Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-05-07

urged the physician, "to set a guard
every night? Surely such a precau-
ton could do no harm, and may be the
meaps Of saving many lives. We per-
NIT the Indians to mingle too freely
among us; we must deny them ad-
mission to Our dwellings and our gar
risoned houses"
"I thought you were q man Of
couragel" retorted Waldron, contempt
uously. "But I regret to see that your
mind is full of idle fancies. about toma-
hawks. scalping-knives, Indian marsu-
ders, burning houses. etc. ] am weary
of the Subject. Goodnight, DOCTOR"
Wade left the major, deeply cha
grined at bis i'll success, and wondering
that one usually so prudent and dis
Greet, should suddenly become so in
fatuated. He talked over the matter
with his friends and neighbors, and al
though they seemed to share somewhat
in bis fears, the confidence ofthe major
served to assure them, and impart to
them portion of his apathy.
Several days elapsed, and things
went on after the usual manner. The
Indians were suffered to come and go
as they had previously done, and no
guard was set at night, when the neigh
boring families had retired into the
block k-bouses. 1t appeared to Wade
that q species of madness had fallen
upon Waldron and others. which led
them to tempt Providence and provoke
their fate. He was expressing thoughts
of this to Cecilia one afternoon, as they
were walking on the banks Of the Co.
checo, when Mesandowit himself stood
before them. This abrupt appearance
did not alarm our hero, although it
greatly excited the terrors of Cecilia.
81 have come" said the chief. "to
let you know that Mesandowit remem-
bers. Your chief is fool. He has
had warning enough to prevent the de-
struction that will this night take place.
Look at the sun; it is now setting;
Major Waldron and his friends will
never see it rise again. For your sake
Wyona has spoken plainly; and for
your sake she instructed several of our
women TO put rumors in circulation, in
relation to what will this night be done.
They have uttered dark sayings, and
thrown out words of such import, that
the wise might have understood. BUTT
is past now; no more can be done. Let
the white men and their chief suffer the
reward of their folly. Come, you must
60 with Mesandowit; and when you re-
turn, yonder settlement will be a heap
of ruins" .
Both the doctor and bis fair compan-
ion stood aghast. They gazed at the
features Of the chief in speechless hor-
ror.
"To late--too latel' added the In.
dian. "But Mesandowit remembers"
'Let me return to warn them nowP'
exclaimed Wade. at cannot be too
late to save some of theml"
Mesandowit laid bis hand upon the
young mans shoulder. and turned his
face In different direction.
"You cannot go back" he said.--
"You saved the life of Wyona, and in
my gratitude l would have saved an
hundred lives in return; but as l have
said, your chief is fool. The white
men are our eternal enemies, and Me-
sandoWit scornsto betray the plans of
bis people; he will save two for one;
for be perceives that the white maiden
is as dear to the great medicine man,
as Wyona is to Mesandowit."
Young Wade looked anxiously at
Cecilia, ard then turned his eyes to-
wards the settlement.
"Mesandowit," he replied, firmly,
al cannot accept your proposition; but
this maiden. who is dearer TO me than
life. shall go with you; and 1 will re-
turn to fight, and if need be, die like a
man."
The chief made no answer; but ut
tering low war-whoop, several war
riors instantly appeared, and the doctor
and Cecilia we're Immediately sur
rounded.
"You see," resumed the chief. after
a momentary interval of silence, "that
there is no choice left you. You are
my prisoners"
Seeing that resistance was useless,
and that nothing could be done to save
the unfortunate settlement, Wade and
his companion followed Mesandowit
through the forest, until they reached
the wigwam where the former had be-
fore been conducted to exert his skill
upon Wyona. The latter received
them kindly, and strove to divert mel
ancholy thoughts.
After setting a guard about the
lodge, the chief departed. Wyons
then proceeded to explain the manner
in which the settlers were to be cut
of. Two squaws were to be sent to
each OF the garrisoned houses, where
they were to obtain permission to
pass the night. When the proper |
time arrived, and the inmates had re-
tired, they would steal out, open the |
gates, and admit the warriors. This
was plan so feasible, that Wade en-
tertained no doubt it would succeed; for !
the squaws had on several occasions
remained all night with the settlers;
and be and his companion awaited the
morning in dreadful suspense. The
red sun came up at last, and the victo-