Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-08

90 into his den, said Wahontes.
At the same moment, runner from the left
returned, stating that large company were
ambushed in that direction, near the " crow
nest''
With these warnings, all precaution was
taken to conceal their numbers, and the mode
of their attack No fires were lighted for their
camp, and great numbers held watch in time
to prevent surprise from any quarter
Several of the enemies runners were discov-
cred, and number drawn into the snare and
shot just before day. break, while it was very
probable that the same fate was meted to a
number of their own, by the enemy 4
The next day passed with no indications Of
open hostllties until Che night had covered Ne
s.-s.2 yitehy dasksiss, VIXEN, 0S2, irehl e.is
haunt amid the thicket, gave the signal:
"Tu whoo o, o-o-o-hoo-o-o, oo-ooh,'
Which told the whole company, in hearing,
that the enemy were lurking near their border
On the other hand, the ominous cr0ak of the
night bird informed the leaders that the Mo-
hawks were attempting to surround them under
C over Of the night.
The warning was duly observed, and their
suspicious fully confirmed. But the scattered
encampment prevented any further success of
the Mohawks than that their party, in attempt
sng to sound the Allies, would be brought be-
tween their ranks from not knowing the num-
ber of the expedition, nor to what extent it was
spread out besides, the Allies occupied the
strong holds of the highlands, which made any
chance of success by open attack, one of great
risk to the attacking party.
Here again the cunning of Nagowa and his
warriors was brought into requisition. Some
halfconcealed fires were kndled at intervals,
the best under the range of their arrows while
concealed in the thicket of fir on the overlook
ing height, and-as soon as daylight had given
sufficient indication of their supposed position,
the Mohawks rushed upon those supposed
camps, wildly uttering their war whoop, with
out suspecting but what they had surrounded,
and had complete possession of the Allies
With the first approach Of the enemy, the AL
lies poured in from either side desperate
shower Of arrows, which not only took effect
upon the objects at which they were aimed but
so completely revealed the fact of the deception
of their foes, that they retreated in hurried
dismay from the battle.
For few moments all was quiet. The Mo-
hawks contemplated with amazement the result
Fifty OF their best warriors were wounded OF
Dead while not scalp of the Allies had been
taken. Upon discovering Che true position Of
the Allies, stratagem after stratagem was re-
sorted to, to draw them from their cover, but
to no avail. The Allies occupied the higher
territory, and surrounded as it was by steep
bluffs, they had the advantage ground of their
enemies. Continually were the Mohawks dis
covering that to remain inactive would be their
destruction, and to retreat, their disgrace.
A council was held, when they retreated eau
tiously down the plain and entered the thicket
of swamp to await the pursuit of the Allies.
A small band set out following them, with
skrmishes and concealed attacks, but without
giving the Mohawks opportunity to return the
charge.
As night covered over the scene, and the Al
lies retreated to their highlands, the Mohawks
tried another mode of attack, and when the
morning again dawned, the main party con-
cealed upon the opposite side, awaited the at
tack of small party in the rear. The ruse
had its effect, but not as was expected. The
Allies had concealed themselves along the high
lands on either side of small stream and val
ley in which the Mohawks were ambushed anG
when the attack was made upon the other hand
and the Mohawks approached, they but fount
themselves almost entirely surrounded by tht
Allies. The Allies now set up the war whoop
and the contest waxed hot and hotter until tn,
forest echoed far and wide with the yells of de
fiance, and the groans Of the wounded and dy
ing. The Mohawks, as numerous as the,
were, had too much divided their forces, and
approached without knowing the numbers of tn
Allies. Every tree was living Indian
Death and carnage, war whoops and deatl
whoops of the scalpers, while the advantage o
the higher grounds given the Allies, now grev
more and more alarming to the enemy in tn
lowlands.
The scene of Indian warfare is one mos
amusing to an unintcrested boholder but dread
ful to the object of their enmity. Every thick
ct, log and tree is the breastwork of conceal
ment, while their quick and practiced eye neve
leaves an opportunity unused every one actin
as impulse directs, with no leader or directo
but his eye and ear.
Here the dreadful work of carnage continued
while less of direct attack was made than @
stratagem and ambush, to cut off those b
chance exposed to their arrows.
As night approached, the Mohawks, sadl
worstcd and exasperated by their losses, retreat
ed toward their villages. The Allies took u
the pursuit, and dodglng from tree to tree, tn
Mohawks slowly fell back, until finding tn
number of their pursuers too numerous, the
broke and fed
"Thc dogs are on our trail our warriors OIL
scattered; but the Mohawk has yet to be COL
quercd,'" said their war Chief as they gathere
in council
But deeming it better to await an attack frol
the Allies, than risk more in the present contes
the Mohawks returned to their village but
meet the derision of their chief men of cour
sci, and to learn that an enemy far more fo
midable from the East and the North. we,
making preparations, beyond the big hills, ft
an expedition that, in the present condition
the nations around the lakes, threatened to p,
out their council fires forever