The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1848-08-25
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INDIAN GAMESTERS.

bio Indians in the country were at war,
and the deadly hatred of the races OF
each other extended to individuals.
One autumn day Nabajo Indian had
gone out hunting, but had not been at all
successful, and towards night became
weary. To add to his misery, as even.
ing drew nigh, furious storm was ap
proa aching. His anticipations were gloomy
in the ex treme. for, in order to facilitate
his hunting, he had brought bnt a small
piece Of blanket over his shoulders, and
HE body more than half naked, would be
| little short of death itself,
The Indian had remained in this frame
OF mind for some I me, when lie observed
particular rock, which hung out from
the sides Of the mountain and was BY that
suddenly reminded that their was a cave
10 the neighborhood, and this he was at
length fortunate enough to discover.
The aperture of the cave was small but
he squeezed bis body in, aud was soon at
the extreme end of The chamber, where
he cooled himself up TO sleep, with rock
for pillow.
On the same evening Pueblo Indian
4 the mortal enemy of The Nabajo, was sim
ilarly situated, Having had poor success
in his hunt, he too was without a blanket;
sad and weary, he too was sad to spend
the Dlght IN tue storm, and he had thought
of the cave, which he W as diligently seek.
ing. Atlength, like the Nabajo, he found
il and crawled in. He did not go SO far
back as the first hunter, hut lsid himself
down near the centre of the chamber
lhe NabsJo, in a sonod slumber, was un-
conscious OF his entrance, and the fatigu.
ed Pueblo was soon asleep, that he did
not hear the brethipg Of his enemy.
ln the morning the Nabajo, having
slept longest was earliestawak axe. and rose
when be saw the first faint light at the
apa rtnre of the cave. Attempting to
pass out, stumbled he over the Pueblo
who was laid across the narrow chamb er
and awoke him.
Instantly the Pueblo sprang to bis feet
and demanded who had disturbed him.--
The Nabajo answered by asking when
and how lie came into the cave, 10 which
the Pueblo replied that he came in he
night previous, and had slept there. and
who are yonn demand ed the fierce Naba
jo. The Pue bio replied giving his name
and nation, asd demanding the same OF
his iuterrogator, which, as the Nabajo
was brave were OF course given.
The two mortal enemies we're surprised d
to find themselves THUS strangely in the
presence of each other, but they lid n ot
fight, for two men alone together, when
there are no spectators to hiss them on
and they can remain at peace without
censure or ridicnle, very seldom tight
Whe tter the Indians were like other me II
matters not, but at least they did not
fight On the contrary, they very quiet
ly and nationally talked over the war OF
the nations, discu ssed il IN all its bear
ings, and finally agreed. as soon as the
cave should be light enough to spend a
few hours in gambling.
The game played, was the position of a
small pebble, whether under one or an
other of their four moccasins, having been
repeatedly placed under each of them by
the operator beforestopping to decide the
bet, Small sticks were used as counters
and kind of low chant ACCOMPANIED the
game in lis progress.
Having commenced, the enemies were
intent 90 the play: but they had not much
property about them to stake The fist
things put up were their arrows, one by
one, of ich the Poe bio soon won all the
poor Nabsjo had. They then put up their
bows, and he Nabajo won the bow Of The
and the other tue two bows.-All the ar.
rows were now staked by the Pueblo
against the two bows held By the Nabajo,
and the former won. The Nabsjo was
thus stripped entirely of The means Of de-
euce, and of proc iring subsistence. He
then proposed TO bet small piece Of his
| scalp, about the slze OF dollar, TO be ia.
ken from lie crown OF his head against
the bow and arrows which had been his.
10 this the Pueblo readily agreed, aud
gain won: Tae Nabajo submitted TO
have the piece taken from bis head, and
with the long hair which had been the
pride of the owner, The Pueblo tucked II
under bis belt
The play had got to terrible pass--bul
unce absorbed IN gambling. these IpdIans
know no limit, aud care but httle. how
precious the stake. -
Smarting with pain, yet not showing |
IL by the twiteh of a single muscle. th.
Nabsjo proposed to bet his right ca,