The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-30

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tempt to eyade punishment by fight, The
disgrace Of such conduct being considered
a greater punishment than even death itself!
Yet such sOqs the fact, and now had the
proof before my eyes.
The camps or lodges occupied by these
people, we're built of bark newly pealed from
green hickory or oak trees, laid on poles in
such manner as TO form roof which af.
forded protection from the weather.
The men were lazily lying under the
shades of trees, or talking together in group
of three OF four, seated on the ground.
Boys were running in every direction, some
lpracticing with the bow and arrow, others
climbing trees and performing various feets
of activity; while the women were engaged
in the simple domestic duties of savage life.
AS We approached, several fthe men came
forward 10 greet Mr.. Jones, who spoke 10
them Familiarity in their own language.
In front of one of the camps YVES the
grave, newly dug, which was TO be filed by
the criminal who had voluntarily given him
self up to be shot.
1t was very near the time when the exc
cution was TO take place. The condemned
was seated near the grave, his wife and chill
dren by, the former with her head covered,
while hte three children-the Oldest not four
years old-seemed perfectly unconscious of
what was to happen.
The culprit had been a man Of some con-
sequence among the Choctaws, though he
had never attained the dignity of chief; he
was about forty FIVE years old, though much
younger looking, of remarkably fine form,
and from his having distinguished himself
in several engagements against the ''Mus-
ko-kee" or Creek Indians, the title of'Litile
Leader, was conferred upon him..
Directly in front of where he sat RAM
rod was inserted in the ground slanting so
as to point nearly TO where the sun would
be at about the hour of ten O'Clock. From
this he never withdrew his eyes. | watched
him closely until the rays of the sun fell in
such manner that the rod cast no shadow;
atthisinstan he threw hurled glance around
him, looked fondly on his wife and children.
and then fixed his gaze on lean, hungry
looking cur that crouched at his feet. | had
no doubt but this was the moment fixed for
his death. yet a sudden FEtUOoh!' escaped
him, cold shudder for moment seemed
to have deprived him of courge TO die, and
he moved the rod little to the west Jones
stood by me without utIering word, and
seemed to feel deeply for Little Leader,
whose character for bravery and integrity he
held in high estimation. Moreover, he said
that, according to the laws Of civilized ma
tons, the crime would have been rendered
venial, as the deed was done purely in self
defence. | proposed that he should inter
fere, but he shook his head, remarking that
| if it could even be prevented now, Little
Leader would not consent TO live, but would
have himself shot at another time.
At this instant the condemned warrior
with shrill whoop sprang to his feet; the
woods re-echod the war whoop, and all was
now hustle and excitement.
This was the signal that the moment had
arrived which the criminal had chosen for
his execution, thus fixing the date Of his
own existence as calmly as suicide would
have done, yet conforming 10 the laws Of his
country-if country he could be said To-
have. ~
NeVershall forget that proud look, which
seemed to say that the savage had triumph
ed over Death, and was about TO lay down
his life to save himself from the shame and
disgrace Of being known as coward who
was afraid to die!
He stood at one end Of his grave, within
which, were placed his rifle, tomahaWk, pro-
visions, &C., to serve him on the three days
journey to the new hunting ground, to which
the bullet of the executioner would send
him; around his waist hung the scalps which
he had taken in bis more youthful days a
lmong the HMusko-kees' directly in front,
some ten PAGES Off stood The executiOner.
rife in hand, ready to do his duty. The
condemned commenced in most animated