The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-06-03
WESTERLY. R. I. THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1862.
added, and thought he was about to

p" For heavens sake, my dear Sir :.
I exclaimed, " "would you leave me here
in this chilling air, and on these cold
and dreary mountains to perish, without
a friend, and alone 20 r.. -. -
His keen black eyes were fixed full
and steadily upon me, as if to read the
inmost secrets of my heart, when he APP
preached, and taking me by the hand
Hear me-" said he stcrnly, "will
you swear 7" A FE
"What-by whom Z" Ireplied earn
"By Him who has sent me hithcr to
save you! Swear that you will not, in
my life, reveal to any living being, the
spot or dwelling to which l may lead
you, and all shall be WELL" l
/ swore. He then requested me to
follow him. In silence, and with some
difficulty, for / had become much ex-
hausted, obeyed. He led me con-
siderable distance, to a part of the
mountain where the footsteps of but few,
if any, but his own were ever marked
and guiding me into a secret and curious
cave, the old man { | had already observ-
cd that from his appearance he had
numbered at least threetsco and ten, }
looking at me with a smiling counte-
nance, said:
Here, young stranger, is the place
l call my hOme. Sit down." said he,
+" on that smooth stone, and / will soon
kindle blaze / have also some game
in my pockets, which l have just had
the fortune to seize, and that with little
roasting will please the palate and re-
pair the system. You have been arash
YOUTH" continued he, 4" but you are safe
now and as soon as you regain your
strength, l will put you in way, should
you wish it, to find the foot of the noun
tain" Irr ..
We had found it necessary, before
reaching the cave, to procure a torch,
by which l was enabled to see my way
well along the narrow, and in many
places perilous path that we were obig-
cd to travel. The old man soon built
good fire, and before one hour had
elapsed, he had prepared a supper,
which appeared to me, under the cir
cumstances, more inviting even than the
sumptuous viands of the rich l never
ate with better relish. ..- .l- ''
In the mean time could not Danish
the wonder and surprise excited by the
fact, that an individual possessing the
faculties, both physical and mental, of
my kind protector, should take up his
abode in a place so cold and barren,
and affording so few opportunities for a
life of ease and happiness. I was ex-
ceedingly anxious, as was natural, to
learn the history of one whose whole
character appeared so singular and
strange. Could l dare solicit of him
the desired information / almost fear
ed to ask it /; but the no pitable board
having been removed, and the old man
seeming in a cheerful mood, ventured
to offer an intimation that little con-
versation relative to his own history
would to me be peculiarly interesting,
and it had its effect, His eyes flashed,
and he sat for sometime in silence. At
length, drawing his seat nearer to. me,
and with look that seemed to say that
none but himself should ever know his
history, he observed; aa l. .ar.
q am old, young stranger, as you
see-rcady to lie down in my grave.
There are, it is true, many incidents
connected with my life, which, if related
might perhaps amuse one Of your age
and capacity; but it grievcs me to think
of them. / will, however, if you are
not too much fatigued," he continued,
|" tell you short story"
I was of course anxious to hear what
he might have to relate, knowing that
| if 1 could learn nothing of his own life,
his knowledge of early events enabled
him to give narration of many rare
and interesting occurrences, and begged
that he would proceed. r
About sixty years ago." the old
man commenced, " there lived on the
banks of the Androscoggin, in what is
now called the town of Bethel, man
who was married and had two children,
a son and daughter, and who obtained a
livelihood by hunting and fishing. AT
that time there were several tribes of
Indians in the neighbohood, and his
friendly and peaceable family were not
unfrequently disturbed by their near
approach and nightly yells. They,
however, managed, by prudence and
caution, to live safely there for several
wears. until nt length one evening of q