The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-03-26


E1cape from His Indian Csptoru.
In recent number Of the Wide
drake there is thrilling story OF a
New Hampshire lad. Daniel Abbott.
who. in 1886. when eight years II age.
was taken captive by the Indians, Civ
en- the Indian name Of Pea-ha-la and
kept prisoner for many months. One
day party Of 'braves" returned from
tour for plumber. bringing with
them. among other things. several
palrs Of skates. How Daniel used these
to outwit his captors and make his es-
cape is told AS follows:
Like lightning thought flashes
through the lads brain-but he must
be cool and calm. Pointing to the
skates with great solemnity, he cx-
claims: Behold the gifts Of the Great
Spirit. What will Ga-hau-wuk, my
father, and Snin-gas. the Powerful. do
with them? Nh Young brothers must
now serve the Great Spirit.
The Indians look II one another
they crowd around >hin-gas and Ca
hau-wuk. shake their heads and look
troubled. Pea-ha-la j. filled with a
sudden joy which he conccals he
knows now that the Indians are utter
~ ignorant Of the use II skates. With
an assumption Of greater gravity for
the pcrilous life Of the New England
settlers had made even childhood and
youth shrewd and wise beyond their
I.. nt.f.a. stEn II.
father! Shin-gas. the Powerful listen,
will tell you how. by these gifts. you
may call upon the Great Spirit who
dwells in the Southwest He touches
the skates with rcvercnt gestures as he
speaks.
LET us listen to the pale face. !"
cry the young braves. gathering
around Pca-ha-la.
Speak. my son. How shall we call
the Great Spirit?' answers Ca-hau-
wuk. CHANGING around the assembly
with look Of command
Come, then. Ca-hau-wuk. INV
father. and Shin-gas. the Powerful,
come. my young brothers! let Us 90
down To the great water. There Twill
tell YOU how 10 use these mysterious
wings in calling the Great Spirit.
cries Pea-ha-Ia. rejoicing.
The Indians look at one another:
doubt. anxiety are struggling on their
faces. But Ca-hau-wuk gives the word
Of command. and they follow Pca-ha-
In. 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. rcscrving the best and
sharpest pair for his own use. Rising
now, Pea-ha-la makes series Of wild
and solemn gestures, with his arms
extended toward the southwest Then
he whirls around in circle, bowling
toward the old chief. Then he skates
rapidly around the young brates. The
group on the shore arc 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: ITO
your feet to your feet, to your feet,
young braves. the Great Spirit calls
you! Follow me- We 90. nv father!
We 60. 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
amazcmcnt- In the midst Of their
cries and yells Daniel puts forth his ut
most strength and speed. and CRYING:
'Away! Away! Follow! Follow
he flies on like the wind. making for
bend IN the lake. small cape, behind
which he will find shelter from possible
arrows.
.Pea-ha-la. Pea-ha-lar' shouts Shin
gas. passionately
!" Pca-ha-la! Pca-ha-la-' cries Ca
hau-wuk, mournfully.
"Pca-ha-la, La-lA-la." answers echo
family.
But Daniel needs 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, arrows 90 flying. but II IL too
late. Pca-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 Pea-ha-la. all return resigned
" 10 the wigwam, where the squaws
set up a great lamcntation, a. for the
dead.
Winter Is nearly over. In his log
house mt Penacook, one Sabbath even
ing, Deacon Abbott Il reading his Bible
before evening prayers. Mother Alb
bolt and her boys are rcvcrcntly listen
ing, when suddenly there is a commo-
ton in the garrison; dogs bark, chill
drcn scream. lights are flying 10 and
fro, the sentry has sphd an Indian and
given an alarm. The Indian approaches
boldly and gives peace signal. He
says he brings news from Daniel ABB
bolt. A moment later he IL convcrsing
amicably and intclIigcntly with the
sentry. Before many minutes more
glad news flies through the garrison.
Mothes Abbott and the good deacon
open their door to listen 10 the stir
Presently figure clad In dccr-skin,
with the Indian lcggins and moccasins,
rishcs wildly toward them. 1T isl
mother. Pea-ha-la. who loves yor. Y ID
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