Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-04-02
A PAIR OF SKATES

A PAIR OF SKATES.
How They Helped q Young Prisoner to
Escape from His Indian Captors.
In a recent number of the Wide
Awoke there is a thrilling story of a
New Hampshire lad, Daniel Abbott,
who, in 17s6, when eight years of age,
was taken captive by the Indians, Civ
en'the Indian name of Pea-hala and
kept a prisoner for many months. One
day a party of braves returned from
a tour for plumber, bringing with
them, among other things, several
pairs of skates. How Daniel used these
to outwit his captors and make his es-
cape is told as follows:
Like lightning a thought flashes
through the lads brain-but he must
be cool and calm. Pointing to the
skates with great solemnity, he ex-
claims: "Behold the gifts of the Great
Spirit! What will Ca-hau-wuk, my
father, and Shin-gas, the Powerful, do
with them? Ny young: brothers must
now serve the Great Spirit" ~.
The Indians look at one another;
they crowd around Shin-gas and Ca
hau-wuk, shake their heads and look
troubled. Pea-ha-la is filled with a
sudden Joy which he ~conceals: he
knows now that the Indians are utter
~ ignorant of the use of skates. With
an assumption of greater gravity-for
the perilous life of the New England
settlers had made even childhood and
youth shrewd and wise beyond their
years-he cries: "~Ca-hau-Wuk, my
father! Shin-gas, the Powerful! listen!
l will tell you how, by these gifts, you
may call upon the Great Spirit who
dwells in the Southwest" He touches
the skates with reverent gestures as he
speaks.
'.Let us listen to the pale %face,'"
CRY the young braves, gathering
around Pea-ha-la.
"Speak, my son. How shall we call
the Great Spirit?" Ca-hau-
wuk, glancing around the assembly
with a look of command.
"Come, then. Ca-hau-wuk, nv
father, and Shin-gas, the Powerful!
come, my young brothers! let us 90
down to the great water. There l will
tell you how to use these mysterious
wings in calling the Great Spirit"
cries P%ea-ha-la, rejoicing.
The Indians look at n another;
doubt, anxiety are struggling on their
faces. But Ca-hau-wuk gives the word
of command, and they follow Pea-ha-
la, bearing the ''mysterious Wings to
the lake.
Bidding four of the young braves sit
upon the ice, for the lake was well
frozen, the pale face binds the skates
on their feet, rescrving the best and
sharpest pair for his own use. Rising
now, Pea-ha-la makes Il series of wild
and solemn gestures, with his arms
extended toward the southwest. Then
he whirls around in a circle, bowling
toward the old chief. Then he skates
rapidly around the young braves. The
group On the shore are watching
gravely and in silence these mysterious
gyrations. Wider and wider grow
Pea-ha-la's circles, till suddenly, flying
swiftly toward them, he shouts: .'To
your feet! to your feet! to your feet,
young braves! the Great Spirit calls
you! Follow me! We go, my father!
We go, Shin-gas the Powerful! Away!
Away!"
In great confusion and swift alarm
the young braves try to rise; they fall
and stumble one against another in
alright. The old chiefs look on in
amazement. In the midst of their
cries and yel]s Daniel puts forth his ut
most strength and speed, and crying:
away! Away! Follow! Follow!'
he flies on like the wind, making for a
bend in the lake, a small cape, behind
which he will find shelter from possible
arrows.
"Pea-ha-la! Pea-ha-la!" shouts Shin
gas, passionately.
"Pea-ha-la! Pea-ha-la!" cries Ca
hau-wuk, mournfully.
"Pea-ha-la, La-la-la," answers echo
family.
But Daniel heeds not. Still calling:
"Away! Away! Follow! Follow?'
every nerve is strained to reach the
small cape; then away he speeds to the
clear ice beyond.
The young braves on shore level their
bows, o go flying, but 1t is too
late. Pea-ha-la is gone. 1.-THE Great
Spirit has sent for him." say the old
chiefs, %mournfully; and though the
young braves doubt somewhat the in
tegrity Of P~ea-ha-la, all return resigned
ly to the wigWAm, where the squaws
set up a great lamentation, as for the
dead.
Winter is nearly over. In his log
house at P~enacook, one Sabbath even
ing, Deacon Abbott is reading his Bible
before evening prayers. Mother Abb
bolt and her boys are reverently listen
ing, when suddenly there is a commo-
zion in the garrison; dogs bark, chill
drcn scream, lights are flying to and
fro, the sentry has spied an Indian and
given an alarm. The Indian approaches
boldly and gives a peace signal. He
says he brings news from Daniel Abb
bott. Amoment later he is conversing
amicably and intelligently with the
sentry. Before many minutes more
glad news flies through the garrison.
Mother Abbott and the good deacon
open their door to listen to the STIR.
Presently a figure clad in deer-skin,
with the Indian leggins and moccasins,