Richland beacon., 1880-11-20
The Settlers Stratagcm.
By CLINTON MONTAGUE,

Mark Stanton was one Of those hardy
pioneers who, in the early settlement Of
the country, moved from the more
thlckly settled seaboard and pitched his
cabin in the valley of the Saco. far away
from the seats of civilization. His nearest
nciShbor lived at a distance of two miles.
near the western border of Lovewelrs
Pond. wife and one child accompanied
him into the wilderness
Inc Indians Mt this period were
peculiarly troublesome. PanSus indeed
was dead-the great Sycamore whose
name had been a source of terror for
years, to even distant settlements: but
the remnant Of his tribe still made their
home upon the broad meadow of the
Saco and among the adjacent hills.
Unable to make any large or connected
attacks upon the invading whites the
red men contented themselves with pill
age and theft and other annovances
Against these numerous depredations
the settlers had no adc Iuate means Of
defence, and if they found their fowls.
swine or cows missing they had to sub
NIT 70 the loss as best they might.
Stanton had been a victim To these dcp-
relations Oh several occasions. but had
attempted no retaliation. The chief
leaders of the savaSes in these plunder-
ing inroads were two braves noted for
their strength and ferocity, named Mat
tampa and kalarna. On more than one
occasion these warriors had even burned
cabins and scalped the owners. and the
settler deemed himself fortunate that no
such injuries had been offered him.
One September day Mark Stanton
found 1T necessary to visit his neighbor
Drovers to obtain few supplies that
they stood In need Of So kissing his
fonr-year-old daughter, and bidding his
wife to guard carefully against any At.
tack Of the Indians, the settler took his
rifle and departed for the settlement
His STAY was protracted to later hour
than he had anticipated, and it was
nearly sundown when he set ont on his
return. He hurried his step almost to a
run as he thought of the anxiety that
would he his wife's at his prolonged
absence. Yet. in his haste, he neglected
not to use both eyes and ears; for the
settler was n true hunter, and had more
than once saved his life by his craft and
forest lore.
When about half the intervening dis.
tance had been passed, Stanton heard n
noise that made him pause 1t sounded
like the cry of a child, and it was not far
from his path. He listened in suspense
and again heard the cry repeated. This
time he recognized the voice as that of
his own child, his darling Annie. whom
he had last seen in her mothers arms ot
nome. :he cry was one of entreatv. of
terror, too, and Stanton's heart beat
loudly at the thought of the girls danger.
lie guessed instinctively what had
happened. The Indians had visited his
home during his absence and accom-.
plished their fell purpose. As soon rs
the first shock of horror was nossed be
was nerved to action. Bendinr his ear
to the ground he plainly heard the jar Of
footsteps, but he was surprised to dis
cover that there was but single savage.
Quickly, but cautiously, he crept
through the bushes, and finally he got a
glimpse of the red man, at little dis
tance. hurrying through the deep wood.
The Indian was tall and powerful, and
he bore the light form of the child under
his arms as thodgh it had been mere
feathers weight The little thing had
ceased to struggle, for one of the great
red hands was pressed hard over her
month, and she seemed nearly exhausted. !.
1t took Mark Stanton but moment
to conclude what to do. He did not
dare rush upon the savage and attempt
to beat him down, for he knew that if
the red man was alarmed before he
reached him the life of his child would
be sacrificed. On the other hand, if he
trusted to his rifle, there was bare pos
sibihty that the girl might be injured,
lat Il was far the better course. Hurry
ing cautiously forward until he reached
a favorable point. he raised his trusty
weapon to his shoulder. Leveling it
full at the center of the red mans head.
he took careful aim and pulled the
trigger. The next Inoment sharp re-
port rang through the forest.