The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-03-09
4 Border Tale.

| Ne0OT III lHc HCW DtdtC VI IOh Il, L "ao d
witness to one of those real and startling
tragedies which so often occur along the
borders Of civilization in the Vest
While serving in that capacity, had Of
ten witnessed deeds of valor and despa-
ration, and fool hardy courage which
made ny blood grow cold-but in the in
cident to which | allude displayed on the
one hand, such unmitigated vindictive-
ness of spirit, together with the most reck-
less daring and total disregard of death,
and on the other such pure affection and
such delicate refinement for the then wild
wilderness to exhibit that it stands out
in bold relief above the memory of the
many startling scenes | witnessed and
the trials and the hair-brcadth escapes
that ! underwent,
One night after having nearly completed
my operations il that part Of the coan-
( try, and preparatory to taking my final
/ leave of it, l walked forth from my tent
in which my companions were busily en-
saged in devouring their supper of broil-
ed yenison, and strolled along the banks
of quiet stream that rolled its deep and
silent waters through vast and fertile
country, finally to empty into the MiSsis-
sippi. The sun was fast declining in the
west, his bright rays danced only at in
tervals through the dense forest intercep-
ted by the hanging boughs and hoary
trunks of huge oaks that perchance had
stood the fierce blasts of an hundred win
ters still unscathed. The gay coral of
the forest birds was dying away while
they sought with yielding wing their
places of nightly rest-the almost cease
less chatter of the squirrel was still-the
sound of the cracking bougb, as it fell be-
meath the hoof Of the feeting deer, was
no longer heard, and all nature seemed
wrapped in the silence of repose.
Unheeding my footsteps, [ wandered
far down along the banks of this quiet
stream, and seated myself upon broken
and decayed stump nearly encircled by
the trunk Of tree on either side. My
mind was eushrouded in that deep reverie
which so often steals over US as twilight's
balmy hours come on, and might long
have remained so had not my attention
been suddenly aroused by the approach
Of group of Indians along the banks of
the stream. Instantly my hand had
grasped nay ever faithful pistol when sud
denly the foremost Indian, changing bis
course, entered a thick clump of bushes
and soon emerged from them, walking
upon the trunk of a tree that had fallen
across and completely spanned the stream
that rolled quietly below. The other In
dians followed in quick succession their
leader, whom | low saw as his manly
form rose towering above his followers,
was an Indian of whom | had some little
knowledge He was the destined chief
of the tribe that occupied the country a.
round me, and which | had for some
months engaged in. had met him once
only, but [ was greeted with that respect
and welcome which a stranger ever meet
among the Indians.
His dress was richly fantastic-his face
covered with many colored paints, his
moccasins embellished with curiously
wrought beads, and huge painters skin
hanging from his brawney shoulders,g gave
him the air Of superiority over the rest
As they passed. singly over the stream,
saw that each was more than ordinarily
tastefully dressed, which denoted some
unusual occurrence. | remained con-
cealod till the last had passed over and
entered the thick foliage upon the oppo.
site bank, and then stepping forth, I saw
them hurrying down by the side of the
stream in the direction of the old chiefs
lodge, which knew to be some half mile
below. They we're soon lost to sight, and
while mu8iDg, partly upon the beauty oi
/ the scenery around, | was startled by the
sound of approaching footsteps, seeming,
ly from behind me. | had hardly sanh
back into my hiding place. where through
the dim twilight, l saw approaching me
a company of five or six persons. ThcJ
came steadily towards me, till within {
few feet where the bank ran above theil
heads, entirely concealed them from ny
view. Here they halted; aud one Of theiI
number began to address the others in /
! DtXeQ OlalecI Ol GIeucD, LusSl SlloA dHu III
dian. | soon surmised that the speaker
was noted half-breed, of whom heard
not little and had seen somewhat. Hi
father had been one Of the first Frenel
traders, who penetrated the country wes
to the great lakes for traffic with the In
dians, and his mother was the daughte
of tribe inhabiting the North Western
Territory. In this character was com
bined all the bravery and cunning Of tht
Indian, together with that total regard
jlessness of death manifested by tn
Frenchman, and jealousy and vindic
tiYeness of spirit not often seen in either
From what could catch of this brok
en- harangue | learned that he had form
ed an Unsuitable passion for the chief
daughter, who was that night to be uni
ted to the noble young man | had see
pass over the stream but short time be
fore, and who was to succeed her age,
father as chief Of the tribe. The hal
breed had often seen the beautiful vale
Ao-,o,, as Sba waS called-and had q