The Lake Gun

by James Fenimore Cooper

"The Lake Gun" by James Fenimore Cooper is a satirical short story published in 1850. Set on Seneca Lake in Central New York, the story follows a traveler investigating mysterious explosions echoing across the water and a floating tree trunk known as the "Wandering Jew." A college-educated Iroquois shares a legend about See-wise, a demagogue who defied the Great Spirit and suffered eternal punishment. Cooper uses this Native American tale to satirize political demagoguery, warning against leaders who abandon tradition and manipulate their followers for personal gain.