The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-11-12
The Settlers Stratagem,
BY CLINTON MONTAGUE.

BY CLINTON MONTAGUE.
Mark Stanton was one of those hardy
pioneers who, in the early settlement Of
the country, moved from the more
thickly settled seaboard and pitched his
cabin in the valley Of the Saco, far away
from the seats Of civilization. His nearest
neighbor lived at distance of two miles,
near the western border of Lovewell's
Pond. A wife and one child accompanied
him into the wilderness.
The Indians at this period we're
peculiarly troublesome Pangus indeed
was dead-the great Sycamore whose
name had been 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 annoyances.
Against these numerous depredations
the settlers had no adequate means of
defence, and if they found their fowls,
swine or cows missing they had to sub
init to the loss as best they might.
Stanton had been a victim to these dep
relations on several occasions, but had
attempted no retaliation. The chief
leaders of the savages in these plumber
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 it necessary to visit his neighbor
Drovers to obtain few supplies that
they stood in need of. So kissing his
four-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 shutdown when he set out on his
return. He hurried his step almost to a
run as he thought of the anxiety that
would be his wife's at his prolonged
absence. Yet, in his haste, he neglected
not to use both eyes and ears; for the
settler was true hunter, and had more
than once saved his life by his craft and
forest lore.
When about half the intervening dis
lance had been passed, Stanton heard a
noise that made him pause. It sounded
like the cry.of 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 at
home. The cry was one of entreaty, of
terror, too, and Stanton's heart beat
loudly at the thought of the girls danger
He guessed instinctively what had
happened. The Indians had visited his
home during his absence and accom-
plished their fell purpose. AS soon as
the first shock of horror was passed he
was nerved to action. Bending 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
lance, hurrying through the deep wood.
The Indian was tall and powerful, and
he bore the light form of the child under
his arms as though it had been mere
feathers weight. The little thing had
ceased to struggle, for one of the great
red hands was pressed hard over hel
mouth, 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 il
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
sibility that the girl might be injured,
put it was far the better course. Hurry
q ing cautiously forward until he reached
a favorable point, he raised his trusty
weapon to his shoulder. Leveling il
full at the center of the red mans head,
he took careful aim and pulled the
trigger. The next moment sharp re-
port rang through the forest
Without waiting for the smoke to clear
away, Stanton rushed forward and found
the savage just gasping in his death
struggle, while little Anne lay screaming
by his side. He soon pacifed the child,
who he found was uniniured Then he
reloaded his rifle and made hasty ex.
animation of the fallen Indian. The set
tier did not recognize him, but from his
dress and ornaments he judged that he
was warrior of some note.
Leaving him where he had fallen
L. II, L
wended his way homeward. 1t was quite
dusk when he reached there, and ht
found his wife waiting for him nearly
crazed with grief The mothers strength
returned when she saw her child. anC
after the congratulations of the hour
Mrs. Stanton toNd her story.
She had left Anne sleeping in her bed
and went out to milk the cow Whel
she returned the child was missing. Sh,
had Immediately begun a search, bu
without avail, and was fast approaching
Mysteries when her husband returned
She now urged an immediate flight tt
the settlement at the pond, and Stanton
promised to accede to her wishes as .soor
as their ripening crops were harvested
The following morning the settler wen
to the place where he had left the deat
Indian. with the intention of buryins
him; but he found that the body ha(
been carried away. There were heavy
tracks about the spot, and Stanton read
ilv coniectred that some of the warrior'
friends had effected the removal. Will
this conclusion he retraced his steps, de
termined to keep his eyes open and his
rifle ready.
The second morning afterwards a,
Mark Stanton stepped from his cabin HI
saw something lying upon the door-stone
He stopped and picked it up, and saw
that it was an arrow, with the skin of {
rattlesnake around about it. He knew
what the fatal signal meant at once. Tn,
man who left that snake bound shaft a
his door had sworn to kill him.
The settler was brave man, but this
stern, significant token affected him a:
the presence of the avenger himself
would have moi. At first he thought he