Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-09

Ahen the war Wnoop was given, and the In
dians began to murder those that were nearest
10 them without distinction. tits not in the pow
er or words to give any tolerable idea of the
horrid scene tb7t flnw ensneds rasns i, and
children were dispatched in the most wanton
and cruel manner, and Immediately scaped.-
Many of these savages drank the blood of their
victims, as it flowed warm from the fatal wound.
We now perceived, though too late to avail
us, that we were to expect no relief from the
French and that contrary to the agreement they
had SO lately signed to allow US sufficient force
to protect us from these insults, they taclty per-
mitted them; for | could plainly perceive the
French officers walking about at some distance,
discoursing with apparent unconcern. For the
honor of human nature would hope that such
hagrant breach of every sacred law, proceed
ed rather from the savage disposition of the In
dians, which acknowledge it is sometimes al
most impossible to control, and which mi ght now
Unexpectedly have arrived to pitch not easily
to be restrained, than to any premeditated design
of the French commander. An unpreudced
observer would, however, be apt to conclude,
that body of ten thousand christian troops, most
christian troops, had it in their power to prevent
the massacre from becoming so general. But
whatever was the cause from which it arose, the
consequences of it were dreadful and not to be
paralleled in modern history.
AS the circle in which stood enclosed was
by this time much thlnned and death seemed TO
be approaching with hasty strides, it was pro-
posed by some of the most resolute to make one
vigorous effort, and endeavor to force our way
through the savages, the only probable method
OF preserving our lives that now remained -
This, however desperate, was resolved on, and
about twenty of us sprung at once into the midst
of them.
In moment we were all separated, and what
become Of my companions could not learn till
some months after, when learned that oD,v six
or seven of them effected their design. Iutent
only on my own hazardous sitnAtion = .s-..'-A--.
O'vA 20 u'uNe my way tnrougil my savage ene-
mics in the best manner possible. And have
often been astonished since, when have recol-
lected with what composure took, as did, ev-
cry necessary step for my preservation. Some
overturned, being at that time young and athIet.
ic, and others | passed by, dextrously avoiding
their weapons; till at last two very stout CHIEFS
of the most savage tribes, as | could easily dis.
tingulsh by their dress, whose strength could
not resist laid hold of me by each arm, and be-
gan to force me through the crowd.
| now resigned myself to my fate, not doubt
| ing but that they intended to despatch me, and
then to satiate their vengeance with my blood
as found they were hurrying me towards re.
tired swamp that lay at some distance. But be-
fore we had got many yards, an English gentle.
man Of some distinction, as | could discover BY
his breeches the only covering he had on, which
were of fine scarle: velvet, rushed close by us
One of the Indians instantly reinquished hil
hold, and springing on this new object, endeav
ored to seize him as his prey but the gentlemai
being strong threw him on the ground, AM
would probably have got away, had not he VIII
held my other arm quilted me to assist his broth
. er. seized the opportunity, and fastened AVA
to join another party Of English troops that wer
| yet unbroken, and stood in body at some dis
!, tance. But before had taken many steps,
/ hastily cast my eye towards the gentleman, an
saw the Indians tomahawk cash his back, an
heard him utter his last grcan; this added bot
= to my speed and desperation.
= had left this shocking scene but few yards
. when fine boy about twelve years of age, tha
n had hitherto escaped came up to me, and beg
;, ged that wonld let him lay hold of me- SO thu
8 he might stand some chance of escaping from til
n savages. told him that would give him eve
s ry assistance in my power, and to this purpos
o bid him lay hold; but in few minutes he wa
y torn from my side, and by his shrieks | judg
o was soon demolished. | could not help forge
e ting my own cares for minute, to lament tn
n fate of so young sufferer but it was utterl
n impossible for me to take any methods to PR
8, vent it.
g HOW got once more into the midst of friend
;, but we were unable to afford each other ar
succor. AS this was the division that had a,
10 Vanced the furtherest from the fort, thoug
t. there might be possibility Though but ba
70 one,) of my forcing my way through the out
v ranks of the Indians, and getting to neighbo
IS. ing wood, which perceived at some distanc
d, | was still encouraged to hope by the amo
IN miraculous preservation had already expel
d enced.
j. Nor were my hopes in vain, or the efforts
~ made Intellectual Suffice it to say, that
IS, reached the wood, but by the time had pen
le trated little way into it, my breath was SO e
hausted, that threw myself into brake, al
it lay for some minutes apparently at the last gas
H. At length | recovered the power of respiration
of but my appehensions returned with all tn,
ny former force, when | saw several savages pa
IT. by, probably in pursuit of me, at no very gre
IN distance. In this situation knew not whe,h
lis, it was better to proceed, or endeavor to conce
sd myself where lay, till night came on fearip
"a however, that they would return the same wa
ID thought it most prudent TO get farther from /
al dreadful scene of my dstresses. According
ok striking into another part of the wood, haste
cd on as fast as the briers, and the loss of \
ps shoes would permit me, and after slow pro
>; ress of some hours, gained hill that overloo
lie led the plain which l had just left, from when