The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-09-05
From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
"STARvED ROCK;"
OR, THE LAST
OF THE ILLINOIS.
BY ADD. II. SANDERS.
CHAPTER III.
THE PROPHET.

boot rose h0arSely from 1he deep solitude oil
the forest, and died away in far distant
echoes. The shrill scream of the panther
at intervals broke harsi.ly the stiffness, and
mingled for a moment with the prolonged
and faintl, heard howl OF the wolf on the
prairie. The great Mississippi flowed rapid
ly on its course, her. pure bosom rejecting
the myrads of stars and full orbed moon, aud
the bending trees STOPPING rs if to catch their
mirrored image, and all glittering in sheen
of silveIed glory-yet not whisper spoke OF
the passing waters.
Two figures stood in the moonlight ear
Destly cOmmunng, yet in guarded voices, us
if fearful ever the trees might betray. The
latter was Neopo, his face striped with broad
black lines in memory of his father, and his
form concealed beneath the folds OF deer
skin robe. The other was small savage,
the wrinkles of age seeming his peculiar
countenance, yet with eyes that flashed
bright and keen as those OF youth, and step
quick and why as deer. His person was
peculiarly ornamented, not gaudlly and
snowy as is common with Indian taste, but
strangely, as if to distinguish himself from
his fellows, or to inspire them with vague
feelings of mingled fear and wonder. A
black robe OF bear skins covered man and or
naments, with the exception Oi the small
head, upon which were matted hairs and
strips oil fur and trnkets, till head it seemed
not. This curious being was well known
among the savage tribes of the Mississippi
region. His influence was not bounded by
The limits of the Illinois nation, over whom,
as people, he exercised mysterious power
us prophet aud Medicine Man." beyond that
of their young aid iavorile chief Mokena |;
but those feared him of other tribes, who
knowing him, would not even confess 10 them
selves that he possessed over their minds and
actions, any power whatsoever. Old as he
was, that ambition which in his youth eleva-
ted him above his fellows, in spite of physi-
Cal incapacty, in age had only changed Its
features to correspond better with abilities
sharpened and enlarged by frequent exercise,
and the experience OF many winters. and
more assimila,ied to the cruelty OF a heart cal
lous now TO suffering and misery. Ii was the
working oil that ambition in his bosom which
caused him to turn traitor TO his own tribe.
the lroquois, ana by his treason, Tor personal
elevation among more powerful neighbors: TO
exterminatc them as a nation. He had been
satisfied to remain an Iroquois prophet while
the nation was feared for its strength, but
when weakened by disease and Jealous enc
mics, till only shadow Of its power remain
ed, his ambition prompted HIM TO weave such
webs with the Illinois. as TO completely en-
tangled the poor lroquois, when they were
crushed. His reward was in holding among
the Illinois the station of Prophet and Great
Medicine Man, with all the mysterious pow
ers which the office and his own abilities and
mystic devices to assist, could bestow. Yet
he hated the Illinois with all the hate that
can fill an Indian heart. His very nature
forced him to hate them for destroying his
people, although he was himself the lnstru-
ment OF their destruction. When he went
among them, he found the sea Up Of his only
son hanging in an old warriors wigwam, ND
aiterward in the National dance heard the
brave. with furious gestures, recount the ex-
plot which had resulted in the death oil the
! Prophets son. Bitterly he cursed the tribe
in his heart, yet smiling upon the warrior IN
appreciation, he awaited the hour Of his own
triumph.
| The Potowatomes were now powerful
among the nations OF the Mississippi valley
| The Illinois were but handful in their grasp
probably, yet in their own village, with IL;
natural advantages of position, were uncon-
querabe. The young chief Neopo had been
taught this fact by his father and revenge
for the death oil that father now cOored all
his thoughts; till this passion was glutted, he
could scarcely breathe IS a man. Yet the
Illinois defed him in their village. But the
chief knew the power of the Prophet and he
knew his ambition, and upon this latter pas
sion he relied, as his own most efficient wea-
pom.
The chief spoke
"Oushelo" he exclaimed, laying his hand
upon the Prophets shoulder aud gazing
sternly into his eye-''lhe Graat Medicine
Man was a serpent i'm the path Of the Iro-
quois, and they died of his bite-he is now
warmed at the bosom of the Illinois, yet his
coils are silently wrapping about them, and
he can crush it if he will. Now listen to one
whose tongue was never io-ked with lie
If Neopo and his people be deceived, all the
charms of the Prophets feared and boosted
art, all his cunning, and the Illinois above
in protection, cannot save him from the Poto
watomie knife"
The Prophets grey eyes twinkled with
anything but fear, as he turned them humby
to the ground. In soft tone at first. gradu.
ally warming into vehemence, he spoke.
The chiefs words are strong but good
The Prophets heart is ready for the knife
? when it shall deceive the son of INCA. Lis
ten young man. for one speaks, whose scalp.
lock is whitened with the irosts of many VIII
tiers, and who will soon be called away &c
the hunting grounds of the Great Spirit
The chief Is heart is filed with the dark cloud
of revenge. The Illinois are dogs in his path
yet they cannot be turned aside by the chief
He calls for the Prophet TO assist, yet threat
ems. Suspicion cannot act with suspicion loI
great action. Confidence must beget conf
r dcnce, and heart and arm must unite with
heart and arm. Does Neopo hate the Hi
nois The scalps of his father, brother anC
: many braves, darken the lodges of the chic
Mokena and his people. Burns the Poto
watomie heart with hate and revenge2 Does
he wish his enemy placed in his hand that ht
may crush him? Will he"
d "Oushelo," exclaimed the chief, the brair
of Neopo Whirls as A storm cloud. Does ht