The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

THE MERRIMACZ RIVER;
a trap. ilowever, taking the scalps, stretching them on hoops, and
elevating them on poles, they'marched proudly into Boston, and
received their reward in pounds and shillings.
The great success of this party inflamed the passion for adventure
and for gain. Mlany believed, after the result of this expedition became known, that the Indians had lost their courage, their cunning,
and their caution, and supposed that it would be like shooting rabbits,
only more profitable; and reflecting that the bounty was, all things
considered, equal to the profits on an acre of corn, besides exchanging labor for sport and recreation, they flocked to the standard of the
Indian-hunters in considerable numbers. On his second expedition,
Captain Lovewell seems to have met with very different success.
His bravery, and that of his men; proves that he could.stand against
overwhelming odds; but it seems that he must have lacked the
essential elements of success in a contest with such a wary and
cunning adversary,- prudence and caution.
That he forfeited his life, and that of most of his men, does not
qualify his rashness, or want of reasonable prudence. All it proves
is, that, tating his life in his hand, and trusting to what he considered his qualifications, hlie was willing to take the responsibility of
the position. Iie risked all, and lost all. however, he taught the
Iidians a wholesome lesson, for although they were not defeated and
routed, still they received a punishment so severe as to alarm them
for their security anywhere on this side of the St. Francis country.
Other and stronger mnotives to be sure actuated and influenced the
inhabitants in their extewrinating warfare against the savages. Few
of them but had suffered in the interruption of the labors absolutely
necessary for the sustenance of the family, and very many had been
bereft of relatives and friends under the most atrocious circumstances, and. feeling as a man whose sheepfold had been invaded by
ferocious animals, only that the feeling was intensified by the difference between the loss of friends and property, they determined the
beast should be hunted down.
Knowing,, by sad experience, something of the baser characteristics of the savage, it mtty not be improper or untruthful to observe,
that the North American Indian possesses, and often displays, in his
nobler nature, those higher excellences and sublime qualities which
adorn and embellish the human character. Were it possible to re
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