Smyrna times., 1860-02-02
A PERIL0US SITUATION.

peril in which he was once placed-a position
which, our readers will admit, was sufficiently
exciting to affect the nerves any man.
On my return (he saysl Fem the Upper
Mississippi, founh! myself Obliged to cross one
OF The WIG prairies which, in that portion of
e United States vary the appearance of the
country. The weather was fine. and all around
me was as fresh and blooming us ifit had Just
issued from the bosom Of nature. My knap.
sack, my gun and my dog, were all had for
baggage and company. The track which l.
followed was only an old Indian trail. and as
darkness overshadowed the prairie, felt some
desire to reach at least u copse in which
might lie down to rest. The night hawks
were skimming over and around me, attracted
by the buzzlng wings of the beetles which form
ed their food, and tue distant bowling of wolves,
gave me some hope that should soon arrive
at the skirts Of woodland.
did so, and almost at the same instcn a
freight attracting my eye. moved towards
1t full of confidence that 1t proceeded from the
camp OF some wandering Indians. | vas mis-.
taken. discovered by its glare that it was
from the hearth of u small log cabin, and that
a tall figure, Iassed and repassed between it
and me, as If buslly engaged in household ar
rargement.
reached the spot, and presenting myself al
the door, asked the tall figure, which proved to
be woman, if | might take shelter under her
roof for the night. Her voice was Cruti aud
her attire neglIgenty thrown about her. SHE
answered in the affirmative. | walked IN, took
a wooden stool, and quietly seated myself by
the fire. The next object that attracted my at.
tentIOn was 6nel y-formed young Indian, rest
ing his head between hls hands, with his ell.
bows on his knees. A long bow rested against
the log wall near him, while quantity of ar
rows and two CT three racoon skins lay al his
feet. lie moved not-apparently brea hed not
Accustomed to the habits of the Indians and
knowing that they pay little attention to the ap-
proach of civilized strangers "a circumstance
which, in some cOuntriee, is considered as evin-
cling the apathy of their character,) | addressed
him in French, a language not unfrequently
partially known TO the people in that neghbor-
hood. lie raised his head, pointed to one of
his eyes with his finer, and gave me a signih-
cant glance with the other The fact was,
that an hour before this, as he was in the act
OF dlscharglng an arrow at a racoon in the top
OF tree, the arrow had split upon the cord,
and sprung back with such violence into his
right eye as to destroy it forever.
Feeling hungry, inquired what roft of fare
could expect. Such thing as a bed was not
, to be seen, but many large untanned bear and
, buffalo hides ley piled in the corner | drew
my time-piece from my breast, and told the wo-
man that it was late, and that | was fatIgued.
She had esplcd ny watch, the richness ofwhich
: seemec to operate on her feelings with electric
quickness. She told me that there was plenty
r of venison and jerked buffalo meat, and that on
removing the ashes | should find cake. But
my watch had struck her fancy, and her curl
oslty had TO be gratl6ed by an immediate sight
: of IL took of the gold chain that secured it
around my neck, and presented it TO her. She
was all ecSacy, spoke OF it's beauty, asken me
, its value, and put the chain round her brawny
neck, saying how happy the possession of such
] a watch would make her. ThOughtless, and as
| fancied myself, in retired spot, secure, |
| paid lItle attention TO her tax or movements.
! | helped my dog TO good supper of venison,
I and was not long IN satisfy ing the demands of
: my own appetite The Indian rose from his
r seat, as if IN extreme euflerinG. lie passed and
0 repassed me several times and once pinchcd NE
a on the side violently that the pain nearly
: brought forth an exclamation of anger. | look
h ed at him. His eye met mine; but his look
: was so forbddIng, that it struck chill into the
o more nervous part of my system. lie again
$ seated himself, drew his butcher knife from ITS
n greasy sCabbard, examined its edge, as ! would
: that of razor suspected dull, replaced it, and
Q again taking his tomaha wk from his ia ck filled
r the pipe of it with tobacco, and sent me ex
: pressure glances whenever our hostess chanced
8 to have her back towards US.
Never, until that moment, had my senses
r been awakened TO the danger which now sus
e pected to be about inc. returned glOnce fol
l. glance TO my companion, aud rested well assur
Q ed that, whatever enemies | might have, he
e was not Of their number.
b | asked the woman for my watch, wound i
D. up, and under pretence Of wshIdg to see how
- the weather might probably be 90 the morrow
10 took up my gun ard walked out Of the cabin
ID | slipped ball INTO each barrel, scraped thu
ID edges OF my ilints, renewed the primlngs, AM
le returning 10 the hut, gave favorable accom-
y of my observations. | ;ook few bear skins
II. made pallet of them, and calling my faithful
e. dog TO my side, lay down, with my gun clos
OF TO my body, and in few minutes was, to all OF
TO pearance, fast asleep.
It, A short time had elapsed, when some voice
er were heard, and from the corner of my eyes
II. saw two athletic youths king their entire nc,
ne bearing dead stag on pole. They dispose
p- of their burden, and asking tor whlskey, he pc
themselves freely to it. Observing me and III
e. wounded Indian, they asked who ] was, an
ed why that rascal (meaning the Indian, VIII
Of they knew, understood not word of English
1t. was in the house. The mother-for so sh
M proved to be-bade them speak less loudl
nd made mention OF my watch, and took them
ll- a corner, where a conversation took place, Ii
purport of which it required but little shrew
we ness in me to guess. | tapped my dog gentl
- lie moved his tail, and with indescrbable pie
g sure | saw his iue eyes alternately fixed (
int me, and raised towards the trio n the corn6
ler felI,ihat he perceived the danger Of my stu
ide tion. Toe Indian exchanged last glance wi
a me.
lu- The lads had eaten and drunk themselves
ear TO such condition, that already looked up
- them as bOrS de combat; and the frequent v
she its of the whiskey bottle TO the ugly mouth
ph, their dam hoped would soon reduce her tC
like state Judge of my astonishment, read
when | saw this incarnate iend take lar
,ur. carving knife and go to the grindstone to wi
The its edge. saw her Poar the water on the tn
ling machine, and watched her working aw