Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-10-02

thirsty OF her tribe. In little Louis
all the strong feelings Of her soul were
centered. but even an unwonted fierce
ness. Her only care seemed to be, to
make hun like his grandfather aud to
instil a deadly hatred Of white men
and the boy learned his lessons we'll.
lie was the veriest little savage that
ever let fly an arrow. To his mother
alone he yielded any thing like sab
mission and the Sioux were proud 10
hail the naughty child as a future
chief.
Such was the aspect Of things on the
shores Of the Mississippi, when Fiori.
mond de Rance came among them al.
ter three years. lie was induced To
make this visit; partly from the hopes
OF obtaining more land from the yield
ing Tahniroo. lie affected much con-
triton Tor his past conduct. and promi
sed TO return with victoire before the
year expired. Tahmiroo met him with
the most chilling indifference. and lis
tened TO him with q vacant look. as i.
she heard him not. Ii was only when
he spoke 10 her boy. that he could q.
rouse her from this apparent letharsy.
On this subject she was all suspicion.
She had a sort Of underlined dread
that he too would be carried away
from her, and she watched over him like
she.woif, when her young is in dan.
ger.
Her fears were not unfounded; for
Fioriinond dc Rance did intend by de.
monstrations of fondness, and glowing
descriptions Of Quebec, to kindle IN
the mind of his son a desire to accom-
paDy him.
Tahmiroo thought the hatred Of white
men. which she had SO carefully instil
led, would prove a sufficient shield,
but many weeks had not elapsed, be-
fore she saw that Louis was fast Weld
ing himself up TO the fascinating
power which had CENTRALIZED her own
youthful spirit.
With this discovery came horrible
thoughts Of vengeance (; and more than
once, she had nearly nerved her ,oui
10 murder the father of her son-but
she could not. Something in his fea
lures reminded her of the devoted
young Frenchman who had carried her
qaiver through the woods. and kissed
the moccasins he stopped to lace, and
she could not kill him.
The last cutting blow was soon given
to the heart of the Indian wife
Young Louis, fall Of bovish curiosity.
expressed a wish to 90 with his father.
though he at the same time. promised
a return. He had always been stub
born boy ; and she felt now as If her
worn-olt spirit would vainly contend
against his wilIulness.
With that sort of resigning stupor.
which often indicates approaching in
sanity, she yielded to his request. ex
acting. however. a promise that he
would sail a few miles down the Mis-
sissippi with her, the day before his
departure.
The day arrived. Florimond de
Rance was AT = distance on business.
FahmirOo deeked herself IN the gar
ments aud Jewels she had worn on the
day OF her marriage. and selected the
gaudiest wanpum belts for the little
Louis.
Why do you put these On:' said
the boy.
Because Tahmiroo viii no more see
her son IN the Land Of the Sioux. said
she mournfully, and when her father
meets her in lhc Spirit Land. he will
know the beads he gave her.
She took the wondering boy by the
hand and led bin To the river side.
There lay the canoe her father had Civ
en- her when she left him for the wig.
wan Of the stranger IL was fade d
aud bruised now, and 80 we're all her
hopes. She looked back on the hut.
where she had spent her brief term OF
happiness, and its peaeefulness seemed
mOckeTy of her misery. And was
she-ths wretched, the desperate and
deserted One-was she the Startled
Fawn,' ct the Sioux, for whom conten
ding chiefs had asked in vains-The
remembrance Of all her love and all
her wrongs came up before her memo.
~, and death seemed more pleasant Ia
her than the gay dance SHE once loved
20 we'll. Bui then her eve rested on
her boy--aod, o God with what an
agony OF love IL was the last We.
hement struggle Of soul all formed
or tenderness. We will 20 10 the
spirit Land together she exclaimed.
lie cannot come there 10 rob me-
She took Louis IN her arms, a. ,T he
had been feather, and spriaging into
the boat. she guided u towards the fall,
Of 81 Anthony. Mother. mother
the canoe is gong over the rapids -
screamed tbe frightened child. NV
father stands on the wave. and beekon.
me J sad she. - The boy looked a. the
horrible hxed expression 81 her face,
and shrieked aloud for help.
The boat vent over tive cataract.
Louis de Rance was seen no more
lie sleeps with the Startled Fawn' oi