north and south sides of the island, is a hill known as Marietta, a corruption of the original name, which was Manitou, or the hill of the Great Spirit. The tradition is, that many ages since,
the aborigines residing in those parts suffered extremely from the want of water. Under their suffering they offered up
That in reply to their prayers to the Great Spirit for relief. supplications, the Great Spirit directed their chieftain should air, and on the spot where it fell they shpuld dig, and would assuredly discover the element they so much desired. They pursued the direction, dug, and found
shoot his arrow in the
water.
There is now a well situated on this rising ground
;
and
the tradition continues to say, that this well is on the very spot
The probabilities are that the indicated by the Good Spirit. hill takes its name from the fact that it was used as the place of general offering to the Great Spirit. Canoe Place, on the south side of the island, near Southampton, derives its name from the fact, that more than two centuries ago a canal was made there by the Indians, for the purpose of pass their canoes from one bay to the other, that is across the
ing
island
from Mecox bay to Peconlc bay. Although the trench in a great measure filled up, yet its remains are still
has been visible,
and partly flowed at high water.
It
was constructed by
Mongotucksee, or Long Knife, who then reigned over the nation a chief of gigantic form, proud and despotic in But although a tyrant of his people, and terrible in war.