Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-03-23

made their escape WIN thelr PRISONERS towards
Clear Creek.
With the mhiic men engaged in this fight was
tail, finely formed, young Indian warrior
He belonged to the tribe whose village had been
lately sacked and destroyed by this same band
He It was who brought the intelligence to the
whites, and eagerly suppcated their aid in
chastsing them, and rescuing some of bis tribe
still prisoners in their hands. During the en-.
counter he fought with great bravery-his war
cry ringing like a tumpet's note above the din
of battIe-cutting down all who opposed him,
and following the white men in every charge
that was made. But after the enemy had
given way-when the noise and confusion Of
the conflict had subsded-and the whites were
busily engaged in burying the dead and reliev-
ing the wounded, Co>hatte for such was his
name-retired to short distance, and, cover
ing his head with his robe, seemed to be the
prey of great emotion. The captain of the
company, seeing him evidently in distress, and
fearing he was severely wounded, called him
up, and, with friendly speech, sought to know
of him the cause Of his trouble. The Indian
drew himself up, and, dropping the buffalo robe
which had covered his breast, so as to give
full freedom to his gestures, spoke to the follow.
ing effect
"Whte brothers, listen. This day has the
red wolf been struck. The white mans bull
let's are deep into his body! Already do the
black vultures scent his blood, and are whet-
ting their bcaks for the feast. Many warrior
will be missed from the council fire Of his
tribe There will be mourning in the lodges
of the Caronqu has fought
bv his white brothers his tomahawk has been
buried in the brains of their enemy; his knife
has drank their blocd-it is good, but the heart
of Coshatte is not happy White men, listen
But two moons have passed since accompa.
MED the warriors and young braves of my tribe
to the big plains of the West to chase the wild
horse and to hunt the buffalo. Our old men,
our women and children we left behind us
for we were at peace with the white man, and
we dreamed no harm from our red brothers;
but we were mistaken-the Caronquewav
wolves had their spies upon US, and but few
dsvs had we left when they attacked our vii.
lagc. They killed our old men, they carried
off our women and children and our tents are
but heap of ashes
"White men, listen! Among the prisoners
is our head chiefs daughter the wild How.
er'-the pride of our tribe, and the betrothed
wife of Coshattc. His heart cannot be happy
nor will he rest while she remains prisoner
among the d.stroyers of his tribe. Coshatte
has snoken Will his white brothers aid him
in taking the young girl from the clutches Of
the hawk?'
The Indians gestures were so vehement, his
looks so appealing, and the griefhe felt evident
IL so sincere that although the white men
were worn down by fatigue and excitement,
thev with one accord determined to pursue the
robbers aud rescue the prisoners, if alive, at all
hazards, As soon as the dead were buried and
the wounded properly attended to-a few being
left to guard thcm--the company proceeded at
once to the track Of the lugitives. The In
dian took the lead, showing all the eagerness
and instinct of bloodhound; and often, when
every vestige Of the trail was lost he would,
by his unerring sagacity, find and pnrsue it with
q rapidty that left the others far behind. On
the evening of the second day, about sunset
the marty reached Clear Creek about four miles
below, where we will leave them, fer the pres.
ent, pursuing their course which led direct to
this spot.
CHATTER III.
1t was midnight. A large fire burned bright
" in the bottom of this ravine, throwing q
strong glare upon the forms Of about forty war.
rors, who stood, with bows and war.clubs in
their hands, in circle around it. Many a
head and limb bore frightlul marks Of recent
conflict; and every face wore aspect as hid
eous as paint and rage could make. Some
few Law around wrapped in skins, and appear.
ed, from their restless motions aud the occa-
sonal groans that proceeded from them, to be
desperately wounded. Some exciting topic had
been evidently lately discussed and settled by
the warriors in council; and, from the large
heap of brush and dry wood that lay piled up
close BY, and from the angry gestures that
were occasionally directed to a particular spot,
it was not hard to divine arhat it was, nor that
was soon to follow. Close by the group of
warriors, and in full view, tied hand and foot
to tall stake, was an Indian girl. Her feet
and arms we're swollen up and bloody from
many wounds inflicted by lhorns and briars.--
An embroidered and highly dressed skin Of
some wild alhung in strips from her shrink:
ing body, disclosing form youthful and full
of beauty. Her head was bowed in deep de:
lection, from which the long dark hair flowed
wildly over her heaving bosom. Now and
then her eyes would wander restlessly over the
painted faces of her captors, seeking, but in
vain, to catch some ray of hope in their un.
pityiug glances; but for this she neither moved
nor stirred, and, to all appearances, was as in
animate as the trees that lowered around her.