Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-05-06
xOJ.E .6yneD .M.aRRE4GE.


Mr.. Catlin, ii his nework npon Indian char
acter, gives the following graphic sketch Of q
love scene between Graham, the English friend
Of Osceola, and the niece OF the unfortunate
chief, which the artist has delineated with the
pen Of master:
Ii was on one Of those glowing evenings OF
the sunny south, when the clouds are gnoeo
ia spIendor 10 await the departing god Of light.
after hard DAYS toll ia pnrsuit Of Tiger which
at last fell wounded by the rife Of Graham.
and was finally dispatched by the tomahawk OF
his swarthy friend, that the young officer lrst
experienced the witchery Of love.
Wearied and feverish from excitement, in a
climate 10 which his system had scarcely be-
come reconciled, he gladly accepted the prot
fered hammock Of Melted grass, suspended by
Natlleocee. Osceola's niece, beneath the um-
brageous wide.spreading branches Of large
oak tree, from whose limbs hung the graceful.
yet melancholy looking moss-at times in fes-
toons, at others falling in perpendicular masses,
to tho length of eight or ten feet: forming a
drapery infinitely surprising in beauty and
splendor all the richest and most elaborate
works Of art.
IN this simple, yet ingeniously constructed
@rial couch, the young hunter reposed his
weary limbs, while Nathleocee watched his
disturbed sleep, and amused her busy fancy
with his delirious mutterings in language
she could not comprehend, whilst she careful
". with q fan made from the feathers Of the
pinnawaw. or wild turkey, brushed away the
intrusive musketoes, or the no less annoying
sand flies.
After few hours repose, Captain Graham
awoke refreshed, and turning his still half-clo-
sed eyes, they rested upon face Of beauty Of
so peculiar character, and in such perfect ac-
cordance with his own romaiic disposition,
that his very soul felt suddenly thrill he had
never hitherto experienced. Beside him stood,
in blushing medesty, perfect child Of nature
her dazzling black eyes flashing fire unde!
an excitement entirely new to her unsophistica-
ted and primitive constiiution-she felt abash-
ed, yet know not why-whllst Graham drank
deep and largely al the first spring of love, and
dwelt with rapture upon the perfect symmetry
Of her form as she leaned against The huge
trunk Of the oak under which he had slept.
Nathleocee possessed not only face Of
loveliness, but form which might vie in beau
" Of proportion with the most exquisite pro-
ductions Of the Roman or Grecian sculptor.
Her costume was such as would shock the
refined modesty of the more intellectual class
Of white females; but nature knows no shame
but tina: Of sin, and assuredly, if virtue cosists
in purity Of thought, sentiment or action, this
artless girl was pure as the fountain which
daily reflected her unrivalled charms.
The upper part of her form, according to the
custom of her tribe, was left uncovered-her
long black hair foated to the winds, unbranded,
over her finely proportioned shoulders. ond as
the zephyrs caught the uncon6ned tresses. they
would play upon bust Venus herself Nigh,
have proudly owned. Her head was surmoun-
ted BY tuft Of feathers plucked from the wings
Of the snow white ortolo, or virgin crane, in
tersPersed with those of the gaudy crimson
damingo-the whole confined by pearls of val
ue collected among the islands at the sonihern
extremity Of the peninsula of Fiorida>
She wore skirt of chassee, or fawn's skin,
Of the softest texture, which was embroidered
with minute sea shells, interspersed with pearls
Of rare beauty and extraordinary magnitude,
and further ornamented with strips of ermine
skins and variety Of feathers Of the richest
hue. This bukkasykee, as it is denominated
in the Seminole language, from her waist to a
little below her knees.
Her beautiful formedkgs were encased in
uphetaikas, also mad hnssee. ornament
e: !; &: !: : iiiiil|