Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-04
AN INDIAN STORY.

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June, 1922, that Captain Harmon and his east
ern rangers, urged their canoes upon the Ksn-
nebec River, in pursuit of their savage enemies
For hours they toiled diligently at the oar-the
last trace of civilization was left behind-and
the long shadows of the skirting forests met
and blended in the middle of the broad stream
that wound darkly through them. AT every
sound from the adjacent shores-the rustling
wing of some night-bird or the quick footstep
of some wild beast-the dash of the oar was
suspended, and the rangers grasp igFtened ON
his rife. All knew the peril of the enterprze
and that silence, which is natural to men who
feel themselves in the extreme of mortal jeopar.
dy settled like cloud upon the midnight ad-
venturers.
Hush-softly men?" said the watchful
Harmon, in voice, which scarcely rose above
a horse whisper, as his canoes swept around a
rugged promotory-" there is q light ahead "
All eyes were bent towards the shore. A tall
Indian fire cleaned up amidst the great trees,
casting red and strong light upon the dark
TUT UlodtulecS mVluoho
the operation of the oar was suspended, and
every one listened with painful earnestness to
catch the well known sounds, which seldom fail
to indicate the propinquity Of the savages. But
all was now silent With low and faint move
ments of the oar, the canoes gradually approach
the suspected spot. The landing was effected
in silence. After moving cautiously in the
dark shadow, the party ventured within the
broad circle of the light which at first attracted
their attention Harmon was at their head
with all eye and a hand as quick as those OF the
savage enemy whom he sought
The body of fallen tree lay across the path.
As the rangers were in the act of leaping over
it. the hoarse whisper of Harmon again broke
the silence
" God of Heaven " he exclaimed, pointing
to the tree See here' IT'S the work Of the
cursed redskins"
A smothered curse growled on the lips Of the
rangers as they bent grimly forward in the di-
rection pointed out by their commander. Blood
was sprinkled on the long grassland human
hand-tbe hand of white man, lay on the
bloody log.
There was not word spoken, but every coun-
tenance worked with terrible emotion. Had the
rangers followed their own desperate inclination,
they would have hurried reeklessly onward to
the work of vengeance; but the example of
their leader, who had regained his usual calm
I'D nd arod HON for
speedy, but more certain triumph. Cautiously
passing over the fearful obstacle in the pathway,
and closely followed by his companions, he ad-
vanced stealthiy with his party as much as pos
sible, behind the thick trees In few moments
they obtained full view of the objects of their
search Stretched at their length around
huge fire, but convenient distance from it, lay
the painted and half-naked savagss. 1t was evi-
dent from their appearance, that they had pas
sed the day in one Of their horrid revels; and
they were suffering under the effects Of intoxica-
ton. Occasionally, grim warrior among them
started half upright, grasping his tomahawk,
as if to combat some vision of his disordered
BRAIN but unable to shake off the stupor from
his senses, uniformly fell back into his former
position
The rangers crept nearer. As they bent their
keen eyes along their well-tried rifles, each felt
perfectly sure of his aim. They waited for the
signal of Harmon, who was endeavoring to
bring his long musket to bear upon the head OF
the savages. Fire! " he at length exclaimed,
as the sight of his piece interposed full and dis
tinct between his eye and the wild scalp-lock Of
, the Indian" Fire, and rush on tho sharp
voice of thirty rifles thrilled through the heart
r of the forest There was groan-a smother
f ed cry-a wild and convulsive movement among
3 the sleeping Indians, and all again was silent.
f The rangers sprang forward with their club
: bed muskets and hunting knives; but their work
Y was done. The red man had gone to their last
: audit before the Great Spirit and no sound was
. heard among them save the guggling of the hot
blood from their lifeless bosoms,