The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-04-18

years, made him quite cOmpln!onable; he
was also close observer of "men and
things" Holabeo was much in the habit OF
being up at night, and of frequently walking
out in the forest. He was surprised on one
of these occasions to find Black Wolf fol.
lowing him. "Why, Black Wolf" said Holo-
bee, "what brings you out at this time Of
night? You will never get well, if you ex-
pose yourself to the dew"
"Ycs, will; am better now. came
10 see if the medicine man talked to the
s!aIs.n
Holabse laughed at the idea, and told him
no; that he studied books TO learn the use
Of medicine, and not The stars.
"What makes Holabec walk o nightW
iolabec told him that he had been SOL
dier; was used 10 being up at night; and
could not sleep so much as other people did.
"Black Wolf cannot sleep now" he said !;
che thinks Of Water Lilly: and he wants TO
write letter, and let Holabce send it to the
missionary school in Mississippi, to let Wa
ter Lilly knows that he is uljve and when
she comes IIolaboe will send her to Black
Wolf Ii she gets sick, Holabco will cure
her If she wants clothes or money tIoIa-
bee will give it TO her: he will be her father
and Black Wolf will bring him skins.n
1t WAS quite evident that the thoughts Of
Black Wolf were fully occupied with Water
Lilly, and ;hat it was his intention TO remain
until her arrival; as he had made his ar
rangemcns TO have his cabin build and his
corn land enclosed near his fathers. Ho-
labee promised attention to his wishes, and
10 do all he could to accomplish them.
Misfortune seemed 10 follow the unfor-
nnate Choctaws. Their hunting parties
found the Pawnces and Camanches in the
prairies, and many bloody conflict cnsued.
Iolabee was determined to form a large par
ly, and go out with them. Black Wolf was
pleased; and the party was soon formed.-
They had scarce been out four weeks, when
the cholera, which had scourged the coun-
try, broke out among thGm. Having 10 me-
djcjne, their party were soon scattered, and
more than half Of them either died or re-
turned. The small pox also appeared in the
nation; and the letters that were sent bacI;
were Of the most dscouraging character
The rise of the Sac and Fox Indians on the
Upper Mississippi, who had sent the war
belt 10 all the frontier, was litnly TO make
trouble. One instance will serve TO show
the state Of mind on the return Of the hun
tors. One Of them found that his father,
mother, and all his family had died during
his absence, except his brother, who had
gone back 10 Mississippi Ii was in vain to
tell him Of the cholera: he believed that his
brother had murdered thom and fled and he
determined 10 follow him and avcnge their
death. Confinement alone diverted him
from his purpose.
All this was magnifod in the reports sent
to Mississippi. They reached the missona-
ry station, and poor Water Lilly was distress
ed to find that 10 party would leave the fol-
lowing spring. The letters sent had never
reached her, and Black Wolf had become Il
prey to disquiet. 1t was in vain TO tell him,
his letters had not reached her. He had
heard that the cholera had been at his old
home, and he determined al all hazards 10 go
back, unless Water Lilly "cams with the
early blossoms" She did not come. One
night sufficed TO determine him; and in a
light canoe he was off. Holabee regretted
his departure; for he knew that his health
was feeble, and that he had not half the
means necessary for his support. But the
Indian with his rifle and ammunition finds
his living in the woods.
The coming summer proved more fave
rable. Large parties Of cmigrants arrived,
and among them was the Lost Fawn; for
such was The new name given to Water Lii
ly. 1t appeared that she was not aware Of
the necessity Of having her name enloIlcd
as an omgrant; and when she joined the
party, Oh the day they commenced their
Journey, the agent could tell nothing about
her. She would give no account Of herself,
as she had left without the consent Of her
parents, or even making herintCnion known
10 The missionaries. 1t was evident that she
was Chocaw; she spoke the language;
and was by the treaty entitled to transporta-
lion. The agent could not refuse. Her
name WAS not known; and she fearing that
it might lead 10 her detention, refused to
give it. Hence name was substituted, and
she became known as The Lost Fawn.
On their arrival at Fort Smith, the names
Of the whole party were looked over, and
Holabee became satisfied that Water Lilly
was not among them. He would have re-
NAMED thus ignorant; but that the removing
agent happened TO tell him that one of his
party, Lost Fawn, was not known, and that
The name had been given her on the way, she
being without any friends, relatives, or ae-
luaintanccs in the party. Holabee did not
mention his suspicion, out determined to see
her, which he did the next day; and finding
her 10 answer the description given by Black
Wolf, he addressed her in the Choctaw Ian
suage. After few inquiries concerning her
destination, he found that she was looking
for Black VOLTS family; still she did not
mention his name. Holabee was now con-