The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-05-25

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the house. And now by her sudden re-
: turn he was distracted for a short time with
Joy almost as Much as before he had been
with grief. After all were composed she
commenced her tale anew. She had ram
bled two or three miles into the forest to
gather berries, unconscious Of the danger
10 which she was exposed. The sun was
scarcely an hour high and there was every
appearance of storm when she first thought
Of returning. The clouds grew black and
lowering, and at length she could hardly
see to make her way through the thickets
that became more &c more imp~ able as she
proceeded. The rain came on with ex-
traordinary violence; and the vivid lightning
as it fitted across the heavens only increas-
ed the intervening darkness and augmented
her dependency. At last wearled, she
sunk down under wide spreading oak and
fell asleep. When she awoke in the NOR
ning she renewed her journey, but contn-
ually advanced farther from home She
was about noon met by band of Indians
who carried her great way into the nteri-
or. At first she was treated with much bar.
barity, but afterward the son of neighbor-
ing chief seeing her was enamored with her
beauty and carried her to his village, where
on account of his influence she met with
kindness and respect. She agreed TO marry
him after few years had elapsed,to which
he assented.
Year succeeded year and yet TO oppor-
tunity of escape was presented. Although
in very short time she had become initia-
ted into the manners and customs Of the In
ans, still there was hankering in her bosom
after civilization, and absence but heighten-
ed the affection toward her friends. 1t was
a hazy evening in October, when fatigued
with the labors of a day spent in picking
berries, she strolled out a little way from
the village and sat exhausted and feverish
upon a log. The moon shed a partial light
over the surrounding scene, and here aud
there star seemed to struggle for existence.
A dead silence prevailed, save when at times
a gently rushing wind would stir up the
leaves. A dark forest lay boundless at her
back and stretching its gloomy arms on eth
er side, edged the distant horizon in front.
Her mind impelIed by such scene and
such situation naturally turned with peace
ful energy to the recollection of home and
its long lost pleasures. Perhaps my aged
father now lies in the grave; having been
overcome with grief for his lost child; or is
a mangled victim Of red mans cruelty; |
or may be now writhing at the stake.
Stung to madness with such reflections she
had almost resolved to destroy herself and
involve as many of her fathers and so Of
her enemies as possible in the same destruc-
ton. Every avenue 10 hope had been clos
ed.
She buried her face within her lap and
gave way to flood Of tears. A sound of
Joy aroused her from the lethargy into
which she had sunk. She raised her head
and looked around but could perceive no
one. The moon had just disappeared be-
hind the mountain trees that reared their |
lofty crests to the cloud, and old Night was
fast spreading his black mantle over the
earth. Again a sound broke forth and now
family deserted band of warriors frantic
with ccstacy approaching. A lettered cap
tive of noble mein and noble gait was the
result of an assault upon the white settle
ments.
The party arrived at the village and was
soon greeted by the inmates. The war drum
was beat; the war song sung, and the war
dance danced around the prisoner. The stake
was set and the faggots we've heaped high
around it. The torch was ready and the
victim ascended. No feeling of fear or dis
may even now crept over his stern features
bnt while the fendish yells of the savage
rent the sky he calmly prayed and trusted
to his God. The parched fuel was about to
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