The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-09-14

thy nation the old men shall call thee
daughter, and my young men will be proud
of their sister. Consent but to go, and you
will see Ogasca clear pathway through
his. foes like
Hist y she exclaimed, fear rendering
her sensible of the least sound.
They both listened attentively, and Og-
asca's practised organs could at once detect
a slight rustling Of leaves, as five or six
Owantahs wound their cautious course
toward him. II was the wish Of his enc
mics 10 capture him alive, but they knew
his courage and strength too well to doubt
the immense price of blood they should have
to pay if they attacked him openly. They
had, therefore, despatched a party to sur
prise him.-Ogasca waited patiently for
few moments, till he thought they were
near enOugh-iben directing his compan-
ion to ruu towards The river, he threw him
self alongside the log that had served them
for seat. The Owantahs hearing the
noise, sprang immediately upon their feet,
and seeing dark form gliding swiftly
through the trees. uttered long yell and
rushed forward in pursuit. They passed
Ogasca without perceivIng him who, RI
sing, gave the Owantah's warwhoop and
joined in the chase. The hindmost of his
enemies first left the force of his arm and
sank without a groan; and one by one they
fell, as he came up with them, in succession
beneath the resistless force of his blow, I'M
til, when they cleared the wood, but one of
the Owantabs was left. He little thought
that his hated foe, instead of fleeing before
him, was coming upon his trail with
speed no mortal foot could equal but turn
ing to see if he was supported by his com
panions, the tonahawk of Owasca glanced
before his eyes, and descending upon his
head, stopped his career forever. Ogasca
overlook the Wild Rose upon the shore,
and taking her arm, directed his course up
the shore towards his canoe. But at the
instant faint ray of moonlight struggling
through the intervening clouds, let hlm
know that it was in possession of l'ls enc
mics, and at the same time revealed to HIN
another party coming up from below. Els
cape now seemed impossible. lie had
exerted his tremendous strength and speed
to save himself from one danger only to
rush into another. For moment he res
olved to stand at bay and sell his life as
stained with the blood of his foe. IL was
bat for moment. He looked at the bright
being by his side, almost exhausted by the
exertlon of the race. lie knew too well the
merciless cruelty of the Owantahs to doubt
that if taken, death would be the mlldest
doom she would receive. Alone he would
have gloried in the prospect of a contest
against any odds but now he must perish
with OF preserve her, and seizing her round
the waist, he boldly dashed into the stream.
Fortunately his enemies canoes were at
some distance down the river. His own
canoe was, however, Instantly launched,
and manned by four brawny savages, COM
mcnced tie pursuit. Ogasca swan with
vigorous arm, his companion supporting
herself at his side by resting one hand up
on his shoulder bnt the river is at this
point nearly mile and a half broad, and
their pursuers were gaining upon them with
fearful celebrity. A short moment more
would place him aud the one whose safety
he valued far hi .hrr than his own life at
the mercy of his blood-thirsty foes. One
only hope of escape occurred to the cool
and inventive mind OF Ogasca. lie resol-
we'd to repeat the stratagem in the water
which had been so successful on the land.
He communicated his plan to Natoyah, and
swimming slow, until the canoe was within
a few feet of them, she swan on alone while
he sunk ust beneath the surface OF the water.
The Owantahs pushed oi. for the dark OBJ
iect before them, but as they glided over
Ogasca's head. he rose and graspins the
frail baroue, with a sudden capsize, turned
his astonisded pursaers into the river.
Then again came the tomawk into fearful,
vet successful play. The Owantahs were
too much surprised to unite their efforts
against him, and singly they soon sunk be-
meath his blows. In the mean time Noto-
yah had righied the canoe, and throwing
out the water with the paddle had it ready
for the reception Of her lover. Several
canoes well manned had by this time star
ted from the village below, and more than
mile lay between Ogasca and his tribe ;
but his strength was equal 10 the emer-
gcncy. The little bircheu vessel would al
most jump from the water at every sweep
of the paddle, as though conscious of the
danger that pursued her. The chase con-
l,inued for some time, but Ogasca was able
To preserve an equal distance from his pur-
suers, occasionally raising wild whoop o.
triumph and dlsdain, for the double purpose
of insulting his enemies and alarming hi
friends. He reached his village in safety
and after relating to his anxious friends IL
the modest language of true heroism, th'
adventure of the night, was more than eve
4 the chief of their affections.