The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-09-23
THE IOTAN AND HIS BROTHER.
OR INDIAN REVENGE.


1t was some years before the Iotan had reached
the rank of chief, that he was dcspoed of his
in the following manner:
Several Oteo Indians, by dint of paying fifty times
their value, had become possessed of several kegs
of wliskey. AS this rather rarity, council
called, and general carousal of the male por-
ton of the village resolved upon. The females
excluded; it being deemed necessary that they
should remain SOBER to exercise conf jugal care
yer their husbands, when so inebrated as to be
able to take care of themselves. In the mean time
n person appointed guard, whose business it
was to keep watch over the liquor, and drive off
all interlopers, who might be inclined to test its
quality before the time appointed After three long,
and to them lingering days, the time came round
and at the appointed hour not a soul was behind.
The signal was given and the revcl commenced.
As the liquor began to work on the passions of the
jewellers, they grew furious. They howled, yelled,
and fought.-All the weapons had been removed be-
forehand for they knew their own ungovernabc
nature, when under the influence Of liquor, and
therefore had taken precautions, to prevent the
currence of any mischief
But when the whiskey commenced its work the
savage was changed to Demon and the lodge re-
sounded with their screams and bowling there was
a hell within its bosom.
The giant warrior fixed his grippe upon the tremb-
ling frme Of the aged brother smote brother; and
friends fought with bitter fury, and the weak and
decrpid were trampled under foot.
1t in this of the riot that the Iotan and
his brother had furious scufie.-They grappled
and rolled upon the ground. In the frenzy of strife
and noxicaton, his brother bit off the end of his
nose and instantly extrcating himself he rushed on
of the lodge.
The Iotan was perfectly sobered, he paused mo-
ment, looking intenty into the fire, without utterin.
word then drawing his blanket over his head
walked out of the building and hid himself in hi
own lodge. On the following morning he sough
his BROTHER and told him he had disfgured him TO
life tonight said he, 60 to my lodge an,
and sleep; it | can forgive you when the rises
you are safe; if not, you die lie kept his word
he slept upon his purpose-but sleep brought M
mercy. He sent word to his brother, that he resolv
ed upon his death, that there was no further hop
for him at the same time he besought him to max
resistadce, but to meet his fate warrior should
His brother received the message and fled frou
the village. An Indian is untring i'm the pursuit
revenge, aud though years may elapsc, yet he wi
obtain it in the end.-From the time it became tn
fixed purpose of the Iotan to slay his brother, his
siduity never slept; he hunted for months He fol
lowed his track from one thcket to another
traced him through the friendly villages but with
out success for although he was untiring, hi
brother was watchful, and kent out of his way TIL
old warrior changed his plan of action. He laid j
wait for him in the forest, crouchng like tiger i
the paths which he thought he might frequer
in hunting, but he was for a long time unsue
oessful. Atlength, one day, while seated on dea
tree, he heard the cracking noise of wig breakin
beneath cautious foot-step He instantly crouch
ed behind the log and watched the opposite thick
ct. Presently an Indian emerged from il, and gay
cd cautiously around. The Iotan recognized hi
hrolher instantly. His care-worn face and emacis
ted form, evnoed the anxiety and privatans that h
had suffered, But this was nothing to the lotan
as yet his revenge unsatiated, and the pserabl
appearance Of his brother touched no chord of hi
heart. lie waited until he was within few feet {
him; then sprung from his lurking place and m,
him face to face. His brother was unarmcd-b,
met his fiery look with caImness and thoul finch
ing