Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1845-11-26
Volume L.

Accustomed to the habits of Indians,
and knowing that they pay but little.
attention to the approach of civilized
strangers, circumstance which in
some countries is considered as evinc,
ing the apathy Of their characters. ad-
dressed him in French, a language not
unfrequently partially known to the
people Of that neighborhood. He rails
ed his head, pointed to one of his eyes
with bis finger, and gave me signifi-
cant glance with the other, His face
was covered with blood. 4, The fact
was, that an hour before this, he was in
the act Of discharging an arrow at a
raccoon in the top of a tree, the arrow
split upon the cord and sprung back
with such violence into his right eye,
as to destroyit forever. '..t-
Feeling hungry, inquired what
kind offare i might expect. Such a
thing as a bed was not to be seen, but
many large, untanned bear and buffalo
hides lay piled in the corner. drew
my watch from my breast and told the
woman that it was late, and that | was
fatigued. She had espied my watch,
the richness of which seemed to ope-
rate upon her. feelings with electric
quickness. She told me that there was
plenty of venison and buffalo meat, and
that on removing the ashes should
find cake. But my watchhad struck
her fancy, and her curiosity had to be
gratified by an immediate sight Of it.
| | took of the gold chain that secured it
round my neck, and handed it to her.
She was all ecstacy, spoke of its
beauty, asked me its value, and put the
chain round her neck, saying how hap.
py the possession ofsuch watch would
make her. Thoughtless,j and as | fan
cied myself, in so retired spot, secure,
! | paid but little attention to her talk
and movements. Ihelped my dog to a
good supper Of venison, and was not
long in satisfying the demands Of my
own eppetite. ~ ~ s r..
The Indian rose from his seat as il
in extreme suffering. He passed and re.
passed me several times,and once pinch.
ed me so violently on the side, that the
pain nearly Brought forth an exclama-
ton of anger. looked at him, his eye
met mine, but his look was so forbidding
that it struck chill in my system, He
again seated himself, drew his butcher
knife from Its greasy scabbard, exam-
ined its edge as would that Of razor
suspected dull, repeated it, and again
taking his tomahawk from his back, fill
ed the pipe Of with tobacco, and sent
me expressive glances whenever our
hostess chanced to have her back 10.
wards US. .,.....l... .....
Never till that moment had my sens.
es been awakened 10 the danger which
| now suspected to be about me. | re-
turned glance for glance to my com
panion, and rested well assured that
whatever enemies might have, he
was not of their number. 4. saa ,i- .s 81
I asked the woman for my watch,
wound ii up, and, under the pretence
of wishing to see how the weather
might be on the morrow, took up my
gun and walked out Of the cabin.
Slipped a ball into each barrel, scrap
ed the edges Of my Aints. renewed the
primings, and returning to the hut gave
a favorable account ofmy observations.
I took a few bear skins, made bed Of
them, and calling my faithful dog.to my
side, lay down, with my gun close to
nv side, and in a few minutes was to
all appearance fast asleep. 3.o -, ,l.
A short time had elapsed, when some
voices were heard, and from my half
shut eyesl beheld two athletic youths
making their entrance, bearing dead
stag upon a pole. They disposed of
their burthen, and asking for whlskey
helped themselves freely it. Observ.
ing me and the wounded Indian, they
asked who was, and why that rascal,
who they knew understood not a word
| Of English, was in the house. The
mother, for 50 she proved to be, told
them to speak lower, mentioned my
watch, and took them to, 2 corner
where conversation took place, the
purport of which required but little
shire wdness in me 10 guess tapped
my dog gen,ly.os He moved Install,
and withaindescribable pleasurel saw
his eyes alternately fixed upon nae and
the trio in thecorner. l. felt that he per-
ccived dangeroin my situation. The
Indian exchanged last glance with
me- aam odl % oaas'sol>9a ~ Isg'd.
Pie men had eaten and, drunk them.
selves into such a condition that / con-
sidered them disabled and the frequent
visits Of the whiskey bottle 70 the ugly
mouth ofthe ald ohag,., hoped would old
soon, reduce her TO- q like state Judge
81 fmMy, M 'astppis shment when saw her
take a large carving knife and 60, TO the