Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-08

a CiiOij elC BHi all tlle cain submissive aspect
Iof ayoung Indian squaw. She was very pleasing
in face despite her red skin, with light hair in
great abundance, drawn in fight bands across her
temples she had deep blue eyes, a small mouth,
a tiny pretty nose, and she wore ahandsome tunic
of deerskin, leggings of the same, moccasins, aud
was covered by ornaments composed of beads.
The chief was clothed in very similar manner;
but he carried short rifle in his, hand and wore
beside, hunting knife and a tonahawk.
Where do these Indians come from?" said
JOhn in an amazed tone TO his wife, who was
Ispeechless with terror and astonishment.
lndian-friend,n replied the chief in deep
cultural tones, "Tuscarora."
"You are welcome exclaimed the emierant
quickly, knowing the Importance Of conciliating
an Indian at once, at the same time holding out
his hand. "What can do for youP"
Indan-going down to Great Salt Lake,
want to rest day." said the Tuscarora.
Rest" replied John, pointing to the house,
"you and yours are welcome"
"No leave house," continued the Indian
standing before him and placing his hand on his
shoulders one, two, tree, fifty bad redskins
in wood.n
"My Children" half shrieked Jane, clasping
her hands.
"Indian," said John solennly, SIS this true,
speak girl ?"
The warrior looked somewhat offended, the
girl raised her mild blue eyes TO the face of Mrs.
Waters, and then spoke,
" One, two, tree, plenty--ffty, twenty bad
Indians in wood attack pale faces to night, "
she said in tones very seductive from their
mingled sweetness and sadness.
"Come John," said Jane convulsively. "Ab,
where is Edward?"
A tba, ,,,o,,t co1lo,,.oJ l.. al I.
the squaw, down to the port. Scarcely had they
reached the edge Of the stream, when they heard
singing and laughter. Much surprised at sounds
SO unusual for two months past, they listened
while unmooring boat. 1t was the negroes
singing. They had just commenced what Zip
short for Scipio-called Christmas quarrel !:
] As sat on soOny bank, soony bank, sOony bank,
AS sat on soony bank, Christmas day in de
spied tree ships come sailing by, come sailing by,
come sailing by,
u sped tree ships sailing by, a Christmas day
in de mornin'.
Who would be in desc tree ships, desc tree ships.
desc tree SHIPS,
Who would be in desc tree ships bu; Joseph and him
fair lady
Him did whistle, and she did sing, she did sing,
she did sing,
Him did whistle aud she did sing and all the bells in
the earth did ring,
A Christmas day in de mornin'.
GLOW very shocking" said Jane, looking
really very much Mortified, while both the In
dian ard the squaw were unable to rcpress a
Igrin.
Not at all, my dear" replied John, the
blacks are very peculiar people, and that song
is no doubt well meant. But we have something
else TO think Of now"
They were, as he spoke, on the edge of the
lgreen in front of Ned's Folly, and a dark frown
passed over the face of John, while Jane turned
pale and trembled. The children, servants, and
blacks, we're congregated on the grassy plot,
and were resting after their morning work
They had been ornamenting the seven trees, six
of which were all gaily adorned by bright
flowers, red pink and white ribbons, while the
seventh, hanked on each side by three gaudy
companions, was hung with Grape, and sur
rounded by all the gloomy plants, picked in the
forest, they could find. Without appearing to
notice this act Of rebellion, John addressed the
. group.
4" Children and servants, cease all mirth. The
bloody Indians are upon us. These two friendly
redskins, Of a tribe rare in Texas, have given
us warning. Follow me and to arms"
A silence as solemn as that Of death at once
prevailed, and then the boys took up the cry tc
) the stream. The girls curiously surrounded the
young and pretty squaw, terrified and alarmed
as they were, and pressing close to their mother
followed the males. The first thing done after
crossing the stream, was to stow away the boat:
in an clubhouse, which was covered by the rifle,
of those in the frame house. Then all took L
the farm, and preparations were made for al
obstinate and serious defence. There wer,
: eleven men in all, including the Indian, thu
distributed; John, the Indian, his three boys
= and two farm servants, were appointed 10 defen'
the residence, while four (two white and tw,
. black men took TO the log hut but dozen yard
distant. All were well armed and well provides
> with ammunition.
Ii was o'clock in the afternoon, when
, black gave the signal that the Indians were II
: sight John was on the roof Of his house, whic
4 was ilat, and surrounded by paTapet, and coul
Y thence see everywhere around. The.Indian
/ issued from the wood with the air of men VIII
. had no hostile intentions. They were fifty, a
I least, in number, and came on toward the hous
d as if friendly. But John had heard too much @
o the cunning Of the redskins to allow surprise
j he therefore checked them at once.
I, ' Back he cried, "or we FIRE on you
!, friends or foes, keep. your distance"
; The INDIANS halted, very much surprised, 70
v they evidently had calculated on taking ElscCat
$ by storm and then the air resounded with th
r hideous war-cry, and on the Christmas eve tn
, glad stiffness was broken by the crack of rifles
S the reports of muskets and fusils, and the shri
f yells of the wounded. Away scampered tn
n Waccos, unable to comprehend this warm recep
8 Ition, and took TO the cover of the woods. Al
that afternoon was spent in exchanging shot.
d but without iniuryoto those in the farm and 10
S house, 81 ohm Waters having ordered the strictes
: lcaution to be observed, and seeing personall