. The border wars of New England, commonly called King William's and Queen Anne's wars. ood w^ay off; but thereHardings was not a moment to lose. Hurrying escape. back to the house, Harding told his wife to take their little year-old infant, make haste with itacross the creek, and hide herself at a certain oak-tree,until he should join her. The terrified woman snatchedup the child, and ran off with it, as she was told ; whileHarding, more bold than prudent, remained behind toprotect his property, should his fears prove groundless. Meantime, the thought struck Harding that more 1 In some locali
. The border wars of New England, commonly called King William's and Queen Anne's wars. ood w^ay off; but thereHardings was not a moment to lose. Hurrying escape. back to the house, Harding told his wife to take their little year-old infant, make haste with itacross the creek, and hide herself at a certain oak-tree,until he should join her. The terrified woman snatchedup the child, and ran off with it, as she was told ; whileHarding, more bold than prudent, remained behind toprotect his property, should his fears prove groundless. Meantime, the thought struck Harding that more 1 In some localities in Maine these ancient roads may be traced to this day. 1703] SIX TERRIBLE DAYS 157 Indians might be lurking about his premises. If so hewould inevitably be caught in the toils. It turned out as he thought, for upon going intohis blacksmith shop, and giving a loud whoop, fourstout Indians started up from the ground where theyhad lain concealed, and made a rush for him. Hard-ing now thought only of making his own escape. Hiscornfield offered the only cover at hand, so into it he. SCENE OP HARDING S EXPLOIT. plunged, making rapid strides for the creek. But whilerunning at the top of his speed, w^ho should he see buthis wife lying prostrate among the corn ? Overcomeby terror, the poor woman had sunk down helpless,after going only a few rods from the house. Hardings extraordinar}^ strength was now put tothe test. Taking his wife under one arm, and her babeunder the other, he dashed on again for the creek,plunged in, waded through mud and water, to tlie oppo-site bank, and dived into the woods beyond, while his 158 THE BORDER WARS OP NEW ENGLAND [1703 baffled pursuers stood looking at him from the shore hehad just left. Hardings faithful dog had followed close at hismasters heels. The animal Avas killed for fear that hisbarking would betray the route the fugitives had then plunged deeper into the woods. All thatnight they lay hid. Late on the next day they reachedSto
Size: 1836px × 1361px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublishernewyorkcscribnerss
