The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-03-23

the tribe had excited gave rise to savage order of
chivalry, in comparison with whose reckless coi.-
tempt of death the frantic vaor of the Crusades and
the desperation of the Assassns becomes reason and
common sense. Twelve warriors, approved the
boldest and best of their race, associated themselves
for the ayowed object of winning the Fleet Foot and
the dangerous title she had proposed as the price of
her hand. Their reputation being equal, or nearly
So and the competition being narrowed down to
themselves, it only with each other they could
strive. We must describe the rite of initiation into
the order and its rules in detail.
After ia sting and praying three days and nights,
the bnnd came forth before day, and performed
solemn dance around lofty pole. NIahtoe, or the
Grizzly Bear, the most Distinguished was then
stripped to the waist and painted black. Two oak
EN- skewers, each half an inch thick, next for
chilly thrust through the muscular parts of his
Two strong cords were then attached to the skew
crs, and the ends were drawn tight to the top of
the pole. 1t sunrise the initiate began to dance
round the pole, with half his weight resting on his
Iaceratcd arms, and chanting his former exploits.
This agonizng torture he continued to inflict on
himself till sunset, without wincng, when he was
released and the next morning another took his
place. Let not the reader think eXaggerate the
the Indian capacity TO endure privaon and pain
Such a scene have described have wit
messed, and have diminished rather than added to
its horrors.
The rules Of the Iron Hearted" were never
when on any military enterprise, to turn one inch
out of the direct line of march that led to its
pshment for any danger whatever, until one or
more were killed. If opposed by superior force,
they were to cnt their way through if they came
to precpicc one, at least, was bound to walk
it, and the order of precedence to be settled by
emulation.
The dress of the Yankton brave is singularly pic
turesquc tunic and pair OF legglns, snow
white, and oruamcnted and fringed in wild profu-
sion, pair of moccasins and buffalo robe, cover
ed with hlerogl glyphics representing the wearers ex-
plos, are the main article. For every wound re-
cclyed or given, slender painted stick is thrust in
to the hair For scalp taken or an enemy slain
pair of skunk skins appended to the heels
and a tut of swans down and n war eagles fcatl-
or placed OIL the summit of the head. Hang round
the warriors neck necklace of grizzly bears
claws, to denote that he has killed such an
animal, mount him on a fine horse, with two or ,
three scalps dangling from the bride rein set him .
careering over the prairie with lance and shield
with his eagles feathers streaming in the wind, and
you have Yankton desperate in full costume
none of the Meamoras of the stage, but an arm 10
do, heart to dare, and tongue to speak common
sense like any other person. Each OF the Iron
Hearted were entitled to all these decorations.
Strange as 1t may seem, their bond of brother
hood considered, the Iron Hearted not extinct
for three years. during which time one lcaped over
Il bluff, three were burned by the Pawnees two per-
shcd in the flames of the burning praire, seventh
walked under the ice of the Missouri, and four more
died in battle and lost their scalps. Not one was
known to violate his desperate pledge. And now
Mahtoc alone remained, after having bravcd as many
and great perils any of his deiunct comrades,
acknowledged the Bravest and Best of the Yank- /
tons.
With no objection on the part of the Fleet Foot,
her father offered the last of the Iron Hearted his
daughters hand in full council The stole of the (
prairie, after decorous pause of about hour, in
order 20 make up his mind, knocked The ashes out
of his pipe, and replied, that " All the use he had
for wife was, to do the work of his lodge and take
care of his children; for which the proposed lady
was way qualified. He had never, he said, the
least idea of espousing the Fleet Foot-hc had three
wives already, quite enough for His mo-
tive for joining the devoted band had been that it
made his heart sick to have it doubted that he was
the bravest man earth. That doubt now
removed, and with much gratitude he declined the (
favor intended him."
The Fleet Foot went to more. Stung
with a slight she could not avenge she put herself
under the tuition of eminent sorceress. for of
such professions there is no lack in Indian tribe
When she thought she had made such progress i'll
nccromancy as did credit TO her application, she
cast spell on Mahtoc. She drew picture of him
IN the sand, and with many magic ceremony et-
faced the feet to destroy his swiltness the to
PROSTATE his strength the eyes to blear his vision,
and devoted him to the blade of the saughterer by
driving knife into his bosom to the hatt. Having
charabIy informed him of her atlectonatc proceed
ing, she went into the woods and hanged herself,
according to the judicious custom of sqaaws when
sighted or jealous.
The heart of Mahtoe, iron to every thing beside,
was wax to superstition. Apprehension of evil had
the effect evil itself could not have produced. He
became changed man, aud settled melancholy
Iconsantly rested on hls features. His gun missed
fire, the Buffalo carried off his arrows and hved
his huntings were unsuccessful, his upset,
his corn was blighed in the milk and his children
died. In Short he considered himself man bewch-
ed no uncommon thing among Indians, and gave
himself up to despair.