The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-04-02
a PAIR OF SKATES.

a PAIR OF SKATES.
How They Helped Young Prisoner to
Escape from His Indian Captors.
In recent number of the Vide /
ascake there is thrilling story of t
New Hampshire lad, Daniel Abbott, t
who, in 1876, when eight years of 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 plunder, bringing with
them, among other things, several
pairs of skates. How Daniel used these
to outwit his eaptors 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 themP My 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
sudden joy which he concealsi he
knows now that the Indians are utter
ly ignorant of the use of skates. With
an assumption of greater gravity--for
the perlous 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!
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.
s'Let us listen to the pale face, "
cry the young braves, gathering
around Pea-ha-la.
ssSpeak, my son. How shall we call
, wuk, glancing around the assembly
with a look of command.
"Come, then, Ca-hau-wuk, my
, father, and Shin-gas, the Powerful
5 come, my young brothers! let us go
down to the great water. There Twill
tell you how to use these mysterious
wings in calling the Great Spirit, :"
cries Pea-ha-la, rejoicing.
q doubt, anxiety are struggling on their
faces. But Ca-hau-wuk gives the word
n of command, and they follow Pea-ha-
r la, bearing the mysterious wings to
Il the lake.
:, Bidding four of the young braves sit
- upon the ice, for the lake was well
y frozen, the pale face binds the skates
y on their feet, reserving the best ano
1t sharpest pair for his own use. Rising
IS now, Pea-ha-la makes series of wile
i and solemn gestures, with his arm
extended toward the. southwest. Thei
: he whirls around in circle, bowins
I. toward the old chief. Then he skate
n rapidly around the young braves. Th
ID group on the shore are watchin.
e. gravely and in silence these mysteriou
ye gyrations. Wider and wider groy
IL Pea-ha-la's circles, till suddenly, flyin
b. swiftly toward them, he shouts: ''T
IS your feet! to your feet! to your feet
I'D Young braves! the Great Spirit call
n you Follow me! We go, my father
r. We 90, Shin-gas the Powerful! AVA,
a Away!'
U.s. In great confusion and swift alarl
* the young braves try to rise; they fla
of and stumble one against another
ST. alright. The old chiefs look on
it. amazement. In the midst of the
of cries and yells Daniel puts forth his Il
tut most strength and speed, and cryin
sh Away! Away! Follow! Follow
De- he flies on like the wind, making for
en bend in the lake, small cape, behii
nd which he will find shelter from possit
of arrows.
Did "Pea-ha-la! Pea-ha-la!' shouts Shi
vas gas, passionately.
all sPea-ha-la! Pea-ha-lar' cries c
ed, hau-wuk, mournfully.
ter "Pea-ha-la, La-la-la," answers &c
MS family.
His But Daniel heeds not. Still callir
hat nat "Away! Away! Follow! Follow
ms every nerve is strained to reach
red small cape; then away he speeds to
De clear ice beyond.
ons The young braves on shore level th
ow bows, arrows go flying, but it is
hat late. Pea-ha-la is gone. "The CIR
Spirit has sent for him." say the
ind chiefs, mournfully; and though
ysi- Young braves doubt somewhat the
OBJ teorifv of Pea-ha-la. all return resign
Ver' ly to the wigwam, where the squf
TO set up great lamentation, as for
oses dead.
w lHuoI 10 HOttii ofCl. III mo
pom house at Penacook, one Sabbath ev
un- ing, Deacon Abbott is reading his b
ions hafora eyanino nrayers Mother
NOD bott and her boys are reverently list
an ana ing, when suddenly there is COM
Inc ton in the garrison; dogs bark, C
lrm' dren scream, lights are flying to
en- fro, the sentry has spied an Indian
King eiyen an alarm. The Indian approas
lere. boldly and gives a peace signal.
not says he brings news from Daniel
s 10 bott. Amoment later he is conver
on amicably and intelligently with
an sentry. Before many minutes II
; be- glad news flies through the garriso
par Mother Abbott and the good dea
open their door to listen to the
= Presently a figure clad in deer-s
ore with the Indian leggins and mocca
msr- rushes wildly toward them. ''lt