The Portland daily press., 1895-03-09
THE SMUGGLERS CAVE.
A Legend of Lake Memphrema-
Cog.

Cog.
1t Is One OF the Prettiest Pieces of Water
In America.
Lake Memphremagog is one of the most
prettiest pieces of water in America. The
Indian name means Beautiful Water"
and beautiful water it truly is. Every va
riety of scenery is presented to the view
of the vsisitor as he glides over the surface
of the lake-mountains. valleys, and undu-
lating plain. jagged rocks and cultivated
fields. pretty little villages nesting in the
valleys and stately summer residences OF
Canadian and American millionaires. The
lake is dotted with many islands, large and
small, the most important of which is Prov
lice Island, which is marked the
boundary line dividing the United States
from Canada. This, TOO, is the only island
in.the lake that has any sign OF habitation.
1t was purchased some years ago by Mr..
Zabriski of New York, who erected hand
some summer residence near its centre. and
as one end of his island home is in the Do
minion and the other under the sway of the
stars and stripes, he can celebrate Domin-
ion Day on one part of his dominions and
Independence Day on the other.
1t is not my intention to extol the beau
ties of the lake. but merely to relate one of
the many legends concerning it which are
old by ''old residents" This legend con-
Germs SINNERS Island, opposite Owls Head,
or. more properly speaking. Skinner Cave,
situated at one end OF the island. Any one
who has visited the lake will recollect it.
From the deck of the steamer the cave looks
like an open doorway. But from the deck
of a steamer is not the besc way to see it;
and determined to examine it more close
". While stopping at Owls Head took
rowboat, and, in company with an old fish
erman, started to explore the cave. But
/ was sadly disappointed, for instead OF sea-
ing large cavern, capable of holding Car
go of smuggledgoods, as ] was led to sup
pose, he opening was barely large enough
TO contain our boat. and 1t was impossible
for us 10 land upright at the farthest end.
The cave WAS worth visiting, however. be-
ing completely lined with dwarf growth
of weeds. the rays of the sun. shining on
the water and rejecting upon the sides,
giving ii a II the colors of the rainbow.
snake lay coiled up in some of the crevices,
while minows sported at its mouth. l was
about to express my astonishment to my
guide at The smalless os the place, when he
forestalled me with the remark:
well, sir, what do you think of it 2"
ssWhy," l returned, - am disappointed.
/ expected TO see quite large cave. but see
only small hole in the rock. Where is the
storehouse Of the famous Skinner? Where
is the place where lie used to keep his arms
and ammunition? Where the dungeon
where lie con5n I'd his captives?"
Hold on, SIR saiu my guide, land will
tell you the story as it was told to NE by
my father. OF course l cannot vouoh for
the truth of all the details, as he was not a
witness of the occurrences
We drew the boat to the mouth of The
cave, seated ourselves, lighted our pipes,
and my guide spoke as follows:
SAT the beginning of the present century
smuggling was extensively carried on both
ways across the border, but principally
from the United States into Canada, and
many bold adyenturer entered into tine
business. One of the boldest of these was
Capt. John Skinner. He was an English
man, and early in his career commanded
sort of privateer tina used to smuggle goods
from different ports in the United States
and Canada. He had associated with him
band of the boldest spirits of the time.
James jackson, his lieutenant, was wont
to declare that he cared neither for man
not devil. How it came about I do not
know, but Capt. Skinner lost his ship, and
when next heard of, he, together with sew
eral members of his crew. including Jack
son, had settled on the Vermnot border.
half of his house being situated in Stan
stead County. Canada, and half in Derby,
Vermont. He kept whaf was supposed to
be general store. but it soon got to be
noised abroad that the place was rendez-
vous for the most notorious of the SNUG
g1ers. 1t was known that large quantities
OF goods were taken into the store, but no.
body ever saw them come out again.
1t was known that the smugg ers must
have some secret biding-place to store their
goods. but nothing could be discover ed.
Ohceis were constant ly on the watch, the
place was raided. the footsteps Of Skinner
and his band were logged whenever they
lett the old store. rewards were offered
by both governments, but all without avail.
The hiding-place remained a secret.
Meanwhile. however. othsr events were
happening in SINNERS store-events that
subsequently, led up to remarkable de-
movement. The captain had daughter, a
very handsome girl. bordering on eighteen
years of age. Mary Skinner was favorite
with every member of the rough band, and.
for her part, appeared to treat all the band
impartially. If she had any prefer ence. it
was given to Will Blake, afalr-haired young
Irishman. who had joined Skinner on his
last cruise and had remained with him
when he gave up ea-faring life. Will
made no secret of his admiration of Mary.
and thereby incurred the enmity of JACKSON.
the lieutenant, who. as he boosted TO his
boon companions, had sworn to make the
girl his wife. Mary contented herself with
treating jackson with Indifference or pass-
ing off his many compliments in laughing
mapner.
"There had been an apparent cessation o.
vigilance on the part of the customs officers
for some time, and this somewhat emboId-
ened the snlugglers. and a very large con-
signment of goods had been arriving at
the store for a few days. The customs
officers had. however, simply changed their
tactics. Disgusting themselves they mixed
with the members of SINNERS band, drank
with them. went on fishing excursions with
them, and endeavored by all secret means