The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-07-28

the trappers awoke. Their guards had dis
appeared, and an air of busy preparation ap-
peared to preVade the lodge. The old
squaw, who presided over the iron pot in the
centre of the lodge, was at her task. An
old petticoat of deer skin covered her with
cred form, to which was attached the rem
nants OF former ornaments; her leggins
were of the same material, and around over
her left shoulder hung dirty, worn piece Of
buffalo robe, which was fastened beneath
her right arm, leaving it free for the labor
in which she was engaged. The toiled en-
ded; the morning repast was served, and
similar scene transpired to the one of the pre-
vious evening. The feast being ended a
grave council of chiefs assembled within the
lodge to decide the fate of the prisoners.
A dark old chiefspoke first. His head was
silvered with age, and, beside many other
ornaments decorated his person, he wore a
string of scalps, which told too plainly that
he had figured in many sanguinary fray
He addressed the audience in slow and meas
ured terms, frequently motioning towards the
prisoners with his clenched fist, as if in rage,
which motion was always accompanied with
angry gesticulation.
"That old red skin is spreadin' out partick-
uler jesse agin u.s." said Harry, "and ef tha
foller his advice, we're singed for sartin. l
wish had only one sight at that head XIV
erin of his, l speculate I'd silence his clap
per-my shootin' iron 'ud whistle him lee
tie wuss tune than his Ingin jabber."
"Hush," said his companion, "they posi-
bly, may understand you."
"Well, eff they kin," said he, "tha jest
know my mind, and I'd like to hev chance
of showin' 'em that mean what say
Thar's young Ingin," he added, "goin' to
put in his oar and paddle out suthin' of that
lingo-he looks kind tender; and mabbe
he'll help us out"
The Indian referred to spoke low, with
out gesti ;ulation; and with his eyes fixed up
on the earth.
"Why don't he spread himself!" says Har-
ry, impatiently. "What's the use on his
bein' mealy-mouthed."
He little imagined that the speaker he was
so interested in was by his words sealing
their doom. The old chief had plead for
their lives, and proposed Incorporating them
into the tribe, but the younger members over
ruled him. Two of their companions had
fallen by the hands Of the Pawnees, and they
demanded the sacrifice of the strangers to
appease the spirits of their departed compan-
ions. The young, unimpassoned speaker
rehearsed the virtues of the slain braves,
their skill in war, and their activity in the
chase, until he had wildly recalled them to
the remembrance of all present, and then he
mentioned the fact tn at while they were up
on the war path, in search of their foe, the
Great Spirit had guided them to the spot
where the white men were, and gave them
up as a sacrifice for the departed. When he
had ceased the council rose-the sentence
of. the prisoners had been spoken-they were
condemned to torture and death at the stake.
At that moment shout of savage exul-
tation arose on the outside of the lodge.
"What can that mean?" inquired Murtel.
sit only means these red devils are ready
to begin cookin'," replied his companion,
''how'd you like to be sarved up, Ned9 grid
died, or in stew, like that thar canine game
we wur feasted onv'
The Two Indian girls entered the lodge
again for moment, and the eldest having
made sign to the captives, they again with
drew, Murtel whispered to his companion
that there was yet hope.
"In course thar is," replied Harry; 81
Jest hev had anuther wink at that young she
Ingin."
Soon the dance of death commenced on
the outside, and the savage yells of exulta-
ton echoed through the village. Circling
the lodge with ring of painted braves, they
howled the song of sacrifice in the ears of
their victims, and this shout being taken up
by the women, old men and children of the
tribe, the demoniac orgies became sufficient
ly horrible iii sound to strike terror to the
boldest hearts. Murtel held his breath and
listened in awe at the savage tevel. Not 80
Harry he growled and grumbled, and shout
ed, until he worked himself into state Of
excitement corresponding with the savage
tumult without.
"Oh, yell away thar, you painted devils!
sing it out! keep up your thunderin, fuss! you
have caught two poor white fellars, about
fifty on you, and in course you are brave
we'll, you are! squeal and kick; ! ony wish
when you eat bit of me it could kick--pre-
haps I'd kick the fellar's ribs loose who
tuck the temptin' morsel." .-.
At the close of terrific shout, dozen
braves leaped into the lodge, seized the pris-
oners, and bore them forth. A sight here
greeted their eyes which sent the warm
blood back with sudden chill to their
hearts. Before them stood the place Of sac
rifce, surrounded with all the horrid para
phernalla of savage torture. Another and
another shout greeted their appearance
The youthful Arapahoes could scarcely be
restrained from using their knives, in savage
sport, upon the bound trappers. The ole
men jabbered their delight at-the approach.
| inc spectacle-their filmy ewes grew brigh