Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-10

the wilderness, when suddenly a youth rush
ed into the centre of the lodges, crying "The
Winnebagoes the Winnebagoes ~
A wild shrek of woman's terror was the
reply, to be instantly followed by o shriller
cry of agony, which told that the work of
destruction had begun, and to be in its turn
lost in the terrible whooP of the Winneba-
goes, as they rushed upon the unprepared
and unsuspectiYg Ottowas. We will not de-
scribe the scene OF bloodshed and desolation.
1t is enough that death and fire reigned every
where, and that Wabegwona, who had ia
ken shelter beneath the branches of fallen
tree, saw Seyton, stunned and bleeding, car
ried away alive to meet a darker fate than
had befallen her tribesman.
When Laguiab and his hunters returned
at sunset, they found their encampment a
heap of ruins, and those they had left in life,
claimed nothing now at their hands, except a
grave and revenge; so said the sorrowing and
indignant warriors when they heard the tale
which Wabegwona alone remained to tell
But other thoughts were in the young chiefs
mind as he looked upon the maiden's face,
and Saw in it the agony which rent her heart;
and his gaze fingered on the pale features
while his tribesmen spoke of seeking another
band of their nation, some days journey dis
tant, to Join with them in wreaking on their
foes the vengeance they were too weak to
take alone.
"Another chief will lead the young men,"
said be, quietly; "Laguiab's path is over the
water, but he must 60 alone. Let not Wabeg-
wona weep as though the sun were gone for
ever. Day will come back to pour sunshine
on the darkened lake, and the dropping Lily
will raise her head again."
The night had passed away, and the NOR
rows sun was shining gaily and brilliantly on
the scene we first described, and Seyton stood
in the centre of that spot of cleaning quartz,
to take his last farewell Of life, and view
calmly as he could the terrible preparations
for its close. How the thought of Wabeg-
wona, and of that distant home whence the
wild spirit of adventure had ldred him, came
round him in that moment when death in its
most dreadful aspect stood before him, and
cruel hands, and savage looks, and taunting
words surrounded him in that lonely and
beautiful spot, where he must close his eyes
in agony, far away from all he loved, with
not one kind glance or friendly voice to sup
port him in the fearful hour Of trial.
just as tie signal for its commencement
was to be given, Il youth, who had accompa-
MED the war party to serve as an unsuSpicious
looking scout, approached the chiefs, and in
timated that stranger claimed the privilege
Of entering and leaving the camp unmolested.
Safe conduct was accorded, and in few min
utcs young Indian advanced into the circle
Of the expectant warriors, with the naughty
step and lofty air of one accustomed to be
lYnored and obeyed. Despite the usual self
control Of such assemblages, the name of
Laguiab! ~ ran in wondering tones around
the circle.
"The Wlnnebagoes looked for Laguiab,"
said an old chief, wGa hidden sneer. I" Had
le flown up into the sky, or dived like an
otter into the lake, when the war-whoop was
through the wSosaEse de Y RWnne6asoes"
aid he coldly, "to ask if they ever heard
his nalne.n
at is the name of a brave warrior" re-
piled the Winnebago "There is no greater
IN his nation"
The dark eye of the Ottowa flashed proud
y for moment then he said as coldIy as be-
fore, "Would the Winnebagoes like to boast
to their women that they had slain that war
rior, or a pale face whose name they never
heard 2"
aThe path Of Laguiab is open," replied
The old chief. "The Winnebages will not
keep what is not theirs"
"Let the pale face be free as the wind
which wanders over the lake." said Laguiab,
.and an Ottowa chief will be the prisoner of
bis foes"
The old chief waved his hand, and in an
instant ready knife severed the thongs
which bound Seyton to the stake.
"Laguiab Laguiab! this must not be-"
the Englishman, springing to his
side. "What have I done, that you should
die for me 2"
a mournful smile fitted over the Ottowa's
face. He pressed Scyton's hand, and whis-
pered in his ear: "There is sorrow in the
heart Of Wabegwona, and the eyes of La
guiab could not look upon her tears. It is
is content: The voices of his
fathers are in his ears, calling him away, and
an Indian must follow to the land of Spirits.
Why should he stay? The light Of Laguiab
will shine no more upon the night of the
Ottowas; but the White Lily will be happy
in the shelter that she loves"
Then turning away, he spoke a few words
TO his captors, and before the Englishman
7cll knew the purpose of the InGians, who
,nce more seized him, he was speeding over
the deep waters far away from the fatal spot
where the life of Laguiab was being paid the
fearful price Of his liberty.
And there, on the gold bloom, was offered
up the noble heart of the Ottowa chief, the
sacrifice of self devotion against which not
all the wealth slumbering in the untouched
mine could ever weigh. :.
The next tempest swept away the traces
Of the sacrifice; and when ne heard the tale,
and looked upon the spot, all was calm, as
though the passions Of man had never cast a
shadow upou the earth, though even then
the name OF Lasuiab wns still loved and wept
over in ono dwelling fur away on the banks
Of the St. Lawrence. And many, many more
years must glide into the past, ere the memo
ry Of that deed shall die aw; or it cease to
be recouuted to those, who, like ourselves,
may chance to rest in that wild but lovely
scene, amid their wanderiugs in the West.
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