Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesEllis, Edward Sylvester
History
Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- Anecdotes; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
True, it so happened, that this chief knew all the prisoners—he having
resided in the Schoharie canton of the Mohawks during the war. He
doubtless felt a deeper interest in their behalf on that account. Still,
it was a noble action, worthy of the proudest era of chivalry, and in
the palmy days of Greece and Rome, would have crowned him almost with
"an apotheosis and rights divine." The interposition of Pocahontas, in
favor of Captain Smith, before the rude court of Powhatan, was, perhaps,
more romantic; but when the motive which prompted the generous action of
the princess is considered, the transaction now under review exhibits
the most of genuine benevolence. Pocahontas was moved by the tender
passion—the Mohawk Sachem by the feelings of magnanimity, and the
eternal principles of justice. It is a matter of regret that the name of
this high-souled warrior is lost, as, alas! have been too many that
might serve to relieve the dark and vengeful portraiture of Indian
character, which it has so well pleased the white man to draw! The
prisoners themselves were so impressed with the manner of their signal
deliverance, that they justly attributed it to a direct interposition of
Providence.
After the most acute sufferings from hunger and exhaustion, the party at
last arrived at Niagara. The last night of their journey, they encamped
a short distance from the fort. In the morning the prisoners were
informed that they were to run the gauntlet, and were brought out where
two parallel lines of Indians were drawn up, between which the prisoners
were to pass, exposed to the whips and blows of the savages. The course
to be run was toward the fort. Harper was the first one selected, and at
the signal, sprung from the mark with extraordinary swiftness. An Indian
near the end of the line, fearing he might escape without injury, sprung
before him, but a blow from Harper's fist felled him; the Indians,
enraged, broke their ranks and rushed after him, as he fled with the
utmost speed toward the fort. The garrison, when they saw Harper
approaching, opened the gates, and he rushed in, only affording
sufficient time for the garrison to close the gates, ere the Indians
rushed upon it, clamoring for the possession of their victim. The other
prisoners, taking advantage of the breaking up of the Indian ranks, took
different routes, and all succeeded in reaching the fort without passing
through the terrible ordeal which was intended for them.
This was in the April preceding the final attack upon the fort in the
Schoharie valley, which took place in the fall, as described in the
second article of this number; and at which Murphy, the rifleman, so
distinguished himself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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