Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-10-05

luN i'sANNA ~ ~" 'N'DNN'
keep sharp look out souhward. Look
20 our hints, and be in readiness for the
attack"
"IIis:w cried the girl "Do no: ring
the bell, for by that token they will be
advised that you are aware OF their in
tenlions. You have not moment to
lose. They have made detour around
the colony, carrying their canoes, aud
will launch them on the river league
above the falls. A warrior has been sent
in advance, on account of the mist,
which might endanger their landing, as
they do not know whether or not you are
expecting an attack, aud he il was who
startled your picket. Tonight, at eleven
O'Clock, he will light beacon on the
ledge just above the falls, to warn the
others of its proximity, when they will
land and come directly here. You must
capture the sentinel as quickly as possible
and then endeavor to ambush them above
the falls; aud you had better proceed At
once
WHO is this girl?" asked Herman
Ashley, land who will guarantee that
she is not deceivug US, and endeavoriug
10 lead us into trap?"
Il will" said Egbert. rising proudly.
Had not such rascals as you robbed
the red mans c5rnfeds we should not
now be beseiged."
ut is no time for such passages, Or
tor unkind remarks" said old Peter. We
will proceed to the falls at once-those
WHO desire to remain behind can do 50.
Who will go?"
Every man rose and graspei his mus
ket. with the exception OF Ashley and
Graves very men who had outraged
their Indian neish5ors. They inslIy
sulleny le'l into line, and all proceeded
steallhiiy towards the falls. Esbert was
chosen to effect the clptIre OF the
sentinel Stationed on the ledge 1t was
nearly hali.pas, ten when they reached
the cataract, and whatever was accom-.
plished must bs done quick'r. As the
hour for lighting the beacon wAs rapidly
approaching the roar Of the iall
deatened the sound Of their footsteps.
and the damp mist completely concealed
their forms. Slowly, and with eStrems
caution, Esbert climbed through Tue
stunted frs, and had nearly reached the
ledge, when his foot dislodged Il loose
rock and it rolled rafting down tie
steep path. The Indian rose from the
pile OF bark and twgs he had gathered
and uttered low exclamation. Egbert
slipped behind tree. and remained
with bated breath for several minutes.
The sentinel came out and listened in
tently, with his ear 10 the ground, but
hearing nothing further shortly returned
to bis work, concluding that the damp
atmosphere had loosened the rock whose
downward flight had attracted his atten.
tion.
Cautiously Egbert stole out OF the
darkness and mist and with moccaslns
removed crept towards the savage.
When within few feet OF him he made
tremendous leap, and striking t he ln'
dian fairly in the back with his feet, sent
him reeling over the verge OF the ledge
into the whiring pool beneath. one
piercing cry went up from the terrible
abyss, drowned By the boom OF the
rushing waters. and then all was. s.stllI
The manoeuvre had been adroitly
planned and admirably executed. The
sentinel was dead
Fifteen minutes later the preparations
which had been made by the red man.
were transferred by the whites to point
some distance below the falls, the match
applied, and a lurid flame OF light shot
upward in the misty night, which signal
was answered by g whoop above the
falls. On the ledge above the cataract
stood the little band Of settlers. awaiting
in silence the result oil their stratagem,
The fog had lifted a little. and he river
was plainly visible for thirty yards
above and below, The canoes OF the
Indians, deceived by the false beacon
were drawn into the swift current, AND
came rapidly on towards their late ! one
Indian arose bol. upright in his canoe
and taking in the situation at glance
commenced the werd death song OF the
Abenaquis. The next instant he had
taken the fatal death plunge. aud sank to
rise no more.
Il was fearful sight. even tn the
hardy pioneers who witnessed the de-
structon of their enemies, but tempered
by the knowledge that, but Tor timely
warning and prompt action, the toma-
hawk and arrow would have laid waste
their hearths In the valley below.
OF the braves who were decoyed over
the tall.-more than two hundred in
uumber.-a mere handful escaped death,
and fled To the SOAOkis and Cani5as, or
IN n,ber branches OF their tribe farther up
the Androscoggin. The story OF their
disaster for long time rendered the
s.t,l.m, nt a safe retreat Tor others who
were beseiged upon the Kennebec and
the coast, but years later was abandoned
during the general war which ensued
,brouohout the colonies, the effects OF