The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-03-23
TIL E CRIMSON COAT
STORY OF SAVAGE WARFARE.

the Savannah River, some twenty miles
above the city which now bears the same
name. Before this excitement COM
menced, all unconscious of danger, the
savages had slept without even throwing
out single guard.
In the ceuter of circle Of lodges was
that Of the chief, Tomo Chichi. lie was
quite young man, very large, and evi-
IDENTIFY possessed of great strength, to-
gether with determined will and re-
yengeful nature.
His warriors were equally impatient
with himself, and ready for any fiendish
work their leader might suggest
During the early part of the evening
he had been seated in his lodge, and his
eyes wer0 fixed with a peculiar meaning
upon a captive who was seated near
him.
This captive was q young girl just bud
ding into womanhood. She was not
very beautiful, but her dark and flashing
eyes bespoke her to be person Of more
than ordinary courage and determina-
ton. She was bound with green thongs,
and as she gazed upon these, her lips
curlcd in very scorn, and she gave utter
ance to words indicative of impatience.
The chief observed this, and he smiled
as he asked:
'What angers my pretty princess p
"Princess!" repeated the captive, in
tone of bitter sarcasm. You call me
princess, and treat me thus? -
She held up her fettered hands.
The chief at once replied:
"Those birds of the forest who wear
the most beautiful plumage are the most
wild. To render them domestic, we must
first cage and tame them. We do so be-
cause we love them, and would have
them with us. SO it is with you, my
pretty princess. If you were free you
would fly away, and we should see you
no more. Our lodge would be desolate
then"
DO you fansss that you will ever tame
me Z"
I'VE hope to do So
"Then you hope in vairi. ! never can
tolerate you or your barbarous customs
"You will feel differently aftef time.
You will find many charms in our Wild,
free life; and when you become MY
wife
"Your wife, ~ shrieled the girl, some
thing like shudder passing over her
frame
"Yes, my wife. You must forget this
Ciptain Henry Waller, for, by the Great
Spirit, have sworn that you shall be
mine"
Tomo Chichi spoke fercely, and turn
ing from him, the captive became ST.
lent
Not long after four savages were selec-
ted to act as 4 guard over the prisoner
during the night. Two of them were
stationed, one in front and the other at
the rear of the lodge. These were to
watch portion of the night, and then
the others were to relieve them. They
were charged, under penalty of~death, to
be vigilant Matters, thus arranged, the
chief slept, feeling sure of his prize.
When the morning dawned, a savage
yell aroused the camp, and the chief
sprang to his feet. A glance betrayed
the fact that his captive had disappeared.
Darling from his lodge, he found one of
his guard lying cold in death before it
1t was the discovery of the body which
had raised the alarm.
At the rear of the lodge, the second
guard, whose name was Altamaha, was
soundly sleeping. At first the chief
thought that he too, had been slain, but
the confusion aroused the savage, and,
springing to his feet, he gazed wildly
around him. He knew the penalty of his
negligence, and he trembled when he con-
templated his position. He had reason
to do so, for at the command of Tomo
Chichi, he was instantly seized and firmly
bound.
When questioned, he could give no in
formation with regard to the escape of
the captive. He had observed nothing
unusual about the camp. Not so, how
ever, with another. A savage was found
without the circle of lodges, in 4 dying
condition. He could speak with diff
Guilty, and he stated that he had been
aroused during the night by low whis-
perings, and the sounds Of footsteps
He left his lodge only to receive 4 knife
in his breast, and fell senseless. The |
avenger wore a crimson coat, and Helen
Prescott, the captive, was in his company.
A search was made around the camp,and
half mile distant there were the marks
where three horses had been tied to
trees They had evidently come from
Savannah, and had taken their departure
in that direction. That the animals had
been urged forward at a rapid speed, was
evident from the length of the strides
Still further on, a large party of horse
m en had been Overtaken, and the caYal
cade had proceeded together.
The chief knew that pursuit was use
less, and he returned to his lodge, foam
ing with rage, and bent on vengeance
For year he had been engaged in 4 plot
for the capture of Helen Prescott, for
he had seen her in Savannah, land bccom-
ing enamored of her, had resolved to
abduct the maiden, and make her his
queen. All his plans had failed, howev-
er; but at length his son, young chief,
called Red Plume, had penetrated the
city in the disguise of British officer,
and succeeded in bringing the maiden
away captive. She had been but two
days among the Indians, when she made
her escape.
As soon as Tomo Chichi returned to
his camp, he ordered Altamaha bound to
a stake, and brushwood was heaped
around him, preparatory to burning
The savage had recovered his self-pos-
session. He Was brave fellow,and had
always stood high in the estimation of
his leader. Turning to his chief, he
said:
81 know that l deserve death for sleep
ing but, if my chief will spare me, |
will bring. back the captive maiden"
For mement the chief remained 81
lentand then' replied:
"You shall do more. Bring me the
maiden, and tell me that her lover, Cap
tam Henry Waller, is dead Bring me,