The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-07-19

/ =" But father, VIII the lnuianS XII
now 2'' asked Nelly, with fearful eyes
and a face pale as the ashes on th
hearth.
| "I do not know, my child, but W
must not let them do it unresistingly,
he answered.
| So he and Allan made ready theil
muskets and claymores, and the keeI
dirks that had done bloody work IN ma
ny border fray with the hated Low
landers, years before; and word wal
sent to their distant neighbors to b
ready with their arms for any suddel
emergency,
| A month passed watchfully away, yet
nothing had been seen or heard of Cho
corua or any of his people. The settlers
began to hope that the chief had repent
ed of his rage, and would never harm
| them. But it was not so. Although
the main body of the savages had gone
to their autumn hunting grounds, Cho
corua remained. Day after day he had
lurked about the dwelling of his former
friends, waiting for an opportunity te
satisfy hisrevenge.. He knew the NJ Ken
zies, father and son, were brave and
well armed, and would fight until death
But the time at length came.
Mr. M'Kenzie and Allan had SO fan
relaxed their vigilance, as to venture out
to gather little field of corn, not more
than fifty rods from their DWELLING
They had their arms, and they cast eve.
ry few moments anxious glances toward
their cabin door, as they hastened with
their labor. Chocorua had seen them
depart, and slowly and cautiouslyhe ap-
preached the rear of the house. Then,
seizing a favorable opportunity he leap
ed through an open window tomahawk
in hand; few moments suficed for his
bloody purpose, and scattering FIRE
brands about the room he fed swiftly
to the forest. The two laborers had
just completed their work, when turn
ing his eyes towards the cabin, Allan
saw the black smoke streaming from its
door and windows Fatherl father
our house is on fire % he cried, and
away both sprang to the rescue. The
horrid truth burst upon them as they
neared the blazing cabin, and they reach
ed it just In time to secure the dead bod
les of Mrs. M'Kenzie and her daugh-
ter from the roaring fire.
Snow, Allan, y said the father, after
they had placed the last turf on the
grave in the shadow of great elm near
by, =" get your m1sket and we will go
for our neighbors; we must be on the
tEaek efithat murderer rs soon as psssi-
ble.n
The next morning, Donald M'Kenzie
with band of resolute men, started for
the mountains in search of Chocorua.-
The chief expected this, and with band
of warriors he formed an ambush for
the whites. But the settlers were too
wary; they attacked the Indians, who,
after short conflict fed in all directions
The two M'Kenzies followed the chief
tain; he fed swiftly, but they pursued
like panthers on the trace of blood, un-
til the savage, hard pressed, began to
climb a great cliff that overlooked the
whole valley. His pursuers followed,
until they could command him with
their muskets, then the elder M'Kenzie
called out
"Chocorau, murderer leap from the
rock or die !''
"Chocorau's life came from the Great
Spirit, and he will not throw it away for
pale face" replied the sachem
"Then hear the thunder of the white
mans weapon, cried M'Kenzie, level
ing his weapon. ,s
The savage had an indefnable fear of
firearms that had never been overcome,
and when he saw the fearful weapon
pointed toward him, he covered his face
with his hands and fell trembling on his
knees. A loud report echoed from rock
to rock, Chocorua fell upon his face
rose up, and staggering, pressed his
hand to his side from which the blood
was bubbling slowly. Esd.
"Leap, now, or 1 firel" called Allan,
in loud voice. 1.ii" :.
Just then, from black cloud that
was spreading over the valley, came
broad flash of lightning, succeeded by
roll of low, threatening thunder. The
wounded savage started, walked firmly
to the edge of the cliff, he stretched
forth his hands and with voice husky
with the throes of death howled forth
dreadful curse: .-.;.e
"The master of life calls Chocorua!
he comes he obeys the thunder Curse
on the pale7facesl1 May the lightning
blast theml May he curse them when
the storm roars and the earth rocks!-
They killed Chocorua's son when his
life was budding and peace was on the
land ! Wind and fire destroy their
crops! May the Evil Spirit breathe
death into their cattle May their
graves lie in the red mans war-path =
The wolf and panther fatten on their
bones! Eagles pick out the eyes of
their children! Chocorua goes to the
bright hunting grounds: his curse rests
on the white men'' And then with a
shrill whoop, he sprang from the rock
into the dark abyss below. ,s'
But his curse did stay on the settle
ment, and it is fact that the town has
never prospered. A hurricane swept
over it once; mysterious malady affects
the cattle, and many believe that these
Affections are caused by the CH1EFrAN's
CURSE, t'h .aN-i,s ..'N ~
=