The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-11-14

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in reaching tho village which We fouad si,
uated in broad deep valley, that opened
from the Volga to the so,,th. For n mil.
along the valley tho camp fires biazed o,
every side. The crack Of rifles, the shout
the laugh, the wbirling tramp Of the dance
mingled with the wild monolonous song o
the Indian, and the gong like notes Of ths
war drum; denoted some unusual occur
renee nboat 10 take place. Having psrtak
en- Of tho hospitality ofan Indian acqua;n
iahce, we were invited to accompany hin
in the direction Of high mountainous bill
that formed the eastert boundary Of the
valley, towards which largo concourse ol
Indians were directing their steps from var.
ious parts ofthe valley, each carving q
blazing torch Of pine knots. As the par.
~ approached the base Of the hill, each
suddenly disappeared through an aperture
that opened beneath the entangled folds ol
vinous arbor that crept with a IuxArian,
appearance, over low underground. Fol-
lowing the steps Of our guide, we found
that We were winding along narrow, but
lofty subterranean passage, that led into
the interior ofthe hill, and as We apIfoach-
ed The brink Of broad deep chasm, the
party halted for a moment and then, one
by one began to descend into the cavern,
by natural fight ofprejecting rock steps,
that wound with spirnl descent along the
circular sides Of the dark vawning pit, from
whose depths arose the gurgling nurmur
ofn distant waterfall, accompanied by a
white column of spray that sparkIsd aud
glittered M i, reflected the glare Of our
torches. Our course nt length divereing
from the fearful chasn, We sgain found
ourselves winding along passnge that wi
dened occasionally into ample halls, then
narrowing to width that admitted with
difficulty the passage Of single person,
until it opened upon stupendous amphi-
| theatre, from the centre Of which a bundle
Of ignited pine knots sen, up lofty column
Of blazing fire, that lit up the rock bound
sides Of the ca.ern; giving 10 Them the mp
peatance q. some forty feet in height, while
a deep blue arch Of solid rock canoped The
whole, festooned with innumerab!e columns
Of giittering spar, whose tapcring extremi
lies emitte,la siarlite sparkle, giving 10 the
blue arched canopy, midnight ethereal
aspect.
Encirc!ing the column Of fire, gray
haired and ofveteran warriors reclined in
"a sitting posture, while an OTTER circle was
composed OF the more youthful warriors
and noviciaie hunters. As we stood ga
zirg upon the scene before us, endeavoring
to comprehend the mystery that envelop-
ed j, gentle touch upon the arm, caused
US 10 recognize the Eadinn who had accom-
panied us there and after pointing with his
| finger to an elevated position, upon the OPP
posite side of the hall, k;e then glided steal
,bity away, and lined his companions in
the circle. Our attention was Immediate
Is riveted to the part Of the hall, by the
strange appearance Of being standing in
a statute like position upon broad sbelv-
ing rock that rllted ont from The wall ofthe
cavern. His broad, white, lofty, ntellec-
tua! forehead bespoke him whi,eman his
| physical proportions were Of the athletic
order; a profusion Of hair concealed the
proportions Of his face, while long, black,
glossy beard swept far down upon bis
breast, partly concealing cross, upon
which was tudc!y carved image Of the
Savior, supported by thong Of raw hide
passed around The neck. A long, white,
|lattered shroud cnveloped Els person, ae-
cured at the wais, by broad belt Of wnm-
Epum which, supported q heavy, naked
sword, the hit OF which was guarded by n
woven basket Of iron his hands were cross
Fed upon his breast with an air Of so|emni-
I,y, while his gaze seemed fixed in'en,ly
upon the lofty arch that flung i,s sparkling
canopy over the spacious cavern. For a
time, his solemn, and immovable position,
seemed to impart resemblance 10 some
sculp,urcd work Of art. Al length life be-
tgan to manifest Itself, by aspasuodic move
ment Of the lips, accompanied by smile
that beamcd from his sparkling eyes as nc
exclaimed, in low, plaintive, bun earnest,
audible tone O. voice,
"She vowed, she swore she would be mine,
She said, she loved me best OF any;
Bel ah! the tickle, faithicss queen.'
! Here his chin sunk upon his breast Tor
La moment, and then the wild, screaming
laugh Of the Maniac, burst from his lips till
his attention was arrested by tie groupe ol
Indians before him, at the sight Of which
Ehe seemed TO start then pressing his hands
against bis forehead, while the big tears
courscd down his cheeks, nshe exclaimed
.Oh God! am |, thy servant here, TO lead
ftho wild untutored savage up to thee? Oh
no, no, il cannot be; this maddened brain
so wrsaked- ed--why nm | hercP Then ga-
IZing wildly around him for moment, nc
approached the edge Of the rock, and bow.
, ing with submissive meckness, continued
"Ihy will be DONE" Then stretching forth
his nr,ns-in calm, but clear, stenior'an
voice he exclaimed every one that
,hirsteth, come ye 10 the waters, buy wine
and milk, without money aud without
price"
Without pausins fora moment, he launch