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Welcome to “Scary Tales of the Shatagee Woods,” brought to you by Brazen Serpent Wendigo Whisky, the powerful elixir that allows you to travel beyond the bounds of time and space!

In this episode, we take you back to the year 1876, in the small town of Merrill, Chateaugay Lake, in the Adirondack Mountains.

Here, two locals, Dick Shutts and Eben McPherson, are in a conversation about Dick buying the Indian Point House from its owner, Eben. As they talk, they overhear and discuss rumors they’ve heard from hotel guests and other locals about the powers of the Wendigo.

With first-hand experiences from expert woodsman and tracker, young Charlie Merrill, a.k.a. ‘The Young Guide’, and the old tales from his father, Merrill House innkeeper Darius Merrill, they soon realize the true horrors of the ancient creatures.

SOUND EFFECT: (eerie forest sounds)

DICK SHUTTS: (gruffly) So, Eben, how much do you want for this dump?

EBEN McPHERSON: (sighs) It’s not for sale, Dick. This place has been in my family for generations.

DICK: (sarcastically) Yeah, I can tell. The place is falling apart.

EB: (defensively) I don’t know about selling the Indian Point House, Dick. There are strange things happening in these woods. My guests have been telling me about the Wendigo, a creature that haunts these parts.

DICK: (in a hushed voice) Hey, Eben, you’ve heard the rumors about the Wendigo?

SOUND EFFECT: (Sounds of footsteps and creaking floorboards)

EB: (curious) What rumors, Dick?

DICK: (whispering) All of the hotel guests here at the Great Pond have been talking about strange noises in the woods, and some even claim to have seen the creatures themselves.

EB: (skeptical) You don’t believe in those old tales, do you?

DICK: (laughs) Nonsense! I’ve never heard of any such creature. You’re just trying to scare me out of a good deal.

EB: Believe what you want, Dick, but I’ve heard too many stories from too many people to ignore them.

DICK: (uneasy) I’ve seen strange things in these woods, Eben. I wouldn’t dismiss the stories so easily.

As they speak, a young guide, expert woodsman, hunter, and tracker named Charlie Merrill, joins them. He’s heard their conversation and decides to add his own experiences with the Wendigo to the mix.

SOUND EFFECT: (eerie forest sounds, a twig snaps)

CHARLES MERRILL, THE YOUNG GUIDE: (interrupts) You’re d—n right about that, Dick. There are things in these woods that even you and these guests know nothing about.

DICK: (startled and intrigued) Jeezum Criminy Crickets, Charles E. Merrill, I didn’t see you there! What do you mean, friend?

CHARLES: (whispering) The Wendigo. They’ve been here since before the first settlers arrived. They’re ancient creatures, born from the depths of the forest.

EB: (chuckles nervously) Oh, come on now, Charlie. You don’t really believe in those old stories, do you?

CHARLES: (firmly) I know what I’ve seen, Eben. They’re very real, and they’re dangerous.

SOUND EFFECT: (eerie forest sounds, wind blowing)

CHARLES: (approaching even closer, speaking softer but firmly and intensely as his gaze locked firmly with their questioning eyes) What stories were you two just discussing…?

(nodding knowingly) You were talking about the Wendigo, weren’t you?

EB: (retreating and confused) How did you know?

CHARLES: (serious) Gentlemen, I can assure you that the stories are true. I’ve seen the Wendigo myself. They’re ancient creatures with powers beyond our understanding.

DICK: (skeptical) Oh really? And how do you know this, Charles?

CHARLES: I’ve traveled with them to the astral plane, felt their icy breath on my neck catching trout up at the Rocky Brook. I’ve seen their horrors firsthand.

EB: (shocked) Charlie, you must be joking!

CHARLES: (serious) I assure you, I’m not. And if you don’t believe me, just ask my father. He’s an expert woodsman and trapper who’s come across the Wendigo himself.

At that moment, the local innkeeper, Darius Merrill, Charlie’s father, joins the group. He’s heard their conversation and decides to share his own knowledge of the ancient creatures.

DARIUS MERRILL: (entering) What’s all this talk about the Wendigo?

UNCLE DICK: (nervous) We were just discussing the rumors we’ve been hearing from the guests.

DARIUS: (knowing) Ah, the old tales. I’ve heard them all before.

CHARLES: (passionate) But they’re not just tales, father. I’ve seen the Wendigo myself.

DARIUS: (grave) I remember when I came across them years ago in the backwoods of Little Trout River, Figure Eight Pond, and Mud Creek. It was when I was helping Fred Shutts with his traplines.

EB: (shaken) I don’t know what to believe anymore…

DARIUS MERRILL: (interrupts) He’s right, Eben. The Wendigo are not to be trifled with. I’ve heard stories from the old trappers, how they would lure their prey with their haunting whispers, and then feast on their flesh. They’re a force of nature, and they won’t be tamed.

SOUND EFFECTS: (Sounds of wind howling and leaves rustling)

DARIUS: (grave tone) The Wendigo are not to be taken lightly. They are powerful beings with the ability to possess and consume the souls of those they encounter. I’ve heard all the old tales about them.

DICK: (defiant) I still don’t believe any of this. I think you’re all just trying to scare me.

As they continue to argue, the wind picks up, and the trees begin to rustle. Suddenly, a low growl can be heard in the distance.

TUROK: (growling) I smell fear.

SKYE: (growling) And flesh.

The group freezes in terror as two Wendigo emerge from the woods, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.

CHARLIE: (terrified) Oh no. It’s too late. We’ve angered them.

DARIUS: (firm) Everyone, stay calm. We must not show fear.

The Wendigo slowly advance towards the group, their long, bony fingers reaching out to touch them.

DICK: (screaming) Help! Somebody, help me!

The sound of a struggle can be heard, followed by the sickening crunch of bones breaking.

EB: (whimpering) Oh God, no!

DARIUS: (voice trembling) That was no ordinary animal.

SOUND EFFECT: (eerie forest sounds, howling wind)

TUROK: (in a growling voice) You speak of us as if we’re just mere tales.

SKYE: (in an eerie voice) We are ancient creatures, far beyond your understanding.

The group looked up to see two towering figures looming over them. The Wendigo had come to claim their territory.

SOUND EFFECT: (eerie forest sounds, growling Wendigo)

CHARLES: (defiant) We won’t let you harm our town, Wendigo.

DARIUS: (confident) We know how to defend ourselves against your kind.

SKYE: (in a menacing voice) You cannot stop us. We are beyond your understanding.

TUROK: (in an eerie voice) We are the lords of the forest, and you are mere mortals.

The Wendigo closed in on the group, their red eyes glowing with a fierce hunger.

SOUND EFFECT: (eerie forest sounds, growling Wendigo, screams)

The group fought bravely against the Wendigo, but in the end, they were no match for the ancient creatures. The Wendigo had claimed their territory once again, reminding the locals of the vast and terrifying powers that lay hidden in the Shatagee Woods.

And that concludes this episode of “Scary Tales of the Shatagee Woods,” brought to you by our sponsor, Brazen Serpent Wendigo Whiskey. This traditional Adirondack elixir has been a favorite among the old settler families for generations, allowing them to travel beyond the bounds of time and space as they cleared fields, exterminated varmints, and braved the wilderness. You too can experience the power of the Wendigo with Brazen Serpent Wendigo Whiskey, available at Ralph’s, the Merrill House, and the Bellows Lake House. Tune in next week for another spine-tingling tale from the Adirondack Mountains.