Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-02-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE THREE FRIENDS-AN Usage LE-
GEND.
ny PERCY u. ST.. JOHN.

ny PERCY u, 81. JOHN.
The tribe known as the Osages, or Wa-saw-sees,
as they denominate themselves. wander perennally
round the head waters of the Arkansas and Neo-
sho or Grand Rivers, hunting, fishing, and trading
with the Americans at Fort Gibson, the outermost
southwestern fort on the frontier of the U. S.
Tall. even gigantic in stature, they have many
qualities which excite the admiration and applause
of their white brethren. Like most Indians, they
ure brave and warlike; but their peculiarly con-
siss in rejecting the customs of the whites, partl-
cula:ly the use of whisky. Wearing their wild
and primitive costume, they stalk amid the hunters
suuaters and trappers that frequent the neghbor
hood of Fort Gibson, overlapping them in General
by head but still more surprising them in the es-
sentia virtue Of sobriety and temperance-a fail
ure in the exercise of which would doubtless soon
remove them from the pre-emnence they now en-
JOY
that fell into the Neosho wound its way, lay some
time back one of the villages ofthis nomadic tribe.
The wigwams were about a hundred in number,
scattered over the narrow plain near the mouth OF
the valley, and surrounded by rude picket. Built
of bark and reeds, they were evidently construct
ed simply for the necessities of the summer season,
during which the warriors chased the deer and but
falo tor immediate consumption, and to lay up in
store for winter Overlooking the village. was a
grassy mouth Of the valley, and caused the ripping
stream that flowed at its feet to turn abruptly from
its course. From the summit of this hillock the
lodges wore the appearance of huge congrega-
ton of bee-hives, while the eye rested pleasantly
on many adiuncts TO the scene, which rendered it
agreeable and picturesque. The village was alive
with busy throng Of women, few if any men be-
ing discovered; while children were seen at every
point adding still greater animation to the picture.
The first were all actively employed Some stood
at the entrance of their wigwams, busy engaged
in cooking; others were drying and packing The
Of, l,a Il oil
ers, again, laboriously occupied in cleaning fresh
buf'llo skins, preparatory to their being cured for
use as robes. Not married woman was idle. Not
SO, however, the maidens. They yet enjoy
ing the sweets of liberty which, despite the hard
ships incident to the married state In the WlIds
INV were no less anxious to sacrifice than are
nv bright-eyed beauties nearer home. The Usage
girls and many Of them were exceedingly pretty
were coagregated near the edge of the stream
in which dozens of little urchins were bathing
Dancing usually their chief amusement; but
on the present occasion they were spectators of u
scene which possessed more immediate interest
Somewhat apart from the maidens was group,
on which the Usage girls gazrd curiously and en-
viously. Three Indian youths, all under twenty,
nowse related by blood, but connected only by the
bonds of friendship. stood on rising bank in deep
abstraction. Nah-com-e-shee, Koha-tunha, and
Nun e-pushee for such were the names of the
young men--had contracted for one another one
of those most peculiar affections which ineXpica.
bly, arise sometimes between persons of the same
sex, and which often are more sincere and durable
even than love- So welded were they to this feel
ing, as to have publicly declared their intention of
never marrying in order that their amity might SUI
fer no division. Their hearts, they said, were so
occupied by friendship, that love could not find the
remotest corner to creep into How many smiling
faces clouded by this strange announcement,
we cannot say but sure we are, if any had before
suffered them to occupy their thoughts, that reso
luton Increased the number of their admirers man
fold. Indian girls have ways and means of setting
their caps at young men, as the phrase is, as wei
as more civilized damsels, and the Usage mailen
were not idle on this OCCASION Besides that ma
ny really loved the youths, the honor Of the SCI
was concerned. 1t was not to be borne that friend
ship should triumph over love, and it may therefor
be readily conceived what an artillery Of brgl
eyes was responsibility opened upon the tire
friends They, however, renamed lnsenslble to a
the attractions of female society; they joined nc
in the dance, told nor listened to the tale {
love war by the evening fire but rode togethe
hunted together, trapped together, and earned til
highest renown as interchangeable and bold hunt
men.
The ambition of the three friends, howeve
reached to higher lights than emulating the fir
hunters of their tribe. They wished 10 equal
renown the greatest warriors Of the Usage natior
and it was knowledge of the fact that they wei
about to start marauding expedition, whiC
created so great a sensation IN the throng oil mat
ems. The three youths had been deeply engage
in discussing their plans, and were, at the nome
we speak Of, uterng silent prayer to the gre
Manltou for success in their undertaking. Ia
erect, and admirably proportioned, they present'
an excellent group for statuary. While the
shaver heads adorned with the helmet ere
and eagle plume, they bore round their necks orn
ments of the gayest kind. A magnificent cloak
buffalo skin adorned their shoulders, while speG
Shield tomahawk, bow AMI culver, formed the
arms. Leggings moccaslns with wampum ga
ters tied below the knee, completed with the waii
cloth, their attire. Three fine horses were tied
an adjoining tree, showing that they were in ey
ry way ready for the expedition. 1t was still NOR
ing, and many miles of ground were to be cross
before night, the youths having sgniied their
tentlon Of making an excursion into the Pawn
Pict territory
AS as their silent invocation was ended, t
Usage braves stalked gravely towards their ricl
caparlsoned steeds, and mounting them, rode slo
ly from the camp. For some miles, their coul
was along widespread rolling pralrle but so
the presence Of trees gave sign Of their approac
ing river. 1t was not however, until night
that they gained the banks of the Arkansas.
HitheEto, their progress had been open and DO
being within the hunting grounds of their own pc
pie but now the frontier line of the Pawnee Pit
lay before them, in the shape Of the dark rolf
waters of the Arkansas and it time to 4
caution and artiice. 1t was determined, as til
horses were somewhat fatigued, and as they dept
ded on them for escape in case Of need, that III
should seek repose upon the friendly side of
riyer and cross the Arkansas in the morning. tn