Litchfield enquirer., 1853-04-14
PEABODY'y LEAF. A LEGEND OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN,

aud picturesque scenery IS WOrthy the pam.
 lcr's pencil ar the poel's pen. Some of them which were once celebrated for their rich stores of 's legendary hre," ," are now | only sought to view their natural scenery while the traditions which fOrmeFly gave them celebrity are now buried in oblivion. | Such is the scene ofthe following adven-
 ture-a romantic glen, bounded on the
 north side by a high and rocky hill, which
 stretches itself some distance into the lake, terminating in precplce some thirty
 feet in height, and known as t' Peabody's
 Lesp."
 At the time of tlle adventure, Timothy
 Peal body was the only man that lived with
 in fifty miles of the place, and he was the
 daring spirit that achieved it.. In an att tack on one of the frontier settlements, his 1 family had all been massacred by the mer~
 ciless savages, and he had sworn that their
 deaths should be revenged. The better to
 accomplish this dread purpose. he had re- moved to this solitary place, and consiruc>
 ted the rude shelter in which he dwell until
 the blasts af winter drOve him iO the home
 ofhis fellow men, again to renew the cons
 test when spring had awakened into llic and
 beauty. He was a man who possessed
 much shrewd cunning, combined with l thorough knowledge of Indian hobltss oy
 which lie had always been enabled 10 avohl the snares of his subtle enemies. Ohen when tfey had come in a.pariy to h'm, he
 escaped their lure, and after destroying
 his hut, on their return homeward some of
 their hOldest warriors were picked on 0y
 his uDerring aim, or, on arrlving hOmes
 they learned that one oftheirswiiest hun-
 ters had been amhuscaded by him and
 fallen victim ,o his deadly rife. He had
 lived in thls way for several years, aud
 had so often baifled them that they hae az
 last become weary oi the pursuits, ana TOT
 some time had left him unmolested.s
 About this time, party of indians made
 descent on one oflhe small settlements,
 and had taken three prisn0rs. whom they
 were carrying home to sacrifice iur the same number of men who Tad been shot by Peabody IL was towards the close of the day, when they passed his abode, most of the party, in advance of the prisoners.
 who, with their hgnds tied, aud escorted
 by five or six Indians, were almost weafied out by their lobg march, and but just able
 io crawl along. He had observed 'hs ad-
 vance guard; and suspeG,ing there were prisoners in the rear, had let them pasa nn"
 molested, intending to try some s1anKee
 trick to effect ,hei: rescue. He accor- dingy followed in the trail of the party, keeping among the thick trees winch oa | either side skir,ed the path. lie had pro. 3 ceeded but short distance, beiore he heard the sharp repor: of rife, apparently very
 near him, which he knew must De one OI
 the Indians, who had slrolled away from the main body to procure some game TOT their evening meal. From his acqnain. . ,alnce with their habiis and langoages ne
 only needed a disguise, to enaOle hiai '0 join the party, fl necessary, and alnea Oy
 the darkness which was fast apProaensng'
 with bul little danger of detect'0n. The resolution was quickly put in operat'on' 10 kill this Indian and procure his dress.s
 He had got but few psces before i,e discovered his victim, who had just iinishs ed loading his rife. To stand lOrih ana boldly confront him, would give the savage l an equal chanee, and if Peabody proved the best shot, the party, on hearing tne report of two rifles a, once. would pc alarmed, and commence a pursuit. me chance was, however two 10 one sRa'hss
 him, and he was obliged to con,sive way to make the Indian fire first tlannng
 himself behind large tree, he too. on ms
 fox skin cap. placed il on the end o' ms rife, and began tO movelt to ana TO-
 The Indian quickly discovered V, ana
 was not al a loss to rec0llect the oWne. o'
 the cap. Knowing how oilen te had as'u. { ded them, he resolved io despsicn h'm ~ once, and without giving him no,ce ~ n5 dangerous proximity he instantly !alsen his rife, and it's contents went w"aI1s .'I ,'.s ,hrouph inc air. The ball just touched ibe hark ef inc free. and pierced the cap. which ross snddenlv. like the death spring oi the
 hpaver and then fell among the bushes
 The Indian, like true sportsman, ih'nk' inc himself sure of his victim. did not go to
 nick up a,,s game till he had reloaded nis
 niece and dropping it 10 the gr0und, ne
 was calmly preceding in the operation, when Peabody as calmly stepped from hls hidico place, and exclaimed "NOw you , tarpeI crlier, say your prayers as fast as ever you can! .
 This was short notice for the poor ln- , dian. Before him, and scarcely len Paces distant. stoOd the tall form of Peabncy,
 mn,;nnless ns n siaiue--hiS rifle at t,s shouIder-his finger on the iriGgeF, and
 his deadly aim fixed firmly upon him. He w,s ab,n,t ,o run, but he had not time 10 : ,.rn round. ere the swiit- winged messen- ss ger had taken i,s flight; the ball pierced his side--he sprang into the air, anG iell . hleless in the ground. .A u Nu lime was now 10 he lost. He inlmes d,aiely proceeded io strip tie dead bady,
 and array himself in .Le aeco0iFemensss consisting of hunting shirt. . Pa'r ,ol ! noccasins ar leggings. and the wampam s bel, and knife. A hI,le ot the hIon0 ne. s s,aesred on his sunbarni eo''n'easnces
 served for the red paint. aud Il would havs
 taken . keen eye, ia ihe grey twll'ghs anu : I,hick gloom of the sarroand'ng lasesss so c nave Jr,ec,ed lhe conaserGei. tndiaA. s Sboudering his rife, le again siaFsedin Dursui, and followed them until they arFi-
 ved in the glen where their cannes were secreled. Here iI,ey stopped aud began 70 prepare Gsr theis expeoted sWppcss pre- vious l0 sheis authorization 70 tue aRpnssse shore. The caares were lauAeAsa snA