Year: 1874

early in the spring, before the snow had
disappeared, he set out alone for the land
of the Iroquois land we have now to notice
some of the most daring exploits ever per-
formed by an Indian warrior, or possibly
by any man that ever gave himself to war;
like pursuits.


In order 60 battle his enemies, providing
his propinquity should be discovered, he
took the precaution to reverse his snow
shoes, putting the hinder part forward,
which would turn pursuit in the wrong
direction. This was not all in his long
and perilous journey he betook himself to
the highlands and hills, from which the
snow had already melted, in order to leave
as little vestige of his way as possible.
What idomitable courage what unheard
of perseverance what an over-grown thirst
for vengeance to prompt this brave savage
to long pilgrimage to an enemy's country,
over hills and mountains, and across
streams in which the ice was still running.


But nothing COULD daunt the soul of
Paskaret. He did not falter or despair,
but reached the land of his foes in safety.
But what should he do nowP We shall
soon see.


1t was dark night. The moon had not
appeared, and the stars were scarcely visi-
BILE in the arch of the skies. Paskaret was
lowering on the outskirts of an Iroquois
village. He approached a lone wigwam,
listened moment, and then entered. The
inmates were sleeping without dream of
death. When Paskaret left the lodge, the
scalps of the sleepers hung at his belt he
had put them asleep forever.


Upon the following day, there was dire
confusion in the village of the Iroquois.
The young warriors ran hither and thither,
and everywhere, but no traces of Paskaret
could be found, save the imprint of his
fearful hand upon the bodies Of his vic
tins.


The very next night he crept forth from
his lurking place, entered another cabin,
and robbed them of their scalps, as before,
and effected retreat without discovery.


The Iroquois proflted by their sad ex-
perience and upon the third night set a
watch about their village, in every cabin.


1t might be supposed that under such
circumstances, Paskaret would not at
tempt to enter the village again; but this
was not the case. Lashing the scalps,
which he had taken, carefully upon his
back, in bundle, in order not to lose the
valued and ensanguined witnesses to his
daring deeds, for the third and last time
he cautiously approached the Iroquois vii
lage.


But he found his enemies upon the alert,
and remained quiet, waiting for them to
relax their vigilance. In this expectation,
he was not disappointed.


One of the watchers grew weary of his
vigils. He dozed and nodded, started up,
rubbed his eyes, and strove to be wakeful ;
but, alas the drowsy god overpowered
him, and he slept at his post.


"He richly deserves to die" said Pas
karet, to himself "for the desire to do his
duty is not strong enough to keep him
awake"


The chieftain stood silently beside the
faithless watcher, smiled grimly, lifted his
terrible battle-axe, and with blow laid
the sleeper quiveriDg and gasping at his
feet.


But there were those in the village more
wakeful and wary. They heard the fatal
blow, and with fierce waT-cry rushed to
the spot. Before they reached it, Paska-
ret had torn off the scalp of his victim, and
betaken himself to flight. Paskaret was
called the swiftest Indian runner living
and the idea of running for his life did not
teTrify HIM in the least. Sometimes, by an
extraordinary effort, he placed great dis
tance between himself and his pursuers,
and then again permitted them 10 approach
him, when, from the summit Of hill, he
would call to them, and boast of the deeds
he had done among them, and brand them
a nation of squaws and towards.


Ending his not very complimentary ha-
ranguc, he would dart away like the wind,
and govern the intervening distance ac-
cording to his own fancy.


The pursuit was continued with una
bated vigor until night, when the Iroquois
encamped 10 cook and rest. Paskaret saw
them kindle a fire, and watched the smoke
curling through the trees. They roasted
meat, ate, and then lay down in their
blankets, without thought of danger In
half an hour they were all in sound
sleep.


A dark form might have been seen steal
ing towards them, stepping in among the