The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-05-28
Traditions Of the Elders.
NO. 2.

| NO. 2.
At the Eastern entrance of Eggemoggin
Reach, and within the corporate limits of
Deer Isle, is situated Conary island. containing
| upwards of two hundred acres. 1t was first
settled about 1865, by Mr.. Conary. At this
time there was abundance of wild fruit, and
| the excellent pasturage made it a fine feeding
ground for moose and deer. Bears were also
plenty, and on the berries of various kinds fed
hundreds of partrdges. In the fresh streams
which fell into the sea and in the surrounding
waters were thousands of wild fowl of many
kinds. and mackerel, cod and halibut. Nature
had done much to make this an earthly para
disc. Here Mr.. Couary lived in luxurious idle
ness and plenty. But, alas, in this Eden the
serpent was found. Strong drink led to fire.
quent quarrels between Conary and Swunksus,
the aboriginal proprietor of the land. There
was room enough for both, and game and fruit
enough for both, but as usual the white man
wanted it all and poor old Swunkslls wanted
part.
So bitter did their quarrel become, that one
day when at N. w. Harbor, by mutual agree
ment, they parted without fight, but at their
means if possible, and any means were to be
considered fair that would enable the other to
say his foe. They shook hands and parted
Swunksus took more direct route through the
woods and having lighter canoe arrived at the
island first and concealed himself near the
landing to await the coming of Conary. Then
to cheer himself in his weary waiting he took
big drink from his rum jug, and overcome by
the potency of the liquor fell into deep sleep
which proved to be his last. Conary by this
time was returning and as he cautiously ap-
preached the shore heard a loud snoring which
he recognized as that of his hated enemy ST.
lently he landed and in the dim twilight crept to
where the Indian lay in drunken sleep. placed
the muzzle of the gun to his ear and in a mo-
ment SWunksus passed from dream land to the
happy hunting ground. A shallow grave was
dug and all that was mortal of the red man was
soon covered from sight.
But his shadow still walks the island he loved
so well. Sometimes his deep heavy snoring
may be heard in broad sunlight; often is the
solitary fisherman or the summer tourist start
led by the unearthly sounds as darkness gath
Il
all is silence.
Mitche- ka-big g-a-duce, in English every bad,
your daughter is drifted out bv the tide" Many
years ago when the French had possession of
Pentagoet, now Castine, large party of In
dians who had been visiting Father Leo Paris
the capuchin priest there, were as usual sup
to Ind
heart, scarlet cloth, iron tools, and last but
not least goodly supply of French wine and
brandy. Decked in robes of bright new cloth,
gay with wine or drunk with brandy they
were returning up the Bagaduce river to Win
neway, boisterous. happy, careless party of
good christian Indians. The sachem. old Sack
wock, (Big knife) sat in his canoe, "A drunken,
happy man, his usual prudence and foresight
entirely gone. His daughter Muck-a-wis (Whip-
poor-wiD so-called because of her melodious
voice, was with him and soon to be married
to handsome young Frenchman. Between
Brooksvile and Penobscot, at Johnson's mar
rows at half tide the navigation is very danger
Gus. Contrary to his usual custom, instead Of
waiting for the tide to slack he kept on his
managing the canoes with their usual dexter
ity. There is d ledge in the middle of the mar
rows, or perhaps it might be more properly
called falls, and into this the tide piled their
frail barks in wild confusion. Sanups, squaws,
and tender papooses were struggling in the
mad waters. A few escaped and among others
was Sackwock, saved by the devotion of his fol-
prL wi W. last ,,.tp
out by the ebb tide. Her father remained in
sensible many days, but at length rewarded the
efforts made to revive him by opening his eyes
and calling for his beautiful and much loved
daughter. They answered him Nitche-ha btq
d4ce! "Nery bad your daughter is drilted out
by the tide" The voice of Muck-a-wis may
yet be heard floating about .Johnsons narrows.
If you would hear it go there some moonlight
evening in August, and you will hear the
mourntul sounds echoing from the woods and
rocks. In the Indian tongue Micha-wis; in
English Whip-poor-wilI. Some people have
confounded the word Mitche- a-big-a-luce with
Major Bigyuduce, the name of Il Frenchman
who resided at the great eddy.
The last battle between the Mohawks and the
Tarratines was fought within the present limits
of Stockton. This was before the landing at
Plymouth. The Mohawk chief was slain, but
the Tarratines were defeated. A treaty of
peace was formed which is to continue as long
as the waters of the Penobscot river flow into
the sea. The latter We're TO pay the Mohawk-
an annual tribute of wampum and peltries for
f3it observed
many years. The Penobscot river and the
brave Tarratines We're the etfectual barriers on
the East of the cruel and man-eatng Mohawks
The latter were Il terror to all the tribes Of
Maine, who a>crihed to them supernatural
powers, believing, among other things, that
they could transform themselves into any
beast or bird at pleasure, and thus wreak ven
gence upon or escape their enemies.
HOSEA B. WARDwELL.