Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-05-13
Jnttrtstfnp Storg.
MoHAwK'S REVENGE.
A Tale of western pennsylvania.
BY RAMBLER

..n.a.W EH.E
In the spring of the year IS, a raf
might have been seen putting out into tn,
swollen flood of the Allegheny. 1t was
a gigantic affair, and required strong arm.
and willing hands to insure it a safe rur
to its destined market. Slowly the huge
Structure swung around to the current
yet readily did it answer the sweeping
oars and the pilot's-brawny sinews. Elev
en- men composed its crew. All of the,
were noble specimens Of the hardy back
woodsmen, who could with equal ease
swing the ringing axe, or fell the bound
ing buck in his startled fight. One o.
the number, however, would not fail te
attract the notice of the most casual OBJ
server. Proudly he paced over the rough
logs that composed his floating home
his eagle eye remained not long fixed
but restless, wandered from object to OBJ
Ject. His sinewy limbs declared that NO
boyish strength was his. His erect form
long jetty hair, and copper colored skin,
proclaimed him a "child of the forest
One OF the partially civilized tribe. he
had mingled long with the whites. He
spoke their language with ~duencY, and in
the school of his tribe, he had learned to
read and write also.
Among the rough men by whom he was
surrounded, Mohawk (for this they had
named him. was a favorite. Few could
excell HMM the use of the rifle. Not
many were his superiors at wrestling,
jumping or boxing. And when swimming
and diving in the dark waters of tho Al.
leghany, he seemed perfectly at home.
He excelled in singing and chanting, not
only the wild melodies of his race, but
also the comic and lively songs of the
frontier. Hence, on a fine evening when
the coast was clear and no danger was
apprehended to the raft, the men would
gather about him, and for hours would
his rich voice echo from the rocky banks
and lose itself in the distant murmurs of
the onward rolling tide. Whilst at the
close OF every piece. the loud laughter
and merry witticisms of his comrades
showed how highly his talents we're esti-
mated.
A favorable trip had moorcd the raft
in safety at the point for which 1T had
started. The hands were paid and dis
charged, and soon they were scattered
through the city. Some mindful of home
purchased tokens of affection for their
distant wives and children. Others WIS.,
tied the drinking saloons and sought
pleasure in the fiery potions they could
there secure among the latter was Mo.
hawk. If he had learned the virtues of
the whites, he had not neglected their vi
ces. As long as he could be kept from
the influence of fire water. he was all that
could be desired. But let him once be-
come intoxicated, and he was a very de-
mon. He then became imperious in his
demands, and his giant strength rendered
it dangerous to refuse its compliance
Forgetful Of everything else. he yielded
himself to his love of drink. In a few
short days his hard earned wages were
gone. His comrades had started for
home. All their efforts to induce him 20
accompany them had been ~unavailing.
Now he found himself penniless, q stran-
ger, and withal, an Indian in a strange
place. He bartered his hunting knife for
a flask of whiskey and left the city. Ev-
ening found him some forty miles from
his morning carousal. He stopped at a
rude place of observation-disclosures a
penny; and spurning to beg his supper, he
began to swallow the contents Of his flask
which had remained untouched. Soon
he felt their influence, and became up
roarious In his fits of intoxication. He
drank still more, grew quarrelsome, and
at length was violently elected from the
house, receiving numerous blows from no
gentle hand.
lie staggered to the ~neighboring forest,
and upon the hard earth passed the night.
With the first grey streak of dawn he
arose, emptied his flask and dashed it to
pieces against the trunk Of a tree. Smart
ing from his Bruises and brooding re
venge, he turned his steps towards a
cabin visible at o distance through an
opening in the trees.
1t was, a charming morning. The cool
air played through the green leaves. The
early birds commenced their songs OF
praise, and heavens blue dome echoed
with their joyous notes. Merry squirrel.
frisked gaily from branch to branch, the
cunning fox barked imprudently at the
intruder, and even the deer started from
his lair, and wildly snuffed the morning
breeze. The first light curl of rising
smoke had escaped from the chimney top
when he knocked at the door. A stout
matronly female answered the summons
He requested a knife. 1t was refused
Yielding to his opportunities, he at length
received one. Leaving the house he clos
ed the door, sharpened the instrument
and her returned. With a yell he attack