The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-03-09

second Huron had dropped down to
cross the stream, he too was observed to
reel and fall without groan.
In the same manner was the third and
the fourth aud the fifth Huron pierced
as he leaped into the fatal ditch. They
we're close to each other and the whole
scene passed with such miraculous ST.
lence and rapidity, that neither of them
had observed the fate of his comrades un.
til he met with his own. The sixth In
dian, however, being little more be-
hind than the others, seemed to be some
what surprised that he did not see them
in view on the opposite bank For this
reason he descended into the gully with
lite more hesitation. He was imme-
diately aware of the horrible fate that
had arrested their steps and silenced
their tongues He endeavored to re-
coil but it was already too late A fa-
tai missive was also on the wing for him.
He was struck like the rest. but not with
immediate death, and he had time to
raise into the depths of the forests one
of those appalling yells of warning and
of rage which announce among the peo-
pie of his race, the presence of mortal
danger.
The soldiers looked upon this fearful
scene in astonished silence, entranced by
the murderous magic which took place
before them When the stiffness and the
spell were broken by that warning cry
they expected to see the woods swarming
with hostile savages. None, however, ap.
peared; and when the echo had died away
they looked in vain for the seventh and
tine last of the Hurons. He had van.
ished as if swallowed up in the earth. Nc
trace of him was visible-no sound of
retreating footsteps was audible. The
Mohican, however, still kept his position
behind the log itself, but with his fiery
eyes bent in quick and searching glanccs
in almost every direction at once He
was obviously at fault, as well as the
rest. No one dared TO move or speak
above his breath. There was something
awful in the mysterious and sudden dis.
appearance.
The silence continued for some ten
minutes when the sharp crack of rife
was heard, and the Mohican sprang to
his feet with the blood streaming down
one.side of his face. His only exclama
tion was an emphatic 'Ughp In an in
slant the fatal bow and arrow were a.
gain in requisition and his face towards
the Indian, he sent another arrow on its
mortal mission. The soldiers heard O
slight scrabbling overhead and on lock.
ing up they saw the Huron falling
through the limbs of neighboring tree
Into this he had had the address to swing
himself up, unseen by his enemies, dur,
ing the molncntary confusion occasioned
by the warning cry Of his companion.
From that perch he had soon discovered
the lurking place Of the Moh can, and
bent upon vengeance had Immediately
fired at him. without caring, whether or
not enemies were near The inIpudence
cost him his lifo; ; and withal, be had on
ly succeeded in inficting upon the Mo.
hican slight wound in the temple.
The scene, however, rapidly changed.
Shortly after the report of the rife, the
distant heavy tramp Of body of regu-
lar troops were heard approaching
through the woods. They, too, plunged
into the fatal pass and met with like
but not equally bloodless reception, by
the soldiers in the ambush. This time
it was the rife that did the bust.
ness. Tho advancing column. however
was composed of veterans who for few
moments seemed to push foreward into
the abyss where their comrades and
guides were lying wounded and dead; but
as they were Ignorant of strength of the
concealed enemy, and could hardly even
tell from what direction the danger came
they finally beat retreat and drew of
into the woods again
The check was all that could been de.
sired The force was not engaged dur.
ing the battle of Pittsburgh and af.
ter learning the disastrous fate of the
day, it made precipitate retreat north,
ward into Canada.
1t was noticed that as soon as the sew.
en- Hurons were slain, Stockbridge Hank
seemed to take no further interest in the
fray. Shortly after the firing commenc
ed, he disappeared and did not accompany
the soldiers back to the army. The
next day, however, he appeared again
before the officer, accoutred as at the
time of his arrival in the camp, but with
the addition of several bloody scalps at
tached to his belt, with the war paint
washed from his face. His mission
seemed to be accomplished.
He was thanked for his services, and
received promises of liberal reward
To all that was said he remained 81
lent listener, and only pointed to the
glorious trophies which he wore seeming
to signify that they were a sufficient com
pensation. In truth the Huron wa:
his hereditary foe, and he had been fight
ing instinctively for the traditions o.
his fathers.
After this second visit he was never
again seen in the army, he story Of
this exploit was long the talk aud wonder
of the camp.