第7章
InthiswayPhilipbecameathemeofuniversalapprehension。The
mysteryinwhichhewasenvelopedexaggeratedhisrealterrors。Hewas
anevilthatwalkedindarkness；whosecomingnonecouldforesee，
andagainstwhichnoneknewwhentobeonthealert。Thewholecountry
aboundedwithrumorsandalarms。Philipseemedalmostpossessedof
ubiquity；for，inwhateverpartofthewidely—extendedfrontieran
irruptionfromtheforesttookplace，Philipwassaidtobeits
leader。Manysuperstitiousnotionsalsowerecirculatedconcerning
him。Hewassaidtodealinnecromancy，andtobeattendedbyanold
Indianwitchorprophetess，whomheconsulted，andwhoassistedhimby
hercharmsandincantations。Thisindeedwasfrequentlythecase
withIndianchiefs；eitherthroughtheirowncredulity，ortoactupon
thatoftheirfollowers：andtheinfluenceoftheprophetandthe
dreameroverIndiansuperstitionhasbeenfullyevidencedinrecent
instancesofsavagewarfare。
AtthetimethatPhilipeffectedhisescapefromPocasset，his
fortuneswereinadesperatecondition。Hisforceshadbeenthinnedby
repeatedfights，andhehadlostalmostthewholeofhisresources。In
thistimeofadversityhefoundafaithfulfriendinCanonchet，
chiefSachemofalltheNarragansetts。Hewasthesonandheirof
Miantonimo，thegreatSachem，who，asalreadymentioned，afteran
honorableacquittalofthechargeofconspiracy，hadbeenprivately
puttodeathattheperfidiousinstigationsofthesettlers。"Hewas
theheir，"saystheoldchronicler，"ofallhisfather’sprideand
insolence，aswellasofhismalicetowardstheEnglish；"—he
certainlywastheheirofhisinsultsandinjuries，andthelegitimate
avengerofhismurder。Thoughhehadforbornetotakeanactivepart
inthishopelesswar，yethereceivedPhilipandhisbrokenforces
withopenarms；andgavethemthemostgenerouscountenanceand
support。ThisatoncedrewuponhimthehostilityoftheEnglish；
anditwasdeterminedtostrikeasignalblowthatshouldinvolveboth
theSachemsinonecommonruin。Agreatforcewas，therefore
gatheredtogetherfromMassachusetts，Plymouth，andConnecticut，and
wassentintotheNarragansettcountryinthedepthofwinter，when
theswamps，beingfrozenandleafless，couldbetraversedwith
comparativefacility，andwouldnolongerafforddarkandimpenetrable
fastnessestotheIndians。
Apprehensiveofattack，Canonchethadconveyedthegreaterpartof
hisstores，togetherwiththeold，theinfirm，thewomenand
childrenofhistribe，toastrongfortress；whereheandPhiliphad
likewisedrawnupthefloweroftheirforces。Thisfortress，deemedby
theIndiansimpregnable，wassituateduponarisingmoundorkindof
island，offiveorsixacres，inthemidstofaswamp；itwas
constructedwithadegreeofjudgmentandskillvastlysuperiorto
whatisusuallydisplayedinIndianfortification，andindicativeof
themartialgeniusofthesetwochieftains。
GuidedbyarenegadeIndian，theEnglishpenetrated，through
Decembersnows，tothisstronghold，andcameuponthegarrisonby
surprise。Thefightwasfierceandtumultuous。Theassailantswere
repulsedintheirfirstattack，andseveraloftheirbravest
officerswereshotdownintheactofstormingthefortressswordin
hand。Theassaultwasrenewedwithgreatersuccess。Alodgmentwas
effected。TheIndiansweredrivenfromoneposttoanother。They
disputedtheirgroundinchbyinch，fightingwiththefuryofdespair。
Mostoftheirveteranswerecuttopieces；andafteralongandbloody
battle，PhilipandCanonchet，withahandfulofsurvivingwarriors，
retreatedfromthefort，andtookrefugeinthethicketsofthe
surroundingforest。
Thevictorssetfiretothewigwamsandthefort；thewholewassoon
inablaze；manyoftheoldmen，thewomenandthechildrenperished
intheflames。Thislastoutrageovercameeventhestoicismofthe
savage。Theneighboringwoodsresoundedwiththeyellsofrageand
despair，utteredbythefugitivewarriors，astheybeheldthe
destructionoftheirdwellings，andheardtheagonizingcriesoftheir
wivesandoffspring。"Theburningofthewigwams，"saysacontemporary
writer，"theshrieksandcriesofthewomenandchildren，andthe
yellingofthewarriors，exhibitedamosthorribleandaffecting
scene，sothatitgreatlymovedsomeofthesoldiers。"Thesamewriter
cautiouslyadds，"theywereinmuchdoubtthen，andafterwards
seriouslyinquired，whetherburningtheirenemiesalivecouldbe
consistentwithhumanity，andthebenevolentprinciplesofthe
Gospel。"**MS。oftheRev。W。Ruggles。
ThefateofthebraveandgenerousCanonchetisworthyofparticular
mention：thelastsceneofhislifeisoneofthenoblestinstanceson
recordofIndianmagnanimity。
Brokendowninhispowerandresourcesbythissignaldefeat，yet
faithfultohisally，andtothehaplesscausewhichhehad
espoused，herejectedalloverturesofpeace，offeredoncondition
ofbetrayingPhilipandhisfollowers，anddeclaredthat"hewould
fightitouttothelastman，ratherthanbecomeaservanttothe
English。"Hishomebeingdestroyed；hiscountryharassedandlaid
wastebytheincursionsoftheconquerors；hewasobligedtowander
awaytothebanksoftheConnecticut；whereheformedarallyingpoint
tothewholebodyofwesternIndians，andlaidwasteseveralofthe
Englishsettlements。
Earlyinthespringhedepartedonahazardousexpedition，withonly
thirtychosenmen，topenetratetoSeaconck，inthevicinityof
MountHope，andtoprocureseedcorntoplantforthesustenanceof
histroops。Thislittlebandofadventurershadpassedsafely
throughthePequodcountry，andwereinthecentreofthe
Narragansett，restingatsomewigwamsnearPawtucketRiver，whenan
alarmwasgivenofanapproachingenemy。—Havingbutsevenmenby
himatthetime，Canonchetdespatchedtwoofthemtothetopofa
neighboringhill，tobringintelligenceofthefoe。
Panic—struckbytheappearanceofatroopofEnglishandIndians
rapidlyadvancing，theyfledinbreathlessterrorpasttheir
chieftain，withoutstoppingtoinformhimofthedanger。Canonchet
sentanotherscout，whodidthesame。Hethensenttwomore，oneof
whom，hurryingbackinconfusionandaffright，toldhimthatthewhole
Britisharmywasathand。Canonchetsawtherewasnochoicebut
immediateflight。Heattemptedtoescaperoundthehill，butwas
perceivedandhotlypursuedbythehostileIndiansandafewofthe
fleetestoftheEnglish。Findingtheswiftestpursuercloseuponhis
heels，hethrewoff，firsthisblanket，thenhissilver—lacedcoatand
beltofpeag，bywhichhisenemiesknewhimtobeCanonchet，and
redoubledtheeagernessofpursuit。
Atlength，indashingthroughtheriver，hisfootslippedupona
stone，andhefellsodeepastowethisgun。Thisaccidentso
struckhimwithdespair，that，asheafterwardsconfessed，"his
heartandhisbowelsturnedwithinhim，andhebecamelikearotten
stick，voidofstrength。"
Tosuchadegreewasheunnerved，that，beingseizedbyaPequod
Indianwithinashortdistanceoftheriver，hemadenoresistance，
thoughamanofgreatvigorofbodyandboldnessofheart。Buton
beingmadeprisonerthewholeprideofhisspiritarosewithinhim；
andfromthatmoment，wefind，intheanecdotesgivenbyhis
enemies，nothingbutrepeatedflashesofelevatedandprince—like
heroism。BeingquestionedbyoneoftheEnglishwhofirstcameupwith
him，andwhohadnotattainedhistwenty—secondyear，the
proud—heartedwarrior，lookingwithloftycontemptuponhisyouthful
countenance，replied，"Youareachild—youcannotunderstand
mattersofwar—letyourbrotheroryourchiefcome—himwillI
answer。"
Thoughrepeatedoffersweremadetohimofhislife，onconditionof
submittingwithhisnationtotheEnglish，yetherejectedthemwith
disdain，andrefusedtosendanyproposalsofthekindtothegreat
bodyofhissubjects；saying，thatheknewnoneofthemwould
comply。Beingreproachedwithhisbreachoffaithtowardsthe
whites；hisboastthathewouldnotdeliverupaWampanoagnorthe
paringofaWampanoag’snail；andhisthreatthathewouldburnthe
Englishaliveintheirhouses；hedisdainedtojustifyhimself，
haughtilyansweringthatotherswereasforwardforthewaras
himself，and"hedesiredtohearnomorethereof。"
Sonobleandunshakenaspirit，sotrueafidelitytohiscause
andhisfriend，mighthavetouchedthefeelingsofthegenerousand
thebrave；butCanonchetwasanIndian；abeingtowardswhomwarhad
nocourtesy，humanitynolaw，religionnocompassion—hewascondemned
todie。Thelastwordsofhimthatarerecorded，areworthythe
greatnessofhissoul。Whensentenceofdeathwaspasseduponhim，
heobserved"thathelikeditwell，forheshoulddiebeforehisheart
wassoft，orhehadspokenanythingunworthyofhimself。"Hisenemies
gavehimthedeathofasoldier，forhewasshotatStoningham，by
threeyoungSachemsofhisownrank。
ThedefeatattheNarragansettfortress，andthedeathofCanonchet，
werefatalblowstothefortunesofKingPhilip。Hemadean
ineffectualattempttoraiseaheadofwar，bystirringuptheMohawks
totakearms；butthoughpossessedofthenativetalentsofa
statesman，hisartswerecounteractedbythesuperiorartsofhis
enlightenedenemies，andtheterroroftheirwarlikeskillbeganto
subduetheresolutionoftheneighboringtribes。Theunfortunate
chieftainsawhimselfdailystrippedofpower，andhisranksrapidly
thinningaroundhim。Someweresubornedbythewhites；othersfell
victimstohungerandfatigue，andtothefrequentattacksbywhich
theywereharassed。Hisstoreswereallcaptured；hischosenfriends
weresweptawayfrombeforehiseyes；hisunclewasshotdownbyhis
side；hissisterwascarriedintocaptivity；andinoneofhis
narrowescapeshewascompelledtoleavehisbelovedwifeandonlyson
tothemercyoftheenemy。"Hisruin，"saysthehistorian，"beingthus
graduallycarriedon，hismiserywasnotprevented，butaugmented
thereby；beinghimselfmadeacquaintedwiththesenseandexperimental
feelingofthecaptivityofhischildren，lossoffriends，slaughter
ofhissubjects，bereavementofallfamilyrelations，andbeing
strippedofalloutwardcomforts，beforehisownlifeshouldbe
takenaway。"
Tofillupthemeasureofhismisfortunes，hisownfollowersbegan
toplotagainsthislife，thatbysacrificinghimtheymight
purchasedishonorablesafety。Throughtreacheryanumberofhis
faithfuladherents，thesubjectsofWetamoe，anIndianprincessof
Pocasset，anearkinswomanandconfederateofPhilip，werebetrayed
intothehandsoftheenemy。Wetamoewasamongthematthetime，and
attemptedtomakeherescapebycrossinganeighboringriver：either
exhaustedbyswimming，orstarvedbycoldandhunger，shewasfound
deadandnakednearthewaterside。Butpersecutionceasednotat
thegrave。Evendeath，therefugeofthewretched，wherethewicked
commonlyceasefromtroubling，wasnoprotectiontothisoutcast
female，whosegreatcrimewasaffectionatefidelitytoherkinsmanand
herfriend。Hercorpsewastheobjectofunmanlyanddastardly
vengeance；theheadwasseveredfromthebodyandsetuponapole，and
wasthusexposedatTaunton，totheviewofhercaptivesubjects。They
immediatelyrecognizedthefeaturesoftheirunfortunatequeen，and
weresoaffectedatthisbarbarousspectacle，thatwearetoldthey
brokeforthintothe"mosthorridanddiabolicallamentations。"
HoweverPhiliphadborneupagainstthecomplicatedmiseriesand
misfortunesthatsurroundedhim，thetreacheryofhisfollowersseemed
towringhisheartandreducehimtodespondency。Itissaidthat
"heneverrejoicedafterwards，norhadsuccessinanyofhisdesigns。"
Thespringofhopewasbroken—theardorofenterprisewas
extinguished—helookedaround，andallwasdangeranddarkness；there
wasnoeyetopity，noranyarmthatcouldbringdeliverance。Witha
scantybandoffollowers，whostillremainedtruetohisdesperate
fortunes，theunhappyPhilipwanderedbacktothevicinityofMount
Hope，theancientdwellingofhisfathers。Herehelurkedabout，
likeaspectre，amongthescenesofformerpowerandprosperity，now
bereftofhome，offamilyandfriend。Thereneedsnobetterpictureof
hisdestituteandpiteoussituation，thanthatfurnishedbythehomely
penofthechronicler，whoisunwarilyenlistingthefeelingsofthe
readerinfavorofthehaplesswarriorwhomhereviles。"Philip，"he
says，"likeasavagewildbeast，havingbeenhuntedbytheEnglish
forcesthroughthewoods，aboveahundredmilesbackwardand
forward，atlastwasdriventohisowndenuponMountHope，wherehe
retired，withafewofhisbestfriends，intoaswamp，whichproved
butaprisontokeephimfasttillthemessengersofdeathcameby
divinepermissiontoexecutevengeanceuponhim。"
Eveninthislastrefugeofdesperationanddespair，asullen
grandeurgathersroundhismemory。Wepicturehimtoourselves
seatedamonghiscare—wornfollowers，broodinginsilenceoverhis
blastedfortunes，andacquiringasavagesublimityfromthewildness
anddrearinessofhislurking—place。Defeated，butnotdismayed—
crushedtotheearth，butnothumiliated—heseemedtogrowmore
haughtybeneathdisaster，andtoexperienceafiercesatisfactionin
drainingthelastdregsofbitterness。Littlemindsaretamedand
subduedbymisfortune；butgreatmindsriseaboveit。Theveryideaof
submissionawakenedthefuryofPhilip，andhesmotetodeathoneof
hisfollowers，whoproposedanexpedientofpeace。Thebrotherof
thevictimmadehisescape，andinrevengebetrayedtheretreatofhis
chieftain。AbodyofwhitemenandIndianswereimmediatelydespatched
totheswampwherePhiliplaycrouched，glaringwithfuryanddespair。
Beforehewasawareoftheirapproach，theyhadbeguntosurroundhim。
Inalittlewhilehesawfiveofhistrustiestfollowerslaiddead
athisfeet；allresistancewasvain；herushedforthfromhiscovert，
andmadeaheadlongattempttoescape，butwasshotthroughthe
heartbyarenegadeIndianofhisownnation。
Suchisthescantystoryofthebrave，butunfortunateKing
Philip；persecutedwhileliving，slanderedanddishonoredwhendead。
If，however，weconsidereventheprejudicedanecdotesfurnishedusby
hisenemies，wemayperceiveinthemtracesofamiableandlofty
charactersufficienttoawakensympathyforhisfate，andrespect
forhismemory。Wefindthat，amidstalltheharassingcaresand
ferociouspassionsofconstantwarfare，hewasalivetothesofter
feelingsofconnubialloveandpaternaltenderness，andtothe
generoussentimentoffriendship。Thecaptivityofhis"belovedwife
andonlyson"arementionedwithexultationascausinghimpoignant
misery：thedeathofanynearfriendistriumphantlyrecordedasanew
blowonhissensibilities；butthetreacheryanddesertionofmany
ofhisfollowers，inwhoseaffectionshehadconfided，issaidtohave
desolatedhisheart，andtohavebereavedhimofallfurther
comfort。Hewasapatriotattachedtohisnativesoil—aprincetrue
tohissubjects，andindignantoftheirwrongs—asoldier，daringin
battle，firminadversity，patientoffatigue，ofhunger，ofevery
varietyofbodilysuffering，andreadytoperishinthecausehehad
espoused。Proudofheart，andwithanuntamableloveofnatural
liberty，hepreferredtoenjoyitamongthebeastsoftheforestsor
inthedismalandfamishedrecessesofswampsandmorasses，rather
thanbowhishaughtyspirittosubmission，andlivedependentand
despisedintheeaseandluxuryofthesettlements。Withheroic
qualitiesandboldachievementsthatwouldhavegracedacivilized
warrior，andhaverenderedhimthethemeofthepoetandthe
historian；helivedawandererandafugitiveinhisnativeland，
andwentdown，likealonelybarkfounderingamiddarknessand
tempest—withoutapityingeyetoweephisfall，orafriendlyhandto
recordhisstruggle。
THEEND。
1819—20
THESKETCHBOOK
RIPVANWINKLE
APOSTHUMOUSWRITINGOFDIEDRICHKNICKERBOCKER
byWashingtonIrving
ByWoden，GodofSaxons，
FromwhencecomesWensday，thatisWodensday。
TruthisathingthateverIwillkeep
UntothylkedayinwhichIcreepinto
Mysepulchre—
CARTWRIGHT。
[ThefollowingTalewasfoundamongthepapersofthelate
DiedrichKnickerbocker，anoldgentlemanofNewYork，whowasvery
curiousintheDutchhistoryoftheprovince，andthemannersofthe
descendantsfromitsprimitivesettlers。Hishistoricalresearches，
however，didnotliesomuchamongbooksasamongmen；forthe
formerarelamentablyscantyonhisfavoritetopics；whereashe
foundtheoldburghers，andstillmoretheirwives，richinthat
legendarylore，soinvaluabletotruehistory。Whenever，therefore，he
happeneduponagenuineDutchfamily，snuglyshutupinitslow—roofed
farmhouse，underaspreadingsycamore，helookeduponitasalittle
claspedvolumeofblack—letter，andstudieditwiththezealofa
book—worm。
Theresultofalltheseresearcheswasahistoryoftheprovince
duringthereignoftheDutchgovernors，whichhepublishedsomeyears
since。Therehavebeenvariousopinionsastotheliterarycharacter
ofhiswork，and，totellthetruth，itisnotawhitbetterthanit
shouldbe。Itschiefmeritisitsscrupulousaccuracy，whichindeed
wasalittlequestionedonitsfirstappearance，buthassincebeen
completelyestablished；anditisnowadmittedintoallhistorical
collections，asabookofunquestionableauthority。
Theoldgentlemandiedshortlyafterthepublicationofhiswork，
andnowthatheisdeadandgone，itcannotdomuchharmtohismemory
tosaythathistimemighthavebeenmuchbetteremployedinweightier
labors。He，however，wasapttoridehishobbyhisownway；andthough
itdidnowandthenkickupthedustalittleintheeyesofhis
neighbors，andgrievethespiritofsomefriends，forwhomhefeltthe
truestdeferenceandaffection；yethiserrorsandfolliesare
remembered"moreinsorrowthaninanger，"anditbeginstobe
suspected，thatheneverintendedtoinjureoroffend。Buthoweverhis
memorymaybeappreciatedbycritics，itisstillhelddearbymany
folk，whosegoodopinioniswellworthhaving；particularlybycertain
biscuit—bakers，whohavegonesofarastoimprinthislikenesson
theirnew—yearcakes；andhavethusgivenhimachancefor
immortality，almostequaltothebeingstampedonaWaterlooMedal，or
aQueenAnne’sFarthing。]
WHOEVERhasmadeavoyageuptheHudsonmustrememberthe
Kaatskillmountains。Theyareadismemberedbranchofthegreat
Appalachianfamily，andareseenawaytothewestoftheriver，
swellinguptoanobleheight，andlordingitoverthesurrounding
country。Everychangeofseason，everychangeofweather，indeed，
everyhouroftheday，producessomechangeinthemagicalhuesand
shapesofthesemountains，andtheyareregardedbyallthegood
wives，farandnear，asperfectbarometers。Whentheweatherisfair
andsettled，theyareclothedinblueandpurple，andprinttheirbold
outlinesonthecleareveningsky；but，sometimes，whentherestof
thelandscapeiscloudless，theywillgatherahoodofgrayvapors
abouttheirsummits，which，inthelastraysofthesettingsun，
willglowandlightuplikeacrownofglory。
Atthefootofthesefairmountains，thevoyagermayhavedescried
thelightsmokecurlingupfromavillage，whoseshingle—roofsgleam
amongthetrees，justwherethebluetintsoftheuplandmeltaway
intothefreshgreenofthenearerlandscape。Itisalittle
village，ofgreatantiquity，havingbeenfoundedbysomeofthe
Dutchcolonists，intheearlytimesoftheprovince，justaboutthe
beginningofthegovernmentofthegoodPeterStuyvesant，（mayherest
inpeace！）andthereweresomeofthehousesoftheoriginal
settlersstandingwithinafewyears，builtofsmallyellowbricks
broughtfromHolland，havinglatticedwindowsandgablefronts，
surmountedwithweather—cocks。
Inthatsamevillage，andinoneoftheseveryhouses（which，to
telltheprecisetruth，wassadlytime—wornandweather—beaten），there
livedmanyyearssince，whilethecountrywasyetaprovinceof
GreatBritain，asimplegood—naturedfellow，ofthenameofRipVan
Winkle。HewasadescendantoftheVanWinkleswhofiguredso
gallantlyinthechivalrousdaysofPeterStuyvesant，and
accompaniedhimtothesiegeofFortChristina。Heinherited，however，
butlittleofthemartialcharacterofhisancestors。Ihave
observedthathewasasimplegood—naturedman；hewas，moreover，a
kindneighbor，andanobedienthen—peckedhusband。Indeed，tothe
lattercircumstancemightbeowingthatmeeknessofspiritwhich
gainedhimsuchuniversalpopularity；forthosemenaremostapttobe
obsequiousandconciliatingabroad，whoareunderthedisciplineof
shrewsathome。Theirtempers，doubtless，arerenderedpliantand
malleableinthefieryfurnaceofdomestictribulation；anda
curtainlectureisworthallthesermonsintheworldforteachingthe
virtuesofpatienceandlong—suffering。Atermagantwifemay，
therefore，insomerespects，beconsideredatolerableblessing；and
ifso，RipVanWinklewasthriceblessed。
Certainitis，thathewasagreatfavoriteamongallthegoodwives
ofthevillage，who，asusual，withtheamiablesex，tookhispart
inallfamilysquabbles；andneverfailed，whenevertheytalked
thosemattersoverintheireveninggossipings，tolayalltheblame
onDameVanWinkle。Thechildrenofthevillage，too，wouldshoutwith
joywheneverheapproached。Heassistedattheirsports，madetheir
playthings，taughtthemtoflykitesandshootmarbles，andtold
themlongstoriesofghosts，witches，andIndians。Wheneverhewent
dodgingaboutthevillage，hewassurroundedbyatroopofthem，
hangingonhisskirts，clamberingonhisback，andplayinga
thousandtricksonhimwithimpunity；andnotadogwouldbarkat
himthroughouttheneighborhood。
ThegreaterrorinRip’scompositionwasaninsuperableaversion
toallkindsofprofitablelabor。Itcouldnotbefromthewantof
assiduityorperseverance；forhewouldsitonawetrock，witha
rodaslongandheavyasaTartar’slance，andfishalldaywithout
amurmur，eventhoughheshouldnotbeencouragedbyasingle
nibble。Hewouldcarryafowling—pieceonhisshoulderforhours
together，trudgingthroughwoodsandswamps，anduphillanddown
dale，toshootafewsquirrelsorwildpigeons。Hewouldnever
refusetoassistaneighborevenintheroughesttoil，andwasa
foremostmanatallcountryfrolicsforhuskingIndiancorn，or
buildingstone—fences；thewomenofthevillage，too，usedtoemploy
himtoruntheirerrands，andtodosuchlittleoddjobsastheirless
obliginghusbandswouldnotdoforthem。InawordRipwasreadyto
attendtoanybody’sbusinessbuthisown；butastodoingfamilyduty，
andkeepinghisfarminorder，hefounditimpossible。
Infact，hedeclareditwasofnousetoworkonhisfarm；itwas
themostpestilentlittlepieceofgroundinthewholecountry；
everythingaboutitwentwrong，andwouldgowrong，inspiteof
him。Hisfenceswerecontinuallyfallingtopieces；hiscowwould
eithergoastray，orgetamongthecabbages；weedsweresuretogrow
quickerinhisfieldsthananywhereelse；therainalwaysmadeapoint
ofsettinginjustashehadsomeout—doorworktodo；sothat
thoughhispatrimonialestatehaddwindledawayunderhis
management，acrebyacre，untiltherewaslittlemoreleftthanamere
patchofIndiancornandpotatoes，yetitwastheworstconditioned
farmintheneighborhood。