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15 - Mohawk Valley by W. Max Reid · Mohawk Valley

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  Speaker 1: Chapter fourteen of The Mohawk Valley. This LibriVox recording is
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  Speaker 1: in the public domain recording by Roger Moline. The Mohawk Valley,
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  Speaker 1: Its Legends and its History by W. Max Reid, Chapter fourteen.
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  Speaker 1: Legend of Missus Ross. A parallel to the romance of
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  Speaker 1: the early life of Sir William Johnson is found in
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  Speaker 1: that of a young soldier who died at Johnstown during
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  Speaker 1: the Revolution, although it had a different ending. In one
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  Speaker 1: of the suburbs of London in seventeen seventy nine lived
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  Speaker 1: a young soldier of poor but honest parents by the
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  Speaker 1: name of Charles Ross, who had fallen in love with
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  Speaker 1: a beautiful young woman, presumably of rich but honest parents,
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  Speaker 1: who objected to the attentions of the young man to
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  Speaker 1: their daughter. As usual in such cases, opposition fanned the
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  Speaker 1: flames of affection and made their love for each other
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  Speaker 1: other more fervent. About this time, the regiment to which
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  Speaker 1: the young man belonged was hurriedly ordered to Canada to
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  Speaker 1: assist the English troops in the campaign in New York State.
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  Speaker 1: But young Captain Ross found an opportunity to visit his
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  Speaker 1: lady love before sailing, at which tearful interview, they uttered
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  Speaker 1: vows of mutual and eternal fidelity to each other, with
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  Speaker 1: a promise that if he could not come to her,
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  Speaker 1: she would come to him and together make a new
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  Speaker 1: home in the new world. The persecution of her family,
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  Speaker 1: who desired her marriage to an elderly man of their choice,
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  Speaker 1: brought matters to a climax sooner than expected by either
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  Speaker 1: of the lovers, and made it necessary for immediate action
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  Speaker 1: on the part of the young girl. In order to
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  Speaker 1: escape being forced into the obnoxious marriage, she dissembled as
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  Speaker 1: best she could in order to gain time to carry
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  Speaker 1: out a scheme to join her lover in America. A
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  Speaker 1: typical English girl, robust and resolute, with ample funds for
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  Speaker 1: necessary accessories, she purchased an outfit of men's garments, cut
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  Speaker 1: off her beautiful auburn hair, and secured a passage on
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  Speaker 1: a merchant vessel sailing for the port of Quebec under
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  Speaker 1: the name of Frank Reid, her own name being Francis.
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  Speaker 1: Her father was a surgeon of repute with large practice.
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  Speaker 1: When yet a child, she had evinced great interest in
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  Speaker 1: matters pertaining to her father's profession, and as she grew
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  Speaker 1: older was frequently his companion in delicate surgical operations. As
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  Speaker 1: an assistant, in fact, she was frequently called upon to
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  Speaker 1: render the assistance that the trained nurses of the present
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  Speaker 1: day so intelligently perform. Fate was kind to her insomuch
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  Speaker 1: that she was able to elude the vigilance of her parents,
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  Speaker 1: embark on the ship without arousing suspicion, and in due
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  Speaker 1: time she found herself in mid ocean and a victim
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  Speaker 1: of Malde Maire in its most distressing form. The ship's
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  Speaker 1: crew consisted of the usual compliment of rough and profaned
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  Speaker 1: sailors and a kind hearted captain with his young wife.
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  Speaker 1: The girl being the only passenger during her attack of
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  Speaker 1: sea sickness. The captain and his wife were assiduous in
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  Speaker 1: their attentions to the young passenger, and it did not
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  Speaker 1: take many days for the wife to detect the sex
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  Speaker 1: of their patient and to confide her discovery to her husband.
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  Speaker 1: When the paroxysms of the disease had been allayed and
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  Speaker 1: the patient was convalescent, she was told of the discovery
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  Speaker 1: the wife had made, and assured by the captain and
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  Speaker 1: his wife that if she would confide in them, her
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  Speaker 1: confidence would not be betrayed. Her story was soon told, and
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  Speaker 1: the remainder of the long voyage, with its storms and
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  Speaker 1: its calms, was passed in comparative comfort with the sympathy
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  Speaker 1: and friendship of the captain and us kind hearted wife.
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  Speaker 1: Landing at Quebec, Frank in company with the captain, called
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  Speaker 1: on the commandant of the citadel in order to ascertain
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  Speaker 1: where the regiment to which Captain Ross was attached was located,
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  Speaker 1: and was informed that it was stationed at Montreal, had
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  Speaker 1: been engaged in active service, and had lost many of
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  Speaker 1: its men in battle and through sickness. Her anxiety for
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  Speaker 1: information about Captain Ross nearly betrayed her secret, but the
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  Speaker 1: presence of the captain of the ship and his ready
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  Speaker 1: wit saved her from suspicion and found a way whereby
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  Speaker 1: she was able to take passage on a sloop to Montreal,
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  Speaker 1: ostensibly to join the regiment there as a recruit. This
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  Speaker 1: voyage on the slow sailing vessel was more tedious to
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  Speaker 1: the young woman than the long voyage across the Atlantic,
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  Speaker 1: and she was heartily glad when it was over. Arriving
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  Speaker 1: at the island of Montreal, she ascertained that Captain Ross
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  Speaker 1: and his company had been detailed to join the Rangers
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  Speaker 1: under Major Ross and Lieutenant Walter N. Butler at Oswego
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  Speaker 1: preparatory to raiding the villages of the Mohawk Valley, the
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  Speaker 1: objective point being Johnstown, New York, the recent home of
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  Speaker 1: the family of Sir John Johnson. The detachment had left
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  Speaker 1: Montreal but a few days before by the way of
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  Speaker 1: the Upper Saint Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Somewhat Disheartened
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  Speaker 1: but not discouraged, the young girl determined to follow the
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  Speaker 1: detachment if she could procure a guide and means of transportation.
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  Speaker 1: After due inquiry and with the assistance of the officer
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  Speaker 1: of the post, a Mohawk brave familiar with the Mohawk
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  Speaker 1: Valley was found, who advised going by the Lake Champlain
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  Speaker 1: route instead of us we Go. Procuring a Canadian woodsman
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  Speaker 1: suit of clothes consisting of a fringed buckskin cots belted
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  Speaker 1: at the waist, skin trousers and leggings, and a stout
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  Speaker 1: pair of moccasins, a skin cap and hunting knife in
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  Speaker 1: her belt, she was now more effectually disguised than while
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  Speaker 1: wearing the tight fitting civilian suit she had discarded and
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  Speaker 1: which had brought into prominence the shapely limbs of the wearer,
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  Speaker 1: but which were not at all conspicuous in the frontiersman
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  Speaker 1: garb she had chosen. After a delay of about a week,
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  Speaker 1: a suitable birch bark canoe was secured and stocked with
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  Speaker 1: provisions for the long and lonely journey to the Mohawks country.
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  Speaker 1: The first day of the journey was occupied in floating
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  Speaker 1: down the rapid current of the Saint Lawrence to the
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  Speaker 1: mouth of the Vichelieure River, the outlet of Lake Champlain
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  Speaker 1: and Lake George. Turning into the river, the labor of
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  Speaker 1: the journey began, as every foot of the route had
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  Speaker 1: to be won by the stroke of the paddle. For
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  Speaker 1: the first few days Frank could give the Indian but
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  Speaker 1: very little assistance in using the paddle, but by persistent
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  Speaker 1: effort she was finally able to master the stroke and
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  Speaker 1: contribute her share toward the propulsion of their frail vessel.
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  Speaker 1: Two weeks were occupied in ascending the two lakes, and
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  Speaker 1: by the time they reached the head of Lake George,
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  Speaker 1: she was very glad to leave the canoe for the
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  Speaker 1: more arduous labor of packing their provisions over the trail
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  Speaker 1: through the forest to Johnstown, sixty miles away. Their packs
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  Speaker 1: were not very heavy, as their provisions were nearly exhausted
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  Speaker 1: in their voyage up the lakes. Without any unnecessary delay,
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  Speaker 1: the canoe was hidden on the border of the lake.
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  Speaker 1: The packs adjusted, and after a momentary glance at the
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  Speaker 1: sun and the surrounding mountains, the Mohawk plunged into the
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  Speaker 1: interminable forest and the last stage of their journey began.
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  Speaker 1: An hour brought them to the Upper Hudson, which they
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  Speaker 1: forded at the Great Falls Palmer's Falls without difficulty. They
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  Speaker 1: were now in the enemy's country, which made it necessary
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  Speaker 1: to proceed with caution in order to avoid discovery from
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  Speaker 1: provincials and wandering bands of Oneida's as their appearance would
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  Speaker 1: have attracted critical attention from any person whom they might meet.
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  Speaker 1: The young Brave's well knit form was clad in a
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  Speaker 1: well worn pair of deer skin trousers, fringed and discolored,
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  Speaker 1: which were belted and supported by a wide strip of
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  Speaker 1: buckskin placed diagonally across the chest and back and over
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  Speaker 1: the right shoulder, leaving the balance of the upper part
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  Speaker 1: of the body bare. On his feet and half way
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  Speaker 1: to the knee were a pair of moccasins laced with
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  Speaker 1: strings of deer skin, his head bare except a mass
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  Speaker 1: of jet black hair falling to his shoulders and half
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  Speaker 1: covering his face. In his hand was a musket, and
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  Speaker 1: in his belt a small axe and hunting knife, while
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  Speaker 1: his pack was held to his back by a string
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  Speaker 1: of rawhide. Following in his footsteps Strode Frank, whose erect
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  Speaker 1: form and elastic step were but another evidence of the
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  Speaker 1: strength and vigor that shone from her dark blue eyes
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  Speaker 1: and flushed cheeks. The constant exposure to the weather during
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  Speaker 1: her journey of three thousand miles had browned her skin
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  Speaker 1: and hardened the muscles of her face and form, but
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  Speaker 1: did not prevent the flush of health shining through the
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  Speaker 1: dusky skin or dim the bright eyes. Her garments were
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  Speaker 1: weather stained, and her hair tangled and frowsy from neglect,
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  Speaker 1: but her general appearance was that of a hardy boy
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  Speaker 1: of eighteen or twenty years. Around her waist, but under
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  Speaker 1: her buckskin coat, was a broad belt filled with the
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  Speaker 1: open sesame of many people's hearts gold. The trail led
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  Speaker 1: over and around the foothills of the Adirondacks, which are
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  Speaker 1: dignified with the name of mountains by the tourists of today,
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  Speaker 1: and led them through towering forests and tangled underbrush, sometimes
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  Speaker 1: treading with noiseless steps over beds of the needles of
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  Speaker 1: pine and tamarack, or toiling over masses of rotten trunk
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  Speaker 1: and spearlike branches, sometimes plunging into dark and damp ravines
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  Speaker 1: and sinking ankle deep into the soggy mold, again climbing
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  Speaker 1: jagged rocks and almost perpendicular cliffs to some barren eminence,
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  Speaker 1: with no but the sky above and the october foliage
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  Speaker 1: of the forest below, with its boundless wealth of color,
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  Speaker 1: extending in every direction until it was lost in the
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  Speaker 1: haze of the distant horizon. Far away to the west
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  Speaker 1: is seen the dim outline of the Mayfield Mountains, which
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  Speaker 1: the Moha points out as the gold to which they
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  Speaker 1: are toiling, And in the freshness of her vigor, she
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  Speaker 1: urges him on until nature rebels and she pleads for rest.
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  Speaker 1: A camp is made, their simple meal prepared, and she
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  Speaker 1: sinks to sleep amid the perfume of the evergreen boughs
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  Speaker 1: that constitute her bed, dreaming again of the loved form
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  Speaker 1: and the unfolding arms of her absent soldier. Awake with
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  Speaker 1: the dawn, with muscles tired and stiff, she urges the
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  Speaker 1: Mohawk in his preparation for the day's trail. This day,
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  Speaker 1: they leave the mountains behind them and find the trail
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  Speaker 1: well beaten and over comparatively level country. But the night
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  Speaker 1: finds her worn and weary, and the morning without energy.
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  Speaker 1: The succeeding days of her journey are uneventful, and at
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  Speaker 1: the close of October twenty fourth, they camp on a
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  Speaker 1: stream which the Mohawk tells her flows through the lad
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  Speaker 1: little village they are seeking. Throwing herself on the green
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  Speaker 1: turf while the Mohawk prepares their evening meal. Supplemented with
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  Speaker 1: some speckled beauties from the stream, she gives herself up
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  Speaker 1: to reverie and longing for her lover captain. Arousing herself,
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  Speaker 1: she becomes aware that the Indian is gazing fixedly at her,
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  Speaker 1: and as their eyes meet, he says, in a low,
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  Speaker 1: even voice, is the Captain the White Maiden's brother or lover?
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  Speaker 1: With pale face and startled eyes, she asks him what
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  Speaker 1: he means. The Maiden need not fear, says the Mohawk.
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  Speaker 1: Her secret has been hidden in the breast of Onatassa,
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  Speaker 1: many days, even since she killed the snake that lay
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  Speaker 1: in her path at the island camp on the Horican,
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  Speaker 1: when she poised the stone over her shoulder before she
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  Speaker 1: crushed the reptile, and at night when she murmured the
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  Speaker 1: name of her lover in her sleep, Why did you
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  Speaker 1: not tell me you had discovered my secret? Demanded Frank.
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  Speaker 1: Onatasa's eyes were open, but his lips were closed, sentiently,
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  Speaker 1: replied the Indian. The maiden did not want to be known,
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  Speaker 1: and the pale face was still a lad to him.
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  Speaker 1: That night, Frank could not sleep, but tossed restlessly on
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  Speaker 1: her bed of evergreens until dawn, when her weary eyes
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  Speaker 1: closed and tired nature demanded relaxation and repose. The sun
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  Speaker 1: was well up toward the zenith when she awoke, startled
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  Speaker 1: and bewildered to find herself alone. After her mourning ablutions
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  Speaker 1: in the stream, she prepared food for her mourning meal
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  Speaker 1: and waited impatiently for the return of Onatassa. An hour
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  Speaker 1: two hours passed before his active form was seen, coming
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  Speaker 1: swiftly through the forest. While she slept, he had been
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  Speaker 1: reconnoitering in the vicinity of john three miles away, and
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  Speaker 1: reported a battle in progress between the American forces under
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  Speaker 1: Colonel Willett and the British under Major Ross, and that
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  Speaker 1: the American forces had been repulsed. Hurriedly resuming their packs,
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  Speaker 1: the twain swiftly approached the battle field, the girl eager
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  Speaker 1: and anxious as she drew near the end of her
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  Speaker 1: three thousand mile journey. Soon they were able to hear
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  Speaker 1: the roar of musketry, which, as they paused to listen,
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  Speaker 1: seemed to come nearer and nearer to them, And at
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  Speaker 1: last the forms of green coated soldiers were seen, apparently
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  Speaker 1: in retreat hastily withdrawing into a convenient gorge, a place
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  Speaker 1: of concealment was found for the maiden, and Onatassa advanced
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  Speaker 1: in the direction of the firing, which was apparently growing
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  Speaker 1: less and less in a westerly direction. As told in
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  Speaker 1: the last chapter in the account of the Battle at Johnstown,
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  Speaker 1: the American forces under Colonel Willett were repulsed in their
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  Speaker 1: first attack and retreated to Saint John's Church in the
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  Speaker 1: center of the village. Receiving reinforcements, Colonel Willett rearranged his
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  Speaker 1: forces and again advanced to the attack, and after a
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  Speaker 1: stubborn resistance, the British troops were completely routed and dispersed
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  Speaker 1: through the forest to the west in the direction of
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  Speaker 1: East Canada Creek. Captain Charles Ross sought in vain to
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  Speaker 1: stem the tide of battle, and his company, being the
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  Speaker 1: last to give way, formed the rear guard of the army,
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  Speaker 1: which was more or less annoyed by small bands of Oneida's.
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  Speaker 1: While passing through a dense thicket, he was struck in
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  Speaker 1: the chest by an arrow. Grasping the shaft, it became
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  Speaker 1: detached from the barbed flint, but with that one spasmodic action,
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  Speaker 1: he fell unconscious to the The retreating army hurried on
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  Speaker 1: crossed West Canada Creek, where Lieutenant Walter N. Butler was
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  Speaker 1: killed by the Oneida, and in due time reached Oswego,
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  Speaker 1: leaving their dead and dying scattered through the forest. Having
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  Speaker 1: ascertained part of the above facts, but knowing nothing of
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  Speaker 1: the fate of Captain Ross, on a tassa return to
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  Speaker 1: the gorge and imparted the information he had received to
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  Speaker 1: the maiden, advising that as the forest in the vicinity
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  Speaker 1: was being searched by the Americans. In order to render
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  Speaker 1: succor to the wounded, it would be well to remain
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  Speaker 1: concealed until the following morning, and then by a wide
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  Speaker 1: detour to the north to follow the trail of the
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  Speaker 1: retreating army, making the young girl as comfortable as possible
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  Speaker 1: in her retreat, He again disappeared in the forest. Urged
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  Speaker 1: on by the desire of Frank to know the fate
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  Speaker 1: of Captain Charles. After twilight, the Indian returned and reported
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  Speaker 1: that the captain was with his command at the crossing
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  Speaker 1: of Garoga Creek, but had disappeared before reaching the Gaiohara,
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  Speaker 1: East Canada Creek. How long will it take to reach
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  Speaker 1: the Garoga, asked Frank, Six hours, replied the Mohawk. Strapping
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  Speaker 1: her blanket to her back, but discarding all else, the
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  Speaker 1: girl grasped a stout staff that had been her support
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  Speaker 1: over the trail from Lake George. She pointed to the
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  Speaker 1: moon near the zenith and said, to Onatasa, lead on,
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  Speaker 1: while yet there is light. Motionless, he gazed at that pale,
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  Speaker 1: anxious face, glanced at the moon over his head, picked
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  Speaker 1: up his rifle, and silently strode out of the ravine,
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  Speaker 1: with the young girl following close in his footsteps, striking
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  Speaker 1: the well defined trail that led to the village of Johnstown.
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  Speaker 1: They soon left the gloom of the forest and skirted
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  Speaker 1: along the cleared lands north of Johnson Hall, and, after
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  Speaker 1: about an hour's travel, struck the trail of the British forces,
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  Speaker 1: made wide and distinct through the underbrush by the frantic
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  Speaker 1: efforts of four hundred soldiers eager to escape from the
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  Speaker 1: vengeance of the conquering Americans. Near dawn, they reached the
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  Speaker 1: Garoga Creek, which was crossed without difficulty About two hundred
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  Speaker 1: paces from the creek. The Mohawk called Frank's attention to
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  Speaker 1: the fact that the trail narrowed to about twenty feet
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  Speaker 1: in width, showing that the troops were marching in a
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  Speaker 1: semi balance of order, which made it much easier for
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  Speaker 1: the searchers to scan every foot of the trail. A
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  Speaker 1: little farther on, a spot of bright color was dimly
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  Speaker 1: seen at the side of the road, which upon examination,
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  Speaker 1: proved to be the dead body of a British soldier
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  Speaker 1: wearing the uniform of the Ninth Regiment, and undoubtedly one
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  Speaker 1: of Captain Ross's command. The gruesome sight was repellent to
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  Speaker 1: the womanly nature of poor Frank, and she passed hurriedly on,
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  Speaker 1: only to be startled by a snapping, snarling howl in
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  Speaker 1: the forest in front of them. Calling to herself that
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  Speaker 1: fortitude which had been her support throughout all this weary journey,
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  Speaker 1: she examined every foot of the trail, eager yet fearful
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  Speaker 1: of finding that which she sought. At the howl of
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  Speaker 1: the wolf, Onatasa shifted his rifle and passed quickly ahead
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  Speaker 1: to a point where the underbrush formed an almost impenetrable thicket.
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  Speaker 1: With a nervous spasm of fear, Frank clung close in
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  Speaker 1: his footsteps, dreading to be left alone even for a moment,
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  Speaker 1: her knight's weary journey, reminding her that she was still
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  Speaker 1: a womanly woman, despite the strange garb that she wore.
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  Speaker 1: With a warning motion of his hand, Onatassa raised his
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  Speaker 1: rifle to his shoulder. Standing directly behind him, Frank was
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  Speaker 1: able to glance along the barrel of the rifle into
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  Speaker 1: the blazing eyes of a huge gray wolf that stood
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  Speaker 1: with one foot raised as though startled by the footsteps
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  Speaker 1: of the yet unseen mohawk the sharp crack of the
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  Speaker 1: rifle was heard, and with a convulsive movement, but without
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  Speaker 1: a sound, the beast dropped dead where he stood, as
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  Speaker 1: Onatassa pushed his way through the thicket. With the hunter's
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  Speaker 1: instinct to gaze on his prey, Frank became conscious of
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  Speaker 1: a low moan at her left. Her nerves now strung
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  Speaker 1: to the highest tension, she turned to flee to the
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  Speaker 1: open trail, but the cowardly impulse was instantly banished, and
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  Speaker 1: she advanced through the thicket in the direction of the sound,
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  Speaker 1: only to again shrink from the apparently dead form of
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  Speaker 1: another British soldier. As she gazed, a convulsive movement of
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  Speaker 1: the man, probably partially aroused from stupor by the sharp
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  Speaker 1: crack of the rifle, gave evidence that life was not extinct.
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  Speaker 1: The gray light of dawn and the gloom of the
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  Speaker 1: forest barely revealed the form and the bright color of
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  Speaker 1: the garments of the soldier crying on a Tassa. She
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  Speaker 1: hastened forward and removed the tall grass that partially recovered
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  Speaker 1: the body and disclosed the pale face of Captain Ross.
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  Speaker 1: Almost Paralyzed with conflicting emotions, she uttered a low moan
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  Speaker 1: as she sank to the ground and pressed her cheek
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  Speaker 1: to that of the wounded officer. Instantly, she raised herself
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  Speaker 1: to her knees, with her hand stained with blood from
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  Speaker 1: the wound in his chest, and directed the mohawk to
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  Speaker 1: prepare a litter for the removal of the captain. Two
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  Speaker 1: saplings were cut the proper length, and while the mohawk
• 22:04
  Speaker 1: was binding them together with cross pieces, Frank cut small
• 22:09
  Speaker 1: branches of cedar as a covering to the litter, and
• 22:12
  Speaker 1: spread her blanket in such a way that it could
• 22:14
  Speaker 1: be wrapped around the wounded man. Placing the litter on
• 22:19
  Speaker 1: the ground, the captain was gently rolled on his right side,
• 22:23
  Speaker 1: the litter placed close to his body, and then as
• 22:27
  Speaker 1: gently rolled to the left and on the rude bed,
• 22:31
  Speaker 1: Quickly lifting the same, it was borne out of the
• 22:34
  Speaker 1: thicket and into the sunlight of the early morning. While
• 22:39
  Speaker 1: Onatassa brought water from the brook, the girl bared the
• 22:43
  Speaker 1: chest of the captain and disclosed a flint arrow head,
• 22:46
  Speaker 1: still embedded in an inflamed wound. Directing the Indian to
• 22:51
  Speaker 1: bathe his face, Frank took from a pouch that hung
• 22:55
  Speaker 1: from her side, a small flask of brandy and a
• 22:58
  Speaker 1: flat case containing a surgeon's emergency outfit which she had
• 23:03
  Speaker 1: procured while in Montreal. Forcing a small quantity of the
• 23:08
  Speaker 1: brandy between the half open lips, she watched the bared
• 23:12
  Speaker 1: throat and was grateful to see a convulsive movement that
• 23:16
  Speaker 1: indicated an effort made to swallow the same. More brandy followed,
• 23:21
  Speaker 1: and the pulse began to quicken. Opening the case and
• 23:25
  Speaker 1: selecting a needle and silk, she bade the Indian gently
• 23:29
  Speaker 1: remove the arrow point. A little blood followed, which was
• 23:34
  Speaker 1: quickly washed away, and the wound bathed with diluted brandy.
• 23:40
  Speaker 1: Glancing at the mohawk, she observed him looking intently at
• 23:43
  Speaker 1: the arrow point, and as he caught her gaze, he
• 23:47
  Speaker 1: uttered the word poison. Without a moment's hesitation. She applied
• 23:53
  Speaker 1: her lips to the wound and drew the blood therefrom
• 23:57
  Speaker 1: this operation she repeated a number of times until the
• 24:01
  Speaker 1: blood ceased to flow. Again, bathing the wound, she deftly
• 24:06
  Speaker 1: sewed the lips together and made further attempts to revive
• 24:10
  Speaker 1: her patient. His pulse grew stronger, a little color returned
• 24:15
  Speaker 1: to the lips, and respiration returned, but he still remained unconscious.
• 24:22
  Speaker 1: Is there a house near at hand, she asked of
• 24:24
  Speaker 1: the mohawk, who stood near, immovably watching her efforts. A
• 24:30
  Speaker 1: hundred paces to the east is the log cabin of
• 24:33
  Speaker 1: the father of Onatassa, who is in Canada. Let us
• 24:37
  Speaker 1: go there, quickly, said Frank, at the same time taking
• 24:41
  Speaker 1: one end of the litter. The captain was heavy and
• 24:45
  Speaker 1: the road uneven, but they soon reached the cabin and
• 24:48
  Speaker 1: placed the rude bed on the floor. With the aid
• 24:52
  Speaker 1: of more boughs, a couple of bear skins found in
• 24:55
  Speaker 1: the cabin and a blanket, A comfortable bed was made,
• 25:00
  Speaker 1: the captain's coat and heavy military boots removed, and the
• 25:04
  Speaker 1: patient placed thereon. Under the patient and intelligent care of
• 25:09
  Speaker 1: the young girl, the captain slowly improved, and before a
• 25:13
  Speaker 1: week had passed he regained consciousness, but failed to recognize
• 25:18
  Speaker 1: his nurse and her strange attire. The rifle of the
• 25:22
  Speaker 1: mohawk provided venison, the brookfish, and a trip to the
• 25:26
  Speaker 1: village of Johnstown, other necessities for the household, and the
• 25:30
  Speaker 1: kindness of neighboring settlers, assistants, and products of the dairy.
• 25:36
  Speaker 1: When the captain had so far recovered as to be
• 25:38
  Speaker 1: able to pass part of the day in the bright
• 25:40
  Speaker 1: sunshine outside the cabin. The Mohawk signified his intention of
• 25:45
  Speaker 1: returning to Canada, but before he departed, Frank requested him
• 25:51
  Speaker 1: to remain in the cabin two days longer while she
• 25:54
  Speaker 1: went to the village to transact some business which she
• 25:57
  Speaker 1: said could not be put off any longer. After giving
• 26:01
  Speaker 1: specific directions to Onatassa for the care of the patient,
• 26:05
  Speaker 1: she departed on her long tramp to Johnstown. The cabin
• 26:10
  Speaker 1: of Onatasa was situated on the bank of the Cairoga,
• 26:14
  Speaker 1: on an oblong point of land formed by two ravines meeting,
• 26:19
  Speaker 1: and was selected by his father because of a tradition
• 26:22
  Speaker 1: that this point was the location of one of the
• 26:25
  Speaker 1: earliest palisaded villages of the Aniers Mohawks, when they were
• 26:30
  Speaker 1: driven from their old home on the island of Montreal
• 26:33
  Speaker 1: by the Hurons and Algonquins just previous to sixteen hundred.
• 26:39
  Speaker 1: No evidence was to be seen, however, except a few
• 26:42
  Speaker 1: holes that marked the line of the stockade and a
• 26:45
  Speaker 1: few mounds of black earth in which clam shells and
• 26:49
  Speaker 1: broken pottery were found. From this point the trail had
• 26:53
  Speaker 1: become a wagon road leading through the forest. The low
• 26:57
  Speaker 1: swampy spots made passable for the root vehicles by logs
• 27:01
  Speaker 1: laid close together, forming what was known as Corduroy Road,
• 27:06
  Speaker 1: the road sometimes making a wide detour in order to
• 27:09
  Speaker 1: reach fording places across the streams. The morning that Frank
• 27:14
  Speaker 1: left the cabin of Onatasa was bright and clear, with
• 27:18
  Speaker 1: a suspicion of the Indian summer in the air. Attired
• 27:22
  Speaker 1: in her woodsman suit, the mohawks rifle resting on her
• 27:26
  Speaker 1: shoulder for protection from wild beasts which were occasionally seen
• 27:30
  Speaker 1: in the forests, she at once adopted the long swinging
• 27:34
  Speaker 1: stride that she had learned from the Indian in their
• 27:37
  Speaker 1: long tramp through the wilderness. In perfect health and vigor
• 27:42
  Speaker 1: and with the thought of her errand uppermost in her mind,
• 27:46
  Speaker 1: she made the journey to the village of Johnstown in
• 27:49
  Speaker 1: safety and put up at the tavern that had been
• 27:52
  Speaker 1: kept by Gilbert Tice on William Street. In a former
• 27:57
  Speaker 1: visit to the village during the illness of Captain ROAs,
• 28:00
  Speaker 1: she left an order with the village seamstress for some
• 28:03
  Speaker 1: woman's underclothes, but not being able to procure outer garments
• 28:08
  Speaker 1: that pleased her. She had purchased a full buckskin suit,
• 28:12
  Speaker 1: finally embroidered that had formerly belonged to a Mohawk maiden
• 28:16
  Speaker 1: of about her height. Heretofore she had been able to
• 28:20
  Speaker 1: conceal her identity from the captain, but the announced departure
• 28:24
  Speaker 1: of Onatasa for Canada and her maidenly modesty urged her
• 28:29
  Speaker 1: to at once carry out a scheme to which she
• 28:31
  Speaker 1: had given a great deal of thought, which was to
• 28:35
  Speaker 1: resume the garments of her sex and be married to
• 28:38
  Speaker 1: her lover, that she might have the right to remain
• 28:41
  Speaker 1: with him and care for him after the departure of
• 28:44
  Speaker 1: the Mohawk. After partaking of food at the tavern, she
• 28:49
  Speaker 1: repaired to the home of Reverend John Urquhart, missionary to
• 28:53
  Speaker 1: the chapel at Fort Hunter and Saint John's Church, Johnstown.
• 28:58
  Speaker 1: To him and his wife, she told her story and
• 29:01
  Speaker 1: also requested their assistance in the necessary preparations for the
• 29:05
  Speaker 1: marriage ceremony, which she desired to have take place the
• 29:09
  Speaker 1: next day. Immediately on her return to the cabin, arrangements
• 29:14
  Speaker 1: were also made with the landlord for rooms at the
• 29:17
  Speaker 1: tavern until such time as suitable quarters could be procured. Elsewhere.
• 29:23
  Speaker 1: The clergyman and his young wife entered heartily into the scheme,
• 29:27
  Speaker 1: and the girl returned to the tavern with the understanding
• 29:31
  Speaker 1: that she was to return to the cabin early the
• 29:34
  Speaker 1: following morning, and that the clergyman and his wife and
• 29:38
  Speaker 1: the daughter of the landlord should follow about two hours later,
• 29:42
  Speaker 1: in order that she could have time to make the
• 29:44
  Speaker 1: necessary arrangements before their arrival. The next morning's dawn found
• 29:50
  Speaker 1: Frank busy attiring herself as far as possible in garments
• 29:55
  Speaker 1: to which she had been a stranger for many weeks,
• 29:58
  Speaker 1: making a bundle of though she could not at present wear.
• 30:02
  Speaker 1: She again dressed herself in her woodsman suit, and, after
• 30:06
  Speaker 1: a hearty breakfast, procured a conveyance, and in due time
• 30:10
  Speaker 1: arrived at the cabin. After the usual morning greetings and
• 30:15
  Speaker 1: a few minutes care of her patient, she repaired to
• 30:18
  Speaker 1: her apartment, which was one corner of one large room
• 30:22
  Speaker 1: divided by a curtain made of blankets. Donning a silk
• 30:27
  Speaker 1: blouse belted at the waist with lace at the neck
• 30:30
  Speaker 1: and sleeves, the short buckskin skirt of the Indian costume,
• 30:35
  Speaker 1: dark stockings, and a pair of English walking boots, she
• 30:39
  Speaker 1: stood trembling and blushing, her short auburn hair wavy and rebellious,
• 30:45
  Speaker 1: clustering around her forehead, her dark blue eyes brilliant and
• 30:49
  Speaker 1: tender at the thought of the coming meeting. Knowing that
• 30:53
  Speaker 1: in face and form she was a beautiful woman, she
• 30:56
  Speaker 1: still delayed drawing the curtain that should disclose to her lover,
• 31:00
  Speaker 1: the woman he adored. The captain had arisen from his
• 31:04
  Speaker 1: rude chair for the purpose of going out into the
• 31:07
  Speaker 1: bright sunshine. As he turned his back on the curtained room,
• 31:12
  Speaker 1: Frank parted the blankets and took a step forward. At
• 31:16
  Speaker 1: the same time, uttering in low tender tones, surcharged with
• 31:21
  Speaker 1: the longings of a heart filled with the repressed love
• 31:24
  Speaker 1: of many weeks Charlie Love. Turning quickly at the sound,
• 31:31
  Speaker 1: he beheld a vision of beauty endowed with nature's charms
• 31:34
  Speaker 1: in most superb profusion, standing with outstretched arms. A bewildered
• 31:40
  Speaker 1: expression passed over his face, and he raised his hand
• 31:44
  Speaker 1: to his forehead, as though he would clear the mist
• 31:47
  Speaker 1: from his brain. But a well remembered motion of the
• 31:51
  Speaker 1: upraised arm and the love light in her dear eyes
• 31:55
  Speaker 1: were not to be mistaken, and he clasped her in
• 31:58
  Speaker 1: his arms and spoke the word she had so long
• 32:01
  Speaker 1: waited for, sweetheart, murmuring between his kisses and caresses, Oh,
• 32:08
  Speaker 1: my love, my darling, my sweetheart. She led him to
• 32:12
  Speaker 1: his chair and kneeled by his side, while in answer
• 32:16
  Speaker 1: to his eager questions, she told the story of her
• 32:19
  Speaker 1: long journey and her search for him in the wilderness.
• 32:23
  Speaker 1: The sudden darkening of the doorway attracted their attention. They
• 32:28
  Speaker 1: looked up to behold the tall form of Onatassa, whose
• 32:32
  Speaker 1: dark eyes gave no gleam of surprise or emotion. The
• 32:37
  Speaker 1: White Maiden's friends are coming, he said, and then immediately retired.
• 32:43
  Speaker 1: And then frank or rather Francis, as we will now
• 32:47
  Speaker 1: call her, with blushes, told the captain of her journey
• 32:50
  Speaker 1: to Johnstown and the preparations she had made for their
• 32:54
  Speaker 1: immediate marriage and removal to the village, that she might
• 32:58
  Speaker 1: be with him always and careful him as his wife.
• 33:02
  Speaker 1: She told him of the little cottage already furnished, that
• 33:05
  Speaker 1: had been hastily vacated by a family of Tories who
• 33:08
  Speaker 1: had fled to Canada with Sir John Johnson, which only
• 33:12
  Speaker 1: awaited his inspection to be secured as their future home.
• 33:17
  Speaker 1: By this time the clerical party had approached the cabin,
• 33:21
  Speaker 1: were greeted by the inmates, and as comfortably disposed of
• 33:26
  Speaker 1: as the limited accommodations of the cabin would permit. After
• 33:30
  Speaker 1: some very light refreshments, the bride being already attired, no
• 33:35
  Speaker 1: time was lost in the final preparations for the marriage ceremony.
• 33:40
  Speaker 1: In front of the cabin, which faced the east, the
• 33:43
  Speaker 1: forest had been cleared, leaving a turf covered space of
• 33:47
  Speaker 1: gentle declivity in the creek below. Outside of the weather
• 33:51
  Speaker 1: stained log house, Onatassa was busy toasting venison steak for
• 33:56
  Speaker 1: their midday meal before a wood fire built under the
• 34:00
  Speaker 1: shadow of a giant pine. Back of the house were
• 34:04
  Speaker 1: tethered the horses that had conveyed the party from the village,
• 34:08
  Speaker 1: while the scattered trees and the distant forests were brilliant
• 34:12
  Speaker 1: with the bright livery of autumn. On the green sward
• 34:16
  Speaker 1: was placed the captain's rude chair. In the morning sunlight,
• 34:20
  Speaker 1: Onatassa was called from his duties and the minister's wife,
• 34:25
  Speaker 1: acting as master of ceremonies, proceeded to arrange the bridal party.
• 34:31
  Speaker 1: The captain, still weak from his wound and the extraordinary
• 34:35
  Speaker 1: excitement of the morning, was assisted to his chair, Francis
• 34:39
  Speaker 1: kneeling at his side, half facing him. To the right
• 34:43
  Speaker 1: of the captain stood the stalwart, half naked form of
• 34:46
  Speaker 1: the mohawk, hastily decorated with paint and feathers for the
• 34:50
  Speaker 1: occasion as best man, and to the left the daughter
• 34:55
  Speaker 1: of the landlord. In front the clergyman in cassock and
• 34:59
  Speaker 1: cap with the ritual of the Church of England in
• 35:02
  Speaker 1: his hand. With solemn voice, the words were spoken that
• 35:06
  Speaker 1: made them man and wife, and with feelings of mingled
• 35:10
  Speaker 1: joy and anxiety, they prepared to leave the rude woodland
• 35:14
  Speaker 1: home of Onatasa. A simple meal was prepared for the party,
• 35:20
  Speaker 1: and the captain gently assisted into one of the wagons.
• 35:24
  Speaker 1: The parting of Francis and the captain with the mohawk
• 35:28
  Speaker 1: was not without emotion, the girl lingering to the last
• 35:32
  Speaker 1: to express her gratitude for his care and consideration for
• 35:36
  Speaker 1: her in their long journey through the wilderness, and his
• 35:39
  Speaker 1: kindness and assiduity during the trying season of the captain's illness.
• 35:44
  Speaker 1: The expressions of gratitude seemed more acceptable to Anatasa than
• 35:49
  Speaker 1: the numerous gold pieces that the girl placed in his hand.
• 35:53
  Speaker 1: Already prepared for his return to Canada, he accompanied the
• 35:57
  Speaker 1: party to the crossing of the creek, at which point
• 36:00
  Speaker 1: their path divided. The mohawk came to the side of
• 36:04
  Speaker 1: the wagon as it halted at the trail, and addressing
• 36:08
  Speaker 1: the maiden, said, the pale faced maiden is happy today.
• 36:13
  Speaker 1: May sunshine always brighten her life. The memory of her
• 36:18
  Speaker 1: bright eyes will illumine the path of Onatassa in his
• 36:21
  Speaker 1: journey through the forests. Abruptly turning, he swiftly passed along
• 36:27
  Speaker 1: the trail without a backward look, out of sight and
• 36:30
  Speaker 1: out of their life. Their journey to Johnstown was without incident,
• 36:36
  Speaker 1: and the following Sunday found them happily located in their
• 36:39
  Speaker 1: new home, where we will leave them. The following extract
• 36:44
  Speaker 1: is taken from a London paper printed in seventeen eighty
• 36:48
  Speaker 1: five and dated Hammersmith, England. Died at Hammersmith. Missus Ross
• 36:55
  Speaker 1: celebrated for her beauty and her constancy. Having met with
• 36:59
  Speaker 1: opposite position in her engagement with Captain Charles Ross, she
• 37:03
  Speaker 1: followed him in men's clothes to America, where after such
• 37:08
  Speaker 1: a research and fatigue as scarce any of her sex
• 37:11
  Speaker 1: could have undergone. She found him in the woods, lying
• 37:15
  Speaker 1: for dead after a skirmish with the Indians, and with
• 37:19
  Speaker 1: a poisoned wound. Having previously studied surgery in England, she,
• 37:25
  Speaker 1: with an ardor and vigilance which only such a passion
• 37:28
  Speaker 1: could inspire, saved his life by sucking his wound. During
• 37:33
  Speaker 1: this time, she had remained unsuspected by him until his recovery, when,
• 37:38
  Speaker 1: as soon as she found a clergyman to join him
• 37:41
  Speaker 1: and her forever, she appeared as herself the priest Accompanying her.
• 37:46
  Speaker 1: They lived for a space of four years in a
• 37:49
  Speaker 1: fondness almost ideal to the present age of corruption, and
• 37:53
  Speaker 1: that could only be interrupted by her declining health, and
• 37:56
  Speaker 1: consequence of the poison not being expelled which she had
• 38:00
  Speaker 1: imbibed from his wound, the knowledge he had of it,
• 38:04
  Speaker 1: and piercing regret at having been the occasion affecting him
• 38:08
  Speaker 1: still more Sensibly, he died of a broken heart at Johnstown,
• 38:13
  Speaker 1: New York. She lived to return and obtained forgiveness of
• 38:17
  Speaker 1: her family, and died in consequence of her grief and
• 38:21
  Speaker 1: affection at the age of twenty six. End of chapter fourteen.
• 38:28
  Speaker 1: Recording by Roger Moline,