The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-11-03
OHIO, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1S4e

as he seized it, "You burn it, Temoo.
rah, however, was nearly out sight, and
soon in the presence of Walemba, whose
misfortunes were aggravated, when he
heard of the act she had committed. lie
saw her running, while holding the Belt in
her hand, without knowing whittier she
directed her steps. or what might be hei
object. Now that she had recovered from
the excitement ofthe impulse whichpromp.
ted her to the commission of the act, Re
moorah began to repent. She foresaw the
result, without being to the advantage o.
either, must inevitably involve one or both
in its consequences.
The chief, accompanied by his party
returned, and the destruction of the Belt
with the attendant circumstances, were ac-
curately related. These, without being
conclusively against the strange female
yet so far implicated her, as to leave little
doubt Of her having committed the outrage
A council of the chiefs was called. in
which the subject was deliberately consid-
cred. 1t was determined that Walemba
should be summoned; as the act having
taken place so near his hut, he might not
only be acquainted with the circumstan-
ces, but also know something relative to
the female. who was represented as a
stranger. Accordingly, Walemba was or
dered to appear. which though with more
pain and anguish than he would have met
his 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
Shawanese and Miamies, who, for gravi-
ty of visage and department, could not
find their superors among the most en-
lightened statesmen,
To those acquainted with the Indian
character, it is well known, that in firm
and inviolate adherence 10 veracity, the
Indian comprises nearly his whole moral
honor. To answer promptly. and TO de-
clare only what he knows, distinguishes
the uncutivated son Of the forest from the
enlightened member Of civilized society.
Walemba stood in the presence of the
chiefs, composed and silent. One COM
mon interest prevailed in the expression
of each grave counlenance which was ex-
clusively directed to the prisoner The
oldest of the five addressed him, "Young
man thou art called to answer great ques-
ton We know not if thou canst; but thou
art a chief whose fame has reached us,
and we rel upon thy word. Tell us how
the Wampum Belt given to us by thy peo-
pie, in pledge of their promises. was de-
stoyed Didst thou see il taken from our
hut!" An Indian, when subjected to the
extreme Of adversely or prosperity, seldom
exhibits by an external impression the eX-
tent of his influence over him. This. ac-
cording to various opinions, is attributed
to different causes but in the present in
stance, it seemed the result Of that noble
ness ofsoul which dsdains the plying sym
pathy of strangers. The mind Of Walem-
ba was agonized, when he reflected upon
his situation. To be the condemner OF
his beloved Temoorah was too much
Even to implicate her was distressing but
to declare her guilty was insupportabie,
He could freely give his own life to pre-
serve her---but to know that if the truth
was discovered she must inevitably be con
demned, racl;ed his mind to the last de-
gree Of torture.
By this time successful search had
been made for femoorah, who was found
secreted in the apartment of Valencia
She appeared very much alarmed. her ter
ror had subsidized into y kind Of apathy,
which gave her manner an air of indiffer-
ence, and made her beautiful features even
more interesting. She stood, and having
cast scrutinizing glance upon the assem-
bled chiefs, turned an imploring look to-
wards the prisoner. Could he have sac
rifced himself an hundred times for her
he would have been happy; and although
he knew that his own fate, as prisoner
was certain. yeti he wished to preserve her
life. dearer to him than his own. But how
could WaletAba who had never swerved
from that sterrr observance of truth, which
he loved, and which to him was equiva-
lent to honor aad to character, even though
life were at stake.
A few moments had elapsed since the
chief had ordered the prisoner TO speak,
who had yet remained silent. Must we
again ask of thee what thou knowest con-
cerning this unfortunate AFFAIR." exclaimed
the chief.
/" Tell US, didst thou see the Wampum
Belt taken from our hut"
"No, :" replied Walemba.
"Sawest thou not the Belt thrown into
the fret"
mo-" was the reply.
A pause intervened between this chiefs
questions and that of the one next in or
der, who, looking at the prisoner, said -
"Didst thou see the Belt after it was ia
ken from the lodge of the Chief and be-
fore it was burntr'
Eyes," replied Walemba.
"Tell us if she who stands before us
had it when thou sawest it, continued
the chief.
Temoorah had stood, since her en-
trance, fronting Walemba. whose counte-