Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-11-06

chance arose from the custom o. the Indi
ans, that if the murderer escaped the blow
the avenger Of blood--the nearest relative
of the victim--the family were at lib
erty to accept a ransom for the life Of THEN
kinsman. The young Eagle at once took
his resolution, sustained by the advice O.
his friends. Completely armed he took
possession of the top of the mound, which
was SO shaped, that while lie was conceal
ed, no one could approach him by day
without being exposed to his fire; and be
had two devoted and skillful allies, which,
together with his position, rendered him
far more than match for his single adver-
sary, tie avenger of blood-the brother OF
the Wolf These allies were his bride and
a large sagacious hound, which had long
been his hunting companion, and had guar
ded him many night when camping out
on the prairies The girl had in her veins
the blood of Indian heroes, and she quail
ed not. She demanded, with lofty enthu-
siasm, TO be made his wife, and then, ac-
quainted with every stratagem Of savage
war, and with every faculty sharpened by
affection, and her husbands danger, she
watched and warned, and shielded him
with every art that the reused spirit could
suggest, and which could be safely prac-
ticed.
The brother of Wolf prowled about the
fortress night and day. In the day time,
TO ascend the mound far enough for action,
would have been 10 place himself helpless
and without care within range of the war
rior's rifle; and at night he could not even
put his foot upon its base without the bay
ing Of the hound giving its master warn
iag. He at length hil upon stratagem;
and by careful observation Of his young
wife, who was frequently going and com
ing, that she might supply her husband,
succeeded in initiating her dress, walk and
manner 50 completely, that he hoped to de-
ceive both dog and man. His scheme was
shillfully executed. The dog wagged bis
tail, and the master spoke to his ayenger
rs his wife, and there only few feet be-
tween them; bui suddenly the gallant dog
discovered his mistake. threw himself with
yell, upon the throat of the enemy, and
bore him to the ground The young Eagle
now deprived him Of Lis arms, but the mo-
ment, from an impulse # generosity. he
set him free, and sent home, armed as usu-
a.
This was the turning point Of the say
age drama The shedder Of blood surien-
dered himself to the justice of The tribe to
offer ransom, or. if that was rejected, to
lay down his life without resistance. AT
the day appointed, the parties met in an
open space, with hundreds to witness the
scene around. The Eagle. all unarmed
was first seated on the ground, then bv his
side laid down a large knife. with which
he was TO be slain if the ransom WAS not
accepted By his side sat his wife. her
hand clasped in his while the eyes even of
old men were dim with tears. Over and
against them, and So near that the fatal
knife could easily be seized. stood the fam
liz Of the slain. Wolf, The father. at the
head, by whom the question Of life or
death was to be settled He seemed deep
ly moved and sad, rather than revengeful.
4 red blanket was produced and spread on
TIE ground. It signifcd that blood had
been shed which was no: vet washed away
the crimson stain remaining Next, a
blanket, all blue, was spread over the red
one. 1t expressed a hope that the blood
might be washed out in heaven and re-
mcmbered no more; and last, blanket.
purely white, was spread over all, signiii
cant of desire that nowhere on earth or
in heaven n stain Of blood should remain.
and that everywhere. and by all, it should
be forgiven and forgotten.
These blankets thus spread out were TO
receive the ransom The Eagles friends
brought goods of various kinds and piled
them before the father Of the slain. He
considered them nome It in silence. and
then turned his eve to the fatal knife. The
Eagles wife threw her arms around her
husbands neck. and TUNED her eyes inn
ploringly in the old mans face without a
word lie had stretched his hand toward
the knife when he met that look. He naus
ed: his fingers moved convulsivelv. but
they did not grasp the handle His lips
quivcred and then tear was in his eve.
Father. said the brother. he spared my
lie The old man turned away. Il ac-
cept the ransom. he said; The blood of my
son Is washed away see no stain now
on ihe hand Of the EAGLE. aud be shall be
in the place of nv son.
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