The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-05-05
H0TTfAII SEJFIBRL
a Scene in Patagonia.

n Scene IN EaIaSCt1a'
Patagonia is a country of which leSsis known
than any other upon the Western Continent
Mr. Buurne's late work, therefore, which CON
tains the narrative of y considerable stay ana
extensive travel in that country. IS all the mort
welcome TO learn that human nature iii Fata-
gunia has much in common with human hatGfe
elsewhere ii $ only necessary toread the pas
sage annexe! :7-',One evening. the chief his
four wives, two daughters. and an infant grand
daughter. and myself were scattered about the
lodge, enveloped in Il smoke of unusal strength
am! density. While the others sat around Us
un:oncerned so many pieces OF bacon, l lay
hat, with my face close 10 the ground, ana my
head covered with piece of guunaco-skin. the
only position III WHICH ii was possibl to gain any
relief from the sitting fumigation. Nhie III
this attitude t;ucied | heard the tramp OF
many feet without, and confused mutterIng
as it Il multitude Of indians were tai king rogrtii-
er. Presently a hoarse voice sounded IN front,
evidently aimed ut the ears Of some one within,
to which the chief promptly replied. L caught
q few wOTds-enough to satisfy me that / was
not the subj ject OF their coil0quy, but that there
was lady in the cnse-and listened curiousiy.
without any of the fright which grew out of the
previous Negotiations. The conversation grew
animated and the equanimity of his high mghti-
the chief was somewhat disturbed. cast
n penetrating glance into the smoke at the fe-
male members of our house hold to dl. cern. II
possible whether any one of them special
daughter (wno By the way, quasi widow with
one hopeful scion springing up hy her si'e,) sat
listening TO the conversation with anxiety and
apprehension visible III every feature. Her
SnOther sal near her, her chin resting upon her
hand, with anxious and thoughtful expression
OF countenance. The Invisible 5 eaker without.
Il soon appeared, was unsuccessful suitor OF
the daughter and had come with his friends 10
press his claim. lie urged his suit. if not with
classic, with earnest eloquence, hut with sIc-
cess i'll proportioued 20 his efforts. The chief
told bIm he poor, good for nothing fellow,
had no horses. and was unfit TO be his son in law
or any one else's. The outsider was not To be
so easily put off; he pressed his suit with fresh
energy, affirming that his deficiency Of horses
was from want Of opportunity. not from lack OF
will or ability TO appropriate the first that came
within his reach. On the contrary. he claimed
to he rs ingenious and accomplished thief
ever swung lassO or ran of Il horse, and a NIGH
ty Hunter besides, whose wife would never suffer
for want of grease. The inexorable chief hereft
got considerably excited. told him he was Il poor
devil, and might be off with himself: he wouldn t
talk any more about it. The suppliant. as a
last resort. appealed 10 the fair one herself, heg
ging her TO smile on his suit. and assuring her,
with marked emphasis. that, if successful in his
aspirations, he would give her gIenfV of crease
Al THIS last argument she was unable to resist
longer but entreated her father to sanction their
union. But the hard-hearted parent. not ut all
mohhed by this appeal from his decision to an
n'erlor tribunal, broke out in towering passion,
and poured forth torrent of abuse. The moth .
eP here interposed, nd besought him not to be
angry with the young folks, hut to deal more
gently and considerately with them. She even
limited that he might have done injustice to the |
young man. He might turn out a smarter man
than he had credit for. He might-who knew
make fine chief vet possess plenty of horses
and prove highly eligible match for their
daughter. The old fellow had Leen flor himl
quiet moderate, but this was to much Ills rage
completely mastered him. He rose up. slezed
the pappoose's cradle, and hurled it violently
out oi doors, and the other chattels appertanng
to his daughter went after in rapid succession
lie then ordered her to follow her goods instant
er, with which benediction she departed, res
pohdlng with smile of satisfaction, doubtless
anticipating the promised luxuries of her new
nome, the vision of which, through the present
tempest tornhed her mind against ts worst
perlis Leaving the lodge, she gathered up her p
scattered effects, and, accompanied by her moth
er' ihe bridal party disappeared. The chief sat
on ms horse-skln couch, his legs crossed partly
under him, looking sour enough. Presently
the orlde ana her mother returned, and now be-
gan the second scene. The chief no sooner re
cognised them than sOund--something between
q grunt and grOwl, but much nearer the latter
than the former, and in decided crfsceado-i
gave warning OF a fresh eruption. The rumbl-
ing gre" nI're emphatic, and suddenly his fury
burst on the head of his wife Selling her byy
nu. /
ana beat her with his clenched fists till | thought
ne would break every bone in her body. and re-
auce her substance to Jelly. Perhaps | was a
ht'e hard-hearted, nut she had been cne of nv
Dlterest enemies, and had feeling that ifsome
OF her lll-will TO me could be beaten out of her
could be easily resigned to her fate. The
Grubbing ended she rose and muttered some G
thing he did not like lie replied by violent
blow ON the side Of her head that sent her stag
gering TO the further end of the hut This last
argument was decisive, and she kept her huge !
mouth closed for the night. There was silent
pause for some minutes. and. without another
word. we ranged ourselves for repose +
thought the o'd heathen's conscience troubled 7
aim through the night his sleep was broken. S
and he appeared very restless Early the next &
morning he went 10 the lodge of the newly y-mar-
fled pair, and had along chat with them They
thought him rather severe upon them at first n
but after good deal of diplomacy, a better un- a
Outstanding was brought nbout The young a
people could hardly get over sense of the in.
cIgnites they had received : hut in the course I
OF the day they returned, bag and baggage, TO Y
the oid chiefs tent and made it their permanent
abode" q
a R~av pnv