The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-02

wnlch was neither OF despair nor grief, but
rather paroxysm of savage passion, most
impressive to witness and startling to hear,
even by those who understood the Ian
guage Of the music only. During the lulls
OF their dcath-song, they would resume
their pipes, and with the exception of an
occasional mutter, or the rafting of their
chains, they sat motionless and impassive;
until one among the elder would break out
in the wild wall, when all would join again
in the solemn preparation for death.
Following this, the Rev. DR.. William
son addressed them in their native tongue
after which they broke out again in their
song of death. This last was thrilling be-
yond expression. The trembling voices,
the forms shaking with passionate emotion,
the half uttered words through set teeth,
all made up scene which no one who saw
can ever forget.
The influence of the wild music of their
death-song upon them was almost magical.
Their whole manner changed after they
had closed their singing, and an air of
cheerful unconcern marked all of them. It
seemed as if during their passionate wall
ing, they had passed in spirit through the
valley of the shadow of death, and already
had their eyes fixed on the pleasant hunt
ing grounds beyond
AS their friends came about them, they
babe them cheerful farewells, and in some
cases there would be peals of laughter, as
they were wished pleasant journeys to the
spirit-land. They bestowed their pipes up
on their favorites, and so far as they had,
gave keepsake trinkets to ALL Major
Brown said there was as much of laughter
and fun as if they were going to feast.
While we were there, the chains were
cut from them, and their hands bound be-
hind them. White-Day begged to be left
free, without tying, and it seemed NOR
LITIGATION to all when they were bound.
One, right in front of us, with smiling
face, which nothing seemed to change,
trembled all over, even while he smiled. as
the irons were struck from him, and his
arms were pinioned. The half-breeds
were most visibly affected while these
preparations for the galows were in prog
ress
They had evidently taken great pains to
make themselves presentable for their last
appearance on the stage of life. Most of
them had little pocket mirrors, and before
they were bound, employed themselves in
putting on the finishing touches of paint,
and arranging their hair according to the
Indian mode. All had religious emblems,
mostly crosses, of fine gilt or steel. and
these were displayed with all the promi-
hence Of an exquisite or ,'eltgieuse. Ma
ny were painted in war style, with bands.
and beads, and feathers, and we're decked
as gaily as for a festival.
None were admitted within the prison
besides the priests the reporters, and the
officers and men of the provost guard.
They expressed desire to shake hands
with the reporters who were to write about
how they looked and acted, aud with the
artist who was to picture their appearance
so We had to go through the ordeal of
shaking hands with the thirty-nine. The
hands OF most were of the natural warmth,
while those Of others were cold as ice.
Nearly all, on shaking hands, would point
their fingers to the sky, and say as plainly
as they could, ''Me going up!" White Day
told us it was Little Grow who got them
into the sc-ape, and now they had to die
for it. One said to us there was Great
Spirit above who would take him home,
and that he should die happy. Thus the
time passed during the tying of hands, and
striking off the manacles.
at a little after nine o'clock, the Rev.
erend Father Ravoux entered the prison
again, to perform the closing religious ex-
ercises. The guard fell back as he came
in, the Indians ranging themselves around
the room. The Father addressed the con-
demned at some length, and appeared
much affected. He kneeled on the floor
in their midst, and prayed with them, all
following and uniting with him in an audi
bic voice. They appeared like different
race of beings while going through these
religious exercises. Their voices were low
and humble, and every exhibition of IN
dian bravado was banished
THE HOUR CALLED.
While Father Ravoux was speaking to
the Indians, and repeating, for the hun
dredth time, his urgent request that they
must think to the last of the Great Spirit
before whom they were about to appear,
Provost Marshal Redfeld entered and
whispered word in the ear of the good
priest, who Immediately said word or
rum in Eronoh to Harry M;1orJ /, LIZ