Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-24
INDIAN BRIDGE.
RELATED BY DANIEL WEBSTER

Many years ago there llVeu man III Cohte-
cock by the name of Bowen-Petcr Bowen
not a man of large substance, but still what
we would call in New Hampshire, ssfore
handed man." Living on the frontier, he ne
.cessarily came much in contact with the In
dians-sometimes in hostile contact. Fear
less, and abounding in resources, he had gain
ed Il name among them, and there were few of
their braves who would have cared to meet
him single-handed. Not naturally quarrel
some, he had avoided unnecessary hostilities
with the savages, and, indeed, had gained no
little of their good will by many, acts of gene
rosity, for with no people more than with
them, were bravery and liberality held in high
estimation.
ssSabatis and Plausawa were the two princi-
pal chiefs of the tribe, the smoke of whose
wigwam arose nearest the settlements of the
English colonists. The first was of a sullen
and vindictive disposition, and when excited
by drink, intractable and savage. Plausawa
was of milder temperament, and felt better
disposed towards the English. He had inter-
changed kind Offices with them, and warned
them more than once of plots against their
safety.
cat this time there was truce between the
Indians and the colonists, and both parties had
agreed to punish any violation of it. If an
Indian should be killed by an Englishman, the
colcnists promised to treat it as capital
crime, and the Indians, on their part, made e
corresponding stipulation. There was peace
between the crowns of France and England,
and their respective colonies affected to keep
it, at least in name.
E.Relying upon this present good under
standing, Sabatis and Plausawa one day made
hunting excursion upon the shores of the
Merrimac, in which they were very successful.
They were encountered, late in the afternoon,
loaded with the skins of the animals they had
killed, by two EngliShmen, somewhere near
Boscawen. Sabatis had procured drink from
the settlers, always too eager to barter it for
furs, and was in a quarrelsome humor. Plau-
sawa, therefore, cautioned these men against
any attempt to trade with him, and advised
them to go home. ssThere are others of the
tribe about he said, sswho would support Sa-
bats in any hostile demonstration As they
were departing, Sabatis cried out to them, s.we
want no more Of your English here ] have
evil in my heart, and if you do not leave our
territories, and abandon them forever, We will
take land and life from you. We will drive
the pale faces into the big water.'' One OF
the men replied, ssthere is no fighting now be-
tween US. English and Indians are all broth
ers." They had not gone far on their home
ward road before they met Peter Bowen, and
telling him of the threats of Sabatis, endeav-
Ored to persuade him to accompany them
home. Bowen laughed. 'sThreatened men,
he said, s'lived long. / would not prize life
held at the mercy of these savages. I will
meet them in friendship, or fight, as best suits
them.'' The Indians had got into their canoe
before he overlook them, and were going up
the river. Bowen hailed them, and urged
them to go to his house, where they would
have frolic, and pass the night. After some
reluctance on the part Of Plausawa, they as
sented, and accompanied Bowen to his house
in Contocock. Bowen had many deep ca
rouse with the Indians, and understood how to
manage them.
He sat before them drinking CUBS and bot
ties Of rum, and leaving his wife-a woman as
fearless and courageous himself-to enter
tain them, went out of the room on prctext OF
going to the well for water. But while he was
absent he drew the charges from their guns
which they had unsuspectingly left behind the
door in the entry. The night wore on, and
their potations were deep and oft repeated
At first the Indians were greatly pleased
laughed at Bowen's stories, and called hin
brother; but by degrees, as they drank more
deeply, they began to grow quarrelsome: a
-bused the English and threatened their exter
mination. Bowen affected to treat theil
threats as jokes, but had all the while watch
ful eye on their motions. At last the sun rose
and the Indians said it was time to go home
They had not drank so much hut that they
could walk as we'll as ever-the rum had only
effected their brains. Bowen consented Il
: take his horse and carry their baggage to thu
place where they had left their canoes. On
the way, Sabatis proposed to run a race agains
Bowen mounted but the latter, judging iron
Sabatis' eye and manner that some mischie