Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1865-05-24

the captain.
To his great surprise, however, one of
the men in the boat stood up and ex-
claimed:
"You Englees ?"
Americans but we speak the English
language" replied the captain.
He then went on to inform the native
spokeman and interpreter of the misfor-
tunes that had befallen his vessel and
crew, and begged that he and his friends
would come and rescue them from their
awful situation, assuring him that all
they had should be given as reward,
and promising more whenever he and his
men should be put on board European
vessel
This the interpreter made known to the
natives, and consultation was held
among them, lasting several minutes. At
last the interpreter in imperfect English,
replied to the effect, that if the crew
would lay down their arms on the beach
and go away from them, so that the ma
tives could come and get them, they would
afterward do what they could for the
white men. AS our friends had no alter
native but to starve where they were,
J should they refuse to comply with the
proposition, they finally at once agreed to
: it, and the natives accordingly came on
shore,
) The moment, however, they found them
, selves in possession of the arms of the
crew, they became very bold and insolent
and soon began to abuse the poor marin
t ers-striking them, kicking them, anc
pricking them with their spears. Ther
they began to rob them of whatever arti
cles they could find on their persons, anC
' even to strip them Of their clothing--th,
poor fellows, feeling themselves perfectly
s helpless and at their mercy bearing thi
treatment in angry silence.
e The captain at length made one human
appeal to the interpreter, reminding hin
-. Of his promise but lie now, as treacher
Gus as any Of his friends, only uttered
mocking laugh, and turned away with
look of contempt.
At last the natives drew together for
consultation. and it was believed by th
:, seamen they were about to decide whethe
y to massacre them where they were or carr
them Of prisoners for fate that Nigh
= be even worse.
= Matters had reached such desperat
g crisis, that they felt they would like t
6 attack the whole body Of scoundrel
. and die, if die they must, like heroes, d.
Tending their lives and taking vengeanc
~ on their prosecutors.
AS yet they were free-the natives ha
not considered them of sufficient impol
. tance to secure them with bonds-migf
they not make one powerful effort for iii
erty? AS if with one thought, and or
- purpose, they all looked toward the boa
which was nearer to them than their fot
- and partly drawn up on the beach, wit
9 g only one man guarding it. The"paddlt
: we're all there, and, what was still bette
their own arms, which the natives had +;
once placed in it for greater securit,
Could they not reach it, seize their arm
make desperate fight, and perhaps cal
'" ture it and put off to sea, thus cbangir
o places with their foes It seemed wort
y the trial-such an opportunity migl
" never again present itself--another m
. ment and it might be too late.
;, With quick. eager glance, the captai
~ surveyed the whole scene and took in q
~ the chances.
ID MEN, "he said in low, hurried, thri
ling tone, "let us seize that boat, regai
~ our arms, and strike for our lives Quic
follow me p
With one loud, fierce simultaneous "
'd that startled the natives and struck terr
d. to their hearts, the men bounded down
nc the beach. In less than minute tn
" he'd struck the guard to the earth, seiz
IL their arms. and had pushed the lig
W craft aAoat, and now were 10 it and on t
" water.
WI The natives, almost paralyzcd at fir
en- now came running toward them. wi
'r' yells Of rage, discharging shower
ar arrows, two of which reached their inte
're ded mark. and slightly wounded two oft