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

sticks with hooks upon them. Upon these,
they suspended sall grass from the marshes,
which entirely hid his person fronlm view
A fire was then set, at small pile of grass
which lay AT his feet. saw the flames as
they arose around him, and heard his shrek
lof pain. The hay burned and sci the will
low sticks on fire, which tortured him until
he breathed his last, and his garments drop
ped from him in smouldering shreds. The
second, the third and the fourth shared the
same fate. was the fifth. lstoed between
the same posts; my clothes We're filed with
willow sticks--ihe hay was spread upon
me, which caught upon the hooks and load
ed me down, until could but with difficult
ty endure the weight. | looked upon my
companions as their liieless bodies lay by
my side, and | thought of the past--of my
friends, and Of death. beard the swapping
of the torch; in a moment was to be with
my companions-my heart sickened and HE
almost became extinct. AT the moment the
torch was to be thrown at my feet. heard
the rafting of skin, and all was dark. a
gruff Indian voice, and shout, ran through
the crowd. My cords We're then unloosed.
| found buffalo robe was thrown over my
head Ny clothes were taken off me, and
an antelope shirt and elk skin moccasins and
leggngs, adorned with the hair they had
taken from the scalps of their enemy, We're
put unon me. The dress which they de-
lprived me of. being filed with hay and sus-
pended by the same posts was burned to
the ground All the ceremony was perform
led over them, that was performed when my
companions were dashed TO the stakes.
saw my dress was like that of the chief and
my life was spared instead of yielding il up
at the stake like my companions. Ii was a
mystery to me that could not penetrate.-
4 | saw the lifeless bodies of my companions
as they strewed the earth, and myself stand
ing over them in the garb of chief, and
turned ftom the scene with feelings of hor-
ror, and yet of momentary joy.
\ was taken to the lodge of the chief, and
treated as a son. Soon began TO learn his
language, and found was among the Black
Foot Indians-that he had son, three days
before was made prisoner, that son fell
sick and died. Ii was the custom of the
Half Breeds, when young, never to cut their
hair; and mine, fioated near to the calves OF
my legs. His son wore long hair, and my
resemblance to his son had saved my life
/ was adopted as his son and the chief spar
ed no pains to make me happy and content
ed among his tribe.
81 After living with him two years and be-
ing then in my eighteenth year, he address
ed me as follows:--" My son, YOU now have
been two years with me, wish you TO take
a wife. Aou are the only son OF the chief
tain of this nation. There are five other
chiefs; they are under me, ! am Did and
soon must go across the prairies TO hunt
with my fathers, and you will rule my peo-
pie. You must marry the daughter of a
chief, aud then you can marry as many 9TH
ers as YOU wish.''
!; For months had loved NechecawZe.--
She was the daughter of Mickey, the second
chief to my father She was one---no; |
will not describe her. She was an Indian
girl, but her beauty was unsurpassed. Her
hazel eye had read my heart. She knew
she was beloved, and she loved her White
Elk in return, (for only by that name was |
known among the tribe.) My visits before
had been by stealth, lest Cohook (my faith
er,) should forbid me to love the being !
adored, and the only being that bound me
to the Black Foot nation. now felt that
| should be happy; and openly visited her,
both with the consent of Mickey and Co
hook
Months passed away, and | had returned
from the wars, where | always accompanied
my father. had for long time been sep
arated from my Neehecawze, and hasten
ed to her bosom. ! took more pleasure
from one look of appreciation from her, as
related the scenes of the battles than to
be Landed by all the praise the nation could
bestow upon me for bravery in war. She
sang to me the heroic deeds of her fathers,
and urged me to initiate them; but the tear
would start in her eyes as she spoke of my
again engaging in the wars, lest ! would
never return TO her AGAIN. Exhausted and
fatigued by the toll and march of the day, |
leaned my head upon her bosom and sweet
~ fell asleep in her arms. But my slum-
bers were short. My bow, my culver and
my helmet, were my constant companions;
as there was no hour in the night but what
we expected an attack from the enemy. |
was walked by the rafting Of an arrow upon
nv helmet | sprang upon my feet and
sped an arrow with the swiftness Of light
ming al a long dark figure which disappear
ed al the door at the twang of my bow.
saw no more Of my intruder as he disap-
|, Ipeared, and Judged my culver sent Oh a use
less mission. 9 White Elk" said Neche-
cawze - Sheokah is your enemy-he IS the
son of the chief of Shongashy, aud seeks
. the daughter of Mickey for his BRIDE" ]
wished for no more. knew he had direct
ed his arrow at my heart as was sleeping.
She had heard his step and had saved my
life by interposing my helmet.
did not return to my fathers lodge I'M
til near morning; but as turned from her
apartments, passed over the dead body Of
Sbeokah. He was lying npon his back
NV arrow had pierced his heart, and yet
stuck in the wound. My father was up
when returned. | could not suppress my
feelings. threw myself upon my mat and
covered my face with my hands. My
SOM said my father. {" do not grieve, if your
love has been rejected by Neeheeawze, there
are ofhers thai will love my While Elk