Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-09-08

d long prospect IN tne "oous, OF Uo"arus
the inhabited country about Kingston, to
learn the news but all the prospects and
all the news they got being of a satisfac-
tory character, the outgoings and inquiries
gradually s~lackened, and something like
the old feeling of quiet and security re-
turned to the settlement.
Thus the Christmas time, the new year,
and the stormy Candlemas passed. We
were looking forward to the spring, for
which people in the backwoodS have a
warmer. welcome than the jewellers in
towns and cities. My little brothers had
grown strong and well again, old grand
father and grandmother were able to take
their accustomed seats at our warm fire.
side, nv father and mother were looking
less anxious, my sister and myself were no
longer frighted by every moan of the wind,
and our home was cheerful and thrifty as
of old. 1t was a beautiful evening for the
season of the year. A light snowfall on
the preceding day had whitened the ground
and sprinkled the forest-trees the river
in front of our clearing was still one sheet
of ice but the air was calm and soft, and
a clear cloudless sky made the frightening
day last still longer, till its fading twilight
met and mingled with the radiance of a
bright full moon. Our outer door was on
the Iatch, and we had not shut the windows,
when all sat down to supper by the light
of our evening fire my father was lifting
up his hands to ask a blessing on the meal !;
but suddenly he paused, and stood as if
listening. We all listened too. There
ws< a sound of mingled voices and cries
on the air, but indistinct and wild as those
of the swan and other water-fowls, in their
annual migration to and from the great
lakes.
+" They seldom fly so late but I'll see
what it is" said Robin Ross and he
stepped out at once. We sat for a minute
or two in silence. The sounds seemed to
come nearer, and Robin rushed in with a
face as white as a sheet, exclaiming, It's
the Indians, and they are coming down the
clearing right upon the house -
May God lave mercy upon us - said
nv father, as he ran to the door. Before
or since | never felt anything like the fear
of that moment. / was young and weak
hearted but | think the same feeling par
alyzed US all, for not one spoke except my
T andmother, whom I heard praying for US
in q low tone. In q few minutes my
father came back, and there was relief in
his look. Children" he said, " it is the
Hurons, and l think they mean US no harm.
They are coming on slowly, and their wo-
men are with them, carrying something
covered on a sort of litter, which they are
wailing over with those mournful cries you
hear. Perhaps it is some superstitioas
ceremony they are coming to perform in
this their ancient land, and we had better
keep out of sight"
Is he spake, there came a sound of
steps outside, and then a long low knock
ing at our door. Ny father opened it
would be impossible, and into the light of
our blazing fire stepped Lanoma's father,
the dreaded chief of the Hurons. One
glance even in the midst of our fears
served TO show US how far the Indian was
changed since we saw him last his tall
figure was bowed as if with the burden of
age or sickness, his step had lost its pride
and freedom, and a more sorrow-stricken
face | never saw.
Wise man of the white faces" he said,
addressing my father, Il have come to
ask YOU for a grave wherein to lay my
daughter my lonely dove has gone from
me, and the light Of my life has gone with
her. L know not if 1t were He that called
her IN spite of all our medicine men, but
she believed in the God of whom you told
her, and in hat Lord of whom YOU said
that He died upon the cross for all people
50 because she had learned of them from
yol and your house, she wished to be laid
among your people by the grave of flowers.
where the grey heads sit in the summer
time it was her last request, aud l have
brought her from beyond the lake Of the
woods wise man of the white faces. will
You give her a gravel"
Ny father took the old chief by the
hand before he had done speaking, and led
him to a seat; the tears were in his own
ewes, and most of US were weeping out
; 1t was a strange and sudden transit
from terror to grief, but the death of
Lanoma, our forest friend, our house
hold visitor, unexpected as it was, and the
sorrow Of her bereayed father, smote on all
Dur hearts. The Indian saw that we were
for his daughter, and the sight
0vercame the rigid nature of his race; he
turned away from the light, bowed his
mead upon his hands, and swayed to and
FRO like an oak driven by the tempest,
while his whole tribe stopped at our door.
laid down the bier, and the wild wall of
the women rose more shrill and piercing
IN the calm and moonlit night.
Blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord" said my father, as soon as he re-
covered himself; " she believed in Him of
whom she had heard so family, and He is
lble to redeem out of every kindred, and
and people, and nation, and lam
yuage. Chief, we will lay your daughter be-
side the child of our own kindred, who
.lso remembered her Creator in the days
her youth, and was early summoned to
he better land, in the grave which she so
often decked with flowers, and sat by in
evenings; we know that the Lord
in whom she trusted has taken her to Him.
in loving kindness, but we grieve be-
she can come to US no more, and for
you, because you have lost your child"
Wise man, l thank you" said the
.hief. . when the daylight returns we will
make q 0uItSNidu AuuCidA AOI ny Odu-ulCE . {
he wished to be laid down among the
white people and in their manner
promised it to the child, and our men made
4 cedar coffin for her, that she might 90 to
the grave in as good a fashion as any of
hem. Will you send and tell your people
come and show respect as they do at
heir own burials? ?"
Ny father directly sent off Robin Ross
o %apprise the settlers of what had hap
oened, and summon them all to the funeral
lext morning. 1t was a natural and prop
tribute TO the feelings and affection of
he poor old chief; he knew how Christian
funerals we're attended, and he wished to
zee the same respectful attention to the