Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-10-20
WHOLE NO. i54.

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phantly through the scenes and trials Of
this day. Hero said he. we will eat, and
here. for the last time. we will smoke the
pipe Of friendship together. After has,y
repast Of broiled venison and bread, the
pipe passed from one to the other in regu.
lar succession. sa
Now, said Mantinoah to his friend,
little more than two years have elapsed
since at my native village near to US.
partly in self-defence and partly in burst
Of passion, slew one who had been nv
chosen friend-my bosom companion -
| was condemned as guilty Of my friends
blood. 1t was decreed should suffer
death. II was then I sought the gloomy
recess Of the forest-it was then present.
ed myself before the chefs Of the Onon-
dagas and sought admiuance into that ma.
tion-it was then won your friendship.
The nearest Of kin to him slew, accord
ing 10 our customs, was TO be my execu-
toner. My execution was deferred for
two full years. during which time was
to retire as banished man from my ma
ton. The time of two full years expires
This day. When the setting sun sinks be-
hind the topmost branch Of yonder tree
behind the branches of this venerable oak.
a, the foot Of inns ...ncient rock against
which now lean, stand prepared, r.. u re-
ceive my doom. My friend. We have
had many cheerful sport toge,her-0ur
joys have not been circnmscrhns =.
griefs have been few. Look not so s.2
now, but let new joys arouse you TO hap
piness. When you return to the Onon-
dagas. bear testimony that Mantinoah di.
ed like brave man that he shivered not
at the approach of death, like the coward
pale face. nor shed tears as woman
Mantinoah fears not to die. Take my
hunting knife, my hunting pouch, my
belt, my horn and rifle. accept them as
momen,os Of our former friendship; need
them no longer. A few moments and the
avenger will be here. | am ready, the
Grea. Spirit calls-larewell. ess re
Webster firmly demonstrated against
his determination. In vain he urges him
TO escape the Consequences short si-
lence ensued--a yell is heard in the dis
lance. Maptipoah. resnnnds- and SUDDEN.
" singles Indian approaches, takes MANI
tinoah by the hand. He too has been his
early friend. But the laws Of the savage
cannot be broken. After mutual saluta-
tons and expressions of friendship the
avenger thus addressed him. Mantinoah.
you have slain my brother, our laws de-
clare me his avenger, and your execution
err; your time has come, death is at hand
prepare to meet him. be steadfast, be
firm. and may the Great Spirit sustain
you. At this moment the quick eye Of
Man,inoah perceived the promised signal,
the white belt opened its folds in the deep
shade Of the forest, as the soft light Of the
suns last lingering rays fell upon it. Il
waved from the hand OF the fair Kahyan-
sa. Il was enough. His full dark eye
met triumphan.ly that Of his destroyer
He gracefully elevated his manly lGo5N
carefully barred his broad bosom. Hia
majestic head was already uncoveresssA
He laid his arms across his manly breast
NOT muscle moved-not breath was
heard; there he stood ready for the volun-
tary sacrifice, immovable as adaman,.--
Accompanied with deafening yell the
deadly tomahawk Of the avenger glittered
in its fading light. Its keen edge sank
deep into the brains Of the victim. The
thirsty earth drank the life blood of Man
tinoah; and he sank lifeless corpse be-
fore his friend,
Instantly. as if by magic host of saw
ages appeared, The mournful song Of
death re-echoed through the forest. The
gloomy dance for the dead moved in mel-
ancholIy solemnity around the corse Of
the departed. The lowguuural moan pc
cuIiar to the savage murmured through the
trees, and all was still. They silently
surveyed the scene, when slowly in
groupes, in pairs and single, the specta-
tors Of this thrilling scene retired. The
gloomy tempest Of this fatal .radgedy was
followed by quiet calm-every sound
was luIled save the waving Of The green
leaves and The insect song-all was hush
ed in the peculiar stiffness Of evening
The star Of night had set her dim mantle
over all things-nature' self deemed pro-
foundry wrapt in the solemll1y Of the mel
ancho!ly catastrophe. Sill as the scene
around her. The gentle Kahyansa moved
from her convert. Silently and deyoutly
the Indian girl wended her way to. the
corse Of her lover. The dim light Of the
stars exposed the ruined form oft1sfallen
one. His stern features had not RELAXED.
the unAinching look of iortitude was IN
delibly stamped on his brow. The man
tel Of dignity still shrouded his noble
form. He We. seemed as if the same in
fleximable, indomisable spiri, possessed
him.
Kahyansa drew near. and on her BEND