The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-08-22

D
pxhaled. was heard, answering 20 hyi
own voice. Not doubling ~ tle ieas.'
that IL was the Misunderstanding lying IN
wait for her. and who gave that slgna 20
Indicate the place where he was 10 be
found. Elizabeth descended for near q
hundred feet. until she gaineda htlle nat
urnl terrace. tbinlv scattered with trees
that grew IN the assures OF the rocks
which were covered by q scauty soil.
She had advanced TO the edge ofthis plat
/ form. and was gazing over the perpcndic-
ular precipice that formed its face when
a rustling among the dry leaves near her
drew her eyes in anOtherdirectl0n. MISS
Temple certainly was startled by the OBJ
ject that she then saw, but moment re-
stored her self-possession, ana she ad-
yanced firmly, and with some interest III
her manner, to the spot.
On the trunk Of a fallen oak Mohegan
was seated, with his tawny ylsage turned
towards her, and his glaring eyes hXed
on her face with an expression of Wild
ness and fire. that would have terrified a
| less resolute female. His blanket had
fallen from his shoulders, and was lying
| i'm folds around him, leaving his breast,
arms. and most of his body bare. The
medallion of Washington rcpOsed on his
chest. badge of distinction that Eliza
beth well knew he only produced on great
and solemn occasions. But the whole
appearance of the aged chief was more
| studied than common, and was in some
particulars terrific. The long black hair
was plated on his head, falling either
way so as TO expose his high forehead
and piercing eyes, without their usual
shading. In the enormous incisions of
| his ears were entwined ornaments of sill
yer, beads, and pOrcupine's quilts, mingl-
ed in rude taste, and after the Indian
! fashion.
John! how fare you, worthy JOhnY
said Elizabeth, as she approached him
you have long been a stranger in the
village. You promised me a willow bas-
ket, and 1 have had shirt of calico in
readiness for you this month past
The Indian looked steadily at her for
some time without answering, and then,
shaking his head, he replied, in his low,
cultural tones
Johns hand can make baskets no more
he wants no shirt
But if he should. he will know where
to come for it, returned Miss Temple.
Indeed, old John, feel as if you had a
natural right to order what you will from
u.s.
Daughter said the Indian, listen -
Six times ten hot summers have passed,
since John was young; tall like II pine
straight like the bullet of Hawk-eye
strong as the buffalo; spry as the cat OF
the mountain. He was strong, and a
warrior like the Young Eagle. If his
tribe wanted to track the Maquas for
many suns, the eye of Chiugacbgooh
found the print of their moccasins. II
the people feasted and were glad as they
counted the scalps of their enemies, it
was on his pole they hung
Daughter, since John was young, he
has seen the white man from FrOntinac
come down on his white brothers at Al
bany, and fight. Did they fear God? lie
has seen his English and his American
Fathers burying their tOmahawks in each
others brains, for this very land. Did
they fear God, and live inpeace? lie has
seen the land pass away from the Fire
eater, and his children, and The child OF
his child, aud a new chief set over the
country. Did they live in peace who did
this? did they fear GodY
But where is the Notwithstanding
This canister Of powder have brought al
his request; but he is nowhere to be seen.
win you take charge of it, and see it de-
liyercd?
The Indian raised his head slowly. and
looked earnestly at the gift of the hcircss,
which she put in his hand.
This is the great enemy Of my nation.
Without this, when could the white men
drive the Delawares! Daughter, the
Great Spirit gave your fathers to know
how to make guns and powder, that they
might sweep the Indians from the land"
Immense volumes of smoke Ut that mo-
ment rolled over their heads, and, whirled
in the eddies formed by the mountains.
Startled by this circumstance, Miss Tenn
pie sprung on her feet, and turning her
eyes toward the summit of the mountain,
she beheld it covered by asimilar canopy,
while roaring sound was heard in the
forest above her, like the rushing Of furi-
Gus winds.
What means it, Johmr she exclaimed ;
we are enveloped in smoke, and | feel u
heat like the glow of furnace
Before the Indian could reply, Il voice
was heard, crying i'll the woods, with
painful anxiety
John! where are you, old Mohegan
the woods are on fire, and you have but a
few minutes for escape
The chief put his hand before his
mouth, and making it play ON his lips,
produced the kind of noise that had at
tracted Elizabeth to the place, when a
quick and hurried step was heard dashing
through the dried undorbrush and bushes,
and presently Edwards rushedto MS side,
with horror painted in every feature.
1T would have been sad, indeed, to lose
Won in such manner my old frind.' said
Oliver, catching his breath for utterance.
| Il a, h., -,
late; the flames are circling round the
point of the rock below, and, unless we
can pass there, our only chance must be
off our apathy, John, for now is the time
of need
Michigan pointed towards Elizabeth
who, forgetting her danger, had shrunk
back TO projection of the rock, so soor
as she recognized the sound of Edwards
voice, and said with something like awak.
ened animation
Save her-leave John to die
'Herl whom mean your cried the
youth, turning quickly to the place the
other indicated; but when he saw Eliza
beth, bending toward him in an attitude
that powerfully spoke her terror, blended
with her reluctance to meet him in sucl
a place, the shock for moment deprived
him of speech.
Miss Templel' he cried, when he fount
words; you herel is such death re
served for your
No, no, Mono death, | hope, for any
of us, Mr.. Edwards, she replied, endeav
Oring to speak calmly, and rallying hel
thoughts for the emergency. There il
smoke, but still no fire to harm us. lie
. ia enleaVOr to retire.
Take my ARM said Edwards: 'ther,
must be an opening in some direction fo
your retreat, Are you equal to the eff