Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-03-14
A PERILoUs SITUATION.

ography," the following account OF situation
OF peril, in which he was once placed-a po-
sition which our readers will admit, was suf.
iciently exciting to affect the nerves of any
man:
On my return che says) from the Upper
Mississippi, found myself oblidged to cross
one OF the wide prairies which, in that portion
of the United States, vary the appearance OF
the country. The weather was fine, and all a.
round me was as fresh and blooming as if il
had just issued from the bosom of Nature
My knapsack, my gun and my dog, were all
had for baggage and company. The track
which followed was only an old Indian TRAIL
and as darkness overshadowed the prairie,
felt some desire to reach at least copse, in
which might lie down to rest. The night
hawks were skimming over and around me ,at-
tracted by the buzzing wings of the beetles
which formed their food, and the distant howl
ing of wolves, gave me some hope that should
arrive at the skirts of the woodland.
I did so, and almost at the same instant
fire light attracted my eye. l moved towards
it full of confidence that it proceeded from the
camp of some wandering Indians. was mis-
taken. 1 discovered by its glare that it was
from the hearth of small log cabin, and that
tall figure passed and repassed between it
and me, as if busily engaged in household ar
rangement.
l reached the spot, and presented myself at
the door, asked the tall figure, which proved
to be a woman, if l might take shelter under
her roof for the night. Her voice was gruff,
and her attire negligently thrown about her,
She answsred in the affirmative. / walked in,
took wooden stool, and quietly seated my
self by the fire. The next object that attrac-
ted my attention was finely formed young
Indian, resting his head between his hands,
with his elbows on his knees. A long bow
rested against the log wall near him, while
quantity of arrows and two or three raccoon
skins lay at his feet. He moved not-he ap
parently breathed not. Accustomed to the
habits of the indian, and knowing that they
pay little attention to the approach OF civiliz-
ed strangers, Ga circumstance which in some
countries, is considered evincing the apa-
thy of their character,) l addressed him in
French, language not unfrequently partially
known to the people in that neighborhood.
He raised his head, pointed to one of his eyes
withSfs finger and gave me significant glance
with the other. The fact was, that an hour be-
fore this, as he was in the act of discharging
an arrow at raccoon in the top of a tree, the
arrow had split upon the cord land sprung back
with such violence into his right eye as to de-
stroy it forever.
Feeling hungry, inquired what sort of fare
I could expect. Such thing bed could
not be seen, many large untanned bear and
buffalo hides lay piled in corner. i drew my
time piece from my breast, and told the wO-
man it was late, and that was fatigued. She
seemed to operate on her feelings with cleo
trio quickness. She told me that there was
plenty of venison and jerked buffalo meat, land
that on removing the ashes l should ind
cake. But my watch had struck her fancy,
and her curiosity had to be gratified by an i'm
mediate sight of it. I took off the gold chain
that secured it around my neck and presented
it to her. She was all ecstacy, spoke of its
beauty, asked me its value, and put the chain
around her brawny neck, saying how happy
the possession Of such watch would make
her. Thoughtless, and, as l fancied, myself
in SO quiet spot, secure, paid little atten-
tion to her talk and movements. l helped my
dog to good supper of venison, and was not
long in satisfying the demands of my own
appetite. The Indian arose from his seat, as
if in extreme suffering. He passed and re-
passed me several times. and once pinched
me on the side so violently that the pain near
ly brought forth an exclamation of anger. L
looked at him. His eye met mine; but his
look was so forbidding that it struck chill
into the more nervous part of my system. He
again seated himself, drew his butcher knife
from its greasy scabbard, examined its edge,
as / would that of razor suspected dull, re-
placed it, and again taking his tomahawk from
his back, filled the pipe of it with tobacco,
and sent me expressive glances whenever our
hostess chanced to have her back towards US.
Never, till that moment, had my senses
pected to be about me. / returned glance for
glance to my companion, and rested well as
sured that what ever enimies might have, he
was not of their number.
l asked the woman for my watch, wound it
up, and under preteEce of wishing to see how
the weather might probably be on the morrow,
took ND my gun and walked out of the cabin.
slipped ball into each barrel, scraped the
edges of my flints, renewed the priming, and
returning to the hut, gave favorable accounl
of my observations. took few bear skins,
made pallet of them, and calling my faithful
dog to my side, law down, with my gun close
to my body, and in few minutes Was, to all
appear ances, fast asleep.
A short time had elapsed, when some voices
were heard, and from the corner of my eyes
saw two athletic youths making their entrance
bearing stag on pole. They disposed of
their burden, and asking for whisky. helped
freely to it. Observing me and
the wounded Indian, they asked who was,
and why that rascal, (meaning the Indian,who
they knew understood not word of English)
was in the house.
The mother-for so she proved to be-bade
them speak less loudly, made mention of my
watch, and took them to a corner, where
took place, the purport OF which
it required little shrewdness in me to guess.
tapped my dog gently. He moved his tail,
and with indescribable pleasure | saw his fine
eyes alternately fixed on me, and raised to-
wards the trio in the Corner. felt that he
perceived the danger of my situation. The
Indian exchanged last glance with me.
The lads had eaten and drunk themselves |
into such a condition that already looked on |
them as hors du combat and the frequent visits
Of the whisky bottle to the ugly mouth of
their dame, I hoped would soon reduce her |
10 like state. Judge of my astonishment, |
reader, when saw this incarnate fend take |
! large carving knife and go to the grindstone
70 whet its edge. saw her pour water on |
he turning machine ,and watched her working |
away with the dangerous instrument, until the |