Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-05-07
W Y ON A..
BY J. b. z.

In 1900, during the early settlement
cfDover, N. H., q young physician BY
the name of Wade, walking one day in
the forest, was suddenly and unexpect.
edly confronted by an athletic Indian.
Although the whites and the red men
were at that time living In considerable
smity, the abrupt appearance Of the
savage startled the doctor not little;
and bis irst impulse was to draw pis-
tol from bis belt and shoot the intru-
der, but before he could put bis thought
into operation, the strong hand OF the
Indian was laid upon his arm, ef-
fectualIy thwsrting bis intention.
"Fear not, said the savage; "t- am
Mesandowit, the most powerful chief Of
nv tribe. have not come hither to
harm you. Follow me, and rely upon
me for protection"
Messndowit relinquished his hold
upon the young mans arm. and turned
away into the woods.
"Stayp cried Wade. "Your as
surances do not quite satisfy me. This
meeting is abrupt, and your manner so
singular, that l doubt the sincerity Of
your assertions"
The Indian chief paused, and draw
ing up his person proudly replied:
"When Messndowit gives bis word,
he will never break it. He scorns a
lie, as much as he mocks at dan
ger. Come, medicine man, come"
The doctor struck by the lofty man
ner of the chief, did not think it proper
to appear to doubt him, or to ask for
any further assurance of his good faith.
Mesandowit walked through the forest
with rapid strides, and without uttering
another word in relation to his de-
signs.
The young physician marvelling
much at the demeanor of the chief, and
wholly at q loss to form any conjec-
lures in regard to the probable termina-
tion of the adventure. following him
in silence. After travelling romantic
woodlands lying in delighted slopes,
like the undulations of the rolling
prairie lands, they reached, at length
small Indian wigwam. Mesandowit
bent his lofty figure and entered, and
the doctor followed his example.
The object of the chief was now very
apparent; upon a couch of soft skins
lay beautiful young Indian woman,
evidently the subject of some danger
GUS form OF disease. Mesandowit poin-
ted sorrowfully at the sufferer, say
ing:
al have heard that you were great
medicine man; she is i'll; cure her and
you shall have the gratitude of Mesan-
dowit."
Doctor Wade proceeded to examine
his patient; he found her the subject Of
a burning fever. While be was con-
sidering her case, and wondering at
her exceeding beauty, the chief ad-
ded:
"The wisest medicine men among
my people have exhausted their skill in
vain. l have often seen you gathering
roots and herbs; tell me what ones you
want, and they shall be obtained"
Having satisfied himself in regard to
the medicinal treatment necessary, he
proceeded to make such appliances.
and to employ such agents, as seemed,
in his opinion, best adapted to the OBJ
ject in view. He exerted himself with
such zeal. discrimination, and fidelity,
that the sufferer soon began to anne cd;
circumstance which evidently gave
Messndowit great joy, for she was his
favorite wife.
Our hero watched the process Of con-
valescence. until his patient was com.
pletely restored. AS gratifying as was
this event to the chief, he said but lit
tie in relation to it. only repeating the
words:
"Mesandowit will remember"
At the time Of which we are writing,
the little settlement at Dover had
adopted various expedients to guard
against savage incursions. Five gar.
risoned houses had been erected on the
river Cocheco, near the first Falls, as
they we're called. Two of these struc-
lures had been built on the south side,
and the remaining three on the north.
They were surrounded with walls OF
heavy timber, and the gates well
secured by appropriate devices. Into
these garrisoned edi6ces, all the neigh
boring families were in the habit of re-
firing, nightly, when the gates being
closed and fastened, considering them.
selves free from danger. The friendly
demeanor of the Indians finally had the
effect to render the settlers less vigilant,
and, strange as it may appear, after
having taken the precautions we have
named. no guard was set to give the
alarm. in case Of invasion.
Their red neighbors came to the set
tlement to trade as usual; but close
observer might have remarked the fact
that they scrutinized the garrsoned
houses. and the little village, in a man
ner calculated to awaken suspicion in
reference to their intentions.
Major Waldron, who was the princi-
pal man among the whites, and had
much experience in Indian warfare, did
not trouble himself about these minor
mstters, as be considered them, and
when gently admonished that the sava-
ges had mischieyous designs, good ma
tpredly replied;
"Go and plant your corn. ! will
tell you when there is danger"
l. 49,