The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-10-17
CHAPTER XIX
The First Fourth Of July.

mTb. SCotl anu HtI CHIC ilNtu
the family of General Herkimer for
month or so. Settlers remote from
towns and villages had abandoned
their farms. The Indians had gone
Into the great north bush perhaps to
meet the British army which was said
to be coming down from Canada In
appalling numbers. Bostlities in the
neighborhood of The Long House had
ceased. The great Indian highway and
its villages were deserted save by
young children and a few ancient red
men and squaws, too old for travel
Late in June, Jack and Solomon were
ordered to report to General Schuyler
at Albany.
Were getting shoveled eroun'
plenty" Solomon declared. "Well
take the womern an the boy with us
an paddle down the Mohawk TO Al
bany. They kind o. fell from heaven
into our hands an we got to look
alter 'em faithful Fust We know OF
Herk'll be movin' er swallered hull by
the British an the Injuns, like Jonah
was by the whale, then what nd be-
come o. her an the Leetle Cricket?
We got to look alter EN-"
Il think my mother will be glad to
give them q home" said Jack. "She
really needs some help in the house
these days"
The Scots buildings had been
burned by the Indians and their boats
destroyed save one large canoe which
had happened to be on the south shore |
Of the river out Of their reach. In this |
Jack and Solomon and mis- Scott"
and the Little Cricket set out with |
loaded packs In the moon Of the new |
leaf, to use phrase of the Mohawks,
for the city of the Great river. They
had carry at Wolf Riff and some
shorter ones but In the main 1t was
a smooth and delightful journey, be-
tween wooded shores. down the long
winding lane of the Mohawk. With
out fear of the Indians they were able
to shoot deer and wild fowl and build
fire on almost any part of the shore.
Mrs. Scott insisted on her right to do
the cooking. Jack kept diary of the
trip. some pages of which the historian
has read. From them we learn:
"Mrs. Scott has bravely run the
gauntlet of her sorrows. Now there is
a new look in her face. She is a
black-eyed, dark-haired, energetic,
comedy woman of forty with cheeks
as red as a ripe strawberry. Solomon
calls her middle sized but she seems
to be large enough to I'LL his eye. He
shows her great Difference and chooses
his words with particular care when
be speaks to her. OF late he has taken
to singing. She and the boy seem TO
have stirred the depths In him and
curious things are coming up to the
surface-songs and stories and droll
remarks and playful tricks and an IN
usual amount of laughter. | suppose
that 1t is the spirit of youth In him,
stunned by his greaS sorrow. Now
touched by miraculous hands he is
coming back to his old self. There can
be no doubt of this: the man is ten
years younger than when l first knew
him even. The Little Cricket has laid
hold of his heart. Wing sits between
the feet of Solomon in the stern dur
Ing the day and insists upon sleeping
with him at night.
zone morning my old friend was
laughing as we stood on the river
bank washing ourselves. S
"swhat are you laughing atT g
asked.
"'That gol durn leetle skeezucks : p
he answered. He were kickin' all h
night like mule fightin' a humble N
- ,r,,..o~a a cold nf0l,t an I hald | ri
him ag'in me to keep the leetle cuss h
warm. o
"'Hadn't you better let him sleep
With his motherT / asked Ia
avail, If II takes two to do his
sleepin' mebbe better be the one that W
suffers. Amt she likely womernY Il
"Of course / agreed. for it was evil Il
lent that she was likely. sometime. to al
make him an excellent wife and the fl
thought of that made me happy" al
They had Jared along down by the In
-ude forts and villages travelling m
tealthily at night in Tree shadows Il
through "the Tory zone" as the vicin- CT
~ of Fort johnson was then called. "a
now and then. in deserted 81
armhouses or putting up at village OF
ms Setting out from their last camp as
n hour before daylight they had heard
he booming OF cannon at sunrise. HI
solomon stopped his paddle and lis
ened re
"By the hide an horns o. the devil 7"
e exclaimed. 81 wonder IL the British e
ave got down to Albany" ye
They were alarmed until they hailed W
man on the river road and learned w
hat Albany was having a celebration.
"What be they celebratin'?" Solo
lon asked "
THE Declaration o. Independence,
he citizen answered. eli
"Its a good idee." said Solomon bu
When we git thar this ere OIL rifle O. WI
line II 90 some talkin' II II has q d.
hanst." tn
Church bells we're ringing as they Sc
cared the city. ITS inhabitants were re
sser1bled on the river front. The Sc
declaration was read and then Gen fir