The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-12-31
An Indian Tale.
CHAPTER /.
FOUNDED ON FACT.

coming extinct. The grand cid forests
whose solemn stiffness once echoed their
tread now resound with the strokes of the
woodman's axe, or have given place to cities
and villages; whose spires and domes,
reared heavenward, mark the advent of on.
other race. The streams, whose waters
were cleft by their birchen canoes--the
brooks, whose crystal drops slaekd their
thirst, are now navigated by winged and
spirit driven boats, or dow through cropped
fields and cattle haunted pastures. Those
children Of the forest, whose places we
have usurped, are passing away; but they
leave behind them many history and tra-
dition Of ,,selfsacTi6ciug generosity. and
thrilling rondnce, which may ntly serve to
"point neral or adorn "a tale"
1t was near the close Of the Revolutions.
ry War that a partyiof Oneida indians were
encamped on the banksl of the beautiful
Oriskany, within sight Of therange of bills,
on one Of which was the famous "Coun,
Gil Rock" that has within few years been
removed from the spot where for ages it
had lain, and now rests in the cemetery at
Utica, New York. Their 'Wigwams, which
were about twenty in number, were group
ed together; and at the entrance of each
were stacked three or four muskets, as if in
readiness against SURPRISE >,
It,was just at even; aad the setting Gun
streaming up from behind the hills, with 9
thousand golden rays, threw to the further
est eastern cloud warm "Good- night. -
Seated together upon the ground, apart from
the rest, were the old men of the tribe
Ifgravely smoking their pipes, and eonversing
in low cultural tones, Although they pie.
served their stoical Indifference to the 'tbingt
around them, which is a. marked character
istic Of the red man, yet il was evident
from The fierce glancfng Of their eyes to
wards the western, horizon, and the studi
BUSINESS with which each avoided the other'
look, that soae deep emotion agitated thei
j minds and occupied their thoughts.
Some rods from these old chiefs were as
sembed the younger warriors, to the mum
Der of about forty, gayly adorned will
paint ard feathers, and their belts hung
about with scalps. They were COLLECTED
around their chosen leader, Tisha- Mingo
" hose noble form lowered above the res
with an dir of majesty that bespoke hi
lofty soul and generous spirit. Like th'
others, his head was shaved, save the lonl
scalp lock; and that was cray. His eye
were deeply set in their sockets, and glow
ed with extreme briliancy; and his features
which, unlike the rest, were not painted
were remar rkably handsome. Around hi
neck, lie wore gold chain, to which wa
attached jet cross; and over his left shoul
der hung black ostrich feather, or plume
These few. peculisrities in the dress o
Tisha. Mingo, though trAiug in themselves
would no, have been allowed TO anothe
than the remarkable parsonage who wor
them; but respect and admiration for hi
singular bravery, and perhaps, too, fear @
his terrible power, prevented any who nigh
have borne him envious hatred from inter
fering with his pleasure. :,
.~ ON the present occasion, however, Q
Tisha. Hingo harungued his brother wal
riors,: threatening scowls were Upon .thei
: faces; and occasional grun:s Of dissatisfac
ton, as he proceeded, told that his word
:, were received with displeasure. Proud
d defiant of their murmurs, the dusky orato
t continued his fiery discourse, until his India
0 eloqnence held every heart vibrating on tn
l. chord Of sympathy that grew from out the
9 hearts unto his own. Strained forward WI
g each neck; and eager ears drank ia the mi
i sic, of his tongue, until the rich tones Of h
voice fell upon the still evening air, as
uttered harmoniously with something fro
above. The aged chieftains had drawn ne
r. to listen; and the Indian mothers and mai
|. ems cautiously approached, and hung up'
NJ his words in awe. So motionless were a
IN that like a picture was it into which the a
a. tist was breathing life. The speaker cea
,e ed; and every voice proclaimed: "He sh
Id go free" 49, -
Of A single warrior durted from the crow
Of and entered wigwsm which stood aPs
"A from the others. TIE next instant, rea
III pearing, he led forth youth, whose arl
IN were closely pinioned, and brought him
ad to their midst. With his dagger, Tisf
m Mingo severed the cords that bound hi
* while others took from their own DIRE
be feathers, and beads, and a tomahawk, a
/. placed them upon the youth whom they h
n freed, And, as the gentle blood of Fran
a. that flowed in his veins mantled his chez
nv and tears of gratitude filled his eyes,
n pale.&aced youth spoke out his heart amo
- them, and ,warmly pressed each extent
g. hand; while, with swelling breast Tisl
! Aiinso looked ont and smiled Rournfully
,st What thoughts were psssing in his mind
en that moment, let the cross he wore and
il grief.stricken lock upon his head hint
in while we relate portion of his forr
/. life. E
,te CHAPTER III. i.
NV Six years prior to the occurrences VIII
lad we have just related. there lived, in nj
II. " formed settlement ON the Mohawk I
4 Le.N /. - y