New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-10
PEoL; OR, womAN's HERo1sm.
AN INCIDENT IN THE WAR OF 1s12.

AN INCIDENT IN THE WAR OF 1872
In the last war with England was, as you
know, very little girl. was old enough, how
ever to remember distinctly the preparations
made one time at our house for substantial
baking.
The supper things were removed, and on the
table stood brown loaves, their tops made gisten-
ing smooth with Peggy's wet hand, the smoking
pot OF pork and beans, the little white loaves
rising as fast as they could, cake Of ginger
bread and turnoyers for the children.
1t was dark, for the brown bread and beans
were destined to remain in their hot quarters
all night, and serve US with steaming break
fast on the morrow
The logs in the large kitchen Fireplace burned
merrily, the great oven was all a-glow; and
mother, who was experimenting, said it only
needed to burn the embers, which it was fast
approschiDg,to be ready for the first instalment
Of our baking.
Just then, the door at the left of the fireplace
opened, and Peol entered. He was an Indian of
VIGOROUSLY bad character, but had always be-
haved himself with propriety in his frequent
visits to our house. 1t was 30 much matter Of
course for an Indian to come in without cere.
mony, that by the time he was fairly appropri-
ating the supper Peggy placed before him, we
had almost forgotten his presence.
Peol finished his repast, and then came and
stood with his back to the fire. Physically he
was noble specimen Of humanity than
six feet high, and in figure between Hercules
and Apollo. He wore black sanhaps cap,
turned up an inch or SO in front; flap fell
upon his neck behind On the top two round
bishop; it was covered with heavy embroidery
Of beads, gaily dyed porcupine quills and moss
hair, wrought with singular skill and neatness.
His tightly fitted scarlet sack was embroid-
Grad in border an inch deep, with white beads,
and fastened at the belt with an engraved be-
gulla of polished silver, as large as breakfast
plate. In his open breast appeared chintz
shirt of large figure and gay colors the huge
rufles were fastened with brooches of bur
nished silver from the size of dollar to that
of saucer.
Below his short skirts appeared copper col
ored tights of natures finest workmanship
still lower, leggings of broadcloth, sewed to fit
his leg loosely, the flaps outside the seam being
richly embroidered to match the cap.
Beautiful soft moccasins Of embroidered buck
skin covered his handsome feet Around his
waist was wrapped two or three times a wam-
pun sash in a rhomboidal pattern of black and
white shell beads. from this depended two un-
dressed skins of the musk rat, think from the
scent; one contained knife, the other money
and tobacco.
There was nothing like foliage, or, indeed,
the likeness Of any thing in heaven or earth, or
under the earth, so far as am acquainted, in
his patterns or those of his tribe, with which l
was twenty years familiar Their designs were
grotesqae, geometrical figures, always symetri-
cal, and often quite beautiful
There he stood in the red freight, huge,
brswny, elastic, lightly balanced on his pretty
moccasins, with toes little introverted, and
the look altogether of sleek panther, ready
for spring.
He surveyed us awhile in silence, and then
he said g Me stay here all night. Me sleep
here" pointing to the kitchen floor
"No, Peol," said mother kindly, sc we cannot
keep you"
He repeated, with fierce authority, !" Me stay
here tonight"
Mother knew, by sad experience, the conse-
quence of benevolence to the copper -colored
vagabonds. She knew that after we were asleep,
Peol, if he remained, would open the door to
some OF his brethren, who were always lounging
about the groceries, and usually more or less
intoxicated. They would fight, making night
hideous with their grunts, yells and curses
twisting their hands into the unshorn lock of
hair upon each others heads, they would crack
the yertebre with a sound that could be heard
some distances horrible, ludicrous perform
ance. She remembered that the snow in our
yard, as in those of our neighbors, had often
been hard-pressed by the rolling scufnes of
these screeching serenaders; while people within
were passing wretched night. She we'll knew
the danger of offending them and arousing their
revenge.
While deciding upon her course, mother was
stirring the hot embers, and drawing them to
the mouth of the oven with the long handled
iron shovel. Peol stood at her left hand, nearly
halfway from the oven to the door where he
had entered, and which remained open. His
far furppd tow raa bar xra;t;nn han
answer.
Her decision being made, she said FIRMLY:
'Peol, cannot and will not let you stay here
to. night"
Instantly he barred his knife. 1t glittered,
but not SO terribly as the wicked green light
that shot out from under the shaggy brow of
its enraged owner.
cit is war time he growled 81 would
scalp you for a ninepence
The instant the knife flashed in the fire light,
mother, with a dexterous movement, drew out
the red hot shovel, full Of glowing Goals, and
without moving step suddenly swung it close
under his chin, calling out
run run PeOl! or will put them in your
bosom! will burn you to death p
He hesitated and stepped back. She followed. |
He could not touch the shovel without being
burned. It was useless to dodge, for he had
watched from infancy the little, swaying form
before him; slender and graceful, but tough as
white oak sapling-his equal in agility, if |
not in strength. He knew the power and pas
sion in that light form, which now made her
cheeks crimson, and made her eyes glow and
sparkle almost like the burning Goals before
him.
He wavered moment, and sprang into the
entry In the same instant the shovel and its
contents few into the fireplace, and mother,
braced against the door, was holding the savage
at bay alone, pressing down the latch with both
hands, Peggy, with quick wit, caught q fork
from the table, and pushed it over the latch.
Mother held it while Peggy placed her stout
shoulder against the door.
The Indian tugged, grunted and swore fear
fully, but the door was true to its trust.
Silence reigned within. Frank was asleep
in the cradle; Annie, too frightened to cry,
and |, with eyes wide open, was watching to see
how it would end.
Mother whispered to Peggy:
"What if the latch breaks J" As she spoke