Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-10-16

y
might with more proprie.y been attribu
ted to his naturally timorous nature, thai
to any friendship he had forme for th,
powerful chief, md he laconically replied
{ 'Tis as you have said p
see that you can be greatful Now
why cannot our two nations be unitea?-
Give me your daughter to carry as my
bride to my lodge, and then the Ottawa.
and Algonquins will be one l'
The old chieftain started to his feet
be was excited, but as he spoke, be tried
to appear calm.
Watanga, you presume to far !
know you have never raised the toma-
hawk against. me, yet thiak 1 have re-
paid you. You remember the day that
Washtenaw with his warriors attacked
and came near overpowering you, and
you also remember that some of my war
riors headed by Lenawee, the bravest of
the brave, came to your rescue They
saved your life and honor-you never
saved mine My Wiota can never be
the bride of an Algonquin -
Watanga was evidently determined up
on his course-his eye flashed arrows of
| lightning, and he waited 20 hear no more
With one bound he stood over the unsus-
pecting Ottawa, and raising his tonahawk
high above his head, buried it at one blow
in the brain of Osh .au kuta
The old chief saw that he wust die. and
just as the fatal stroke decended, he ut
tered loud and thrilling cry, to warn
his warriors Of his fate, and to prevent
the escape of his enemy. His voice was
heard, and dozen trusty men sprang to-
wards the lodge jus: as Watanga passed
out Arrows were sped after him, but
by excited hands, and he escaped.
All was now a scene of tumult in the
camp of the Ottawas. The noble war
riors crowded around the body of their
chief, and rent the air with their cries of
rage and lamentation, but in the confus
ion not one step had been taken to appre
hend the fleeing Algonquin, who was
fast leaving the scene Of his trcachcry.-
Yet through this excitement there was
one who seemed perfectly self possessed,
one in whom it could be least expected
it was Wiota, the lovely daught er of their
desceased leader Advancing, and press
ing one long and passionate kiss upon the
cold brow of her sire, she arose to her
feet and with calm dignity in her tones,
addressed them -
You have many of you sued for my
hand; you are all bravo, and there is not
one that / should not feel proud to ac
knowledge as my chief. My father has
been basely killed by a cowardly assassin
the treacherous chief of the Algonquins.
What incited this murder | know not,
yet can assure you that my father was
not in the wrong He has been your
leader from the time he was young, and
not one of you ever heard of his doing q
dishonorable act. He is gone 1t now
remains with me to chose a husband to
| fill his place. You see the way the Al
gonuuin has taken-the one among you
who will overtake, and bring me his scalp,
shall be my choice !"
As the maiden ceased speaking, she
turned her eyes confidently upon Lena
wee, and met in his returning gaze look
of stern determination She well knew
who would be the successful compeer, for
| Lenawee was noted for his sw;ftness on
| fo,t. and through this prowess bad won
the title of ''Swift Wing" And we'll he
preserved it, as there was not warrior
that had ever tested his feetness which
was not left far behind.
| The noble maiden waved her hand as a
signal, aud the troop of young braves
started-a moment more and they were
hidden from her view.
For short distance only did the per-
suers keep together, for soon the superb
or;ty of Lenawee became apparent. He
passed the foremost one with ease, and
comrades thought be even excelled him
self in this chase AS he began to leave
them behind, they Jagged in proportion,
and finding it useless to contest for the
prize with their fellow warrior, concluded
it would be policy to return.
Onward sped the brave Lenawee with
the swiftness of the wind. His enemy
he knew must have as much as league
the start of him, yet he would have five
of them to pass over before he could reach
his camp, and the Ottawa's only hope o.
success was in overtaking him on the way
One ran for life. the other for love. Bu
Lewanee knew that his inducement wa:
stronger, and he expected to succeed
L eague after league was passed over: un
til he was on the last of the FIVE. TheI
the heart of the young brave that hae
,a,-o- L l,oxrn fear frpynbled the cole