Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-09-30
aIs1sg1 BRAT, Mrssjg1slrdL AMY.
From the National IatelAgeneer.
EXTRACT or A LETTER FROM AN Off.
GER IN FLORIDA.

| GER IN FLORIDA.
" In my last hurried note to you men,
toned having witnessed a scene here a
few days before, which, in my humble
judgment, put the famed story of Damon
and Pyhias quite in the shade. | will
now give you some Of the particulars.
A party Of Indians was recently discov-
cred by some of our troops, who succeed
ed in capturing three Of their warriors /;
The rest Of the party, consisting OF three
men, and women and children, numbering
in all about twenty, fed. The csptives
we're brought TO this place, where they
were intenogated by the Colonel, Colonel
WoRrH,) during which it was discovered
that two Of them had been concerned in
killing and burning a mail-rider some time
in March last. They were told that, for
this cruel act of theirs, they would be
hung in fifteen days, unless within that
time the rest Of their people should come
in. They were then placed in chains,
and were permitted TO send out the third
man of their party, with talk, to bring
in the rest Of their people, while they were
committed to the guard. The man thus
sent out returned in five days, bringing
with him a warrior by the name of HoIaie
Firico and some women and children,
among whom were the mother and sister
Of one of the prisoners, whose name is Ia
iof Hadjo. The scene which followed
may be dramatized thus:
Scene, an open court in front Of the
Commanding Officers quarters Indians
are discovered seated under tho trees,
among them Holate Frieo, Pythias,) on
the grass, in the Indian posture alof
Hadjo, (Damon,) in chains, on bench,
his head resting on the trunk Of tree,
looking towards the heavens, with coun-
tenance indicative Of resignaiion-his
mother and sister lying upon the grass at
his feet, the mother accepting at the fate
which awaits her son--the Colonel and
other officers are discovered at distance
from the group Of Indians.
Colonel 10 Holate Firico.-Where are
the rest of the people sent lorl
Holate-They have separated and can
not be found. Your troops have scatter
ed them, and they have taken different
paths.
Colonel.-Know you not that, unless
they are brought in, these men (pontng
to the prisoners) will be hung? "a pause.
The Indians disconsolate, but apparently
resigncd.) If send you out for the peo-
pie, will you bring them in, in time to
save their lives?
Holate.-They have gone off, and |
know not where to look for them. Like
the frightened deer, they have fled at the
presence of your troops.
Colonel. Indian can find Indian. If
they are not here in ten days, these men
will surely die.
Holafe.-The track of the Indian is
covered his path is hidden, and cannot
be found in ten suns.
Colonel 10 Talof. Have you wife ?
Talof.-My wife and child are with the
people. wish them here, that | may
take leave of them before die.
Colonel.-Do you love your wife and
child?
Tazof.-The dog is fond Of its kind /;
and love my own blood.
Colonel. Gould you find the people
that are out
Ta7oc-Thcy are scattered and may
not be found.
Colonel. you desire your freedom7
Talof.-I see the people going to and
fro, and | wish to be with them. am
tired of my chains.
Colonel.-If | release you, will you
bring IN the people within the time fixed (!
Tdlof.-You will. not trust me. Yet
would try.
Colonel.-If Holate Fixico will consent
to take your chains and be hung in your
place if you should not return, you may
go. CA long pause. Talof continues
throughout the scene with his eyes fixed
on the heavens-his mother ard sister
now cast imploring looks towards Holate,
who, during the last questions, has strug-
gled to maintain his composure, evincing,
by the heaving of his breast and his gasp
ings, as though the rope we're already
about his neck, that he is i'll at ease-all
eyes are turned towards him-he RECEIVERS,
and, with the utmost composure and firm
ness, replies--
Hoiate. i have no wife, or child, or
mother. 1t is more fit that he should live
than |. consent to take his chains, and
abide his fate. Let him go.
Colonel. BE it so. But do not deceive
yourselves. So sure as Talof 1adJo
brings not in the people within ten days,
Holate dies the death Of dog.
With the utmost solemnity the two In
dams were then marched to the armory,
where the chains were transferred, and
in fifteen minutes after Talof was on his
journey. Yesterday messenger arrived
bringing intelligence that Hadjo was on
his way in, with his people, and might be
expected here tomorrow or next day.
There is more truth than poetryin the
foregoing. Aud what makes il more re-
markable, when compared with the story
OF Damon and Pythas, is, that in the one
case strong and devoted friendship ex.
listed between the parties, while in the
other there appears no such feeling, but
the sacrifice offered by Holate arose from
a purely noble and distinguished motive
a desire 10 save the life of one whom he
considered Of more consequence than him
SELF Pythias placed the utmost faith in
the promise of his friend to return at the
appointed time. The noble Holate had
no such assurance q N him. On the