The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-08

hViH uCit hofuS WhHucIcu duOut LOT sew
eral days, until at sun down one evening,
with their provisions totally exhausted,
they, found themselves, in sight of an In
dams wigwam on the shores Of the beau.
tiful Cayuga Lake, not then as now bor-
dered by happy, and thriving homesteads,
but one unbroken mass of magnificent
wood to the waters edge. A human hab-
itation tothese i'll, starved, lost wanderers,
was as grateful as the. distant view of the
holy city to pilgrims of old. Joyfully did
they accept the Indians proffered hospi-
tality. The fish and venison prepared
with rude inartistic skill, never tasted more
delicious than now. All their troubles
vanished in a moment, and after satisfy
ing the cravings of their inordinate appe.
ties, the head surveyor the party, WHOM
we will now introduce to our readers as
Mr. Shomberg, nowse extraordinary in
his appearance, save peculiar and at the
same time disagreeable cast of counten-
ance which somehow conveyed to the be-
holder an impression that was unfavorable
to the wearer; his character, however, be-
lied his face; ne was much esteemed and
respected by all who knew him. question
ed the Indians as to their present position,
and where they ought to have BEEN
Strange as it may appear, they were with
in few miles Of where their labors were
to commence, and one and all agreed that
their late loss was extraordinary, mas
much as they must have passed over the
very ground they had been in search of.
While they were thus working up their
reckoning and smoking their pipes
Shomberg cast his eyes on superb look
ing heavy Tyrolese rifle standing in the
corner of the wigwam. The rich plating
and peculiar make of the weapon attract.
ed his attention, particularly as being so
mal-apropos to the owner. The Indian,
however soon relieved Shomberg's mind
as to his having acquired possession of it,
by stating that it was present to him
from an English officer, whose life he had
saved during the late war, and who, to re-
ward his preserver and show his gratitude,
had presented him with the weapon which
so excited Shomberg's curiosity The exc
cution, SO said the Indian. far exceeded the
beauty of the external workmanship, and
his praises of his loved rifle were so ex.
travagant that Shomberg offered to buy it
at large price provided such was the case
!. "Me no sell him-but me show you,''
said the Indian, and twas determined that
this much vaunted rifle should be tried in
the morning, ere they started back. Va
rious attempts did Shomberg make to come
TO terms-his own rife, tobacco, powder,
lead, money, in fact, every inducement
to tempt an Indian to trade was used, but
all in vain. Night found him no nearer
the much coveted prize than did the morn
ing. And so the party retired to rest; more
correctly we should say, stretched them
selves out to rest. .rr.. ss.'.
Morning found the whole party refresh
ed and ready to renew their march in
search after the settlement. After hearty
breakfast, at Shomberg's request the In
dian cut small chip out of an oak some
150 yards from the wigwam. AT this he
fired, and the ball struck scarce an inch
from the mark. Again he fired, and this
time he hit the mark. Shomberg now
tried his hand, and was very successful,
so much SO, that of six shots fired, circle
Of four inches would have covered the chip
and all the bullet holes beside. Loud were
all Of them in praise of the weapon-none
more so than Shombsrg. Most literally
did ne offer blankets, money, rifle, tobac-
co, even spirits were added, with the hope
of inducing the Indian to part with the
weapon. All efforts were unavailing, the
Indian most firmly refusing every offer;
he would not part with his rifle, so he said,
but with his life. He had, it seems, taken
charge of the officer when desperately
wounded, and had conceived strong af.
fection for him while tending to his wounds,
and highly did he prize the present Of his
white brother. 43 f II ~ NO
Finding the Indian firm in his refusal,
the party gathered their instruments and
arms, bestowed almost the whole of their
scanty stock of tobacco on their genel Gus
hearted entertainer, and with every ex.
preston Of good feeling they parted. An
hour had scarcely passed when man
glided into the open space in front of the
Indians wigwam. In sunny nook sat
decrepid, dried-up old woman, fast totter-
ing to the grave. Near at hand sat the
Indian repairing moccasins. Greatly 10
the Indians surprise, he recognized the
man Shomberg, who seated himself by the
Indians side, and again renewed the at
tempt to possess the highly priced rihe.--
As we'll might he have attempted to move
the rock Of Gibralter as the stern resolve
of the warrior. He saw twas useless, but
yet he was bent upon his purpose. Sud-
denly his face lit up with most demonia-
cal expression, as if some unholy purpose
had fitted across his mind. 1850 a.T
After awhile he asked to see another trial
to which the Indian assented.li Again the
tree was blazed, again the rifle sent forth,
its unerring bullet. Shomberg asked fora
shot; the Indian loaded his rife and hand
ed it to him, Carelessly he took his aim
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