Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-08-08
KDNENs LAST wAR-PATH.

Kenen, the great War Eagle, as he was called
by his people, was an Indian, and the last liv-
ing member Of distinguished family among
the Deawares.
He was somewhat above the ordinary run Of
of sons of the forest--he was sober, honest, |
and truthful and distinguished brave, as his |
name indicates He had sided with the colo
nists in the Revolutionary War, and had rem
dercd them many good service as runner
but his lays for such work were well nigh spent.
Yet his aid was still sought when service of
that kind was required which called for more
than ordinary tact and courage.
had known and loved him from my boy
hood indeed he had taught me everything |
knew of woodcraft. had hunted and trapped
with him for months, and he had even permit
ted me to accompany him on one or two of his
less dangerous expeditions when carrying dis
patches. 1t was with him had first seen blood
drawn in mortal strife and many hot brush
did we pass through after; and was with him
on his last war-path, before be passed over in
to the land of spirits and drawer or truer
redskin never entered into the happy hunting
grounds
Kenen and / marched with General IS
army into Canada, where you better believe We
saw some service. At length the General
seemed to have picked up some news, which he
thought would he of Importance at home, and
the great War Eagle was to be the bearer of the
dispatch. ] requested and obtained leave to
accompany him.
Some idea Of our position may be formed
when the reader remembers that we were in an
enemy's country, and surrounded by crowds of
hostile Indians, who would have desired moth.
ing better in life than to smoke-dry both our
top-knots in their wiSwam.
But somehow or other liked the job, and as
for the great War Eagle, it seemed to give him
anew life. We had to grope our way, as may
say, for the Indians were thick in the forest
as musketoes in the month of August and
about as thirsty for human blood. We had
been out for two days. and were approaching
the lines, where more than usual precaution was
required, on account of the number of scouts.
At length we passed over, and were in the Uni
ted States once more.
Early in the afternoon | missed Keaen. |
had taken the lead, while he followed in my
tracks; but all at once he had disappeared.
This did not cause me any uneasness, as he had
often done the same thing before. / pushed
forward, and at night | came to deep and
rapid stream, with high, shelving banks, where
resolved to camp for the night.
l collected some dry wood, with which
lighted a fire and cooked my supper. When it
was about ready the great War Eagle made his
appearance and sat down at the fire without
word the same as if he had never been absent
from my side. | looked at his belt and there
saw fresh scalp hanging. After supper l
ventured to remark.
81 think Kenen has been on the war path"
"Uh, dog of a Mohawk"
At the same time tossing the still wet skin
and hair at my feet with the utmost contempt.
learned that he had seen the fresh trail of
the savage, and had started in pursuit, having
overtaked him, he killed and scalped him, and
returned in time TO have sumner.
After he had let me know the particulars, he
arose and scattered the fire with his foot, tel
ling me it would not do to let it burn, or we
might find ourselves minus of cur hair in the
morning. We then rolled ourselves in our
blankets and lay down to sleep.
Kenen never seemed to sleep with both eyes
shut, he seemed to change guard with them,
the one doing duty the one half and the other
the other half of the night. And it was well
for me that ii was so, for about midnight he
was started from sleep by the swapping small
twg. He listened for moment, then turning,
he awoke me, saying,
"The dogs are on our trail"
We arose and sought cover in a cump of
trees a few steps from where we had slept.
We were just in time, for minute after we saw
the forms of half-a-dozen sava es stealing up
to the spot we had just left.
"Wel make their number ] S." he whis-
pered. "You take the first and I'll take the
second.
Crack went both our rifles at once, and two
savages leaped almost their own height into the
air and fell dead, while their comrades sought
cover instantly. But we found that we were in
hornets nest, for a perfect show er of bullets
whisted past us on every side, even from the
other side OF the river
We were surroueded and it would be i'm
possible for Us to escape so we resolved to sell
piIr lives ne IgarN up cnull Wai l,oInI
our rifles and waited for another shot at them I;
but the night was dark that it was next to
impossible to see one of the mps. At length
we got another crack which sent two more on
their last journey. We found that they were
drawing their circle closer, and in short time
we would have to give them our hair. At
length Kenen spoke to me
The great War Eagle is getting very old,
and his wigwams lonely; there are none of
his family left on the earth, they have all gone
to the happy hunting grounds, and their spirits
are calling kenen TO join them, and he must go.
My young brave will take the words of the
white chief, and he will become beaver and
carry them under the water to the great chief.
As for Kenen, he is very old, he must die"
So saying. he handed me the letter which the
general had given him.
"No, father" replied, 81 will not leave YOU
in such fix and, if 1t be death, why, let it be
uedtH W OOtl. Will never lOIPet tue LOOK
of grateful admiration which he flashed upon
me with his black eyes, as he answered:
"My son is very braves he has pale face,
but he has the heart of Delaware but he
must live; the words of the white chief must
be carried to the great chief, and my young
brave must do it. AS for Kenen, he must show
these dogs of Mohawks how warrior can die u
saw there was nothing for it but to obey
for the dispatch was Of the utmost Importance,
so allowed the brave old chief to have his own
way. His plan was that | should 90 down
TO the bank of the stream, and in the shadow
of the overhanging trees to dive under the
surface, going as far down the stream as
could by this means would get good start
and there could be little danger of their over.
taking me before reached some of our out
posts.
followed his directions, | got off safely, and
delivered the letter in the proper quarter My
first impulse was to procure few comrades
and proceed to the spot where had left Kenen
We found his manged remains lying where he
had fallen. We made grave, and out of re.
spect to the old warrior, rolled him in my own
blanket, laid my rifle and hunting by his
side, so ihat'he might not go empty-handed to
the happy huntng-grounds | knew it was a