The new era., 1860-06-28
Life in the Woods.


lHeTc Cdine uoWu 10 Two UlVSfs
while we still were tarrying at Mr.. War.
ren's, the old Pillager Chief, Esh-ke
bug-e- coshe, or Falmouth. His home
was at Leach Lake, some twenty miles
to the. North. He was an old man
past three score years and ten, and bore
upon his persen the scars Of many
wounds received in battle with the
Sioux. His hair was thin and grey, his
visage wrinkled, and the outer edge oil
his ears slit open the entire length, on
account OF the profusion Of orname nts
which he had been accustomed 10 wear.
Contrary to his usual habit, we were
told, his dress consisted of but slovenly
rags, for he was mourning for two proud
brave sons who had lately fallen victims
to the treachery and ferocity Of the
Sioux So his mourning was in sack
cI tn and ashes, literally. OF many
children. one boy only of twelve years
ofage was left to him. He had three
wives-one as old as himself, whom he
left at home; the other two were sisters
and but twenty years of age, Do
cile and capable must they have been,
for, owing TO the old chiefs infrmities,
they had, by their united strength,
hauled him down to Two Rivers on
"vehicle" resembling a drag, which
they called ''sIide." Mr.. Warren
treated him with much veneration and
respect. He partook his meals with US
at table, and. despite his uncomeliness
of dress, and decreptude of age, his
dignity of bearing, and his eloquence Of
word and look, won our admiration -
Fred put to him many questions, the
answers to which Mr.. Warren inter-
preted. Among others-"Would he
not foar that morning to meet the
Sioux?" He made answer with kind
ing eye, and vehement gesture
eff l feared not the Sioux in youth
and in manhood, nor when l had sons
and daughters to live for, how much
less should now, when | have but
daylto live, and the sun must soon
set''
He knew, by its sound, he said, the
gun of a Sioux.
His special business at this time was
for Mr.. Warren to write a letter for
him to the great father, the President of
the United States. The stately old Pill |
lager dictated, Mr.. Warren interpreted,
and Fred wrote one Of the smartest,
most sensible, most pointed and eloquent
letters that ever we have read Its
subject was an opposition to the treaty
that had been recently made with Gov
crnment, through Gov. Ramsey. Won
der we did not retaina copy Have heard
nothing recently of the old Chief, Flat
Snouth. No doubt he has been gathered
40 his lost children.
1t seems but the other day since we
Uere e;.es,s at Mr.. Warren's, listening
TO old Falmouth, and to many another
interesting Indian story besides the
dream and trance of the "Woman OF
the sky" The days of eight years
have sped like ''the weaver's shuttle,
yet in the very beginning of their rapid
fitting, he whose heart beat but to gen.
ale and kindly feelings, and to whose
musicaIly uttered and fervent words we
then listened with pleased attention,
tainted by the wayside of life, leaving
unfinished the work he had so ardently
wished to accomplish. Mr.. Warren had
written history Of the manne 8, Gus
toms. feuds and friendships of his race
for this he was admirably competent
No one better understood and compre-
hended the verJ spirit of the Indian
character. In their midst, near to their
homes, dear to their hearts, he was
a sympathiser with their trials and sor-
rows, patient listener to their wrongs.
an earnest and faithful laborer for
their welfare and Improvement. The
portions Of his manuscripts which ne
submitted for our perusal, reflected
credit upon him as ready and enter
tanning writer, besides possessing in the
immediate subject surprising interest.
The winter ofls52 Mr.. Warren spent
in eastern cities, mostly in New York,
endeavoring to make arrangements for
the publication Of his book. From time
20 time reports reached us Of his failing
health, which had for some time been
delicate. No one of bis friends, howev-