The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-09-09
From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
"STARvED R0CK;"
OR, THE LAST
OF THE ILLINOIS.
BY ADD. ii. SANDERS.
CHAPTER D.
THE ROCK.
BY ADD. ii. SANDERS.


forest foliage, and his last rays lay sleeping
on the bosom OF the beautiful Illinois. Eve
ry leaf seemed a lip Of song, as the gushing
melodies Of warbiiDg birds mingled like the
waters Fastening by; yet, one by one, ceased
the ieathered minstrels ill the OWLS lone boot
proclaimed the evening. The dark wilder
ness crowded upon the narrow stream, which.
winding away Ike the ceilings Of huge SER
pent soon became lost in the thick forest
maze. High, high from the bosom of the
shining river, fling its head even above the
stately oaks and pale sycamores. and sun-cap-
ped gorgeously, while all below was dark,
rose a towering rock, Scared and bleachedby
the storms and SHOWS OF centuries OF winters.
Yet there it stood, its foot among the playing
waters, and its head lifting the clouds and
sunshine, as when first the red man stood be-
fore it in wondering awe. To one shore it
was united by narrow slip of rock and turf,
yet no path betrayed that moccasin ever
pressed its sod. For some distance up its
sides grew heavy shrubbery, and masses OF
green ivy cured about the jutting crags and
steep decivities. The pinnacle was surmount-
ed by cedars and bushes, tightly embracing,
as if fearing they might be hurled by the
rude winds into the eddying waters below.
The dry leaves betrayed approaching foot
steps. and, from the black mass of trees, sud-
denly and rapidly issued band of savages.
They were led by the Prophet with The chief
Mokena. and all, with these exceptions, were
laden with provisions, weapons, and roled-up
wigwams. The chief paused at the narrow
passage as if in doubt. The Prophet read
his thoughts, and stepping forward, himself
TO lead, said
1.-THE maiden awaits her chef, and the
Great Spirit will he glad to witness the ODE.
dience of his children"
MOkena sprang forward, and room was
mounting the rough side OF The rock. with the
agility Of a mountain goat, leaving the rest to
follow at their leisure. Without feeling Of
WEAKNESS, he stood upon the broad pima
Gle, and gazcd around for the maiden, with
his arms outspread. A terrible doubt shot
across his brain, and his arms dropped to ms
side.
"Etak, he exclaimed, with a tremor o.
voice betraying his misgivings.
No voice replied.
1.-THE Prophet-the traitor-where is he?'
he furously asked of the warriors who hat
mounted the ascent
"His limbs are feeble, and he has not We,
arrived" answered voice.
Down, then, and lend him strength
yet he lingcr with u.s."
The warriors FASTENED away, and Mokena
bending his eyes to the ground, walked from
the gathering crowd.
During the brief absence Of The messenger
the chiefs countenance assumed a Rightly
devoid Of expression, which changed not Q
shade when the warrior, returning alone, said
in trembling voice
"The Prophet is not with US"
| AT this moment haunting laugh or vel
broke from hundred throats far below. The
chief gazed down into the dark depths. and
could iainily see his enemies gesiiculating a,
the waters edge. Hurriedy he gave his or
ders to his braves. and apparently forgetting
his own bitter disappointment, occasioned by
the absence of the Ottawa maiden. and hi.
dark suspicious of the Prophet, FASTENED Il
make the place Of retreat secure. A strong
barricade was soon erected on the narrow
and rugged passage, and the Illinois, feeling
a perfect security, stationed their watches
and gave themselves mp TO a wild Joy. They
replied TO the yells of their enemies, and bit
terly taunted the strength which could no
injure. This passed, they built their fires
cooked their meats. then, quietly as if in thei
own village, lay their wearied bodies down II
reFose.
The sun rose gloriously, and the air wa
filed with brightness, and the melody OF for
est songsters, and with floating misis curling
and wreathng themselves with the sunshine
then, as il laden with golden treasure, winged
their flight to the ether above. And tn,
children OF the Illinois clapped their LITTLE
hands with Joy as they peeped far down tn
cliff and saw the swallows Swimming the wa
tiers below among tie Keeling mists and mel
lowed rays Of sunshine, and the mingled Clio
ries of the early summers morn. Then the,
pitched from their high perch pebbles int
the clear dashing stream, marking, with won
dering eyes, the long flight. gradual dsar
pearance, and the thousand diamond drop
that told OF their welcome TO the bosom G
the waters And they watched the winding
coils of the Illinois stream as through fores
E and mead 1t struggled with lingering pace
, and bright as vein ofmolten silver. and sd,
the mighty wilderness in which nations migi
he lost. spread in dark mantle over the cart
, and they wished that they might renal
! forever on the great rock TO awaken ever
: morning among the clouds. Poor children
Idle hopes sometimes revolve into seriou
4 truths.
a The chief sat alone. He heard not III
: ringing shouts of friend and foe the mcckin
n taunts, the loud defiance, the derisive laugh
his thoughts were buried in a terrible gloon
The squaws, now freed from labor, chatie
merrily, the children played in their glee, AT
the warriors exultingly exhibited TO the
n enemies heavy strips of venson, buffalo. al
IN bear meat, and loudly laughed in scorn-y
: communiDg with his own dark thoughts s.
J. Mokena. He thought of the maiden Eta
d; and his heart seemed wiihering-he thong
- Of the traitor Prophet and OF his people, al
n. that great heart seemed bursting with life,
Is his desire TO avenge and save. He felt tn
the old Prophet had entrapped him, had J,
him as child into the net, and with him, ii
Illinois nation. Too late he perceived /