Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-25


towards them in the transactions Of the
whites, until their untutored minds sought
only for revenge, and the sins Of the
fathers became visited upon their children
in very truth. Let those who will gain
say il, the fact remains. that the tribes in
habitipg our fair State at the time of its
discovery. in their honesty and hospitality
were examples TO the whites and had the
latter been less avariciOus and more
christian, the bloody deeds which now
mar our early history would never have
been possible. If an unarmed stranger
came among them and asked for food
and protection be was certain to OBJ
tain it with unstirted hand. and their as
! tonishment at the crimes of white men
knew no bounds. Faithful and ardent in
their friendships, a kindness was never
oblitersted from their memories, while an
injury was alike indelibly stamped as in
letters of living fire. Daring the preva-
lence of King Philips war peaceful rela-
tions might have been retained with the
Abensquis OF western Maine, had not the
incident trsnspired upon which our story
is founded.
1t WAS the busy planting season, and
Philip Coates, who had pushed his way
to the Saco river. had put his maize in
the ground. aud prepared for the sum-
mer's work as usual, despite the tales told
OF threatened trouble with the Indians.
| The few that visited his cabin had treated
him in friendly manner, often leaving
hsh or veDison as tokens of their con-
tinued good will. II WAS a custom with
this simple people to build towers OF stone
several ieet in height on the top OF some
conspicuous hill at the conclusion OF =
war. and when these monuments were
displaced or thrown Down it came TO be
acce pted by the " hites as declaration OF
-.ihtles. At The rear OF Philips cabin
was = slightly elevated knoll, on the sum
nit OF which had bsen erected one OF
those peace piles and as it remained
nv7ylv intact. ihe youag settler stilec
MS Witr'> ieSrs rt pointing It out to heI.
Whenever the rad men came TO their
/ door Msy hat g,Sal '"em food and
water, and answered Il their questions so
kindly tbo, The settlers family were sure
OF their favor when they inet in the for
est Philip was one OF those who looked
with djsfavor upon the systematic cheat.
ing of the Indians in III way OF barter.
When be purchased their peltries he
always treated them justly. and when his
cattle strayed into the woods. it was no
unusual thing for the Indians TO drive
them back TO The salt marsh below bis
house. Had sll bis neighbors along the
coast adopted the same equitable course.
harmonious relations would never have
been interrupted.
During the planting season none Of the
Sokokis had visited them. although
Squando their sachem, lived but few
miles up the river, his lodge being at the
falls where the city OF Bidieiord now
stands. This was not regarded as en-
ominous token. as at this season the In
dians went TO Lake Sebago and its
streams to fish for trout, and were often
absent from their lodges for several
moous The day previous TO the time our
story opens, an Indian had been seen
near the pile of rocks on the summit OF
the knoll mentioned, but after cautiously
looking about had left as quietly as he
cane.
4 soop OF war had arrived the week
previous at the mouth OF the Saco. and
the sailors frequently came on shore
to purchase milk from Oates, and hunted
in their nighboring forest.
Lste one afternoon. Mary went ont
with party Of saioIs. 10 direct
them to path leading TO favora-
bic hunting ground, and ere they had
proceeded twenty yards the boy caught
his foot in the root OF tree, concealed
by leaves, and tell heailong. aud the
men triumphanLly brought him back TO
the rivers edge. The boatsgsin, man
named Brown, OF coarse and untseling
nature, acting on momeutary impulse
said TO his comrades:
Il have heard that these young devils
can swim as soon as they are born.
'SDose we try this chick and see how he
makes it iu the Nater?"
The men readily agreed to the PROPOSE
ton.
DO not i.iuro The child" cried Mary.
They are ,eugh, TO swim. 1t is not a
native qnsnD."
Bat 1 sm GOING TO be convinced ol
that" answered Brown, aad before Mary
could prevent the child was thrown vio-
lently into the water, and had not the
brave woman dashed into the current and
brought him out, he must have been
drowned.
The brutal boatswain was evidently
satisfied with the result OF his expert
meut, for be desisted from further trial
and asking Mary if he right path lay
before them, passed on into the forest
leaving her caressing and reassuring the