Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-09

river fishing, told him the story, and as no
time was to be lost, they proceeded to their
boat which was unlucHily filled with water. 1t
took some time to clear it out, and mean
time while Stacey recollected his gun, which
had been left behind. He proceeded to the
house and returned with it. All this took
up considerable time, and precious time it
proved to this poor family.
The daily visits Of old Naoman, and his
more than ordinary gravity, had excited
suspicion in some of the tribe, who had
accordingly paid particular attention to the
movements Of Stacey. One Of the young
Indians who had been kept on the watch,
seeing the whole family about to take their
boat, ran to the little Indian village, about
| a mile off, and gave the alarm. Five In
dams collected, ran down to the river side
where their canoes were moored, jumped
in and padded after Stacey, who by this
time had got some distance out into the
stream. They gained on him so fast, that
twice he dropped his paddle and took up
his gun. But his wife prevented his shoot
ing, by telling him, that if he fired, and
they were Afterwards overtaken, they would
meet no mercy from the Indians. He ac-
cordingly refrained, and applied his paddle,
till the sweat rolled in big drops down his
forehead. All would not do; they were
overtaken within hundred yards of the
| oh ,:oI - q
ing triumph.
When they got ashore, the Indians set
fire to Stacey's house, and dragged himself,
his wife, and children, to their village.
Here the principal old men, and Naoman
among the rest, assembled to deliberate on
the affair. The chief among them stated
that some of the tribe had undoubtedly
been guilty of treason in apprising Stacey,
the white man, of the designs of the tribe,
whereby they took the alarm and we'll nigh
escaped. He proposed to examine the
prisoners, as to who gave the information.
The old men assented to this, and Naoman
among the rest. Stacey was first interro-
gated by one of the old men, who spoke
English, and interpreted to the others.
Stacey refused to betray his informant. His
wife was then questioned, while at the
same moment two Indians stood threatening
the two children with tomahawks in case
she did not confess. She attempted to
evade the truth, by declaring that she had
a dream the night before which had alarmed
her, and that she had persuaded her hus-
band to fly.
"The Great Spirit never deigns to talk
in dreams to a pale face" said the old
Indian. "Woman,'' continued he, "thou
hast two tongues and two faces. Speak the
truth, or thy children shall surely die.''
The little boy and girl were then brought
close to her, and the two savages stood
over them, ready to execute the bloody
orders.
"W Wilt thou name," said the old Indian,
1" the red man who betrayed his tribe? L
will ask thee three times" The mother an
swered not. "Wilt thou name the traitor.
This is the second time" The poor mother
looked at her husband, and then at her
| children, and stole glance at Naoman, who
sat smoking his pipe with invincible gravity.
She wrung her hands and wept; but re-
mained silent. "Wilt thou name the trai-
tor? tits the third time and last time
The agony of the mother waxed more bitter;
again she sought the eye Of Naoman, but it
was cold and motionless pause of mo-
ment awaited her reply, and the tomahawks
were raised over the heads of the children,
who besought their mother not to let them
be murdered.
"Stop," cried Naoman. All eyes were
turned upon him. "Stop," repeated he in
tone of authority. eThou hast kept thy
word NTH me to the last moment. l am the
traitor. have eaten of the salt, warmed
myself at the fire, shared the kindness of
these Christian white people, and it was
that told them of their danger. l am a
, withered, leahess, branchless trunk; cut
me down if you will. l am ready" Ayell
N