Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-06-20

chai, in the thickest of the strife, would
utter his terrific war.whoop in forfftidA-
BILE tones. But the daring chivalry Of
the assailants was more than match for
the obstinate courage Of the savages.-
They, though far superior in numbers.
melted rapidly away beneath the vigor-
Gus blows of whites. All were NOR
tally wounded or dying except some Eve
or six. Then the daring chief, perceive
ing that all was lost, and growing des-
perate under sense of mortified pride,
before any one could comprehend his e.
rocious design. sprung with the rapidity
ofthought upon Alice. He raised his
tomahawk, already reeking with human
blood, far above his head TO give il suflici-
ent impetus, then throwing his gigantic
strength into his muscular arm, was a.
bout cIeaving her beautiful and innocent
head, when Trailer, the noble brute,
sprung up from her side, where he had
crouched in the beginning Of the conflict,
and fixed his powerful jaws with tcnac-
ious hold upon the throat of the willy
savage. The chief, though suffering ex-
cruciating pain, retained his wonied pres
ence Of mind. At one powerful blow he
severed the poor animals body. Utter
ing one low moan of distress the noble
dog reeled over and expired. By this
time, the savage, every lineament Of his
features working convulsively with pas
sion, had sprung again upon Alice and
his lohg bloody fingers were twined into
her golden locks. Blu. at this moment
David Browning appeared upon the
scene Of action. He was stout athletic
man, and at once grapled, with the
chief. The two went down together,
Daniel falling underneath. BY tre-
mendous effort, however, he rose on top,
and shouted IN a voice of thunder 10
Wash-kee-chia to sing his death song
But the subtle chief was not yet subdu-
ed. Throwing his muscular arm about
the neck Of Daniel he brought his head
close down to his own body. Then
drawing his scalping knife from its sheath,
was about to plunge it into his bosom
when old David Thompson's ,omahawk
was driven deep into his skull.
Thus terminated the life of one of tho
most ruthless chiefs that ever scourged
the white race in their settlement of the
new world. Not one bright feature dis
played itself in his character. All wan
black, unrelenting aud horrible. Many
wailing infant has been hushed into si-
lence by the mention of the name of
Wash kec. chai-,he Cronching Eagle.
On his pathway to the happy hunting
grounds Of Ills fathers above, he was ac-
oompanied by nearly all his warriors.
But two survived that bloody conflict,
who fled with precipitation among the
Businesses of the mountains.
"You did good service that time, friend
David" Daniel Browning remarked as
he rose from his recumbent position.--
II thought was completely done for in
the hug of that tarnel red-skin. He was
worse than any two year old bar ever
seed. But he's surcumwentcd now"
"Ay. is he Daniel" David replied.
wiping the perspiralion from his brow.
"He'll scalp no more white folks now.
Poor Trailer, he was a good dog. and
saved my old life many time, but poor
fellow. he's gone to his long home now"
Then turning aside and deliberately DASH
ing tear from his eye, he said, as he ex-
tended his hand towards Roland.
"Thank God, boy, you are again free!
Thar's hand that never fails friend
in time of need"
"'rhe knowledge ofthat fact" Roland
replied, "impresses me with sense Of
profound gratitude"
"Nay, Roland, no thanks. Friends
need no thanks. Just stand in the light
Of that thar FIRE thar, on which they were
going TO roast you, and let the boys see
you, and Miss Alice, who's as brave in
times o'danger as man, and that'll be
thanks enough for brave men,"
Roland and Alice did as the old hun.
ter desired, and such hip-huzzah az
reverbated through those grand old
mountains, was never before heard
But. alas. many sad thoughts broke in
upon their joy and spirits! Two of
their brave companions lay mangled and
dead before their eyes, their brains ooz-
ing out through their broken skulls. and
presenting picture ghasily in the ex-
treme. Many an eye ran over with
tears as they were placed in their last
resting place by the side Of small stream
that tumbled down over the rocks, whose
murmurings seemed like a requiem to
their departed spirits.
Morning dawned. bright and beautiful
upon the scene Of conflict. The trees,
Panoplied investments of living green.
rejoiced in the magnifcence Of the rising
sun, 0rds. with gorgeous plumage, ca
rolled swecsly amid the leaves; the hum
of the bee, as il swept swiftly by on its
errand of labor, fell soothingly upon the
ear, and all nature seemed to send up an
anthem Of rejoicing. To Alice and Ro-
land il seemed the foreshadowing Of
brigh. and happy future. Their young
hearts were already welded together
by reciprocal tenderness, and il only re-
quired the outward forms prescribed by
society to c0nsumrnate their happiness.
Summer passed aud autumn, Arrayed
in Ua Pmouto nc rucsot crsocsr,, end ~,rtd