Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-15


MY boy is not here because sent him away
replied the emigrant.'
why send boy away9' continued the Indian
curiously.
like
What girl do?' said the Tuscarora.
Nothing. But her father is not gentleman
there are suspicious about his character; and
don't like connection with low people, sal,
John, rousing himself to Indignation at III,
thought.
Indian understand father got old coat
speak bad English, not so good as rich pale-face
Girl very bad'
1T is not because her father is poor.' cried
John quickly. God forbid that should make
that a crime
why, then, no like grip persisted the
Because the Dutchman is not a tit sompanioD
for me, andI should wiishmy sons father-in-law
to be brother
'O!' said the Indian, drily, Il see. Son
marry no get wife please him, brother please
YOU
No, no! you do not understand cried John
impatiently: your education is different from
ours
"Oihi SHIibttdIlS uIOEuVldn tSdCn
him good men all equal. God ask no questions
when you die; he no say, you been poor low
fellow when you live, don't know you-you
man make himself greater than God?'
John turned his back. He could not answer
such words. He might have objected that the
difference of education which probably existed
between his son and Caterina might make her
uOGt IN ha htc seo h,,t fh;s L.
unfair argument. He knew nothing of the girl,
he had heard rumors against the old Dutchman,
but no man can decently condemn any living
being on hearsay. The law admits no such
evidence, and no sane man will ever be infu-
enced by it. Besides, if Edward seriously loved
the young girl, it was cruel to oppose his mar
riage; sensible, thoughtful young man, like
Ned, would scarcely choose very unwisely, and
for young girl there is always every Opportu-
atty for improvement. But John did not want
10 argue.
AS soon as ne was dressed he took his hunt
ing knife, short rifle, shot pouch, and powder
horn, and signing TO the Indian, opened similar
door TO that at which the Wild Rose had gone
out. 1t fastened with key, and as soon as they
were in the open air, lie locked it carefully, put
The key in hole which let it fall inside the
house, and then looked around.
WHO de debble lurk about desc diggins?' said
A voice from the log hut. 'Expwess your at
tentions in considerable slick lingo, Zip him
take de berry partiklar liberty OBJ exhilirating
him shooting iron.'
1t is /, Zip-good Zip replied John in low
tone. Keep sharp lookout, and say nothing
about my going out
'All correct, massa. Zip possum, raooon, no
catch him sleep, he shure. Zip, him only
obscried de rcd-skin at fust, and him tink him
enemy
Good night, ZIP, am going TO take turn in
The woods. If | retreat, keep up a sharp fire
on my pursuers.'
Zip conclude him of 'xceptionable reJ-skin
who git over him gun,' began the negro, but
ohm and the Tuscarora were out of hearing in
a minute, or too much occupied to hear the rest
Of his speech.
They stopped low. John knew the ground
well, and was closely followed by the Indian.
There was a slight hollow in the ground, right
down 10 the bayou, by which water was carried
of, and this John made selection of as the road
by which to gain the stream. He then rose and
held brief conference with the Indian. John
was for taking canoe or dug-out and descend
ing the stream to Oak Point by water, but the
Indian strongly objected. The Waccos were
out lying in the wood, perhaps even in greater
force than they they knew Of, and they would
surely guard some of the bends in the stream,
by which reinforcements might come to the peo-
pie of Eiscoate. Besides, Oak Point was not
more than two hours walk by q wood trail, and
by the winding of the tickle stream, the naviga-
ton of which was rendered dangerous at night
by snags, it was at least four hours journey
To this argument John yielded at once. He
had taken the precaution of putting on mOcca-
sins, and bidding the Tuscarora lead the way,
he followed gravcly in his footsteps. Both
stepped with extreme care, avoiding even lay
ing their feet on fallen bit Of wood, so sharp
did they know the Indian scouts to be.
A solemn, grave Christmas Eve was this for
John Waters, in the depth of huge American
forest, and such he thought it as he walked
along. Suddenly the Indian came to a halt
turned slowly round, and placed his finger on his
lips. John had himself imagined for ONE time
that there were other steps in the forest beside
their own. He thought some one was treadinl
parallel TO them, and so cautiously that i
appeared but the echo Of their own steps. As
they halted, the sound ceased. They moved
few steps again, very stealthly, very cautiously
sad q SHGs thsy hSsE4 Ghs step sgsia slOHEsids
at no great distance. Whoever it was, steppeC
as they stepped, halted as they halted, and ceaseC
to make sound as they did.
Stop here said the Indian, pointing to
thick bush, which afforded shelter from al
observers, 'Tuscar3a John see what in woods.
Ash spoke, the red-ssin disappeared. glidini
so noislessly away, that John heard him no
depart, and there he was alone in those wood
upon an Indian trail, surrounded in all proba
lbiity by his copper-colOred enemies, and Joh
lwOld have given the world to have been sur
rounded at that moment by his whole family
1 Edward included, and to have trusted them /
Ms stout defence and good walls. But he ha