American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1827-01-26
WILMINGTON, Del. FRIDAY, JANUARY 2s, 1927
FROM MAJOR LONGS EXPEDITION.
STORY OF AMPATO SAPA.


STORY OF AMPATO SAPA.
This beautiful spot in the Mississippi, Falls o
s.. Anthony, is not without tale to hallow its see
merry, and heighten the interest, which, OF ITSELF l
is calculated to produce. 10 Wazekots, an old In
dian, We are indebted for the narration OF the fol
lowing transaction, TO which his mother was ar
eye witness. An Indian of the Decato nation hat
united himself early in life TO youthful female
whose name was Ampato Sapa, which signifies the
dark day; with her he lived happily for severa
years, apparently enjoying every comfort which the
savage life afford. Their union had been blessed
with two children, on whom both parents doated with
that depth Of feeling which is unknown to such a. have
other besides those that spring from nature
The man had acquired reputation as a hunter
which drew around him many families, who were
happy TO plece themselves under his protection, and
avail themselves oi such part Of his chase as he
needed not for the maintenance Of his own family
Desirous of strengthening their interests with him
some Of them invited him to form connexon with
their family, observing at the same time, that
man Of his talent and importance required more
than one woman TO wait upon the numerous guests
whom his reputation would induce 10 visit his lodge
They assured him that he would soon be acknow
edged as chief, and thAt in this case, second wife
was indispensable. Fired with the ambition OF OBJ
tanning high honors he resolved TO increase his i'm
porance BY an union with the daughte OF an inhn
ensial man OF his tribe. He had accordingly taker
second wife, without having ever mentioned tbs
subject to his former companion. Being desiroui
to introduce his bride into his lodge, in the manne
which should be least offensive to the mother Of hi
children, for whom he still retained much regard
he introduced the subject in these words: Yot
know said he, that can love no woman so fond
" as doat upon you. With regret, | have sect
you, of lale subjected to tolls, which must be op
pr~ssive to you, and from which would gladly re
lievc you yet know no other way OF doing SO
than BY associa,ng to you 10 the household dntie
one who shall relieve you from the trouble OF en-
tertaining the numerous guests, whom my growing
| importance in the nation collects around me.
have therefore resolved upon taking another vile
but she shall always be subject TO your CONTROL a
she will always rank in my affections second to you
| With the utmost anxiety, and the deepest concerr
did his companion listen to this unexpected proPo
SAL She expostulated in the kindest terms, er
treated him with all the arguments which undi:
guised love and the purest conjugal affection coul
suggest. She replied to sll the objections whic
his dupliciiy led him TO raise. DESTROYS OF wnn'r
her from her opposition, The Indian slil concealt
The secret nf his union with another, while she r,
doubled all her care to convince him that she WI
equal to the task imposed upon her. When I
again spoke upon the subject she pleaded all the e
ldearmen,s Of her past life; she spoke OF his iorm
fondncss for her OF his regard for her hsppine
and thar OF their mutual offspring she bads hi
beware OF the consequences OF this fatal purpose
his Finding her bent upon Withholding her conse
TO his plan, he informed her that all opposition
her part was unnecessary he had already selects
another partner; and tina, If she could not see h
lnew wife as 4 friend, she must receive her as n
cessary ncumbrance for he had resolved ste shot
be an inmate OF his house. Distressed q, this no
nation, she watched her opportunity. and stole avn
from the cabin with her infants, and fed to dstan
where her father was. With him she reman
until party Of Indians with whom he lived We
up the Mississippi to hunt In the spring, as tn
were returning with their canoes, loaded with pc
tries, they encamped near the falls. In the NOR
ing as they left it, she fingered Eesr the spot, III
launched her light canoe, entered into It with
Children and padded down the stream singing b
death. song. Too late did her friends perceive
their attempts to prevent her from proceeding we
OF no avail she was heard TO sing, in dole
voice, the past pleasures which she had enjoy
while she was the undivided object OF her HUSBAND
:. affection finally her voice was drowned n
!. sound OF the cataract the current carried down
= = frail bark with nconceivable rapidly; 1t came
the edge Of the precipice, was seen for . moms
enveloped with spray, but never afer was trace
the canoe or its passengers seen. Yet it is stat
by the Indians that often in the morning 20
i. had been heard to sing doiefu dilty along
edge Of the fall and that ii dwells ever upon the
eonstancy Of her husband. Nay. one sssett 4
her spirit had been wandering near the 81
with her children wrapped TO her bosom. ,, ch
= the tales or traditions which the indians treasure
- and which they relate to the voyager. forcing i
from the eyes of the most relentless.
- s5J5Jt,
From the Boston Courier Dec lo