Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-10-01
CARROLLTON, OHIO-FRIDAY, OCTOBER /, 1911

him.. addressing HoIale Flxico, he demanded.
"lndan tell us---where are The rest Of your
people who were sent fort Have they too proved
ds base and aithloss as their NaIonl TOO Stubborn
or TOO woman.hearIed 10 come and save their iel.
lows from deathi"
The warrior moved not a muscle, but check
ing the indignant curl Of the lips and calmly over
looking the unmanly taunt, replied:
81 have come 70 satisfy your demands. My
brothers are separated and cannot be found, your
troops have scattered them; and like startled ca.
giles they have fled on the wings Of The wind"
"Your surrender alone will not save the pris.
oners. Know you not, red-iace, that unless they
are gathered in these men will be hung, and
he pointed ominously 10 the captiyes with frown
of firm determination. A dead silence fell like
a spell upon the group Of Indians and in that mo-
ment Of intense dealhly stiffness, every counte'
nance spoke the fight Of hope; and on its throne
sat calm statue-like resignation while the officer
conlinued-"lf | send you out for your band will
you swear to bring them here, in time to save
their lives from the halIerl"
"They have gone," was the still firm reply,
"and know moi where to look for Them. They
nave uGu INC sdIlCu uGGl ~ AtlAheNA Vi JSAl
troops, and have taken different paths"
"Fase onel think not to deceive me. Indian
can find Indian. Listen,..-if they are not here
within eight days, these fellows shall surely die
and dange IN the winds"
THE track Of the red-man through the Forest
is covered; his path is hidden: like midnight, 1t
is not seen. 1t cannot be found in eight suns"
and as the warrior ceased his eyes seemed fixed
vacuily, and his gaze indicated an unbending re.
solve. The commanding officer read his expires.
sion and knowing that further pressing Of inter-
rogalories would prove bootless, turned and fix.
ing his eyes upon the elder Of The prisoners, in.
quired
"Have you a wilel"
He had at last touched the answering chord Of
the heart.
"My wife and child are with the people, wish
them here that might take leave Of them before
de-"
The affection Of the husband and father min
ged with The stern creed of the warrior, and the
voice Of Pushmalaha, whilst 1t was resoute and
unlaltering parlook Of The deep palhos Of the
heart. UnwiIngto loose the favorable moment
of the triumph Of paternal affection, the COM
mandant continued
"Do you love your wlel"
The Indian seemed startled at the interrogato-
ry,--.so sudden, so unlocked for. His pride was
wounded; but he smotheredlhe scornlul outbreak,
and his reply was as brief as true to nature.
"Love them! the dog is fond of his kind, and
shall not love my own blood! do"
Think you, that you could find the people
that are oul!"
The Indian shook his head ncreduousy, as he
replied with emphasis, ,---"They are scattered aud
may not be found"
DO you desire your freedem!" continued the
officer, changing the point Of attack and unwil-
ling to despair.
II see the people going TO and fro, free as the
wind, and desire 10 be with them. | am tired
Of these chains" land CLEANS of indignant bur-
ming pride flashed 6ercely from his eyes, as he
cast them down upon these emblems oil ablect
shame.
"If | strike off these fetters and release you,
will you bring in the people within the appointed
tme!"
"Me! you will not trust me; yet would ry.'
And beam Of hope frightened for all instant
the calm face of the chief; and as quickly lelI Il
in its cold sIoical composure.
"If Holale Fixico will consent TO wear youl
chains and tobe hungin yourPlace IL you shoulc
not return, you may co.
Pausing, the commander quietly surveyed the
whole parly,-whilst another silence, deeper l
possible, and more prolracted, fell like the touch
of oblivion upon the speechess listeners. Life
or death was the issue. The eyes Of Pushma
taha still remained fixed upon the heavens
whilst not muscle moved nor limb stirred
but every feature was as fixed as if chselled from
The cold marble rock. But not so, his mothe
and sister. Their intense imploring gaze,--ll
which, hope, fear, pity. mercy, agony, were al
blending, pleading--was fixed upon the upralse'
. face of Holate Fixico, as if to pierce his yer.
- soul. All eyes were concentrated upon HIM.
. The warrior struggled 10 retain his fixed compo
# sure. There was mighty contest OF mind with
a in that heaving breast,----a fearful struggle TO
a mastery! But good conquered; the angry ele
= ments were spoken TO be quiet like when tn
/. flesh veed Deity commanded "Peace, be suII.
,fI With The most resolute composure and almos
f supernatural frmness, he replied:
II I'll have no wife, no child, no mother. 1t
It more fit that he should live than |. lie has thos
$ for whom 10 live, | consent 10 take his cham
i and abide his fate. Let him CO." and he wave
v his hand with heroic resolution; and his tall lori
!. seemed to tower with unearlhly majesty! wa
d scene of awing moral submily;-''-'o see lh'
J. noble soul risngsuperior to all selfish prompting
J. ...alI interested feelings all earthly atec.ons;,
l. superior to the love Of lie..-lhaI most deepI
:. rooted principle of the human heart; and ofel
i, ing himself voluntary sacrifice upon The alta
ID -..not of Grcndship---but Of magnanlmiIy!.-' &c
g grand nobility of soul! Here was no long chez
4. ished and firmly knit attachment, no inVloIabI
ID confidence in the truth Of friend. No. Their
e was no assurance here, on which to base an In
10 movable hope. None. But bare PosslblIi'
e was left that Pushmaaha would return with th
r. people in time TO save his life. twas Puro o
d iering of all-.-of seIf--of life to secure the eA
+. istence of one whom he believed to be of mos