Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-01-28
A Skating Story of One Hundred Years
Ago.

A Skating Story of One Hundred Years
Story of skating? It's 50 long since /
put on a pair of skates that l should be rs
awkward as a bear on ice. And nothing
ever happened TO me to make story out
of-except being scared off field of ice
near the woods once, by screech owl in
the pines. 1t was almost dark, and we
had never heard such an unearthly scream
before. It's wildcat" shouted one of
the boys; and by the way in which we
scud for home you would have thought
it was race for the village champion
ship.
Did you ever hear how the hunter who
was taken prisoner by the Indians, showed
them how to skate? Mop Then it's lust
as good as new.
1t was one hundred years ago in the old
pioneer days. Away up at the northern
end of the great lakes bold hunter and
trapper made his camp. He hunted for
sport in the summer, and trapped for
fur in the fall and winter. He knew
every river and creek, every hill and
valley in the great woods, better than you
know the streets of the town; and he had
studied the cunning ways and bright
tricks of the beaver, Otter, mink and marten
until he knew just where and how to set
his traps for them. He bought good
many skins of the friendly Indians who
lived near; and early every year he would
take big load of them 10 the nearest
trading post to sell,-bringing back pow
der and lead, with tea, sugar and other
good things for his table. The hunters
life isn't half so fine rs the story books
make it; but old Thomas Judson-for that
was his name-eDjoyed it better than any
other.
In the winter he had to wear snow shoes
in going through the woods to visit his
traps; and one year he brought back pair
of skates, that he thought would be handy
when the ice was clear. And very handy
he found them at such times, for he could
skate dozen miles as easy rs he could
walk two, and the pack on his back never
seemed SO light rs when he had his steel
shoes on and could skim along the CLASSY
surface of the lake or river.
One very cold, clear day, when the ice
was good, he went to visit some mink
traps, almost twenty miles north of his
cabin. He skated to near the spot, along
the shore Of the lake, and then took off his
skates and put on his shoes to travel over
the deep snow 8; mile or two into the
woods. lie knew that an Indian tribe
from Canada had come down to make war
on those who lived near him. but never
thought they would trouble him.
All at once his good dog Bruno, that
hnI Il
stopped, shifted the air, brstled up angrily
and began to growl; and before Thomas
could carry his rifle to his shoulder he was
surrounded by Il dozen bowling Indians
who sprang from their hiding place in the
thicket, brandishing their tomahawks and
yelling like mad
The old man was brave, but he wasn't !,
fool; and instead of showing fight against
such odds he laid down his rifle and folded
his arms. He could talk but little Indian,
and they could speak even less English !;
bnt by signs and motions he made out to
let them know that he wasn't on the war
path but after furs. The Indians threat
ened no harm, when they found him peace
full, but were much interested in his arms
and dress, for they hadn't at that time
seen many white men. The snow shoes
they understood all about, for you know
puzzled them.
A funny thought seemed to occur to the
hunter, us he saw their curiosity, for his
grey eye twinkled merrily. "Ice moe
casin.' he said, putting skate to his
foot, and then he made with his hands the
gliding motion that the feet take in skat-
ing.
"Ugh!" Grunted the Indian chief point
ing to the narrow blade of the skate. and
shaking his head AS plainly rs looks
could do it he made the hunter understand
that he wasn't so green as to believe that
any body could stand up on those things.
AS they were near the ice, Thomas pro-
posed to fasten them on II young brave for
II trial
The Indians welcomed the plan with
glee, for though savages. they were lovers
of sport. Selecting the bravest and swift
est young fellow. the chief bade him stick
out his feet, which he did rather suspi-
clously. The skates were soon strapped
on, and the young buck helped to his feet
The ice was like glass, and as he started
to move you know what happened; his
feet flew out from under him, and down he
came with crack! Such shouts of laughter
AS the rest sent up! The young fellow was
gritty, and scrambled up 10 try it again,
but with the same result.
I The chief now signalled to the hunter
to show them how the things worked
Thomas fastened ON the skates with great
care, picked up his rife and used it us a
cane pretending TO support himself. IIe
moved about awkwardly. fell down, got
up and stumbled around, the Indians all
the time laughing and capering at the
sport. Gradually Thomas stumbled =
little farther away, whirling about, and
making believe it was very hard work tc
keep his balance, until he was near the
point where the smooth lake ice stretched
miles and miles away.
Suddenly gathering himself up he grasp
ed his rifle firmly. gave IL wurwhoop II.
wild as the Indians own, and dashed uI
the lake like an arrow. skating as he lat
never sksted before. If he had disappcart
in the air the Indians couldn't have beer
more aslonished. OF course they couldn'
hope to catch him, over the CLASSY ice, an,
they stood gaping after him, wondering