Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1883-05-31

eastern settlements. Blood shedding
became rife and the torch, tomahawk
and scalping knife commenced anew
their cruel work.
Willis, in his History of Portland, al
luding To this war, remarks OF the In
dams: This subtle and vindictive enc
my being again let loose from all re-
straint, started up from their swamps
and morasses harrassing the whole line
of our settlements, and committing
depredations upon the undefended
plantations. They
lowered about the town all summer,
seizing evrey opportunity TO plumber
property and take captives or destroy
life. The people however kept in con-
slant agitation during the season by the
repeated depredations; and the terror
was more lively, as it was caused by an
enemy who could not be confronted,
and whose secret and sudden visitations
were marked by desolation and blood. ;
One night in midsummer the few in
habitants of North Yarmouth were
aroused from their slumbers by the
glare of burning dwelling which stood
u slight distance away from the settle
ment, near the edge of the forest, and
which was occupied by family named
Greedy; rs they rushed trembling to
their doors, wild, frenzied shrieks rose
piercingly on the night air from the
scene of contlagratiOn. While those
agonlzlng cries were ringing in their
ears, terrific war-whoop shook the
air, and set thrill TO the heart of every
lister. That fearful whoop-the exult-
ing shout of demons revealed all TO
the shivering settlers. Well they know
that the dreadful deed was accomplish
ed-that vain wonld be their attempts
to succor. Still there were brave hearts
in that hamlet, and with one impulse
nearly every male inhabitant rushed
toward the burning dwelling.
They were indeed too late! BY the
light of the blazing habitation the body
of Mr.. Greedy was found, his skull cleft
in twain by the fatal tomahawk, and
his scalp gone and in close vicinity
the bodies Of his wife and young daugh-
ter hardly yet stifl'ened in death, their
CORY, scalpless heads revealing the
heart sickening merciless barbarity of
the red man!
The darkness Of the night-the uncer-
tainty of the number Of the foe,
and the deep horror which had seized
on those who gazed shuddering on the
spectacle, debarred all pur-
suit. They knew it would be vain
they knew that the swainps and the
tangled recesses Of the forest afforded a
com plete shelter TO the foe, and they re-
Trained, but as those hardy men stood
grouped around the murdered victims,
leaning on their guns, their deep breath
ings and half muttered EXPLANATIONS
told what thoughts of vengence were
stirring within them. A more mourn
full task demanded their attention.
Rude biers. were constructed for the
slain by the light of Their late happy but
now fast consuming home-ther funer-
al pyre-and slowly and silently their
corpses were conveyed to a
dwelling.
There was no more sleep in North
Y Yarmouth that night Tremblingly the
terrified wife and child chung to the
husband and father, rs he detailed the
awful scene he had witnessed, and re-
peated the VOWS of vengeance, while the
that the fate which had befallen
his neighbor might be wrought upon
his household, shock even his stout
heart with n secret dread.
The morning of the 10th OF August,
1746, rose on saddening and gloomy
scens-so late of undisturbed peace and
It's light fell on cheeks
blanched with fear-lips white and
eyes red and heavy with
and weeping-on moody
brows and troubled hcarts-on the
charred and still smoking rafters of
recently happy home. and ON the
corpse of peaceful and unof-
Tending household A sad morning
was that 10th of August in that remote
settlement
Early in the forenoon n messenger
was despatched TO Falmouth with the
tidings, and a company of
commanded by namesake and
kindred of the writer-somewha of an
Indian fighter in his day was inn
sent 10 the scene of action,
to protect the inhabitants from further
assault, and if possible, TO wreck ven
geance on the blood-thirsty foe.
At that period every settlement had
its Block House., so called-a large
building composed of huge logs, and
barricaded like garrison. Into these
in dangerous times the settlers would
for refuge; and frequently with
in these crowded quarters they were
TO remain for years-ncver
venturing out, unless with extreme eau
ton, and always taking care togo COM
pletely armed. Often during n pro-
tracted siege were the inmates of those
block houses nearly reduced TO famine,
and rarely did it happen that they were
not subjected TO the most pinching want
Little conception have we of the trials
and suffering endured by the hardy
pioneers of our towns and villages.
Having assisted the settlers in burying
she dead and in removing their few
effects TO the Block House, and after
seeing the women and children safe
within its shelter, the company from
Falmouth, reinforced by nearly the
whole settlement, secured the neighbor-
ing country in quest of the enemy.
Their search was Intellectual. The
spoiler had come, executed his bloody
purpose, and vanished, like demon of
darkness. But the avenger was on his
track!
TO BE CONTINUED.
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