American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-12-13
a Cruel Stratagem,

that used to live away down cast dur
ing the FIRST settlement of the country
now called Maine? Old Smith had
lost several relatives by the hands of
tho Indians, and had avowed eternal
enmity to the whole race. He had
been twice taken by the savage tribes
but had contrived to escape from them
and had killed several Of their number.
ne sought every opportunity to do
them mischief in any way. BY this
course no had become so exceedingly
obnoxious to the red men, that they
would not even kill him if they could,
but were almost constantly ON the
watch to take him alive, for the pur-
pose Of satisfying their revenge by the
induction OF the utmost torture that bar
barity could invent. Smith was aware
Of this disposition of the savages, and
was tho less afraid of their bullets.
Itis reported that Smith was at on,
time engaged in splitting some pine
logs for fence rails, and in the ardor
OF his employment he had neglected
his "look out, till six Indians came
upon him with yell of exultation.-
The chief of the party, whose name
was Wahoos, seized him by the arms,
oxclaiming--
"Now Smit! me got you" Smith
cav that it would be in vain to resist,
and assuming an air of composure, thus
! addressed his captor:
"Now Wahoos, 1 will tell you what
l will do; If you will now help me to
split open this log, will 90 with you
without any resistance; otherwise / will
not walk a step, and you will have to
, carry me-.
The Indians now having him safe in
their possession, and willing to save
themselves trouble, agreed to help split
the log, if he would show them how
Smith had already opened the log with
a large wooden wedge, and renewing
his blows on the wedge with a beetle,
he directed them to take hold of the
separated parts of tho log, three on
each side, and pull with all their might
while he should drive in the wedge.
The red men were not without suspi-
cions, but kept their eyes on Smiths
motions, while they pulled at the sun
dered parts of the log. Every blow
of Smith opened the crevice wider,
which enabled the Indians to renew
their holds, by inserting their fingers
deeper into the crevice, when Smith
slightly changing the direction of the
beetle, struck on the side of the wedge,
knocking it out of the log, which, clos
ing with great force, caught every foe
by the hands, save ono, who, seeing
tho predcament of his companions,
took to his heels, but was quickly bro't
down by Smiths long barrelled gun
which he had kept near him. The o.
Their five expected no mercy, and were
not disappointed. Five blows of
Smiths axe silenced their doathsong.
a year or moro after this affair."
Smith was returning one evening from
an excursion, and passing near bend
OF the Androscoggin river, about mile
above the fall, on which the Lewiston
Mills arc now located; it was nearly
dark, and he discovered an Indian ma
king fire on arock by the river bank.
Smith saw through the business at
once; the fire was for beacon, to guide
the landing of strong party. With
unerring aim, he shot the lone savage,
who pitched into the water, and Smith
quickly threw the fire and the fire.
brands after him, then proceeded down
the falls, and there he soon kindlcd
another fire on projecting rock; and
then retiring up the river bank small
distance, awaited the result. He soon
heard the songs of company of war
riors, who had then discovered the fire,
and were steadily padding towards it,
in high glee. The songs were suspcn-
ded by surprizc at the rapid motion of
their canoes, and the hoarse roar of
the falls revealed too late the dreadful
truth. A brief doathsong, uttered in
savage yells, and the cries Of several
squaws and papooses, was all that pre-
ceded their last and dreadful plunge
over the perpendicular falls.