, 1841-07-17

1 dui iHst heies anu Will see tnaI YOU DO
your duty!"
Upon this the old chieftain threw himself
back, burst into d fit Of laughing. and de-
clared that all he had said was in soke: The
Governor suspected, however, that there was
a grave meaning at the bottom Of this jocu.
larity.
For two months every thing went on
smoothly. the Indians repaired daily to the
log cabin palace of the Governor at ITALIA.
hassee, and appeared perfectly contented.-
All at once they ceased their visits, and
for three or four DAYS, not one Of them was
to be seen. Gov. Duvai begauto apprehend
that some mischief was brewing. On the
evening of the 4th day. chief named yell
low-Hair, a r~esolute, intelligent fellow, who
had always evinced an attachment for the
Governor. entered his cabin about twelve
O'Clock at night, and informed him. that be-
tween -four and five hundred warriors, paint
ed and decorated. were assembled 10 hold a
secre; war talk at Neamaih!a's town. He
had shipped off 10 give intelligence at the
risk of his lite. and FASTENED back lest his
absence should be discovered.
Governor Duval passed an anxious night
after this intelligence. He knew the talent
and daring character Of Neama,hIa; he re-
collected the tn eats he had thrown out; he
reflected that about eighty white families
were scattered widely apart. over a great
extent of territory. and might be swept a.
WV nj once. should the Indians, rs he fear
cd. determine TO clelr the country. That
he did nn' exagrra;e the dangers oi the case.
has heen proved by tie hnrrIed scenes Of
Indian warlarc HAT have since desolaied that
drvot-! rcui,n. After 4 ni4ht o. SleeplesS
cn-I;ari,u. Duval determined on Il measure
suited II his prnmp! and res"lute character.
kn .v:iar m" admiration Of the savagss for
personal cruTaue. No determined. by 4 sud-
den surprise. to en1cavnr I" overawe and
check them. Ii was hazarding much; but
where 50 many lives were in jeopardy. he felt
bound 10 make the hazard.
Accordingly. on the next morning. he set
/ OF on horseback. attended merely by 4
white man. whn Ind been reared among the
S"ari1nles, and understood their ianGua"e
aud manners. and who acted at interpreter.
They struck into an Indian %strail' LEADING
to Neara,hla's village. After proceeding
ABOUT half Il mile. Gov. Duval informed the
INTERPRETER Of the object of his expedition.
The .ndian~ among whom thew were gong
we're the most desperate and disconnected
Of the nation. Many of them were veteran
warriors. Impoverished and exasperated BY
defeat. and ready to set their lieves at haz-
ard. He said that if thew were holding a
war council. il must be with desuerate IN
tent. and IL wonld be certain death TO IN
trnde among them.
Duval made light of his apprehensions; he
said he was perfectly we'll acquainted with
The Indian character, and should certainly
proceed. So saving he rode on. When
within half a mile of the village. the inter
prater addressed him again. in such a tremu'
ious tone. tia, Duval turned and looked him
in the sice. He was deadly pale, and once
more urged the Governor To return. as they
certainly would be massacred if they pre-
ceeded.
Dnval repeated his determination to 60 OF
hut advised the other 10 return. lest his pale
face should betrav fear for the Indians. and
/ thew might take advantage OF IL. The m
Ierprerer replied that he would rather die a
Thousand deaths. than have II said he desert.
ed his leader when in peril.
Duval then told him he must translate
fliriIiully all he should say to the Indians
without softenirg n word. The interpret
promised faithfully to do so, adding that he
well knew, when they were once IN the town
nothing but holiness could save them.
They now rode into the village. and ad'
vanced To the c"uncil-house. TINS was
rather Il group Of four tonses. forming n
~sou,rc. in the centre of which WA 4 great
council. fire. The houses were open IN front
low ard the fire. and closed in the rear. Al
each corner OF the square there was an N,
rerval between The houses for Ingress and
egress. In these houses sat the old men aho
The chiefs. and the young men were gather
ed around the fire. Neamaihla presided al
the council, elevated on a higher seat than
the rest.
Governor Duval entered by one OF the
ccroer intervals, and rode boldly iEto the
~rentre Of the square. The young men made
way for HIM: and tie old man who was speak
ino. naused in the midst oil his harrangue.-
In an ios,an, thirty or forty rifles were cock
"a and l.veIed. Never had Duval heard Sc
lo,d = click Of triggers; it seered to STRIKE
on ~. iear;. He gave one glanceat the In
G;,rsl and ,:rned OF with an air OF con
,om,, He did moi dare, he says, to looR