Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-05-25

s'.a RAVlENNA, .WEDNE
an air of dignity and wounded PRIDE "The Kan
sas dove dsdains the companienship of the Paw
nee eagle. She seeks her mate in Watonka, the
brave of the Kansas. ii Let him look to himsel
and guard her we'll, or the eagle will descend upon
his dove's nest and bear away his mates 'a-'.7-
He turned away, and with rapid strides he ap.
preached and joined his band, who had returned
from the buffalo hunt, and summoning them to-
gether in ihasty council, with animated language
and GESTURES Informed them Of his repulse, and his
determination to take Natoma by force. With an
approving grunt of acquiescence to his wishes, the
council broke up, and by daylight had Withdrawn
from the hunting grounds, and with their lodges
and packs of meat, and buffalo robes, were far on
their way toward the Pawnee village. 3 -. f..
Many scheme did Kashinga devise as he rode
moodiiy homeward, to capture the unwilling mai
den, and compel her to become his own; well
aware that the act of vioie which he was about
to commit, would bring fierce and endless war
between two nations who had heretofore been on
the most friendly TERMS. Yet overcome and blind
ed by passion, he resolved to risk everything, and
regardless of consequences to make, ,Natoma,
willing or not, his own. t.4
. Remaining day or two at the village, until a
convenient opportunity afforded itself, he chose
two trustworthy and dartng friends to accompany
him, and sailed forth in search of the returning
Kansas, in order to obtain by force what he was
unable to do by persuasion. ..-zr. al a,ss5 s -.
Meanwhile the Kansas, successful in the hunt,
and alarmed at the sudden and protentious depart
ure of the Pawnees, had struck their lodges and
were fastening homeward, but not anticipating
any immediate rupture between the two nations,
had not considered it necessary to any partic-
ular watchfulness or caution ON their journey
Arriving on the banks of their native river at the
close of the day, they had set their poles and erect
ed their lodges on the location before mentioned.
They here rested, as they thought, in perfect Sc
curty, not dreaming that before sunrise an act of
violence would be attempted which would involve
the nation in a long and bloody war. = ..r,..
III 4ts<4'f-,a ail
Reposing on bed of furs was Natoma, the only
occupant of the lodge. Wearied with the toll and
travel of the day, she had retired earlier than usual
and was slumbering with that calmness and quiet
ness which innocence only knows. And indeed
far better model for the limners lovely art could
be found in the native grace and elegance of this
untutored maiden of the Wilderness than in the
fashon-distorted forms of the bellies of our metro
politian wing-rooms. p -5=t-, ~ . ssi=ae
Not sound disturbed the still solemnity of the
night, the dull FLASHING fthe swollen river,
the hum of myriads of nocturnal insects. or the
sharp and prolonged howl of the prairie wolf, as
he hastened to the midnight revels of his race
AS the maiden slumbered, and dreamed of Waton-
ka and happiness, the sharp point Of knife was
inserted in one of the skins forming the wall of
the lodge, which was soon cleft in twain, and
Kashinga stood beside the sleeper.
The Pawnee warrior paused for moment in
5reathless ecstacy of admiration, to behold the
.ondrous lovliness of the sumbering girl. At
length warned by a cautious signal from his COM
panions in waiting, that his time was short, seiz-
ing her robe, he suddenly enveloped her head, and
pressing his hand upon her mouth addition
ii security, he raised her in his arms and bore her
rom the lodge. $50 @~F "
Regaining his comrades, he sprang upon his
lorse, and placing Natoma before him, he sped
away as fast as his steed could bear him. Wait
ng until they had proceeded sufficient distance
or safety he removed the covering from her face;
out long ere the terrified girl had her con-
,cousness, or learned to know her captor, they
lad proceeded many miles on their way.
The Pawnee had used such eminent address and
caution in conducting the capture, that he disturb
ID not the slumbering camp, nor awoke even the
vigilance Of the ever watchful Watonka; and not
Until morning had far advanced did he discover
hat he had been robbed of his dearest treasure.
To summon few trusty fellows together was but
he work of a moment, and ere the sun had reach
I'd its meridian, they were in pursuit of the daring
md adventurous Pawnee. sSe. "75 $500
Following the hoofmarks in the soft sward with
1nerring sagacity of the Indian, they goaded and
ashed their horses until they dashed along at a
speed only equaled by the hurricane. Now leap
ng the fallen timber, now dashing over the open
,rairia now nlnnsins siss-aeepi intt. the stream
now swimming, and clambering up the channel +
worn banks-they continued their headlong course
until night had long closed around them; and they
we're about to draw up in dispair, when rising a
roll of land, the Pawnee warriors came full upon
their view, scarce distant dozen flights Of an ar
row, The discovery was Simultaneous, and on
they went, the pursuers and pursued; but inculn-
bered as was Kashinga, with the form of the ter
rifed maiden, the race was by no means equal
and nearing his enemy gradually, Watonka over
took him at the very spot at which story opens
Finding that the escape was impossible, the |