Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-03-31


presented themselves to escort US. VI. de
Syon offered her his arm, and we began
or march. We were all very well recei-
d by The family of Mr. Mesnerd; but
Mary, above all, received the most tender
aark5 o. ELECTION fom the persons of lie
hoaschoif. Mr. M'es1crd, Ns-y's adop-
ted l.ithcr, vas as hqskaskia, as one Of the
committee charged with the reception e..
Lafayette, and Mrs Mesuerd asked US a.
nc would undertake. 70 conduct Ter daugh-
Ger TO the ball which she herself was pre-
vented from attending by indisposjtion
#s asseated with pleasure; aud rbla
Mary assisted Miss Alesncrd 10 complete
Der toilet, we seated ourselves round q
great fire in the kitchen.
After a lite time, we took leave Of Mrs.
Nes1erd. and found our Indian escort,
who had waited patiently for US at The door,
and who resumed their position near US az:
some distance in front, 70 guide and pro-
tcct our march, as if we had been crossing
AN eaemy's country. The night was quite
dark. hut the temperature was mild, and
the fire flies Illuminated the atmosphere
around US. NJ de Syoa conducted Miss
Alesuc-l, and | gave my arm 10 Mary,
who. notwithstanding the darkness, walk
Cd with a confidence and iightncss which
only forest HE could produce The fire
flies attracted and interested nc much; for
although this was not tie first time had
observed them, | had never before seen
them in such numbers. | asked Mary IL
these insects, which, from their appearance,
seem so likely to asioniSh the imagination,
had never given place among the Indians
10 popular beliefs or tales. Not among
he nations Of these countries where every
year We are fim.Ijarized with their great
numbers. said she TO me, but | have heard
that among the tribes of the north they
commonly believe that they are the souls of
departed friends who return to console
them, or demand the performance Of some
promise. even know several ballads on
this subject One Of them appears 10
have been made long time since IN na-
uon which lived further north, aud no
longer exists. il is by songs That great
events and popular traditions are ordinarily
preserved among Us; and this ballad,
which | have often heard sung by the
young gils Of our Tribe. leaves no doubt
IS o. the belefof some Indians concerning
tho Gre iiy.' asked her to slag mo thus
song, which she did with much grace.
Although | did not comprehend the words
which were Indian, ! observed a great
harmony FL their arrangement, and IN the
very simple music n which they we're
.ungan expression of deep melancholy.
When she had flushed the ballad, !
asked her If she could not translate It for
me into French, SO that / might comprc-
herd the sense. with difficulty she
sand, for | have always found great OBJ
,lacles TO uanslatng exactly the express
sions of orr Indians into French when ]
have served them as interpreter with the
whites. But | wlllry.'
Mary ended her ballad, and expressed
to her my thanks as we arrived at the
bridge of Kaskaskia There Sclakapa
collected his escort, said fen words to
his wife, and left US to enter the village
alone. We approached the house Of Mr.
Morrison. al which the ball vas given 10
Gen. Lafayette then felt that Mary
renbled Her trouble was so great that
she could not conceal II from mo. asked
the ause--'lf you would spare me great
notification she said, you wall not con-
duct me among the ladies Of haskaskia.
They are now without doubt in their most
brilliant dresses, aud the coarsene-s ofmy
clothes will inspire them wrh contempt
and pitt-'wo seutim nts which viii equal
ly atlectme. Besides, / know that they
blame me for having reuounced the hie OF
the whites. and feel little at ease 10 their
presence promised what she deslrof
and she became assured. Arrived at Mr.
}lorrison's, ] conducted her into lower
chamber. and went 10 the hall 10 inform
/ Gen. LAFAYETTE that the young Indian glrI
awaited him below. He FASTENED down
I and several Of the committee with h'm
4 lie saw and heard Mary with pleasure,
and could not conceal bls emotion on re.
cornismg his letter, and observing with
what holy veneration It had been preserved
during nearly half a century in a savag,
nation, among whom he had not even sup
posed hls name had ever penetrated. o.
her part, the daughter Of Pani-ciowa ey
pressed with vivicity the happine SD,
cnioyed IN seeing him along with WHOM
/ her father had the honour to fight for The
rod .fmericaR cqusc.
Afcr half hours conversation, Mary
manifested wish 70 retire, and ! accom-
panied Der 70 the bridge. ~here lrafl-ced
/ her under the care of Scialara and nis