New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-12-22

ing her eyes on the Indian in one long, loving
glance and then closed them forever. They
buried her q knoll little to the west Of the
original boundary Of the village. and Serringo
went back TO the woods. Never again did he
enter the village. but he was seen several times
in the deep of night standing with folded arms
near the place where Marie was buried
No trace of the mount be found to-day.
but old residents tell the story much as it has
been given here They say that Serringo's
night to the spot where the mound used 70 be
and stands in ghostly silence until the first
sign of dawn causes hin. TO fade away.
One Of the refugees who came from France
shortly after the original settlement made
was a good man named Dubois He was forced
to go back into the wilderness to the south be-
fore he found a farm which suited him. and
there he lived with his wife and their beautiful
daughter. Helene. One day when he had gone
into the village, the Indians came and carried
off the two women. It a rowing band, and
they hurried their captives through the forest
for ten or twelve miles Then they camped and
prepared TO torture the women.
We learned how to die in France" said the
mother to her daughter as the Indians were
tying them to two young trees which stood close
together Had we stayed there would have
died for the faith. now we can die in it,
Il remember. mother" said Helene, and
not afraid"
The Indians gathered dry wood which they
piled about the feet of their victims. who kept
their eyes on each other and showed fear.
Then one of the braves seized a brand from the
fire and prepared TO light the human torches.
Let us sing, mother" said the girl, and she
started a familiar verse from one OF Marot S
hymns.
There was no faltering in either voice; that
was for the Indian approaching with the brand
He stopped suddenly with the first clear note
and the song went on he dropped the brand
and sQuatted down to listen. The other Indians
gathered round to hear the death song Of these
white suuaws L moved them not TO pity. for
an Indian never piJies. but it moved them. Pres
entity one of them cut the ropes which bound
the women TO the trees. and showed them a pile
of furs on which they could spend the night
Dubois had not been idle Finding his nome
deserted on his return, he alarmed the village.
and q well armed band started on the tran
Their dogs had little trouble following the scent
and got far in advance SO far. in TACT that
when they came upon the Indian camp their
loud banks aroused the warriors. and set them
n f7ipb- before the whites were near enough to
seek revenge. When the FrenChmen heard how
the old songs had saved the women from ter
rible death they circled around the pair and
sang the familiar verses over again Every nat
was dotted and scarcely an eye was dry
Davenport's Neck is associated with more than
one Revolutionary story, but none of them are
more interesting than the strange duel which
was fought in two chapters by troopers attached
in some irregular way TO different Continental
regiments They hated each other before the
war began. and several happenings in winter
quarters had made matters worse. ne-handeQ
.'Shube'' Merritt had sworn TO kill Buck smith
at the first opportunity, and Smith used even
longer oafhs in telling what he would 90 10 the
one-arrned fighter They met at a sort of inn
kept nv one Ferris which stood on the neck
near the shore, and Merritts party succeeded IN
dsarmng Smith before he had ChaICe 10
shoot his enemy.
smith stood against the wall of the house. his
eyes blazing defiance and his lips hurting curses
Now I will kin you" said Merritt as ne
walked up and placed loaded pistol against his
breast.
Don't murder the man that way, Shube,' "
cried one OF the men. Give him chance. Let
him for it and we'll all take crack at him.
It'll be more fun"
You mind your own - business growled
"Shube" I'll tend 10 him.
Others protested against the murder and
finally agreed on compromise III give you
three chances. If the pistol misses fire three
times I'll let you Off" said 'Shube"
The men laughed. and told "Shube" he was
too generous BY possible chance could a
pistol he expected TO miss fire three tunes.
Smith said his prayers. Snap went the gun but
there was no report. Merritt went step closer
and pulled the trigger again. A second time
the charge failed 10 explode. Smith began 10
take hope. A third attempt was no more sue
cessful and Merritt threw down the gun IN dis
gust His companions made him keep his prom
A week later at the same place "Shube" was
overpowered by crowd of Smiths friends
Don't kill me like dog" he cried, as ne
had stood few days before. I gave You a
chance; give me one
Give me a pistol and let US fight it out
square"
III give you the same CnaIlCS ) Vu gave iliS'
was the reply. IF the pistol misses three
times. YOU go free"
with the weapon pressed against his enemy
breast Smith fired and the one-armed man fell
rnortally wounded. They carried him into the
tavern where he fingered for an hour
Pull out the ball and throw 1t in the hre'
he begged. and when they asked MIN why ne
wished that. he added. when it melts my me
will pass away. Pull II out. won't you! 1t
hurts sO,'
The Huguenots suffered greatly from the hes
slams during the war. and were compelled TO
quarter a large number of them for part OF one
winter. One OF the old French families mas pre-
served a story about of their grandInothers
who was the victim of Hessian wltchcra1t.
big clumsy German had been quartered upon
her, and she tried to get him TO work for her-
He only laughed when she demanded that ne
chop wood or go without his supper. ana her
heart was too big carry out her threat Wheh
he refused.
You must carry tub of water from the
spring" she said one morning, "or your clothes
go unwashed.''
Me carry water said the Hessian, sweIllns
out his chest and beating it with his Dig Tst-
I'm d sOldier-fight. not work
The old French woman refused to DO the WASH
ing. and the Hessian ceased trying to persuade
her. How would you like to have the oeVlI
for your water carrier he asked. finally.
IF I had you, 'twoud be devil enough she
said shaking her broom at him
4 can make the devil carry water for YOU
he continued, overlooking the personal thrust
IN bes -erl1y- me = sieve and I'll have