Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-04
sRENAL STORY.
w HETE wN.
. u A TER ~,
Continually

We will now return TO the unfortunate Wer-
ner, who, fearless in his nature, and brave as
fearless, he'd started forth for the nei1hboring
village. Feihg tssat he had much 20 accom-
plish, and wishing 10 return to his beloved wife,
whom he had left all alone, as quickly as possible
he concluded TO shorten his ride by path
aereesgA q hxk ekiss Of y sC6s, and in which ne
often went to hunt. lie had pursued his way
bat short distance when he found himself in
the midst Of a struggling party Of Indians, who
bound him and made him their prisoner, before
he had time TO think Of any possibility of escape.
The Indians had no suspicion that he could un-
detstand their language, consequently they
talked freely before hun. But he, having had
much communicates with them, had taken pains
fortunately, to learn, and knew er ough TO COM
prehend nearly all they said. With heavy
heart, and almost sinking in despair, he followed
his captors and listened attentively to all their
plans, and discovered that he was to be carried
to the Indian camp-a two days journey
where council Of warriors was now held to
lay plans for the extermination of every white
inhabitant.
He now felt that he had ample time to form
plans Of escape; but how could he put them in
execution9 He was in the hands Of four stout
Indians, with no weapons Of defence, and even
heart agony he endured as he reflected upon his
helpless and unprotected wife, and the misery
and despair his absence would cause her, even
If she should feTnain unmolested But he soon
learned from their conversation that other par
ties were out in the neighborhood for the pur-
pose of pillage and murder, and but little hope
remained for the woe-stricken husband.
"Oh God,' he iHwardly exclaimed, "wly
not strike the fatal blow at once? If my wife
and child are gone, and l not able to protect
them, ask not to live"
But the beacon hight Sf hope still urged him
on, and ilattered him with the vain thought that
he would vet escape and find his home and his
all. Alas! vain hope, even in the midst of tri-
ais sore and bitter, thy glimmering light viii
shine forth to cheer us on, and relieve the faint
ing heart, though bat for moment, of its heavy
burthen.
All day they travelled; diving deeper in the
dense forest and following paths which none
but the Indian or some venturous huRtsman
could penetrate. As night approached, they
formed their plans for rest, and coming upon q
place which had the appearance of having beer
recently occupied-for remnants of fire wood
and piece Of fresh deer were scattered near
they doubted not that struggling party hike
themselves were not far ahead. But fain
hope aroused poor Werner from his lethargy
anu tic lnWaTuy pEdyCu IldI II pC u poA y
of hunters TO relieve him from his impending
danger. After building fire and partakint
like ravenous wolves of the remnants OF foo'
which they found, they proceeded to snok
their pipes and converse upon their future de
signs, bat keeping steady eye upon their caPtir
who had seemingly fallen asleep, overcome b,
fatigue and hunger; but was bentiAtently upon al
he heard, hoping TO discover something whic
would be of future service.
The pale-faees, they said, had come and ia
ken possessions Of their hunting grounds. The.
had ,6erDe II 4uiet!y until scarce vestige o
their once powerful race could be found. Once
they said, they were like the leaves Of the sam
mer forest, in number; now they were like tina
same forest scattered and riven by the wlntr
blast.
"The war chiefs now assembled in counc
will hail Us with Joy, even though we bring bt
one white captive, aad a. it has been long tim
since we had one to run the gauntlet, this fe
low will have an opportunity of stretching IN
limbs
At the mention Of the gauntlet--that horri
and brutal method of savage punishment
could scarce repress sroan OF torture. But
that moment wild shout was heard behf
them, and the report of several guns at ont
told lhem party of hunters must be near al
seeing one of their number fall, and anoth
wounded, they raised the death-yell, and dartil
into the woods left their captive and the de
Indian to receive the hunters, who, rejoicing
ahs timely seScue they had offered to the unfo
,t,inats captive, kept up such haiiooing a
shouting as Sade the retreating~Andiars oeie
that they were parsusd BY an army OF the pa
faces.
In ulAbsE they SVeVe about a dozen, but
strength, sufficient TO whip three times th'
number Of Indians---A stalwart band, who h
started forth with the intention Of securing
country and killing, as they said, every
devil they could find. While they were
ioicing, and congratalating poor Werner up
Hhis rescue, and listening TO his story, atall, n
letic specimen OF humanity, with face bron7
by exposure, and soured by suffering, was bu
y engaged in taking the scaip OF Sne ueai
dian.
"There Ill be blest ef that amt one more
add to Joe Hardy's pile. It does this ne
more good to kill one Of them ere red deN
than to eat the best piece Of raw vensn he e.
saw when he was as hungry as tamlsl
wolt."
ayes, but Joe" said one Of the party, v
seemed to be more civilized, and with sol
heart, "that is n savage practice, and does
good. thought you'd gin over that
Sinoe."
"No, Jack, you know I've a big spite
,em, and as long as ] kin, I'll fight
soalp too. II does me good to see 'em all P
81 In a heap, and to say done il. Ell they'd X
US, they'd have the har OF our heads quiz
an, we could say Jack Robinson, an I'll be
Sf don't do SO too"