Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-04-11
SCENE IN PATAGONIA.

% Nho"h ths'h any OsiieE upon the " est I
ern Continent. Mr., Bourne's late work, I
therefore, which contains the narrative of
a considerable stay and extensive travel /
in that country, is all the more welcome. |
To learn that human nature in Patagonia |
has much in common with human nature /
elsewhere, it is only necessary to read |
the passage annexed
+" One evening. the chief, his four wives. |
two daughters, an infant granddaughter. |
and myself, were scattered about thelodge, |
enveloped in smoke Of unusual strength !
and density. While the others sat around
as unconcerned IS so many pieces ef
bacon, lay fiat, with my face close to
the ground, and my head covered with
piece Of guanaco-skin, the only position
in which it was possible to gain any re-
lief from the sitting fnmigation. While
in this attitude, I fancied l heard the
tramp of many feet without, and con-
fused muttering, as if multitude of In
dians were talking together. Presently
a hoarse voice sounded in front, evidently
aimed at the ears of some one within, to
which the chief promptly replied.
caught few words-enough to satisfy
me that I was not the subject of their
colloquy, but that there was q lady in the
case-and listened curiously, without any
Of the fright which grew out of the pre-
vious negotiations. The conversation
grew animated, and the equanimity of
his high mightiness the chief was some
what disturbed. I cast penetrating
glance into the smoke at the female mem
bers of our household, to discern, if pos
sible, whether any one of them was spe-
cially interested. One look was suiii-
cient; the chiefs daughter (who, by the
way, was a quasi widow, with one hope
ful scion springing up by her side,) sal
listening to the conversation with anxiety
and apprehension visible in every fea-
ture. Her mother sat near her, her chin
resting upon her hand, with an anxious
and<houghtful expression of countenanee.
The invisible speaker without, it soon APP
peared, was an unsuccessful suitor of the
daughter, and had come with his friends
to press his claim. He urged his suit, If
/ not with classic, with earnest elnqnencn
but with success i'll proportioned to his
efforts. The chief told him he was a poor
good-for-nothing fellow, had no horses.
and was unfit to be his son-in-law, or any
one else's. The outsider was not to be
so easily put off; he pushed his suit with
fresh energy, affirming that his deficiency
Of horses was from want of opportunity,
not from lack of will or ability to appro-
pirate the first that came within his reach.
On the contrary, he claimed to be as in
genious and accomplished a thiei as ever
swung a lasso or ran off a horse, and a
mighty hunter besides, whose wife would
never suffer for want of grease. The in
exorable chief hereat got considerably ex-
cited, told him he was a poor devil, and
, might be off with himself; he wouldn't
talk any more about it. The suppliant,
as a last resort, appealed to the fair one
herself, begging her to smile on his suit,
t and assuring her, with marked emphasis.
that, if successful in his aspirations, he
would give her plenty Of grease. AT this
/ last argument she was unable to resist
longer, but entreated her father to sane
2 tion their union. But the hard-hearted
? parent, not at all Modified by this appeal
{ from his decision to an inferior tribunal.
= broke out in a towering passion, and
e poured forth torrent of abuse. Tho
| mother here interposed, and besought hin
f not to be angry with the young folks, bu
to deal more gently and considerably with
r them. She even limited that he NIGH
have done injustice TO the young man
e He might turn out a smarter man thar
y he had credit for He might-who knew
T make fine chief yet, POSSESS plenty o
y horses, and prove a highly eligible mattel
v for their daughter. The old fellow ha,
d been (ior him) quite moderate, but thi
| was too much. His rage completely mas
S tered him. He rose up, seized the pap
d poose's cradle, and hurled it violently GU
/ Of doors, and the other chattles appertain
q ing to his daughter, went after in rapi
Nj succession. He then ordered her TO fol
b low her goods iastaHter, with which bene
; diction she departed, responding with
ir smile ofsatisfaction, doubtless anticipating
the promised luxnries Of her new homs
the vision Of which, through the presen
ID tempest, fortified her mind against il
u worst perils. Leaving the lodge, sh
r gathered up her scattered effects, and az
sr companied by her mother, the bridal parl
disappeared. The chief sat on his horst