That part of the country round the thriving town of Utica, in the State of New York, and through which a railroad now runs, was formerly called Whitesborough, and there is now a small town joining Utica so called. The first settler in that part of the country was a Mr. White, after whom the place was named. At the time we speak of, there were numerous Indians living in the neighborhood; with them he had several interviews, and mutual promises of friendship were exchanged. He also smoked the pipe of peace with them, to confirm the contract more solemnly.

Still the Indians were suspicious. “The white men,” said they, “are deceitful, and we must have some proof of his sincerity.”

Accordingly, one evening, during Mr. White’s absence from home, three Indians went to his house. At first, Mrs. White and her children were much alarmed, but on perceiving one of the Indians to be Shen-an-do-ah, whom they knew to be a mild, humane man, their[126] fear was in some degree quieted. On entering the house, they addressed Mrs. White, saying, “We are come to ask you for your little daughter Jane, that we may take her home with us to-night.”

Such a request might well startle the good woman; she knew not what answer to give. To refuse might, she feared, excite their anger; to grant their request might hazard the liberty or even the life of her child.

Lucidly at this moment, whilst the Indians were waiting for a reply, Mr. White, the father of the child, came in. The request was repeated to him, and he had sufficient presence of mind to grant it, instantly and cheerfully.

The mother was overwhelmed with surprise, and felt all the horror that can be conceived; but she was silent, for she knew it would be vain to resist. The little girl was fetched, and delivered to the Indians, who lived about ten or twelve miles off.

Shen-an-do-ah took the child by the hand, and led her away through the woods, having first said to her father, “To-morrow, when the sun is high in the heavens, we will bring her back.”

Mrs. White had often heard that the Indians were treacherous; and she well knew they were cruel; she therefore looked upon her little daughter as lost, and[127] considered that she was given as a kind of sacrifice to save the family.

Mr. White endeav............