The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-02-27

In the February following Arnold
noted expedition up this river on his
march to Canada, Roger Chase of Wa
terville. Mr.. Malbon OF Canaan and q
| French Canadian named Wishua, went
up the river for a spring hunt. A
few miles above Norridgewock, they
left the house OF the last settler be-
hind them, and made the best OF their
way to the mouth OF Seven Mile brook,
up which stream and among the beau
tiful islands and shores about It's
mouth, they designed to follow the
pursuit of trappers. Their progress
had necessarily been slow and tedious,
for their hand -sleds were loaded with
their blankets, few steel traps and
nine weeks provision. Their home
camp was built near the head OF the
Falls on Seven Mile brook, on the east
bank Of the lanyard inlet, few rods
above the bridge. and but short dis
lance westerly OF the late residence OF
Gen. Franklin Smith, in what is now
the picturesque village OF North An
son. dotted with its quiet looking
white cottages. Here they made
themselves at home as much as the
circumstances of the case would al
low, and spent the time quite pleas
antly in their occupation.
They had been over the ground they
intended to occupy-had set their
steel traps in such open places in the
streams. as they thought likely to be
the resort OF water-fur animals, and
had built lines of wooden traps up
Seven Mile brook, for Sable and
black-cat. Their lives were varied
by no unusual incidents. They rose
from their humble bed of FIR boughs
with the early dawn. and after par
taking OF a hearty morning meal, each
wended his way to his daily duties,
taking his midday luncheon, and re-
turned to camp when the shades OF
evening began to close around him.
Then. after another hearty meal, they
reclined upon the boughs, rehea rsed
the incidents of the day az they Whit
fed their pipes, sang a song or two,
and then dropped to sleep. little
dreaming OF the busy crowd which IN
few years would tramp daily over
their lonely camping ground.
They had been here about ten days.
and while quietly resting In camp on
Sunday morning five Indians from
Canada. approaching with stealthy,
cat-like tread. surprised and made
them prisoners without a moments
warning. After taking possession of
the arms and ammunition OF the trap
pers. the Indians made hasty meal
of which they invited their prisoners
to partake, and approprlateing every
thing of value. they set fire to the
camp and started on the weary march
to Canada. This was In the early part
OF March. Their route was up the
frozen Kennebec, and heavily ladened
as the prisoners were with their own
provisions, they were Obliged to make
forced march for the remainder of
the day, and did not halt till night had
already set In when the Indians
kindled fire in an old dry cedar
stub and after clearing away some OF
the snow and breaking few handfuls
OF houghs. they ate ravenously and In
silence as hungry. tired men will do.
of such food as most readily came to
hand and enveloping themselves IN
their blankets, all save the sentinel,
we're soon wrapped In profound slum-
her This bivouac was on the west
ern bank OF the river on the narrow
strip OF intervale which Is now COM
prised In the farm OF Charles Grant,
In the town of Concord. But few
prisoners during this days tramp. for