The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-09


sation it could be calIed-grew quite ami
mated, and at intervals even fierce. Whll
| affected to be wholly Indifferent TO thi
sudden change of manner, was watchin,
them with a jealous eye.
1t was about noon, and the second da,
from Wes;port We we're skimming light
ly along the surface of the waters, n ear th,
right bank Of the river. The tall tree.
which grew luxurianlly upon the margin
were inirrored in the dark depths beneath
Whether the sombre shadows reflected up
on our way, together with the solemn still
ness Of everything about us, affected my
spirits, am not able to determine; bu
certain it is that | felt my heart sink within
me. Sensations OF the most gloomy and
ominous character took possession of my
faculties. II has been affirmed that when
one is very near death, a cold, unearthly
and notwithstanding shudder passes ovel
the entire system; now whether this be the
fact, or otherwise, it is nor for me 10 decide
but no person will convince me that | did
not experience q sensation analogous 10
what have described | struggled man.
fully to Danish my melancholy present.
,nents. attempted to converse with Mel,
but he was silent and moody, while his
countenance grew more sinister and for.
bidding.
81 think we had better 60 ashore" said
Vanburton. in exceedingly bad French,
addressing himself TO me.
| understood French perfectly, but the
thought occurred to me on the instant, that
it would be better for me to affect to be en-
tirely ignorant Of that language; | accord
ingly shook my head, and made no an.
swer.
"Would Monsieur like venson for his
dnner!" he asked after short interval, in
the same tongue.
| shook my head as before, and made
no reply. This seemed to convince him
that | knew nothing Of French, and in that
language he and his companion commen-
ced conversation which | shall never
forget, should live to the venerable ago of
the oldest patriarch. Each We'd with the
other in the enormity Of his rehersals.-
They told of frauds, rapine and murder,
which they had committed at different
times upon trappers, adventures, white
settlers and Indians. Plunder, and an in.
ordinate love Of the excitement of crime,
were the motives that had urged them on
their Infamous career.
After they had proceeded awhile in this
strain, they changed the subject somewhat,
and deliberately and diabolically planned
my own destruction. They even made
division Of my effects, and settled all TO
heir mutual satisfaction.
My emotions during this time feel it
would be useless TO attempt 10 describe
Horror, Indignation, and dread were the
in welcome visitants of my soul.
When these preliminaries had been sat-
siactorily settled, Vanburton went on as
ollows. | shall not give his exact words,
'ut merely the substance of them.
but this is not all" he added. 81 have
'ther business to attend 10 as soon as this
S despatched, and shall wan; your help.
There is Pawnee village near Council
Bluffs. Awhite trapper lives there with
lis family. That white trapper married
french woman, who. in her younger days,
vas very pretty. Well, to be brief about
he matter, they have daughter about
eventeen years of age, as handsome
reature as ever saw, and | have seen
,any Of that sex in my time.
"ln my travels among the numerous In
ians tribes, have seen good looking
quaws and half-breeds but none Of them
'oud compare with the trapper's daughter
"Her complexion is clear and beautiful,
nd such eyes you never saw in human
cad; for they are full of life and fire, and
Il that you could expect TO find in the eye
woman. Her hair" continued the ruff
an, though in language much less refined,
which she allows to fall loose, reaches to
er knees, and is blacker than anything
ou can conceive of.
"When she sports on The prairies, it
oats out like dark streamers. Her figure
won't speak about, because haven't the !
over TO describe it as is. She's neither {
20 large or too small, and it's impossible
say where there should, or could be, any
nprovement in her person.
'IleT IdtHeT name Is Wlllels anu ner
anne is Janet; the Indians call her the I
Vest Wind because she is gente.like {
nd sweet in temper. like this Janet, S
nd I'm resolved to make her mistress of {
y lodge" .
"But does the gal like you!" asked Nick,
ith significant wink Of the eye.
"There's the rub; there was never one r
'rson disliked another more than that girl e
slikes me. And it is just so with the q
hole family. The old man looks upon
o with suspicion; and his wife shudders v
henever cross her path, or look at Janet. q
ut that makes no difference; it's neither q
re nor there. My minds made up; b
net goes into my lodge, wherever it may
}, as its lawful mistress, willing or unwill. h
g." P
"How can that BET" growlsd Nick, with v
scowl.
"How can it be? why, shall watch my 5