The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-02-10

i HI ~ ~ AA ~
Upper Mississippi, above the Falls Of St. Anthony,
that he found a place to suit him.. Arrived here, how
ever, he determined to remain, and develope the destiny
that fate had in store for him. Selecting v 'claim' he
proceeded to the erection Of his log hut, and the I'm.
provcment of his land. Some three weeks after his ar
rival, he was one day startled by the appearance OF .
beautiful Indian girl ut the door Of his house. With
an air of kindness he beckoned to her to enter, but the
moment she perceived his eyes bent upon her. she start
ed like the timid fawn, and fed into the depths Of the
forest. The next day and the next, she camo again, un.
til bis manner induced her to cross the threshold
aud stand gazing upon him, while engaged in bis home.
ly household labors. At last she accepted from him a
small mirror, in which she looked long aud admiringly
upon the smiling face, that it brilliantly reflected. Then
he gave her some trinkets, all of which she would re-
ccive with guy laughter. Decking herself in the little
~trappings, she would hang over the placid river, to see
her image in its waters. ; 6 as .et3as f'ff
So regular had her visits become, that be had learned
to expect her. Ono day she failed to make her appear.
ance. The Wc,t was all aglow with its radiant 6res,
and the sun was just sinking to its rest, when another
figure threw its shadow far into the interior Of his hum
bic home. He looked up and discovered = warrior,
dressed and painted in the manner of the DAkota war
chiefs. a a1si
'Enter!' said Marcus to the stranger. fus
'No! T~ah.a.was-sa the Black wing of the thunder
cloud, enters not the wigwam of the pale face until they
~ AAA~u0os 100 NS~ N
upon the stranger that has won from him the heart of
Mah-le.too-ah, the Melting Snow-drop Of the Dacotsbs ?
Umph!' u -
Il pray you come let me have your hand in friend
ship! l knew not that the Indian maiden was coming
until | saw her here. / would be friends with you and
all your tribe -
so said the Frenchmep, when from the dark waters
of yon stream, where Manitou's Ere is dimly blasting,
when from the Red river of the North, they steal o
upon u, to destroy with their fire water, and with their
bad hearts. The pale face is no friend to the Red man
Il am not Of them ! replied Cooley, Il come among
you open handed and true. l hold neither the rife or
the fire brand. Peace is my wish, and not mine will Be
the blow that shall disturb it, ~ r ~=3}s~
The white man ever speaks fair, but like the face Of
the deep stream, is his words. Beneath them-hid
from the eyes that read-les are hidden aud evil
thoughts concealed. l know your race-I speak your
language-I know to, how base you are!
your coming then, is not p~eaceable! What do sou
require !? How have / offended you ?,.ssx e~*
'Mah.lc-too-ah, the Melting Snow-drop, should be
mine !! She has promised to come to the wigwam Of
Tah.a.wa sa, to be his squaw, to be the mother OF his
papooses. When last l whispered into her unwilling
ear the love song, of our tribe there were no smiles
upon her lip-there were tears in her dark eyes. Once
like the spray over Minnehaha, she danced in the light
of her untroublcd heart. Now, like the shadow in
the deep forest, there is a darkness above her brow.
She no longer loves me Is the Black wing Of the
thunder cloud a fe ,ble old squaw ? Or will be not re.
sent his injuries? =
Again I say that I have not injured you. II blood
be your object say it, and let the God whom you call
Manitou decide for the right -ttrsyf te. fss
As the young pioneer thus spake, he placed himself
in an attitude Of defence. The Indian, however, de.
clincd a combat on such terms. He hastily withdrew
himself from the hut, uttering the we'll known sound,
'Umph!'
'Umph, means that you will return = said Marcus
to himself, when the savage had left him. so be it
my dark warrior! If we are to be enemies, better know
it at once. l shall be on my guard
There glided to his side a small slight form He
looked down upon Mah.le tov.ah. She seized his hand
and covered it with kisses.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
DO you then speak my language! ; he asked in sur.
prise.
He found that she did to a limited extent. The Mis-.
s;onaries who in earlier days, had penetrated to these
Businesses found her a child, and had impaired a knowl-
edge Of English to her. As she became moro accus-
toned to his utterance, she found that her memory
b bought back the language she had almost forgotten.
We will not give her imperfect words, but their connect
ed substance. Raising her from her dropping position,
Cooley led her to the rude bench he had constructed,
and wished her to be seat ID.
mo thus, at your feet will Mah-le.too-ah repose. She
loves the pale face who CONES to her forest home There
is truth dwelling in his dark eyes, and she would read
his soul.
. She threw herself upon the cabin floor and with her
head resting upon his knee looked up into his face.
'Tah-a-was-sa has been here she said, taking one Of
his labor soiled hands, and passing it over her dark silk
en- hair. Beware of him +! the lightning is not more
fatal in its broad destruction than he He is the chief
Of our braves, and next to Mah-le-too-ah's sire, is the
most feared dfrrc u ,0"sicA = s3-
Nay | fear him not replied the pioneer, as be ran
his fingers through the rich masses of her hair, and
sazed into her liquid eye. He loves the Snow-drop I! :
but she loves not him was the quick reply. She
will wed no one but the stranger-if the stranger loves
her, .-tf y .tNI}1tH " d .s%s1nla
Cooley's heart beat strangely. In all her native in
nocence, there lay the most exquisite beauty, that he
had ever looked upon. Her full round form in curve
of graceful ease met his enraptured vision. Her dark
eyes were swimming With liquid beauty. The rich tones
OF her musical voice fell like the muruur Of dista:t
upon his car The full ripe lips, d,stillipg sweet
with every breath, were upturned to his. But no
thought unworthy Of u man, or offensive to her purity,
crossed his mind. He looked at her long and musingly.
'Yes!' lie said at last, the stranger loves his gentle
Indian girl p "7
She sprang to her feet at his declaration. She twined
her arms around his neck and imprinted . single kiss
upon his forehead. Then drawing herself to her full
height she exclaimed.
BE that kiss, our betrothment. Now hear me! Tab.
was-sa, would claim me fer his bridge. 1u another
moon be thinks that L shall be bis, but 1 will sooner 30
to my resting place in Manitou's bosom, than live in hs
l am yours only, yours forever T. sas 3.
Again she threw herself into his embrace. She took
back the kiss she had given, with interest.
But he will not rest, until either he or you are gone
to the far bunting ground she unused. He never for
gives Then suddenly starting up again, she continued.
: You have the arm Of strength, and the courage Of the
brave ! Ii. he comes here it is only to entrsp you.
Cut him down like the withered tree that shuts out your
view from the prospects beyond. You must show no
mercy for he will show none 70 you. In . moment,
when the back Of the stranger is tarned Tsh-a- was-sa
will throw his tonahawk into his bfain. Remember !
Away sped the glad maiden. <k ~
Not long was Marcus left in doubt as to the intentions
of his enemy. Numbers Of the painted warriors we're
daily seen around his clearing. From beneath The dark
underwood, darker eyes looked forth threateningly upon
him. Go where he would, do what he would, there
seemed to be a hundred eyes fastened upon his every
movement. Still he did not heed them. With q wary