the boy captives(被俘的男孩)-第1节
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
The Boy Captives
An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
by John Greenleaf Whittier
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
THE township of Haverhill； even as late as the close of the
seventeenth century； was a frontier settlement； occupying an advanced
position in the great wilderness； which； unbroken by the clearing of a
white man； extended from the Merrimac River to the French villages on
the St。 Francois。 A tract of twelve miles on the river and three or four
northwardly was occupied by scattered settlers； while in the centre of the
town a compact village had grown up。 In the immediate vicinity there
were but few Indians； and these generally peaceful and inoffensive。 On
the breaking out of the Narragansett War；（1） the inhabitants had erected
fortifications； and taken other measures for defence； but； with the possible
exception of one man who was found slain in the woods in 1676； none of
the inhabitants were molested； and it was not until about the year 1689
that the safety of the settlement was seriously threatened。 Three persons
were killed in that year。 In 1690 six garrisons were established in
different parts of the town； with a small company of soldiers attached to
each。 Two of these houses are still standing。 They were built of brick；
two stories high； with a single outside door； so small and narrow that but
one person could enter at a time； the windows few； and only about two and
a half feet long by eighteen inches wide； with thick diamond glass secured
with lead； and crossed inside with bars of iron。 The basement had but
two rooms； and the chamber was entered by a ladder instead of stairs； so
that the inmates； if driven thither； could cut off communication with the
rooms below。 Many private houses were strengthened and fortified。
We remember one familiar to our boyhood；a venerable old building of
wood； with brick between the weather…boards and ceiling； with a massive
balustrade over the door； constructed of oak timber and plank； with holes
through the latter for firing upon assailants。 The door opened upon a
stone… paved hall； or entry； leading into the huge single room of the
basement； which was lighted by two small windows； the ceiling black with
the smoke of a century and a half； a huge fireplace； calculated for eight…
feet wood； occupying one entire side； while； overhead； suspended from the
timbers； or on shelves fastened to them； were household stores； farming
utensils； fishing…rods； guns； bunches of herbs gathered perhaps a century
ago； strings of dried apples and pumpkins； links of mottled sausages；
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
spare…ribs； and flitches of bacon； the fire…light of an evening dimly
revealing the checked woollen coverlet of the bed in one far…off corner；
while in another
〃The pewter plates on the dresser Caught and reflected the flame as
shields of armies the sunshine。〃
（1） The 〃Narragansett War〃 was a name applied to that part of King
Philip's War which resulted from the defection of the powerful
tribe of Narragansetts； formerly allies of the English； to the
standard of the Indian chief。
（2） Longfellow's *Evangeline；* lines 205； 206。
Tradition has preserved many incidents of life in the garrisons。 In
times of unusual peril the settlers generally resorted at night to the fortified
houses； taking thither their flocks and herds and such household valuables
as were most likely to strike the fancy or minister to the comfort or vanity
of the heathen marauders。 False alarms were frequent。 The smoke of a
distant fire； the bark of a dog in the deep woods； a stump or bush； taking in
the uncertain light of stars and moon the appearance of a man； were
sufficient to spread alarm through the entire settlement and to cause the
armed men of the garrison to pass whole nights in sleepless watching。 It
is said that at Haselton's garrison…house the sentinel on duty saw； as he
thought； an Indian inside of the paling which surrounded the building； and
apparently seeking to gain an entrance。 He promptly raised his musket
and fired at the intruder； alarming thereby the entire garrison。 The
women and children left their beds； and the men seized their guns and
commenced firing on the suspicious object； but it seemed to bear a
charmed life； and remained unharmed。 As the morning dawned； however；
the mystery was solved by the discovery of a black quilted petticoat
hanging on the clothes…line completely riddled with balls。
As a matter of course； under circumstances of perpetual alarm and
frequent peril； the duty of cultivating their fields； and gathering their
harvests； and working at their mechanical avocations； was dangerous and
difficult to the settlers。 One instance will serve as an illustration。 At the
garrison…house of Thomas Dustin； the husband of the far…famed Mary
Dustin （who； while a captive of the Indians； and maddened by the murder
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
of her infant child； killed and scalped； wit the assistance of a young boy；
the entire band of her captors； ten in number）； the business of brick…
making was carried on。 The pits where the clay was found were only a
few rods from the house； yet no man ventured to bring the clay to the yard
within the inclosure； without the attendance of a file of soldiers。 An
anecdote relating to this garrison has been handed down to the present
time。 Among its inmates were two young cousins； Joseph and Mary
Whittaker； the latter a merry； handsome girl； relieving the tedium of
garrison…duty with her light…hearted mirthfulness and
〃Making a sunshine in that shady place。〃
（1） 〃Her angel's face As the great eye of heaven shyned bright And
made a sunshine in the shadie place； Did never mortal eye behold such
heavenly grace。〃
Spenser： *The Faerie Queene；* bk。 I。 canto iii。 st。 4。
Joseph； in the intervals of his labors in the double capacity of brick…
maker and man…at…arms； was assiduous in his attentions to his fair cousin；
who was not inclined to encourage him。 Growing desperate； he
threatened one evening to throw himself into the garrison well。 His
threat only called forth the laughter of his mistress； and； bidding her
farewell； he proceeded to put it in execution。 On reaching the well he
stumbled over a log； whereupon； animated by a happy idea； he dropped
the wood into the water instead of himself； and； hiding behind the curb；
awaited the result。 Mary； who had been listening at the door； and who
had not believed her lover capable of so rash an act； heard the sudden
plunge of the wooden Joseph。 She ran to the well； and； leaning over the
curb and peering down the dark opening； cried out； in tones of anguish and
remorse； 〃O Joseph； if you're in the land of the living； I 'll have you！〃 〃I
'll take ye at your word；〃 answered Joseph； springing up from his hiding…
place and avenging himself for her coyness and coldness by a hearty
embrace。
Our own paternal ancestor； owing to religious scruples in the matter of
taking arms even for defence of life and property； refused to leave his
undefended house and enter the garrison。 The Indians frequently came to
his house； and the family more
