Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-07-08
CHAPTER TX.
"Dost thou teach pardon, pardon to destroy %

"Dost thou teach pardon, pardon TO destroy Z"
-Shakespeare.
The Indian village is always scene of con-
sternatiou and rejoicings as its inmates hear the
signal of warriors returning from the war
path, and the utmost joy prevails when it is
ascertained that their expedition has been sue
cessful.
Mowegan heard from his prison lodge the
continued whoop of victory, and bowling his
head in very despair at the prospect of ever
evading the death whoop of the Onedas.
Upon the return of the Allies, who now re-
tired each to his tribe and love lodge, the Chief
Of the Mohawks was brought forth and seated
upon stone near the fire around which coun-
Gil was held to determine for his disposal.
"The Dog of the Mohawks," began state
ly war Chief, upon whose head rested the hon
ors Of twenty scalps, I" the Dog of the Mo-
hawks is in the hands of the Oneidas He has
slain our brethren, robbed our hunting grounds,
sand has no claim for mercy"
Mowegan is our greatest enemy; he has
vowed to put out our council fires; and why
should we now set him free ?" said Nagowa.-
His faggot fire is already lighted for us in the
Mohawk village, and here are our young men
impatient for his scalp. The Great Spirit says
give it to them And turning to Mowegan,
@ does the Dog of the Mohawks hear the SEN
| oop 10
I" He is to die J! "
Raising himself up to his full length, and
with an air of disdain, he replied:
"Mowegan is the great Chief OF the Mo
hawks; he has scalped the Oncidas, he has re-
venged the blood of his kindred; he knows not
fear; he hates the old woman of the Oneidas.
Kill his body, and his spirit shall follow theml;
it will frighten the deer, make scarce the finny
tribe, and his warriors will revenge his death ;
they will follow the Oneida footsteps as the
trail of bear Burn Mowegan if you will. y
The Onoidas deigned no reply. The faggots
were gathered, while food was placed before
the prisoner, and cords made ready to bind him
to the tree, when young warrior claimed his
scalp, that he should die by the sting of an hun
dred arrows.
The Great Spirit smiles upon the warrior
who slays his enemy" said he, " and the young
Panther will drink the blood of the foe,
of the Oneidas; he will follow their trail
and when the dark hills of the Algonquins art
between him and his lodge, then will his hear
not faint. Will Mowegan fight the Algonquin
as the common foe of our nations?"
Moved by this appeal to his ardor and pat
riotism in reference to common foe, long
dreaded, and who had held sway upon the
Northern border, and now threatened an attacl
OF determination, Mowegan replied
Will the Panther of the Oneidas 20 to th'
den. of the Algonquins with the imprisoned
Wolf of the Mohawks? Will the Oneida FREE
Mowegan, that he may go?"
i" Does the Mohawk Wolf sue for pardon
Does he hope to be forgiven for his cruelty ?
Will he bury the hatchet forever, and give tn
Dove of the 0neidas to be the bride of tn
Oneida? Will he go to the war path of tn
Algonquins?"
/" He will.
Does he accept the pipe of peace2 !" sal,
Nagowa, presenting it.
"He does " and drawing Whit, he watch
ed it curling and mingling away upon tho air
+" Mowegan is believed. His bow and quve
are given to him.
Receiving it, and his hands and feet bein,
loosed, ere the Oneidas were aware, he darte
off through the seated council, and uttering
whoop of defiance, was soon in the forest
"Whoo, woo hoo, whoo-o-o-ah +"
"The Mohawk p"
"Tho Mohawk "
"The Wolf has fed "
And dozen fleet of feet were upou his trail
Over fallen tree, through the dense thicket, tn
swamp and the tangled fen, up hill and dow
the valley, while the woods rang with tho wa
whoop, as the pursued and pursues bastene
toward the mountain Businesses
For a moment the form of Mowegan haltet
and from behind a huge tree his arrow spec