The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-02-01
THE INDIAN GAMEsTERs.
by JOHN BROWN.


the borders Of New Mexico, and the Pueblo
Indians in the country, were al war, and the
deadly hatred ofthe races for each other ex-
tended 10 individuals.
One autumn day Nabajo Indian had
gone out a hunting, but had moi been at all
successful, and towards night became very
weary. To add to bis misery, as evening
drew near, furious storm was seen ap-
preaching. His anticipations were gloomy.
in the extreme; for in order 10 facilitate his
hunting he had brought but small piece Of
blanket over his shoulders, and he knew to-
he out such a night, with his body more
Than half naked, would be little short of
death.
The Indian had remained in this frame Of
mind for some time, when he observed
pnrtular rock which hung out from the side
of the mountain, and was by That suddenly
reminded that there was small cave in the
neighborhood, and this he was at length for
iunate enough to discover.
The aperture of the cave was very small,
but he squeesed his body In, and was soon
at the extreme end OF the chamber where he
collected himself to sleep, with a rock for a
pillow. ~,
On the same evening Pueblo Indian,
the mortal enemy Of the Nabaj ), was similar
ly situated Having had po ,r success in the
hum, he too was without a blanket, and
weary, he too was 10th to spend the night in
ihe storm, and had thoti5it of the cave
which he was dill gently seeking. AT length
like Nabajo he found it anil crawl. d in. He
did not 90 SO far back as The firsi comer, bui
laid himself down mar to ih' middle Of the
chamber. The Nab. jo, in sound sumb'r,
was unconscious of his entrance, and the
fatigued Pueblo WIS soon so sound asleen.
that he did not hear the breathing of his en-
emy.
In the morning the Nabajo, having slept
LONGEST was earliest awake, and rose when
he saw the first faint light at the ap ruro
Of the cave. Attempting to pass out he
stumbled over the Pueblo who was hid across
the narrow chamber, and awoke him. In
stantly the Pueblo sprang to bis feet, and
demanded who had disturbed him. The
Nabajo proudly answered by asking how and
when he came mo the cave; the Pueblo re-
piled that he came in the night previous and
had slept there.
"Aud who are you?' demanded the fierce
NnbYo.
The Plcbla replied, giving his name and
nation, and demanding the name of his inter-
rogaior,vl mh, as tie Nabrjo was a"brave," !"
was of course given.
The two mortal enemies were s'rMised
to fiIld themselves thus strangely in the pres
cnce of each olhnr. Bal they did not fight; !;
for Two men alone together, when they have
10 spectators to hiss Item on, and they can
remain at peace without censure or ridicue,
very seldom fight. Whcthei The Indians
were like otherim men matters moi, but at least
they did not fight. On the contrary, they
quietly and rationly talked over the war Of
their nations; discussed it in all its bearings,
and finally agreed, as soon as the cave should
be light enough, 10 spend few honrs gam
bling.
The gbne played turned on the position
OF small pebble, whether under one, or the
other Of ftheif four moccasilis,i it having been
repeatedly placed under each of,hem by the
operator before stopping 10 decide the bet.
Smlll sticks were used for counters, and a
lind of low chaunt accompanied the game
in lis progress H
Having commenced, the enemys were in
tent on their play; but they had not much
property about them 10 stake. The first
thing put up was their arrows, one by one,
of which the Pueblo soon won all the Nabajo
had. They then put up their bows, and the
Nabaio won the bow of The Pueblo! Thus,
one had all the arrows and the other had the
two bows! All the arrows were now staked
by the Pueblo against the Two bows, held by
the Nabajo, and the former won. The Ma
baio was thus stripped entirely of the means
Of fdefence, and of ptocuring subsistence
lie then proposed to be, small pisce his
scalp, about the size of dollar to be taken
from ihe crown Of his head, agains the bow
and arrows, which had been his. To this
the Pueblo readily agreed, and again won.
The Nabajo submitted to have the piece Of
scalp immediately taken off. and with the
long hair which had been the pride Of its
owner, the Pueblo tucked it under his belt.
The play had COTTON 10 terrible pass; but
once absorbed in gambling, these Indians
knew no limit, and care but little how pre-
cious the stake. 81. -.....
Smarting with pain, yet not showing it by
the twitch Of single muscle, the Nabajo
proposed 10 bet his right car against as large
piece Of the Pueblo's scalp as he had him
self lost. DESTROYS to possess his enemy's
ears as we'll as his scalp, he accepted the
bet, The Pueblo lost and in turn suffered
but did not let his enemy perceive a sign
Of his feelings; for the fortilude Of those In
dams, under such circumstances is wonder
ful. s,ai,,,s W.. &N
The Pueblo, still trusting to his good luck