The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-09-30
Miscellaneous,
THE STRING OF WAMPUM {.
ALEGEND OFNORTH YARMOUTH.
BYCBA ARIES p. ILsLEY.
[ Conclu d c d. J
CHAPTER V.

the mouoonous green of the day before, the
foliage has suddenly changed to n thousand
varegoted bues, the golden yellow of tho
beech contrasting brilliantly with the rich
scarlet ofthe maple--the green crimson of
the oak, aud the fresh green of the unfdiug
pine 1t seemed A6lalfRaRSpiri' of beauty had
stolen secret visnat wv earth and left
"A bright bow Of many coIors hung
Upon the forest tops
The scene TO which we would direct the
attention of the reader was one of exquisite
loveliness.
Surrounded by all the potnp of nutumnaI
aKnficence-~reflecting in its clear bosom
the lively Iints of the trees that bent so grace
fully over its borders, slept peaceful lake,
whose mirror like surface was undisturhed
by the slightest ripple. One brond ray of
the rising sun shot its way through n small
opening in the woods and played with daz-
cling brightness upon the sleeping WATERS
On one side of The lake the dense forest re-
tired some distance, leaving n slipping, cres-
cent shaped greensward of number of acres
interspersed here and there with spreading
oak or maple, and small clusters of bushes
On this spot scattered at irregular inter
walls, were number of huts, whose peculiar
construction proclaimed them the abodcs of
the denizens Of the forest while on the mar
gin of tho lake, their bright yellow sides glis-
tening in the sun. lay a dozen or more ca
noes, half imbedded in the luxurious grass,
which grew quite to the waters edge.
Apart from and conspicuous above the rest
for n certain air of neatness and taste display
ed in its architecture, was the lodge of the
chief of the tribe. From the general stiffness
that prevailed elsewhere, aud the low muir
muir of voices that issued from the hut in
question, it was evident that transaction of
some Importance was going ON. Occnsion-
ally, roo, might he seen the head Of some a.
ged rrone, proiruded from different wig
vans, or the more enger and curious face of
some Younger member of the tribe, casting
impatient glances towards the chief lodge
AT last the business, whatever it might be-
was finished, and warrior after warrior stalk
ed forth from the wigwnfn, all of them bear
ing marks of recent excitement in their cotn-
tenanccs. As soon as it was known the cotlI-
ell had broken up, each hut poured forth its
occupants OF men, women, children and dogs,
and the busy hum of voices arose on all sides
mingled with savage ordinations, and hor-
rid yells, as the result Of the meeting was
made known.
Little heeded the solitary inmate of that
hut, the rude and bostrous cries that broke
the stiffness of the lovely morning. Worn
and emnciated--hcr long tresses matted and
dangling in disorder over cheek and neck
MS white and cold marble, her dress torn
and Extraordinarily shoeless, sat II female
gazing with ii listless air ms if in the exIremi-
~ of despair, upon the ground. 1t was Adc-
h-Adelu, but so changed that it would he
difficult to recognize her. Oh, how unlike
the bright and careless being that short
week before sported in all the pride of beau
~ and strength.
The council Just dissolved had been con-
vened to decide her fi,te---whether she
should be held in captivity, or offered up as
sacrifice. After II protracted and heated
discussion the former was decided UPON
Without sigh, scarcely breathing, Adela sat
among her dnsky Judges, mo,ionIess as Il
statue, wholly inseusib'e to the transactions
an the result of which her doom was so fear
fully involved. She listened to the decision
with the same Indifference that had marked
her conduct since the fatal night of her sez-
IRE. The bitterness of death had passed
with her when she heard the dreadful fate
of her parents, of which she was informed in
an unfeeling manner, by her captors, soon
alter her seizure, who seemed to delight in
painting the terrible scene in the most horrid
colors. Her mind received shock on hear
ing the recital, which added to the horrors
OF her own situation dethroncd reason for the
time-perhaps forever.
The day wore on Mechanically she par
took Of the coarse food that was placed be-
bling with years, whose interest for the poor
girl seemed stronger than the rest. Since
her arrival he had frequently shielded her
from the harbnrous SCOTS and ieers ofthe wo-
men, and the miscellaneous assaults of the
younger portion of the tribe, who seized eve
ny opportunity and resorted TO every species
of annoyance to harass her. Though no lon
ger the active chief of the tribe-his extreme
age having led him to resign that office to nn
other-yet was Wawawunka, or the 'Grizzly
Bear as the old warrior was styled, looked
mp to with reverence and his word and wish
es obeyed, as if he still held dominion over
his former subjects. Rarely did they go out
on hunting excursion, and never on the
war-path, without first consulting the old Sa-
gamore.
10 his exertion alone was Adela indebted
for preservation from cruel death. The
majority, to revenge the loss of so many
braves in the attack on the house, demanded
me sacrifice; but the old chief interposed-
claimed the prisoner as his own, signifying
Ills intention of adopting her as his daughter;
ana those who thirsted for her blood were
constrained. though with an i'll grace, to yield.
ne cause of this singular demonstration in
me captive's favor, by the old Sachem, it
would be difficult to solve. Perhaps age had
softened the heart. Perhaps some old re-
'rnsmhered kindness received from the pale
iuces had moved him to IL or, what was more
pro0able, perhaps his own lonely stnte--hav-
Jug recently lost the staff of his old age--his
s sc'e remaining youngest dnughter-stirred
nus heart TO compassion. Whatever the mo-
ise' while scowling looks were cast on the
,!.sehsible object ofhate by the rest of the
wine he alone strove TO chase away the cloud