The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-09-04
REVENGE.

leaves and wriihed itself through the t:iCk
underground of a portion Of the great Mis-
sissippi forest with the noiseless motions OLA
serpent. The low murmur of distant voices
alone stole upon the hushed sleep OF the will
derness. Save those smothercd sounds there
was deep silence such as reigus in the house
of death when eternty's signet has just been
set on breathless mortality. Not bird flap
ped his wings in the slumbering air, rot a twig
was snapped by the foot of proving beast,
nor breath OF air stirred the tree-tops-but
silently, as Fearful OF disturbing the profound
Stiffness here and there whirled leaf from
the dark mass OF foliage above. lingering a
moment among the shades and shadows then
fitted to the untroddcn earth. Yet moved on
the figure with the crouching stealtlness of
a panther when II cheats the ear OF the timid
deer. But the dark eyes flashed with such
fire that it seemed their very glance must
disturb the stiffness.
Pausing behind a large forest tree, the
figure cautiously rose 10 Il kueeling posture,
and revealed the sinewy form Of young IN
dian. His red skin giistened over the pro-
trudine muscles.as every movement revealed
their beautiful PLAY, while the combination OF
an elegance OF shape and muscular strength
was such in It's rarity as to mark him one la
a multitude. The quick turned nosirl and
keen flashing eye. and finely moulded lips.
with the natural air Of digaiiy and stcrnness.
seemed to point him out Is one more fitted TO
lead AMI command. than 20 follow AMI obey.
Ye;-he was young in years, with his powers
scarcely maiured-but tie bldci, eagle teath-
or twlued in his scalp-lock the thick belt OF
warpum and bear claws girdiiug his fGcly
moulded neck aud the strips Oi skunk skin
binding his limbs, told The warnoFs Of the
Mississippi tribes at glance that he was
chief whose history was lIs, filing with deeds
OF bravery and cunning. lis naked breast
WAS striped with broad bands OF red pa:ut.
and the features Of bis strongly marked coun-
teuauce were rendered yet darker by lines
and rings Of red and blacl, colors.
Cautiously the young chief peercd from
behind the tree into The dark mass of wood
before him, whence still rose the murmur Cf
voices. As he gazed, his nostrils dilated, amt
his lips parted III smile ofsuch mingled Scorn
and triumph, that the whole expression of
his face was iearlplly changed Hate, with
all its dark desires and hcllsh prompiinas
quivered on every feature, giving them a
kind Of life Of their own
Some twenty PAGES distant, seated on Il
10y. by which threaded u narrow moccasin
path, were two Indians. Que was an aged
I
ton could give or that neghboring ones
could lose. Yet though tie Irosts oil many
winters had slightly whitened his scalp lock.
his arm was still sufficiently vigorous and
hrs mind fresh and bold in lis cunning. aud
| his heart cruel and rcvengelul 10 render him
feared in his prowess by all the tribes having
intercourse IN peace or war with the Potowa-
tonnes. He was cruel and savage. even ne
You'd the nature OF the wild sons of the forest.
and bitterly walled The Illinois tribe. cspeci-
ally. these traits In his character. While that
tribe had crushed the lroquos to the earth
with their heels, old Uuca aud lis son Ncopo
forced them 10 tremble for their own future.
But the young brave seated by the oil chief
was not that Neopo, echoing IN lis own boz
som the cruel traits of his sire, but Young
warrior, OF kind and generous Impulses. dar-
ing and ambitious, yet, as the single strip Of
skin on his limb indicated, and the single ica-
Their twined in lis lock, the hero OF but one
daring deed.
The old chief spoke vehemently yet in a
subdued tone, as IL fearful of disturbing The
silence of the forest. His eye CLEANED with
the lervor OF his words aud with one hand
upon the shoulder OF his companion. the other
was elevate above the feather oil his scalp
lock- and pointed to the sky.
/ And thus" he continued. in his own Ian
suage-"as though treason worked out bv
the traitor Prophet. the Illinois gave the flesh
OF the Iroquois to the wolves and their bones
to the winds aud sun SO shall the same trea-
son and the same traitor, and lhe arms OF the
Potowatomes, crush them to the leaves. and
they shall disappear as that cloud in a mo-
ment viii from our vision. inca SAYS it''
Halt raised from the log with his own en-
! thusiasm. he paused for moment. gazing
; Inio'lhe eye OF the brave, 10 mark the efecl
!, OF his words. The deep silence at the mo-
ment reigning, was broken by the twaug Of q
bow string, and an arrow buried itself in the
heart OF the old sachem. Wuh an auouizet
yet delying war whoop upol lis lips. thl
chief sank on the leaves.
Another whoop starlle,..t the vast solitude
and the concealed warrior lcaped like Il wild
cat from his covert. The young ccmpanioj
ofthe chief with an agility quick rs if be hac
anticipated the Attack, sprung behind ia,
tree. and as he did So the tomahawk thrown
, by his enemy barely touched his check
, Then there were two SHINING bodies twinirc
7 and wreathing with each other like serpeui.,
among the leaves, and bushes and solitude o
: the forest, and the deep breathnrs ani mus
terirgs OF men in moral combat Suddenly
; the new conner released himsclffrom the tIgh
grasp of the young braves arms. aud with q
I strength cqualled by fen of the many warri
= ors OF the great wilderness, hurled the o'hci
to the earth, AMI wrcnchcd from his hand IL,
. only weapon either could use. The knit
o was raised, yet tie victims eyes quiverei not
q but his lips tainted his couquerer to give o.,
q stroke. The weapon dtscendtd d. bat llu
: young brave was spared. Tor the other. appa
rendy changing his intentions, took from III
own neck the belt Of wampum, aud with j
: tightly bound the arms OF the DEFEATED. II
then cut oil the scalp-lock OF the young war