The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-05-31

conduct of his dark. browed friends, in man
ner which was calculated to produce great un.
easiness in his mind.
An Indian of the Oneida tribe had been mur-
dered by white man, and according to the
belief of the red man, there could be no rest
for the departed spirit until his death was
avenged. The Indian custom was, when one
of a. tribe was murdered, to kill the murderer,
if possible, and if that was impracticable, one
of his tribe must pay the penalty OF his life to
secure rest to the soul of the murdered brave.
An Oneida had been slain by white man, and
as Major Dean was the only white within their
reach, the chiefs Of the tribe were debating in
solemn council, the propriety of putting their
friend to death.
For several days the debate was prolonged,
the friendly Indian giving report each day to
Major Dean Of what had passed in the council.
He hoped, fondly hoped, that the party op-
posed to sacrificing him would prevail. He
could not fly with his wife and little ones, for
he knew that he was watched, and that the
nearest white settlement was too far distant to
be reached in safety. He dared not inform his
wife of the uncertain tenure on which ne held
his life, SO dear to himself, for her sake and
her children's. The suspense in which he lived
was fearful, and it required all his self-command
to conceal the anxiety that YVES consuming
him.
In the covert OF the forest he prayed inagony
of soul, that his wife and babes might not be
left without protector in the wilderness. n
voice from Heaven seemed to assure him that
his petition was granted, and he retired to his
couch that night more cheerful than he had
been for several days. His Indian friend had
mot visited him that afternoon, but he felt sure
that the council had decided in his favor.
He slept soundy until near midnight, when
he was awakened by a cry proceeding from the
neiehboring forest. His quick ear discovered
that band Of the Oneidas were approaching,
singing his death song. He aroused his vile,
and in few words informed her what had ta-
ken place, and what must now be his DOOM
Imprinting one kiss on her pale brow, he left
her bending over the little ones in silent prayer
! and went into the outer room to meet the
Oaeidas, who were already at the door.
In spite of his strongest efforts at self-posses-
sion, Major Deans paeness betrayed the ankle
ty, the agony which gnawed his heart. But
his lips were compressed, and the hand which
waved naughty invitation for the chiefs to
enter, trembed not. He was brave, and fear
ed not to die, but the thought of what might
bcfalI Nhe little group be had left in his sleeping
apartment, almost unneryed him for the task
of dealing with his fierce guests, for he was
determined to try the power of his eIoqnerce
and reasoning with thcm feeling certain that
no personal ill.wil against him, but rather
sense of duty, had prompted them to seek his
life.
The Chiefs six in number, sat down, and
Major Dean, having placed a candle on a table
which occupied one corner of the apartment,
placed himself in an attitude of attention. S.:
lence reigucd for scme moments, the counten-
ances of the savayes betraying no emotion
whatever. At length chief arose, and, in a
brief but energetic address, explained to object
of their visit Their murdered brother, who
had been brave man during his life, could
have no rest in the hunting ground of spirits
unit! his murder had been avenged by the death
of a white man. The Great Spirit himself was
now angry with his red children for delaying
to execute the sentence which some of their
tribe had been willing to pronounce on him
for many days.
Major Dean replied in speech which he
hoped would make an impression on the sava.
yes sufficiently powerful to cause reversal Of
their sentence. fle had been accustomed to
speak in Indian councils, versed in Indian lore
and knew what arguments would be likely to
have weight in the minds of the red sons of the
forests All those he urged with all the elo-
quence of which he was master, dealing with
the question mostly in the abstract, and hardly
referring to himself and The, personal interest
which he had in his own life
The Indian orator rejoincd, and again Ma
or Dean replied TO him, and thus the debate
went on between the two, the remainder of the
party preserving silence, and seeming perfect
| Is Indifferent or as if the matter was prejudg-
| ell, and the doom of the white man was alrea-
! dy fixed. 1t became evident to him that all
the arguments which he was capable of addu-
cling had already been adduced and overthrown
in the protracted debate held at the council of
| the tribe.
And as the debate went on, hope waxed
fainter and fainter in the heart of Major Dean
He felt that no personal enmity was entertain
ed for him, but the Indian spirit of revenge ia
king high ground, operating like the white
! mans sense of religious duty, was harder to
deal WITH more difficult TO allay or satisfy,
than any mere personal animosity. 1t was
the old Jewish code, an eye for an eye, tooth
for tooth-bood for blood. and life for life
But the motive of those poor savages was more
comprehensive in design than this bloody part
Of the Jewish code-it was not merely to pre-
vent murder, but to secure eternal rest to the
soul of a slain brother.
The annals of mankind furnish butfew scenes
like that in the white mans cabin in the from
tier wilderness atmdnight, where he was plead
ing alone for his life. No, not pleading for
life, for he knew when he became mere sup
r,liant Cor or;ctanno La ,,:nrld ;rau. .Lo oo,,-