The Arkansas advocate., 1831-10-12

I Perilous Situatien.-On my return from the Upper Mississippi, found my self obliged to cross one of the wide
 prairies, which, in that portion Of the United States, vary the appeaTaBce ot
 the country. The weather was fife !;
 all around me was as fresh and bloom
 ing assif it had inst issned from the bo- som of nature. My knapsack, my gun,
 and my dog, were all l had for baggage
 and company. The track which fol-
 lowed was onlyan old Indian trace, and
 as darkness overslladed the prairie, l
 felt some desire to reach at least a
 copse, in which l might lie down 10
 rest. The night hawks were skimming
 over and around me, attracted by the
 buzzing wings of the beetles, which form their food, and the distant bowling of wolves gave me some hope that l should soon arrive at the skirts of some woodland. ] did so, and almost at the same instant lire-ligllt attracting my eye, moved towards if, full of confi-# dence that it proceeded from the camp of some wandering Indians. was mis- taken: discovered by its glare 1t was from the hearth of q small log cabin. and that tall figure passed and repass- cd between ii and me, as if busily gagged in household arrangement.
 l reached the spot, and presenting myself at the door, asked the tall figure, which proved to be q woman, if l might take shelter under her roof for the night. Her voice was gruf, and her attire neg ligently thrown about her. She an- swered in the affirmative. walkedin. took | wooden stool, and quietly seated myself by the fire. The next object that attracted my attention was finely formed young Indian. resting his head between his hands, with his elbows OH his knees. A long bow rested against the log wall near him, while quantity of arrows and two or three racoon skins lay at his feet. He moved not; he ap- parently breathed not. Accustomed to the habits of the Indians, aud knowing that they pay little attention to the approach of civilized strangers, Ca cir constance which, in some countries, is considered as evineing the apathy Of their character0 l addressed him in French, a language not unfrequently partially known to the people in that -fisi..i -fisi s..iboT hboTiloodh hood. lie faised ilis head, pointed to oneof ,Eais eyes with his fn- ger, and gave me significant glance with the other. His face was covered with blood. The fact was, that an hour before this. as he was in the act of dis charging an arrow at a racoon in the top of q tree, the arrow had split upon the cord, and sprung back with such vi- olence into his right eye, as to destroy it forever.
 Feeling hungry, l inquired what sort of fare l might expect. Such a thing as bed was not to be seen, but many large untanned bear and buffalo hides lay piled ina corner. ] drew a fine time piece from my breast, and told the woman that 1t was late, and that was fatigued. She had espied my watch, the richness of which seemed to oper-
 ate upon her feelings with electric
 quickiless. She told nae there was plenty of venison and lerked buffalo
 meat, and onremovi,g the ashes should find cake. But my watch had struck
 her fancy, and her curiosity had to be
 gratified by an immediate sight of it. took off the gold chain that secured it, from around my neck, and presented it to her. She was all ccstacy, spoke
 of it's beauty, asked me its value, and
 put the chain round her brawny neck, saying how happy the possession of such d watch would make her. Thought less, and as ] fancied myself in so re- tired a spot secure, paid little atten- sion to her talk or Der movements. l
 helped my dog to q good supper of ven,
 ison, and was not long in satisfying the demands of my own appetite.
 The Indian rose from his seat, as in extreme suffering. He passed and re-
 passed me several times, and once pinch ed me on the side so violently, that the pain nearly brought forth an exclama- ton of anger. l looked at him. His eye met mine; but his look was so for
 bidding, that it struck chill into the
 more nervous part ofmy system. He l.
 gain seated himsell drew his butcher