The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-10-26
From Major Longs Expedition.
AMp ALTO EAp.A..

ANEp ALTO sApA..
This beautiful spot on the Mississippi,
(Falls of ST. Anthony is not without tale
to hallow its scenery, and heighten the inter-
est, which, Of itself, it is calculated to pro-
duce. To Wazekota, an old Indian, we are
indebted for the narration of the following
transaction, to which his mother was an eye
witness.
| An Indian Of the Deca nation had united
himself in early life to youthful female.
whose name was Ampato Sapa, which signi-
| fies the dark day---with her he lived happily
| for several years. apparently enjoying every
comfort which the savage life can Afford
Their union had been blessed with two chill
dren, on whom both parents doated with that
depth of feeling which IS unknown to such
as have other treasures besides those that
sprine from nature. The man had acquir-
ed a reputation as hunter, which drew a.
round him many families, who were happy
to place themselves under his protection,
and avail themselves of such part of his
chase as he needed not for the maintenance
of his own family. DESTROYS of strengthen
ing their interest with him, some of them
invited him to form connection with their
family, observing at the same time, that a
man of his Importance and talents required
more than one woman to wait upon the nu
merous guests whom his reputation would
induce to visit his lodge. They assured him
that he would soon be acknowledged as a
chief, and that in this case, a second wife
was indispensable. Fired with the ambition
Of obtaining high honors, he resolved to in
crease his Importance by an union with the
the daughter of an influential man of his
tribe He had accordingly taken second
wife, without having ever mentioned the
subject to his former companion. being de-
sirous to introduce his bride into his lodge
in the manner " hich should be least often
sive to the moth erof his children, for whom
he still retained much regard, he introduced
the subject in these words :--'' You know
that can love no woman so fondly as doat
upon you With regret, have I seen you Of
late subjected to tolls, which must be op-
pressive to YOU, and from which | would
gladly relieve you; yet know no other way
of doing so, than by associating to you i'll the
household duties one who shall relieve you
from the trouble of entertaining the numcr-
Gus guests, whom my growing Importance
in the nation collects around me. l have
therefore resolved to take another wife,
but she shall always be subject TO your con-
trout, as she will always rank in my attec-
tons second to you.' With the utmost anx-
ietv, and the deepest concern, did his com
panion listen to this unexpected proposal.
She expostulated in the kndest terms, en-
treated him with all the arguments which
undisguised love ar purest conjugal aff'c-
tion could suggest She replied to all the
objections which his duplicity led him to
raise. DESTROYS of winning her from her
oppositon, the Indian still concealed the Sc
cret of his union with another Whilc she re-
doubled afl her care to convince him taat
she was equal to the task imposed upon her.
When he again spoke on the subject, she
pleaded all the endearmsnts OF their past
life-she spoke OF his former fohaness for
her. of his regard for her happiness and that
Of their mutual offsprng--she bade him be-
wave of the consequences of this fatal pur-
nose of his. Finding her bent upon with
holding her consent to this plan, he inform
ed her that all opposition on her part was
unnecessary, as he had already selected an
other partner, and il she could not receive
this new wife as friend, she must receive
her as necessary incumbrance, for he had
! resolved that she should be an inmate Of his
house.
Distressed at this information. she watch
ed her opportunity, and stole away from the
cabin with her infants, and fed to distance
where her father was. With him she re-
mained until party of Indians, with whom
he lived, went up the Mississippi to hunt
In the Spring, as they were returning with
their canoes, loaded with peltries, they en-
camped near the falls. In the morning, as
they left it, she fingered near the spot, then
, launched her light canoe, and entered into
J 1t with her children, and padded down the
stream singing her death-song. loo iate
did her friends perceive it-their attempts
, to prevent her from proceeding were OF nc
avail--she was heard to sing, IN a aoieiu
voice, the past pleasures she hao enjoyea
i while she was the undivided object of hel
husbands affection-fnally her voice wa:
drowned in the sound of the cataract-ths
{ current carried down her frail bark with in
conceivable rapidity-it came to the edge o