Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-05-28

me mad not the suOinIty oil niagara, or even oil the
81. Anthony Fails, vet there was a sufficient va
cum between myself aud solid ground to render the
idea of fall altogether unpleasant Creeping.
therefore. most cautiously along it, | had almost
gained The terminus. when my eager eyes caugh;
sight Of the Indian encapment, and paused, even
in this position, TO gaze upon the scene.
Surrouuded on all sides, save the entrance by a
rude species of siockade, and seated upon gentle
slope, appeared some twenty or five and-twenly,
Waco huts, arranged round square, the en-
frances all opening towards the CENTRE In shape
they forcbly reminded me of beehive, but in their
silence and desolaiion, they nowise resembled the
habitalions of these busy creatures. Facing the
bridge, al the contrary extremity of the village.
stood what took to be the chiefs wigwam, per-
haps, the general council-chamber. Having stood
some minutes in silent contemplation, cautiously
quilted the log and advancing few yards, stood
amid the dwelling places of that primitive people
whom both history and fiction have invested with
halo of romance, and proceeded to examine the
mode in which the huts were built, and entered
for that purpose the most periect-looking could
see in the encampment. Six eight poles o.
some pliable wOoo-wiilow | believe-had been
cut in the neigh5oring forest, which were fixed
firmly in the ground and bent until they met in an
gether, leaving room about eight or ten feet
square. and proporonally high some, however,
were larger, according, suppose to the exigen-
cies of the family for whom they were constructed.
Other thinner and more piable switches being
passed round the hut, species of mating Of pla-
ted rushes found in abundance along the water
edge, was laid over this in addition TO the bark of
birch and other trees. which was carefully laid on
the rool and fastened by pegs. Over all this when
the camp was inhabited. they placed deer and buff
fao skins; bat these of course. had been removed
By them as far too valuable to be left behind skins,
furs and venison hams being their articles of COM
merce with he whites. The wigwams were Ut
terly devoid Of chmneys windows. all cooking
being performed IN The open air, and light being
Admitted at the entrance, which was not embar-
raised by anything in the shape of door. The
council-chamber bore evldeut marks of advance
ment in the art of building since the introduction
of European tools; for it was formed of square
posts, fastened firmly in the ground, and with oth>
ers placed transversely, which the mating, and
then the bark had been secured with regularity.
taste aud care which could not sufficiently ad-
mlre. The sides were to a certain height, formed
of mud, moulded into wall, and the remaining
portions, Of the same nature as the smaller tents
Its length about thirty feet its breadth fifteen
and, as subsequent occasion had reason to
know. afforded aud excellent substitute for hotel.
when encamped three days in it with party of
hunters. In the centre were evident signs that
mere fire had often been made, round which,
doubtless, many pipe had been smoked, aud ma
ny big talk held The roof. in which was a
small aperture, gave comfirmaiory evidence. Not
remnant remained of furniture or household u.
tehsis of any kind, nor any sign, save the bull
ding, that the foot of man ever trod the spot; for
grass and weeds overran it on all sdes and doubt
less the deer and other game often took shelter in
The houses of their most destructive enemy. In
fact, at my entrance within the interior of the
stockade, my ears were attracted by the rushing
sound of numerous rabbits making their escape
The scene from the Threshold of the council
chamber was sufficiently picturesque. On each
side Ofa gentle slope, IN semtcircular row, were
The lodan huts, reminding one, combined with the
silence which regned around, of the tombs OF the
dead which they certainly did much resemble;
beyond was the picturesque waterfall, the little run
skirted by thick trees and almost mpenetrable I'M
derwood, while on my left was the river and a
heavy TIMBER the stately trees at which were gen.
ty shaken by the breez,. The solitary charm of
the scene was broken only by the murmuring of
the waterfall. the chirping Of the eaihered song
StCio WHICH ucW dUOut III iuOuSduuS III tiC With
sun. several beaten tracks marked The ways by
which the hunting parties were in the habit of star.
ting on their expeditions to scour wood and wilds,
plain and forest, hill and dale, for the game which
constituted almost their only nourishment. In the
rear Of the camp were several small fields which
yet retained the stalks of the maize, and very ike
Iy sweet potatoes had been also planted by the wo
men, who 10 almost all primitive states of existence
appear to be the sole cultivators. That however,
which would have rendered the scene complete,
the presence of the owners, was wanting, and at
ter two hours spent in roaming through the deser-
ted village. and Specializing what had been there
enacted, once more crossed the pne-lOg, and
bordering on the desltnes of the red man, return
ed with slow steps TO TodyiIle. BY diligent en-
quiry, and careful cruss examination of various
parties, al length learned the right Of the story
connected with the desertion of the Waco village
aud as it is singular instance of the evenfn ma
ture of border life, we here the tale unfold.
CHAPTER 1.-THE Single Family
One of the earliest settlers in Galveston county
under General Austin, was Jeremiah Shing'e, his
wife, daughter. and grown up sou. Nov the
male Shingles were a desperate setj could hit a
cent at hundred and fifty PAGES. WELD an Amer