American Scenery, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Land, lake, and river illustrations of transatlantic natureWillis, Nathaniel Parker
General
American Scenery, Vol. 1 (of 2): or, Land, lake, and river illustrations of transatlantic nature
Willis, Nathaniel Parker
United States -- Description and travel
[Illustration]
CENTRE HARBOUR, LAKE WINIPISEOGEE.
* * * * *
There are several considerable promontories which intrude into Lake
Winipiseogee, and on one of them is built the town of Centre Harbour.
The lake is near the middle of the state of New Hampshire, of a very
irregular form, and at the western end is divided into three large bays.
There are nine townships on its borders, of which Centre Harbour, the
largest, is on the north-west side. The waters of the lake in some
places are unfathomable, but abound with fish. It will still be some
years, probably, before the navigation of this body of water will become
of much importance.
Beside the beauty of nature, which is prodigal on the borders of this
lovely lake, there is little of interest beyond what is found in the
recollections of the Indian wars. Penhallow’s History, which till lately
has been a rare book, has rescued New Hampshire from the obscurity in
which some of the other states remain, on these curious and interesting
subjects. One wonders, in reading of the critical adventures of the
early settlers, what offset the country could give them against such a
frail tenure of life. “At one time,” says the journal, “the people of
Dunstable were advised of a party of two hundred and seventy Indians
that were coming upon them. Their first descent was on the 3d of July,
when they fell on a garrison that had twenty troopers in it, who, by
their negligence, keeping no watch, suffered them to enter, which tended
to the destruction of half their number. After that, a small party
attacked Daniel Galusha’s house, who held them in play for some time,
till the old man’s courage failed; when, on surrendering himself, he
informed them of the state of the garrison; how that one man was killed,
and only two men and a boy left; which caused them to rally anew, and
with greater courage than before. Upon which, one with the boy got out
on the back side, leaving only Jacob to fight the battle, who, for some
time, defended himself with much bravery; but overpowered with force,
and finding none to assist him, was obliged to quit it, and make his
escape as well as he could: but before he got far, the enemy laid hold
of him once and again; and yet, by much struggling, he rescued himself.
Upon this, they burnt the house; and next day about forty more fell on
Amesbury, where they killed eight: two, at the same time, who were at
work in a field, hearing an outcry, hastened to their relief, but being
pursued, ran to a deserted house, in which were two flankers, where each
of them found an old gun, but neither of them fit for service; and if
they were, had neither powder nor shot to load with: however, each took
a flanker, and made the best appearance they could, by thrusting the
muzzles of their guns outside the port-holes, crying aloud, ‘Here they
are, but do not fire till they come nearer;’ which put the enemy into
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