Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-02-03


speak of their fate; for these frequent
contests had taugh, the white men some
of the worst portions of the Intlan code
of warfare, especially among these irreg-
ular and volunteer corps, where social
equality made discipline lax. and dispos-
ed men to act as seemed good in their
own sight on manv occasions.
Miles and miles through the fores. the
victors tracked their flying foe, eager to
clear the woods of the Indians now, as
they had every reason TO feel certain,
gathered into one body, as they had long
vainlv wished to meet them, and shrink
ing under the blow from which they
were not likely soon to recover 10 re-
trace their steps, could they once be fair
ly driven from their present haunts. AT
length Stephenson halted his party.
thinking they had pursued the routed en-
emy as far as was prudent; and on the
hoineward way he had leisure TO hear
that the colonisis--all Scotchmen-had
been conveying ammunition to small and
entirely Scottish village, whose kirk was
the common dwelling of its inhabitants.
Enrenched in this holy citadel, they bad
defed all dangers 10 drive them from the
graves Of their fathers and the birth place
of their little ones. But powder becom
ing scarce. strong party had gone to
buy it, when, on their return; seeking 10
pass by untrodden ways, they had lost
themselves, and wandered far out of their
proper course into the midst of the o.
lsages.
The way to the blockhouse led across
| the field of this back woods battle. Full
| fifty Of the Indians were lying there cold,
and stiff, but all the killed and wounded
! on the British side hac been already re.
moved to the fort. So Stephenson gave
order 10 march on, as il was getting too
!, late in the day to bury their fallen foes.
Norman passed close By the Usage chic
whom he had killed As he looked or
, the noble form he almost envied the In
! dams fate; for the bitter jealousies ant
scorn of the world could vex the dead
: warrior no longer, while he carried back
an unvalued life to see the smiles of the
; woman he loved bestowed upon another
, his superior in the one so.e quality o
which his own devoted gallantry had rob
/ bed him.
} "Welcome, old friend Stephenson. ant
all of you. my brave lads! Norman Reed
! glad to see you safe amongst US again.
l But where's Nugent?" demanded Cap,
Thorncastle, breaking off suddenly il
his cordial greeting Of his bold sharp
/, shooters.
5 ..Nugent!" repeated Stephenson
> "Why isn't he here! He 1idn't go o,
with US. for certain; and | thought he ha,
been among thuse left behind"
: "He was not with u.s." said some o
a the latter.
: "Nor with u.s." said half dozen o
:, the pursGers.
: Thorncastle looked from one to anoth
/. er-"Could he have been left woundet
a on the ground!" he asked, thoughtfully
Y "We made good search all a5ou,
and saw nothing at all of Nugent," sal,
. the senior Of the party. 81 am positiv
a that every white man there we carries
r off,"
e "Carried off--ay, l tell you i see
i with my ain eyes," said one of tie rescu
r ed Scotchman. who, being stunned by
d blow on the head, had been placed in tn
: open air to promote his recovery.
What's that!-what are you talkin,
Q of" demanded Thorncas,le, stepping VI
to the mans side.
v "Just what you're saying-of the pui
lad carried ava by ihae red deeyils," h
e replied. still s.upified by the effects of tn
: blow.
"What, aliye?"
{ "Yes-I'm thinkin he wad be alive
!. for he sprawled and twisted himself lik
I a beetle on pin. But they carried hin
4 ava for a that" added the injured maj
!. with comical appearance Of satisfac
e ton.
i "Was this early in the action!" inquir
: ed Thorncas,le, with old soliier-hke pre-
r cision.
Q 81 dinna ken" was the wearied reply
at must have bean," said one of hi
r companions; '.foi Donald Maclean wa
$ struck down beside me nae time af,e
! these gen.lemen's fire staggered the In
I dian rascals."
g The news of Nugent's absence hat
3 flown at once to Villa, and brought he
to be an ear witness of this explanation
7 of his fate. To have heard of his dea,i
, had been comparatively mercy; but sh,
. knew well the tor,ures ending such cap
} tivity, and all the horrors OF the door
I rushed into her mind.
!, Norman Reed gnashed his teeth as hs
watched the agony written or her ashy
cheek and quivering lip. "How sweet. >
: he thought. sit must be to be so loved!'
: Thorncas.le looked at his daughter ant
; then turned away his head. He had nc
) comfort to give, and could not bear to
see her grief. After standing for few
/. minutes in stony stiffness. she went back
, into the room from which she had come
; and sa, down in her accustomed place.
. There lay before her bullet pouch
: which she had finished embroidering fol
Nugenr. The sigh, woke her into life
, and putting her clasped hands upon The
table, che laid her head upon them. and