Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-21

Of minstrels, the subject of warm poetical
rhapsodies, and the inspiration of artists
pencils. To maintain it brilliant and un-
fading, her husband courageously braved
the perils of unknown oceans and des-
perate enterprises. Doubtless his love
was the intensity Of deep and passionate
devotion.
When the Spsniard arrived on the bluff
of the Santo Espirato, he seems to have
either forgotten his wife, or feared that
he would never return to her again.
Perhaps his belief in the invalidity of his
projected plan prompted him to do the
deed, which has no excuse, whether of
honor or morality, to smooth his perfidy
and guiltiness.
In the home of Chisca, DeSoto met one
Of those glorious creations which only
ripen into the perfectness of womanhood
beneath the warm sun and genial warmth
of this tropical land Of the sun. She was
being oil beauty and attuued to the
most passionate love; one of those
strange presences whose smiles put the
lion in mems hearts and fire the blood
with passion, that rolls through the veins
like a furious tide of molten lava. Like
that hot flood, too, the sublimsted food
of love courses over the beautiful and
sparkling surface where sunshine and
sweetness we're wont to glow and nestle
but the current having swept over them,
there is nothing left but sears and seams,
unsightly wrecks and hideous desolation.
Chewalla was the daughter of the
Chickasaw king and was sdored by the
nation as its chief glory and pride. Her
symmetrically formed body was graced
with most exquisitely beautiful and at
tractive features. Her bearing was the
mien of native princess who well knew
her proud station; her large, black eyes
we're very mirrors of wonderful intelli-
gence; her movements the very perfec-
ton of voluptuous grace, ease and ele-
gance. With these attractions it is hardly
strange that she quickly snraptured the
passionate and volatile Spaniard, and
fred his heart with desire, that scrupled
not at any means which promised posses
sion of the charms of this gloriously
beautiful creature.
With native innocence aud simplicity
she trusted her faith, and implicitly con-
fded in the Spaniard's honor, and lis
tened to his words of love and alteration.
Forgetful of his beautiful and proud
dame, who awaited him in the howery
land across the sea-perhaps fearing that
he would never return thither to her well
come embrace-snd perhaps sctuated by
a disposition to accept every evanescent
pleasure of the present, he proposed an
alliance with the Indian princess, and,
with the treachery that had long been
characteristic of the swarthy cavaliers of
his country, he espoused the pure and in
nocent maiden. he was thoroughly con-
scious of the illegality Of the deed, but
careless Of consequences, and doubtless
Indifferent as to the results of the wrong.
Those who depend on their sharp steel
blades to defend them in their interpre-
tation of law seldom have any pangs Of
conscience to worry and annoy them.
The nuptial rites were given with ell
the pomp and ceremonies which the pa
gan Indians held sacred. The nation re-
joiced in the alliance, and vsinly dreamed
of vaster power to inure from the pres
tige of the deeds and strength of their
newly made allies A brief period of re.
pose eusued, but soon the irrepressible
of camp life, the tiresome routine of the
simple peoples amusemenu, the very
stupidity of indolent rest and inaction be-
gan to work mischief among the troops.
The threatening murmurs of the natives
against the lieentious excuses which |
we're constantly perpetrated by the sol
diers finally became alike oppressive to |
the mercurial Spaniards and the imps-
tient Indians, who, however, stoically |
bore the insults and wrongs.
These combined causes soon bore evil |
fruits and produced serious outbreak.
DeSoto being wearied of the monotony |
of the period took advantage of the |
slightest pretext to pursue his cruel and
inhuman policy of conquering submis-
sion to his desires and ambitious pro-
jects. Hence, he secretly prepared for a
signal and effectual destruction of those
who opposed him.
Without scruple he abandoned the
beautiful toy, the con6ding girl, whose
life he had wrecked on the altar of his
base passions. Heartlessly and brutslly
be turned from her endearing embraces
and affectionate entreaties. The pure
and true-hearted maiden had made love
4 sentiment of unrivklled beauty, and
Shen his love no longer lived the baleful
ire of its ashes burned deeply into the
stricken heart Of the gentle Chewslla.
The camp of the Spaniards resounded
vith the notes of martial preparation.
The clinking Of hammers was heard
.ivetiug and fastening the loosened plates
If mail and armor; helmets we're repair
d and burHished; mstchlocks that had
ustod from want Of use were frightened
md put in order; swords that had rusted
n their scabbards were drawn forth and
until their sharp edges and
mooth surfaces glittered and cleaned in
be dazzling light Of day. The bugles'
,last called the troops into discipline,
md soon the busy notes Of preparation
Tere the only thrilling signs Of life that
itirred the Spanish soldiers blood.
Eagerly they waited the summons TO
Iction. Impatient for the ssturnalia of
Yictory, they anticipated the drunken
carnival, which promised them the wild
excitement Of blood and carnage
Suddenly and without warning, DeSoto ,