The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-21

the fioor,, on which ne had been lying,
and, as he leaped to the doorway, fol-
lowed by his mistress, the sharp crsck
of airifle was heard, and the noble ami
nal fell dead at her feet. iInan instant
afterwards, the form Of an Indian,
whom Minames at once recognized as
the foIled assassin at her marriage,
bounded into the cabin, and, despite the
|niother's furious struggles; clutcbed her
child from its little couch, and brandish-
ing his knife will savage yells, severed
the head from its body. Eae 80 - Mi
sh1sfhere, ,"said he, pitching the corpse
towards the frantic mother, sis my re-
yenge. Blood TO the red mans wrong
is rs water to- fire. 1 am satisfied.
FAREWELL" and turning upon his heel,
fhequitted the spot, like one who had
accomplished a noble deed, with slow
and haugh,ytfootfall.9 pa. p h;slfi" {
The hitherto happy and con,ented
home Of the trapper was now desolat-
ed. twas a long. long time since
tears had tal.en from Nick Wolsey's
eyes; bat rs he watched the sinking
moments ofhis dying wife, they chased
each other down his fufrowed cheeks
in streams, and showed the floodgates
Of his heart were open. AS the sun
rose, the spirit Of Minamee fed. y =. |
"Revenge!" exclaimed the trapper,
rising from the side Oh the dead body OF
his wife. over which, lie had mourneJ
for hours. .l'lI have such evenge, that
in tale or story none can equal. J f'llbe
more bloody than the panther; more
cruel than beast or savage Of any kind
or time. Revengev' continued he,
with convulsive laugh. s'rhe white
mans vengeance shall at least equal
the red" NQIilslosasaf9 9I'i t,'ia az = +
Mounting his small but feet horse,
caught from the wild praire, the trapper
turned bis head towards the west, and
driving his heels into his flanks, gallop-
ed, like one reckless Of life and limb, to
the valley Of the Mohawk. There, as
he anticipated, he found the tribe from
whom his lndian wife had been chosen.
Brief was the horrid tale ofhis wrongs,
and as brief his demand for justice.
Fea 'st;iye me-" said he, "the murderer,
and let,me deal with him as list.'' - (
The chiefs listened with that seem
ing apathy with which they listen to
every relation, whetherof good or evil;
and continued to send volumes Of
smoke, curling Upwards from their fps,
as they sat in d circle about the fire,
without d perceptible emotion Of any
kind. At length the elder said, after
long silence, "My white brother says
well. Letit be so. Deal with him rs
you list. fake him hence" a'.f X
2 The consent obtained, a howl ofsav-
age delight burst from the trapper's
breast as he pouncedlike' a CALLED tiger
upon ins victim. . g f,' ~ f.i'F /
rs "You're niine!"n cried he, clutching
the renorseless wretch by the throat,
and lifting him from the earth in his
brawny grasp like a weak, puny child.
'sYou're mine!" repeated he; and as ye
gave no mercy, none shall be gwen
ye." 4
Winding long narrow strips of un-
tanned hide round the shoulders, arms,
and wrists Of his prisoner, he bound
them tight to his body, and fixing one
end to his rude stiirup, threw himself
upon his horse to retrace his steps at
slow and leisurely pace. The irapper
appeared even TO select the path with
care, so that the prisoner might not be
injured by brake or brier in their pro-
srfss. s'g.t t' 's4v.'ie h.''si' 8t1 .
n In silence without one word being
spoken in that long, long night they
continued on through waste and wild.
The unruffied Hudson reflected the
clear rays ot the moon, bright and I'M
broken as Iooking-gIass. The refresh
ing mis,s rolled along the sides of the
highlands in graceful folds, and nothing
broke on the ear but the wash Of wa
ters and the melancholy note Of the
whip-poor-wlll. just as the first tinge
of light streaked the east, the trapper
arrived at the door OF his cat.in; and af-
ter securing his prisoner, beyond the
chance Of escape, TO the trunk of pri-
meval willow hard by, he at once began
the task Of his uneqnalleJ, unheard OF
revenge. Witha hatchet, lie cut long
and stout branches from the willow,
and tying them firmly together witt,
pieces Of dried skin, formed a sort oi
rough, strong basket, resembling a large
cradle. When tins was complete, he
threw his helpless captive into il, nj
full length, with his face upwards, and,
passing strips of'hide through the aper-
lures ofihe cradle from IS feet to his
neck, bound him fast, tllat not even a
siuew might be moved Then. taking