Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-25

boats in which are the scalped chiefs wo-
men,"
g Heaven forbidn' cried Giard turning
pale; ''surely they will not hurt the wo-
men,
g They have warriors in the boats, and
my young men win fight; they will not see
when they fire, ii they be men or women
Raven of the Reynad," exclaimed the
young man with an earnesrness and solem-
nifty which riveted the chiefs attention; in
these boats is more than my life. One holds
Marie Renvilie, whom Hove and have low
ed long. We are friends; if she dies hate
yot, and you are my enemy forever.
shall mrn wolf, and neither you nor yours
would spare in my anger. *
'sugh!" said the Indian, deeply moved;
g 60 and see that the Petit Girls is not hurt,
and the girl shall be saved" With these
words the Raven of the Reynards plunged
into the forest, while Antoine Giard hurried
to the scene of conflict.
Every wigwam was in flames, several of
the old men and women were wounded,
while two or three surrounded the Petit
Girls, on whom Captain Renville, as the
wife of the Raven, was about TO wreak his
disappointment and revenge. To what eX-
treme his violent feelings might have carried
him can never be known, for just as ne was
about to give forth his orders, Antoine
rushed forward, struck down the arms of
those who held her, and cried, /" Hold, mad
man; your own wife and child, and those of
many around, are in the hands of the RAJ
ven." The captain and several of the arm
ed colonists actually tottered with dismay,
while TO all rushed the fearful picture of
what the retribution cf the Indians might
be. They had attacked and DESTROYED a
peaceful settlement, had shot and wounded
old men and women, and now the boats
which bore long absent families to their new
home, and TO their husbands and fathers,
were in the hands of the men whom they
had made an enemy. Captain Reinville
stood ike convicted criminal awaiting
sentence of DEATH He now saw, by re-
Election, the full enormity of his conduct,
and, overwhelmed with shame and grief,
requested Giard to explain. The young
man did so, and requested that the picked
youth of the party should at once embark
and go to the relief of the boats. Reinvllle,
who made no effort to command, acquies-
ced, and the Indians were Immediately un-
der an escort, marched TO the village of
Prairie du Chen.
Antoine then, with gallant band, en-
barked on the river, and, aided by the cur
rent, made rapid progress downward. An
tome was not without hope that he might
meet with the boats ere the Indians by land
could reach them, and accordingly urged
his willing oarsmen to the utmost. About
three hours after shutdown, however, they
halted, and took brief repose, but at the
first glimpse of dawn, prepared again TO
start Just as the fist stroke of the oar
was given, boat turned the corner and
came in sight, as if hurrying for the life of
its crew. They waited with intense ankle
ty the appearance of the second, It's com
panion. There was, however, but one
Antoine felt deadly sickness overcome
him, as he saw that the one in view con-
tanned but men. As the rescue approached,
the young men gave forth loud cheer, but
no answer came from the fugitiyes, who
came alongside, pale, downcast, and with
averted looks. They had been attacked on
the previous evening, the second boat being
close in shore. At the first volley, its pas
sengers, principally women, had risen IN
alarm, and in an instant il upset. They
saw no more, being too much occupied IN
fighting their way up, and in preserving
their own lives. They were however, quite
sure that the whole had persisted by the
hands Of the Indians, or by the waters Of
the river. Crushed by sudden weight Of
sorrow. Antoine gave orders for the party
10 return, and bear the sad news to the set
Element.
II was late in the evening ere they reach
ed the landing Of Prairie du Chen. IL was
a lovely spot, shaded on each side by trees,
a space having been cleared to reach the
wafer. Drawing the boats up close N
shore. the melancholy band turned their
steps towards the village, when, suddenly
springing from his lofty concealment, AN In
dian, unarmed, and in sombre gnise, stood
before them-it was the Rayenl Adyan-
cling towards Antoine, he laid his hand hea-
Willy on his shoulder, and said, The wa
tiers of the father of rivers sigh over the
grave Of the white girl; she is drowned, but
the Raven of the Reynards caused her
death; he is here TO give bis life TO his
friend!' Sirnck by this infalIible proof Of
the warriors grief at what he had done, the
Young man would have bid him fly; but it
was too late; the men sienly closed around
him, and re him captive to the presence
Of Rienyiily.
The captain, who expected evil news,
heard the details of the events with savage
compOsure; and when they had told all,
smiled bitter smile, exclaimiDg, Ay, ay,
be shall die fast enough, but not now; be
shall have time TO think over it. At early
dawn he shall die, and with him his squaw;
he has robbed me OF wife and child; ! viii
have no mercy on him" The Indian for
all reply, gave a disdainful smile, and fol-
lowed his guards to the hut provided for
his reception. His wife who had mingled
with the crowd on his arrival, and who had
heard all, was nowhere TO be found. The
Raven, when he heard this,s bowed his
head; for she, whom alone be wished TO see
in his last hours, had deserted and left hun.
A moody and miserable man, be seated him I