The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-30

tentiou appeared to have been bestowed up.
on the usefulness than the beauty Of the
garments. Like bis companion his waist
was belted with broad leather girdle. To
it was attached short scabpard Of undressed
cowhide, containing strong bladed knife
which might serve ss . weapon of defence
or for the more peaceful employment Of cut.
ting bis food. Between his knees was q
short yager-a species Of rifle much in vogue
with the hunters of this part Of the country,
both on account OF the convenience OF its
length and the large size OF its bore. which
rendered it more fatal in its effects
At the time Of introducing these charac-
ters to the reader they were both seated on
q log near the fire. The ewes Of both were
6xed on line OF blue smoke which tloated
upwards, forming pale canopy over Their
heads, and slowly wreathing among the
branches OF the overhanging trees. Some
deep and engrossing subject seemed to be
pressing on the minds Of both, and to have
wrapped them up in q world Of its owD.
leaving its traces on their grave and silent
faces. At length the younger Of the two
broke silence.
lyon are moody, Norton" said be. Il
would give the two best bullets In my pouch
to know what occupies your thoughts.
His companion raised his head. my
thoughts, Herrick, are not pleasant, that
you need wish to buy them"
IL suppose you are still harping on the
footprint 10 the ashes Of the burnt prairie.
This same track appears to have troubled
you much. But cheer up! The trappers
are returning from the mountains about this
season, and it may have been left by one
who had struggled from the main body.
Besides, it might have been made some days
since,-or even were it the fresh moccasin
print of an Indian. you could scarcely find
hostile one hereabouts. So you may scat
ter your fears to the winds
The other unused for some moments, and
then fixed his clear eye on the face OF his
companion.
But this scalp lock" said he, extending
long thin braid Of human hair. e" il must
have fallen from the Logging Of an Indian.
The konzas and Otoes rarely wear them.
1t has come from the dress OF an Omshaw
or Pswnee. The first are not the most
friendly, and q tomahawk and scalping
knife would be our certain welcome from
the last. The track, too, was fresh for the
gale which swept over the prairie in the
but it was clean, and made by the heavy
tread OF a strong .limbed man. There are
those in our neichborhood whose best wishes
could not stop the fight Of an arrow, should
they catch glimpse OF us. 1t was thought
less in you, boy, to kindle 30 large q fire.
aud, above all, to heap it with great brush
wood. 1t will send up heavy smoke that
will scarcely escape the eye Of red skin,
should any chance TO be lurking 10 these
cumps of forest. The eagle has not a
quicker eye for his prey than these cut
throat Indians"
We'll well let them come; we have
arms"
Arms :" replied the other, slfcontemp-
tuously." What will two rifles and two
knives do against hundred bows and toma-
hawks! Think you a Pawnee or Omahaw
would venture alone, or even in a small
band, in this Deigbborhood, where every
tribe is at open war with him. Take my
word for it, II we fight one we shall have to
fight bundred."
"W ell, well, Norton. we will do that when
they come but don't let US fight them be-
fore we see tbem--it is a waste Of ammuni
tion."
The hunter laughed as be replied, Il am
sometimes surprised at myself Tor still cling
ing 10 you for your thoughtlessness Ii con
s,sntly getting us into scrapes. However.
I arI D. l0aa spyaalf
That Of course,' replied Herrick in a
merry tone. "li's the way with all Old peo-
pie 70 give that advice TO their children
which they never followed themselves. If
the rising generation followed 10 the letter
the precepts OF fathers aud grandfsthers,
what gray.headed world We should live
in ~
"Herrick' said the other. eyeing him
good na'uredy, "wiIl You never ceae this
bantering -
Certainly In thirty years shall be as
demure and sisid gentleman as any OF my
age, and will give the same advice To M
children, il have any, that now receive
and shall BE- a. much astonisbed II they do
not follow j, as my present aivlser, are. Ha'
look yonder."
At this exclamation the hunter sprang 10
his feet, and ins,inc,ively cooked bis rife.
lie cas, hurried glance in the direction
iu,imated by the extended arm Of hi- CON.
panion. On the brow Of low hill, u, a
shor, distance from the thicke,, stood large
cluster Of animals closely crowdek tbgether.
~P.hax II ia only q gang Oi elk, sad
Norton, dropping the gun into the hollow Of
bis arm. A fDe berd thoogh They will
probably rnase for the timber"
- II they DO W. I have zoe o. tbem." said
Hsrriek eagerly.
Yes" answered Morton, "aOd psrhaJs
al lDdIsn aros BY gay Of saaor
Hush Norton, don soak - logd you
may slarils them. Look are they %, hess
ufa -
The befi nov .tood With api'iei brad.