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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 than once in the night heard them
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
whispering under the windows； and saw them put their copper faces to the
glass to take a view of the apartments。 Strange as it may seem； they
never offered any injury or insult to the inmates。
In 1695 the township was many times molested by Indians； and
several persons were killed and wounded。 Early in the fall a small party
made their appearance in the northerly part of the town； where； finding
two boys at work in an open field； they managed to surprise and capture
them； and； without committing further violence； retreated through the
woods to their homes on the shore of Lake Winnipiseogee。 Isaac Bradley；
aged fifteen； was a small but active and vigorous boy； his companion in
captivity； Joseph Whittaker； was only eleven； yet quite as large in size； and
heavier in his movements。 After a hard and painful journey they arrived
at the lake； and were placed in an Indian family； consisting of a man and
squaw and two or three children。 Here they soon acquired a sufficient
knowledge of the Indian tongue to enable them to learn from the
conversation carried on in their presence that it was designed to take them
to Canada in the spring。 This discovery was a painful one。 Canada； the
land of Papist priests and bloody Indians； was the especial terror of the
New England settlers； and the anathema maranatha（1） of Puritan pulpits。
Thither the Indians usually hurried their captives； where they compelled
them to work in their villages or sold them to the French planters。
Escape from thence through a deep wilderness； and across lakes； and
mountains； and almost impassable rivers； without food or guide； is
regarded as an impossibility。 The poor boys； terrified by the prospect of
being carried still farther from their home and friends； began to dream of
escaping from their masters before they started for Canada。 It was now
winter； it would have been little short of madness to have chosen for flight
that season of bitter cold and deep snows。 Owing to exposure and want
of proper food and clothing； Isaac； the eldest of the boys； was seized with
a violent fever； from which he slowly recovered in the course of the winter。
His Indian mistress was as kind to him as her circumstances permitted；
procuring medicinal herbs and roots for her patient； and tenderly watching
over him in the long winter nights。 Spring came at length； the snows
melted； and the ice was broken up on the lake。 The Indians began to
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The Boy Captives An Incident of the Indian War of 1695
make preparations for journeying to Canada； and Isaac； who had during
his sickness devised a plan of escape； saw that the time of putting it in
execution had come。 On the evening before he was to make the attempt
he for the first time informed his younger companion of his design； and
told him； if he intended to accompany him； he must be awake at the time
appointed。 The boys lay down as usual in the wigwam in the midst of the
family。 Joseph soon fell asleep； but Isaac； fully sensible of the danger
and difficulty of the enterprise before him； lay awake； watchful for his
opportunity。 About midnight he rose； cautiously stepping over the
sleeping forms of the family； and securing； as he went； his Indian master's
flint； steel； and tinder； and a small quantity of dry moose…meat and corn…
bread。 He then carefully awakened his companion； who； starting up；
forgetful of the cause of his disturbance； asked aloud； 〃What do you
want？〃 The savages began to stir； and Isaac； trembling with fear of
detection； lay down again and pretended to be asleep。 After waiting a
while he again rose； satisfied； from the heavy breathing of the Indians； that
they were all sleeping； and fearing to awaken Joseph a second time； lest he
should again hazard all by his thoughtlessness； he crept softly out of the
wigwam。 He had proceeded but a few rods when he heard footsteps
behind him； and； supposing himself pursued； he hurried into the woods；
casting a glance backward。 Wh