Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-07

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tion will perpetuate the memory of noble,
warlike and courageous people.
1t was about year previous to their ex-
termination that the main part of the tribe lay
encamped near the west bank of the Calumet
River. An oblong prairie embracing perhaps
three hundred acres, bounded upon three sides
by thick dark forests, and upon the fourth by
the noiselesS waters of the Calumet, afforded
them romantic and secluded camp-ground.
The time was Indian summer, and the mellow
golden sunlight had bathed the luxuriant fo-
| liage, and the tall rank grass until it appear
ed as if some alchymist had turned all living
vegetation into gold. A sleeping quietude,
strange drowsy stiffness pervaded all animate
| life; and how strange the contrast in the scene
at present upon that same isolated prairie, as
that long low snake like train of cars, comes
steaming and laundering and rattling over the
track of the Michigan Central Railroad.
But to the story. A mile perhaps below
the encampment, the sluggish water of the ri
yer was slightly rippled by the progress of a
light birch canoe, that like a thing of fairy
life skinned noiseless and swiftly on, without
scarcely leaving wake. But the canoe at
second sight would be divested of all its charms,
when the eye of the behoIder rested upon its
occupant, an Indian girl of sixteen summers
1t was Leonia, daughter of War Eagle, the
powerful chief of the Illinois and that frai
bark canoe was freighted with all of humanity
that was near and dear to the chief the only
kith and kin that bound his affections to earth
Long since had his wife, the mother of Leonia,
taken her departure for the spirit-land, and
the day was yet fresh in his memory, when en-
gagged in deadly strife with a neighboring
tribe, mercless bullet finished the career of
a young aud only brother, while bravey fight
| ing by the side of the chief and as he caught
the falling but senseless body in last long
embrace, his arms encrcled the last male rela-
! tive of the family And now, like an aged
| oak, he only lived to foster and protect the
lovely vine that wove its tendrils and fastened
its fairy form upon him for support.
She was indeed lovely, her form was one
that had been cast in the choicest mould of
nature long, dropping silken lashes fringed
I two orbs, whose bright eoquence spoke forth
the silent language of the heart. The cob
webs of afectaton and vanity had not yet
suled and dimmed the windows of the soul
but when gazing within their deep dark depths,
the beholder might view virgin purity inScrib-
ed in all its pristine loyelineSs A cloud Of
jet black hair untressed and unconfned fell
negligently upon her shoulders or Sported
with the winds uncontrolled ; and as she grace
fully managed the fraii bark, no quernly scep-
tre was welded with more native grace than
was her light ash paddle.
The canoe passed on, and as it rounded to
beyond Gllffy headland, Two stalwart dus-
Ky forms, crouched for moment among the
thick underbruSh, then sprnging from their
concealment, with the rapidty of thought
plunged into the water, and seZing the canoe
turned its prov towards the shore to reach
it was but the work of a moment and then
one raising the terrified and almost inSensibIc
form of Leona in bis brawny arms plunged
directly into the thicket, while the other tar
ried but moment to sink the canoe, and OBJ
literate all vestige of the trail and then fol-
lowed III the footsteps of his companion. Her
captors were Potowattomies, and as her tribe
was frequently at variance with them, bitter
anmosity and burning hate had long festered
and ranked in the breasts of each SO that
no good could nationally be expected to follow
from the foregoing incident.
The long autumnal afternoon at last began
wane, and as night began to draw her black
curtain around the Indian encampment, Solic
tude and anxiety at the unwonted absence Of
Leonia, caused the chief to send out scouting
parties to search the river banks, and the ad
joining woods, and obtain if possible any trace
of his missing child At last they began to
return, and the feverish anxiety of War-Eayle
was heightened as each party successivey re-
turned and reported no clue to the lost one.
And when morning once more lighted up the
landscape parties were sent in every direction
and every method that human ingenuity could
IL Cor = +l,oI
search. Day succeeded day and the woods
had been searched the praires secured, the
bottom of the river dragged, but no tidngs of
the lost one and at last when all had been
done that affection could do, and all in vain,
the old chief turned with sinking heart and
dimmed eye to the now doubly solitary lodge
The Indian summer at last was over, and
vegetation was once more asleep beneath a
winding sheet of snow Nearly six months
had elapsed, and no tidings had been heard of
Leonia The chief since the unfortunate day,
had never been known to smile ; there was
upon his countenance frigid icy expression
that battles description, an expression OF agony
absorbed in despair.
The encampment was still upon the same
secluded prairie, and February's sun was
shining blandly and warmly, loosening the fet-
tiers of the ice bound river, and dissoiving the
white mantle that covered the prairie when
squalid and tattered figure emerged from
the forest, and approached the encampment
The detected and weary step, and the torn and
ragged garments, betokened that the owner
had travelled farther than the light and fragile
form was well capable of enduring. But as
the form neared the encampment, the cry OF
f" Leonia, Leonia," was echoed far and wide,
and nstantaneously the encampment was alive
to welcome the long lost home. But without
turning aside, or needing the many salutations
offered her from every hand, she pursued her
way direct to the lodge of her father, the