Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-06-03

was scarcely light sufficient to render
the objects around observable, and
dense fog seemed TO fill every Granny Of
the cave.
Snow, white man," said the Indian,
as, with giants strength, he covered
the entrance of their retreat with
huge rock which had apparently once
fitted the aperture through which they
entered, "you are removed from the
danger of pursuit; look around you!
you tremble that you are in the power
of poor friendless Indian, who has
bartered the risk of his own life for
your safety? The Black Wolf knows
not this retreat-and did he, he burst
not enter it. The Dwarf Indian as
you white men cali me, could instantly
cover him with the jutting rocks
around us. Look around you! What
can you see? the dim thick vapors that
overshadow your rivers-the dark
and gloomy confines that border on
your tabled hell. Dost thou not know
me?''
The hunter was surprised at this a
postrophe, and he answered to the In
dams inquiry with tremulousness
that in ordinary cases would have
seemed unmanly: "Strange man! l
know you not-you have that in your
person and manners which passes over
me like an infant dream, and | look
upon you as something allied to the
memory of the past, bnt which | can
not trace or define"
Chow many brethren have we, white
man? Lives your father yet-and your
mo,her?"
There was a something mournfull in
the enquiry of the Indian, but his
eye wavered not, and his countenance
was fixed with a Responding but firm
glance upon the being he addressed.
"Mysterious being" at length the
hunter exclaimed, 81 know not why I
am thus interrogated-but my brothers
have been three; two have fallen be-
meath the Ratchet of our pursuers-my
eldest know rotor; he was born a.
way long since by the same tribe, and
has probably shared the same fate of
the two last; had one sister, now their
captive; and but for the wild despera-
ton Of the act, | would now attempt
her rescue"
"But what Of your father, and your
mother?" was the quick and almost an
CRY reply of the Indian.
"They too were borne away by the
same savage'band."
"Dare you white man,. and the In
dian raised his dwarfsh yet gigantic
proportions, "Dare you, white man
dare you attempt their rescue?"
with my life | will" replied the
hunter, not little nettled at the qui-
ry.
"Hold, them" said O-i-chec, as he
communicated fire to bunch of COM
hustibles, 'the hour is not far distant
when we can surprise them on their
mid-moon watch"
Night was, indeed fast approaching,
and the discounted Black Wolf and
his party had enca1ped close to the
entrance of the cavern occupied by the
/ Dwarf Indian. Little was he aware of
the destruction which lurked beneath
him, as his party gathered around, and
the prisoners of his cruelty were bound
and linked with cords TO the slumber-
ing tribe AS the torch Of O-l-chee
was lighted, the desolation of the cav
ern became more and more distinct and
visible; the wild glare of the light rem
dered the situation one Of deep interest
to the eye of the inexperienced hunter.
He looked around-here a chasm
yawned, there an unsupported crag
threatened him, and far below where
he stood the turbulent waters OF sky
hidden stream dashed in torrents over
the uneven surface of the rude abyss.
Presently his eye caught a sight OF
something that aroused him 10 the rec
collection of the upper world: high on
projecting rock, lighted by the torch
of the indian, he beheld, as it were two
globes Of fire, rolling in their orbits,
yet fixed intently upon him. His rifle
was raised in an instant, but the indian
withheld his hand.
"Fool!" he exclaimed, crush not on
destruction-one rife sound above
would prove. our ruin; trust to me"
and he scattered the splinters of his
pitch pine torch with so judicious
hand that the startled animal shrunk
back from his position, and, treading