The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-10-17
Suiecellameous.
The Handsome SQadaO.
AN INDIAN STORY.


One Of the most daring chieitains of whom
we remember of having read, was an Algonquin
or Adirondack. This trbn OF Indians, at the
tine of the first settlement of Canada, were
| found upon the banks OF the st. Law
They were once warlAe and powerful pco.
Pile; but were finally conquered by the Iroquoia
or Five Nations, with whom they were contin-
ually at war.
The Trois Riviere OF Three Rivers was the
scene of most signal defeat, from which the
AlgonQuins never recovered.
The cheftain TO whom have alluded
whose name was Paskaret could never forget
the stain which the victories of the Iroquois
had left upon his people, and with four of his
boldest warriors devoted himself to what he
considered the sacred duty of wipng the stain
from the national honor.
"We will become" said Paskaret, addressing
his four warriors, "the avengers of our race
We will learn the Iroquois to tremble at the
mention Of our names. We will perform such
deeds of prowess as shall add new glory to the
nation of the Algonquins, and cause other tribes
to forget the past, and cease to hold us in deri-
sion. Our numbers are few, and you seem
ready to ask, How can we do all thisY My
friends, much can be accomplished by individ-
ua.s as well as by great and conquering armies.
Cunning and daring may sometimes effect more
than numbers. The good warrior may lay
many plans to entrap the enemy, and so will
We; and the Iroquois shall soon learn to fear
US. We will meet them in unexpected places,
and slay their best warriors when they are
apparently resting in safety in sight of the
smoke of their own lodges"
"What shall be done, great chieftan? ?" asked
one of the avengers of the Adirondacks. "The
Iroquos are numerous people, and we are
still smarting under the terrible wounds which
our honor received at the memorable battle of
Trois Riviere."
"When you speak of Trois Rivere, you cause
my cheeks to burn with shame" replied Paska-
ret, shaking his long and quvcring finger to-
wards the country of the Five Nations. "It is
the memory Of the Trois Riviere that is turning
my hair gray, and writing wrinkles upon my
brow. Brother avengers, you have asked what
we shall do, being only five in all only one to
each of the nations Of our enemies. | will tell
you one plan which have thoughtof by which
to punish the Iroquois. l have learned by one
of my spies that five canoes have gone up the
Three Rivers, and will probably return in a
few days and pass over the same spot where we
were defeated. Each Of the canoes contained
ten of our enemies. Now | will reveal to you
a way in which we can destroy them ALL
There are five of us--one warrior to each canoe.
Let us provide ourselves with muskets-three
for each man, and ammunition in abundance.
Three muskets to each warrior, in our hands,
will count the same as fifteen armed in the Or
dinary manner.
"But avengers, this is not all | have another
important matter to make known. l have dis
covered that by loading a musket with two
balls, connected by chain ten inches in length,
birchen canoe can be cut to pieces in a mo-
ment. Look at this piece of birch bark;
brought it hither on purpose to show you. You
see that it is cut nearly into two pieces. 1t was
done by single discharge from a musket,
loaded with two balls chained together. AL
canoe, loaded with our enemies"
An exutant shout arose from the avengers of
the Adirondacks. The chief went on.
"Now you perceive the benefit of a little head
work, and the advantage this contrivance will
give US over the Five Nations, when we meet
them at any odds, in point of numbers. With
fifteen muskets, loaded in this manner, we shall
L ~ To- - -. hat
now up the Trois Riviere."
Again the four avengers shouted with wild
joy. The Algonquins commenced acting upon
their plans at once. Paskaret exerted himself
to procure muskets of the largest calibre and Of
the most approved make. He sold his fayorite
horse and many things most highly esteemed
| to provide the necessary outfit for himself and
| companions.
| Ali was at length in readiness. The muskets
were obtained and loaded with two balls each
and in manner highly satisfactory to Paskaret
The avengers stepped into canoe Of large
dimensions, and in excellent spirits padded
| away up the Trois Riviere. day and night
passed and the avengers saw nothing of their
enemies.
Early in the morning they found themselves
near the spot where the fatal battle had been
fought which had broken the pride of the AL
gonquns and made the Iroquois lords of the
country.
The avengers rested on their paddles and
looked scowlingly on the scene of the conflict
which still presented evidence that battle had
been fought there.
"This is the spot where the Algonquins suf-
fered everlasting shame, said one of the aveng
ers, in low voice.
"Do not speak of it," replied Paskaret, in
husky tones. at covers me with confusion
But who knows" he added, vehemently, his
eyes flashing fire, "but we may wash out the
disgrace upon this very spot and win eternal
renown?"
The words of the daring chieftain seemed
prophetic. Before the echoes of his voice had
ceased, five canoes, containing in all fifty Iro
quois, swept into sight by turning an abrup
bend in the river.
"Imitate me-" said Paskaret, in low voice
"and don't fire till give the word y and the
willy chief commenced singing his death song
as though he had resigned himself to inevitable
death. His warriors Immediately followed hii
example, suffering the Iroquois to approach
without making a single effort to escape.
On swept the five canoes with loud and hor
rible shouts of savage exultation. They beheld
some of their most inveterate enemies before
them, without the power to escape or defent
themselves; and what was most gratifying o
all, they recognized the proud figure of Paska
ret, the bravest of all the Algonquin braves.