The weekly Butte record., 1858-10-30

particularly to shield them from that wicked
Manito who had taken a human form and was
killing their greatest warriors. The medicine
men then commenced mumbling their PRAYERS.
practising their gestures, and their writing.
They danced like demons in may circles. long
feathers of birds sticking from every part of
their bodies aud ornaments pending from their
eyes and noses. while on their heels were at
tached long pieces of elk horn, which in their
movements struck against each other, emitting
loud, Gathering noise. In quick, lyrical
numbers they chanted prayers, and after anoth-
er dance, aud then twisting and contortions on
the earth, the incarnation was finished, and
they declared the Great Spirit appeased
The Indians of all nations are the slaves of
the marvellous, and after.the revelation of the
medicine men, all felt assured of victory in their
next encounter with their enemies. So conf
dent were they of succesSthat they wished for
the time that the Pawnees would again invade
the country that they might take ample ven
geance upon them for past defeats. They had
not long to wait. The Pawnees, confident of
success, again invaded the country of their feu-
dial enemies, attended by the strange warrior
from whose body the arrows fell to the ground
with their points blunted A bloody battle
was fought and again the Missours were de-
ieated with immense loss, because of the feats
OF the warrior whom they supposed was spir-
it in human form. Whenever he moved in
fight, the warriors shrunk with fear to the
covert, for they knew no weapons could effect
him. His presence struck as much terror to
the hearts OF the Missouris as his deeds, and
after short conflict they fled bowling from the
field, leaving many warriors to be scalped, and
many prisoners to be taken to the Pawnee
country and there to die by the torture.
Among the Missouris was youth who had
been longing to take part in the contest. He
was the son of the most distinguished chief of
the nation. who had been slain in the first bat
lie with the Pawnees, by the strange warrior
who was invulnerable.
The death OF his father sunk deep into the
mind OF the youth, and hi, heart beat for re-
venge. For hours he would sit in the wigwam
where still lived the aged father Of the dead
chief, who would tell him Of the deeds Of his
youth before the frost Of age had chilled the
blood in his heart and shrunk the sinews of
his strength he then would tell him the deeds
OF his son, the father of tue youth, how while
he was in his first battle. when the warriors
were flying before the gigantic Chief Of the
Pawnees, he faced the warrior in single COM
bat, slew him, and dragged the scalp lock from
bis head.
These recitals of his aged grandfather ope-
rated like fuel upon the flame, already burning
wildly in the bosom of the youth, until his
whole spirit glowed and painted wi the wish
to perform some deed worthy Of his iIustrious
strain.
He last heard of the eats performed by the
strange warrior that arrows could not kill, and
he resolved to find out whether he was a spirit
or man. 1t wanted yet two moons of the time
when his fast was to commence, too see if
some good spirit would come in his dreams
and communicate something that would be
a benefit TO the natIca aEsl Of Importance to-
himself. The Intervening time the fearless
youth resolved TO employ in visiting the
Pawnec country, and if possible to watcn
the habits and movements of the strange war
rior, whom his nation thought to be Bad
Manito
He secretly prepared for his Undertaking,
taking a few pieces of dried buffalo meat,
quiver of arrows and bow he had just made
from the anters of stag. He started, using
every preeaution to leave no impress of his
trai for fear he might be followed by the war
riors of his tribe, and thereby his purpose be
defeated. The journey was a wearisome one,
but in a short time he arrived in the Pawnee
country, and had to increase all Of his precau-
tions. He Travelled only during the night,
vending his course by the stars, for it is part
of the education of an Indian youth to under
stand the position and movements of some of
the planetary orbs, so necessary to their habits
of life Manutec, for that was the name of
the fearless youth, at length came in sight Of
the Pawnee villages.
He had now to call into action, all Of the
strategic lore he possessed, lest his presence be
discovered. 1t wanted some hours of day
break, and he searched about Tor good hiding
place during the day. and so situated that he
could see what was passing in the village. He
could see no place that suited. Determining
to accomplish his purpose, for which he had
already undergone so many privations and III
Cured many dangers, he ascended the top of
the largest lodge, and after some difficulty sue
ceeded in ensconcing himself in the aperture
on the top of the chimney.
He remainad there quite snug until the squaw
commenced 70 cook breakfast, which was to
broiI a venson stake upon the Goals. The fire
commenced to kindle, but the smoke having
no vent to escape by the chimney, all turned
back and filed the lodge, besides almost smoth-
ering Manutee at the top of the chimney. The
squaw was persevering, for she well knew that
her husband who had sailed out before day
after deer, would soon arrive and she would re-
ceive correction, the bare thought of which
would make her shudder, if the breakfast was
not ready. So she went out and gathered an
arm full of dried sticks, determined III her mind
to have fire.
She blew and enlivened the embers, but still
the smoke, as fast as it ascended the chimney,
came back but still the squaw piled on the
sticks and kept blowing, when To- down came
Manutee hwo could stand the smoke no longer,
falling upon the head of the squaw, burning
h er nose, and nearly frightening her to death.
She rushed from the lodge, crying and yell
ing, saving that the Thunder God had come
down her chimney, aud had singed her nose
with his lightning.
When Manutee fell, be had dragged with
him clay and stones of which the chimney was
built, aud finding there was no one to scalp
him. for he had expected to be instantly killed
bv the occupants of the lodge, he took refuge
beneath huge pile of skins which opportune-
" lay in a corner His bow and arrows he
had with him. and just fixed himself snugly in
his hiding place, when in rushed a crowd of
Indians to see what had so frightened thesquaw
When they saw the clay and stones, the cause
seemed apparent and they burst into roars Of
laughter at the simplicity of the squaw, who
had thought the Thunder God had come from
the heavens The squaw did not appear alto
II