Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-09-03
ad and demoniac expression, he

mad and demoniac expression, he
said:
"T'he pale face wigwam is far
across the deep water--his wigwam
is empty. He has no squaw to sing
to him of his deeds and bravery, and
strew flowers in his path to the hunt
ing grounds of the Manitoo. The
pale face shall take my squaw, and
pappoosc; she will make him moca-
sins--mend his leggins--embroider
his blankets--dress his vcnison and
game, make, him happy; and my
brave young boy, who will be war
rior and brave ere twenty SHOWS
shall pass away, shall be his. Take
them pale face, and give me fire.
water"
"No: | will not, my heart fears the
Manitoo. l will not give you fire.
water"
"Then die pale face large butch
er knife was in his belt, he grasped
it, beside himself with rage and whis-
key, and with a giants strength
hurledi it at me. 1t passed. through my
hair and entered the wall behind me.
| gave one jump from behind the
counter and had him by the throat,
it was but the work of a moment.
had rolled him over and over out Of
the store, down the steps, his wife
sobbing as though her heart would
break. | then closed the store, ar.
ranged by books and papers, and
made ready for the morrow. l knew
that unless we could compromise, one
of us must die, perhaps both. A long
night to me. 1t passed, and as the
morning broke, the wild war-whoops
of thousand voices rung fearfully
in my ears. They were gathering
their forces to witness the result Of
an insult that perhaps would end in
blood. At ten o'clock, A. M. the
store was filled with Indians, while
from the door could see them in
great Numbers. | was alone, NO
white man or friend to advise or as
sist me. | had insulted warrior
and brave, and no one dare to
take my part. My two loaded pis-
tolls were before me. Silently and
sadly with my heart beating with
wild and fearful emotions, grasped
them with a deathlike grasp. The
young chief entered, his face was
blackened with passion and COAL
Revenge was stamped fearfully in his
fiery eyes, while his heavy ches
throbbed with terrible emotions, anc
grasping his rifle he placed himself or
a box, in front of me, with the weapon
cooked and ready to fire; pistols ant
knife were also in his belt, and muir
der was evidently in his heart, ant
yet | dared not finch. felt that i
| turned my eyes off from him TO
one moment, ! was dead. Thought
of home and friends crowded into m,
mind my heart was filed almost t,
bursting. But ! thought | will no
die without an efot, | will try t.
compromise, can but try.
spoke to him, and protfered hin
the friendship of my heart. II,
seemed to hesitate, but no answer.
now offered him wine, but it was re-
jected. | filed pipe with Kinna
knick and offered it to him; this toe
was rejected. A half hour or more
tit seemed an age) we gazed upon
each other. At length he seemed
seized with some new purpose; he
grasped his rifle and my pistols
Suddenly he dropped it again and
approaching me said; "ke-sker tus-
me-ken Care you mad, friendly" No,
| answered, Are you? 81 was, and
when | entered your wigwam came
to kill you, but the Manitoo has told
me to smoke the pipe of peace and
make friends" My relief was mex
pressible; my heart leaped with glad
ness, and my tongue gave Inference
to sentiments Of heartfelt delight.
The chief washed his face and re-
painted it with variegated colors.-
We fired off our pieces in the air,
shook hands again and again-shout-
ed, leaped and made as much noise
as wild Indians. A happier man, for
the moment, than ] was, could not
be found between sunrise and sun
down. The chiefwas ever after my
friend.