OCR Text |
Show AN INDIAN CURSE. Among the curious superstitions that still obtain in Maine is one held by some of the older Inhabitants of York county that three persons will be drowned In the Saco river every year until Hobowocko, the Indian Satan, Is overcome by the good spirit of the stream. It is pointed out, in support of this belief, that In almost every year since any one can remember there have been three drownings In the Saco rather a large number, considering the small population along the river's banks. Exact statistics would probably show a varying number of drownings on the Saco. but the old timers say the fatal rule of three has always prevailed. The legend runs that In the year 1872 the river and all the white people were cursed by Sakokls. wife of Squando, who was the sagamore of the Sacos, then the most powerful of Eaatern tribes except the Tar-ratines. It was a common belief at that time that all Indians were born swimmers," and did not need to learn the art. To test the truth of this, some sailors of an English Eng-lish vessel at anchor near the mouth of the Saco upset the canoe in which Sakokls and her papoose were crossing. cross-ing. The papoose would have drowned but for the prompt action of its mother, and, as it was, suffered so much from shock that it died a few days afterward. after-ward. Frantic at the death of his child. Squando, who up to that time had been friendly to the whites, sent word to King Philip of the Narragansetts that thereafter he. Philip, might rely upon him for help in exterminating the English. Sakokls. for her part, got the medicine man of the Saoos to invoke the curse of Hobowocko, the evil spirit, upon the river and all white people, the terms of the curse calling for. the death by drowning In the stream of at least three white persons every year. Bangor (Maine) Cor. New York Sun. |