Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1845-11-01
20. 81.

1 '6 '1u"6sysA uqutIcu what SORT
of fare might expect. sach thing as
9 bed was not to BIZ seen, bnt many large,
Unnamed bear and buffaio hides Law 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 operate 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 watch had struck
her fancy. and her curiosity had to be
graaiied by an immediate sight of it
took off the gold chain that secured j,
round my neck, and handed it to her.
She was all ecs.acy, spoke Of its beauty.
asked me It's value, and put the chain
round her nick. saying how happy the
possession Of such watch would make
her. Thoughsless. and as fancied my
self, in so retired spot secure, l paid
but little attention 10 her talk and move
menls. helped my dog to good sup.
per of venlson, and was not long in salts
flying the demands of my own appetite.
The Indian rose from his seat, as if in
extreme suffering. lie passed and re-
passed me several times, and once pinch
ed me so violently on the side, that the
pain nearly brought forth an exclamation
of anger. looked at him, his eye met
mine. but his look was so forbiddng that
it struck a chill in my system. He again
seated himself, drew his butcher knife
from its greasy scabbard. examined its
edge as would that Of razor suspected
dull, replaced it, and again taking his
tomahawk from his back. filled the pipe of
it with tobacco, and sent me expressive
have her back towards US.
Never till that moment had my senses
been awakened to the danger which now
suspected TO be about me. [ returned
glance for g lance TO my companion, and
rested well assured that whatever enemies
| I might have. he was not Of their number
| asked the woman for my watch,
wound l. up, and, unde: the pretence Of
| wishing to see how the weather might
probably be on the morrow, took up my
gun and walked out Of the cabin. slip.
ped a ball into each barrel. scraped the
edges of my fin,s, renewed the primings,
and returning to the hut gave favorable
account of my observations. | took a
few bear skins, made bed Of them. and
calling my faithful dog to my side, lay
down. with my gun close to my side, and
in few minutes was to all appearance
fast asleep.
A shor: time had elapsed, VIXEN some
voices we're heard, and from my half shut
eyes bcheld two athletic youths making
their entrance, bearing a dead stag upon a
pole. They disposed of their bur.hen,
and asking for whiskey, helped them
selves freely to it. Observing me and the
wounded Indian, they asked who was
and why that rascal, meaning the Indian,
: who they knew understood not word of
English, was in the house. The mother,
for so she proved to be. told them to
speak lower, mentioned my watch, and
took them to a corner where conversa-
ton took place, the purport Of which re-
CURED but little shrewdness in me to
guess. l tapped my dog gently. He
moved his tail, and with indescribabe
pleasure | saw his fine eyes alternately
fixed on me and the trio in the corner.
fel, that he perceived danger in my situa-
ton. The Indian exchanged last glance
with me.
The men had eaten and drunk ,hem>
selves into such a condition that already
considered them disabled; and the frequent
visits of the whiskey bottle to the ugly
mouth of the old bag, l hoped would
soon reduce her TO like state. Judge of
nv establishment when l saw her take a
large carving knife and 60 to the grind
stone to whe. its edge. l saw her pour
the water on the turning machine, and
watched her working away with the dan
gerous instrument. until cold perspira-
ton covered every part of my body, in
spite of nv determination 10 defend my.
self to the last. Her task ended, she
walked 10 the men and said: "There. that
will settle him! Boys, kill him, and then
for the watch"
turned, cooked my gun-locks silently,
touched my dog, and lay ready to star, ur
and shoot the first who might attempt my
life. The moment was fast approaching,
and that might have been my last in this
world, had not Providence rescued me-
All was ready. The wretch was advanc
ing slowly. probably contemplating the
best way of despatching me. while he'
sons should be engaged with the Indian
| was several times on the eve of raising
and shooting her on the spot; but she was
not to be punished thus.
The door was suddenly opened. and
| there entered two stout travellers, each
| ...:.h = loon r;Ao On III, chandler