The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-04-25
From the Knickerbocker Magazine
THE WII,L-O'-T THE WISP.
BY CHARLES ALDRlcH.
"Lo! the poor Indian. whose nntutored mind
Sees Gop in clouds, or hears HIM in the wind"

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A short distance below The Indian vii.
lage of Cold Spring in the County OF
Catsraugus. State OF New York. and
about mile from the Allegany River.
there is a small lake or pond. formed OF
the waters Of an extensive marsh. The
lake is filled with decaying vegetable
matter, and, having no outlet. its waters
become s,agnant and discolored.
Their sombre hue impress one with the
idea that they are almost iathomless. Al
times strange lights may be seen floating
above the surface, and gliding about in
various directions. Though easily ac-
counted for upon scientific principles,
they have ever been regarded by the un.
I,e,ered red.man with feelings Of super.
sti,ious dread The aborigines have a
curious legend concerning this strange
Twill 1.-The -wisp," which was related TO
me by an old copper.colored friend, as
we were seated upon u little knoll at the
southern extremity Of the lake. Years
have passed since its narration. but il my
memory serves me correctly, its substance
was as follows:
! MANY hundred moons since, before the
pale faces were known 10 the red man'
mall tribe oflndians dwell upon the beau.
iiful Savannah al Brady's Bend. about 70
miles above the present city Of Pittsburgh,
/ They we're peaceable. industrious, and
subsis,ed by agriculture, and the simple
arts of peace, and not like many Of their
neiphbors. by the shedding Of blood in
hunting and war. They delighted in
athletic sports. and games Of various kinds
and were noted for their skill in the ieais
Of dexieriiy customary among the Indians.
i They frequently invited the members OF
other tribes 10 compete with them al their
festive gatherings. Cd one occasion u
4 sad accident occurred, by which Seneca
warrior los, his life. Though purely an
i accident, this affair exaspcrated his friends
who determined TO wreck fearful revenge
upon their peaceful neighbors. - I
X Accordingly. a band OF Senecas armed
themselves for the war path. and flpatinR
down the majestic Allegany to the dictated
village. a,tacked il with anralenting Jury
; An indiscriminate slaughter Of old and
Young. male and female ensued M Only
I one Of tire tribe. dark-eyed beautiful
maiden was saved from the general de-
struction. She had been seen on q pre-.
vious occasion by young Seneca brave
who successfully exerted himself To- bear
: her away unhunt from the scene o.
slaughter.
sl When the marauding party returned
the Indian girl, sorrowlul and weeping
J was carried to the northern home OF he'
Ct aptor. In few DAYS she found hersei
among his friends atChe au shung gau-tat
3 Cold Springs. )who soush, by every mean
. in their power to dispeI the clouds which
I enveloped her brow. But their effort.
3 we're of no avail. Though she had pre-
I. viously admired her cap,or. and logged
4 to share his fortunes. she now. as tiss
SLAYER Of her kindred and the desolate
4 OF her home, evinced for him the most in
/ tense hatred and disgust, She earnestly
desired TO return TO her home-thougt
u she knew that nothing but desolatioI
y would meet her sight-and mingle he
!. tears with the ashes of her loved and los
a ores. q She was closely watched. however
y aud for a time j, was iuiile to entertain
Il ANY idea Of attempt to escape.
/ But at length 10 her great delight.
seemingly favorable opportunity presented
" ITSELF The family in which she lived be
a came engaged in making sugar the sprinl
o after her capture on the bank Of the it'll
+. lake. Her captor, vino Intended soon Il
+. claim her iof his wife. had built ligh
birch canoe 10 float upon its placid waters
2 and they were in the habit Of riding ii
this fairy vessel during the calm evening
!" Of early spring, Atorch-lish, at the pro,
= Of the boat made every object visible 70
. many a rod around them. These it'll
' excursions, had her heart been ,her
: would have been delightful and roman,i
7. !, indeed; but she cherished a burning de
IL sire tor revenge. which she determined Z
:. crafty at the frst opportunity ooi ID
:. One murky evening, while they wer
- gliding over the lake. and he was usin
:, every arti6ce to win her affections an
:, dispet the gloom which he knew wa
a making her unhappy. she conceived tn
4 ,dea Of numbering him. escaping to III
opposite shore, and making her way hom
as best she could When his back wa
= turned in paddliog the boat. she raised
- - stone, Ratchet which lay at her feet, ant
= : striking him q severe blow upon his temp
n. he iell with a dull, heavy sound, into tn
a a Welding waters. and sunk to,rise no NOR,
= No sooner had she begun 10 congraiulal
:, herself upon her. prospect Of sscape, tina
:. a Yureling sound at the botiam Of The bo,
- aroused her TO the fact that it was h!lin
= ]. with water. In falling overheard. tn
:. body Of tho murdered Indian. by i
:. :. weight, had in some manner broken
- hole through the bottom Of the frail stru,
s. iure. through which tho waters spoure
~ with fearful .rspidity. She shrirked K
:" helm. and endeavorsd 10 stay the rushin
x waters with her garments. but in vail
20 The boa, sunk. the light was extinguishe
:" : and the unfortunate maiden and her low
:. slept side by side beneath the daskson
" " waters Of the 'Indian lake. i9e
$" Eafssf y > - 14agf.sx IL s : +sfsA = a4sf H
th MANY Of the old Indians aver. that fr
,is Iouently in the oalm aiill evenings Of q
N. warmer portions al the year. the ghos
lis Of the unfortunats maiden and her low,
lie revisit the lonely tarn where this dreadf
o. tragedy occurred, and that the scene
i, a, denaritlre 10 sthes q anirita land II =