Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-09-27

,ion. the value of Sabattus's help that be
gave II just when 1t was needed. From
such meagre account of the matter as find
In the histories, my inference is that he aud
Natanis really Joined the expedition when
near the borders OF Canada though for una.
ny days previous doubtful. perhaps, ,wheth-
er they would be received as friends or en-
emies) they had hung unseen on the skirts
Of the army and known all their move
ments. To be able to say. as have seen
implied at least, 10 = statement In one local
Journal, that Ssbattus WAS a personal al.
tendant and guide to Colonel Arnold
Through the woods Of Maine," I must
possess other and better Information.
Two athletic Indian youths, who may
have been eighteen years Of age. Joined the
Quebec expedition with the two guides.
They are mentioned In Henry's journal as
"nephews OF Natsnis," and it Is probable
thai they were Sabsttus' sons. These
young braves made themselves useful dur
ing the tedious and starving march down
the Chaudiere river, doing pioneer duty.
and going back from the supply places TO
bring forward the sick aud exhausted.
Besides his sons. Ssbattlus had several
followers who also joined Arnold's army,
and the number OF these was Increased 10
forty before reaching the parish Of st.
Marie. the Canadian Indians naturally
sympsthizing with the Americans, because
friendly to the French.
Ssbattus and his brother greatly enjoyed
their laugh at Lieutenant Archibald Steele.
the leader OF the scouting party that had
been sent 10 take them In their Desd-river
haunt. dead or alive" The first time
they met Steele In the army they intro
duced themselves aud greeted him as an
old acquaintance; aud. Of course, his as.
tonishment hugely amused them when
they told him how they had followed and
kept watch OF him all the time he and his
men were trying TO surround aud "sur-
prse' them at Point Levi, Arnold's last
rendezvous east Of the st. Lawrence, and
incident showed that, whatever right Sa-
ba titus may have earned elsewhere to be
| called "a Christian Indian" his ideas OF
war were as yet barbarian.
A false alarm spread suddenly through
the camp that 1.-The British were landing"
and Morgan and several OF his riieinen,
with Sabsttus and his indians. rushed 10
the bldff aud fired on a boats crew Of
English marines who were rowing toward
them, Just before the volley the marines
/ (~ho were simply on their way TO All old
mill amer two or three spare spars for
thrlr shipl had put their commanding Of
/ fcer ashore to look out a favorable land =
/ iug-place. The firing terrified them, and
/ they turned aud rowrd away without him.
4 The officer, young English mildly
/ plunged In TO swim after the boat; but. the
! hre continuing from the unseen enemy on
/ the bank. he turned and threw up his
I hands in token OF surrender. This move
meut. OF course silenced Norgau's rifles.
/ but Sabsttus rushed forward To take the
/ savagr's last advantage Of n helpless foe.
4 7 a hltaH h... insn
the river, scalping-knife In hand. and but
/ for the Interference OF an arm even more
| vigorous than hi, ogn the blua waters OF
/ the ST. SAwrcnce would in a moment more
! have been reddened with the young mid
shiymans blood Morgan quickly saw
| the murdeTous design OF Sabattus, and
spraug amer him. reaching the water ss
I soon as he. II was an exciting race-the
stalwart Nirginian and the stalwart Indian
brcsstlng the wave, each with All his * II
I aud might; bat the contest va, -onn over.
! Humanity proved the better swimmer and
the boy BriLou owed his lite 10 the gallant
| Southern captain.
! Seven weeks later the terrible Ssut au
Hatelot VA. fought, on whose blood
stained SNOW rose the new years sun OF
l716. In the surprise that ended that brave
struggle under the bsttlements Of Quebec
cans rear trapped them IN the pass OF
death between the storehouses and tile
city rock, Sabbattus was probably one oi
the Indians who, historians tell US,
broke away and escaped by leaping over
the Ice-blocks OF the 81. Charles.
After his return from the Canada expe-
dition do,not find that he took any par
In the Revolutionary war. lie settled Ia
Nassalborough, Me. and there, AS plain
peaceable John Sabbsttus, he seems tc
have lived through several decades, hunter
and fisherman, farmer and jobbrr, epIoyin:
TO the last ''the high esteem OF the white
people far and wide"
Personally John Sabattus, the last OF
the NorridgewocAs, T." is described as stately
and grand looking, "a tall man, over siS
feet IL height, and possessed OF yrea
strength aud power OF endurance" A
pond in Vassalborough still bears hi
name, AS also n small river-Sauatlu'
creek-running thence through the towr
of Lisbon b OstOH .idrertistr.