speck] 



A MOHEGAN-PEQUOT DIARY 279 



So one night when an Indian named Chickens stopped there with 

 his family, the man who owned the phxce, hearing the noise they 

 made in the barn, called out and asked who was there. Old Chickens 

 didn't hear him, so before long the man came out and opened the 

 door a little. "Who is that? What's going on in there? " he 

 shouted. "Oh nothing! nothing! It's only the Chickens!" said 

 Old Chickens in reply. 



The Mohawks Deceived at the Devil's Den 



NIAN'TIC LEGEND 



There was a village of Niantic Indians near Long Island Sound on 

 the Niantic River. They gave a tribute each year to the Mohawks, 

 who bothered them from the north. On one occasion the Mohawks 

 when they appeared found tlic Niantics ready for them. On the 

 west bank of the river they had taken possession of a cave located 

 on a southerly spur of the ridge. The cave is now known as the 

 Devil's Den, near the town of Niantic. The narrow fissures in the 

 rocks barred efTcctually the ingress of any large body of men, pro- 

 vided there were a few to oppose them. Consequently the Mohawks 

 had to content themselves with a siege, in the hope of starving out 

 the imprisoned Niantics. But soon from the chambers within a 

 noise of pounding was borne to the ears of the besiegers. What 

 could it be unless the wily Niantics in their flight to the cave had had 

 the forethought to bring their mortars and corn with them, and were 

 now pounding their "yokeg." It was even so. Jeer after jeer was 

 bestowed upon the besiegers by those within, and not being strong 

 enough to force an entrance and destroy them, the Mohawks withdrew 

 carrying their ravages to some other region. 



The Sachem's Daughter Taken by the Mohawks 



U.VCACHOGDE (I'OOSEPATUCK) LEGEND 



A Poosepatuck village was situated on the Suganeck River near 

 the Great South Bay on Long Island. As was their custom, the 

 Mohawks appeared one day before the town to gather tribute. 

 The Poosepatucks decided to offer resistance, and made the enemy 

 aware of it. So it was settled that they should engage in a battle. 

 Should the Mohawks wan they were to have the handsomest girl in 

 the village as prize. Otherwise the Poosepatucks were to remain 

 unmolested. The battle that ensued consumed a day. The Poose- 

 patucks lost, and the sachem Tobagus's daughter, as the handsomest 

 girl there, was carried away by the victoi's. 



