.'
This figurative alusion to the f1eetness of
the birchen canoe was not msunderstood,a aud
every eye was now anXiously strained TO
catch glimpse of this new object of alarm.
The Indian, meanwhile, had resumed his Ia
hors with all his former force, and without
the least change of coun,cnance. The can
ocs were too much in the shade of the shore
TO he perceptihle TO unprocIised eyes, but the
movements Of the batteau soon furnished adj
ditlonal proofof their approach. She turned
suddenly about, and fastening 10 meet her al
lies, was also soon nearly lost from view in
the shadows. What changes took place up
on the meeting OF the boats could not he dis
Cerned, but the large vessel did not return
The canoes, OH the contrary, dancing like
corks upon the wave, were seen to c.
merge, from the obscurity, and flashing the
sunlight from their dripping oar blades seem
ed like distant sea-hirds pluning their wings
Tor Hight. They each contained seven men,
OF whom, rs before, all save one were lndi-
ans. 1t was useless TO disguise the alarm in
splred hy this new aspect of affairs for al-
though the pursuers were nearly mile be-
hind, it was apparent to all that their present
speed would soon bring them up with the
gondoIa. The litter boat was already task
ed TO her full capacity, but no human strength
could impart 10 such n vessel the impetus
which two pairs Orwell piled oars give to tho
ieathery canoe. A hasty consultation was
held, at which Rogers, and the Lynx propos-
ed running for the shore, and trying to make
good their escape through the forests Won
gah opposed this as fatal, but offerd no sub
stitute. He gave his opinion with stociHl
calmness, when called upon, without at all
suspending his abors. Dudley spoke last.