Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-07-01
THE SMUsGLER'S LAST VENTURE.
A True Story Of Lake MemphremagOg.
By JOHN ROSS DIX.

III NtTiHOiLs WbiiS ltS Ho4bnOih h"NOAS
stretch away into Eastern Canada, the
dividing Province line crossing il thirteen
miles from its " head" as it is termed, at
Newport. Until within the last few
years this charming sheet of water, dot
ted with islands, fringed with verduous
foliage, and bounded by mountains, has
been comparatively unknown to the
tourist community-but now it has be-
come favorite place of summer resort,
and a beautiful little steamer, the
" Mountain Maid" plies daily through its
entire length and back, affording travel
ers an opportunity of beholding noun
tain and lake scenery in perfection. A
days ride from Boston suffices for the
Journey to its shores, and the artist, the
angler, or the mere pleasure-seeker may
find ample means of enjoyment, on the
waters of what the Indians termed New
plow-bon-que-which being interpreted,
means beautiful expanse of water.
Lake Memphremagog, like most other
localities of the kind, abounds in tradi-
tion and legend, some having Indians and
some white men for their heroes. OF the
former was much struck with one in
which young brave" of the Nara
gansetts figured. Years ago, at Magog,
the outlet of the lake, was a village be-
longing to this tribe. A young ed-skin
had committed some crime which was
punishable with death, and doomed to
torture. One favor was all he asked it
was that he might be permitted to visit
his aged father, who dwelt in a far dis
tant region, he, on his part promising to
return in three moons from that day, to
deliver himself up to the offended justice
of his tribe. The request was granted,
and the young Indian departed. Days
and weeks parted, and at length arrived
the day of sacrifice. The chiefs met at
the appointed hour, and punctually at the
time appointed the young red-skin stalked
quietly into the circle. He had kept his
word. 1t would be pleasant to record
that he was pardoned, but the laws of
Draco were not more sanguinary than
the Indian Code, and he fell a willing
victim to its requirement.
But my present story relates to one of
later period, and different race. The
principal actor in the scene shall de-
scribe, was white man and smuggler,
and The time of action was in the year
1912.
In that year, as every schoolboy is
aware, occurred the last war with Eng
land, and of course large bodies of soldiers
were stationedDn the frontiers of the Uni
ted States and Canada. As l before in
timated, the dividing line between the RI
val powers crossed the lake about its
southern third, running through an island,
now known as Province Island. Near
the latter are several other verdant spots
separated, but not far from the main land
each of them named after some natural
peculiarity; or from some event which
had occurred in connection with it. Oh
this latter class is SINNERS Island, which
Is situated near the eastern shore imme-
diately opposite the Great Owls Head
MOuntainsa singular conical-shaped emi.
nence which rises boldly from the lake
to height of nearly three thousand feet
its bold, craggy top forming distinguish.
ing feature in the lake and landscape.
At the troubled period to which refer.
ence has been made, smuggling from Yer
mont into Canada, and Uice uerSa, wa:
carried on to an enormous extent. desDite
all the vigilance which was exercised by
both the belligerent parties. The Yam.
KEGS in their swift boats conveyed to the
British troops tobacco and various Other
articles, for which they received in ex
change any tradeable article whatever
Canada whisky especially, for there wa
no Maine law in those days, and the feal
of Neal Dow was before the eyes of none
1t was, obviously, to the interest of th.
armies on both sides of the line to pu
down this illicit traffic for more reasons
than one. Among them, the fact tha
smugglers were likely enough to be spies
was fully recognized. Vigorous meas
ures were accordingly taken, and before
many months had expired, the lake wa!
all but cleared of those enterprising gen
tlemen, who under the cover of darkness
carried on brisk but hazardous business
All bit cleared,-for one bold buccan
eer of the lake, Uriah Skinner by name
dehed all attempts to capture him. Thil
Skinner was now left alone in his glory