The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-04-20
MISCELLANEOUS
EVERETT DUNSFhN.
A Tale ofthe Black Hills.
BY. II, ROBINSON.
CHAPTER

A crimson dawn, nooncay splendor,
sunset glory, noon lii, star gemmed evening
how lovely! These are passing giimpses
1hich we catch of nightless future, and the
land ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS beautiful refiec-
lions which, falling from heaven, are caught
up by the earth.
Clad in his robes OF light, the sun was ris-
ing, and threw his golden beams upon one
of those almost interminable praires
which stretch out from the base ofthe Amer
lean Sierra Morena-the Rocky Mountains,
and tinged with gorgeous hues long waving
grass The eye might TAX lis powers of Wis
ion 10 The utmost, and rest upon nothing TO
break the weary sameness of The scenery; not
a tree, nor a shrub, Fought, save the mist cap
ped mountains far away in the distance,
rearing their mighty he ads against the sky,
All was changeless, monotonous, blank.
AT this hour man OF noble bearing,
mounted npon cole black, powerful steed,
was making his way eisurely across The
prairie He was clad in Il grey hunting suit,
armed from head 10 heel His features,
though somewhat sunburnt, were handsome,
and al that moment expressed fierce deter
minaton The first glance would tel you
that he was man whom it would not be
za,e 10 buliy, and yet his look was neither
harsh nor inrbdding. A superbIy mounted
rife was slung after the Indian style, at his
back, while the butts Of horse pistols prouu-
Led from the holsters.
The sliced he so gaIlantly bcstrode was
worthy the study Of a painter; oil unrivalled
symmetry and maichlcss speed, In the days
OF chiValry both horse and rider would have
done honor 10 the tilt and tournament, for
more graceful cavalier never put a lance in
rest, or entered the lists 10 do his deroiy for
fair lady. With an impatient gesture he
L. 1ro,,ef.,l hitpcpii from tho
into which he had fallen, gave his charger
The rein, and swept away like the wind. in
north westerly direction.
Hours passed, aud still that solitary horse
man urged his steed across the prairie.
The sun was high in the heavens ere he drew
rein to rest. Atenglh sprnging from the
saddle he threw himself upon the ground, &
suffered his horse 10 feed upon the rank
grass which in some places almost obslructed
his massage. He must be in The neighbor-
hood OF this prairie" unused the cavalier.
Two days travel will take me 10 the Ne
braska, where may expecI 10 find the OBJ
iect of my search. He may have taken rel
ure with the Chcyennes, or the Aucheras,
hut let him be where he may, with the Sioux,
the Poncas, the Crows, or even the Black
feet tribe, will seek him out and punish his
treachery. ''He canDot, he shell not escape
me,'-raising his hand in an energetic man
ncr.-"I will hunt him 10 the confines Of per-
dition. | will dog his footsteps like an a.
venrinr Shirt. When he imagines himself
in safety, | will rise up like an apparation be-
fore him, and cause the coward blood 10 rush
back frozen with fear upon his craven heart.
When he believes himself far beyond NY
reach and my power, will glide like scr
pent across his path, and like the boa crush
him in my embrace.
Bur WHY do | talk? Why waste my time
IN words? why express my hatred in ullrcats2
] must act Vel must proceed with eX-
trcmc vigilence aud direct every moment
tvirh Il wise caution, | am in the heart of "A
s;lvaUe country surrounded by ;he perfidi-
Gus Blackfcet and Crows But | must trust
TO NV own address and the swllness OF my
stcej in case of an encounter. Come here
Bavard," he continued addressing his horse.
come here, | will match thee with The fee
fest orthv race Like an arrow shot from
a hov. ljlou will bear me from mime enemies
and beyond pursuit "Ila, old friend, you
understand me- as the eye Of the dumb
beas, seemed to tighten up with intelligence,
and he laid his head caressin9ly upon his
masters shoulder Yes, | will trust thee
in itutr OF danger Thy wonderful instinct
shall be my safe guard. Thcre-away now,
and eat thy ill. for before set of sun, we must
be far away towards The Black Hills.
Arreeahlv 10 The mandate The we'll trained
animal left his side and commenced feeding
As before while the traveller cast his eyes
,hourhtuily towards the dark mountaneou:
r,Jre. away TO the north wes:. The blacl
Hills rs they are termed, were about seventy
five miles distant and situated about Il hnn-
dred miles cast of the Rocky Mountains
These Hills or mountains, are singular iol
the oI6ness and wildne SIS of their scenery
The poor Indian has made them in his ig
norance the abode ofthe presiding deities
and regards with a superstiiious awe The
noises occasioned by subterraneous explo
sions or volcano fires heard among them
Their beetlng cliffs and broken masses Of
rocks, piled TO the heavens, have grand ant
imposing effect upon the gazer. One would
fam people them with hordes oil handiti. who
saIIv forth and commit their d ep relation:
upon the solitary traveller or lonely trapper
and then retreat for safety TO their mountain
Businesses to feast and revel on their i'll gotter
spoils,
An hour elapsed, and then the travelle
remounted his steed and pursued his way
Before night he placed many miles OF pralr
lie land between him and that resting place
The scenery was somewhat changed, NOR,
broken nd billy, interspersed with shubberl
ciu HNSS
The sun was setting He stood upon al
eminence, measuring with his eye the distance
he had yet to traverse ere he should reaci
tbe mountain ranges before him. Twas
glorious ight! He abandoned himself &c
The luxury of beholding the rich coloring tina
gided the sturdy peaks many miles away
Perhaps he-that lonely borseman, though
ofliie's sunset, where it sinks TO rest in The
hope of a more glorifed dawning, wher
drawing a6outt the respIendent truths o.
the gospel,it disappears in the lull assurance
olfaith.-But those dark passions at work IL
his bosom Of which we have given the reader
glimpse, must have clogged The minds
flight. orgiven it but an imperfect action
His life has been TO him like that uneven
rugged surface upon which he was gazing
He had been raised 10 Heaven by hope. and
then dashed down to earth by despair, And
now, while he is looking al the mountain
scenery we will give the reader some history