The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-06

RuSs1SG THE GAUNrLET-Somc days ago We
published brief account Of the recapturc O
Mr.. James ?. Kimbal and his wife, after
twenty years Of captivity among the Indians
In the Chicago Re publican, of late date, we
find the full details of Mr. kimbaIl's capture,
from which we take the following description
Of running the gauntlet:
Apparently surleited with blood, the saw
ages condemned the other prisoners to run the
gauntlet on the morrow, which they success
fully did, though much bruised, and were
then adopted into the tribe, having sufficient
endurance to give them caste among the
sayages. Kimball, after successfully passing
the ordeal for himself, Offered, and the Indians
permitted him 10 run, in place of his wife.
Soullcss as these savaycs were, they had sense
enough to appreciate the motive of this offer,
and SO let kinbaI pass the second ordeal with
but slight molestation.
The gauntlet for the occasion. consisted of
1870 warriors, ranged in double column, face
to face, leaving aepace from eight to ten feet
between the rows. Through this the captive
must pass. Each savage was allowed to strike
one blow or make one thrust at him as he
passed along, but only one; nor was he to step
from the line to do so. An Indian followed
the captive to see that no advantage was
taken, exhibiting in this what might be termed
"honor among thieves" More than this, the
prisoner was allowed two shields of birch
bark, one upon each arm for bis protection
kimball by skI!ful management warded of
many Of the blows, yet he also received many,
one Of which, a ylancing club on the back Of
I NO hn3I |,
three fourths of the way through the gauntlet
he was confronted by an Indian, who stepped
out Of the line to get a better stroke at the
captive. kimball saw but one course to pur-
sue. He struck the savage sudden blow
with his shield and staggered him. At this
the whole troop Of warriors set up a howl Of
satisfaction, in which the chief, who was
spectator Of the scene, heartily joined, and
kmbalI passed on almost unmolested. This
was bis first experience at running the gauntlet.
His offer to take the place of bis wife, which
he did few minutes after, coupled with his
proves on the first occasion, gave him high
position in the view of the savagcs
PAYING TIE NATIONAL DEBT.-Thc London
Spectator, IN abiding to the prospect of our
paying up the national debt ere long, remarks:
1T will be the greatest deed democracy has
ever done, the one which will come most
clearly home to property holders, which will
most rapidly dissipate the idea that democracy
is extInguished by an ignorant Impotence Of
taxation or by an indisposition to pay up
claims No dcspotism will be able
10 show such a financial account, no constitu
tional monarchy better one-and successful
finance tells heavily with cultivated mankind.
The tide of immigration will set in with
double rapidly, and the last remaining deter |
rent to British North America will have been
removed. Meanwhile, whether the dream is
fulfilled or not, America, so long as she raises
ms surplus, possesses force of which it is |
ltlcult to estimate the extent: she can, for
spend without loan as much as the |
whole outlay of Great Britain upon her army
and navy-can waste every year. without in
'reaslng her taxes, as much as the loan with
Which Napoleon paid for bis campaign"
Hoes IN APPLE ORcHARDs.-It is said by.f
hose farmers who have practiced turning hogs
INTO their apple orchards that the fruit grown |
he second year, and after, is much larger and |
alrer than when no hogs are allowed to run |
n the orchards The secret of the matter ;s |