Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-31

ioWeu ner full radiance I'll the earth.
covered that five deer had 10 drink at th. riyuet
and that the noise of them striking their fore fee
against ITS banks had aroused They stood gazing
at me with aspect meek and beautiful that they
almost seemed to incorporate with the moonlight, but
after little time, they started away and disappeared
among the mazeS of the forest.
When surveyed the heavens, perceived by the al
teraon which had taken place their Appearance that
had slept considerable time. The moon had bepun
to descend towards the horizon new succession of
stars glittered upon the sky; the spectve position of
the different consultations changed and one of
the planets which had been conspicuous from its daz
King lustre, few hours before, had set aud was no
'anger distnguishabe. 1t overpowering TO think
that all these changes had been effected without NOISE
tumult, or coniusion and that worlds pei formed their
revolutions aud travelled through tue bounessness
space with silence too profound awaken an echo
IN the noseless depths of the forest disturb the su
bers OF feeble human being.
lwaedinpatiently forthc appearance fOutlisso who
had not informed me at what hour might TO see
him. The stars now twinked feebiy amidst the faint
glow of dawn that began TO ligh, the eastern horizon
and the setting moon appeared behind some pines and
threw rich yellow radiance upon their dark green
boughs Gentle rustlings among the trees, aud low
chpings, announced that the birds began TO feel the
influence of approaching day; aud sometimes bsery
cd solitary wolf stealing cautiously along in the dis
lance. Nhiie thus engaged in contemplating the
scene, suddenly thought saw an Indian a little way
oit could not ascertain whether or not it was Outa
lisso, but fearing might be Thakaka ereBte whom
dreaded To encounter in my unarmed state, retired
from the of the and concealed myself anona
some brushwood.
remained there for some time but did not ne rceive
any one near me, and thinking that had been dcceiy
ed by ancy, resolved TO return my former station
and accordingly set out towards the great tree bu
shortly became alarmed at neither reaching il ror see
ing IT so soon as expected. turned back i'm nuch
agitation, and endeavoIed retrace my stems to the
orusiiwood, but all in vain | examined the most re-
nlarkaole trees around without being able TO reco
lect of having one of them before | perceived
IOStIn Sof Ihr,r
OF this my faculties and perceptions seemed to desert
me one after another, and at last was conscious al
being IN existence only by the feeling of chao,ic and
insupportabte hopeessness which remained; but after
little hme all my intellectual powers returned with in
creased vigor and acuteness and ed 10 vie with
each other IN giving vivid sense of the horrors of
my situation My soul seemed incapable of affor,ing
play TO the tumuuous crowd of feelings that strugpe
TO manifest themselves. l hurried wildly from one
place to another, calling Outassa and Tmkk awe
rente by turns. The horrible silence that prevailed
was more distfacting than thousand deafeiln noises
would have been. staggered about i'm State of dizzy
perturbation My ears began To ring with uaeartlly
sounds, and every object became distorted and terrific
Inc trees seemed to start from their places and rush
past each other mtcrmngng their branches with (,ri
Gus violence and horrible crasIings while the ,noon
careered along the sky, and the stars hurried back
wards and forwards with eddying and irnpetuous mo-
tons.
tried IN vain for long time TO compose nay self and
To bring my feelings under due subordinaion The re-
neInorance OF the past oblieated and renewed by
Ds and starts; but at best my recollection of any thing
tat had occurred to previous To the brea king up Of
he ice upon the lake was sadowy, dim and unsatisiac-
tory, aud felt as the former part of nv life had heen
spent in another world. lay down among the yyithered
leaves and covered my face with any hands that might
avoid the mental distraction occasoned by the s;@bt
OF external Objects began TO reflect that could not
possibly have yet wandered far from the great tree
and that If called upon Oualssa at intervals he mpbt
perhaps hear me and come TO my relief. Consoed by
the idea, gradually became quiet and resigned
soon began 10 make the woods resouad with the name
" OutaSso; but IN the course of the day tempest of
wind arose. and ragged with so much noise fha, I couJ
hardly hear my voice dense mist filed the air
ana involved every thing in such obscury that the
sphere OF ms VisIon dad not extend beyond Eve or six
YARDS. Tie log was In continual agitation rolling
along IN volumes, ascending bursting open and CLOSING
again. and assuming strange and transitory FORMS
livery Tune The blast received an accession of force
htard confused roaring and crashing distance
whch gradually increased in strengths and distincness
I'LL reached dat part of the for. st that stretched
f"uhu me. lhen the trees began creak and groan
fhcesShntly, their bougs shattered against each
other hbres OF wood w!rled through the air i'm eyer
uHccuoh, ana Showers OF withered leaves caught up
and swept along by the wind, met and mingled will,
he'' ana rendered the confusion still more distractinr.
stood still III one spot looking iearfullv from side TO
SIDE IN the prospect of being crushed TO death by some
Immense mass of falling timber, for the trees around me
when viewed through the dstortng medium of the fog
often appeared to have lost their perpendcularty and
10 De bending towards the earth, although they only
itat unler tie trunk OF oak that
lay along the ground resolving to remain there until the
tempest should abate.
short time before sunset the wind had ceased the
sis were diss paed, and portion of tile blue sly ap
Pcared directly above me- Encouraged by these favor.
able appearances, venured from my place of refuge
and began to think of making another attempt to regain
the great tree, when heard the report of rifle was
SO terrified with JOY and surprise that had no power to
call out TIL the firing repeated. | then shouted
"OualIsso" several times, and soon saw him advancing
towards
why are you not at the place appointed, - cried
he " feared you had lost YOURSELF and discharged nv
gun as ? sgnab-but all danger is past--Thakaha
wernte is dead ! killed him"-There was some blood
on Ontassos dress but lie looked calm and careless
that hesitated TO believe what he told me-
" do not deceive you, said he, s'and will tell you
now Ihakakawerente came by his death. lie awakened
soon after midnight and finding You in the camp,
suspected that had told you that lie intended 10 kin
yon. lie taxed me with having done So and scorped
to deny it. His anger made him forget the truth and
he SAID had betrayed my trust-and struck me on the
face Now you know Indian never forryes a blow
or an accusation such he uttered buried INV tom
ahawk in bis head. His friends lay asleep in the wig
wan and dragged away his body to some distance and