Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-11

my braves and the customs OF my tribe, con-
denim you to die; cannot saveyou.n Twas
taken TO the loathsome lodge was first con-
fined in with my companions. IL was re-
solved that should die by the hands of the
relatives of Sheokah, and that should be
placed in the centre of large ring, around
which they should dance, and each one, at
a certain point in the ring, make pass at
me with his knife, but they should dance
but once around the ring, and strike but one
blow each, as they passed. On the follow
ing morning, | was taken from my place of
confinement, stripped of my clothes save
girde which surrounded my waist and a
short shirt, and led into the middle Of the
lodge of Shongashy. They danced, making
thrusts at me, as they passed the point, and
lived; but il was only by knocking Qf their
blows with war-clab which my little sis-
Ter threw at my feet as | stood within the
ring; and | Knocked them in derision, as
they stood trembling with rage that they
could not make yet another blow at me, and
leave their weapons where my arrow was
left IN Sheokah. As | scoffed them, and
dared them to strike again, my father drove
them back and said, 60 You are not safe yet,
my son, my chiefs and my tribe are enraged
and YOU must die. As you have escaped
the weapons of your enemy. this once, IT is
decreed you must go to the wars" "lf |
go to the wars ,cW live, loft have accom-
panied you there,' said "and | win re-
turn safe.' Sc No, no,n said he, you will
be murdered by the enemy of Cohook and
his braves"
In three days we set off for the wars, each
al,
save me, alone. | was mounted on an i'll
going horse, and my only weapon was
whip. ! could but laugh at my situation,
although death stared me in the face. |
whipped my horse, but il was with difficulty
that could keep in sight of the warriors
save my guards, who were urging me on to
my destruction. In seven days scouting
party brought us intelligence of the enemy's
camp. That night we held a counsel and
it was resolved that we should wait until
the enemy had finished their dance for the
might and sung their love songs to their mis-
tresses, before we commenced an attack
Our company were TO be divided; one half
were TO attack the enemy IN the east ard
one half in the west AT near daylight, our
foe was asleep aud 30 guards placed; as
they expected no enemy. Our company
was drawn up in so still and uniform man
ner to the top of the hill which overlooked
the camp of our enemy, that not even dog
barked at our approach. All being ready,
gave the first whoop; the rest followed and
rushed to the combat, ''Fight your own
battles,' said to myself, as they rushed by
me on their furious steeds with the swift
ness of arrows on to their sleeping victims,
whilst cautiously withdrew to thicket on
the brow of the hill, to avoid the danger to
which would be exposed in my utterly
helpless situation.
The fight was desperate. Our enemy
were the Snake Indians. They were con-
quered; and our army Withdrew, while !
remained concealed in the thicket. As
was bordering oyermy fate, heard horse
man make towards me, with such fury |
feared he would run into my retreat. IL
was Snake Indian on foaming pied horse.
As he approached, sprang from my re-
treat; he wheeled, and | saw the rider reel
and fall, helpless mass 10 the earth. The
horse was caught by the lasso that was fas-
tened TO his jaw and tied to the belt Of the
rider and stood still, Now I'll fly" thought
|; and seeing no one in sight, sprang 10 the
horse. His rider had been wounded in bat
tie and was now breathing his last by the
side Of his steed ] robbed him Of his ar
NOR. as had none, took his sealps and rode
for the battle field. The Black Foot lndi-
ans had retired, and the Snake Indians had
retreated. save a few who were strolling
about the battle field unable to get away;
but as | was then armed, feared no evil.
| took the scalps of all the Indians found
dead on the battle field, both of the Black
/ Feet Indians and the Snake Indians, disiig-
uring them so that they would not be recog-
nized. There were nearly one hundred
dead bodies strewed upon the earth, aud
secured the scaIps of nearly one fourth Of
that number, after which ! struck the trail
of the Black Foot Indians and followed after
them. At night, | found them in their
camp. They were COMPOUNDED at my APP
nearance. as much as if one Of their number
I had arisen from the dead; for they had reck-
loned me among that number, but still more
surprised at my number Of scalps. ! told
them so fair a story Of them, how killed
each one. that was Landed to the skies
In eight days we reached the Pheasant
Mountains, where the chiefs and tribes
awaited our return. The warriors were
arranged in single file. The brayest took
the Iead-this was Judged Of by the number
of scalps each had taken. The chiefs and
Indians were arrayed on the right, and the
sonags and children on the left, as the war
riors passed. As we advanced, ] saw my
father in mourning. He believed his son
was killed and would return no more. He
did raise his head, as we advanced, threw
nv scalps at his feet and gave the war
whoop, as my pied galIoped past; he knew
nv voice, and jump'd and whoop'd with
ioy, that his son should return alive and
crowned with honor.
That night, the manageable squaws, dan
ced around the scalp, while the warriors
slept; at the rising Of the sun, the warrior
who had succeeded 10 taking the scalp OF
an enemy danced inside of the ring--pre~
senied his spear with a scalp upon its barb,
10 the squaw be chose for his bride. Az