Squatter sovereign., 1857-02-10
5fiistellalleoas.
fIOIu ifie f1om1 J
PRAIRIE LIFE.
A TALE OF REVENGE,


prairie life. many wild adsen.ura. md
many yet wilder scene, has been left mi
'dcscrlfed. Poor .Ruxlon, 'mho died at ST.
Louis, and whose highly entertaining and
valuable works, ,"Seenes in tl,e Far West I
is7ennehed with many a story and scene
which. no doubt. 10 the people Of the East
seem like tales from the Arabian Nights.
There is SO much originality about the
manners and habits of the trapper and
trontiersman, that one is struck with their
peculiar language or mode Of expressing
themselves, as we'll as their singular cos
tune. They are, in fact, as distinct aud
marked class-as sailors, and have 5 ma
ny o.ta and quaint SAYINGS
1t is generally the commission Of crime,
some Disappointment. in life, OF a native
love of adrcnture. and peril, that make
these men desert the comforts Of civilized
soniety for the wilds and baunts of the red
man. We can imagine the terrible re-ac-
tion which takes place when the storm OF
passion or wreck OF disappointed hope
sweeps over the sensitive soul, and leaves
a dcsolation-a ruin of the former man.
It is mistor,uncs like these which scorcll
and dry up the finest feeling some moral
wrong or injustice committed by others to.
ward them, in rsvengins Which they have
been compelled 10 leave their homes and
hocoine exiles in the far West.
A story is told of an extraordinary meet
ing and an act of revenge said to have
taken place net many years ago, Gil the
fork of the PawEee. A party of four,
who had fcen rowing for many years III
the West, all strangers toeach other, were
one day accidentally thrown together in a
wild and savage place in the depths of The
forest.
The two first brought TO notice had built
their camp fire, and were preparing 10
spend tie night. The oldest bore unlnis.
taxable evidence Of boing a hunter, and
there was nothing in his appearance to at
tract particular notice except a savage
scowl, which constantly contracted his
brow. Fl companion was an athletic
youth, whose grave demeanor, pale cheek
and restless. manner. told of some eorro ling
care or misfortune which had extinguiske u
the light of joy forever in his young eyes
They were soon joined by third, viz
demonstrating man, who carefully recon-
noitered the camp before entering it, and
who accepted the eourtesies extended ,s-
ward tsi,n ina gruH and ihankless man
ner.
The savage and repuIsire appearance
Of the last conner was highted by an ugly
scare upon his cheek, which, by the pale
light of the canp-fte, looked frightfully
CHA sty. 49, Aa Y 4s
The fourth rode boldly iato the clearing.
lie was tall, noble form. and his gray
hairs contra-ted strangely with his dark
bronzed features, upon which care and mis-
fortune were. strongly stamped. He was
enfy half clad ii the miserable skips
which. he. wore, and as he dismounted,
Scar Check asked Where from 2''
!" From the Kaw,' (Kansas) he repli-
cd. throwing down bundle OF otter skins.
After ursaddling and stalking out his rnuie.
he brought himself To the ground, and Ia
king his rifle looked at the prilning. and
shaking the powder in the pan. he added
a few grains to it. then placing piece oil
thin dry skin over it TO keep it from the
damp, he shut the pan. The group watcE-
ed the old irapper. who seemed not to no.
tice them, while Scar Cheek became In
terested and showed certain uneasiness,
He looked towards his own rife, and once
or twice loosened the pistols in his belt as
If they incomlnoded him. The young mar
and the stout man with the scowl exchan-
red giances, but no word passed. So far
no questions had been asked as, 10 who ths
other was what little conversation passes
W as very lacenie, and nota smile wreath
ed the lip of any one of them. 5.
The little supper was eaten in silence
each MAJ, seeming 10 be wfapt In lsas Owl
thoughts. Il was agreed that the watci
should be divided equally among the four
each man stsnding on, guard two hours.
ithe old trapper taking the first watch. th'
Young man next, and Scar Cheek and p p
With the seowl following. isas
+ j, was a bright, moonlight night, an
over thai barren. wild waste Of prairie
no, 4 sound was heard US sheaihrse la
sleeping on their blankets. The old trap
Ser paced up and down. ran iliseyc aroun
/ The Wild waste before him. an them YoIll