A B O O K

OF

NE W E NG L A ND L E G E ND S
A ND

F O L K L O R E
 t h e S a m e a u t h or
(

HIS T O RIC M A N S IO N S A ND H IGH

A
W YS A O R U ND B ST N O O . Ne w a nd

n
Re v i s e d Ed i t i o
. C r o wn 8 v 0 .

OLD A N DM A RK S
L A ND HIST O RIC
P E RS O N AG ES O F B OST ON .

A R O U N D TH E H U B . S qu a r e 1 6 11 10 .
 A L B O O K

NEW ENG LA ND LEGENDS

A ND

FO L K . LO RE

Kn iBr u zs z a nti m a t tr g

BY SA M U EL A DA MS D RA K E
A u t /i o r f
o
“
H is t o r i c M a ns ion s a nd H ig /i w a y s a r ou n d B os t o n , ” “
Noo /cs a nd

Co r n ers o f t /z e Ne w E g la n n d Coa s t , ” e tc .

N! ) E D I TI ON
‘
IV/ l V A f
RE V I S E D

W it h Nu m cr u u s I llu s t r a t i o ns

B O ST O N
LI T T LE, B RO W N, A ND C O M PA NY

1 9 0 6
 copy r zg zz t 1 8 8 3, 1 9 01 ,

BY SA M U EL A DA M S D RA K E .

ifi r i nt z r s
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S J P R K H I L L 65 C o .
, B O S T O N, U . S . A .

ELECTRO NIC VERSIO N

AVAILABLE
 I NT R O D U C T I O N

TO TH E F I RS T E D I TI O N .

HE r ecovery of ma n y s ca t t e r e d lege n dary waifs tha t n o t

o n ly have a really impo r ta n t b eari n g u the early history
p o n

of o u r cou n try b u t that al s o s hed much light upo n the s pirit of

,

its a n cie n t laws a n d upo n the domestic lives of its people ha s ,

seemed t o me a laudable u n dertaki n g Thi s purpose has n o w

.

take n form i n the follo w i n g collec t io n of Ne w En gla n d Lege n d s

-
.

A s i n a maj o r ity of i n s ta n ces t hese t a le s go far beyo n d t he

time whe n the i n te r ior w as settled they n aturally clu s ter abou t
,

the seaboard ; a n d i t w ould scarcely be over s teppi n g the lim i t

s eparati n g exag geratio n from truth t o s ay that eve ry league of
the Ne w En gla n d coas t has i t s story or it s lege n d
-
.

Di s o w n ed i n a n age of scepticism there w a s o n ce — a n d

,

the time i s n o t so far remote n o part of the body politic ove r

w hic h w h at w e n o w vaguely ter m the lege n dary did n o t e xe r
ci s e the s tro n gest i n flue n ce ; so that fa r fro m bei n g merely a
,

record of a m u s i n g fable s t hese t a le s w hich are largely fou n ded

, ,

o n fact disclose t he s ecret spri n gs by w hich socie t y w as moved

,

a n d hi s tory made . O n e looks be n eath every mecha n ical c o n

t i v a n c e for the true origi n of po w er
r . That is to as s ume that
the beliefs of a people are the key t o it s social a n d political
moveme n t s a n d that hi s to ry take n i n it s br oades t se n s e ca n n ot
, , ,

be t r uly w ritte n w ithout havi n g regard to su c h beliefs Had .

t he co n vic t io n th a t witch e s exis ted no t b ee n u n iversal public

,
vi P R E FA CE TO REV I SED E DI TI O N

se n t ime n t w ould n eve r ha ve cou n t e n a n ced the execu ti o n s tha t

t ook place i n N w En gla n d e .

It may be said the n tha t while H i s tory has its truth the
, , ,

Lege n d ha s its wn ; both taki n g for thei r n d the portrayal

o e

of M n as he ha s exi s ted i n every age — creature i w hom

a ,
a n

the imagi n atio n i s sup r eme n d w ho perform s deeds terrible ,

a

or heroic accordi n g a s i t may be a r o s ed i n to actio n u .

No apology n eed be made for the prevale n ce of s uper s titio n

amo n g our a n ce s tor s O ce n tury is n t the j u dge of it s prede
. ur o

ce s s o rs It w as a s uper s titiou s age Ki n g Charle s I i herited

. . . n

all the pop u la be liefs He kept a s n t t / of hi s court n

r .
,
a a a c ie
'

,
a

a s trologer w hom he w as accu s tomed to co n sult before e n ter

,

i ng upo n a ny importa n t or hazardou s u n dertaki g Laud the n .

,

highest prela t e i n En gla n d the implacable pers ec u tor of our ,

Purita n a n cest or s w a s a m n hau n ted by the fear of ome n s

,
a .

I n d ee d t h e mo s t exalted per s o n age s i n Chur h n d State yielded

,
c a

full crede n ce to all tho s e marvel s t he bare me tio n of which ,

n

n w calls up a s mile of i n credulity or of pity

o Ne w E gla n d . n

was t he child of a super s titious mother .

PREFA CE TO REV I SED EDITI ON .

HE t e r m lege n d i s s o loo s ely a n d s o i n di s crimi na t ely a p

“

plied a s t o suggest a fe w w o rds of expla n atio n To some i t i s .

the o ffs pri n g of pure fan cy to others the re s ul t of me r e halluci n a

,

tio n while a fe w perhap s better i n formed regard the lege n d a s

, , ,

e ss e n tially a vital part a n d parcel of the hi s tory of its time n d there ,

a

fore i n di s pe n s able to a full a n d impar t ial v ie w of the w hole field .

There are s e v eral ki n ds of Ne w Engla n d lege n ds Tho s e - .

there are which like Mr Ha w thor n e s Lege n d s of the Prov

,
.
’ “

i n ce House have n o other fou n datio n than i n the fertile brai n s

,
 P REFA CE TO R EV I SE D E DI TI O N v ii
of t h ei r a thors ye t n everthele ss acquire a ce r tai n air of p r oba
u ,

b ili t y t hro u gh the i n trod u ctio of real pe so n age s who talk or n r

,

move about at the w ord of comma n d Doubtless thi s is what .

Si Walter Scott me t b y s ayi g that n othi n g i s ea s ier tha n to

r an n

create a lege d I am of the opi n io n ho w ever that history n d

n .
, ,
a

fictio n like oil n d w ater do n t readily mix or i n other w ord s

,
a ,
o , , ,

that fictio n n d fable have n place i hi s tory II tha t o n

a o n . I c

v i t io
c n,I h ave omitted purely fi ctitiou s tales from this col
lectio of for the mo s t part hi s torical lege n d s
n , , .

Moreover I have al w ay s n ot iced that w riters of fictio n Sir

, ,

Walter al w ays excepte d a s a cla ss profe s s great i n di ffere n ce to ,

h is t o y
r ,
'

i n d eed compari n g it to a ga z ette other s to a n

s om e ,

alma n ac while s ome other s eve n go so far a s to call hi st ory a

,

mere r ecord of crime Be it s o N fault n be fou n d w ith . . o ca

a n ho e s t opi n io n co n s i s te tly adhe r ed to

n But w he n hol d i g n . n

s uch vie ws the t ki n g of hi s t orical character s or eve n ts for the

,
a

grou n d w ork i n order to give body d sub s ta ce to t heir tales

-
,
an n
,

is the u n co n s ciou s tribute pure i n ve tio n pay s to solid truth n .

A n other form of the Ne w En gla d lege n d the o n e perhaps - n , , ,

with w hich w e are mo s t familiar is really fou n ded o n fact yet , ,

i s s o ma n ipulated to give the freest s cope t o the writer s flights ’

of fa n cy or to se r ve the purpo s es of hi s art as to make i t di ffi cult

, ,

to tell w hat is fact d w hat fictio n In this class a y be an . m

i n cluded much if n t ll of our lege n dary poetry The grea t

,
o a , .

u s e m ade of the s e i fi d tales i n the public schools h as caused

ve rs e

them to be w idely accepted as t rue ve rs io n s regardle ss of the ,

fact that poe t ic lice n s e is s o ofte o n ly a n other n ame for poetic n

i n ve n tio n It w oul d ho w ever be n u pardo n able i n disc r etio n

.
, ,
a n

s o much a s eve n to hi n t tha t poe t s a s a r ule do n o t make , ,

r eliable histori a n s .

Yet i s t ruth s till st ran ge r than fic t io n There i s s till a n other .

de s criptio of N w E g la n d lege n d s imple n d true bitter a

n e -
n ,
a , s

truth some t i e s i s yet bo e of the bo n e n d flesh of t he flesh

m ,
n , a

of the ge n era t io n w hich gave it birth Thi s is t h homely pro s e . e

l ge n d a s it fell from the lip s or was recorded b y the pen s of

e , ,
v ii i P R E FA CE TO R E V I SE D E DIT I O N

e
y oreear w it n esses t o w h at they h ave related This is u t h e n . a

tic d it tell s u j s t w hat w e most w i s h to k o w

,
an s u With n .

e n tire i ge n u ous n e ss it admit s u s to those S gular beliefs which

n in

s o moulded the opi io n s sw ayed the co s cie n ce s d u n balan ced

n ,
n
,
an

the judgme n t s of livi g a n d w ome w ho i n deed had n m en n, , ,

bot h h u ma n d divi n e l w for their support

n a d guide i n a a n

givi n g the fu lle s t faith to tho s e beliefs .

It w a s these co n s ideratio n s w hich fir s t gave me the idea of

bri n gi g the e ifi d n d the pro s e Ne w En gla n d lege n d s
n v rs e a -

t ogether ide by side i order that tho s e i t ere s ted i the s ub

, S ,
n n n

j t more
e c , e s pecially teacher s might have as ready acce s s to the ,

truth a s hitherto they have had to the r oma n ce of hi s to ry

, .

To make the collectio n as comple t e as po ss i ble s everal tales ,

have bee n added w hic h do n o t appear i the earlier editio n s of n

N w E gla d Lege d s It w ill a l s o be n oticed that the opp r

e -
n n n . e

t u n it y ha s bee n availed of to add to the umber w ell a s to n ,

as

g eatly improve the quality of the illu s tratio s act u al s ubjects

r n ,

bei n g s ub s tituted i n mo s t ca s e s for the ideal s o that w ith these

, , ,

n e w feature s N w En gla n d Lege d s i s e to all i n te n ts what it

-
n , ,

purport s to be a n w a n d revi s ed work a more vigo rous gro wt h

,
e ,

from the pare n t stock .

S A D
. . .

BO ST ON , 1 901 .
 B O TON S LE GE ND S .

Th e Solitary o fS h aw ut m .
- J L Zlfo t le y
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B o s t o n Co m O W H o lm
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m on . . . es

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Th Ca s
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M ary Dy r e

Th K i g s M i ssi v
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Th Q uak r Pro p h t ss
e e e e

I t h Old So ut h Chu r h — J G W h i t t i
n e c . . . er

M r W o d r s f t h I v i s i bl W orld
o e n e o e n e

Cal fi B o sto — J G W h it t i
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Ni s M at
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Th D u l
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D d A
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— Is a a c llc e lla n, Ir
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L YN N AND N AH AN T LEGE ND S .

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S ALE M LEGE ND S .

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G i l s C r y t h W i ar d
e o e e z

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 CO N T E N T S .

M ARBLEHEAD LEGE ND S .

P AG E
M arb l h ad Th To we e ! e n

Th Sh ri ki g W o a
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A P l a f F loo d I r so
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C AP E —ANN LE GE ND S .

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Th a h r s I sla d
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Th Swa So g fP ars o A v ry
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Th Sp tr L ag u r s
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A Es a p f
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Ha h B i d i g Sh o s L y L
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Th P h a to
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I P W I C H AND
S N E W B U R Y LEGE ND S .

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Old I p s wi h To w c n . A p p le t o n di or am a

H art b r ak Hi ll
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Ne wb u r v p o r t
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Th O ld El
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Th Do ub l H a d d S ak
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T ll i g t h B s
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Th Stra g Cas
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 H A M PT O N AND PO R T S M O U TH LEG END S

H a pto m n

Jo ath a M o ulto
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Th W er k f Ri ec t h — JG o ve r m o u . .

P orts o ut h m

Th Sto e th rowi g D vil

ne n e

La d y W t wort h en

Th D v i l s D
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AND B OO N I
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On Star I sla d n . Sa ra h 0 Je we t t.

A Le g e n d a k b ard o fB l c e

a ish W r k
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fi th n . em e a nc r o r

Th Cou rt shi p fM yl s Sta d i sh

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Th P i lg ri
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Th e Sk l to i A r or
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Th N wp ort To w r
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m e e . a m es T F ie ld s
.

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W H I T E M O U N T AI N AND O T H E R LEGE ND S .

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p rt M o ,
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M e n ofM rk a 28 0 Dig h t R k M on oc ,
as s .

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 t itt h in tart ar .

SI R WA LT E R S C OTT . BA YA R D T AY LO R .

JO HN L M OTLE Y . . A N T H ONY T HACH E R .

W I LL IA M A U ST I N . C OTTO N M A T H E R .

I S AAC M C LE LL A N , JR . O L I V ER C R O MW E LL .

N A T HAN IEL H A WT H ORN E . T H OM A S M ORTO N .

JOS EP H B E SS E . A LO Nz o LE W I S .

C HA RL E S LA M B . B E NJ AM I N T R U M B U LL .

J O S E PH S TO R Y . RI CHA R D H A K LU YT .

t itan £11 190m .

O . W . HO LM E S . A PP L E T ON M O RG AN .

H . L O N G F E LLO W
W . . H A N NAH F GOU LD . .

J A M E S R L OW E LL . . SA RAH O J EW ETT
. .

L U C Y L A R C OM . H A RR IE T P S O F O RD
. P F .

J G W H I TT IE R
. . . J O HN ELW Y N .

J G B R AI N A R D
. . . JO H N A LB EE .

S A M U E L B U TLE R . S A M U E L W OO D W O RT H .

C H A RL E S T B ROO K S . . FITz J A M E S O B R IE N
- ’
.

E D WI N U SS E LL B R . . G E O RG E B A NC RO T G RI FF I T H F .

L Y DI A H S I G OU R N E Y . . JO H N PIER ON T P .

ELI Z A B ET H F . ME RRILL . C HA RLE S S P R A G U E .

W . W . S TOR Y . JA M E S G PE R C I V AL
. .

R . H . DANA . FE LI C I A H E M A N S .

CE LI A T HA !TER . J A M E S T FIE LD S
. .

J O NAT HA N PLU MM E R . RO B E RT S OU T H E Y .
 TH E SOLIT A RY O F SHA W MU T .

BY J . L . M O TL E Y .

1 6 28 .

SO LIT ARY figu r e sa t upo n t he summit of Shawmu t .

He w as a m n of about thirty years of age somewhat

a
,

above the middle height Sle n der i n fo r m wi t h a pale t hought

, , ,

ful face He w ore a co n fu s ed dark colored half can o n ical dress

.
-
,
-
,

with a gray b r oad leaved hat s t ru n g wi t h Shells like n a n cie n t

-
,
a

palme r s a n d slouched back from hi s pe n sive brow arou n d

’

, ,

whic h his prematurely g ray hair fell i n heavy curl s fa r do w n

upo n his n eck He had a walle t at his side a hammer i n hi s
.
,

girdle a n d a lo n g staff i n hi s ha n d The her mit of Shawmut

,
.

looked out upo n a sce n e of wi n n i n g beauty The pro o n tory . m

r esembl e d rather two i s la n d s t ha n a pe n i n sula although it w s ,

a

a n chored to the co n ti n e n t by a lo n g slen der thread Of la n d

which seemed hardly t o r estrai n it from float i n g ou t t o j oi n it s
sist er islan ds w hich were t hickly strewn abou t t he bay The
,
.

peak upo n which the he r mit sa t was t he highest of the three

cliffs Of the pe n i n s ul a ; upo n t he s outheast a d very n ear him ,
n ,

r o s e an other hill of les s er heigh t a n d more rou n ded fo r m ; n d a

upo n t he other s ide a n d to w a the n orth a t h i rd craggy peak

, ,

presen t ed i t s bold a n d elevat ed fro n t t o t he ocean Thus the .

whole pe n i n sula was made up of t h r ee lofty c r ag s It was from .

4 NEW -
E N G L A N D L EGE N DS .

thi s t riple co n formatio n of the promo n tory of Sh a n t t hat was

derived t h appellatio f Trimou n tai n or Tremo n t w hich it
e n O , ,

soo afterward s received

n .

The va s t co n ical s hadow s w ere proj ected ea s t w ar dly a s the ,

hermit w ith hi s back to the decli n i n g u n looked out upo n the

,
s ,

sea .

The bay was s p read out at h is fee t i n a broad semicircle with ,

it s extre m e headla ds va n i s hi n g i n t he hazy di s ta n ce w hile

n
,

beyo d rolled the va st expa n s e of ocean with n spot f habi

n .

,
o O

table earth beyo n d tho s e oute r mo s t barriers n d tha t far distan t a

fatherlan d w hich the exile had left forever N t a solitary sail . o

w hiten ed those purple wave s n d s avi n g the w i n g of the sea ,

a

gul l w hic h n w a n d t hen flashed i n t he su n shi n e or gleamed

,
o

acro ss the d im n e ss of the easte r n hori z o n t he s olitude w as at the ,

mome n t u n broke by a i n gle moveme t of a n imated at ure

n S n n .

A n i n t e n s e n d breathless sile n ce e n wrapped the s ce n e with a

a

Va s t n d my st ic veil The bay pre s en ted a s pectacle of great

a .

beauty It w as n o t that t h e outli n e s of the coa s t arou n d it were

.

broken i n to tho s e jagged n d cloud like ma ss e s t hat p i t u a -

,
c

re s qu a nd
e startlin g sce n ery w here precipitous crag i n fi ite ,
n

aby ss n d roari n g s urge u n ite to a w ake n ste

, a nd sublime m a

emotio n s ; o n the co n trary the gen tle loveli n ess of this tran s ,

a tlan t ic sce n e i n spired a soothi n g mela choly more co n gen ial to n

the co n templative chara cte r of it s solitary occupa n t The bay .

,

secluded wi thi n i ts fo e s t o wn d hill s decorated w ith i t s n eck

r cr e
‘

lace Of emerald i s la n ds w ith it s dark blue wat er s gilded w ith

,
-

the ray s of the w e s tern s u n n d i t s shad owy forests of u n k n o w n,

a

a n tiquity expa n di g i n to i n fi n ite dep ths arou d was a n image

n n
,

of fresh n d Virgi n beauty a fitti n g type of a n w world n

a ,
e u

a dor n ed by art u n ploughed by i n dustry u n s cathed by war

, , ,

w eari n g n o n e of the thousan d pricele ss je w el s Of civili zatio n ,

a n d u n polluted by i ts tho us a n d crimes sp ri n gi n g as it were , , ,

from the bo s o m of the ocean cool drippi n g s parkli n g a n d , , , ,

fre s h from the han d of its Creator .

On t he left as the pilg rim sat w i t h hi s face to the eas t the

, ,

outl in es of t he coast were comparatively low bu t broke n in t o ,

6 NEW -
E N GL A N D L EGE N DS .

t he bold a n d c raggy promo n tory Of Mi sha w um w he r e Walford , ,

t h e solitary smith had built hi s thatched a n d pali s aded hou s e

,
.

Th e blue thread of the River M v s t ic w hich here mi n gled i t s

,

S OLI TAR Y

wat e rs with the Charle s gleamed for a momen t beyo n d the

,

heigh t s of Mishawum a n d t he n va n ished i n t o the frown i n g

,

fore s t
.

Such w as t h sce n e upo a bright after oo of spri n g which

e ,
n n n ,

sp read before the eyes of the solitary Willia Blaxto n t he

,
m ,
 TH E S O L I T A RY or S H A W MU T . 7

hermi t Of Shawmu t I t was a simple bu t sublime image t hat

.
,

ge n t le ex i le in his s i lva n sol it ude I t was a Simple bu t sub .

l i me t hough t w hich placed him a n d sust ai n ed h i m i n his lo n e

,

re t reat In all ages t he re seem t o exis t m e n wh o have n

. o

appo i n t ed place i n t he w o rld They are before t he i r age i n

.

the ir a sp irat i o n s a b o v e it i n t heir co n templat io n but behi n d

, ,

it i n t hei r capaci t y fo r a c ti o n Kee n to de t ect the fo ll ies a n d

.

t he i n co n si st en c i es wh i ch surrou n d t hem shri n ki n g fr om t he ,

co n t ac t a n d t he fric t io n of the r ough a n d boist er ous wo rld

withou t a n d bu i ldi n g withi n t he soli t ude o f their medi t a t io n s
,

t he a iry fab ri c of a r ege n e ra t ed n d purified existe n ce they pass

a ,

the ir n i gh t s i n u n p r oduc t ive s t udy a n d t hei r d ays i n d r eams ,

.

W i t h i n t ellige n ce brigh t a n d copious e n ough t o i llumi n at e a n d

t o wa r m t he chill at m o sphe r e of t he su rr ou n di n g wo r ld if t he ,

scatt e r ed r ays we r e co n ce n t ated bu t with a n i n abili t y o r d i s

r ,

i n cl i n ati o n t o imp r ess t he m selves u po n o t he r mi n ds t h ey pass ,

t hei r lives withou t ob t ai n i n g a r esul t a n d t hei r c h a rac t e r s , ,

dwa rfed b y t hei r d i st a n ce from t he ac t ual u n i verse acqui r e n ,

a

appar e n t i n dist i n c t n ess a n d feeble n ess wh i ch i n eality does n o t r

belo n g t o t hem .

The impe n di n g r evolu t io n i n Church a n d St ate which hu n g

like a gat her i n g t hu n der cloud bove E glan d s devo t ed head
-
a n
’

was exci ti n g t o t he s tr o n ge r spirits whether of misch i ef o r of ,

vi rt ue who r ejoiced t o mi n gle i n t he eleme n tal wa r a n d t o

,

plu n ge i n t o t he olli n g su rge of t he wo rld s eve n t s ; while to

r
’

t he t imid t he hesi t atin g n d the lan gu i d it r ose like a dark

, ,
a ,

a n d t h r ea t e n i n g p h a n t om sca ri n g t he
,
i n t o soli t ude o r u rgi n g m ,

them t o seek r epose a n d safe t y i n obscuri t y Thus t he r e may .

be m e n whose spiri t s are i n advan ce of the ir age while still t he ,

cu r e n t of t he wo rld flows rapid ly pas t t hem

r .

Of such m e n a n d of such i n s t i n c t s was t he soli t a r y who

, ,

sa t o n the cli ffs Of Shawmu t F orsweari n g t he cou n t ry of .

h i s b irt h a n d ea rly man hoo d where t h e r e seemed i n t he , ,

p r ese n t st at e Of he r a ffairs n possibility t hat m i n ds like h i s

,
o

could develop or sustai n t h emselves droppi n g as i t were ,

-
, ,

like a p r emat u r e a n d u nr ipe n ed fru it from the bough W he r e

8 NEW -
E N GL A N D L EGE N DS .

its blossoms had fi rs t u n folded h had wa n dered i n to vol

,
-
e

a u t ry exile with hardly a regret

e Debarred from mi n i s teri g . n

at the altar t o which he had co n sec r ated his you t h b ( ,

e ca u S

u n able to comply with mummery at which his soul revolted ,

he had become a high prie s t of n ature n d had r ear ed a pure ,

a

a d solitary alta r i n
n th wildern e ss He h d d w el t i n this
e . a

solitude for t hree o r four years n d had fou n d i n t h e co n ,

a

t e m p l t i o n of n ature i n t he liberty
a f co n scie n ce i n s olitary
,
O ,

s tudy a n d s elf commu n i n g a solace fo r t h e ills he had s fl e d

-
,
u
'

er ,

a n d a r ecompe n s e for the wo rld he had t u rn ed his back upo n

forever .

His spiri t was a p r ophetic spiri t n d his virt ues belo n ge d n o t ,

a

t o his times I n a n age w hich r egar ded toleratio n as a crime

.
,

h e had the co u rage t o cultivate i t as a virtue I n a n age i n .

which liberty of co n s cie ce wa s co n sidered fearful licen t io us

'

n ess ,
he left hi s fat herl a n d to obtai n it n d wa s as r eady t o ,
a

rebuke t he i n t oleran t ty ran n y of the n o n co n fo rmist of the wil

der n es s as he had bee n t o re s i s t t he bigo t ry a n d persecu t io n
,

of the p r elacy a t home In Shor t t h s oul of t h e ge n tle h

.
,
e er

mit fl ew upo n pure w hi t e w i n gs befo r e its age but it fle w , ,

like the dove t o t he w ilder n ess Wa n ti n g bo t h po wer n d

,
. a

i n cli n at io n t o ac t upo n other s he became n o t a r eformer but

, ,

a r ecluse Havi n g e njoyed n d improved a classical educatio n

. a

at t he Un iversity of Camb ridge he w a s a thoro u gh a n d n ,

a

elegan t s cholar He was like wi se a profou n d O b se r ve r a n d a

.
,

s t ude n t of n ature in all he r ex t ern al ma n ifest atio n s a n d loved ,

to t heorize a n d to dream i n the v a r iou s w alks of sc e n ce Th e i .

bota ical a d mi eralogical wo n der s of the N w Wo rld were

n n n e

to him t he object s of u n ceasi n g s peculatio n a n d he loved to ,

proceed from the k ow n t o the u n k n o w a n d t o w eave fi n e

n n,

chai s of thought w hich to his soari g fa n cy s erved to bi d

n ,
n n

the actual to the u n seen a n d the spiritual a n d po w hich ,

u n ,

as upo the cele s tial ladder i n the patri arch s vi s io n h cou ld

n
’

,
e

dream that the an gel s of the Lord were desce n di n g to earth

from heave n .

The day w as fa s t decli n i n g as the soli t ary sti ll sa t upo n t he

 5

THE S O L I T A RY OF SHA W M U Tl 9 _

p eak a n d mused He aro.s e a s the s n was si n ki n g below the u

forest Cro w n ed hill s w hich girt hi s s ilva n hermitage d gazed

-
,
an

steadfa s tly to wards the west .

An other day he s aid ha t h sho n e upo n my lo n ely path ;

“ ” “
, ,

a n o t her day hath j oi n ed the buried ages w hich have folded t heir

wi n gs be n eath yo n glo w i n g w es t leavi n g i n their n oiseless flight ,

across t his Virgi n w orld n o t race n o r elic of their pa s sage T is r .

’

s tran ge t i s fearful thi s eter n al n d u n broke n sile n ce U po n

,
’
,
a .

wha t fi t fu l a n d checkered s ce n es ha t h yo n der s n looked do w n u

i n other la n d s eve n i n the cour s e of t h i s s i n gle day s career !

’
,

Eve n t s as thickly s t udded a s the stars of heave n h ave clu s tered

a n d sho n e for t h be n ea t h his r ays eve n as hi s glo w i n g chariot ,

wheels pe rformed their daily cou r se a n d here i n thi s m ysterious ,

a n d speechless w orld as if a Spell Of e n cha n t me n t lay upo n i t

, ,

t he sil en ce is u n broke n the whole face Of n at ure s t ill dewy a n d

,

fresh The st ep of civil i zat io n h at h n t adorn e d n o polluted t he

. o r

surface Oft his w ildern ess N s t at ely t emples gleam i n yo n der . O

valley s n o storied mo n ume n t n aspiri n g shaft pierces yo n de r

,
or

float i n g clouds ; n o migh ty ci t ie s s w armi n g w ith life filled t o , ,

burs t i n g with t he t e n t hous n d at t en dan t s of civilized huma n ity

a
,

luxu r y a n d w a n t pampered s lot h st ruggli n g i n du s try disease

, , , ,

crime r i o t pest ile n ce death all hotly pe n t withi n their n arrow

, , , ,

p r eci n c t s e n cumbe r y n s w eepi n g plai n s n o peace f l villages

,
o - u ,

cli n g i n g to a n cie n t ivy ma n tled churche s ; n o t eemi n g field s

,
-

sp r eadi n g their va s t n d n ouri s hi n g bo s oms to t h toili n g thou

a e

san ds meet t hi s w a n deri n g gaze No cheerfu l chime of esper

,
. v

h ll n peaceful lo w fthe retur i g ki n e n o w atch dog s bark

’
e o O n n ,
-
,

n o m rry s hout of childre n s i nn oce t voice s n flo ti g mu s ic

’
e n ,
o a n

from t he Shepherd s pipe n o ld familiar s ou n ds of human ity

’

,
O
,

b r eak o n thi s li s te n i n g ear No s n o w y s ail s h i n e s o n yo u e t er n al

.

ocea n i ts blue expa n se u n ffle d a d u n arred a s t h azur e

,
ru n m e

heave n d ah I n an crim s o n ban n er s flout t h s ky a n d n o

o e ,

embattled ho s t s s hake w ith t h eir martial tread thi s sile n t earth .

T i s ile n ce d mys tery all Sh all it be ever thu s ? Sh ll thi s

’
S an . a

green n d beautiful w orld w h ich s o lo n g hath slept i n v is ibly

a ,

at the side of its a n cie n t Siste r still weave i t s Virgi n w r eath ,

10 NG LA ND L EG EN DS .

u n soiled by passio n a n d pollutio n ? Shall this n e w vast page ,

i n the broad hi s tory o f n remai n u n su llied or s hall it soo n m a ,

fl utter i n the s tor wi n d s of fate d be s tamped w ith the same m -

,
an

iro record the s ame dreary catalogue of mi s ery n d crime w hich

n ,
a ,

fi ll s the chro n icle of the elder world ? T i s passi n g stra n ge t his ’

su dde n apocalypse L is it n o t as if the u n iverse t he n arrow o ,

u n ivers e w hich bou n ded me n s thoughts i n age s pa s t had swu n g ’

,

ope n as if by n almighty fiat a n d s pread wide i t s ea s tern a d

,
a ,
n

we st er n wi n gs at o n ce to shelte r the my r iads of t he human ,

r ace ? ”

The he rmi t ar ose slo w ly collec t ed a fe w s imples which he ,

h d culled from the wilde rn e s s a few oo ts of ea rly spri n g

a ,
r

flower s w hich he dest i n ed fo r his garde n a n d s tored t hem i n ,

hi s w allet n d the n graspi n g his lo n g st a ff bega slo w ly t o

,
a , ,
n

descen d t he hill .

B O ST O N C OM M O N — FI R ST ,
P I C T U RE .

BY 0 . W . H OL M E S .

[Th r t ft h p t H l
e fi s Thr o Pi t r e d pi t t hoe p r o m es
'
s
“
ee c u es e c s e s am e e s on

an d th t w h v
s c e ne id r d t h a t fi tt i g i tr d ti t
e a L g d
e co n s e e e m os n n o u c on o ou r e en s ,

th l it ry i h b it t d t h lit d th t h i p r
e s o a n a r d r d ti l l r
an an e s o u e a s e s e nc e en e e s m o e

B t p r frri g t hi t t h i h i r i “ ”
lone ly . u p e e p f t h L nd b t l s o e com a n o ns o e o
’
s re r e n,

as h i e id t h v ll d t h P rit ttl r f B t B l k t r v d
s s a o a e ca e e u an s e e s o os on, ac s o ne em o e

i t t h h rt ft h tl yi g wi l d r
n o e ea wh r o v g w r h i l y ig h
e ou n e ne s s ,
e e s a a es e e s on ne

b r
o s H r h di d
. The p t we h r h i l
e l y ett g t d
.
i Sh w t e s o e e s o ne co a e s oo n a m u ,

an d t h pl wh r h i b ri d
e a ce q ll y k e w ]
e e s u e ,
are e u a u n no n .

A LL overgro w w ith bush d fer n an n,

A d s traggli g l u mp s of ta gled tree s

n n c n ,

Wit h tr u k s t h at lea d bo u ghs t h at t u rn

n n an ,

Be t eastward by t h e masteri g breeze

n n ,

With s po gy bogs t h at drip d fi ll n an

A yello w po d w it h m u ddy rai n n,

Be eat h t h e sh aggy s o ut h er h ill

n n ,

Lie s w et d lo w t h e Sh aw m t plai
,
an ,
u n .
 M I ST RE S S A NN E H U T CH I N S O N . 11

A nd h ar k t h e trodd e bra h e s cra k n nc c

A cro w fl ap s Of fw it h s tartled s re am c

A s trayi g w oo d hu k ca ter s ba k
n c c n c

A bitter n ri s e s from t h e s trea m

Leap s fro h i s lair a frigh te ed deer

m n

A tter pl u ge s i t h e pool
n O
‘
n n

Here come s ld Sh aw m u t s pio eer

o
’
n ,

T h e par s o n h i s bri dled b ull on n

M I ST RESS ANNE H U T CH I NSON .

1 6 34 .

HE biographies of Mrs An n e Hu t chi n so n h ave so t o .

,

speak bee n W ri t te n by her e emies Modern author s i n

,
n .

W ri t i g of her
n have e h earsed her story from t he poi n t o f
,
r

View Of t he seve n t ee n th ce tury a n d n ,

we li v e i n t h e twe n tieth Bu t Hi s tory .

accepts n o verdic t t hat is n t fou n ded o

i n impartial j ustice a n d i partial j u s tice

,
m

was the o n e thi g t hat A n n e H u t ch i n so n

n

could expect n either from her accu s ers

n o r h e r j udge s All t he errors imputed
.

to her a n d t h ey w ere sufficie n tly ve n ial

of themselve s — mere quibbles in fact ,

migh t a n d should w e thi n k have bee n

, ,

settled withi n t he chu r ch Of which Sh e

wa s a m ember ; bu t the voice f the O

commu n i t y i n which she lived whi h ,

c

k n e w n d respec t ed her m o s t for h r

a e

Christ ia n vi rt ues a n d her s h i n i g t alen t s n

,

w as s i le n ced i n the ge n eral o tcry aised u r

fro m w ithout Crucify her c r ucify her !

,
MP , LA .

a nd we akly yieldi n g to it the civil m

, ,
ar

st uck her do w n as r ele n t le ssly i s it would have do n e the wo rst

r
12 N E W E N GL A N D L EGE N DS
-
.

O fcrimi n al s or t h ost da n gerou s e n emy to public order Mr s

e m . .

Hutchi n so n w a s drive n w ith ig omi y from her bo e i to exile‘

n n rn n ,

for mai n tai n i n g i her wn hou s e that a mere profe ss io n of fait h

n o

co u ld n o t evide n ce s alvatio n u n le ss the Spirit fi rs t revealed it s elf

from w ithi n Her appeal is to be heard It i s too late to blot
. .

out the recor d but the r e i s yet time t o reverse the a t tai n der
, .

We begi our sket c h w ith a imple i troductio n

n S n .

A n n e Marbury w a s a daughter of F ra n ci s Marbury wh o w as ,

fir s t a mi n i s ter i n Li n col n s hire n d afterward s i Lo do n Thi s ,

a n n .

fact sh ould be bor n e i n i d w he n follo w i n g her after career m n .

Sh e was the daughter of a s cholar a n d a theologia n Naturally .

,

therefore much of her u n married as well her married life had

,
as

bee n pas s ed i n t h e s ociety of mi n ister s w hom h learn ed t o , s e

e s teem more for what they k n ew tha n for w h at they preached .

The s ame fact too her i n tellec t ual gift s bei n g co n sidered reaso n
, , ,

ably accou ts for her po n deri n g deeply the truth s of Ch rist ia n

n

ity n d her fo n d n es s for theological di s cu ss io n bo t h for its o wn

a

sake a n d a s i n volvi n g the great problem f her wn life I t O o .

w as t he atmo s p h ere i w hich s he had lived n d moved n d had

n a a

he r bei n g It arou s ed n d quicke n ed her i n tellectual faculties

. a

a n d pe r ceptio n s Sh live d too i n a time of g reat r eligious

. e , ,

exciteme n t s oo n t o become o n e of active war fa r e the period of

, ,

the great Purita revolt s o that it i s easily see n h w tha t

n , o

moveme n t w hich had e nli s ted some of t h n oble s t wome n i n

,
e

En gla n d Should ab s orb s uch a n a s A e w ho w a s i n tel

,
o e nn ,

l c t lly n e n thu s iast a n d morally n agitator w ho had bee n

e u a a a ,

accu s tomed to breathe the atmo s phere of adulatio n d wh n, a o

wa s ambitiou s capable a n d adroit While s till yo u g h mar

, , . n , S e

ried William Hutchi s o a cou try ge tlema n of good character

n n, n n

a n d e s tate also of Li n col n shire

,
We k n o w very little of h i . m ,

a n d that little come s from Wi throp the bitter e n emy n d pe r n ,

a

secu t or of hi s wife w ho i ndeed s peak s f the hu s ba d i n terms

,
O n

approachi n g co tempt But thi s i s al s o n u co s ciou s tribute

n . a n n

to the superior talen t s of A e Were it all t rue w e s imply nn .

,

discover o ce more t h m tual yet n accou n tabl e s ympathy

n e u u

existi n g betw een a stro n g w oma n n d a w eak n w hich it is a m a

14 N E W E N GLA N D LE G E N DS
-
.

Du ri n g the voyage s he e n t er ed i n to discussio n s w i th som e

Pu ri ta n mi n ist ers who were also goi n g ou t to N w En gla n d e ,

upo n such ab s tru s e p Oi n t s as w hat we r e the evide n ces of j usti

fi ca t i o n n d she broadly hi n ted that whe n they
,
a hould arrive S

at their desti n atio n they might expect to hear more from her .

From these t hi n gs t rivial i n t hem s elves i t i s clea r that Mrs

, , .

Hu t ch i n so n co n side red herself t o h ave a mi s sio n to del i ver to

the people a n d churches of Ne w En gla n d Sh e avowed her .

e n tire belief i n direct revelatio n s made to t h e elect moreover ,

declari n g that n eve r had a n ythi n g of i mporta n ce happe n ed t o

he r which had n o t bee n r evealed to her beforehan d .

Th e ve ss el made he r port o n the 1 8 t h of Sep t ember 1 6 3 4 , .

It s appearan ce w a s so mean n d so u n i n viti n g that o n e of her a ,

fellow pas s e n gers supposi n g it to have depres s ed he r spirits

, ,

comme n ted upo n i t i n order as it appea red to d ra w h out

, , ,
er .

But she de n ied t ha t t he mea n n e ss of the place had i n a n y way

affected her because as s he s aid she k n ew t hat the bou n ds
, , ,
“

of her habitatio n w ere alrea d y determi n ed .

”

Upo n their arrival Mr n d Mrs Hutchi n s o n made thei r

,
. a .

applicatio n to be received as member s of the church This .

step was i n di s pe n s able to admit them i n t o Ch rist ia n fello w ship

a n d him to the privileges of a citize n He W s admit t ed i n Octo . a

ber bu t i n co n seque n ce of the r eports already Spread co n ce rn i n g

,

her ex t ravaga n t pi io n s Mr s Hu t chi n so n wa s subject ed to a

O n ,
.

searchi n g exami n atio n before he r request was gra n ted Sh e .

,

ho w eve r pas s ed through the ordeal safel y t he exami n i n g i n

, ,
m

i s t s o n e of whom was he r Old a n d beloved pasto r M r Co t to n

er , ,
.
,

declari n g themselves sat isfie d w it h her an swers Sh e e n tered .

t he Bosto n church i n Nove mber .

F or some time o n war d we hear very little of Mrs Hu t chi n so n .

,

except that she was treat ed with particular re s pect n d at t en tio n a

by Mr Cotto n a n d o thers The getti n g s e tt led i n a n e w home

. .

probably occupied he r to the exclusio n of everythi n g else He r .

husban d t ook a hou s e i n Bost o n a n d bei n g duly admit t ed a ,

freeman of t he Colo n y h e wa s immediately called upo n t o bear

,

hi s part i n busi n e s s of public co n cer w hich h e did willi n gly n,

 M I ST RE S S A NN E H U TC H I N S O N . 15

a nd fa ith fully He r ece i ved a g r a n t of lan ds i n B ra i n tr ee fr o m

.

t h e G e n e r al Cou rt He was elect ed t o a n d se r ved fo r seve ral

.
,

t e r ms as a deputy i n this body it bei n g si n gularly e n ough hi s

, , , ,

fo r tu n e t o si t as a membe r whe n Roger W illiams was b r ought

to the ba r tried fo r h i s he r etical opi n i o n s a n d ba n ished by it
, ,

ou t of t he Colo n y .

The yea r 1 6 36 was desti n ed t o wi t n ess o n e Of t he gr eat est

religious commotio n s that have eve r p u zzled the u n lea rn ed or se r i
ou s l
y called i n questio n t he wis d om O fthe fou n de r s o f t he Colo ny .

The mo r e i t is studied t he m o r e i n explicable it appea r s .

I
S TE o r M RS . HU TCH I NSON S ’
H OU SE .

A you n g m a n of l i beral v i ews who had n o t bee n har de n ed

,

by pe rsecut i o n was the n gover n or f the Colo n y a n d for the

,
O , ,

m ome n t ,
t h e popular idol This w a s Har ry Va n e who after
.
,

wa r ds died o n the scaffold He wit h Mr Co tt o n t ook much

. .

n o t ice of M r s Hu t chi n so n
. n d t hei r example was quickly fol
,
a

lo wed by t he leadi n g a n d i n flue n tial people of t he town w ho ,

t reat ed he r with much co n s ider atio n n d r espec t A lready h e r

a .

be n evolen ce toward t he suffe r i n g or t he n eedy had wo n fo r he r

16 NEW -
E N GL A N D L EGE N DS .

ma n y frie n ds while her i n trepidity of s oul a n d he r capaci t y

,

for deali n g with those i teresti n g questio n s from the discu ss io n

n

of which they w ere excluded led ma ny of her o wn sex to look ,

up to he r n o t o n ly a s a perso n w ho s e opi io n s were w orth n

regardi n g but al s o w ith admiratio n amou n ti n g to homage

, .

A dopti n g n e s tabli s hed custom fthe t o w n M rs Hutchi n so n

a O ,
.

held i n h o wn house t wo weekly meeti n gs o n e for m n n d

er
,
e a

wome n a n d o n e exclusively for wome n

, at w hich she was the ,

oracle The s e meeti n gs were fo r n o o t he r purpose t ha n t o hear

.

r ead a n d to discuss the sermo n s of t h e previou s Sabbat h a n d ,

for gen e ral re ligious co n ver s at i o n a n d e d i fi c t i o n They were a .

what would be ca lled i n our o wn day a club The b ri n g i n g .

women together i n a n y way for i n depe n de n t though t a n d actio n

was a mos t bold n d n ovel i n n ova t io n r equiri n g much mo ral
a ,

cou r age o n the pa r t Of t he move r Her m an n er n d address . a ,

h e r eady w it he r tho r ough maste r y Of he r subject t he St ro n g

r , ,

purpose she di s played est ablished he r asce n de n cy i n t hese di s

,

eus s io n s a n d were fast gai n i n g for her a populari t y tha t spread

, ,

i n g fr om he r ho u se as a ce n tre alarmed the m i n ist e r s for their ,

o wn hold upo n the public mi n d a n d s o de t e r mi n ed t h e m to '

call he r a n d her doctri n es se r iously to accou n t .

T h a t M rs Hutchi n so n s co n ver s atio n s were n o t a t fi rs t co n

.
’

s id e e d t o be da n ge r ous either i n t h emselves o r i n thei r e f

r fects ,

is clear from the fact that the most emi ne n t mi n i s ter s a n d

magi s tra t es attracted by her fame came from a ll quarters t o
, ,

hear n d dispute with he r Such was he r r eady comma n d of

a .

Scriptu r e au t horities n d he r s kill i n usi n g all the weapo n s of

a

argume n t t hat the s tro n gest heads i n t he colo n y fou n d them

,

selves un able t o cope with h e s ucce ss fully u po n he r chosen r

grou n d Sh e was impassio n ed she wa s adroit she was a n

.
,

e n thusiast a n d ye t she wa s subtle logical n d deep ; she was

, , ,
a

a woman w ho bel ieved her s elf i s pired to do a cert ai n work n ,

a n d w ho had the courage of her co n victio n s Could a n y othe r .

have brought su ch m n as Cotto Va e Wheelwrigh t Coddi n g

e n, n , ,

t n co m pletely to embrace her vie w s or have se n t o n e like

o , ,

W i n throp t o h i s closet w r es t li ng w ith him s elf yet more t ha n

'

, ,
 M IS TRES S A NNE H U TCH I NSON . 17

h a lf pe rsuaded ? To call such a woman a n adve n t u r ess a t er ,

m a
g a nt
,
o r a Je z“
ebel i s a grave reflec
,
”
t io n upo n t he u n der

sta n di n g o fsome of the bes t mi n ds i n the Colo n y .

A n n e Hu t chi n so n s doctri n es were i n plai n En glish t hese

’
, ,

Sh e held a n d advoca t ed as t he highest t ru t h that a perso n coul d

be j us t ified o n ly by a n ac t ual a n d man ifest r evelatio n of the
sp i ri t t o him perso n ally There could be she said n o o t her
.
, ,

evide n ce of grace Sh e r epudiated a d octri n e of works a n d

.
,

she de n i ed that holi n ess of livi n g alo n e could be received as

evide n ce of rege n e ratio n si n ce hypocrite s might live out w a rdly
,

as pu r e lives as t h e sai n t s do The Pu r ita n churches held t hat

.

s a n c t i fi ca t i o n by t he will was evide n ce of j ustificatio n .

F or a t ime people of eve ry co n ditio n we r e dra w n i n to the

dispu t e abou t t hese subtle t ie s The Bos t o n church divided po n
. u

i t t he g rea t e r n umber ho weve r sidi n g w ith Mr Cot t o n who s e

, , ,
.
,

views w ere u n derstood t o agree wi t h t hose m ai n tai n ed by Mr s .

Hu t chi n so n F rom Bost o n i t rapidly spread i n to the cou n try

.
,

bu t there r emoved from t he po t e n t perso n al magn eti s m of Mrs

,
.

Hu t chi n so n t he cle rgy were be t ter able to w ithsta n d t he move

,

me n t t hat it y be t ruly s aid had carried Bos t o n by s t o rm

m a .

In a n n ou n ci n g t hese opi n io n s of hers M r s Hutch i n so n freely ,

.

c r i t icised t hose mi n ist ers w ho p r eached a cove n an t of wo rks .

This embi tt ered them to w a r d her Embolden ed by t he i n .

creasi n g n umber o f he r followers she became m ore a n d mo r e ,

agg ressive so t h at t he n umber of h e e n emies wa s i n creas i n g i n

, r

proport io n t o t hat of he r proselytes Th b a ch t h t cool n ess . e re

'

a n d modera t io n migh t easily have bridged soo n wide n ed i n t o

a gulf tha t could n o t be c r ossed Un suspicious of n y dan ger . a ,

o r that what was said i n the p r ivacy of h e r o wn house wa s

bei n g carefully treasu r ed up agai n s t her poor Mr s H u t chi n s o n , .

was led i n t o speaki n g her mi n d more freely a s to doctri e s a n d n

perso n s t han wa s co n si s te n t with prude ce or fore s igh t s o that n

,

befo r e she was aware of it w hat had so far bee n a h armle s s w ar

of wo r ds n o w becomi n g n u n reco n cilable feud bur s t forth i to
, a
,
n

a war of factio n s Eve n t s t he n marched rapidly n

.
o .

G over n or Wi n throp n d Mr Wil s o n the past or of t he chu r ch

a .
, ,

2
 18 NEW -
ENG LA ND L EG ENDS .

led t h e oppositio n i n Bos t o n The matt e r was firs t brough t .

before the G e n eral Cour t po n a s ermo n preached by M r Wheel u .

wr ight a n d i n this b ody the cou n try was able to make head
,

agai s t the to w n A pers o n al struggle e n sued bet w ee n W int h r op

n .

n d V a n e i n w hich the forme r wa s vic t o ri ous

a , Van e t hen left .

the cou nt ry i n disgu s t .

The party havi n g a s i t w ere los t i t s head made n o differen ce ,

w ith Mr s Hutchi n s o n Sh co n ti n ed h e lecture s u n disturbed

. . e u r ,

by t h e Sign s of the approachi n g s t o rm u n t il all the churches ,

could be su mmo n ed to a ge n eral syn od w hich assembled i n great ,

solem n ity at Cambridge to si t i n judgmen t u po n the n e w a n d

,

startli n g F amili s tic doc t ri n es Thi s was the first sy n od held i n .

the western hemi s phere I ts deliber a t io n s were preceded by.

a day of fa s ti n g a n d prayer t hroughout t he Colo n y Wh at i t .

decreed would be su st ain ed by t he civil po we r .

The co n vocat io n was a s t o r my o n e Three weeks were spe n t .

i n di s cussi n g the error s t ha t were formula t ed i n t he i n dictme n t

p re s e n t ed to it Perceivi n g t he d r ift t o w a r d pe rsecut i o n some
.
,

of the member s for Bos t o n withdre w i n disgust The Sy n od .

fi n ished by co n dem n i n g as heresies all of t he eighty odd poi n t s

coveri n g t he n w opi io n s thus bri n gin g t he m wi t hi n t he pale
e n ,

of the la w Mr Co t to n wa s either too weak or t oo poli t ic to

. .

wi thst an d t he pres s ure brough t to bear upo n h i m a n d he gave ,

a qualified adhe s io n t o the proceedi n gs .

Bei n g thu s backed by the whole spiri t ual powe r of t he Colo n y ,

the Wi nt h r op pa rt y n lo n ge r hesi t at ed t o u s e sever e measu re s

o .

Mr Wh eel w i ght was firs t called before t he Cou rt t o be sum

. r ,

marily se n t en ced t o d i sfran ch iseme n t a n d ba n i sh men t N 0 .

on pre t en ds t ha t he w as n o t a n able pure a n d upright m a n

e , , .

Other s of M r s Hu t chi n s o n s adhere n t s received various s e n

’
.

t n e The the prie s te ss n d prophete s s hers elf w as arraign ed

ce s . n a

a t the bar a s a crimi n al of t h mo s t da gerou s ki n d e n .

The p r oceedi gs at thi s trial are pre s erved i n the Hi s tory of

n

Ma s sachu s etts u n der the Colo n y a n d Provi ce of w hich G o n , v

er n Hutchi n so n t he de s cen dan t of the per s ecuted A n n e is the

or , ,

au t ho r They are volumi n ous Wi n throp who pre s ided fi rst

. .
, ,
 M IS TRES S A NNE H U TC HINSON . . 19

ca t echi z ed h e r Sh e a n s w e red h i m boldly but with d ig n i ty

.
,
.

The n B r adstree t a n d the n D u dley the d eputy gover n or took

, ,
-
,

turn s i n tryi n g to e xt o r t fr o m her so m e d amagi n g admi s sio n .

The follo w i n g colloqu y taken fro m the record s will give some , ,

idea of t h e way i n which j ustice wa s admi n i s tered at tha t early

day
D ep u t y g o ve r n o r
- Le t her w it n esses be called . .

Go ve rn Who be they ?
or .
”

M s H t hi s
r . u Mr Leve r e t t a n d ou r t eache r a n d Mr
c n on .
“
.
, .

Co g g e s h all .

Go v e r n r M r Coggeshall w a s n t pre s e n t
o . . o .

M r G g g e s /z a ll
. o Ye s but I was o n ly I des ir ed t o be sile n t
.
“
, ,

u ntil I w as called .

Go e r n o r
v Will you Mr Coggeshall say t ha t she did n o t
.
, .
,

say so 2 ”

M r Cog g e s h a ll
. Yes I d a r e s ay tha t she d id n o t s a y all
.
,

t hat which they lay agai n st her .

”

M r P e te s
. H o w dare yo u look i n to t he co u rt t o say such
r .

a word 2
M r Gog g e s lz a ll
. M r Pe t e rs takes upo n h i m to fo rbid me
. . .

I s hall be sile n t .

As the gover n o r wa s abou t to pass se n te n ce M r Codd i n g t o n ,

.

a rose a n d spoke some ma n ly w o rds w hich d i d h i m n o less ho n o r ,

because the ca s e w a s p r ejudged .

Mr C d d i g ton
. o
“
I do t hi n k t ha t you a r e goi n g t o ce n su r e
n .
,

therefore I desire to speak a w ord .

Go ve r n or I p ray you speak

.
“
.

M r .Co d d i g t o n The r e is o n e t hi n g objected a gai n st the

n .

meeti n g s Wha t if she desig n ed to edify her o wn family i n her

.

o wn mee t i n g s may n o n e el s e be prese n t ? ”

,

G ve n r
o r
“
oIf you have n othi n g el s e to say bu t that
.
,

it is a pity Mr Coddi n gt o n that you s hould i n terrupt u s i n

,
.
,

proceedi n g to ce n sure The n addressi n g the Court h .

”
, ,
e

added
“
It i s well d i s cer n ed to the Cour t that Mrs Hutchi n s o n c n . a

t ell whe n to spea k a n d w h e n to hold her to n gue Upo n the .

20 NEW ENG LA ND LEG ENDS
-
.

a n swe ri n g of a questio n w hich we desire her t o t ell he r t hough t s

of she desires to be pardo n ed
,
.
”

A n n e Hutchi n s o n di d n t fall i n to t he s n are Sh replied

o . e

It is n thi n g for me to c o me befo r e a public magi st racy n d

o e a

t here to s peak what t h ey w ould have me t o Speak a n d a n othe r ,

when a m n comes to me i n a way o f fri e n dship privately

a ,

there is differe n ce i n that .

”

Si x of the foremost mi i s ter s i n the Colo n y amo n g whom n ,

w ere t he A po s tle Eliot d the sub s eque n tly famous H gh an u

Peters th e n gave evide n ce that s he had told them they w ere

,

n t able mi n ister s of the N w Te s tame n t

o n d that they preachede ,
a

a cove n a n t of w o rks On ly Mr S hepa rd of the Cambridge

. .
,

church spoke of he r co n siderately the r e s t had steeled the

,
m

selves aga i n s t her .

Mrs Hutchi n s o gave plump de n ial to some t hi n g s t hat

. n a

the s e mi n i s ter s had alleged n d then h prude n tly asked that ,

a S e

they might be required t o give thei r eviden ce u n der oath i n ,

a ca s e touchi n g her per o n al liberty a s th i s did To thi s the

s .

G over n or t o n g ly d u r
s d but Mr s Hutchi n s o n stoutly mai n
r em re .

t ai n i n g her righ t s he fi nally prevailed F rom a s core or more

,
.

of accu s er s the n umber of mi n ist ers w ho w ere willi n g t o swear

,

w as thus reduced to t hree .

The o n ly pers o n s w ho spoke for he r were sile n ced by bei n g

bro w beate n Her fat e was determi n ed w hen t he Court assem
.

bled M Co t to n defe n ded her weakly n d equivocally Mr

. r. a . .

Coddi n gt o n mo s t valia n tly bu t t o as little purpose Seei n g , .

how the case w as goi n g agai n st her he spoke up hotly w hile ,

s marti n g u n der the rebuke jus t a dmi n istered by t he Pre s ide t n

“
I be s eech you do n o t s peak so to force th i n g s alo n g for I ,

do n t for my o wn par t s ee a n y eq i t y i n all you r proceedi n gs

o , ,
u .

Here i s n law of G o d that she hat h broke n n n y la w of t h

o ,
or a e

cou n t ry n d therefore de s erves n cen s ure A n d if h s ay that

,
a o . S e

the elder p re a ch as t he apo stle s did (before the Ascen s io n ) why

s ,

they p r eached a coven a t of g r ac a n d W hat wro n g i s t hat t o

n e ,

them ? ”

G o er n or W i n throp t he n p r o n u n ced se n t n ce of ba n ishme n t

v o e
22 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

agai n removed wit h h e family i n t o the Dutch t e rr i t o ry of Ne w

r

Netherla n d s settli ng n ea what i s n o w Ne w Rochelle Du r i n g

, r .

the followi n g yea r he r ho use w as s udden ly assaulted by hostile

I n dian s who i n their reve n geful fu ry murde r ed t he w hole
, , ,

family excepti n g o n ly o n d augh t er who was carri ed away i n t o

, e ,

captivity .

M rs Hu t chi n so n s o ffe n ce co n sisted i n usi n g t h e grea t i n tel

.
’

lectual po w er s wit h which S h w a s u n de n iably gifted for solvi n g

e

the problem of he r wn life He r e n emies va n quished but t hey

o .
,

co u l d no t co n vi n ce he r I t is n o t den ied that she w as a pure

, .

wo m a n a n affectio n ate wife a n d m other t o the poor a be n e

, ,

facto r n d t o her co n vict io n s of Christ ia n duty co n scien t ious

,
a

a n d faithful to the la st To succeed i ng ge n eratio n s she is a n

.

amaz i n g example of t he i n t ole ra n ce exis t i ng i n he r day .

TH E D EA TH O F RAINSB OROU GH .

1 64 8 .

HE civil wa rs i n En glan d p recedi ng t he de t h r o n eme n t a n d

death of Cha rles I ope n ed a n alluri n g field fo r eapi n g
. r

i n dividual r e n ow n which m a n y adve n t urous Ne w En gla n der s

h as t e n ed to e n te r It was there i n Ne w En gla n d if a n ywhere
.
, ,

t hat t he revolt agai n s t the c r ushi ng tyra n n y from w hich t hou

sa n d s had fl e d s h ould fi n d its legit imat e echo Moreove r n .
,
a

appeal to a r ms had become the dream of ma n y of t he nt h s i s e u a

t ic you n g n o ft his mar tial age No soo n e r t herefore h a d t he

m e .
, ,

swo r d been draw n t ha n these m e n of N w En gla n d taki n g

,
e ,

their G e n eva Bible s a n d t heir Spa ni s h rapie rs i n their han ds ,

e n rolled them s elves u n der the ban n ers of the Parliame n t a n d ,

some of them carved with t hei r good blade s n en du ri n g r ecord

'

upo n the hist o ry of t he t ime .

F oremost amo n g these volu n teers f t h e Puri t an cause was or

William Ra in s b o r o u g h who l i ved her e i n 1 6 39 a n d wa s with

, , ,
 TH E DE TH o r A RAINSB OROU G H . 23

Robert Sedgwick n d I s rael St ough t o n t he n a m embe r of the

a ,

Ho n orable Artillery Compa n y of Bos t o n Ra in s b o o u g h had . r

s peedily r i s e n t o be colo n el of a r egi e n t i n t h e Pa rliame n t ary m

army i n whic h t his Stoughto n wa s lieute n a n t colo n el Nehemiah

,
-

Bou rn e a Bos t o n shipwrigh t m j or n d Joh n Leve r et t afte r

, ,
a ,
a ,

wards govern or a cap t ai n 3 W illia m Hudso n supposed t o be

, ,

also of Bosto n was e n s ig n A s o n of G overn o r Wi n t hrop also

,
.

served wit h credi t i n these same wars a n d i n Ne w En glan d ,

t he havi n g fu r n i s hed o n e of Oliver s sold i e r s was lo n g o n e of ’

the most valued of family traditio n s .

Ra i n s b o o g h owed h is r apid adva n ceme n t t o t he dist i n guished

r u

g alla n t ry tha t he di s played i n the field as well as t o h i s z eal ,

fo r the cau s e both of wh i ch qualifica t io n s so essen tial i n the

, ,

Pu r ita n s oldie r ea rn ed for him t he wa r m f ie n d h ip of C r om

,
r s

well wit h whom he was tho r oughly o n e i n spi r i t I n deed he

, .

a ppears t o have held poli t ical se n t ime n t s qui t e as a dva n ced as

t hose of his great leader We fi n d h i m sust ai n i n g posi tio n s of

.

high tr us t bo t h i n ca p a n d cou n cil always wi t h abili t y a n d

m , ,

a lways w it h c r edi t t o himself a n d his pa tr o n .

In t h e memo able s t ormi n g of B r is t ol t he n held by P r i n ce

r ,

Rupe rt Ra i n s b o o u g h comman ded a b r igade which was post ed

,
r

i n fro n t of t he st r o n ges t pa rt of t he e n emy s li n e of defe n ce

’
.

The du t y of assaul t i n g t his positio n fell t o h i m Cromwell t ells .

h o w it was perfo r med i n a n official le t te r wri tt e n fro m Bris t ol

,

i m med i a t ely aft e r the sur re n der of t he place .

“
Colo n el Ra i n s b o o u g h s pos t was n ear t o D urha m Dow n
r
’

whe r eof t he d r agoo n s a n d t hree r egimen ts of horse made good a

post upo n t he Dow n be t wee n him a n d t he Rive r A vo n o n h i s
, ,

ri gh t han d An d fr om Colo n el Ra i n s b o o u g h s qua rt e r s t o

. r
’

Fr oom R i ver o n his left a pa rt of Colo n el Birch s a n d t he

, ,
’

whole of G en er al Ski pp o n r egime n t we r e t o m ai n tai n t ha t ’

s

po st .
”

The sign al for s t o r mi n g bei ng gi ve n t he Pa rliamen tar y ,

t r00 ps adva n ced wi t h gr ea t resol utio n aga in st the e n emy s w hole ’

li n e a n d we r e sud d e n ly i n possessio n of t he gr eat e r po rtio n

,

of it .
24 N W ENG L
E -
AND LEG ENDS .

D u ri n g t h i s say s the G e eral Colo n el Ra in s b o r o u g h n d

,
n , a

Colo n el Hammo n d atte p t ed Pryor s Hill Fort n d t he li n e m

’
a

down ward t oward s Froom ; n d the major—ge n eral s egime n t a

’
r

bei n g to storm to w ard s F room River Colo el Hammo d po s ,

n n

se ss ed the li n e immediately n d beati ng the e n emy from it ,

a ,

made way for the hor s e to e ter Colo n el R i n b g h who n . a s o ro u ,

had t h harde s t t a s k of all at Pryor s Hill F ort attempted i t

e
’

, ,

a n d fought n ear three hour s fo r it A n d i n deed there w s grea t . a

d e s pair of carryi n g the place it bei g exceedi n gly high a ladde r ,

n ,

of thirty r ou n d s s carcely reachi n g the top thereof 5 bu t his re s o

l t i n w as such that n ot w it h sta di g the i n accessible n e s s n d
u o n n a

difficulty he w ould n t give it over Th e n emy had four

,
o . e

pieces of can n o n upo it w hich they plied with rou n d n d ca s e

n ,
a

sho t upo n ou r m n ; hi s lieute n a n t Colo n el Bo w e n (Bou rn e )

e , ,

an d others w ere t w o hours at push of pike s ta di n g upo n the ,

n

pali s ade s but could n t e n te r Bu t n w Colo n el Hammo n d

,
o . o

bei ng e n ter ed t he li n e by mea n s of t hi s e n tra n ce of Colo n el

Hammo n d t h ey did s t orm the fort n tha t par t whic h was
,
o

i n w ar d n d so Colo n el Ra i n s b o g h a n d Colo n el Hammo n d s

a or u
’
s
’

m n e n tered t h
e fort n d immediately put almost ll t he m e n
e ,
a a

i n it t o t he s w ord
”
.

F or his r e s ol u te brave ry o n th is occasio n Ra i n b o o u g h was s r

o n e of t he o f fi cers depu t ed by F ai r fax t o eceive t he su rr e n de r r

of the place .

R in s b o o u g h subseque n t ly ac t ed a s o n e of t he commissio n ers

a r

f om t he A rmy with Ireto n a d Hammo n d to t reat w ith the

r , n ,

Ki g n d he w a s also n of the o f
n ,
a f icer s w ho s tirred up i n t he
o e

A rmy t h at spirit of disco n te n t w ith the half mea s ures of Parlia

me n t w hich bur s ti n g out i n t o open r evolt paved the w ay to its
, ,

fi n al n d humiliati n g do w n fall
a .

W he the i n s urrectio n i mediately prece d i g the seco n d

n m n

civil w ar broke out R i n b o g h w a s i comma d n d n ,

a s or u n n a o

board of the En gli s h fl eet n d he is the n called A dmiral ,

a

R i ba ns g h or ouIt i s w ell k o w that t he sailor s embraced

. n n ,

almo s t to a n the Ro y alist s ide They put their Ad miral o n

m a ,
.

sho re a n d t he n h oisted s ail for Hollan d n d the you n g Pri n ce

,
a
 TH E DE TH o r A RAINSB OROU G H . 25

of Wales R i n s b o g h t he n w e n t up to Lo n do n presen tly

. a or u ,

re c eivi g ord er s to go upo n h i s la st s ervice i n to Yorkshire

n
, .

It w a s i n the year 1 6 4 8 that the Yorkshire Royalis t s who

-

had bee n livi g i n q iet ce the fir st w ar were agai n excited

n u Si n ,

by i n tellige n ce of D u ke Hamilto s i n te n ded i n vasio n A pla n n

’
.

was laid n d s uccessfu lly carried out by t h e m to surprise Pom

a

fre t Cas tle (s ometimes called P on tefrac t) the great est a n d ,

stro n ges t ca s tle i n ll E gla n d the n held by Colo n el Cott erel a s

‘
a n ,

g overn o r fo r t he Parliame n t It wa s t hen victualled to w ith .

s ta nd a lo n g s iege The Castle was s oo n be s ieged by Si Ed ward

. r

Rhode s n d Sir Hen r y Ch l n d le y wi t h fi v thou s a n d regu la r

a o m o e

troops bu t t he r oyal garriso n stubbo rn ly held out for t he

,
“

Ki n g .

I t bein g likely t o p r ove a t edious a ffai r G e n e ral R i n b o o g h ,

a s r u

wa s se n t fr om Lo n do n by the Parliame n t to put a speedy n d e

t o it He pitche d hi s headq u arters for the mome n t at D n

. o

cas t er t welve miles from Pomfre t w ith t welve hu n dred foo t

, ,

a n d t wo egime n t s of horse
r .

The Castle garri s o n havi n g i n some way learn ed of Hamil t o n s ’

disas t rous defeat a t Pre s to that he was i n full retreat for Scot n, !

la n d a n d t ha t Si Marmaduke Lan gdale w ho comma n ded the

,
r ,

En gli s h i n t hat ba t tle w as a pri s o n er formed the bold desig n

, ,

of seizi n g G e n eral R i s b o g h i n his camp d holdi n g him

a n r ou an

as a h o st age for Si Marmaduke ; for it was clear e n ough that t h

r e

p ri n cipal ac t ors i n this u n lucky risi g w ould n w be i n grea t n o

peril of lo g their heads on t he charge of high treaso n The

s m .

scheme seemed all the more fea s ible because t h e Ge n eral n d a

his m n w ere der n app ehe n s io n of n y su r prise the Ca s tle

e u n o r a

bei n g tw elve mile s dista n t clo s ely besieged n d bei n g moreover , ,

a

n o w t he o n ly garriso n held for t he Ki g i n all En gla n d n .

The pla n w a s s hre w dly l a id favored by ci r cumst a n ces a n d , ,

w a s comple t ely s ucce ss ful except tha t i n s tead of bri n gi n g the

,

G e n eral off a s a pri s o er they killed him n Wit h tw e n ty two

,
.
-

picked m e n ll bold riders d w ell mou n ted Captai n W illiam

, a an ,

Paulde n pe n et r ated through t he be s iegers li n e s i n to Do n ca st e r ’

u n disco v ered The gua rds w ere immediat ely assaul t ed a n d

.
 THE DEA TH o r RA INSB OROU G H . 27

dispe rsed wh i le a p a r t y o f fou r tr ooper s made di rec t fo r t he

, ‘

G e n e ral s lodgi n gs A t the doo r t hey were me t by his l i eute n an t

’

,
.

who upo n their a n n ou n ci n g that the y had come with despat ches
,

from G en e r al Crom w ell co n d ucted them to the chamber where ,

R in b o o u g h w a s in bed
a s r W hile the G e n eral was open i n g .

the false despatch which co n t ai n ed n othi n g but bla n k pape r

, ,

the Ki n g s m n t old him tha t he w as their priso n er but t hat

’
e ,

n o t a hai r of his head sho ld be t ouched if he we n t quietly u

al o n g w i t h t hem They the n disarmed h i s lieu t e n a n t wh o h d

.
,
'

s o i n ocen tly facilitated t heir design a n d brough t bo t h t he

n ,

G e n eral n d him ou t of the hou s e

a A ho r se stood ready s addled .
,

which Ra i ns b r o u g h wa s directed to mou n t He at fir st s eemed

o .

willi n g t o do so a n d put hi s foo t i n t he st irrup bu t upo n look

,

i n g about h i a n d seei n g o n ly four e n emies while his lieute n a n t

m ,

a n d a se n t i n el w hom t hey had n t disa r med were s t a n di n g by

( ) o

h i m h e sudde n ly pulled hi s foot ou t of t he s ti rrup a n d c ri ed

,

out A ,
“
1A rm s r m s

Upo n t hi s o n e of his e n emies letti n g fall h i s s word nd p i s

, ,
a

t o l — fo r the objec t was to take the G e n eral alive — caugh t

, ,

hold of R i n s b o o u g h w ho grappled fiercely w ith him a n d b ot h

a r , ,

fell st ruggli n g t o the grou n d The G en eral s lieute n a n t t he n .

’

picked up the trooper s pistol but w as i n st a n tly u n t hrough

“ ’

,
r

t he body by Paulde n s lieu t e n an t while he wa s i n t he act o f ’

cocki n g it A third the n st abbed R i n s b o o g h i n the n eck ;

. a r u

ye t t he G e n eral gai n ed hi s fee t with t he t rooper s s w ord wi t h ’

whom he had bee n s t ruggli n g i n his ha n d Seei n g him de t er ,

.

mi n ed t o die rat her t han be t ake n t he lieu t e n a n t of the pa rt y ,

then passed his Sword th r ough h i s body w hen t he brave but ,

ill fa t ed Ra i n s b o r o u g h fell dead upo n t he pavemen t of t he

-

co u rt ya r d .
28 NEW -
ENGL AND L EG ENDS .

TH E C ASE O F MI S TRESS A NN H IB B INS .

1 65 6 .

HE devil i s i n it I s n t this pi t hy exp r essio n we i n

o
,

quire s urvivi n g m eme n to of t h e dark d y of super

,
a a

s t i t i n w he n everythi n g that w as s tra n ge o r i n explicable was by

o ,

commo n co n s e n t referred to t he device s of t h Evil O n ? e e

I t w o u l d be both i n te re s ti n g a n d i n st ructive further to a s k

if there are still people wh regard o

spilli n g the salt begi n n i n g a j ourn ey ,

o n Friday breaki n g a looki n g gla s s o r

,
-

s itti g w ith thirteen at the t able as

n
,

thi n gs of evil ome n to be s crupulou s ly ,

avoided ; o r w hether they w o u ld be

w illi n g t o admit that ha n gi n g a charm
abo t a child s n eck setti n g a h e n n
u
’

,
o

n odd n umbe r of egg s p u tti n g tru st

a ,

i n a ru s ty hor s e s h oe or seei n g the ,

moo n ove r a particular s houlder ,

to s ay n othi n g of dream s ign s or ,

S ,

hau n ted hou s e s — are n either ore ,

m

no le ss tha n s o m a y i dicatio n s of
r n n

the pro n e n es s of our n ature to admi t

N HT W T H M N
IG A G the s uper n atural N i s it so lo g
A .
. or n

ago si n ce people were livi g i n the n

rural to w n s of N w En gla d wh could emember repu t ed

e n o r

w itches a n d what dread they i n spired i n the mi n ds of the

,

ig ora t or t h timid U po n looki g back over the g r ou n d

n n e . n

that the e n lighte n me t of t h e age h co n que red o n is half

n as ,
e

i n cli ed to s ay that i some for or other Supers titio n will be

n ,
n m ,

about the l s t thi g eradicated from t h h u man mi n d It is i n

a n e .

order t o e n able t h r eader fairly to m ake the compariso n of his

e
30 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

lamen t their ig n o ra n ce but w e s hould be slow t o co n dem n them

,

for bein g n o w iser tha n thei r o wn ge n e ratio n .

Such a state of thi n gs bei g imagi ed n ea s ily s ee s w hy n n ,

o e

t he m e n w ho wer e w i s e s t n d s tro n ge s t i n every other a em er v

cy s imply lost their head s w he n co n fro n ti g thi s te r rible

g e n n

b u gbear that kept the imagi n atio n co n tin ually upo n the s t r etch ,

that w as a lurki n g t error i n every household n d that by expos ,

a

i ng them a s they fully believed to all the craft s a n d as s ault s of

, ,

the Devil (their wn frien d s n d n eighbors bei n g the i n t u

o a s r

me n t s) held their i n t ellect i n abject bo dage Agai n st s uch

,
n .

i n sidiou s attack s as the s e there w a s n o good defe n ce He n ce .

the n otio n of a w itch wa s like that of a s erpen t i n the ho us e ‘

whose sti n g i s mortal No wo n der it w a s the n thi n g capable

. o e

of chasi n g the color

F ro m c h e cks that v r ha ne e c n
g e d i n wo e ,
An d ne v r b l h d i f ar
e anc e n e .

This case of Mrs B ibbi n s is further i n tere s t in g as bei n g t he

.

seco n d o n e that the lame n table a n n al s of witchcraft ecord tha t r ,

of Margar e t Jo n es i n 1 6 4 8 bei n g the fi rst The s imple s tate

, ,
.

me n t s hould suffice to co r rect the belief more o r le s s p v a ,

re

le n t to day that the Salem outbreak w a s the begi n n i n g i n s te d

-
, ,
a

of bei n g t he tragical n d of t he delusio n i N w En gla d Mr s

e ,
n e n . .

Hi b b i n cau s e i s al s o memorable a s the fir s t k o w n i s tan ce of

s s
’
n n

the Ge n eral Cour t of the Colo n y s itti n g i t rial i n a ca s e of life n

a n d death The t ragedy therefore lacked n elemen t of solem

.
, ,
o

n ity to re n der it deeply impre ss ive .

Mrs An n Hi bb i n w a s t h w ife of William Hibb in a wealthy

. s e s ,

a n d i n fl ue n tial mercha t of Bo s to n Hutchi s o s ay s that he

n . n n

was o n of the pri n cipal mercha t s i n all t h Colo n y A t thi s

e n e .

early day i n it s hi st ory he h d s erved the Colo y w i t h credit a n ,

fir st as it s age n t i n E gla d n d agai n a s n of the a ss i s tan ts

n n ,
a o e ,

or chief magi s trate s The s e importa t trust s de ote the high

. n n

e s teem i n w hich he w a s held n d they co firm hi s admitted ,

a n

capacit y for p blic affair s A s erie s of u n l u ck y eve t s ho w ever

u . n ,

brought s uch heavy lo ss es upo n him i n h i old age a s seriou s ly s

 M ISTRESS A NN H IB B INS . 31

to i mpa ir his estate bu t what was pe r hap s worse to bear t he ,

sudde n cha n ge from afflue n ce to a more s t raite n ed wa y of livi n g

is alleged n t o n ly t o have s oured hi s w ife s n aturally u n s table
o
“
’

t emper but to have so far u n s ettled her mi n d tha t she became

,

i n t ur n so mo r o s e a n d s o quarrel s ome as to re n der her odious

to all her n eighbors I n stead of bei n g softe n ed by misfortu n e
.
,

she was harde n ed a n d embi tt e r ed by i t A n d it i s thought t hat .

some of t he s e n eighbo rs we r e led t o de n ou n ce her a s a witch a s ,

p r ese n tly they did th r ough mo t ives of s pite or i n reve n ge for

, ,

he r malice toward o r her abusive t reatmen t of t hem

, ,
.

It was a credulous age whe n t h e Spiri t of per s ecu t io n wa s ,

easily aroused The eye of t he whole to wn was pre s e n tly t u rn ed

.

upo n Mrs B ibb i n s There i s little room to doubt t hat she wa s

. .

the u n fort u n a t e posses s or of a sharp to n gue a n d of a c r abbed

t empe r n ei t he r of w hich wa s u n de r proper re s trai n t Most
, .

u n fo rtu n at ely for her as it fell out a superio r i n tellige n ce a n d

, ,

pe n e t rat i o n e n abled her t o m ake sh r ewd gue ss e s about her

n eighbo rs a n d t h eir aff airs which t he old w i ves a n d go s sips b e,

lie v e d a n d declared n o n e else but t h e D evil or his imps could

o

ha v e k n o w n or t old h e r of F ro m di s like t hey adva n ced t o .

hat red t he n t o fea r a n d t he n i t n o doub t began t o be fr eely

, ,

whispered abou t t ha t she was a w itch Such a reputatio n would .

n a t u r ally cas t a fa t al bligh t over her life No wife or mo t he r .

bel i eved herself or he r i n fa n t for o n e mome n t safe fro m t he

wi t ch s detestable a rt s Si n ce she migh t t ake a n y form Sh e
’
,

pleased t o a fflic t t hem Prese n tly t he idle gossip of a n eigh .

,

b o r h o o d gr ew i n t o a formal accu s a t io n How much could be .

made i n t hose day s of a lit t le or ho w da n gerou s it t he n w as t o ‘

exe r ci s e a n y gi ft like t ha t of clairvoyan ce or m i n d readi n g the -

,

follow i n g fragmen t w ill make clear to the r eader s m i n d U po n ’

.

t hi s po i n t Mr Beach a mi n i s ter i n Jamaica writes to Dr I n crease

.
,
.

Mat her as follow s

Yo u may remember wh at I h ave s ometime s told you your famo u s
Mr Norton o ce said at h i s wn tab le before Mr Wil s o t h e pastor
. n o ,
. n ,

El d er Pe d my s elf
nn , a n d w ife etc wh o h ad t h e h o o u r to b h i s
an ,
.
,
n e

g u e s t,
s — t h at of yo u r magi strate s w ive s a s I remember w as
one
’
, ,
 M I STRESS A NN H IB B INS . 33

h a ged for a w itc h o ly for havi g more wit t h an her n eighbo u rs

n ,
n n .

It was h i very express io sh e h avi ng as h e explai n ed it u h appily

s n, , ,
n

g u e ss ed t h at tw o of h er pers ec u tor s wh o m s h s aw talki g i t h e ,

e n n

street w ere tal ki g of h er wh ich provi g tr ue co st her her li fe

,
n ,
n , ,

n ot w ithstan din g a ll he could do to t h e co n trary as h e h im s elf told ,

us .
”

On e c a n ha r dly r ead t his fragme n t w it hou t shudde r i n g .

The i n creasi n g feeli n g of dete s tatio n a n d fea r havi n g n o w

b r ok e n out i n t o a popular clamor for j ustice upo n t he witch .
,

Mrs B ibbi n s w as firs t publicly expelled from t he commu n io n of

.

her church a n d t he n publicly accused a n d th r o w n i n t o p ri so n

,
.

Whe n the priso n doo r closed behi n d her her doom w as sealed ,
.

F o rt u n at ely perhaps fo r h i m for he died a year befo r e t his

, , ,

bit t e r disgrace sullied his good n a m e the husba n d was n o t ,

al i ve to meet the t err i ble accusa t io n or to st e m t he t ide sett i n g s o

s tr o n gly a n d so pitilessly agai n st t h e wife who m h e h a d swo rn a t
t he al t ar t o love cher ish a n d p r otect If h e r b r o t her R i chard
, ,
.
,

Belli n gham t he n holdi n g the seco n d place i n t he Colo n y made

, ,

an
y e f
f or t t o s a v e h e r tha t fact n o where appears
'

,
He r t h r ee .

so n s Whom she seems t o have loved with t he affec t io n ate t e n der

,

n ess of a fo n d mother w ere all abse n t fro m t he Colo n y A lo n e

, .
,

fr ie n dless a n obj ect of hat red t o he r o wn n eighbor s h e r hear t

, ,

may well have su n k withi n her .

U n de r such dist r e s si n g circumst a n ces wa s poo r old Dame Hib

bi n s wh o o n ce held he r head so high d ragged f
,
rom h e r d u n geo n ,

befo r e t he Cour t which was t o try he r as the worst of crimi n al s

k n ow n t o t he law The j ury ho w eve r failed to co n vict he r of
.
, ,

an
y over t ac t of w itchc r aft Bu t she could n o t escape t hus
. .

The people i t is s aid dema n ded he r blood a n d n othi n g sho rt of

, , ,

t his would satisfy t hem So t he magistrates havi n g the po w e r .

,

to se t aside t he ve r dict obeyi n g the popula r voice brough t , ,

he r before the ba r of the G e n er al Cou rt w here i n prese n ce of , ,

the assembled wisdom of t he Colo n y Sh e was agai n requi r ed to ,

plead gu i l t y o r n o t gu il t y t o bei n g a wi t ch Sh e a n sw ered wi t h .

fi rm n ess a n d spirit tha t she was n o t guilty a n d said Sh e was ,

w ill i n g to be t ried by G o d a n d t he Court Th e evide n ce al ready .

t a ken again st he r was t he n read wit n esses w er e h ea r d a n d he r , ,

3
34 N W ENGL
E -
AND LEG ENDS .

an s w ers con sidered n d the whole case bein g then submi tt ed fo r

a

its deci s io the Court b y its vote thi s t ime fou n d her guilty
n,

of witchcraft accordi n g to the te n or of the bill of i n dictme n t .

G over n o r En dicott risi n g i n hi s place t he n pro n ou n ced i n ope n

, ,

court the awful s en ten ce of death upo n the doomed woma n fo r

a crime w hich h d n exi s te ce s a ve i n t h imagi n atio n of he r
a o n e

accu s er s The warra n t for h executio n was made out in due

. er

fo r m the fatal day w as fixed a n d the mars hal ge n er al was

, ,
-

TH E O LD ELM .

t he r ei n di r ected to take with him a s u ffi cie n t guard The n .

the poor i n firm supera n n uated old w oman as i n n ocen t as the

, , ,

babe u n born wa s fe d back t o pri s o n a co n dem n ed felo n The n

,
.

t he member s of t he G reat a n d G en eral Cou rt s atisfied t hat they ,

had do n e G od s w ork i n han gi n g a w itch dispersed i n peace

’
,

t o their ho m es made more s ecure as t hey believed by this ac t

, , ,

of j ust ice .
 I
M STRESS A NN B B B I I NS
. 35

AS the se n te n ce w as n t carried i n t o e ffect fo r a whole year i t

o ,

is probable tha t t he i n terces s io n of fr ie n ds may hav e procu r ed

for the co n dem n ed w oman thi s reprieve Bu t i t co u l d n o t avert .

her fi n al doom ho w ever it might delay i t Tha t was sealed

,
. .

On the day that s he was t o su f fer s he made a n d executed i n

p r iso n a codicil to her will clearly disposi n g of all he r prope rt y
,
.

Sh was the n take n to the usual place of executio n a n d th ere

e ,

h n ged
a .

The u s ual place of executio n bei n g the Commo n it i s a

“
,

t ditio n that Mrs Hi b b i n s as well as other s wh o su ffered at

ra .
,

the ha n ds of the p blic executio n er was lau n ched i n to e t ern ity

u ,

fro m the bra n ch of t h G reat El T r ee that s t oo d u n til withi n

e m ,

a few year s a comma n di n g a n d ve n erated r elic of the pas t n ea r

, ,

the ce n tre of this bea u tifu l park Her r emai n s we r e shamefully

.

viola t ed A search w as immediately made upo n the dead b ody

.

of t he poo r woma n fo r t he di s ti n gui s hi n g mark s that all wi t ches

were supposed to have o n their per s o n s Her ches t s n d boxes . a

w ere also ra n sacked for the puppets or i mages by which t hei r

victims were a fflicted but n o n e were fou n d The r emai n s
,
.

w e r e then probably thru st i n to some obscure hole for the s uf ,

a

ferer bei n g excommu n icated a n d a co n dem n ed w itc h w ould n o t

, ,

be e n ti t led t o Chri s tia n burial although she earn estly begge d

,

t his poo r boo n i n her w ill Hubbard who writes n eare s t t o the
.
,

eve n t says t ha t they wh o were mo s t fo rw ard t o co n dem n Mrs

,
.

Hi b b i n w ere after w ard observed to be s pecial marks fo r t he

s

judgme t s of D iv i n e P r ovide n ce
n .

A n d all thi s r eally happe n ed i n t he good t ow n of Bo st o n i n ,

the year 1 6 5 6 !
 36 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

MARY DYE R .

1659 .

T i s a mat ter of hi s tory that i 1 6 5 6 a people who wo r e their n

hair lo n g kept their hat s n i n the public a ss emblies n d

,
o
,
a

who s aid thee n d thou i n stead of you w hen address

“
a
“
,
”
,
”

i n g a o t her per s o n made their u n w elcome appeara n ce i n N w

n , e

E gla n d
n They w ere forth w ith attacked with all the e n ergy of
.

a bitte r persecutio n .

When called upo n to speak out i n defe n ce of their cruel

proceedi n gs the Purita n authorities declared their creed to be
,

thi s They havi n g established them s elve s i n a w ilder n e ss i n

!

order to e njoy u n di s t u rbed their w religious co n victio n s held o n ,

it right to exclude all other s w ho might seek to i troduce dif n

f re
e n t opi io n s n d therefore di s cord amo n g them
n ,
a F rom thi s ,
.

it is plai n to s ee that the idea of toleratio n had o t yet bee n n

born Th further fact tha t to thi s cruel d sel fi sh policy

. e an ,

stern ly persever ed i n to the last the Colo y o w ed t he lo ss of ,

n

mo s t f the political privileges that it had hitherto e nj oyed

-
o ,

re n der s it n of the s teppi n g sto n e s of history N have the

o e -
. or

most zealous apologi s t s for the s e acts of the Puritan father s ever
bee n able to era s e the s tai n of blood from their other w ise fair
e s cutcheo n .

L t us r ecou n t a i n gle star t li n g episode of this lugubriou s

e S

hi s tory Two w ord s w ill explai n the situatio n

. .

O bot h sides of the ocea n the Purita n cry w a s

n freedom to
wor s hip G o d as we do The persecutio n of Quaker s had
.
”

already begu n i n En glan d u n der t he au s tere rule of the Puritan

Commo n weal t h They w ere treated as w eak fa atics who
. n

n eeded w holesome c orrectio n rather tha n as per s o n s da n gerous ,

to the public w eal After thi s had bee n some time i n progr e s s
.
,

some of t he persecu t ed Fr ie n ds came o ver to Ne w En glan d fo r

38 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

m en did A was i n evitable s uch n abrup t i n n ovatio n upo n

. S , a

th s ettled co n victio n s of the time re s pecti g w oma n s place i n

e n
’

the ch u rches n d i s ociety w a s a moral shock to the c

a n u , om m

n ity w hich quickly recoiled upo n the heads of the off e der s n .

The s e i n trudi g Qua ker s havi g a n ou n ced them s elve s a s

n
,
n n

co fe ss ors n d mi ss io n a rie s of the true faith of Chri s t were all

n a
,

presen tly put u der lock n d key as pe rso s guilty of p

n l a n ro m u

gati n g ra n k here s ie s d a s bla s p h emers n d their sectaria n

,
an ,
a

books were al s o s eized n d committ ed to the fl ame s by the a

commo n ha gma n The Quaker s the n became viole n t n d

n . a

aggres s ive i n their tur n They retaliated w ith prophe s ie s of .

evil They freely de n ou n ced the j udgme t s of Heave n upo

. n n

thei r oppre ss or s On woma n s eei g G over n or En dicott pa ss

. e , n

by t he pri s o vociferated from her grated w i n do w

n,
,

Woe u n to thee thou art n oppre ss or a

The fir s t comer s w ere all ban i s hed w ith a s ter n admo n itio n ,

n t to retur
o to t h e Colo n y They were put
n shipboard n d . on a

ordered to depart A n d thi s i t w a s hoped w ould be the la s t of

.
, ,

them Thi s w a s i n fact the easie s t w ay of riddi n g t h cou

.
, , e n

t ry f them n d their error s had these n t already take n root

o a ,
o

i n the s oil it s elf The n a s n o s uch la w exi s ted n was made

.
, ,
o e ,

pu n i s hi n g a n y Quaker who might after ward come i n to the

juri s dictio n Thi s la w imposed severe pe altie s Yet thou g h
. n .
,

cr u elly e n forced it was soo n fou n d i n adequate the n umber of

, ,

Quaker s i crea s i n g 5 n d s o the a thor i tie s bei n g n o w at their

n a ,
u

w it s e n d a n other la w decreei n g death to a n y of that sec t who

’

, ,

S hould pre su me to return after ba n i s hme n t w a s e n acted agai n s t , ,

s tro n g oppo s itio n There w as i n fact a co n s cie n ce i n the Co l

.
, ,
e

n ial body B u t the ruler s could n t n o w ret reat w ithout admitti g

. o n

them s elve s va qui s hed a n d s o pre ss i n g the poi t t he bloody

n ,
n ,

la w w a s i s cribed upo n the s tatute book of t h Colo n y

n -
e .

\V have e w fi i s hed the prolog u e of the d rama n d it i s

no n ,
a

time to i n troduce the real actor s u po n the s tage .

Mary Dyer a comely n d grave matro n then livi n g i n Rhode

,
a ,

I s la n d w a s o e of t h o s e rare s pirits wh are predes t i n ed t o

,
n o

become martyrs a n d s ai n ts to t he fai t h tha t they profess .

 M ARY D ERY . 39

Sh e he r husb a n d William Dye r we r e o rigi n ally i n h a b i

a nd , ,

t an ts of Bosto n a n d membe rs of t he ch urch there they havi n g

, ,

emigra t ed fr o m En gla n d to t he Colo n y i n the year 1 6 35 Fr o m .

t hese i n ciden t s su r rou n di n g M rs Dyer s career it is clear that .

’

bo t h she n d he r h u sban d belo n ged to t he bet t e r cla s s of emi

a

gr an t s Sh e is r eprese n ted by Sewel the Quake r hi st oria as

.
,
n,

bei n g a perso n of good family n d e s tate a n d by Wi n th r op a s a ,

a ve r y p r oper a n d fair woma n bu t as h e deprecati n gly adds , , ,

havi n g a very proud s pi r it “

In her the r efore we have the .
”
, ,

po rtrai t of a comely woman of fi n prese n ce high spi r i t a fair e , ,

sha r e of educatio n a n d possessi n g moreover a soul e n dowed

, , ,

with t he pu r pose of a n ev a n gelist o r a t n eed a mar ty r Both , , .

Mrs Dyer n d he r husba n d became early co n ver t s t o t he pee n

. a

liar doc tr i n es held by that prie st e s s o f commo n se n se Mrs -

,
.

An n e Hutchi n so n to whose u n toward fort u n es they co n t i n ued

,

s teadfas t The r e was i n fac t a bo n d of s ympathy betwee n

.
, ,

t hese t wo wome n Whe n Mrs Hu t c h i n so n was e xc o m m u n i

. .

ca t e d you n g Mr s Dye r walked ou t of t he chu r ch w it h he r i n

, .

p r esen ce of the w hole co n gregat io n Whe n she was ban i shed .

,

Mrs Dye r follo w ed he r t o Rhode Isla n d Th i s was i n 1 6 37

. . .

D u r i n g t he exc it eme n t p r oduced by t he r apid spread of M r s .

Hu t chi n so n s Opi n io n s a n d by he r subseque n t a r rest a n d t rial o n

’
,

the charge of he r esy M r s Dye r gave premature birth it wa s said

,
.
, ,

t o a mo n st er which Wi n throp describes w ith n auseati n g mi nute

,

n ess . Losi n g sigh t of M r s Dye r for n ea rly t w e n ty years we .

,

suppose h e r li fe t o have bee n a n u n eve n tf l n e — pe rhaps o n

~
u o ,
e

of u n co n scious prepar at i o n a n d of spiritual grow t h fo r the work

s he was t o do n d t he sufferi n g she w as desti n ed t o u n dergo
a .

W he n we n ext see her t he comely you n g w i fe has become a ,

middle aged ma t ro n w ho i s bli n dly obeyi n g t he comma n d of des

-
,

ti n y Sh e n o w p rese n t s he r self i n t he garb of a Qu ake r ess a n d

.
,

i n compa n y with pro f essi n g Quake rs to t h e people of Bos t o n , ,

a n y o n e of w hom by ha r bo r i n g her eve n fo r a si n gle n igh t o r

, ,

of fe ri n g he r a crus t of bread became a breaker of the la w a n d , ,

was l i able t o a h eavy pe n alty for so doi n g Sh was imme . e

d i a t e ly t ake n up a n d t h r us t i nt o t he commo n jail whe r e she ,

40 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

remain ed i n co n fin eme n t u n til her h u sba n d bei n g apprised of ,

her a rr e st haste n ed t o h e r elief His u rgen t praye r fo r his

,
r .

wife s release was o n ly g ra n ted upo n his givi n g b o n ds i n a large

’

sum to t ake her away ou t of the Colo n y a n d even the n the ,

autho ri t ies fu r the r s t ipul ated that she should be per mitted to
s peak with n o n e duri n g t he j o u r n ey U po n the s e co n ditio n s
o .

Sh e was co n ducted u n de r gua r d beyo n d the settleme n ts .

I n Septembe r 1 6 5 9 i n compa n y with William Robi n so n

, , ,

Mar maduke Steve n s o n a n d Nicholas Davis Mary agai n a n d

, , ,

this time w ith full k n o w ledge of the peril of the act visi t ed ,

Bo st o n for t he purpo s e of te s tifyi n g agai n s t the i n iqui t ous la w s

i n fo r ce t here o r a s they decla r ed it themselve s
, ,
to look the ,
“

bloody la w s i n t he face nd to mee t the opp resso rs of he r ,

”
a

people a s i t were i n their wn st ro n ghold

, ,
o .

Sho rt w as t he time allo wed t hem The whole fou r we r e .

quickly made priso n e rs a n d w ere brough t before the Cou r t, ,

which pas s ed se nt e n ce of ba n i s h m e n t to which t h e cert ai n ,

pe n alty of death n o w attached Should they retu rn agai n They , .

w e re t he n r eleased n d o r de r ed to depart out of the Colo n y N t

,
a . o

obeyi n g t his ma n date Robi n so n n d Steve n so n were soo n agai n

,
a

app r ehen ded a n d were agai n co n sig n ed t o p r iso n where they were
, ,

used like co n d em n ed felo n s bei n g chai n ed t o the floo r of t hei r ,

du n geo n Withi n a mo n th Mary also became for t he seco n d

.
,

time n i n mate of t he s ame p riso n h avi n g bee n r ecogn ized a n d

,
a ,

take n while sta n di n g i n fro n t of it By thus setti n g t he la w at .

defia n ce the trio w ere r egarded a s rushi n g upo n a fool s fate

,
’

With Mary came Hope Clifto n also of Rhode Islan d The ,

.

decla r ed purpose of the w ome n w as to vi s it a n d mi n iste r t o the

Fr ie n d s then lyi n g i n priso n The settled purpose of the pri s .

o n ers to defy the la w bei n g k n o w n t o thei r frie n ds n d n o ,

a

mercy bei n g expec t ed for them seve ral of these came t o Bosto n ,

i n order to a s sis t i n t h last act of t h tragedy On e eve n e e .

b r ought li n en fo r the s u fferers shrouds All t his impart s a ’

.

highly dramat ic characte r to the act s of t he resolute martyr s .

The th r ee pri s o n ers who had thus forfeited their lives to the
law were o n the 20t h of Oct ober brought befo r e the Court of
, ,
 M A RY DY ER . 41

Magistrat es The i n co rr uptible but impl a cable En dicott p re

.

s ided The m e n keepi ng their hat s n En dicott o de r ed the

. o ,
r

o ffice r to pull the m off He the n addre s sed the priso n er s i n t h e .

la n gu a ge of ste remo n s tra n ce n d reproof He told them that

m a .

n either he n o the o t her magi st rates the n p rese n t de s ired t heir

r

death but tha t t he laws m ust be e n fo r ced A ll three were c o n

, .

d em n e d to be ha n ged .

Mrs Dyer hea rd he r doo m p r o n ou n ced w it h sere n e composure

.
,

s imply sayi n g ,

The Lo rd s will be do n e ’

Take he r a way m ar s h al comma n ded En dico tt i mpa , , ,

t ie n t ly .

I j oyfu lly r e t u rn t o my p riso n r ej oi n ed ,

Sh e .

On he r way back to p r i so n filled with t he exaltatio n of t he ,

Sp ir i t she s aid t o t he ma r shal o r high sheriff who w a s co n duc t

, ,
-
,

i ng he r I n deed you might let me alo n e fo r I would go t o t he

, , ,

p riso n w i thou t you .

”

“
I believe you M r s Dye r t he o f ficer r eplie d ; but my
,
“
.
,

o r ders a r e t o t ake you t here a n d I must do as I am com ,

”
m a nd e d .

D u ri n g t he i n t e r val of a week occu r i n g betwee n t he s e n r

t e n ce a n d t he day fixed fo r i ts executio n Mrs Dyer w rote a n ,

.

A ppeal t o t he G e n eral Cou rt i n which she compares herself

“ ”
,

wi t h Queen Es the r a n d he r missio n with t hat of the quee n to

,

A ha s uerus It is pe r vaded th r oughout by a simple a n d

.

t ouchi n g d i gn ity There is n t n crave n w ord i n it or n

. o o e ,
o e

e nt reat i n g pardo n or exp r essi n g a doub t of the righteousn e s s of

he r o wn ac t s Calmly she r ehea r ses t he history of he r ca s e
.
,

a n d the n co n cludes her appeal i n love a n d the spirit of meek

“
,

n ess ,
t o t he ju st ice a n d magn a n imi t y of the Court which was
able t o se t he r free But if it w s heeded her praye r was
‘

. a ,

u n a n swe r ed The re n e w ed n d ear n est i n t erces s io n of Mrs

. a .

Dyer s husban d a n d s o n we r e alike i n effectual ; t he magi strates

’

r emai n ed u n moved Bu t it i s said tha t the s o n i n the hope.

,

of yet sav i n g her pa ss ed the last n ight i n his mother s cell

,
’

beseechi n g he r t o abj ure or a t least so far to retract her mis ,

42 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEGENDS .

t aken opi n io n s a s to give some cha n ce for hope that t he judge s

might yet rele n t a n d s o co m m u t e he r se n ten ce of death to b a n
’

i s h m e nt Hi s tory has ki n dly draw n the veil over thi s scen e

. .

All we k n o w i s that the mother preferred d eath to disho n o r .

No r were othe r e f
forts wa n ti n g to save
the co n dem n ed p ri s o n
er s Suitor s wh o were .

able to make t hem

selve s heard i n t he
cou n cil chambe r a n d i n -
’

the G over n or s closet ’

ea rn estly labored to
p r eve n t the co n s u m m a
ti o n of the cr ime .

On Thursday t he ,

27 t h of October i n the ,

mor n i n g acco rdi n g t o ,

a n a n cie n t custom t he ,

drummer s of the trai n ed

ba n ds beat their drums
up a n d dow n the
4 / s t r eet s to n otify t he
i
”
7x .
, ,

soldie rs to get u n de r
H A ND REEL
arms This.
bei n g the .

time ho n ored lecture - !

day w hich wa s also the o n e usually appoi n t ed for holdi n g pub

,

lic executio n s as s oo n as the public wor s hip was over t h e drums

, ,

w ere agai n heard the trai n ed ban d s a s sembled a n d fo rmed i n

,

order n d w ere the n marched t o the pri s o n where they halt ed

,
a ,
.

The n the high sheriff exhi b iti n g his w arran t called fo r the
-
, ,

bodies of t he pri s o n ers b y n ame their i ro n s w ere k n ocked o ffby

,

the jailer a n d after te n derly embraci n g each other they were

, , ,

led forth to take their places i n t h e ra n k s of the guard Mary ,

bei n g placed bet w ee n the t w o m e n w ho were to s uffer with he r .

A great multitude had a ss embled to w it n ess the s e solem n pro

 M A RY DY ER . 43

ce e di n g s The p r ocessi on the n moved t h e p ri so n e r s o n foot

.
, ,

t he people p ressi n g closely a r ou n d them i n or d er n o t t o lose ,

a

wo r d of what they migh t s a y ; but w he n ever the co n dem n ed

at tempted to speak as n o w a n d t hen they did t h e d r ummers
, ,

we r e ordered to beat their drums a n d so drow n ed t he voices i n ,

t he uproar On e sees he r e as always t hat eve r y t y ran n y is

.
, ,

afraid of its vic t ims Hemmed i n by a r med m e n a n d su r

"

.
,

r ou n ded by a surgi n g a n d exc it ed thro n g the priso n e r s walked ,

ha d i n ha n d all the way t o t he s ca fl ld suppo rt i n g a n d com

n b ,

forti n g each other i n t h i s most try in g omen t wi t h a sublime m

fortitude The b ru t al marshal seei n g this said s n ee r i n gly t o

.
, ,

Mary ! A e you n o t ashamed you to walk t h us ha n d i n h a n d

“
r , ,

betw ee n two you n g m e n

Un moved by the t au n t s h e r eplied No t his i s t o m e a n ,

hou r of the greate s t j oy I could have i n this wo rld .

”

The o t eg e havi n g a t le n gt h r eached t he place o f execu t io n

c r ,

it havi n g m ar ched by a r ou dabou t way

n — for fea r it i s said , , ,

t hat a r escue migh t be a tt emp t ed — Ma ry a n d he r fellow sufferers ,

bid each other a last farewell Robi n so n fi rs t asce n ded t he fa t al .

ladder While u tt eri n g h i dyi n g wo rds predicti n g a vis it at io n

. s ,

o f divi n e wr a t h t o co m e upo n hi s Slaye r s a ha rsh vo i ce i n t he ,

c r owd c r ied ou t ! Hold thy t o n gue ! Thou a rt go i n g t o die

“
'

wi t h a lie i n t hy mou t h
Steve n so n s las t words we r e t hese Be it k n own u n t o all “
’

thi s day t hat we suffe r n o t as evil—doers bu t for co n scie n ce

, ,
’

s ake .

I t was n o w Mary s t r n He r t wo dea r frie n ds we r e h a n gi n g

’
u .

dead befo r e he r eyes F earles s ly she mou n ted t he fatal ladde r

.
,

a n d fea rlessly Sh e submit t ed he r self t o t he ha n gma n s ha n ds

’
.

Sh was t he n pi n io n ed bli n dfolded a n d t he fa t al n oose placed

e , ,

about her n eck A ll bei n g t he n r eady t h c r owd a w ai t ed t he

.
,
e

last act i n breathless s uspe n se whe n i n the dist an ce a vo i ce was ,

hea d c yi n g o u t Stop Sh e is r ep rieved l

r r ,

The agi t atio n of t he Spec t ators is somethi n g t hat we ca n o n ly

fai n tly co n ceive Bu t Mary it i s sai d emai n ed cal
. nd , ,
r m a

u n mo v ed t hrough i t all He r fee t bei n g loosed says Sewel

.
,
”
,
44 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

t hey bade her come dow n But s he w ho s e mi n d w a s already .

,

a s it w ere i n heave n s tood st ill n d s aid she w as there willi n g

, ,
a

to suffer a s h r brethre n did u nle s s they w ould a n n ul their

e ,

w icked la w Sh e w a s the n take n do w n from the s ca f

. fold n d a

r e co n ducted to pri s o n w he r e her s o n who w as a n xiou s ly a w ait

-
, ,

i n g he r retur n embraced her a s o n e ri s e n from t he dead

, O n ly .

the n she lear n ed that to his importu n ity w ith the magistrate s
she o wed her delivera n ce fro m the fate of he r brethre n The .

s o n had saved hi s mother The death s e n te n ce had bee n com .

-

mu t ed t o ba n i s hme n t but Mar y n o w r eceived a solem n w arn i n g

t o the e ffec t that the ex t reme pe n al t y would su r ely be exacted
should she agai n offe n d agai n s t t he maje s ty of t h e la w Sh e .

wa s t he n co n duc t ed u n der guard t o the Colo n y fro n tier whe n ce ,

Sh e pu rs ued her way home to Rho de Isla n d .

Bu t the old impul s e r evivi n g i n her i n full force i n defia n ce ,

of t he warn i n g thrice repeated Mary agai n sought to obtai n the ,

c r own of martyrdom to w hich s he w a s foreordai n ed Burn i n g .

wi t h fa n atical z eal rega r dles s too of t he co n ditio n s which had

, , ,

procured t h e remissio n of he r s e n te n ce she deliberately violated ,

the l a w agai n In May 1 6 6 0 the u n fo rt u n ate woman had so

.
, ,

li ttle regar d fo r he r pe rso n al s afety as again t o come to the “

bloody to w n of Bo s to n Sh e w as soo n summo n ed before the

.
”

G e n eral Cour t Sw ift wa s the judgme n t sw ift t h e executio n

. ,
.

En dicott i n deed — respect to his ma hood for it

n — offered
, ,

her a chan ce of e s cape but he r soul w as too lofty h e r purpo s e ,

too stro n gly fixed to avail h e r self of a su bterfuge to save her

,

life En dicott co n ducted h e r exami n atio n He w as a s hard a s

.
.

i ro n she gen tle bu t u n dau n ted

,
.

”
A r e yo u t he same Mary Dyer that w a s here before ? he bega n .

I am t he same Mary Dyer that w as here at the last G en eral

Cou rt Sh e replied
,
”
.

“
The n you o wn yourself a Quaker do you n o t ? said t h e ,

G ove r n o r .

I o wn my s elf t o be r eproachfully called so .

Then the jailer spoke up a n d s aid that Mary wa s a vaga

bo n d .
46 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

not a gree t o l eave t h c o u n t r y To t he hope some exp ressed

e
~

tha t her life would be agai n s pared t he officer comma di n g . ,

n

the armed e s cort r oughly retorted that she wa s guilty of her

o wn blood
“
N y s he replied
a ,
I came to keep bloodg u ilti n es s fro
,
m

y o u desiri
,
n g you to repeal the u n righteou s n d u nj u st law made a

agai n st the i n n oce n t s erva n t s of the Lord .

”

Mr Wil s o mi ister of B o s to n atten ded he r o n the s caffold

. n, n ,

in h la s t mome n t s t t o o ffer co n s olatio n but to exhort her

er ,
no ,

to nt
r e ce .

“
Mary Dyer he exclai med oh r epe n t ! o h repe n t ! Be
, , , ,

n o t s o deluded a n d carried away by the deceit s of the Devil

Sh e a n s wered him i n te r ms of mild r eproof N y m n I am “

a ,
a ,

n o t n o w to r epe n t
”
.

A colloquy by w hich he r last mome n ts were embi tt e r ed was

kep t up o n the scaffold Sh w as r ep r oached fo r sayi n g that . e

Sh e had bee n i n paradi s e Sh r eite r ated it Yes said this ”

. e .
,

u n dau n te d woma n I have bee n i n paradi s e several days

,
“
.

The execu ti o n er t he n performed hi s off i ce .

TH E KI N G S MI SS I V E
’
.

1 6 61 .

C HA RLES R .

Tr usty d Wellb loved we greet yo u w ell H avi g bee

an e ,
. n n

i forme d t h at s everal of o u r Subj e t s amo g yo u alled Qu ak ers

n c n ,
c ,

h ave bee d are impri s o ed by yo u wh ereof s ome h ave bee exe

n an n ,
n

o uted d ot h ers (as h at h bee repres e ted u to us) are i Da ger

,
an n n n n n

to u dergo t h e Li ke We h ave t h o u gh t fi t to s ig ify o ur Pleasure

n ! n

i t h at Be h alf f
n o t h e fut re d d req u ire t h at if t h ere be
r u
y f ,
an o ,
an o

t h o se people called Qu ak er s amo gst yo u w alread y o dem ed to n ,

no c n n

suffer Deat h or oth er Corporal Pu i sh me t or th at are impri so ed

,
n n ,
n ,

or ob oxio us to th e li k e Co d em atio yo u are to forbear to proceed

n n n n,

an y fart h er b t t h at yo u fort hw it h s e d t h e s aid Per s o s ( wh et h er

,
u n n
 THE K I NG S ’
M I SSI V E . 47

o dem d or i pri son ed) over to t h i s o u r Ki gdom of E gla d

c n ne m n n n ,

toget h er w it h t h eir res pective Crime s or Offe ce s laid to t h eir Charge n ,

to t h e E d su c h Co u rs e may be tak e w it h t h em h ere a s sh all be

n n ,

agreeab le to o u r Laws d t h eir Demerit s A d for s o d oi g t h e s e

an . n n ,

o u r Letters sh all b yo u r sufficie t Warra t d Di s c h arge G ive

e n n an . n

at o u r Co u rt at W h ite h all t h e 9 t h day of September 1 6 6 1 i the

, , ,
n

t h irtee t h Year of o u r Reig

n n .

S u b s ribed To o u r Tr us ty
c ,
d Wellbeloved Joh E d i t E q ; an n n co ,
s .

an d to all d every ot h er t h e G
an or G of our Pla ov e rnou r o v e r n ou r s n

t ti
a on of N w E gla d d of t h e Colo ies there u to belo gi g t ha t
e -
n n ,
an n n n n ,

no w are or h ereafter sh all be A d to all

, d every t h e Mi i s ter s n an n

an d Offi cers of o u r s aid Pla tatio d Colo ie s w hatever wit h i n n an n ,

n

t h e Co ti e t of N w E gla d
n n n e - n n .

By H i Maj e sty s Comman d s

’
.

W IL MO RRI S . .

H IS was n commo n let t e r which i n November 1 6 6 1 fell

o , ,

like a bombshell i to the wicked to w n of Bost o n It was n .

certai n ly n alarmi ng ma n ifesto I t b r ought a p r oud a n d se r

a . r

s it i v
e people w ho had ceased t o pay espec t t o loyalty a n d
,
r ,

had almost fo rgotte n i t s form s o n ce m o r e rudely t o their k n ees , .

A n d t hey were a ster n r ace feari n g G o d more tha n t hey ho n ored ,

the Ki n g B u t they felt the shock that had jus t overth row n
.
’

the Pu r ita n Commo n wealth ; n d the voice which r ose from a

amo n g it s rui n s comma n d in g them to obey so u n ded a t the

, ,

momen t i their ears ve ry m uch like t he voice of G o d

n .

Co n ti n ued e n croachme t upo n the prer ogative of t he t hro n e

n
.

had doubtle s s much t o do wit h orde r i n g t heir desti n y possi ,

bly a s much as had the cruelties p ract i s ed t oward t h e offen di ng

Quake rs to who s e prayer s for redres s the Parliame n t had paid
,

little a t te n tio n ; bu t wi t h the r etur n of t he old mo n ar chy its ,

liki n gs a n d its ha t reds the politic F rie n ds had hopes t hat t h e

,

easy goi n g Charles w ould le n d a mo r e gracious ear t o t hem i n

-

t he hou r of his great triumph over the P ri ta n cause ; n o u r

would he be fou n d u n w illi n g t o lowe r the pride of t hose

hau ghty Puritan s ubject s of h i s n t he o t her side of the Atla n t ic o

who we r e e n deavori n g t o ca rry o n a l ittle commo n weal t h o f

48 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

t he ir o wn The mome n t wa s i n deed O pportu n e F loat i n g i n

. .

ad u latio n Charles t h e ki n g was w ell disposed to cleme n cy

’

t o w ard all except those w ho had kep t him for tw elve year s
Charles the exile The Quakers were o n their part stro n gly
.

r oused t o make r en e w ed e ffort too by t he n ews they received

, ,

of the execu t io n of William Le d d r a at Bost o n Then Edward .

Burroughs a leadi n g F rie n d a n d a m a n Ofac t io n e n t reat ed a n d

, , ,

obtai n ed a n aud i e n ce of the K i n g .

I
END C OTT RE CE IVING TH E K I NG S ORDER
’
.

Whe n he wa s ushered i n to t he p r ese n ce chambe r his firs t -

word s were,
“
Sire there is a vei n of i n n oce n t blood ope n ed i n your
,

Majesty s domi n io n s which if n t s topped may overru n all

’

,
o ,
.
”

I w ill stop that vei said the Ki g shortly

n,
”
n ,
.

Burroughs t he n laid before t h Ki n g a detailed accou n t of e

what had been do n e i n Ne w E gla n d A fter h had li s ten ed

n . e

t o t he catalogue of scourg i n g s bra n di gs cropped ear s ba n i s h

,
n , ,

men t s upo n pai n of death n d lastly of the executio n of fo u r

,
a
 THE K I NG S ’
M I SSI E V . 49

pe rso n s of t h i s sect for p r esumin g t o r e t u rn t o t h e Colo n y when

forbidde n to do so t he suitor turn in g accuse r the n p r e s e n t ed the
, , ,

Ki n g with t he proofs tha t t he Ne w En gla n d authori ti es had

r efused to allow the Quakers a n appeal to En gla n d whe n t hey
had dema n ded it His Majesty is repor t ed to have taken gr eat
.

n otice of this particular item of t he i n dictme n t calli n g ou t t o ,

the lord s who were w it h him t o hea i t a n d then exclaimi n g

- r ,

i ro n ically ,

Lo these a r e my g ood subjec t s of Ne w En gla n d .

He t he n i n qui r ed whe n a s hip would be r eady to sail fo r Ne w

En gla n d a n d upo n bei n g i n fo r med dismissed Bu rr oughs w it h
, , ,

t he promise that he should p r esen t ly hea r from him t h r ough t he

Lo r d Cha n cello r This p romise Cha rles pu n c t ually kep t The
. .

ma n datory le t te r which precedes ou r accou n t was duly pr epar ed ,

a n d t he n bitt erest pill of all for t he disloyal colo n ists t o s wa l

l w!
o whom should the Ki n g s mi n iste r selec t t o be t he bea r e r
’

of it b u t Samuel Shatt uck n exiled Quake r a n d o n e who h a d

, ,
a ,

give n t he Ne w En gla n d magis t ra t es n o e n d of tr ouble he bei n g ,

fi n ally ban ished by t he m fro m t he Colo n y upo n pai n o f deat h .

It will thus be see n t hat n o t hi n g had b ee n om itt ed t ha t could

re n de r t he humiliat io n complete .

The Lo n do n F rie n d s i m med i a t ely t his was do n e chart e r ed

, ,

a vessel of which Ralph G oldsmi t h a n othe r Quaker was cap

, , ,

t ai n t o carry t he Ki n g s orde r a n d h is messen ger t o Bos t o n

,
’
.

I n six weeks the ship ar ri ved a t he r des t i n a t io n It bein g t he .

Sabba t h all t h compa n y r emai n ed quie t ly o n boa r d

,
e .

Seei n g a ve s sel w i t h a n En glish e n sig n a t her peak cas t

, ,

a n cho r i n t hei r r oad some Ofthe s e le ct e of the t ow n hast en ed

,
m rr

o n board t o lear n t he n ews li t tle dreami n g i t howeve r t o be

, , ,

Ofso much perso n al i n t eres t t o themselves They eage rly asked .

the cap t ai n if he had brough t a n y let ters fo r as m a y be i m a g ,

i n e d i n tellige n ce of the eve n t s the n taki n g place i n En gla n d was

,

a w ait ed with the u t mos t an xiety n d impat ie n ce The m ast e r a .

replied that he had bu t h e would n t deliver t hem o n tha t day

,
o

a n d SO his vi s i t ors got i n t o t heir boat n d w e n t o n sho r e agai n a

as wise as t hey came Bu t i n the mea nti me some Of t he m

.

4
50 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

havi n g recogn i z ed Shattuck a n d other s n board as bei n g o

Q u akers they s pread the report t h at Sh ttuck n d the devil

,
a a

n d all had come back agai n

”
a .

The n ext morn i n g a rmed with the Ki n g s man date Shattuck

,
’

cam e o n sho r e accompa n ied by G old s mith the maste r n d they , ,

a

two afte r se n di n g their boat back t o the ship w e n t directly

, ,

thro u gh the to wn to G over n or En dicott s ho se pas si n g i n t heir ’

u ,

I
L B ERTY TREE, ANTED
PL 1 646 . B U I LDING ERE CTED 166 6 .

w ay the market place w here so man y of t h eir fri en ds h a d been

-

mercile s sly w hipped a n d the jail i n which m an y w ere s till co n

,

fi n ed A fe w s teps more w o u ld bri n g th em face to face w ith

.

their w or s t e n emy They k n e w that they w ere beardi n g the

.

lio n w he n they k n ocked at G overn or En dicott s d oor ’

.

The s ervan t w ho Ope n ed it a s ked w h at w a s t h eir bu s i n e s s

with his master They bid h i m say that bei n g charged wi t h
.
,
 THE K I NG S ’
M SSI IVE . 51

t he comman ds o f his Majesty t he Ki n g t hey Should deliver ,

their me ss age in to n o n e b ut the G over n or s o wn ha n ds They ’

.

were the n admitted without further ques tio n i n g a n d presen t ly ,

t he redoubted G overn o r came i n to them bu t upo n perceivi n g

tha t Shattuck kept his ha t o n he comma n ded i t to be take n ,

Of ,
f which was do n e The n havi n g received the deputatio n a n d
.

t h e papers the G overn or fo r mally ack n owledged it s o f

,
ficial cha r
acter by r e m o v i n g h is o wn ha t a n d order i n g that of Shatt uck
'

to be give n to h i m agai n Ye t the m a n who n o w st ood before

.

him e nj oyin g h i s moral degradatio n W hil e protected by a n i n

violable s afeguard was t he same o n e whom he had formerly
,

s e n te n ced to Stripes a n d ba n ishme n t The draught wa s a bitte r .

one ,
but En dico t t bore himself with di gn ity A fte r this b y .

play i n dicati n g t h e homage d u e to r oyal t y a n d its represe n t ative ,

the G over n or read t he let t er a n d biddi n g Shattuck a n d G old

,

s mith to follow him t he n we n t to the D eputy G overn or s house

,
-
’

w hich stood n ear his o wn a n d laid t he papers before Belli n g

,

ham Havi g held s ome co n fere n ce w i t h t he Deputy the

. n ,

n at u re of w hich may ea sily be imagi n ed from the sequel t he ,

G overn or tur n ed t o t he messe n ge r a n d said briefly a n d wi t h s

dig n ity ,

We s hall Obey h is Maje s ty s comma n d ’

.

A fter thi s i n tervie w w a s e n ded G oldsmith gave libe rt y t o all ,

hi s pas s en ger s to come o n s hore w hich they did a n d aft e r war d

, ,

p u blicly held a r e lig i Ou s meeti n g w ith those of th eir fai t h i n t he

to w n r etur n i n g t ha n k s to G o d fo r h i s me r cy ma n ifested i n thi s
,

most wo n derful delivera n ce All s uch a s semblies a s thi s havi n g

.

bee n u n la w ful t his act a n n ou n ced t he Ki n g s active i n terve n tio n

,
’

i n thei r affai rs t o t he people A n o r de r s oo n afte r issue d r e le a s

.
,

in g all Quakers t he n i n cus t ody .

The sce n e be t ween En dicott a n d Belli n gha m i s imagi n ed by

Mr Lo n gfellow i n hi s Ne w En gla n d Tragedies
.
“
He t here .
”

e n deavor s to depict t he ch a racters of the c h ief act or s a n d to ,

Sho w the spiri t of t hese ex traordi n a r y t imes In t his par .

t i cu la r field he ha s therefo r e preceded Mr Whit t i er who s e .

,
“
Ki n g s Mi s sive prepar ed for t he Memori al Histo ry of Bos
’
,
“
52 NEW -
ENG LAND LEGENDS .

t o n,
”
deals excl u sively wit h the ev e n t s su rroun d in g t h e o r de r o f
Charles II The t wo pieces Offe r however a st r iki n g co n t rast
.
, ,

i n m e t hod as well as i n style o n e bei n g a co n secutive a n d homo ,

e n e o s n arrative wh i le the other is made up of s eparated i n ci

u
g ,

den t s elected he re a n d t he r e fo r their d ramatic quality r athe r

,
s

t h a n t hei r cohe re n c e o r h i s t orical seque n ce Both howeve r .

, ,

have t he same pur pose — e t e rn a lly t o set t he seal o f co n d em

n a t io n On a grea t wr o n g by exhi b iti n g the Quake r s i n the ligh t

of mart yrs To this e n d Mr Lo n gfellow takes fo r h is heroi n e a

. .

youn g gir l Edith Ch r istiso n by n ame who is brutally scourged

, ,

from t o w n to t o wn is the n r elea sed a n d d r iven fo r th i n t o

, ,

the wilde r n ess Such wa s the law a n d such t hi n gs actually

.
,

occur red Si n gularly e n ough t his i s als o t h e mo t ive of Mr

.
,
.

W h it t ie r s “
Cassan d ra Southwick
’
In both cases t he youth .
”
,

beau t y co n st an cy a n d heroi s m o f t h e su ffere rs s tr on gly appeal

, ,

t o our sympat hies a n d a r e supposed deeply t o move the actual

,

spect ato s Bu t wi t h a deepe r i n s i gh t i n to t he human hear t

r .

M r Lo n gfellow makes t he s o n o f G overn o r En dicot t h imsel f

.

fall i n love with Edi t h who s e ma rtyrdom he has wi t n essed , ,

t hus b ri n gi ng straigh t ho m e to the st ern father the co n seque n ces

Of h is o wn evil ac t s The Ki n g s imperious man da t e wou n ds ’
.

h i s p r ide ; h is so n s co n duc t s t rikes at the heart a n d t his

’

wou n d is mo rt al Thus it i s n o less st ra n ge t ha n t rue t hat

.
,

u n de r favor of o n e of t he most p r o fl ig t e a n d i rreligious of a

mo n a r chs the b e n e fi ce n t era of religious tole rati o n began i t s

,

u n p om i si n g daw n i n g i n Ne w En gla n d
r .

It is to be n oted that w he ever t hey a n do so M r Lo n g n c , .

fellow s character s speak i n the actual la guage of history

’
n .

I n deed the t ragedy i s n t a creat io n like Er n a n i bu t a frag

, o , ,

me n t of sobe r hi st ory take n from existi n g records i n to which

, ,

a poet ic feelin g is i n fused a n d whose epi s odical p rts afford ,

a

occasio n al glimpse s of the au th o r s gen ius shi n i n g like pure ’

gold i n t he r ough m e ta l .
54 NEW -
ENG LAND L EG ENDS .

END COTT I .

I tell yo u Rich ard Belli gh am I tell you

,
n , ,

That t h is i s t h e b egi i g of a str uggle nn n

Ofwh i h cmortal no foresee t h e d ca n en .

I h all t live to fig h t t h e battle for yo u

S no ,

I am a n di sgraced i every w ay
m a n

Th i s ord er takes fro me my self respe t m -

c

A d t h e re s pect of ot h er s T i s my doom ’
n .
,

Yes y d eath w arra t b u t m ust b obeyed

,
m - n ,
e

Tak e it d see th at it i s exe u ted

,
an c

S f o a a s t h i s t h at all b s et at large
r ,
e

But see t h at o e of t h em be se t to E gla d

n n n n n

To b ear fal s e wit e ss d to s pre d re ports n ,

an a

T h at migh t be preju d i ial to o u rselves [Exi t B ELLI NG HAM c . .

T h ere a d ul l pai k eep s k o ki g at my h eart

’
s n n c n

Dolefullys ayi g S t t h y h o us e i ord er n ,

e n ,

For th o u shalt surely die d sh alt t live ,

an no

For me th e sh ado w t h e d ial plate on -

G oet h t bac k b u t
no i to t h e dark ! ,
on n

M r W h it t i cr poem pre s e n t s the eve n t s we have r ecorded

.
’
s

i n a ha r mo n iou s a n d rem rkably picturesque narrative He i s a .

co n s cie n t iou s ly faithful both to the spirit n d letter of the a

subjec t i ts elf while t o the i mplacable spirit of persecu tio n

, ,

perso n ified here by En dicott he is a ge n erous a n d impartial ,

j udge We w r ite it n evertheless as a fact that the poe

.
, , ,
m

caused much discu s sio n n it s fir s t appeara n ce — di s cu ss io n o ,

a

fu lly vi n dicati n g the Quaker poe t s adhere n ce to the t r u th of ’

history Bu t the prose n d poet ic versio n s are n o w befo r e t he

. a

reade r for his decisio n .

THE KI NG S MI SSI V E ’
.

U NDER t h e great h ill slopi g bare n

To cove d mead o w a d Common lot an n ,

In h i s o u cil h a b er d oa k e
c h air
n c m an n c

S t t h e w or sh ipfu l G overn or E dicott

a n ,
 THE K I NG S ’
M I SSI E V . 55

A grave stro g ,
wh o k e w pee r
n m an, n no

I the p i lgrim la d wh ere h e r u led i fear

n n n

O fG d o t
,
no d for good or ill
n ra n , a n

H eld h i s tr us t w it h iro w ill an n .

He h ad sh or w it h h i s sw ord t h cross fro m o u t

n e

T h e fl ag d clove t h e May pole do w

, an n -
n,

H arrie d t h e h eat h e ro u d a bo u t n n ,

A d wh ipped t h e Qu aker s from to wn to town

n .

Ear e s t
n d h o est a
an at eed n ,
m an n

To b u r li k e a tor h for h i s w h ar sh creed

n c o n
,

H e kept w it h th e fl ami g bra d of h i s zeal n n

T h e gate of th e h oly commo w eal n .

The door swu g ope d Raws o t h e Clerk

n n, a n n

E tered
n d wh i s pered u derbreat h
an n

Th ere w ait s belo w for t h e h a gma s w ork

’
n n

A fello w ba i sh ed pai of d at h
n on n e ,

Sh att u ck of Salem u h ealed of t h e wh ip ,

n ,

Bro ugh t over i Master G ol d s mit h s sh ip

n
’
,

A t a h or h ere i a C h ri s tia port

nc n n

Wit h freigh t of t h e Devil d all h i s s ort an

T w i e d th rice hi s ch amber fl oor

c an on

Stri d i g fi er ely fro

n wall to w all
c m ,

T h e Lord d s o to me d more o an ,
”

T h e G over or crie d if I h a g t all

n ,
“
n no

Bri g h it h er t h e Qu k er Calm sed ate

n a .
”
, ,

With t h e loo k of a at eas e w it h fate n ra n ,

I to t h at pre s e ce gri
n d dread n m an

Came Sam u el Sh att u ck w it h h at h ead on .

Of
f w ith t h e k n ave s h at A a gry h an d
’
n n

Smote d o w t h e o f fe ce ; but th e w earer s aid

n n
,

Wi th a q uiet s mile By th e Ki g s comman d n

’

I h h i s message n d sta d i h i s s tead

ear a n n .
”

In t h e G over or s h a d a n i i h e laid
’
n n r s s ve

With t h e Royal ar s it s s eal displayed m on

,

A n d t h e pro u d n s pake a s h e gazed t h ereat

m a
,

U coveri g G ive Mr Shatt u c k h i hat

n n ,
. s .
”
 S6 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEGENDS .

He tu n ed to t h e Qu a ker bo wi g l w
r ,
n o
“
T h e Ki g com a d et h yo u r frie ds relea e
n m n n
’
s .

Dou b t t he sh all be obeyed altho ug h

no ,

To h i s subj ect s s orro w d s i s i creas e

’
an n
’
n .

W h at b h re j i t h Joh E dicott
e e e n o ne n n

H i loyal s erva t q
s tin th n t u es one o .

Y are free
ou G d gra t t h e spirit yo u wn
o n o

May tak e yo u from us to part s u k o wn n n .

”

TH E Q U A K E R PR O PH E T ESS .

1 67 7 .

HE Old Sou t h Chu r ch i n Bos t o n n o t t he p r ese n t build

i n g bu t the o n e fi rs t e r ected upo n the same s po t
,
was
t he sce n e of a n eve nt w ithou t a parallel i n the a n n als of ou r
Pu r i t an churches i n some of w hich n eve rtheless r ema rkable
, , ,

sce n es had occurred .

To the simple a n d austere Quake r man n ers ou t doi n g eve n ,

Puri ta n ideas Ofmoral a n d physical sel frestrai n t n o w a n d the n -

,

comes the u n expec t ed co n trast of theatrical climax i n it s m ost

bi a
z fo r ms So t he e rly hi st o ry of t he Frie n ds i n Ne w
r re . a

En gla n d Sho w s t he domi n a n t p r i n ciple of passive Opposi t io n t o

persecutio n occasio n ally givi n g way a ll at o n ce to a n aggressive "
, ,

spiri t that impelled the actors o n through thorn y ways t oward

t he goal fo r w hich they st r ove a n d s t r u g g l d If n o w n d the n e .
,
a ,

on half crazed by su fferi n g was bet r ayed i n to some act of folly

e ,

it is surely n t a mat te r for as t o n ishmen t or exultatio n Thei r

o .

an n als prese n t the n ames of n o i n formers a n d n o apostates .

Obeyi n g the comma n d of a halluci n atio n to which she bo w ed

as if it we r e a divi n e behe s t the Quake ress Debo r ah Wilso n
,

had walked n aked through the s treets of Salem as a Sign of “

spiritual n aked n e ss i n tow n n d co n t r y n d for O doi n g s h e

a u ,
a S

was most u n charitably whipped with thir t y st ripe s Agai n .

,

Lydia Wa r dwell who i s called

,
a you n g a n d t en de r chast e
“
 THE Q U A K ER PROPHETESS . 57

pe rso n fo r s t a r t li n g t h e co n gr ega t io n of Ne wb u y b y walki n g

'

,
r

i n t o t he meeti n g house there u n clo t hed i n t he time of public

-
, ,

worship was tied up to the fe n ce post of the tavern where the

,
-

cour t sat at Ips wich t o u n de rgo a similar pu n ishmen t

, ,
.

Bu t t he case of Ma rgaret Brews t e r di ffers from these o t he rs i n

t ha t a n umbe r of pe rso n s t oo k part i n ca r ryi n g out what it was
expected would s t rike ter ror t o t h e hea rt s of the beholde r s a n d ,

t o thi s e n d i t was co n duc t ed w ith studied att e n t io n to dramat ic

effec t .

On e qu i e t Sabba t h mo r n i n g i n July 1 6 7 7 accompa n ied by , ,

seve r al of the most n o t ed pe r so n s of her sec t both m ale a n d ,

female Ma rgaret B r ewster prese n ted her self a t t he door of the

,

Old Sou t h Mee t i n g house i n se r mo n t ime t he stra n ges t visito r

- -
,

t hat had eve r c r ossed i t s co n secrat ed t h r eshold Sh fi r st took . e

f f he r ri di n g — habi t a n d he r Shoes a n d s t ocki n gs a n d t he n

‘

o ,

e n t e r ed In his Dia ry which pe rhaps may become as famous

.
,

as that of t he im m ort a l Pepys J u d g e Se wall n o t es tha t while , ,

t he co n gregatio n w as list en i n g to t he wo r ds Of t he se r mo n from

t he aged past o r s lips t here sudde n ly was see n t he a ppa rition
’
,

of a woman w alki n g slowly up the broad aisle be twee n t wo .

m e n while t wo o t he r s walked behi n d

,
The woma n was bare .

footed he r head was s pri n kled wit h ashes he r loose n ed hair

, ,

s traggled wildly dow n abou t her n eck a n d shoulders her face ,

w as bes ear ed w i th soot a n d Sh e wore a sackclo t h gow n loo s ely

m ,

gathe r ed ar ou n d he r pe rso n This appea ra n ce say s the i n d i g .

,

n a n t diar i st occasi o n ed t he gr eat es t a n d most amazi n g u proar

,

t ha t ever I saw .
”

No o n e h a s t old us bu t we ca n imagi n e t h e co n gr ega t io n,

ri si n g i n co n s t e rn at io n t o t hei r fee t t he su dden s t op i n t he ,

ser mo n the m ome n t of s i le n ce l i ke t h e calm befo r e t he sto rm

, , ,

duri n g which the dar k p r op h et ess delivered her solem n wa rn i n g

of a gr ievous calami t y sho tly to sig n ify t o them t he d i spleasure r
-

of G o d The n t he exc i ted voices of t h e m e n all t alki n g n d

.
,
a

gest icula t i n g a t o n ce t h e women shrieki n g i n te rr o r o r droppi n g

,

i n a dead f ai nt t h s urgi n g t o a n d fro of a m ultitude all occa

,
e ,
~

s i o ni n g t he grea t est a n d most a m azi n g uproar t hat was eve r

“
58 NEW -
ENGL AND LEG ENDS .

hea r d i n side the s e ac r ed w all s wit n essed to t he little ce n tral

s ,
“

group that they had i n d eed created a profou n d sen s atio n The ,
.

o ffe n der s were all quickly take n i to cu s tody n d hu rr ied o ff ton a

pri s o n Whe Margaret w a s arraig n ed before the court t he

. n ,

con stable declared him s elf w ho lly u n able t o ide n tify her as t he

ANCIENT II OU SES, NORTH END .

pers o n h h d arrested Sh bei g t he n as he deposed in

e a ,
e n , ,
“

th es hape of a devil Sh w a s s e te n ced t o be whipped u p

.
”
e n

n d do w the to w n at the cart s tail w hich cruel order wa s ’

a n ,

carried i n to e f
fect a fe w d ay s later .

Thi s eve n t a s well it migh t n e w ly b rought t h e affairs of t h e

, ,

F rie d s t o a cri s i s The fi r s t feeli n g of exa s peratio n deman ded

n .

its ictims B u t thi s havi g s pen t it s elf t h Quake rs taki n g

v . n ,
e ,

courage a s sembled i n t h eir h ou s e s of w or s hip i n su ch formidable

,

n u mber s that the multitude of o ffe der s became their s afe n

guar d .
 IN THE OLD SOU TH CHU RCH . 59

IN THE OLD SOU TH CHURCH .

J . G . W H TT ER I I .

SH E came d s tood i t h e Old So ut h C hu rch

an n ,

A w o d er d a ig
n an S n,

Wit h a loo k t h e ld time s ibyl s wore o -

,

H alf razed d h alf d ivi e

c an n .

Save t h e mo r fu l s a k clot h abo u t her w o u d

u n c n ,

U cloth ed a s t h e primal moth er

n ,

Wit h limbs t h at trembled d eyes that blazed , an

Wit h a fi re sh e d are t s mot h er no .

Loo s e h er h o u l d er fell h er h air

on S ,

Wit h spri kled a sh e s gray

n

Sh s tood i t h broad ai s le s tra ge a n d w eird

e n e ,
n

A a s o u l at t h e j u d gme t day
S n - .

And t h e i i ster paused i h i s s ermo s mid st

m n n n
’
,

A d t h e people h el d t h eir breat h

n ,

For th es e w ere t h e word s t h e maid e s aid n

T h ro ug h lip s a s pale death as

“T hus sait h t h e Lord Wit h equ al feet ‘

A ll my o u rt s sh all tread
m en c ,

A d prie s t
n d r u ler more sh all eat
an no

My people u p like bread !

Repe t repe t ere th e Lord sh all speak

n n

I th u d er
n d brea k i g s eal s
n an n

L t all s o l s w or sh ip h im i the w ay
e u n

H i ligh t w it h i reveal s
'

s n

Sh esh ook t h e d ust from h er n aked feet ,

A d h er s ack clot h lo s ely dre w

n c ,

An d in to th e porc h of t h e aw e h u sh e d church -

Sh e pa ss ed like a g h o s t from vie w .

60 NEW -ENGLAND LEGENDS .

M O R E W ON D ER S O F TH E IN V I S I BLE
W O RL D .

1 693 .

O who is n o t familiar with all t he phases wh i ch t h e

one

h istory of witchcraft i n Ne w En gla n d takes M r Whi t ,

.

t ie r s poem e n titled Ca l f i n Bosto n w ould doub tle s s be a n

’ “
c
”

e n igma althoug h its fou n da t io n is fact a n d i t s pu r po s e disti n ct

,
.

F o r such a champio n of c o m m ofi r sen se as Robert Calef p r oved

-

himself to be w he n he e n t ered the l i st s agai n st t his mo n st r ou s

supe rs t itio n the poe t h a s a n atu r al a n d u n st i n t ed sympat hy n d
, ,
a ,

usi n g the p r iv ilege of ge n ius he ha s co nfe rr ed upo n the humble

,

tradesma n a paten t Of n obility Ou o wn g e n eratio n applaud

. r ,
~

i n g the ac t has t e n s t o i n scribe t h

,
n am e of Calef amo n g the
e

b e n efa ct o r s of his age .

The ge n e ral s u bject of w it chcraft i n cludi ng the settled b e ,

liefs touchi n g it is se t fo r th i n an othe r place i n all i t s d e fo r

,

mity The active agen cy of Sat a n i n huma n a ffair s bei n g a

.

thi n g admitted i t became t h e boun de n d u t y of t he godly mi n is

,

t e rs t o mee t his in sid i o u s a tt a cks u po n the chu r che s a n d they , ,

as m n deeply lea rn ed i n s u ch t hi n gs were n atu rally appealed t o

e ,

by m agistrat es a n d j udges fo r h e lp a n d guidan ce They at o n ce .

pu t o n a ll t he ar mo r of r igh t eousn ess Solem n fa s ti n g n d . a

p raye r were r eso rt ed t o as thi n gs most e fficacious i n the emer

g e nc
y . It w a s decla r ed from t he pulpi t t ha t the D evil w s k a m a

i n g a mos t determi n ed e f fo r t t o roo t ou t t he Ch r ist ia n religio n i n

Ne w En glan d a n d t h e G overn me n t wa s ad v i s ed vigorously to
,

p r osecute the cases of wi t chc raft before it I n all t h e s b e . u s

que n t p roceedi n gs t he mi n ist e r s took a promi n en t part They .

a ssis t ed in fram in g the questio n s t o be pu t i n such a w ay as

t o en t rap t h e supposed wi t ches n d they a tt en ded n d took

,
a a

m i n u t es of t he exam i n a ti o n s They visit ed t he a ccused pe son s

. r
 62 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

garet Rule a you n g wo m an of Mat he r s o wn co n gregatio n whose

,
’
,

si n gular a ff l ic t io n s had just bee n published to the worl d by him

u n der the startli n g captio n of A n other Bra n d pluckt from
the Burn i n g .
”

A ccordi n g to Mather this you n g woma n wa s hau n t ed by

,

n o fe w er tha n eight malig n a n t s pectres led n by a pri n cipal ,

o

demo n w ho upo n h refusal to e n ter i n t o a b o n d w ith him

,
er
,

co n ti n ually pu t her i n excruciati n g bodily t orture by pi chi g n n ,

scorchi n g n d s ticki n g pi n s i n t o her fl esh thro w i n g her i n to

,
a ,

co n vul si o n s lifti n g her bodily off t he bed n d the like w herei n

, ,
a ,

ANDLESTI CK
C ,
I
B B LE, A ND SP E CT CLES A .

says Mathe r she la n g ished for j u st Si x weeks toge t he r A n d

,
u .
”

w e are also told that at t ime s the s pectator s of her m i series

w ould be n early choked with t h fu mes of brimsto n e ri s i n g e

i n the chamber .

Taki n g t he alarm which man y n o doub t equally shared dread

, ,

i n g a n e w outbreak of t h e delusio n whose ember s u n que n ched ,

by blood were still s moulderi n g Calef also s eem s to have dis

, ,

trusted eithe r the i n tegr ity t h w i s dom of his lear n ed d v r

or e a e

sary whom he n w opposed i n behalf of religio n a n d of public

,
o

policy n t o n ly w ith ability n d vigor but w it h a surprisi n gly

,
o a ,

well e quipped ar s e n al of s criptural lear n i n g I n vai Ma t her

-
. n

sn eer i n gly spoke of him as t h e w eaver t ur n ed mi n ister Calef

“
,
 “
M ORE W ONDERS OF THE IN V I SI BLE W ORLD .

o nly plied him the mo r e poi n t edly A t t he e n d of t he co n .

tro v s y the despi s ed clo t h ier tur n ed out to be o n

er of those e n e m

whose r easo n i s n ever overthrown by pan ic a n d who do n o t ,

recede a si n gle i n ch Mather bega n w ith the istake of u n der

. m

rati n g h i as n a n tago n ist

m a .

A fter Mat her s story of Margare t Rule had bee n made public
’
,

Calef also drew up a n d circulated o n e take n from the mouths of ,

othe r eye wi tn esse s w h ich is a protest agai n s t the methods used

-
,

by Mather t o d raw out extravaga n t n d i n cohere n t s tateme n ts a

fr om t he a fflicted girl This proceedi n g gave great o ffe n ce to

.

the r e e r e n d autho r of The Wo n ders

v He r etort ed with abu .
”

sive epithe t s n d threate n ed Calef wi t h a n actio n fo r s la n der

,
a .

Calef was i n fact arrest ed o n a w arra n t for u t teri n g scan dalous

, ,

libels a n d was bou n d ove r for trial but n o p r osecuto r appear

,
”

i n g t h e case was dismi ss ed

,
.

I n stead of bei g sile n ced Calef pu r sued with u n remi t ti n g

n ,

perti n acity h is purpose t o preven t a n e w access of the dismal

fre n zy of t h e precedi n g yea r w hich he terms wi t h str o n g feel , ,

in g ,
the sore s t affl ic t io n n d gr eat est blemish t o religio n that
“
a

eve r befell t his cou n t ry Later o n Ma t her co n desce n d ed to ” !

reply ; bu t i t is evide n t t ha t t he r eac t io n had n o w set i n a n d ,

t hat t ho s e w ho had bee n t h e most for w ard i n abetti n g the w i tch

craft proceedi n gs were a n xiou s ly co n sideri n g ho w be s t to x l e cu

pate them s elves both to t heir o wn n d to the n e w ly a w ake n ed a

public co n scie n ce Mat he r was n o exceptio n Favor d by thi s

. . e

reactio n Calef co n t i n ued to press him har d Cotto n Mather s

,
.
’

s tory of Ma rgaret Rule i s i n fact a plea a n d a n apology fo r the

, ,

pa s t In i t he asks Why afte r all my u n w earied ca res a n d

.
,
“
,

pai n s t o r escue t he mise r able from t he lio n s n d bear s of h ell a ,

which had seized t hem a n d after all my st udies t o di s appoi n t

,

t he devils i n their de s ig n s t o co n fou n d m y n eighborhood must ,

I b e drive n to the n ecessity Of a n apology ? Thi s la n guage ”

shows h o w hard a thi g it w as fo r him t o be forced t o desce n d

n

fr om hi s high pede s tal .

An d agai n he n a i vely s ays An d n w I suppo s e t hat some of !

“
o

o u r lear n ed witli n gs of t he co f fee house fo r fea r les t t hese p roofs -

,
64 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

of a n I n v is ible World should spoil some of their spo r t wi ll ,

e n deavor to turn them all i to s port for which buffoo n ery n

!

t hei o n ly pre t e n ce will be They ca n t u n der s tan d ho w s uch

r

th i n gs as these could be He has become exquisitely

se n sitive t o ridicule .

But witchcraft had n o w i deed got to t h e le n gt h of its blood

n

co rr oded chai n n d while the belief still prevai led almost as

,
a

st r o n gly a s ever few m e n could be fou n d bold e ough ope n ly

,
n

to advocate it The sicke n i n g re fl ectio n that the j udges had

.

decreed the death of a score of i n oce n t pe rs o n s upo n a mis n

t ake pa r aly z ed me n s to gue s u n less like Calef they s poke

’
n , , ,

i n obedie n ce to the comma n d of co n s cie n ce In 1 7 00 he .

collec t ed a n d had pri n ted i n Lo n do n all the pieces r elati n g

t o his co n trover s y with Cotto n Mather to which w ere added ,

an
“ Impa rt ial A ccou n t of the Salem outbreak n d a revie w a
,

of Mather s life of Si W il ’
r

liam Phip s To thi s he gave .

the title of More Wo n ders of

the I n visible World No p ri n .

te r c ould be fou n d i n Bos t o n

or i n t he Colo n y willi ng t o
u n dert ake the publica t io n o r ,

expose it for sale I t was .

TOM B OF TH E M ATH ER
publicly b ur ed i n the College
S,
n
co s HIL rr
’
L
yard at Cambridge by order of
.

t he p reside n t w hom its exposures reached through hi s n ear rel

,

ative To b reak i t s force a vi n dicat io n w as prepared a n d

.
,

pri n t ed bu t there were n more de n u n ciatio n s made fo r w itch

o

craft o cour t s assembled to ha n g i n n oce n t people Calef in

,
r .

deed fel t t he rese n tme t f the Mather s but he h a d saved t he

n o ,

ca use .

This is t he subj ect to w hich Mr Whittier addresses hi s verses .

e n titled Calef i n Bo s to
“
The allusio n to puppet play is
n .
” -

d raw n from t he accou n t of the Rule case w herei n it is r elated ,

by Mat he r t hat the demo n s who t ormen t ed t he girl had puppe t s

i n t o which they would thrust pi n s when ever they w i s hed to
 CA L EF IN B OSTON . 65

hu rt her Thi s was a piece of olden supe r s t i t io n wh i ch a s

.

su m ed t ha t by maki n g a n image i n w ax o r clay of the pe r so n she

m ight hold a grudge agai st a w itch could put that pe rso n t o
n ,

the same t o rt u r e t ha t she did i n a mimic w ay the image

, ,
.

C ALEF IN B OST ON .

J . G . W H TT ER I I .

IN t h e s olem days of ld n O

Two met i Bo s to to w
m en n n n,

O nea trade s a fra k d bol dm n n an ,

O a preach er of re ow
ne n n .

Cried t h e l st i bitter to
a ,
n n e
Pois o er of t h e w el ls
n O f tr u t h
Sata s h ireli g t h o u h a s t sow
’
n n ,
n

With h i s tare s t h e h eart of yo ut h

Spake t h e s imple trade s ma t h e ; n n

G d be j d ge t w ixt t h o u d I
’
o u an ;
A ll t h o u k o we s t of tr u t h h at h bee
n n

U to n like t h ee a lie
m en .

yo u r spectral p u ppet play

Of
I h ave traced th e c i g w ire s ; un n n

Come wh at w ill 1 eeds m us t say ,

n ,

G d i s tr u e d ye are liar s
”
o ,
an .

W h e t h e t h o u gh t of
n i s free m an ,

Error fear s it s lig h te s t to es ; n

S t h e prie s t crie d
O Sadd u cee ,

A d t h e people took u p s to e s
n n .

In t h e a ie t b u ryi g gro u d
nc n n -
n ,

Side by s i d e t h e t w ai w lie ,
n no ,

O ne wit h hu mble g rassy mo u d n ,

O e w it h marble s pale
n d h igh an .

5
 66 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

N I! S M A T E
’
.

H ER E are tw o local lege n d s o n of d i s a s t er a n d o n o f ,

e e

piracy w hich most u nfortu n ately for the complete n es s

, ,

f o u collectio n come either i n whole or i n part u n de r the

O r ,

head of lost lege n d s The o n e be s t k n o w n i s thus s e t fo rth i n

.

r hyme fo r the be n e fit of ships e n teri g Bo s to n Harbo r

,
n

T h e beaco p d yo u s teer orth w es t n ass

’

,
n -
,

To pa s by Nick s Mate ; s
’

Who here for cri e s whi h all detest m c ,

Met u h appy fate an n .

”

The o the r lege n d n a r rates the death by d r ow n i n g of Captai n

G eorge W o r t h yl k e keeper of the fi r st lighthouse erected at the
a ,

e n tra n ce to this por t .

This Sll ffi Cl t ly s imple i n ci d e n t de ri v e s i t s chief i n t ere s t

e ll

from the curious fact that it w a s the subject f Be jami n o n

F ra n kli n s earliest a n d if w e are to believe h i mi s directed

’
,
m ,

ef fort t o cou rt the Muses i n a ballad He says of i t that h i s .

bro t her James whose appre n tice he the n was thi n ki n g that
, ,

he might fi n d hi s accou n t i n p r i n tn t hem had e n cou raged ,

him t o wri t e t wo ballad s o n e called t he Lighthouse Tragedy , ,

co n t ai n i n g a n accou n t of the loss of Cap t ai n W t h yla k n d or e a

hi s t w o daughters the other a sailo r s so n g o n the cap t ure of

,
’

t he n o t ed pirat e Blackbeard They w ere he i n ge n uo u sly

, .
“
,
”

remarks wretched ve r ses i n poi n t of style mere bli n d me n s

,
“
,
-
’

ditties . W h e n t hey were s t ruck o ff his brother despatched

”
,

h i m t o hawk the m about t h e t ow n The fi rst he a s s res us . u

had a p rodigious r u n because t h e eve n t was ece n t a n d had ,

r
.

made a gr eat n oi s e N0 copy of this ballad is k n own t o exist

.
,

n has traditio tra n smitted to us a si gle li n e of its ve r se s

or n n .

It is easily lear n ed from co n tempo rary record s that Cap t ai n

G eorge W o t h yla k e w ho lived upo n Lovell s Isla n d while o n
r ’
r , ,

h i s way up the harbor took heave n by t he way as o n e w r ite r

,
“
,

piously pu t s it H is wife A n n a n d his d augh t er Rut h who

‘
.
,
 NIx S M A TE
’

. 67

accompa n ied him also peri s hed wi t h him by d r own i n g n d the

, ,
a

t hree u n fortu n at es were a ll buried i n o n e grave in the a n cie n t

cemetery of Copp s Hill The grave s to n e r eco ds the fac t t hat
’
. r

they died November 3 1 7 1 8 but it is exa s pe r ati n gly sile n t

,

co n ce r n i n g a n y i n ciden t t ha t wa likely t o p r oduce a co m m e m o s

re tive ballad .

The other lege n d is t he tr ue s t ory of t he origi n of t he n ame

lo n g ago give n t o t he submerged i s le t called Nix s Mate over ’

which a lo ely obelisk r ises out of the flowi n g t ides n t fo r a

n ,
o

memorial of dark a n d bloody deeds a s some people suppose , ,

but as a guidi n g la n dmark to warn ships t o steer clea of t he r

dan gerous reef be n eat h N s po t withi n a wide a n ge of t he

. 0 r

coast i s t h e subj ec t of more eager curiosity t o sailo r s or la n ds

m e n or of more exaggerated co nj ec t u r e p r ecisely because t o t his
, ,

day i t s true hist o ry remai n s a n e n igma Bu t such as it is t he .

lege n d i s give n for w hat it may be wor t h .

F ollo w i n g t he repul s ive cus t om of e r ec t i n g the public g i bbe t

at t he e n tra n ce to a t o w n o r a v ill age where t he star k bodies ,

of co n dem n ed ale fac t ors we r e t he firs t Obj ec t s see n by all who

m
’

passed i n o r ou t it was u s ual t o han g i n chai n s co n dem n ed

,

pi rat es a t t he e n tra n ce t o a port t o sig n al a like war n i n g to ,

those who follo w ed t he s e a as t h eir highway Lo n g custo m .

h d sa n c t io n ed this p o t
a t se n t en ce The laws allowed
s -
m or em .

it a n d t h e people app roved it It followed that t he s tr a n ger .

w ho pa s sed u n der n eath o n e of t hese e n s ign s of t e r ro r could

have n o doubt tha t he h d e n t ered a Chris t ian lan d s in ce t h
a ,
e

ad i n i s tratio n of justice accordi n g t o i t s most civili z ed fo r m s

m

co n fro n t ed him upo n i ts very t hre s hold .

The su n ke n r eef n w k n ow n a s Nix s Mat e was o n ce a n islet

o
’

co n tai n i n g several acres of la n d n d it was a t a ver y early day ,

a

t he property of a certai n Joh n G allup from whom the adj acen t ,

i sla n d is n amed The sea h s dest r oyed eve r y vest ige of i t

. a ,

excep t i n g o n ly the blacke n ed boulders t ha t lie exposed a t low

t ide over which t he mo n umen t st a n ds gua r d Ye t n o t more
,
.

cer tai n ly has the islet peri s hed through the ac t io n of destr oy in g
curr en ts tha n has the memo ry of Nix o r h i s Mat e bee n swep t
68 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

away i nt o oblivio n by the tides Of time Still t he n ame is a .

fac t e n t e red upo n t h e public r ecords of the Colo n y as a t hi n g

of ge n eral k n owledge ; a n d we t he r efore co n ti ue to call t h e n

r eef Nix s Mate w ithout i n the least k n owi n g w hy w e do so

’
.

The o n ly other fact givi n g au t hority t o t he t rad i tio n co n n ected

w ith the i s le t i s the certai n ty t hat i t wa s mo r e or le ss used i n
times pas t a s a place of executio n fo r co n dem n ed pirate s s everal ,

o fw hom fi n i s hed here a of crime t he bare reci t al Ofw hich

ca r e e r ,

make s o n e s blood r n cold The n ame of Ni x o n ly is wan ted

’
u .

to comple t e the black cale n dar Every trace of t he s oil t o which .

the bo n e s of the victims w ere co n sign ed has d i s appeared n d ,

a

o n ly t he solitary mo n ume n t i n dicate s t h i s gr aveyard of t h e s ea ,

w hich the w ave s have ki n dly levelled a nd blo t ted ou t fo r ever .

It has however bee n h a n ded do w n fr om gen e ratio n to ge n er

, ,

a t io n — n d w e have yet t o fi n d the i n div i dual bold e n ough t o

,
a

di s pute i t — that n of these freeboote rs per s i st ed t o t he las t

,
o e

i n declari n g his i n n oce n ce of the crimes fo r which he was to

su ffer death at the ha n gma n ha n ds a n d h e pro t e st ed with hi s
’
s

latest breath before givi n g up t he ghost t hat i n proof of t he

, ,

t r uth of hi s dyi n g assert io n the i slan d would be destroyed In .

e fle t cthe w aves havi n g do n e their wo r k u n hin dered by a n y

,

art ificial obstructio n t he supersti t ious have always seen i n thi s

,

a decree of Fate a n d Nix s Mat e i s suppo s ed by t hem t o have

,
’

suffer ed u j us tly But k n o w i n g as we do t hat t he disappear

n .

a n ce of the isla n d is due to n atural causes we are u n able s at is ,

f ct ily t o es t abli s h t he co n n ec t io n bet w ee n the predictio n n d

a or a

its fulfilme n t In a n y case the veri fi cat io of i n n ocen ce if such

.
,
n ,

it shall be accou n te d came t oo lat e by a cen t ury t o save Nix s

,
’

Mat e from t he hal te r .

70 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

har dly co n si s ten t w ith t he secrecy the abse n ce of all wi t n esses

, ,

a n d the deadly pu r po s e with which the duel w as co n ducted .

The parties had met early n t he previou s eve n i n g at the Royal

o

Excha n ge a rra n ged the meeti n g a n d immediately repaired to the

, ,

re n de z vous which o e of them was desti n ed n ever to leave alive

n .

Po s itively n othi g the n is k n ow n of the origi n of t he affai r

n , ,
.

Still i t i s evide n t that n o commo n a n d vulgar quarrel over dice

,

o r cards whe n o n e or bo t h had made too free wit h the Tus

,
“

a n grape could have so eter n ally s ealed t he lips of those to

”
c ,

w hom t he real cause of thi s si n gular affair of ho n o r must have

bee n r evealed Phi llip s was hurried a w ay board a ship by
. on

TH E D U EL O N TH E COM M ON .

h is fri e n ds a n d died miserably i n exile The i n ques t elici t ed

,
.

n othi n g of mome n t beyo n d the barre n facts here n arrated J s . u

tice w a s co pletely baffled The head s to e i n the Old Gra n ary

m . n ,

w her e i n the la n guage of the day poor t V o db id g e wa s de

, ,
o r
“

n d ha n d s omely i n terred is s ilen t Satan w ho had t h

”
ce n t ly a ,
.
,
e

arra n gi n g of thi s lug briou s combat thru s t home with you n g

u ,

Phillips Ig n oran t a s w e are of the r eal cau s e w e are yet irre

“

.
,

s i s t ib ly led to co n clude that the s e mi s g uided youths cro ss ed

swo rds n t i n a mome n t of pa ss io n but at the i st igatio n of
o ,
n

some o ffe n ce over which the grave it s lf m u st clo s e The grave e .

h a s closed ove r i t ;
 DU O D
’
A NV I LLE S ’
DESCENT .

D U C D A N V I LLE S D ES C EN T
’ ’
.

1 7 46 .

A YI NG r egard po s sibly to the maxim t ha t a dan ger

, ,

escaped i s a da n ge r n o lo n ger t he hist or i a n s have i n ,

ge n eral treated the descen t Of Admiral d An v i ll wi t h ea s y ’

e

i n diffe r e n ce Ye t the .

startlin g fact remai n s

that so lo n g as his fleet
rode the seas i n safety ,

the fate Of Ne w En g
la n d trembled i n the
balan ce We beg t he
.

r eader s co n side ratio n

’

of the s t o v from t his r

poi n t of vie w .

The t aki n g o f Louis

burg i n 1 7 45 a p i ece ,

of audacity a t which
F ran ce fir s t st ood aghast ,

a d
n t he n we n t i n t o a
toweri n g r age ove r it ,

came n ear bei n g t he

prelude to a s t ruggle
i n volvin g n o t h i n g less
tha n t he dest i n ies of
En gla n d s A meric a n
’

colo n ies By Open i n g

. O D SOU TH CH U RC H 1 87 2 L ,
.

ne w an d allu r i n g v i s t as

Of co n quest to B r i t ish s t atesme n it s et them upo n fresh schemes ,

for t he co n quest of Ca n ada which they w e e c t ly p r epari n g er

l
s re

t o pu t i n executio I n fact by thi s mettled achieveme n t

n .
, ,

N w En gla n d had d rive n t h e e n teri n g wedge i n t o the ve ry hea rt

e
72 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

of the F re n ch colo n ial empire En gla n d was n o w gat he rin g he r .

s t r e n gth to force i t home .

On the o t he r ha n d i t so i n ce n sed the F re n ch Court t he n fresh

, ,

from its b rillia n t victo ries i n the L w Cou n t rie s that orders o ,

were given fo r t he immedia t e equippin g a t Brest of a formi , ,

d ble la n d a n d sea a r mame n t which it was mea n t s hould n o t

e ,

o n ly r ecove r w hat had bee n lost bu t carry the war e n erge tically ,

t o t he e n emy s o wn doo rs To guara n tee the security Of your

.

’ ‘
.

pos s essio n s by recalli n g yo u r e n emy t o t he defe n ce of his o wn ,

is a milit ar y maxim so old t hat t he Cabi n e t of V ersailles could

n t be safely assumed t o be ig n o r an t of it
o .

This double shotted idea p r om i sed r esult s highly i mporta n t to

-

t he colo n ial schemes as well as to the wa n i n g prestige of Fra n ce

, ,
.

SO al s o did it give good promise of succes s for at Pari s tha ks ,

n

t o Bri t ish par simo n y it w a s well k n o w n that the Briti sh Ameri

,

c a n seaports w e r e n o Lo u i s b g s Si n ce therefore t o r avage t he

u r .
, ,

Ne w En gla n d sea coast w as a t hi ng perfectly feasible t o do Cou n t

-
,

Maurepas resolved to do it An d he mean t t o do it effect ually . .

The preparatio n s a t Brest bei n g quickly k n o w n i n Lo n do n t he ,

t wo an cie n t gladiat ors began o n ce mo r e t o strip for the approach

i n g comba t .

Pursui n g its o wn plan s t he En glish Min is try was a t the ,

same ti e collec t i n g Ships m e n n d mat erials of war at Port s

m , ,
a

mou t h for t he i n vasio n o f Can ada Orde rs w ere sen t ou t to

, .

t he Colo n ies to haste n t he raisi n g of t r oops for t he same pur

pose The n t he de s ti n ati o n o f t he F ren ch fleet n o t bein g quite
.
,

clear t h e Mi n i s try se n t a squadro n t o blockade it i n Brest bu t

,

t he F re n ch A dmi ral eludi n g t he vigila n ce of the British c ruisers

, ,

slipped out a n d got to sea n ot w i t hsta n di n g Such w as the situ .

atio n i n t he midsummer of 1 7 4 6 .

The fl ee t n o w o n the sea n umbe red el eve n ships of the li n e

a n d tw e n ty friga t es carryi n g 8 1 4 gu n s n d 7 000 s ailo rs to
, a ,

which wer e joi n ed thirt y four tra n s po rt s havi n g o n boa r d five

-

battalio n s of t he vet era n troops of F ran ce The fl eet was com .

m a n d e d by M de la Rochefoucauld Du o d An v ille a m a n of ’
.
, ,

ill us tri o us desce n t i n t he pri m e of life t o w h om t he fo rt un es of

, ,
 DU O D A N
’
V I LLE S ’
DESCENT . 73

th e exped iti o n had bee n committed with fulles t co n fi de nce i n his

ability t o execute hi s order s to the letter Tho s e order s we r e to .

retake Louisburg a n d di s ma n tle it s fortificatio n s recapture A n n ap ,

olis a n d garriso n it a n d the n t o burn a n d d est roy Bost o n a n d

, ,

lay waste w ith fire a n d sword the w hole coast as far as Florida .

Bos t o n t he place w h ere t he pla n s for cap t uri n g Louisburg

,

had o rigi n at ed the b rai n n d heart of t h e En glish Colo n ies t he

,
a ,

ce n tr e of En glish agg ressio n t he perpetual men ace t o F re n ch ,

domi n i o n i n Ca n ada w as to be e s pecially dis t i n guished by

,

the ve n gean ce of t he Cabi n e t of V ersailles Bos t o n was t o be .

de str oyed I n deed her defe n cele s s co n di t io n i n vi t ed n a tt ack

.
,
a .

He r o n ly fortress had been stripped of i t s ca n n o n to e n able

Peppe rell t o batt er dow n Louisburg The r e was n o Bri ti s h .

squadro n to defen d it a n d the r e was n o t a Sin gle Bri t ish sol

,

die r i n t he whole prov i n ce .

All t hese circu m sta n ces bei n g app r ecia t ed it is i mpossible t o ,

exagge r a t e t he co n ste r n at io n with which t he cer t ai n i n t elligen ce

of t h e escape of D An v i lle w as r ece i ved a t Bosto n People st ood
’
.

agh as t The d an ge r was i n deed i mmi n e n t He migh t a t a ny

. .

mome n t be expected t o a n n ou n ce his arrival upo n t he coa s t

with h i s can n o n En gla n d says H u tchi n so n was n o t mo re
.
, ,

alarmed wi t h the Span i s h Ar mada tha n w ere Bos t o n a d the ,

n

o t her Nort h A merican s eaport s by t he hourly expectatio n of t hi s

truly formidable flotilla Brave m n t hat he w as G over n or . a ,

Shi rley prepared to mee t t he emerge n cy w i t h such mea n s as h e

had B t there was n o t a mome n t t o lose He i n st a n t ly called

. u .

ou t a levy The s ce n es precedi n g t he Loui s burg e xp e

en m a s s e .

di t io n w e r e repeated n a larger scale Courier s s pur red i n every

o .

direct io n beari n g the summo n s to arm s a n d everywhere t he ,

brave yeoman ry r espo n ded wi t l g r promp t i t ude to t he call r ea e .

A t n i g h t the h i lls bla z ed w ith bo n fire s By day t he roads

i

swa r med with armed m e n ha s te n i n g t oward Bos t o n The Com .

~

m o n bec me a camp
a All bu s i n es s excep t t ha t of r epelli n g t he
.

i n vade r was at n n d a n d n othi n g else w a s talked of In t h i s

a e ,
.

activity t h e people a lit tle recove red fro m t he pa n ic i n t o wh i ch

they had at firs t bee n t h r own .
74 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

While t he people w ere a w aiti g i n feverish a n xie t y fu rther n

n e ws of t he fleet a fi s herma n came i n from s ea wh

,
said that h ,
o e

h d bee n bro u ght to n the N Y Scotia coa s t by four heavy

a o o a

s hips of wa r They r equired him to pilot them i to Ch b t

. n e u c o,

w hich w as the desig ated re n dezvou s for D An ill s fl ee t While

n
’
v e
’
.

lyi n g to u der t h gu n s of o n of t hese s hips h read o n h

n e e ,
e er

s ter n the n ame L Terrible The a fog havi n g s udde n ly

“
e .
”
n,

s hut t h em i n he had s uccee d ed i n maki n g good hi s escape n d

, ,
a

h d steered directly for Bosto n with the n e ws

a .

Bu t the s ple n did fleet of D A n ille w a s de s ti n ed t o e n cou n te r’

v

a series of di s a s ters hardly paralleled i n the n aval a n n al s of

F ran ce An evil desti y pursued it Whe n it w as ffCape
. n . O

Sable it experie n ced v iole n t s torm s t hat s cattered

, d di s persed an

it beyo n d the po w er of reas s embli n g C n fl n w ith fou r ships . o a s

made s ail for Fra n ce ; other s s teered for t h e West I n die s n d a

s till other s w ere drifti n g di s abled wreck s at t h m ercy of the

, ,
e

w i n d s a n d w ave s Fi n ally t he D uke s ucceeded i n getti n g to the

.

re dezvous with two or three sh ip s o n ly of all t h mag i fi ce n t

n e n

s quadro n that had sailed from Bre s t Wit h i n a w eek he died .

,

it i s hi n ted from the effec t of poi s o n admi n i s tered by h im s elf ,

he choosi n g death r athe r than t o surv i ve t he di s grace w hich had

so s udde n ly overwhelmed him Th e V ice A dmi ral t hen pro .
-

po s ed t hat the remain s Of t he fleet s hould retu r n to Fran ce .

L Jo qu iér
a n G ove r n or G e n eral of Ca n ada bei g pre s e n t at the
e ,
-
,
n

Cou n cil warmly oppo s ed thi s urgi n g t hat t he fleet n w aug

, , ,
o

m e n t d by the ar r ival of three more ships a n d stre n gthe n ed by

e ,

the recovery of the ick ought to s t rike o n blow for the ho or

S ,
e n

of F ra n ce He begged the V ice Admiral t o attempt at least the

.
-

carryi n g ou t of a part of hi s i n st r uctio n s These argume t s . n

prevaili n g with the Cou cil D E t u n e ll the V ice A dmiral n ,

’
s o r es ,
-
,

fi n di n g h imself oppo s ed n d th w arte d lo s t hi s head became

a , ,

deliriou s n d prese n tly put n n d to hi s life by falli n g o his

,
a a e n

o wn sw o r d The comma d the n devolved n L Jo n qui e re

. n o a .

The t roops t hat had bee n lan ded w ere embarked a n d the re -
,

fl eet s ailed to ttack An apoli s ; but it agai

a eeti n g w ith a dis
n n m

abli n g s torm thi s e n terpri s e w as also aban do n ed a n d t he s ha t

, ,
 A B ALL D OF TH E A F RENCH F LEET .

t e re dr em n a n t of D An v ille s armada stee red fo r Fra n ce Upo n

’ ‘ ’
.

this the F r e n ch Can adian force s then i n vadi n g Nova Scotia

b roke up thei r camps a n d r etreated The hopes Of the Fr e n ch .

Mi n istry had t hu s bee n every where w recked .

Whe n t hese even ts became k n o w n i n Bosto n the gr eat weigh t ,

t ha t had oppressed t he mi n d s of the people was so sudde n ly

lift ed o ff t hat at first they could scarcely r ealize t h e cha n ge
,
.

Whe n t hey did the u n iversal j oy sho wed it s elf n o t i n n oi s y

, , .

demo n s tratio n s but i n the true Purita n spirit i n prayer a n d

, , ,

t han ksgivi n g Prayers of gratitude w e n t up from all the pul

.

pits fo r i n t he ut t e r des t ructio n Of D A n v i lle s proud fleet by ’ ’

t h e wi n ds a n d waves alo n e was see n o n every side the ha n d , ,

of Go d o n ce more ma n ifes t i n g i tself as i n the old d ays t o his , ,

people .

In t his sp i ri t a n d t aki n g t hese t ruly pic t u r esque i n cide n t s

,

fo r his t heme Lo n gfellow supposes t h e Rev Thomas Pri n ce

,
.
,

t he n past o r of t he Old South Church i n Bost o n t o be r ec o u n ti n g ,

t hem to his co n gregatio n ascribi n g to the powe r Of p r aye r t he

,

destr uctio n t hat over t ook t he flee t of F r ap e e .

A B ALLA D OF TH E F R ENCH F LEET .

OCTOB ER, 1 7 46 .

MR . T H O M AS P RI NCE (loqu i t u r ) .

A F LEET w it h fl ags arrayed

Sailed from t h e port fBre s t O ,

A n d t h e A dmiral s sh ip d i s played
’

T h e sig al Steer s o u t hw es t
n
, .
”

For t h is A dmiral d A i lle ’

nv

H a d swor b y cro ss n d cro w n

n a

T ravage w it h fi re n d steel
o a

O h elple ss Bo sto n to w
ur n .

Th ere w ere r u mor s i n t h e street ,

I t h e h o us e s t h ere w a s fear
n

Of t h e comi g of t h e fl eet n
,

A n d t h e dan ger h overi g n ear ; n

76 NEW —
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

Spread t h e ti d i gs of di s ay n m
,

I stood i t h e Old So uth

n ,

Sayin g hu m bly L t us pray ,

e

O L ord w e wo u ld t advi s e ; no

Bu t if in t h y provide ce n

A tempe s t ho u l d ari s e
S

To dri e t h e Fre c h fl eet hen ce

v n ,

A d s atter it far
n c d W ide an ,

O s i k it i t h e s ea
r n n ,

We sh oul d b s ati sfi ed e ,

A d thi e t h e glory b
n n e .

Th i sw as the prayer I made ,

For my s o u l w as all fl ame on

A n d eve a s I praye d
n ,

T h e a sweri g tempest came

n n ,

It came w it h a migh ty po w er ,

Sh aki g t h e w i d o ws
n d w all s n an

An d tolli g t h e b el l i t h e to w e r
n n

A it t ll s at fu eral s
S e n .

T h e fl eet it overtook ,

A d t h e broad s ai ls i t h e
n n van

Like t h e te t s fC ush a sh ook

n o n ,

O t h e u rtai s of Mi d ia
r c n n .

Do wn O t h e reeli g de ks
n n c

Crash ed t h e wh l i g sea s o er
’
e m n

Ah ever w ere t h ere w reck s

n

S pitifu l a s t h e s e !
O

Li ke a potte s vessel broke ’

r

Th e great sh ip s fth e li e O n

Th ey w re arried a way a s a s mok

e c e,

O s a k li k e lead i t h e bri e
r n n n .

O Lord ! before t h y pat h

78 NEW ENG LAND LEG ENDS
-
.

Be eat h th y to w er h w vas t th e throng

n ,
o

T h at moved t h ro ugh por ch d aisle lon g an a

Th h o ly fa e t h e galleried h eig h t ;
e n ,

A year s a u e i
s d year s w e t o u t
c r n, a n n ,

Wit h b of w oe or j oyful sh o ut
s o , ,

Wit h req u ie re s t or a t h em bright

m , n .

Old fa e s h au t th e a ie t pe w
c n nc n ,

A d i t h e orga loft re e w
n n n- n

T h e s acred strai of earlier time s n ,

W h e k ig h t d dame i w orsh ip bent

n n an n ,

A d from t h eir lip s t h e h omage s e t

n n

T h at mi gled w it h t h e a sw eri g c h imes

n n n .

An d h ere t h e patriot hu g h i s light n ,

W h i h sh o e t h ro ugh all th at a xio us n ight

c n n ,

T ager eye s of Pa u l Revere

O e .

T h ere i t h e d ar k hu rc hyard b elo w

,
n c ,

T h e d ead Pas t w ake ned n t to k o w o ,

n

H w h a ged t h e w orld that n ig h t Offea r

o c n ,
.

T h e a gel s th y gallery s oar

n on ,

T h e Savio u s fa e t h i e altar o er
r
’
c n
’

I s t h ere as i t h e el d er d y
,
n a .

T h e royal silver yet d ot h sh i e n ,

A d h ol d s t h e ple d ge of love di i e
n v n ,

T h at a ot h a gec nn pass a way c n ,

nor .

PA U L R E V E R E S RID E
’
.

1775 .

Bo st o n t he first i n qui ry that every s tra n ger makes i s fo r

Bu ker Hill the n ext is t o be directed to the old church
n

where the lan t er n s were hu n g out o n t he n igh t befo re t he bat tles

of Lexin gt on n d Co n cord
a .

At n ea rly every h our of t he d y some o n e m y be see n i n t he a a

n o w u n freque n ted s t reet looki g up at the lofty spi r e with a nn

 PA U L RE ERE S R DE V ’
I . 79

exp r essio n of deep sat isfactio n as if some lo n g cheri s hed wish ,

-

had at last bee n accompli s hed .

While h i s en deavori n g t o i m pre s s the appearan ce o f t he

. e

ve n e rable struct u re upo n hi s memory the pilgri m to hist o ric ,

shri n e s see s t hat a tablet with a n i n sc r iptio n cut u po n i t is

, ,

imbedded i n the Old but stil l solid maso n ry of t he towe r fro n t

, , .

Salem Street is so n arrow that he has n o di f ficulty what eve r i n

r eadi n g it fro m the curb s to n e acro s s the way w hich he does ,

slo w ly n d at ten tively Bosto n ia n s all k n o w i t by hea rt Thus

a . .

it r u n s
THE S G NA ANTERNS OF I L L
AU L REVERE P ,

DI SPLAYED N TH E TE E E O THI S CH U RCH

I S PL F ,

AR 1 P IL 8 , 17 7 5 ,
W ARNED T I E O NTRY O TH E M ARC H I C U F
OF TH E B R IT S I H TROO P S
TO LE! ING TON A ND CONCORD .

This i n sc r iptio n the n has co n st it u t ed Ch ri st Church i n effec t

, , , ,

a mo n u en t to Paul Revere n d hi s famous exploi t The poe t

m a .

Lo n gfello w has give n h i m a n o t he r .

No stra n ge r e n t e rs t his n eighborhood who does n o t ge t t he

impre s sio n tha t he has some w he re u n k n o wn to himself walked , ,

ou t of t he Ni n e t ee n t h Ce tury i n to the Eightee nth n .

The whole n eighborhood i s i n a la n guishi n g st at e t houg h qu it e ,

i n keepi n g w i t h t h softe n ed feeli n g t ha t al ways comes ove r o n e

e

i n s uc h retired cor n e r s F o r here he has full libert y t o lose h i m

.

self u n dist u rbed eithe r by n oise

,
bu s tle a n d he c n qu i e t ly Or ,
a

e njoy the seclusio n n eedfu l fo r getti n g i n to a frame of mi n d p r ope r

t o the as s ociatio n s of the spot Yet s tra n ge a s i t n o w seem s .
, ,

t his w as o n ce a fa s hio n able quar t er of t h e to w n although t hat ,

wa s lo g ago n d traces of the old time ge n t ility are s till appare n t

n ,
a -

h ere n d t here to the eye of t he wa n dere r up n d dow n the de

a a

s ert e d thoroughfares I n poi n t of f

act n o t with s t a n di n g it i s n e
.
, o

of t he oldest divisio n s of t h e old city the whole North En d h s , a

lagged full half a ce t ury behi n d t he other sectio n s — s o far

n , ,

i nd d that it i s d o u btful w hether i t w ill ever overtake t hem

ee , .

Th i s old church w ith it s ve n e r able chimes t h e ar mo ri al t omb

, ,
80 E —
N W ENGLAND LEGENDS .

s to n es o n Copp s Hill above it a n d sun dry a ntiqua t ed ma n sio n s

’
,

i n a n t iquated la n es are the sile n t wi t n es s e s to the fac t t hat t he

,

n eighborhoo d has r eally see n better days

We have devoted s o much space to the locality because i t was

t h e b i r thplace a n d home of Paul Revere .

A t the time of his memo rable r ide Paul Reve r e was fo r ty ,

yea rs Old a n d wa s livi n g i n the n eighbo rhood where he wa

,
s

bor n Though he was brought up t o the trade of a gol d s mith

.
,

Revere was o n e of those s kilfu l mecha n ics w ho ca n t ur n t h eir

han ds t o ma n y thi n gs a n d havi n g already lear n ed t o e n grave o n
,

Silve r he t ook up a n d soo n bega n to be k n ow n as a n e n g r ave r

,

B OSTON F ROM B REE D S

’
HI LL ,
17 9 1 .

on coppe r pla t e -
in ,
wh i ch a rt he acquired a rude p r oficie n cy .

Revere like most of h is class we n t heart a n d soul w ith the

, ,

Wh i gs w hen t he t roubles wit h t he mother cou n try drew m n to e

on eo r t he o t her side a n d h e ve r y soo n became o n e of t h o st e m

active a n d dari n g s pirits o f a s ecr et o r ga n i z atio n composed of ,

m ne like hi m se lf who ,
h d sw o r n a n the B i ble
o n o t to be t ray

T h e s e e n k n e w n othi
m n g n d cared n oth i n g about t he t ricks of
a

diplomacy They w ere .

simply a xio us to decide all outst an di n g
n

que st io n s by blo ws t h e ,
soo er t h better
n e .

Thei r meetin g s w ere h eld n d their pla s co n cer t ed a t t he

a n
82 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

he s it ated to ac t Neither party w o u ld recede a n i n ch yet o n

.
,

both sides the commissio n of n ove rt act w hich a n y mome n t a

migh t p recipitate war w as awaited i n the u t most suspen se a n d

dread .

A t le n gth G e n eral G age re s olved t o s t rike a crippl i n g blow ,

a n d if po ss ible to do it w ithout bloodshed .

The pri n cipal depot of the patriots w as formi n g at Co n co r d ,

i n the Cou n ty of Middle s ex about t w e n ty mile s from Bosto n

, ,

w here i t w as co n s ide red quite safe from n y sudde n dash by t h e a

royal troop s G e n eral G age w a s kept thoroughly i n forme d by

.

hi s spie s of w hat w as goi g o n n d b e dete rm i n ed to s e n d a

n ,
a

secret expeditio n to de s troy tho s e store s The patriot s o n thei r .

,

s ide k n e w that s omethi n g w as i n a gitatio n a n d i t was n o d iffi

, ,

cu lt m t t e r for the m to guess wha t was i t s r eal purpo rt a n d aim

'
a .

Still s o lo n g a s the s e remai n ed i n doub t they were a n xious

, ,

n d fearful n d re s tle ss They however redoubled thei r v ig i

‘

a a .
, ,

lan ce A ll the la n di g places of the town t he soldiers bar

. n -
,
’

rack s n d even the Provi n ce House it s elf w ere closely watched

,
a , ,

w hile guards w ere r egularly kept i n all the surrou n di n g to w n s ,

promptly to give the alar m when ever the head of a British col
u m n s hould appear G e n eral G age held t he capital of t h e p r ov
.

i n ce but out s ide of i t s gates h i s o r de rs could be execut ed o n ly

,

a t the poi n t of t he bayo n et .

F ully appreciati n g the import an ce of secrecy G en e ral G age ,

quie tly got ready eight hu n dred picked t r oops w hich he mean t ,

t o co n vey u der cover of the n ight across the w est bay n d

n ,
a

to la n d o n the Cambridge s ide thus baffli n g the vigilan ce of ,

the t own speople n d at the s ame time co n siderably s horte n i g

'

,
a n

the dista n ce hi s t roops would have to march So much pai n s .

w as take n to keep thei r actual de s ti n atio n a profou n d s ecret that ,

eve n the officer who was select ed for the comman d o n ly r eceived
a n order n otifyi n g him to h old him s elf i n readi n ess The guard . s

i n the tow n w ere doubled n d i n order to i n tercep t a n y couriers

,
a ,

who might s lip through them at the proper mome n t mou n ted ,

patrol s w ere s e n t o u t o n the road s leadi g to Co n cord Havi n g n .

do n e what he could to preve n t i n tellige n ce from r eachi n g t he

 V
PA U L RE ERE S R DE
’
I . 83

cou n try a n d t o keep the t own

,
'

Brit ish Gen e r al

his orders for the embarkatio n
a n d at be tw ee n t e n a n d eleve n

of t h n ight O f April 1 8 t h the

e

troops desti n ed for this se rvice

w ere t ake n ac r os s the bay i n
boat s to the Cambridge side
of the r iver At thi s ho u r his
.

picket s w ere g u ardi n g the de

s e t d
r e oads leadi n g i n to the
r

cou n t ry a n d up to this mome n t

,

n o patriot courier had go n e out .

The G e n e ral had thu s got a lo n g

s tart of the pat rio t s But t heir .

vigila n ce de t ec t ed the move

me n t as soo n as i t w as made .

As Lord Percy w as retur n i n g

fr om a n i n t erv i ew w ith G e n
e ral Gage he met groups of the
,

t o w n speople talki n g excitedly

toget her a n d upo n goi n g n ear
,

en ough t o overhea r t he subject

of co n ver s atio n o n e Of them,

said t o him defian tly The !

“

British t roops have ma r ched ,

but t hey w ill mi s s thei r aim .

”

What aim ? asked t he ”

The can n o n a t Co n co r d ,

was t h e r eply .

Percy i n s ta n t ly re traced h i s
st ep s t o t he P r ovi n ce House G RENADI ER 17 7 5
.

,
.

A fte r li st e n i n g i n sile n ce to his

report the G e n era l broke out w ith The n I have bee n betrayed !
, ,
“ ”

It is n w believed t hat a member of the G e n eral s o wn house

o
’

hold wa s the m ed i um t hroug h wh i ch h i s sec r et had becom e

84 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

k n o w n t o the r ebels Their di fficulty n o w w as to tran s mit t h e

.

n e w s seaso n ably to preve t t h loss of the provi n cial magazi n es

,
n e .

The r e w e r e o n ly t w o mode s of egr ess from the tow n o bei n g by ,

ne

the old fer y to Charlesto w n the other by the n eck co n n ecti n g

r ,

Bosto n wi th the mai n la d w hi ch w as o ly w ide e n oug h for a n ,

n

si n gle road The ferry la n di n g w a s kept by a s ubalter n s guar d

.
-
’

a n d i t w as comma n ded by the batterie s of a frigate a n chored

Of f i n t h s tream eThe r oad w as blocked by a fortre ss ex t e n d

.

i n g ac r o s s it the ga t es of w hic h w ere s hut at a ertai n hour

,
c ,

afte r w hich n n coul d pass i n or out excep t by o rder of t he

o o e

G e n eral h im s elf .

To provide agai n st t h S Revere o n ly a day or t w o earlie r had

I , ,

co certed s ig n al s which s hould apprise hi s frie n d s i n Charle s

n

to w n whe n ever a movemen t of t roops wa s actually taki n g place .

Whe n these sign al s should be di s played t he watchful patriot s ,

there k n e w w hat they had t o do .

The s ign als agr eed u p On w ere lights t o be Shown fro m the
belfry of the North Church ! t w o if the troops we n t ou t b y
w ater n d n e if by la n d The r edcoa t s had s carcely go t i nt o
,
a o .

their boat s whe n Wa r re n se n t i n great ha s te fo r Paul Reve r e

,

a d William Da w e s
n He k n ew that the c r isis had n w come
. o .

Telli n g the m i n two word s that the soldiers had started a n d ,

tha t he feared t hey mean t t o s eize the pat rio t leader s Ha n cock ,

a n d A dams he despatched Revere by t he w ay of Charle st o w n

, ,

a n d Da w e s by the gr eat high — road over t h e Ne ck In thi s .

w ay should n be stopped the o t her migh t elude the ig i

,
o e , v

la n ce Of the s en ti n el s n d succeed i n getti n g through t h e li n e s

a .

W ith the parti n g i j u n ctio n i n their ea rs n o t to lo s e a mome n t

n
, ,

the t w o pat riots s tar t ed o n the mo s t mome n tous erra n d of the

ce n tury .

Revere fir st we n t t o a frie n d a n d r eques t ed h i t o how the m S

s ign al n e la n t ern i n the church belfry He the n w e t home

,
o . n ,

hur ied o n h i s ridi n g boots n d s urto u t d havi n g picked u p

r -
a ,
an

t w o frie n d s n d a boat the three s tealthily ro wed across the

a ,

r i er pa ss i n g u n see n u n der t he mu zz les of the frigate s gu n s

v ,
’

t hat gua rded the ferry .

86 NEW -ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

dra w n up i n a dirty b y road u n til t w o o clock

-
’
morn i n g ,

w aiti g for their provi s io n s to be bro ght

n u

from the boats n d di s tributed To lo s e

a .

hours w he n mi n u t e s cou n ted for hou rs

w as fat al The three thu s idl e d a w ay
.

decided the fate of the expeditio n The .

British gre n adiers were still shiveri g n

o n the s pot w here they di s embarked ,

w he n Revere after rai s i n g the cou ntry

,

i n arms r ode i n to L exi g to n

,
It w as
n .

just mid n ight whe n he di s mou n ted a t

the door w here Ha n cock a n d
Adam s w ere a s leep He saw .

that he w a s i n
time A p t i t
. a r o

REVERE ARO U SI NG TH E M INU TE M AN

- .

g uard w statio n ed out s ide The drow s y s ergea n t shar ply

as .

a d m o n ished Reve r e t o make less n oise o r he would dis t u r b t h e ,

 P A U L RE ERE S R DE V ’
I . 87

household Noi s e ! exclaimed t he t ho r oughly exci t ed Re

.
”

ve r e you 11 have n oise e n ough before lo n g The r egula r

“ ’
. s

are ou t ! He was the n admitted

”
.

In t he cou r se of half n hour the o t her express a rr ived a n d t he a

,

t wo r ebel leade r s bei n g n o w f lly co n vi ced that Co n co r d was u n

the threa t en ed poi n t after allo w i n g the bold ide r s the t ime to
, r

sw allo w a f w outhful s hurried them o n t o Co n cord A dams

e m , .

did n t believe t hat G age would se n d a n army merely t o t ake

o

t wo e n pri s o n ers To him the true Object wa s ve ry clear

m . .

Revere Da w es n d you n g Dr Prescot t of Co n cord w ho had

, ,
a .
,

j oi n ed them had got over half t h e dista n ce when at a sudde n

, ,

turn i n g they saw i n the gray ligh t a group of dusky fi gu r es

filli g t he road at the same i n sta n t they hear d the sharp com
n

man d t o halt It was a seco n d patrol armed t o t he t eeth

.
, .

P r escot t leaped his horse ove r t he r oadside w all a n d so escaped ,

ac ross t he fields t o Co n co d Revere seei n g t h e m uzzle of a . r .

,

pist ol coveri n g h i m with sure aim gave himself up w ith t he , ,

bet te r grace n o w t hat o n e of t h e party had go t clea r Dawes did .

t he same thi n g An Offi ce r t he n pu t his cocked pist ol t o Re

.

ver e s head t elli n g h i m t hat he w ould scatt e r his brai n s i n the

’
,

r oad if he did n o t make t rue a n swe rs His busi n ess o n t he .

r oad a t tha t hou r was t hen dema n ded He wa s told i n r e t urn .

, ,

t o liste n ; when t h r ough t he st ill mo rn n g a r comi n g dis tin c t

,
i r ,

a n d t h r ea t e n i n g t he dis t a n t boomi n g of t he ala r m bells peal

,
-

upo n peal w as bo rn e t o their ear s Revere the n boldly avowed

,
.

his er ran d to be wha t i t was sig n ifica n tly addi n g t hat t h e cou n ,

try below was up i n arms An othe r p ri so n e r t old the pat r ol t hat .

they we r e all dead m n I t was t he B rit o n s who were n o w n e . u

easy On e of t he r ebel courie r s had escaped t hem t he cou n try

.

below t he was up a n d the r e was n o n ews of t he tr oops Or de r

m .

i n g t he p ri s o n ers t o follo w t hem the troop r ode o f f a t a gallop ,

t oward Lexi n gt o n a n d when t hey were at t he edge of t he v i l

,

lage Rever e was t old to dismou n t a n d wa s the n left t o shift for ,

himself He a n as fast as his legs could carry him across t h e

. r

pa s tures back t o the par s o n age to epor t hi s m i s adve n ture while

, ,
r
,

the patrol galloped o ff to w a r d Bo st o n t o a n n ou n ce t he i rs .

88 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

By this t ime t he mi ute of Lexi gto n had rallied to p

n -
m en n o

po s e the mar h of the troops A t thi s hour the alar had s pread
c . m

thro u ghout the urrou di ng cou n try ; d it w a s s till re s ou n d

s n an

i n g s til l exte di g n every s ide

,
n d multiplyi g it s elf like a
n o ,
an n

destroyi g n fl g t i o sw ept n w ard by the w i n d s In t w o

n co a ra n O .

ho u r s more the w hole Provi ce wa s i fl ame s Than k s to the i n n n .

trepidity of Paul Revere the gold s mith i n s tead of s urpri s i n g the ,

rebel s i n their bed s the redcoat s fou n d them mar s halled n L x

, o e

i g t n G ree
n o at Co cord Bridge i n fro n t fl a k n d rear armed
n, n , ,
n ,
a
,

an d ready to di s pute their march to the bitter n d e .

A t five i t h mor n i g hi s Maj e s ty s troop s by comma n d fi red

’
n e n

upo n n d killed a n umber f the citize n s oldier s at Lexi n gto n

a O

they the n gave three loud n d triumpha n t cheer s for the vic a

tory A t five i n the eve i g G e n eral G age k n e w that thi s

. n n

volley had bee n di s charged over the grave of h i ma s ter s Ameri s

’

c a n empire which he had promi s ed t o pr s erve w ith four bat

,
e

talio s ; the yeoma n ry of n cou n ty o n ly had chased s ix of

n o e

them back to their quart ers .

F rom thi s n rratio n it appears t ha t it w as n o t t he Sign al but

a ,

Revere himself w ho w ar n ed the cou n try of the march of t he

“

Briti s h troops Yet had he failed the r e s ult would p r obably

.
”
,

have bee n the same tha n ks to his promptitude n d his i n ven tio n
,
a

i n t his hi s toric emerge n cy Mr Lo n gfello w i h i s famou s ballad . . n

s o arra n ge s the sce n e as t o make Revere impatie tly w atchi n g fo r n

the sign al ligh t t o appear Revere himself w as the s ig n al

-
. .

P AU L R EVER E S RID E ’
.

LI STEN, my ch ildre d you sh all b n, an e ar

Oft h e mi d ig h t ri d e of Pa u l Revere
n ,

O t h e eigh tee t h of A pril i

n Seve ty fi
n ,
n n -
ve ;
H ardly a i s w alive m an no

W h o remember s t h at fa o us day d year m an .

He said t o h i s frie d If t h e Briti sh march n ,

“

By lan d or s ea from t h e tow to n ig ht n -

,
90 NEW -
ENGLAND LEG ENDS .

Th e fate of a atio was ridi g t h at ig h t ;

n n n n

A d t h e s park s tr u c k o u t by t h at s teed i
n ,
n

Ki nd led t h e la d i to fl ame w it h its h eat

n n .

It w as b y t h e village clock
on e ,

W h e h e galloped i to Lexi gto

n n n n .

H e w t h e gilded w eat h erco k

sa c

Sw im i t h moo ligh t a s h e passed

n e n
,

A d t h e meeti g h o us e w i do ws bla k n d
n n -
n ,
n a

G aze at h im w it h a s pectral glare ,

A if t h ey alrea d y stood agh a s t

S .

A t t h e bloody w ork t h ey w ould look u po n.

Yo u o w t h e re st I th e boo ks yo u have
kn . n

H w t h e Briti sh Reg ular s fi re d

o d fl ed an ,

H w th e far er s gave t h e
o mbal l for ball m ,

From be h i d eac h f ce d farmyard w all

n e n an ,

C h as i g t h e re d oat s do w t h e la e
n c n n ,

Th e ro ss i g th e fi el d s to emerge agai
n c n n

U d er th e tree s at t h e t u r of th e road
n n ,

A d o ly pa us i g to fi re
n n d load n an .

P E T ER R U GG , TH E MI SS ING

BY W I LLI M A A U STI N .

( Fr o m Jo n a t h a n D u n we ll f Ne w Yor k
o to M r . He r m an

IR
, A gr eeably t o m y promi s e I n w rela t e t o you
-
,
o

the particular s of t he lost m n d child which I have a an

bee n a ble t o collect I t is e n t irely o w i g to t h huma n e i n ter

. n e

e s t you s ee ed to take i n t he r eport th t I have pursued t h e

m a

i n quiry to t h e follo w i n g r esul t .

 PETER RU GG , THE MISSING MA N . 91

You m a y r emembe r t hat busi n ess called me t o Bos t o n i n t he

summe r of 1 8 20 I sailed i n the packet t o P ovide n ce ; a n d
. r

whe n I a rri ved t her e I lear n ed tha t every s ea t i n t he st age was

,

e n gaged I was t hus obliged either t o wai t a few hours or a c

.
,

cep t a sea t with the d river who civilly Offered me tha t aecom
,

m o d a t io n .A ccordi n gly I t ook my seat by his s ide a n d soo n ,

fou n d him i n tellige n t a n d commu n icative Whe n w e had t ra v .

e lle d abou t t e n miles t he ho ses sudde n ly th r ew their ears o n

,
r

t hei r n ecks as fla t a s a h a r e s Sai d t he d r ive r Have you a

’
.
,
“

su r tou t w i th you ?
N said I why do you ask
You will wan t o n e soo n sa i d he D o you observe t he
,
”
.
“

ea r s of all t he ho rses ? ”

“
Yes a n d was jus t abou t t o ask the r easo n .

They see t he st o r m b r eeder a n d we s hal l see him soo n

-
, .
”

A t t h i s mome n t t he r e was n t a cloud v i sible i n t he f ir ma o

me n t soo n aft er a small speck appea ed i n t he r oad r .

The r e sa i d m y compa i o n
,
”
n comes the s t o r m breede r
—
,

he al w ays leaves a Scotch m is t behi n d him By ma n y a we t .

jacket do I r emembe r him I s uppose the poor fellow su ffe rs

.

much him s elf m uch more t ha n i s k n o w n to t he world .

”

Prese n t ly a m n wi t h a child be s ide him w ith a large black

a ,

ho rs e a n d a weathe r bea t e n chai r o n ce buil t for a chaise body

-
,
-
,

passed in gr ea t hast e appa r e n t ly at t he rate of t w elve m iles a n

,

hou r He seemed t o gr asp t he r e i n s of his ho r se with fi rm n ess

.
,

a n d appeared to a n ti c i pat e h i s speed He seemed dejec t ed a n d .

,

looked a n xiously a t t h passe n ge s particularly a t t h e s t age d r iver

e r ,
-

n d my s elf I a mome n t after he pa s sed u s the horses ear s

’
a . n ,

we r e up a d be n t them s elves for ward s o th at t hey n early m e t

,
n .

“
Who is that m n said I ; he seems i n great tr ouble
a .
”

Nobody k n o w s who h e is but his per s o n a n d t h e child a r e

familia r t o me I have met h i more t ha n a hu ndred t imes
. m
,

a n d h ave bee n SO ofte n asked t h e w ay t o Bos t o n by t ha t an m ,

eve n w he n he was t ravelli n g directly from tha t t ow n t ha t of ,

lat e I have r efu sed a n y com m u n icat io n w it h h i m ; a n d t ha t i s

the r easo n he gave me such a fixed look .
”
94 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

do w n i n torre n ts It w a s s oo n over the cloud pas s i ng i n t he

.
,

directio n of the tur n pike to w ard Providen ce In a fe w m ome n ts .

after a r espectable looki n g m a n i n a chai s e s topped at the d oor

,
-
.

The n n d child i n the chair havi n g excited some little sym

m a a

pathy amo n g the passen ger s the ge ntlema n w as asked if he

,

had Obser ved them He said he had me t them tha t the m a n

.

EQ U ESTRIANS .

seemed bewildere d n d i n q uired t h w ay t o Bosto n ; t hat he

,
a e

w as drivi n g at great speed a s though he expect ed to outstrip

,

t he t empe s t ; that the mome n t he h d passed him a thu n der

a ,

clap broke directly over the man s head n d seemed to e n velop

’

,
a

both m a n a n d child h orse n d carriage

, a I stopped said the
.
“
,
”

gen tleman su pposi g the light n i n g had st ruck him ; but t h e

,
n

ho rse o nly s eemed to loom up a n d i n crease h is s peed ; a n d as

 PETER RU G G, THE M I SSI NG M A N . 95

well a s I could j udge he t ravelled j us t as fast as t he t hu n de r

,
‘

cloud .
”

While this m n was speaki n g a pedla r with a cart of t i n

a ,

mercha n dise came up all drippi n g ; a n d o n bei n g ques t io n ed ,

he said he had met that a n n d carr iage withi n a fort n i ght m a , ,

i n four di f fe r en t States ; that at each t ime he had i n quired the

way t o Bosto n a n d tha t a thu n der shower like t he p r ese n t
,
-
, ,

had each time deluged h i s wago n a n d his wares set t in g h S t in ,

I

po t s e t c a fl oa t so t ha t h e h a d dete rmi n ed t o ge t mari n e i n s a r

,
.
, ,

a n ce do n e for t he future Bu t t ha t which excited his surp r ise .

mos t was t he st ra n ge co n duct of his ho r se fo r t hat lo n g befo r e

he could dis t i n guish t he
m a n i n t he c h air his o wn ,

ho r se s t ood st ill i n the

r oad a n d flun g back his
,

ear s In sho t Said t h e

.
“
r ,

pedlar I w i sh n eve r t o
,

s ee t hat m a n a n d horse
agai n ; t hey do n o t look
to me as though t hey b e
lo n ged t o t his wo rld .
”

This was all I could

lea rn a t t hat t ime ; a n d
t he occu rr e n ce soo n aft e r
w ould have become with H C K NEY O CH A G A ’

me like o n e of t hose
“

thi n gs which h a d n eve r happe n ed had I n o t as I s t ood r ece n t ly , ,

o n the doo r step of Be n n et t s Ho t el i n Har t fo r d heard a m a n

’
,

say There goes Peter Rugg a n d his child He looks wet a n d

,

weary n d far t her from Bosto n t ha n ever

,
a I w as sati sfied i t .

was the sam e m a n I h a d see n m o e t ha n t hree year s before for r

w hoever h a s o n ce see n Pete r Rugg ca n n eve r afte r be decei v ed

as t o h i s ide n ti t y .

Pe t e r Rug g said I n d w ho is Pe t e r Rugg ? a

That s aid t h stra n ger is more t han a n y n e ca n t ell

,
”
e ,
o

exactly He is a famous t ravelle r held in ligh t est eem by all

.
,
96 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEGENDS .

inn holde rs fo r he n ever stop s to eat dri n k o r sleep I w o n de r

-
, , ,
.

wh y t he G ove r n me n t doe s n t employ him to carry t he mail o .

“
Ay said a b ys ta n der ; that i s a thought b righ t o n ly o n
,
” “

o ne side How lo g w ould it take i n tha t ca s e to se n d a let t er

. n

to Bos t o n -
for Peter h a s already to my k n owledge bee n more , ,

tha n t we n t y years travelli n g to that place .

“
But said I does t he m n n ever stop a n y w here ? Does he
,
”
,
“
a

n eve r co n ve r se w ith a n y ne ? I sa w the same m n more t h a n o a

three year s si n ce n ear P r ovide n ce a n d I hea r d a s tran ge s tory ,

about him P ray s ir give me some accou n t of t hi s m n

.
, , a .
”

Si said the st r a n ger tho s e w ho k n o w t h mo s t r espec t

r,
”
,
“
e

i n g tha t m a n say the lea s t I have heard it assert ed that .

Heave n s ometime s set s a mark n a n eithe r for j udgme n t o m a

or a t rial U n der w hich Peter Rugg n w labors I ca n n ot say

. o ,

t herefore I am rather i n cli n ed to pity tha n to judge .

”

“
You Speak like a huma n e n s aid I ; a n d if you have m a ,

k n o w n him so lo n g I pray you w ill give me some accou n t of ,

him Has his appeara n ce m ch a ltered i n t h at t ime ?

. u
”

Why ye s h look s a s tho u gh he n ever ate dra n k or slept

,
e , ,

a n d his child look s older tha n him s elf ; a n d h look s like t ime e

broke n Offfrom eter n ity n d a n xiou s t o gai n a re s ti n g place ,

a -
.
”

A n d ho w does h i hor s e look ? said I

”
s .

A S fo r his hor s e h look s fatter d gayer n d s ho ws more

,
e an ,
a

an imatio n a n d courage tha n he did t w e n ty year s ago Th last , . e

t ime Rugg s poke to me he i quired h w far it w a s to Bo s to n n o .

I told him ju s t n hu n dred mile s o e .

‘Why said he ho w c n you deceive m s o ? It i s cr u el

’
a e
, ,

t o mi slead a traveller I have lo s t my w ay pray direct me the .

n earest way to Bo s to n
’
.

I repe a ted it w as n hu n dred miles , o e .

‘
How ca n you say s o ? s aid he ; I w a s told last even i g ’
n

it wa s bu t fifty a n d I have travelled all n ight

,
.
’

‘
said I you are w travelli n g from Bo s to n You
,
no .

m us t tu r n back
’
.

‘ ‘
Al a s ! said he it i s all turn back ! Bo s to n s hift s w ith
,

t he wi n d n d plays all arou n d the compass O m n tell s

,
a . ne a
98 NEW -
ENG LA ND L EG ENDS .

n ot r each Bosto n t o n igh t if I tarry Would you a dv i se m e t o

-
.

take the old r oad o r the turn pike ? ,

Why the Old r oad is o n e hu n dred a n d seve n teen miles a n d

, ,

t he t urn pike is n i n ety seven -

.
”

“
Ho w ca n you say so ? You impose o n me ! I t is wro n g
t o t rifle with a traveller You k n ow it is bu t fo rty m i les from
Ne wb u r yp o r t to Bos t o n .

But t his i s n o t Ne wb u r yp o r t t his i s Hartford .

D o n o t deceive me sir Is n o t thi s t o w n Ne w buryport , .

,

a n d the ri ve r t ha t I have b ee n follo w i n g t he M er r imac

NO sir ; this is Hartford a n d the rive r t he Co n n ecticu t

, , .

He w ru n g his ha n ds a n d looked i n c redulous .

Have the rivers t oo cha n ged thei r course s as t he cities

, , ,

have cha n ged place s ? But see t h e clouds are gat heri n g i n t h e
south a n d w e shall have a rai n y n igh t A h t hat fatal oath
, .
,

He w ould tarr y n o lo n ger His impatie n t hor s e leaped Off .

,

h i s hi n d fla n ks ris i n g like wi n gs he seemed to d evou r a ll

befo r e him a n d t o sco r n a ll behi n d
, .

I had n o w as I t hough t discove r ed a clew t o t he hi s to ry of

, ,

Pet e r Rugg a n d I det e r m i n ed t he n ext ti m e my bu s i n e s s called

, ,

m e t o Bos t o n t o make a fu rt he r i n qui r y

, Soo n afte r I was .
,

en abled t o collec t the foll o w i n g par ti cula rs from M rs Croft a n .

,

aged lady i n Middle St reet who has r esided i n Bost o n du r i n g ,

the last t we n t y yea rs He r n a rr at io n is this .

The las t s ummer a perso n just at tw iligh t st opped a t t he

, , ,

door of t he lat e Mrs Rugg Mrs C r oft o n comi n g t o the door

. . .
, ,

perceived a stra n ger with a child by his Side i n a n Old wea t her
, ,

beate n carriage w ith a black horse The stra n ge r a s ked fo r Mr s

, . .

Rugg a n d wa s i n formed that Mr s Rugg had died i n a good Old

, .

age more than t w e n ty year s before that t ime .

The st ran ge r r eplied How c a n you deceive me S0 ? DO ask

,

Mrs Rugg to step t o the door

. .
”

“
Sir I assure you Mrs Rugg has n o t lived here t hese n i n e
,
.

teen years ; n o o n e lives here bu t my s elf a n d my n ame is ,

Betsey Croft .
”

The s tran ger paused a n d looked up a n d down t he s tr ee t a n d

, ,
 P ETER RU G G , THE M SS I I NG M AN . 99

sai d ! Though the pai n t i n g is r at her faded t his looks like m y ,

house .

Yes said t he child that is the sto n e befo r e t he door t ha t

.

I used to sit o n to eat my bread a d milk n .

”

“
But said the s tra n ger it s eems t o be o n t he wro n g Si d e
,
”
,
“

of t he st ree t I deed everythi g here seems to be misplaced

. n n .

Th e s tr eets are all cha n ged the people are all cha n ge d the tow n , ,

s eems cha n ged a n d wha t is s tra n ge s t of all Cathe r i n e Rugg has

, ,

de s ert ed her hu s ba n d a n d child Pray co n ti n ued the stra n ger .

, ,

“
has Joh n F y come home from sea ? He w e t a lo n g voyage
o n

he is my ki If I could see him he could gi e me some

n s rn a n .
, v

accou n t of Mr s Rugg . .

Si s aid Mrs C r oft I n eve r hear d of Joh n F o y Whe r e

r,
”
.
,
“
.

did he live ?
Ju s t above here i n Oran ge Tree La n e ,
.

The r e i s n s uch place i n this n eighborhood

o .

What do you tell me ? A r e the st ree ts go n e ? Ora n ge T r ee

La n e i s at the head of Ha n ove r Stree t n ea Pembe rt o n s Hill
’ ”
,
r .

There is n s uch la n e n o w o .
”

Madam ! you ca n n ot be seriou s Bu t you doub tless k n ow .

my brother William Rugg He l ives i n Royal Exch a n ge Lan e

,
.
,

n ear Ki n g Street
”
.

“
I k n o w of n such la n e n d I am sure t here is n o such
o ,
a

s treet a s Ki n g Stree t i n t his t own .

”

N0 such s treet as Ki g St r eet ! W hy woma n you mock n , ,

me You y as well tell me the r e is n o Ki n g G eo rge ! How

m a

eve r madam you see I am w e t n d wear y I must fi n d a r est i n g

, ,
a

place I w ill go to Har t s t ave rn n ear the market

.
’
,
.
”

“
W hich market sir ? — for you seem perplexed ; we h ave ,

s veral markets
e .
”

“
Yo u k o w there i s bu t o n market — n ear the Town dock
n e ,
.

Oh t h ld marke t ; bu t n o s u ch perso n has kep t t here

‘

,
e O

the s e t w e n ty yea r s .
”

Here th e st ra n ger seemed d isco n ce rt ed a n d u tt e r ed t o himself ,

qui t e audibly ! Stra n ge mistake ! How uch t his looks like

“
m

t he t ow n of Bost o n ! I t cert ai n ly has a g rea t r esemblan ce t o

1 00 NEW ENGL -
A ND LEG ENDS .

it but I perceive my mistake n o w Some other M rs Rugg . .

,

”
s ome other Middle St reet .

The s aid he madam c a n you direct me t o Bo s to n ?

n,
”
, ,

Why thi s i s Bo s to n the city of B o s t n f I k n o w of n

'

“
o o
, ,

o t her Bo s to n .
”

“
City of Bo s to n it y be b ut it i s n o t the Bo s to n w here
m a

I live I recollect n w I came over a bridge i n stead of a ferry

. o ,
.

Pray w hat bridge i s that I j u s t came over ? ”

It i s Charle s River Bridge .

”

I perceive my mi st ake there i s a ferry bet w ee n Bost o n a n d

Charlesto w n t he r e i s n o bridge A h I perceive my m istake .
,
.

M ARKET W 0 M AN-
.

If I w ere i n Bo s to n my hor s e w ould c rry me direc t ly to m y a

o wn door B t my h or s e sh o w s by hi s impatie n ce t h at he i s
. u

i a stra n ge place
n A b su rd that I s ho u ld h ave
. i s take n thi s
,
m

pl ce for t h ld to w n of Bo s to n ! It i s a uch fi er city than

a e O m n

t h to w n of Bo s to n
e It h bee n built lo g s i n ce Bo s to
. as I n n .

fan c y it m s t lie at a di s tan ce from this city a s the good w oman

u ,

s eem s ig ora t of it
n n .
”

A t t he s e w ord s h i hor s e bega n to chafe d s trike the pave

s an

me t w ith hi s fore feet The s tra ger s ee ed a little be w ildered

n -
. n m ,

a n d s aid N home to n ight

,
o d givi n g the rei n s t o his horse
-
an ,

passed up the st ree t a n d I saw n more of him ,

o .
1 02 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

If Pe t e r Rugg thought I has bee n t ravelli n g si n ce the Bosto n

, ,

Ma ssacre the r e is o rea s o n why he s hould n o t travel to the

,
n

e n d of time If the p re s e n t ge n eratio n k n o w little of him the

n ex t w ill k n o w
.
,

le s s n d Peter a n d his child w ill have n o hold

a

o n t hi s w orld .

In the cou r se of the eve n i n g I r elated my adve n t u r e i n

Middle St reet .

Ha ! said o n of the compan y s mili n g do you really

”
e , ,
“

thi n k you have see n Peter Rugg ? l have hea r d my gra n dfather
speak of him as though b e se r iou s ly believed his wn story o .

Si r, said I pray let u s compare your gra n dfather s st ory

,
’

of Mr Rugg w ith my o wn
. .
”

“
Pe t er Rugg s ir if my gra n dfather was worthy of credit
, , ,

o n ce lived i n Middle St reet i n thi s city He w as a ,n in . m a

comfortable circumsta n ce s had a w ife n d ,

daughter n d a o ne ,
a

w a s ge n erally e s teemed for hi s sober life a n d ma n n ers Bu t .

,

u n happily his temper a t time s w as altogether u govern able ;

,
n

a n d the n his la n guage w a s terrible In the s e fi ts of pa s sio n .

,

if a doo r s t ood i n his w ay he w ould n eve r do les s tha n kick ,

a pan el t h r ough He would sometimes th row his heel s over

.

his head n d come dow n o n his fee t utteri ng oaths i n a cir cle ;
a ,

a n d thus i n a rage he w s the first who performed a so m e r se t

a ,

a n d did what othe r s have Si n ce lear n ed t o do for me r ri me n t a n d

mo n ey On ce Rugg was seen t o bit e a t e n pe n n y n ail i n halves

. .

In those day s everybody both m e n a n d boys w ore w igs ; a n d

, ,

Peter at the s e mome n ts of viole n t pass i o n would become so

, ,

profan e t hat his wig w ould ri s e u p from his head Some said .

it was o n accou t of h i s terrible la n guage ; others accou n ted

n

fo r it i n a more philosophical way a n d s aid it w as caused by ,

the expan s io n of his scalp as viole n t passio n w e k n o w w ill

,
-
, ,

s w ell the vei n s a n d expan d t h e h ead W hile t he s e fit s w ere .

o n him Rugg had n o r espec t fo r heave n o r ea rt h Excep t this .

i n firmity all agr eed t hat Rugg was a good s o rt Of m a n ; for

,

whe n hi s fit s w ere o v er n obody w as s o r eady to commen d a

,

placid temper a s Peter .

It wa s late i autum n o ne m o r ni ng that Rugg i n h i s o wn

n
, , ,
 P ETER RU G G , THE M SS I I NG MAN .

cha ir w ith a fi n e large bay ho rse took his da gh t e r a n d p r o

, ,
u

c e e d e d to Co n co r d On his retur n a viole n t storm ove took

.
r

him A t dark he stopped i n M n t y n o w W e s t Cambridge

.
e o om , ,

a t the door of a M Cutter a frie d Of h i wh o u rged him

r .
,
n s ,

to tarry the n ight On Rugg s decli n i n g to stop Mr Cut t e r

.
’

,
.

‘ ‘
urged him vehemen tly Why Mr Rugg said Cutte r the .
,
.
,
’

s t orm is over w helmi n g you the n ight is exceedi n g dark you r ! !

little d augh t er will peri s h ! you are i n n ope n chai r a n d the a ,

tempest is i n creasi n g ‘
L t th t i . said Rugg with
’
e e s or m n cr e a s e ,
’
,

a fea rful oath I wi ll s h o e t o ig h t i p i t f t h la t t m ee m n ,

n s e o e s e

t I ev h e ” A t these words h e gave h i

er s ee om s
p es ,
a yor nm .

whip t o his high spi r ited horse n d disappeared i n a mome n t

-
,
a .

B OSTON TR U CK .

Bu t Pe t e r Rugg d i d n o t r each home tha t nigh t or t h e n ex t ; ,

n o r whe n h
,
became a missi n g m a n co u ld he eve r be traced
e ,

beyo n d Mr Cut t e r s i n M n t o y
.
’
e o m .

F or a lo n g t ime afte r o n every d a rk a n d sto r my n i ght t he

, ,

wife of Pe t e r Rugg would fa cy h hea r d the c r ack of a w hip n S e ,

a n d t he flee t tr ead o f a horse a nd the r attli n g of a carriage ,

passi n g he r doo r The n eighbo rs too hea r d t he same n oi s e s ;

.
, ,

a n d s ome said t hey k n ew i t w as Rugg s horse tread o n ’

th ,
e

t he paveme n t was perfectly familiar t o them This occ u rred so .

r epeat edly t ha t a t len gt h t he n eighbors w atched w ith l n tern s

, a ,

a n d sa w t he real Pe t er Rugg with hi s wn hor s e a n d ch air ,

o ,

a n d child Sitti n g be s ide him pas s directly before hi s o wn door , ,

h i s head tur n ed t o w ard his house a n d himself ma ki n g every ,

e ffo rt t o s t op his ho r se b u t i n vai n , .

1 04 NE w ENGLA ND
-
LEG ENDS .

The n ex t day t he frien ds of M rs Rugg exe rted themselves .

to fi n d he r husban d a n d Child They i n qui r ed at every public .

house a n d stable i n to w n ; but it did n t appear that Rugg o

made a n y stay i n Bo s to n N0 o n afte r Rugg had pa s sed hi s . e ,

o wn door could give n y accou n t of him though it was a s serted

,
a

by some that the clatter of Rugg s hor s e a n d carriage over t he ’

paveme n ts shook the houses o n both s ides of the s treets A n d .

this i s credible if i n deed Rugg s hor s e a n d carriage did pa ss o n

,
’

that n igh t F o r at t his day in ma n y of the street s a loaded

.
, ,

truck or t ea i n pa s si n g wi ll shake t he houses like n earth

m a

quake Ho w eve r Rugg s n eighbors n ever after w ard w atched ;

.
,
’

some of t hem treated i t a ll a s a delu s io n n d thought n o mo r e ,

a

Ofit Ot he rs of a d if
. fe r en t opi n io n s hook t heir heads n d s aid
, ,
a

n o t hin g .

“
Thus Rugg a n d his ch ild horse a n d chai r were soo n fo r , ,

go t te n n d probably ma n y i n the n eighborhood n eve r hea rd a

,
a

wo r d n the s ubjec t
o .

“
There was i n deed a rumo r t ha t Rugg afterw ard was see n
, ,

i n Co n n ecticut betwee n Su f fi ld a n d Hartford pas s i n g t hrough

,
e ,

t h e cou n try with headlo n g s peed This gave occa s io n t o Rugg s ’

.

frien d s to make fu rt her i n qu i ry But the more they i n qui red .

,

the mo r e t hey we r e baff l ed If they heard of Rugg o n e day i n .

Co nn ecticu t t he n ex t t hey heard of him wi n di n g r ou n d the

,

h ill s i n Ne w Hampshi r e a n d s oo n after a m a n i n a chair w ith ,

a small child exactly a n s weri n g the desc riptio n of Peter Rugg

, ,

would be see n i n Rhode Isla n d i n quir i n g t he way t o Bo s to n .

But tha t which chiefly gave a color of m y s tery to t h e s tory

of Pete r Rugg wa s the affai r at Charlestow n Bridge The t oll .

gat herer as s erted that some t imes o n t he darkest a n d mo s t stormy

n ights w he n n o object could be discer n ed about the time Rugg
, ,

w as m i ssi n g a hors e a n d w heel carriage w ith a n oise equal to

, ,

a troop w o u ld at mid n igh t i n utter co tempt of the rates of

, ,
n

t oll pas s over the bridge Thi s occ rred s o freque n tly t h at
,
. u ,

t he t oll gat herer resolved t o attempt a discovery Soo n afte r

- .
,

a t t h e usual t ime appar e n tly the s ame hor s e n d carriage

,
a

app r oached the bridge from Charlest o wn Square The t oll .

1 06 E —
N W ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

he read or heard of y impo s itio n practi s ed u po n hi s n eigh an

bors he u s ed to s ay
,
F olk s mu s t be up betime s to overreach
Mike Wild .
”

On e stormy eve n i n g abo u t the close of the autum n of 1 7 7 6, ,

Mike w a s e nj oyi g his cu s tomary hou s ehold comfort s his n

n ,
ca

a n d pipe i n the little back parlor Of hi s d w elli n g Number

, ,

North En d bei g the house n ex t t o that occ u pied by Mr

,
n .

Peter Rugg famou s i n s tory The n igh t w as dark w ithou t a s

,
.

the t hroat of the black w olf a n d a s turbulen t as that a n imal ,

w he n a lo n g s n o w stor m upo n the hill s has dri ve n him mad

-

with fami n e .

This Ob s cure chambe r w as the t heat re of his ear t hly felicit y .

It w as here that b coun ted ove r his accumulati n g gai n s wit h

e ,

every retur n i n g n igh t ; i n dulged i n t he preciou s remembran ce

O f past success n d rioted i n the golde n vi s io s of future pros
,
a n

p e r it
y Therefore
. with this room w ere a ss ociated all the pleas
i n g r ecollectio n s o f his l i fe .

It wa s t h e o n ly gree n s po t i n his memory t he refre s hi n g ,

oasi s i n the barre n desert of his a ffectio n s I t was there alo e . n

that the solitary gleam of co n s olat io n touched d melted the an

ice of hi s soul It w a s n atural then co n s ideri n g hi s s elfi s h

.
, ,

n ature that he Should keep it s acred

,
n d i n violate The foot a .

of wife or child was n ever permitted to i n vade this san ctum .

Such approach n their part w ould have bee n deemed high

o

trea s o n n d pu n i s hed as s uch w ithout ben efit of clergy

,
a .

Su ch i n tru s io n by a n eighbor w ould have bee n deemed a d l ec a

ratio n f ho s tilities n d would have been warmly repelled It

o ,
a .

w ere i n deed safer to h ave bearded the lio n i n hi s d n o r the

, , e

p u i ss an t Dougla s i hi s hall for M ike po ss e ss ed all tho s e phy s

n

ical virtue s which c n keep the head from harm if at n y time a , a

the abse ce of better qualitie s provoke a ss a u lt

n .

The be s om of the thrifty house w ife ever di s turbed the v n n e

e ra b l du s t a n d cob w eb s that s upplied it s o n ly tape s try

e F rom .

ge eratio n to ge n eratio the pider had reign ed u n mo le s ted i

n n S n

the cor n ers d crevice s of the w all

an d s o lo n g h d t h terri an a e

tory bee held n d tra n s mitted from s ire to s o n that if a title

n a ,
 A LEG END OF THE OLD ELM .

by p rescrip t io n could eve r avail agai n s t t he p rac t ical a rg u me n t

of the broo m there w a s little fear of a process of ej ec t me n t
,
.

As the Old lamp at the gate creaked dismally a n d the crazy ,

s hutters of hi s chamber rattled still mo r e n oisily i n the w i n d ,

the mercury of Mike s s piri t s rose higher’

a physical phe om ,
n

e n o n n t easily e xplai n e d Perhaps as the eleme n tal w ar gre w

o .
,

S harper h i s o wn n at u re gre w more be n ign i n the co n sciou s n ess

,

that a s ecure shel t e r was i n terposed betw ee n his o wn head n d a

th e eleme n t s .

The last drops

of good liquor
had disappear ed
from Mike s Si l ’

ver ta n ka r d t he ,

la st w a v e r i n g
wreath of s moke
h a d d i ss ol v ed i n
the air a n d the
,

dull embers of
h i s hear t h we r e
fa s t dyi n g a w ay
i n t he white ash
es when Mike
, ,

C H A E 17 7
upo n rai s i n g h i s IS ,
6 .

eye s sudden ly ,

w a s much s tartled to observe tha t he had compan y i n his solitude .

He rubbed hi s eyes a n d shook himself to a s certai n his per s o n al ,

ide n tity b u t s till the large stro n g figure of a n was seated i n

, m a

t h e old leather chai r direct ly opposite to him Whe n ce he came .

,

by w hat mean s h had e n tered what w ere hi s purpo s es w ere

e , ,

m yst eries t oo deep for Mike s faculties at t hat time to fathom

’
.

There h sat ho w ever motio n le ss as a s tatue with hi s arms

e , , ,

folded a n d a pair of large lu s trou s black eyes fas t e n ed full

, ,

upo n him There w as a complete fa s ci atio n i n that gla n ce

. n ,

w h ich s e n t a thrill through h i w hole frame n d held h i m as s ,

a

with a n iro n chai n to hi s chair .

1 08 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Mike like a good ge n e ral soo n rallied h i s ou t ed facul ti es

, , r
,

rea n imated his fugitive thought s n d re s olved though po s se ss ,

a ,

i n g a fai n t heart to sho w a bold fro n t —

,
cheat ofte n p ,
a ra c

t i d by better tacticia n s
s e He there u po n plucked u p he r oi s m
.
,

a n d soo n a s certai n ed tha t h i visitor w a s of very a ffable n d

s a

be n ig n a n t beari n g .

He comm u nicated h i s bu s i n ess briefly i n w h ich vi rt ue of ,

brevity we shall co n de s ce n d to be a n imi t at o r He revealed .

that he w a s i n deed of u n ea rthly n ature a disembodied spirit , ,

a n d tha t d uri g hi s earthly sojou r n he h a d

n sec reted a most
precious t reasu r e which had been u n lawfully acquired u n de r
, ,

the Old El m Tree i n t he ce n t re Of t he Commo n He could n o t .

rest quietly i n the g rave u n til h e h a d i mpart ed the secret t o

some huma n bei n g a n d a s Mike wa s a n after his o wn heart m a ,

h e had selected h i m as t he object of his bou n ty Mike t ha n ked .

h i m Si n cerely for the complime n t a n d ki n d n ess a n d promi s ed ,

t o go forth without delay i n search of t he t reasure He sallied .

forth wi t h his spiritual guide his mi n d i n toxica t ed wi t h t he ,

”

t hough t Of t he heavy i n got s a n d t he bars of gol d a n d t he r ic h

, ,

foreign coi n which he believed would be s h o rtly his o wn The .

n ight was black a n d r ai n y t h e scatter ed s lee t s w ept fu r iously

alo n g the s t reet s p ursued by the screami n g wi n d ; b u t the
,

wr ath of t he eleme n ts w as di s armed by the glo r ious visio n of

r iches a n d h o n or whic h pos s essed him .

They arrived a t le ngth after much wadi n g a n d tribula t io n

, ,

at the Old El n o w t he trysti n g place of yo u n g people n the

m ,
-
o

days of Electio n fe st ivity In those day s it was sometimes .

u s ed as a gallo w s for wa n t of a better ; n d it is s aid a t thi s

, a ,

very day t hat n dark a n d tempe s tuous n ights the gho s t s of

,
o

t ho s e who perished n i t s bran ches are see n s w i n gi n g nd h eard

o a

creaki n g i n the w i n d s till st ruggli n g i n the last throe a n d

,

t or m e n t of dissolutio n i n expiatio n of crimes commi tt ed lo n g

,

ago .

W hen Mike paused at t he roots of t he old t ree he r eques t ed ,

his guide t o desig n ate the particular s pot tha t co n tai n ed the
t reasure bu t r eceivi n g n o respo n se to thi s very n atural i n quiry ,
1 10 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

H i s fear had i n cr ease d to ago n y The s pade dropped from .

hi s powerless ha n d his hair brist led with terror an d hi s grea t

, ,

eyes n early leaped fr om h i head i n his e n deavor to pe etrate s n

the gloo m that su rr ou n ded him On ce more h i my st erious . s

g ide s tood before him ; bu t o n gla n ce of his a w fully altered

u e

face completed the climax of his frigh t Those large black .

,

lustrous eyes n o w ki n dled like t wo balls of flame a n d as t heir

fie n dish lustre gla r ed upo n him he sh ra n k back as fro m a ,

scorchi n g flame A n ose e n ormous a n d r u bicu n d as the car

.
,

b u n le of t he East protruded man y a r ood from the face of

c ,

his evil s pirit n d imme n se whiske rs r ough a n d s haggy as the

,
a ,

lio n s man e flo w ed a rou n d his vi s age The gold mo n ste r c o n

’
, .
-

t i n u e d t o frow n upo n h i m fearfully t il l a t le n gth t he bewilde r ed ,

eyes of Mike could look n o lo n ge r n d he fell t o t he ea rt h ,

a

utterly se n seless .

Whe n Mike a w oke t h e mor n i n g s u n wa s look i n g chee rfully

,

i n to hi s o wn chambe r wi n do w n d the birds t hat make merry ,

a

i n eve r y bright summer mo r n i n g we r e i n gi n g gayly o n t h e S

house eaves above his head He r ubbed his eyes i n a st o n ish

-
.

me n t a n d was i n doub t whether he had n o t lost his s e n ses or

, ,

whet her t he visitor the mo n ey the w al k of mid nigh t n d the

, , ,
a

hor ible gobli n were n o t all the mere creatio n s of a d ream

r ,
.

While lost i n t hese doubts n d di f fi cult i es a n eighbo r o p p o r a ,

t u n e ly stepped i n t o whom he rela t ed the whole sce n e addi n g

, ,

at t h e same t ime s uitable embellishmen t s t o the appeara n ce of

t he fi e n d like apparitio n which h a d hau n t ed him
-
.
.

His frie n d heard h i m for some t i m e expatiate o n the m i a c r u

lous adve n t ure but at le n gth could pre s erve his gravity n o
,

lo n ger a n d burst forth i n a loud ha ! ha ! ha ! Whe n he h a d

,

r ecovered s u fficie n t breath to art iculat e he co n fessed t o the !

electrified Mike that h i s visitor wa s n other t han himsel f a n d o ,

tha t he had practised the hoax i n order t o decide a w ager w ith

mi n e host of the Boar s Head who h a d bet a do z en of his ’

,
‘

choicest b i n that n o o n could get t h e be t te r of sh r e wd Mi k e

e

Wild of t he No rt h En d .
 RO! B U RY PU DDI NG- STONE . 111

R O ! B U RY P U DDI NG S T O NE .

N those pleasa n t suburba n dis tri c t s of Bos t o n t ha t were

fo r me rly t he t own s of Roxbury
a n d D orchester the r ock everywhere
,

see n i n the r oadside w a lls a n d

ou t c r opp i n g ledges is t he ve ry cu ri
ous co n glome r at e familiarly k n ow n
as puddi n g st o n e so called n o
-
,

doub t n accou n t of t h e pebbles

,
o

that a r e imbedded SO solidly withi n

the cooled m ass as n o w to fo rm a
pa rt of i t Rejec t i n g all scie n t ific
.

hypotheses i n favor of a lege n d ,

t he ge n ial Dr Holme s accou n ts fo r

.

t he geological phe n ome n o n i n his OLD M I LE—STONE

o wn felici t ous way i n t he Do r c h e s “

t e r Gi a n t thus e n abli n g us t o co n clude ou r h i st o ri cal p i ec s

,
”
e

w it h t he cust omar y geological d esc r ip t io n .

TH E D ORCH EST ER G I ANT .

OL IVER W ENDELL H OLM ES .

T H ERE was a Gia t i time of ld n n o ,

A mig h ty w as he one

He h d a w ife b u t sh e wa s a scold
a , ,

S he kept her shu t i h i s mammoth fold

O n

A n d h e had c h ildre t h ree n .

The the G ia t took h i s children three

n n
,

A d fa s te ed t h e
n n i th e p m n en

The c h ildre roared q u oth t h e G ian t Be still !

n
“
,

A d Dorc h e s ter H eigh t s

n d Milton H ill an

Rolled back t h e s oun d again .

112 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

T h e h e bro ug ht t h em a p ud d i g st uffed with plum s

n n ,

A big a s t h e State H o us e d ome

s -

Qu ot h h e Th ere so eth i g for yo u to eat

,
“ ’
s m n

S s top yo u r t h w it h yo u r le tio treat

’
O m on s c n ,

A d w ait til l yo u r dad come s h ome

”
n .

Wh at are t h o s e loved o e s doi g w n n no ,

T h e w ife d h ildre sad an c n

Oh t h ey are i a terrible ro u t
,
n ,

Screami g d t h ro wi g t h eir p u ddi g about

n an n n ,

A cti g a s t h ey w ere mad

n .

T h ey flu g it over to Roxbu ry h ill s

n ,

T h ey flu g it over t h e plai n n,

A d ll over Milto
n a d Dor h e s ter too n an c

G reat l u mp s of p u dd i g t h e gia t s t h re w n n ,

T h ey t umbled as t h ick a s rai n .

And if s ome pleasa t after oo

,
n n n,

Y 11 a sk
ou o u t to ride
’
m e ,

T h e wh ole of t h e story I w ill tell ,

A d yo u may s ee w h ere t h e p u d d i gs fell

n n ,

A d pay for t h e p u h b s ide

n nc e .
 TH E WA S HI NG T ON EL M .

HI S pat riarch a m o n g t rees is o n e of t hose pe rishable his

t o r ic Objects we c n still poi n t t o wi t h a feeli n g Of sa t is
a

fact i o n tha t i t co n ti n ues i n the e nj oyme n t Ofa vigo r ous Old age .

Lo n g live the Wa s hi n g t o n El It has survived the e n own ed

m r

Ch a rt e r Oa k it outlives it s ve n erated n eighbor the Bosto n Elm

, ,

a n d t hough much shattered

,
alow n d aloft it bid s fair to
a ,

r ou n d the ce n tury wi t h head proudly erect as the livi n g l i n k ,

j oi n i n g the settlemen t of t he cou n t ry wit h the era of i t s gr eat es t

prosperity .

The histo r ic elm tree st a n d s i n t he public highway by t he

-
,

s i de of the Commo n i n the ci t y of Ca m bridge The Commo n

,
.

wa s t he t r i n i n g fi e ld of the fir s t republica n army for ed almos t

a ~

,
m

as if by m agic i n the year s 7 5 a n d 7 6 of glorious me ory

,
’ ’

,
m .

Beyo n d t he l of r e n ow n o n the other side are the quai n t

e m , ,

old College buildi n g s w hich the n served as barrack s for this

,

army while scattered r ou n d abou t the n eighborhood are ma n y

of the re s ide n ces t hat t he cha n ces of w ar t u r n ed i n t o quart e r s
f r
o the Officers w he n they were vacated i n a hurry by their
Tory ow n ers So that man y ve s tiges of those st irri n g t ime s
.

remai n to att rac t the visito r t o o n e of the most hist oric places
of the Commo w ealth n .

Man y pilgrims w e n d their way to the spo t where t he mas s ive

o ld tr ee tr u nk
-
t he Washi ng to n Elm sh a kes o u t i ts a n n u a l
1 16 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

foliage so like t o t he ivy cli n gi n g a n d clu st e r i n g a bou t a ru i n

, .

AS a t r ee i t would be s u r e to comma n d atte n tio n o n accou n t of

,

it s appare n t gr eat age ; but it is somethi n g more t ha n a tree .

Sile n t w it n e ss to all the sce n es that h ave bee n e n acted here

s i n ce the wh i te e n fi rst forced thei r w ay through t h e thickets
m

coveri n g the sur rou n d i g plai n it is as much n objec t f v n

n ,
a O e

c rat i o n t o the citize n s as if it w ere really able t o impa rt wha t

THE W ASHING TON ELM .

it had seen May it s shadow n eve r be le s s It sa w the m u s

.

teri n g of the r aw Provi n cial levies for the seve n yea rs march ’

to Yorktow n it has bee n blacken ed by can n o n smoke has s ee n -

,

the glit t eri n g circle of camp fi e s lighti n g the lo n g li n e of a n

-
r

i n vest i n g army steadily tighte n i n g its coils about the beleaguered

capital But o n e thi n g above othe rs i n ve s ts it w ith a gran deur
.
, ,

i n separable from h i m who was the n oblest Roma n o f t he m all

'

.
[18 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Wh ile i t h e hero s h eart t h er d welt a prayer

n
’ ‘
e

T h at H eave s protecti g arm migh t ever ceas e

n
’
n n

To make h i yo u g e d a gered la d its are

s n ,
n n n c ,

Till t h rough t h e w ar clo u d looked t h e a gel Peace -

n .

“ Be w i s e my h ildre s aid th at a cie t Tree

,
c n, n n ,

In ear e s t to e a s t h o u g h a Me tor s pa k e
n n ,
n ,

A d prize the blood bo u g h t birt h righ t of t h e free

n -
,

A d fi rmly guard it for your co u try s s a k e

’
n n .

T h a ks tha ks Old El
n ,
n d for thi s cou s el s g e
,
m an n a ,

May H eave t h y bro w w ith dd ed beauty g ace

n a r ,

G ra t ri h er emerald s to t h y cro w of age

n c n ,

An d c h a gele ss ho n or s from a future race

n .

TH E W ASHI NG T ON ELM .
‘
f

JAM ES RU SSELL LO W ELL .

BENEATH our co secrated elm n

A ce tury ago h e s tood

n ,

Fame d vag uely for t h at old fight i t h e wood n

Wh o s e red su rge s o gh t bu t co uld n t over wh el u ,

o m

T h e life fore d oomed to wield o u r rough hewn helm -

From college s wh ere w the go wn ,

no

To arm s h ad yielded from the to w , n,

O urr ud e s elf s ummo ed levies fl ock ed to s ee

-
n

T h e w co e ch iefs d w on der w hich w a s h e

ne -
m , an .

N eed to que stio lo g clo s e lipped d tall

o n n n -
an ,

Lo g trai ed in m u rder b roodi g fore s t s lo e

n n -
n n

To bridle others clamor s d h i s wn ’

an o ,

Firmly erect he tow ered above t h em ll

, a ,

T h e i car ate di s cipli e t h at w as to free

n n n

Wit h iro c u rb t h at armed demo racy

n c .

Musi g be eat h the lege dary tree

n n n ,

Th year s bet w ee fu rl f
e f; I s eem t s ee n o o

Th e fl k sh a k e t h e s tirred foliag e t h ough

s u n- ec s , n r
,
.
Dapple wi th g old hi s s ober bu ff nd bl ue a ,
 THE LA ST OF THE H G HW A M EN I Y .

An d w eave prop h etic a u reole s ro n d t h e head u

T h at sh i es o u r b aco
n w n o darken s w ith the dead
e n no ,
r .

0 m an of sile t mood n ,

A s tra ger amo g s tra ger s t h e n

n n n ,

H w art t h o u s i ce re o w ed t h e G reat t h e G ood

o n n n , ,

Familiar as t h e d y i ll t h e h ome s of n
a n a m e

T h e w i ged years t h at w i o w prai s e n d blame

n ,
nn a ,

Blo w man y ames o u t t h ey b u t f to fl am e

n an

T h e s elf—re n ew i g sple n dor s of t h y fame

n .

TH E LA S T O F TH E HI G HWA Y M E N .

ICHAEL M ARTI N a li a s Cap t ai n Li gh t foo t a ft e r a

, ,

checke r ed career i n Irela n d his n ative cou n try a n d , ,

i n Sco t la n d as a highway r obber became i n 1 8 1 9 a fugitive t o

, ,

A merica . He first la n ded at Salem w here he Obtain ed employ ,

me n t as a farm laborer But a life of h o n es t t oil n o t be in g so

-
.

co n ge n ial t o him as that of a ba n dit h e agai n t ook t o h i s Old ,

occupatio n o n t he r oad t his t ime mak i n g Can ada t he sce n e o f

,

his exploi t s .

Aft e r com m itt i n g ma n y r obbe ri es t he r e a n d i n V e r mo n t a n d

Ne w Hamp s hire a n d al ways eludi n g cap t u r e Mart i n a t le n gth
, ,

a rri ved i n Bosto n He at o n ce began hi s bold opera t io n s upo n

.

t h e highway ; bu t he r e his usual good luck dese rt ed him Hi s .

fir s t n d last vic t im was Major Jo h n Bray of Bost o n Ma rt i n

a ,
.

had s omehow fou n d o t that His Excellen cy G overn o r B r ook s

u

i ten ded givi n g a di n n er party at h i s ma n sio n i n Medford o n a

n -

cer t ai n aftern oon a n d he had determ i n ed t o waylay some of

,

the compan y o n t heir e t ur n shre w dly guessi n g that t hey migh t

r ,

be w ell wo rt h t he picki n g In fact as Major Bray was drivi n g

.
,

leisurely homewar d i n h i s chai se over t h e Medfo r d tur n pike he ,

w a s s udde n ly st opped by a m a s ked hor s ema n wh prese n ted a ,

o

pis t ol n d s t er n ly comma n ded h i m t o deli v e r up h i s valuables

a .
1 20 —
NEW ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

The pla ce was a lo n ely o n e a n d well chose n for the robbe r s pu r ,

’

pose The a s tou n ded Maj or han ded ver his wat ch a n d hi s
. O

pu rse Hav i n g secu r ed his booty the highwayma n wheeled h i

.
, s

hor s e gave him the spu r a n d galloped off w hile hi s frigh t e n ed

, ,

a n d crestfalle n v ictim lashi n g his horse t o a r u n , raised a hue ,

a n d cry at t he n eare s t house

-
.

Marti n fled He w as hotly pu r sued a n d was t ake n after a

.
, ,

c h a s e of a h u n d red mile s asleep i n bed at Sp r i n gfield The , .

o fli c brough t him back n d lodged h i m i n East Cambridge

e rs ,
a

jail to a w ait his t rial He was t ried at the n ex t assize s for

.
‘

high w ay robbery was co n vic t ed n d s e n t e n ced to be ha n ged

, ,
a .

Thi s bei n g t h e first t rial occurri n g u n der the s ta tu t e pun ish

i n g such n o f fen ce i t n at urally c reated a great deal of s tir n d
a , ,
a

whe n the pri s o n e r was brough t t o the bar t he court room was ,
-

thro n ged w ith curious Spectat ors Throughou t t he proceedi n gs .

the pri s o n er w as perfec tly cool A the pupil of t h celebrat ed . s e

Thu derbolt he had a reputatio n to mai n tai n ; a n d when t he

n ,

j udge putti g o n the black cap pro n ou ced the a w ful s e n te n ce

,
n ,
n

of death he dryly observed ,

Well that S the wo rst you c n do “
,
’
a

fo r me .
”

The doomed m a n howeve r m ade o n e despe rate effo rt t o

, ,

escape fro m priso n He had fou n d s ome way t o procu r e a file

.
,

with which he fil ed o ff h i s ir o n s o tha t he coul d remove th em s

whe n ever he liked ; a n d whe n the t ur n key o n e mor n i n g came

i t o t he cell he bei n g off his guar d the p r iso n er usi n g h i s iro n s
n , , ,

a s a weapo n fell ed h i m t o t he grou n d w it h a savage blo w o n

,

t h e head a n d leav i n g him stu n n ed a n d bleedi n g upo n the floo r

,

of the cell r ushed ou t of t he open door i n to the pri s o n yard

,
-
.

The oute r walls were too high t o be s e a le d n d free passage ,

a

i n t o t he s treet was barred by a massive oake n gat e But this did .

n o t stop the resolu t e h ighwayma n wh o was a m a n of he r culea n ,

st re n g th Da s hi n g him s elf repeatedly with all hi s force agai n st

.
, ,

i t h a t la s t succeeded i n bre a ki g t h e gate ope n a n d passi n g

,
e n ,

qu i ckly th rough he emerged i n to the st r eet beyo n d b t bei n g

,
u

exhausted by hi s fran tic effort s to e s cape after a Short fl ight ,

-

his pur s uer s overt ook a n d s ecured h i m He was loaded w i th .

 I
TH E EL OT OAK , I H TON
BR G .
 I
EL OT S OA K
’
. 1 23

from this t ree n o rt heast to t he C h a rles Rive r c o nn ec ti n g t h e ,

set tlemen t here wi t h t h e Colleges at Old Camb r idge .

T r aditio n say s t hat t he A pos t le Elio t of glo r ious m e mo ry

preached t o the I n dia n s u n de r this very oak w are ama z ed . e

t o thi n k of it as t he n bei n g — qui t e t wo ce n t u r ies a n d a half a g o

— i n i t s vigo r ous m a t urity This is t he i n c i den t wh i ch t he
.

poe t Lo n gfellow embalms i n his so n n e t the scen e bei n g how , ,

eve r transfe rr ed t o Natiek Massachuse tt s whe r e t hese I n dia n s

, , , ,

by t he advice of Eliot fou n ded o n e of t he ir P ra yi n g Tow n s

, ,

a n d a dop t ed t h e cus t oms o f c i v i l iz ed l i f

e .

EL I O T ’
S O A K .

H . w LONGFELLOW
. .

T H OU an cie t oak ! who s e myriad leave s r e loud

n a

With s o u d s of u i telligible speec h

n n n ,

So u d s a s of su rge s
n a sh i gly beach on n ,

O m u ltitudi o us m u rm u r s of a cro w d ;
r n

With some mysterio us gift of to g ue s e dow ed n n ,

T h o u speake st a di ffere t dialect to each ; n

To me a la g age thatn u teach no m an ca n ,

Of a lo s t race lo g va i sh e d like a cloud

,
n n .

For u der eat h t h y shade i day s remote

n n ,
n ,

Seated like A braham at eve tide n

Be eath t h e oaks of Mamre the u k o wn

n ,
n n

A po s tle of t h e I dia s Eliot wrote

n n , ,

Hi s Bible i a la guage t h at hat h died

n n

A n d i s forgotte s ave by thee alon e

n, .
1 24 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

TH E HU G U ENO T E ! I LES .

ERE there some r oma n t ic s t ory Shed s upo n t h

a nd e

au s tere N w Engla n d li fe of t h e pa s t a te der glo w n t

e n o

u n like to that w ith w hich s o m e solitary ray of golde n s u n shi n e

cheer s the w i n te r la n d s cape .

In 1 6 8 6 the year follo w i n g t he r evocatio n of the Edic t o f

,

Na n te s a ha n dful of exiled Hugue n ots reached the s hore s of

,

N w Engla n d
e This little ba n d of F re n ch families tra n s
.
“
,

ported f om the shore of the Bay of Bi s cay to the wild s of our

r

N w Engla n d i n terio r remi ds me s ays the poet Holme s

e
,
n , ,

of the i s olated grou p of mag n olias w hic h w e fi n d surrou n ded

by the ordi n ary forest t r ees i n ou r Ma ss achu s et ts tow n of
Ma n chest er ”
.

Whe n w e co n s ider t ha t Ne w Engla n d h a d bee n peopled

almo s t w holly by religious exiles of the Pro t esta t fait h it is n ,

n o t stra nge th t these Hugue n ot s s hould tur n t h i

a y w ist e r e es
~

fully to w ard the la d of the Pilgrim n d the P u rita w here the

n a n,

ba n n er of Chri s t had bee n pla ted by Chri s tia n han ds fa r from

n

the tyra n y Ofki n g s or prelate s n d u n der it s protecti n g folds

n
,
a

mai n tai n ed w ith imple dig n ity the go s pel of peace d good
s an

w ill to all n m e

G abriel Bern o n the age n t a n d patro n of these poo r people

, ,

had procure d for them of the colo ial aut h oritie s a tract of w il n ,

de r n e ss la d i w hat w a s the n k n o w n as the Nip ck Cou n try

n n m u ,

of w hich Wachu s ett Mou n tai n i s the ce t ral n d d omi n ati n g n a

la n dmark far a n d n ear .

There were i n all about thir ty F re n ch families chiefly ,

R c h ll i s w ho bega s ettleme n t i n w hat is n o w the t o wn o f

"
o e o , n

Oxford Ma s sachusett s
, It i s evide n t t hat t h ey w ere farmers
.

a n d n t arti s a n s f
o rom the citie s The life to which all thei r .
1 26 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

labor thei r houses th ir barn s their mills a n d their c r op s m u st

, ,
e , ,

be a b an do n ed to the pr ow li g savage Their w ise n d b n e v

n . a e o

l e n t patro G a b riel Bern o had already impoveri s hed him s elf

n, n,

an d o u ld n o w do n more i n t h eir b ehalf

c o Truly that divi n e .

a ss i s ta n ce i n whic h they had n ever do u bted eve n i n the darke s t ,

hour was n o w become their sole s tay n d s upport

,
a .

At last the day fi xed fo r their departu re ar r ived I the ea rly . II

m or n i n g eac h family took le a ve of it s wn home arou n d which o ,

clustered s o ma n y te n de r associatio n s The n gazed i n . m e

sile n ce upo n what t he labo of their wn ha n d s had s o u s eles s ly

r o

w r ought the wome n culled the last flo w er s of thei r little gar

,

de n s n d wate r ed the with thei r tears They the n as s embled

a m .

i n their little chapel w here they had a refreshi n g s easo n of w o r

,

ship n d of mutual co n solatio n Afte r t his they we n t i n a body

a .

to their place of burial i n order to take a la s t leave of tho s e who

were shortly to emai n sole i n habita n ts of the de s erted village
r .

Upo n the s e lo n ely g r ave s lovi n g ha n ds n w dropped some o

fa r ewell t oke n of r emembra n ce while lovi n g lip s repeated a fare

,

w ell praye r Eve ry th i n g bei n g t le ngth do n e dece n tly a n d i n

. a

order ,

Pa us i g d looki g back to gaze o ce more t h eir d welli gs

n an n n on n ,

E t h ey w ere shu t o u t by t h e w i di g road

re d t h e w oodla d n n a n n ,

the exiles Slo wl ybegan their mour n ful m a r ch over t h e r ough

fore s t road to w ard Bost o n .

O nly a heap of r ubbi s h ove rg r o wn wi th wild vi n e s n o w i n di

, ,

cate s the s ite of the a n cie n t fort but th e blood of these H u g u e

,

m i n g le d with that of t he Purita n s a n d e n n obli n g it ha s

'

not s , ,

left a far mo re e n duri n g te s timo n y to the ob s cure s tory we have

just r elated The n ames of Sigour n ey of Bo w doi n of Boudi n o t
.
, , ,

of Fa n euil of Reve re of Jo h o n n o t are t hu s become s o ma n y

, , ,

memo rial s to t h e i r o n tyran n y w h ich drove thousan ds of the

Hugu e n o t subj ects o fLouis ! IV i n to volu n ta ry exile . .
 L Y N N A ND NA HA NT LEGEN D S .

HE vivid n d life like de s c r ip ti o n of t he coast sce n ery of

a -

an ci e n t Saugu s bo rrowed from The Bridal of Pe n n a

,
“

cook is a mo s t fitti ng i n troductio n t o ou r lege n d s ; for n owhe re

,

coul d a wilder or more r oma n t ic regio n or o n e embo d yi n g more

.

s t riki ng n at u ral t raits prepare t he m i n d fo r r eceivi n g those weird

,

tale s w hich so tr uly prese n t t o it t he supers tit ious Side of old

Ne w En gla n d life .

A w ild d broken land s cape piked w it h fi r s

an ,
S ,

Ro ugh e i g t h e bleak horizo s n orth er edge

n n n
’
n ,

Steep caver o us h ill s ide s wh ere bla k h emlock s pur s

,
n ,
c

A d sharp gray s pli n ter s ft h e w i d sw ept ledge

n ,
O n -

Pierced the t h i glazed ice or bri s tli g ro se

n- ,
n ,

W h ere t h e ol d i of t h e s ky sun k do w u po t h e sn o w s
c r m n n .

An d east ward cold w ide marsh e s s tretc h ed a way

, ,

D ul l dreary fl ats w ith o u t a b ush or tree ,

O ’
cro ssed by icy creek s wh ere tw i e a d y
e r- ,
c a

Gu rgled t h e w ater s of the moo str u ck s ea n-

A d fai t w ith di s ta
n n came t h e sti fl ed roar n ce ,

T h e m la h oly lap s e of w ave s that l w hore

e nc on o S .
1 28 N W ENGLAND LEGENDS
E -
.

TH E B RID AL O F P ENNA C OO K .

N t he Bridal of Pe n n acook M r Whittier who i s himself , .

,

at o n ce t he p r oduct a n d the poet of thi s roman tic coast ,

tells us th at he chan ced upo n the motive of t he poem while

po r i n g ove r
A ld h r i l f b rd r wars n o c on c e o o e

A d I d ia h i s t ry n n n o .

This was u n doub t edly Thomas Mort o n s Ne w En glish Ca ’ “

n aa n ,
— a book w hich the Purita n s i n dig n a n tly de n omi n a t ed
”

“
s can dalous a n d fo r w hich they i mpriso n ed the au t hor a
,
”

w hole year t he n di s mi s si n g him w it h a fi n

,
But aside from it s e .

merciless r id i cule of t hem n d their ways i t s value as I n dian a ,

history is duly certified by mo st compete n t judges o n e of

”
,

w hom say s t hat Morto n s descriptio n of the I n dia n s i s s ’

“
u

perio r t o that of mo s t autho r s before his t ime ; a n d though he

someti m es i n dulges hi s imagi n atio n ye t this par t of h i s work is ,

of exceedi n g great value to i n quirers about t h e pri itive i n h b i m a

t a n t s of Ne w En g la n c

The poe t goes o n to relat e t hat amo n g the ill a ss ort ed c o ll c ,

-
e

t io n of books formi n g hi s lan dlord s library he fou n d t his old ’

ch r o ni cle wherei n he read

, ,

A st ry f t h arriag ft h Ch i f
o o e m e o e e

Of Saug us t t h d usky W t o e ee a m oo,

Daug h t r f Pass e way wh d w lt

o a co n a , o e

I th
n ld ti
e up t h M rri a k
o m e on e e m c .

This is t he s t or y as it is related by Mort o n W i n n e p u r ki t .

,

t he s o n of N p s h t or the N w Moo n w a s the Sagamore of

a na a em e , e ,

Saugus N u m k g
,
d M
a b q h n w k o w n as Saugu s
ea ,
an as s a e u as , o n
,

Ly n n Salem
, n d Marblehead , Whe n he came to man s estate
a .
’
1 30 N W ENGL
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

t ree s to dan ce wat e r t o burn a n d the like marv els t o a ppea r i n

, ,

t he co u rse of h i s my st ical i n vocatio n s .

With t he co n s en t a n d good liki n g of t hi s redoub table saga

‘

more W i n n e p u r kit wooed a n d married t he da u ghter of Passa

,

co n a w ay Bou n tifu l wa s t he e n t ert ai n men t that he a n d h is

.

atte n da nt s received a t he r fat he r s ha n ds accordi n g t o t h e cus ’

,

t om of his people whe n celeb rat i n g a n eve n t of this ki n d a n d ,

such a s s uited t h e exalted ra n k of t he bride a n d groom .

Fea s ti n g a n d revelry succeeded or ra t he r they made a pa r t of ,

t h e marriage s olem n it ie s a s wi t h a ll a n cie n t people s

,
The cere .

mo n ies bei n g over Passaco n away cau s ed a select n umber of h i s

,

brave s t o e s cort his d augh t e r i n to the territories belo n gi n g to he r

lord a n d hu s ba n d where bei n g safely come t hey w ere i n a like
, , ,

ma n n er most hospitably e n te rt ai n ed by W i nn e p u r kit a n d hi s

,

m en ,
a n d whe n t hey w ere r eady t o depart w ere ge n erously ,

r e w arded wi th g ifts fo r t hei r lovi n g care a n d ser vice .

No t lo n g after ward the n ewly w edded pri n cess was sei zed wi th
a pa s sio n ate lo n gi n g t o r ev is it o n ce agai n he r n ative cou nt ry a n d ,

t o behold o n ce mo re t he face of the migh ty chief her father ,

.

Her lord li s te n ed to her prayer which seemed r easo n able e n ough , ,

a n d h e therefore i nall love a n d ki n d n ess for h e r welfare chose

, ,

a picked body from amo n g his most t ru s ted wa rriors to co n duct

hi s lady t o he r father t o who m they with great respec t prese n tly
,

brough t he r s afe a n d sou n d ; a n d t he n after bei n g graciously ,

r eceived a n d as graciously dismi s s ed they r e t ur n ed to give a n ,

accou n t of thei r erra n d leavi n g t heir pri n ces s t o co n t i n ue amo n g

,

he r frie n ds a t he r o wn good w ill a n d pleasure Aft er some s tay .

i n her Old home by t he beautiful mou n t ai n r i ve r t he lady sigu i ,

fi e d he r des i re t o go back t o h e r h u s ba n d agai n U po n w hich Pa s ,

s a c o n a wa
y se n t a n emb a ssy t o W i n n e p u r k i t w i t h order t o n otify

him of t his w i s h o n he r part a n d to r eque s t that t he Sachem ,

of Sa u gu s his s o n i n law might at o n ce de s patch a suitable

,
- -
,

guard t o escort his wife back through t he wildern ess t o he r home .

Bu t W i n n e pu r ki t strict ly st an di n g fo r h i s ho n or a n d r epu t at io n
,

a s a chief bade the mes s e n ger s to ca rr y hi s father i h la w this

,
- -

a n s w er ! That when h i S wife depa r ted from him h e ca used

“ '

,
 TH E B RI DAL OF PEN A COO N K . 1 31

his o wn m e n t o wa it upo n he r t o h e r fa t her s t errit o ries as did ’

,

become h i m bu t n o w t hat s he had a n i n t e n t t o r e t urn i t did ,

beco e her father t o se n d her back with a co n voy of his o wn

m

people ; a n d that i t s t ood n o t w i t h W i n n e p u r kit s r epu t at io n ’

eithe r to make hi m self or his m e n so se r vil e as t o fe t ch he r

ag ai n
.

Thereupo n t he old s achem Pas s aco n away was much i n cen sed
, ,

a t hav i n g this curt a n sw er ret ur n ed t o him by o n e whom he

co n sidered at ost o n ly a petty chief n d a vassal ; a n d be i n g
m a

moreover sadly n ettled to thi n k t ha t his s o n —i n law should pre -

te n d to give h i Passaco n a w ay a lesso n i n good breedi n g or

m , ,
-
,

did n o t es t eem him m ore highly t ha n t o make t his a matt e r fo r

n ego t ia t io n se n t back this s harp reply That his daughter s “ ’

,
!

blood a n d birt h deserved more respec t t ha n t o be sligh t ed i n

such a ma n n er n d therefo r e if he ( W i n n e p ki t ) would have
,
a u r

he r compa n y he w ere be st t o se n d or come fo r her

,
.

Th e you n g sachem n o t bei n g w illi n g t o u n de r value h i mself

, ,

a n d bei n g wi t hal a m a n of s t ou t spirit did n o t hesi t a t e t o t ell ,

his i n dig n a n t father i n la w t ha t he must ei t her sen d h i s daugh t e r

- -

home i n charge of hi s o wn e s co rt o r else h e migh t keep he r ; ,

s i n ce W i n n e p u ki t was fo r his o wn part fully de t e r mi n ed n o t

r , ,

t o s t oop so low .

As n ei t he r would yield t h e poor pr i n cess r e m a i n ed w it h h e r

,

fat her — a t least u n t il Mor t o n the n arra t or left the cou n t ry ;

, , ,

bu t she is supposed t o have fi n ally rejoi n ed her haugh t y Spouse ,

t hough i n what way doe s n o t appear i n t he la t e r r elatio n befo r e

us Sh e was n o t rue woma n howeve r if she failed t o di s cover
.
, ,

a mean s t o soft e n t he proud hea rt of W i n n e p u kit who aft e r r ,

all was perhaps o n ly t oo r eady to accord t o he r t ears a n d he r

e n t rea t ies what he h d so lofti ly refused at t he i n s t igati o n of a
a

pu n c t iliousn ess tha t was worthy of t he days of chival ry .

The poe t has made a mo s t felici t ous use of t h i s s t o r y i n t o ,

which are i n t roduced some desc r ip t io n s of t he sce n ery of t he

Me rri mack of exceed in g beau ty a n d gr ace The poem h a s .
,

howeve r a mo r e d ramat ic e n di n g t han t he p r ose t ale we h ave

,
-

just g i ven In t he poem t he hear t b r oken a n d dese rt ed b ri de o f

.
-
1 32 N W ENG LA ND LEG ENDS
E -
.

Pe n n acook at la st deter mi es to n brave the perils of t he swolle n

a n d t urb i d Merrimack alo n e to ,
s eek the wig w am of her dusky
husba nd Steali n g away from
. her compa n io n s s he lau n ches ,

her frail Ca n oe upo n the bosom of the t orre n t a n d is i n st an t ly ,

s wep t by it ,

Do w t h e ve xed e tre of t h at rush i g tide

n c n n
,

T h e t h i k huge i bloc ks t h reate i g eith er s ide

c ce -
n n
,

T h e foa wh ite ro ks fA k g i Vie w

m -
c O rn o s ea n
,

Wit h arro w sw ift e ssy n

Do w t h e wh ite rapi d s li k e a s ere leaf wh i led

n r ,

O t h e sh arp ro k s
n d piled p i e s hu rle d
c an -
u c ,

Empty d bro k e
an ir led th e ca oe
n, c c n

I t h e vexed pool belo w

n b u t wh ere wa s
W e e tam oo

TH E PIR A T ES GLEN
’
.

HE year 1 6 5 8 was sign alized i n Ne w En glan d by a grea t

earthquake which is me t io n ed i n s o m e of the old chro n
,
n

i l
c es . Co n n ec t ed with thi s co n vul s io n w hich i n the olde n ,

time w as r ega ded as a mo s t Sig n al ark of the displeasure of

r m

Heave n is the follo w i g story There are it hould be s ai d

,
n .
,
S ,

t w o or three circum s ta n ces or rather fact s givi n g to this legen d

, ,

a color of authen ticity w hich a e of themselve s su fficie n t to

,
r

create a doubt w hether after all it ha s n t a more s u bsta n tial

, ,
o

fou n datio n t ha n has gen erally bee n co ceded to it We w ill n .

i n g ly give it t h e be n e fi t of this d oubt ; mean w hile co n te n ti n g

ourselve s w ith t h e stateme n t that its fi r s t appeara n ce i n pri t n ,

s o far a s k o w n to the w riter w a s i Lewi s s Hi s tory fLy n n

n ,
n
’
O .
”

Bu t he r e i s t he legen d i n all i t s p u i t y r .
 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

by a thick gr o w th of pi n e s hemlock s n d cedars Ther e was , ,

a .

o n ly n e small s pot to which the ray s of the n oo n day u n could

o s

pe n et rate Upo n climbi ng t he rude n d n early perpe n d icular

. a

s teep of t he cliff o n t he ea s tern side of thi s gle the eye com n,

m a n d d a n oble expa n s e of s ea s tretchi n g far to the s outh b e

e ,

s ide s a w ide ex t e n t of the s rrou di g cou n try N s pot n u n n . 0 o

t he coa st could have bee n better cho s e n for t he double purpo s e

of co n cealme n t an d ob s e r vatio n Eve n a t thi s day w he n the .
,

n eighborhood has become t hickly peopled it is s till a lo n ely ,

a nd desolate place w ho s e gloomy rece ss e s are comparatively

,

u n k n ow n a n d u n vi s ited He r e the pira t e s built t h em s elve s a

.

s m all hut made a garde n n d dug a w ell of which s ome traces

, ,
a ,

stil l r emai n I t is s uppo s ed that they al s o buried mo ey h e r e

. n ,

a n d search ha s bee n made for it at various t ime s but n o n e h a s ,

ever b ee n fou n d n d to deepe n the myste ry it i s s aid tha t the

a ,

pirate s mi s tre ss w ho i s de s c ribed as very pale n d beautiful

’

,
a ,

havi ng s icke n ed n d d ied w as buried here i n n u n k n o w n g rave

a ,
a ,

u n der the thick shade of the pi n es A fte r a time the ret reat f . O

the pirates became n oi s ed about They we r e traced to t hei r gle n . .

Three Of them were taken to E gla n d — there bei n g at that

.

n ,

t ime n o law i n t he Colo n y to pu n ish piracy where it is sup ,

po s ed that they paid the pe n alty fo r their crimes u po n the gib

be t The third who s e n ame w as Thomas V eale escaped t o a
.
, ,

cavern i n the w oods w hich he n d his co n fede r at es had p revi

,
a

o ly made u s e of as a place of deposi t fo r t hei r i ll gotte n boo t y

u s -
.

In this lo n ely place the fugitive fixed hi s reside n ce practi s i n g ,

t he t rade of a s hoemaker a n d occasio n ally v i s iti g the village , n

to ob t ai n food u n t il the ea rt hquake which ushered i n t h

, e

legen d spli t ti n g to its fou n datio n s the r ock i n w hich the caver n
,

w as Situat ed forever sealed the e n tra n ce e n closi n g the doomed

, ,

corsai r i n his fr ightful t omb Thi s cliff h s ever s i n ce bee n . a

k n o n a s Du n geo n Rock a n d the fi rs t retreat of t he free ,

h oo t ers has al w ays bo rn e t h e n ame of The Pirat es G le n ’

.

The sequel t o the lege n d that w e have so con scie n t iously

relat ed t o t h reader is more striki ng by it s reality more i n cr e d
e , ,

i ble o n e might almost say t ha n the lege n d itself is wi t h ll i t s

, , ,
a
 G LEN 1 35
’
THE P IRA TEs .

d ramati c su rrou n di n gs The s t ory of Du n geo n Rock n o w leaves

.

the r ealm of the lege n dary for th t of ac t ive s uper n atural a

age n cy n d it may be doubted if the whole w orld ca n produce

a

an othe r such example of the ab s orbi n g pursui t of a n idea which

has become the fixed n d domi n an t impulse of a life Bu t first
a .

let us i n troduce the reade r to the locality itself .

Two miles ou t of the city of Ly n n i n the hea r t of t he secluded

,

a n d r oma n tic r egio n overlooki n g it i s a hill h i gh

,
n d steep o n e a ,

s ide of which is a n aked precipice the other w hich the r oad ,

asce n ds is still covered w it h a magn ificen t g rove of oak trees

,
-

growi n g amo n g e n ormou s bo w l d ers n d clad w he n I s w them

,
a ,
a ,

i n t he rags of t heir autum n al purple F ew wilde r o r more

.

pic turesque Spo t s ca n be fou n d amo n g t he W h ite Hills ; a n d

here we are n o t a doze n mile s rem oved fro m the home s of half
a millio n people The rumo r ed exist en ce of treasu r e shut up i n
.

the heart of this cli ff by t he ea r thquake seem s t o have fou n d

credit i n t he neighborhood if o n e may j udge fro m the evide n ces
,

Of a h eavy explosio n i n w ha t was supposed t o be the a n cie n t

vestibule of t he cave rn w here a ya wh i g r e n t i n the s ide of the

,
n

ledge is blocked up wit h t o n s of massy d eb i a n d ever y ves r s

tige of what w as perhaps a n i n teresti n g n atu ral cu r iosity t hus

wan t o n ly dest royed .

Un der the directio n of spiri t mediums t he work of pie r ci n g ,

Du n geo n Rock was b egu n by Hi r am Marble abou t fifty yea r s

ago, a nd w as co n ti n ue d with little i n termi s sio n for abou t
, ,

thirty year s F o r more tha n a qua r ter of a ce n tury — spurred

.
,

o n w h e n t hey we r e ready t o aba n do n the w ork i n despa i r

,
by ,

some delusive evelatio n of the spirits

r fathe r a n d s o n toiled o n
,

i n t he vai n hope of u n locki n g i ts secre t To n s upo n t o n s o r

.

the b r oke n r ock have bee n removed by thei r han ds alo n e fo r ,

the w i n di n gs of t h e gallery make a n y mecha n ical co n tr iva n ce

useless for the purpose So hard is the n at ural fo r ma t io n tha t
.
,

they somet imes adva n ced o n ly a foo t i n a mo n th a n d t he labor

was furt he r i n creased by the accumulat io n of w a t er wh i ch i s ,

co n st a n t ly oo z i n g from fi s sures of the rock Death a t le n gt h .

r eleased t he elde r e n t hus i ast fro m his i n fa t ua ti o n ; bu t t he s o n

1 36 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

pursued the wo r k as the mo s t s acred of tr s t s u n til he t oo di d u ,

e

i n the s ame fatal delu s io n .

A w oma n w hom I fou n d i n the cabi n n the s um it nd o m ,

a

who proved to be the trea s ure s eeker s si s ter co n ducted me t O -

’

,
'

the e tran ce of the s haft w hich w as clo s ed by a grated door

n , ,

above which I read thi s emi n e n tly practical lege n d i n p an u n ra c

tical place Ye who e n ter here leave t w e ty five ce n t s behi n d

“
,
n -
.
”

Sh tur n ed the key i n t h lock sw u n g back the grati g n d w e

e e ,
n ,
a

bega n to de s ce n d fi r s t by a s erie s of s tep s cut i the rock t h e n

,
n ,

by s uch foothold a s t h Slippery fl oor afforded Whe n w e e .

arrived a t the extreme limit of the excavatio n we had come n o t ,

far from o n e hu n dred n d fifty feet i n a perpe dic ular de s ce n t

a n

of o n ly forty ; yet I remarked that the gallery at time s al m ost

doubled upo n it s elf i n o r der to accompli s h what m ight have
,

bee n reached i n half the dista n ce a n d of course with half the , , ,

labor i n a direct li e — w hich w ould s eem to imply that the

,
n ,

work might have proceeded more expeditio us ly u n der t he d i re c

tio n of a compete n t mi n i n g e n gi n eer Nothi g i n the appear . n

a n ce of the rock i n dicated that it had bee n di s turbed s i n ce t he

creatio n It was as hard as adama n t as fi rm a s marble a s
.
, ,

impen etrable as F ate .

My guide poi n ted out t h s uppo s ed locality Of the a n cie n t e

e n tran ce Sh also s ho w ed me a s a thi g to which t h e fee duly

. e ,
n

e n t itled eve n such sceptics as my s elf the fragme n t of a corroded ,

scabbard w h ich had bee n fou n d she said embedded i n a cra n n y

, , ,

withi n the excavatio n But w he n I after w ard me n tio n ed this

.

circum s ta n ce to the poet Lo n gfello w who w as familiar w ith the ,

locality n d its story he laughed pleasan tly a n d said that u n les s

a , ,

hi s memory w as greatly at fault he had s ee n years before duri n g , , ,

o n e of hi s dri e s i n the n eighborhood thi s ide n tical thi g at a

v ,
n

blacksmith s s hop w here he had s topped o n s ome erran d Such

’
.

questio n s a s I asked w ere freely a sw ered but she talked i n a n

w ay that w a s almo s t s tartli g i n it s matter ffact a s sumptio n of

n -
o -

the super n atural as the co n trolli n g eleme n t i n o n e s life xp e i ’

e r

e n ce The i n vi s ible pirit s of D u geo n Rock I fou d dealt i n

. S n n

e n igmas w hich the Delphic oracle could n ever have su r passed

1 38 —
NEW ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

really looked upo n a s o n of the fou n der s of the c raft Be t hat

e .

a s it may it i s cert ai n that n f the earlie s t s ettler s Fra n ci s

,
o e O ,

I ngall s by n ame e s tabli s hed t h fir s t ta n ery i all the colo n y

,
e n n ,

a nd he may therefore be co s idered the origi n ator f that

n O

bra n ch f i du s try i n the s teady pur s uit of w hic h Ly n n ha s

O n ,

grow n to be bot h rich d famo us Whe n shoemaki n g w as a

an .

trade I suppose that n early every n in Ly n n w as a shoe

, m a

I H ER
M O LL P TC .

maker ; bu t n o w w hen n o o n e per s o n m akes a wh ole boo t 0

,

a w hole shoe the t rade as a trade ha s dege n erated Two of the

, , , .

n oble s t m n that A merica ha s produced have g r aduated from the

e

Shoemaker s be n ch The poet Whit t ier o n ce follo w ed this humble

’
.

calli n g u n til he fou n d his highe r voca t io n a n d the p h i l n t h r

,
a o

pi s t William Lloyd G arriso o n ce w orked at the be n ch h ere i n

,
n,

Ly n n . Thi s a n cie n t ha n dicraft i s therefo re by n mea n s with o

out some ve ry ho n o rable tra d itio ns .

But Ly n n i s li kely to be celebrated throughou t a ll time as hav

i n g bee n the eside ce of the mo s t successful fortu n e teller of her
r n -
 M OLL PI TCHER .

day a n d ge n e ra t io n we m ight also say Ofwhom we have a n y

,

accou n t i n my s tical lore an cie n t o r mode rn W hile she lived

, .

s he was w ithout a rival i n her peculiar art a n d the prophetic ,

word s that s he let fall w ere capable of bei n g tran smuted i n to

gold Sh it is that n of our n ative poets has i n mi n d whe n
. e o e

he is si n gi n g — too soo n w e t hi n k — a equiem ove r t he last

, ,
r

w i t ch Of his n ative la n d .

Ho w h as N w E gla d s roman ce fl ed
e n n
’
,

Eve a s a vi s io n of t h e mor in g
n n

Its rite s foredon e it s g u ard ian s dead , ,

Its prie s te sse s bereft of dread , ,

Wak i g t h e veriest u rch i s s corn i ng

n n
’

Go n e like t h e I dia n w izard s y ll

’
n e

A d fi n da e ro d t h e magic ro k
re -
nc un c ,

Forgotten like t h e Dr u id s s pell ’

A t moo n ri s e b y h i s h oly oak !

N more alo g t h e sh ado wy glen
o n

G lide t h e dim g h o s t s of m u rdered n m e

N more th e u q u iet c hu rch yard dead

0 n

G limp s e u p w ar d fro t h eir t ly b d '

m u r e ,

Startli n g t h e traveller late d lo e ,

an n

A S, o n s o e n igh t of s tarle ss w eat h er

m ,

T h ey ilen tly comm u e toget h er

S n ,

Eac h s itti n g h i s w h ead sto e on o n n

The roo fl e ss h o us e d cayed d e s erted , e , ,

It s livi ng ten a t s all d eparted n ,

N lo ger ri n g s w i t h mi d igh t revel

O n n

Ofw itch or gh o s t or gobli evil

, ,
n

N pale bl u e fl ame s e d s o u t it s fl ash e s

O n

T h ro u gh crevi ed roof d shattered s ash e s ! c an

T h e w it h g ra ss ro u d t h e hazel s pri g
c - n n

May sh arp ly to t h e igh t air s i g n -

n ,

B u t t h ere n more sh all w it h ered h ags

o

Refresh at eas e t h eir b t i k n ag s r o o rn s c ,

O tas te t h o s e h azel sh ado w ed w ater s

r
-

A beverage meet for Satan s da u g h ter s

’
s

N more t h eir mimic to e s be h eard

o n ,

Th m w of cat
e e t h e c h irp of bird ,
-
,
1 40 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

Sh rill ble d i ng w ith t h e h oarser laugh ter

n

Oft h e fel l d emo fol lo w i g after !

n n

Eve sh e o u r w weird h eroi e

n ,
o n n ,

Sole Pyt h o ess of a ie t Ly

n nc n nn,

Sleep s almly wh ere t h e livi g lai d h er

c n

A d t h e w ide real
n of s or ery m c ,

Left by it s lates t mi s tre ss free ,

H at h fou d gray d sk ille d i vad er

“

n no an n .

I t was o n ce s aid of Napoleo n that he left a family bu t n o ,

successo r Moll Pitcher left n o n e i n her wo n derful g ift of fore

.

telli n g t he future by practi s i n g palmistry or by s imply gazi g ,

n

i n to the bottom of a teacup Sh w as therefore n Si d ph l

. e o ro e .

Yet eve n the most i n c r edulous w e r e compelled to admit h pre er

dictio n s to be w holly u n accou n table ; while tho s e w ho came to

laugh w e n t away van qui s hed if n o t fully co n vi n ced W hat i s
,
.

s i n gula r is that he r r eputatio n ha s rather i n crea s ed tha n dimi n

i h d with time
s e We have n accou n t of her dupes n o i s
. o ,
r

there a n y Exposure exta n t It follo w s that t h e s po t w h ere

“
.

for s o ma n y years Moll Pitcher s o s ucce ss f lly practised h e art u r

i s the o n e to w hich the s tra n ger fi rst a s ks to be directed .

Sho u ld he happe n to s tray a li t tle w ay out of t he more

crowded part of the city his atte n tio n w ould at o n ce be ar rested
,

by a r ema r kable cli ff of dull red porph y ri s i n g high above the y r

house top s that ha s appa re n tly detached i tself from the broke n
-
,

hill ra n ge which s kirts t he coast a n d has elbowed it s w ay i n to

-
,

the plai n thrusti n g t he houses aside out of it s path n til it

, ,
u

almost divides t h city i n twai n High Rock a s it is cal led is

e .
, ,

to Lyn n w hat the Citadel i s to Quebec you look do w n a n d see , ,

at a gla n ce all t h e out —door life of the place you look u p n d ,

a

see the blue ar ch of the ky spri n gi g from the i of the

s n r m

ocean .

The followi n g poe t ical de s criptio n of the ravi shi n g View of s e a

a n d sho e u n rolled from the summi t of High Rock n a t urally
r

takes precede n ce of our wn o

 1 42 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

As of a mi lli o glan ci g feet

n n ,

Sh ake o u t the ligh t i a q u ick retreat n

,

O alo g t h e s moot h u rve ft h e beac h

r n c o
,

Sn o wy d curli g i lo g li e s reac h
an n ,
n n n .

A n i s let a c h ore d
n d h el d to la d an n

By a gli ste i g foam fri ged ri bbo of san d

n n ,
-
n n

T h at i s Na h a t d th at h oary led ge
n , an

To t h left i s Eg g Rock li k e a blu ted w edge

e
, n ,

Cleavi g th e restle ss ocea s breast

n n
’

A d b eari g t h e lightho us e
n n i t cre s t on s .

I t wa s at the foo t of t his cliff t ha t Moll Pi t che r t he fortu n e ,

t eller of Lyn n dwelt F o rt y yea rs ago the r e were ve ry fe w fi

,
.
re

sides i n N w Engla n d that he r fame had n o t r eached pe rhaps

e
,

distu rbed ; a n d her successful predic t io n s alike a s tou n di n g t o ,

the vulga r o r t o t he e n ligh t e n ed we r e the theme of ma n y a mid ,

n ight wa t ch o r forecastle co n fab Sh e was n o t i fwe may credit .

,

local repo rt t he withe red dec rep it a n d too t h less c r o n e o f

, , ,

Spe n se r o r Ot wa y s
,
’

w rin kled b a g with ag e gro wn d o uble

, ,

Picki ng dry sti k s a n d mumbli g to h ers elf

c
”
n
,

bu t a woman who lived i n the fu ll gaz e a n d gossi p o f a wo rld

which o n ly accep t ed h e r claim t o fo rek n owledge upo n t he u n e
q v o ca l t estimo n y of a thousa n d wi t n esses
u i Do you co n t e n d .

t hat her r epu t atio n was due s olely t o t h e shrewd n ess pe n et ra ,

tio n n d ready wit w it h which she was u n doub t edly i n a

,
a

r emarkable deg ree gift ed ? How the n w ill you expla i n r evela , ,

t io n s of the future made t e n a n d t we n t y years befo r e t he eve n ts

predicted t ook place ?
Whe n s he was i n the mer idia n of her fame a n d life t he o r d i
n a r y applica n t sa w a w oma n of m ediu m sta t u r e hav i n g a n ,

u n usually la rge head a pale thi n a n d r athe r i n t ellect ual face

, , , ,

sh aded by masses of da rk b rown hair w ho was a s t ho r oughly ,

self possessed as he was ill at ea s e a n d whose comp rehen si ve

-
,

gla n ce mea su r ed his me n tal capacity befo r e he could u tt e r a

syllable People of bet t e r disce rn me n t who r ecollec t her say
.
, ,
 M OLL P I TCH ER . 1 43

t hat he r fa ce h a d n o n e of t he wild n ess o f t he traditi o nal w it ch ,

bu t was clouded wit h a habitual sad n ess a s of a mi n d ove r ,

burde n ed with b ei n g the deposi t ory of so ma n y c o n fi d e n ce s ,

perhaps c r i m es Sh e had a full capacious forehead ar ched eye

.
, ,

bro ws eyes t hat r ead the sec re t t hough t s of a sui t o r a n ose

, ,

i n cli n ed to be lo n g a n d t hi n lips — a ph ysiogn o m y wholly

,

u n like t he popula r idea l but rathe r tha t of a modern Ege r ia

, ,

i n shor t t he w it ch of the n i n e t ee n t h ce n t u r y
, .

Du rin g t he fifty yea rs t hat she pursued he r tr ade of fo rt u n e

t el li n g i n wh at was the n a lo n ely a n d lit t le fr eque n t ed qua r te r
,

M OLL P TC I H ER S ’
A
C OTT G E .

o f t he t ow n n o t o n ly w as she co n sul t ed by t he poo r a n d ig n o

,

r a n t bu t also by t he r ich a n d i n t ellige n t class Love affairs

, .
,

legacies t he discovery of c r ime lot t er ies comme r cial ven t ures

, , , ,

a n d t he mo r e commo n co n t i n ge n c i es of for t u n e for m ed we may

, ,

well i magi n e the s t aple of he r predic t io n s bu t h e most valued

, r

clie n t s came from t he opule n t seapo rts that ar e withi n s igh t of

H i gh Rock The com mo n sailo r a n d the mast e r t he cabi n boy
.
,
-

a n d t he o w n e r equally resor t ed t o her humble abode to k n ow

,

t he luck of a voyage It is a s se rt ed tha t ma n y a vessel has

.

bee n deserted w he n o n t he eve of sa i li n g i n co n se que n c e o f

,
1 44 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

Moll s u n lucky va t ici n atio n Sh e wa s al s o much besough t by

’
.

tr easure seeker s — rath e r n umerou s cla ss i n her day who s e

— a ,

u n ited diggi g alo n g the coa s t of N w E gla n d w ould if u s e

n e n
,

fully directed have reclaimed for cultivatio n n i n co n s iderable

,
o

area of virgi n soil F or s uch applica n ts the w itch h a d a s hort

.

a n d sharp r eply F 0 0 18 l s he would s ay ; if I k n e w where “

.

mo n ey was bu r ied do you thi n k I would pa rt wi t h the

,

s ecret
Moll Pi t che r died i n 1 8 1 3 at the age of seve n t y fi v e Sh e ,
-
.

was origi nally of Marblehead a n d is s aid to have i n he r ited the ,

gi ft of prophecy from h gra n dfather Joh n D imo n d w ho was er , ,

him s elf a w izard of n o mean r eputatio n i n that place In p r oof .

of t his it i s said that he was i n the habit of goi n g to the old bu ry

i n g gr ou n d o n the h ill w he n ever a viole n t gale a t sea arose a n d
-

i n that lo n ely place i n the mids t of the dark n e ss n d t he s t orm

,
a ,

to a s tou n d a n d t err ify the simple fi s h e flk i n t he follo w i n g r o

ma n n er H w ould direc t vessels t hen at s ea how t o weathe r

. e

the roughe s t gale — pac i n g u p a n d down amo n g the grave

,

sto n es a n d ever n d a n o n i n a voice d i st i n c t ly hea r d above t he

,
a ,

b o wli n g of the t empest shou t i n g out his order t o the helm s ,

s

m a n o r the cre w as if he w ere act u all y

,
the quarter d eck a d on -
, n

the sce n e all before h i V ery f w d o u b ted h i bility to bri n g a

m . e s a

vessel safely i n to port Mary Dimo n d s father s ailed ou t of Ma r

.
’

b le h e a d a s mas t e r of a small ve s sel Sh e mar r ied Rober t Pi t che r .

,

a shoemaker i n 1 7 60 Mr Le w i s the hi s torian of Ly n n who

,
. .
, ,

r emembe r ed her asserts that s he w as co n n ected w ith some of t he

,

be s t familie s i n Es s ex ; t hat except her fort n e telli n g preten s io n ,

u -
,

t here w as n othi n g d i s reputable i n her life n d that her desce n d a

a n t s were livi n g n d re s pect ed whe n he wrote Her life seems

a .

rather t o mark the li n e which divide s old n d n w s uperst itio n a e ,

than n y decay of that i n ext i n guishable cravi n g to pry i n t o futu

a

rity which has di s ti n guished t he human r ace i n ll ages a n d i n a

all climes .

This describe s the celebrat ed fort u n e—t eller a s s he was k n own

to her co n temporarie s We have ho w ever picked up amo n g .
, ,

t he flotsa m of literary dr ift a differen t portrait dra w n i n ver s e ,

.
146 NEW —
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

The fo rtu n e te lle r cherishes a secre t e n mi t y t owa rds he r t re m

-

bli n g vis ito r a n d wickedly de t e r mi n es o n r eve n g n g

, ,
i

Sh e leadi n g t he way ,

T h e t wai passed i n a l w dark room n o ,

With h ere d there a crazy c h air an ,

A broke glass n a d usty loo m

A s pi i g wh eel a birc h e broom

nn n -
n
,

T h e w itc h s courier of t h e air

’
,

A s pote t a s t h at s teed of w i g s
n n

O w hi h t h e Mecca prophet rode

n c n

A bove t h e w reck of mea er thi g s n n

U to t h e Houri s brigh t bod e

n
’
a .

A lo w d u ll fi re by fl ash e s sh on e
A ro ss t h e gray
c d cold h earth s to n e
an

Fli gi g at ti e s a trembli g glare

n n m n

O t h e lo w roof
n d ti bers bare an m .

After t his glimpse of he r home t he weir d woma n p r oceeds t o ,

t ry he r a rt by looki n g st ead fa stly i n t o the so rceress s cup which ’

, ,

we are t old co n st i t u t ed h e r whole fo rt u n e t ell i n g paraphern al i a

,
-
.

Pr ese n t ly she speaks .

Ou t spoke the w itc h I kn o w full well ,

W h y thou hast s ough t my h u mble cot

Come s i,
t t h ee do w n — t h e tale I tell ,

May n t b s oo f g t o e n or e .
”

Sh e t h re w her pale blue cloak a s ide ,

A d s ti r ed the w hite n i n g embe rs up

n r ,

A n d lo g n d c u rio us ly Sh e eyed
an

T h e figu re s of her mys tic cup

A n d l w sh e m u ttere d w hile the light
o

G ave to h er lip s a gha s tlier w hite ,

A d h e sun k eye s un eart h ly glarin g

n r
’

Seemed li k e t h e taper s late s t fl ari ng

’

Dark h air eye s black a goodly form

A maiden w eepi g w ild dark s ea
n

A tall sh ip to ss i n g i t h e s tor n m

A black w re k fl oatin g —wh e e i s h e ?

c r
 M OL L P I TCH ER . 147

Give me thy ha d ho w s oft d w arm n ,

an ,

A n d fair it s taperi g fi ger s s ee n n m

A d w ho t h at s ee s it
n w w o u ld drea no m

That w in ter s s o w w o ld s eem less chil l

’
n u

E lo g t h a t h e s e s oft fi ger s w ill ?

re n n n

A lovely pal l — h w d elicate m o

Its i l d w a deri g li e s are draw

ve ne c an n n n n

Yet eac h are prop h et s of thy fate

H t h i s i s su re a fearfu l
a ! one

That sud de cro ss t h at bla k ben eath

n n

W h at may t h e se evil sig s betoke ! n n

Pass io d s orro w fear

n an d deat h ,
an

A h u ma s pirit ru s hed n d broke ! c an n

Oh thi e hat h bee a plea s a t d ream

,
n n n

B t darker sh all it s w aki n g s eem !

”
u

Like a old ha d upo her heart

c n n

T h e dark w o rds of the s orcere ss lay ,

Somethi g to s care h er s pirit s re s t

’
n

Forever more a way .

Each w ord h d s eemed s o stra gely true a n ,

Calli g h er i mo st tho ught s i vie w

n n n ,

A n d poi ti g to the for which came

n n m

Before her i her dreary s leep n ,

Who s e an sw ered love — w ho s e very n ame ,

Tho ugh n o ug ht of breathi ng life wa s n ea r ,

Sh s carce had give the w i d s to keep

e n n ,

O murm red i n a s i s ter s ear

’
r u .

Ove r come by t h e t e rr ible r evelati o n t o which he r o wn fear s ,

le n d a t oo r ea d y belief t he poo r girl becomes a ma n iac Sh e i

, . s

always wat chi n g fo r t he sail i n t he offin g wh i ch n eve r comes ;

she w an de rs u p a n d dow n t he r ocky sho r es of Na h a n t ga zi n g ,

vacan t ly ou t t o sea u n til o n o n e lucky day i n s pi t e of Moll s

, ,
’

ft al p r edictio n t he lo v e r s Ship sails galla n tly i n t o t he bay a n d

’
a , ,

w i t h i t the o n e thin g capable o f r estori n g t he maide n s r easo n ’

agai n The witch however does n o t escape t he co n seque n ces of

.
, ,

he r m a l e vol e n ce bu t d i es mise r ably i n he r w r e t ched hovel

, ,
 1 48 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

bein g t en ded i n he r las t momen t s by a li t tle child of

s h e h a s so cruelly w r o n ged .

The poem bei n g t oo lo n g fo r us t o r ep r oduce i n

“

have t hus me rely ou t li n ed i t fo r t he r eade r .

NA H AN T LEGEN D S .

B OUT t hree miles fro m where we s ta n d risi n g ab ruptly ,

fro m t he sea i s a cast ellat ed gra y rock crow ned wi t h a

,

ligh t hou s e Eg g Rock as it i s called is n o t more tha n eigh t y

.
, ,

fee t from sea t o summi t bu t its isola t ed n d lo n ely posi t io n its

,
a
,

bold ou t li n e s t clea n a n d sharp o n t he blue backgrou nd make

ou
,

it seem highe r Th i s r ocky i s le t t he forme r eyrie of wild sea

.
,

birds i s by far t he mos t p i ctu r e s que objec t of t his pict u r esque

,

shore I t i s almost always seen e n c ir cled wi t h a bel t of whi t e

.

surf while i n violen t s t orms t he r agi n g seas assail i t wit h such

,

t re m e n dous i mpetuosity a s t o give t he i dea of a for tr ess belea

u e re d by t he combi n ed po w e r s of s ea a n d a i r A t such times it
g .

can n o t be a pproached w it h safety The n t he ligh t house keepe r .

,

what eve r h i s wan ts may be c n hold n o commu n ica t io n wi t h ,

a

t he shore bu t is a p r iso n e r du ri n g the pleasure of t he gale

,
.

The occasi o n al a n d distan t gli mp s es of N h a n t h a d fro m the a

mai n s hore are cert ai n to exci t e t he desire for a n eare r s urvey a ,

more i n t imat e acquai n t an ce We wi ll t herefo r e le t t h i s choice

.
, ,

bit o f descrip t io n which M r Lon gfellow part icularly admired

'
,
.
,

s e r ve as ou r i n t roductio n I f say s N P Willis you c n

.
“
,
”
. .
,
“
a

imagi n e a buried Tit an lyi n g alo n g t he le n gt h of a co n ti n en t ,

with n e a r m st ret che d out i n t o the midst of the sea the s pot
o ,

t o whic h I would t ra n s port you r eader mi n e would be as it , , ,

we r e i n t he palm of the gian t s han d

,
’
.

On e of W h i t t i e ea rlies t poetic p r oduc t io n s is also add ressed

'
’
r s

to t his charmi n g s po t
150 N W ENGL
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

The s torm clo ud i s t h y glory

-
.

T h e th ou deck s t n,
’

Thyself w it h maj es ty d to its fro w ,

an n

A d voi e of t hu d er a sw er s t boldly back

n c n ,
n e
,

A d from t h y w at h to w er s h l t the bli di g s pray

’
n c - ur s n n ,

Wh ile every dark d h ollo w aver ou ds an c n s n

Its tr umpet for t h e battle .

Yet t i s sw eet ’

A mid t h y fi d rock to r u mi ate

s s u re s n ,

M arki g t h y grotto s w it h mo s aic paved

n

Ofg litteri g pe b ble s n d t h at bal to breathe ,

an m

W h i h give s th e elastic erves a freer play

c n ,

A d t i t s the la g uid cheek w ith h u e s of h ealth

n n n .

The sa nd - bea h c a nd the s ea l

Who divi e ca n n

T h eir my sti i terco u rs e that day d ig h t

c n ,
an n

S th
u r ce a s e t ! O come s t h e t hu deri g su rge
no n n n
,

Lifti g it s mo u tai h ead w it h me a e s ter

n n n-
,
n c n,

To wh el t h e res i sti g ; b ut imp l led

m u n n e

I all t h e ple it u d e of k i gly po w er

n n n

To c h a ge its p u rpo s e of a ut h ority

n ,

Breaki g it s wa d of might doth h urry back ;

n n ,

A d th e
n repe ti g w it h w wrath ret rn
n, n n ,
ne u .

Yet still that s i gle s il ery li e abide s

n ,
v n ,

Lo w ly ,
d fearle ss
an d imm u table ,
an .

G d give s it s tre gt h
o n .

S may he deig to gran t o n

T h e sa d li e of our virt u e s po wer to cope

n -
n

Wit h all temptatio W h e s ome secret s are n . n n

Doth weave it s mesh e s ro u d our trembling s oul s n

,

T h at i their frailty tur to h im alo e

n n n ,

S may h e give us s tre n gt h

o .

There is a good a d over t he Lo n g Beach bu t wh e n t he t ide

re

is n early down a broad e s pla n ade of s an d becko n s us asi d e from

,

t he emban kmen t over which that i s n o w built Here i s a cou r se .

such as n o Roman cha rioteer ever d r o ve u po n Here t h e heavy .

farm cart s that a re gat he r i n g s eaweed leave s carcely a pri n t of

-

t heir b r oad t i red wheels Stamp upo n i t with t he foo t a n d s e e

-
.
,
 NA HA NT LEG ENDS . 151

how ha r d a n d firm it is o r s ile at the ligh tn in g it emits u n de r m

t he impact ,
yo u r hildhood s wo n der We pas s o ve r half a n
C
’
.

acr e of sa n d moulded i n the impress of little w avelets t hat have

,

left thei r prin t like cu n n i n g chiselli n g or like masses of san dy

hai r i n crimp There behi n d a clump of rocks c r ouches a sport s
.

m a n who i s patie n tly waiti n g for twiligh t t o come whe n the

, ,

black duck s n d coots fl y over those stoopi n g figu r es amo n g

a

t he rocks are n t trea s ure se eker s but clam d ig g e

o -
,
-

Havi n g crossed the Lo n g Beach w e be t ake ourselves agai n t o ,

the r oad which wi n d s arou n d the shore of Little Naha n t to a

seco n d beach half a mile lo n g W e agai n leave t his behi n d t o
,
.
,

climb the r ocky asce n t of the great er promo n to r y t he n fi n di n g ,

ou rselves in t he lo n g st r eet of t he village N h a n t is te m pti n g . a

t o art ist o r a n tiquar y bu t especially so to the m n of r efi n ed

,
a

literary t ast es who k n ows n o gr eat e r e nj oymen t t ha n to vi s i t

,

t he spo t s co n sec r at ed by ge n ius In Jo n atha n Joh n so n s house .

’

Lo n gfellow pa rt ly w ote Hia w atha n d here a t Naha n t was

r a , ,

also t he b irt hplace of t he Bell s of Ly n n which t he poe t heard ,

”
,

Born e on t h e eve i g w i d acro ss the crim s o t w ilight

n n n n .

An d we t o o hear thei r musical v ibratio n s soft en ed by t he dis ,

t an c e l i n ge ri n g lovi n gly i n t he ai r n d we ca n see as i n our o wn

‘
, ,
a

m emo ri es t he pictu r es t o which h i s matchless ve r se gives life

T h e fi h erma i h i boat far o ut beyo d th e h eadla d

s n n s ,
n n ,

Li s te s n d lei su rely ro ws a sh ore O Bell s of L

,
an ,
v nn

Over t h e sh i i g s a d s t h e w a deri g cattle h o e w ard

n n n n n m

Follo w eac h ot h er at yo u r cal l O Bell s of Ly ! ,

nn

The di s ta t ligh tho us e h ears d w it h h i s fl ami g sign al

n ,
an n

A n sw er s y pa ss i g
ou t h
,
e w atc hw ord n O Bell s of L y ! on, nn

A d d o w t h d ar k e i g coa s t
n n e t h e t u multuou s su rge s
n n ru n ,

A d
n clap t h eir h a d s d sh o u t to
n yo u ,
O Bel
an l s of Ly ! ,
nn

Till from t h e shu d d eri g s ea w it h y w il d i ca tatio s

n ,
ou r n n n ,

Ye summo p t h e s pe tral moo O Bel ls of Ly

n u c n, nn

A d s tartled at t h e sight like t h e w ei rd w oma of En dor

n ,
n ,

Ye cry alo ud d the are stil l 0 Bell s of Ly n !

, an n ,
n
152 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

The Ladder of St A ug u sti n e n d o t her of his lyrics i n

“
. a

which the ac t ual prese n ce of the sea is felt by the reade r w ere
al s o wri tt en here u n der its i n flue n ce for Lo n gfellow is al w ays
‘
,

moved by it to a pitch of high w rought emotio n — to a ki n d of -

s peechle s s s peech — w hich o n ly the impre s sible n a t ure k n ows .

In t he Dedicatio n t o hi s Seas ide ver es he g i ves us t he key s

to this exquisite s piri tual se n si b i li t y ,

T h erefore I h ope to j oi yo ur s eas ide walk n ,

Sadde e d d mo s tly s ile t w it h emotio

n ,
an n , n

N t i terr u pti g w it h i tr us ive talk

o n n n

T h e gra d maj es tic symp h o ie s of ocea

n ,
n n.

An d i n the ope n i n g s ta n za of The Secre t of t he Se “

a he fra nkly
co n fes s es to the fa s ci atio n wi t h which it poss s ses
n e h im

Ah wh at pleasa t vi sio s h au t me n n n

A I gaze u po n t h e s ea
s

A ll t h e ld roma ti lege d s
o n c n ,

A ll my d eam s come back to me r , .

Somewha t fa rt he r o n w e desce n d i n t o a n e n t ici n g n ook sha d ed ,

by ro w s of e lm a nd willo w tr ee s He r e i n t he modes t co ttage .

,

of Mrs Ha n n ah Hoo d surrou n ded by old Dutch folio s Motley

.
, ,

bega n his Dutch Republic By s ce n di n g the rise of g rou n d

.
”
a

beyo n d o n might have see n the r oof o f the co tt age w he r e

,
e

Pre s cott w ho died like Pe tra r ch i n hi s ch a ir wo rked at Ferdi

, , , ,

na d n d Isabella the Co n quest of Mexico a n d Philip II

” “ ” “ ”
n a , , .

On the poi n t beyo n d us as s i s ted by his gifted w ife Aga s si z , ,

produced Brazil “
W illis Curt i s Mrs Sigour n ey n d a n
.
”
, ,
.
,
a

admi r i n g hos t of lesse r celebrities who h ave felt its agn e t ic m

i fl ue n ce celebrat e N h n t i n pro s e or verse The r eside n ce

n ,
a a .

of s uch emi n en t represe n tative s of A merican lite r at ure could

hardly fai l to impre ss it s elf upo n t he social ch a racter of a place
bu t i t has al s o made thi s little pe n i s ula o n of the best remem n e

bered Spot s of America n grou n d t o s cholar s of the Old World

who h a v i s i t d it An d the privilege of t raversi n g h e r r ocky
ve e .
1 54 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

s io n the r e n ever has bee n a co n quest

,
The Nab a n t es s who .

n ative here a n d t o t he ma n n er bor n cli n g to wha t i s left ”

a e r , ,

of t heir a n cie n t pat ri mo n y wi t h u n yieldi n g grasp Wan de r .

whe r e t hey may they al ways come back he re t o die On e of

, .

t hem w ho had efuse d t emp t i n g o ffers for his lan d sa i d to me

,
r , ,

“
Here I wa s born he r e i s my home a n d he r e I mean t o abide
, ,
.
”

The admi rably kep t r oads lead whe r e the most en gagi n g
sea vie w s ar e t o be had You lean ove r a raili n g a n d look dow n
-
.

eighty feet t o t he bo tt o m of a cove whe r e t he sea r ipples wi t h ,

o u t breaki n g a nd the clean smooth pebbles chase back t he

, ,

r e fl u e n t wave wi t h n oisy cha t ter The t awn y r ocks wea r coats .

of gras s gr ee n velve t ; t he perfume of sweet fe r n a nd of egla n t i n e

- -

is i n the air The clifl s of the east er n headla n d are very fi n e

. .

It takes o n e s breat h a w ay to wi t n e s s the r ush a n d r a r of the

’
e

eter n al su rges amo n g thei r i r o n ribs yet t he effec t seems li tt le

more tha n would be p r oduced by a hu n gr y lio n licki n g the bars
of his cage In a few i n stan ces such as Cas tle Rock a n d t he
.
,

Devil s P lpi t n o t ably prese n t t he r ocks a r i s e i n regular cas t el

’
u ,

lated mas s es but i n ge n e ral they a r e as uch the exp r essio n of m

chaos of form as we migh t expec t t o see i n the broke n arches

a n d colo n n ades of the earth s fou n datio n s Bei n g pi t ched abou t ’
.

i n fa n tas t ic yet awful co n fu s io n they pre s e n t curious accide n t al ,

fo r matio n s or are split from summi t t o fou n dat io n sto n e i n

,
-

chasms deep a n d gloomy w here the s eethi n g waters hiss a n d ,

boil much a s they m i ght have do n e whe n these colossal masses

,

were firs t cooli n g Here a n d there o n the shores the sea has .

n eatly hollo w ed ou t the n atural curiosities locally k n ow as t h e n

Natural Bridge Sw allo w s Cave Ire n e s Gro tt o n d the Spou t i n g

,
’

,
’

,
a

Hor n n d i n s t orms t he sho r e is as full of n oises as P r ospe r o s

a
’

I s la n d
A voice o u t of t h e s ile ce of t h e deep n ,

A s o u d my sterio usly m u ltiplie d n ,

A of a ataract from t h e mo u tai s s ide

’
s c n n ,

O roar of w i d s u po t h e w ooded s teep

r n n .

The sea view from t h port ico of the chapel w hich i s situat ed
-
e ,

o n t he h i ghes t p o i n t of the hea dl a n d i s ce rt ai n ly o n e o f t he ,

 NAHANT LEG ENDS . 155

ra rest o n t he whole coast emb r aci n g as i t does ma n y m iles of

, , ,

t he mai n la n d from Ly n n a s fa r as t he extr eme poi n t of Cape

,

An ;n of t he S outh Shore from Scituate t o Bosto n L igh t — a ,

slen der shapely a n d mi n a ret like to w er se t o n a half submerged

, ,
- -

ledge a t t he e n t r a n ce t o Bosto n Ha rbo r On a clea r day the .

dusky gray pill a r of M i n ot s Ligh t a n d by n igh t i t s r u ddy fla s h

’
, ,

o n the sou t h coas t a r e visible ,

On e of these to we r s
. probably
the first i n spi r ed Lo n gfellow s poem The Li gh t house’
, ,

begi n n i n g
T h e rocky ledge run s far i n to the s ea ,

A n d n it s o u ter poi t s ome mile s a w ay

o n , ,

The Lig h t h o use lift s it s mass ive mas onry ,

A pillar of fi re by n ig h t of cloud by day ,

.

An d e n di n g
Sail it s ay s s ail
on ye stately sh ip s
,
on,

A d w it h yo u r fl oati g bridge t h e ocea s pa

n n n n

Be mi e to guard t h i s ligh t from all eclip s e

n ,

Be yo u rs to bri g earer u ton m an n n m an

Lo n gfellow s summe r reside n ce wa s u po n t h e sou t he rn sh o re

’
,

which is less bold bu t mo r e shelte r e d t ha n the n o rthe r n Fi r e

, ,
.

dest r oyed it ma n y yea rs ago I t w as a ho u se of a mple size .

,

w ith w ide vera n da s a n d surrou n ded w ith such Sh r ubbe r y as

,

t he u n spari n g w i n ds that sweep t h e pe n i n sul a allow Whe n .

”
,

aft e r t he appeara n ce of No o ks a n d Co rn e rs of t he Ne w Eng

la n d Coast t he w r i t e r called upo n him t he poet said A h bu t
, , ,

why did yo u leave Nahan t out i n the cold ? An d he urged ”

him t o r epair t he omissio n withou t delay .

Prescott also lived o n t h e sou t her n sho r e o n a r ocky po i n t n o t ,

far fro m t he Sw allows Cave n amed by h i m F itful Head

’
,
“
.
”

Aga s si z co tt age n t h e co n tr a r y i s o n t h e n or t h s ho r e I t is a
’
,
o , . .

modest though n o t u n p i ct u r esque buildi n g all upo n t he gr ou n d

, , ,

a n d was p r obably be t te r sui t ed to t he g r ea t sc i e n t i s t s simple

’

t a s t es t ha n we r e the ha n dsome villas of his em i n e n t li t era ry n eigh

bo r s Poss i bly i t m a y have r emi n ded him i n some Sile n t way
.

of his fat herla n d t h e beau t iful Pays d u V aud

,
“
It i s to .
”
156 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

Aga ssiz dead t hat this t ouchi n g apostrophe is add r essed by

frie n d Lo n gfellow w ho is so rarely a questio n er of fate
, ,

I s ta agai t h e familiar sh ore

nd n on ,

A d h ear t h e w ave s of t h e d i s tracted

n sea

Piteo usly alli g d lame ti g t h ee c n an n n ,

A d w aiti g re s tle ss at t h y cottage d oor

n n .

Th roc ks t h e s ea w eed
e t h e o ea fl oor
,
-
on c n ,

T h e w illo ws i t h e meadow d th e free n ,

an

Wild w i ds of t h e A tla tic w el ome me

n n c

T h e wh y sh o u ld st t h n be d ead d come more ?

n e ,
an no

A h wh y sh o ul d s t t h o u be d ead wh e co
,
o n m m n m en

A b usy w it h t h eir trivial affairs

re ,

H avi g d h ol d i gn W h y wh e t h o u h adst read

an n ,
n

Nat u re s my s terio us ma us cript

’
d the n ,
an n

Wast ready to reveal t h e tr u t h it bea s r ,

Why art t h ou s ile t ? W h y sh o ulds t thou be dead ? n

TH E —
SEA SERP EN T .

M a yh p yo u a a ll h av h ard e e t o t e ll
O ft h e w o nd e rful s ak s ea -
n e .
— OLD B AL ADL .

H ER E i s o n e topic with which t h e a n n al s of Naha n t a r e

i nseparably associat ed t hat we feel a n at u ral d iffi de n ce i n
app r oachi ng ye t ca n n o t i n co n scie n ce ig n o re a n d t h a t i s t he
, ,

sea se r pe n t Wo r ds are i n adequ at e t o de s cribe t h e wide spread

-
.
-

co n ster n atio n which the apparitio n of such a mo ste r created n

amo g t h hard y populatio n of our Ne w E gla d seabo rd for

n e n n a

he was soo n perceived to posse ss n o n e of the att r ibute s of a

Spo r tive n d harmless fi s h
a but to belo n g st ric tly to the rep t ile
,

tribe An d w hat a r ep t ile The most exagge ra t ed r eports of

his le n gth prevailed th roughou t all the fishi n g t ow n s of Cape
A n n n d up n d dow n t he le n gt h of the coas t
,
a a O e skippe r . n

swore that he was as lo n g as the m a i s t of a seve n t y fou r m na -

a n o t her would eat h i m if t he steeple of Gloucester meeti g hous e n -

158 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

m e n, whic h cr ui s ed i n the b y The reve n ue ve ss el t hen o n t h

a . e

s tatio n w as orde red to keep a vigilan t look out n d she kep t her -
,
a

gu n s double —sho t ted fr ctio n Nets w ere al s o sp read in his

o a .

s n ke s h i
a
p s accus
’
t omed hau n ts a n d o n e adve n turous fello w who
, ,

had app r oached so n ear a s t o see t he w hi t e of his glitteri n g eye ,

emp t ied t he co n te n ts of a ducki n g g u n i n t o t h mo n st er s head e

- ’
.

But he seemed t o bea r a cha r med life a n d havi n g easily eluded

his pu rsue rs derisively Shook t he s p ray of Naha n t Bay from
,

h i s t ail ere he di sappea red i n t he dep t hs of t he ocea n Si n ce .

this t i m e t he gi gan ti c ophidian has from t ime to t ime revisited

Na h a n t a n d st ra n ge t i di n gs have lately come of him from o the r
,

climes Bu t i t is clea r that his s t u fl e d ski n was n eve r d e st i n ed

.

to ador n the walls of a museum a n d i t i s doub t ful if he will ,

eve r k n ow o t her pickle tha n his n a t ive bri n e .

The t raditio n associati n g the sea se r pe n t wi t h Na h a n t is of -

ve ry early date Joh n J s s e lyn G e n t w ho was he r e i n 1 6 38

. o
'
, , ,

is t h e first to men t io n this mo n s te r He s ays that o n e was .

see n q u o ile d up o n a r ock at Cape A n n by a passi n g boa t ”

,

a n d tha t whe n a n En glishma n would have fired a t him a n ,

I n dia n hastily preve nt ed his doi n g s o sayi n g tha t i t would ,

b r i n g them ill luck .

It i s our p r ivilege to r escue thi s poe t ic waif dedicat ed by t h e

poe t Brai n ard to the wan de r i n g mo n ste r of the deep

SONNET TO TH E SEA —SERP ENT .

J . G . BR AI NARD .

Hu g e s t th t wi s t h
a s m e o ce a n s tr e am .

WELTER u po t h e w ater s migh ty n

n ,
o e ,

An d s tretc h t h ee i t h e ocea s tro u gh of bri e

’
n n n

Turn t h y w et s ales u p to t h e w i d d
c n an s u n,

A d to ss t h e billo w from t h y fl a sh i g fi
n n n

H eave t h y deep breat h i g s to t h e ocea s d i

’
n n n,

A n d bo u d u po it s rid ge s i thy pri d e

n n n

O dive d o w to it s lo w e s t d ept hs
r n d i ,
an n
 TH E F LOU RE or S OU V ENA NCE . 109

The aver s where its u k o w mo s ters h ide

c n n n n n ,

Measu re t h y le gt h be eat h t h e Gu lf Stream tide

n n

O re s t t h ee
r t h e avel of t h at s ea
on n

Where fl oati g t h e Mael strom abide

,
n on ,

T h e krake s sh elteri g u der Nor way s lee

n n n
’
,

Bu t go t to Na h a t lest
no sho u ld sw ear n ,
m en

Yo u are a great d eal bigger t h a yo u are n .

TH E F LO U R E O F SO UV E NA N C E .

have already poi ted out to t h e r eade r the huge hump

E n

backed bowlder r isi n g from the sea called Eg g Rock .

The story w e are abou t to relat e i s i n timately a ss ociated with

t hat pic t uresque obj ec t Lo n g ago whe n Na h a n t fi rst began
.
,

to cla i m at t e n t io n as a summe r
r eso rt t wo you n g people me t he r e
,

for t he fi rs t t ime The acquai nt .

a n ce soo n r ipen ed i n to frien dship ,

a nd fro m frie n d s hip i nt o love .

The pai r w ere i n s eparable He .

w a s devoted to i fatuat io n s he n ,

too happy to remember that there

w a s n y w orld out s ide of that i n
a

w hich they the n lived The le v e r .

w as i n every w ay w orthy of t he
lad y n d s he of him ; a n d o n ly
,
a FOR G ET M E NOT - - S .

o n e thi n g stood i n the w ay of

thei r happi n ess That o n ob s tacle lay in t he fac t tha t t he
. e

you n g m a n w as a n I t alian by adoptio although n A me r ica n n, a

by bi rth ; n d Alice the you n g girl who s e love he had wo n

a , ,

whe n p r es s ed by h i m to co n se n t to a n i m mediate marriage had ,

replied My dear frie n d fir s t go n d obtai n the san ctio n of

!
“
,
a

your pare n t s n d the n i t s hall all be as you wish

, a .
1 60 NEW -
ENG L AND LEGENDS .

Possessed wi t h this purpo s e which h a d n o w become t he sole ,

motive of his life t h you n g m a n s ecured a pa ss age i n a ve ss el

,
e

which w a s to s ail i n t wo days for Leghor He the retur n ed n . n

to Na h n t i n order to spe n d t he few hour s r emai n i n g to h i m i n

a

t he society of hi s bet rothed .

I t w a s the las t even i n g a n d t he you n g couple were wa n deri n g

,

ove r the brow of t he headlan d where t hey had so often walked

be fore a n d when ce t h e lo n g leagues of glitteri n g sea had always
,

seemed so beau t ifu l n d t he b ree z e a n d the billows so i n vigo r

, a

ati n g n d elevati n g to t hem Bo t h were sile n t U n k n ow n t o

a . .

eac h other they were mu s i n g upo n t he quest io n that has dis

,

tracted s o man y mi n ds the s e rpen t i n their Eden

,
Si n ce we ,

are s o happy w hy s hould w e be sepa ra t ed ? But the sulle n

,

da s h of the waves a t t heir fee t was the ir o n ly r espo n s e They .

clu n g t o each othe r a n d dreamed o n .

While sta n di n g t hus o n the edge of t he cl iff a st ran ge fa n cy ,

came i n t o the lover s head Why i t is that i n mome n t s of

’
.

supreme t rouble t he mere s t t r ifl s s hould fo r ce them s elves e

uppermos t i n ou r i n d s w e do n t prete n d to explai n The

m ,
o .

you n g m a n sudde n ly recollected o n e of the local traditio n s r u n ,

n i n g to the eff ect that the lady w ho should receive from he r

love r s ha n d the Floure of Souven a n ce or Fo rget me n o t gro w
’
,
- -
,

i n g o n ly i n n lo n ely spo t n t he li ttle i sla n d befo r e them

o e o ,

would remai n fo r ever co n st an t .

“
L t me give you o n
e o r e proof of my love dea r Alice
e m , ,

before w e part n d l t it be the flo wer pl u cked from the summit

,
a e .

of yo n der rock that lie s there before us he gayly s aid feeli n g ,

”
,

that s he would divi n e hi s pu r pose .

I require n o n e w proof of your affect io n she r eplied bu t ,

do as you w ill .
”

Un ob s erved by the love r s the sea w as steadily isi n g a n d ,

r ,

upo n the dis ta n t coa s t the rote was gro w i n g every mome n t
more omi n ously dist i n ct The you n g m a n w as much too i n
.

ten t ho w ever upo n hi s obj ect to n otice the s e w arn i n g sign s

, ,

in hi s pre s e n t frame of mi d he wo u l d gladly have braved n

eve n greater da gers i n order to gr atify hi s istress He r n

n m . a
s
N NEW ENG LA ND LEG ENDS
!

mO -
"

( .

S WA MP S C O TT B EA C H .

W A M PSCOTT is a succe ss io of hard s a n d beache s a n d n -

rocky picture s que headla d s formi n g w ith N h n t Naha n t

,
n ,
a a ,

Bay It w a s formerl y a w re member a part of Ly n n ; n d s o

.
,
s e ,
a

clo s ely are they u ited to day that it w ould require a s urveyor to
n -
,

tell w here the n e e ds or the othe r begi n s In maki n g a tour of

o n .

the s hore s o n e cro s se s s ucce s sively Ki ng s Beach Whale Beach ’

, ,

a n d Phillip s Beach all of w hich are the su m mer playgr ou n d of

,

the m u ltitude s w ho i n that sea s o n ome here for h ealth o r recrea c

tio n or for both The high n d glitteri n g s hore sw eeps gracefully

,
. a

arou n d to w ard the ea s t far out i n to the ocea n u n til it is frit t ered
, ,

a w ay i n a clu s ter of foam cre s ted ledges that lie i n treacherous -

ambu s ade at its extreme poi n t Tha t curvi n g sho r e is Phillips

c .

Poi n t n d the reef is D read Ledge There is a ha n dsome vill a

,
a .

o r cottage for every elevated s ite alo n g the t wo mile s of sho r e .

The ex t remity of Phillips Poi n t is a w icked looki n g sho r e a n d -

,

Dread Ledge i s the s y n o n yme fo r dan ger to t he mari n e r The .

surrou n di g w ater s are thickly so w n w ith h alf subme rged r ocks

n -
,

w hich i n the deliri m of a gale s eem rooted i n hell it s elf Here

u .
,

i n Ja n uary 1 8 5 7 t he ill fa t ed T d
, w a s sw allo w ed up with
,
-
e e s co ,

every soul o n board a d s uch w a s the mastery of the t empe s t n

over thi n g s terre s trial that the disaste r was n t k n o w n i n the

,
o

n eighbori n g illage u n til the follo w i n g day In t hat memo r able

v .

gale the s ea i u n dated the mar s h e s s w ept u n checked ove r i t

n ,
s

ordin ary barrier s a n d heaped a ra pa rt of froze n s urf upo n t h

, m e

beache s i n w hich the broke n ma s t s of wr ecks were left st icki g

,
n .

St ree t s a n d road s w ere s o blocked up b y m me n se s n owd rift s i ,

that all t ravel w s u s pe n ded for s everal day s The po n de r ou s

as .

a n chor s of the T d were fou n d lyi n g w here the s ea s had

e e s co ,

throw n them upo n the t op of a r ock ; n d they were all t ha t

, a
 SW A M PSCOTT A
B E CH . 1 63

was left t o t ell t he t ale for n o t a vestige of t he h u ll r em a in ed ,

.

An othe r vessel w as afterwa r d w r ecked here ; bu t bei n g d r ive n ,

n earer the la n d he r cre w o n by o n e walked t o t he sho r e over

, ,
e ,

the bowspri t .

Sw ampscott w as n d s till is a typical Ne w En gla n d fi s h i n g

,
a ,
-

v illage ; th t is it s true estatea The summer v is ito r s a re m ere .

bird s of passage but the m n who a r e n at ive he r e pu r sue their e

haz ardous callin g the whole yea r t h r ough No thi n g a n be . c

mo re curious t ha n to see t he old l i fe of a place t hus pre s erved i n

the mids t o f t h e wealth a n d fashio n tha t have gro w n up a r ou n d
it a n d overshado w ed it B u t i n t his fac t we t hi n k lies o n . e

g r eat cha r m of such a place .

Ther e is n o difficulty whateve r i n placing t he sce n e of Haw

t hor n e s V ill age U n cle he r e Tha t ske t ch i s i n t ruth o n ly a
’ ”
.

s erie s of pic t ures of t h e su r rou n di n gs a n d of t he pla i n fi h e flk s r o ,

t ake n fr o m life t o w hich fr om t he s n ug chim n ey co r n er of a

, ,
-

fi s h e m a n s humble co tt age t he garrulou s old U n cle ad d s his

’
r ,

o wn s t o r e of go s sip a n d of sea lore Hear him -

.

To ss armful of t h o se dry oa k c h ip s t h e last relic s of t h e

on a n
-
,

Mermaid s k ee timber s the bo e s of yo u r amesake Susa H igh er

’ ’
n -
,
n n ,
n .

yet d clearer b the blaze till o u r cottage w i do ws glo w th e r u d

,
an ,
e ,
n

dies t i t h e village d t h e ligh t of o u r h o usehold mirt h fl ash f

n , an ar

acro ss t h bay to Nah a t

e n .

N w Susa for a s ob er pict u re of o u r village It w a s a s mall '

o ,
n,

collectio of d w elli gs t h at s eemed to have bee cast u p by t h e sea

n n n ,

w it h the rock w eed d mari e pla t s t h at it vomit s after a s torm

-
an n n ,
or

to h ave come ash ore amo g t h e pipe stave s d oth er l u mber wh ich n -
an

h d bee w a sh ed from t h e deck of

a n Ea s ter s choo er T h ere w as an n n .

j ust s pace for the ar o w d sa dy street bet wee the beach i fro t
n r an n n n n

an d a precipitou s h ill that lifted it s roc ky fore h ead i t h e rear amo g n ,

n

a w aste of j u iper b ush e s d the w ild grow t h of a broke pas tu re

n -
an n .

T he vi llage w as pict u resqu e i the variety of it s edi fi ce s t h o ug h all n ,

w ere r de H ere stood a little old hovel b u ilt per h ap s of driftwood

u . ,

t h ere a w of boat ho use s ; d beyo d t h em a tw o tory d w elli g of

ro - an n s
- n

d ark a n d w eat h erbeate a s pect the wh ole i termixed with or

n ,
- n one

t w o sn u g ottage s pai ted w h ite a s u ffi cien cy of pigstie s d a sho

c n , ,
an e

maker s shop ’
.
”
 N W ENGL AND LEGENDS
E -
.

By t he same family r esemblan ce i s Philips Beach r ecogn i z ed

as the sce n e of tho s e way w ar d reveries F ootp ri n t s o n the S a
, e

shore in w hich thi s a ut hor thin ks aloud rat he r tha n talks

,
”
, ,

be t rayi n g the old truan t impulse which occasio n ally ma s tered

him to get a w ay from that world i n which it is true he lived
and moved bu t could hardly be s aid to have had h i s bein g
, .

We he r e fi n d h i m i n o n e of his o wn c reatio n .

THE E
ma cs , s wa nr s cor r , MASS.
 S ALE M LEGEN D S .

Ne w En gla n d to w except Plymou t h t ake s precede n ce

no n

of Salem i n the order of settle e n t — fac t of wh i ch he r m ,

a

citize n s are n a t u r ally as proud as a n old family is of its pedig r ee

goi n g back t o the Co n que st or t he Crea t io n An d r eally i n , .
,

the c reatio n of the Purit n Commo n w ealth o n e r eprese n t s t he

a
,

F ir s t D ay a n d t he o t her the Seco n d

,
.

The political n d commercial fortu n e s of Salem have bee n

a

Si n gularly alike Roge r Co a n t the fou n der a n d le d e of a

'

. n , ,
a r

forlo rn hope w a s eclipsed by En dicott w ho w as i n t urn over

, ,

s hadowed by Wi n t h r op a m a n quick t o see t hat n o place w s

,
a

large e n ough to co n tai n th ree gover n or s t wo of t h em deposed , ,

o n e i n authority n d all ambitious to lead t he Pu r i t a n va n gua r d

,
a

i n the g r eat c r usade of the ce n tury The si t e was n o t app r oved

. .

He the r efore sought out a n e w o n e to which t he sea t of govern ,

me n t w as prese n tly r emoved leavi n g Salem by t he course o f , ,

t hese eve n t s a modest reflec ti o n of the Pu r it an capi t al a n d

, ,

n othi n g mo r e .The halls of t he Essex I n s tit u t e co n t ai n m a n y

i n t e rest i n g r elics of t he time w he n Sale m played a n i mpor t a n t
par t i n Colo n ial hist ory .

In respect t o its comme rcial importa n ce wh i ch a t o n e time ,

was very gr eat — Ship s i n the Hooghly n d t h Ya ng t se hip s

,
a e -
,
S

at Ceylo n a n d Madaga s car s hip s the G old Coa s t i n Poly n e s ia

,
on ,

a n d V a n couve r ; yo u a n ha r dly put a thought

c n t he wide seas o
 1 68 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

w he re t here were n o t ship s flyi n g like a s w ar m of i n du s t riou s

bees t o every far s ea a n d clime — a n importa n ce s o great i n , ,

d eed t ha t it s me r cha n t s were called K i n g thi s a n d Ki n g that

, ,

while by r easo n of the fr eque n t i n tercour s e had w ith tho s e

“
fa r co u n t r e e s i t s socie t y took a t o n e a n d color almo s t Or i
,
”

e n tal ye t i ts greate r r ival agai n over s hado w i n g it most Si n gu

, ,

la r ly co n ve rt ed Salem fr om a s eapor t of the fi r s t ra n k i n t o a

modestly flou ri s hi n g place of ma n ufac t ure s That s ide of t he .

city represe n ti n g i ts old emi n en ce i s par alyzed while t he othe r

half although exhibi t i n g a s t ill vigo r ou s life has n o such dis
, ,

t i n ct i v e trait s as w he n Sale m w as the r ecog n ized mar t of t he

I n die s In t h e cabi n et s of t he Peabody Museum the i n terested
.

visi t o r sees o n all s ides a t housan d ev i de n ces of he r a n cie n t com

m e r c i a l re n ow n b r ought from t he fou r quar t ers of the globe i n
,

her o wn s hips a n d t he sole p r oofs t o day t ha t such r en ow n

,
-

ever exi st ed
'

Some years g o a n e m ba ss y from t he Q u ee n of Madagasca r

a

arrived i n the U n ited State s In the cour s e of their tour they .

visited Bo st o n n o t for t he sake of a n ythi n g t hat c i ty could

o ffe r as a temp t a t io n t o A fri ca n curiosi ty bu t because i t lay ,

i n the rou t e to Salem T h ey w e r e particula rly a n xious t o see

.

Salem wh c h is still suppo s ed by ma n y of t he n at i ves of Mada

,

g a s ca r t o be t h e o n ly por t of much impo rt an ce i n A me ri ca .

Story the sculp t or poet who like Haw tho r n e is Salem bo rn

,
-
, , ,
-

commemorat es t hese well remembe red sce n es of h i s yout h

-

Ah me how ma y au t u m day
, n an n

We watched w it h palpitati g breast

, n ,

Some s tately s hip from I dia or Cat h ay n

,

Lad e w it h s picy odors from t h e Ea s t

n
,

Come s aili g p t h e Bay n u

Un to o u r yo u t h fu l h earts elate ,

What w ealt h besid e th eir real freight

Ofrich material t h i gs t h ey bore ! n

Ou r s w ere A rabia argoe s fairn c

,

Myst e riou s e xqu isite a nd rar e

, , .
17 0 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

off to the w e s t a broke rampar t of s teep s ided g ray r ock s n -

,

moderately high w ho s e w i dy s ummit a f w ho us es make

, n e

appear eve more de s olate

n This i s a s ort of w a s te place .
,

good n either for pla n ti n g gra z i n g or buildi g n o likely to , ,

n ,
r

se rve a n y mo r e u seful purpo s e tha n a s to ne q u fy o r a la n d -

ar

ma rk might fo r t he regio n s urrou ndi n g i t In n w ay doe s it

, . o

vary the mo n oto y of the la n d s cape bei n g w holly treeless a n d

n ,

almo s t w ithout vegetatio n Travelle rs look li s tle ss ly a n d turn

.
,

away Yet s tay a mome n t

.

L o n g ago so lo n g that n o livi n g m a n reme m be r s it o n e soli

, ,

t ary tree grew upo n that rocky w i d s w ept heigh t But at le n gth ,
n -
.

a blight fell upo n i t it sicke n ed n d died its limbs o n by o n a e e

rotted n d dropp e d o ff n d after co n te n di n g a w hile w ith the

a a ,

wi n try bla s ts that threate n ed to uproot it the With ered s kele t o n ,

of a tree w a s cut d wn a d cast i n to the fire Tho s e cold gray

o n .

ledge s where it stood is Gallo ws Hill The tree t raditio n s ays .

, ,

wa s that upo n w hich the co dem n ed w itche s were hu n g The n .

hou s e s e n c r oach upo n the g rave s of the victim s .

From the mome nt of pa s si ng t hi s fatal p lace n either the n oise ,

nor the thro n g w ill be able to distract the s tra nger s thought s ’

wholly occupied a s they are w ith the s i n i st er memorie s t hat the

s ight ha s awake n ed withi n h i m .

L t us th r ow a gla n ce arou n d us
e .

Upo n e n teri n g t he c ity the great high r oad run n i n g n o rt h ,

-

a n d south t kes the m ore ambitious n d dig n ified n ame of

a a

s treet Upo reachi n g the heart of the city it expan d s i n to

. n ,

a public square or n o t t o mix up tw o di s ti n ct era s the o ld

, , ,

to w n market place A t o n e e n d t he street s kirt s G allo ws Hill

-
.
.

A he adva n ces towards the ce n t r e t h curious visitor

s y s t ill ,
e m a

s ee t he quai n t old h ouse n w n apotheca ry s i n w hich Roger,

o a
’
,

Williams lived n d i n w hich traditio n s ays that s ome of the

,
a

witchcraft exami n atio s w ere h eld i n the Squar e he ha s arriv ed

n

i n t he r egio n h alf real h alf roma n tic de s cribed i n Haw t hor n e s

’

, , ,

tales (n o t tw ice but a t housan d time s told ) Mai n Street A

, , , ,
”

Hi ll from t h To w n Pu p
e nd E dicott n d the Red Cross
-
m ,
”
a n a ,

of w hich latter thi s i s a fragme t n 1

 A
S LEM LEG ENDS .

T h e c tral obj ect i the mirrored picture wa s n di fi e of

en n a e c

h u ble architecture with n either s t eple n h ll to proclaim it

m ,
e or e

what n evertheless it w a s — t h e h o us e of prayer A toke of t h e . n

peril s of t h e w ilder e ss w a s see i t h e gri h ead of a w olf wh ich

n n n m

h ad j ust bee lai wit h i t h e preci ct s of t h e to w

n S n d accordi g to
n n n, a n ,
n

t h e regu lar mo d e of laim i g t h e bo u ty w as ailed to t h e porc h of

c n n ,
n

t h e meeti g h o us e T h e b lood was still plash i g t h e door s tep

n -
. n on -
.

I clo s e vi i ity to t h e s acred edi fce appeared t h at importa t

n c n i n en

gi e of Purita ic auth ority t h e w h ippi g po st — w it h t h e soil aro u d it

n n ,
n - n

well trodde by t h e feet of evil doer s wh o h ad t h ere bee di s cipli ed

n -
,
n n .

At onecor er of t h e meeti g h o use w a s t h e pillory d at the ot h er

n n -
,
an

t h e s toc ks d b y a s i g u lar good fort u e for

an ,
sketc h the h ea d
n n , ou r ,

of an Epis copalia d sus pected Cat h olic w a s g rote s q u ely i ca s ed

n an n

i the former
n achi e ; wh ile a fello w rimi al wh o h d b i t
m n -
c n a o s er

e a sly quaffed a h ealt h to t h e Ki g w as co fi ed by t h e legs in t h e n n n

latter .

Bu t t his tr uly Hudib ras t ic pict u r e is o n ly t he g rimly humo

r ous p r elude t o n o t h e r of a ve r y differe n t n at ure upo n w hich is
a ,

fou n ded t ha t s t o r y of s i n r emorse a n d Shame The Sca rle t , , ,

“

Le tt e r .

In t he t h r o n g su rr ou n di n g t he culp ri ts just ske t ched fo r us ,

Ther e was like w ise a you n g woma n with n o mea n share of

‘
beau t y whose doom it was to wear the le t ter A o n t he breast
,

of he r gow n i n the eyes of all the w o rld n d he r o wn chil d r e n

,
a .

A n d eve n he r o wn child r e n k n ew w hat tha t i n itial sig n ified .

Spor t i n g wi t h her i n famy the los t a n d despe ra t e c r ea t u r e had ,

e b r oide red the fatal t oke n i n sca r le t clo t h with gol d e n t h r ead
m

a n d the n ices t ar t of n eedlework ; so tha t the cap it al A might

have bee n though t t o mea n A dmi rable o r an y t hi n g ra t he r t han ,

A dulte r ess .

Mr Haw t ho rn e t ells u s t hat he fo u n d t he m i ssive fr om which

.

this i n ciden t is d raw n a n d which subseque n tly formed the ,

grou n dwo rk o f h i s n ovel i n t he roo m occupied by him i n the ,

Sale m Cus t om House while h e was servi n g as su r veyor of

-

the po rt u n de r t h e ve t e ran G e n e ral James M ille r — t he he r o ,

of Lu n dy s Lan e In o n e r espec t t h erefore t h di s ti n guished

’
.
, ,
e

America n n o eli s t s life ha s it s a n alogy to that of Charle s Lamb

’
v ,
17 2 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

followi n g whom i n h i s i n imitable mo n ologue o n the Sou t h Se a

House w hich form s the i n itial chapter to the Ess ays of Elia
,

our o wn cou n tryma though i n a di ffere n t s pirit sketches the

n,
,

Old Cu s t o m H s e a n d it s corps of s upera n n uated w eigher s

~
ou
,

gaugers n d t ide w aiters as t he i n t r o d u c

,
a -

tory chapter to The Sca rle t Le tt er “

.
”

This old red brick edifice if we excep t -

a late r r e n ovatio n of i t s i n t erior st a n ds ,

p recisely a s i t did i n t he n ovelist s t ime ’

,

t he promi n e n t obj ect i n a r egio n which it

i s o n ly t oo evide n t has seen be tt er days ,

but is g radually growi n g mo r e a n d more

r ui n ou s as eve ry year t he houses g r ow
THE SCARLET LETTER
g r aye r
.
a nd mo r e shaky The same flag .

waves from the cupola t he same eagle , ,

much t ar n ished however by t h e weather ex t e n ds it s gi lded

, , ,

wi n gs above the e n tra n ce doo r The n ovelist desc r ibes i t i n a

.

grimly satirical w ay as a n asylu m fo r decayed polit i c i an s who ,

dozed n d s lep t i n ea s y t ra n qu i llity du r i n g the ho u r s n omin ally

a
'

devoted to bu s i n ess t here bein g little to do except t o keep up

, ,

the appeara n ce of official r eg ularity The surveyor cuts his .

portraits with a diamo n d Hi s de s k s ho w i n g the mark s of a

.
,

n ervous or a n idle ha n d visi b le i n ma n y li n es n d ga s he s upo n a

it i s preserved amo n g the curiosities of Plummer Hall When

,
.

w e look at it eve n the homage due to ge n ius c n ha rdly pre

,
a

ve n t a feeli n g of pity isi n g for the life that w as so lo n g ove rca st

r

by t h gloom of u n fulfilled a s piratio n s so emb it tered by t he

e ,

t ar di n ess of a r ecogn itio n which came too lat e .

No t far from the Custom House i n n arro w U n io n St ree t is the

-
, ,

a n cie n t w oode n te n eme n t i n which the n ovelist wa s bo r n We .

pass as i t w er e t hrough a cor n e r of the eigh t een th cen t ury of

, , ,

which t his hou s e is i n dubitably a r elic It i s a n humble d w ell .

i n g wi t h humble su rr ou n di n gs
,
Here he wro t e ma n y of t h
.
e

sho rt er t ales t hat i t is en t irely s afe to s ay have n o w mo r e r eaders

,

tha n when t hey first saw the ligh t n d ma n y more that he tells ,
a

u s were co m mit t ed t o the flame s ; her e he kept tha t lo n g a n d

174 —
NEW ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

bee n familia r with it But n o twi ths ta n d i n g t he appa r e n t a d h e r

.

e n ce to t r uth t here co n trived with such co n summate a r t as to

,

fix t he imp r essio n i n the r eader s mi n d that the legen d of t he

’

old Pyn ch e o n family i s derived from s ome authen tic source i t ,

will be be t ter t o r ega r d the author s stat eme nt made in his o wn

’

cha rac t e ristic way t hat the reade r acco rdi n g t o his o wn plea s
,
“
,

ure m y eithe r dis r egard o r all o w it t o float imper cep t ibly about
,
a ,

the charact ers a n d eve nts fo r t h e s ake of picturesque effect .

”

Thus by freely availi n g himself of the n ames of ac t ual pe rso n

ages who s e his t ory i s a rt fully i n te r wove n w i t h occu rr e n ces t hat
h ave r eally happe n ed a n d agai n by a s socia t i n g these with local
,

descriptio n s of ra r e fideli t y the w i shed fo r effec t of solid r eali ty

,
-

is produced a n d t he sto ry proceeds o n a cha i n of circums t a n t i l

,
a

—
evide ce whose stren gth lies solely i n t he maste r ha n d t h a t fab
n

i a t e d it li n k by li n k fr om t he ma t e r ials of his o wn r ich fa n cy

r c , ,
.

I n t he co n cludi n g words of h is p reface the au t ho r with si n gular

, ,

fran k n e s s when his pu r pose is co n side r ed agai n dise n thralls t he

, ,

mi n d s of his a u d it o r s f the effec t whic h h e was quick to see

o

that his peculiar method must i n ev it ably p r oduce t h erei n Bu t .

as a p reface is al w ay s the la st thi ng wri tt e n so it n o t o ri ously i s ,

the last t o be r ead a n d t hus h s the au t hor s apology for i n t r o d u

a
’

ci n g n ames which struck his fa n cy n d fo r co n n ec ti n g t he m wi t h

,
a

Sce n es fami liar to him from boyhood so fa r failed of its pu r

,

pose t hat people still pe rsis t i n pry i n g i n t o t he an t ecede n ts of a

,

family dist i n guished i n the early a n n als of N w En glan d o n

, e ,

whose escutcheo n n o st ai n or s t igm a is k n o w n t o rest

A fte r t his expla n a t io n it w ill be sca r cely n eces s ary t o ob s e r ve
that the wo rds which a r e pu t i n to t he mouth of Ma t thew Maule

t he House of the Seven G ables the bli gh t o fa n evil desti n y

,

passi n g fr om gen er at io n t o gen eratio n we re as a mat t e r of ,

fac t r eally spoke n by Sarah G ood n o t t o Colo n el Pyn ch e o n bu t

, ,

to the Revere n d Nichola s Noye s wh o mos t c ru elly a n d wi c kedly

,

embi tt e re d h e r la s t momen ts by t elli n g her t ha t she was a m i s

e r a ble w i t ch A n d it was to him she made t he memo r able
.
 SALEM LEGENDS . 17 5

r eply t ha t if he t ook away he r life Go d would g i ve h i m blood ,

to d r i n k .
”

There is however r easo n fo r supposi n g Si n ce i t h a s bee n so

, , ,

mi n utely described that t he hou s e of t he s eve n gables was ,

a t least sugge s ted by t h a t of Philip En gli s h who was n ea r ,

becom i n g a mart yr to the witchcraft hor ro r himself What is .

clear er still is t ha t the n ovelist has laid several of the old

,

Colo n ial ho u ses bo t h i n Sale m a n d Bost o n u n der co n tr ibutio n

, ,

for whatever might embell i sh h is descr iptio n which is certai n ly ,

n o i n ve n tio n b u t is a tr e p i cture of the early archi t ec t ure eve n

,
u

i n it s mi n utest deta i ls But i n suc h a n u n real atmo s phere as .

su r rou n ds it we are n o t sure t hat the house itself may n o t t u rn

,

ou t t o be a n illusio n of t he mirage created by a n effort of the

wei rd r oma n cer s will It s a ppearan ce i s t hus por tr ayed i n t h e
’
.

Ope n i n g words of t h e r oma n ce ,

There it ro s e li t t l w it h draw from t h e li e of the street but i

,
a e n n ,
n

pride t mo d esty It s wh ole visible exteri or was orn amen ted w ith
,
no .

qu ai t fi g ure s con ceived i t h e grote squen e ss of a G oth ic fa cy

n ,
n n ,

an d draw n or s tamped i t h e glitteri g pla s ter ompo s ed of lime n n ,

c
,

pebble s d bit s of glass w ith wh ich t h e w oodw ork of the w al l s w as

,
an ,

overspread O every s ide t h e s even gables poi ted sh arply to ward s

. n n

the ky d pre s e ted the a spect of a wh ole s i sterhood of ed i fi ce s

s ,
an n ,

breath i g t h ro u g h t h e sp iracles of
n great c h im ey Th ma y one n . e n

lattices w ith their s mall diamo d shaped pa e s ad mitted the

, ,
n - n ,
s u n

ligh t i to h all d chamber w hile everth eless t h e s eco d story

n an ,
n n ,

proj ecti g far over the bas e n d it self retiri g be eath the t h ird
n ,
a n n ,

th rew a sh a d owy d t h ou g h tfu l g loom i to the lo w er room s Carv d

an n . e

g lobe s of wood w ere affixed n der t h ju tti g s tori e s Little piral u e n . S

rod s of i ro b t ifi d ea h of the s eve peak s O t h t r ia g ular

n e au e c n . n e n

port ion of t h gable th at fro ted n ext the street w as a d ial p u t p

e ,
n , ,
u

that v y morn i g d wh ich the

er n wa s still marki g t h e pas
, an on su n n

s age fthe fi r st bri ght ho u r i a hi story that was n t de sti ed to be

o n o n

a ll s o
17 6 N W ENG L
E -
AND LEG ENDS.

TH E ES C A P E O F PHI L IP ENGLI S H .

st ory of Philip En gli s h a n d hi s wife is qui t e as well

HE
w orthy a r o n as the house i n whic h they lived We
m a ce .

c n moreover a n s w er fo r its stric t t ruth

a , .

Duri n g t he time of t he wi t chcraft delus i o n a t t he V illage t he ,

v i c ti ms were i n n early every ca s e people i n the humblest walk of

life Philip E gli s h of Salem was the first pe rso n of superio r
. n

statio n t o be attai n ted by this persecutio n which like a wolf , ,

tha t i s madde n ed by the t ast e of blood began t o gro w h o ld r i n ,

e

pursuit of its victims .

Philip En gli s h had emigrat ed t o Amer ica from t he i sla n d of

Jersey Havi n g fou n d a home i n the family of M r William
. .

Holli n gsworth a wealthy i n habita n t of Salem he fo rmed t he

, ,

acquai n t a n ce of Mr Holli n g sw o r th s o n ly chil d Susa n n a w ho

.
’

, , ,

as i s ev i de n t fro m h hi s tory be s ide s havi n g received fro m her

er ,

fa t he r a n educatio n superio r t o t he usual r equireme n t s of t ha t

day possessed ra re e n do w me n t s of mi n d a n d per s o n The
,
.

acquai n t an ce ri pe n ed i n t o mutual a ffectio n n d i n due time ,

a

Philip En glish ma rried the daughter of his frie n d a n d patro n .

He t oo became i n time a rich a n d emi n e t mercha n t n .

In A pr il 1 6 9 2 t he t er ri ble accusatio n fell like a thu n derbolt

, ,

upo n this happy home The wife d mother w a s t he fir s t

.
an

v ictim t o the credulity or malig n ity of her n eighbor s In t he .

n igh t t he officer e tered her bedchambe r r ead his fa t al w a r

n ,

ran t n d then s urr o u n ded the ho u se with guard s i n ten di n g t o

,
a ,

carry he r to pri s o n i n the mor n i n g Mrs En glish gave herself . .

up fo r lost With supreme heroi s m ho w ever she gathe red he r

. , ,

stri cken family toget he r i n the morn i n g to its usual devotio n s ,

gave direc t io s for t h education of her children cla s ped them

n e ,

to he r boso m ki ss ed them n d t he n comme n di n g them a n d h e r

, ,
a ,
17 8 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EGENDS .

But fortu n ately for them a d i n co n s e quen ce doubtless of ,

n
, ,

t he fact that En glish w a s a ercha n t of property n d a perso n m ,

a

of k n ow n probity he d hi s u n fortun ate w ife w ere admitted

,
an

to bail bei g allo w ed the privilege of the to w n by day n

,
n
,
o

co n ditio n of pu n ctually retur n i n g to the pri s o n at n ight to b ,

e

l ocked up agai n u n t il the follo w i n g morn i n g Though r n . e

deri n g their co ditio n more tolerable thi s did n t make it

n , o

the le s s hopele ss They w ere vi s ited i n their pri s o n by some

.

of the mo s t emi e n t clergyme n of the to w n n of whom

n ,
o e ,

the Revere d Jo s hua Moody — peace to his memory — man i

n ,

f t d the deepe s t i n tere s t i n their s piritual n d temporal wel

es e a

fare Thi s good n w ho s e s ou n d head refu s ed to admit t he

. m a ,

prevaili n g del us io n w hile his equally s oun d heart fi tt ed him fo r

,

deed s of mercy like t ha t u po n which he w as n o w be n t we n t to

, ,

the pri s o n o n the day before En gli s h n d hi s w ife were t o be a

take n back to Salem for trial a n d i n vi t ed t he m t o a tt en d at pub ,

lic w or s hip i n his church They w e n t . .

Whe n he a s ce n ded the pulpi t t h e clergyma n a n n ou n ced ,

a s his t ex t thi s ver s e h vi n g a peculiar sig n ifica n ce t o t wo of

,
a

h i h ea r e rs
s If they pers ecu t e you i n o n e city flee i n t o
!
“
,

a n o t he r ! ”

In hi s discourse the preache r jus t ified w it h man ly cou rage

, ,

a n d direct n e ss a n a n d every a tt empt t o escape from t he forms

y ,

of jus t ice when j ustice it self w as bei n g violat ed i n t hem .

A fter the s e r vice was over t he mi n i st er agai n v i s i t ed t he pri so n

,

er s i n their cell a n d asked En glish poi n t edly whe the r he had

,

d etected the mea n i n g of h is s ermo n of t he mor n i n g En gli s h .

he s itati n g to commit himself Mr Moody fran kly t old h i m that ,

.

hi s o wn life a n d tha t of hi s wife w ere i n dan ger n d that h ,

a e ,
'

looki n g t hi s i n t he face ough t t o provide for n escape wi t hout

,
a

lo s i n g a mom en t En glish could n o t believe it it w a s too

.

mo n s trou s G d will n o t s u fl e them to hurt me

. o he s aid i n r ,

thi s co n victio n .

What exclaimed hi s wife do you n o t thi n k t hat they

“
,
”
,
“

w ho have s uffered already w ere i oce n t ? nn

”

Yes
 THE ESCA P E o r I I
P H L P ENGL SH I . 179

Why t hen may we n o t suffe r also ? Take M r Moody s

, , .
’

advice let u s fly .
”

To make a n e n d of t his i n dec i sio n p r oceedi n g from t he fea r ,

t hat fligh t would be qu i ckly co n strued to mea n guilt M r Moody , .

t he n u n folded his pla n He told the reluc t a n t En glish t ha t

.

everythi n g n ecessary for his escape had bee n alr eady provided
t hat the G overn o r Si r William Phips was i n t he secre t a n d
, , ,

coun te an ced i t ; t hat the jailer had his i n str uct io n s t o Open
n

t he p riso n doors ; a n d that fi n ally all bei n g i n r eadi n ess at , , ,

m id n ight a co n veya n ce fur n ished by frie n ds who were i n t he

,

plo t w ould come t o carry t he m away t o a place of security

,
‘

I n fac t every p r ecau t io n tha t p r ude n ce could sugg es t o r fore

see ,
that i n flue n ce i n high places cou ld secure had bee n
or ,

t ake n by t his n oble n d self s a c i fi ci n g Chri st ia n m a n i n o r der

a -
r

t o preve n t the sheddi n g of i n n oce n t blood He p r ocu r ed let .

t er s u n der Si W illi a m s o wn ha n d a n d seal t o G overn o r

,
r
’
,

F let cher of Ne w Yo rk t hus providi n g for t he fugit ives firs t

, ,

a safegua rd a n d n ext a n i n violabl e asylum Fi n ally he t old

'

.
, ,

En glish pla i n ly t ha t if he d i d n o t carr y his wi fe o f f he , ,

Moody would do so h i mself The a ffai r was ar ran ged o n t he

, .

spo t .

At t he appo i n t ed ti me the p r iso n doo r s we r e u n ba rr ed t he ,

p ri so n e r s came ou t a n d while t he solem n s t ill n ess of mid n igh t

,

b r ooded ove r t he a fli ict e d t own t hey fled from pe rsecu t io n i n ,

o n e city i n t o a n othe r .

G ove r n o r F le t che r t ook t he homeless wa n de r e r s i n t o h i s o wn

man sio n w here he made t hem welcome n o t a s fugitives from
, ,

j ustice bu t as exiles fleei n g from per secu t io n They were e n t e r

,
.

t a i n d as t he mos t ho n o r ed of gues t s
e The n ex t yea r Phil i p .

En glish r e t ur n ed home The st orm of mad n ess had passed by

.
,

leavi n g i t s terrible ma rks i n ma n y households His o wn was .

de s ti n ed to feel it s co n seque n ces i n a way to t u rn all h i s j oy

i n to sorrow Withi n t wo yea rs from t h e time Sh e was t o r n
.

fro m her home t o a n s wer the cha rge of felo n y M r s En g ,

.

lish died Of the cruel treat me n t Sh had received Mr Moody s e . .

’

course was comme n ded by all discern i n g m e n as it dese r ved ; ,

1 80 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

but he felt the a n gry r ese n tme n t of the multitude amon g who m ,

s me pe rso n s of high ra n k we re i n cl u ded In co n s eque n ce of

a .

this pe r sec tio n he ret u rn ed to his old charge at Portsmouth

u ,

Ne w Hampshi r e the n ex t yea r afte r his successful i n t e p o

,
r

sitio u t o save M r n d M rs En gl ish from t he execu t io n er s

. a .
’

ha n d s .

S ch is the tr aditio n lo n g preserved i n the En glish family

u . .

Philip En gli s h s gran ddaughte r became Su s a nn a Hathor n e

’

w hich wa s the o rigi n al way o f spelli n g the n ame s ubseque n tly

born e by the n oveli s t Natha n iel Ha w thorn e had thu s o n o n e
.

side fo r a n a n cesto r the implaca b le persecutor of t h e s e t o w ho m

he was afterwa r d to be r ela t ed by i n termar riage thus fur n i s h ,

i n g the idea he ha s so i n ge n iou s ly wo r ked out i n the House of “

the Seve n Gables .

”

Havi n g give n a n ex t ract from Haw t ho r n e s s t o r y of En dicott ’ “

a n d the Red Cross we may as we ll tell wi t h his help t h e

”
, , ,

story itself .

ENDIC O TT A ND TH E R E D CR OSS .

N 1 6 34 of t he n ewly a rrived ships b r ough t from Eng

o ne

la n d copy of t he commissio n g r a nt ed to the t wo A r ch

a

bi s hops a n d t e n of the Cou n cil to r egulate all plan tatio n s to ,

call i n all pate n ts to make laws rai s e tithe s a n d po rti o n s fo r

, ,

mi n isters to r e m ove a n d pu n ish gove r n ors n d to hea r a n d

, ,
a

det ermi n e all causes n d i n flict all pu n i s hme n t s eve n to the

a ,

deat h pe n alty This ple n ary power the Colo n is t s w ere advi s ed
-
.
, ,

was le v elled a t t hem ; ships a n d soldie r s w ere s aid to be pre ~

pari n g i n En glan d to bri n g ove r a r oyal govern or a n d to give

effect to the much drea d ed commi s sio n A more dis tasteful
-
.

piece of i n tellige n ce tha n this co ld hardly be imagi n ed I t u .

s tr uck t n e a t the r oot of all t heir libertie s n d i t quickly

a
‘

o c ,
a
182 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

s overeig n ty of a n i n depe n de n t s t ate by adopti n g a flag of t he ir

o wn .

With this preamble we ca n take up u n de r s ta n di n gly Haw

‘

t hor n e s t ale a n d from this poi n t it is he who speaks !

’
,

u h w as the a spect of t h e time s wh e t h e folds of a n E gli sh

S c n n

ba er w it h t h e
nn ,
d cro ss i n it s fi eld w ere fl reg o u t over a com , u n

pany of P urita s T h eir leader t h e fa o us E dicott w as a n

n .
, m n , m a

of s ter d r s ol u te co u te a e t h e f
n an e fe t of wh ic h w as h eig h t n n nc ,
e c

e e d by a grizzly h d t h at sw ept t h e upper portion of h i s breas t

n ear

plate .

‘Fello w s oldier s fello w exi le s bega

-
En dicott s peaki g u d er -
’
n n n
, , ,

s t g ex iteme t yet po w erf lly restrai n i g it wh erefore d id ye

ro n c n ,
‘
u n ,

leave yo u r ative o u try W h refore I say h ave w e left t h e gree n

n c n e , ,

an d fertile fi eld s t h e cottage s or per h a ce t h e old gray h all s w here

, , , c n ,

w e w ere bor d bre d t h e hu rc h yard s wh ere our forefather s lie

n an , c

bu ried ? Wh erefore h ave w e come h ith er to s et u p o u r wn tom b o

s to e s i n a w ilder ess ? A h o wli g wild er e ss it i s T h e w olf a d

n n n n . n

t h e bear meet us w ith i n h alloo of o u r dw elli gs Th e s avage lieth i n n .

w ait for us i n th e d i s mal sh ado w of t h e w ood s T h e s t ubb orn root s .

of th e tree s break o u r plo ughsh ares wh en w e w o uld till the earth .

O u rch ildre cry for bread d w e m st d ig i n t h e s a d s of the s ea

n ,
an u n

sh ore to s ati sfy t h em Wh erefore I s ay agai h ave w e s o ugh t thi s

.
, n,

c o u try of a r u gged s oil

n d w i try sk y Was it n o t for t h e enj oy
an n

me t of o u r civil right s ? Wa s it t for liberty to w orsh ip Go d

n no

a cord i g to o u r co s ie ce ?
c n n c n
‘Look ye to it bre hre
“
re sume d E dicott w it h i n creasi n g ’
t n, n

en ergy if th i s k i ng a n d thi s ar h prelate h ave t h eir w ill w sh all

‘
, c , e

briefl y b e h old a ro ss t h e spire of th i s tab ern a le wh ic h w e h ave

c on c ,

bu ild ed d a h igh altar w it h i it s w all s w ith wax taper s b u r i g

,
an n , n n

ro u d it at oo d ay
n W h sh all e s lave us h ere ? What h ave
n n . o n

w e to d w it h t h i s mitred prelate w ith thi s cro w ed ki ng Wh at

o n

h ave w e to d w it h E gla d ? o n n

Havi n g co n cluded thi s fiery haran gue t o his soldie rs ,

di ott gazed ro u d at t h e excited co u te a ce s of t h e people

En c n n n n ,

new fu ll of h i s w s pirit d t h e t u r e d su d de ly to the s ta d rd

o n , an n n n n a

bearer wh o stoo d lo s e be h i d h im
, c n .

Offi cer lo w er yo u r b a er ! s aid h e

, nn .
 A
C SSA NDRA SOU THW C I K . 183

The fli obeyed o ce r d bra di sh i g h i s sw ord E dicott thr us t

an n n ,
n

it t h ro gh t h e loth d with h i left h a d re t t h e red cro ss com

u c ,
an s n n

p l t
e l y
e o u t of the ba er H the w aved t h e tattered
nn e s ig a b ove
. e n n n

h i s h ead .

Sacrilegio us w etc h ried t h e H igh C hu rchman i t h e pillory

r c n ,

u able lo ger to re strai h im s elf t h o u h as t rej ected t h e symbol Of

n n n ,

o u r h oly religio n

Trea s o treas o ! roare d t h e royalis t i t h e stocks

n, n H hat h n . e

defaced t h e Ki g s ba er n
’
nn

Before G d d I w ill avo u c h t h e deed a sw ered E di

o an m an ,
’
n n

cott Beat a fl o u ri sh dr u mmer ! h o ut s oldier s d people ! in

.
,
S ,
an

h o or of t h e e s ig of N w E gla d Neit h er Pope

n n n Tyra t h at h
e n n . n or n

part i it w n no

Wit h a cry of tri ump h t h e people gave t h eir sa ctio to of ,

n n one

t h e bol d es t e xploit s wh i h o u r h i s tory record s A n d forever h o ored

c . n

b t h e ame of E di ott ! We look back t h ro ug h the mi s t of age s

e n n c ,

an d recog ize i t h e re di g of t h e red cro ss fro

n ,
n N w E gla d s
n n m e n n
’

ba er t h e fi rst ome of t h at delivera e wh ich o u r fathers

nn ,
n nc co n s u m

mated after t h e bo e s of t h e stern P urita had lai more than a

,
n n n

ce t u ry i n t h d ust
n e .
”

t he Ki n g s M i s s ive Whit t ie r commemo r at es b ri efly t he

In
’

s a me i n cide n t of his t ory .

C A SSA N DRA SO U THWIC K .

NOTH ER Salem
lege n d recalls t he dark day of Quake r
persecu t io n vividly befo r e us I t is a n othe r s t o r y of .

the c r uel t ie s perpetr at ed upo n t his sec t whose i n n ovat io n s u po n ,

t he fo r ms of r eligious worship est ablished i n t he Puri t an Co lqn y

a n d made part of i t s fu n dame n tal law were r egarded nd
p n
u ,
a

i s h d as heresies th r eate i n g t he s tability of i ts i n sti t u t io n s

e n ,

wit h what i n credible rigor t he r ecord s how S .

The Quaker poet h s take n t his sad chapter for the t heme of a

h i s poe m e n t itled Cassa n d ra Sout hw i ck a n d as t he legi ti mat e ,

”
1 84 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

ave n ger of t he cruel w o n gs i n fl ic t ed s o lo n g ago upo n t he suf

r

f i g Fr ie n d s he n w applie s the la sh u s p ari n gl y to t he mem

er n ,
o n

ory of those w ho acted pro m i n e n t part s i n comme n ci n g the s e

barbarities This may be called poetic j u s tice i n it s most li t e ral
.

se s e
n .

We w ill n o t k w hethe r i n obeyi n g t he impulse to r igh t o n

as ,
e

w r o n g the poet i n prese n ti n g t h is case has do n e fu ll justice to

,

CONDEM NED TO B E SOLD .

t he spirit of hi st ory His i s a righ t eous i n dig n at io n to w hic h

.
,

every s ympathetic heart quickly re s po n d s Nevertheless i t .

s h ould be s aid i n passi n g t hat the s i n s of t h e rule rs were

, ,

t ho s e of a majority of the people w ho by fir s t maki n g the la w s

, ,

agai n s t the Quakers a n d the n co n s e n ti n g to the i r e n forceme n t

, ,

u po n the maxim that a house divi d ed agai n s t it s elf ca n n ot s ta n d

,

are the really guilty obj ect s of thi s po s thumou s arraig n me n t .

En dicott Norto n Rawso n a n d the other s were bu t t he age n t s

, , , .
 186 N W ENGLA ND LEG ENDS
E -
.

t h e s ati sfactio of t h e fi es t h e Co u rt n per usal of t h law title n , ,

on e ,
‘
A rre s t s re s olve t h at t h e trea su rer s of t h e s everal o u tie s are
’

, , d c n ,
an

sh all h ereby be empow ered to s ell t h e said pers o s to y of t h e

,
n an

E gli sh atio at V irgi ia or Barbad oe s

”
n n n n .

Joseph Besse , in h i s accou n t oft h e affa ir goes , on t o st at e

that ,

Pu rsu a t to thi s order Ed w ard Butter n of the treasu ers to

n , , o e r ,

get s omet h i g of t h e booty s o ug h t out for passage to s e d t h em to

n ,
n

Barbad oes for s ale ; b t o e w ere w illi g to tak e or arry t h e u n n n c m .

A d a ert ai ma s ter fa s hip to p u t t h e t h i g f

n c n f prete de d t h at o ,
n o . n

t h ey w o uld s poil all t h e ship s ompa y ; to wh i h B utter replied ’

c n c ,

N yo u eed
o, t fear t h at ; for t h ey are poor harmle ss reat u re s
n no ,
c ,

d w ill t hu rt a ybody
’
an no n .

Wil l t h ey n t s o replied t h e sh ipm s ter d w i ll yo u o f

o fer a an

t mak e s lave s of su ch harmle ss creat u re s ?

’
o

Th u s B tter otw it hsta di g h i s w i ked i te tio whe h e co u ld

u , n n n c n n n, n

get pport u ity to s e d t h em away th e win ter bei g at ha d s e t

no O n n ,
n n ,
n

th e h ome agai to sh ift for th emselves

m n .
”

Thi s is t he accou n t t hat i followed by Whit t ie r i n Cassan s

dra Sou t hw i ck The pare n t w ere as we have said ban i s hed

.
”
s
, , .

Josiah who had bee n whipped from t own to tow n at the ca rt s

,
’

tail fi ed impri s o n ed a n d fi n a lly ban ished we n t ove r to Eng

,
n , , ,

la n d there to give t estimo y agai st h is oppre s so r s But while

,
n n .

n either the Quaker maide n n o r he r bro t he r wa s ac t ually sold

i to bo n dage i t w a s o n ly a fw mo n ths later that t he form er

n ,
e

was scourged u po n the bare back a n d agai n committed t o priso n .

In the poet s ha n ds t hese i n cide n t s are wove n i n t o a n arra

’

t ive of deepe s t pathos a n d fervor ; a n d though the colo ri g is n

heighte n ed it will be observed that the i n cide ts themselves a r e

, n

n early all true the poe t h avi n g a r ra n ged them to sui t hi s o wn

,

fan cy The gi rl lies o n her pallet a w aiti n g t he fulfilmen t of the

.

s e nte nce Sh e is to u n dergo o n t he morro w Sh stan ds i n the . e

market place i n t h pre s en ce of a gapi n g crowd Sh e tu rn s with

-
e .

wit heri n g scorn po n the m i n i s ter who is w hi s peri n g co n sel

u u

o r support i n to E dicott s ear Her i n oce n ce her beauty n d n

’
. n , , a

h e r su fferi n g s plead fo r he r i n the heart s of t hose wh o h ave

 CA SSA NDRA SOU THW IC K . 187

come t o deride perhap s to i n sult he r On e bur st of ho n est

, ,
.

w rath qu i ckly turn s the s cale i n her favo r N0 o n e will take .

her a w ay The i n iquito u s proceedi n gs are stopped n d the

.
,
a

Q ake r maide n walks away from the spot fr ee as if by the

u
,

i n t e rve n ti o n of a miracle .

Slo w broke t h e gray cold mor i g agai the su shi e fell n n n n n ,

Flecked w it h t h e sh ade of bar d grate w ith i my lo ely ell an n n c

T h e h ar fro t melted t h e w all d u pw ard from t h e s treet

e - s on ,
an

Came careless la ug h d idle w ord d tread of pass i g feet

an ,
an n .

At le gt h t h e h eavy bolt s fel l back my door w as ope cast

n , n ,

A d s lo w ly at t h e h eriff s s ide u p t h lo g s treet I pa ss ed

’
n S ,
e n

I h eard t h e m u rm ur ro u d me d felt b ut dared t see n ,

an ,
no ,
’

H w from every door

o ,
d w i do w the people gazed o me
an n , n .

And t h ere w ere a cie t citize s cloak wrapped d grave d cold

n n n ,
-
an an ,

A d gri
n d s to u t s ea captai s w it h face s b ro zed
m an -
d old n n an ,

A d n hi s hors e w ith Raws o hi s cr u el clerk at ha d

on ,
n, ,
n ,

S t dark
a d haughty En dicott t h e ruler of t h e la d
an ,
n .

T h e to the stout sea captai s the sheriff tur i g s aid

n -
n ,
n n , ,

Which of ye w ort hy s eame w ill take thi s Qu ak er maid

,
n,

I t h e I sl e of f
air Barbadoes or Virgi ia s sh ore ’
n , on n ,

Yo u may h old her at a h igh er price t h a I dia girl or Moor n n n .

A w eight s eeme d lifted from my h eart — pityin g frie n d w as n igh ,

a ,

I felt i t i h i s h ard ro gh h a d d s aw it i h i s eye

n ,
u n ,
an n

A d wh e n agai t h e sh eriff s poke t h at voi e s o k i d to me

n n ,
c ,
n ,

G ro w le d ba k it s s tormy a s wer li k e t h e roari g of t h e s ea

c n n ,

Pile my sh ip w ith bars of s ilver —pack w ith coi s of Spa i sh gold , n n ,

From keel piece p to deck pla k th e roomage fh er h ol d

-
u -
n ,
o ,

By the livi g G d wh o made me

n I w o uld s oo er i yo u r bay
o n n

Si k sh ip
n d cre w d cargo t h an bear t h i s c h ild a w ay
an an ,

I look ed h augh ty E di ott w ith w eapon h alf w ay draw

on n c -
n,

Sw ept ro u d the t h ro g h i lio glare of bitter h ate

n n d s corn s n an

Fier ely h e drew hi s bridle rei

c d t u r ed in s ile ce back -
n, a n n n ,

A n d s ee i g prie s t
n
-
r n d b fli d clerk rode m rm ri g i h i s track
an a e u u n n .
188 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

TH E WITCHCRAF T TRAGE DY .

place whe r e a great crime has bee n commi tt ed has

HE
al w ays somet h i n g stra n gely fasci n ati n g about it A ccurs ed .

t houg h it may be r epulsive a s it s ass ociatio n s ge n erally are ye t

, ,

m ost people w ill go a gr ea t er dis t a n ce t o see the locality of a

m u r de r tha n they would take t he tr ouble t o do fo r a n othe r

y
pu r pose what soever The house w here a great m a n has bee n
.

born is ofte n quite u n k n ow n n d u n vi s ited eve n i n its o wn a

n eighborhood ; the house tha t is associated wi t h a murde r or a

homicide n ever is .

Charles Lamb hi t s t h e n ail fairly o n the head — a n d he

is speaki n g n o t of Ne w but of Old En glan d — whe n he says
, ,

t hat ,

We are too h asty whe w e set down our a cestors i t h e gross for
n n n

fool s for th e mo stro us i co s i ste cie s (as t h ey s eem to ) i volved

n n n n u s n

i t h eir cree d of w it h craft

n I t h e relatio s of t h i s vi s i b le w orl d w e
c . n n

fi d t h em to have b ee a s ratio al
n d sh re w d to detect
n n h i storic
an an

a omaly as o u r selves B ut wh e o ce t h e i vi s ibl e w orld w as su p

n . n n n

po s ed to b ope ed d t h e lawless age y of bad s pirit s assu med

e n ,
an nc
’

wh at measu re s of probability of d ece cy of fi t ess or proportio

,
n ,
n n,

of t h at wh ic h di sti g u i sh es t h e lik ely fro t h e palpable absu rd

n m ,

co ul d t h ey h ave to g u ide th em i t h e rej ectio or ad mi ssio of y

n n n an

particu lar tes timo y T h at maide s pi ed aw ay w asti g i wardly

n n n ,
n n

as t h eir waxe images co su med b efore a fi re t h at cor w as lo d ged

n n n

an d cattle lamed ; t h at wh irl w i d s u ptore i diabolic revel y t h e

n n r

oak s of t h e forest ; or th at pit s d k ettle s l d a ced a fearful

S an on v n

i oce t vagary abo u t s ome r ustic s kit h e wh e

nn n w i d w as stir
’
c n n no n

ri g — w ere all equally probable w here n l w of age cy wa s u der

n , o a n n

stood .

This i s t h e j u d gmen t o f a kee nly an alyt ical a n d t hou g h t ful

mi n d ex pr essed wi t h t he large heart ed human sympat hy with
,
-
1 90 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

as is in st a n ced in the n egotiat io n be tw een Olive r Cromwell a n d

the Devil before the Bat tle of Worce st e r the r e w as a good deal ,

of haggli n g The bargai n bein g co n cluded Sata n delivered to

.
,

his n e w r ecrui t a n imp or familiar spi r it which sometime s had ,

t he form of a cat at othe rs of a mole of a bird of a miller fl y or

, , ,
-
,

of some othe r i n sect or a n imal The s e w ere to come at call do .

,

such mischief a s they should be comman ded a n d a t stated times ,

be pe r mitted to s uck t h e W i zard s b lood Feedi n g suckli n g o r r e ’

.
, ,

wardi n g the s e imps was by the law of En glan d declared F B LONY .

Witche s accordi n g t o popul ar belief had t h e power t o ride a t

, ,

w ill t hrough t he ai r o n a b roomstick or a spit to atte n d dist an t ,

meeti n gs o r sabbat hs of w it ches bu t fo r t his purpose they must

fi rs t have a n oi n t ed t hemselves with a ce rt ai n m agical oi n tme n t
given to them by t he F ie n d Th i s i s n ei the r more n r less t ha n . o

w hat our forefathers believed wh a t wa s solem n ly i n corpora t ed ,

i n to the la w s of t he lan d n d what was as solem n ly preached ,

a

from the p u lpit A perusal of t h w itchc raft exami n atio n s shows

. e

u s ho w familiar eve n Ch il d re n of a te n der age were with all t h e

forms of thi s mo s t formidable a n d fat al but ye t n t u n cco u n t ,
o a

able su per s titio n

, .

In t h cour s e of those remarkable trials at Salem s everal of

e ,

the accused per s o n s i n order to s ave their live s co n fe s sed to hav

, ,

i g sign ed their n ames i n t h e Devil s book to h avi n g bee n bap

’
n ,

t i e d by him a n d t o havi n g atte n ded

z ,
id n ight meeti ngs of m

w itche s o sacr ame n t s held upo n t h e gr ee n n ear the mi n iste r s

,
r
’

house to which they came ridi n g through the air They d

, . a

m i t t d tha t he h a d sometimes appeared to them i n t h e form of

e

a black d o g or cat s ometime s i that of a hors e n d o n ce a s

,
n ,
a
“
a fi n e g rave m n b u t ge n erally as a black m n of s evere
a ,
"
a

aspec t These fables ho w the prevale n t form of t he belief

. S

amo n g t h people It was ge n erally held to be impossible for

e .

a witch t o say t h e Lo r d s P rayer correctly a n d it is a matte r of

’

r eco r d that o n e woman w hile u n der exami n a t io n was pu t t o

, ,

thi s test whe n it w as n oticed that i n o n e place s h e s ubstituted

,

some words of h w for t h o s e o f the prayer

er o Such a failu r e
n .

of memory was co n sidered eve n by some learn ed j dges as a ,

u ,
 I
THE W TCHCRAF T TRAG ED Y . 1 91

decisive p r oof of guil t Eve n t he t ri al of t h r owi n g a w i t ch i n t o

.

the wat er to see w he t her she would si n k or s wim w as o n ce

.

, ,

made i n Co n n ect icut .

The sce e of the w itchcraft outbreak of 1 6 9 2 is n elevat ed

n a

k n oll of n gr eat exte n t ri si n g amo n g the shaggy hills a n d

o ,

s po n gy meado ws tha t lie a t some di s tan ce back fr om t he more

t hickly se t tled par t o f t he t ow n of D an ve r s Massach uset t s , ,

fo r merly Sale m V illage I t i s i n deed a quie t li t tle n eigh bo r

.

hood to have made so much n oi s e i n t he wo rld Somehow e n .

,

A
TH E P RSON G E, A S AL EM VILLAGE .

t e r p r isavoids it leavi n g it as w e see i t t o day cold a n d lifeless

e , ,
-
, .

The first appeara n ce of every t hi n g i s so peaceful so divested of ,

all hurry or excitemen t as to s u g gest a n he r editary calm — a

, ,

pa s tor a l co n t i n ued from ge n eratio n t o gen erat io n The n a s t h e .

,

purpose wh i ch h a s brought him hi t he r comes i n t o his mi n d ,

the v isi t or looks about him i n doub t whet he r t his ca n really

be t he locality of tha t fearful t ragedy .

Yes here are the ide t ical houses t h at w ere st a n d i n g w he n t hose

,
n

u n heard feve ts t ook place still solem n ly commemorati n g the m

-
o n , ,

a s if d m e d to s t a n d ete r n ally
e e This village st r ee t is the same
.
1 92 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

old high w ay through whic h the dreadfu l i fectio n Spread from n

house to hou s e u n to the remote cor n ers o fthe a n cie nt shire u n til , ,

as w e read i n the biti n g wo r ds of a co n te m porary w riter there

, ,

were fo rty n of An dover w ho could r aise the devil as w ell as

m e

a n
y astrologer Here too a
. n w n d beautiful church l iterally
, , e a ,

r ise n fr o m the a s hes of a fo r m er structu r e g i ves n o ou tw ar d hi nt ,

i n memo r ial bro n ze or ma r ble that it is the legitimate succe ss o r ,

of the old meeti ng house i n w hich t h e s am a z i ng sce n es the

-
, e ,

witc h craft exami n atio n s t ook place Just beyo n d is the spot of ,
.

grou n d w here t he Pa r so n a ge w it h the lea n to chamber s tood ,

-
,
.

The su n ke n outli n es of t he cellar w e r e still to b e see n n o t ma n y ,

yea rs ago a n d eve n some r elic s of the hou s e it s elf are s aid to
,

r emai n i n the out b u ildi n gs of the Wads w orth ma n sio w hich n,

overlook s the Wi t ch G rou n d a n d which w as built i n the

“
,
”

same year that the old Parso n age w a s pulled do w n It w as i n .

this Mi n i s try House as it w a s the n called that the circle of

,
”
,

you n g gi rl s met w ho s e de n u n ciatio s equivale n t to the death

,
n ,

wa rra n t of the accu s ed per s o n s oo n overspread the la n d w ith ,

d esola ti o n a n d woe n d it w a s i the orchard he r e that the

a n

alleged mid ight co n vocatio n s of w itches met to cele b rate their

n

u nholy s acrame n t s n d to ren e w thei r solem n league n d cove

,
a a

n a n t w ith Sata i draught s of blood by partaki n g of the

n, n ,

Devil s bread n d by i n s cribi n g their n ame s i hi s fat al book

’
,
a n .

G oaded by crave n fe r of dea t h s ome of the accused eve n co n

a ,

fes s ed to bei n g prese n t at t hese Devil s Sabbaths ’

.

I t m akes o n e sick at heart t o t hi n k of a child o n ly eleve n

year s old such as Abigail Williams w as taki n g away the
, ,

live s of m n n d wome n who h d al w ays born e u n blemished

e a a

reput atio n s a m o n g t heir frie n d s n d n eighbors by i de n tifyi n g a ,

them as havi n g att en ded these meeti g s n d of havi n g h urt n ,

a

t h i s o r that perso n T h ese poo r c eatures could scarcely u n der

. r

stan d t ha t t hey we r e s e riou s ly accused by o n e so you n g o f a

c r i e m ade capi t al by t he la w But t heir d oub t s were soo n
m .

r emoved On ce they were accused ever y ma n s han d w as

"

’
.
,

agai n st them Childre n t est ified agai n st thei r o wn paren ts

.
,

husban ds agai n s t their wives wive s agai n st their husba n ds , ,

 1 94 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Though human i t y may w ell revolt at t h e expl an at io n the t heory ,

of impo s t u re pure n d si mple beg u n n d mai n t ai n ed by these

,
a ,
a

girls of Salem V illage 1 8 t he o n e we t urn from i n di s may a s a

,

thi n g n t i n deed proved or eve n admitted but as a h a u n t i n g

o , ,
'

p r obab ility that will n o t dow n at o u r biddi n g .

G I LES C O R E Y , THE WI Z A RD .

ND OUBT ED LY the most dramatic i n cide n t of this ca rn i

val f deat h was t h e trial n d executio n of G ile s Corey
o a ,

w ho seei n g the fat e of all t hose who had p r eceded him st ub

, ,

b r n ly refus ed to plead n d t o vi n dicate the maj es ty of the l w

e a ,
a

he had thu s de fi ed he w a s co n dem n ed to the at rociou s p i n fo t

,
e e r e

e t d of the Dark Age s The i n credible s e n ten ce wa s ca rr ied

u re .

out to the letter ; a d thi s m i s erable priso n er while yet a liv

n ,

i n g n d breathi g m n w as actually cru s hed t o death u n de r

a n a ,

t he pressu r e of heavy weights Thi s i s the o n ly i s tan ce of . n

such a pu n ishme n t bei ng i n fl i cted i n N w En gla n d altho u gh e ,

G over or Wi n th r op had o n ce threate n ed a woma n wit h it

n .

U n til the appeara n ce of Mr Lo n gfello w s Ne w En gla n d .

’ “

Tragedies there had bee n n s erious attemp t t o make u s e of

,
”
o

thi s s i n i s ter chapter fo r n y othe r purpose than t hat of i m part ial

a

hi s tory Poets n d n ov e li s ts seem alike t o have shu n n ed i t

. a .

The m n t o w hom all eyes would n aturally be turn ed was de

a ,

s ce n ded from o n of t he mo s t implacable of t h e j udges

e t he ,
-

o ne i n fac t who had delivered the horrible se n t e n ce of t he court

, ,

i n t h e ca s e of G iles Corey I n the dramatic versio n t he poe t

.

makes him s ay
G h ost s of t h e dead d voi e s of t h e livi g an c n

Bear w it ess to yo u r g uilt d yo u m ust die

n ,
an

It migh t h ave bee eas ier deat h yo u r d oo

n an m

Will be yo u r w h ead d t o u r s
on o n ,
an no on .

T w ice more w ill yo u be qu e stio ed of t h es e th i gs n n ,

T w ice more have room to plead or to co nfess .

 I
G LES CORE Y ,
THE W Z A RD I . 195

If yo u are o t u macio us to t h e Co u rt
c n
,

A d if wh e q u e s tio ed you refus e to a sw er

n n n n ,

T h e by t h e s tat u te yo u w ill b co dem ed

n e n n

To t h p i f t t d
e e ne to h ave yo u r body
or e e a re

Pre ss ed b y great w eigh t s u til yo u s hal l be d ead n

A d may t h e Lord h ave mercy

n yo u r soul ! on

Owi n g t o the p riso n e r s i n dom it able attit ude befo r e h i s judges

’

but few i n cide n t s of thi s ext raord i n ary trial o r mockery of o n e , ,

r emai n The heroic figure of this old m a n of eighty co n fro n t

.

i n g j udges a n d accuse r s i n stoical sile n ce is ho w ever u n ique in , ,

i t s gran deu r Fr om this mome n t he become s t hei r pee r Eve n

. .

the poe t s a rt could a d d n o t hi n g t o t he simple recital of t he elo

’

que n t fact Bu t such a n ac t of sublime heroism i s also deeply

.

pathetic Neith e r t he a n at hema of the Church the doom pro

.
,

n o u n ce d upo n the wife of his bosom t he solem n wa r n i n gs o f ,

his j udges thrice r epea t ed n o r the p r ospect of a n ign omi n ious

, ,

deat h could u n seal t he l i ps of old Gile s Co r ey obscu r e husba n d ,

m a n t hough he wa s Thi s amaz i n g fo r ti t ude w ru n g from his

.

e n e m ies t h e title of th e M a n of I ro n H i s was o n e of t he last .

of the m u r d e rS com m i tt ed i n the n ame of the la w a n d w i t h him ,

was thus cru s hed out the delusio n of which he u n questio n abl y
was t he mo st r emarkable vic t im .

The a n o n ymous ballad w r i tt en i n t he old man n er a n d i n a n

, ,

iro n ical vei n perpet ua t es t he c r uel hist o r y as co n c i sely a n d a s

,

tru t hfu lly as t he p r ose accou n ts do

G ile s
Corey was a Wizzard s tro g n ,

A s tubbor w retc h w a s h
n e

A d fi t t w he to h a g n h igh
n as n o

U po t h e Locust tree
n -
.

Sow hen before t h e m agi strate s

For t ia ll h e d i d come
r ,

He w o uld n o tr u e con fe ssio n make ,

But w as c ple a t li e du mbe

om .
1 96 NEW -
ENGLAND LEG ENDS .

le s Corey s ai d t h e Magi strate

Gi , ,

W h at h ast th o u h ea e to pl d
“
r ea e

T t h e s e t h at
o w acc use t h y s o u le
no

Ofcrime s d h orri d deed

an

G iles Corey h e said t a w orde

,
no ,

N s i gle w orde s po k e h e
0 n .

Gile s Corey s ait h t h e M agi s trate

”
, ,

W 1 1 pre ss it o u t of t h
”
e e e

T h ey got t h e t h e a h eavy beam

m n ,

T h ey lai d it h i b reas t on s

They loaded it w it h h e vy s to e s a n
,

A d h ard u po n h i
n prest m .

More w eight n w said t h i s wretc h e d o m an

More w igh t agai he ried

e n c

A d h e d id
n co f ss io make no n e n ,

But w ickedly h e dyed .

The traditio n was lo n g cu rre n t i n Sale m t hat at sta t ed peri ods

the ghos t of Co rey the w i zard appeared o n the spot w here he
had suffered as the precu rso r of some calam i ty that was i mpe n d
,

i n g ove r the commu n ity which t he appa r itio n came t o an n ou n ce

, .

His shade ho w eve r ha s lo n g si n ce ceased to r evisit t he glimpses

, ,

of the moo n a n d to do duty as a bugbea r t o fr ighten u n ruly

,
”

childre n i n to obedie n ce ; but the m emory of t his da rkest deed

i n Ne w En gla n d s a n n als i s a pha n t om t ha t w ill n o t be la i d
’
.

TH E B ELL T A V E R N MY S T E RY .

HE Bell Tavern was a house for the en t ert ai n men t of m n a

an d beast s ituated i n the t ow n of Da n ver s fro n ti n g t h e ,

high road ru n n i ng th r ough t h village n d thu s co n n ecti g

e ,
a n

i t s moveme n t a n d i t s eve n t s wit h the r es t of t he world So .

1 98 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

the words G ood people pray fo r her s he died fo r love Bu t

, , ,
.
”
,

a s I have said the s to n e had bee n carrie d ffn early e n tire The
,
o .

followi n g letter fou n d after h d eath a m o n g her effec t s i s

,
e r , ,

however a t o n ce the history n d the epitaph of t his mo s t bril

,
a

lia n t n d gifted ye t mo s t u nfo r tu n ate of bei n gs A fter readi n g

a , ,
.

it le t him w ho is w i thou t Sin c a s t the firs t s t o n e upo n her

,

memory
Mus t I d i alo e ? Sh al l I ever s ee you more ? I k o w t h at
e n n n

yo u w ill come b u t yo u w ill come too late Thi s i s I fear my last

,
.
, ,

ability Tear s fall s o I k ow t h w to w rite Wh y d id yo u leave

.
,
n no o .

me i s o m u h di stre ss ? B t I w ill t reproac h yo u A ll th at w as

n c u no .

d ear I left for yo u b u t I do t regret it May G d forgive i bot h no . o n

wh at was ami ss Wh e I go from h e ce I w il l leave yo u s ome way

. n n ,

to fi d me if I die w ill yo u come d d rop a tear over my grave

n ,
an

In the mo n th of Ju n e 1 7 8 8 a chai s e i n which w ere tw o

pers o s a n n d a w
, ,

n ,
m a oma s topped at the door of the Bell
a n,

Taver n The w oma n alighted n d e te r ed the house Her

. a n .

compa n io n immediately drove o ff n d w as n ever gai n see n i n ,

a a

the village It may be ea s ily g u e ss ed that the very last place

.

for secl sio n or my s tery w as a N w En gla n d village of a h u n

u e

dred year s ago si ce the e n t i re populatio n rega r ded even t he

,
n

p r e s e n ce amo n g them of a u n k n o w n per s o n with suspicio n ; n

w hile a n y attemp t at m y t ifi t i n wa s i n effect a spur t o the s ca o

curiosity of every idle go s sip far n d n ear In self pro t ectio n ,

a . -

t he laws of h o s pi t li t v as to the st ra nger we r e reve rsed To thi s

a .

spirit of exclu s ive n e s s w e doubtless o w e the n atio n al t rait of i n

qu i
s i t i v e ne s so ofte n ascribed t o us Such , ho w ever w as the
s .
,

spirit of the la w s u n der which these commu n itie s had gro w n up .

It is t rue that the s t ra n ger wa s n o t required to how his pas s S

por t but as he valued hi s wn ease o n n accou n t mu s t he o , o

betray a n y re t icen ce co n cer i n g h im s elf or his affairs A t the n .

e n tra n ce of each village a s n e mi gh t say n i n vi sible but ,

o ,
a

wa t chful s e n ti n el cried out ! Who comes there ? Should t he “ ”

s t ra n ger happen t o have h i s sec r e t t o g uard so much t h e w o rs e ,

fo r him .
 TH E B ELL TA V ERN M Y STERY . 1 99

The u n k n o wn gues t of t he Bell — about whom eve ry t hi n g

he r beauty grace of ma n n e r n d address a n n oun ced he r t o
,
a ,

be a pe rso n accust omed to the socie t y of people above t he

o r di n a ry co n d it io n of life — desired mos t of a ll t o be u n n o
t iced a n d u n molest ed Sh e desired this fo r peculia r r easo n s
. .

Each day he r life s t ead i ly da rke n ed ; every hou r was bri n g

i n g her n ea re r a n d n eare r to t he c r i si s of he r des t i n y ; every
momen t was a n hou r of t e rror a n d r e m o r se I t was n ece s sary
.
,

howe v e r t o give some acco n t of herself o r else su s picio n a n d

,
u ,

calum n y would soo n be busy with he r r eputatio n Sh e the r e .

TH E B ELL, FROM AN OLD PR INT .

fo r e r ep r ese n t ed th at she w as married a n d t hat he r husban d

,

wo u ld soo n jo i n he r To help her story — for she poor s oul

.
, ,

fan c i ed t ha t t he t hi n st rat agem would m ake all seem righ t s h e

laid a le tt er w r it te n a n d addre s sed by herself upo n h e r t able
, , ,

where he r i n quisi t ive n eigh bors would be cert ai n t o see a n d

t o r ead t he s upersc r ip ti o n Her days we r e passed a t the wi n do w
.

wat chi n g fo r some o n e who did n o t come On e eas i ly imagi n es

.

what her n i gh t s must have bee n On ce a m n wh o w e n t

. a

t h r ough t h e v il lage wa s observed to s t op before t he tavern a n d

a tt e n ti vely r ead t he n ame t hat t he beau ti ful s t ra n ge lady had
”
200 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

w r itt e n o n he r doo r as a mea n s of recog n i t io n Bu t whe n h . e

pas s ed o n without e n t eri n g the house she wa s hea r d t o exclaim , ,

Oh I am u n do n e
,

It wil l be s upposed t hat t he myst erious ecluse of t he Bell r

Tavern s oo n became t he obj ect of i n ten se cu ri o s ity t o t he people

of the vi llage They saw he r sitti n g a t h e w i n do w sometimes
. r ,

whili n g a w ay the heavy hours with her guita r o r else bu s ily ,

plyi n g her n eedle i n a mou rn ful muse “

Whe n she we n t out .
”
,

old n d you g attrac t ed by her graceful fo rm a n d p resen ce

a n , ,

t urn ed to look afte r her as Sh e walked But as t h e mo n ths .

wore o n t he s ecret mo t ive fo r he r seclusio n could n o lo n ger be

,

co n cealed Yet the o n e whose comi n g wa s t he s i ngle hope left

.

to he r despairi n g soul aban do n ed he r t o bea r all t he odium of

he r situatio n alo n e In thi s hour of bi tt erest trial — f t w o
. o

fold desert io n a n d dan ger — she fou n d however o n e s ympa , ,

t h i i ng a n d woma n ly h ea rt courageou s e n ough t o take t h e

z

frie n dle s s fo rlorn Eli zabe t h i n t o her wn home a n d to n urse

,
o

her te n derly T h ere t his wr etched mo t her gave b irth to a dead

.

i n fan t a n d t he re after a short ill n ess she died The lette r w ith
, , ,
.

w hich th i s sad story i s prefaced w as doubtless pe n n ed upo n h r e

death bed ; yet i n this hour of ago n y she with r are fi delity pre
-
, ,

se r ved t he i n cog n i t o o fher heartle s s love r t o t he las t a n d wha t

i s r arer s t ill gra n ted him fro her soul a full a n d free pardo n
, ,
m ,

fo r t he sacrifice of h r ho n or n d life Bu t this pa rdo n should

e a .

have been his perpetual remorse These are the closi n g li n es of .

some ve rses the poor girl desti n ed for his eye It w ill be see n .

t hat her last words were t hose of fo rgive n e s s n d u n dyi n g love a

O t h ou ! for wh o s e dear sake I h e ar

A d oom s o d readfu l s o s evere , ,

May h appy fate s th y foot step s gu ide ,

A d o er t h y peacefu l h ome pre s i d e

’
n .

N l tE or a s early tomb
e
’

I fect t h ee w it h its balefu l gloom

n .

An u n k o w ha d erecte d a st o n e over he r grave with t his

n n n

i n scripti o n
202 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

ho w led the ligh t n i n g s fla s hed n d the thu n der pealed as i ft h e

, ,
a

Last Day w ere i n deed at ha n d, ,

Believi ng that their priso n er
.

had s ummo n ed a ll the Po wer s o f Dark n es s to hi s aid the terri ,

fi d of
e ficers n o w gave t hemselve s up for lo s t Pre s e n tly a bli n d .

i ng fla s h i n sta n tly follo w ed by a deafe n i g cra s h tha t s eemed

,
n ,

s plitti g earth n d s ky asu n der brough t hor s e s a n d r ider s to a

n a ,

sta n d s till A mome n t of ile n ce succeeded The te rrified n i

. s . a

m al s trembled i n eve ry limb The n a n e w terro r s ee m ed to s ei z e

.

them n d as if fea r had r eally give n them wi n gs they s p ran g

,
a

for w ard agai n i n to the dark n e s s n d gloom with a s peed that a

threate n ed de s tructio n to both rider s a n d s teeds I n vai n t he .

be w ildered officer s tugged at the bit their fra n tic a n imal s h d a

yielded to the w izard s spell a n d w e re beari n g their helple s s

’
,

m a s ter s o n ward w ith the s peed of the wi n d O n they w e n t as .

,

if la s hed b v i vi s ible ha n d s u n til w ith t h e pa ss i ng of the

n , ,

storm the s pell w as broke n n d a place of safety reached at

, ,
a

la s t Whe n the fli r s d re w rei n they were ove r come w ith

. o ce

a s to n i s hme n t at fi ndi n g their pri s o er s till amo n g them Eve nn .

the it is asserted that the officers w e re s o u n n er ed that

n, v

Burrough s might ea s ily have made his e s cape A t h i trial . s ,

all the i n cide n ts of thi s ad e n ture were bro ght for ward as
v u

s o ma n y proofs of his deali gs with the Evil O n n e .

206 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

to n gues o n t he Ki n g s En glish We r e co n sci ous of a cer tai n i n

’
. a

co n gr uity bet w ee ourselve s a n d thi s democracy which is n o t at

n
,

a ll disa g r eeable to u s n o disparagi n g t o that ,

r .

They have covered a bare a n d u n couth cl ust er of gray ledges

with houses a n d called i t Marblehead These ledges stick out
, .

everywhere ; t h e e i s n o t e n ough soil to cover them dece n tly

r . .

The origi n al gullie s i n tersecti g these ledges w ere turn ed i to n n

thoroughfares w hich mea n der about afte r a most lawle s s a n d

,

i n scrutable fa s hio The p r i n cipal graveya rd is s i t uated o n t h

n . e

t op of a r ocky hi ll wher e the dead mari n ers might lie withi n

,

s ou n d of the sea t hey loved so w ell A n d we lear n that it wa s .

chose n because it was a sigh t ly place Bu t i n ge n eral t he

“
.
”

d ead fare n bet t e r t ha n t h e livi n g t hey bei n g tucked away i n

o ,

odd cor n e r s he r e o n a h il l t op the r e i n a hollo w t he headsto n es

,
-
, ,

s eemi n g a lways a pa rt o f the ledges above which t h ey r ise i n

s tr aggli n g g r oups s tark g ray a n d be n t w it h age

,
i n te n sifyi n g
, , ,

a t ho s a n d fold t h e pervadi n g feeli n g of sad n es s

u -
n d lo n eli n ess a

a ssociated with such places .

On e st r ee t car ries us alo n g wi t h t he prese n t a n other W h i sks

us back i n t o the pa st agai n We dive i n to a la n e n d brin g up .
,
a

i n a bli n d alley without eg r ess Does a n y o n e k n o w the way .

h ere we questio n ? We s ee a crooked c rack s eparati n g ro w s of

,

hou s es a n d t he n r ead o n a sig nboa r d that it i s such or such a

,

street In a n h o u r we look upo n the whole t opography of t he

.

place as a jes t .

Now a n d t he n t he ma n s i o n of some Colo n ial n abob pe rhaps

a colo n el or a magi s trate has secured for it s elf a little breat h
i n g space b u t i n ge eral the houses crowd upo n a n d elbo w each
n

other in mos t admired disorder The w o der is t ha t t hey .

”
n

built here at all t h s ite was so u n promisi n g but t he harbo r w a s

,
e

good t here w room to dry fi s h

,
as d the s ailor s ettlers looked
—
,
an

u po n t h e sea a n d n t t h ,
shore a s bei n g th eir home So tha t
o e ,
.

A l lerto n s rough fello ws who i n 1 6 33 made their rude cabi n s o n

’
,

the har bor s edge w ere n t looki n g fo farm s bu t for co d fi s h

’
,
o r ,
.

A ft e r looki n g over the to w n a while o n e come s to the co n cl u ,

sio n th at the fi s t comer s must have t ossed up coppers — al ways

r -
 M A RB LEH EA D THE TOW N . 207

a favo r ite pasti m e he r e — fo r t he choice of buildi n g lo t s a n d -

,

t h e n have made thei r s electio n r egar dle s s of surveyor s l i n es ’

.

As a co n seque n ce Marblehead is picturesque but be w ilderi n g

, ,
.

I t has a placid little harbor i n den t ed by mi n iat ure cove s lighted

, ,

by a dimi n utive lighthouse a n d d efe n d ed by a di s man tled fort

,

r ess wi t hout a garri s o n Bli n dfold a st ra n ger brin g h i m to

.
,

Marblehead a n d the n r emove the ban dage a n d he w ould cer

, ,

t a i n ly exclaim,
This i s i n the Ork n ey s or the Heb r ide s ! ,

This is w hat a gla n ce r eveal s W e have said that n early

.

eve ry dwelli n g h a s its s t ory It is probable that n o other

.

Spo t of grou n d i n t he Colo n ies was so peculiarly adapted to

the gr ow t h of the marvellou s as t his The m e n a n d the boys .
,

too as soo n as t h ey were able to ha n dle a n e a r follo w ed t he sea

, , ,

while t he women did mos t o f the sho r e work t aki n g car e of ,

a n d curi n g the fish as they do t o day i n Newfou n dla n d So

,
.

t ha t i n the fishi n g s easo n t he place was n early as des t i t u t e of

m e n as the fab u lous isla n d tha t good old Pe t e r Ma rt y r t ells abou t

i n his wo n derful Decades That good a n d t rue m a n the Rev

.
,

e r e n d Joh n Bar n a r d the pa t ria r ch a n d good ge n ius of the place

, ,

t ells us t ha t whe n he first we n t t o Ma rblehead t here was n o such

t hi n g as a proper carpe n t e r o r maso n o r t ailo r o r bu t che r i n
, , ,

t he place ; all w e r e fisherme n An d t his was seve n t y o r e i gh t y

.

yea r s afte r settleme n t began here F or half a ce n t u r y t h ere

.

was n o se t tled mi n ist er ; a n d fo r abou t t he same t erm of years

no schoolma s ter To this day n o o n e k n o w s the an t eceden t s
.

of these fi s herme n or from when ce t hey came Ce rtai n it i s

, .

t h at they were n o part of the Puritan emigratio n arou n d th em

for all accou n ts agree i n styli n g the m a r ude ig n ora n t lawless , , ,

and fl i t se t squ a n deri n g wi t h habitual reckle s sn ess the

.

p r o a e
g ,

gai n s of each ha zardous voyage No t orious pirat es ope n ly walked

.

t he st reet s smuggli n g was car ried o n like a n y legi t imate occupa

t io n In a wo rd a commu n i t y goi n g back t o as early a day
.
,

as a n y h er e h a d grow n u p i n t he same way t hat t he fi s h i n g

statio n s of Ne w fou n d la n d w ere gra dual ly t urn e d i n t o perman e n t
se tt leme n ts h avi n g almost n o la w a n d eve n less religi o n u n til a
, ,

m i ssio n a r y appeared i n t he pe r so n of t he Reve r e n d Joh n Ba r n a r d

.
208 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

The hist ory the n chan ge s In re s pec t to p blic a n d private . u

moral s Marblehead wa s really a little Ne w fou dla d n d it i s

,
n n a

more than probable everythi n g bei g co s idered that it s settle

,
n n ,

me t may be legitimately referred to thi s islan d —t h home of

n ,
e

a s trictly seafari g d s ea subsist i n g people l i v in g half of the

n an -
,

time afloat n d half o n shore ,

a .

A for the wome n w he n we r ead tha t o n a certai n Sabbath day

s ,
-

two ho s tile I n dia n s the n held as pri s o n ers i n the tow n were
, ,

by the w ome n of Marblehead as t hey came t of the meeti n g ,

ou

house tumultuou s ly s et u po n a n d very barbarou sly mu r de r ed

,
”
,

on e easily imagi n es w hat the n were like n d t h e childre nm e , a

too o fwhom it i s s oberly s aid that they w ere as profa n e as t hei r

,

father s Whe n a s tra n ge r appeared i the s treet s they we r e i n

. n

the habit of pelti n g h i m w ith sto n e s All thi s prepar es us .

for the appeara n ce of Joh n a n d Mary Dimo n d a s t h legitimate e

ou t gr o w th of such a place a n d for t h ose Si n gular cu st oms n d, ,

a

t he s till ore s i n gular speech which tw o ce n turies coul d n o t

. m ,

wholly eradicate Marblehead it i s quite clear wa s n ei the r

.
, ,

par t n o r parcel of the Puritan Commo n wealt h in a n y st ric t

se n se of the term It was d is ique . an u n .

Ap p o of this state of society a lthoug h t h ey may pu t t he

ro s ,

r eader s cre d ulity to a hard er te s t th a n i s u s ual let u s give o n e

’
,

or t w o example s of olde n s per s titio n i n order to place h i m u ,

more or les s i n accord with the s pirit of the time s to w hich o ur

poet s n d our n oveli st s ha v e give n so much atte n tio n I t will
a .

r eadily be s ee n that t here is little n eed to have r ecou rse t o the

imagi n atio n truth is i n deed stran ge r than fictio n .

The belief t h at it i s a good ome n t o see t he n w moo n over e

o n e s righ t s houl d e r is still u n iversal Yet this i s merely a elic

’
.
r

of a n cie n t s uper s titio n although fe w perhaps would be w illi n g

, , ,

to admit that it had n y i n fluen ce e i ther direct o r i n direc t upo n

a , ,

their future w elfare But our forefath ers t h ought otherwise

.
.

A mo n g the early c h r o n icles of Ly n n i n e givi n g n accou n t of s o a

a n ho n est old an w ho as it began to be darkish We n t

.
m
”
,
“
,

out to look for the n w moo n w h e n h e espied i t h e w es t e ,

n

a s t ra n ge black cloud i n which presen tly appeared a Complet e

,
21 0 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

Everybody who chos e might atten d a n d whe n at a late ho u r the , , ,

g uest s were r eady to depar t the b r ide n d g r

(
oom bei n g fir s t pu t
,
a

t o bed the en tire compa n y r egardless of the blushes o r sc r eams of

, ,

t he b r ide marched ro u n d the n uptial couch throwi n g old shoes

, , ,

s t ocki n g s n d othe r mi s sile s of e s tablished pote n cy i n such cases

,
a ,

a t t he n e w ly wedded couple by w yof bri n gi n g t hem good luck ,

a .

Stories of pha n tom ships see n at s ea before the loss of a ves

s o ] of the appeara n ce
,
n the w ater of loved o n e s w ho had d ied
o

at home of foot s tep s a n d voice s hear d mysteriou s ly i n the s til l

,

hou r s of the n ight n d comi n g a s war n i n g s from a o ther worl d

a n ,

of Sig s n d ome n s which foretold the approachi n g death of

n a

some member of the family or prophecie s w hi s pered by the ,

w i n d s that tho s e w ho were a w ay n the mighty deep would fi n d

,
o

a w atery grave w ere i n te rw ove n w ith a n d allowed t o have a n

,
”
,

active i n fl ue n ce upo n the lives of these people ,

.

Such a place w ould as a matter of course ha e its pa r t i n t he v

Terror of 1 6 9 2 — the fatal witchcraft delusio n The wi t ch

”
,
.

of Marblehead w a s a n old cro n e by t he n ame of W ilmo t Redd

( or Reed ) but more
,
ge n e r ally k n ow n a n d feared as Mammy “

Redd the w itch

,
This w oman was believed to possess the
.
”

powe r of malig n a n t t ouch n d Sight n d she was able so i t w a s a ,

a ,

w hispered to ca s t a spell over those whom she might i n he r ma

,

le v le n ce wish to i njure
o To some Sh e se n t sick n ess n d death
. a ,

by merely w ishi ng that a bloody clea v er migh t be fou n d i n “ ”

the cradle of their i n fa n t child re n U po n others she ven t ed her .

spite by visi t i n g them with such petty a n n oya n ces as occu r

Wh e brass d pewter h ap to stray
n an ,

A d li en li ks o u t of t h e w ay ;
n n S n

W h e gee s e d p ulle are sed u e d

n an n c ,

A d s o ws of su k i g pigs are c h o used

n c n

W h e cattle feel i d i spo s itio

n n n,

A d ee d t h e opi io of p h y s icia
n n n n n

W h e m u rrai reig s i h ogs or sh eep

n n n n ,

A d h i k e s la gu i sh of t h e pip
n c c n n

W h e yeast d o ut ward mea s d fail

n an n o ,

A d h ave
n pow er t w ork ale no o on

Wh e b utter d oes refuse to ome

n c ,

A d love prove s cr o ss
n d h m or s om e an u .
 THE S HR E I K I NG W OM A N . 21 1

Amo n g othe r di abolical art s ,

Old Mammy Redd ,

OfMarble h ea d ,

Sw eet mil k co u l d t u r n
To moul d i hu r n c n .

Sh e could curdle it as it came fr esh from t he cow s udde r s ’

,

or could p re s e n tly cha n ge i t i n to blue wool wh i ch w e t ake to ,

”

be an o t he r n ame for blue mould Sh e w as tr ied a n d co n victed

.
,

chiefly o n old w i ves gabble a n d expiat ed o n t he gallows the

’

evil fame that she had acquired .

To this fac t of history i n w hich the ac t o r s appear testifyi n g

,

u n de r oath to their wn supersti t ious beliefs We may n o w

o ,

add o n e of those local lege n ds u n doub t edly growi n g out of t he

fr equen t i n tercourse had with t he free r ove r s of t he mai n .

A mo n g these freeboo t ers it was a law t he c r uel policy of which ,

is obvious that eve ry woma n who might become their priso n er

,

sho u l d s u ffer death Th legen d is perhaps n o mo r e t ha n t h e

. e

echo o fo n e of these tragedie s .

TH E S HRI EK I NG W O M AN .

T was said that du r i n g the la tt er par t of the seven t ee n th

ce n t u ry a Span ish Ship lade n wi t h r ich me r chan dise was
,

cap t ured by pirates who b r ough t t heir pri z e i n to the Harbor of

,

Marblehead The c r ew a n d eve r y pe rso n n board the ill fated

. o -

ship had bee n bu t chered i n cold blood at t he t ime of t he cap

ture excep t a beau t iful English lady whom t he r ffi a n s brought
, ,
u

o n Shore n ear w hat is n o w called Oakum Bay a n d t here u n de r , ,

cover of the n igh t mo s t barba rously murder ed h e r The fe w

,
.

fi she r me n who i habited the place were the n abse n t a n d the

n ,

wome n a n d children who emai n ed could do n othi n g t o p reve n t

r ,

t he co nsum m at io n o f t h e fe a r fu l c ri m e The pi e r ci n g sc re am s .
21 2 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

of the victi m were mo s t appalli g d her crie of Lo r d save n ,

an s
“
,

me ! Mercy ! O Lord Jesu s s ave me ! w ere di s ti n ctly heard ,

”

i n the sile n ce of the n ight The body w a s buried n the spot

. o

w here the deed w a s perpetrated a d for over h n dred n d ,

n o ne u a

fi fty year s n each a n iversary of that dreadful tragedy the

,
o n
,

heartre di n g s cream s of the murdered w oma for mercy w ere

n n

repeated i n a voice s o s hrill n d u n earthly a s to freeze the blooda

of tho s e w ho he ard them .

Thi s lege n d i s S firmly rooted i n Marblehead that Poly

O ,

p h em u s him s elf could n o t tear it f o m the s oil Eve n the mo s t r .

i n tellige n t people have admitted their f ll belief i n it a n d n e u o

of the mo s t lear ed juri s t s of hi s time who was n ative here

n , ,

a n d to the ma n er bor n averred that he had heard t h

n ,
ill e s e

ome ed s hriek s agai n n d agai i n the s till hours of the n ight

n a n .

To thi s local epi s ode the follo w i g n arrative of pi racy i n i t s n

palmie s t day s s eem s the appropriate pe n dan t .

TH E S TRANGE A D V EN T U RES O F PHI L IP

AS HT ON .

H ILIP A SHT ON w a s a you g Marblehead fi s herman who n

, ,

w ith other tow n s me n of h i wa s i n the mo n th of Ju n e s , , ,

1 7 22 quietly pur s ui n g h i s legitimate calli n g upo n t he fi h i n g

, s

gr ou n d s lyi n g o ffCape Sable It .

bei g Friday he n d his mat e s n

,
a

hoi st ed sail n d st ood i n for Port a

Rose w ay ea n i n g to harbor there ,

m

u n t il the Sabbath w a s over Whe n .

t heir s hallop arrived late i n the ,

aftern oo n i this harbor the fi h ,

n ,
s

ermen s a w lyi g peaceably amo n g n

t he fl eet of fish i g craft a s tran ge n

Lo w s FLAG
’

brigan ti e which they supposed

.

n ,

t o be n i w d bou n d West I n diama

’

a n ar -
n .
21 4 NEW - ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

a voice as h e dared to s peak it a n s w ered that he was Si n gle ,

a n d s o said the rest of hi s compa io n s n .

To their u s peakable di s may they learn ed t hat this a n s w e r

n

doomed them to t h fate from w hich they were so a n xio us to e

e s cape it bei n g o n of Lo w s whims n o t to fo rce a n y married

,
e
’

m a n i n to hi s service W h ile the greater n umber of the captive

.

fisherme n w ere therefore released A shto n was amo n g those who ,

were detai n ed clo s e priso n ers board the pirate s hip on .

His steady refu s al to joi them subjected y u n g A h t o n t o n o

‘
s

the most brutal treatme n t at the ha n ds of Lo w s miscrea n t s ’

,

w hose co n ti n ued caro us al s i n gled w ith the o s t hideou s blas ,

m m

p h em
y co n verted the pirate s hi
, p i n t o a veritable hell afloa t .

L w fir s t be n t hi s de s tructive co u r s e to w ards Newfou n dla n d

o .

But here hi s fir s t ve n ture n early p r oved to be hi s last for hav

i n g de s cried a large ship lyi n g i n t h Harbor of St Joh n s he
’
e .
,

r esolved to go i n n d take her a n d s o to fu r n i s h himself w ith a

a ,

large r n d a better s hip tha n the n he n o w comma n ded Wit h

a o e .

thi s i n te n tio n after co n ceali n g the greater par t of hi s cre w b e

,

l w t h pira t e stood boldly i n t o w ard s his expec t ed prey mea n

o ,
e ,

i n g t o r u n close alo n g s ide n d t h e n to ca rr y he r by boardi n g,

a ,

before his pu r pose Should be suspected Bu t here his pa t ro n .

fie d se r ved h i a good tur n at n eed F o r as the bucca n ee r

n m .

st ealthily drew i n t o the harbo r he met a fi s h i n g boat comi n g ,

-

out a n d havi n g hailed her learn ed to his dismay that the ship
, ,

he w as goi n g t o t ake w ith his tw o or th r ee sco r e of cut t h roats -

,

wa s a large m a n —o f—w ar capable of blo w i n g him out of t he wa t er

,

w ith a si n gle broadside .

I n st ead therefore of goi n g i n t o t he harbor Lo w made all the

, , ,

h as t e he could to pu t a safe dista n ce be tw e en him n d the a

cruiser lest he Should catch a Tartar w h ere he had looked for

,
n a

easy co n quest He n o w s tretched a w ay farthe r to the ea s tward

.
,

an d e teri g Co n ceptio
n Bay put i n to a s mall port ca lled Car
n n ,

b n o w here he lan ded hi s m n w ho fir s t s acked a n d the n

e ar, e ,

b u r n ed the place to the grou n d He n ex t made for the G ran d .

Ba nk s where after capturi n g d plu n deri n g s eve n or eigh t

, ,
an

ve ss el s he s i led a w ay for St Mich ael s i n the Az o res taki n g

,
a .
’
,
 V
STRA NG E A D ENTU RES OF PH L P A SH TON I I . 21 5

w it h him o n e of hi s prizes Whe n o ff this por t Lo w fell i n.

wi t h a n d made pri z e of a large Po rt uguese pi n k loaded wit h

whea t a n d fi n di n g her to be a good s ailer she was ma n n ed n d , a

t u rn ed i n t o a pi ratical craft flyi n g the skele t o n fl g t ha t Lo w

,
-
a

ca rr ied at his mast head .

To t h Ca n aries to t he Cape de V e rde Islan ds to Bo n av i sta

e , , ,

t he freebooter sailed o n leavi n g t he w reck of burn ed a n d pl n

,
u

dered ships i n h i t rack The n he a n dow n t he coas t of Brazil

s . r ,

hopi n g to meet with riche r prizes t ha n a n y he had yet t ake n ;

but fr om these Shores he was drive n by the fu r y of a gale t hat
n early proved fatal to him a n d hi s fortu n e s Escapi n g t hi s t he .
,

pirate sud d e ly appeared i n the We st I n dies a n d afte r burn i n g

n ,

plu n deri n g n d si n ki n g to his heart s co n te n t he scoured t he

,
a
’
,

Spa n i s h Mai n fo r a w hile wi t h va r iable success .

A t le n gth after ma n y perils e n cou n t ered a n d escaped Lo w s

’

, ,

t wo vessels e n te r ed Roata n Harbo r i n t h e Bay of Ho n du ras i n , ,

o r de r t o heave dow n a n d clea n t heir bottoms a n d t o get a sup ,

ply o f wa t e r Here a t las t came t he cha n ce which A sh t o n had

.

so arde n tly lo n ged for .

Up t o t his t ime the pirat es had n eve r allowed him t o la n d -

with them More tha n o n e well laid plan t o escape out of t heir
.
-

clu t ches had already bee n thwa rted i n a way to crush ou t all
hope fo r t he f t ure Bu t he r esolu t ely de t ermi n ed to make o n e
u .

mo r e effo t t o gai n his fr eedom for besi d es bei n g a lad of se n se

r

a n d spirit A sh t o n was you n g a n d vigo r ous a n d r eady t o co n

, ,

f r o n t a n y dan ger however grea t t hat should lie i n t he way t o

, ,

his delive ra n ce fr om t he pi ra t e crew .

On e mor n i n g as Low s lo n g boa t was pass i n g by A sh t o n s

’ ’
-
,

vessel o n h e r way to t he w a t e r i n g place the lad hailed her a n d

,
-
, ,

e n treat ed to be allowed t o go o n Shore with t he m e n w ho we r e

t aki n g t he wa t er casks t o be filled Aft er some hesita t io n t he
-
.
,

cooper who had charge of t he boat t ook him i n li tt le imagi n i n g

, , ,

tha t there was a n y da n ger of his ru n n i n g a w ay i n so desolat e n d a

forbiddi n g a place as t his was A sh t o n j u mped i n t o t he boat. .

Whe n t hey lan ded A shto n w as a t fi rst ve r y ac t ive i n helpi n g

,

t o get t he casks ou t of t h e boat Bu t by a n d by he g radually .

21 6 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

st rolled alo n g t he beach picki n g up s t o n es n d shells a n d look

,
a ,

i ng sha rply about him i n s earch of a place sui t able fo r h i s

purpose .

He had got a gu n sho t o ff a n d had begu n t o edge up t owar ds ,

t he wood s whe n the cooper espyi n g h i called ou t to k n ow

, ,
m ,

where he was goi n g The re s olute lad shou t ed back t he reply

.

that he was seeki ng for cocoa n uts a n d poi n ti n g to a grove of -

at t ly cocoa pal s gro w i n g j ust i n fro n t of h i

e -
m moved o n i n to m ,

t he frie n dly shelter of the t ropical forest A s soo n as he had .

lo s t Sight of his compa n io n s he bou n ded away like a wou n ded

'

d eer i n to the thick u n d e rgro wt h a n d he r a n n u n til j udgi n g ,

o ,

himself t o have gai n ed a safe dista n ce he t hre w himself o n t he

.
,

grou n d i n t he mids t of a de n se thi ket a n d awai t ed i n b rea t h c ,

le ss su s pe n se the issue of h i s bold da s h fo r libe rt y .

A fte r t he m n had filled t heir casks a n d we r e r eady t o go o n

e ,

board t he cooper called to Ashto n to come i n bu t this bei n g t he

,

las t t hi n g t h is brave lad t hough t of doi n g he made n o a n swer , ,

al t hough he plai n ly heard t he me n s voice s i n h i s s n ug r e trea t ’

.

At las t t hey bega n hallooi n g to him ; bu t he was st i ll Sile n t .

He could hear them say The dog i s los t i n the woods a n d ,

“
,

can t fi n d t h way out

’
The n aft e r Shou t i n g agai n t o as little
e .
”
,

purpose as before to Ashto n s gr ea t joy they pu t o ff fo r thei r

,
’

vessel l eavi n g him alo n e o n t his u n i n habited isla n d wi t h n

, ,
o

o t he r compa n y than his o wn t houghts n o clothi n g but a ca n vas ,

cap to cover h is head a loose t u n ic a n d trouse r s t o p r o t ect his

, ,

body a n d n othi n g el s e besides h is t wo h a n ds t o defen d himself

,

from the w ild beasts of prey t hat p r owled u n mole s ted abou t the
hideous t hickets arou n d him He had j mped i t o the boat . u n

j u st as he stood havi g n o t ime t o s n atch up eve n so i n dis

,
n

pen sable a t hi n g as a k n ife o r a fli n t a n d steel to ki n dle ,

a

fire w i t h Ye t he co n sidered t his co n d i t io n p r efe rable t o t he

.

compa n y he had left .

Ashto n pa ss ed the n ext five days i n wa t chi n g the pira t e

ve ss el s feari n g that Lo w might se n d a party i n p s i t of him
i

,
u r u

but a t the n d of that time he s a w them hois t sail a n d pu t to

e

s ea . No t unt il t he n did he b r ea t he freely .

21 8 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EGENDS .

fruits han gi n g mos t t emp tin gly wi th i n reach of t he half s t ar ved -

As hto n s ha n d bu t n t k no w i n g w hat they we r e he dared n o t

’
o ,

touch a n y of t hem u n t il he sa w the wild hogs freely feedi n g

upo n t hem An d some of t hem w hich were really poiso n ous he
.

oft e n ha n dled but luckily r efrai n ed from ea t i n g He t her efore

, .

lived for s ome time upo n the g rapes fig s n d w i ld beach plums , ,

a -

that gre w abu n da n t ly eve rywhere abou t him m aki n g such a ,

shelter as he could from the copious n ight de w s that fell by -

,

lean i n g some falle n bran ches agai n st a tree tru n k a n d then -

,

coveri n g this rude frame w ork w ith a tha t ch of palmetto leaves -

.

I n time he built ma n y of these hu t s i n d i f fe r en t parts of his

islan d .

There w ere also upo n this i sla n d a n d upo n t he isla n ds adjace n t ,

t o it w ild dee r a n d hogs The wood s a n d w aters abou n ded too

, .

w ith duck t eal curle w pelican s boobies pigeo n s par rot s a n d

, , , , , , ,

other bird s fit to be eat e n The s ea s teemed with fish a n d the

.

shores w it h tortoises But n o tw ith s ta n di n g hi s mouth ofte n

.

wate r ed for a bit of them A shto n w as able to make n o u s e,

w hatever of all this st ore of bea s t fi s h n d fo w l for wa n t of a , ,

a ,

k n i fe n d a fire So i n the i d s t of plen ty he w as reduced

a . m

eve n lo w er tha n t he savage — w ho ca n at least always make ,

for himself w eapo n s t o kill a n d fire to d ress his food .

F or n i n e soli t ary mo n ths Philip As hto n lived alo n e o n this

i sla d w it h out seei n g n human bei n g The parrots h a d n t
n o e . o

lear n ed to talk so that compelled as he w as to keep silen ce he

, , ,

sometime s feared that he m ight lose the power of s peech or ,

forget the sou n d of his o wn voice To escape from the m o s q i . u

t oes black fl i e s n d other i n sect pe s t s w hich made his life i n

,
-
,
a

tole rable t o him Ashto n formed the habit of sw immi n g ove r a

,

n a r row cha n n el that separated his i s la n d fro on of t he lo w m e

lyi n g keys w here b e mostly s pe n t h i s days I o n e of these

,
. n

j ourn eys he n arro w ly escaped bei n g devoured by a Shark which ,

st ruck him just a s he r eached the s hallow water of the Sho r e .

Thi s key also gave him a broader n d a clearer sea view for it a -

m a
y w ell be imagi n ed t hat n eve r duri g his waki n g h ours did he n

i n t ermit his weary wa t ch fo r a fr i e n dly sail Sometimes he s a t .

 STR A NG E A DV ENTU RES o r PHILIP A SHTo N . 21 9

wi t h h i s back agai n s t a t ree a n d his face t o t he sea fo r a whole

, ,

day without sti rri n g from the spo t

,
.

V e k n e d by expo s u r e a n d the wa n t of p rope r food u n able

V
a e ,

lo n ge r to drag his t orn a n d wou n ded li m bs abou t the isla n d ,

A sh t o n a t la s t sicke n ed ; a n d as his helpless n ess i n creased the ,

p r ospect of a horrible death stared him i n the face As t he .

days n d n ights we e a w ay he fell i n t o a deadly st upo r In this

a r ,
.

ext re m ity b e n e day espied a ca n oe with o n e m a n i n it com

o , ,

i ng t ow a r d s him Whe n he was n ea r e n ough A shto n feebly

.
,

called out t o him A fte r some hesit at io n the m a n lan ded He

. .

p r oved t o be a n En glishma n who t o save his life had fled fro m , ,

t he Spa n ish s ettleme n ts F or th r ee days A shto n had t he u n

.

speakable pleasure of a compa n io n i n his misery but at t he e n d

of t his b r ief time his solitary v isitor havi n g left him t o go upo n ,

a hu n ti n g exc u rs io n amo n g the isla n ds was d r o w n ed i n a squall , ,

leavi n g the he r mi t agai n alo n e i n his wre t ched n ess a n d a n guish

of body n d mi n d His co n ditio n was ho w eve r somewha t i m
a .
, ,

p r oved ; for t ha n ks t o his late compa n io n he n o w had a k n ife ,

a little pork some gu n powde r a n d a fli n t a n d s o the mea n s of

, , ,

maki ng a fire which w as to h i m the grea t est of luxuries

, .

Bet wee n two n d t hree mo n t hs after he had lost h i s com

a

pa n io n A shto n i n o n e of his rambles fou n d a small ca n oe

, , ,

st r an ded upo n t he shore This e n abled h i to ex t e n d his ex

. m

cu r s i o n s amo n g the i s la n ds a n d i n this way gave p r omise of a n

,

escape to some of the di s ta n t set tleme n ts .

How he made a voyage to the Islan d of B n a cc a n d while o o,

asleep w as discovered a n d fired po n by a party of Spa n iar ds ; u

how he made his escape fr om them fi n ally reachi n g h i s old ,

quarters at Roata n — are eve n t s that w e have n o t ime t o d w ell

,

upo n Tha t he had fou n d civilized bei n g s more cruel t ha n the

.

wild beast s — for these had n o t harmed h i — wa s a lesso n m

t ha t made him mo r e w ar y abou t ex t e n d i ng his explo ra t io n s t oo

f a r i n t he future .

Some time after t h i s adve n ture A s h t o n agai n s aw ca n oes

approach i n g h i s place of r efuge The smoke of h i s fire had .

d raw n t hem i n t owards the Shore Ashto n then showed h imself .

220 NEW ENG L -
A ND LEG ENDS .

on the bea c h The ca n oes came t o a s t an ds t ill Th e n t he

. .

parties hailed each other n d after mu t ual expla n atio n s n e

,
a ,
o

n ve n tured t o come to the s hore W he n he s a w the forlor

‘

m a . n

a n d mi s erable o bj ect of hi s fear he stood i n s peechles s a aze ,

m

me n t but at le gt h the two n fell to embraci n g each o t her

n m e ,

a n d the n t h e stra ger taki n g the emaciated body of A shto n i n

n ,

hi s arm s carrie d him to the ca n oe s w here the o t hers receive d

, ,

h i m ki n dly a n d m a d e him w elcome amo n g them .

A shto n t old them his story Th s tra n gers the n i n fo r med

. e

him that they w ere from the Bay of Ho n duras w he n ce ho w , ,

ever they had bee n forced to fly i n orde r to e s cape fro m the

, ,

fury of the Sp a m a s With the A shto n lived i n comparative

a i . m

ease u n til hi s old e n emie s the pirate s di s covered a n d made

, , ,
a

desce n t upo n them i n their cho s e n r etreat Ashto n s dread of .

’

a gai n falli n g i n to their ha n ds may be easily co n ceived He w ith .

t w o o r th r ee othe rs succeeded ho w ever i n aki n g good their , ,

m

escape i n to the w ood s The re s t were captured a n d take n n

. o

board the s ame ves s el i n which As hto n had s erved his a ppr e n
t i ce s h i p a s a pira t e .

T w o or three mo n th s more passed As h t o n wit h his com .

pa n io n s had got over to the I sla n d of B o n a o agai n A gale cc .

such as i s o n ly k n o w n i n the tropic sea s a rose a n d blew with ,

great viole n ce for three day s To As hto n thi s proved i n deed a.

frie dly gale for w he n i t had s ubsided he descried s eve r al ves

n ,

sel s s ta n di n g i n for the i s la n d Prese n tly n e of them a n chored

. o

n ear the s hore n d se n t i n her boat fo r w ater

,
a This ve s sel .

proved to be a briga n ti n e belo gi n g to Salem n d i n her A shto n n ,

a

took passage for home where he s afely arrived n t h e l s t of

,
o

May 1 7 25 it then bei n g two years a n d t wo mo n t hs si n ce he

, ,

had escaped from the pirate ship .

222 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Marblehead be i n g at thi s pe r iod of he r hi s to ry t he smuggl in g -

port fo r Bosto n it is quite probable that the Collector s vi s it

,
’

though r efe rr ed to other causes looked to the repre s sio n of thi s ,

co n traban d trade by which the Ki ng s ,

’

r eve n ue s were every day defrauded ,

a n d the la w s of the r ealm more or less

ope n ly violated .

He ry Fra n klan d havi n g aligh t ed

n ,

at the F ou n tai n In n foun d n n e x ,

a u

pec et d obs t acle i n his path .

This was a you n g d remarkably an

beautiful g i rl who w as bu s ily e n gaged

,

i n s crubbi n g the floor whe n he u e

te re d a n d who we are willi n g to

, ,

affirm fou n d the time to dart a n i n

,

v s t ig t i n g a n d appreciative gla n ce
e a

the h a n d s o m e

V
LO E A T F IR ST I HT
S G .

you n g gue st t o who h ,

o wn m er

mean g a b n d me n ial occupatio n

r a

o ffered the stro gest po ss ible n n co

t rast Struck with t he rare beauty of her face n d pe rso n t h e

. a ,

you n g n s t p p d t o look d to admire Hi s was t h e pride

m a e e an .

of birth d statio n her s the su bmi s sive defere n ce that t h e poo r

an
 A G NES, TH E M A D o r I THE INN . 223

an d lowly paid t o i t s ar rogan t dema n ds He was boo t ed a n d .

spur r ed a n d w his laced beaver ; Sh e bareheaded a n d bare

,
e re

footed a n d upo n her k ee s He had t he mistakable air of

,
n . un

di s t i n ctio n n d b r eedi n g of hi s clas s ;

a s he wa s scrubbi n g t he
floo r .

The you n g m n called her t o him pu t some quest io n s n egli

a ,

gen t ly a n d the n pleased wi t h her a n swers dropped a piece of

, , ,

sil v e r i n to h ha n d a n d pas s ed o n He had see n a pretty serv

er .

i n g maid w ho t old him tha t she was ca lled A g n es

-
A g n es
Su r r i a g e .

La t e r a seco n d visi t t o the i n n showed him t he same

on,

cha rmi n g picture eve n to the m i n u t es t detail s A gn e s w as still

, .

doin g t h e d r udgery of the i n n withou t Shoes o r stockin gs t o

cover he r li t tle feet .

When t he baro n et asked why she had n o t bought t hem with

t h e mo n ey he had give n h e r Sh e n a i vely a n swered tha t s he had ,

i n deed do n e so but that she kept t hem to wear i n meeti g

,
Per n .

haps t his elega n t you n g m a n had u n wit t i n gly awake n ed in her

b reast like Ev e i n A dam t he kn owledge that was t o give a n w
, ,
e

d i r ec ti o n t o her life t he pai n ful discovery of a deficie n cy f

,
o

which she had before bee n calmly u n co n scious Perhaps some .

t h in g gave h e r t he courage t o mea s ure t he dis t an ce bet w ee n

t h em We do n o t k n ow Had Ag n es been plai n as well as
. .

poo r he migh t have pas s ed h r by wi t hou t n otici n g t hat her

,
e

fee t were bare or h e d ress scan t y He r beauty exact ed t hi s r .

homage which he would have called h i s co n descen sio n

,
.

Just what was Si Hen ry s fi rs t desig n or what t he wo r ki n gs

r
’
,

of his m i n d do n o t a t t hi s momen t clearly appear pe rhaps pro

,
,

c e e di n g fr o m impul s e t hey were o n ly half formed a t best ; bu t

,

be t ha t a s it may his growi n g in t e r est i n A gn es presen t ly led

,

him t o s ee k a n i n ter v i e w w i th he r paren ts who we r e poo r n d ,

a

wort hy people livi n g i n t he t o w n a n d to propose r emov in g

, ,

th ei r daugh t e r t o h i s o wn ho e i n —
order Jesui t tha t he was ! m ,

- t o gi ve her the adva n t ages to which her graces of mi n d a n d

perso a s he wa r mly prote s ted fully e n titled her The pa r e n t s
n , ,
.

a cceded o n ly t oo readily t o the seductive p r opo s al They could .

224 N W ENG LA ND LEG ENDS
E -
.

see n o dan ger ; n o t t hey ! A gn es left he r o wn humble ho m e

fo r t h a t of Sir Hen ry ; a n d s o this gi rl of s ixtee n became the
war d o f this grave you n g ge n tleme n of t w e n ty s ix But i g n o -
.
,

r a n t a s she wa s a n d humble a n d artle ss it is ea s y t o believe

, ,

that she had al ready taugh t him somethi n g he was i n n o has t e

t o u n lea rn .

A g n es did ample j us t ice t o her guardia n s high Opi n i o n of he r

’

m e n t al quali fi catio n s The virgi n soil is d eep a n d p roductive

. .

Sh e wa s t augh t the commo n e r bra n ches as well as the a cc o m,

li h m e nt s t he n deemed i n di s pe n sably r equi s ite t o t he educa t io n

p s

of a gen tlewoma n movi n g i n her adopted sphe r e A s her mi n d .

expa n ded so like the ro s e did her beauty become more a n d more
, , ,

radia n t with the co n scious n es s of the n e w life ope n i n g to he r .

Sh e was a bei n g crea t ed to love a n d be loved Her grati t ude .

,

he r co n fide n ce he r admiratio n were all ce n tred upo n o n e o h

,

j ec t On e day she a w oke t o t h e k n owledge that s he was b e

.

loved a n d tha t Sh e love d

,
.

By the death of hi s u n cle t h e baro n etcy t hat was he r edi

,

t ary i n the York s hire bra n ch of the Fr a n kla u d s devolved upo n

Ag n es gua r dia n who havi n g n o w legitimately in he rited i t
’

, , ,

publicly assumed t he title .

The discovery to w hich w e h ave r eferred had i t s u s ual co n s e

q u e n c e s . S i r He n ry Fra n kla n d Baro n et could n o t drea m
, ,
of
layi n g hi s n oble n ame at the feet of a ser vi n g maid n o t he -
.

His ho rr or of a misallian ce w a s eve n g r eat e r t han hi s abho rr en ce

of a di ffere n t a n d a more equivocal co n n ec t io n Bu t he could .

n o t give he r u We will let the ve i l fall U po n the w eak n e ss of

p .

both of these lovers He wa s he r i dol Sh e hi s i n fatuatio n ;

.
,

he loved like a m a n a n d Sh e like a w oman

, .

Sir He n ry s co n duct i n o pe n l ylivi n g w ith his lovely ward out

’

side o f the pale of matrimo n y bei n g w hi s pered about w a s a n ,

o ffe n ce t oo flagran t for the s tern morality of the ci ty of t he Pu ri

t a n s to e n du r e a n d it s i n dig n atio n w a s soo n made man ife st i n a
way t o cu t a proud a n d s e n s itive n a t ure to the quick Soc i ety he .

fou n d has its weapo n s a n d ca n u s e them too withou t mer cy

Society co u ld n o t j u s tify hi s leadi n g the girl as t ray bu t i f
.
, , ,

would
226 N W ENG L
E -
AND L EG ENDS .

fai n t tra c e s as in t he co n fu s io n of t ha t hou r coul d be ob t a ined ,

u n t il chan ce a t le n gt h led her t o the s po t where he la y helpless ,

a n d over w helmed A fi n e lady w ould have ecoiled a n d fai n ted

. r

dead a w ay ; Agn es Su r i g e agai n t h e worki n g gi rl of Marble

r a ,

head i n sta n tly s et to work to re s cue her lover from t he ru i n s

,

w ith her o wn ha n d s In n hour he was extr ica t ed from the

. a

r u bbi s h He wa s s til l livi n g Sh e co n veyed him to a place

. .

that had escaped the s hock of the ea rt hquake where she n ursed ,

him i n to h ealth n d st r e n gt h agai n Va n q ui s hed by thi s las t

a .

s upreme proof of her love for him the k n ight gave he r his
.

han d i n retur n for his life An d w ho ca n doubt t ha t w ith thi s .

act there came back t o both t h a t peace of mi n d w hich alo n e was

wa n t i n g to a perfec t u n io n of two n oble a n d lov i n g heart s ?
We are obliged to co n te n t ou r selve s w i th t he follo w i n g ex t rac t s
from t he poe which Holmes h s fou n d ed upo n t he st o ry
m a

As amperi g at the Fo u n tai I n

c n n n

A r ush of great d s mall an

Wit h hu rryi g s ervan ts min gled d i n

’
n,

A d s rea i g matro s all

’
n c m n n c

Poor A g e s ! w it h h er w ork h alf do e

n n ,

T h ey caugh t h er u aw are n ,

A h u mbly li k e a prayi g
s ,
n ,
n nu ,

Sh k elt u po t h e s tair
e n n

Be t o er t h e step s w ith lowliest mie

n
’
,
n

Sh k elt b t e t to pray
n ,
u no ,

H little h a d s m us t k eep t h em lea

er n c n,

A d w a sh t h eir s tai s aw ay
n n .

A foota kle bare d wh ite

,
an n ,
an ,

H girli sh sh ape s betrayed

er ,

H Nymp hs d G race s
a poke the K ig h t ; an S n

Loo k p my bea u teo us Mai d

‘

u ,

Sh et ur ed a red de i g ro s e i b u d
n ,
n n n ,

It s alyx h alf w ith d raw

c n

Her h ee k O fi re w it h d amasked blood

c n

Ofg irl h oo d s glo w i g d a l ’

n
 S K I P PER IRESON S R DE
’
I . 227

Hes earch ed h er featu res t h rough a n d th roug h ,

A royal lover s look

s

O lo wly maid e s wh e t h ey w oo
n n n

Wit h o ut t h e ri g d boo k n an .

Come h it h er Fai r H ere my Sw eet

,
o ne ,

N y prit h ee look t do w
a , ,
no n

Tak e t h i s to sh oe t h o s e little feet ,

H to ss ed a s ilver cro w
e n .

A su dd e pale ess str u ck her b ro w

n n ,

A sw ifter flush su cceed s

It b u r s h er h eek it k i dles n o w
n c n

Be eat h h e gol d e bead s

n r n .

Sh e t h e glitteri g eye
flit t e d ; b u t n

Still s o u gh t t h e lovely face .

W h o w as sh e ? IV h t d w he ce a ,
an n a nd w hy
Doome d to su h me ial place c n

A skipper s d au g h ter s o t h ey said

’
, ,

Left orp h an by t h e gale

T h at co st t h e fl eet of Marblehead
A n d G louce s ter t h irty s ail .

IRESONS
’
S K IPP E R RID E .

NE of the mos t spi r ited of W h it t i e r s home ballads ce r ’

t a i n ly the mos t famous — is his Skippe r Ir e s o n s Ride

’ ”
,

which i n troduces by w ay of refrai n t he archaic Marblehead d i a

lec t t ha t is n o w n ea rly if n o t quite exti n c t

, Like mos t of this ,
.

poet s cha rac t er s Skipper Ireso n i s a real pe so n age w hose s t ory

’
,
r , ,

br iefly t old i s this

,

Late i n the autum n of the year 1 8 08 t he s choo n er Be t sy of ,

Marblehead Benjami n Ireso n master while b u fl e t i n g its way

, , ,

towards the home po rt i n t he t ee t h of a tr e e n dous gale fell

'

m ,

in w i th a wr eck drift i n g a t t he me r cy of t he wi n ds a n d waves .

228 NEW ENGL A ND -
LEG ENDS .

This was t he schoo n er A ctive of Po rtlan d t hat had been over

“
, ,

s et i n the gale It wa S t h e n mid ight w ith a treme n dous sea

. . n ,

ru n n i n g The s kipper of the s i ki n g ve s sel hailed the Be ts y

. n
”

a n d asked to be take n off the wreck from whic h every w ave ,

i n deed threat e n ed to w ash the di s tre s sed n d exhau s ted crew a .

To this it i s s aid that t he Bet s y s cre w — o n does n o t like to ’

e

traduce the n ame by calli g them sailor s — s tro n gly demurred n ~

allegi g the da n ger of maki g the attempt i n s uch a sea i n sup

n n

port f their cowardly purpo s e to aban do n the si n ki n g craft to

o

her fate Some s ay that Captai n Ire s o w a s himself di s po s ed t o

. n

act with huma n ity n d to lie by the wreck u til daylight but
,
a n ,

that he wa s overruled by the u n a n imou s Voice of h i m e n w ho s ,

s elfi s hly decided n t to ri s k thei r o wn miserable lives i n order to

o

s ave others The Bet s y s cour s e wa s accordi n gly s haped for

.
’ ”

Marblehead where s he arrived ,

th follo w i n g Su n day Her on e .

cre w a t o n ce s pread the n e ws through the t o wn of their hav i n g

fallen i w ith a ve ss el fou n deri n g i n the bay whe n to their
n , ,

ho n or the Marblehead people immediately despat ched t wo

,

ve ss els to her relief But the A c t i e had the n go n e to t he bot

.
“
v
”

tom of the sea a n d the r elievi n g vessels r etu rn ed from a fruit

le s s search o n ly to i n c rease t he r ese n tme n t already felt agai n st
,

Skipper I r eso n upo n whom h i s crew had t h r ow n all the blame

,

of t heir wn dast ardly co n duc t U s ually dead m n tell n o t ale s ;

o . e

bu t it so fell out that i n t his i n st a n ce a more d am n i n g evide n ce

to I s n s i n human ity appear ed a s i t w ere from t he grave
re o
’
, ,

it s elf to co n fro n t him It happe n ed that n the morn i n g n ext

. o

followi n g t he n igh t of the Be ts y s de s ert io n of t he the “ ’ ”

m ,

captai n a n d three o the rs we r e rescued from the si n ki n g Vessel .

They soo n made public the sto ry of the c r uel co n duc t of t h e

Bet s y s people a n d as ill n e w s travel s fas t it was n o t lo n g

’
,

before it r eached Marblehead t hrowi n g that excitable to wn i n to a ,

h bbub over the asper s io n s thus cas t upo n it s good n ame It

u .

was s oo n determi n ed to take exemplary ve n gea n ce upo n the

o ffe n der On bright moo n light n igh t Skipper I r e s o n heard a
. e

kn ck t his d oo r Upo n ope n i n g it he fou n d him s elf i n the

'

o a .

n e r vous g r asp of a ba n d of esolu t e m e n who silen t ly hu rr ied r ,

230 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

him o ffi n t o a desert ed place with what objec t h i s fea rs alo n e

, ,

could divi n e They fi r s t securely pi io n ed a n d then be s meared

. n

him fro m head to foot w ith a coat of ta r a n d feathe rs In t h . e

mo rn i n g t h e whole populatio n of the tow n tur n ed ou t to wi t

n ess or as s i st i n this ig omi iou s pu n i s hme n t w hich had bee
n n ,
n

pla n n ed by some of t he h ld e spirits n d Silen tly approved by

o r ,
a

the mo r e ti id o n es Ire s o n i n his filthy disgui s e w a s seated i n

m .

the bo t tom of a dory — i n stead of a cart — a n d s urrou n ded

, , ,

by a hooti n g rabble the u n fo r tu n ate skippe r w as the n dragged

,

throug h t h street s of the to w n as far as the Salem bou n dary

e

li n e w he r e t he cro wd w as me t a n d s t opped by the select e n of

,
m

that to w w ho for b ade thei r proceedi g farther thus f t a t

n, n , ru s r

i n g the origi al pur po s e to drag Ire s o n thro u gh t h e st r eet s of Salem

n

a n d of Beverly a s w ell a s those of Marble h ead Duri n g I s n s ’

,
. re o

rough ride the bottom of the dory had falle n out The m b
,
. o

the procured a cart n d lifti n g t he b o a t culp r i t a n d all upo n

n ,
a , ,

it i n thi s w ay Ire s o n was t ake n back t o Ma rblehead More

,
.

dead tha alive he w as at la s t released from t he ha n ds of his

n ,

torme n tor s n d allo w ed to go home Whe n he was free I reso

a .
,
n

quietly s aid t o them I than k you ge n t leme n for my ride ; bu t , ,

you w ill live to regr et it An d thus e n ded Benjami n Ir s o n s

. e
’

shameful expiatio n of a shameful deed .

Usi n g the facts as they came t o h i m a n d wit h the san c t io n of ,

what w a s i n its o wn t ime very ge n e rally applauded as t he

righteous judgme n t of the people of Marblehead the poet has ,

pu t Ireso n i n a perpe t ual p illory from w hich n sober s eco n d ,

o

thought is able t o r escue h i But whether culpable o r n t m . o

c u lpable i n i n te n tio n his weak n e ss i n yieldi n g to his dastard

,

crew if i n fact he did so yield amou n ted to a grave fault clo s ely
, , ,

vergi n g upo n the c ri mi n al To day eve rybody defe n d s I s n.

-
re o
’
s

me o r y fr om the charge w hich w as o n ce as u n iver s ally believed

m

to be true ; a n d the p u blic verdict w as served h i m r ight ,

.

U n fortu n ately ho w ever for him hi s exaspe ra t ed to w n s folk exe

, , ,

cu t e d justice n the spot ; accordi n g to thei r

o wn r ude n otio n s of o

it before their w rat h h d had time to gro w cool But t o this

, a .

fact w e owe the mo s t idiosyn cratic ballad of purely ho m e origin

 S K I PPER IRESON S R DE
’
I . 23 1

in t he la n guage although it is o n e fo r which t he people of

,

Mar blehead have n eve r forgiven the poe t .

With poetic i n sti n c t Whit t ier sei z ed upo n t he i n cide n t usi n g ,

mo r e o r less fr eedom i n prese n ti n g its dramat i c Side In the .

v e r s i fi e d story we a r e made lo c ke r s o n while the s tr a n ge pr o c e s

sio n cou n t i n g it s
,

Scores of wome old d you g n, an n ,

Stro g of m us cle
n d glib of to gu e ,
an n ,

Wri kled s cold s w ith h a d s hip s

n ,
n on ,

G irl s i bloom of h k
n d lip s c ec an ,

Wild eyed free limbed su c h a s cha se

-
,
-
,

Bacchu s ro u d s ome a tiq u e va s e

n n ,

Brief of skirt w ith a kle s ba e ,

n r ,

Loo s e of k erchief d loo s e of hair an ,

With co c h sh ell s blo w i g d fi h hor n s t wa g

n -
n an s -
’
n ,

goes su rgi n g on through t he n a rrow s tr eet s ,

now echoin g to the
w ild r efrai n
H ere Fl u d
’
S Oir s o n , for hi s h orr d h orr t,

To r r d’
an
’
f
u t h e rr d
’
an
’
co r r
’
d in a corr t

By t h e w ome n 0
’
M o r b le ’
ead l ”

The o n ly libert y t hat t he poe t has t aken w it h t h e s t o r y i s in

say in g ,

Small pity for h im H h ad s ailed a w ay e

From a leaki g sh ip i C h ale u r B y n ,

n a ,

Sailed aw ay from a i ki g w re k S n n c ,

With hi s wn to w s people h er deck 1

o n
’
- on

The disast er really happe ed o ff the Highla n d s of Cape Cod

n ,

a nd ,
so far as is k n o w n there were n o Marblehead people n
,
o

boa r d of the u n lucky craft w he n s he w e n t dow n But i n t r ut h .

such tri fli n g depar t ures fro m t h e literal facts are of little mome n t .

The world lo n g ago gra n t ed to the poets complete absolutio n for

such ve n ial s i n s as these are s eei n g that si n ce the days of ,

Ho er it ha s bee n their p r ofessio n to g ive a ll pos s i b le en large

m

m e n t to their subjec t s .
232 N W ENG LA ND LEGENDS
E -
.

one ,
the a n tidote Should a ccompa n y the poi s o Hi s repu t at i o n n .

h as fou n d a vigorous defe n der i n the ver s es w hich follo w .

A P LEA F OR F LOOD IR ESON .

CH ARLES T B ROO KS
. .

OLD Flood Ir so all too lo g e n n

H ave j eer d j ibe d ribal d s o g

an an n

Do e t hy memory r uel w ro g
n c n .

Old Floo d Ires o sleep s i hi s grave n n

H o w l s of a d mob w or s e t h a the w av e
m a ,
n ,

No w mor i h i s car shall rave !

no e n

G o e i s t h e pac k d go e t h e prey
n an n ,

Y t old Floo d I
e g h o s t to d yre s on s
’ -
a

I s hu ted s till d o w Time s h igh way

n n
’
.

Old w ife Fame w it h a fi h h orn s blare

,
s -
’

H ooti g d tooti g t h e s ame old air

n an n ,

Drags h i alo g t h e old t h oro ugh fare

m n .

Mo ke d evermore w it h t h e old refrai

c n,

Skilfu lly w ro u gh t to a t u efu l s trai n n,

Ji gli g d j olti g h e come s agai n

n n an n ,

O ver t h at road of ld re o w o n n,

Fair broad ave e leadi g do w nu n n

T h ro u gh So ut h Fields to Salem to w
"

n,

Sco u rged d st u g by t h e Mus e s t h o g

an n
’
n ,

Mo u ted h igh t h car of s o g

n on e n ,

Sigh t t h at rie s O Lor d

c h o w lo g,
n

Sh all H eave look n on and not tak e part

Wit h t h poor ld e o m a n a nd h i s flutteri g h e rt n a ,
234 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

w hom the Mohawk s g reat ly est eemed a n d who w as dro w n ed by ,

the oversetti ng of his ca n oe the re This i s the tr ditio n

. . a

“ There i s a rock i n this lake o n w hich the wave s da s h a n

d fly
u
p to a great heig h t w he n the W i n d blo w s hard The I n dia n s .

believe tha t a n old I ndia n lives u n der thi s rock w ho has t he

po w er of the wi n ds a n d the refore as they pass i t i n thei r voy
ages over they al w ay s thro w a pipe or some othe r s mall p r ese n t
,

to thi s old I ndia n n d pray a favo rable wi n d The Engli s h

,
a .

that pa ss w ith th e m s ometimes laugh at them but they are s ure ,

‘
t o be told of Co r la e r death ’
You r g reat cou n t ryma n Cor
s .
,

laer s ay they as he passed b y this rock je s ted a t ou r fa t her s

,
’
, ,
’

maki n g p r ese nt s t o this old I n dia n but this affro n t cost h i m his
,

Whether the fi h folk of Marblehead d e ri ved a ny of t hei r

s e r-

super s titious beliefs from t h I n d ia n s o r n t we do n o t u nd e

e o ,
r

take to say But some three mile s out to sea nd mid w ay

.
,
a

bet wee n Bosto n Light a n d Cape An n a stark a n d soli t ary r ock ,

lift s it s d i n gy b r o w n back above the wave s whe n it is n o t ,

smothered i n foam or s hut i n by thick fog s Half W a y Rock ' '

.
-

i s therefo re a veritable rock of d a n ge r This may pe rh ap s

, ,
.
, ,

explai n why fisherme n out ward bou nd we re lo n g i n the ha b it

,
-
,

o ftossi n g copper coi n s upo n this rock a s t hey pas s ed it to bri n g

, ,

the m good luck o n the voyage I f this r ock did n o t sta n d with
.

these rude mi n d s for the s ymbol of some u n see n e leme n tal ,

po w er why n o t th r o w their coi n s a nywhere else ?

,
238 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

Th esea we n o t ice welcomes the i n t r udi n g headlan d w it h i n

, ,

hospitable a rm s b u t at t he ex tr eme poi n t where the rock is ,

pierced a n d t he sea flo ws i n t her e i s a por t of refuge that has ,

.

grow n t o be t he greates t fi s h in g art i n the Un i o n A t n early -

m .

a ll t imes w i t hout regard to s easo n the waters a r ou n d it are

, ,

covered with a flight of sa ils en t eri n g o r leavi n g the p r i n cipal

port r emi n di n g o n e of t he r estles s sea gull s t ha t ci r cle about
,
-

t hei r r ocky aerie whe n b ri n gi n g food to thei r you n g .

The muscular shoulder o f the Cape is occupied by the t ow n s

of Beverly We n ham a n d Hamilto n t he ce n tral port i o n by
, , ,

Man chest e r n d Es sex n d the extr emi t y by G loucest e r a n d

a ,
a

Rockport Nearly the whole i t erio r regio n remai n s the same

. n

u n ta ed wilder n e ss t hat it w a s a hu n dr ed y e a rs ago ; fo r amo n g

m

t hese r ugged hill s t here is little lan d t hat is fit for fa r mi n g a n d ,

t hat li t tle i s fou n d i n the hollo ws or bo r deri n g upo n occasio n al ,

arms of the s ea There are ho w ever ext e n sive a n d valuable

.
, ,

fore s ts of pi n e n d cedar coveri n g scat tered po rt io n s w ith a pe r

a

e n n i l gree n
a The s ea havi n g peopled it a n d t he la n d offeri n g
.
,

n othi g better than s to n e s timber

n n d fuel t he fi h i n villages a
g s -
, , ,

were built clo s e to the edge of t h s hore where there we r e n a t e ,

u ral harbor s like that of G louces t er or upo n tidal c r eek s or i n le t s ,

like those of Ma n chester n d An n i s quam F rom t hese v i llages a .

s p r a n g a hardy race of sailo rs ren o w n ed i n so n g a n d st ory .

Cooper s Captai n Bar n s table comes fr om Chebacco a preci n c t

’ “
,

of Ess ex ; Mi s s L Skippe r B e n from Beverly On e

are om
’
s
“ ”
.

doe s n o t thi n k of the s e people as havi n g a n y fix ed r elat i o n wi t h

the lan d they are amphibious .

I t s gen eral n d apparen tly irrecla i mable st e ri li t y d r ove t h e

a

earliest settler s back upo n the mai n la n d They therefore aban .

d n d thei r rude cabi n s n d their fi h i n s t ages at the ex tr eme

o e a s
g
-

e n d of the Cape n d n ewly bega n at w hat was later n called

,
a o

Salem w hich at fir s t i n cluded the w hole Cape

, Yet n o t wit h .

s ta di n g this dese rtio n s ettleme n ts were soo n beg u n at Beverly

n
,

a n d Ma n ches t e r n d G louce s ter was perma n e n t ly r e —

a occupied n o
,

accou n t of the excellen ce n d adva tageou s positio n of i t s har a n

bor But for a time the s e settlemen t s were very humble o n es

.
.
 CA P E A NN . 23 9

Roger Co n an t says t hat i n his time Beverly was n ick n amed

Begga rly He w ished to have it chan ged to Budleigh from
.
”
,

a t own i n D evo n shire En glan d Co an t should fi n d a n ame ,

. n

somewhere o n Cape A n That w ould at leas t lead to then .

i n quiry Who w as Co n an t ?
“
He re m ar ks t ha t he had n ”
o

ha n d i n n ami n g Salem where h e had buil t t he fi r st hou s e No r

,
.

was Blackst o n e the fi r st w hi t e settler of Bos t o n or Roge r VVi l

, ,

liams who fou n ded Providen ce mo r e fo rt u n at e i n secu ri n g post

, ,

humous remembra n ce .

Bayar d Taylo r was n eve r theless ext remely take n wit h t he

p i ctu r esque n ess of t he i n t e r io r of Cape A n n a n d he was a tr av ,

eller who had gr ow n somethi n g fas t idious i n his n o t io n s of n at u

ral sce n e ry He speaks of it th u s
.
,

“
A great h arm of t h e pla e i s t h e wi ld w ooded s ce ery of t h e
c c n

i la d Th ere are ma y li ttle valley s bra ch i g d wi d i g as if

n n . n ,
n n an n n

at ra d om wh ere th fore s ts of fi r d pi e t h e g eat mo ssy b owl

n ,
e an n ,
r ,

d er s t h e sh ad e
,
d cool e ss d s ile ce s eem to tra s fer yo u at o ce
an n an n ,
n n

to t h e h eart of some mo u tai w ilder ess T h e oi s e of th e sea doe s

n n n . n

no t i va d e t h em
n eve t h e salt odor of t h e air i s s mot h ered by t h e
n

w arm resi o us breath of t h pi e s H ere yo u fi d s le der broo k s

,
n e n . n n ,

pool s pa gled w it h po d lily blo ss om s d mar shes all i n a ta gle

S n n -
, an n

w it h w ild fl o wer s A fter t w o or th ree mile s of su c h sce ery there i s

. n

no greater su rpri s e t h a to fi d su dde ly a bl u e far deeper th a t h at

n n n n

of t h e sky bet w ee t h e tree tr u k s d to h ear t h e roar of t h e break

n n ,
an

er s a hu dred feet belo w yo u

n .
”

W hile explori n g t h e coas t o n e fi n ds it co n ti n ually shift i n g

from beaches of hard san d st r ew n with a fi n e dark gravel t o , ,

picturesque coves bo r dered all a ou n d w i t h rocks shatte r ed i n to r

colossal fragmen t s a n d bulgi n g ou t like asses that have sud

,
m

d en ly cooled rust ed by s pray wor n t o gla s sy smoo t h n es s ye t

, , ,

all s pli t a n d fractured a n d upheaved by the powerful blows

dealt them by t he waves These coves make the most charm .

i n g s ummer retreat s imagi n able a nd some of them like Old ,

Kettle Cove — which u n der t he n ame of Magn ol i a has a

,

sweete r sou n d a n d Pigeo n Cove have t ur n ed t heir primi t ive

, ,

solitude s i n to populou s n e s s n d t heir o n ce worthless rocks i n to ,

a

pedes t als for the scores of beau t iful villas that have sp r u n g
24 0 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

up like t he wo r k of magic upo n their bald a n d overha n gi ng ‘

bro w s .

In ne pl c o say that you leave the road i n order to walk

a e ,

ove r a s mooth espla n ade of s a d up w ho s e ge n tle s lope pa n ti g n ,

n

wave cha s e s pa n ti g w ave u n cea s i gly while the forest t r ee s

n n ,
-

s kirti n g the head of the beach be n d ove r a n d watch this fierce

.

play w ith all their leaves trembli n g You look off over t h
, . e

ridged n d s parkli n g sea foam i n to the ope n mouth of Marble

a -

head Harbor w hose iro n headla n ds t he di s ta n ce s ofte n s t o

,

form s of w ax T w o or three treeless i sla n d s behi n d w hich a

.
,

passi n g ve ss el lifts it s s n o wy sail s are luxuriou s ly dozi n g i n the ,

s un a n d s ea Thi s must be the have n w here the fleet of W i n

.

th ro
p fir s t fu r led it s tattered s ail s after a tempestuous voyage
across the A tlan tic of more tha n t w o mo n t hs Yes t here is .
,

Baker s Isle nd there is Little I s le w ithi n w hich it a n chored

’

,
a , .

The n i t w a s here that the colo n ist s of w hom he was the Moses , ,

fir s t set foot upo n the soi l of their Promi s ed Lan d a n d it

was here they roamed amo n g the r ocky pa s tures gatheri n g wild ,

stra w berries a n d roses exami n i n g everythi n g wit h eage r curi,

os i t y a n d perhaps w ith doubt whether i t w as a ll r eal a n d

, ,

would n o t va n ish w ith the n igh t .

F ro m the domai n of Histo ry we e n t e r tha t of Poet ry ove r t h e

threshold of Nature .

N t man y years ago w hile he was the guest of t he ge n ial a n d

o ,

gifted F ield s w hose cot t age is t he co n s picuou s object n the bald

,
o

brow of Thu n derbolt Hill i n Man chester Baya r d Taylor was , ,

t aken to vi s it i n hi s cho s e n a n d secluded retreat the ve n erable

, ,

poet who date d before Byro n Shell ey a n d Keats n d who dis , , ,

a

covered the ge n ius o fBryan t The host a n d his guests are n w . o

dead ; but the poet traveller obeyi n g the habit of a life t ime , ,

je t t e d do w n some mi n utes f hi s vi s i t n w servi n g to recall o ,

o

the m n a n d the sce n e t o our remembra ce He says

a n .

Retraci g o u r w ay a mile or s o w e too k a d i ffere t road d

“
n ,
n , an

approach ed t h e oast th ro ugh ope grassy fi elds b eyo d whi h

c n, ,
n c ,
on

t h e ed g e of a lofty b lu ff stoo d t h e gray ld ma sio of th e v e erab le

'

o n n n
,

p oet Ri ,
h ar d H Da ca T h e p la e i s.i g u larly
n .w i l d lo ne ly d c s n , ,
an
24 2 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

colo n y of Roger Co n a n t the pio n eer gover n o r m ai n tai n ed a , ,

struggli n g exi s te n ce u nt il like a garriso n w hich n n o lo n ge r

, ,
ca

hold out it fell back to Salem n ewly chose its grou n d n d

, , ,
a

agai n bravely co nfro n ted its old e n emies w a n t a n d n eglec t But , .

lo n g before h i m thi s cape i n t he sea pic ked up ma n y a d v e n t

,
u r

ous v y g
o a n e of w ho m
eurs presen tly deman ds a w ord fro m us
,
o .

I n the hea r t of the Glouce s ter w oodla n ds a mo s t i n t eres t i n g

floral phe n ome n o n exists There apparen tly defyi n g nat ure s .
,
’

li n e s a n d la ws the beautiful magn olia of the South u n fold s i n

,

s ecre t it s s n o w y flowers n d exhales its Spicy perfu me An other a .

phe n omen o n is t he beach a t Man che s ter w ho s e s a n ds emi t weird ,

musical t o n es whe n c r ushed by the pa s sage of wheels t hrough

them Still a nothe r is the e n ormous Movi n g Rock a t Squa m
.

Commo n — a heavy mass of gra n i t e so exac t ly poised t ha t t he

,

pre s sure of a child s fi n ger i s suffi cie n t to ch a n ge its posi t io n

’
.

Thi s s ter ile sea cape may al s o lay claim t o othe r n d mo r e

-
a

e n duri ng a ss ociatio n s tha n t he me ories of a summe r pas s ed'

amo n g its r ocky sea n ooks c n afford Beverly was the home of
-
a .

Robert Ran toul w hose epi t aph ha s bee n writt e n by W hittier

, ,

a n d of Lucy Larcom ; Ham i lto n that of Abigail D odge ; Essex ,

of Rufus Choate G loucester of E P Whipple a n d William ,

. .

Wi n ter Ma n chester was Da n a s by adoptio n a s well as t h e

.
’
,

summe r hau n t of Holmes Jam es n d A n n ie F ields Elizabet h ,

a ,

Phelps a n d of t hat a n cie n t lan d m ark of the Bo s to n Pulpit t he

, ,

Revere n d D r B a t e l The la m e n ted D r E H Chapi n loved his

. r . . . .

summer home at Pigeo n Cove ; a n d it w as t here he sought relief

from the haun ti n g demo n of the s tudy This was also t he .

favorite hau n t of Bryan t a n d of St arr Ki n g ; s o that amo n g

those w ho were eithe r n ative o r who w ere habitually soj ou rn ers
are ma n y of the m e n a n d w ome n most emi n e n t i n ou r li t erar y
a nn als Tha t fac t of itself speaks volumes for t he Cape
. .

The lege n ds of Cape An n are i n dige n ous a n d are mostly sea ,

lege n d s as migh t be expec t ed f a s eafari n g n d sea s ubsisti n g

,
o a -

populat io n amo n g w hom t he marvellou s al w ay s fi n d s its mos t

,

co n ge n ial soil L t u s add th t w it h i n our wn memory

. e a o ,

i n co n s eque n ce of the predictio n that a s torm u n e x ampled in

 CA PTA IN JOHN SM TH I . 24 3

t he a n n a ls of the ce n t u ry was t o burs t fo rt h w it h destr uc ti ve fury

o ve r sea a n d la n d upo n a give n day n o t a vessel of t he G lo u ce s ,

t e r fishi n g flee t dar ed pu t t o sea Al t hough the gr ea t W i ggi n s

.

sto r m failed t o make its appeara n ce at the t ime pred i ct ed t he ,

losses i n curr ed by reaso n of the n umbe r of fishe r me n lyi n g idly

at thei r moori n gs amou n t ed to man y t housa n ds of dollar s The
fi rs t of t hese lege n ds p r ope r t o be i n tr oduced —n o t forge tti n g
.

tha t De Mo n t s a n d Champlai n had al r eady n amed t h i s pe n i n

sula t he Cape of Islan ds i s a so rt of hist o ri cal compleme n t t o
ou r desc ri p ti o n
.

C A PTA I N JO H N S MITH .

H E follow i n g li n es from W h it t ie r s beau t iful apost r ophe t o ’

his beloved r iver The Me rrimack i n t ro d uci n g his col

,
“
,
”

lec ti o n of lege n dary pieces is see n t o be commemo ra tive of t ha t

,

p rin ce of explorers a n d h e r o of man y exploi t s Captai n Joh n ,

Smith t o whom a pe r ve rse fort u n e has de n ied a n y sha r e of

,

ho n o r fo r his e fforts t o m ake Ne w En gla n d k n own n d p p e ci a a r

ated i n the Old World In t he belief that n o n e of these r ugged

.

r ocks had eve r r eceived o t he r bap ti sm t ha n tha t of the waves he ,

firs t gave this promo n t o r y the n ame of T a g a b ig a n d a fo r a “

r z
”

pe rpet ual souve n i r of a fai r Moslem t o who m he owed a deb t of

love a n d gra t i t ude wh ile fo r a memo ri al of himself he co n ferr ed
,

that of t he Th r ee Turks Heads upo n t he three isla n ds Milk

’ ”
, ,

Thache r s a n d St i t s o u t h ly i n g o ff its ext r eme poi n t a n d

’
ra m , ,

n o w crow n i n g it with t hei r tr iple ligh t s .

Bu t t hese n ames we r e so quickly superseded that t he pe r so n al

a mbi t io n of Smith has n o othe r m emorial t h a n t his

O yo der rocky cape wh ic h brave s

n n ,

T h e s tormy h alle ge of t h e w ave s

c n ,

Mid st ta gled vi e d d w fi h w ood

n n an ar s ,

T h e h ardy A glo Saxo s tood n -

n ,

Pla ti g po t h topmo st crag

n n u n e

The staff of E gla d s battle fl g ;

n n
’ - a
24 4 NEW -
ENGL A ND L EG ENDS .

And, wh il e fro o ut it s h eavy fold m

St G eorge s crim s o cro ss u rolle d

’
. n n ,

Mi d st rol l of d r u m d tr u mpet blare an ,

A d w e po s bra d i sh i g i air
n a n n n n ,

H gave to t h at lo e promo n tory

e n

T h e sweete st ame i ll h i s story n n a

Ofh er t h e fl o w er of I slam s d a u g h ter s

’
, ,

W h o s e h arem s loo k Stambo ul s waters on

’
,

Wh o wh e t h e c h a e of w ar h d bo u d
,
n nc a n

T h e Mo slem h ai h i s lim b s aro u d c n n ,

Wreat h ed o er w it h il k th at iro h ai
’
S n c n,

Soot h e d w it h h er s mile s h i s h o u r s of pai n,

A d fo dly to h er yo u t h fu l lave
n n S

A dearer gift t h an fr edom gave e .

’
TH A CH E R S I SLAN D .

HA CH ER S I s la d i s n of the mo s t importa n t light

n o e

hou s e statio n s n t he whole coa s t of the U n ited States

o .

It co n tai n s about eighty acres of gravelly soil thickly stre w n

w ith coar s e gra n ite bo w lders amo g w hich the light keeper s ,
n -
’

cows crop a sca n ty g r o w t h of gra ss The w e s ter n mo s t h eadl n d . a ,

upo n w hich are some a n cie n t graves s aid to be tho s e of the vic ,

tims of the firs t recorded ship w reck here re s emble s Poi n t A ller ,

t n
o , it bei g a lofty cliff of gravel i n termixed w ith bo w lder s
n

that vary i n si z e fro the smallest pebbles to those w ei ghi n g

,
m

ma n y to n s It is co n ti n ually crumbli n g away before the w ear

.

d tear of the so u thea s t gale s

t ll .

The light keeper s re s ide n ce is a comfortable mode rn brick

-
’

buildi n g of t w o stories There is or rather w a s at t h time of

.
, ,
e

the w riter s vi s it to the i s la n d

’
old s to e ho s e s ta n di g ,
an n u n

there that w as reputed to be of great age The t w o light to w er s .

-
,

b u ilt of u n cut gra ite are each n hu n dred n d fifty feet high
n ,
o e a ,

an d they are fur ished w ith le ses i n w hich a doze n per s o s

n n n

might s ta d erect w ithou t i n co n ve ie n ce The keepers have all

n n .
24 6 NEW -
ENG LAND LEG ENDS .

partak ers of ea h ot h er s mi sery or welfare as al s o of h abitatio i

c
’
,
n, n

t h e s ame place Now u pon o u r ar ival i N w E gla d th ere was

. r n e n n

an offer made u to us My co us i A very w as i vited to M ar ble

n . n n

h ead to be t h eir pastor i d u e time t h ere bei g chu rc h pla ted

n n no n

th ere as yet b u t a to w appoi ted to s et up t h e trade of fish i g

,
n n n .

Be aus e ma y t h ere (th e mo s t bei g fish ermen ) were s ometh i g

c n n n

loo s e d remi ss i t h eir be h avior my cou si A very w as u willi g to

an n ,
n n n

go th ith er ; d s o refusi g w e w e t to Ne wberry i te di g th ere

an n , n ,
n n n

to i t do w But bei g s oli i t e d s o ofte both by the n of the

S n. n c n m e

TH E S HIPW RECK .

place d by t h e magi strates d b y Mr Cotto

an d mo s t of t h e ,
an .
n, a n

mi i sters wh o alleged wh at a b e e fi t we migh t be to t h e people t h ere

n ,
n ,

an d al s o to t h e o u try d commo w ealt

c h at
n le g t h w e
an embra e d n ,
n c

it d t h it h er co se ted to go T h ey of Marble h ead forthw it h s e t

,
an n n .
n

a pi ace for us d ou r good s

nn an .

We embar k ed at Ip swich A u gust 1 1 1 6 35 wit h o u r fa ilie s d , , ,

m an

substa e bo u d for Marbleh ead w e bei g i all t w e ty t h ree s o ul s

nc ,
n ,
n n n -
,

viz eleve i my co usi s family s eve i mi e d

.
,
n n n
’
Mr W 1 ,
n n n ,
an one . I

liam Eliot s o m eti es of Ne w Sar u m d four mari ers T h e ext

, m ,
an n . n
 THA CHEE S
’
I SLA ND . 24 7

mor i g h avi g comme ded o u rs el es to G d w ith c h eerful heart s

n n ,
n n v o ,

w e h oi sted sail B ut t h e Lord su dde ly t u r ed o u r c h eerful e ss i to

. n n n n

mo u r i g d lame tatio s For the 1 4 t h of t h i s A ug us t 1 6 35

n n an n n . on , ,

a b o u t t at igh t h avi g a fre sh gale of w i d o u r s ail s bei g old

en n ,
n n , ,
n

an d d o e w ere s plitn T h e mari ers beca use t h at it w a s ight w o u ld

,
. n ,
n ,

no t p u t to w s ail s b t re s olved to ca s t a c h or till t h e mor i g

ne ,
u n n n .

Bu t before dayligh t it plea sed t h e Lord to s e d s o migh ty a s torm n ,

as t h e li k e w a s ever k o w i N w E gla d s i ce t h e E gli sh n n n n e n n n n

c ame i t h e memory of
,
nor y of the I dia s
n It wa s s o furio us an n n .
,

t h at o u r a c h or came h o e Where u po the mari ers let o u t more

n m . n n

cable wh i h at last s lipped away T h e o u r s ailors k e w n t wh at

,
c . n n o

to do b t w e w ere dri e before t h e W i d d w aves

u v n n an .

My co us i d I perceived o u r da ger [ d ] s olem ly

n an n ,
an n r e co m

me ded our s elve s to G d t h e Lord both of eart h d s eas expecti g

n o ,
an , n

with every w ave to be swallo w ed u p d dre ch ed i th e deep s an n n .

A d a s my co us i
n hi s w ife d my te der babe s s at comforti g d
n, ,
an n n an

ch eeri g t h e ot h er i t h e L rd agai s t gh astly death wh ich every

n o ne n o n ,

mome t stared us i t h e face d s at tri u mp h i g u po each o e s

n n an n n n
’

fore h ead w e w ere by th e viole ce of t h e w ave s d fury of t h e w i d s

,
n an n

(by t h e Lord s permi ss io ) lifted u p u’

po a ro k bet w ee t w o h igh n n c n

roc ks yet all w a s,

rock Bu t it raged w it h t h e stroke wh ich
o ne .
,

ca e i to t h e pi
m n e s o as w e w ere prese tly u p to our middle s i
nn a c ,
n n

w ater as w e sat T h e w aves ame furio usly d viole t ly over u s

,
. c an n ,

d agai s t us but by reas o of t h e rock s proportio could t lift ’

an n n n no

u s ff b u t beat h er all to pieces Now look w ith me po o u r d i

o ,
. u n s

tress d co s ider of my mi s ery wh o beheld the sh ip broke t h e

,
an n , n,

w ater i h er d viole tly overwh elmi g us my good s d provi s

n an n n ,
an
,

io s swimmi g in t h s ea s my frie ds almo s t dro w ed d i e

n n e ,
n n ,
an m n

o wn poor c h ildre s o u timely (if I may s o t erm it w it h o u t off

n e ce) n n

before mi e eye s dro w ed d d v to be sw allo w ed u p d d ash ed

n n ,
an rea an

to pieces agai st t h e rock s by the merciless w aves d myself read y

n
,
an

to accompa y t h em Bu t I mu st go n to n n d of t h i s w ofu l
. on a e

r elatio n .

I the s ame room w herea s h e s at t h e ma s ter of the pi

n ace t , nn ,
no

kn o w i g what to do our foremas t w as c u t do w o u r mai mast broke

n , n, n n

i n t h ree piece s t h e fore part of t h e pi a e beat away o u r good s

,
nn c ,

sw immin g abo u t t h e s eas my h ildre b ew aili g me a s t pityi g ,

c n n ,
no n

th em selve s d mys elf bemoa i g them poor s o u l s wh om I h d

,
an n n , ,
a

oc as io ed to su c h
c n d i t h eir te der year s wh e a s t h ey co u ld
an e n n n ,
n

Scar ce be s en s ible of deat h — n d so like w i s e my cousi hi s w ife ,

a n, ,
24 8 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

a nd c h il d e ; d bot h of us bewai li g eac h other i o u r Lord

his r n an n n

an d o ly Savio u r Je sus C h ri s t i
n wh om o ly w e h d omfort d , n n a c an

c h eerful e ss i s om u h t h at from t h e greate st to t h e least of us

n ! n c , ,

th ere w as t s ree h or o u t ry mad e ; bu t all as si le t sh eep

no o ne c c c
,
n ,

w ere o te tedly re s olved to die tog eth er lovi gly a s i ce o u r

c n n n , S n

acqu ai ta ce w e h ad lived toget h er frie dly

n n n .

N w a s I w as s itti g i t h e cabi roo d oor w it h my bo d y i t h e

o n n n m , n

room wh e 1 !, of t h e s ailors by a wa v e bei g w ash ed o ut of th e

n 0 one , n .

pi a wa s gotte i agai
nn ce ,
d omi g i to t h e abi
n roo over
n n
,
an c n n c n m

my ba k ried o ut We are all cast aw ay T h e Lord have mercy

c ,
c ,
“
.

u po n us ! I h ave b ee w ash ed overboard i to t h e s ea d am gotte n n

,
an n

i agai H i s pee h e s ma d e me look fort h A d loo k i g to w ard

”
n n . s c . n n

the s ea d s eei g h o w w e w ere I t u r ed my self to

,
an n
y co us i d ,
n m n an

th e re st d spa k e t h es e w ord s O co us i it h at h pleas ed G d to

,
an n, o

c ast us h ere betw ee t w o ro ks t h e sh ore t far from us for I w n c , no

, s a

t h e top s of tree s wh e I loo k ed forth W h ere u po t h e mas ter of n .

”
n

t h e p i ace looki g up at t h e s c uttle h ole of t h e q uarter de k w e t

nn ,
n - -
c , n

o u t at it ; b u t I ever s aw h i afterward T h e h e t h at h ad b ee
n m . n n

in t h e sea w e t o ut agai by me d leaped over b oard to ward t h e

n n ,
an

rock s wh o afterw ard al s o I co u ld t see

, m no .

N w n o e were left i t h e bar k t h at I k e w or w b u t my cou si n

e n n n s a , ,

h i s w ife d ch il d re mys elf d mi e d h i maid serva t But

an n, an n ,
an s n .

my co us i t h o ugh t I w o uld have fl ed from him d said u to me

n , an n

O co us i leave us t let us d i toget h er

n, d reac h ed forth h i s
no ,
e an

h a d u to me T h e I letti g go my
n n . Peter s h a d too k h im b y
n ,
n s on
’
n ,

t h e h a d d said Co us i I p u rpo se it t Wh it h er sh all I go ?

n an !
“
n, no .

I am w illi g d read y h ere to d i w it h y

n an d my poor c h ildre e ou an n .

G d b mer ifu l to us
o e d re eive us to h im s elf !
c add i g th ese ,
an c
”
n

w ords T h e Lord i s able to h elp d d eliver us H replied s ayi g

“
an .
”
e ,
n ,
“
Tr uth co us i bu t wh at h i s pleasu re i s w e k o w n t I fear w e
,
n , n o .

have b ee too u t h a k fu l for former d elivera e s B t h e h at h

n n n nc . u

promi sed t d eliver us from i o d o d em atio d to bri g us s n an c n n n, a n n

safe to h eave t h ro ugh t h e all su ffi ie t sati sfactio of Jesus C h ri s t

n -
c n n .

T h i s th erefore we may h alle ge of h im To wh i h I replyi g

, ,
c n .
”
c ,
n ,

s ai d T h at i s all th e d elivera e I w d es ire d expect

,
nc no an .
”

W h i h w ord s I h d s oo er spo k e b t by a migh ty w ave I w as

c a no n n, u ,

w it h t h e piece ofth e bar k wash ed o ut u po part of t h e ro k wh ere ,

n c ,

t he w ave left almo st d ro w ed Bu t re overi g y feet I w

m e n . c n m ,
sa

above me th e ro k my d augh ter M ary T wh I h ad

'

on c . o om no

s oo er gotte b u t my co us i A very d hi s eldes t

n n, am e to u s n an s on c ,
25 0 N W ENGLAND LEG ENDS
E -
.

a nd fro agai d at la s t I felt t h e gro u d w it h my right f t

n, a n W h en n ee .

immed iately wh il t I w as t hus grovelli g,

my fa e I prese tly
s n on c , ,
n

recoveri g my feet w as i t h e w ater u p to my b reast d t h ro ug h

n ,
n ,
an

G o d s great mercy h ad my fa e u to t h e sh ore t to t h e s ea I

’
d c n ,
an no .

made h a ste to get o ut b u t w as t h row dow my h d s w it h th e

, n n on an

w aves d s o w it h safety crept to t h e d y h ore wh ere bless i g

,
an r S , ,
n

G d I t u r ed about to loo k for my c h il d re

o ,
n d frie d s b u t s a w n an n ,

n eith er y part of t h e pi
,
n or a n ace wh ere I left t h em a s I suppo sed nn , , .

Bu t I w my w i fe abo ut a b utt le gt h from me getti g h erself forth

sa ,
n ,
n

from amo gs t t h e timber of t h e broke bark ; b u t before I o uld get

n n c

u to h er sh e w as gotte to t h e sh ore I w as i t h e w ater after I

n ,
n . n ,

w as wash ed from th e rock before I came to t h e h ore a q u arter of ,

S , an

ho u r at least .

W h e w e w ere come each to ot h er w e w e t d t u der the

n ,
n an sa n

ba k But fe r of t h e seas
n . i g a d o u r ol d e ss w ould t
’
re ar n ,
an c n ,
no

suffer us t h ere to remai Bu t w e w e t p i to t h e la d d sat us n . n u n n ,

an

do w u der a ced ar tree wh ic h t h e w i d h ad th ro w dow wh ere

n n -
,
n n n,

w e sat abo u t h o u r al o s t d ead w it h cold B ut w t h e storm

an ,
m . no

w as broke u p d t h e w i d w a s calm b t t h e s ea remai ed ro ugh

n ,
an n u n

an d fearfu l to u My legs w ere m u h br ui sed d s o w as my h ead

s . c ,
an .

Oth er h u rt h d I o e either h d I tak e i m u c h qu a tity of

a n n ,
n a n n n

w ater B ut my h eart w o u ld t let

. s it s til l y lo ger ; b ut I no m e an n

w ou l d go to s ee if y more w ere gotte to t h e la d i safety espean n n n ,

i lly h opi g to h ave met w it h s ome of my w poor childre ; but I

c a n o n n

c o uld fi d o e eit h er dead n n yet livi g

n ,
n nor n .

Y co dole w it h me my mi s eries who

ou n w bega to co s ider of ,
no n n

my lo sse s No w ca e to my reme bra ce t h e time d ma er how

. m m n an nn

an d wh e I las t s aw d left my childre

n d frie d s O w as
an n an n . ne

s evered from me s itti g t h e rock at my feet t h e ot h er th ree i t h e n on ,

n

pi ace my little babe (ah poor Peter ! ) s itti g i h i s s i ster Edit h s

nn
,
n n
’

arms wh o to t h e u ttermo st of h er po wer sh eltered h im from t h e

,

waters my poor William s ta d i g clo se u to th em all t h ree of th em n n n ,

looki g r u efully me t h e rock t h eir very ou te a ce s calli g

n on on ,
c n n n n

u to me to h elp t h em ; wh om I co uld t go u to eith er co ul d th ey

n no n ,
n

come at me eith er w o uld t h mercile ss wave s afford me spa e or

,
n e c

ti e to us e y mea s at all eit h er to h elp t h em or myself Oh I

m an n ,
.
,

yet see t h eir c h ee ks poor ile t lambs pleadi g pity d h elp at my ,

S n ,
n an

h a ds Th e
n .t h e ot h er side to co s ider t h lo ss of my dear
n, on ,
n e

frie ds w it h th e poili g d lo ss of ll o u r good s d provi s io s

n , S n an a an n ,

myself c s t u po u k ow la d i a w il d er ess I k e w t
a n an n n n n ,
n n , n no
 THACHER S
’

I SLA ND . 25 1

where ho w to get th e ce The it came to my mi d ho w I had

n or n . n n

oc a s io ed the deat h of my h ildre wh o caus ed t h em to leave their

c n c n,

n ative la d wh o mig h t h ave left t h em t h ere yea d migh t h ave

n , , ,
an

s e t s ome of t h em back agai

n d co st me ot h i g T h e se d s uc h n, a n n n . an

like t h o ugh t s do press do w my h ea y h eart very m u c h n v .

B u t I m ust let t h i s pass d w il l proceed i n t h e relatio of ,

an on n

G od s good e ss u to me i t h at de s olate i s la d wh ich I w a s cast

’
n n n n ,
on .

I d my w i fe w ere almo st aked bot h of us d w et d cold eve

an n , ,
an an n

u to deat h 1 fo u d a s ap sack cast

n . the sh ore i wh i h I h d a
n n on ,
n c a

s teel d fl i t d po wder h orn G oi g fart h er I fou d a dro w ed

,
an n ,
an -
. n ,
n n

goat ; the I fo u d a h at d my n William s coat bot h w hic h

n ,
an s on
’
,

I p ut My w ife fo u d
on . of h er petticoat s wh ic h sh e p u t
n o ne I ,
on .

fo u d al s o t w o ch eeses d s ome b u tter drive ash ore T hus t h e

n an n .

Lord s e t s ome clot h es to p u t

n u s d foo d to sustai our w o n, a n n ne

lives wh ich w e h ad lately give u to u s d mea s al s o to make

,
n n , an n

fi re for i a hor I h ad s ome g u po wder wh i h to mi e w

n n d n ,
c ,
n o n, an

s i ce to oth er me s admiratio wa s d y S tak i g a piece of my

n n
’
n, r . o n

wife s eckcloth wh ich I dried i t h e

’
n I stru k fi re d s o drie d n s u n, c ,
an

an d w armed w et bod ie s d t h e ski

ou r ed t h e goat d h avi g an n nn
,
a n n

fou d a smal l brass pot w e boiled s ome of h er O dri k wa s

n , . ur n

bra ki sh w ater bread w e h ad o e

c n n .

T h ere w e remai ed u til the Mo day follow i g wh e abo u t

n n n n n,

th ree of t h e clock i t h e after oo i a boat th at came t h at w ay w e

n n n, n ,

w e t off t h at d es olate i sla d w hich I amed after my ame T h ac h er s

n n ,
n n ,
’

Woe d t h rock A very h i s Fall to t h e d th at th eir fall d lo ss

,
an e , ,
en an ,

an d mi e w mig h t be h d i perp etual remembra ce

n o n, I t h e i sle
a n n . n

liet h b u ried t h e body of my cou si s elde st d a ugh ter wh om I fo u d n

’
,
n

d ead t h e sh ore O t h e T u e sday follow i g i t h e after oo w e

on . n n ,
n n n,

arrived at Marble h ead .

Such eve n t wou ld n at u rally h ave it s poe ti c pe n dan t The

an .

Si m ple pathos of the p r ose n a rative m y n o w be co n t ras t ed r a

with t he chaste beau t y of W h i t t i Sw a n So n g of Pa r so n er s

’ “

Ave r y which tur n s upo n t he popular fallacy t ha t the Swan

“
'

pou r s fo rt h it s expiri n g b r eath i n so n g .

25 2 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEGENDS .

TH E SW A N SONG OF P A R SON AV ERY .

J . G . W HI TTI ER .

W H EN t h e
reaper s t sk w as e ded d t h e su mmer w eari g late
’
a n ,
an n ,

Pars o A very s i led from Newb u ry wit h h i s w ife d h il d re

n a ,
an c n

eigh t ,

Droppi g dow n t h e ri ver h arbor i t h e sh allop Watch d Wait

n - n
“
an .
”

t h ey sailed at igh tfall t h e pleasa t la d breeze died

A ll d a y n n n -
,

T h e lac k e i g sky at mid igh t its starry ligh t s d e ied

b n n ,
n ,
n ,

A d f
n d l w t h e t hu der of tempe s t prop h e s ied
ar an o n

A llat o ce t h e great clou d parted lik e a u rt ai draw aside

n ,
c n n ,

To let d o w t h e tor h of ligh t i g th e terror far d w i d e

n c n n on an

A d t h e t hu der
n d t h e wh irl w in d toget h er s mote t h e tide
n an .

T h ere w a s w aili g i t h e sh allop w oma s w il d ma s despair

n n ,
n
’
a an n
’
,

A crash of breaki g tim b er s t h e ro k s s o sh arp d b are

n on c an ,

A n d t h ro u g h it all t h e m u m u r of Fat h er A very s prayer

’
, , r .

In thi s igh t of deat h I c h alle ge t h e promi se of th y w ord !

n n

Le t me s ee t h e great s alvatio of wh i h mi e ear s h ave h eard n c n .

Le t me pass from h e ce forgive thro u gh t h e gra e of Ch ri st u

n n, c ,
o r

L ord

Wh e t h e C h ri stia si gs hi s deat h s o g all t h e li ste i g heave s

n n n -
n ,
n n n

draw ar ne ,

A d t h e a gel s lea i g over t h e w all s of ry s tal h ear

n n ,
n n c ,

H w t h e ote s s o fai t d bro k e sw ell to m us i i G od s ear

’
o n n an n c n .

T h e ear of G d w as ope to h i s s erva t s last req u est

o n n
’

A t h e stro g w ave s wept h i

s n d o w w ar d t h e sw eet hymn up w ard m n

pressed ,

A d th e s o u l of Fat h er A very w e t s i gi g to it s re s t
n n ,
n n ,
.
25 4 N W ENGLA ND LEG ENDS
E -
.

In t h e time i n t he year 1 6 9 2 of fatal memo ry

'

m id s u m m er , , ,

Ebe e z er Bab s o n a s tu rdy yeoma n of Cape A n n with the r e s t

n , ,

of hi s family almost every ight heard n oi s e s a s if some per s o n s

,
n

were w alki n g or ru n n i n g hither a n d thither about the hou s e .

He bei n g out lat e o n n ight w he n retur n i ng home sa w tw o n e ,

m e

come out of his o wn door n d the n at sight of him r u n swiftly ,

a

from the n d of t he hou s e i n t o the adjoi n i n g cor n field G oi n g

e .

i n he immediately ques t io n ed h i s family co n cer n i n g the s e

,

stra n ge vi s ito rs They promptly r eplied th at n o o n e at all had

.

bee n there duri n g his absen ce Staggered by thi s den ial bu t .

,

bei n g w ithal a very r esol u t e st ou t hear ted m n Bab s o n seized ,

-
a ,

hi s g n n d we n t ou t i n pursuit of the i n t r uder s Whe n he had

u a .

go n e a little way from the house he saw the s ame m e n s u d d e n ly ,

s tart up from behi n d a log n d r u n i n to a s w a p that w a s n ear a m

by He al s o overheard n s ay to the other The m n of the

. o e ,
“
a

hou s e is n w come else we might have take n the ho s e The n

o ,
u .
”

he lost sight of them .

Upo n this expecti n g a n i mmediate at tack t he whole family

, ,

ro s e i n co n s tern atio n n d we t with all h a s te to the n eare s t ,

a n

ga rriso n w hich w as o nly a short dista n ce off They had o ly

,
. n

just e n tered it whe n they heard h eavy foot fall s a s if a n umber ,

of m e n w ere tra pli n g n the grou n d arou n d it The n Babso n

m o .

agai n t ook his g n n d n out n d h e agai n sa w the t w o m e n

u a ra ,
a

r u n n i n g a w ay dow n the hill i n to the sw amp By this time .

no n e doubted that they were threate n ed w ith

o n I n dia n for a

ray that these e n we r e the e n emy s scout s a n d that t he

, m
’

da n ge r was immi n en t .

The n ext n ight but o n e Bab s o n for t he third time saw t w o , , ,

m e n who he thought looked like F re n chme n

, n of them h a v ,
o e

i n g a b righ t g n s uch as t h e F re n ch Ca adia n s u s e d slu n g n

u ,
n ,
o

hi s back Both of t h em started to w a r d s him at the top of their

.

speed ; but Babso n taki n g to hi s heel s made good his escape , ,

i n to t he garri s o n n d s o eluded them When he h d got safely

,
a . a

i n the n oi s e of m n movi n g about o n the out s ide wa s agai n

, e

di s ti n ctly heard No t lo n g after these st ra n ge t h in g h d take n

. s a

place Bab s o n with a n other a n n amed Joh n B ro w n s aw t hree

, ,
m , ,
 THE SPECTRE LEA GU ERS . 25 5

m en
( the n umber like F als t a f
,
f S m e n i n buckra m had’
n o w ih ,

crea s ed to three ) w hom t hey tried hard t o get a hot a t but did
,
S ,

n t
o ,
o w i n g to t he s t ra n gers dodgi n g about i n s o lively a ma n n e r
’

that they co ld n o t t ake aim F o r t w o or t hree n igh t s thes

u . e

m e n or devil s i n the form of

, en co n t in u ed to appea r i n t he
m ,

same my s terious way for t he purpose of d aw in g t he Cape m e n

, r

out i n to a wild goose chase afte r t hem On July 1 4 Babso n

-
.
, ,

Bro w n a n d all the garri s o n s aw w i t hi n gu n shot of them half a

,
-

do z en m e n whom they suppo s ed t o be r eco n n oi t ri n g o r tryi n g

, ,

A I
SORT E U P ON TH E DEM ONS .

t o decoy them i n t o a n ambush The brave garriso n at o n ce .

s allied out i n hot pursuit Babso n who seem s to h ave ever

.
,

s ough t t he forefro n t of battle prese n t ly over t ook two of the

,

s kulki n g vagabo n ds took good aim a n d pulled the trigger ; bu t

, ,

hi s tru s ty g u n mis s ed fire a n d t hey go t away a n d hid t hem

,

selves amo n g t h e b u shes He then called ou t to his co m rade s

.
,

w ho immediately a n s wered Here they are ! here they are !

,
“ ”

w he n Babso n ru n n i n g t o meet them sa w three m e n s t eali n g ou t

, ,

of the sw amp side by s ide Bri n gi n g hi s g u n t o hi s Sh oulde r

.
,

with su r e a im thi s time he fir ed whe n all three fell as if Sh o t .

25 6 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Al m ost beside himself Bab s o cried out to his compan io n s that ,

n

he had k i lled three Bu t whe n he w a s come n early up to the .

supposed dead m n they all ro s e up n d n a w ay apparen tly e ,

a ra ,

withou t h u rt o r w ou n d of n y ki n d I n deed n of t hem gave a . o e

Babso n a ho t i n retur n for hi s o w the bullet n arro w ly miss

S n,

i ng him a n d buryi n g itself i n a tree from w hich it wa s after

, ,

ward dug out n d pre s erved a s a t rophy of the combat Babso n

,
a .

t hi n kin g this w arm wo rk t ook refuge behi n d a tree n d r eloaded ,

a .

Then his comrades havi n g joi n ed him they all charged t ogethe r
, ,

upo n the s pot where the fugitives lay co n cealed Agai n t he .

spect r es start ed up before thei r eyes a n d n every m a n his ra ,

“

way .
”
On ho w ever t hey surrou n ded n d hemmed i n n d
e , ,
a ,
a

Bab s o n ge tti n g a fair s hot at him saw him drop But whe n
, , .

search was made the dead body had va n i s hed A fte r a frui t , .

less hu n t duri n g whic h the s t out hearted Colo n i s ts heard a loud

,
-

t alki n g go i n g o n i n the swamp i n s ome outla n dish jargo n they ,

could n o t u n ders ta n d a w ord of they ret ur n ed cre s tfalle n a n d , ,

half dead w ith fatigue to the gar iso n i n orde r t o r eport their ,
r ,

ill succe s s Bu t n o soo n er w e r e they back the r e t ha n they s aw

-
.
,

mo r e m e n skulki n g amo g the bu s he s who p r ude n t ly kep t out n ,

of gu n s hot What could it ll mea n ?

. a

The n ext mor n i n g Babso n started to go ove r to t he harbo r i n

order t o gi ve the alarm there for i t wa s n o t doub t ed by a n y o ne ,

that n attack was immi n e n t While n his w ay t hi t her h e

a . o

was waylaid n d fired at by t he u n accou n table troubler s wh

a
,
”
o,

st ra n ge t o say loaded their gu n s with r eal bullet s a s poor Bab

, ,

s n was n ear fi n di n g out t o h i s

o cost Havi n g procured help .
,

t h e n eighborhood was scoured for t races of t h attacki n g party e ,

t wo of whom we re seen bu t n t bei n g mor t al flesh n d blood , o a ,

could n o t be har med by lead or s teel .

In t he cou r se of a few days m e two of t he garriso n wen t re ,

out upo n a scou t wh o sa w several m e n come t of n orchard , ou a ,

i n which t hey seemed to be performi n g s ome s tra ge i n ca n ta n

tio n s They cou n ted eleven of them Richard D olliver ai s ed

. . r

hi s g n n d fired i n to the mid s t of them where they s tood the

u a ,

t hicke s t b u t of cour s e without other effect tha n to make them

scatte r as before .
25 8 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

the u n eq u al co n tes t w as aban do ed W he n t his wa s do n e t he n .

,

demo n s occupatio n bei n g go n e they too disappeared

’

,
.

I t Should be said i n co n clusio n a n d o n the same aut h ority ,

as t ha t t o which we owe t he n a rratio n t ha t the most co n s erva ,

tive mi n ds r egar ded t he s e occu r ren ces as a pa rt of t he d esce n t

from the i n visible world the n me n aci n g the peace of the Colo n y ,

a n d t hrea t e n i ng the churches therei n with irretrievable disa st er .

The poetic versio n of this lege n d ope n s w ith a glimpse of t he

sce n e th at is i tself w ort h a whole chap t e r of descriptio n W e .

are t he n i n troduced t o the Colo n ial garri so n house udely bu t -

,
r

stro n gly built to pro t ect the s et t ler s from t hei r savage f s n d
,
e e ,
a

to i t s valia n t defe n de rs wh o wit h t heir useless arms i n thei r

,

ha n ds a w ait i n dread t he assaul t of t he demo n s Mr W hit t ie r . .

,

be it said is seldom happie r tha n whe n deali n g with t he lege n d

,

ary lore extracted from t he old ch ro n icles In h i m t he spi r i t .

of a n a n tiquary n d t he feeli n g of the poet exis t i n as amiable

a

fello ws hip a s they did i n Si Walter Sco tt who ra n sacked the r ,

lege n ds o fSco t lan d fo r his t ales i n prose or verse .

THE GA RRI SON OF C APE ANN .

J . G . W H TT ER I I .

WH ERE the sea w ave s back - a nd forward h oarse w it h rolli g pebbles

,
n ,

r an,

The garri s o ho us e stood w atch i g th e gray rock s of Cape A

n- n on nn

O it s w i dy s ite u plifti g gable d roof

n n d pali s ade
n an ,

A d ro u gh w all s of u h e w timber w it h t h e moo lig h t overlaid

n n n n .

Before t h e d eep mo u th ed c h im ey d imly lit by d yi g bra ds

- n ,
n n ,

T we ty s oldier s sat d w aited w ith t h eir m usket s i th eir h a ds

n an ,
n n

O t h e ro gh h e w oak e table t h ve i s o h a u h w a s sh are d

n u -
n n e n n nc ,

A d t h e pe w ter ta k ard ircle d s lo wly ro u d fro

n n beard to beard
c n m .

But t h eir voices s a k yet lo wer s a k to husky to e s of fear

n ,
n n ,

A t h ey s pa k e of pre s e t to k e s of t h e po w er s of evil ear

S n n n

Ofa s pe tral h o s t d efyi g s tro k e of s teel

c ,
d i
n of g an a m un

Ne er yet was bal l to slay t h em i n t h e mo u ld of mortal s

v ru n
 OLD M EG, THE W TCH I . 25 9

Midni g h t came ; fro out t h e forest moved a dusky ma s that s oo

m s n

G re w to w arrior s pl me d ,
d pai ted grimly marchi g i t h e moo
u an n ,
n n n.

G h o s t s or w itc h e s said t h e captai t hus I foi l the Evi l O !

”
,
n, ne

A d h e rammed a s i lver b u tto

n fro h i s do ublet do w h i s g
n, m , n u n .

pre serve u s s aid t h e aptai

Go d ever mortal f w ere t h ere
c n n e es

They h ave va i shed w it h t h eir leader Pri ce d Po w er of t h e air

n ,
n an

L y as ide yo u r us ele ss w eapo s

a skill d prow e ss aught avail
n an n

T h ey wh o do t h e Devil s s e vice w ear t h eir master s coat of mai l

’
r
’

So t h e ight g re w n ear to co k cro w wh e agai n a war i g call

n c -
,
n n n

Ro used t h score of w eary s ol d iers wat h i g ro u d the d usky h all

e c n n

A d they looked to fl i t
n d primi g d they lo ge d for break
n an n ,
an n o f
day
But the captai clo se d h i s Bible
n !
“
Le t us ceas e fr om m a n, and
7)
ra y
P

To the m enw ho w e t before us all t h e u s ee po w er s s eemed n ear

n ,
n n ,

A d t h eir s teadfa s t s tre gth of co u rage s tr u k it s root s i h oly fear

n n c n .

Every h a d for s ook t h e m us ket every h e d w s bo w ed

n d bare
,
a a an ,

Every s to u t k ee pre ss ed t h fl g t
n a s t h e captain led i prayer
e a s one s ,
n .

Ceas ed thereat t h e mystic march i g of the spectre s ro u d the wall n n ,

B ut a s o u d ab h orred u eart h ly s mote t h e ea s d h eart s of ll

n ,
n ,
r an a ,

Ho wls of rage d sh riek s of a g u i sh Never after mortal

an n m an

S w t h e gho s tly leaguers marchi g roun d t h e blockhou s e of Cape

a n

OLD MEG, THE WITCH .

E ca n easily b ri n g t he age of c r eduli t y as fa r fo r war d as

t he m iddle of t he las t cen t u y by mea n s of a local r ,

lege n d i n which m edi aeval supe rst i t io n r espec t i n g witches su r

viv es i n full vigo r The t est of t he s i lve r bulle t r ecalls t he
.
,

weird i n can t at ion scen e i n De r F r e i s ch ii t a n d all t he demo n z ,

”

lo r e as soc i at ed w it h t h e gloomy dep t hs o f t he Ha rt z .

26 0 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

There wa s a reputed w i t ch by the n ame of Marga re t Wesso n ,

a n d familiarly k n o w n by the n ame of Old Meg who o n ce “ ”

,

r esided i n G louces t er A fte r havi n g bee n for ma n y year s the

.
-

objec t of super s titious cu r iosi ty a n d dread to the i n habita n t s of

t he Cape she at le gt h came t o her e n d i n the follo w i n g stra n ge
,
n

a n d my s teriou s ma n n er A t the time of the celebrated victoriou s

.

s iege of Loui s burg by the Colo n ial t r oop s i n 1 7 4 5 t w o s oldier s ,

of the Ma ss achu s ett s lin e belo n gi n g to G louce s ter happe n ed to

have their atte n tio n dra w n to the moveme n t s of a cro w t hat
kept hoveri n g over them They thre w s to n e s n d the n fired
.
,
a

their m s ket s at it but could n either t h n terrify it the

u ,
ou c .
or

bird s till co n ti n ued fl yi n g rou n d them n d cawi n g horribly i n a

their ear s A t le n gth it occurred to o n of t hem tha t it might

. e

be Old Meg He commu n icated h is sus picio n s to h is comrade

.

a n d as n othi n g but s ilver wa s believed to have n y po w er to a

i nj u r e a w itch they cut the s ilver butto n s off from their n i

, u

for coats a n d di s charged the at the e w The experime n t

m m cr .

s ucceeded A t the fi rs t s hot they broke it s leg ; a t the seco n d

.

it fell dead at their feet Whe n they re t ur n ed to Glouce st er

.
,

t h ey lear ed that Old Meg had broken her leg w hile w alki g
n n .

by the fort i n that place at t he preci s e time w he n they had shot

a n d killed the cro w five h u n dred miles dista n t after li n geri n g
for a w hile i n great ago n y she died A n d n o w comes the s i n .

gular p art of t he story for upo n exami n i n g her frac t ured limb ,

the ide n tical s ilver butto n s which the s oldiers had fired from
thei r mu sket s u n der the walls of Loui s b rg w ere extracted from u

the fl e s h The s tory of Old Meg was lo n g familiarly told i n

.

G loucester although t he credulity w hich o n ce received i t as

,

s olem n trut h h s n early if n o t quite pas s ed a w ay says t he

a
, , ,

Revere n d Charles W U pham w ho ake s the stat emen t so

.
, m

lately as 1 8 32 It has ho w ever bee n reproduced amo n g t he

.
, ,

s ober r ecords of fa ct co n t a i n ed i n M r Babso n s Hi st o r y of .

’ “

Glouces t e r
”
.
26 2 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

vessel Two of t he pi rat e cre w Joh n F illmore of Ipswich a n d

.
, , ,

Edwa r d Cheesma n were m e n w hom Phillip s had take n ou t of

the ships tha t he had plu n dered n d pre s sed i n to his service a ,

thus maki n g t hem pi rates agai n st thei r will Bei ng fou n d use .

ful Cheesma n had bee n promoted t o the pos t of ship s ca rpen te r

,
’

sho rt ly before the D olphi n was captu red Both he a nd F ill

“ ”
.

mo r e however w ere brave you n g fello ws a n d bot h had fully

, , ,

dete r mi n ed come what might t o take t he firs t oppo rtu n ity

, ,

t hat prese n t ed itself of escapi n g fr o m Phillip s clu t ches but the ’

jealous watchful n e ss of the o lde r p ira t es was such tha t they

could ge t n o oppo r tu n ity of t alki ng t o each o t her abou t what
was in their mi n d s excep t when feign i n g t o be asleep o r whe n
, ,

prete n di n g to play at cards t ogethe r Bu t by s t ealth t hey at .

le n gth came t o n u n der s ta n di n g a .

To Captai n Harrade n t hese two presen tly b r oached t hei r pu r

po s e n d fi n di g him r eady a n d willi n g t o s trike a blow fo r t he
a n

r ecovery of hi s ve ss el n d h i s libe r ty they w ith fou r co n feder

a ,

ate s w ho were already pledged to st a nd by them fixed the day

, ,

a n d the hour for m ki n g the hazardous at t empt a .

Whe n the appoi n ted hour of n oo n h d arr ived Chees m a n t he a , ,

leader w ith F illmore a n d Harrade n were o n d eck as also we r e

, , ,

Nu t the ma s ter of the D olphi n a fello w of g rea t s tre n gt h

,
“
,
”

a n d courage the boat sw ai n a n d some o t he rs of t he pi r a t e c r ew

, , .

But of all o n board Nu t n d the boat swa in w e r e t he t wo w ho m

,
a

the co n spirator s most feared to e n cou n t e r Cheesma n ho w eve r .

, ,

promised to take care of the mas t e r if t he o t he r s would atte n d

to t he boatswai n No firearms w e r e t o be used The attack
.
.

was t o h e sudde n ly made a n d possessio n of t he deck t o be ,

gai n ed before the alarm should spread belo w

, .

Cheesman havi n g left his worki n g t ools o n the deck as i f h e

, ,

w e re go in g t o use them about the vessel walked a ft t o begi n ,

with the master but s eei n g s ome sig n s of t imidity i n Ha rr ade n

,

he came back gave him a n d his mat e s a dram of bran dy each

, ,

dri n ki n g to the boatswai n n d t h m aster the t oas t To u r a e

,
“
o

n ex t merry meeti n g He the took a tur n u p a n d dow n the

-
”
. n

deck with N t i n order to occupy t h pirate s at te n t io n wh ile

u , e
’
,
 No RM A Ns W OE
’
. 26 3

Fi llmo re as if i n spo rt picked up t he ca rpe n t e r s axe from where

, ,
’

i t was lyi n g a n d bega n to t wi rl it aro u n d o n the p o m t

,
.

Thi s wa s the s ign a l agreed upo n Cheesma n i n st a n tly grap .

pled wi t h t he ma s ter a n d bei n g a m a n of po w erful frame after

, , ,

a b r ief st ruggle pitc h ed him over the Side i n t o the sea Fill .

mo r e r ushi n g upo n the boatswai n with o n e blow of the axe

, ,

laid him dead upo n t he deck The n oise of the s cu ffle brough t .

the p ir at e ch i ef o n deck ; bu t Cheesma n quickly disabled him

w i t h a blow from the carpe n ter s malle t which frac t ured hi s j aw ’

bo n e Havi n g armed himself with a n adze Ha r rade n t he n

.
,

sp ran g upo n Phillip s wi t h his uplift ed weapo n b u t t he gun n e r

of t he pirat e i n terpo s i n g be t wee n t hem Cheesma n tr i pped up ,

his heel s thro w i n g him i n t o t h e a r ms of a co n federate who

, ,

flu n g h i m overboard afte r the mas t e r Ha rr ade n t he n fi n i shed

,
.

w it h Phillips .

The co n spi rat o rs t he n j umped i n t o t he hold a n d fell upo n

t he qu a i t e r m a s t e r wh o was t he o n ly Of
,
fi ce r r emai n i n g al i ve ,

whe n a you n g lad o n boa r d pleaded so ear n es t ly fo r his life t ha t

he was spared The r es t of t he p ir at e c r ew bei n g secu r ely pu t
.

i n ir o n s t he vessel was s t eered d ir ec t ly fo r Bosto n whe r e s h e

, ,

ar rived o n t he 3d of May 1 7 24 t o t he gr eat j oy of t he people o f

, ,

t he p r ovi n ce T w o of the Pirat es A rche r t h e quar t ermast er

.
, , ,

a n d William W hite we r e tr ied co n vic t ed a n d execu t ed

, F ill , , .

mo r e Cheesma n a n d t hei r co n federat es we r e ho n o rably acqu it

, ,

t ed Joh n F illmo r e t h e pira t e i n Spite of himself was the

.
, ,

grea t gra n dfa t he r of t he t hi rt een t h P r eside n t of t he Un it ed

—

Sta t es .

NORM AN S W OE ’
.

OUCHI NG t h ame of t he rock called No r ma n s Woe

e n
’
,

lit tle mo r e is k n o w n tha n t hat G oodma n Norman a n d his

s o n were amo n g the first to s e t t le he r e
; n d i t i s the r efo r e as a

sumed t ha t t his he a dlan d a n d its o utlyi g is le t p re s erve a family n

26 4 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

sur n ame at o n ce bold n d picture s que That n record is kn o w n

a . o
,

to explai n ho w the r o c k origi n all y received i t s n ame or wha t the ,

catastrophe it was i n t e n ded to perpet uat e is o n ly an othe r i n ,

stan ce of the in s t ability of local t r aditio n s Ma n y of the n ames .

n e w i n use o n Cape A nn go a s fa r back a s the fir s t decade of the

settleme n t F or i n st an ce Kettle Isla n d n d Baker s I sla d w er e

.
, a
’
n

n amed before 1 6 34 This o n e like Thacher s I s la n d is pro ’

.
, ,

bably commemorative of some u n commo n i n dividual experie n ce

or disaster ; but wha t ever that may have bee n it s memo ry is ,

p robably los t beyo n d recove ry .

A ’
NORM N S W OE R O C K .

No t lo s t i t s claim t o a wide r celebrity than some of our most

amous
f bat tlefields for i t i s t h sce n e so vividly desc ribed in
,
e

Lo n gfello w s W r eck of t he Hespe rus

“
’ ’
.

I n his b i ograp h ical Sketch of t he poe t Lo n gfello w Mr Fra n cis ,

.

H U n derw ood say s of t h i s ballad t hat i t i s deservedly d

.
“
a

mired especially for t h e vigor of it s desc ri p ti o n s It is he

,
.
,

co n ti n ue s i n truth a ballad such a s former cen turies k n ew a n d

,
“
,

which a r e seldom wr itten n o w It s free m oveme n t direc tn e s s

.
, ,

a n d pictorial po w er combi n e to make it n e of the mos t rema r k o

able o f t he author s poems ’

.
”
26 6 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

old m a n n e r ; bu t what is mo r e to the pu r pose it has t he ge n ui n e ,

r i n g n e rvous actio n s o n orous rhythm n d u n mi s takable flavo r

, , , a

of the s a t hroughou t Those s ta n z a s descriptive of the i n cr

e . eas

i ng fu ry of t he gale have n eve r bee n surpassed i n t h e lan g u a g e .

Colder louder blew th e wi d

a nd n ,

A gale from t h e Nort h ea s t ,

Th e s o w fell h i ss i g i t h e bri e
n n n n ,

A d t h e billo ws frot h ed like ye a st

n .

Do wn came t h e storm d smote amain ,

an

T h e ve ss el i its stre g t h
n n

Sh e shud dered d pa used li k e a f i ghted s teed

an ,
r ,

T h e le ped h er cable s le gth

n a
’
n .

A nd fas t t h ro ug h t h e mid igh t dark d d rear n an ,

T h ro ugh t h e wh i stli g sleet d s o w n an n ,

Like a sh eeted g h o s t t h e ve ss el sw ept

,

To ward s t h e Reef of Norma s Woe n

’
.

Sh es tr u ck wh ere the wh ite d fl e e y w ave s an c

Loo k e d s oft a s carded w ool ,

But t h e cr u el rock s t h ey gored h er i d es

,
S

Like t h e h orn s of a n a gry b u ll n .

Her rattli g shro ud s all sheat h ed i ice

n ,
n ,

Wit h t h e mast s w e t by t h e b oard n

Like a ve ss el fgla ss h s tove

o d sa k ,
s e an n ,

H ! h o t h e breakers roared !
o

At daybreak th e bleak s ea beach

,
on -
,

A fish erma s too d agh a s t

n ,

To s ee t h e form of a mai d fair en ,

Lashed close to a drif ti g mast n .

 HA NNA H B I NDI NG SHOES . 26 7

HA NNA H B IND ING S H OE S .

A D 22 1 8 7 4
B EV E R L Y F RM S, M A SS .
, ec .
, .

“
D EAR SIR — A S to H an a h s l l it i s h ard to determi e
,
n
’ ’
oca e , n .

I u s ed to s ee h er at all t h e w i n do ws i n Beverly wh en I w a s a little

ch ild ; b t I a w h er more di sti n ctly abo u t t w en ty years ago o n
u s , ,

t h e road bet w ee Beverly n d Marble h ead I thi n k sh e lived i n the

n a .

latter place q uite as m u c h a s at t h e former Yo u s ee my home was .

i n Beverly n d w e Beverly h ildre w ere rat h er afrai d of t h e Marbl e

,
a c n
‘
headers ; t h ey h ad t h e rep u tatio n of rocki g th eir n eighbors o u t n
’

.
‘
of to wn I sus pect o t h e wh ole t h at Han n ah m us t h ave been
n
’
, ,

a t p a n d bo u d shoe s a yw here she p u t up Mr Wood wh o

ra m ,
n n . .
,

p ai
n te d h er pict u re s ay s he wa,
s s ho w n h e r ho us e i n Marblehead ,

a nd h e o ugh t to k ow n .

Bu t I h ave h o e stly told yo u a ll I kn o w about her except as a

n
,

lodger i n my imagi n atio n .

Sin cerely ash ame d of my i g n oran ce I am tr uly your s , ,

LU CY LARCOM
”
.

POOR lon e Ha ah nn ,

Sittin g at the w i do w bi d i g Shoe s ! n n n

Faded w ri kle d ,
n ,

Sitti g titc h i g i n a mo u r fu l mu s e
n ,
s n n .

Brigh t eyed beauty o ce w a s she

-
n

Wh e the bloo w as the tree

n m on .

Spri g d w i ter n an n

Han a h s at t h e wi do w bi din g ho e s
n
’
n n S .

a n eighbor No t
Pass i g d or a swe r will refu s e
n no n

To h er whi s pe r

I s there fro the fishers a ny n ews m

Oh h er h eart s adrift w it h
’
, one

O n e dle ss voyage go e
n a n n

Nigh t d or i g an m n n

Ha ah at t h w i do w bi di g shoes
nn
’
s e n n n .
26 8 N W ENGLA ND L EGENDS
E -
.

Fair yo u g H a a hn nn

B the n b u r t fish er gayly w

e n, s u -
n o oe s

H ale d lever
an c ,

For a w illi g h eart d h a d h e sues

n an n .

P OOR LONE HANNAH .

May day skie s are all aglow

-
,

A d t h e w ave s are la u ghi g s o !

n n

For h er w ed d i g n ,

Ha a h leave s h er w in do w d h er s h oe
nn an s
.
27 0 NEW -
ENGL AND LEGENDS .

“
Stra ger I recko yo u are t here long ;
n , n n
’

Ma y a year h er pe a t fl w
n nn n e .

O ld i t h s tory a w or o u t so g
s e n- n ,

Bu t h er d e k i s trod by mortal cre w c no .

Alice Marr w as a fair yo u g girl n ,

Lo g g i G lo s ter to w
’
n a o n n

Rippli g tre ss e s d s y c u rl
n an u nn ,

Rare red lip s d a h eek of brown ,

an c .

T h at w a s A lice th e fi h prid e ,
s er s
'

Lover s s o u g h t h er from ear d far n an

Sh w a s Jo h A k pro i s ed bride ’
e n c m an s m

H amed h i s ve ss el t h e A lice Marr

e n .

T h ar ot h i g sarti stra ger i life ;

’
s n n n, n , n

We go e to morro w t h o ugh h ere tod ay

’
re n -
,

A ot h er y g sh e w o u l d b h i s w ife
’
n v a e e ,

A t lea s t s o I hear th e go ssip s s ay ’

ve n .

Mo t hs rolled
n d ever a w ord on , an n

Si x mo t hs t w elve mo t hs n th e d y ,
n on a

Th at fi i sh ed t h e year w a s a u or h ea rd
n r m

Oft h e Ali e Marr i t h e o u ter bay c n .

Boat s p u t o u t b u t th ey dre w t ear , no n ,

Slo w ly s ile tly sh e s teered

,
n , on

Sk ipper A ckma l h o wh at c h eer ! n

Sh h ad va i sh ed h ad d i s appeared
”
e n ,
.
27 4 N w ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

wit h t he fr esh a n d te n de r gras s cre epi g up t o t he brok en n

t h r eshold as if Nature claimed adm ittan ce n d w ould n t be

, ,
a o

much lo n ger den ied That house yo u a re t old was b u il t t wo

.
, ,

ce n tu ri es ago W he r e a re the builder s a n d whe re the ge n e ra

.

t io s t hat came after them ? The old well sw eep creaks mour n
n
-

fu l ly i n t he wi n d n d poi n t s it s bo n y fi ger to the s ky Ye t

,
a n .

here are the tree s that they pla n ted st ill p u t ti n g forth the ir ,

bud s like mortal s putti n g

,
immo rta li t y on .

I t is n atural I thi n k i n s uch a place t o try t o im agin e t h e

, ,

fi r s t come s looki n g abou t t hem

-
r How did i t look ; what d i d .

t hey t hi k ? n n —
They wer e a mere ha dful the apostol i c n u m ,

ber ,
a va n guard se n t t o establish a s emi milita r y pos t Upo n -
.

ascen di n g the hill above t he r ive r t hey fou n d a n ou t cropp i n g

ledge of goo d ly exte n t fo r mi n g a sort of n at u ral platform a n d
, ,

upo n t his r ock they buil t t heir church w hich sub s eque n tly h e ,

came so famous throughou t t he Colo n y u n de r the successive

mi n ist rat io n s of Ward Rogers No r o t n a n d Hubba rd
,
— a ll , , ,

m e n em i n e n t for thei r lear n i n g n d pie t y Sat a n himself was a .

n o t able t o prevail agai n s t it ; for upo n t he smoo t h ledge ou t

side is st ill s ee the di st i c t pri n t o f hi s sable majest y s clove n

n n
’

f e e t whe n he w as hurled from the pi n n acle t o t he g r ou n d f

,
or

att emp ti n g t o con ceal him s elf w ithi n the sa ctuar y n .

In a n other place dow n by t h e r iver Side t he hous e whe r e

, ,

Harry Mai n lived is poi n ted ou t t o t he vi s itor He hav i n g t hus a .

local h a bitatio n t he legen d co n cern i n g him is n o vagabo n d t ra

,

ditio n Har y Mai i s the Wan deri n g Je w of Ips wi ch arou n d

. r n
,

w hom darkly han g s t he shado w of n u n par do n able c ri me a n d a

its fearful doom I t i s said t hat he had bee n by t urn s a pi rat e

.
,

a s uggle r a n d a w r ecke r wh o follo w ed the wicked trade of

m , ,

buildi n g fi r es o n t he san ds i n orde r t o decoy vessels am o n g ,

t he breaker s w here th ey w ere w recked a n d t heir cre ws pe ri shed

, ,

miserably For the s e crimes at hi s d eath he w as d e

. d to be ,
e m e

ch ai ed n Ip sw ich Bar the s ce n e of hi s former murdero us ex

n o ,

p l
o i t s d everla s ti gly t o coil a cable of s a d there
,
an n When n .

the cable broke hi s d emo n iacal yell s of baffled rage could b e

,

h eard fo r m ile s a r ou n d ; a n d whe n t ho s e fear fu l sou n d s a n

 I
I P SW CH L EG ENDS .
27 5

n o u n ce t he ri sin g ga le mo the r s w ould clasp t heir b abes t o t heir

d ,

brea s t s w hile the m e n Shook t heir heads a n d said Old Harry s

,
,
“ ’

gr o w li n g ag ai n His name was lo n g t he bugbea r u s ed to

frigh t en r efracto ry child r en i n to O b edie n ce wh i le t he r o t e o n
,

t he ba r hea r d i n s t o r ms s till audibly pe r pe t ua t es t h e lege n d

, , ,

w it h i ts r oa r .

The o ld people liv i n g o n Plu m Isla n d u s ed t o s ay t ha t Ha rry

P ADLOCK A ND K EY, I PSW I CH JAI L .

Ma i n s gh os t tr ouble d t hem by wa n de ri n g abou t t he san d hills

’
-

o n sto r my n igh t s so t ha t t hey we r e afraid t o ve n t u r e ou t of doors

,

aft e r da rk I n deed t h e t o wn it s elf i n its palmy days was so

.
, ,

full o f ghostly lege n ds t hat cer t ai n locali t ies supposed t o be

,

hau n t ed were scrupulou s ly avoided by the t imid o n es wh o h d

, ,
a

a m o rta l dread of bei n g acco s ted by s me vagabo n d spectre w ith

o

it s t ale o f horro r .

’
—
Harry Mai n s house fo r we mus t reme m be r t ha t he h a d
i
27 6 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

o ne — was ra n sacked a n d every rod of t h e ga r den dug up fo r

,

t he mo n ey that he w as suppo s ed t o have buried there ; but

n othi n g r ewarded the s ea r ch O t h e r p la c e s too have bee n ex
‘
.
, ,

o r e d wit h the same re s ult i n ques t of Kidd s hidde n trea s ures

’

p l , .

On e good m a n dreamed three n igh ts i n succe s sio n tha t va st sums

were bu ried i n a certai n hill i n t he to w n He could see t h e .

ve ry spot Hau n ted by t h e r eali s m of the dream he dete r mi n ed

.
,

t o te s t t he mat ter for himself ; a n d o n e dark n ight j us t a s mid ,

n igh t st ruck h e took his spade his la n ter n a n d hi s Bible a n d

, , , ,

started o n hi s weird erra n d Upo n reachi n g the spo t he recog.

n iz ed it as the same that he had s ee i n his drea m He imme n .

d i a t e ly fell t o work A fter plyi n g his spade vigorously a w h ile

.
,

i t st r uck agai n s t some hard objec t He n o w felt su r e O f h is .

pri z e Scrapi n g the earth a w ay wi t h feverish h a s te h e came

.
,

to a fl at st o n e havi n g a bar of iro n laid across i t This he .

eagerly grasped with o n e ha n d a n d w a s abou t to tur n t he sto n e ,

over wi t h t he other whe n he was sudden ly su rr ou n ded by a t roop

of ca t s whose eyeballs blazed i n the da rk n e s s The digger fel t
,
.

his hair slowly risi ng o n e n d A cold s w eat st ood o n hi s bro w . .

B ra n dish i n g the bar aloft he cried out Scat whe n the s e v i g

, ,

ila n t gua r di a n s of t h e t re asure va n ished i n a tw i n kli g leavi n g n ,

t he crest falle n mo n ey digger stan di n g up t o his middle i n cold

-

water which had p oured i n to t h e hole whe n he br oke the spell

, ,

by speak in g Half dro w e d a n d w holly disgu st ed h e cra w led

. n , ,

ou t of it The iro n bar however r emai n ed tightly clutched i n

.
, ,

his ha n d He carried i t home a n d I w as as s ured that upo n

.
,

goi g t o a cer t ai n hou s e i n Ips w ich I m igh t see the ide n tical
n

d o o r la t ch which a smith h a d made ou t of th i s ba r for a s ouve n ir

~

of t he n igh t s adve n ture ’

.

Such are a few of the ma n y s t o ri es which M r Morga n h a s .

pictu r esquely grouped t ogether i n his poe m e n t itled Old Ips

wich To w n — a charmin g bit of r emi n i s ce n ce a n d charmi gly
, ,
n

t old .
27 8 NEW -
ENG L AND L EG ENDS .

I love to t h i k of old Ip sw i h tow

n c n

H arry Mai y h ave h eard t h e tale lived there

n ou

He blasp h emed G d s o t h ey p u t him down o ,

Wit h iro sh ovel at Ip sw i h Bar

an n , c

They h ai ed h im t h ere for a t h o us a d years

c n n ,

A t h e s ea roll s u p to sh ovel it bac k

s

S wh e t h e sea crie s t h e good w ive s s ay

o n ,

Harry Mai gro wl s at h i s w ork to day

n -
.

IP SW C I H H EADS .

I love to t h i k of old Ipsw i h tow

n c n

T h ere a graveyard u p t h e ld H igh s treet

’
s on O ,

Wh ere t ge e atio s are looki g do w

en n r n n n

O th e
n t h at i s toili g at t h eir feet
on e n

W h ere t h e sto es sta d sh o ul d er to sh o lder like troop s

n n u ,

Draw p to re eive a avalry h arge

n u c c c ,

A d grave s h ave bee d u g i grave s till t h e s od

n n n ,

I s the mo uld of good go e to G d m en n o .

I love to t h i k of ld Ip sw ich tow

n O n,

Old Ip sw ic h to w i t h e Ea s t co u tree n n n ,

Wh e e nc t h e tide yo u
,
on fl oat d own ,
ca n

Th ro u gh t h e lo g s alt gra ss to t h e w aili g s ea

n n ,

A d lie all d y
n t h e glassy bea h
a on c ,

A d lear t h le ss o t h e gree w ave s tea h

n n e n n c ,

Till at su set from su rf d s aweed bro w

n ,
an e n,

You are p ulli g ba k to Ip s wic h town

n c .
 H EARTB RE AK I
H LL . 27 9

Ipsw i c h co n t ai n s ma n y i n t e r es t i n g memo ria ls of it s a n ti que

wo rt hies n d times
a In the Old Hill buryi n g grou n d o n High
.
-

Str ee t may be fou n d i n co n t es t able p r oofs to the ra n k held by

so m e o f t he fou n de rs i n the family arms t hat are sculp t ured o n
,

t he a n c i e n t t ombst o n es ; but you will n o t fi n d the graves t o n e

of t he Revere n d William Hubbard the hist o r i a n of Ne w En g ,

la n d t he r e be ca use n o o n e kn ows t he Spo t where he i s bu ri ed

, ,
.

H E ART B R E A K HI L L .

URNI NG away fr o m t he t ow n t h r ough u nfreque n t ed b y

la n es a ll gr ee n a n d spo tt ed wi t h daisi es let us asce n d
, ,

Hea rtb r eak Hill i n the southeas t corn e r The v i ew is ce rt ai n ly .

cha rmi n g The r eade r asks wha t we see ; a n d like o n e o n a

.
,

t o we r we r eply ! In t he dist a n ce a c r o s s a lo n ely wast e of

, ,

ma rshes t h r ough wh i ch gl i st e n in g ti dal s tr eams c rawl o n t heir

,

bellie s amo n g r eeds a n d s u n t hei r glossy backs amo n g san d

,

du n es we see the bald Ipswich Hu n dreds a g r oup of smoo t h

, , ,

g ray gree n de s olat e looki n g h i lls s tre t ched alo n g t he coas t

-
,
-
.

They a r e i solat ed by t he s e ma r shes fr o m t he mai n lan d w hich ,

t hey seem t ryi n g t o r ej o i n Th r ough t he Ope n i n gs be t wee n

.

t h ese hills we cat ch t he gli tt er of a r agged l in e of sa n d du n es -

heaped up like s n ow d r ifts a t t he edge of t he shore ove r wh i ch

-
,

r ises t he sea a n d t h e harbo r ba r ove rsp r ead w ith foam

,
-
, .

I t bei n g a clea r day we ca n see fr om Cape A nn a s fa r as

,

Cape Ne d d o ck a n d all t ha t l i es o r floa t s be t wee n bu t fo r lea gues

,

t he coas t i s sad a n d d r ea r a n d from the sa n d i n t r e n c h i n g i t

, ,

eve r y w he r e wi t h a n at u r al dyke t he eye t u rn s g at efully ,

r

upo n the r efreshi n g sea The n as the Mai n e coas t sweeps

.
,

g racefully r ou n d t o t he eas t t h blue domes of Agame n ti cus r ise

,
e

a bo v e i t while t he lo n g da r k la n d li n e shoo t s o f
,
fi n t o the ocea n
-

dimi n ishi n g g radually from t he m ou n t ai n like a mu s ical phrase ,

w h ose l a st n o t e we st ri ve t o cat ch lo n g aft e r i t has died a w ay .

28 0 N W ENGLAND LEG ENDS
E -
.

Be n eat h us i s a n ar r ow valley t hrough wh i ch a ri ve r ru n s

wit h speed The tow n occupie s both ba n k s which rise i n t o
.
,

co n side rable emi e n ce s above it A ll arou n d are the evide n ce s f

n . O

lo n g occupatio n of the la n d —fi ld that h ave born e crops a n d

,
e s ,

trees that have bee n g owi g for ce n t uries ; hou s e s w hose steep
r n

r oofs de s ce n d almost to t he grou n d ; g r aveyard s w h o s e m e s s d e

sto n e s lean this w ay a n d that w ith age F i n al ly the traditio n s

.
,

tha t we are u n w illi n g to see expire ca st a pleasi n g glamou r o e r

, v

the place ,
somethi g like the s ha d o w s wh i ch t he an cien t el m s
n

fli n g do w n upo n t h e hot a n d dust y r oads .

M EN OF M ARK .

Th e ri ver shoo t s through t he g ray a r ches o f a p i c t u r esqu e

s t o n e bri dge out upo n the broad levels of marsh lan d stret chi n g
sea w ard Through the s e it loi t er s quietly alo n g do w n to the
.

sea At the to w n it is a n eager mill stream at the ocean it is

.
-

as calm a s a mill po n d The tide bri n gs i n a fe w fi s h i n g boats

-
.
-
,

but seldom an ythi ng la r ger ; for it i s n o lo n ge r a n aven ue of

commerce a s i n bygo n e days
, .

The oldest of Ips w ich lege n d s i s a s sociated w ith t hi s h ill a n d ,

accou n t s for its n ame though t h e obscurity surrou n di n g its ori

g i n ba fles
f a n
y attempt to t race it to a n authe n t ic s ou r ce T h e .

n ame i s ho w ever fou n d u po n the earlie s t record s of the to w n ,

a n d i t is p r obably a s old as the se tt leme n t which wa s begu n ,

28 2 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

by t he whites i n 1 6 35 a s a check t o t he expec t ed e n cro achmen t s

of Cardi n al Richelieu s colo n y then established i n A cadia But
’
, .

befo r e this w e k n ow from Captai n Smith that the place wa s

, , ,

the most populous I n dian settleme n t i n all Ma s sachu s ett s Bay ,

it bei n g the eat of a po werful sagamo r e n d k n ow n by i t s In

s ,
a

dia n n ame of A gawam Tha t a few white people we r e l iv i n g

.

amo n g the I n dia n s he re p r ev i ous t o 1 6 35 is eviden t fr o m t he

t e n o r of o n e of the fi rs t r ecorded acts of the n e w Colo n y dat ed ,

Septembe r 7 1 6 30 comma n di n g t hose t ha t were pla n t ed at

, ,

A gawam for t hwi t h to come a way It is pe r haps t o t his early .

time tha t t he lege n d of Heartbreak Hill refe rs si n ce it is k n o w n ,

t hat the Aga w am s wer e a docile a n d hospi table people who ,

welcomed the comi n g of the En gli s h amo n g the m with ope n

arm s ; n d it is also k n ow n t hat the place was mo r e o r less
a

freque n ted by the En gli s h fi s h i n g ships -

.

Brie fl y t he legen d r e lates t he r oman tic st o ry of a n I n dia n

,

maide n wh o fell i n love w ith a white sailo r a n d upo n his saili n g ,

for a dist an t lan d s he u s ed t o climb this hi ll n d pass h e r days

,
a

Si tt i n g upo n t h e summi t watchi n g for his etu rn But the r .

mo n ths a n d yea rs passed wi t hout bri n gi n g a n y tidi n gs of him .

He n ever did come back n d s t ill t he dese rt ed o n e wat ched a n d

a

waited u n til she pi n ed a w ay a n d at le n gth died of a broke n

, ,
‘

hear t There is a ledge o n the summi t wher e t he I n dian girl

.

sa t w at chi n g fo r he r love r s r e t u rn a n d whe n she died he r lo n ely

’

gr ave was made by the Side of it By others t he legen d i s dif .

fere n t ly related Some say t ha t as t he girl o n e day we n ded h e

. r

way wearily t o t he t op of t he h ill she saw her love r s vessel ,

’

maki n g the desper at e a t temp t t o gai n t he po rt i n t he heigh t of

a viole n t gale Bu t i t d r ove steadily o n amo n g the breakers
.
,

a n d was dashed to piece s a n d s w allo w ed up befo r e he r eyes .

In he r poem M r s Thax t e r adopt s t h former ve r sio n which if

. e , ,

less t ragic appeal s i n a more sub tle way to our sympathie

,

In a n y case the hill h a s beco m e a m o n ume n t t o faithful a f fc e

t io n a n d as such i s t he favo r ite r eso rt of lo ve r s i n a ll t he

,

cou n t ry r ou n d .
 HEARTB REA K HILL . 28 3

H EA R T B R EA K H ILL .

C EL IA TH A! TER .

IN Ip sw ich to w t far from t h e s ea

n, no ,

Ri s es a hi l l wh ic h t h e people call
H eartbreak Hill d it s h i s to y ,
an r

I n
S a ld ld lege d k o w to a ll
o ,
o n ,
n n .

It w a s a s ailor wh o w t h e heart on

Ofa I n dian maide lithe

n d you g n, an n

A n d s he whi over t h e s ea depart

s a m ,

W h ile sw eet i her ear hi s promi s e ru g

n n

For h e cried as h e ki ssed h er w et eye s dry

, ,

I ll come back sweet h eart keep your fai th

’
,

Sh s aid
e I w ill w atch wh ile t h e moo s go by
,
”
n .

H lo v e was s tro ger than life or death

er n .

So t h i s poor d us k A riadn e
kept
‘

H e r w atc h fro m t h e h ill

top r ugged a n d steep -

Slo w ly t h e empty mome t s crept n

W h ile h s t udied t h e cha gi g face of the deep

S e n n
,

Fa ste i g her eyes u po every s peck

n n n

T h at cro ss ed th e ocea w it h i h er k n n n e

M ig h t t h er lover be w al k i g t h e deck
no n
,

Sur ely a d sw iftly retur i g agai

n n n n

Th e I sles of Sh oal s loomed lo ely d dim ,

n an ,

I the ort h ea s t di sta e far

n n d gray nc an ,

An d t h e h orizo s tter o st i
on n
’
u m r m

T h e lo w roc k h eap fBoo e I sla d la y o . n n .

but the w eary merciless days

Oh , , ,

With t h above w it h th e s ea afar

e su n , ,

N ch a ge i her fi xed d w i stfu l gaze

o n n an

From t h e mor i g red to the eve in g s tar i

n n - n
28 4 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

Li k e a le d er s tat u e c rved of s to e
S n a n

Sh s at w it h h ar d ly motio or breat h
e ,
n .

Sh w ept
e tear s d h mad e
no an S e no m e an,

But h er love was stro ger t h a life or deat h n n .

He ever ame back ! Y et fait h ful still

n c , ,

Sh w at h e d from t h e h ill top h

e c life aw ay -
er .

A d t h e to w sfol k h ri s te ed it H eart break H ill

n n c n ,

A d it bear s t h e ame to t h i s very day

n n .

NE WB U RYP O RT LEGEN D S .

ET us st r oll a little a b out the city of Ne wb u r yp o t a n d i t s r

char m i n g e n viro n s .

U po n leavi n g Ip s wich t he la n dscape gr ows less aust er e The .

fl at Rowley mar s he s s ucceed the r ocky pastu res a n d tumbli n g

hills w ith their sti f
,
ly uprigh t cedars a n d thei r sh ut i n vis tas like
f - -

a cal m after a s torm The n w e g li d o n amo n g haycock s stan d

. e
o
,

i g up
n t of the i n fl wi n g tide across the beautiful a n d peace
ou o ,

ful prairie of Old N wb y n d a r e sudde n ly b rough t up by a

e u r ,
a

r idge of high la n d lifti n g its gree n wall be tw ee n us n d the

,
a

basi n of the Merri m ack A t the right thrust up through the .

,

t o p s of the elm trees t ha t hide the village like a spea r t ipped

-
,

wi t h g e ld ,

pri gs t h e village spire

S n

Wit h t h e crest of it s cock i the fi n sun a re .

That i s old Ne wb y meet i n g house Ex t e n d i n g n o w far

u r
-
.

alo n g t he slope s of the r i dge as we app r oach it are t he city , ,

cemet eries who s e mi n gled gray a n d whi t e mo n ume n t s t h r o n g

,

the gr ee n s w ell s a multitude of spectat ors t ur n ed i n t o s t on e

,
.

The n cutti n g through t h ridge the t rai plu n ges i nt o the

,
e ,
n

da rk n ess of a tu n n el soo n emergi n g agai n upo n t he fart he r

,

slope amo n g t he city streets from w hich t h broad w hi t e sheet e

o ft he Me rr imack is see n movi n g stead i ly out to sea On e side .

28 6 NEW -
ENGLAND LEGENDS .

pa rt ake r s of his o wn feeli n g fo r the familiar sce n es h e desc ribes .

Amesb u r y i s W h i t t i s home the Me rr imack his

’
er ,

t hem e Her e are his surrou n di n g s

.

S tream of my fath ers sw eetly still

T h e su set ray s t hy valley fi ll
n

Po u red sla twi s e d ow t h e lo g de file

n n n
,

Wave w oo d d spire be eat h t h em smile

, ,
an n .

I s ee t h e w i di g P w w fold n n o o

T h e gree h ill i its belt of gol d

n n ,

A d follo w i g d o w it s w avy li e
n n n n ,

Its spar kli g w ater s ble d w it h thi e

n n n .

T h ere t a tree u po t h y s i d e
’
s no n ,

N ro k wh ich t h y ret u r i g tide

or c n n

A yet h at h left abr u pt

s d s tark an

A bove t h y ve i g w ater ark e n n -

m ,

B u t lies d i sti ct d full i s igh t n an n ,

Be eath t h i s g ush of su mmer ligh t

n .

In t he sa me spirit which by a so rt of poe t ic alchemy seem s

,

capable of co n verti n g t h e was t e sa n d s of the s eash ore i n to g rai n s

o f gold Mr s Spoff
,
. ord ha s described the approache s to the r ive r
t h ro ugh t he flat lagoo n s that fu r n i s h a circulat i o n to the ma rshes .

We fl oated i th e idle breeze n

Wit h ll o u r sail s sh iver

a a-

Th e sh i i g ti d e ame s oftly th rough

n n c ,

A d fi lle d Pl u
n I sla d River m n .

An d clear the fl ood of s il er swu g v n

Betw ee t h e brimmi g ed ge n n s

A d n w t h e d ept hs w ere dar k

no d ,
an n ow

T h e boat s li d o er t h e s edges ’
.

An d h ere a yello w sa d spit foamed n -

A mi d th e g reat s ea mead o ws -

A n d h ere t h e s l u mbero us w ater s gloomed

Lu cid i emeral d sh ad o ws n .
 NEW B U RY PORT LEG ENDS . 28 7

Aro u d t h e su y d i sta e ro s e
n nn nc

A bl u e d h azy h ig h la d
an n ,

A d w i di g do w o u r w i di g w ay
n n n n n n

T h e sa d h ill s of Pl u m I sla d
n -
n .

Fr o m t he do m ai n of poe t ry we pa s s easily i n t o t ha t of hist o r y .

M r Joh n Q u i n cy A dams o n ce de s cribed Siberia as bei n g cele

.

b r a t e d fo r its malefactors a n d malachite Some o n e i n a n epi .

,

grammatic vei n h a s su m med up N wb u r yp o r t as bei n g famous

,
e

fo r piety a n d privateeri n g a n d t h e a n alogy seems e s tablished

whe n o n e tur n s to the History of Ne wb u r y w ritte n by W h it t i e r s ’

old schoolma st e r Jo s hua Coffi n a n d read s there that t he pri

, ,

v a t e e r s m e n o n putti n g to sea w ere accustomed t o reques t the

prayers of the churches for t h e succes s of the cruise

.
t o which ,

petitio n a ll those havi n g a share i n t he voyage r espo n ded w ith a

heart y ame n .

Ne wb u r yp o r t the n is a c it y built upo n a hill On e r ea d s i ts

, , .

his t o ry a s he walks Like Salem it r ose a n d flour i shed th r ough

.

its commerce but w he n tha t failed the busi n ess of the place h a d ,

t o be r eca s t i n a w holly differe n t m ould a n d its mercha n t s h e ,

came spi n n er s a n d w eavers i n stead of shipo w n e r s a n d ship

,

builde rs It n o w s eem s tryi n g rather a w kwa r dly t o adapt itself

.

to t he cha n ge s that the la s t half ce n t ury has brought abou t -

,

cha n ges emphasi z ed by t he te n acity with which t h e old people

cli n g t o the t raditio n s that a r e associated w i t h its forme r pros
p e r i,
t y a n d gave it a pres t ige t h at mills a n d factories c a n n o

lo n ger mai n tai n .

The wa t e r s i d e s t r e e t begi n s a t a n est of idle shipyards w i n d s

’

with t he r ive r alo n g a li n e of r usty wha r ve s w here colliers t ake ,

the place of I n diame n a n d e n ds with the a n tiquated subu rb of

,

Joppa ,
which at least r etai n s some of the flavor of a seapor t ,

i t havi n g a populatio n tha t ge t s i t s livi n g by fishi n g piloti n g o r , ,

doi n g such odd j ob s a s w aterme n ca n pick up alo n g s h o r e .

Fr om here t he sails of a ve s sel t hat is n ea r i n g the po rt ca n be

see n gli d i n g alo n g ove r t h e sa n d drifts of Plum Isla n d or Salis
-

bu ry Beach J Oppa is c r o w ded w i th house s but it is torp i d

.
,
.
28 8 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

This lo ng street leave s us at Oldto w n t he pa r e n t set tleme n t ,

here w hose church s pire w e saw at a dista n ce It is n arro w

,
.
,

I r regular n d u n tidy but High Stre t the ave n u e laid out alo n g
,
a e ,

the t op of the ridge n d exte n di n g from Oldto w n G ree n to

,
a

the Chai n B ridge over the Merri ack i s a thoroughfa re o n m ,

e

does n o t oft e n see equalled eve n if he has travelled far a n d see n

,

much .

He r e upo n the cool b row of the r idge a e t h e st at ely homes

, ,
r

o f the wealthy citize n s ; he re the old mercha n ts who amas sed ,

fo rt u n es i n West I ndia r u m a n d sugar i n little st uffy cou n ti n g

r ooms o n t h e wha r ves below lived like pri n ces i n the grea t ,

r oomy ma n sio n s whose wi n do w s overlooked all t he t own the ,

silvery course of the river a n d the su r rou n d i n g cou n t ry fo r

,

miles up a n d do w n Although they are n o w sadly ou t of dat e

.
,

a nd of such si z e as to sugge s t tha t a blo w of the hospi table

k n ocke r would fill them w ith echoes t h ere is n ai r of ge n tility ,
a

a n d of goo d livi n g abou t all these houses w hich makes us feel

r egret fo r the ge n e rat io n whose ope n ha n ded hospi t ality has -

pas s ed i n to a t raditio n ; while the m a n sio n s themselves grow n ,

v e n erable co n ti n ue to u n i t e two wholly dissimila r eras

, .

Usually t here w a s a n bservatory o n t he roof from which the

O ,

ow n er could s w eep the o ffi n g w ith hi s glass of a m or n i n g n d ,

a

could u n over i n his m i n d the chan ce of a voyage lo n g before

r

h i s vessel had w allo w ed ove r t he ba r out s ide He migh t t he n .

d esce n d take his cocked ha t a n d ca n e from the hall t able order

,
-
,

di n n er w ith n extra cover for his cap t ai n pull out h i s hirt frill
,
a ,
- s -
,

a n d go do w n to his cou n ti n g house without a wr i n kle o n hi s -

b r o w o r a crease i n his silk st ocki n gs ; eve rybody w ould k n o w

t ha t his ship had come i n So u n d i head n d s tomach bluff of
. n a ,

Speech yet with a ce rtai n homely dig n ity al w ays di s ti n guishi n g

,

his class the me rcha n t of the Olde n time u n doub t ed autocra t t o

, ,

his im edia t e ci r cle of depe n da n ts w as a m a n whose like we

m ,

sh a ll n o t look upo n agai n He left n successors . o .

Du rin g t he t w o wars with Engla n d a swarm of p r ivat eers , ,

a s well a s some of t he mos t famou s ve ss els of t h e old t he i n v i n ,

cible n avy were lau n ched here I n 1 8 1 2 the por t s u ffe red as lo n g
, , .
29 0 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS
.

bear s a lo n g eulogi s tic in s criptio n Descen di n g i n t o t he c ryp t

.
,

whose sepulchral d a r k n ess a lamp dimly ligh t s we a re alo n e ,

wit h i t s sile n t i n mates Yo n de r dark objec t prese n tly shapes

.

itself i n t o a bie r We approach i t The c ffi n lid is t h r o w n

. . o -

ope n so as t o expo s e w hat is left of its te n an t — the fl h le s s

, ,
es

skull a n d bo n es of G eo rge Whi t e fi eld It is n o t fo rbidden .

REV . G EORG E W HITEF I ELD AG ED

, 29 .

t o shudder Who i n deed that looks ca n believe that t he r e

.
, , ,

Whitefield pea led t h y voice 2

,

O w i n g doubtles s to the fact that man y come to gr a t ify a n idle

, ,

curio s ity t he tru s tees had closed t he t omb for a s pell as t h e

,
“
,
”
 NEW B U RY P ORT LEG ENDS . 29 1

old sexto n re m a r ked w ith t o o evide n t vexatio n fo r t he loss o f

,

his fees for sho w i n g it to visito r s It is a curiou s i n stan ce of .

va n dalism tha t o n e of t he a r m bo n es Should have bee n s u r p-

re

t it i
ou s ly t ake n fro m the co ffi n n d afte r havi n g t wice c r ossed
,
a

t he ocea n have fou n d its way back to its o r igi n al resti n g place
,
-
.

The story goe s tha t a n arde n t admire r of t h e eloquen t preache r ,

w ho wi shed t o btai n som e relic of him gave a commissio n t o a

O ,

frien d for the pu r pose n d this friend it is supposed p r ocu r ed

,
a , ,

the limb through the co nn i v an ce of t he sexto n s s o n The act ’

.

of desec atio n bei n g howeve r discove r ed aroused so much i n d ig

r , , ,

n a t io n every w here tha t t he possessor though t i t be s t to r e li n

,

u i s h his p r ize a n d he acco r di n gly i n trus t ed it to a shipmaste r

q ,

with t he i nju n ctio n to see i t agai n safely placed i n t h e vault

with his o wn e ye S — w hich direct io n w as strictly ca rri ed o u t
,
.

An d I fi n ished the sex t o n have bee n do w n i n t he t omb

“ “
, ,

wi t h t he captai n who brough t t hat ar bo n e back ”

Bu t t his all ’
.

happe n ed ma n y year s ago .

This n eighbo r hood is fur t he r i n te rest i n g as be in g t he b i rt h

place of William Lloyd Garriso n whose d w elli n g is t he first o n ,

t he left i n School Str eet while t he n ext is th at i n w hich Wh it e

,

field died of a n attac k Of asthma The extrao r di n a r y r eligi ous .

a w ake n i n g t h at followed his p r eachi n g is o n of t he trad iti o n s e

commo n to a ll ou r N w Eng la n d seaboa r d tow n s t he houses

e ~

wher e he s t opped bei n g always poi n t ed ou t so t ha t eve ry where

Whi t efield has a m o n ume n t A mi s sio n a ry wh o c r o ssed the
.

ocea n fourtee n t imes a n eva n gelist who preached m o r e t ha n

,

eightee n thousan d sermo n s a n d whose audie n ces we r e SO n ume

,

r ou s t hat he was compelled to hold his meeti n gs i n t he open air ,

was n o o rd i n ar y m a n To this exposure of himself his d eat h is

.

a tt ribu t ed I t caused a deep sen satio n ; n d s o much had t he pub

. a

lic es t imat e of him cha n ged t hat there w as eve n a co n tent io n fo r

,

t he ho n o r of posses s i ng his r emai n s which n o w l i e in t he place ,

wher e he was st o n ed when he fi r st a t tempted to p r each i n i t .

Such i s t he r etributio n t ha t t ime b ri n gs Whe n t h i s cow a r dly .

assaul t n early st r uck the Bi ble fro m his h an d t he m a n who a l ,

wa ys had a n a n sw er for eve r y t hi n g hold i n g up t h e book sa i d , ,

29 2 N W ENGL
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

w ith calm d i gn it y bu t i n a v oice tha t we n t th r ough his h ea r e r s

,

like a n electric s hock I h ave a w arran t from G d to preach o

his sea l i s in my han d a n d I stan d i n t he Ki n g s highway

,
” ’
.

LORD TIM O THY D E ! T E R .

IM OTHY D E! T ER w as n o t bo rn great n ei t he r did he ,

have great n e s s th r ust po n him ; yet s o e ffec t ually does

u

he see m to have th r u st hi s qua s i great n ess upo n Newburyport -

,

that eve n n w after t h l ps e of n early a ce n t u ry cou ti ng

o ,
e a ,
n

fro the time whe he laid his ecce n tricitie s i the dust as
m n n ,

all lords soo n er o r la t er must do t he s tra ger vi siti n g Ne wb y

, , ,
n ur

port a sk s fi r s t to be g u ided to the s pot w here t he r e n ow n ed Lo r d

Timothy lived i n mos t u n republica n s tate .

Timothy Dex t er was n o t a n at ive of Ne w bu rypo rt Malde n .

has the ho n or of bei n g hi s bir t hplace a d the family s till exist s n

there a bra n ch of it hav in g occupied o n e s tate fo r mo r e th an

,
e

t w o hu n dred yea rs Al t hough bred t the tan n e r s trade Timo

. o
’

thy w as far t oo shre w d t o hide hi s tale n ts i n a vat He s aw .

easier ave n ue s to w ealth Ope n i n g before him n d w ith a fo r ecast a

which would make n y m e r chan t s fo rt u n e he bough t a n d sold

a
’
,

i n t he way of t rade u n til he had accumulated a s n ug capi t al

fo r fu tu r e speculatio n s .

Hav i n g pu t mo n ey i n his purse Timo th y D ex t e r became

“
,
”

ambitious believi n g that a golde key wo ld admit h i w ithi n n u m

the circles of the arist ocracy Then as n w Newburypo rt was .

,
o ,

the seat o f culture r efi n e m e t d literature ; a n d it was the re

,
n ,
an

fore to N wb yp o t that the titled tan n er n w t urn ed his eye s

e u r r o .

He fou n d i n its pic t uresque p r eci n c ts tw o ma sio n houses avail n

able fo r h i s pu rpose a n d t he s e h e purcha s ed He fi rst occupied

, .

one si t uated o n St at e St reet ; but h avi g s oo n sold th i s a t a n

profit he removed to the w ell k n o w n e s ta t e situated n H i gh

,
-
o

St ree t t he n cefo rth maki n g i t t hrough a n Od d perver s io n of i t s

, ,

r e al cha r ac t e r o n e o f t he h i s t o ri c ma n sio n s of Es s ex Cou n t y

,
.
 29 4 NEW -
ENGL A ND L EG ENDS .

V ai n to exce s s he lo n ged fo r the adulatio n wh i ch a cert ai n class

,

of people ar e always ready to lavi s h upo n the possesso r s of great

wealth .

He n o w b e an the wo r k of r e n ova t io n which tra n sfo r med t he

g

s ober ma n sio n of hi s predeces s or i n to a harlequi n ade i n wood ’

By his di r ectio n s the pai n ters ado rn ed t h e out s ide a brillia n t

w hite t rimmed w ith gree n Mi n arets w ere built upo n the roof
,
.
,

i n the ce n tre O f whi h rose a lofty cupola sur m ou n ted by a

c

gilded eagle with out s pread wi n gs Stan di n g a s it did upo n .

the crow n of t h e hill the house could be see n for miles a r ou n d

, ,

a n d soo n became a la n dma r k fo r ma r i n ers B u t the g r ea t a n d .

u n ique di s play was made i n the gar de n fro n ti n g this hou s e .

The r e the n was worki n g a t h i s t rade i n t he to wn a sk i lful

ship ca r ver n amed Wilso n w ho m Dexter employed t o ca r ve
-
,

from t h e solid wood s ome forty giga n tic s t atues of t he mos t

celeb rat ed m e n of the period G ladly did the sculp t o r accep t .

a n d execute thi s order fo r it e n abled h i m to lay the fou n datio n

,

of a small fortu n e a n d t o acqui r e a last i n g r epu t at io n amo n g

,

his t ow n sme n fo r hi s wo rkma n ship These image s were abou t .

eight feet i n height Wi t h co n scie n tious fidelity to fac t a n d

.

fit n ess the carved clothi n g wa s pain ted t o r esemble that wo rn

,

by the r eal perso n ages — blue coa ts whi t e shirts buff b r eeches
, , , ,

a n d t he r est — al t oge t he r maki n g a d i splay which n o museum

,

in the cou n t r y could equal Ove r t he mai n e n tra n ce t o the .

house o n a beautifu l arch stood G eo rge Wash i ngt o n wi th Joh n

, , ,

A dams ba r eheaded at h i s r ight ha n d ; fo r Dex te r said t ha t n o

, ,

o n e should sta n d covered o n the r igh t ha n d of hi s grea t es t h e r e

,

G e n e r al Washi n gto n On the left was Thomas Jeff

. erso n hold ,

i n g i n his ha n d a scroll i n sc r ibed “

Co n stitu t io n But my .
”

Lord Timo t hy it i s said i n spi t e of the pai n t e r s objec t io n s

, ,
’

i n s isted upo n spelli n g the n ame of t he Sage of Mo n t ic ello ,

“
Tomas i n st ead of Thomas fi n ally threat en i n g to shoo t the
,
”
,

artist o n t he spot if he pe rsist e d i n his r efusal t o do wha t was

r equi r ed of h i m .

The m a n w ho h a d plan n ed a n d c reat ed thi s g ard e n of st at ues

wa s as cap r icious as fame it self If he raised a stat u e t o some .
 L ORD T M OTH I Y DE TER X . 29 5

favo r ite t o day he re s e r ved the r ight t o cha n ge hi s n ame t o

'

-
,

mo r row n d ofte n a stroke of the p i n ter s brush tra n sformed

a a
’

stat e s m e n i n to s oldie rs o r soldie rs i n to civilia n s G e n eral Mo r

,
.

g a n yeste r day wa s Bo n aparte t o day to whom D ex t er al w ays -

,

paid the civ i lity of touchi n g his h t when he passed u n dern eath a

t he g ea t Co rsica n s shado w In the pan els of t he en t ablat ures

r
’
.

of eac h of t he col u m n s o n w hich these images st ood we r e the

n ame s of the characters repre s e n ted A mo n g t hem were G o v .

e n r Joh n La n gdo n of Ne w Ha pshire G ove r n o r Caleb Stro n g

or m ,

of Massach u e t ts Rufus Ki n g G e n e ral B u tle r o f South Caro

s
, ,

li n a G e eral K n ox Joh n Jay Joh n Han cock Wi lliam Pitt

,
n , , , ,

Louis ! V I Ki n g G eorge Lo r d Nelso n a n d t he I n dia n Chief

.
, , , ,

Co rn Plan te r The r e was al s o n e allego r ical fi gu r e r ep r esen ti n g

. o

Mate rn al A ffectio n a n d a n othe r a Travelli n g P r eache r besides

, ,

seve ral e n o r mous lio n s occupyi n g pedest als Dex t e r himself .

mo n opoli z ed t wo st atues On e of these stood n ear the doo r .

,

hold i n g i n its ha n d a placard w hich was i n sc r ibed I am firs t , ,

i n t he East the firs t i n t he Wes t a n d t he G reatest Philosophe r

, ,

i n t he k n ow n world The cos t of these images wi t h t he col

”
.
,

umus o n which t hey we r e placed is said t o have been fiftee n ,

thousan d dolla rs This was t he o n ly way ho weve r i n which

.
, ,

Lo r d T i mo t hy was able to b r i n g himself i n t o associatio n wi t h

grea t n ess Society r efused h i m r ecogn it io n wit h the same har d
.

obdu racy t hat his o wn wooden i mages d i d his vulga r ity a n d ,

i g n o ran ce b ei n g t oo gr oss eve n fo r a ll h i s gold to gild ; a n d s o

he l i ved o n ly amo n g sycopha n ts a n d pa r a s ite s w ho cajoled a n d ,

flatt ered h i m to h i s hea rt s co n te n t ’

.

Hav i n g a house a n d gr ou n ds which he flatt ered him s elf w ould

m a ke hi s stuck u p n eighbors split wit h e n vy Dext e r n ex t r e
-
,

solved t o se t up a n equipage fi t fo r a lo r d ; n d o n e sui t i n g his a

i deas o f magn i fice n ce w as acco r d i n gly p r ocu r ed Some o n e .

h avi n g t old h i m th a t t he ca rri ages of t he n obili t y we r e al w ays

deco ra t ed w ith a coat of a r ms o n e was co m posed o n d ema n d ,

a n d pai n t ed o n t he pa n el The cres t may have bee n a dex t er .

arm bra n dishi ng a wa r mi n g pa n w ith t he mot t o By t his I -

, ,
“

”
ot
g ye .
29 6 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

In t he mat t e r of ho rses Dex t e r w a s extremely fa stidiou s as ,

we ll as capriciou s A S soo n as he grew t ired of o n e color h e

.
,

wo u ld s ell t h s e he had j ust bought at extravaga n t price s a n d

e ,

b u y others Hi s costly carriage dra w n by beautiful cream col

.
,
-

ored a n i mal s became o n e Of the s ight s Of the day w hen ever

,

the ow n er chose t o t ake a n airi n g ; bu t t o t he l u xury of the

equipage t he gau n t a n d mean face half buried u n dern eath a n ,

e n ormous cocked hat the s pare fi gure s itti n g bolt u pright the
-
, ,

hairless dog s quatted beside it Offered a co n trast as striki n gly ,

r idiculous as did t h e coach of the celebrated Titt lebat Titmouse -

,

a n d it provoked quite a s much laughter whe n i t passed t hro u gh

the t o w n the street urchi n s shouti n g iro n ically Clear t h e way

, ,

fo r my lo r d s carr iage ’

In t his coach Dext er o n ce drove i n sta t e t o t he cou n ty p r iso n

a t Ip s wi ch whe re he se r ved a s hort se n te n ce for fi ri n g his pi st ol
,

at a cou n t ryma n who st ood st ari n g at hi s m u s eum of celeb r itie s ,

a n d who d i d n o t mov e o n whe n my Lo r d Timo t hy comma n ded

h im .

But t h i s si n g ular be i n g did n o t co n s ide r his est ablishmen t as

comple t e withou t the n t g O f a n
e oblema n i
ou r an theeday s of
chival ry He w ould agai n r evive t h e age of p oets n d t o u b a
. a r

dou rs Per haps t he most u n ique idea of all was the e n gage
.

me n t of a poet laureat e to write h i s prai s es a n d t o embal m his

-

memo ry i n verse The r e happe n ed to be livi n g i n N wb u r y

. e

port o n e Jo n atha n Plumme r a n ecce n tr ic pedler Of fi h who ,

s ,

had a p h t fo r ex t empore rhymin g w hich w ith the i g n o

e nc a n

ra n t n d illite rate pa s sed fo r ge n ius A bargai n was forth

a .

w ith str uck with him to serve i n t he capaci ty of poet lau r eate -
,

a n d as such he w as prese n tly i n stalled i n Dex t er s househol d

’
.

A ha n dsome n e w livery was ordered co n s is t i n g of a fi n e black ,

broadclo t h coat with st ars n the collar a n d fi n g e o n the skirt s

'

o r ,
,

shoes with large silver buckle s a cocked h t n d a gold headed ,

-
a ,
a -

can e On of Plummer s poem s to his patro n comprisi n g a bout

. e
’
,

fi ftee n ver s es has bee n p r eser ved e n tire The fo llowi n g is a

,
.

spec i men
29 8 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

Dex t er s u n ique speculatio n i n wa rmi n g pa n s told by himself

’
-
,

i n t he Pickle has per h aps do n e more to tra n smit hi s n ame to

”
,

pos t erit y than a n yt hin g else By s ome people the story i s c n . o

i d r d a s n othi n g short of a pure fab

s e e

i t i n desig n ed fo r those i n qui s i t ive

r ca o ,

people who were co n ti n ually ask in g

how Dexte r made h i s mo n ey But .

eve n if t he s t ory is t oo good to be

t rue , —a n d as a me r cha n t his shre wd
n ess was p r overbial the world has ,

accepted it upo n his o wn t esti mo n y

as the lucky blu n de r of fo rt u n e s favo r ’

ite a n d fe l The m n bei n g him e . a

self a n e n igma we should say t hat ,

i n his case it i s t he i m p r obable t hat

is true .

He rela t es that havi n g dreamed t h ree ,

n igh t s r u n n i n g tha t wa rmi n g pan s -

would do well i n t he We s t I n dies ,

he collected n m o re t han fo r ty tw o “
o -

t housa n d which w e r e pu t o n board ,

”

n i n e ve s sels bou n d to di f fe r e n t port s

W ARM I NG P N -
A .
,

a n d cleared him seve n ty n i n e pe r ce n t -

.

The s t ory goes tha t o n e of Dexter s captai n s bei n g a shrewd fel ’

low t ook off the cove rs of t h e pa n s w hich we r e t he n sold to the

, ,

sugar plan te rs all of w hom were a n xious to ob t ai n t hem for

-
,

ladles .

Dex t e r s speculat i o n s i n whalebo n e a n d Bibles were equally

’

comical an d absurd A gai n he dreamed that the good book

.
“

was r u n dow n i n this cou n t ry so lo w a s h alf price a n d dull at ,

that I had he says the r eady cash by wholesale I bough t

.
,
”
,
.

t we n t y o n e thousan d I put them i n to tw e n ty o n e vessels fo r

-
.
-

t he West I n dies n d se n t as a text tha t all of them m ust have

,
a

o n e Bible i n each family or they w ould go t o ,

Beside s putti n g faith i n dreams Dexter believed i n fort u n e ,

telli n g as w ell as fortu n e maki n g n d made ma n y attempts t o

‘

-
,
a
 I
LORD T M OTH Y X
DE TER . 29 9

p ry i n t o the ob s cu r ity of t he fu t u r e by co n sul ti n g t h e o racle

of his n eighbo rh o od o n e Madam H oope r
, ,
a stran ge ch a rac t e r ,

I
LORD T M OT HY DE! TER .

who aft e r t eachi n g school assumed t he p r o fessi o n o f fo rt u n e

, ,

t elli ng The r e n o w n ed Moll Pi t ch er also had Dexter fo r a

.

patro n a n d he r i n flue n ce is s aid t o have bee n be n eficial t o h i m

, .
 3 00 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

A n other perso n who is s aid t o have exerted a gr ea t i n flue n ce

for good over thi s ecce n t ric n wa s a n egre ss n amed Lucy L n m a a

caste r — a female o fAma o n ian proportio s w ho i s de s cribed as

,
z n ,

bei n g possessed of u n usual shrewd n e s s n d i formatio n Her a n .

father called C aesar w as t he s n Of n A frica n ki n g n d w as

, ,
o a ,
a

b r ought t o t he cou n t ry as a slave S highly w a s he esteeme d . O ,

that o n Nigge r Lec t io n Day Lucy s father acted a s ge n eral

“ ’ ” ’

is is m o,a n d was e n t i t led t o have tw elve footme n n by hi s s ide ru ,

while he proudly bestr od e a spiri t ed ho rse at the head of the

soo t y proces s io n .

Whe n the yellow feve r raged i n Newburypo rt i n 1 7 9 6 Lucy ,

La n ca s te r proved he rself i n deed of r oyal blood St ro n g a n d .

fearle ss full of good wo rks she devo t ed her s elf day a n d n igh t t o
, ,

t he sick pri n cipally i n the families of the be s t people Dex t e r

, ,

a mo n g other s bavi n- n eed of he r services s he became a fi m

, g ,
r

frie n d n d cou n sello r to the family Her est imate of Dexter

a .

wa s much highe r than the commo n o n e a n d she gave h i m c red it ,

for more ho n e s ty of purpo s e than mo s t people did He n eeded .

some n e like he r to advi s e him n d she freque n tly t urn ed his

o ,
a

atte n tio n from mi s chievou s pur s uit s by s uggest i n g alterat io n s

a n d imp r oveme n t s to be ma d e i n his h ouse a n d g r ou n ds This .

woman s urvived Dexter n early forty years .

On of the oddest of Dex t e r s fr eaks wa s his m ock fu n e ral

’
e ,

which was arra n ged by him wi t h a ll t he solem n ity of prepara

t io n requi s ite for a real i nt erme n t In h i s gar de n he had caused .

t o be built a s pacious t omb w hile i n his house he had lo n g kep t

,

a co s tly c fli made of mahogan y ri chly ado rn ed

o n ,
.

With a cu r iosity perhaps u n precede n ted i n t h e h i s t o r y of vai n

m a n he wi s hed t o see t h
,
effect hi s fu eral would p r oduce I v i
e n . n

t t i o n s were issued mour n i n g apparel was p repared fo r h i s family

a , ,

some o n e was fou n d to o ffi ci t e as mi i s ter n d t h e p r oce s sio n

a n ,
a

w as duly formed n d marched to t h e vault i n the gar den While

,
a .

thi s farce w as performi n g Dexter was looki n g from a n uppe r wi n

,

d w n d before the compan y had di s persed h e w as fou n d h ea t

o ,
a ,

i n g hi s w ife for n o t sheddi n g tear s at hi s prete n ded demi s e .

Of his co jugal relatio n s it i s reported b y n e who k n ew h i m

n ,
o
302 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG END S .

two hu n dred year s It s girth is e n ormou s bei n g t we n t y fou r

.
,
-

a nd on ehalf feet a t n foo t from the grou n d No w tha t

o e .

the hi s toric old elm of Bo s to n i s n o more t h is i s u n doub t edly ,

t he larges t tr ee of its species i n Ne w En glan d .

Old h om e st ad s sa r d t ll that ca n
e , c e o a

a
Gl d d e n or sad d t h h art of
en e e m an

a nd st i ll older are t h cor r oded sto n es i n t h e village churchya rd

e

h
t a t ove rlook s the b r oad e st ua r y of the rive r a n d i s w a s hed by ,

the po n d of the float i n g isla n d below it Lege n dar y lore cli n gs

.

a rou n d t h e s e aged hou s es like t h mi s tletoe to the oak a n d le n d s

e
,

i ts char m to the myst ery t hat over s hadows t hem .

F LOATI NG I SLAND , NEW B U R Y P O RT, M ASS .

 THE OLD ELM OF NEW B U RY . 303

In a pre tt y past o ral legen d Miss Ha n n ah G ould gives the

o ri g i n o ft he old elm a n d i n cide n t ally also a n e n gagi n g pictu r e
, , ,

of t he farm life of t hose early ti mes with which t he lege n d

i t self i s assoc i a t ed .

TH E OLD ELM OF NEWBURY .

H . F . G O U LD .

DI D it ever come i yo u r w ay to pass n

T h e ilvery po d w it h it s fri ge of grass

S n ,
n ,

A d threadi g the la e h ar d by to s ee
n n n

T h e veteran l of Newb u ry e m

Well that old l t h at i s w s o gran d

,
e m no

W o e a t wig i t h e r us ti h a d
‘

as nc n c n

Ofa yo u t h fu l pea s a t wh o w e t ight

n ,
n one n

To vi s it h i s love by t h e te der ligh t n

Oft h e mode s t moo d h er t w i k li g ho t

n an n n s

W h ile t h e star that ligh ted h i s bo s om mo st ,

A d gave to hi s lo ely feet their s peed

n n ,

A bode i a cottage beyo d t h e mead

n n .

It i s t record d ho w long he stayed

no e

I t h e c h eerfu l h o us e of t h e s mili g maid

n n .

Bu t wh e h e ame o u t it w as late d dark

n c an

A d s ile t
n nt eve a dog w o u ld bark
no n

To take from h i s feeli g of lo eli e ss n n n ,

A d make the le gt h of h is w ay s eem le s

n n s .

An elm grew clo s e by the cottag e s eave s ’

,

S he pl u cked h i
o a t wig w ell loth ed w ith leave s
m c .

S s allyi g forth w it h t h e su pple arm

o, n ,

To s erve a s a tali s ma parryi g h arm n n ,

~

H felt t h at t h o u gh h i s h eart w a s b ig
e , ,

T w a s eve sto u ter for h avi g th e t wig

’
n n

For thi s h e t h o u gh t w o u l d a sw er to sw itch

, ,
n

The horror s away a s he crossed the ditch, ,

3 04 N W ENG LA ND LEG ENDS
E -
.

T h e mead o w d op s e wh erei per h an ean c ,

n, c c ,

Will t h e—wi sp migh t w ickedly da e

-
’
O - nc

A d w iel d i g it k eep h im from h avi g a chill

n ,
n ,
n

A t the e a i g s o u d of Wh ippoorw i ll
m n c n n

A d h i s fl e s h from creepi g be s ide t h e bog

n n

A t t h e h a sh b s voi e of t h e view le ss frog ;

r as c

In sh ort h e felt that the sw itc h w o ul d be

,

G ard playt h i g b us i ess

u ,
d compa y
n ,
n ,
an n .

Wh e h e got fe h ome n d j oyfully fo u d

n sa ,
a n

H stil l w as h im s elf
e d livi g d so u d ,
a n n ,
an n ,

H pla te d t h e tw ig by h i s fam i ly cot

e n ,

To s ta d a mo u me t marki g t h e s pot
n as n n ,
n

It h elpe d h i to re h d wh at w a s s till more

m a c an , ,

Be ca us e it h a d gro w by h i s fair o e s door n n

’
.

T h e tw ig took root d as time fl e w by an , ,

It s bo ughs sprea d w i d e d it s h ead gre w high ,

an

W h ile the pries t s good s ervice h ad lo g bee do e

’
n n n ,

W h i h made t h yo ut h d t h e maide
c e an n o ne

A d t h eir yo u g s io s aro s e
n d playe d
n c n an

A r ou d the tree i it s leafy s hade

n n .

TH E PR O PH E CY OF SAMU EL SE WALL .

piece so full o f the m i lk of huma n ki n d n ess was

,
-
,

wr itten t o di s prove t he opi n io n advan ced by the Simple

Cobbler a n d others t o whom it is a t o n ce a r ebuke n d n
,
a a

an swer that i t wa s i mpo s sible t o subsist i n Ne w En glan d by

,

t he labor of o n e s h an ds alo n e I t is fou n d i n Sewall s Ne w

’
.
’

Heave n upo n t he N w Eart h So quai n tly i s i t expressed tha t

e .
”
,

o nly the origi n al lan guage ca n fi t ly set forth t he pic t ure of p r os

pe ro n s bu n dan ce that so gladden ed t h e good old man s eyes
a
’

when looki n g dow n upo n i t from t he Ne wb u r y hills Re ta i n .

306 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

And t h e sh ado ws d sh apes of early day s an

Flit d imly by i t h e veili g h aze n n ,

Wit h measu red moveme t d rh ythmic c h i e n an m

Weavi g li k e shuttles my w b of r h yme

n e .

I th i k of t h e ld
n w i se d good
o m an an

W h o o e y mi s ty h ill sid e s stood

nc on on ,

( A poet wh o ever mea su re dnr h yme ,

A s eer u k o w to h i s d u ll cared time )

n n n -
,

A d propped
n ,
h i s staff of age looked do w
on , n,

Wit h h i s boyhood s love h i s ative to w

’
,
on n n,

Wh ere w ritte as if its hill s n d plai s

,
n, on a n ,

H i b u rde of prop h e y yet remai s

s n c n ,

For t h e v oices of w ood d wave d wi d ,

an ,
an n

To read i t h e ear of the mu si g mi d

n n n

As lo g a s Pl u m I sla d to g uard th e coa t

n n , s ,

A G d appoi ted sh all keep it s po s t

s o n ,

A lo g a s a s almo sh all h a u t t h e deep

s n n n

OfMerrimack River or s turgeo leap ,

n

A lo g a s pickerel sw ift n d s lim

s n ,
a ,

O r re d b acked perch i n Cra e Po d sw im

-
,
n n

A lo g a s t h e a
S n u al s ea fo wl k o w nn -
n

T h eir time to come d t h eir time to go an

A lo g as attle sh all roam at w ill

s n c

T h e gree g rass meado ws by T u rkey H ill

n

A lo g a s h eep sh all look fro

s n S t h e ide m S

OfOldto wn H ill mari sh es w ide on ,

A d Parker River
n d s alt s ea tide ,
an -

A lo g a s a w a deri g pigeo sh all s earch

s n n n n

T h e fi eld s belo w from h i s wh ite oa k per h -

c ,

W h e t h e barley h arvest i s ripe d sh or

n -
an n,

A d t h d y hus k s fall fro

n e r t h e sta di g co rn m n n

A lo g a s Nat u re s hall
s n t gro w old no ,

N drop her w ork from h er doti g h old

or n ,

A d h er care for the I dia cor forget

n n n n ,

A d t h e yello w ro ws i pair s to s et
n n ,

S lo g sh all C h ri s tia s h ere be bor

o n n n,

G ro w u p d ripe a s G o d s sw eet or ’
an n c n,

By t h e bea k of bird by th breat h of fro st , e ,

Sh all ev er a holy
n h lo s t ca r e ,
 THE DOU B LE HEA DED SNA -
KE . 307

B ut husked by Deat h i t h e Pla ter s s igh t

, ,
n n
’

B s o w agai n i n t h e fi e ld s of li gh t
e n

T h e I s la d still i s p u rple w it h plum s

n ,

U p t h e river t h e salmo comes n ,

T h e s t urgeo leap s d t h e w ild fow l feeds

n ,
an
-

O h ill s i d e berrie s
n d mari sh s eed s an ,

A ll t h e bea u tifu l s ig s remai n n,

Fro spri g time s ow i g to a u t u m rai

m n -
n n n

T h e good ma s vi s io ret u r s agai

n
’
n n n

A d let us h ope a s w ell w e

n ,
ca n ,

T h at t h e Sile t A gel wh o gar er s

n n n m an

May fi d s ome grai as of old h e fo u d

n n n

I t h e hu ma cor fi eld ripe

n n d sou d
n an n ,

A d t h Lord of t h e H arve s t deig to wn

n e n o

The preciou s s eed by t h e fat h er s s own

TH E —
D O U B LE H E A D E D SNA K E .

NE does go far i n t o t he h i st o r y of ou r legen da r y lo r e

n ot

w ithou t m aki n g t he discovery t hat Co tt o n Mathe r s s t udy ’

,

like t hat of his father before him was t he co n gen ial receptacle ,

fo r eve rythi n g tha t might h appe n i n Ne w En glan d o u t of t he

commo n Upo n t his ce n tr e the dark t ales co n ve rged like a
.
'

fl igh t of bats i n t he n ight His fa t he r had solici t ed t he Ne w

.

En gla n d mi n iste s to co n tr ibute everyt hi n g of a ma r vellous

r

charac t er t hat migh t come w i t hi n their k n o wledge or u n de r

their observat io n to t he n d t hat t he mysterious worki ng s of

,
e

Provide n ce migh t if possible be clear ed up n d the relatio n t o ,

a

human affair s — which it was n o t for a momen t doubted they

,

s ustai n ed — b e so adjust ed as t o poi n t a mo r al or ado rn a tale

,
.

To thi s sagacious fo r esight we owe t ha t si n gularly i n terest i n g

book t he Remarkable Provide n ces of I n crease Mathe r To
,
“
, .

t his we also o w e t he Doub le Headed Sn ake of Ne wb u y — -

r ,
a

r ep til e t hat would ce rt ai n ly have made the fo rt u n e of a n y it i n e

3 08 N W ENGL
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

ra n t show m a n of ou r o wn period have pu t t he fou r legged gi rl ,

-

comple t ely i n t o the shade a n d have caused t he devil fi s h of ,

-

V ic t o r Hugo to shed tears of vexat io n .

Th e accou n t of t hi s wo n derful s n ake co m es i n a le tt e r from

t he Reveren d Chri s topher To pp a n mi n i s ter of N wb u r y a d ,
e ,

dressed t o Cot t o n Mathe r Co n sideri n g that i t ema n ates from .

a source so e n ti r ely re s pectable a n d trust w orthy it is to be hoped ,

that n obody will trea t it a s a n i dl e village tale He w rites .

C ce r i g th e A mp h i sb e a as s oo as I re ei ed yo u r comma ds
on nn a n ,
n c v n

I made d ili ge t e qu iry of several pers o s wh o s aw it after it wa s

n n n

dead T h ey d i ected me for fu t h er i formatio

r to t h e per
,
r n n,

s o n w ho
s w it alivesa d k il led it wh ic h w ere two or t h ree lad s
,
an , ,

YE D OU B LE- B E DED SN A AKE

ab o u t tw elve or fo u rtee of wh ich a pert s e s ible yo u gster told
n one , ,
n n ,

me yt of h i s mates u i g to wards h im y d t t h ere was a

one ,
r nn n ,
cr e ou

s a ke w it h t w h ead s ru i g after him u po wh ich b

n o nn n to h im ,
n e ru n

an d t h e s ake getti g i to a p u dd le of w ater h e w it h a s tick p u lled

n n n ,

h im o u t after wh i h i t ame to ward h im d as h e w e t backw ard s

, c c , an n

an d for ward s o th s ake w o u l d doe li k e w i s e A fter a little time t h e

,
e n .
,

s ake upo h i s striki g at h im gat h ered u p h i s wh ole body i to a

n , n n ,
n

s ort of q il except b th h d wh ich k ept to ward s h im d b di s

u o , o ea s , ,
an e

tinc t ly s a w t w th d t w o ti g ( a s t h ey are vulgarly called)

o m on s an s n s ,

wh ich sti gs or to gu e it k ept p utti g fort h after the u sual ma e

n n s n nn r

of s ak e s till h e ki lled it
n .
 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

Pullin g d t w i sti g t h is w ay d that

an n a n ,

Neit h er kn ew wh at the other w as at .

Far d wi de t h e tale was told

an ,

Like a s o wball g o win g wh ile it rolled

n r .

T h e u rs e hush ed w it h it t h e bab y s y
n
’
cr

A d i t s erved i the w ort h y mi ni s ter s eye

’
n n
, ,

To pai t t h e pri miti e serpe t by

n v n .

Cotto Mather came gallopi g down

n n

A ll t h e w ay to Ne wb u ry to w n,

With h i s eye s agog d h i s ears set w ide an ,

A d h i s marvello us i kh or at h i s s i d e
n n n

Sti rri g t h e wh ile i t h e sh allo w pool

n n

Ofh i s brai s for t h e lore h e lear e d at s c h oo l

n n ,

To gar i sh t h e story w ith h ere a s treak

n ,

OfLat i d there a ot h er of G reek

n, an n

A d t h e tal es he h eard
n d t h e ote s h e took an n ,

Behold ! are they t i h i Wo der Book l no n s n -

TH O M A S MA CY, TH E E ! ILE .

H E a r chives of Massachuse tt s o n ce m o re fu rn i sh t he i n ci ~

d e n t co n ce rn i n g which a s i n t he Ki n g s Missive a
,
’
,
”

le t te r — a me r e sc rap — has su f fi ced fo r t he poe t t o co n s truc t his

lege n d.

Thomas Macy yeoman o f Salisbu ry i n t he cou n t y o f Essex

, , , ,

is the subject of V Vh it t i e s ballad e n t itled The Exiles which

r
’
,

fi rs t appeared i n the North St ar a Philadelphia a n n ual A s it ,

”
.

was the n publi s hed it had t wo st a n z as more tha n it n o w has i n

,

the author s collec t ed poems

’
.

This Macy the hero of t he poem was c omplai n ed of for h a v

, ,

i n g gi ve n shel t er t o some n otorious Quakers o r vagabo n ds ”

, ,

as the law t hen t er med t hem i n his o w h ou s e This simple

,
n .

act of ho s pitality bei n g i n violatio n of t h e la w prohibitin g n y a

m a n t o ope n h i s door to a Quak e r n o mat t er how u rge n t soeve r,

 THOM AS M AC Y ,
TH E E X I LE . 31 1

th e ca ll u po n h i s huma n i t y migh t be Macy t he offe n di ng cu l , ,

p r i t was ci t ed fo t hwith t o appea r befo r e t he G en eral Cou rt a t

,
r

Bosto n t o a n s wer t he complai n t preferred agai n s t him .

I n s t ead o f complyi n g with the r equisi t io n which ve ry fe w

would be fou n d willi n g i n t hose days t o disobey Macy w r o t e a n ,

humble apologe ti c n d depreca t ory lette r t o t h e G e n e ral Cou rt

, ,
a .

The let t er i n dicat es a m n of a ve r y di f fe r e n t stamp from the a

a n tique he r o that the poe m depic t s i n t he ac t of cheat i n g the

m i n io n s of t he law of the ir p r ey F r om its t e r ms we have l ittle .

n o t io n t hat the Bold Macy as he is st yled t here was cas t i n ”

, ,

t he same s t er n ould t ha t t he ma rt y rs are bu t we h ave a very

m

disti n ct o n e that if n t ac t ually a crave n he bel i eved tha t i n his

,
o ,

case discret io n was t he bette r pa rt of valo r A t a n y rat e he .

,

wisely co n cluded t o keep ou t of t he clu t ches of the la w a n d did ,

s o. We are su r e t hat t he r eade r would r ega r d a n y t ampe rin g

w it h Macy s le tt e r as u n par do n able as we do He says
’
.

Thi s is to e t at the ho ored co u rt n t to be offe ded becau se

n re n o n

of my appeara ce It i s t from y slighti g the authori ty of

n on- n . no an n

this ho ored cou t n from feare to a sw er the ca s e b u t I have b i n

n r ,
or n ,

for s ome week s past very ill d am s o at pres e t n d t wit h t d ,

an n ,
a no s an

i ng my illn es s yet I de s iro us to appear have do e my utmo s t

, , ,
n

e n deavour to hire a h or s e b u t ca ot procure at pre se t I bei g

, nn on e n . n

at pres en t de stitute have e deavoured to p u chas e b u t at pres e t n

’

r ,
n ca n

n t attai e it b u t I sh a ll relate the tr u t h of the ca s e a s my a sw er

o n ,
n

Should be to ye ho n ored co rt d more can ot be proved n so u , an n ,

or

much O a rai n y mor i g t h ere came to my h ou s e Ed ward W h ar

. n n n

ton a n d three more the said Wharto spoke to me sayi g that

m en n ,
n

they w ere traveli g east ward d desired me to dire t them i the

n ,
an c n

w ay to H pt d a s ked me ho w far it w a s to Ca s co bay

am on , a n I ever .
‘
n

s aw y of ye
an afore except Wh arto eit h er did I requ ire t h eir
m en n, n

n ame s or wh o t h ey w ere b u t by t h eir carriage I t h o u g h t t h ey might

, ,

be Qu ak ers d told t h em s o d therefore des ired them to pass e

,
an ,
an on

their w y s ayi g to t h em I migh t po ss ibly gi e offe ce i e tertai

a ,
n v n n n n

i g t h em
n d a s s oo e a s t h e viole ce of t h e rai cea s ed (for it ai ed
,
an n n n r n

very h ard ) t h ey w e t aw ay d I ever sa w t h em s i ce The time

n ,
an n n .

t h at th ey stayed i t h e h ous e w as abo u t three q u arters of n hour

n a ,

b ut I s afely ffi m it wa s n t a hour They spak e n t man y

ca n a r e o n . o
31 2 NEW -
ENG LAND LEG ENDS .

wo rd s i n the tim e eit h er w as I at leisu re to talke with t h em for I

,
n ,

c me h ome w et to the s ki
a im ediately afore t h ey came to t h e h o us e
n m ,

n d I fo u d my w ife s ick i Ifthi s t the ho ored

.

a n b d ti fi n e . sa s e no n

c o u rt I sh all su bj ect to t h eir s e te ce

,
I h ave t w illi gly o ffe ded
n n . no n n .

I a m r ea dy to s er ve n d obey you i the L o rd

a n .

“
TH O MACY ”
. .

A
ESC P E OF G OODM AN MACY .

Th r ee of t hese m e n be in g p r eachers coul d look fo r n o m e r cy

, ,

from t h e Pu ritan au t ho r i ti es wh o charged t hem w i t h goi n g abou t

,

seduci n g his Majest y s good subject s t o thei r cur s ed Opin i o n s

’ ”
.

On of t hem Edwa r d Wha rt o n was a n old o f

e , fe n der Two o f ,
.

them Robi n so n a n d St even s o n are the same pe rso n s who a

, , ,

little lat er n w ere h a n g d a t Bo s to a s relat ed i n our accou nt

o ,
e n,

o f M rs Dyer .These iti n era t s u n do u b t edly k n e w where t o

. n

a pp ly nd to whom Macy k e w Whart o n he w as ful ly

,
a . n

a w are of t he ri sk t hat he r a n i n breaki n g the law Bu t he a n d .

31 4 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

(C

Bol d Macy a sw ered t h e n n,

W h ip w t h e v i llage green
om e n o n ,

B u t meddle t w it h no m en .
”

Wit h sk ilfu l h a d d w ary eye n an

T h e h arbor bar w cro ssed - as

A playt h i g of t h e re s tle ss w ave

n
,

Th e boat ocea to ssed on n .

T h ey passed t h e gray rock s of Cape A nn .

A d G lo u e s te s h arbor bar
n c r
’ -

Th e watch fi of t h e garri so
-
re n

Sh o e like a s etti g s tar

n n .

Far rou d th e bleak d stormy Cape

n an

The ve t ro us Macy pass ed

n
’
,

A d n Na t u ket s aked i s le
on n c
’
n ,

Dre w u p h i s boat at las t .

Andyet th at i sle remai eth n

A refuge of t h e free ,

A wh e tr u e h earted Macy
S n -

B h el d it from th e sea
e .

God bless t h e s ea beat i slan d ! -

A d gra t for evermore

n n ,

T h at ch arity d freed o dw ell an m

A s w u po h er sh ore
no n

TELL I NG TH E B EES .

ESPECTING bees o n e very Old super st it i o n a mo n g

,

i s a s I ca n s tric t ly affrm s t ill cheri s hed s u r vivi n g

,
i , , ,

e n tly t h r o u gh that peculiarity of the mi n d which the ev e nt bei n g

, ,
 TH E STR A NG E CA SE or G OODM AN M ORS E 31 5

di s ca r d it a s a ch ild i sh a n d me a n in gless cust om Th i s i s t he com .

m o n bel i ef t h a t bees mus t be made acqua i n ted wi t h t he dea t h of

a n y me m be r o ft he f amily othe r w i se t hese i n t ellige n t l itt le crea

,

t u r es will e it he r dese rt t he hive i n a pet o r leave o ffwo r ki n g a n d ,

d i e i n si de o fit The old way of doi n g t h i s was fo r t he goodwife

.

of t he hous e t o g o a n d han g t he s t an d of h i ves w it h black t he ,

usu a l symbol o f m o u rn i n g she at t he same ti m e soft ly hummi n g

,

som e d o le fu l t u n e t o herself A n othe r way wa s fo r t he m ast e r

.

t o a ppr o a c h t he h i ve s a n d r a p gen t ly u po n t he m Whe n t h e .

bees a tt e n t io n was thus secured h e would say i n a low voice

’
,

t h a t such o r such a perso n — men t io n i n g the n ame — was dead

'

Th i s p r e tt y a n d t ouchi n g supe r s t i t io n i s t he subje ct o f o n e o f

W h i t t i e r s Ho m e Ballads
’ ”
.

TH E S TR ANGE C A SE O F GO OD MAN
M O R SE .

N t h e yea r o r abou t t welve yea r s befo r e t he l a me n t abl e

1 6 7 9,
outb r eak of w itchc raft a t Salem V illage t he re happe n ed i n ,

t ha t par t of Ne wb y n o w k n o w n as Ne wb u yp r t a n d to n
ur , r o ,
o e

G oodma n Mor s e of that tow n a se r ies of petty a n n oya n ces t hat ,

w ere forth w ith s et do w n t the accou n t of the arch fi e n d him

o -

s el f s i ce a s eve rybody s aid n o n e else but the devil himself

,
n , ,
o

could have do n e s uch thi ng s i the firs t place or w ould have ,

n ,

do n e them i the n ext u n le ss prompted by a mo r e t ha n huma n

,
n ,

malig n ity Thi s is i n structive It Show s us t he s t ate of mi n d

. .

i n w hich t he people of that day live d a n d so p r epa r es us i n a , ,

measure for the dreadful eve n ts w hi ch followed

, .

This G oodma n Mor s e w as a n i n dustriou s cobble r abou t s ixty ,

fi v e years old with whom lived h i w ife n d gra n dso n a lad

,
s a ,

whose rog u ish dispositio w e stro n gly su s pec t lay a t t h e botto

n
, ,
m

of all the troubles to which thi s aged coupl e was subjected .

F or i n sta n ce G oodma n Mo r se s tool s would s udden ly d i sappea r

,
’

while quietly a t w ork at his be n ch ; b ri ckbat s a n d o ld shoes

would come clatt e r i n g dow n t he c hi m n ey w i thou t t h a id of e
31 6 N W NG LAND LEG ENDS
E -E
.

h uma n ha n d s The s e i n fl ict i o n ofte n repeate d drove G oodma n

. s , ,

Morse n early fra tic To a certai n ty the hou s e w a s bewi t ched

n .
, .

Caleb Po w ell Mor s e s n eighbor had a shre w d s uspicio n t hat

,
’
,

the gra nd s o w a s the real culprit B u t i n stead of declari n g hi s

n .

suspicio n s i n a n ope n w ay he pers uaded Mo rse tha t he could ,

exorcise t he evil spirit by his comma n d of secret po w er pro ,

v i d d he could have the boy put u n der his ha n d

e I n truth the .
,

s tra n ge m olestatio n s sudde n ly ceased w i t h the lad s depar t ure ’

,

w hereupo n Po w ell was im m ediately suspec t ed of deali n g i n the

Black A t w as a r reste d tried a n d n arr owly escaped w it h his
r , , ,

life as will appea r by the followi ng stateme n ts set forth by

,

Willia Morse himself i n w hic h he r elates w hat he a n d his

m , ,

wife heard n d s w i n this be w itched hou s e

a a

La t T h u s day ig h t my w i f
s r e I bei g i b d w e heard a gret
n n n e

n oie s agai s t t h e r u f w it h t k
n s to e s t h ro w i g agai s t t h e h
s e es n n n ou s

w it h great i l wh ere u po I myself aro s e my w ife

v a a ns e w t
n sa no

a y body b u t w fors e d to ret u r i to t h e h o us e g i t h e s to es

nn ,
as n n a a ne , n

b ei g t h ro w s o i l t ly agai s t us w e g i g to bed g i
n n v an th e n oo n a a ne

s ame oies i the h w e lock t h e d ore agai fast d a b o u t mid igh t

n n a s n an n

we h eard a grete n oye s of a h oge i th e h n s d I aro se d fo u d a n e an an n

g rete h oge i t h e h sn d t h e dore bei gen shu t anI ope ed the dore n . n

t h e h oge r unn i g i l t ly o ut n v en .

co n clusio n t he poor silly c reatu r e declar es t hat

An d i n , ,

A mate of a sh i p comi g ofte to me

“
d s ai d he m u h g fd for
n n an c re e

me d s aid t h e boye wa s t h e cas e of ll my truble d my w ife was

an a an

m u h g d was w ic h d if I wo ul d let h i h ave t h e b oye

c r on e no , an m

b ut day h w o u l d w arra t me more truble I bei g persu aded

o ne e n no . n

to it h e come the x day at t h e brek of d y d t h e boy wa s w it h

no a an

h im t l igh t d I h d t y tr uble s i ce
un e n an a no an n .
”

I t thus fell out that h o n es t Caleb Po w ell i n s t ead of be i n g ,

t ha nked fo r his pai n s was accu s ed of bei n g a wizard he n ce his

, ,

arr est n d t r ial a s already me n tio n ed

a , .

A t the March t er m of the court at Ips wi ch ( 1 6 8 0) Powell s

’

case a g a i n cam e u p a n d additio n al te s timo n y was brought out .

Sarah Hale a n d Joseph Mirick testify that Joseph Moores hath

o ft e n s a id i n their hea r i n g that if the r e we r e n wi z a r ds he was a
y
31 8 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

b e b a ng e d by t h e n e ck till you be dead a nd t h e Lord have mercy on

yo u r s o ul .

The cou rt w a s adjou r n ed fro m day to day u n til Ju n e 1 , , ,

w he n the gover n or n d magi s trate s v oted to rep r eve G oody

a i

Mor s e to the October term To some t h i s actio n proved s o di s .

,

ta s te ful tha t a complai t was d r a wn up i n writi n g becau se the

,
n
, ,

w i tc h had n t suffered the pe n alty of the la w The n ext year

o .

the case w a s brought before the G reat n d G e n e r al Court by a ,

t wo petitio n s fro m the husba n d of the accu s ed i n which he ,

attempted t o free hi s w ife from the de a dly accusatio n s made

a gai n st her .

A s a s ample of t he wi t n esses who t es t ified to prove G oody

Morse a W itch o n Z echariah Davi stated that Willia m Mor s e s
e s
’

wife a s ked him to bri n g h a p s s e ll of wi n ges the n ext tim e

e r a

he came over from Salisbury b u t he came over th r ee or fou r ,

t ime s n d d id n o t thi n k of it fi n ally s he t old h i m that s he did

a

w o der hi s memo r y wa s so bad W he n he got home he w e n t

n .

t o the barn a n d t here w ere 3 calfs i n a p n O n e of the m

“
e .
”

“
fel l a dan ci n g d a r o r e i n g n d was i n a co n ditio n he n eve r
z a

s w a calf i n before
a they h eard him roer s everal times in
the n ight a n d i n the mor n i n g w he n he we n t to the ba rn t he r e
, ,

h was s e t i n g upo h i taile like a doge

e
“
n d I n eve r see n o
n s a

cafe St a fte that ma n n er before dz so h emai n ed i n the se fi t s

e r e r

while he died .
”

Mr Coffi n t h e histori a n of N wb u r y believes tha t t he life of

.
,
e ,

G oody Morse w a s s aved b y the fi rm n ess of G over n o r Brads tr ee t ,

a nd the to w n of Ne w bury thus preve n ted from fferi n g t he

“
O

first victim i n Es sex Cou n t y to that lame n table spirit o f

, ,

delusio n wh i ch t welve yea rs after left so dark a s t ai n o n its

, , ,

a n n a ls
”
.
 H A MPT ON LEGEN D S .

HE s t rip of seacoast exte n di n g i t self be t wee n t he Me rr i m ac

,

a nd Pi s ca t aqua is a n early u n broke n li n e Of hard sa n d

,

beach wa s hed clea n a n d w hite by the cea s eless ebb a n d flow of

,

the A tla tic Ocea n Sali s bury Sa n ds begi n s a n d Hampto n

n .
,

a n d Rye beache s co n t i n ue the l in e o n ly here a n d the r e broke n

, ,

b y the outlet of some tidal rive r or s hallo w c r eek or whe r e ,

s ome bold forela d like Boar s Hea d lift s its huge bulk fa r ou t
n ,
’

from the shore Perfectly protected by these beaches lo n g

.
,

leagues fyello w mar s hes str etch t hem s el v es la n guidly out i n

o

the s u n, affordi n g f ll play to the ocea n b ree z es SO r efreshi n g to

u

tired brai n a n d w eary eye .

Sali s bury has for more tha n a hu n d r ed yea r s bee n celebra t ed

for the a n n ual gatheri n gs that its citi z e s hold o n the beac h n

there i n imita tio n of the clam fea st s of the I n d i a n s w ith

,
“ ”
,

w hom the custom origi n a t ed a n d who made t h e occasio n o n e of

,

m u ch ceremo n y a n d solem n ity i n asmuch as the sea was t o them,

a great harvest fi e ld p r ovided by thei r G o d of Ple n ty fo r the

-

suste n a n ce of hi s r ed child re n .

W h it t i
’
e r sTe n t o n the Beach w as p it ched a t t h e mou t h of
Hampto n River at the ex t remi t y of t he Salisbury Sa nds ; a n d
,
320 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

t his is also t he locality of the Wreck of Ri v e r m o u t h fou nd ’

,
”

i n t hat collectio n w hi c h is somethi n g i n the m a n n e r o f Lo n g

,

fello w s Tale s of a Wayside In n the te n t here doi n g t h e

’ “
,
” ”

duty of t he a n cien t tavern there Both are however i n their .

, ,

m e t hod a dis t i n ct r emi n isce n ce of the Decame r o n e of Boc “ ”

,

caccio But W h i t t ie r s is a voice ari s i n g from the sea full of its

.
’ '

char m a n d mystery Stan di n g at his t e n t doo r.

,

Nort hw ard a gree bl uff broke the h ai n c n

Ofsa d h ill s s o u th w ard str tc h ed a plain

n -
e

Ofs alt gra ss w it h a river w i di g do w

-
,
n n n,

Sail wh ite ed
-
d beyo d t h e s teeple s of the town
n ,
an n .

That i s Boa r s Head ; t he Mer ri mack w it h Ne wb u r yp o rt

’

, in
t h e di s ta n ce .

A ga i n t he poe t po i n t s u s t o
,

t h e su y i sles i vie w nn n ,

Ea s t of the g i s ly H ead of the Boar r

a nd t he n to where
game ti us lift s it s bl u e
A n c

Di s k of a lo u d th e w oodla d s o er c n
’
.

So we feel t hat the Te n t o n the Beach i n st ead of e m a n a t

“
,

i n g from withi n the n a rr ow limits of four walls whe r e t he door s ,

are securely bolted a n d bar red agai n st the w eathe r i s t he voice ,

of Na t u r e her self of t he free bree z e t h e billows n d t he foam

, , ,
a ,

which impart s the i n vigo rati n g quality t o these ve rses a n d give s ,

them a di s ti ct n d captivatin g out o fdoor fl avor

n a - -
.

Of his lege n dary s tories that a r e a s sociated w i t h Hamp t o n the

poet says
A simple plot i s mi e legen d s a n d ru e s n ! n

Of red u lo us day s
c ld fa cie s t h at h ave lai n o n ,

Sile t from boy h ood tak i g vo e agai

n ,
n rc n,

Warmed i to life o e more eve as th e tun es

n nc ,
n

That froze i t h e fabl d hu ti g h or

,
n n e n n - n,

Thaw ed i to So un d n .
322 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

Boar s Head is i n deed a puz le It is a hea p of d ri ft gen tly

’
z .

a sce n di n g fr om t he ma rshes t o t he cru m bli n g brow of a lofty

headla n d agai n st which fa r belo w you the sea dashes wildly

, , , .

The bo w lde rs sticki n g i n its sides look as if they migh t have

bee n sho t t here i n t he days w he n s ton es supplied the want of
ca n n o n balls fo r we look arou n d without s eei n g a nythi n g t o
-

accou n t for the ir prese n ce It is wi nd—swept n d treeless A few

. a .

d w arf j u n ipers a n d some clumps of bushe s cli n g mourn fu lly to its

side s w hich they a r e u n able to a s ce n d A lo w reef stretchi n g
,
.

out to w ard s the sou t hea s t resembli n g the broke n v ert ebrae of
,

s ome fabled sea mo n s ter s how s i n what di rec t io n the gra n d old
-
,

headla n d has mos t suffered from the u n remitti n g work of demo

liti n ca rried o n by the w aves w hich pour a n d break like n
e , a

avalan che over the blacke n ed bo w lder s n d fl y his s i n g i n t o t h ,

a e

air like the du st r i s i n g from its r ui n s A if to co n fi r m t hi s . s

theory n othi n g gr o ws n the s outhea st poi n t w hile n t he

,
o ,
o

n ortheast gras s es flou r i s h a n d dai s ie s n o d t o t he cool sea bree z e -

.

W e say agai n Boa r s Head is a puzzle

,
’
.

I t i s i n deed a n i n spi r i n g sigh t t o see the surf b r eaki ng o n

each side of you i n a co n ti n uou s li n e of foam from the mou t h
of the Merrimack to Little Boar s Head a n d the n turn i n g tow ’

, ,

a rds the offi n g see the dark cluster of the I s les of Shoals ly i ng
,

lo w o n t he s t ill mo r e exte n ded expa n s e of t he ocea n .

JONA TH AN M O U L T ON AN D TH E D E V I L

( F ro m Th e H e a t r o ft h e W hit e Mou n ti a ns .

HE legen da ry hero of Hampto n i s G en eral Jo n at han

Mo ul t o n He i s n o fic t itious pe rs o n age but o n e of ver
.
,

i t a bl flesh a n d blood who havi n g acquired co n siderable celebri ty

e , ,

i n t he Old wars lives o n t h r ough the

,
edium of a local lege n d m .

The G e n eral s ay s t he legen d e n cou n t ered a far mo r e n o t able

, ,

a dversa r y t ha n A be n aki wa r riors o r co njure r s amo n g whom h e

,
324 N W ENG L
E -
AND LEG ENDS .

had lived ,
a nd whom it was the p a ssio n of his li fe t o ex t er
mi n a t e .

In evil hou r his year n i n g to amass w ealth s ud d e n ly led

an

h im t o decla r e t ha t he would sell his s oul for the po s sessio n of

u n bou n ded riches Thi n k of the D evil a n d he i s a t your elbow
.
, .

The fatal declaratio n w as n o soo n er made — the G e n eral was

s itti n g alo n e by his e s fi id e — t ha n a showe r of spa rks came
r

down the chim n ey ou t of w hich s tepped a m a n d re ss ed fr om

,
.

top to toe i n black velvet The a s to n i s hed Moul t o n n oticed .

t hat the s t ra n ger s ru ffl e s were n ot eve n smu t ted

’
.

Your serva n t G e n eral ! quoth the s tran ge r suavely Bu t

,
”
, .

le t us make haste if you plea e for I am expec t ed a t the G o v

,
s ,

i n a qua rt e r of a n hou r he added p i cki n g up a live

’ ”
e r nor s , ,

coal w it h his thumb a n d fo refin ger a n d co n su l t i n g h i s watch ,

wi th i t .

The Ge n eral s w it s bega n t o dese rt him Po ts mouth was

’
. r

five leagues — lo n g o n es at that from Hampto n House a n d his ,

s tra n ge v i sitor t alked w it h the utmos t u n co n ce rn o f gett i n g

, ,

there i n fi ft ee n m in u t e s ! His a st o n i s hme n t caused h i m t o st a m

me r ou t ,

The n you mus t be t he

Tush ! what sig n ifies a n ame ? i n t e rrup t ed t he stra n ger ,

wit h a dep recat i n g wave of t h e ha n d Come do we u n de r .

“
,

st an d each o t he r ? Is i t a bargai n or n o t ? ,

At t he t alisma n i c wo r d bargai n t he G e n e r al pricked up h i s

”

ear s He had ofte n bee n heard t o say t hat n eithe r m a n n o r

.

devil could get the be t te r of h i m i n a t rade He took ou t h i . s

jack k n ife a n d began to w h i ttle The Devil t ook out his a n d

-
.
,

began t o pare his n ails .

“
But w h at proof have I that you ca n perform w h at you
’

promi s e ? deman ded Moulto n , pu rsi n g up his mo u th a n d co n

”

trac t i n g his bushy eyebrows like a m a n who i s n o t t o be t aken ,

i n by me r e appea ra n ces .

The fien d r a n his fi n ge r s car elessly t h r ough his peruke whe n ,

a shower of golden gui n eas fell to the fl oor a n d rolled to t h e

fou r co rn e rs o f t he r oom The G en e ral quickly stooped t o pick

.
326 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

fac t way t hat pu t hi s listen er i n a cold sw ea t Now that yo u

ar e co n vi n ced I am able to make you the riche st m n i n all the a

provi n ce list en ! Have I your ear ? It i s w ell ! In co n s ide r a

,

t io n Ofyour agreeme n t duly s ign ed n d sealed to deliver you r,

a ,

soul — here he d re w a parchme n t from h i breast

”
I en gag e s ,

o n my part o n the first day of every mo n th to fill you r boots

, ,

with golde n elepha n t s like t hese before you But mark me , .

well said Sata n holdi n g up a forefi n ger glit terin g with dia
, ,

m on ds if you t ry to play me n y t rick you will r epe n t i t ! I

“
,
a ,

k n o w you Jo n atha n Moulto n a n d shall keep my eye upo n you

, ,

so be w a r e
Moul t o n flin ch e d a lit tle a t t his plai n speech ; bu t a t hought
seemed t o st rike h i m a d he brighte n ed up Sata n ope n ed t he
,
n .

scroll smoothed out the c r eases dipped a p e n i n t he i n khor n a t

, ,

his girdle n d poi n t i n g t o a bla n k s pace said laco n ically

,
a , , ,

Sig n !
”

Moulto n he s i t ate d .

“
If you are afraid s n ee red Sat a n w hy pu t me t o all t his
, ,
“

trouble ? n d h bega n to put the gold i n his pocke t

”
a e .

His victi m sei z ed the pe n ; but his ha n d shook s o that he could

n o t write He gulped dow n a m outhful of u m stole a look at
. r ,

h i s i n fer n al gue s t wh n odded hi s head by way of e n courage

,
o

m e n t a n d a seco n d time approached his p e n to the paper

,
The .

s truggle was s e e n over The u n happy Moul t o n w r ote his n ame

.

at t he bot t om of the fatal li st which he was a s to n ished t o see ,

n umbe r ed some of t he highest perso n ages i n the provi n ce I .

s hall at lea s t be i n good compa n y h e muttered ,

”
.

G ood ! said Sa t a n risi n g a n d putti n g the scroll carefully

”
,

a w ay withi n hi s brea s t Rely o n me G e n eral a n d be sure yo

.
, ,
u

keep faith Re m ember . So sayi n g the demo n waved his ,

han d flun g his an tle about him n d van ished up t he ch i m n ey

,
m ,
a .

Sata n performed his part of the co n tract t o t he le tt e r On t h . e

first day of eve r y mo n th t he boo t s w hich were hu n g o n the cra n e ,

i n t he fireplace the n ight before w ere fou n d i n the mor n i n g stu f fed ,

fu ll of gui n eas I t is true that Moulto n had ra n s acked the vil

.

lage fo r the la rges t pair t o be foun d a n d had fi n ally secu r ed a ,

 JON TH A AN M OU L TON A ND TH E DE V IL . 327

b r ace o f t roope r s jack boo t s w hic h came n early up t o t he

’
-
,

wea r er s t high ; bu t t he co n tract me r ely expre s sed boo t s a nd

’
,

the Devil does n o t s t a n d upo n t ifl e s r .

Moulto n r olled i n wealth everythi n g p r ospered His n eigh .

bors r egarded h i m first with e n vy t h e n wi t h aversio n at last , ,

with fear No t a few affir m ed t hat he had e n t ered i n t o a

.

league w i th t he Evil On e Others s h ook their head s sayi n g .

, ,

What does it s i gn ify ? — that a n would ou t wit t he D evil m

himself .

Bu t o n e mo rn in g whe n t he fie n d came as usual t o fill t he ,

boo t s what was his asto n ishmen t t o fi n d t ha t he could n o t fi ll

,

t hem He pou r ed i n t he gui n eas bu t it was like pou rin g wat e r

.
,

i n t o a ra t hole The mo r e he pu t i n t he more the quan tity

-
.
,

seemed t o dim in ish In va i n he pe r si s ted t he boo t s could n o t

.

be filled .

The Devil scrat ched h i s ea r I mus t look i n t o t h i s b e .

,

r eflected No soon er said tha n he a t tempted t o desce n d bu t i n

.
,

doi n g so he fou n d his p r og r ess sudde n ly s t opped A good .

r easo n The chim n ey was ch oked up with gui n eas ! F oami n g

.

with r age the demo n t ore t he boots fro m t he c r a n e

,
The crafty .

G e n eral had cu t o f ft he soles leavi n g o ly the legs fo r t he D ev i l ,

n

t o fill The chambe r was k n ee deep with gold

.
-
.

The D ev il gave a ho rri ble gri n a n d disappeared The same , .

n igh t Hampto n House was bur n ed t o t he g ou n d the G e n e r al o n ly r ,

e scap i n g i n his Shi rt He had bee n dreami n g he was dead a n d .

i n hell His p r ec i ous gui n eas were secret ed i n t he wai n sco t t he

.
,

ce ili n g a n d o t her h idi n g places k n ow n o n ly t o himself He

,
-
.

blasphem ed wept a n d t o re h i s hair Sudden ly he gr ew calm

, , . .

Afte r all t he loss was n o t irr epa r able b e r eflec t ed

, G o lffwould ,
.

m el t i t is t r ue
,
bu t he would fi n d it all of cou rse he would , ,

a t daybreak ru n i n t o a solid l u mp i n the cellar

, eve r y gui n ea ,
.

T h at is true of o r di n ar y gold .

The G e n e r al wo r ked w it h t he e n e rgy of desp a i r clea ri n g aw a y ,

the r ubbish He r efused all of fers of assist an ce ; he dared n o t

.

accep t t hem Bu t the gold had va n i s hed Whethe r it was

. .

r eally co n sumed o r had passed agai n i n t o the massy e n t rails o f

,
 NEW ENGLA ND LEG ENDS
-
.

the earth w ill n eve r be k n ow n It is o n ly ce rt ai n t ha t every

,
.

ve s tige of it had disappea r ed .

W he n t he G e n e ral died a n d was buried s tra n ge rumors began ,

t o c irculat e To quie t them t he grave wa s ope n ed ; bu t when

.
,

the lid wa s removed fr o m the coffi n i t W s fou n d to be empty ,

a .

A n othe r lege n d r u n s t o the e ffect that upo n the death of his

wife u n de r — as evil repo rt would have it — very suspicious
ci r cum st a n ce s the G e n e ral paid hi s court to a you n g woma n
,

w ho had bee n the compan io n of his decea s ed spou s e T h ey .

were ma rr ied In the middle of the n ight the you n g bride

.

awoke with a start Sh e felt a n i n visible han d tryi n g to t ake

.

of f fr om h er fi n ge r t he w eddi n g ri n g t h at had o n ce belo n ged to -

the dead a n d buried M rs Moul t o n Shrieki n g wit h fright she

. .
,

j u mped out of b d t hus a w aki n g he r husba n d w ho tried i n

e , ,

vai n to calm he r fears Ca n dles we r e lighted a n d sea rch made

.

for the ri n g bu t as it could n eve r be fou n d agai n t he ghos t ly ,

vi s itor w as s upposed to have carried it away w ith her Th i s .

s t o ry is the same t hat is t old by Whitt i e r in t he Ne w Wi fe “

a n d t he Old
”
.

GOODY COLE .

OODW IFE Eu n ice Cole the w itch of Hamp t o n wa s fo r a

, ,

quart e r of a ce n tury o r mo r e t he t e rr or of t he people of

t hat t o w n who believed he r t o have sold herself body a n d soul
,

to t he Dev i l Whom we hate we also fear The ba r e me n tio n

. .

of he r n ame w ould i t is said hush c ryi n g child r e n i n t o sile n ce

, , ,

o r hu rry t r uan t boy s to school Although s he w a s repeat edly .

t hro w n i n t o priso n Sh w as yet n accou n tably suffered t o co n

,
e u

ti n n e to live t he life of a n outcast u n t il death fi n ally freed the ,

c ommu n ity from thei r fea r s I n 1 6 8 0 s he w as brought before

.

t he Quart er Sessio n s t o an s w e r t o the charge of bei n g a w i t ch ;

a n d t h ough t here w as n o e full proof that h e w a s a w itch yet
“ ”
S ,

for t he satisfactio n of the Court which vehemen t ly s uspects he r ,

“
330 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Fie t h e w itch ! ried a merry girl

on
”
c ,

A t h ey ro u d e d t h e poi t wh ere G ood y Col

-
s n n e

S t b y h er d oor w it h h er wh eel at w irl

a ,

A be t d blear e ye d poor ld s o u l
n an -
O .

Oh sh e m uttered ye b rave to d y !
o ,
’
re -
a

B ut I h ear t h e little wa v e s laugh d say an ,

T h e brot h w i ll b ol d th at waits at h ome e c

For it to go b u t a ot h er to ome
’
s one ,
n c

Sh e u r ed sai d t h e skipper speak her fair

’
s c s
,

I m s ary al way s to s ee h er sh ak e
’
c

H w i ke d h ead w it h it s w ild g ray h air

er c , ,

A n d n o s e li k e a h a wk a d eye s li k e a s n ake ,
n .

B ut merrily still w ith lau gh d sh o u t ,

an ,

From Hampton River t h e boat s ailed o u t ,

Till t h e hu t s d t h e fl ak e s Star s eemed n igh

an on ,

A n d t h ey lo s t t h e s ce t of t h e pi e s of Rye n n .

T h ey dropped t h eir li e s i t h e lazy tide n n ,

Draw i g u p h ad d o k d mottled d
n c an co

T h ey saw t th e Sh ado w t h at w al k e d b es ide

no ,

T h ey h eard t t h e feet w ith sile e sh o d no nc .

B u t t h icker d th i k er a h ot mi st gre w
an c ,

Sh ot by t h e ligh t i g s t h ro ug h d t h ro u g h n n an

A d muf
n fl ed gro wl s lik e t h e gro wl of a beast , ,

R an alo g t h e sky from w es t to eas t

n .

Th e skipper h au led at t h heavy s a l e i

G d be o u r h elp I h e o ly rie d
o n c ,

A t h e roari g gale like t h e s tro k e of a fl ail

S n , ,

Smote t h e boat it s starboard s ide on .

T h e Sh l look ed bu t w alo e
oa s m e n ,
s a n

Dark fi lm s of rai lo u d sla t wi s e blo wn n -c n ,

Wild rocks lit u p b y th e ligh t i g s glare n n

’
,

Th s trife
e d torme t of s ea a d air an n n .

Goody Cole loo k ed o u t from h er d oor

T h e I sle s of Sh oal s were d ro w ed n a nd go e n ,

Scar e ly sh e s a w t h e H ead of t h e B
c e ar

To ss t h foam from t k of s to e e as s n .
 PORTSM OU TH LEG ENDS .

Sh e cla sped h er h a d s w it h a grip of pai n n,

T h e tear h er h ee k w as t of rai
on c no n

T h ey are lost sh e m u ttered b oat d cre w !

,
”
,
an

Lor d forgive me my w ord s w ere tr u e

,

u e ly s eaw ard sw ept t h e s qu all

S dd n

The l w s ote t h ro ug h lo udy ra k

o s u n m c c

Th Sh oal s s tood clear i t h e ligh t

e d ll n ,
an a

T h e tre d of t h e coas t lay h ard d blac k

n an .

B ut far d w ide as eye o u ld rea h

an c c ,

N life w as s ee u po w ave or beach

o n n

Th boat t h at w e t o u t at mor i g n ever

e n n n

Saile d back again i to H ampto n River n .

P O RT S M O U TH LEGEN D S .

early voyagers soo n disco v ered the Pi s cataqua R i ve r ,

a n d they quickly perceived it s adva n tage s a s a b a r b e r .

T h ere wa s A game ticus for a la n dmark n d there w a s a s w ift

n ,
a

fl wi n g t ide w hich t he n a t ives told them wa s n ever fro z e n

o ,
.

There w ere spacious basi n s deep a n d sheltered i n w hich a n avy

, ,

migh t ide secu r ely ; a n d there were al s o high n d ge n tly sl e p

r a

i n g ba n k s over which the swayi n g pi n es looked do w n upo n their

,

o wn dark shado w s i n the eddyi n g stream belo w The r ive r was .

fou n d to co n duct i n to a fertile a n d heavily tim b ered r egio n of -

,

w hich it w a s the n atural o u tle t The s hore s w ere seen to a fford .

admirable sites for the s ettleme t tha t o n a n d the o t her we r e n e

de s ti n e d t o s upport .

Thi s wa s accordi n gly begu n i n 1 6 23 u n der the direc t io n a n d ,

by t h authority of G orges a n d Maso n i n w ho m the s ucce ss ful

e ,

experime n t of the Plymouth Pilgrim s had i n spired n e w h opes of

tur n i g their r oyal gran t s to accou n t
n .

The promoters f the s ettleme n t were Ch cln

o w ho had u r n e n,

little s ympa t hy with Puritan idea s n d n o n e at all with it s ,

a
332 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

”
scheme of govern me n t n d a s s ome of tho s e w ho had fo u d a n

the r ule of the s e i d t hard for t h eir s toma h s had emoved e as oo c r

i to N w Hamp s hire a prej u dice gre w u p bet w ee n the two com

n e ,

m u nit i which for the re s t a fford to the s tude n t of hi s tory n

es , , a

example of t w o divers e s y s tem s gro w i g up side by s ide n .

Wheel w right a n d hi s frie d s were of the latter clas s Time n .

,

mutual i n tere s t n d the rapid a s ce n de n cy obtai n ed by t he s i s ter

,
a

colo n y w it h other co s ideratio s fi n a lly clo s e d the breach

,
n n , .

The s y s tem of G orge s n d Ma s o n to e s tabli s h a colo y of t e n a ,

n

a t s havi g o n ly lea s ehold s s ubje t to quit re n ts which they

n n c -
,

s h ould gover n by thei r age n t s worked o n ly eve n tual evil to ,

them s elve s It w as a n attempt to graft the lan ded system of

.

Old upo n Ne w E gla n d by the s ide of the freehold pla n of then

thrifty a n d s agaciou s Ma ss achu s ett s pate n tee s ; a n d it w as a dis

a s trou s failure F i n di n g that they Were gro w i g poo r w hile the
. n ,

P u rita n freeholders were gro w i n g rich the people threw o fl thei r ,

’

yoke n d s o u gh t a u n io n w ith Ma ss achu s ett s

,
a .

Still the old leave n of prejudice s urvived i n t he d esce n da n ts

,

of the origi n al i n habita t s wh love d royalty n d its forms n ,

o a ,

adhered to the Mother Church n d it s traditio n s n d felt n o -

a ,
a

s ympathy whatever for the u s t m a n n e the igid eco n omy

'

a e re rs ,
r ,

or the qua s i eccle s ia s tical gover n me n t of their more po w erful

-

n eighbo rs These people gave to n e to the pri cipal settleme n t ;

. n

a nd i n ce there wa s n ari s tocracy of blood n of w ealth rose

S o ,
o e

a n d flouri s hed i n it s stead .

A s the capital the chief to wn n d the o n ly s eapo r t of t h e

, ,
a

provi n ce Port s mouth lo g e nj oyed a peculiar di s ti ctio n It

,
n n .

remai n ed the political cen tre u n til the s eat of gover men t was n

tra s fe red early i n the pre s e n t ce n tury to t h e i terior of the

n r , ,
n

State I n evitable cha n ges tur ed comme ce i n to other chan n el s

. n r .

It s commercial import a ce w a ed p rogress w as arrested n d the n n , ,

a

place came to a s tan d s till n d it i s to day more remarkable for a -

w hat it has been tha n for w hat it is .

Therefore Portsmouth ha s the stamp of a coi n of fifty yea rs

ago It i s of the true w eigh t n d ri n g but the date a n d the
. a ,

lege n d are old The be s t hou s e s are s till the oldest a d those
.
n
334 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

b ri n k of despai r This belda m had i n fact t old Walto n t ha t

'

he should n eve r peacefully e nj oy the la n d he had wr e s ted from

he r.

On e s till Sabbath n ight i n Ju n e all at o n ce a s howe r of sto n e s

r at tled agai n st the sides a n d roof of Wal t o n s hou s e It came ’
.

as fie rcely a n d as u n expectedly as a s u mmer hail s to r m A . s

s oo n as it had ceased the startled i n ma t e s who were i n bed

, , ,

h u rr ied o n their clothes a n d sallied out to see if they could

discover t he pe rpet ra t ors of t hi s out rage upo n the peace a n d quie t
of t he family It was t e n o clock a n d a b right moo n light
.
’

n igh t They fou n d t he ga t e t ake n o ff t he hi n ge s a n d carried

.

t o a dist a n ce from the house bu t coul d n either see n o r hea r,

a n y t hi n g of the s t o n e t h r o w ers
-
.

While t hus e n gaged a seco n d volley of s t o n es w his t led abou t

,

t heir hea ds which d r ove t hem much t er rified by it s sudde n

, ,

n ess a n d fu r y back t o t he s hel t er of the hou s e They fi rst

,
.

we n t i n t o the po r ch but the sto n e s r eachi n g t hem here they ,

we r e quickly pel ted out of t his i n to a n i n n er chamber where , ,

havi n g bolted n d bar red all t he doors they awai t ed i n n o calm

a ,

frame of mi n d the n ext demo n st r atio n of t he i r assaila n t s Some .

had bee n struck a n d hu r t n d a ll we r e i n co n st e rn ati o n Bu t

,
a .

t o t he d i smay of th ese poo r people this proved n o secure r efuge ,

for t h e sto n e battery ope n ed agai n pre s e n tly filli n g t he room ,

i t self with flyi n g mis s iles which crashed through the e s m e n t s

,
a e ,

scat t eri n g t he glass i n every directio n came dow n the chim n ey , ,

bou n di n g a n d reboun di n g alo n g t he fl oor like spen t ca n n o n

ball s while the i n mates looked o n i n helple ss amazeme n t a t
,

what threa t e n ed to demolish the house over t heir heads Thi s .

bomba r dme n t co n t i n ued with occasio n al i n ter missio n for fou r

, ,

hour s .

While it wa s goi n g o n Walto n was w alk in g t he floo r of his

,

chambe r in gr eat disorder of mi n d whe n a sledge hamme r ca st ,

-

wi th vi n dicti v e force thumped heavily alon g the floor ove r head ,

a n d n ar owly mi s si n g him fell at his fee t maki n g a gr ea t de n t

,
r , ,

i n t he o ake n floo r ; a t the s ame t ime t he ca n dles we r e swep t o fl

t he t able leavi n g him i n t otal dark n es s
, .
 THE STONE-THROW I NG DE V IL . 3 35

All t h i s i t i s t rue m ight have b e e n the work of evil mi n ded

, ,
-

perso n s ; bu t certai n thi n gs hardly co n si s ten t with t his t he o ry

co n vi n ced t he family be yo n d a n y r ea s o n able doub t t hat t he
s t o n es whic h b ruised a n d terrified t he m were hurled by demo n
han ds In t he first place some of t he sto n es which were picked
.
,

up we r e fou n d to be hot as if t hey had just been t aken ou t o f

'

the fi re In t he seco n d n o t wi t hstan di n g seve ral Of them we r e

.
,

m a r ked cou n t ed a n d laid upo n a t able t hese same st o n es

, , ,

wo u l d aft e rw a r d be fou n d flyi n g a r ou n d t he r oom agai n as soo n

a s t he pe r so n s back was t u r n ed who had pu t t hem t he re
’
In .

t h e t hi r d upo n exami n atio n the leade n c r oss ba r s of t he case

, ,
-

me n t s we r e fou n d t o be be n t ou t wa r dly a n d n o t i n war dly , ,

showi n g co n clusively that the st o n es came fr om w i t hi n a n d n o t ,

from w ithou t Fi n ally to settle t h e mat t er some of t he maide n s

.
, ,

belo n gi ng t o the household were frigh t e n ed out of t heir wi t s

upo n seei n g a han d t h r us t ou t of a wi n dow o r t he appa ri t io n of ,

a han d , t here bei n g t o the ir cert ai n k n owledge n o o n e i n t he

, ,

r oom whe r e i t came from .

Th i s was n o t all Aft e r Wal t o n had go n e t o bed t hough

.
,

n o t t o sleep a heavy s t o n e came c r ashi n g t hrough his chambe r

,

do o r He go t up secu r ed t he u n welcome i n t ruder a n d locked

.
, ,

i t i n h i s o wn chamber ; bu t i t was t ake n out by i n visible han ds ,

a n d ca r r ied wit h a g r ea t n oise i n t o t he n ex t r oom This was .

followed by a b ri ckba t The spi t flew up t he chim n ey a n d .

,

ca m e do w n agai n wi thou t a n y visible agen cy This car n ival

,
.

co n t i n ued from day t o day with a n occasio n al r espite W h e r .

eve r t he mast e r of t he house showed him s elf i n t he barn t h e , ,

field o r elsewher e by day o r by n igh t he was sure t o r eceive

, , ,

a volley N0 o n e who wit n essed t hem doub t ed fo r a momen t

.

t hat all these act s proceeded from t he malevole n ce of the afo r e

sa i d w it ch ; a n d a n attempt was accordi n gly made t o b r ew a
powe rful wit ch bro t h i n the house t o e x e r ci s e her Bu t for
-
, .

some r easo n o r o t he r i t s charm failed t o work a n d so t he spell

r emai n ed han gi n g ove r the affl ic t ed fa m ily .

Some of t h e p r a n k s of the demo n qui t e ou t do t he feats of

Harlequin i n t he Ch r ist mas pan t omimes Wal t o n had a guest .
 336 NEW -
ENGLAND LEG ENDS .

st ayi n g with him w ho became the faithful r ecorde r of wha t

,

happe ed w hile the s tor m of sto n es rai n ed do w n upo n the

n

doomed dwelli n g In order to soothe a n d tra n quillize hi s mi n d

.
,

he t ook up a musical i n s trume n t n d bega n to play ; whe n a a

“

good big sto n e rolled i n t o j oi n i n the da n ce while the player

”
,

looked o n in amazeme n t A mo n g o t h er tri ck s pe rformed by .

the mischie v ous demo w ho had take n up its u n welcome resi

n

de n ce amo n g the family w a s that o f t aki n g a cheese from the

,

press n d c r umbli n g it over the floor ; then t he iro n used i n

a

the press was fou n d d r ive n i n to the wall a n d a kettle hu n g ,

upo n i t Several cocks of hay that had bee n mo w ed n e a r the

.

ho u se were adroitly hu n g upo n t rees n ear by ; w hile the mis

ch i v o
e gobli n t w isti n g bu n ches of hay i n to wisp s stuck them
u s , ,

up all about the house kitche n cum multi s a li i ,

s .
”

The relater of all these u n accou n table doi n g s i n deed admit s

that certai n s ceptical perso n s persi st ed i n believi n g that a n y or
all of them might have bee n the work of huma n bei n gs but as
e v ery o n credit s w hat he wishes to credit so this a n cie n t w ri te r
e ,

appear s to me n tio n the fac t o n ly w ith the vie w of exposi n g its

ab s urdity Ou wn purpo s e is n t t o decide betwee n t wo
. r o ,
o

opi n io s but to declare that people i n ge n eral co n sidered G eo rge

n ,

Walto n to be a victi of supern atural vi s itatio n or i n o t he r

,
m , ,

w o r ds bewitched n d t o s how that the temper of his day wa s

,
a

such that a y occurre n ce out of the commo n w as su r e t o be

,
n

co n sidered accordi n g to i t s charact e r ei the r as eman ati n g from ,

heave n or from the bottomle s s pi t There we r e n o such t hi n gs .

as accide n t s eve rythi n g had some design .

 338 NEW -ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

in us e whe n t he Ho n o rable Cou n cil me t at t he G ove rn o r s b i d ,

’

di n g t o make a levy of t roops fo r Louisburg or upo n o t he r

,
.
,

matter s of public co n cer n Busi ess be i n g ove r t he compan y . n

,

r epai red t o t he billiard room o r the card r ooms t o t he s tables o r

- -
,

t o t he r iver for relaxatio n — the olds t e rs t o k i ll t ime t he you ng

, , ,

s t e r s t o kill the ladies .

It wa s a pleasa t ma s io abode n n n, a n

Near d yet h idde from t h e great high road

an n ~

Seq u e s ter d amo g tree s a oble pile

e n ,
n
,

Baro ial d olo ial in its s tyle ;

n an c n

G a b le s d dormer w i do ws everyw h ere

an -
n ,

A d s t ck s of chim ey s ri s i g h igh i
n a i n n n a r.

Wit h i u w o ted sple dors met t h e eye

n, n n n
,

Pa el s d fl oors of oak d tapestry

n ,
an , an

Carved c h im ey pieces wh ere braze n dogs

n -
,
on

Revelled d d the C h ri s tma s fi re s of logs

an re are .

But t his b rave es t abl is hme n t lacked o n e t hi n g t o r en de r it

comple t e — i t n eeded a mistress The G ove rn o r had bee n left
, .

widowed a n d chil dless i n his old age t o sust ai n t he ca es of r

o ffice a n d t he man agemen t of h i s ex t ens ive household a l o n e .

He det e r mi n ed to marr y agai n .

The world had it bee n co n sul ted in t he m att e r mi gh t have

, ,

i mposed u po n him a b ri de of m at u r e year s a n d expe rien ce ;

above all o n e t ake n from his o wn ran k o r a t leas t havi n g a
, ,

pedigree Bu t t he Govern o r was n o t ye t t oo old t o be i n se n

.

sible t o the charms of you t h a n d beauty ; a n d he proceeded t o

s n ap his fat fi n ge rs i n t he fa ce of society by p r oposin g ma rr iage
to a you n g woma n of t h e t own o fPort smou t h who possessed all ,

the perso n al graces that we r e r equisi t e i n his eyes t o m ake he r

Lady We n tworth The lady howeve r saw n o th i n g but a gou t y
.
, ,

old m a n — who might it wa s true soo n leave her a wido w but

, , ,

t hi s w n t the life that s he looked for w ard to Sh e havi n g

as o .

moreove formed an other attachme n t i her wn sphere of life

r n o ,

rejec t ed t h G overn or fo whom s he cared n t a bu t to n i n

e ,
r o ,

favor of a you n g mechan ic wh om s h e dearly loved This do uble .

 LA D Y W ENTW ORTII . 33 9

woun d t o his love n d va n ity the old G overn o r de t ermi n ed

a

sig n ally to ave n ge ; a n d to t his e n d he wickedly caused the

bridegroom to be kid n apped by a press ga n g a n d carried o ff -

t o sea .

The G ove rn or s seco n d ma t rimo n ial ve n tu r e was more fo r t u

’

n ate . This time his eyes fell upo n Martha Hilto n a saucy r ed , ,

lipped gyp s y of t h to w n who i s fi rs t i n troduced to us while

e ,

she i s carryi n g a pail of wat e r p r obably fre s h drawn from the -

t o w n pump yo n der — alo n g the s treet H e r feet are bare her .

,

d r e ss scarcely covers h e dece n t ly ; yet for all tha t she belo n gs

r

to o n e of the olde s t families i n the provi n ce Bu t she is cha r m .

in g eve n i n t hese mea n habilime n ts

,
.

It wa s a pretty picture full of grace , ,

T h e sle de r form th e delicate t h i face

n , ,
n

T h e swayi g motio a s sh e h u rried by

n n,

T h e sh i i g feet t h e lau ghter i her eye

n n ,
n .

The s ight of t he girl i n this pligh t so i n ce n ses t he shar p

t o n gued la n dlad y of the Earl of Halifax i n n that she ex claims ,

from her door w ay You Pat you Pa t how da r e you go look

,

i n g so ? You ough t t o be a s hamed to be see n i n t he st r eet

The warm blood comes i n t o t he maiden s cheeks a t this shar p ’

r ep r oof Sh e gives h e r head a t oss a n d haugh tily says ! No

.
,

ma tt er how I look I shall ride i n my cha ri o t ye t ma am

, nd ,
’
a

passes o n leavi n g Mistress Stavers n ailed t o her doo r st ep at

,

such u n heard o f presumptio n i n a half dressed slip of a girl

- -
,

who is ca rryin g wa te r through the public s tree t Ride i n her .

cha rio t i n deed !

,

Like Ci n derella Ma rt ha H i l t o n n ex t makes he r appea r a n ce i n

,

t he kitche n of t he G overn or s m n i n t Li tt le Harbor But ’

a s o a .

she is n o t to st ay he r e On e day t he G overn or gi ves a sple n d i d

.

ban quet The compa n y is a ss embled

.
,

H e h a d i n vited
all h i s frie ds d peer s n an ,

T h e P pp l th e La gdo s d t h e Lears
e ere s ,
n n ,
an ,

T h e Sparhawk s t h e P h ll w d t h e re s t
,
en a o s ,
an

For wh y repeat t h e ame of every g u est n

342 NEW -
ENGLAND LEG ENDS .

in wh i ch t he social dist in ctio n s of G overn o r W e n t wo r t h s day ’

are emphasi ed i n orde r to show how easily Love laughs at them

z ,

a n d a t all t hose safegua rds behi n d which society i n tre n ches i ts elf

agai n st a m i sallian ce Bu t he r e a maide n of t wen ty marries a

.

m a n old e n ough t o b e he r g r a n dfa t he r Is i t for love ? He .

ma rries h i s l o vely depe n dan t because he i s lo n esome .

CH ES T E R N H
’
T H E D E V I L S D EN , . .

NE corn e r of the i nla n d town of Chester Ne w Hampsh i re , ,

lifts i n to vie w n em i n e n ce k n o w n as Ra t tles n ake Hill

a .

The bared outc r oppi n g r ock of t his b ill i s pie r ced quite t h rough
,

o n o n e side thus for m i n g a caver n of g r eat n otoriety i n all the

,

cou n t ry rou n d This cave r n bea rs t he gruesome n ame of The

.

Devil s D n a n d ma ny we r e the frigh t ful tale s t old arou n d wi n

’
e , ,

t e r fi e s id e s of the demo n s who hau n ted i t i n bygo n e times

r , ,

there t o hold thei r mid n igh t o rgies withi n t he da r k r ecesses of

t he mou n tai n .

The r e are t wo e n t ra n ces to t his c a ver n bo t h leadi n g t o a n ,

i nt er ior sub t e rran ean cham be r who s e vaul t ed roof i s t h i ckly

,

studded w ith pear shaped protubera n ces t hat a said to s hi n e

-
,
re

a n d s parkle b r ightly whe n ligh ted up by t he ruddy glow of a

t orch A ccordi n g to popula t radi t io n the pat h leadi g to

. r ,
“

the caver n w as al ways kept ope n i n summe n d i n wi n te r

,

r a
, ,

by t he pas s i ng t o n d fro of the evil s piri ts wh freque n t ed the

a o

place though themselve s i n visible t o the eye s of mort al m n

, e .

Thu s to give the s e trouble r s of manki n d a local habi t a t io n n d a a

n ame is to firmly fi x a tradi t io n i n t he popula r mi n d Ma n y .

years ago t he poet Whittier put the lege n d i n to ve r se

T h e moo i s brigh t t h e r oc ky h ill
n on ,

B u t its d w fi h pi e s ri s e gloomily still

ar s n ,

Fixed motio less f

, orm s i t h e s ile t air
n n n ,

The moo ligh t i s t h em b t dark e s s i s there

n on , u n .
 THE DEV I L S DEN
’
. 34 3

T h e dro wsy fl ap of t h e o wlet s w i g ’

n ,

A n d t h e s tream s l w g us h fro it s h idde s pri ng

’
o m n ,

A d t h e pa ss i g breeze i it s fl ig h t betrayed
n n , n

By t h e timid sh iver of leaf d blade an ,

Half like a sig h d h alf a an m e a n,

The of t h e li s te er catche s alo e

e ar n n .

A d im cave yawn s i the rude hill s ide n -

Like t h j a ws of a mo s ter ope ed w ide

e n n ,

Where a fw w ild b ush e s of t h or

e d fern n an

Their leave s fro the breat h of t h e ight air

m n -

A d half w it h t w i i g foliage cover

n n n

The mout h of t h at shado wy caver over n

A b ove it the rock ha g s gloomy

, d h ig h n an ,

Like a re t i t h e bl u e of t h e b ea u tifu l s ky
n n ,

W h i h s eem s a s it ope s either h a d

c , n on n ,

Like s ome brig h t s ea leavi g a de s olate la nd n .

Belo w i t a stream it s b d of sto e

,
on e n

Fro a ift i t h e rock come s hurryi g down

m r n n ,

Telli g forever t h e s ame w ild tale

n

Ofit s loftier home to t h e lo w ly vale

A n d over it s w ater s n oak i s be di g a n n ,

Its b ou gh s like a s keleto s arm s exte di ng n

’
n ,

A aked tree by t h e light i g s hor

n ,
n n n,

With it s tr u k all bare d it s bra ch es torn

n an n

A d the rock s b e eath it blacke e d

n d e t
n ,
n an r n ,

Te ll w here the bolt of the thu n der we n t .

’
T is
said that thi s cave i s a n evil place
The c h o s en hau n t of the fallen race
That the m id ight traveller oft h ath seen
n

A e d fl ame tremble it s j a ws bet w ee

r n,

A n d lig h te n a d q u iver t h e boug hs amo n g

n ,

Like t h e fi ery play of a s erpen t s to gue

’
n

Th at s o u nd s of fear from it s c h amber s sw ell

T h e gh o stly gibber t h e fi en di sh yell ,

That bo d iless h and s at it s e tran ce w ave n ,

An d hen ce they have n amed it The Demo n s ’

34 4 NEW -ENG LA ND L EG ENDS .

The fears of to t h i s place h ave le t

m an n

A terror wh ich Nat u re n ever mea t n

For wh o h at h w andered w it h uriou s eye ,

c

Th is d i md sh ado wy caver by
an n ,

A d k o w i the
n n n, or starligh t augh t
n s un

Wh i h migh t t be s eem s o lo ely a spot

c no n ,

Th s tealth y fox
e d the sh y ra coo ,
an c n

T h e igh t bird s wi g i th e h i i g moo

n -
’
n n S n n n

T h e frog s l w roa k
’
o d u po t h e h ill
c an ,
n ,

Th e steady h a t of t h e wh ippoorw ill

c n

Yet i s t h ere s o eth i g to fa y dear

m n nc

I t h i s s ile t cave
n n d it s li geri g fear
an n n ,

Somet h i g w h ich tell s of a ot h er age

n n ,

Oft h e W izard s w a d d t h e Sybil s page

’ ’
n , an ,

Oft h e fairy ri g d t h e h a u ted gle

n an n n,

A d t h e re s tle ss p h a tom s of m u r d ered

n n m en

T h e gra d ame s tale d t h e u rs e s s o g

n
’
,
an n
’
n

T h e d ream s of child h ood remembered lo g ; n

A d I love eve
n w to li s t t h e tale
n no

Ofthe Demo n s Cave d it s h a u ted vale

’
, an n .
34 6 N W ENGLA ND LEG E DS
E -
N .

Away ort h eas t i s Boo I sla d Light

n n- n

Yo u migh t mi s take it for a sh ip ,

Onl y it s ta d s too pl u b u prigh t

n m ,

A d like t h e ot h ers does

n ,
t lip ,
no S

B h i d t h e s ea s u steady bri n k
e n
’
n .

On t h e mai la d yo u s ee a mi sty camp

n n

Of mo u tai s pitc h e d t u m u ltuo us ly

n n

That loomi g s o lo g d large

one n n an

I s Sad dlebac k d t h at poi t yo u s ee

an n

Over y l w
on o d ro u ded marge
an n ,

Like t h e b o ss of a s leepi g gia t s t rge

’
n n a

Laid over hi s heart i s Oss ipee ,

That sh ado w t h ere may be Kears arge .

The r e ca n be lit t le r oom fo r doub t t hat t hese i slan d s we r e ,

from a ve ry early time the r esort of occasio n al fishi n g ships as

, ,

they subseque n tly became the hau n t of smuggle rs n d outlaws a ,

— I mea n pirates The clu s te r e n closed a t ole rable harbor were

.
,

u n i n habited w ere co n ve n ie n t t o t he fi s h i n g grou n ds a n d t hey

,
-
,

afforded excelle n t facilitie s for curi n g fish In lat er times t hei r .

i s olated positio n r e n dered the m a s ecu r e r efuge fo the lawless r

r ove s w ho i n fes t ed ou r coast s a n d w ho could s n ap t hei r fi n ge r s

r ,

a t the Colo n i al au t hori t ies while r efi t ti n g thei r Ships dispo s i n g ,

of t heir i ll go tt e n boo t y o r i n dulgi n g i n t heir habi t ual carousals

-
,

o n shore .F rom these co n d it io n s came at le n gt h a pu n y se t tle

men t equally withou t la w mo r als or r eligio n Such was i ts
, , ,
.

reputatio n that a Colo n ial o r der prohibi t ed wome n from l i vi n g

,

na n n e of the isla n ds
o
o y .

A lege n d is of cou rse associated wi t h t he eco r d d ecla rin g r

these isla n d s to h ave been the reso rt of freeboo t ers Kidd is .

supposed to have buried immen se treasure h ere a nd as if t o o n c

fi r m t he story the ghost Of o n e of hi s m e n who w as slai n for

, ,

its protectio n was al w ays firmly believed by the fishe r me n t o

,

h au n t A ppledore At o n e time n o t hi n g would h ave i n duced

.

the i n habita n t of an othe r isla n d to lan d upo n this afte r n ight

'

fall although there was much search made for the trea s ure t hat
,

t he s pectre was supposed t o guard On e islan de r i n deed h a d .

, ,
 I SL S O SHOALS LEG ENDS
E -
F-
. 34 7

r eally en cou n t ered t he gr isly shade while mak i n g it s soli t ar y

r ou n d a n d he desc r ibed it as sheddi n g a dimly lumi n ous a n d
,

u n eart hly appeara n ce like that of a glow worm a s i t walked

,
-
, ,

a n d as havi n g a face pale a n d very dreadful t o look upo n .

F o r a t i m e w h i le the fishe ry flourished t he i slan ds enj oyed a

, ,

k i n d of p r ospe r i t y bu t those cle rgyme n who like t he Reve r e n d ,

Joh n Tucke we n t i n to a volu n ta r y exile h e re t o become fishe r s

, ,

of m e n m i gh t tr uly be said t o h ave ca s t t hei r li n es i n s t o n y

,

places Ye t with u n abated z eal t h e good F a t he r Tucke pe rse

.

ve red i n t h e effo rt t o r eform t he mo r als of his ch a rge t o wat ch ,

o ver t hei r spiritual welfare a n d to b r i n g the m ,

i n to some t hi n g
like accord wi t h t he i d ea of a civiliz ed commu n ity u n t il t hey ,

car ried him from t he l i tt le chu r ch o n t he ledge down i n t o t he

hollow a n d t here la i d him away t o his r es t
,
.

Sometimes t he m i n i st e r wo u ld see his e n t i r e co n g r ega ti o n r ush

ou t of t he m ee t i n g house i n t he middle of t he se r mo n because
-
,

it bei n g a good lookou t some of t he m e n had caugh t Sigh t of a

,

school of macke r el i n the offi n g Sometimes w he n t o make his .

,

image mo r e impressively real he used sea te r ms t o desc r ibe the

co n ditio n of the u n r egen e ra t e si n n e r s before h i m a n d pu t t h e ,

questio n blu n tly W hat my frie n ds would you do in such a

“
, , ,

case some r ough sea dog would r e t o r t Square away a n d s e n d

-
,

fo r Squa m ! t hat bei n g t he ir cus t omar y r efuge when e ve r

”
-

t ake n a t sea by a n orth east e r Bo t h Mat her a n d Hubba r d .

give n umer ous i n st an ces of t he memo rable providen ces ove r

“

takin g these dis s olu t e a n d godless fisher me n i n the mids t o f

the i r ca r ousals Le t us n o w gi ve o n e i llust ra ti n g t he effi cacy
.

of praye r .

In h i s M a g n a li a Ch ri sti Ma t he r r ela t es t his i n c i de n t A

child o f o n e Ar n old lay sick —s e n early dead t hat i t was judged
,

t o be r eally dead Mr B r ock (the mi n i s ter ) pe r ceivi n g some

. .
,

life i n i t goes t o praye r a n d i n his praye r was th i s exp r essio n

,

Lo rd w il t t hou n o t gr a n t some Sig n befo r e we leave p r aye r

, , ,

t hat t hou wil t spar e a n d heal t h i s child ? W e ca n n o t leave

t hee t ill we have it ”
The ch ild s n eezed immed ia t ely
. .

On acco u n t o f t he isola t io n which left them t o t h e me r cy o f

34 8 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

t he e n e m y s c ru i se rs t h e islan ds we r e n early depopula t e d du ri n g

’
,

the t i m e of t he Revolutio n A fter t his t he fe w i n habi t an t s w ho

.

remai n ed lived i n a deplo rable co n ditio n of ig n oran ce a n d v ice .

Some of t hem los t thei r age s for wa n t of a r eco r d The t o w n .

.

organ iza t io n was aba n d o n ed a n d the set tleme n t at St ar I s lan d

,

r elapsed i nt o it s old half barbarous way of life M e n a n d w ome n

-
.

lived ope nly t oget he r without the form of marriage F i n ally some .

of t h e mo r e depraved pulled dow n a nd bur n ed the old mee t i n g

house which had so lo n g bee n a p romi n e n t lan dmark for seame n ;
,

a n d t he pa rso n age might have sha r ed a s imilar fa t e had it n o t , ,

like the ark bee n lau n ched a n d floated ove r t o t he mai n la n d out
,

o fha r m s way
’
.

B u t e n oug h of t h i s r ude ch r o n i cle Emergi n g from t he .

Shadow i n t o the s u n the isla n ds became i n time n o t ed for t hei r

,

healthfu l n ess a n d p r ese n tly whe n the ligh t—keeper who h a d , ,

hi t he rto lived here like a he r mi t took courage a n d es tablished ,

a boa rdi n g house o n A ppledo r e they drew a co n sta n tly i n cr e a s

-
,

i n g n umber of V i si t ors who a f firmed the Isles of Shoals t o be

,

the m o s t idio s yn c ratic wat eri n g place i n t he Un io n Si n ce -

.

then they have been celeb rated i n so n g a n d story Eve ry .

n ook a n d alcove has bee n ra n sacked to procu r e ma t e ri als fo r

hist o ry lege n d or r oman ce a n d fi n ally little o r n othi n g excep t

, ,

t he an c i e n t to m b s t o n es t he little G ospo rt chu r ch a n d some r ude

, ,

walls declar e the pre s e n ce here of a di ffere n t ge n e ratio n who

, ,

were rocked i n the cr adle of the deep a n d w ho n o w slumbe r ,

i n i t s emb r ace .

ON STA R I SLAND .

A AH
S R O . J EW ETT .

H IG H th e lich e ed ledges like

on n ,

A lo ely s ea fo wl o it s perc h
n - n

Blo wn by t h e cold s ea w i ds it sta d s - n ,

n ,

Old G o s port s q ai t for sa k e c h u ch

’
u n n r .

No Sign i s left of all th e to wn

Except a few forgotte grave s n
35 0 NEWP ENGLA ND LEG ENDS

A LEGEN D O F B LA C K B EA RD .

F HE va r ious lege n ds r ela t ive t o t he co rs ai rs a n d the sec re t ,

i n g of t hei r ill go tt e n gai n s amo n g these r ocks would of

-
,

t hemselves occ u py a lo n g chap t er ; a n d the reci t al of t he

fearful s ights n d s ou n d s which have co n fro n ted such as we r e
a

hardy e n ough t o seek for hidde n tr easu r e wo uld sa t isfy t he most ,

i n vete rat e m a r v e lm o n g i n t he la n d
er .

Amo n g o t hers t o whom i t is said these i sla n ds we r e k n ow n

was the celebrat ed Captai n Teach o r Blackbeard as h e was often
, ,

called He is supposed t o have buried imme n se t reasure he r e

.
,

some of w hich has bee n dug up n d appropria t ed by t he is a

la n der s On o n of his crui s es whil e lyi n g o ffthe Scot t i s h coast

. e ,

waiti n g for a r ich trade r he was boarded by a st ra n ger wh o

, ,

came o ff i n a small boat from t he shore The n e w come r .

-

deman ded t o be led before t he pi rate chief i n who s e cabi n h e ,

remai n ed some t ime s hut up A t le n gth Teac h appeared n

. o

deck with t he st ra n ger whom h e i n troduced t o the crew as a

,

comrade The vessel t hey were expecti n g soo n came i n sigh t ;

.

a n d after a bloody co n fl ict she became t h p ri z e of Blackbea rd

e .

I t was determi n ed by the corsair to m a n n d arm the captured a

v essel. The u n k n own had fough t with u n dau n t ed b ravery dur

i n g the ba tt le a n d to him was give n t he comma n d of the p r i z e
,
.

The stran ge r Scot was n o t lo n g i n gai n i n g t he bad emi n e n ce

o f bei n g as good a pira t e a s his r e n ow n ed comman de r His .

c r ew t hough t h i m i n vi n cible a n d follo w ed wher eve r he led

,
.

A t las t afte r h i s appe t i t e fo r wealt h had bee n sa ti sfied by t he

,

r ich boo t y of t he Southern sea s he a rr ived o n t he coas t of his

,

n a t ive la n d His boat wa s m an n ed a n d lan ded him o n the

.
,

beach n ear a n humble dwelli n g when ce he soo n r et urn ed bear

, ,

i n g i n his a r ms t h e lifeless fo r m of a wom a n .

The pirate ship immediately se t s ail fo r A erica a n d i n due m

ti me dropped her a n cho r i n t he r oad of the Isles of Shoals .

 A LEG END OF B L C A K B EARD . 35 1

Here the c r e w pa ss ed t hei r time i n s ec re t i n g t he ir ri ches a n d in

u n checked ca r ou s al .

“
A s hort life a n d a me rr y o n was t he carele ss mo t to of
e,

t hese w ild rove rs of t he mai n Wha t had they to fea r ? It is

.

tr e th a t a colo n y l w st rictly fo r bade the h a b o n of pirates

u a r r .

But the i s la n der s were scarcely less lawless tha n t h e fr eeboo t e rs

t hemselves they co n sidered t hemselve s beyo n d reach of the arm
o ft h e law a n d we r e i n t u r n looked upo n as a people ap art fr om
, , ,

‘
O L D G OSP ORI C
'
HU RC H , I SLES OF S H OALS .

t he body poli t ic No t o n e would have be tra yed the p r esen ce

.

of those who s catte r ed gold s o freely amo n g them Like t he .

a n cie n t G r eeks the n ame o f pir a t e had n o ter ro r s fo r t hese r ude

,

i sla n de rs .

The comman de r s po rt io n was buried o n a n i sla n d apa rt from

’

t he r es t He r oamed over the i s les w i t h his beautiful co rn

.

pa n io n forgetful it w ould seem of his fearful trade u n til o n e

, , , ,

morn i n g a sail was discove r ed sta n di n g i n for t h e i s la n d s .

35 2 N W ENG L
E -
AND LEG ENDS .

All was n e w activity o n board the pirate ; bu t befo re get t in g

u n de r w ay t he outla w ca rr ied the maide n t o the isla n d w here he

had bu ried his t rea s ure a n d t he n made her t ake a fearful oath
,

to g u ard t he spo t from mo rtals u n til h i s r eturn were it till ,

Doomsday He the n put to sea. .

The s tra n ge s ail proved t o be a wa rlike vessel i n search of the

freeboo t er A lo n g a n d despe ra t e bat t le en sued i n which the
.
,

Ki n g s c ruiser a t last si le n ced her adversary s gu n s The vessels

’ ’
.

we r e gr appled for a las t struggle whe n a t er ri fic explosio n ,

st r ewed the sea w ith t he fragme n ts of bo th Stu n g t o mad n ess .

by defeat a n d k n o w i n g that if take n alive the gibbe t awaited

,

him t h r over had fi red the maga z i n e i n volv i n g fri en d a n d fe e

,
e ,

i n a commo n fate .

A few ma n gled w r etches succeeded i n reachi n g t he isla n d s ,

o n ly t o perish mise rably o n e by o n e from cold a n d hu n ger

, ,
.

The pirate s mis tres s remain ed true t o her oat h t o t he las t o r

’

u n t il Sh e al s o succumbed to wa n t a n d exposure By r epo rt she .

,

has bee n s ee n more tha n o n ce o n White Isla n d a tall shapely , ,

fi gure wrapped i n a lo n g sea cloak her head a n d n eck u n cove r ed

,
-
,

except by a profusio n of golde n hai r Her face is desc ri bed as .

exquisitely rou n ded but pale n d still as marble Sh t akes her

,
a . e

st a n d o n the verge of a lo w proj ecti n g poi n t gaz i n g fixedly ou t ,

upo n the ocea n i n a n attitude of i n te n s e expectatio n A former .

race of fisherme n avouched that he r ghost was doomed to hau n t

t h e e r ock s u n til the la s t trump s hall sou n d
s n d tha t t he a n cie n t ,
a

gr aves t o be fou n d o n the i s la n d s we r e te n an t ed by Blackbea r d s ’

m e n.

TH E S P AN I S H WRE C K .

bet ide a n y shi p that w as drive n amo n g t hese i slan d s

O
befo re t he lighthouse warn ed the mari n e r h o w t o steer
clea r of them ! E gulfed i n pitch dark n ess t h doomed vessel
n ,
e

bore steadily dow n upo n n u n see n da n ger w ho s e firs t war n i n g

a ,
35 4 NEW -
ENG LAND LEG ENDS .

The roar in g of the st o r m bo re a w ay thei r fain t c ries of d is tre ss

t he old m a n slept o n quietly w ith h is family ab out h i m ,
shel ,
-

t e r e d safe — wh i le a sto n e s th row fr om his door these sailo r s

’
, , , ,

s tr ove t o r e ch that frie n dly light Two of the m ga in ed the

a .

s to n e wa ll i n fr o n t of the hou s e ; but t hei r ebbi n g s t r e n gt h wou ld

n o t allow the m climb ove r Their stiffe ned bo dies half ”

t o .
,

bur i ed i n the fal li n g s n o w w e re fou n d ha n gi n g ove r i t in the

,

mo rn i n g.

This is the sto ry of th is little clump of g raves a n d of the ,

wreck that i s t o this day un k n ow n M rs Cel i a Thax t er tel ls . .

it i n ve r se with much feelin g ; for to her s uch sce n e s we re n t o

u n fam ilia r n o r a re the da n ge r s o f thes e i nh ospi ta ble i sl e s t h in gs

,

of the i magi n atio n .

THE SPA NI A RD S G RA VES A T THE I SLES H OA LS

’
OF S .

CEL IA A
TH ! TER .

O AI LO RS d id w ee t ey s look after you

S ,
s e , .

The d a y yo u s iled aw ay fr o s unn y Spai n

a m

Br ight eyes t h at follo we d fad i ng sh i p a n d crew ,

Meltin g i n te n der rai n ?

Did n e dre m of t h at dre r n i ght to b e
no o a a ,

Wild with the wi d fi er e w ith the ti ging s n o w n

,
c s n ,

Whe n, o n
y n g ra it poi t that f ets t h e s e a
o n e n r ,

Th e hip met her de t h blo w

S a -

Fi fty lo g ye rs ag t h ese sailors died

n a o

No e k o w h o w ma y s leep be e th the wave s

n n n n a

Fou rte e g ray he ds to es i s in g s ide by side

n a n ,
r ,

Poi t out t h eir n meless g rav s

n a e ,

e y un k o wn des erte d but for me

Lo n l ,
n , ,

A d the w il d bird s t h at fl it wit h mou rn ful cr y

n ,

A n d sa d d er w i d d voic s of t h e sea
n s ,
an e
 B OON I SLAND . 35 5

0 Sp a i sh wome over t h e far s e

n n, as ,

Co ul d I b t sh o w yo u wh ere yo ur dead repos e !

u

Co u ld I s e d tidi gs t h i s ort h ern b reeze

n n on n ,

T h at stro g d stead y blo ws

n an

De r da k eyed s i sters y remember yet

a r -
,
ou

T h es e yo u h ave lo s t b t you n ever kn ow u ca n

O ne s t d s at t h eir bleak grave s w ho se eye s are w et

a n

Wit h t hi ki g of your w o l
n n

B OON I SLA N D .

V EN t he Isles of Shoals have thei r ou t lyin g picke t The .

s olitary g r ay shaft of Boo n I slan d Lighthouse shoo t i n g-

,

high up out of the s ea is by day a co n spicuous obj ec t an y w he re

,

bet w ee n York River a n d Cape Ne d d o k a n d by n igh t i t s ligh t c

is a s t ar s hi n i g brightly amid the waste of wa t e rs This isla n d

n .
,

w it h its outlyi n g ledges lo n g had the wo rs t reputatio n amo n g

,

sailo rs of n y t h at e n da n ge r the n avigatio n of ou r eas t e rn coas t s

a
,

u n til the e rectio n of a lighthouse he re i n 1 8 1 1 upo n t he lar ge r ,

rock r obbed the place of some of its te r ro rs Its n am e goes

, .

back a s fa r as 1 6 30 thus d i sposi n g of t he local traditio n s asso

,

c i t in g it wi t h the w reck of t he
a No tt in gham G alley which
“
,
”

occu rred n early a ce n t u ry la t e r .

A s t he seas i n g r ea t sto r m s break comple t ely over it d r i vi n g ,

the i n mates to the uppe r sto ry of t he shaft o n e is lost i n wo n ,

de r t o thi n k tha t this barr e n rock sca rcely eleva te d above t he ,

w aves was for n early a mo n th a nd in t he hea rt of w i n te r the

, , ,

mela n choly refuge of a shipwrecked cre w whose stre n gth daily ,

w a sted a w ay w hile they we r e i n full sight of the frie n dly sho r e

t hey cou ld n o t reach .

The follo w i n g is a ll t hat ca n be l e a rn ed co n ce rn i n g t he i n ci

de n t commemo rated i n M rs Thax t er s ve rses Lo n g ago whe n
.
’
! ,

li gh t houses we r e n o t so well mann ed as n o w two love rs la te ly , ,

35 6 N W ENGLA ND LEG ENDS
E -
.

we d, we n t ou t to keep the light o n thi s perilous r eef In a

’
.

gr eat st o r m i n the begi n n i n g of w i nt er t he husba n d sudde n ly

died ; a n d the bereaved w ife kep t t he light burn i n g th ree n ights ,

till the st or m lulled a d the n left i t u n ki n dled as a sign a l of

,
n

distress There was n huma n creature n t he rock ex cep t

. o o

themselves .
”

TH E W A TCH OF B OON I SLA ND .

CEL IA TH A! TER .

T H EY cro ss ed t h e lo ely d lame ti g s ea ; n an n n

It s moa i g s eemed b ut s i gi g
n n W ilt t h o u dare n n .
,
”

He ask ed h er brave th e lo eli ess w ith me l

,
n n
”

Wh at lo eli ess sh e s aid if t h ou art there

n n ,
”
,
“

A far d cold th e h orizo s i

an on n
’
r m

Loomed t h e tall ligh t h o us e li k e a gho stly ig ,

S n

T h ey sigh e d t as t h e sh ore b e h i d gre w d i

no n m ,

A ro s e of j oy t h ey bore a ro ss t h e bri e c n .

T h ey gai ed t h e barre roc k d mad e t h eir h ome

n n ,
an

A mo g t h e w il d w ave s
n d t h e s ea bird s w ild an -
.

T h e w in try w i d s ble w fi er e a ro ss t h e foam

n c c

But i ea h ot h e s eye s t h ey looked d s m il e d

n c
’
r an .

oft t h e ligh tho use s e t its war i gs w ide

Al n n n ,

F d by t h eir fait h fu l h d s
e d sh ip s i igh t an an n S

Wit h j oy beh el d it d la d cried an on n m en ,

Look clear d s teady b u r s Boo I sla d Ligh t !

,
an n n n

Deat h fo u d t h em t u r ed h i s face d passed h er by

n n an ,

Bu t lai d a fi ger h er love s lip s n on

’
r

A d t h ere w a s s ile ce
n T h e t h e s tor n h igh . n m ra n ,

A d to ss ed
n d tro ubled s ore t h e d i s ta t h ip s
an n S .

Na y , h all speak t h e terror s of t h e n igh t

wh o S
,

The speec h le ss s orrow t h e supreme des pair ? ,

Stil l like a gh o s t sh e trimmed t h e w a i g ligh t n n ,

Draggi g h er low w eigh t u p t h e w i di g stair

n S n n .
%8 NEW ENG LA ND -
LEG ENDS .

Y O R K M A I NE , .

A G A M E NT I C U S .

CH ARLES E . B ANKS .

W H ERE ri s es gra d maj e stic tall n , , ,

A i a dream t h e to w eri g w all

S n
,
n

T h at scor s t h e restle ss su rgi g tide

n ,
n ,

On ce s pa ed t h e mart
nn d s treet d mall an an ,

A d arc h ed t h e tree s
n every ide on S

Oft h i s great ity o ce i pride c ,

n n .

For h ith er ame a k igh tly trai

c n n

From o er t h e s ea w it h gorgeo us co u rt
’

T h e mayors go w ed i robe s of state ,

n n ,

H eld brillia t to u r ey n th e plai n on n,

A d mass ive sh ip s w it h i t h e port

n n

Di s h arged t h eir load o fric h es t freigh t

c .

T h e wh e at igh t the
n n go e do w
n ,
s un n n

B e h i d t h e we s ter h ill
n d tree n an ,

Th bo wl s w ere fi ll d
e t h i s toa t t h ey cro wn
e ,
s ,

Lo g live t h e City by t h e S
n ea

No w s ailless drift t h e lon ely s eas ,

No sh allop s load at wh arve s or q u ays ,

But hu l ks are strew alo g t h e sh ore n n ,

G a u t s keleto s i dee d are t h e s e

n n n

Th at lie e c h a te d by t h e roar
n n

Ofocea w ave n d s ig h i g tree s ! an n

Oh tell me wh ere t h e pompo us s q u ire s

, ,

T h e c h a t at eve t h e mati prayer s

n ,
n ,

T h e k igh t s i armor for t h e fray

n n

The mayors wh ere d co u rtly sire s

, ,
an ,

T h e eager trad r s w ith t h eir w ares e ,

H w w e t t h es e people h e ce a way
o n n

A d wh e t h e eve i g
n n i k s do wn n n s un S n ,

Weird voi es come from h ill d tree

c an ,
 SAINT A SPENQ U ID o r A GA M ENT CU S I . 35 9

SA I NT A SPENQ U ID o r A GA ME NTIC U S .

OU NT Aga m e n t icu s the locali t y of t he follow i n g lege n d

D 1 is t he comman din g lan dmark for sixty miles u p a n d
, ,

down t he n eighbori n g coa s t The n ame h s t he true ma rt ial . a

‘

ri n g i n i t Th i s mou n t ai n rears i t s gia n t back o n the bo r de r of

.

Mai n e almos t at t he e d ge of the sea i n t o which i n deed i t seems

, , , ,

adva n ci n g I t s for m is at o n ce gr aceful r obus t a n d i m pos i n g

. , ,
.

Natu r e pos t ed i t here I t gi es a charact er t o t he whole r egi o n

. v

tha t su rrou n ds i t ove r which i t s t a n ds gua r d Nat u r e e n dowed

,
.

it w i t h a purpose I t meet s t he mari n er s e ye far ou t t o sea

.
’
,

a n d t ells him h o w t o s t eer safely i n t o his des t i n ed po rt .

In his Pic t ures from Appledore t he poe t Lowell makes t h i s

“ ”
,

r efe r en ce t o t he sailo r s mou n t ai n ’

He glo wer s t h ere to t h e orth of u s n

Wrapt i hi s ma tle of bl u e h aze

n n ,

U co vertibly s avage d s corn s to take

n n ,
an

T h e wh i te ma s bapti s m h i s w ay s
n
’
on .

Hi fi rs t sh ore t h e coaster divi e s

m on n

T h ro ugh t h e early gray d s ees h im shake ,

an

T h e mor i g mi s t from h i s s calp lock of pi e s

n n -
n

H i fi r s t t h e sk ipper make s o u t i t h e w e s t
m n ,

E the earlie s t
re t k sh oot s tre ulou s
s u ns re a m ,

Plash i g w it h ora ge th e palpita t li e s

n n n n

Ofm u table billo w cre s t after cre s t , ,

A d m u rm u r s A g
n ti am a cu s

A if it w ere t h e a me of a s ai t
s n n .

The n ame i s i n fac t a legacy of t he I n di a n s who dwel t a t i t s

foot a n d who always i n vested t he m ou n t ai n w it h a sacred char
,

acte r Fr o m t his circumst an ce comes t he I n dian lege n d of Sai n t

.

A s p n q u i d whom some wr ite r s have ide n t ified with t he pa tri

e ,

ar ch Passaco n a w ay t he hero of s o man y wo n derful exploi t s i n

,

heali n g a n d i n n ec roma n cy .
36 0 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG E DS N .

Acco r d i n g t o t he little we are able to recove r co n cern i n g him ,

Sai n t As p e n q u id was born i n 1 5 8 8 a n d w as n early o n e hu n dred

,

yea rs old when h e died H e was co n verted t o Chri s tian ity

.

possibly by t he F re n ch Je s uit s — a n d baptized by this n ame

whe n he wa s abou t fo rt y yea r s old a n d he at o n ce set abou t hi s
lo n g a n d ac t ive m i n ist rat ion amo n g the people of his o wn r ace ,

t o who m he became a tutelary sai n t a n d prophet F or forty .

yea rs he i s said t o have wa n dered fro m ea s t t o we s t a n d fro m

n o rt h t o south preachi n g the go s pel to s ixty six d iffere n t n a
,
-

tio n s heali n g t he sick a n d perform i n g tho s e miracle s which

, ,

r a is ed him i n the est imat io n of his o wn people to the charac t er

of a p r ophe t appoi n ted by Heave n a n d i n that of t he w hites t o
,

a bei n g e n do w ed wi t h supern atural po w er s The s e wan deri n gs .

had carried him from t he shores of t he A t lan t ic to the Ca lifo r

n ia n Se a G ro w n ve n erable i n hi s good w ork w a rn ed that he
.
,

must soo n be gathe r ed t o hi s fat he rs t he sai n t at las t came home

,

to die amo ng his o wn people Havi n g called all t he sachems of

.

t he differen t t ribes t ogethe r t o a t te n d his solem n fu n eral o b s e

q u i e s
, t hey carried t he body of t hei r patriarch t o the summi t of
Mou n t Agamen t icus P r evious t o performi n g t he ri t e of s e p u l
.

t u re a n d agr eeable t o t he cust om held sacred by these people

, ,

t he hu n t e rs of each tr ibe sp read t hemselves th r oughou t the fo r

ests A great n umber of wild bea s ts w ere slaughte r ed as a sac
.

r i fi ce to the ma n es of t he depar t ed sai n t Tradi t io n affi rms t hat .

o n t ha t day were slai n a n d offered up bet w ee n six a n d seve n

thou s an d W ild a n imals — fr om t he bear the bu ffalo a n d the

, , ,

moose dow n t o t he po r cup in e the woodchuck a n d t he wea s el

, , ,
.

SA I NT A SPENQ U ID .

J OH N ALB EE .

TH E I dia hero s orcerer d sai t

n n , ,
an n ,

K o w i t h e la d a s Pass aco aw ay
n n n n n ,

A d after called t h e goo d Sai t A p q i d

n n s en u ,

Ret ur i g travel w or
n n ,
d spe t w it h age
n an n

From vai attempt to

n i l h i ra er e con c e s c
36 2 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Come earer brave s t h at I may feast my eye s

n , ,

O yo u r yo u g limb s
n wh at my self o e wa s
n ,
on nc

My race d e ays d I h ave lived too lo g

c ,
an n

My li mbs w it h n i ety w e ry w i ters strife n a n

’

A re spe t my fath er s call me u to t h em

n n .

I go to comfort t h eir i mpatie t sh ades n ,

A d re s pite fi d for all my w

n n i h e o n In s c a nc .

A d h ere o ce more
n n A gam tic us on en ,

My ld a estral po ww o w s s a red seat

o nc
’
c ,

T h at s aw t h e w aters b u r d tree s to dan ce n an ,

A d w i ter s w it h ered leave s gro w gree agai

’
n n n n,

A d i d ead s erpe t s sk i t h e livi g coil

’
n n n n n ,

W h ile t h ey th emselves wo u ld h a ge t h em s elve s to fl ame c n

A d wh ere
n t le ss did I my s e lf o ju re
no c n

T h e migh ty magi of my fat h ers rites c

’

A gai s t my fe — yet all w it h o u t effect ;

n o ,

T h e spirit s al s o fl ee wh ere wh ite co e m en m .

I t u r t j oi my ki dred saga ore s

n o n n m ,

A d fly before t h e doo
n I co uld t ch a g m no n e .

L igh t t t h e fi res of Ve gea e i yo u r heart s

no n nc n ,

For sure the fl ame w ill t u r agai s t yourselve s n n ,

A d yo u w ill peri sh u tterly from eart h

n .

N yet s ubmit too meekly b ut mai tai

or ,
n n

T h e valoro us ame o ce o u rs i h appy days

n n n .

Be pr ude t w i se d al ways slo w to s trike

n , ,
an .

Fall back s eek oth er sh ore s d h u ti g gro u ds an n n - n ,

I ca ot bear y peri sh u tterly

nn ou

T h o ugh loo k i g t h ro u g h t h e mela choly years

,
n n ,

I s ee t h e d bu t t u r my face away
en ,
n ,

S heavy are my eye s w it h u sh ed tear s

o n

A d your s too I w o ld t u r
n w arriors d bravesu n, an

A d mi d
n t my prop h eti vi s io m
n no h c n u c ,

Th u h appy gift of h i
’
n wh o lives too lo g ; m n

B ut mi d t h e ou s el ma y year s h ave ta ug h t
n c n n ,

T h e las t I give remember it d live ,

an
366 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

t o have bee n — a n u n p ri n c i pled adve n tu r e r Tak i ng his Ne w

,
.

En gl ish Ca n aa n as the i n dex of hi s cha racte r o n e read s at

”
,

every fe w li n es some evide n ce of h is s tro n g predilectio n for a

life of i n dole n ce a n d pleasure Hi s idea w a s to establish a n .

A rcadia w ith the n atives as his va s sal s

,
He restored the Old .

En gli s h holiday cus t oms which the Purita n s co n s idered i dola ,

trous a n d which t hey had prohibited amo n g themselves He

,
.

rechri st e n ed his plan tat io n of Mou n t Wollasto n by t he n ame of

Merry Mou n t with the old May Day ceremo n ies of wi n e was s ail
,
-
, ,

a n d the da n ce a r ou n d the May pole t o celebra t e the cha n ge He -

,
.

composed r iddle s i n ver s e addressed t o his followe rs t hat Show

a n equal familiarity wi t h cla ss ical lore a n d wi t h t he debased
ma n n e r s of t he court w its a n d rhymesters of the day He .

fur n ished the I n dian s w ith firearms t o hu n t for him which ,

t hey soo n lear n ed to use agai n st t hei r mast e rs Taki n g the .

alarm the outraged Pilgrim s seiz ed a n d shipped Mor t o n a pris

,

o n er t o En gla n d withou t law o r o t her w arra n t t ha n the higher

,

law that might makes r igh t a n d i t was w hile sma rti n g u n der
t he se n s e of i nj ury tha t Morto n wrote t his most en ter t ai n i n g
accou n t of his per s o n al adve n tu res i n the Ne w En glish Ca n aa n .

Thi s bri n g s u s back to Mort o n s story of how jus ti ce was ’

0

admi n i s tered a t that early day i n Ne w En gla n d n otably a t t h e ,

pla n tatio n of W e s s a g u s c u s It is n o fault of Morto n tha t the .

tale h a s gr o w n si n ce leavi n g his capable ha n ds Bu t t o him .

belo n gs the ho n o r of havi n g fir st set i t down in black a n d

white He says.

Ma ter Wes to s pla tatio bei g settled at W g

s n
’
h is
n n n es sa u s cu s ,

s erva t or ma y of t h em bei g lazy per so s t h at w o u ld us e

n s ,
n ,
n n no

e d eavor to tak e t h be efit of t h e co u try s ome of t h em fell i k

n e n n ,
S c

an d d ied .

O neamo g t h e rest ab le bodied

n t h at ra ged t h e forest
,
an -
m an n

to s ee W h at it w o u l d afford h im st u mbled by accide t I d ia ,

n on an n n

gra ary co ceale d a s t h e cus tom was w it h th o se people u der

n ,
n , ,
n

grou d ; d from it h e took a capful of cor

n an d t he we t h i s n, a n n n

way T h e I dia ow er fi d i g by t h e footpri t t h at t h t h ief

, n n n ,
n n n e

wa s E gli sh a ame d mad e h i s complai t at t h e pla tatio

an n m n, c an n ,
n n .
 HA NG I NG B Y PRO XY . 36 7

The h ief comma der f t h e compa y imme d iately alled to

c n O n c

get h er a parliame t of all t h o se wh o w ere t s i k to h ear d n no c ,

an

d eter i e t h e aus e of omplai t A d w i s ely w o ti u es ”

m n c c n . n no ,
c n n

Morto w it h playfu l iro y t h ey h o u ld co su lt u po t h i s huge

n, n ,
“
S n n

c omp lai t t h at a k ife or a stri g of bead s w o u l d w ell e o ug h h ave

n , n n n

d i spo s ed of Ed w ard Jo h s o ,
bei g mad e a special j u d ge of t h i s n n n

b us i ss Th fa t wa s t h ere i repetitio co str u ctio made t h at

ne . e c n n, n n

it w as a felo y d by t h e laws of E gla d p u i sh ed w it h death ;

n ,
an n n n

an d th is i ex c utio m ust be p ut for

n e example d likew i s e to
n an ,
an

appeas e t h e s a v age ; wh e straigh t w ay aro s e moved as it w ere n one ,

w it h some compass io d s aid h e co u l d t w ell gai s ay t h e former

n, a n no n

s e te ce yet h e h d co eived w ith i t h e compass of h i s brain

n n ,
a nc n an

E b i
m r on
( u bor h ildan) t h at w ans of s pecial nco s eq u ec ce to be n n

delivered d c h eri sh ed H s aid t h at it w o uld mo st aptly serve to

an . e

pa ify t h e s avage s complai t d s ave t h e life of

c
’
t h at might n ,
an one

( if eed
n s ho u ld be ) s ta d t h e i s ome good s tead bei g you
n g d m n ,
n n an

stro g fi t for res i sta ce agai st

n ,
e emy w hich mig h t come
n n an n
, u n

expe ted for a yt h i g t h ey k ew

c n n n .

T h i s oratio w as liked by every e ; d the orator w a s eu

n on an

treated to sh o w h o w t h i s d migh t be reac h ed He w e t en . n on !

‘
Say s he Yo u all agree t h at ,
mu st die d hall die T h i s one ,
an on e S .

yo u g ma s clot h e s ww ill take ff d p u t upon

n n
’
that i s ld nd
e o ,
an one o a

impote t — s ickly pers o th at ca ot e scape death ; s uch i s t h e

n ,
a n nn

di seas e him co fi rmed t h at d i h e m ust p t the yo u g a s

on n ,
e ! u n m n
’

clot h e s t hi s on d let the s ick per s o be ha ged i n the ot h er s

m an, an n n
’

stead A me
.
’
s ays d s o s ay ma
n,
’
more o ne an ny .

A d t h i s h ad like to h ave proved t h eir fi al s e te ce

“
n d bei g n n n ,
an n

there co fi rmed by A t of Parliame t to after ages for a precede t

n c n -
n ,

bu t t h at wit h a rave o us voi e bega to roak d bello w for

o ne n c n c an

reve ge d p ut by t h at o cl us ive motio allegi g t h at su ch

n ,
an c n n, n

d eceit s migh t be a mea s h ereafter to exa s perate t h e mi d s of t h e n n

complai i g s a age s d th at by h i s death the s avage s h o u ld s ee

n n v ,
an S

th eir zeal to do justice d t h ere fore h e h o u ld die Th i s w as an S . co n

c l uded Yet everth eless a s cr u ple w a s mad e ; w to co ter

.
, n ,
no u n

ma d t h i s act did repre s e t it self u to t h eir mi d s wh i h wa s h o w

n n n n ,
c

t h ey sh o u ld do to get t h e ma s good w ill T h i s w as i d eed a special n

’
-
. n

O b sta le for w it h o u t (th at t h ey all agreed ) it w o u ld be da gero us

c ,
n

for y an to attempt t h e exec utio of i t le st mi s ch ief sh o u ld b

m an n ,
e

fall th em every H w a s a per s o t h at i h i w rat h did s eem

,
m an . e n, n s

to b a se o d Sam s o able to beat o ut t h eir brai s w it h t h e j awbon e

e c n n, n
36 8 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

of ass Th erefore t h ey called t h e

an . d by per su a s io got m a n, an n

h im fas t bo u d i j est d t h e h a ged h im u p h ard by i goo d

n n , an n n n

ear e st wh o w it h a w eapo
n ,
d at liberty w o u ld h ave p u t all t h e s e
n, a n ,

w i s e ju d ges fth i s parliame t to a pitiful

O p l (a s it hat h bee n non u s n

cred ib ly reported ) d made t h e c h ief j ud ge of t h em ll b u ckle

,
an a

to h i m .
”

This i s Mo rt o n s o wn n a rrat io n The actual culp rit he de

’
.
,

clares was eally ha n ged i n s pite of the i n ge n ious proposal to

,
r ,

ha ng up an other m n i n his s tea d which at fi rst had tickled t he

a ,

fa n cy of t he parliame n t As if to co r roborate the story Brad .

,

fo r d tells u s that these W e s s g u s c s pla n t ers w ere fai n to ha n g a u

o n e of their m e n w ho m t hey could n o t r eclaim fr om steali n g i n ,

orde r to give the I n dia n s co n te n t .

Morto n s s t ory is ge n e rally a d mi t ted t o be t he fou n dat io n fo r

’

Butler s mirth p r ovoki n g o n e i n Hu d ibras which appea ed

’
-
“
,
r

thirt y yea rs later to delight t h e world with its i n compar able

,

d r ollery a n d satire The sat irist whom n othi n g escaped t he r e

.
, ,

pu t s i t i nt o the mouth of Ra lp h who is e n deavori n g i n a o,

m os t J e s i t i l way to clear away his maste r s s c r uples i n r egard

’
u ca

t o t he fla g e lla t i o n he had promi s ed t o u n de rgo for h is lady s ’

sake bu t was disposed to avoid The squi r e art fully debat es

,
.

t he po i n t Of ho n or i n volved

Tho u gh ice d dark t h e poi t appear

n an n ,

Qu ot h Ralp h it may h ol d u p d clear ,

an .

T h at s i ers may su pply t h e pla e

nn c

Ofsu f feri g sai t s i s a plai cas e

n n ,
n .

J ustice give s s e te ce ma y time s n n n

O for a ot h er s cri e s
n on e m a n n
’
m .

O bret h re of N w E gla d use

ur n e n n

C h oi e malefactors to excus e
c ,

A d h a g t h e g u iltle ss i t h eir s tead

n n n ,

Ofwh o th h r h e s h ave le ss eed

m e c u c n .

A lately t h appe ed i a to w
’
s n n n

T h ere li d a obbler d b u t v
’
c ,
an one

T h at o u t of do tri e o u ld t us e c n c cu ,

A d me d me s live s a s w ell a s sh oe s
’
n n n .
37 0 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

h im to blame for t h e d eat h of t h eir compa io T h e E gli sh tried n n . n

to persu ade t h em t hat t h e carpe ter w as t at fa ult ; b t ot h i g n no u n n

s h ort of h i d eat h w o u ld pa ify t h em T h ey d ema d e d t hat h e

s c . n

sh o uld be give up to t h e for ex c utio Seei g t h em t hus

n m e n . n en

raged d feari g t h at t h ey mig h t fall u po

,
an n d d e s troy t h e the n an m ,

E gli s h fi ally pro i s ed to h a g t h e u l u ky arpe ter t h em selve s

n n m n n c c n .

T h e I dia s w er told to ome t h e ext mor i g d t h ey w o u ld

n n e c n n n ,
an

s ee h i h a gi g from a parti ular tree B t t h e arpe ter bei g a

m n n c . u c n n

yo u g d l usty fello w d very us eful t h ey o cl ud ed t h ey o ul d

n an ,
an ,
c n c

no t s pare h im d t h ere bei g i t h e fortan ld be d ridd e weaver n n an o n

wh o h ad t lo g to live h e was t k e o u t to t h e tr e d q u ietly

no n ,
a n e an

h a ged i t h e roo of t h e arpe ter to t h e e tire s ati sfa tio of t h e

n n m c n ,
n c n

I d ia s w ho did t detect t h e che t d wh o became goo d frie d

n n ,
no a ,
an n s

ag i
a n .

TH E OL D OA KEN B U C K E T .

HEtouch of n a t u r e to which all yield h a s n o higher e xe m ,

l ifi ca t i o n tha n i n those simple ballads of home a n d i ts

p
associat io n s that have made t he n ames of Pay n e a n d Wood w o rt h
immo rt al On e does n o t care to an alyze hi s se n satio n s he
.

forge t s the homely phrase he feels n d is deeply a ffected by ,

a

t he a w ake n i n g of those memories w hich carry h i back to t he m

day s Of his happy a n d i n n oce n t childhood he i s a child agai n .

Thi s sec r et yet po w erful chord wa s s truck by Samuel Wood

,

w orth i n his Old Oake n Bucket “

n d it has t yet cea s ed to a no

vi b rate a te n der harmo y w he ever that ma st erpiece of huma n n n

emotio n is spoke or su g n n .

Dear old G oldy has well expressed that i n ex t i n gui s hable

“ ”

year i n g for t he spot of gr ou n d w e call home i n t hese t ouch

n
“ ”

i ng li n e s

I all my w a d eri gs ro u d t h i s w orl d of are

n n n n c ,

I all my griefs n d G d h a s give my sh are ,

an o n ,

I still h ad h ope s my lo g vexatio s past ,

n n ,

H ere to ret u r d d i at home at las t n, a n e .

 TH E OLD OA K EN B UC K ET . 37 1

Wha t are those e n dearin g s ce n e s which i n the Old Oaken “

Bucket fi n d their cou n terpart i the memory of thou s a n d s ? n

The town of Scit u ate Ma s sach us etts o n of the most an cie n t

, ,
e

of the Old Colo n y j oi n s Coha ss et o n the south Its hi st ory i s

,
.

memorable n d i n tere s ti n g The people come of a hardy n d

a . a

determi n ed an ce s try who fough t for eve r y i n ch of groun d that

,

thei r desce n dan ts n w hold To this fac t may perhaps be r e

o .

fe rred the stren gt h of t h a ss ociatio n s cli n gi g like ivy arou n d

e s e ,
n

some of t he mo s t n otable of the a n cie t home s tead s To bor n .

r ow fro m Mr Naso n . The sce n e s o vividly de s cribed i n Mr

!
“
.

Woodworth s charmin g lyric i s a little valley thro u gh which

’

Herri n g B r ook pur s u e s its devious way to meet the tidal wa t ers
of No rth River Th e vie w of it fr om Colema n Height s wi t h
.
,

i t s n eat cottages i ts maple groves n d apple orchard s i s remark

,
-
a -
,

ably beautifu l The w ide Spreadi n g po d the mill t he

.
-
n ,
’
,
’

‘dairy hou s e the ‘rock where the cataract fell

-
’
a n d eve n t he
’

, ,

‘old well if n t t he mo s s covered bucket it s elf may st ill be

’
o -
’
, ,

see n just as the poet described them .

A mo n g t hese sce n es Samuel Woodwo rt h t he people s poe t

’
, ,

wa s born n d rea eda Al though the house is n o lo n ger t he r e

r .
,

man y pilg r ims stop a t i t s mode rn succes s or i n order t o slake

thei r t hirst a t t he w ate r s t he recollec t io n of which gave t he poe t
,

such exqu i site pleasure i n aft er years On e w ould st ill have t he .

su rr ou n d in gs u n chan ged — t he co t where he dwel t t he p o n

, ,

dero n s well sweep creaki n g wi t h age t hat his youthful han ds

-
, ,

tugged feebly a t ; a n d fi n ally t he mos s y bucket over fl o w i n g

, ,

w ith c rystal n ectar fresh from t h e cool depths below B u t si n ce .

chan ges will come t o t ran s for the picture the susceptible vis m ,

i t o mus t be co n t e n t to qua f
r fa draught of pure st wa t er t o t he
memory of n e of t he ki n dliest poets tha t ou r Ne w En glan d soil
o

has produced .

To t his rapid sketch of the s ce n e we may n w add t he hist ory

. o

of the popular ballad The Old Oake n Bucke t ,

“
The circum .
”

st an ces u n de r w hich it w as compo s ed n d wri t te n — a n d t hey a

embody a mo ral as well as co n sec ra t e a memo r y — ar e sai d t o

be as follo w s
 AKEN B U CKET
TH E OLD O .
37 4 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

r ests upo n thi s o n e stroke of ge n iu s He n ever wrote a n ythi n g .

better tha n this beautiful lyric w hich is capable Of hushi n g t h e ,

mo s t boister o u s a ss emblie s i n to s ilen ce — s uch i s t he homage ,

t hat all i n s t i n ctively pay t o t h e pures t a n d holiest of human

a s s oc i a t io n s.

TH E OLD OAK EN B U CK ET .

S AM U EL W O O DW O RTH .

H O W d ear to t h i s h eart are th e s ce e s of my h il d h ood n c ,

Wh e fo d Re olle tio prese t s th e to iew

n n c c n n m V

T h e or h ard t h e mead o w t h e deep ta gled w ild w ood

c , ,
-
n ,

A d e v ery loved s pot wh i h my i fa cy k e w

n c n n n ,

T h e w i d e spreadi g po d d th e mill wh i h s tood by it

-
n n ,
an c ,

Th b ri d ge
e d t h e ro k wh ere t h e ataract fell
,
an c c

T h e t of my fat h er t h e d airy h o use igh it

co ,
-
n ,

A dn the r ude b u k et wh i h hu g i t h e well

e en
’
c c n n ,

T h e ld oak e b u k et t h e iro bo u d b u k et
o n c ,
n- n c ,

T h e mo ss o ered b u ck et wh i h hu g i t h e w ell
-
c v c n n .

T h at mo ss co ered vessel I h ail as a treasu re

-
v

For fte at oo wh e ret u r ed from t h e fi eld

O n, n n, n n
,

I fo u d it t h e s o u rce of exqu i site pleasu re

n an ,

Th p u re s t
e d sw eete s t t h at at u re
an yiel d n ca n .

Ho w arde t I seize d it w it h h a d s t h at w ere glo w i g !

n ,
n n

A d q u i k to t h e wh ite pebble d bottom it fell

n c -

T h e s oo w it h the e ble of tr ut h over fl o wi g

n n, m m n ,

A d drippi g w it h ool e ss it ro s e from t h e w ell

n n c n , ,

T h e ld oak e b u c k et t h e iro bo u d b u k et
O n ,
n- n c ,

T h e moss covered b u k et aro s e from t h e w ell

-
c , .

Ho w sweet from t h e green mo ssy brim to re eive it c ,

A poi s e d
s ,
th e c u rb it i li ed to my lip s
on ,
nc n

N t a fu ll bl ush i g goblet o u ld tempt me to leave it

o n c ,

T h o u gh filled w it h t h e ectar th at J u piter s ip s n .

A d
n w far remove d from t h e love d s it u atio
no ,
n,

Th e tear of Regret w ill i tr us ively swell n

,

A Fa y revert s to my fat h er s pla tatio

’
S nc n n,

A d s i g hs for t h e b u c k et wh i h h a gs i t h e w ell
n c n n ,

Th e ld oa k e b u k et t h e iro bo u d b u k et
O n c , n- n c ,

T he m os s e d b u ket wh ic h h a g s i
~
co v e r the w ell c n n .
 I M I NOT S L I G H T
’

DESTRU CT ON o r .

’
D ES TR U CTI ON O F MI N O T S L I G HT .

HE da n gerou s r eef s tretchi n g far out i n t o t he sea from

Coha ss et s o s haggy w ith kelp n d rockweed that each
,
a

separat e ock looks like t h e head of a mo n ster ri s in g to take

r

b r eath has acquired a

,

fat al celebrity Ma n y .

a good s hip s bo n es ’

l i e b u r i ed i n t h e
t r eacherou s sa n ds or ,

white n i n g amo n g the

sharp rocks i n t he o ff
i ng I n the au t um n al
.

gale of 1 8 4 9 fully ,

o n e h un d e d live s r

were sacr ificed t o it s

fury upo n t his coast .

In t hat gale t he ill

fat ed St Joh n s a n
“
.
’

,
”

emigran t ship struck ,

h e r e o n Coha s set
Rocks wh e n withi n ,

Sigh t of her po r t d ,
an

became a t otal w r eck .

T w e n t y seve n bodies -

were recovered a n d ,

b u ried i n t he village

F IR ST M INOT S I H TH OU SE
’
TH E L G .
 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

g r aveya r d Those w ho have visi te d the M i n o t s Li gh t house

.
’

o n ly o n a sum e r s day a n fai n t ly imagi n e t he fu ry of a

m
’
c

wi n try storm or the po w er w ith which the seas the n da s h

,

t hemselves high over the la n tern of the tower The place had .

lo n g bee n n of terror to mari n e rs w he n aroused by t he lo n g

o e , ,

catalog u e of di s asters s ig n alli n g it the G ove rn me n t i n 1 8 4 9 ,

bega n the erectio n of a lighthou s e n Mi n ot s Rock k n own to o

’
,

be n e of the most da n gerous of thi s da n ge r ou s shore It w as

o .

co n structed upo n the n ovel a n d as it proved t he mistake n idea

, ,

of oppo s i n g a s little re s i s ta n ce to the fr ee moveme n t of t h e

waves as possible With this vie w po n de r ous iro n piles w ere
.

s u n k deep i n t he rock a n d upo n t hem w as built t he keepe r s

,
’

house n d la n tern the floor of the d w elli n g bei n g thu s elevated

a ,

fully fo rty fee t above t he sea s w h i ch r oll ed be n eat h it Whe n .

the great storm of A pril 1 4 1 8 5 1 to which people lo n g r eferred

, ,

with a shudder bega n Be n n et the keepe r was o n sho r e t he

, , , , ,

ligh t hou s e bei n g the n i n charge of tw o as s i s ta n t s The s t orm .

steadily i n crea s ed to a treme n dous gale from the n o rt heas t t ha t ,

co n t i n ued w ith u n abated fury t h r oughou t t he t wo succeedi n g

days By t hi s time grave apprehe n s io n s bega n to be felt fo r
.

t he s ecurity of the structure The last t ime t hat the lighthouse .

was s ee n sta n di n g was sho rt ly after t hree O clock o n Wed n esday ’

,

the third day of the gale The weather t he n became t oo thick

.

to di st i n gui s h it ; but the la n ter n wa s n o t ligh t ed as usual , ,

duri n g that n ight o r if lighted it could n t be made out from

, ,
o

t he shore At a n ea rly hour n t h e follo w i n g mo rn i n g t he

. o

keepe r while maki n g his rou n d fou n d fragme n t s of the r esi

, ,

de n ce strewed alo n g the beach The lighthouse w it h all i t co n .

t i n e d had bee n swept away duri n g that n igh t of fear a n d

a ,

n o o ne had bee n left t o t ell t he tale When the gale had .

spen t i t self the gr eat waves were see n to s si n g i n mad glee o n

,

the pot w here it had s t ood ! the beaut i ful a e rial t owe r had
S
’ ’

disappea red .
37 8 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

On t he d re h ed gallery h e sta d s
nc n
,

Strivi g to pierce t h e s oli d igh t

n n

A ro ss t h e s ea t h e
c d eye t h ro ws re

A s tea d y rim s o w a k e of lig h t

c n

A d wh ere it fall s u po t h e w ave s

n ,
n ,

H s ee s a hu ma h ead f
e loat by n ,

Wit h lo g dre h ed url s of c h est u t h air

n nc c n ,

A d w il d b u t fearle ss h azel eye

n ,
.

Ou t w it h t h h ook s O migh ty fl i g
e ne n

A d o w n t h e w i d t h e lo g rope u rl s
n n c .

Oh ! w ill it at h 2 A h d read sus pe s e

c c ,
n ,

Wh ile t h e w ild o ea w il d er wh irl s l c n

A s teady p ull it tig h te s w n no

Oh h i s ld h eart w ill b urs t w ith j oy

o ,

A s t h e slippery ro ks h e p u lls
on c

Th breat h i g b ody of h i s boy

e n .

Still sw eep t h e s pe tre s t h ro gh t h e sky ; c u

Stil l s u d t h e lo u d s be f
c ore t h e s tor
c m

Still a k e d i t h e h o w li g ig h t
n n n n

T h e red eyed ligh t h o use lifts its form

-
.

With o u t t h e w orl d i s w ild w it h rage ;

,

U k e elled d emo s are abroad

n nn n

B ut w it h t h e fath er d t h e an s on

Wit h i t h ere i s t h e pea e of G d

n, c o .

LEGEN D S O F P L YM O U TH R O C K .

good A merican wo u ld willi n gly die w ithout havi n g see n

D
O
I Plymouth Rock .

There is n o certai record of a day upo n w hich all of the

n

Mayflower S compan y di s embarked but tho s e havi n g the be s t

’

r igh t t o do it fixed the date a s t h 22d of December 1 6 20 e ,

.

Justly regarded a s the mo s t importa t n i America n hi s n o e n

t o r y the eve t h a s bee celebrated by some of the most s piri t ed

,
n n
 LEG ENDS OF PL M OU TH ROC Y K . 37 9

poems i n the lan guage a n d to those w ho love t he Old so ngs

a n d who does n o t 2 the stan z a s of Felicia Hema n s Pierpo t
-
,
n ,

Sigour ey Sprague a n d Percival retai n all t he fresh n es s n d

n , , , a

i n s piratio n of their childhood s days ’

.

The ho n or of havi n g fir s t t ouched the shore o n the ever

memo r able day i s shar ed by t wo claiman t s Bo t h are suppo rt ed.

M ARY CHI LTON S ’

AP
LE .

by family t raditio n Tha t givi n g i t to Joh n A lde n was han ded

.

down t hrough successive gen erat io n s u n t il it was p r i n t ed i n his

,

collectio n Of Epitaphs by the Reve r e n d Timo t hy Alden D D

, ,
. .
,

a li n eal descen da n t of Joh n a n d t hus Ob t ai n ed a per ma n e n t

,

r ecord.
38 0 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

The seco n d claima n t is Mary Chilto n a maide n who s u b s e ,

quen tly became the w i f e of Joh n Wi n s lo w of Plymouth n d ,

a

the mother of a large family i n heriti n g t h mo s t di s ti n gui s hed e

trait s of the Pilgrim s with n ho o rable n ame The hu s ba n d

,
a n .

of Mary Chilt n r emove d after a time from the Old Colo n y to

o

Bosto n where the family tomb with it s arm s may be see n i n

, , ,

Ki n g s Chapel Ya r d
’
.

It i s a somewha t curious fact tha t a precisely similar t raditio n

exists w ith r espect to the lan di n g at Bo s to n w hich r u n s to t h ,
e

effect that bei n g the n a r ompi n g gi rl A n n e Pollard declared t hat

, ,

she would be the fir st perso n to jump o n shore n d w as as good ,

a

as her w o r d a s soo n as the boat s keel gr ou n ded po n t h beach ’

u e .

But w hoeve r may be e n titled t o the prefere n ce — a n d tha t ,

que s tio n will probably r emai n u n s ettled the simple act sur ,
-

rou n ds the statue s que figure o f the eage r youth or maide n with
a glamou r r en deri n g it the fo remost a n d striki n g objec t o f t h e
historical picture There i s still an other poi n t of v i ew A
. .

you t h i n the full vigor of man hood w ho s e poster ity should ,

i n he r i t t he virgi n la nd s et s hi s n ervous foot upo n t he corn er

,

sto n e Ofa n atio n a n d make s it a historic s pot A you n g girl i n

,
n .

the fi rs t bloom of woma n hoo d t h type of a comi n g m atern ity ,

e ,

boldly crosses the threshold of a w ilder n e ss w hich her childre n s ’

children Sh all posse s s a n d i n habit a n d t ra n s form s it i n to n ,

a

Ede n . Surely Joh n A lde n s h ould have ma r ried Mary Chilto n

o n t he spo t .

MARY CHI LT ON .

G EO RG E B ANCROF T GR I FF I TH .

FAI R beam s t h at k i ss t h park li g bay e S n ,

Rest w arme st o er h er tra qu il sleep’

n ,

Sw eet e xile love e ti e d a w ay n c ,

T h e fi r st Plymo u t h Ro k to leap
on c

A mo g t h e timi d fl ock sh e s too d

n ,

Rare fig ure ear t h e M yfl w,

n pro w a o er s
’
,

With h eart of C h ri stia fortit ude n ,

A d ligh t h eroi
n h er brow ! c on
38 2 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

without first visiti n g s ome holy Shri n e n d implori n g the aid o r

,
a

protectio n of their patro n s ai n t In the s e later time s m e n have

.

repaired for i n s piratio n to thi s rock a s they would to a s hri e n ,

a n d they have n t bee n a s ha

o ed to co n fe s s that they fou n d it
m

a Livi g Rock n ervi g them to patriotic effort or movin g them

n ,
n ,

to i n s pired utteran ce s i n behalf of ma n ki n d .

When i n 1 7 7 4 all the la d wa s i n a fl ame t he spirit of

n ,

the Old Colo n y havi n g ri s e n to fever h eat it w a s determi ed , n

n e w ly to co n s ecrate

the rock to the divi n e

spirit of Liberty On .

t he appoi n ted day

a ll the roads lead
i n g i n to Plymout h
were thro n ged Four .

thou s a n d fr e e m e n
had a s sembled with
i the to w n by oo n n n

day the 5 t h of on

O ctober They w ere .

met to pledge them

selves to each other
agai n st the pp e o r s

s io n of the mother
cou n try A ll w ere .

an imated by t h e c n o

M NU M ENT VER
O O REE TH ERS R CK
PO A
’ s
O
c i s n s s Of 0 1
3 1 8 ou e 3 11
,

P Y M U TH
L O . i n a righ t ful cau s e
t h at moved t hem a s
o n e m a n ; all w ere bur n i n g w ith patrio t ic zeal They fi r s t re .

qui ed all the Tory part isa n s of the Cro w n t o make a public
r

r ecan tat io n This bei n g do n e they proceeded to the spo t where

.
,

t heir an cest ors had la n ded w i t h the pu r po s e of removi n g F ore

,

fathers Rock t o t he public square in the ce n tre of t he village

’
;
.

Bu t w hile it w a s bei n g rai s ed from it s primitive bed a n d as if ,

t o Oppose t he act of desecratio n t he rock sudden ly spli t i n two

,
.
 TH E COU RTSH I P OF M YLES S TA NDI SH .

This accide n t which to man y see med a warn i n g O dashed t he

, ,
S

spirit of the a ctor s that the proceedin g s w ere n ear comi n g t o a n

,

abrupt n d but some q u ick w itted spectator havi n g declar ed it

e -

to presage the viole n t su n deri g of the empi r e i n t w ai n it w n

,
as

accepted a s a good omen the upper half wa s dra w n i n triumph

,

to t he pe n space i n fro n t of the m eeti n g house n d t here de

O -
,
a

po s ited a t t he foot of the liberty pole from w hic h a flag beari n g

,
—
,

the lege n d Liberty or Death wa s fl u n g to t he breeze A n d

, , .

thus the ock wa s made t o play a n active par t i n the great

r

co n t r oversy .

Thi s i s the portio n of F o refathe r s Rock t h at so m an y thou ’

sa n d curious pilgrim s have see n lyi n g o n the gra ss plat i n fro n t

of Pi lgrim Hall ; w h ile a mo n ume n t built i n the form of a ,

Shri n e ,
e n clo s ed at the edge of the beach t he o r igi n al spot
, ,

whe n ce it w as take n the lowe fragme t of the rock a n d the

,
r n ,

bo n es t hat a pious ca r e had recovered from the earlie s t bu r ial

place of the Pilgrims h ard by o n Cole Hill In 1 8 8 1 afte r a
,
.
,

separa t io n of o n e hu n dred a n d six year s t he upper h a lf wa ,

s

r eplaced upo n t h lo w e r What G o d has j o i n ed t oge t her let

e .

n o m a n put as n der ! u

TH E C O U RT S HIP O F MY LES S T A NDI S H .

F all o ur Ne w En glan d l egen d s o n e of the most popular as

-
, ,

w ell as o n e of the m ost pict u r esque i s t h e s t o ry of t he ,

cou rtship of Myles St an dish which is the subj ec t of Lo n gfello w s

,
’

poem of that n ame .

The actio n ce n tre s i n t hree perso n s F i rst t he re i s t he m a r .

t ial figure of the redoubted captai n of Plymouth the r ude but ,

tr ied soldier the m a n of man ly virtues w i t h all a s old i e r s co n

, ,
’
e

t empt for courtly g races ; the ow n er of a n oble n ame which h e

h a d made more illu s t r ious by his deed s bru s que quick tem , ,
-

pe red brave to ra s h n e s s but w eari n g the heart of a lio n i n his

, ,
38 4 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

little u n der s i z ed body t hough hi s head might s ome t ime s be ho t

, ,

a n d u n steady i n cou cil i Short a n to be admired feared

n ,
n ,
m a , ,

tr u sted but n o t ala s ! alway s loved

, ,
born to woo Such ,
nor .

w a s Myle s Stan di s h the Captai n of Plymo u t h Though di s

,
.

i n he rited by frau d a n d s elf exiled this s oldier of fortu n e yet

,
-
,

po s sessed a title to di s ti n ctio n t hat elevates him upo n a pede s tal

above t h e sober a n d i n dustrious artisa n s with whom h e had
loyally ca s t his lo t although it is doub t ful if he belo n ged to
,

t heir commu n io n .

To t his hard Puri t a n sold i er whose w ife h a d died du r i n g t he ,

ST ANDISH H OU SE U
D ! B URY .

first d readf l win te r Of thei r pilgri m age e n t ers t he stripli n g

u ,

Joh n A lde n w o i s as s erted to be the same perso n t hat firs t

’

,
h

leaped upo n t h e w orld re n o wn ed Rock w he n the s e exiles la n ded

-

from the May fl o w er n that December d y He w as o n ly

“ ”
o a .

t w e n ty two ; b u t i n the eyes of t w o per s o s at lea s t t h i s c n

-
n , ,
o

stitu t ed n o defect The s e per s o n s w ere Priscilla Mulli s t h e

.
n ,

Puritan maide n a n d Myle s Sta n di s h O e looked upo n the

, . n

youth w ith a smile ; the other w ith a sigh Family traditio n .

m ake s thi s youth fSta n di s h s h o li ld ; for i n t h is p

’
n o e o u s e o a

t r i a h l com u n ity over whic h the spi rit Of eco n omy ruled
rc a m ,
38 6 NEW -ENG LA ND L EG ENDS .

cilla di d n d we may e xcu s e the w ay i n which he s t amme r ed

,
a

through his speech every s yllable of which mus t have blist e red
,

his to n gue i n givi n g it utteran ce .

we are n o t r ue i n terpreter if t he you ng m a n s me n t al n d ’

a

m oral perplexity is n t the key to the blushi n g Priscilla s a n s w er

’
o
,

w hich like a ray of su n shi n e pierci n g through a wi n try cloud

, ,

i n s ta n tly b reaki n g th r ough all rest rai n t tu r n ed the formality n d , a

fal s e s e n time n t that A lden had fo r tified h i mself wi th i n co n t i ,

n n t ly out of doo rs
e .

W ith a beati n g hear t Priscilla list e n ed t o his plea for a n othe r .

He poor wr etch ! could n o t disg ise h is real feeli n gs from he r

,
u
,

w orn a s they w ere upo n his sleeve a n d n obly d id she come t o

the re s cue What a w o rld of arch n es s of te n de chidi n g a n d
.
,
r ,

Of the love which is so pu r e t ha t it k n o w s n o shame is he r e ,

r evealed
P r ithee Joh n why do n t you s peak for yourself ?
, ,
’

The t raditio n says that Joh n left the house wi t hou t speaki n g ,

but that the look he gave Pri s cilla spoke for him We c a n s ee .

his dar k figure stridi n g homeward through the Plymou th w oods ,

a n d we c a n guess somethi n g of the frame of mi n d i n which the

you n g m a n co n te plat ed his app r oachi n g i n t ervie w with the

m

wrat hful little Cap t ai n It is i n deed said a n d he r e family t ra

.

d itio n takes a n issue with the poe t that Myles Stan dish n eve r
fo rgave his ambassado r t o t he court of Hyme n fo r thus supplan t
i n g him but it is ce rt ai n that the maide n herself poured bal m

i n t o the wou n ded spi r i t of t he youth by givi n g her ha n d W here ,

s he had alrea d y given h e r heart A n d from t hese twai n come .

a ll of t he n ame of Al de n i n t he U n io n .

SO t h ro ug h the Ply o ut h w oods Jo h A lde w e t hi s er a d

m n n n on r n

Cro ss i g t h e brook at t h e ford wh ere it brawled over pebble d

n ,
an

shallo w ,

G at h eri g s till a s h e w e t t h e May fl w

n ,
bloomi g aro u d h i
n ,
- o e rs n n m ,

Fragra t fi lli g t h e air w it h a stra ge d w o derful sweet ess

n ,
n n an n n ,

Ch ildre lo s t i t h e w oo d s
n n d covered w it h leave s i t h eir s l m b er
,
an n u .

P urita flow ers he s aid

n ,
”
d t h e type of P rita maide s
,
“
an u n n ,
38 8 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

Modes t d s imple d sweet t h e very type fPris cilla

'

an an , O

S I w i ll take t h em to h er to Pri s cilla t h e May fl w of Plymo u t h

o -
o er ,

M od est d s imple
an d sw eet a s a parti g gift w ill I ta k e t h em
an ,
n

Breat h i g t h ei s ile t farew ell s a s t h ey fade d w it h er d peri sh

n r n ,
an an ,

Soo to b t h o w a w ay a s i s t h e h eart of t h e giver

n e r n , .

T h e a s h e ope ed t h e door he be h eld the for of t h e mai d e

n, n ,
m n

Seate d be s ide h er wh eel d t h e ard ed w ool li k e a s o w d rift ,

an c n -

Pi led at h er k ee h er wh ite h a d s fee d i g t h e rave o us spi d le

n ,
n n n n ,

Wh ile w it h h er foot t h e tread le sh e g u id ed t h e wh eel i its motio

on n n .

Ope w i d e
n h er lap lay th e w ell w or p s alm book of A i sw orth
on -
n -
n ,

Pri ted i A m sterd a t h e w ord s d t h e m us i togeth er

n n m ,
an c ,

Ro ugh h e w a g ul r ote s li k e sto e s i t h e wall of a hu rch yard

-
n, n a n ,
n n c ,

Darke ed d over hu g by t h e r u i g vi e of t h e vers e s

n an n nn n n .

So h e e tered t h e h o us e
n d t h e hu m of t h e wh eel d t h e i gi g an an S n n

Su d de ly ea s ed
n for Pri s illa aro us ed by h i s s tep t h e t h resh ol d
c c ,
on ,

Ro se a s h e e tered d gave h im h er h a d i s ig al of w el ome

n ,
an n ,
n n c ,

Sayi g n I k e w i t w a s yo u wh e I h eard yo ur step i t h e passage

,
n ,
n n

For I w a s t h i k i g of yo u as I s at t h ere s i gi g d spi n i g

n n ,
n n an n n .
”

T hus h e delivered h i s me ssage t h e d extero us w riter of letter s , ,

Di d t embelli sh t h e t h eme
no array it i beau tiful p h rases ,
n or n ,

Bu t came straigh t to t h e poi t d bl urted it o ut li k e a s c h ool boy n ,

an
-

Eve t h e Captai h im s elf co u ld h ar d ly h ave s aid it more bl u tly

n n n .

M ute w it h amazeme t d s orro w Pri s cilla t h e P urita maid e

n an ,
n n

Loo k ed i to A l d e s fa e h eyes d il ated w ith w o d er

’
n n c er n ,
,

Feeli g h i s w ord s li k e a blo w t h t t

n d h er d re dered h er ,
a
'

s u nne an n

spee h le ss c

Till at le gt h sh e ex laimed i terr u pti g t h e omi o us ile e

n c ,
n n n S nc

If t h great Captai of Plymou t h i s s o very eager to w ed me

e n ,

Wh y doe s h e t ome h im s elf d tak e t h e tro uble to w oo me ?

no c ,
an

If I am t w o t h t h e w ooi g I su rely am t w ort h t h e w i i g

no r n ,
no nn n

Still Jo h A ld e w e t n u h eedi g the words of Pri s cilla

n n on , n n ,

Urgi g t h e su it of h i s frie d explai i g persu adi g expa d i g

n n ,
n n ,
n ,
n n .

Th o ugh h e was ro ugh he w as k i dly ; sh e k ew h o w d urin g t h e ,

n n

win t r e
39 0 N W ENG LAND LEG ENDS
E -
.

T h e s oil wh ere fi rs t t h ey trod

They h ave left u stai ed wh at there t h ey fou d
n n n ,

Freedom to w orsh ip G d o

A ND ever may t h ey res t u s u g

n n n ,

W h ile Li b erty fi d a to g u e
ca n n n

Twi e G ratit ude a w reat h for th em

n , ,

More deat h less t h a t h e diadem

n ,

W h o to life s oblest d
’
n en

G ave u p life s oble s t po w er s

’
n ,

A d bade t h e legacy de s e d
n c n

Do w do w to us d ours
n, n an .

AGUE
SPR .
OLD STONE M I LL, NEW PORT
,
RH ODE ISL ND
A .
 N W ENG L
E -
A ND L EG ENDS .

S hould he positively declare A merica to have bee n discovered by

the Northme n i n the year 1 000 he mu s t fir s t w ith d ra w t h
, e

a ss ertio n made i n favo r of the illustriou s G e n oe s e t o a discovery

h i l 492 .

Seve ral thi n gs co n tributed to produce i n the public min d n a

e ffec t fa vo r able to the Sca n di n avian clai m The most impo rta nt
.

I H TO N
D G ROC K , M ASSACH U SETTS .

of the s e we re t he alleged eviden ces the n e xisti n g of a n occ u pa

t io n of the cou n try by the No rs e voyagers i n questio n L t us . e

r u n ove r th em .

The r e was a n d s till i s at Ne wp o rt i n Rhode Islan d a n old

, , , ,

wi n dmill o f peculiar n d for N w En glan d u n ique co n st ru

,
a e ,
e

t io n w hich Time h left a picture s q e rui n The m ai n s tru e

, as u .

ture bei n g of s to n e pre s e n t s t h appearan ce of a rou n d to w e r

, ,
e
 K
THE S ELETON IN A RM OR . 39 5

t h i rt y feet h i gh suppo rt ed by massive st o n e colum n s also r ou n d

, ,

fo r the woodwo r k havi n g falle n a w ay n o t hi n g but the bare walls

,

r emai n to ide n tify i t s origi n al form or pu rpose I t s t an ds o n t he .

heigh t s overlooki n g the harbor ; a n d u n til Time s cha n ges hid it ’

fro m vie w was al w ays a co n spicuous objec t whe n t he city was

,

app r oached fr om the sea This s tr uc t u r e had bee n so lo n g n u

.

used t hat li tt le i mpor t an ce n eed b e a tt ached to the fact t hat t he

,

purpose fo r whic h i t wa s o rigi n ally built had gradually d ied ou t

of the memory of the oldes t i n habita n t The n atural g r ow t h
.

of the t ow n was cer t ai n i n time t o bri n g this r esult abou t Its .

p r ope r fu n ctio n s t he n havi n g so lo n g ceased n o o n e regarded it,

excep t with a feeble curiosi t y n o r was t he r e eve n a local tradi

,

t io n co n ce r n i n g i t F or a ce n t ury a n d a half i t had s t ood o n

.

the same spot withou t a questio n a risi n g as to i t s origi n ; it

was completely ig n ored Bu t a t le n gt h some o n e discove r ed a
.

r esembla n ce t o Sca n di n avian ar chi t ec t ure The Dan i s h s a a n s

. v

a t o n ce claimed the wi n d m i ll as t he wo r k of t h ei r cou n tryme n

ce n turies before the arrival Of t he En glish .

There was also o n t h e shore of Tau n t o n R i ve r —a ti dal ,

s tr eam tha t flows i n t o Nar raga n sett Bay a n d might t he r efo r e

,

be easily asce n ded by a n explo r i n g vessel a mode ra t ely la rge

,

bowlder o n e face of which bei n g smoo t h was comple t ely covered

, , ,

wi th mysterious h i er oglyphics which n o o n e had bee n able to

dec i pher The st ra n ge c h aracte r s had o rigi n ally bee n deeply
.

c u t i n t o t he perpe n dic u la r face t oward t he cha n n el bu t i n t he

;
course of years a n d owi n g t o t h e r ock itself bei n g partly s u b
,

m e r ged a t h i gh t ide t he co n ti n ual abras i o n of wa t er a n d ice has

,

n early obli t e r ated t he m

; so t ha t i t is n o w scarcely possible t o
i d e n t ify these mark s as t he w o r k of human ha n d s Th e bowlde r .

received the n ame OfDighto n Rock because t he sh o r e wh e re i t lay

imbedded was withi n the limits of the t ow n of Digh t o n He r e .

n o w was a ve r i t able r e lic of a n t iquity U n like the wi n dmill

.
,

this had always bee n t h e subj ect of eag e r cu r io s ity a n d d iscus

sio n
,
— s e m u ch s o t hat copies of t he i n s criptio n had bee n
,

tra n smitted by Co tto n Mather to the learn ed socie tie s of Lo n do n

as a worthy a n d valuable co n t ributio n t o the purposes a n d aims
39 6 NEW -
ENG LAND LEG ENDS .

of arch aeological r e s earch w hile the w i n dmill n otwithstan di n g ,

its alleged peculiarity fco n structio n d the clear pre su mptio n

o n, a

t hat it mu s t have bee n a mo s t poig n an t s p u r to curio s ity a s prov ,

i ng the re s ide ce here of Europea n s s o lo n g g wa s n t thought

'

n a o, o

to be worthy of a si n gle word a n d n o n e of the thou s a n ds to

,
o

whom it w as a familia r object so much a s hi n ted that it had n y a

t itle t o such co n s ide rat io n The sculptured r ock r emai n ed how

.
,

ever a n u n solved e n igma A vague local traditio n o n ly r n

,
. e

de red it all the more perplexi n g It is t rue t h t m n y w ho . a . a

w e r e acquai n ted with their r ude commemorative dra w i n gs ,

w hich t hose of t he r ock gr ea tly resembled believed tha t the ,

I n dian s had a t some time ou t the u n k n ow n charac t ers This .

very n at u r al solu t io n of the myst er y became the s ubj ect of c o n

t ov e rs y
r The Da n ish a n t iquar ie s be t te r i n s truc t ed i
.
,
di ,
m m e

ately declar ed Dighto n Rock t o be the impe rishable r ecord of

t he adve n tu r ous voyages of thei r cou t ryme n n .

St il l a n other t hi n g mos t oppo rt u n ely occurri n g by i n ves t i n g

, ,

i t wit h t he glamo u r of r oman ce sec red for t he n e w t heory a

,
u

ce rt ai n amou n t of sympathy — thus gi i n g it a stre n gth of a

,
v

wholly diffe r e n t ki n d i n the popular mi n d Hi t hert o t he n e w .

i dea had take n less wi t h the ge n e ral public t han wi t h schola rs

t he mater ial s were n o w fou n d fo r a veritable p d t h ea t co u e re .

There was exhumed a t Fall River the s keleto n of a m a n

whose breast w hether for or n amen t or d efe n ce i s u certai n n

wa s p r otected by a n oval plate of bras s nd n w ho s e fl s h l s ,

a o e e s

thighs still loosely hu n g a belt of curiou s w orkma n ship made of ,

hollo w tubes of bra ss much corroded a d fi tted together i n the ,

n

ma nn er of the ban dolier s w orn w he n firearms w ere i n their i n

fan cy There we r e al s o fou n d lyi g n ear the skeleto n some
. n

a r ro w heads made of the same m etal It i s t rue that the body

-
.

had been buried i n a sitti n g po st ure w ith its arm s a n d orn a ,

me n ts agreeable to the fu n eral cu s toms of t h I n dian s of this

, e

coast It is also true t hat from the voyages of the Cabo t s do w n

.

to t he comi n g i n of the En glish s ettler s here the po s se s sio n of ,

coppe r or n ame n ts a n d even w eapo s of w ar by the I n d ia n s was

,
n , ,

a fac t co n st an tly r epeated Eve n the chai n s n d collar s o n e of

. a ,
39 8 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEGENDS .

n o t ably like o n at Chest e rt o n The se t tlers the r efo re built afte r

e .
, ,

k n own B r itish models The attemp t t o co n vert the character s

.

of Digh t o n Rock i n to Ru n ic o r eve n i n t o a n i n telligible hi st o ric

,

r ecord of n y ki n d ig n ally failed t o co n vi n ce either learn ed

a ,
S

o r u n learn ed An d las tly t h metal fou n d upo n the skeleto n

.
,
e

t ur n ed out to be diffe r e n t fro m tha t used for w arlike purpose s

by t he a n cie n t Scan di n avian s To t his t he direc t evide n ce that .

a wi n dmill was er ected n the very s po t where the r ui n n w

o o

s tan d s ; t ha t G ove rn o r Ar n old men tio n s it i n hi s w ill t hat the

way leadi g t o it is st ill called Mi ll Street ; n d t h at i t was
n a

commo n ly k n o w n as a wi n dmill a n d n othi n g el s e — w ould seem ,

fin ally to d ispose of what w a s left of t he No t h m n s a n tique r e

’

towe r a n d t o leave it the s imple n d s triki n g memorial of the

,
a

forefat hers that i t u n doubted ly i s This w hole co trover s y may . n

be said Sig n ally t o demo nstrat e the ease with wh i ch n y h i t o i a s r

cal fac t may be pe r verted o r u n s ettled .

In a n ote t o hi s Skeleto n i n A rmor Mr Lo n gfellow says

“
.
,

that he co n s iders t he traditio n s u ffcien tly est ablished fo r t he i

purpo s e f a ballad Vo i la t t
O . Bu t he ve r y n ai vely addsou

wha t few wi ll n w be fou d willi n g to d isp u t e that d oubtle s s

o n
, ,
“

ma n y n ho n e st citize n f Ne w po rt who h a s pa ss ed h i days

a O , s

wi t hi n sight of t he rou n d to w er will be r eady t o exclaim wi t h , ,

Sa n cho ‘
G o d ble ss me ! did I n o t wa rn you to have a care wha t
you w ere doi n g for t hat i t w as n o t hi n g but a w i n dmill a n d n
,
o

body cou l d m i st ake it but o n e wh had t h like i n h i head o e s .

’

In t he ballad t he V iki n g s ghost i s s u ppo s ed to appea r t o t h

’
e

poet a n d i s exhorted to tell him hi s s tory On e i n st i n cti vely

,
.

r ecalls Hamlet s m id n igh t colloquy n the plat form of t he c a s t le

’
o

at Els in ore !
Spea k ! s peak ! t h o u fearfu l gue s t !
W h o wit h t hy h ollo w breast
,

Still i n r u de armor d re s t ,

Co est to d au t me ! m n

Wrapt t i Easter balm s no n n ,

But wit h t h y fi h l palm s es ess

Stretch ed a s i fa sk i g alm s ,
n ,

W h y d os t t h o u h au t me 2 n
 TH E S K ELETON IN A RM OR . 39 9

An d t he g ri sly cor s e r eplies

I w as a Vi k ing ld ! O

My deed s t h o ug h ma ifold
,
n ,

N Sk al d i s o g h a s told
O n n
,

N Saga ta ugh t t h ee
O

Take h eed t h at i t h y ver s e

,
n

T h o do s t t h e tale e h ear se
u r ,

El s e dread a dea d ma s cu s e
’
n r

For t h i s I s o ug h t t h ee .

The w e ird t ale proceeds without furt he r r ega r d to t he lege n d

as it i s t old i n t he sagas The r ude c orsai r wi n s the love of a
.

,
—
gen t le maide n a pri ce s child
n
’
— s omewhat i n t he ma nn e r of
,

Othello by t ell i n g he r t h e story of h i s deeds

,

On ce a s I told i glee n

Tale s of t h e s tormy s ea ,

Soft eye s d i d gaze me on ,

B u r i g yet te der
n n n

A d a s t h e wh ite s tar s shi n e

n

O t h e dar k Nor w ay pi e
n n
,

O t h at dark h eart of mi e
n n

Fell t h eir full sple d or n .

The n t he Viki n g havi n g per s uaded the Old Hildeb r an d s

,
’

daughte r to fly w ith him is hotly pursued by t he i n cen s ed

,

fat he r w ith seve n ty hor s eme n He pu ts t o sea i n hi s ve ss el

.
,

a n d i s follo w ed by Hildebra n d i n a n other whe n t he ca t as tr oph e ,

t h a t m a k e s him a n ou t cast occurs

An d as to cat h t h e gale c

Ro u d veered t h fl appi g s ail

n e n ,

Deat h w a s the h elm sma s h ail n

’
,

Deat h w it h o u t q u arter !
Mid sh ip s w it h iro keel
-
n

Str u ck w e her rib s of s teel

Do w h er bla k hu l k d i d reel
n c

T h ro u gh t h e black w at r l e
4 00 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

A fte r t his the outlaw who has ca rried off the d au gh t e r a n d ,

ha s s lai n the father befo r e her eyes st ee r s i n to the ope n a n d ,

u n k n o w n s ea The s tan z a i n tr oduci n g the r ou n d tower i s as

.

follow s
T h ree w ee ks w e w e st ward bore
A d wh e t h e s tor
n wa s o er
n m
’
,

Clo ud li k w e s aw the shore

-
e ,

Stret h i g to lee ward c n

T h ere for my lady s bo wer ’

Built I t h e lofty to w er
W h i h to thi s very h o u r
c , ,

Stan d s looki g s ea w ard n .

He re the hawk a n d t he dove dwelt u n t il a child was bo rn t o

them ; but the m aide n s i cke n ed a n d at le n gth as t he ballad ,

t ells us ,

Deat h lo sed her mild blue eye s

c

U d er th at to w er sh e lie s
n

Ne er sh all t h e ’
ari se s u n

O su h a ot h er ! n c n

In despa ir t he V iki n g pu ts n hi s armo r a n d falls upo n his

,
o

Spear ,
the poet thu s accou n ti n g for t h e s keleto n i n armor by a
stroke of gen ius as he does for the tower by a touch of huma n
,

ity s o that it is n t stra n ge to fi n d people sayi n g t hey would

o

rather believe i n the lege n d tha n n t o .

Bu t Mr Lo gfellow w a s n o t t he fir s t poe t to discove r the capa

. n

b ili t i e s of the old mill fo r a poem The poet Brai n ar d makes i t

.

the subj ect of I n dia n tradi t io n t o the effect that its peri s hi n g
an

wall s we r e typical of the gradual disappeara n ce of the Red M n a

i n the home of his fathe rs a n d that its fi n al fa ll w ould ig n al

,
S

ize the total exti n ctio n of his race His is t he earliest poetical .

u s e of t h t ower t hat the write r has s een

e .
4 02 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

s aid t h at wh t h i s massy wall

He e n

Do w to i t very base sh o ld fall

n s u
,

A d t n s to e amo g it all
no one n n

Be left u po a ot h r n n e ,

T h e sh o u l d t h e I dia ra
n d ki d n n ce an n

Dispers e li ke t h e ret u r le ss w i d n n ,

A d n d be left to fi d
no re m an n

O h e o ul d all a b roth er
ne c c .

No w
old to wer i s falli g fast
yo u n

Ki dred d frie d s aw ay are passed

n an n

Oh ! t h at my fat h er s o l may a s t
’
- u
s c

Upo my grave it s sh ade n ,

W h e s ome good C h ri s tia

n sh all pla e n m an c

O me t h e la t f ll my race
’
er ,
s o a ,

T h e last ld sto e t h at fall s t grace

o n ,
O

T h e pot wh ere I am laid S

Mrs Sigour n ey follo wi n g Lo n gfellow has also add r essed some

.
, ,

characteri s tic li n e s to it s gray wall s i n a half serious h alf play ,

ful vei n Sh too believed i t to be a veritable relic of t he

. e , ,

N t h m e n But t h e poet s it s hould be said are much t oo sus

or .
, ,

ce
p t i ble t o t he charm of r oma n ce t o be i n tr us t ed w it h m ak i n g
h i st o ry .

TH E NEWP ORT T OW ER .

MRS . L . H . I
S G O U RNEY .

DARK lo ely To wer ami d y Ed e i sle

,
n ,
on n- ,

Which as a gem fair Narraga s ett w ears

, ,
n

Upo h heavi g breas t tho u li ft t t h y h ead

n er n ,
’
s ,

A my stery d parad ox to mock an ,

The curious thro g n .

S y reared the pl u deri g ha d a ,

n n n

Oft h e fi er e b u a eer thy ma ss y w all s

c cc n ,

A trea su r fortre ss for h i s bloo d s tai ed gold

e - -
n

O wro u gh t t h e bei g s of
r earlier ra e n an c

To form t h y ir le wh ile i w o d er g azed c c ,

n n
'

Th pai te d I d ia
e n n n
 B LOC K I SL A ND . 4 03

We s ee t h o u art
A rig h t sub s ta tial well pre s erve d ld to w er
n ,
-
o ,

L t t h at
e fli us
s u ce .

Some t h ere are wh o s ay

T h o u w ert i t wi d i ll
a n a nc e n n m .

Be it s o
O ur Pilgrim s ire s m us t h ave bee m u ch i love
-
n n

Wit h extra lab or t hus to gather sto es , n ,

A d patie t rear t h y Sca d i avia arch

n n n n n ,

A d b u ild t h i e ample c h amber

n n d uplift an
,

T h y sh apely colum for t h e gad di g w i d s n, n n

To play vagarie s w it h .

I tho s e h ard time s n

I tro w Ki g P h ilip gave t h e ot h er w ork

n m

Than to deck da i g h all s d l ure t h e blast s

nc n -
,
an

From old Eol us cave ’

.

H a d s t t h o u t h e po w er ’
,

I thi k t h d t laugh righ t h eartily to s ee

n ou
’
s

T h e w ort h y farmer s w it h t h eir sa k s of cor ,

c n,

Mi s taki g t h y professio as of old

n n,

D on Qu ixote did mi stake t h i e a ce s tor n n

,

If haply su ch proge itor t h ou h ad st n .

B LO C K I SLAN D .

HE i n tr oduc t io n t o Dan a s celebrat ed n arr a t ive poem ’

“ The B uccan eer i s a beau t iful piece of desc r ip t ive wri t

,

i n g tha t s ta n d s ou t i n s tr o n g r elief agai n s t t he da r k lege n d upo n

,

which it ca st s a solitary r ay of s u n sh i n e .

TH E I SLAND .

TH E i sla d lie s i e leag e s a w ay

n n n u .

A lo g it s s olitary sh ore
n ,

Of raggy ro k
c d s a dy bay
c an n ,

N s o u d b u t o ea s roar
O n c n
’
,

Save wh ere t h e bol d w i ld s ea bird ma k e s h er home

,
-
,

Her sh r ill cry comi n g th ro u g h th e sparkli g foam n .

4 04 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

But w he ligh t w i d s lie at rest

n th e n ,

A d t h e glassy h eavi g s ea
n on ,
n ,

T h e black d u ck w it h her glo ssy bre ast , ,

Sit s sw i gi g s ile n tl y
n n ,

Ho w bea u tifu l N ripple s break the reach O ,

An d s ilvery w ave s go oi s ele ss u p the beach n .

i la d res ts t h e gree w arm dell ;

An d n n n,

T h e brook come s ti k li g dow it s s ide n n n

From o u t t h e trees t h e Sabbath bel l

Ri gs h eerful far d w ide
n c ,
an ,

Mi gli g it s s o u d s w ith bleati gs Oft h e fl ocks

n n n n

T h at feed abo u t t h e vale amo gst the rock s n .

No r holy bellpastoral bleat nor

I former day s w it h i t h e vale

n n

Flapped i t h e bay t h e pi ate s s heet ;

n r
’

C u rse s w ere t h e gale on

Ri h goods lay t h e sa d d m urdered

c on n ,
an m en

Pi ate d w recker kept t h eir revel s t h e

r an n .

The i slan d merit s a fu r t her w o r d of descriptio n I t i s a ba n k .

Ofclay tr eeless,
n d wi n d sw ept eight mil es lo n g r isi n g ou t of
a -
, ,

t he ocean betwee n Mo n tauk a n d G y Head a n d lyi ng n ear es t a ,

t o Poi n t Judith o n t he Rhode Islan d Shore from which i t is

,
~
-
,

about five mile s di s tan t Pla n t ed as i t is r ight athwa rt the

.
, ,

high w ay of a vast n d i n c r easi n g comme rce it is a ve r itable

a ,

s tumbli n g—block i n the w y of the an xious n avigator In clear a .

weather its brillian t ligh t cheer s t h e gra t eful mari n er o n h i s

voyage w ith i t s s ig n al of All s well a n d a fi n e n ight ! t ill ’
,
”

it si n ks o r fades from his View .

We k n ow tha t a tribe of the o n ce powe rful a n d warlike Nar

r ag ns e tts
a possessed a n d i n habi t ed t his sea gir t isle t o which -
,

their father s gave the eupho n io u s n ame of M n i s s e Bu t po w a s .

e f ul
r n d w arlike a s they were they were al s o a
a ace of plu n der , r

er s havi n g the la w le ss trait s commo n to isla n der s every w here ;

,

so th at as early a s t h e i n fan cy of t he w hite settleme n t s i n Ma s s

,

a ch u s t t s
e Bay thei r thie v i n g p r open sitie s brough t dow n upo n
,
4 06 N W ENGL
E -
AND LEG ENDS .

are still p r oduc t ive a n d t he i n habita n t s co n trary t o t he gen e ral

, ,

belief get their livi n g chiefly by t h e soil

,
!
.

Those w ho we r e n t fa r mers w e re fisherme n Th e seas ar ou n d

o .

t he isla n d teemed wi t h the cod t he mackerel a n d t he blue fi s h , , ,

beside s othe r valuable species — thu s furn i s hi n g sub s iste n ce to ,

a n othe r class who toiled with n t n d li n e a n d w ho buil t t hei r

, e a ,

r ude cabi n s a n d flakes by the sho re But t he i s la n d h avi n g n o .

good harbor fi s hi n g n d t radi n g we n t o n by boat s i n t he Old

,
a

primit i ve way .

Somehow the r epu t a t io n of t he i s la n d was n ever good

, Sail .

ors always shook their heads whe n they s poke of Block Isla n d .

A bad lee shore a place of n o good hap for the u n lucky ma r i n er

,

w ho migh t be drive n upo n i t we r e prevaili n g n otio n s — n d , ,

a

fi rm ly r o o t e d o n es —which da rk hi n t s a n d st ill darke r tradi

, ,

t io n s co n cer n i n g ship wrecked c r e ws n d valuable cargoes give

,
a ,

a certai n color a n d con sisten cy I would rather be wrecked

.

“
.

an y w here t ha n upo n Block Isla n d became a commo n n d Sig ,

”
a

n ifi ca n t s ayi n g i n the foreca s tle or t he mid n igh t watch w he n ,

t he da rk m a s s of t he isla n d heaved i n sigh t Bu t all this r efe rs .

t o lo n g ago for though the re are still wr ecke r s n d t hey a r e ,

a

u n ive rsally held by sailo rs to be bu t o n e r emove from pi ra t es ,

t heir work n o w proceeds with some regard fo r t he savi n g of life .

a n d t he lawful claims of t he ow n ers In t e g Oo d Old t imes

h .

t he w r ecke rs stri pped a ship a n d d i vided he r cargo u po n the ,

p r i n ciple t ha t t o the fi n der s belo n gs t he spo il Eve ry t hi n g i s .

fish said they t ha t comes t o our n t

,
”
,
“
e .

Like all isla n ders t hese people we r e ge n e r ally ha r dy sobe r

, , ,

a n d i n dustriou s But a diffe r en ce is t o be obse rved bet wee n the

.

farmers a n d the fishe rme n — a n ame O fte n sy n o n ymous w ith ,

t hat o f wrecke rs o r smugglers So isolat ed wer e t hey from t h e .

r est of t he world tha t t he i n termarriage of t hose more o r less

,

r elat ed by blood was a thi n g of commo n occu rr e n ce The .

result was n aturally u n favo r able t o t he physical co n ditio n of

the i s lan ders I n deed o n e i n st an ce i s men tio n ed o f a woman
.
,

who left three deaf a n d dumb so n s at he r deat h - -

.

Dan a s Buccan eer s a nd W h it t i e r s Palatin e ar e t he

’ ” ’
 B LOC K I SLA ND . 4 07

legi t ima t e ou t come of a s t at e of thi n gs which so n at u r ally

affords ma t erials fo r oman ce a n d bo t h are al s o the ou t gr ow t h
r

of a si n g ula r lege n d who s e ve r y obscu r ity len ds it a wei r d

,

fasci n atio n .

Some t ime d u r i n g t he las t ce n t u r y eve n t he yea r i s u n ce r

tai n — a n emigra n t hip bou n d for Philadelphi a came upo n the
S

A merica n coas t o n ly to be drive n Of

,
f to sea aga i n by stress of
weathe r The emigr a n t s were subs t a n tial n d thrifty Dutch
. a

people of t h e be t te r class w ho had brough t all their p r ope rty

,

alo n g w ith them to their n e w home whither m a n y of t he ir cou n ,

t y e n h a d p receded t hem
r m Some of the m a r e eve n a lleged
.

t o have bee n wealthy I t was i n the dark n d d reary seaso n

. a

of mid w i nter whe n t he voyage already lo n g wa s t hus disas

, , ,
~

t r o u ly le n gthe n ed
s With t he coas t i n s i ght bu t u n able t o gai n
.
,

he r port the ship bu ffet i n g t he frozen seas was d r ive n n o rt h

, , ,

ward far ou t of he r cou r se w hile scen es w ere bei n g e n ac t ed o n

boa rd the ba r e t hough t of w hich makes t he blood u n cold
,
r .

The captai n had d ied or had been murdered a t sea before t he

, , ,

vessel came i n sight of t he la n d All discipli n e was at a n e n d .

a n d t he Ship s crew t he n bega n a system of cold blooded r ob

’
-

be ry t o which t he ac t of boldly hoist i n g t he black flag a n d

,

of cu tti n g the t h r e t s of t heir mise r able vict ims would have

a

bee n m e r cy i n deed The wre t ches armed t hemselves ; a n d

.

hav i n g t ake n possessio n of t he wat e r a n d provisio n s wi t h a ,

r efi n ed c r uel t y deman ded fro m t h e famishi n g emigran t s t we n t y

guilde r s fo r a cup of wate r a n d fifty rix—dollar s fo r a biscuit , .

To save the ir lives t he poo r passe n gers we r e obl i ged t o begga r

t hemselves Those wh o could n o t o r would n o t comply w it h
.

t he a tr ocious deman d we r e allowed t o st ar ve a n d t hei r ema ,

c i t e d bodies we r e coolly throw n i n t o t h e sea

a The Sh i p soo n .

became a floati n g hell Hav i n g plu n de r ed t hei r v i c ti ms o f

.

everythi n g t hat they possessed of value t he i n human c r ew ,

fi n ally t ook t o t he boats ; a n d dese rt i n g t he st r icken Sh i p t hey ,

left he r t o the m cy of t he wi n ds a n d waves With n o n

er . o e

left o n boar d to n avigat e her t he doomed s hip d r ifted o n , .

Days of despai r we r e succeeded by n ig h t s of ho rr o r Sh e wa s .

 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

now a madhouse te n ant ed o n ly by ma n iacs o r t h e u nbu ri ed

,

corpses of those who had died fr om fami n e o r disease .

O n e cal m Sabbat h mor n i n g the Palati n e s t ruck o n the n o rt h

“ ”

e rn
m o s t r eef of Block I s la n d But her voyage was n t to e n d . o

h er e . The w r ecker s ma n n ed their boats a n d huma n ely r escued

a ll those who had survived starvatio n except o n w oma n w ho ,
e ,

had go n e stark mad a n d who n o w refused to leave t h e w r eck

, .

The ship havi n g o n ly touched the reef floated o ffagai n with

, ,

the ri s i n g tide ; a n d the wrecke r s who su rr ou n ded the grimy hul k ,

like vulture s t he carcass of a n oble s tag n o w maki n g thei r boa t s ,

fast t o i t towed he r i n to a n eighbo r i n g cove i n order that they

, ,

migh t disma n tle her at their lei s ure But before t his could be .

do n e a gale s pra ng up whe n the wr eckers s eei n g t hat the Ship , ,

i n spi t e of thei r e f forts w ould be blo w n o fft o sea se t h e r o n

, ,

fi r e n d she w a s s oo n i n flames
a

En veloped i n fire from truck to deck t he Palati n e drove ou t ,

i n t o t he t hicke n i n g dark n ess of a st ormy s ea n Obj ec t of d r ead ,

a

eve n t o t hose who had so r ecklessly applied t h e to r ch Bu t t h i s .

feeli n g was tur n ed t o deepe r ho rr or when t he fre n z ied sh ri eks

born e t o thei r ears from t he burn i n g ship told t he looke rs—o u
t ha t a huma n bei n g w a s perishi n g miser ably i n t he fla m es befo r e
t heir eyes .

The s e appalli n g sou n ds were supposed t o proceed from t he

man iac w oman who h d been forgotten i n t he exci t eme n t of
,
a .

t he mome n t The Palati n e d rifted away a n d burn ed t o

.
“
,

t he water s edge An d so en ds t he dismal t ale of the ac t ual

’
.

ship .

But i t is n o w ave rr ed t hat o n t hat ve r y n igh t t welve m o n t h ,

t he a n n ive rsa r y of the same st orm the islan ders we r e a ffrigh t ed ,

by the st ar tli n g a n d sublime spectacle of a sh ip o n fi r e i n the o ff

i n g which as t h e gale rose drifted before i t a n d gradually faded
, , , ,

from their s ight exactly a s the ill fate d Palati n e had do n e

,
-
“ ”
.

Year after year the s ame stra n ge s ight co n ti n ued to keep the fate
of the Palati n e fresh i n the memory of every n wo n n d
”
m a ,
. m a ,
a

child u po n the i s lan d Hu n dreds had seen it a n d all w ere fully

.

co n vi n ced that this an n ual visitat io n w as a porte n t of disaste r t o

41 0 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

rash ! T h ey force t h e door

A c d th e an n

O lo g lo g sh rill d pier i g s crea

ne n ,
n , ,
an c n m

Come s t h rilli g bove t h e grow l of n m en

T i s h er s O G d redeem
’
o ,

From w ors e t h a d eat h t h y su fferi g h elpless c h ild

n n ,

T h at dread ful sh riek agai sh arp sh arp d w il d n, ,

an

It ceas ed w ith s peed t h ligh t i g s fl ash 0

’ ’
n n
’

A loo s e robed form wit h s treami g h air

-
,
n ,

Sh oot s b y a leap a q u i k h ort splash ,

c ,
S

T i s go e !
’
d ot h i g t h ere !
n an n n

T h e wave s h ave swept away t h b ubbli g tide e n ,

Brigh t cre s ted wave s h o w calmly t h ey ride !

-
,
on

W ith a brutal j est o n his lip s ,

Le e the n orders t he ho rse t o be
thro w n alive i n to the s ea t he m en obey .

u h s o u d to mortal ear e er came

S c n n
’

A ra g far o er t h e w ater s w i d e
’
s n

It sh ook with fear t h e sto u test frame ,

T h e h ors e i s t h e tid e ! on

A t h w ave s leave or lift h im p h i s cry

s e ,
u ,

Comes lo w er w d w i s ear d high no ,

an no n an .

The ill fated lady s gold i s t he n divided but a qu a rrel sp ri n g

— ’

i n g u p over it L e s tab s n of his m e n t o t he heart

,
e Whe n o e .

t he ship i s n ear the la n d s he is aban do n ed a n d se t o n fi re Le e

, .

with his cut throat s gai n s the Shores of Block I sla n d They
-
.

dro w n remor s e i n dri k n d sile n ce suspicio n by s catteri n g their

n ,
a

ill gotte n gold right d left A t le n gth t h n ight of their h

-
an . e or

r d a n n ver s ary come s rou n d

I i The bucca n eer s are celebrati n g .

i t by a carou s al w he n a sudden glare lighti n g up the s e a bri n g s

, , ,

t he orgy to a pause .

No t
bigger t h a a star it seem s n

A d w t i s li k e t h e bloody moo
n no
’
n

A d w it h oot s i h airy s tream s

n no S n

It move s t w ill rea h us s oo !

’
c n

A sh ip ! d ll fi re
an hu ll yard d mast !
a on
, an
,

H s ail s are h eet s of fl ame

er —sh e
S eari g fast ’
s n n
 THE B U CC A NEER . 411

An d w hat comes u p above t h e w ave

S g h a s tly w
o h ite A spectral h ead !
A h or s e s h ead (M y H eave s ave
’
a n
!

T h o se loo ki g t h e dead
n on ,

T h e w a k i g d ead T h ere t h e sea h e s tan d s

n on ,

T h e Sp ectre H or s e ! H moves ! H gain s t h e san d s

e e

Th e s pectre ho rse gallops like the W i n d up to the door sto n e

'
-

a n d sta n ds w ith hi s bur n i n g eye s fixed o n Le e A powe r he .

ca n n o t r e s i s t compels the vill ai n t o mo u n t t he d r eadful steed ,

LEE ON TH E SPE CTRE H ORSE .

wh i ch i n st an tly d a s he s ffwith hi s rider t o the highest cliff of

o

the islan d from which L e sees n o t o n ly t he s h i p o n fire bu t

,
e ,

behold s i n t he depths i t lights the bodie s o f t hose w hom h e had

slai n A t dawn t he spec tr e va n i s hes leavi n g h i m rooted to the
.
,

spot Lee s d oo m ha s begu n ; then ceforth he is accursed All

.
’
.

shu n him all turn fr om h i m wi t h fea r a n d loathi n g ; fo r all

,
412 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

have see n the sp ectre ship Weary of life ye t afraid .

,

the outcast w a n ders about the s hores of the isla d

n —a b r oke n , ,

hopele ss w reck of h is former self .

T h ey ask h i wh y h e w a d er s s o
m n ,

Fr o d y to d y t h e u eve stra d
m a a ,
n n n .

I wi sh I w ish th at I migh t go !
Bu t I w o u ld go by la d ! n

A d t h ere s way t h at I fi d I tried

’ ’
n no ca n n Ve

d ig h t ! H s eaw ard loo k ed d s ig h ed

”
A ll d y
a an n e an .

At last the fa t al s ummo n s comes The fi s h ip agai n bears . re

do w n upo n the i s la n d A gai n t he u n earthly messen ger t he

.
,

s pectre horse stri de s over the waves The pirat e plead s for
,
.

me r cy but his hour is come .

He ’
t h e beach b t t p t t h ere
s on ,
u s e s no

H eth e s ea t h at d read fu l h or s e !
’
s on ,

L fli g
ee d w rit h e s i w il d de s pair
n s an n .

I vai n T h e Spirit Cors e

n

H ol d s h i by fearfu l s pell h e a ot leap

m c nn

Wit h i t h at h orri d ligh t h ri d e s t h e d eep

n e .

t h e sea aro u d th eir tra k

It lig h t s n c ,

c rli g omb d steel d ar k w ave

Th e u n c an -

A d t h ere s it s L t h e Spectre s back ’

n ee
,

G o e go e ! n d o e to s ave
n an n n

T h ey s ee
’
re more t h e igh t h as shu t t h em i n
n no n

May H eave h ave pit n th ee of i y on ,

m an S n
4 14 N W ENGL
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

THE LAS T OF TH E W A MPANOA GS .

HE beautiful emi e n ce of Mo u t H p w the a n cie t s eat

n n o e as n

of Philip the great s achem of t h Wampan oag s Whe n

,
e .

h i s rever s e s had left him o n ly a ha n dful of follower s Philip took

the sublime re s olutio n of retur n i n g to hi s mou n tai n home n d a

dyi ng like a chief of r oyal blood w ith hi s arm s i n hi s ha d s ,

n .

Mou n t Hope w a s quickly s urrou n ded by his e emies a n d here n

the d readed w arr o r fell hot through the hea r t by a r en egade

i ,
S

o f his o wn race .

W h e h ere Ki g Ph ilip stood

n n ,

O re s ted i t h e i h e w e all h i s t h ro e
r n n c c n ,

He loo ked o er h ill d vale d sw elli g fl ood

’
an an n
,

Wh i h o e w ere all h i s w
c nc o n .

Before t h e wh ite ma s foot step day by day n

’
, ,

A t h e s ea ti d e s e croac h u po t h e s a d
s -
n n n ,

H w h i s pro u d po ss e ss io s melt a w ay
e s a n ,

A d fo u d h im s elf a k i g w it h o u t a la d
n n n n .

Co strai ed b y u k o w laws
n n n n n ,

J u d ged g u ilty w it h o u t a us e c ,

Mad d e ed by treac h ery n ,

Wh at w o d er th at h i s tort u red s pirit ro s e

n

A d t u r ed u po h i s foe s
n n n ,

A d tol d h i s w ro g s i w or d s t h at s till w e s ee
n n n

Recorded t h e page of h i story

on .
 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

ne s s e her depa r ture accompa n ied her wit h thei r p r ayers a n d

d ,

t ears u n til s he w a s lo s t to vie w .

A n ill ome ed gloom over s pread the s ce n e to which the praye r

-
n ,

of t h e pastor le t n empha s i s of i ts wn They w ho w ere de

n a o .

parti ng heard the s e s olem n w ords of i n voca t io n w afted like a ,

praye r for the dead t o their ear s Lord if it be thy p lea s ure !
“
,

to bury the s e our fr ien d s i n t he bott om of the sea t ake them ; ,

they are thi n e ! save the m

Whe n i n t he followi n g s pri n g the ship s arrivi n g from En g

, ,

la d brought n o tidi n g s either of s hip o r compa n y N w

n ,
“
e

Have n s heart bega n to fail her

’
This say s the n arrative .
”
, ,

put the go d ly people upo n much prayer bot h public n d pri , a

vate tha t the Lord w ould

,
— i f it w a s hi s plea s ure — let the m

hea r what he had do n e w ith their dear frie n d s n d prepare ,

a

t he w i t h a s uitable s ubmi ss io n to his holy w ill

m .
”

O n after n oo n i n Ju e a great thu n der s torm aro s e out of t he

e n

n orth w e s t A fter it had s pe n t it s elf — after thi s gra n d ove r ture

.
,

had cea s ed — the black clouds rolled away i n the di s ta n ce n d

, ,
a

t he skie s agai n became s ere n e a n d b right All a t o n ce about .

,

a n hour before s u n s e t the people a w a large Ship with all her

,
s ,

sails s pread d her color s flyi n g co m i g galla n tly up fro m the

an ,
n

harbor s mouth But s uch a ship as that had n eve r before bee n
’
.

see n ; for n ot w ith s tan di n g the w i d w as blo w i n g dead agai n st n

her from the la n d s he moved steadily o n agai st it as if her , n

sai l s w ere fi lled w ith a fre s h a n d favorable gale The people .

looked n in w o n der n d i n a w e The s tran ge ve s s el seemed

o a .

float i n g i n air there w a s n o ripple at her bow n o r o n her deck ,

an
y of the h u tl de n oti n g prepara t io n t o a n chor
s e A ll t hose .

w ho had a ss embled to w itn ess t he stra n ge sight gaz ed i n st u

p e f t
ac i n The
o child
. r e n clapped t heir ha n d s n d cried ou t a ,

Ther e s a brave s hip w hile up the harbor s he sailed st em

’

mi g w i d n d t ide
n n d every mome n t loomi n g large r
a ,
nd an a

more disti n ct .

A t le n g th cro w di g up as far a s t here is depth of wat e r s f

,
n fi u

cien t for s uch a ve ss el i f t s o n ear to the s pectators that t he ,

n ac

figure of a m n s ta di n g o n her poop with a n aked sw ord which

a n , ,
TH E P H A NTOM I
SH P .

TH E P H ANTOM SH P I .

h epoi n ted seaward was ,

d i s t i n t l y see m — o d s u

d n ly a n d n oi s ele ss ly as
e ,

if s t ruck by a s quall her ,

mai top seemed blo w n

n-

a w ay a n d falli n g i n a
, ,

wreck hu n g e n tan gled i n

,

t he shroud s ; then her

mi zzen top a n d t he n all
-
,

her ma s ts s pars a n d , ,

sail s blew away from h r e

deck s a n d v a ni shed l i ke
,
4 20 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

t hi s tledo w n leavi n g o n ly a disman tled hulk floati n g i n the qui e t

,

have n A if yieldi n g n o w to a n i n vi s ible but re s i s tles s force

. s ,

t hi s too began t o careen da n gerou s ly more a n d more u n til it ,

we n t do w n before the eyes of the beholder s i n a mist like cloud -

,

which after a little time mel t ed a w ay leavi n g the space lately ,

occupied by the Pha n to m Ship as everywhe r e else clear a n d , ,

un ob s tructed .

The wo n der str u ck lookers o n w hile this wei r d cou n terfei t of

- -
,

a wr eck a t s ea was e n ac t i n g before their eyes could so far disti n ,

guish the peculiar form a n d r iggi n g of t he Spect r e Ship as t o

be able to s ay that Th i s wa s the very mould of ou r ship a n d
“
,

thus was he r tragi c e n d The lear n ed a n d devout Mr Daven

.
”
.

port al s o d eclar ed publicly Tha t G o d had co n desce n ded for

“
, ,

the quieti n g of t heir afflicted spirits this ex traordi n ary accou n t ,

of his sovereig n di s po s al of those for wh om so man y fe rve n t

praye rs were ma d e co n ti n ually .

Mr Bryan t w riti n g to t he poet Dan a i n 1 8 24 says t ha t

.
, ,

he had formed the idea of co n str ucti n g a n a rrat ive poem o n

this s ubjec t ; bu t upo n fi n di n g tha t the lege n d had al ready
been made u s e of by I rvi n g b e aban do n ed t he pu rpose which
, ,

Lo n gfellow subseque n tly ca rri ed out with d ramatic effec t as , ,

follows
A hip s ailed from N w H ave
S e n

A d the kee
n d fro s ty airs
n an ,

T h at fi l led h er sail s at parti g n ,

Were h eavy with good me s prayers n

’
.

But Master Lamberto muttered n ,

A d u der h i s breat h s aid h e

n n ,

T h i s sh i p i s s o cra k d w alty n an ,

I fear o u r grave h w ill be S e

An dat last t h eir prayers w ere a swered n

It wa s i t h e mo t h of Ju e
n n n ,

A h o u r before t h e su s et
n n

Ofa win d y after oo n n,

4 22 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

oak w ill Nothi g illu s tr ate s like thi s the s tre gth of old a ss oci
. n .
n

ati n o sor more clearly expre ss e s that dema d of the huma mi d

,
n n n

fo r s omethi n g that y e s tablish a relatio

m a n w ith the i n vi s ible

t hrough the visible The Charter O k is n more Yet it is

. a o .

s til l the tree that commemorates to mo s t mi n d s the preservatio n

of the Colo n ial C h arter more dist i n ctly tha n the eve n t it s elf doe s
,

the t ree for it i s u n doubtedly t rue that whe n w e cas t our eyes
over the field of history w e i n s ti n ctively seek out those object s
t hat rise above the commo n level like steeples above a city , .

On sees there the Charter Oa k ; the chapter of histo r y t he n

e

sw iftly u n folds it s elf .

The fall of thi s mighty mo n arch of the a n cie n t forest s c o

cu rre d i n the year 18 5 6 It w a n n ou n ced throughout the . as

U n io n a s a public calamity ; n d i n Hartford where the Charte r a ,

O k had almo s t become n object of ve n eratio n the i n tellige n ce

a a ,

c reated a feeli n g of lo ss to the glory of the city w hich n othi n g

i n the way of mo n u me t s could make good n Th smallest . e

pieces of the tree w ere eagerly secured by relic hu n t er s n d -

,
a

they are still carefully trea s ured up i n order to perpetuate i n the , ,

thousa n d forms i n t o w hich a piece of w ood may be tur n ed the ,

memory of t he brave old oak from which Hart ford derived its
familiar s obriquet of t he Cha rt er Oa k Ci t y of w hich her ci t i z en s -
,

a re justly proud .

The Char t er O k s t ood n t h e slope of W ylly s Hill i n t he

a o s
’
,

city of Hartford ; n d it had stood o n t he same spot fo r c n

a e

t u ie s
r . N a n k n e w it s exact age ; but there i s little doub t
0 m

that it wa s n object f a t i n to the I n dia s lo n g before

o v e ne ra o n

t he discovery of America by Columbu s Tradi t io n say s that .

when the wh ite people began to build here at Hart ford Mr ,

.

Samuel W yllys w ho w as n of the s e pio n eers w as busy clea r

,
o e ,

i n g the fore s t a w ay arou n d hi s home s tead n d he had mark ed ,

a

this t ree fo r de s tructio n with t he rest ; but the savage s w h o

d w elt i n the eighborhood s o ear n estly begged that it might be
n

spared becau s e it s fir s t putti n g forth its leaves had bee n a sign

,

t o t hem from immemorial time w he to plan t t heir cor n that at n ,

t hei r request the oak w as left s t a nd i ng .

 TH E CHA RTER OA K .

S ome idea of the gr eat age of t h i s his t o r ic tr ee m a y howeve r , ,

be formed by co n side r i n g i t s dime n s io n s Thi rt y odd years

.

before it fell to t he grou n d a wreck it measured thirty six fee t

, ,
-

i n circumfe r e n ce a t the base . The famous hidi n g place i n its -

tr u n k had t he n n early closed up altho gh t he old people could

,
u

r emember whe n it would easily admit a child i n t o t he hollo w

cav i ty of the tr ee The same g e n e r atio n believed t his t o be a
.

Sig n that i t had fulfi lled i t s missio n Whe n Mr Lossi n g v i sit ed

. .

TH E C H ARTER OA K , H ARTF O RD , CO NN .

i t i n 1 8 4 8 he fou n d t he tr u n k the n hav i n g a gi rt h of tw e n t y ‘

five fee t ar ou n d i t at o n e foo t from t he g r ou n d a n d t he openi n g

a t t he botto m was t he n a n ar row c r evice o n ly large e n ough fo r a
perso n s han d t o go i n
’
.

This oak appeared to have lost it s uppe r t ru n k duri n g some

bat tle w ith ligh tn i n g or gale so that ma n y other s of it s Specie s
,

of m o r e r ecen t gr ow t h surpassed it i n h eight but the accide n t

had also e n ormou s ly s tre n gthe n ed the lo w er t ru n k a n d exte n ded ,

the sp r ead a n d t hick n ess of t he limbs which co n t in ued t o flau n t

,
4 24 N w ENGLA ND LEG ENDS
E - .

defian ce i n the face of the elemen t s that we r e su rely de str oy

i ng the piecemeal In time the tree had recovered its old
m .

s ymmetry of form while it s fo liage w as still r a ka b ly r i c h

’

,
em r

a n d exube r a n t Yea r by year it became more a n d more closely

.

imp r iso n ed w i t hi n t he walls of t he growi n g city u n til it stood , .

a soli t ary t hough n o t u n rega r ded su rvivor of its r ace a n d

, ,

tim e .

The r e i s an o t he r r elic i n timat ely associated wi th t he Chart er

Oa k fo r which the people of Co n n ecticut have a grea t r egard .

Ha n gi n g up i n t he office of the Secretary of St ate in the State ,

Capi t ol i n a frame made o f the Chart e r O k is the ve n erable

,
a ,

o ri g in al cha rt e r of t he Colo n y beari n g n t o n ly the autograph ,

o
,

but the por t rait of Ki n g Charle s I I It is the gen ui n e wo rld .

r e n ow n ed documen t whose myste ri ous disappea ra n ce o n e even

i n g over tw o ce n turies ago cau s ed such a hubbub to be raised
, ,

t hrougho u t t he Colo n ies n d i t is therefo re of all t he h is a , ,

t o i ca l trea s ures of the State the mos t valued

r .

The s tory of how the Colo n ial charter was saved from the
clutche s of Sir Edmu n d An dros i s a stirri n g episode of those st i r
ri n g t ime s w he n Tyra n n y boldly u n ma s ki n g began ope n ly t o
, , ,

threate n Ne w En glan d with the loss of all he r time ho n o red fra n -

ch i s
s e I n co n temp t of t heir cha rt e r ed rights Ki n g James II
.
, .

had appoi n ted Si Edmu nd govern o r ove r a ll the Ne w En gla n d

r -

Colo ie s Neithe r the wishes t he i n t eres t s n o r the happi n ess

n .
, ,

o f the people w ere t o be fo r a ome n t co n sidered I t was t o m .

be a rule of iro n a n d a m n of iro n was chosen for i t The

,
a .

fir s t s tep w a s to sei z e n d declare void the old charters Ma s

a .

sac h u e t t s had already bee n di s po s se ss ed of he r s ; every t hi n g

s

there was i n co n fusio n It w a s n o w the tu rn of t he other .

colo n ies With t his obj ect Si Edmu n d despatched to t he Co n

. r

n e t i c u t au t horities a n o r der de m a n di n g i n good se t term s the

c

s urre n der of t heir charter ; for eve n t he arbit rary James w ould
have it appear t h at he paid some respect to the majest y of the
law by observi n g its forms a n d t he ch art er bei n g a royal gran t ,

o fpo w e r could o t be ig n ored

,
The people of Co n n ecticut c o n
n .

s id e e d th i s a n ac t of usurpatio n a n d thei r re p rese n tatives n a t u

r ,
4 26 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

the table hurried o u t of the chamber n d th r u st i n to t h e

, ,
a

hollo w of the tree that ha s eve i ce bor n e t h e na e of r S n m

the Charter O k Thi d ari n g act w perfor ed by Capta in

a . s as m

Jo s eph Wads worth ; a n d it s u b s eq u e n tly s aved Co n n ectic u t

fom havi n g imposed po n her the s ame humiliati n g t e m s
r u r

that were gr a n t ed u n de favo of Ki n g Willi a m to the old r r

Mother Co lo n y
-

But n ot withsta n di n g his mai n purpose had t hus been

t h w a rted Si Edmu d t ook upo n him
,
r n the Spot the rei n s
n o

of govern me n t by a formal decla ratio n w hich is e n te r ed upo n

,

the r eco r d closi n g wi t h the omi n o u s w ord fi ni s

,
“
So the .

people of Co n n ecticut had after all t o submit u n ti l t he Revo ,

lu t i o n i n En gla n d tumbled Ki n g James s r ot t e n t h r o n e abou t

’

his ears a n d i n i t s tur n w r o t e fi n i s a t t he e n d of his

,
“ ”

fatal dy n asty i n charact ers large e n ough t o co n vey their warn

i n g t o h i s successo rs — Resistan ce to ty r a n n y i s obedie n ce
,
“

to Go d .

THE CH ART ER OA K AT H ART F ORD .

L . H . I
S G OU RNEY .

ONCE t h ere came i d ays of yore ,

n ,

A mi io from t h e mot h er h ore

n n S ,

With t—arm s d fl ash i g eye

m e n -a an n

O fpredetermi ed tyra n nn y .

High w ord s h e s pak e d s tret h ed h i s han d ,

an c ,

Yo u g Freed om s ch arter to dema d

n
’
n .

But 1 ! it va i sh ed from hi s Sigh t

0 n ,

A d su dde dar k e ss fell li k e ight

n n n n ,

W h ile baffled still i w rat h d pai

, , n an n,

He gropi g s o ugh t t h e prize i vai

,
n ,
n n

For a brave h a d i tr ust to me n ,

n ,

Had give t h at ger of liberty

n m

A d like o u r relative of old

n

W h o clasped h i s arm s s ere ely bold ,

n ,
 THE PL CE o r A NOI SES . 4 27

A ro u d t h e e da gered pri ce wh o fl ed
n n n n

T h e s caffold wh ere h i s fat h er bled ,

I h id it s afe from s torm d blast

, an ,

U ti l t h e d ay s of dread w ere past

n

A d t h e my fait h fu l brea s t re s tored

n n

T h e treasure to its righ tfu l lord .

For t h i s do pilg i s s ee k my s i d e r m ,

A d arti s t s sk et h my varyi g pri d e ;

n c n

A d far a w ay o er o ea s bri e
’ ’
n c n n ,

A acor or a leaf of mi e
n n n ,

I h ear are stored as reli s rich

,
c

In a tiquaria s class ic n i h e
’
n n c .

TH E P LA C E O F N O I S ES .

t ake t he followi n g weird t ale part ly fro m t he his t o r ia n

E
T r umbull a n d pa rt ly from the poet B r ai n ard Histo r y
,
.

a n d r o m a n ce ar e t hus a m icably blen de d each elucidati n g ,

acco r di n g t o i t s o wn s piri t t he s i n gular phe n ome n o n which

so lo n g d i st urbed t he good people o f Eas t Haddam .

Th e I dia ame of the to w wa s M h

n n n d which i n ac e m oo u s ,
n

E gli sh i s th p l
n f i e a ame give w it h t h e u tmo s t pro
a ce o no s es ,
n n

pr ei t y to t h place T h
e e accou t s gi. e of the oi s e s d q u a k i gns v n n an n

t h ere are very remar k able Were it t that the people are a us . no cc

tom e d to t h em t h ey w o u ld occa s io great alar

,
T h e Re ere d Mr n m . v n .

Ho s mer i a letter to Mr Pri ce of Bo sto w ritte A u gust 1 3 t h

,
n . n ,
n, n ,

1 7 29 give s t h i s a co u t of t h em c
‘A to t h e eart h q u a k e s I have
n ! s
, ,

s omet h i g co s iderab l e d aw ful to tell yo u Earth q u ake s h ave

n n an .

bee h ere ( d o where b u t i t h i s preci ct a s

n an n be di s cer ed n n
,
ca n n ,

t h at i s t h ey s eem to h ave t h eir ce tre ri se d origi amo g us)

,
n , ,
an n n ,

as h as b e obs erve d for more t h a t h irty year s I h ave bee i

e n n . n n

formed th at i t h i s place before t h e E gli sh s ettle e t s t h ere w ere

n ,
n m n ,

great mber s of I d ia i h ab ita t s d th at it w as a pla e of ex

nu n n n n , an c

tra or di na r
y I d i p w w n or an i h ort t h at
a itaw a ss a place
, wh ere ,
n S ,
4 28 NEw ENGLA ND -
LEG ENDS .

t h e I dia s drove a pro d igio us trade at w orsh ippi g th e devil A l s o

n n n .

I w a s i formed t h at ma y years past

n old I dia w as ask e d
,
n ,
an n n

wh at w as t h e reas o of t h e oi se s i t h is pla e T wh i h h e n n n c . o c re

plied t h at t h e I d ia s G d w very a gry becaus e E g li h

,
n n
’
o as n n s m en s
’

G d w a s ome h ere
o No w wh et h er t h ere be a yt h i g d ia b oli al i
c .
,
n n c n

t h e s e t h i gs I k o w t ; b u t t h i s I k o w t h at G d A lmig h ty i s
n ,
n no n ,
o

to be see d trembled at i wh at h a s bee

n an fte h eard amo g us n n O n n .

Wh et h er i t be fi re or air di stre ss ed i t h e subterra eo us caver s of n n n

t h e earth a ot be k o w — for t h ere i s

,
c nn er u ptio explo s io
n n, no n, n o n

per eptible — b u t by s o u d s d tremors wh i h s ometime s are very

c ,
n an ,
c

fearful d dreadful I h ave myself h d ig h t or t s o u d s su c

an . ear e en n

i ly
ce s s v e d imitati g s m all arm
,
an i t h e spa e of fi ve mi ute s
n s
,
n c n .

I h ave I su ppo se h eard s everal hu dred s of t h em w it h i t w e ty

, ,
n n n

years ; s ome more some le ss terrible Sometime s w e h ave h eard

, .

t h em almo st every day ; d great u mbers of th em i t h e s pa e of an n n c

a year Ofte time s I h ave observed t h em to be omi g dow from

. n c n n

t h e ort h i itati g slo w t hu der ; u til t h e so u d ame ear or righ t

n ,
m n n n n c n

u der d t h e t h ere s eemed to be a breaki g li k e t h e oi se of a

n ,
an n n n

ca o sh ot or severe t hu der wh ic h sh ake s th e h o us es d ll t h at

nn n- n ,
an a

i s i n t h em T h ey h ave i a ma er eas ed i ce t h e great earth

. n nn c S n

q u ake A I remember t h ere h ave bee bu t t wo h eard s i ce t h at

. s ,
n n

time d t h o se b u t mod erate

,
an .
’

The poet ic ver s io n of the s tory is i n t roduced by t he followi n g

accou n t i n prose for the truth of which the poet vouche s We
,
.

w ill o n ly add t o it the stateme n t that t he carbu n cle wa s highly

prized by ou r a n ce s tors for its supposed po w er t o protect the
weare r from the da n ger of i n fectio n but it wa s o n ly to be fou n d
i n i n acce ss ible place s like t h e bo w els of t he ea rth or u n viola t ed
,

mou n tai n peaks .

A traveller w ho accide tally passed t h ro ugh Eas t H addam n

made s everal i q uirie s as to t h e M d n i t h at are pecu liar to oo us n o s es

t h at part of t h e o u try Ma y part ic ulars w ere related to h im of

c n . n

t h eir severity d effect s d of t h e mea s t h at h ad bee tak e to

an ,
an n n n

ascertai t h eir cau se d p reve t t h eir recu rre ce H w as told

n an n n . e

that the s imple d terri fi ed i h abita t s i t h e early s ettleme t of

an n n ,
n n

t h e to w applied to a book lear ed d er u d ite

n, from E gla d - n an m an n n ,

b y t h e ame of Doctor Steele wh o u d ertoo k by magi to allay

n ,
n c

their terrors ; d for th i s p u rpo s e too k t h e sole h arge of a black

an c
4 30 NEW ENGLA ND -
LEG EN S D .

OnMood us H ills it sh o e n

O t h e gra ite rock s t h e ray s h ave d a e d

n n nc ,

A d u p ward t h o s e reepi g lig h t s a d va ed

n c n nc ,

Till t h ey met t h e h igh e st sto e on n .

th at i s t h e very w izard place

Oh , ,

A d w i s t h e w i zard h o u r
n no ,

B t h e ligh t t h at wa s co ju red u p to trace

y n ,

E t h e star t h at fall s
re its ra e ca n r u n c ,

T h e seat of t h e eart h qu ak e s po wer ’

.

By t h at u earth ly lig h t I see

n

A fig u re stra g e alo e n n

Wit h magi ir let h i s k ee c c c on n ,

A d d e k e d w it h Sata s sy bols h e
’
n c n m ,

See ks for t h e h i d de sto e n n .

No w u p w ard goe s th at gray Old m a n ,

Wit h matto k b d s pade c , ar, an

Th su mmit i s gai e d a d t h e toil begu

e n ,
n n,

A d deep b y t h e rock wh ere t h e w ild ligh ts

n r u n,

T h e magic tre h i s mad e nc .

Lo ud d yet lo uder w as th e groan

an

T h at s o u d ed w ide d farn an

A d d eep
n d h ollo w w a s t h e
an m e an

T h at rolled aro u d t h e bed ded sto e n n

W h ere t h e w orkma plied h i s bar n .

The u p ward streamed t h e brillia t s ligh t

n n
’
,

It s treamed o er crag d sto e ’

an n

Di loo k ed t h e star s
m d t h e moo t h at ig h t an n n

B ut wh e mor i g ame i h er glory bri g h t

n n n c n ,

The d t h e j e wel w ere go e

m an an n .

But w to t h e bark i wh ic h h e fl w
e n e

From Mood us ro k y sh ore ; ’

c

W to t h e captai
e d w to t h e cre w n, an e

Th at ever t h e breat h of life t h ey dre w

Wh e t h at dreadful freig h t th ey bore
n .
 TH E S PA N SH I G ALLEON . 4 31

Tha t t his is n vagabo d lege n d is amply p r oved by t he peri

o n

o d i ca l r ecu rr e n ce of the fearful n oises w hich so to r e n ted t h m e

a n cie nt i n habi t a n ts of East Haddam On e s uch is reported o . n

lo n ger g o tha n las t ye a r The lege n d i s thus kep t al ive i n

a .

full Vi go r .

TH E S P AN I S H GA LLEO N .

T i s a fac t w rit es the poet Brai n ard that t w o m e n from

, ,
“

V e r mo n t a r e n w (July 1 1 t h 1 8 27 ) worki n g by the side

'

o ,

of n e of t he w ha r ves i n Ne w Lo n do n for b uried mo n ey by the

o , ,

advice a nd r ecomme n datio n of a n old woman of that Stat e who ,

assu r ed t he m th a t s he could disti n ctly see a box of dolla rs packed

edge w ise The locality w as poi n ted out to a n i n ch ; a n d h e r
. ,

o n ly way of discove r i n g the treasure was by looki n g through a

sto n e —which t o ordi n ary optics was hardly t r a n sluce n t F o r
,
.

the story of the Sp a n ish galleo n that left so much bullio n i n

a n d abou t N w Lo n do n see T r u mbull s
‘
e H i sto ry of Co n n e ct i
,
’

cu t a n d fo r Kidd i n qui r e of t he oldest lady you ca n fi n d

,
.
”

The story r elated by Trumbull is this

A bout this time [1 7 5 3] a n u n happy eve n t took p lace dis ,

ho n o rable to the Colo n y i nju r ious t o foreign ers n d which occa

, ,
a

s io ne d a great a n d ge n eral u n e asi n e s s n d ma n y u n frie n dly ,

a

suspicio n s n d imputatio n s with r e s pec t to some of t he p r i n ci

a

pal characters i n t he Colo n y A Spa n ish Ship comi n g i n t o the .

,

port of Ne w Lo n do n i n dist ress r a n upo n a reef of r ocks a n d , ,

so damaged the vessel t hat i t was n ecessary t o u n lade he r a n d

pu t her freight i n t o st ores a t Ne w Lo n do n The cargo was .

deliver ed i n t o the cust ody of Joseph Hill Es q collec t or of t he ,

.
,

port of Ne w Lo n do n The supe r cargo was Do n Joseph Miguel

.

d e St Jua n
. Tha t he migh t sail w i t h his ca rgo early in the
.

Spri n g h e obtai n ed a ship of abou t tw o hu n dred to n s a n d w s

, ,
a

ready t o sail i n Ap r il Bu t whe n he h a d shipped pa rt of his

.
 NEWENG LAND -
LEG ENDS .

ca rgo other part s of it w ere w ithholde from him or lost a n d

,
n ,

could n t by y mea n s of hi s h e ecovere d A he could obtai n

o an r . s

n o relief n d w a s determi n ed n o t to s ail w ithout the

,
a v r e co

e ry of hi s cargo or s ome i n dem n ificatio n fo r the loss of it he ,

waited u n til October n d then preferred a memo rial to the

,
a
‘
A ssembly r eprese n ti n g his arrival i n t he s n ow St Joseph a n d
, .

O LD W AREH OU SES
,
NEW LONDON .

St .Hele n a fr om Hava n a bou n d to Cadiz a t the port of Ne w

’
, ,

Lo n do n n d that he had stored h i

a cargo t here i n the custody s ,

of Joseph Hill Es q the collector ; a n d that whe n he had pro

,
.
,

cu r ed vessel i n A pril a n d required his cargo that it might be

a , ,

r eshipped a co n siderable par t of it had bee n withholde los t

,
n, ,

a n d embe zz led ; nd prayi n g for relief or that he might r elan d

a ,

t hat par t of hi s cargo w hich remai n ed n d secure it at t heir ex ,

a

pen se a n d also that his m e n might be discharged .

4 34 NEW -
ENG L A ND L EG ENDS .

t ake all s uch r ea s o n able measu res t her ei n as sho u ld be n ec es sa ry

t o do j ustice i n s aid ca s e .

Befo r e t h e mee t i n g of the freeme n i n Ap r il i t was ge n e rally ,

k n o w n that the Spa n i rd s had bee n r obbe d o r at le a s t that

a ,

a n impo r ta t part of a r ich a n d very valuable ca rgo had bee n

n

stolen embezzled o r by some mea n s lost or kep t back fr o m the

, ,

o w n ers ; a n d it occasio n ed a grea t ferme n t through the Colo n y .

.

It wa s imagi n ed tha t it might i n volve the Colo n y i n grea t d ifli

c u lt i s
e t ha t it might be obliged t o i n dem n ify t h e own e rs a n d ,

th at i t would bri g a heavy debt upo n it or that it might e ffect

n

a rup t u re a n d ho s tilitie s betwee n t he tw o n atio n s Others w

,
ere .

m oved with a s e n s e of ho n or sympathy n d j ustice They , ,

a .

w ere a s ha ed n d gr ieved t hat whe n fore i g n e rs I n distress had

m a ,

ca s t themselves upo n n o t o n ly a civili z ed bu t Ch r istia n people , ,

they had bee n plu n de r ed as though they had falle n amo n g hea
t he n s t hieve s a n d r obbe rs All t he feeli n gs of cove t ous n ess
, , .
,

h o n o r sympathy a n d j u s tice we r e t ouched

, , G r ea t blame was
, .

imputed t o s ome of the prin cipal cha rac t e rs i n t he Colo n y espe ,

c i a ll
y to G over or V Vo ln o t t It w as imagi
c n ed by. ma n y t ha t he
had n t t ake n such ca r e a n d adopted such m easu r e s t o secu r e
o

t he property of t hose foreig n er s a d to save t he m harmless as ,

n
,

he ought to have d o n e Whether the re w . n

y ju s t fu nd a as a o

tio n for faulti n g h i o r n o t it so d isa ffected the freeme n that

m , ,

n o t withsta n di n g his former popula r ity he lo s t thei r su ffrages , ,

a n d Thomas F i t c h Es q was chose n gover n o r i n h i s place

, .
, .

Mr Hill did n o t escape a share of blame amo n g other s H o w

.
, .

such a quan tity of s t ores of variou s ki n d s should be los t o r

embe zzled withou t h i s k n o w ledge o r p r ivity a n d that n o tho r ,

ough search sh ould be made for the m i n so ma n y mo n ths i s .

,

very u n accou n t able Bu t where the faul t lay or what became

.
,

of t he lost goods n ever came t o public View No r does it a p

,
.

pear t hat t he Colo n y was eve r put t o a n y ext raordi n ary expe n se
o r t rouble o n that accou n t The war was n o w comme n ci n g .
,

a n d p r iva t e co n c e r n s w e r e n eglec t ed a n d forgo t te n while n a ti o n al ,

i n t erests of great er mome n t a n d more ge n eral co n cern e n gr osse d

t he public mi n d bo t h i n Eu r ope a n d A mer ica .
”
 THE M ONE Y DI G GERS
-
. 4 35

TH E M ONEY—DI GGER S .

J . G . BR AI NARD .

T HU S saith t h e B ook Permit w itch to live “

no

H e ce Ma ss a hus ett s h at h expelled t h e race

n c

Co ectic ut wh ere sw ap d di ker t h rive

nn ,
an c
,

A llo w e d t to t h eir f t a re s ti g place

no e e n -
.

With more of h ard i h ood d less of gra e an c ,

Vermo t receive s t h e s i ster s gray d lea

n an n,

A llo ws each w itch h er airy broom s tick race ,

O migh ty r ocks d mo u tai s dark w it h gree

’
er an n n n,

Where tempes t s w ake t h eir voice d torre t s roar betwee n ,

an n .

And t h ere w as amo g that w icked cre w

o ne n

To wh o t h e e e y a pe bble gave
m n m ,

Thro ugh which at lo g ffdista ce h might Vie w,

n -
o n ,
s e

A ll trea su re s of t h e fathomable w ave ;

A d w here t h e T h ame s brig h t billo ws ge tly lave
’
n n

Th gra ss gro w pile s that fl a k the r u i ed wh arf

e - n n n ,

Sh s e t t h
e forth th o s e t w o adve t rers brave
n em ,
n u
,

Where greas y citize s their beverage q aff n u ,

J i g at e terpri se aye ready w ith a lau gh

eer n n , .

They came tho s e straight haired h o e st mea in g m

,
-
,
n -
n e n,

N q u e s tio a sked they

or reply did make
n ,
n or ,

A lb it t h eir lock s w ere lifted like a s whe

e n

Yo u g H amlet w hi s fat h er ;
n d the s hake
s a an

Ofk ock i g k ee s
n d j a ws that s eeme d to break
n n ,
an ,

Told a wild tale of u dertaki g bold n n

W h ile a s the oys ter to gs t h c h iel s did take - n e ,

Di gre w t h e igh t
m d every blood drop cold
S ,
an -
,

A kn ig h t s i s carce roma t s u g by t h e bard s of old

s n n n .

For t i daylight w ere their rite s performed

no n

Whe ightcapped head s w ere t h eir pillow laid

n n on ,

Sleep freed fro - biti g care by tho u gh t u har ed

m n ,
n m ,

Snori n g e er wo r d wa s spoke or prayer wa s aid

’
s ,
4 36 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

’
T wast h e t h atto k d t h e b usy spade
n e m c an ,

T h e p u mp t h e b cket d t h e W i dlass rope

,
u ,
an n -
,

I b usy ile ce plied t h e

n S ysti trade
n m c ,

While Res ol utio bec ko ed by H ope n, n on ,

Did sw eat d ago ize t h e s o ugh t for h est to ope

an n -
c .

Be eat h t h e wave t h e iro ch e st i s h ot

n n ,

Deep growl s are he ard d redd e i g eye s are s een ,

an n n

Yet of th e bla k d g sh e h d tol d t h em t

c o a no ,

N of t h e gray w il d gee s e w it h eye s of gree

or n,

T h at s reamed d yelled d h overed lo s e bet w een

c an an c

T h e b ried gold d t h e rapacio us h a d

u an n .

Here sh o u l d sh e be t h o ug h mo u tai s i terve e ,

n n n n ,

To s catter w it h h er roo k ed w it h h azel w a d

,
c c -
n ,

The wave bor s prites t h at keep t h eir trea su re fro the lan d
- n m .

Sh a ot may t come T h e rotte wh arf

e c nn ,
no . n

O f o u lderi g pla ks
m d r us ty s pi k e s i s t h ere
n n an

A d h e wh o o w ed a quarter or
n h alf
n an

I s d i sappoi ted d t h e w it h i s
n —wh ere
an c ,

Vermo t stil l h r b ors h er G s eek h er t h ere

n a . o
, ,

T h e gra da of Joe Strickl d fi d h er es t

n m an n n

Wh ere su mmer i icles d s owball s are c an n ,

Where bla k sw s pad dle d wh ere petrel s rest

c an an

Symme s be yo u r tr us ty g u i d e d Robert Kidd your guest ! ,

an

TH E G RE A T WI N D H A M S C A R E .

HE follo w i n g st ory ha s been variou sly rel te d as to detail s a , ,

but w ith a certai agreeme n t a s to t h more e ss e n tial fact s

n e .

Mr Larn ed i the Hi s tory of Wi dham places t he date of

.
,
n
“
n ,
”

the occ u rre n ce i n the year 1 7 5 4 d attributes the sca r e to the ,

an

feveri s h s t ate of the people u n der daily e xp e c t t i ri of w ar w ith

,
a o
4 38 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

w hole cause o f alarm whic h produced such di st ressin g a ppre

,

h e n s i o n s a m o n g the good people of the town w as appa r e n t t o ,

all who too k the tro u ble to go to a certai n mill po n d situated -

,

about three four t h s of a mile east ward of the village Thi s

- .

po n d hereafter i n the an n al s of fame forever to be called the

, ,

Frog Po n d i n co n seque n ce of a severe drough t w hic h had pre

, ,

vailed ma n y week s had become n early dry a n d the Bull F rogs

, , ,

w ith w hic h it w a s de n s ely populated at the mill fought a , ,

pi t ched battle o n the s ide s of the d itch w hich r a n th rough it ,

for the pos s e ss io n a n d e njoyme n t of the fluid w hich r emai ned .

Lo n g a n d ob s ti n ately w as the co n tes t mai n tai n ed ! a n d ma n y

thou s a nd s of co bata n ts w ere fou n d defu n ct o n both side s of
m ,

the ditch the n ext mor n i n g It had bee n u n commo nly still for
.
,

s e v e ral hours before the battle comme n ce d but sudde n ly a s if , ,

b y preco n ce r ted agreeme n t every frog n o n e s ide of t he ditch

,
o
,

r ai s ed the w ar cry Col Dye r ! Col Dyer ! a n d a t the same

-
‘
. .
’

i n s ta n t fro m the oppo s ite s ide r e s o u n ded the adve r se shout of

, ,

Elderki n too ! Elderki n too ! O wi n g to so m e peculia r s t ate

’
,

of t h e atmo s phere the a wf u l n oi s es a ppear ed t o t he dis tressed

,

W i n d h a m i t e s to be directly over their he a ds .

”

The s care s ub s ided b u t n o t o the pleasa n t ry i n d u lge d i n a t

,
s

t he expe n se of the crestfalle n i n hab i ta n t s o fWi n dha m

So e w ere w ell plea se d d s ome w ere mad
m , an

Some t u r e d it f fw it h lau gh ter

n o

A d s ome w o u l d e er h ear a w or d
n n v

A bo u t t h e t h i g t h ereafter n .

Some vo we d t h at if t h e De il h im s elf
’

Sh o u l d o e t h ey w o u l d
c m t fl ee him
, no ,

A d if a f
n rog t h ey ever met ,

P rete d e d t to s ee h i
n no m .
 THE B L C A K r ox or SALM ON R I V ER . 4 39

TH E B LACK FO! OF SALM ON RI VER .

J . G . BR AI NARD .

H OW cold h w bea utif l h w bright

,
o u , o

T h e clo d less h ea e b sh i es
’

u v n a o ve u s n

B u t t i s bo wli g w i ter s ig h t
’
a n n
’
n

T w o ld freeze the very fore s t pi n e s

’
u .

Th e w i d s are u p wh ile mortal s leep

n S ,

T h e star s loo k fort h wh e eye s are hut n S

The bolted s o w lie s drifted d ee p n

A rou d o u r poor d lo ely h t

n an n u .

With ile t s tep d li ste i g ear

S n an n n ,

Wit h b w d arro w dog d g n o an , an u ,

We 11 mark hi s track for h i s pro w l we hear ;

’
,

N w i s our time come

o come n ! , o n, o

Oer
’
ma y a fe ce through ma y a w ood
n n ,
n
,

Follo w i g the dog s be wil d ered s ce t

n
’
n ,

In a xio us h as te d ear es t mood

n , an n ,

T h e I dia d t h e wh ite
n we nt
n an m an .

The g i s k d t h e bo w i s be t
u n co c
’
, n ,

T h e d g s ta d s w it h u plifted p w
o n a ,

A d b all
n d arro w sw i f t are s e t
an n ,

d at th e pro wler s very j w

’

Ai
‘ ’
m a .

— T h e b all to kill that fox i s r u n

No t i n a mo u ld by mortals made
T h e arro w t h at th at f x sh ould sh u o n

Was ever h p d from earth ly reed

n s a
’

The I dia Dr u ids of t h w ood

“

n n e

K o w wh ere th e fatal arro ws gro w

n

T h ey s pri g t by t h e su mmer fl oo d
n no ,

T h ey pierce t t h ro u g h t h e wi ter s n o w !
no n
44 0 NEW -ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

Wa s ever o ce d i d ti ll w
n n e ce v
’
no

A d wh
n ami d t h e h illi g s o ws
y, c n n ,

Does eit h r hu ter wipe h i s bro w ?

e n

For o ce t h ey see h i s fearful d

n e n,

T i s a d ar k lo u d t h at s lo wly move s
’
c

By igh t aro u d t h e h o e s of
n n m m e n,

By d y alo g t h e strea it love s

a ,
n m .

Agai th e d g i s h i s track
n o on ,

Th hu ters h a s e
e n d ale d h ill
c
’
o e r an

Th ey may t t h o u g h t h ey w o u l d look back

no , , ,

Th ey m us t go forward forward s till .

Onward t h ey go n d ever t u r ,
a n n,

Spe d i g a ig h t t h at meet s
n n d y;
n no a

For t h e sh al l e v er mor i g
m n n n s u n

Lig h t t h em u po t h ir e dle ss w ay n e n .

T h e b t i s d es o late d th ere
u , an

Th e f i h d dog alo e ret u r s

am s
’
n n

O t h e col d s tep s h e ma k e s h i s lair

n ,

By t h e shu t d oor h e lay s h i s bo es n .

No w t h e sportsma lea s h i s g u n
t ir d
’
n n

A gai s t t h e r u i s of t h e s ite
n n ,

A d po d er s
n nt h e hun ti ng do e
on n

B v t h e lo s t w a d erer s of t h e ig h t n n .

And th ere t h e little co u try girl s n

W i ll s to p to wh i s per d li s te d look , an n an ,

A d tell wh ile d re ss i g t h eir su

n y c u rl s n nn ,

Oft h e Blac k Fox of Sal o Brook m n .

44 2 N W ENGLA ND LEG ENDS
E -
.

me m e n to of t hemselves n evert heless it is these n ame s throw n

a t ran do m i n passi ng w hich has re n dered the voyage of Captai n
Bart holomew G o s
n old a fac t worth

p r ese rvi n g ; o th er
wi se i t i s a ciphe r .

In t he w h o l e
compa n y who se t

B ASS RO CK S .

G AY H EAD .

sai l wi t h h i m
fr o m F a l
n ou t h t here
w ere only
C U TTY H U NK .
1; h i r t y t w
-
o

pe rso n s o f
'

whom bu t t welve the A po s tolic n umber purposed remai n i n g i n

, ,

the cou try a s actual s ettlers It w ould be di ffi cult to co n ceive

n .

o fa n empire with its millio n s da t i n g its origi n fro m this ha n d

 NA NTU CK ET L EG ENDS . 44 3

ful had t hey bee n the fo rt u n ate o n e s t o leave us the du t y o f

,

i n sc ribin g their n ames at the head of the illustrious r oll of

fou n de rs ; but their perso n ality havi n g n o greater sub s ta n ce than
their e n t erp rise they wit h the exceptio n of a fe w whose n ames
, ,

t he care of Ha kl u yt has pre s e r ved have all va n ished ,

.

Fr om F almou t h the n o n the 25 t h of March 1 6 02 the C n

, , , ‘
, o

co r d pu t t o sea On t he 1 4 th of May the day bei n g Friday

”
. , ,

mark t ha t ye supe rstit iou s ma r i ers

,
G o s n o ld had i n View n

t he l u mpy coast of N w En gla n d stretchi n g from Agame n t icus

e ,

t o Cape An n a n d p r ese n tly t o t he great w o n de r of all o n board ,

— for t he s e En glish could n o t believe that y had preceded an

them he re — they fell i n w ith a Basque shallop a n n ed by eight

, ,
m

t a w n y black hai red n atives who could speak a f w En gl i sh

,
-
,
e

words i n t ellig ibly a n d co u ld n a e Place n tia i n Ne wfou n dlan d

,
m , .

I t seemed that t hese savage s had commu n icat ed w i t h the Fre n ch

there This e n cou nt e r could n o t but cheape n G o s no ld s est i
.
’

mate o fhimself as a discovere r i n u n k n o w n seas fo r tha t e le , r

he w as fully a ce t ury too la t e Bu t havi ng thus go t hold o f

n .

t he la n d G s n ld n o w put hi s helm to s t a rboa rd a n d stee r

,
o o ,

i n g southward i n to the Bay a n d keepi n g good watch fou n d , ,

himself bro ght t o by t he be n ded forea r m of the great sa n d

u

spit to w hich he gave t he n ame of Cape Cod He co n t i n ued .

cautiou s ly w orki n g his way alo n g t he south coast Short e ni n g ,

sail at n ight u n t il he was agai n embayed withi n t he chai n o f

,

isla n ds exte n di n g betwee n Bu zz a r d s B ay a n d t h e ope n sea ’

,

a b r oke n but still magn ifice n t bar rie r O n e of these h e called

,
.

Martha s V i n eyard t hi n ki n g so little of t h e m atter that he left

’

n o t hi n g t o satisfy t h e curiosity of a n ot h er age r especti n g t he

pe r so n he had mea n t t o ho n o r either i n toke n of r emembra n ce , ,

o r perhaps a s a g g e d a o r The k n o w ledge t herefo r e died

a
’
m u .
, ,

wi t h t he giver ; a n d so Marth a s V i n eyard remai n s a mo n umen t ’

wi t h a n i n complete i n scrip t io n which n obody is able t o complet e .

Eleve n days aft e r sigh ti n g t h e coa t the adve n t urer s la n ded u p s

o n Cu tt yhu n k Isla n d t o which G s n o ld gave the n ame,

fEliza o o

beth the Quee n — n ame that h a s si n ce bee n applied to t he

, ,
a

whole gr oup They decided t o make this i sl n d their res i den ce

. a .
 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

Havi n g gr ea t fear of t he savages G n o ld s m e n set t o work ,

os
’
.

buildi n g a fo rt i n which they dwelt u n til they had procured

,

a cargo of sa s safra s for their Ship whe n they hurriedly de ,

camped a n d set sail f r E ng l n d but upo n t he gran d s cheme of

o a

colo n i za t io n of which this w a s t o be the e n te ri n g wedge thi s ,

voyage had n o fu r ther r esult tha n t o act as a spur to the

lords prop r ietors who impove ri s hed them s elve s i n fruitle ss
-
,

effo rt s u n til t he yea r 1 6 20 o f happy memory s howed them

,

what migh t be do n e w i t hout othe r resou r ces tha n courage per ,

siste n cy a n d a fi r m elia n ce o n the as s istan ce of Heave n

,
r .

G s n ld al s o sa w n d n amed the remarkable promo n tory o f

o o a

G a y Head probably so called from its brillia n t a n d va r iega t ed

,

colo r i n g w he n t he u n s ho n e fu ll upo n it The s tr uctu r e of this

s .

lofty headla n d bea rs upo n it ce rtai n ev i de n ces of i t s volcan ic

o rigi n F o u r o r five c rat e rs a r e mo r e o r less d i sti n c t ly tr aced
. .

The mos t a n ci e nt of these lo n g s i n ce ove rgr o w n with grass a n d , ,

called t he D evil s D n measu r es tw e n ty r od s ac ross a t the t op

’
e ,
,

fou rteen a t t he bo t tom a n d is o n e hu n dred a n d thirty fee t deep

,

a t the side s excep t upo n the o n e n ext t h

,
w hich is ope n e
'

s ea , .

The mo st fa n ta s tic s tories co n ti n ued to pas s curre n t respecti n g

this wizard spot u n til the begi n n i n g of the pre s e n t ce tury ; for n

here as fame report s w s n of the re s ide n ce s of M s h p the

, ,
a o e au o e ,

I n dian gian t the t utelary ge n iu s of all the t r ibe s i n habiti n g these

,

i sla n ds as well as t h e adj acen t mai n lan d of Cape Cod Like

,
.

F i n gal M u h o p e wa s i n t he habit of wadi n g ac r os s t he Sou n d

,
a s

whe n the h u mo r t ook po ss essio n of h i m Here h e broiled the .

whale o n coals made from t he large s t trees w hich he pulled up ,

by the roots A fter sepa rati n g N m a n s La n d from Ga y Head

. o-
’
,

m etamorpho s i n g h i s childre n i n t o fishes n d thro w i n g hi s w ife ,

a

o n S c n n t Poi t
e o w here h e n o w lie s a mi ss hapen ock he
e n ,
S ,
r ,

broke up hou s ekeepi ng n d left for parts u n k n o w n a .

The fis he rmen u sed to say that it w as a commo n th i n g to see a

ligh t upo n Ga y Head i n the n ight time a d it w a s han d ed dow n -
,
n

a s a m at t e r u n di s puted amo n g them that the w haleme n w ere i n

'

t he habit of guidi n g themselve s at ight by t h lig h t that were n e s

s ee n gla n c i n g upo n G a y Head Whe n t hey app eared flickerin g .

44 6 NEW -
ENGL A ND LEG ENDS .

the limit of high w ater saw h i mi stress a mome t gave t h alar m

, s n ,
e ,

an d ret u r ed by t h e s ame ro u te before daybr ak ; t h

n ri s i g tid e e e n

w a h ed away t h e traces of h i s feet T h e ext mor i g he a om

s . n n n ec

pan e i d the ot h er w arrior s of t h e tribe to t h e attac k t h e e e y w n m as

fo u d prepared
n d impre ssio o ul d be made
,
an no t h em H n c on . e

re ai e d u dete ted till s everal year s after pea e bei g re stored

m n n c , ,
c n

b et w ee t h e t w o tribe s
n d t h e yo u g h avi g married the gi l
,
an n m an n r ,

t h e tr uth came to lig ht .

”

We h ave el s e w h er e r elat ed t he circumst an ce t hat led t o t he

settleme n t of Nan t ucket by t he whites The Quaker eleme n t .

lo g co n ti n ued t o be the domi n a n t n i n the social life of the

n o e

isla n d as well a s of i t s r eligi o n a n d govern men t Here free from

,
.
,

per s ecu t io n t hese much abused follo w er s of G eorge F ox were

,
-

supposed to have fou n d t heir Ar cadia They establi s hed a p . a

t i
r arc h l gover n me n t
a I n st ead of la w s t hey had usage s which
.
,

were obeyed a s la w s It wa s n early the happy ideal co n ditio n

.
,

where m n live without quarrels wi t ho t cri m e n d withou t

e ,
u ,
a

t he e n forceme n t of la w They w ere husba n dme n n d shephe r ds . a .

They fi shed plan ted a n d traded i n peace A l t hough some of

, ,
.

them ama ss ed wealth everythi n g about them co n ti n ued t o wear

,

t he appearan ce of a primi t ive eco n omy ; t hey lived o n i n de

p en den tly n d pro s perou s ly But n o tw ith s ta n di n g a n atural
a .

predilectio for t he la d
n n — n d we a n hardly thi n k of Quakers a c

a s maki n g good s ailor s there was the sea co n ti n ually calli n g ,

co n ti n ually a s serti n g i t self a t their doors By a tra n s itio n a s , .

curio u s as i t i s absolut e t he s e peaceful shepherds became t h , e

mo st n oted s ailo r s of ou r co n ti n en t a n d the most re n o w n ed

whaleme n of t h e w orld With th i s cha nge the n ative I n dian s .

doubtle s s h a d much to do ; for i n thei r primi t ive way t hey t oo

were exper t i n taki n g t h s e mo n st ers of the deep The Na n e .

tucket whale fi s h e y bega i n the water s immediately su rr ou n d

- r n

i n g t he isla n d n d i n boats ,
a The whalema n fi n ished his caree r .

amid t he Arctic ice w here he quiet ly made fo r himself a rout e

,

lo n g before G overn me n ts e n tered i n to the di s astrous co n t es t

with Ki n g Frost i n w hich so a n y valuable lives have been m

lost Had t here been certai n i n dicatio n s t hat whales we r e t o be

.
 NA NTU CK ET LEGENDS . 44 7

fou n d a t t he Pole t he Nan tucke t whaleme n would h a ve d i s

,

co v e r ed i t .

The sea an n als of Na n t ucket are co n sequen t ly ve ry n ume r

-

ous a n d as t hey chiefly relate t o stubborn co n flicts w ith whales ,

they are very in teresti g Bu t as w e n o w get our o il upo n t he

n .

la n d the i n du st ry which brought Nan tucke t i n to world wide

,
-

n otice has n o lo n ger a n existe n ce t here There is howeve r

y .
, ,

a museum i n which are p reserved man y evide n ces t o t he fac t

, ,

i n the same ma n n er t ha t Salem p r ese r ves t he memo r ials o f he r

depar t ed East I n dia n t r ade A las ! o n e ca n n o t but r egr et t h ese
-
.

cha n ges The whale fi s h e r y gave t o t he n a ti o n a r ace o f i n

.
-

tr epid sail o rs w ho migh t h a ve become a t n eed he r defen de r s

,

the pet r oleu m discovery has gi ve n us some mill i o n n aires .

It is well k n o w n that sailo r s are able t o discove r t hei r wher e

abou t s even i n t hick wea t her by mak i n g a n exam i n ati o n of
, ,

t he soun di n gs that t he lead has b r ough t up fr om t he bo tt om .

Na n t ucke t skippers it would seem fr om t he followi n g ballad a r e

, ,

able t o go eve n fart he r t ha n t his a n d t o t ell w it h t hei r eyes shu t ,

i n wha t n e ighbo r hood t hey a r e

T
HE ALARM ED SKIPPER .

JAMES T . F I ELDS .

MANY a lo g lo g vear ago n ,

n ,

Na tucket s kipper s h d a pla

n a n

Of fi di g o u t t h o u g h lyi g l w
n n ,
“
n o ,

H w ear N w York their s c h oo ers

o n e n ran .

Th ey grea sed t h e lead before it fell ,

A d the b ys o u di g t h ro u gh t h e n ight
n n, n n ,

K o w i g the s oi l t h at st u c k s o well
n n
, ,

They al ways guessed t h eir recko i g righ t n n .

A skipper gray who s e eye s w ere dim , ,

Co u ld tell by t ti g j ust the s pot

, as n ,

A n d s o belo w h e d d o ws e t h e g lim ’
,
”

A fter of cour s e hi s
, s omet h in g h ot ,
.
”
44 8 NDS .

No matter h w h i s raft w o ul d rock

o c ,

H s lept for sk ipper s ap s are s ou d !

e
’
n n

The w at h d e k w o u ld w d t h e
c on c no an n

R d ow d w a k e h im w it h t h e lead
u n n an ,

He d u p d t ste d tell t h e n
’
an a ,
an m e

H w ma y m ile s th ey w e t a h ead
o n n .

On e igh t t w as Joth am Marde s w atch

n
’
n
’
,

A c u rio us wag th e ped ler s ’

,
s on

A d s o h e m us ed (t h e w a to w ret h
n n n c

To igh t I 11 h ave a grai of f !

-
n
’
n u n

We all a s et of st upid fools

’
re

To t h i k t h e skipper k o ws by t ti g
n n as n

W h at gro u d h e Na t u k et s h ool s
n
’
s on, n c c

Do t tea h suc h stuff w ith all t h eir bas ting 1

n
’
c ,

A nd s o h e too k t h e w ell greased lead -

A d r u bbe d it o er a box of eart h

’
n

T h at s tood d e k a par s ip bedon c ,

n -

A d t h e h e s o u g h t t h e sk ipper s berth
’
n n .

Wh ere are w e w s ir Plea s e to taste no ,

.
”

T h e sk ipper ya w ed p u t o ut h i s to g u e n ,
n

T h e oped h i s eye s i w o d ro us h aste

n n n ,

A d t h e u po t h fl oor h e pr u g !
n n n e S n

T h e skipper stormed a nd tore h i s h air ,

T h r us t h i s boots on ,
an d d to Marde
re are n
“
Na n tu cke t ’
s s u n k, a n d h e r e we a re

Ri g h t o v e r o ld M a r i n Ha cke t t ’
s g a r de n
45 0 NEW -ENG LA ND LEG ENDS.

be en tit led t o have the ben efit of t hat doub t T r u t h above all .

t hi n gs bu t before tr ea t i ng o n e of ou r mo s t valued tra di t ion s as

a n impos t or co n clusi ve evide n ce to t he imposi t io n becomes a
,

logi cal n ecessity t o t he frame rs of t he i n dict me n t They ce r .

t a i n ly ough t n o t t o come i n t o cou rt wi t hou t a clea r case .

Adh b j d i c lis e t
itc s u Wi t hou t j oi n i n g i n t he discussio n
u e s .

h ere le t us pe r fo rm a mo r e g r acious duty a n d t ell t he story a s i t

, ,

was al w ays t old a n d believed befo r e it s c r edibili t y was called i n

questio n .

I n the m o n t h of Oc t ober 1 6 6 4 feeli n g n o lo n ge r safe i n thei r

, ,

r etreat at N w Have n G o ffe a n d Whalley fled up t he valley t o

e ,

Hadley w hich was the n o n e of t he r emo t e fro n tie r pla n t atio n s

,
.

Every p r ecau ti o n was ta ke n t o re n de r the j ou rn ey a profou n d

sec re t Upo n arriv i n g t he r e t hey we r e hospi tably r eceived give n
.
,

shelte r a n d ca r efully guarded fr o m all i n tr u s io n upo n t he ir priv

,

acy by t he mi n ist er of t he plac e the Reve r e n d Joh n Russell , ,

whose house t he n ceforth became t heir abode fo r fiftee n o r six t ee n

yea rs u n t il deat h r eleased o n e of t hem fo r eve r from t he e n mi t y
,

of m e n a n d ki n gs On ly a few whose fideli t y could be depe n ded

.
,

upo n we r e adm itt ed i n t o t he sec re t ; a n d fo r gr eat e r secu r i t y

,

it was give n ou t t ha t the r eg i c i des had fled t o Ne w Yo rk w it h ,

t he pur pose of a gai n c r oss in g t he seas a n d t aki n g r efuge i n

Hollan d .

Behold t hese t wo ou t cast s beh i n d whom st alked t he head s ,

m an ,
”
fi n ally immured withi n t he fou r walls of a n humble fr o n
t ier d w elli n g like m e n who have fo r ever take n leave of the wo rld
,

a n d i t s co n ce r n s but whom t he wo r ld still vi n dic ti vely pursues

, .

The sam e r ut hless spiri t of reve nge t hat had violat ed the sen sele s s
bodies of Cromwell n d Ireto n was n o w abroad i n N w En glan d
a e

a n d h e r people wi lli n g though t hey migh t be da r ed n o t ope n ly

, ,

resist the har d logic of even t s Tha t spirit was t he ven gean ce .

of a ki n g ; t hat logic t he r est o r at io n of Charles St uart t o t he

,

t hro n e .

Eleve n yea r s h a d r olled ove r t he heads of t he exiles On e by .

o n e t heir hopes had falle n t o the gr ou n d a n d w ithered a w ay .

Whalley had become dec r epi t ; G offe i n deed retain ed some of

 TH E U N K NOW N CH A M P ON I . 451

t he old fi r e he had shown whe n a t t he head of C r omwell s ,

’

I r on sides he cha rged at D u n ba r a n d t u rn ed t he doub t ful issu e

, ,

of t hat glo ri ous day This b ri n g s u s t o t he yea r 1 6 7 5

. .

The yea r 1 6 7 5 u s hered i n t he giga n t ic st ruggle with Ph i lip ,

t he g r eat Na rragan sett Chieft ai n Never before h a d such a storm .

of w ar assailed poor Ne w En gla n d Calami t y follo wed calamity . .

An adve rsary w ho co n ce n t r ated i n his o wn athletic perso n all

t he ha t red the sub tle t y the thirst fo r ve n gea n ce of his race
, ,
‘
,

s udde n ly r ose the maje s tic a n d fateful fi gure of t he hour Phil i p

,
.
,

Ki n g of Poka n oket had proclaimed w ar —war i n i t s mos t ter ri

, ,

ble aspec t — wa r to the k n ife Philip t he leade r had a r oused

,
.

his people fr om t heir deadly let hargy of for t y yea r s t o make o n e

las t o n e supreme e ffo rt I t was n o w a s t ruggle fo r life o r
,
.

deat h a n d as such had t o be met

, .

The me n aced Colo n i es hast e n ed t o pu t fo rt h t he ir u t mos t

effort s i n o r de r t o mee t t he eme rgen cy whose gravi t y i n c r eased ,

eve ry hou r A ge n e ral i n su rr ectio n of all t he t ribes was Philip s

.
’

h e pe a n d Ne w En gla n d s fea r Joh n Leve r e tt a soldie r o f

’
.
,

Cromwell was t he n at t he head of affai r s a n d he r isi n g t o the

, ,

c ri sis n o w Sh owed all the e n e rgy t ha t migh t be expected fro m

,

a schola r who had se r ved his appre n t iceship u n d e r so able a

m a s t er Bu t a t fi r st t he scale of Victory i n cli n ed heavily i n

.

Phil i p s favo r I n st ead of comba t s we r ead o n ly of massacres ;

’
.

i n st ead of v i ct o ri es t he r eco r d sho ws disas t e r upo n disas t e r

,
.

D ri ven a t len gt h from his o wn s tr o n ghold Philip a t t he , ,

head o f a small ban d of his wa rri o r s r etired i n t o t he hear t ,

of t he Nip m u ck Cou n try which t hen ex t e n ded a wilde rn ess of

, ,

swamps t hicket s a n d mou n tai n d e fi le s bet wee n t he seaboard

, ,
-
,

se t tleme n t s a n d t hose ly in g i n t he lovely Co n n ec t icu t Valley .

A si n gle r oad t rave rsed it A soli t a r y ou t pos t a r ou n d which

.
,

a feeble se t tleme n t had gr ow n up was plan t ed i n t he mids t ,

of t his solitude ; t his was B r o o kfi e ld .

The sa n gu i n a ry str uggle w as he r e r e n ewed a n d he r e some o f !

t he bes t blood i n t he Colo n y was uselessly shed Upo n t h i s .

i solat ed pos t Philip s co n federat es t he c r aft y Ni pm u cks fell

’

, ,

wit h fu r y Soo n aft e r t his t hey wer e j oi n ed by Philip i n pe r

.
4 52 NEW -
ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

s on . He n o w ai med at n o t hi n g less t han t he t o t al dest ruct io n o f

t he isola t ed valley settleme n ts The Colo n ial fo rces t hat h a d
-
.

been sen t for the elief of B o o kfi ld aft e r su fferi g seve rely i n

r r e ,
n

seve ral bloody e n cou n ter s succeeded i n d r ivi n g the exaspe rat ed
,

e n emy back upo n t h e Co n n ec t icu t settlemen t s w h ich t hus ,

speedily became t he battle gr ou n d of t h e combat a n ts He r e -

.
,

alas ! t he bo n es of ma n y a st ou t soldier moulde r i n u n k n ow n

grave s .

There we r e sever al t ribe s liv i n g at peace w it h the wh it es i n

this valley who t he n e w s of Philip s succe ss e s n o w th rew
m
’

i n to a fever of exci t eme n t his age n t s did t h e r e st These t r i bes .

had r eceived hi s wampum a n d we r e sec re tly sharpe n in g t hei r ,

hat chet s The white people t aki n g t he ala rm a n d bei n g m ore

.
, ,

over warn ed of wha t they might p resen tly expec t from s uch
da n ge r ous n eighbors a t temp t ed to disar m t hem bu t t he a ttemp t
,

r esulted i n t he s e I n dia n s goi n g over to Philip i n a body They .

wer e pu sued overtake n a n d brough t t o bay n ear Sugar Loa f

r , ,
-

Mou n t ai n i n De e fi ld but t hey succeeded afte r a Sharp figh t

,
r e

i n maki n g good t hei r r etreat This occurr ed o n t he 25 t h of .

A gust
u .

On the 27 t h t he En glish we r e defea t ed at No t h fi e ld a n d fled r ,

i n co n fusio n back as far as Hadley befo r e t hey r all ied agai n .

On the l s t day of Sep t e m be r t he e n emy made a bold o n slaugh t

upo n De e fi ld n d n early dest royed the whole set tleme n t
r e ,
a .

T h u s for a whole week t h e i n habitan ts of thi s part of t he

valley had bee n co n st an t ly harried a n d bese t Wi t h t he en emy .

always at t heir doors ; wi t h t he w a r whoop sou n di n g hourly -

i n t heir ear s wi t h t he hu rr yi n g to a n d fro of armed m e n a n d of

fugi t ives — o n e does n o t ask whe t he r t he i n habi t a n ts we r e i n a
,

state of perpet ual alarm .

Such was the co n ditio n of t he li tt le Commu n i t y amo n g whom ,

t he r egicides lay co n cealed o n t he l s t of Sep t ember 1 6 7 5 , , .

Thei r lives were n o w doubly th r eate n ed .

We will n o w le t a n emi n e n t his t oria n a n d n ovelis t t ake up

t he n arrat ive The d ramat ic po w e r of t he simple i n ciden t
.

n e eded n o a tt emp t a t e m bell i shme n t a n d n o n e i s made , .

454 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

of t h ese i car ate d evil s alread y i po sse ss io of a part of t h e tow

n n ,
n n n.

I fi t h ere w as m u c h d amage do e d alth o ugh our arrival

n ne , n an

an d e tra ce i to co b at di d i s ome s ort p u t t h e

n n n m back yet bei g n m , ,
n

surpri sed d co fus ed d h avi g appoi ted lead er of o ur ba d

an n ,
an n no n n ,

t h e devili sh e emy sh ot h ard at us d h ad s ome adva tage

n I ,
an n . n

t h i s state of co fus io d W h ile w e w ere abo u t to adopt t h e de s per

n n, a n

ate proj ect feva u ati g t h e village d placi g the w ome

o c n d ,
a n , n n an

child re i t h e ce tre of attempti g a retreat to t h e eares t settle

n n n ,
n n

me t it pleas ed H eave to s e d us u expected ss i sta e A tal l

n , n n n a nc .

m a n, of revere d appeara ce whom n n of us h ad ever s ee b n ,

o one n e

for s dde ly wa s i t h e mid st of us as w e h as tily agitated the res o

e , u n n

lu ti enof retreati g H i garme t s w ere of t h e sk i of t h e el k d

n . s n n ,
an

h e w ore sword d carried g I ever saw a yt h i g more a ugust

an un n n n

than h i s feat ures oversh adow ed by lock s of gray h air wh ich mi gled
, ,
n

with a lo g h d of t h e same color M

n e ar
‘ d bret h re h e said i a . e n an n,
’
n
,
‘
voice like that which tur s back th e fl igh t wh y s i k yo u r h eart s ? n n
,

an d wh y are yo u t hus di s q i eted ? Fear ye t h at t h e G d w e s erve w ill u o

give ye u p to yo der h eathe dogs ? Follo w me ; d ye sh all see

n n an

t h at t h i s day there i s a captai i I s rael ! H u ttered a fe w brief n n e

b ut di sti ct order s i t h e to e of
n wh o w as ac ustomed to
,
n n one c co m

ma d ; d suc h wa s t h e i flu e ce of h i s appeara e h i s mie h i s

n an n n nc ,
n,

la guage d h i s pres e ce of mi d t h at h e was impli itly obeyed by

n ,
an n n ,
c

m en wh o h ad ever s ee h i u til t h at mome t We w ere h a stily

n n m n n .

divided by h i s orders i to t w o bodies of wh i h mai tai ed th e

n ,
one c n n

defe e of t h e village w it h more courage t h a ever co vi ced t h at

nc n ,
n n

t h e u k ow w a s se t b y G d to our res c u e A t h i s comma d t h ey

n n n n o . n

assu med t h e best d mo s t sh eltered po s itio s for ex h a gi g t h eir

an n c n n

dead ly fi re w it h th e I dia s wh ile u der cover of t h e s mo k e t h e n n n

s tra ger sallied fro t h e to w at t h e head of t h e ot h er divi s io of

n m n n

t h e N w E gla d e - n d fetc h i g a circ uit attacked t h e

n m e n, d an n , re

w arrior s i t h rear T h e su rpri s e a s i s usu al a o g I dia s had

n e .
,
m n n n ,

complete effe t for th ey d o ubted t that t h ey w ere assailed i th eir

c no n

tur n, d placed bet w ixt t w o h o s tile partie s by t h e ret u r

an of a n

d etac h me t from t h e provi ial army

n T h e h eath e s fl d i f nc . n e n co n u

sio aba d o i g t h e h alf w

n, n n n illage d leavi g b eh i d t h em su c h -
on v ,
an n n

a u ber of t h eir w arriors th at t h e tri b e h at h ever recovered th eir

n m n

lo ss Never sh al l I forget t h e fi gu re of o u r ve erable leader wh e

.
n ,
n

our d
m e n, an t t h ey o ly b u t t h e w ome
no d c h il d re of t h e vil !
n ,
n an n

lage res u ed from th e tomah awk d s alpi g k i fe s tood cro wd ed

,
c an c n -
n ,

a o u d h im yet scarce ve t u i g to approa h h i s per so

r n ,
d more n r n c n, a n
 THE U N K NOW N CH AM P ON I . 45 5

mi ded perh ap s to w or ship h im as a des ce ded a gel t h an to t h a k

n , ,
n n n

h im a s a fello w mort l N t u to me be t h e glory he s aid ; I

-
a .
‘ o n
’
,

am b u t impleme t frail a s yo u r selve s i t h e h a d of H i wh o

an n n n m

i s stro g t deliver B i g me a c u p of w ater t h at I may allay my

n o . r n ,

parch ed t h irs t ere I e ssay t h e tas k of offeri g t h a k s wh ere t h ey are n n

mo st d u e Si n ki g h i s k ees d s ig i g us to obey h i h e
.
’
n on n ,
an n n m ,

po u red fort h a s tro g d e ergetic t h a ksgivi g for t h e t u r i g back

n an n n n n n

of the battle wh i c h pro ou ced w ith a voice lo u d n d clear a s a w ar

, ,
n n a

tr umpet thrilled through t h e j oi t s d marro w of the hearer s

,
n an .

H w a s s ile n t
e d for a brief pace w e remai ed w ith o u r face s be t
an S n n

to the earth dari g to lift hi s h ead A t le gt h w e looked

,
no m an n . n

up ; b t deliverer w a s
u ou r lo ger amo gst u s n w a s he eve r no n n ,
or

again s ee i t h e la d w hic h h e had e s c u ed

n n n r .
”

To this fa it hful r en der i n g o f t he t radi t io n fro m t he ma t chles s

p ne of t he Wi z a r d of t he N or t h is pe n da n t Southey s u n fi n
’

i h e d poem o f
s Ol i ve r Newma n — a w ork i n t e n ded t o r eal iz e ,

t his au t ho r s lo n g medit a t ed purpo s e of writi n g a n A n glo Ame r

’
- -

ican epic The st o ry o f G o fl s appea r a n ce amo n g the pan ic

. e
’

stricke n s et tlers a t Hadley so s t ro n gly i mp r essed h i m t ha t he ,

determin ed t o m ake it t he mai n i n cide n t of a n histo ri cal poem ,

which u n fo rt u n at ely fo r t he world n eve r advan ced beyo n d t he

, ,

fi r st st ages of developme n t The cha racte r s a r e i n tr oduced a n d .

,

t he ac t io n beg i n s — whe n t he cu rt a in falls leavi n g us i n deed

, , , ,

w i t h t he progr am m e i n ou r han ds i n t he fo r m of n o t es bu t w ith , ,

t he sen se of i rrepar able loss to us a n d t o ou r h i s t ori c a n n als A s .

if to compel the admi rat io n due t o ge n i us Sou t hey makes o n e o f ,

t he despised sec t of Quake rs his he r o who from a double se n se , ,

of du t y a n d filial love h s c r ossed t he ocea n i n sea r ch of his ,

a

e s c i b e d a n d fugi ti ve pa r e n t
p r r .

This rema rkable t radi t io n did n o t escape t h e quick r e c o g n i

tio n of ou r o wn mas t e r of oman ce It i s acco rdi n gly the sub r .

j ce t of o n e of Hawthor n e s earlies t t ales e n t itled The G ray ’

,
“

Cha m p i o n I t i s t rue t hat the actio n is t r an sferred t o Bos t o n

.
”
,

t ha t t he t ime is b r ough t fo r ward t e n year s a n d t hat t he autho r ,

seeks t o produce a moral rat he r t han a physical effec t i n h i s

cl i max Bu t the i n cide nt i s s t i ll t he same The Gray Cham
.
.
45 6 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEGENDS .

pio n who s u dden ly co nfro n t s Si Edmu n d An d r os n d his r e

r a

t i n e i n t he st r eets of Bo s to n d bids them sta n d is n “

u an ,
o

o t her t ha n the fugitive r egicide n d hi s purpo s e i s st ill to exalt

a

t he s pirit of t he people by the timely di s play of t h s uperiority e

of moral over mere physical po w e r n the ide of t he rightful

o S

cause Such i s the traditio n

. .

Dr D w igh t r elates that Mr Rus s ell s house had been pulled

. .
’

down some yea s previou s to his Visi t to the s po t i n 1 7 9 6 bu t

r ,

V
G RA ES OF TH E REG C DES, I I NEW HAVEN .

t hat M r G aylo r d t he o w n er of the e st ate gave him the follow i n g

.
, ,

f a ct co n cer n i n g i t Whe n the workme n were demolishi n g t he

.

buildi n g they discovered ju st ou t side the cellar wall a cryp t

, ,

built o f solid maso n ry a n d cover ed wi t h he w n fl a g s t o n e s .

Withi n t his t omb wer e fou n d t he bo n es of Whalley A ft er .

W h a lle y s dea t h G o f e qu itt ed Hadley livi n g somet imes i n o n e

f
’
,

place a n d some t imes i n a n othe r u n der various disguises a n d

,

a l i ases t hat have give n rise t o other lege n dary tales co n ce r n i n g

h i m or the place s t ha t became his a s ylum .

By a hyperbole exaggerated perh ap s but still pardo n able i n

, ,

a people who traced every thi n g i n m a n o r n ature t o the active

i n t erve n t io n of t he Mo st H i gh the u n k n o w n savio r of Hadley
,
458 NEW -
ENGL AND LEG ENDS .

What fl eck s t h e o u ter gray beyo d n

T h e su d o w s golde trail
n n
’
n

Th w hite fl ash of a s ea bir d s w i g

’
e -
n ,

O gleam of s la ti g s ail
r n n

L t yo u g eye s w at h from Neck

e n d Poi t c an n ,

A d s ea w or el d er s pray
n -
n ,

Th e gh o s t of wh at was o ce a sh ip n

I s aili g u p t h e b y
S n a

Sh ero u d s t h h eadla d s bri stli g pin e s ;

n e n
’
n

Sh t h read s t h e i s le s et bay
e -

N s p u r of b reeze
o s peed her ca n on,

N b b of ti d e delay
or e .

Old still w alk t h e I sle of O

m en rr

W h o tell h er d ate d ame an n ,

Old h ip w rig h t s s it i Freeport yard s

S n

Who he w ed h er oake n frame .

For ever come s th e ship to port

n
,

H o w e er th e breeze may b
’
e
-

Ju st whe h ears the waiti n g shore

n S e n

Sh drifts ag ai n to s ea
e .

N tack of s ail
o t u r of helm ,
nor n ,

N sh eer of veeri g s ide ;

or n

Ster fore sh e d ri v e s to s ea
n- d ight an n
,

A gai s t t h e w i d
n d tide n an .

In vai o er Harpsw ell Ne k t h e s ta r

n
’
c

Ofeve i g g u ide s h er i
n n n

I vai for h er t h e lamp s are li t

n n

With i th y to wer Segu i !

n ,
n

I vai t h e h arbor boat sh all h ail

n n ,

I vai t h e pilot all

n n c

N h a d sh all reef h er s pectral s ail

o n ,

O l t h er a h or fall
r e nc .
 THE V EI LED M I NI STER . 459

TH E V E I LE D MI N I S T E R .

LL r eaders o f Mr H a wt hor n e s Twice Told Tales a r e

.
’

d oubtless familiar w ith the dole f ul story of The M i n

i s t e r s Black V eil He call s it a parable t h e mo r al of w hi ch is
’
.
,

su f f icie n t l y obvious as the fi n ale i s dramatic The Black V eil

,
.

here is i n fact o n ly a n o t he r n ame fo r the m a s k which s i n wear s

, ,

before a ce n s orious world U n que st io n ably t h e idea w as s ug

.
,

gested by the stra n ge lifelo n g a n d s elf impo s ed pe n a n ce related

, ,
-

o f t he Revere n d Joseph Moody of Yo r k Mai n e H e wa s the

, ,
.

s o n of the Revere n d Samuel Mood y al s o of York w ho w a s , ,

chaplai n to Pepperell s Lo u isbu rg expeditio n w as n oted for the

’
,

le n gth o f his prayers a n d who pu b li s hed The doleful state of

,
“

t he dam n ed ; especially of such as go to hell from u n de r t he

gospel “
Judas hu n g u p i n chai n s etc Hi s w ell k n ow n ,
.
-

ecce n tric iti e s prepa r e u s i n a w ay for the odd ma n ia which sub

, ,

seque n tly developed in h i s gifte d but i ll fated s o n ,

-
,
.

U n fo rt u n a t ely Joseph Moody s story is little less coher e nt

,
’

tha n h i s ac t s He had bee n a schoolma s ter The n for s ome

. .

years he held th e o ffices of town clerk of York a n d of Regi s ter ,

of Deeds for the cou n ty It is n o t e d i n his o wn d iary that h e

.
, ,

had fo r med a stro n g a t tachme n t fo r Miss Mary Hir s t of Bosto n

w ho ho w eve r fou n d a more acceptable s uitor i n the perso n of
, ,

the w ealthy Colo n el Pepperell of Loui s burg fame But it is ,

.

n o t t o di s appoi n ted love w hich h a s tur n ed s o ma n y h ead s both

,

befo r e a n d si n ce that M r Moo d y s si n gular afflictio n i s to be

,
.
’

attributed It was s aid that the acci d e n tal d ischarge of a g u n

.
,

i n his ha n ds whe n a boy had resulted i n t he ki lli n g of a play

, ,

mate a n d that he could n ever rid h im s elf of the feeli n g t h at h e

,

wa s a m u r de r e r In a morbidly se n sitive n ature d w elli n g upo n

.
,

thi s fact w a s sure to l e ad to some u n u s ual di s play of remor s e .

Whe n the Seco n d Pari s h i n York al way s k n o w n by the n ame ,

of Scotla nd w as i n co r porate d i n 1 7 30 Mr Moody w a s sol i ci t ed

, , ,
.
4 60 NEW -
ENGL A ND L EG ENDS .

t o take the pas to r al charge of t he churc h gat he r ed the r e t wo ,

yea rs later accep t ed t he charge a n d w as accordi n gly ordai n ed

, , .

In a f e w yea r s his w i fe d ied Thi s eve n t ca s t him i nto a s ettled

.

mela n choly a n d he ever after w ore u n til the d a y of hi s d eath

, , ,

a silk ha n dkerchief dra w n over hi s face fro m w hich act he came ,

to be k n ow n as Ha n dkerchief Moody He gave up his public

“
.
”

la b ors held aloof from all co n ve rs atio n w ith other s a n d eve n

, ,

r efu sed to pray o r Officiate at a n y public gathe r i n g s w hatsoeve r ,

except i n s ome case of u n usual u rge n cy w he n he decla r ed tha t ,

he did so o nly as the mouthpiece of othe rs When he t ook his .

meal s i n compa n y with others he al w ays s at a t a Side table with

, ,

his face t urn ed to t he w all The si ngula r w ork i n gs of his n u

.

s teady mi n d may be i n fer red by the follow i n g extrac t from his

diary ! This day while e n gaged i n prayer I t ho u ght of a w ay
, ,

t o faste n m y s t udy door a n d after w ard s fou n d a be tt er

, .
”

Mr Moody s d eath came s udde n ly On the afte rn oo n be fo re

.
’
.

it occu rr ed h e wa s hear d Si ngi n g aloud o n e of Wa t ts Hy m n s in

,
’
,

whic h o ccu r t h e li n es ,

Oh for a n overcomi n g faith

To c h eer my dyi n g h ours .

He co n t i n ued s i n gi n g almos t the whole aft er n oo n He d i d n t . o

leave his chambe r at n ight a n d t h e n ext mo r ni n g was fou n d

,

lyi n g dead i n hi s bed .

4 62 NEW -
ENG L AND LEG ENDS .

T h is tale of the great ca rbu n cle fired the imagi n at io n of the

simple settlers to the highe s t pitch We believe w hat w e wi s h .

to believe n d n ot w ith s ta di g their religio refused to dmit

,
a ,
n n n a

the exi s te n ce of the I dia demo it s g u ar d ia they s eem to n n n, n

,

have had little d iffi c lt y i n crediti g the reality of the j e w el i t

u n

self A t a n y rate the belief that the mou n tai n Shut up precious
.
,

mi es ha s come do w n eve n to a very late day ; fo fa r e we n t

n '
o

a ss ured by a certai n lear ed hi s torian that the s t o r y of the great n

carbu cle s till fo u d full crede n ce i n h i time ? We are n o w

n n s

acquai n ted wit h the s pirit of the time whe n the fi r s t attempt to
scale the m o u n tai k n o w n to us w a s rewarded w ith complete
n

succe ss But the record i s of exa s pe rati n g brevity

. .

A mo n g the earlie s t settler s of Exeter Ne w Hampsh i re w as a , ,

m a n b y the n ame of Darby Field The a n tecede n t s of t h i s .

obscure per s o age are s ecurely hidde n behi n d the mi s t s of more

n

t ha n t w o n d a half ce n turie s Still le ss i s it k n own w hat

a .

became of him .

In Ju n e 1 6 4 2 that i s to s ay o n ly t welve years after t h e

, ,

Puritan s settled i Ma ss achu s ett s Bay F ield s et out from the

n ,

seacoa s t fo r the di s ta n t White Hill s .

So far as k n o w b pro ecuted his jour n ey to t h n, I n dia e s e n

village of Pig w k t the exi s te n ce of w hich i s t h u s e s tablished

ac e , ,

w itho u t n ote w orthy accide t or adve ture Here he wa s joi n ed n n .

by some I n dia n s w ho co nducted h i w ithi n eight miles fthe

,
m o

summit w he declari n g that to go farther w ould expo s e them

,
n,

to the w rath of their great E il Spirit they halte d d refused v , ,

an

to proceed The brave Iri s hma n w as equal to the emerge n cy

. .

To t n back ba ffled w ithi n s ight of h i goal wa s evide n tly n t

u r , ,
s o

an ad m itted co ti n ge cy Leavi ng t he I n dian s therefore

n n .
, ,

squatted upo n the rock s n d n doubt regardi n g h i as a m a ,

a o m n

r ushi n g u po n a fool s fate Field agai n re s olutely faced the ’

m ou n tai n whe n s eei g him equall y u moved b their w arnn i n gs

, , y n ,

a s u n shake n i n his determi atio to reach the summit t w o of n n ,

the bolde s t warri or s n after him w hile the other s stoically ra ,

made their preparatio n s to a w ait a ret u r n w hich they n ever

ex pected to take place They w atched the retreati n g fig u res .

u til lo s t amo n g t h rocks

n e .
 THE G RE AT CA RB U NCLE . 4 63

The adve n t u r ous climbe r pushed o n Soo n he was assaile d .

b y th i ck clo u ds thro u gh which he a n d his compa n io n s e s o

,
r

l tely toiled u p w ard T h i s slo w n d labored progre ss through

a . a

e n ta ngli g m i s t s co n ti n ued u n til wit h i n fou r miles of t he u m

n s

m i t w he n F ield e
,
e rged above the m i n t o a r egio n of i n te n s e
m

cold Surmou n ti n g the i me n s e pile of s ha t t ered r ock s w hi h

.
m c

co n s titute the s pi e he at last stood upo n the u n clouded summit

r , ,

wit h it s vast la d s ca pe ou ts pread be n ea th him a n d t h e air SO

n ,

clear that the sea see m ed n t m ore tha n t we n ty mi les di s ta n t o .

The d a y must have bee n so fr spe n t that F ield had b u t little a

t i m e i n whic h to p rosecute his sea r ch He ho weve fou n d .

,
r,

“
s tore o f Muscovy glass a n d some c rys t als w hich supposi n g
.
”
, ,

the m to be diamo n ds he carefully s ecured a n d b rought a way ,

.

The s e glitteri g masses co ngealed accordi ng to popula r belie f

n , , ,

like ice o n the fro z e n r egio n s of the mou n tai n s gave them the ,

n ame of the C ry s al Hill s t .

De s ce ndi n g the ou n t ai n F ield r ejo i n ed h i s I n dia n s wh o

m , ,

w ere doubtless much asto n i s hed t o see him r e t ur n t o the m s fe a

a n d sou n d ; fo r while he w as maki n g t he asce n t a fu r ious

, ,

tempe s t se n t as these savages believe d to d es t roy the r a s h

, , ,

pale face a n d hi s equally r eckless compa n io n s burs t po n t he

-
,
u

mou ntai n He fou n d them dryi ng t h emselves by a fire of pi n e

.

k not s a nd after a short halt the party t ook thei r wa y dow n

, ,

the mou n tai n t o t he I n dia n village .

Be fo r e a mo n t h elap s ed F ield with five o r s i x compa n i o n s , , ,

m ade a seco n d asce n t ; bu t t he gem of i n estimable value by ,

who s e light o n m ight read at n ight co n ti n ue d to elude pu rsu i t

e , .

The s earch w a s n t ho w ever aba n do n ed Others co n ti n u ed i t

o , ,
. .

The m arvellous s t ory as fir mly believed a s ever by the c e d u

,
r

lou s survived i n all its purity to our o wn ce n t ury t o be

, , , ,

fi n ally tra n s mitt ed t o immortality by H a wt h or n s tale of The e

’ “

G reat Carbu n cle It may be said here t hat grea t i n fl ue n ce w as

”
.

formerly attribu t ed to this s to n e w hich the le r n ed i n alchemy ,

a

believed prevailed agai st the da n ger s of i n fectio n a n d was a n

,

s ure tali s m a n to pre s e r ve its o wn er from pe r il by sea o r by

la n d .
4 64 N W ENG L
E -
AND LEG ENDS .

TH E S I L V ER IM AGE O F S T . F RAN CI S .

N the mo n th of Septem b er , 1 7 5 9 ,
a picked co r ps of A meri
c n r a n ger s attached to the army of Si
a J e tf y A mher s t r re
, ,

set out from Cro wn Poi n t w ithou t beat of drum n a secret , ,

o

expeditio n Maj or Robert Roger s wa s i n comma n d Fr o m the

. .

leade r do w n to the humble s t private i n the ra nks all w ere ,

t horoughly expe rie n ced i n I n dia n w arfare They n o t o n ly .

fought as the I ndia n s had taught them to figh t but th eir dre s s , ,

a rm s n d equipme n ts w e r e exactly copied fom those Wor n or

,
“

a r ,

ca rried by the r ed e n eve n to the tomaha w ks nd scalpi ng

, m ,
a

k n ives s tuck i n their leather belt s .

The desti atio n of this formi d able body of bush fi g h t r s w as

n -
e

t he A b e n q is Village of St Fra n ci s n early th ree hu n d r ed

a u .
,

miles dista nt but that ma d e little differe n ce t o t he s e ha rdy so n s

,

of the fo rest i n ure d as they w ere to every specie s of ha rdship

, , ,

i n the pe rf o r ma n ce of the e s pecially d nge r ou s s e r vices fo r which a

thi s c o r ps had bee n orga n ized .

On the eve n i n g of the t w e n ty seco n d day s m a r ch a hal t was ’

-

or d ered The ra n gers were n ear their de s ti n atio n Tha n ks to

. .

the precautio n s take they had a pproached w i thi n s tr iki n g d is

n,

ta ce of the village quite u n discovered It w a s ca refully

n .

r ec o n n oitered whe dark n ess s et i n A ll w a s quiet Nothi n g

.
n . .

betoke n ed t he s malle s t su s picio n that the ave n ge rs of blood

were at h a n d .

St Fra n cis co n t ai n ed abou t f

. or t y o r fifty w ig wa m s thro w n ,

t ogethe r w ithout order o r mean s of de fe ce I the mids t w as n . n

a Catholic chapel pre s ided ove r by a zealou s mi ss io n ary of that

,

faith The s poil of ma n y a murdero us foray d the r a n som of

.
,
an

ma y miserable captive s gave evi d e ce to the dari n g of t he s e

n ,
n

he the n s ; w hile the scal ps d ryi n g i n the w ig w am s o r mourn

a ,

f u lly w avi n g i the n ight wi d outside told a s till more sicke n

a n ,

i ng s tory of w a n to n d eeds of blood I n s ix years these I ndian s .

 466 NEW -ENGLA ND LEG ENDS .

o n w a r d This u n expec t ed sou n d al ready filled t he m wi t h

.

gloomy fo r ebodi n gs .

Afte r t he st er n n ecessi t ies of their s ituatio n r e n dered a sepa ~

rati o n t he sole hope of s ucce s sful r etreat the pa r ty w hich car ,

ried alo n g w ith it the silver image w a s s o hard p re ss ed by the

I n dia n s n d by a still mo re rele n tless e n emy fami n e that it
,
a , ,

reached the ba n ks of the Co n n ec t icut r educed to four half

starved emaciated e n More tha n o ce had they b ee n n the
,
m . n o

poi n t of fli gi n g thei r ill gotte n bu rde n i n to s ome o n of the

n -
e

to rre t s every hour obs t ruc t i n g their way but as

n after n o ne a

othe r fel l exhausted o r lifeless the u n lucky image pa ss ed from ,

ha n d to ha n d a n d w a s thu s preserved up to the mome n t so

,

eagerly a n d so co n fide ntly looked for du ri n g that lo ng a n d ,

d readful march t o e n d all thei r privat i o n s

,
.

But t he chas t i s eme n t of heave n p fi g u d i n the word s of ,

re re

the expiri n g A b e aqui had already overtake n the mn ,

H al f .

crazed by their s ufferi g s they mi s sed t h place of r e n de z vous

n ,
e

appoi n t ed by their chief n d havi n g n o tidi n g s of thei r com ,

a ,

rades believed themselves t o be t h e s ole su r vivo rs of all t ha t

,

galla n t bu t ill fated ba n d In thi s co n victio n to which a

-
.
,

mou r n ful des t i n y co n ducted t hey took t he fatal determi n atio n ,

t o c o s s t he mou n tai n s u d er t he guida n ce of o n e of their n u

r n m

ber who had o r profe s sed a k n o w ledge of the way t h r ough the
, ,

G rea t No t ch of the I h i t e Hill s

V
.

F or fou r days they dragge d them s elve s o n ward t h rough

thicke t s through deep s n o w s n d sw olle n s t ream s w ithout
, a
,

s uste n a n ce of a n y ki n d w he n three of them i n co n s eque n ce of

, ,

thei r complica t ed miseries aggravated by fi n di n g n w ay t hrough ,

o

t h e i mpe n etrable w all of mou n tai n s lo s t their se s e s Wha t ,

n .

leather covered t heir cartouch boxes they had al ready scorched -

to a ci n de r n d g reedily devoured At le n gth o n the la s t days

a .
,

of Oc t obe r as they w ere crossi n g a s mall river dammed by log s

, , ,

they discovered some huma n bo d ie s n t o n ly s calped but h e ,

o , r

r ibly m a n gled w hich were supposed to be some of t heir o wn

,

h a nd . But thi s was n time for di s ti n ctio n s On them t hey

o .

a ccordi n gly fell like ca n n ibal s t hei r impatie n ce bei n g t oo gr ea t ,

 TH E STOR Y OF NA NCY
’
S B ROO K . 4 67

t o a w a it t he ki n dli n g of a fire to dre ss their ho r rid food by .

Whe n they had th us abated some w hat the excruciati n g pa n g s

they before e n d ured the fragme n t s w ere caref u lly collec t ed for a
,

future s tore .

The p n ref us es to r ecord t h e dreadful extre m ities t o w hic h

e

st a rvatio n reduced the s e misera b le w retche s A t le n gth after .

,

s ome days of fr itles s w a n deri n g up a n d do w n fi n di n g the

u ,

mou n tai n s i n exorably closi n g i n upo n them eve n thi s last dread ,

ful re s ource failed a n d cra w li n g u nder s o m e r ock s they peri s h d

, , ,
e

mi s era bly i n the deli r iu m produ ed by h u n ger a n d d e s pair c ,

blasphemi n g a n d hurli n g horri ble impreca t io n s at the Silver

,

i mage to w hich i n their i n sa n ity they attributed all their

, , ,

s ufferi n g s O n e of them i n his delirium sei z i n g the s tatue

.
, , ,

tottered to the edge of t h e precipice a n d exerti n g all his , ,

r emai ni n g s tre n gth dashed it do wn i n to t he gulf at his feet

, .

Traditio n affirms that the firs t se t tlers w ho asce nd ed I s rael s ’

River fou n d relics of the lo st detachme n t n ear the foot o f th e

m ou n t ai n s ; but n o t wi t h st a n di n g t he mos t d ilige n t sea r ch the
, ,

silve r image has t hus fa r eluded eve ry e ffo rt made fo r its

r ecove r y.

TH E S T O RY O F NAN CY S B R O OK
’
.

N t he hea rt of t he r oman t ic r egio n wa t e r ed by t he Saco

River, w he r e the big mou n tai n s cro w d upo n each o t her i n
such a la w le s s w ay o n e ofte n s ee s some s park li n g mou nt ai n
,

brook comi n g i n leaps a n d bou n ds dow n ou t of the u pper

,

fore s t s like a gleam of ligh t i n a d a rk place Such a o n is . e

Na n cy s B rook s ituated n o t fa r above Sa w yer s Rive r The

,
’
.

s tory co n n ected w ith it is a mos t pi t iful o n e .

I n t h latter part of the la s t ce n tury a m aide n w h ose Ch r i s

e
, ,

t ia n n ame of Na n cy i s all that come s do wn to u s was livi n g i n ,

t he little hamlet of Je f fer s o n Sh e love d a n d w a s be tr o t hed to

.
,

a you n g m n of the farm

a The w ed d i n g day was fixed a n d t he
.
-
,
4 68 NEW -
ENG L A ND LEG ENDS .

you n g couple were n the eve of setti g out for Po rtsmou th

o n
,

where t hei r happi n es s was to be co n summated at t h e altar I n .

the tru s tful n e ss of love the you n g girl co n fi ded the small s m
, u

whic h co n stituted all h marriage portio n to her lover Thi s er -

.

m a n r epaid he r s imple faith w ith the basest treachery Seizi n g .

his opportu n ity he left the hamlet w ithout a word of expla n a

,

tio n or of adieu The de s erted maide n w a s o n e of tho s e n atures

.

whic h ca n n ot quietly sit dow n u n der calamity Urged nb y . o

the i n te n s ity of h feeli ng s h e esolved to pursue her recrea n t

er ,
S r

lover He could n o t re s i st her p rayer s her e n treaties her

.
, ,

tea rs ! Sh w as you n g vigo r ous i n t repid W ith h to decide

e , , . er

a n d t o act were the same t hi n g I II vai n t he family attempted .

t o dissuade her fro m he r purpo s e A t n ightfall s he s et out . .

A hu n d r ed yea r s ago t he r ou t e take n by thi s brave girl was

n t a s t o day a tho r oughfa r e w hich o
o , ,
may follo w w ith hi s ne

eyes s hu t I t wa s o n ly n ob s cure path li t tle travelled by day

. a , ,

al ways deserted by n ight F o r th i rty miles there w as n t a . o

huma n habi t a t io n The forest s w ere filled w ith w ild beast s

. .

The rigo r of the s easo n — i t wa s December — added its wn o

pe ril s But n othi n g could dau n t the heroic s pirit of Na n cy ;

.

she had fou n d m a n m ore cruel tha n all be s ides .

The girl s hope w as t o ve rt ake her lover be fo r e d aw n at the

’
o

place w he r e she fully expected he w ould have camped for the

n igh t Sh e fou n d the camp de s erted a n d the ember s of h i s fire
.
,

exti nguished Spu r red o n by hope or despair s he pu s hed o n

.
,

do w n t h treme n dous defile of the Notch fordi n g the turbule n t

e ,

a n d fro z e n Saco a n d t oili n g through deep s n o ws a n d ove r r ock s

,

a n d falle n trees u n til feeli n g her s tre n gth fail s h su n k ex

, , ,
e

ha n s ted o n t h margi n of the brook which s eems perpetually

e ,

bemoan i n g he r sad fate He re cold a n d rigid as m arble u n der .

, ,

a ca n op y of evergree n which the s n ow te n de rly drooped above

her lifeles s form they fou n d her Sh e wa s w rapped i n h
,
. er

cloak n d i n t he s ame attitu d e of repose as w he n s he fell asleep

,
a

o n her n uptial couch of s n o w crus t ed m e s -

s .

Th story goes that t h

e faithle ss lov er became a hopeles s e

man iac n lear n i g t he fate of his victim d yi n g i n horrible

o n ,
47 0 N W ENG L
E -
A ND LEG ENDS .

C h ocorua re t ur ed t o fi n d hi s boy a corp s e In vai n wa s the

n .

ma er of t h fooli s h boy s deat h de s cri b ed to h i

nn e C h ocor u a ’
m .

believed it had bee ca s ed b y Cam p bel l him s elf n d w it h u ,

a n

I dia n i dictive n e ss vo w ed to be re e nged O n day Cam p

n v n v . e

bell ca e ho e fro hu ti n g o ly to fi d hi s w i fe n d childre n

m m m n n n a

murdered i n cold blood I hi s ab s e n ce they had falle n easy

'

. n

victims to the f ry of C h ocorua u .

It w n w Ca p b el l s tur to s wear ve n gea n ce G atheri g

as o m
’
n .

1
n

some n eigh b or s the purs it bega Chocorua w as tracked to the u n .

mou n tai n i n w hich he had take n refuge h u ted fro m e ,

n on

hidi ng place t o a other u til brough t to b y o n the to p most

-
n , n a

crag w he n s eei g furt h er retreat impos s i b le he f ed hi s p u

, ,
n ,
ac r

s uers w i t h I nd ia n stoici s m A n ot h er s tep w o u ld have hurled .

him to the bottom of a d izzy precipice .

“
Jump ! comma ded the w hite e n
”
n m .

Seei n g n othi ng b u t deat h threate ni ng h i m o n all sides

Chocor a pre pared to obey b t before doi ng s o he lau n ched
u ,
u .

thi s c u rse at hi s torme tor s ! n

“
A curse u po ye w hite n ! May the G reat Spiri t cur s e
n m e

ye w h e n he speak s i n the cloud s nd hi s w ord s are fire ! ,

a

C h ocorua had a s n n d ye killed h i w h e n the s ky w as

o , a m

bright ! Light n i n g bla s t your rop s ! W i n d s n d fi de s troy

'

c a re

yo r d welli g s ! The E i l Spirit b rea the death u po n yo u r

u n v

cattle ! Your graves lie i n the war pat h of the I n dia n ! -

Pa thers ho wl n d w ol e s fatte n over your bo n e s ! Chocor u a

n a v

goes to the G reat Spirit — hi s cur s e stays wit h the w hite

m an

With t hi s parti n g defia n ce the Chieftai n leaped i n t o t he

aby s s be n eath .

A n other ve rs io of the lege n d r u n s to t he eff

n ect that Chocoru a
w a s a s ur ivor of the warlike Pig w ck t w ho had fought a
v a e s ,

battle to the deat h w ith L w ll ba nd of s calpi n g w hite ove e

’
s

r a n ger s i n the year 1 7 25

, d that h avi n g imprude n tly li gered an n
,

n ear t h s po t he w a s tracked n d s lai n i n the ma n n er already

e a

r elated .

It i a fact w ell attested that the white s ettler s of A lban y

s , , ,
47 2 NEW -ENGLA ND L EG ENDS .

in w hic h thi s mou n tai n i s s ituated fo u n d their ca t tle t o be ,

wasted by a s tra n ge disea s e o fwhich they d ied a n d it is also ,

t rue that fo r a lo n g time the disease w a s at tri bu t ed to

, ,

C h ocorua s cu r se ’
.

A LEG EN D OF T IC O N D E R O GA .

FROM PA RKM A N S
’

M O NTCALM A ND W OL F E .

LTH O UG H st ric tly a Ne w Englan d lege nd the tr agi c

no t ,

eve n t to whic h it r e fers took place o n grou nd w a s hed by

Ne w En gla n d waters a nd d re n ched w it h Ne w Engla n d blood .

I n deed so n ea rly do the s hore s of V er m o n t a n d Ne w York

,

a p pr oach each othe r at Tico n deroga that afte r this r e n o w n ed ,

fortress fell i n to the ha n d s of the America n s by Etha n Alle n s ,

’

bold dash the adjace n t Ver m o n t shore wa s i n cluded w ithi n its

,

def e n ce s F or the re s t Tico n deroga was a direct me n ace to

.
,

Ne w Engla n d a n d w a s so regarded,
.

“
Th e a n cie n t castle of I n t e r a we s t a n ds by t he ban ks of the
A we i n the mid st o fthe wild a n d pictu r e s que sce n e r y of the
,

we s ter n Highla nds Late o n e eve n i n g before the middle of

- .
,

the last ce n tury as the lai r d D u nca n Campbell sat alo n e i n the
, , ,

old hall the r e wa s a loud k n ocki n g at the gate a n d ope n i n g i t

, , ,

h e a w a s tra n ge r with tor n clothi n g a n d kilt b esmeared w ith

s ,

blood w ho i n a b reathle ss voice b egged for a sylum He w e n t

,
.

o n t o s ay that he had killed a m a n i n a fray a n d that t h e pur ,

suer s w ere at his heel s Cam pbel l promised to shelter h i m . .

Swea r o n you r di r k s aid t he s tra n ge r a n d Campbell s wore .

He the n led h i m to a secret rece ss i n the depth s of the ca s tl e .

Scarcely w a s he hidde n whe n agai n there w a s a loud k n ocki n g

at t he gate an d t wo armed m e n appeared ‘Your cou s i n
' '

Do n ald has bee n murdered a n d w

, .

e are looki n g for the m u , r

derer Campbell rememberi ng hi s oath profe ss ed to ha e n o

, ,
v

k nowledge of the fugitive ; n d the m e n wen t o n thei r w ay a .

47 4 NEW -
ENG LA ND LEG ENDS .

S uch i s the traditio The i n d is putable facts a r e that

n .

Maj or D u n ca Campbell of I t w h i s arm hattered by a

n n e ra e ,
S

bullet w a s carried to F or t Ed w ard where after amputatio n h

,
‘

, , e

died n d w a s burie d The s to n e that mar k s his grave may s till

a .

b e s ee n w ith this i n s criptio

,
n

Here lie s the body of Du ca n Campbell of In t e r a we E q n

,
s

M jo to the old Highla d Regime n t aged 5 5 years wh died

a r n
, ,
o

the 1 7 t h July 1 7 5 8 f the Wou n d s he received i n the A ttack

, ,
o

of the Ret r e n chme n t of Tico n d eroga o r Ca r illo n o n the 8 t h r ,

July ,

Hi s o n Lieu t e n a n t Alexa n de r Campbell w as seve r ely i njured

s , ,

at the s ame ti e but r eached Scotla n d ali v e a n d d ied i n

m , ,

G lasgo w .
 I ND E ! .

A AM S l 84 i
Go d d n t o n W a m , 1 6 , 20 i ll i
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am e n cu s ou n Co f fi n , o s u a 28 7
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.

i L i 155
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Ag as s z ou s Co e , Eu n c e , 328
t r
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.

e n, o n, Co n a n , Ro g e , 1 6 7
li r li
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.

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e n, ev m o C o o d g e , Co n e u s , 1 5 3
r il
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A h r t J ff y t Cr w P i t 464
. .
,

m e s e re a o n o n Co e y , G e s , 1 9 4 .

h
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n ro s , a y r m u n . Co t t o n , Re v Jo n , 1 3 . .

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r M t i 46 9 l ith l h
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.
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o n, o e, . G o g e s , Ro be t , 1 5 3 ; Fe d n a n d o 3 31 .
47 6 NEW -ENG LAND LEG ENDS .

G o s n o ld , B a o o m e w, rth l r
M o o e s , Jo s e p , 31 6 h
l h r l i th t ri d
.

G o u d , H a nn a , 303 M o s e , E z a be , e f
or 1
w it h c
r t t t t 31 7
.

G e a Elm o f B o s o n , 35 , 6 9 , 1 05 c1a

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rt Th
.
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. .
, .

l k Mo u o n,
.

o na t a n,
H a fwa y Ro c , 233, 234
ll i Pri i ll 3 8 5
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.

H a m p o n, N H , 31 9 s c a

ll i W i ll i 38 5
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k h M u ns ,
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rr A r
.

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th r h il
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7
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O m e n s , 208 , 209
fS v C bl
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rr I l
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ou s e o 17 3 174 e e n a es
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Pe ns , T o m a s H , 1 5 3
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P IC H , Ma s s des c p ri ti on o , f 27 3 P hi l i K i ng , 4 1 4 , 4 5 1
. .

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J Q U E S, R c i h rd 301 a i t c h e r , M a 1 y , 1 37 S e e Dim o nd .
l h 1 58
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,
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.

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A h rl
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r
La c o m , Lu c y , 242, 267
ri h
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vr t vr
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Le e e t , G o e n e i Jo n , 449 , 45 0 h . .

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.

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il
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ri i h l
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459 .
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,
 H I S T O RI C M A NS I O NS A ND
H IG H W A YS A RO U ND B OS TO N
B EING A NEW , V
RE IS ED EDITIO N O F “
O LD
L A NDM A RK S A ND H IS TO RIC F IEL DS O F
M IDDLES E!
”
I
W TH A DD TIO NA L P ICTU RES I
B y S A M U EL A DA M S D RA K E
Auth o r O ld L a n d m a r k s a n d H i st o ri c P e r s o n a g e s o f
o f “

Bost o n , ” “
Ne w Eng l a n d Le g e n ds a n d F o lk Lo r e , e t c -
”
.

Wi t h t we n ty-o n e full p a g e pl a t e s , i n c lu d i ng p i c tu r e s o f -

Wa s hi ng to n s h e a dqu a rte rs ; G e n e r a l Put n a m s h e a d

’ ’

q u a rt e r s ; Lo w e ll s r e s i d e n c e , C am b r id g e
’
t h e O ld M a n s e ,

C o n c o r d ; C h ri s t C h u r c h , C a m b r i d g e ; L o n g fe llo w s W a y
’

i
s de I n n A ls o th ir ty -n i n e o th e r i llu s t r a ti o n s
. a nd m a ps

C r o wn 8 v o .

Th e a u th o r , w ihhi
t s i n e xh au s t ib l e h is t o r i c lo r e a nd h is k e e n a ppr e cia t io n o fe v e ry
it e m a ne cd o p la c e w h
te re lii k h
c , a nd d by ih bl
c e o ng s to th e O ld en t m e s ta e s t e re a er
h ,

v
a n d , a n d , t ra e r s i n g O ld M i d d le s p
,

v d w lli h ill v ll y iv hi
e xs re , s to s at e e ry e ng ,
,

a e r e r. o r
po r t , a n d b r in g s b a c k t h e m e n a n df l i l d vl i yi W / v e e nt s o co o n a an re o u t o na r
,

t m e s .
,

a te z

m a n a n d R efl e c t o r
v h il f ll h p l h v b hi y
.

I t g i e s wi t h m u c d e t a t h e b B h s tor o a t e a ce s a ou t o s ton t at a e e en
m a de bl b
m e m o ra w hy v h h e fp i y w —Sn o te F ort e e nts or a s t e om e s o ro m ne nt m e a n ra n
Ch /
'

cis c o rom o e
Ap i vl h i l fB d i vi i i y ;
.

I i
re c o u s h o u m e t s m u c m ore t an a m e m or a o os ton a n ts c n t
i I k i ig i
.

it is i l fh
a m e m or a ld b k oh t d i
e Of na t on t ta es o ne ac to t e s t rr n t m es a n s s u es o

i b i i b l b y h l iv h
.

A m e r ca s ’
d e g nn ng fg d h s ce n e s m a e m e m o ra e t e e s o re at m e n a n t e m a rc
o fg r e a t e v Th L A l H
e ntsld
,

e os ng e es er a
d g i d h v i h d
. .

Th b k i e d d oo ds o ne d b to re a a n re a a a n, a n t en re a m o e r, a n e e nr c e .

TIre S t P a . u l G lo be .

NEW ENG LA ND L EG ENDS A ND FO LK LO RE !

In P r o s e n d Po e t ry Wit h o n e hu n d r e d e ffe c ti v e c h a r a c t e r
a .

i llu s t r a t i o n s fr o m d e s i g n s b y M e r ill a n d o th e r s , Ne w r .

e d i ti o n Cr o w n 8 o . v .

I t tak s p i or d r t h l g e d s f B o s to
u ,C a b ri d g
n Ly d e , e e en o n, m e ,
nn a n
Nah a t Sa l n M arb l h d C p A
, em I p swi h d N wb ury H a p
, e e a ,
a e nn, c an e , m
t on an d Port s o u th Y ork I sl s f Sh oa ls m d B oo I sl a d Rh o d , , e O an n n , e
I sl d C oan t i ut
, d N tu k tnn e c A ll t h ld s tori sc r p ro d u d
, an an c e . e O e a re e ce
i t ll i g f
n e or nd with p t q u otatio s m Pro s
, d p o try
an a n . e an e a re co m
b i d s o a s to p r s t a o p l t l it r r y p i t ur
ne , e en c m e e e a c e .

All f h ld fv i O b ft M l
e o S l i y f h Sh w
a or W hi
te s a r e e ore u s ! o t ey
’
s o ta r o t e a m u t,
”
t
i H l Gi f ll w l ”
’ ”
t e r sO ld S h Ch h D h
ou t L Pu rc o m e s
’
s o rc e s te r a nt, ong e o
’
s a u
R v Ch T Fi ld
,

R id L H Si ”
N ”
’ ’ ’
e e re s e O k d J k g o u r ne y s a rte r a an am e s e s a nt u c e t
Sk i p d fM i A H hi h D l
, . .

, .

W er e h Q
re a k p ph o s tr e s s nne u tc ns o n , t e u a e r ro e te s s t e u e o n
W hi M ll Pi h E di G il
.
,
t h e h
om m on El t e d h R d C
as ng ton m o tc e r, n co tt an t e e ros s es
Wi d S i pp S i h L d Ti
, ,

C h Ri d C p J h h D
’
o re y t e I z ar k e r re s o n s e a t o n m t or m ot y e xt e r
l D vil d f B l kb h i p fM il
, ,
.
, ,

J o na h M
t an d h L
ou to n d h C
an t e e a e gen o ac ear t e o u rt s o e s
di h h Sk l d h N wp
, ,

S ta n s , i A t e T w
e e ton K y n r m o r. a n t e e ort o er . e s t o ne .

L IT T L E ,
B RO W N , A ND C O M P A NY
P u b li s h e rs 25 4 W A S H ING TO N STREET; B OSTO N
 O L D L A NDM A RK S A ND H IS T O RIC

P ERS O NA G ES O F B O S T O N
A NEW RE IS ED EDITION O F V
O LD LA NDM A RKS O F B OSTON

B y S A M U E L A D A M S D RA K E

Au th o r Of Ne w En gla n d Le g e n ds e t c Ne w e d it i o n
“
, .
,

u n ifo rm wi th H ist i c M a n si o n s a n d H ighwa y s A r o u n d

“
or

Bo s t o n With n i n e ty th re e illust r ati o n s i n t h e t e xt a n d

.
” -

n u m e r o u s full a e pl a t e s C r o wn 8 v o C l th i lt t
p g o
g o
-

p . .
, .

ord ial r p t io g i v t h auth or s i stori M a s io s d

Th e c e ce n en e
’ ‘
1 H c n n an
H i g hways A ro u d B o s to i ssu d i a w d itio l as t y ar j ust i fi s ”
n n, e n ne e n e e

p ub l i tio fa r v i s d l rg d d itio f h i o s t p o p ul ar
,

th e ca d n o e e an e n a e e n O s m
wo k A ri a hi s tory O ld L d arks fB o sto
r on m e c n ,
an m O n.
”

M D rak h a s b r . f s v ral y r s a u ul ati g

e a rials f a
e e n or e e e a cc m n m te or

t h oro u g h r v i s io ft h work B sid s u ro us a l t r t io s i t h

e n O e . e e n m e e a n n e
t t d sig d to k p p a wi t h t h
e x , e ne r h fi pro v eet t h pp ce e m a c O m e m e n , e O or

t it y h as b
u n a v i l d ff t h i t ro d u tio f w d i t r s i g
e e n a e O or e n c n O ne an n e e t n
m a t t r a s f a s p ra t i a b l
e ,
By ar s t h l as t i p ort a t fat ur
c c e . no m e a n e e m n e e
o ft h w d itio i t h
e ne u b r f ful l p g i llus t rat io s t fo u d i
e n s e n m e O -
a e n , no n n
e a r l i r d itio s d whi h i lud a rar p i t ur f B o sto i 8 3 ;
e e n ,
an c nc e e c e O n n 1 0
th ed ari g f t fI s aa H arri s i s a v i g t h O ld S o u t h fro
n e a o th fl s; c n n e m e am e

B o s to Co o as a w p as t ur with t h G r t El ; O ld C o rt
n m m n co e , e
'
e a m nce
H a l l Th A l fB o s to St t St r t i 8 5 t
’
, k e m ac s O n a e ee n 1 2 , e c .

I i pl y am d h s m d y f i
am az ei f i —J N G a t t e e xt e n t an a ccu r a c o ts n o rm a t on. OH .

P A L FREY .

Yo u r “
O ld L a n d m a r k s o f Bos to n is a pe r fe c t s t o r e -h o u s e o f in f
o rm a t io n .

H B NRY W . LO NG FE L LO W .

U nd e r M r D r a ke s t o u ch d e t a i s b e c o m ’
l e i nt e re s t i n g , o ld a n d f
o rg o t t e n s ce n e s a re
p pl l i v i i
.
,

e o e d wi t h t h e p r s o n a g e s o ft h e O d e n t m e e e r y co r ne r b e co m e s h s tor c , a nd t h e
e —B o s t o n
d e ad p a s t l iv e s i
a ga n

A RO U ND TH E H U B

A Bo y s B o o k ’
a bo ut Bo s t o n . Pr o fu s e ly i llu s t ra te d . Sq u a r e
1 6m o .

B e g in n i
ng w it h s o m e a cc o u n t s a nd a ne cd o t e s pro o ft h e I n d ia n s in B o s t o n , h e
ce e ds to s ta te wh o t h e fi r s t l
s e t t e r s i n B o s t o n w e r e ; d e s c r ib e s t h e a n c ie n t a n d m a r ks ; l
a nd g i e s a n v id e a o ft h e g o v
e r n m e n t a s it t h e n e x s t e d , a nd f ro m t h is o in t g e s a r a id i p iv— p
s k e t c h o ft h e m o rta nt i p p vl i i
a r t s u s t a n e d b y B o s t o n i n t h e W a r o ft h e R e o u t o n Ch ic a g o
S a t u r d a y E v e n i ng H e r a ld .

Th
h is t o r y o
e fB osi i h i
to n h hi y fN w E gl sd d i n t e m a n t e s tor o e n an u r ng th s
i
l
e a r y pe r i o d , a n d t e h f ll ud h i k wl d g fi wh i h —
a n yb g d f
au t e nt c no e e o t,
.

c m a e am e ro m t h i s

b o o k , is a n i m p o r t a n t q i i i
ac f v y A i b y d g i l T/ D i l
u s t on or e er m e r ca n o an r . ze a .

L IT T L E, B RO W C O M P A NY N , A ND
P u b li s h e rs 25 4 W A S H ING TO N STREET B OSTO N ,