The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-03-16
1E.IS SOLE-lIhEAI5 lg0Ugo
NAHTOURAH:
OR, THE HAWK CHIEFS BRIDE.
BY !. t. IRVING, JR.

N1cHT had thrown her veil of darkness
over the Pawnee town. Far in the east the
red moon was just emerging from the hori-
zon, to commence her calm journey through
the starry heavens. Here and there a
Ca1nt wolf dog was stalking through the
village, and occasionally savage would
glide from one lodge to another with steal
thy step.
The stir CT life which usually prevailed in
the town was gone. The war song Of the
warrior, with us wild and not unmusical ca
dence, was hushed. All was Stiffness
dead stiffness, except when sobblng wall
broke Inournlully from the interior of some
lodge whose inmates had suffered in the late
bereavement.
It was At late hour Of the night thai the
spell was broken. Warriors mufled in their
shaggy robes, were seen fitting in the gloom
towards their chiefs lodge. In silence and
with 5mother6d tread they glided onward
and entered.
The meeting was one of deep import to
the nation. There was sadness and stern
ness in it, fat unlike the triumphal gather
ing that had been held but the day ptovious
in the same building. Since then what a
change! The victims doomed to destruc-
ton had escaped, had worsted them in con-
flict; and many of those who had pronoun-
ced their SENTENCE were now stifFening In the
embrace Of death:
The marks Of the fray were stamped tip
on all. Some were gashed with wounds as
yet unbound. Others crouched in the flick
ering light of the fire, with their features
red with gore. Others with their brows
knit in their sullen burrows, and their useless
arms at their sides, sat brooding in silent
fury over the disastrous results of their en-
terprise.
AT the upper end of the lodge sat the old
chief, and beside him an Indian, with his
hair hanging in long and dishevelled flakes
on his shoulders. The lower part of his bo-
DIV was clothed IN white robe, marked with
different symbols. His forehead was low,
deeply furrowed, and beneath hi, brow his
malignant eyes CLEANED like sparks of fire.
His face had fallen in, his frame was with
cred, and his arms were sunken. Every
thing denoted decrepitude, excepting those
brilliant snake like orbs, which showed that
though his physical powers were wrecked,
the fire of his intellect was yet uneXtinguish-
cd.
This was the chief Medecin of the vii
lage. One of those whose superior craft
or intelligence, enables them to bend the
wild rabble to their will, by their juggle-
ry and pretended communication with the
Deity.
In the centre of the lodge sat single In
dian female, surrounded by warriors. Up
on her the angry looks of all were rivetted.
1t was NahtouIah; she was bound with
lGdllGlu tuOuSS' lC HduSllbllICSS WHlCH
at times lighted Up her otherwise soft and
feminine features, had disappeared, and she
now seemed in the lowest and most heart
breaking dependency. Her hair was dis
hevelled, her features were wet with tears;
and not a trace of her bold carriage was
left. Once-and but once she raised her
head and ran wistlul glance round the as
semblage. She encountered not face but
scowled upon her, and with despairing
gesture she dropped her eyes TO tho ground.
The silence which for nearly an hour
had filed the building, was now broken by
the Medecn, who slowly rose; The hush
grew intense; the stiffness was so wrapped
that it seemed that not breath was drawn,
though every furrowed face was kindled
into excitement. The Medecin cast keen
and half triumphant look upon the girl; then
directed his attention to the assembly.
'The Pawnees,' said he, are setting in
council. But the places of many are emp
ty Where are the warriors! Ask the