White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-07-23

4 Always CHOSEN leaoer OF tns little oAnus iorine
to repel the savage foe.
When the tolls Of the week had passed, Gas
ton might be seen, with his rife on his shoulder
moving toWsrl the river, where his canoe wa
fastened, and springing lightly into Il, dAshini
through the foaming waters, and among tn
rocks, as safely and cheerfully IS if passing owe
smooth and CLASSY lake; and, on the following
evening, he might be seen again, Drawing tn
rushing current, with the same careless ease
but more thoughtful brow; for who ever yet par
ted from the girl Of his heart, with the same Joy
full aspect which ha wore when going to NEE
her. Let u; now return TO the Wedd.ng-day.
Have you heard of the Indian that was foun
murdered on the bank of the creek this morn
ing7'' said a Young man. after the company ha'
assembled. to Mr.. Lee.
"N1," answered Mr.. Lee, With surprise, 9"
had hoped from the long peace that had reigned
we should hive no more such outrages agains
the poor Indians. But how is Il possible, sir, |
they are thus shot down, that We can expec
them to keep quiet7r
The body" continued the first speaker eva
found by some Of his tribe; and they immediate
" threatened vengeance if the murderers wer,
not givea up. But this is impossible; because
we do not knew them"
At this moment a loud crash Of thunder ech
oed through the woods so suddenly as to max,
all strrt firm their seats.
swell, nv friends" said Mr.. Lee, as soon Al
all was again quiet, owe shall be as likely T.
suffer from this rashneSs rs the offender, anc
must be prepired. I am glad YOU have brought
your guns with YOU, for un'esS tRcy come in toe
large a body, we shall be able to hold out against
thrm.''
This was said with that cilmness which FIRE.
quent recurrence NJ such circumstances will pro.
duce; and as he rehung his rife. after preparing
it for immediate use. the bride entered the room
In all she loveIinrss of graceful beauty. Few
ornaments deekrd her person, because none
could add tn her natural grace and elegance
Her hlir off black, was simply parted in 'front.'
drawn hack, and fastened behind. displaying a
forehead of m4rble uhiteness; a wreath, ming.
ling the white rise with other forest flowers, was
TIE only ornament on her head.
The storm. which had before been heard, but
at distance, seemed now TO hive attained its
greatest violence. anil to be concentrated over
the house. Peal after peal of thunder, came
ringing through the hollows, each succeeding
one apparently louder and mnre crashing than
the former. Flash upon flSh. Of the quick and
vivid lightning, streamod out, resting ~ hile up
on the surrounding scenery, and striking terror
intn the hearts Of the more superstitious guests
Tho rain, which at first fell in large drops, that
could he distinctly heard amid the awful silence,
save when the thundPrs echoed, now came down
in torrents; and the thunder pealcd out louder
and louder, quicker and quicker, leaving scarce
" intermission enough for the voice Of Richard
CASTOR, to be heard by his beautiful BRIDE He
had impatently awaited the invitation Of Mr..
Lee to meet his daughter, but no longer able,
amid the war of elements, to restrain himself,
he advanced to. and seated himself BY the side
of his beloved Kate, and gently taking her hand
~ his, inquired If she was alarmed BY the storm
To his inquiry she only smiled, and shook her
head.
I" see not, then, why we may not proceed
with the ceremony; the storm here a keen
and fearful crash Jared the house to its founda-
ton. leaving traces of fear on the countenances
of all but the lovers and the parson; Castor con-
tnuel, however, " the storm may last an hour,
and that is longer, my Kate, than would like
to defer the consummation Of my hopes"
al am ready" answered Kate, blushing, and
without raising her eyes
They rose from their seats and advanced to
the parson, who Immediately commenced the
ceremony. 1t was impossible to tell whether
pleasure or fear PredOminated on the countenan-
ces Of the guests, they pressed forward to wit
ness the solemn ceremony of uniting two beings
Tor life. In the intervals of the thunder saint
smile wsula play upon their faces, but, as a rat
ting voley would strike their ears, their shFin-
king forms and bloodess lips, betrayed their ter
ror. The tempest seemed for a moment to have
held its breath, as il TO witness the conclusion
of the nuptials; but now. as the parsou conclu-
ded with salute your bride" a peal Of thunder,
keener, and more startling than any vet, struck
such terror to their souls that none, not even the
parson, or Castor himself, both of whom had
been shocked, perceived that the chimn-y had
fallen to the earth, until awakened to a sense of
their situation BY the shr;l war-whOop Of the In
dians, whirh now mingled in dreadful unison
with the howlino Sforrn
All thought of the storm vanished at once
;rfence against the savages seemed to be the
frs idea of all. as each man, with determined
look, grasped his rife, and gathered around the
fem lies.
The Indians, lead on BY their noted chief Ea-
gle Eye, to avenge the death of their comrade,
found in the morning, would perhaps have avail
ted the subsistence Of the storm, had not the
falling Of the chimney DISPLAYED 10 them the
disorder and confusion within the cabin. View
ing it as the most favorable time for an attack,
they raised Ih-ir dreaded war vhoop. and sprung
to the breach. Tint war Whoop, however, served
but to nerve the hlrdy pioneers. and chase from
their bosoms the fears which the wars of nature
alone created. Richard GIston, from custom,
assumed the command; and with IN It GOODNESS
and self-pOssessiOn, which indicates undaunted
,,... --oceeded to give such orders as the
time would allow.
"Let the femlles," said he, "gC above asa
lie upon the foor, and We, my Lave boys F'u
show them what stout hearts and strong arms