The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-11-24

| ly said 4:
"Young man, thy father and thyself
have been deeply wronged. Providence
will see thee righted."
From this, Walter began to have
hopes of ultimately proving his inno-
cence, and the return of Patience Jen-
nings to Burlington, gave him frequent
opportunities of seeing her. She gave
him ample grounds to know that she was
not insensible of his attachment, but
frankly told him that her father had
promised her hand to another.
Thus two long years passed away,
during which time Walter became a
great favorite with William Penn, who
committed many important trusts into
his hands. The young lover, continued,
however, to act as boatman whenever
the Lord Proprietor visited Burlington,
where he was always kindly greeted by
the blooming Patience, the flame of abid
ing love casting glow over their stolen
interviews. One evening, as Walter was
making his canoe fast to the wharf, an
Indian came running down, in high de-
lirium, and plunged into the stream. To
rescue him from watery grave was but
the work of few moments yet from
that moment the "War Eagle " became
the young mans devoted friend. Spurn-
ing fire WATER" the warrior appeared
to regard his deliverer with paternal care,
bringing him rich furs, soft moccasins
and delicate game, remarking: You
see-Indian never forgets."
But to return to our narrative, which
we interrupted in order to introduce the
characters, and to explain their relative
positions. On the morning after Will
liam Penn's arrival at Burlington. almost
all the able-bodied men went up the riv-
er about half mile, to attend an Indian
council. 1t was fully attended by the
savages, for it was rumored that this
would be the last time that the Leni
Lenapes would meet in the home of their
fathers.
At least one thousand warriors were
present, each in full war-dress, and arm
ed with bow and arrow, pouderous war
clubs, or heavy stone axes, while few
had blankets and hatchets of European
manufacture. The sachems sat upon a
slight eminence, while around them were
the warriors, arranged according to rank
in semi-circular lines.
When the English approached, war
rior who officiated as master Of ceremon-
les, conducted them to seats, and dead
silence ensued. Then "War Eagle, "
standing in the centre of the ring, ad-
dressed them in tolerable English.
William Penn is the father of the
pale faces, and it is good that he should
be here. His brother Jennings wishes
to buy what is left of our hunting
grounds. Let him listen. They were
sold years ago. When the red men
ruled here, there came a pale face named
Pike-and to him the Leni Lenapes sold
these lands. The War Eagle was young
then. He loved the fire water, and his
heart was weak. A pale face persuaded
him to steal goods, aud to hide them in
the wigwam of Pike, and fire water was
his pay. The War Eagle did so. The
sachems of the pale faces accused Pike
as thief. Their council convicted him.
He died of a broken heart. and his son
went forth beggar. Still they gave
the War Eagle fre-water, and he did
drink. But one day Pixies son saved
the War Eagle from death, and he has
drank no more fire-water since. To-day
he will atone for his wrong. Here. Will
liam Penn. is the old writing by which
the Leni Lenapes sold their hunting
grounds TO Pike"
"And who was the instigator of this
foul crime ?'' asked William Penn, as he
reached forth his hand to take the parch-
ment, which made Walter Pike veal
thy man.
Nay" exclaimed Jennings, spring
ing to his feet But the inward struggle
had already taken place. and with an un-
Ineligible cry. he sank to the ground. a
corpse. Just when he had expected to
have his long arranged plans crowned
with complete success, divine justice
had not only thwarted them. but had ex-
posed his long concealed yillainy.
The Great Spirit has punished him, "
said War Eagle.
". Vengeance is mine, saith the
Lord" deyoutly responded William
Penn.