The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-02-07

night, and, before retiring to rest, drew in
the string, land thus secured themselves as we'll
they were able.
In the dead of nj ght, the Friend, who had
not been able to sleep asked his wife if she
slept; and she replied that she could not; her
mind was uneasy. Upon this, he confessed
that the same was his case and that he bclicv-
ed it would be the safest for him to rise and
put out the string of the latch as usual On
her approving of this, it was done, and the
two lay down again, commencing themselves
to the keeping of God.
This had not occurred above ten minutes,
when the dismal sound Of the war-whoop ech-
ocd through the forest, filling every heart with
dread, and almost Immediately atcrwarl they
counted the footsteps Of seven men pass the
window of their chamber which was on the
ground floor, and the next moment the door
string was pulled, the latch lifted and the door
opened. a debate of few minutes took
place, the purport of which, as it was spoken
in the Indian language. was unintclligiblc to
/ the inhabitants; but that it was favorable TO
them was proved BY the door being again
closed, and the Indians retiring without hav-
ing crossed the threshold.
The next morning they saw the smoke ris-
ing from burning hahitationS all around them
parents were weeping for their children who
carried off, and children lamenting over theil
parents who had been slain
Some years atterward, when peace was re
stored. and the coloni>t> had occasion to ho!,
conferences with the Indians, this Friend wa
appointed as one for that purpose, and speak
ing in favor of the Indians, he related the a
bove incident; in reply to which, an Indiar
Observed that by the simple circumstance OF
putting out the latch-string, which prove,
confidence rather than fear their lives an,
their property had been saved; for that h,
himself was one of that marauding party. an,
that, on finding the door open it was said =
These people shall live they will do us II,
harm, for their trust is i'll the GREAT SrIK
IT.
During the whole American Revolution
indeed. the Indians though melted by tin
whites to Kill and scalp the enemy. never mo
= Tested the Friends, as the people Of father O
mas. or William Penn and as the avowed op
poncnt> Of all Violence Through the whol,
war, there were but Two instances to the con
trary. and they We're o"caSoncd hv the tive
Friends Themselves The one was voun.
man. tanner. who went 10 his tan-var an,
back daily unmolc>tcd. while devastation
spread On all >ilcs; lut at length, thought
lcss}y carving gun to shoot some birds, tn
Indians. in ambush. believed that he had dc
serted his principles and shot him. The 9th
= er was woman. who. when the dwellings u
her nci cighbors were lightly fired, and the pco
pie themselves murdered. was importuncd b'
the officers of ncighboring fort to take RET
ure there until the danger was over. Fo
some time she refused and remained unharm
ed amid general destruction; but at lcngtl
letting in fear. she went for one night to tn
fort, but being so uneasy, that the next NOR
ming she quilted it to return to her homc;-
The Indians however believed that she ha
abandoned her principles and joined tn
fighting part of the community, and bcfor
she reached home she was shot by them.