Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-11-03
falo- hide that formed the door of the wig

wan.
As the shades of evening began to set
tie on tho deep woods that drooped
around, the captive continued to listen
intently for the returning step of the dam
sci, and presently the heavy drapery at
the side uas drawn aside, and the yellow
flood of the setting sun streamed upon
the figure. of Monega. The hours OF
the day." said ths youth, "have been
dark and weary to the heart of your cap
tive, since the Wild-rose withdrew from
the side of Wauchee but now that she
has returned, the light again shines in his
heart, and his soul is filed with bright
ness aud joy"
The maiden in silence produced her
herbs and bsndagcs, and after applying
them TO his hurt, thus replied to his words:
| " Wauchee is noble and brave, but his
days are now few and numbered. Let us
speak with low voice, for the two war
riors are watchful at the door. and their
jealous ears may catch the friendly word
that may pass between us. Would the
fettered chieftain desire to be freed from
his bonds, and breathe once more the
fresh sir of the woods, and again return
to his distant people 90
Gentle MOnegai" cried he, "1 pray
thee free these limbs from the hateful
thongs that eat into his flesh, and so
cramp his benumbed members. and Wsu-
chez will fly like deer to his own peo-
| pie, and also bear away with him the
sweet Wild-rose of the Oneidas. to bloom
afresh in the gardens of the Mohawks.-
Will Monega free the bandsmau and
will she fly with him to be the bride of
his heart and the queen of the Mohawk
people ?''
Monega cannot refuse said the
maiden after r little hesitation {; None
ga canno. refuse to save the life of the
brave and handsome young warrior and
if he asks it, neither can she refuse 10 de-
part with him and cast her lot with his
people,
Monega speaks WELL" cried the cap
tive, land her words gladden. my dark
ened spirit. Quick, then, sever these
bonds from nay wrists and limbs, that l
will then escape 10 the forest, and await
you at the great fall of waters"
al gladly free you from your thongs"
said she, " and will not fail to join YOU
where your appoint but remember two
brave warriors guard with their weapons
at the door, and that they will spare him
not if he but offer to depart. Yet one of
them, the young Thsygea. has vowed TO
me his love, and him will l entice sway
from his post of guard, and the captive
must fsin deal with the other as he may.
Is Wauchee content to made the trial 90
Sever these thongs and free these
crippled limbs, bright maiden, and l
would not shrink from an armed host
Do you entice away one of my guards,
and will manage to escape from the 9TH
er and shall then impaticntly await
your coming at the Falls
The bold girl, with trembling hand,
cut away the gives that held the prison
er, and then, departing, exchanged few
words with one of the young men who
guarded the hut, and who instantly for
sock his post to follow her footsteps
Wauchee hurriedly glanced around, TO
discover some article that might serve as
weapon, and snatching up a small billet
of wood that lay on the hearth, sprang to
the door, and with one furious blow felled
the solitary sentinel to the earth, and then
stretched swiftly away in flight. But
numbers Of warriors, aroused by the sound
of the blow. were instantly after him in
hot pursuit. The flying Wauchee was
most remarkable for his tleetness of foot,
and could easily have distanced his pur-
suers but for his wounded ancle, which
greatly impeded his motions and in
short time. after a desperate struggle. he
was oyerpowcred and roughly dragged
back to the place of his captivity.
Again did the fair Monega. whose agen-
cy in his attempted fight had not been
suspected, attend upon her lover; but
80 vigilant were his guards. that an at
tempt at escape seemed now impossible.
In the lapse of few days, the prisoner,
under her skillful treatment, had entirely
recovered from his injuries, and day was
appointed for his death. He was doom
ed to run the gauntlet" the tribe that
is, he was required to run between two
lines Of warriors and Of women and chill
dren armed with thongs OF hide and small
rods, which each one was 10 use upon his
person as the fugitive passed them in full
career. On bright and cheerful morn
ing the luckless prisoner was looseped
! from his bonds and led forth to run his
race after which he was doomed TO per
ish at the stake. But the brave youth
stepped with an undaunted eye and a firm
tread, 10 the place of torment lie eyed,
with fearless and contemptuous 6 lance,
the fearful preparations made for his pun
( ishment; the long lines of his enemies
ready with their rods to strike at him, and
the blackened pole of sacrifice surrounded
with its pile OF faggots.
He took his post st the head Of the ar
ranged lines. ready to plunge through the
+! thicket of rods that awaited him. For a
moment before the start, he glanced his
: i Z. Il