The North-Carolina standard., 1845-09-10
DEATH OF WINDFOOTa
: By ~. WHITMAN.

= 49,
years ago, there lived on lands now forming an
eastern county Of the most powerful of the Ameri
can States petty Indian tribe governed by brave
and wise chiefiains This chieftain was called by
"a name, which signifies in our language Unre-
tenting. His deeds Of courage and subtiety made
him renowned through no small portion OF the
northern continent There were only two dwell
lers in his lod ge-himself and his youthful son;
for twenty moons had filed and waned since his
wife, following four of her offspring, was placed
IN the burial ground. r.'..t e I- d; - 80.
AS the Unrelenting sat alone one evening in
his rude hut, one Of his people came to inform
him that traveller from distant tribe had enter
ed the village, and desired food and repose. Such
a petition was never slighted by the red man; and
the messenger was sent back with an invitation for
the stranger to abide in the lodge of the chief
himself Among that simple race, no duties were
considered more honorable than arranging the
household comforts of guest those duties were
now performed by the hosts own hand, his son
having not yet returned from the hunt on which
he had started with few of his young compan-
ions at early dawn. In little while the wayfa-
rer was led into the dwelling by him who had
given the first notice of his arrival. sg'e aai#
You are welcome, my brother" said the I'm
relening ..-...
'a The person to whom this kind salute was ad-
dressed was an athletic Indian, apparently of mid
die age and habled in the scant attire of his spc
cies. He had war-tuft on his forehead, under
which flashed a pair of brilliant eyes. His re-
jeinder was friendly and brief
"The chiefs tent is lonesome-his people are
away?" continued the stranger, after pause,
casting glance of inquiry around. @
MY brother said true that it is lonesome" the
other answered. "Twelve seasons ago, the I'm
reienting saw FIVE children in the shadow Of his
wigwam, and their mother who was dear TO him.
He was strong like cord of many fbres Then
the breath of Manito snapped the 6bres one by one
asunder. He looked with pleasant eye on my
sons and daughters, and wished them for himself
Behold all that is left to brighten my hcartW
8 The Unreenting turned as he spoke, and point.
ed 10 object just inside the opening of the tent
A moment or two before, the figure of boy
had gldcd noiselessy in. and taken his station at
The back Of the chief. Hardly twelve years seem
ed the age Of the new conner. He was noble
chiIdl His limbs, never distorted by the liga-
lures of civilized life, were graceful as the ash,
and symmetrical and springy as the bounding
stae's. 1t was the last and the loveiest Of the
chieftain's sons--,he soft Tipped, nimble Wind
Foot. .sna 1.'.
With the youths assistance, the preparations
or their frugal meal were soon completed Af
er finishing it the stranger appeared TO be weary,
a heap cf skins wefe arranged for him in one cor
1er, aud he laid himself down to sleep. +
1t was lovely summer evening The moon
'hone the stars twinkled, and the thousand voices
of forest night sounded in every direction. The
chief and his son reclined at the opening of the
ent, cnjnying the cool breeze which blew freshly
upon them, and tapped the piece of decr-hide that
served for their door, sometimes hinging it down
50 as TO darken the apartment, then raising it sud-
denly up again, as if 10 let in the bright moon
beams. ">
- Wind Foot spoke of his hunt that day. He
had met with no success, and, in boys impatient
spirit, wondered why it was that others arrows
should hit the mark, and failure be reserved for
him alone. The chief heard with a sad SMILE as
be remembered his own youthful traits; he sooth
ID the child with gentle words, telling him that
brave warriors something's went whole days with
he same perveTse fortune. y --...s. e..e- /
So Many years since" said the chief " when my
;heek was soft, and my arm felt The numbness of
,ut few winters, 1 myself vninly traversed our
lunting grounds, as you have done today. The
Dark influence was around me, and not a sing |
hafi would do my bidding."
':And my father brought home nothing TO his
odge Q" asked the boy.
The Unrelenting came ack without any
game" the other answered; !; but he brought what
vas dearer to him and his people than the attest
leer or the sweetest bird meat-hc brought the |
scalp of an accursed Kansil'
The voice of the chief was deep and sharp in
is tones Of hatred. .I#
"Will my father, said Wind Foot, " tell---"
The child started ard paused. An exclamation,
sudden CULTURAL noise came from that part of the
cnt where the stranger was sleeping The dry
skins which formed the bed rustled, as he who
ay there was changing his position, and then all
continued silent. The Unrelening proceeded in
l lower tone, fearful that they had almost broken
he sInmber of the guest.
Listen I" said he, "you know part, but not
Ill the cause of hatred there is between nation
md the abhorred enemies whose name mention-
ID. Longer back than can remember they did
mortal wrong to your fathers. The scalps oftwo
of your near kindred hang in Kansi lodges, and
nave sworn my son, to bear them neVer-ending
hatred. s H.at c@ -ds-~ a5iimd ag= 4tea 1
s.On the morning of which spoke, started with
fresh limbs and lig ht heart to search for game
Hour after hour, roamed the forest with no sue
cess; and at the setting Of the sun, found myself
weary, and many miles from my father's lodge.
laid down at the foot ola tree and sleep came
over me. In the depth ofthe night a voice seem
I'd whispering in my ear; it called me to rise
look around. started to my feet,
and found ne one there but myself, then knew
hat the Dream Spirit had been with mes AS
cast my eyes about in the gloom, 1 sawa distant
brightness Treading softly, approached. The
light was that of ere, and by the IRE lay twoI
sleeping figures Oh laughed the quiet laugh
Of a deadly mind, rs saw who they gwerelaI
Kansil warrior and child, like yonrmy SON. in
lge felt the edge of my iomahaWk--itl wasl
keen as my hate. l crept towards them as the
snake crawls lhFongh-thc grass. bent over the
slumbering boy; Iraised my weapon to strike: