The National tribune., 1888-04-26

eu occurred:
DELIvERANcE OF AGAwAM 1888.
Tell me the story, for like TO know
OF things that happened SO long ago.
Or fact, or legend. whichever It be,
OF deepest interest twill be to me.
These olden towns in provincial days
Have much in their history for US to praise.
We stood together, my friend and I,
Meath the clear blue arch of Summer sky.
Before us, the sound the bar, the bay
Bathed in beautiful sunlight lay.
Behind us the hill sIoped gently down
To the very streets Of Ipswich town.
And seeking the shade Of an apple tree,
This is the tale he told to
Here in this valley my fathers dwelt
When the red mans power feared and felt.
Here meath the church the mansion stands,
And away to the left are the fertile lands.
And down the river, that island green,
With its fields of grass and maize between,
Where you see the barn, with its moss grown side,
Just i'll range with the channels tide,
There's where it happened, you first must know,
Just fourth OF thousand years ago.
One night where the sun was seeking rest
Away Ger the hills in the glowing west,
An Indian runner, worn and poor,
Sought good man Perkins open door,
And told him a tale that made him fear
For the lives of those lac loved so dear.
There are forty canoes, he said, at least,
On their way from the distant east,
Filled with the warlike Torrentines,
Whose names are blent with cruel scenes.
They'll come with weapons in their hands
To desolate your fertile lands,
with purpose strong to drive you from
Your quiet homes in Agawam.
In the morn, he said. the second day
Down in the creek they'll hide away,
And the Chiefs will come to your roof-tree's shade
With cunning words Of peace and trade,
With smiling mien. but with hearts as chill
As wintry winds that sweep this hill
/ bid my pale-faeed brothers heed
The warning that I've brought with speed.
I The warrior was offered wine and meat,
And place to rest his weary feet
But he turned away with naughty unien
Out into the forest dark and green.
.
Out of the skies the stars looked down
| But dimly DER the sleeping town,
| The gathered miss were thick and chill
| Where flows the river swift and still.
Unheeding the toll Of the previous day,
| With never fear of the devious way,
/ Over the meadows and rnarshy lands,
| Over the creeks aud over the sands,
| Straight on the course young Perkins kept,
| To the halls where Governor Winthrop slept,
| And waking that sturdy pioneer,
| Told him the tale of dread and fear.
Awhile the Governor spoke no word,
/ AS if the story had been unheard;
Then. I,neeling down beside his bed,
| Meekly and lowly bowed his head,
And up 10 heaven a prayer he sent
| To God to spare the settlement.
For well he knew no human arm
Could shield it from impending harm.
An hour passed on, and yet the air
Was laden with that earnest prayer,
Such prayer as human lips express
! Only in times OF deep distress.
He closed at last, assured sustained
By aid Divine he had obtained.
Then to Perkins in a quiet way,
He said, stay here ill The break Of day;
Then all that can bear arms turn out,
And have them placed in groups about;
Some on the hills, and on the sands,
And some along the meadow lands.
And when the savages appear,
Show not the slightest sign OF fear;
But tell them in your toughest mood,
Their object here is underotood
That if they dare approach the town.
The whites will shoot their warriors down.
And when they We passed beyond your sight,
Beat the drum with all your might;
Discharge your musl,et toward the skies,
And have the others do likewise.
And let the forest aisles awake
TO widest tumult you can make.
Pursue this plan that have laid.
All will be wells be not afraid
The following morn young Perkins went
To every house in the settlement
And broke the news by gentle means,
OF the invading Torrentnes
f Scarcely twenty men there were all told,
And most of them worn and old;
The young men having left the shore
IN quest of fish for Winter store
Yet with unfagging zeal he wrought,
/; Inspired by faith from Winthrop caught,
) Till all was done as was arranged,
Without an item being changed,
And night shut dimly, darkly down
Upon the helpless infant town.
Next morn the sun came bursting through
The limpid waters deep and blue,
g And all the wooded valleys rang
d With sweetest songs that birds eer sang.
I The silvery river flowed serene
> Meath clustering branches cool and green,
f And nature wore her brightest smiles
e Within the sweet Arcadian aisesi
? paradise it must have been
, To all except the hearts OF men.
The fathers stood with batcd breath,
Waiting the holocaust OF death.
q Within their homes with listening ear
" The mothers casped their babes with fear
IS With nerves of steel young Perkins stood
y On the island near his cottage rude.
" The lights of courage pure and high
Burned in the flashes of his eye,
And DER his honest handsome face
:. There shown the farest type of grace