The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-10-11


companisd him in the expediti, n, and all
perished. ...
Adam Poe recovered of his wounds, and
lived many years after this memorable event.
He was the grandfather Of the Rev. Adam
Poe, now the book agent of the Methodist
Episcopal book concern, in Cincinnati.
The great loss sustained by the Wyan-
dott nation in the death of the Big Foot
brothers, created an implicable hatred To-
ward their des,royers. Many an Indian
maledictiOn had been pourel on the head Of
Adam Poe, and many prize had been
offered fol his scalp. .......
The residence Of Adam Poe was on the
west bank of the Ohio river, at the mouth
OF Yellow creek, and well known to the In
dians. It seemed, however. that none of
the nation possessed sufficient courage to en-
counter him. alone for a long time.
At length, the nation made choice of their
6ravest warrior, in the person of Rhon-yan-
ness, one OF their chiefs. Having made all
the preparations necessary for the accom-.
plshmeRt of his mission, he started on foot
FOR the residence Of Poe. After passing
through the then wilderness of Ohio, he
reached the creek, which emptied into the
Ohio. on the bank Of which his intended vic
tim lived. No sooner had he placed his
foot within the door of Poe than he was re-
ceiyed with the utmost cordiaIity and friend
ship, while every hospitality that the cabin
offered was rendered to the Indian guest
When the time for retirement to rest had
come, there being but one room and one
bed. Poe made a comfortable pallet for the
Indian or the floor by the fire, after which
he and his wife retired to rest, without any
regard TO the design of the Indian.
II was now a*time of peace, and the In
dians, particularly the Wyandotts, were re-
garded as friendly. 1t was not long till
they both fell asleep, when Rhon. yam ness
rose stealthy from his couch, and proceeded
caulious y, with his tomabawk and seal piag.
knife, to the bedside 'of the unconscious
sceperS, Scarcely had he arrived at the
spot than the kindness Of his host flashed
upon his mind. "How," thought he, ''can
perpetrate An act of such cruelty upon one
who has taken me into his wigwam, and
treated me with SO much kit. ancss and
friendship The better feelings Of bis ma
tire overcanie hlm, and he found it impos.
sible to commit the act. Though it might
be ho1or for him with his nation as the
avenser Of the death Of Big Fbot, he could
not nerve himself up to such 8 pitch Of des-
peratlon as to obiitera.e all Tie gratitude of
his heat. With these feelings he crept
softly back to his bed.
He had not laii long until the question
came upon him in somewhat Of different
aspect. He reasoned thus: "Haye you not
been solomnlv set apart by the nation to
avenge the death Of its bravest warrior and
will not the ghost OF the departed haunt you
in the chase in The wilderness, till it is ap
peased bv the death of Poe?" At this,
Rhon yam ness again seizsd his deadly in
struments, and sprang to his feet. 1t was
now past midnight, and all was still. The
light Of the fire had gone out, and there
were only a few burning Goals left upon the
hearth, from which was emitted kind of
twilight glare that enabled him to gaze up
on the features Of his victim. Summonlng
all his courage, he raised the fearful toma-
hawk, and was about to bury it in the head
of his host, when something whispered, -
"Shame on the Indian that can strike
friend. Mean and cowardly is the warrior
who would kill even an enemy that has
treated him kindly" His heart faItered,
his hand trembled, and the tomahawk fell
by his side. Without disturbing the fami-
ly, he returned to his pallet, and dismissing
all thoughts Of revenge, he slept SCUM tly till
morning.
Poe rose early and made his fire, without
disturbing his guest, who was in heavy
slumber When it was fully day, and the
bright fire blazed around, he had an oppor-
tunity of gazing upon the broad, open fea-
lures of the manly Indian whose giant form
was before him. There he lay, with his
tomahawk and scalping king By his side
Poe understood enough Of the Indian char
acter to know that in the days OF peace they
were capable Of the most sincere and lasting
friendship; and though he had measured
arms with them in the deadly strife, they
were more sinned against than SHINING, and
whatever oruelties they might have com.
mitted. were excited by the depredations Of
the white man; hence he loved the Indian,
and had often bewailed the unhappy fate Of
Big Foot and his brothers. Anxious to en-
| Joy the society Of his Indian guest, he ap-
preached him, ard gently touching him,
said softly" Wake, brother, wake; the morn
ing has come" The Indian sprang TO his
feet instantly, and, seizing him by the hand
bestowed his Indian blessing. After again
partaking of the humble but bounteous fare
Of the cabin, he made ready for departure