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.

ITS SOURCE AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
Around these falls the Agawams often congregated, and ranged
alo ng th e Merrimack to the sea. Fishing the numerous small
streams, which, rising in New Hampshire, sweep down through
Hiaverhill, Amesbury, Salisbury, ancd Seabrook, crowded with alewives; then again, exploring the bays, inlets, and small rivers,
around the eastern shore, from Newburyport to Nahant; swarming
across the gentle hills and wooded plains, and swampy lowlands of
Essex, they lighted their camp-fires around interior ponds, well
stocked w ith pickerel. Here, with pomp, parade, and bright prospects, went to reside the Princess of the House of Pennacook.
Winnepurket, often called George, Sachem of Saug,us, sued for, and
received the hand of the daughter of Passaconnaway in marriage,
and soon after, on a nice point of barbarian punctilio, a fierce embrog,lio, involving the estrangement of the young couple, arose between father-in-law and son-in-law, which, only for the timely advent of the pale-faces, mighit have resulted in a rebellion, large
bounties, and an interminable firebrand or sapling dance. "The
poet of the Merrimack" has chronicled this emacute in immortal
verse,,* Winnepurket being characterized as "dog of the marshes,"
among other maledictions lheaped upon his devoted head by his incensed and implacable father-in-law. Winnepurket married again,t
and a t the close of Philip's war, he, together with several cargoes
of Indians,'Was sent to Barbadoes, and sold into slavery,- a trans
" I bore her, as became a chieftain's daughter,
Up to her home beside the flowing water.
"If now, no more for her a mat is found,
Of all which line her father's wigwam round,
Let Pennacook call out his warrior train,
And send her back with wampum gifts again.
"' Dog of the marsh!' cried Pennacook,' no more
Shall child of mine sit on his wigwam floor.
Go! let him seek some meaner squaw to spread
The stolen bear-skin of his beggar's bed.
"' Son of a fish hawk! let him dig his clams
For some vile daughter of the Agawams,
Or coward Nipmucks! Mlay his scalp dry black
In Mohawk smoke, before I send her back.'"
t This second wife bore the no doubt euphonious, but unpronounceable, name of Ahawayetsquaine.
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