Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-03-02
tflislcllansous.
Letter OF FATHER -

Letter OF FATHER -,
ABSAKIs.
Nc,c Account of these People and of the Algon-
quins-Freach and English War in Canada.
[CoNcLUDED.
| set out in haste for the camp of the Abna-
kis. l demanded of the one | saw whether he
was master of scalp, and would crafty Inc by
the gift. l had every reason to commend his
complaisance; he united his sack and gave me
my choice. Provided with this barbarous booty,
7 carried it in triumph, followed by crowd of
French and Canadians, curious to know the end
Of the adventure. Joy lent me wings. was
with the Huron in moment. "See," said l.,
in approaching him, "see, thy payment" p"
" Thou art right" answered he, {" it is a real
English scalp, for it is rcd" 1t is really the
color which ordinarily distinguishes the English
colonists of these countries. Here is the
infant; carry it away it belongs to you" l
did not give him time to retract his bargain.
took the unfortunate infant Immediately in my
arms AS it was almost naked, wrapped it in
my robe. 1t was not accustomed to be carried
by hands as little skilled as mine. The poor
infant informed me by its cries, as much of my
awkwardness as of its suferings; but consoled
myself in the hope of soon calming it, and Civ
ing it into more beloved hands.
When arrived at the fort, all the females
ran out, on hearing the cries of the little one.
Each one flattered herself that she could recover
the object of her maternal tenderness. They
examined it eagerly, but neither the eye nor
the heart of any one there distinguished their
son, and they went aside to give anew free
course to their lamentations. was not little
embarrassed by this retreat, separated as was
forty or fifty leagues from every French habita-
tior How was to nourish an sinfantaf SO, ten
der an age1
was buried in these reflection, when saw an
English officer pass, who spoke the French Ian
guage very well. said to him in quick tone,
81 have just rescued this child from bondage,
but it will not escape death if you do not assign
it to some one of these females, to take the place
of the mother, and nurse it until can make
other provisions for it," The French officers
present supported my demand. Upon this he
spoke to these English women. One offered to
take charge of him, if would be responsible
for her life, and that of her husband, and send
them to Boston, by way of Montreal. l accep-
ted the proposition on the spot. begged NJ.
de Bourg-l -Marque to detach three grenadiers
to escort my English to the Canadian camp,
where Aattered myself should be able to find
the means to perform my new engagements. This
worthy officer kindly granted my request. |
was preparing to leave the fort, when found
the father of the infant, who had been wounded
by the bursting of bomb, and was unable to
help himself. He acquiesccd with pleasure in
the arrangements had made for his son. then
departed, accompanied by my Englishwoman,
under the protection of three grenadiers.
After a painful yet successful march of two
hours, we arrived at the quarter where the Ca
nadans were lodged will not undertake to
give you faithful account of the novel circum-
stance which crowned my enterprise. 1t is one
of those events which one would needlessly fat
ter himself to describe to the life. We were
hardly at the first avenue of the camp, when a
sharp, quick cry suddenly struck my ears. Was
Was it of grief, or of joy 1t was all this and
more yet-for it was the mother, whose eyes,
enlightened by maternal tenderness, had great
way off distinguished her son. She ran with a
haste that denoted what she was to this infant.
She snatched it from the arms of the English
woman with an eagerness which seemed to in
dicate fear on her part that it might DO car
ried away second time.
1t is easy to imagine the transports of joy to
which she gave loose above all when she was
assured of her husbands life and liberty, whom
she had believed had made his last adieus No
thing but their reunion was wanting to Their
happiness. | believed that to be necessary tc
tho perfection of my work. Iretraced the route
to the fort. My strength was scarcely able tc
sustain me-for it was ono o'clock, and had
/
not yet taken any ourishment-accordingly
fell down almost in swoon. On arriving there
by the politeness and charity of the French Off
GERS, was soon sufficiently recovered to continue
the good work. went to find the Englishman
in question but my search was fruitless fol
several hours. The pains of his wounds had
obliged him to retire to the most solitary part Of
the fort to get repose, where lat last found him
| was preparing to take him away, when his
wife and child appeared. Orders had been given
to collect the English dispersed in the different
quarters, to the number of near five hundred
and conduct them to the fort, that they might
there be better provided for, and in readiness
to be sent to Orange. This was happily execu-
ted some days after. The demonstrations Of JOY
were renewed with more ardor than before
Thanks were not spared me, not only on the
part of those interested, but by the English
officers, who had the goodness to repeat then
many times. AS to their offers of services thy