The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1849-11-21

place so near his hut, he might not only
be acquainted with the circumstances,
but also know something relative to the
female, who was represented as stran-
ger. Accordingly, Valencia was order
ed to appear, which, though with more
pain and anguish than he would have met
his own death, he did. '"' @.' -.''
Seated on the ground Of the lodge be-
longing to the principal chief, called the
Council Lodge, were FIVE chiefs of the
Shawnese and Miamies, who, for gravity
Of visage and department, could not find
their superors among the most enlight-
ened statesmen. .@5&H...a
To those acquainted with the Indian
character, it is we'll known, that in firm
and inviolate adherence to veracitv, the
Indian comprises nearly his whole moral
honor. To answer promptly, andto de.
clare only what he knows, distinguishes
the uncultivated son ofthe forest from the
enlightened member Of civilized society.
.Walcmba stood in the, presence of the
chiefs, composed and silent. One com
mon interest prevailed in the expression
Of each grave countenance which was ex-
clusively directed to the prisoner. The
oldest of the five addressed him, young
man, thou art called to answer a great
question. We know not if thou canst;
but thou art a chief whose fame has reach
cd us, and we rely upon thy word. Tell
us how the Wampun, Belt, given to US
by the people, in pledge Of their promis-
cs, was destroyed. Didst thou see it ia
ken from our hut?' An Indian, when
subjected to the extreme Of adversely or
sperity, seldom exhibits by any exter-
nal impression, the extent Of its influence
over him. This, according to various
opinions, is attributed to different causes;
bat in the present instance, it seemed the
result of that nobleness Of soul which dis
dams the plying sympathy Of strangers
I The mind Of Valencia was agonized when
he reflected upon his situation. 10 be
the condemner Of his beloved TcmooraIl
was too much. Even 10 implicate her
was distressing; but TO declare her gull
ty, was lnsupportabIe. lie could freely
give his own life to preserve hcr-bul &c
know that if the truth was discovered
: she must inevitably be condemned, rack
, ed his mind to the last degree Of torture
BY this time a successful search hac
been made for Temoorah, who was found
| sccretcd in the apartment of Valencia
, She appeared very much alarmed; he1
$ terrier had subsidized into a kind Of apathy
, which gave her manner an DIR Of indl!
G ference, and made her beautiful feature
J. even more interesting. She stood, am
: having cast scrutiniziEg glance upol
the assembled chiefs, turned an imPlor
4 ing look towards the prisoner. Could he
: have sacrificed himself an hundred lime
a for her, he would have been happy; ant
! although he knew that his own fate. as
J, prisoner, was certain, yet he wished L
5 preserve her life, dearer 10 him than hi
own. But how could Valencia, who ha'
J. never swerved from that stern obscrv
: ance Of truth, which he loved, and which
: to him was equivalent to honor and char
t ac,er, even though life were at stake.
). A few moments had ella psed since TIT
), chiefs had ordered the prisoner to speak
who had yet remained silent. Must W.
again ask Of thee what thou knowest con
: corning this unfortunate AFFAIR."? exclaim
: ed the chief
4 Tell US, didst thou sec the Wampun
G Belt taken from our hut?'
& NO. replied Valencia.
/ 'Sawest thou not the Belt thrown int
r the fire.?
J. No. was the reply.
80, hat hi ~ ~
is qucsiins and that Of the one next in OF
/. der-who, looking at the prisoner, said
- 'Didst thou see the belt after it was tt
If ken from the lodge Of the chief, and be
:, fore it was burnt?'
y YES replied Valencia.
l. Tell US if she who stands before us ha
If it when thou sawest it,, continued tn
c chief:
a Temoorah had stood, since her entrances
5. fronting Valencia, whose countenanc
Y she continued anxiously to watch: s
S No emotion was visible in its strongl!
d marked features, until the last question
l. of the interrogation was put. Something
}, that seemed so 10 change his aspect, tina
It had another taken his place, II would NO
IS have appeared more different an ash,
s hue overspread his countenance, and he
who could meet deathin a thousand ways
i seemed now to be affected almost to dis
: solution by a single question. Eemoor
ah, no! less sensible of its import, alnlos
|. said, by the heart-rending look Of inqni
j. ry which she directed 70 him, Can yol
Q condemn me9 Oh, what q moment
: ,vhan ~. firmness az the warrior weld