Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-01-13
The Hunters of the Prairie.
OR THE HAWK CHIKF.
q SCENES IN IHE MOODS
From Ering's Sketches.

t Nemahaw river, were wreathing through the
i, woods that bordered its banks, the tops ofthe
trees were lit with the bright rays of a morn
ing sun, which gave gorgeous beauty to the
RAINBOW tints OF the autumn toilage---the man.
tie of the departing year. Occasionally small
fiocks ofperroquets flew with swift wing thro
, the branches Of the trees, making the woods
re-echo to their noisy screams. A solitary
, raven had left the watch-tower upon the silve-
ny top of dead sycamore, and was sourinu M
, IN the heavens; and even that vagabond bird
the tnrkey-buzzard, the vulture of America,
was floating far up in the blue sky. rivalline
the eagle in the beauty and majesty of his
iight.---The DEVELOPS were sparkling like
gems upon the leaves ofthe trees, and fresh
ness was playing in the morning air, which,
gave the indication Of brigh, aud CHEEKY day.
In the midst of grave-shading the banks OF
the river, and in front Of large fire, were
seated two persons. The age OF the younges,
might have been twenty. perhaps more. His
dress was simple, and suited to the wldness
OF the country around him. light hunting
coat Of highly dressed deer skin was sirded
round his waist by broad lea,hern belt, serv-
ing to set off a form whose s!ightness gave
more promise Of activity than s,reng,h.---A
few locks of light hair escaped from beneath
a gay cap, also made of deer-skin, and Curl
onsly ornamented with strips of porcupine
Iquill. 1t was worn more for appearance than
use, as it served rather to adorn than shade the
frank and fearless face beneath it. in his belt
he carried 4 silyer-hited dirk. substitute for
the less elegant though more serviccable hunt
ing knife. A pair Of buck-skin leg2ings, which
bore the marks Of rough usage, and many a
hard encounter with bushels and br;ars, were
al | =,
dress. With the exception Of these last arti-
cles, the ligh,ness and even richness of his
attire. though modelled after that Of the HINT
ers Of the district. at once pointed lim ont as
not belonging TO class who lock alone 10 du-
rahl'Ity in their hahilimcnis. Near him against
the trunk OF a lall tree. rested - light rnn
whose highly finished barrel. aud stock inaid
with silver. showed that it had come from the
| forge OF no workman west &C the Missssippi
! Ills associate was in every respect Il back
woods hunter He had numbered about corlv
winters, and BIS SCARED and weather beaten
features told many tale Of danger and expo.
SUITE His broad white forehead strongly con
rastrd with a face Of the most swathv hue,
aud gave an air of natural nobility TO his whole
Icouncnancr.
There was stamped ton, upon his mouth. an
expression of unwavcring resolution which
the feature alone can convey. giving to him
an air of qniet inrepidiiy TIA, bespoke one
who felt full reliance upon his own powers,
and would not shrink from bringing them in.
to action. His eye was grey. stern in its ex-
Epression, and exceedingly brilliant His dress.
though OF coarser materials, resemblcd that Of
his companion, and in the formation far more
attention appeared to have been bestowed np-
on the usefulness than the beauty Of the gar
ments. Like his companion. his waist was
belted with broad eathern grdle. To it was
attached scabbard Of undressed COW hide,
containing sirong-baded knife, which nigh,
serve either as weapon Of defence or For The
more peaceable employment Of cutting his
wood. Between his knees was short yauger
IA species Of rifle much in vogue with the
hunters OF this part Of the country, both on ac-
count Of the convenience Of its length and the
large size Of its bore which rendered il more
fatal in It's effects. At the time Of introducing
these characters TO the reader, they were both
seated on large log in front of the fire. The
eyes of both were fixed on line of blue smoke
which loaied upwards, forming pale canopy
over their heads, and slowly wreathinp npon
the overhangiug trees.---Some deep and en-.
crossing subject seemed TO be pressing on the
minds Of both. and TO have wrapped them up
in world Of its own, leaving its traces on
their grave and silent faces. At length the
younger Of The two broke silence.
! ''You arc moody this morning, Norton"
said he. IL would give the two best bullets
in my pouch to know what occupies your
thoughts t."
His companion raised his heaJ---"My ,hot's,
Hcrrck, are not so pleasant, that you need
wish to buy them
''Ah! suppose you are still Larping on the
foot print in the ashes Of the prairie. This
same track appears to have troubled you much.
But cheer up! The trappers are returning from
the mountains about this season, and it may
have been left by one who had struggled from
the main body. Besides, it might have been
made some days since; or even were it the
fresh moccasin-print of an Indian. you could
scarcely find a hostile one hercabouts. So you
may scatter your fears to the Winds"
The other unused for some moments, and
then fixed his clear eye on the face fhis COM
panon.
"But this scalplock,'' said he, extending
long thin braid Of human har.-.-.'It must have
fallen from the logging Of an Indian. The
konzas and Ottoes rarely wear them. II has
come from the dress of omahaw or Pawnee.
The first are not too friendly, and tomahawk
and SCI Rng knife would be our certain well
| .onio '"" VIC lbsl. Inc lfdck- 100. was Iesn,
Tor the gale which swept over the prairie in
Y the morning would have covered it with ashes;
but it was clean, and made By the heavy tread
of strong-limbed man. There are those in
our nelghborhood whose best wishes could not
stop the flight Of an arrow should they catch
la glimpse Of us. 1t was though,less in you,
boy. 10 kindle so large fire, and above all ,
10 heapit with green brushwood. twill send
inp heavy smoke that will scarcely escape
the eye of rcdskin should any chance 10 BE-
lurking in these clumps Of forest. The eagle
has not quicker eye for his prey than these
tcut.throat Indians.' ~