Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
For the Wisconsin, Herald.
Nechecawze-The Indian Bride.
A Tale of the Forest.
BY A. A. PARKER, ESQ.


northwestern part of Wisconsin, in travel
ling from one camp to another, a distance
of some forty miles, found myself at night
fall, instead of being surrounded with my
cheerful companions, alonel and instead OF
hearing the sound of their voices, heard
the hoarse bark of the wolf, and the dismal
boot of the owl, which was perched upon a
lofty pine overmy head and seemed to mock
my fears with its lonely notes. 1t was evil
dent had taken wrong directon-it was
too late to re-trace my steps-and saw no
alternative but to sleep alone in that dreary
wilderness, deprived of three essential in-
gradients to comfort, fire, blankets, and pro-
visions. 1t was, too, a January night, and
as looked about upon the dreary aspect OF
things about me, could see no possibility
of so defending myself against the inclemen-
CIV of the weather, or protecting myself from
the wild beasts, as to be able to survive the
night situated as I was. In the morning |
was so sure of reaching the camp that did
not even burden myself with an axe, or
take any articles with me that would be use
ful in camp fire. ~
| wandered on until Tate at night, uncer-
tain in which direction to go. AT last
heard, as | then supposed, the scream OF
child | started in that direction; hope
had been awakened; it might be human
In a few moments, | saw the cleaning OF
fire through the pines; on nearing II, II pro-
we'd to be huge fire, surrounded by Indian
lodges. The Indians were seated around
the fire, smoking their pipes in silence. At
length saw small cabin, resembling some
what the abode of civilized man. APP
preached and entered. was welcomed by
an old trader, half breed. He spoke good
English and received me as cordially as a
son. A dish of broiled venison and dried
meat was furnished for my repast. soon
began to feel quite contented in my new
home and although could not conceive IN
which direction my companions were, yet
had no disposition to leave my hospltable
host.
After the trade and business was over
with the Indians, he spread two large bear
skins upon the floor of his lodge, covered
them with furs aud blankets, and seated
himself upon one, and desired me to sat by
his side before a huge maple fire. We sip
/ ped dish of hot coffee each, and then mu-
sed the while away in talk.
| soon found was amongst a band OF
Chippewa Indians. My host was trader.
furnished with ammunition and provisions
| bv the north west fur company, to sell to
the Indians; for which he received THEN
furs in exchange. He was born in the year
1900, on the St. Croix, at the mouth OF Snake
river. His father was Scotchman; his
mother Chippewa squaw, daughter to
Nepont. His home was the wilderness.
and his brothers and sisters are the wild ma
tves of the forest; and residence of AZ
years among the different tribes, has given
to his life, truly a romantic character. One
incident deem worthy Of being remembers
ed in after days, in the history Of his life:
and although it may appear strange and un-
usual, yet the tear trickling down his care
worn cheek, the heavings of his breast, and
his voice, tremulous with emotion, as he
proceeded in his narrative forbade me even
to entertain doubt of its truthfulness.-
! He commenced his narrative as follows:
"My young friend, cannot give you a
detailed history of my life; time will not
admit A month would be Inadequate to
the task. But, will narrate to You one of
the most important of my youthful adven-
lures. While yet youth not l6years OF age,
| was doomed to q separation from friends
and all that was dear TO me. was 10 the
employ of the north west fur company
which was stationed at Fort St. Augustine,
on the SuskatchiwiDe river, among the
Touch Wood Hills. Four of my compan-
ions started off with me for the plains at the
north west, in a beautiful day in autumn,
lin pursuit of buffalo. BY night, we bad
slain but three. This number was INSULT
Client to load the trains we had brought TO
convey them to the fort. We pitched our
tent, intending to get supply and return.
At daylight, we set off in pursuit of them.
1t was afoggy morning; and by nine o'clock,
the fog and mist which is common in that
country, became so dense, it was impossible
either to discern our direction from the
trains, or the fort. Night came on, and
again we encamped; the second and the
third dav passed and so on until the sew
enth. The seventh day at near night, we
thought we saw a range of hills at the left
through the mist, and again we encamped
On the morning of the eighth day we sci
our horses towards the range Of hills we
saw the evening before. We were in great
cheer: we were sure it was the range OF
hills on which the old Fort St. Augustine
was situated; and a separation from its In
mates for sever DAYS so Unexpectedly, made
us long 10 see u rear u MASSIVE Naii9 aet5n
among those hills. The fog and mist still
continued so dense that we were unable to
discover our mistake, until we were sur
rounded by band of Indian warriors. We
were Immediately dismounted, and led
among the lodges of thousand herce look
ing savages Our hands and feet were Sc
lcurely bound with sinews and we uncere-
ltnonicusly thrown into one of the most
lloathsome lodges. where the savages dan
Ieed and whoOped AROUND Us until morning.
The next day was beautiful dBy-the sun
never shone brighter than when we were
taken from that loa;hsome lodge. Before
might, one of my companions was placed
between two stakes, which were driven IN
Ito the ground, and his hands dashed to a
niece of wool which extended from one
u. u e. L.-.L n -