Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-23

to be six feet, which was lost, both ways, in
clouds, that were about three degrees above the
horizon. II had attained its greatest brightness
little before 10 O'Clock. As might be expected
the light faded FIRST in the East, and continued
to shine longest 10 the West aud North.
Many persons who beheld this beautiful phe.
nomenon had their apprehensions awakened. So.
perstition will cling to minds. though surrounded
by the lights Of science, and though knowledge has
poured is treasures upon those exhibitions IN the
natural world. 1t IS not to be wondered at,
therefore, that the untaught savage should qna'
before any uncommon appearance IN earth or nea
ven. To HIM it is all mystery!
We remember, in 1897, that precisely suc,.
stream Of light appeared. We were taen on the
Fox river Of Lake Michigan, and were aseeha'
ing that river with war party, composed Of Unit
ed States troops aud Indians. The Indians num-
bered about one hundred. Immediately on the
appearance Of this light, mot OF the aurora 3D.
realis, for they we're accustomed TO that' out an
emauation from it, such as we saw on FRIDAY
nieht last,) the Indians made halt. They in
tersreted It into sign Of anger in the Great Spi'
rit and as indicating his dlsapprobaton OF the bu-
siness they were going on. 1t was 10 vain that
we represented to them our views of this light
They answered, IN lies across oar path, and
,re cannot pass orer lit is above' meaning
it was placed there by the Great Spirit. Had
this stream Of light happened to be IN the direc-
ton of our march, it would have been interpret
ed differently.
fortunately one Of the Indiaus espied rattle
snake. The appearance of rattle.snake, 10 an
emers ency Of this sort, is considered an omen Tor
good. They believed the snake to have been
sent by their trends from the land of souls. hf-
ter much pow. wowing over the reptile, and sprink.
ling present of tobacco over his head, which
was designed as a token Of friendship, the lndI-
an who had discovered him, and whose proper
ty he therefore was, ran his finger and thumb up
his back, and catching him fast BY the neck, rails
ed him from the ground, gave him crack, as u
he held whip in his hand--thus disOcaiing the
reriabr9 of the back. Then, With stick, the
work Of his destruction was completed. The
Indian was careful to send back, by the snake.
certain messages to his friends in the land of
souls, and many thanks for their having sent him
TO them in their emergency.
The snake was soon skinned. and cut up into
inch pieces. Each warrior taking bit for his
medicine bag, whs: the snakes skin was made
to ornament the person of his dicuverer. Its
head was tied to lock Of the Indians hair,-
the rattes traled upon the ground, foot at least
behind his feet who wore This badge of hope and
OF triumph.
The rattle snake had served only to diminish,
not clear away their doubts. The Indians mo-
we'd ahead with reluctance. 1t was OF the ut.
most importance that all this superstition should
be rot rid of. somehow--as we knew not the mo-
ment when we should have use IN fight, for the
services of all concerned
1t So happened that shortly after another Indi.
an espied bear in a trap. This broke the spell
Of their fears Such luck was Immediately re.
solved into a most encouraging circumstance,
and as plainly demonstrating that their friends,
from the land Of souls, were in favor of their 90.
ing ahead, and of the cause they had engaged IN.
The bear was talked to. He was told, over
again. how grateful it was to meet him-what
were to send him. Then getting his rife ready,
the Indian having first discovered him. said to
the bear, " BrMn It. not the Indian, but the
white man. The Indian loves BrIin. The
white man makes him die. When you 60 back,
Bruen, tell all this, and don't forget to thank our
friends for sending you" Then taking aim. he
fired The bear fell with grosl--and was soon
skinned, cut up. boiled. and eaten.
We then went on without further difficulty,
until the object Of our march was accomplish.
ed.
One word more touching the Aurora BoreaIis
II is believed to be caused by electricity. The
stream OF light. such as We saw on FRIDAY night
last, may have been the interchange Of this fluid
between the two clouds we have spoken Of; or
1t may have been the reelected light from the Au.
rora Boreais, passing through some cougenial
medium, and these clouds NAV have been essen.
tal to its formation. Phil CON- Herald.