The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-03-19
THE
BRIDE OF DACOTAH.
A TALE OF THE DELAWARES.

that the occupant of the chamber is te-
male;" for in those early days of American
colonizstion, the male portion OF the com-
mun.ty were not wont to resort to such
delicate precautions on their own account.
The conviction that the apartment con
tanned a woman filled the poor Delaware
with emotions of the highest possible inten-
sity. AS it was known that there was but
one female in Margold's household, the old
negress, the inference was that either she
or Rosy Morn must be the occupant of the
room. 1t WAS not probable, however, that
Margold's servant would choose, as an ordi
nary matter, to sleep in the prison (which
this apartment seemed to be), SO that in all
likelihood it was his betrothed that was
there confined. But how if the apart nent
should contain two women? How if the
white chief, anxious for the security of his
captive, should have placed sentinel over
her in the shape of the negress, of whom
not the most creditable stories were always
related
AS the poor Indian pondered on all these
various chances, weighing his best plan
of action and feeling sctuely the absence OF
any clue whatever, hi, limbs tremb!ed with
agitation and the damp drops stood upon
his swsrthy skin from the excess OF HIS
anguish. Failing to open the door by the
exerton OF his strength, he made a careful
examination of 1t a. we'll as he could In the
uncertain light. He preceived that it was
of oak and clamped with iron, and evidently
Of great strength. This then was without
doubt the strong room in Msrgolds house.
and which had often been used for the most
nefarious purposes. Again Decotsh pushed
against the door strongly, but in vain. 1t
was evidently locked, and would clearly
yield to nothing but the key. That key was
probably in MArgold's possession to obtain
it, his death would, as conjunc,ured at the
council of war, be necessary.
1t will be seen how i'm portast it was that
Dsootah should be sure as to the occupancy
of the room, for were he to enter and seize
the wrong person his scheme and life togeth
er would be in jeopardy.
In his utter inability to judge, he could
only decide upon acting with the creates
possible caution, and leaving the rest to his
good genius. Kneeling by the door he
raised short, fervent supplication TO his
goddess, the Moon. that she would vouch-
safe him her aid in his undertaking. As he
was rising from his suppliant posture, a
slight puff of wind raised almost impercep.
tibly, the edge of the curtain, leaving for an
instant q tiny chink. But it was all Daco-
tab needed. In that instant he recognized,
lying on the ground, the little red embroid-
cred moccasin Of his betro;hed. He could
not mistake il; so different was it from an
European slipper Moreover, he had him
self presented her with the gorgeous feath-
ers wherewith it was ornamented. Oh,
that little simple token of his love! OF
what value was i. TO him now His con-
yictIon OF the presence OF his beloved was
now certainty, srming him for any duty
and strengthening him for any necessity.
He doubted not that Margold had imprison
ed her here, knowing that her clever Indian
nature would escape from ordinary re
strsints; but whether or not he had set upon
her the additional sentry of the old negress,
II was still impossible to determine. On
one point, however, he was clear, and that
was, the key was in Msrgold's possession,
and 1t was necessary that he should have it
without loss Of time.
Stern were the thoughts which this retiec
ton called up fierce the fire OF passion
which burned at his heart. Msrgold Yes,
the name evoked thousand vengeful de-
mons kissing into Dacotah's ears-memor
les of in uries never TO be forgotten. The
death OF Margold was a part of the Della
wares scheme and not the smallest part,
tor he had sworn that by his hand the pale
face should die
1t was the custom of the Delawsres to
show mercy to generous adversarIes, who by
kindness and the absence of wantou cruelty
had won their respect: but this fellow, this
wretch, whose career had been q series of
crimes. why should he not die like dog +?
His late adventure alone had placed him
beyond the pale of mercy: for, however cul.
pable his companions in the raid we're, it
must be remembered that they acted under
his orders as their captain, and to him was
due the planning of the atrocity-to him
and to the old Indian bag who had already,
at the hands of Rosy Morns mother, paid
for her share of the deed with her life.
Softly rntracing his steps to where he had
found the first door upon his entry into the
house, Dacotah listened with his ear to the
mat for anything that might be.ray the
occupant of the room. He had not to re
main long in suspense. A low, deep breath
ing and word or two muttered in sleep
soon told the precious secret. Margold was
there. Like a snake the Indian crept be
meath the mat, scarcely raising it in the
passage of his 1.-THE body; but, silent as
were is movements, there was one fine ear
they did not escape. With an inward male
diction Dacotah paused. A low savage
growl told him of the presence Of an enemy
he had not expected to encounter. He knew
In spite of the darkness of the room, that he
stood face to face with perhaps the only
friend the man possessed. 1t was a stag.
hound of the true Buccauch breed. Tall,
fine Of limb, long of forehead and nose. with
unkept coat Of grizzled buff, Margold's dog
was formable foe, and Dacotah knew it.
But it was not the hound 8 teeth he feared
it was his tongue. If the dog should give
but one bark. discovery or retreat must fol
lowell would be lost. A, he half rose up
on one elbow, with his straight, glistening
forest knife 10 his right hand, the hound
cronched and eyed him, awed by the males
ty of his form, or perhaps with inscrutable
canine instinct re Jognizing the nature Of the
foe with whom he had to deal. AS yet he
gave no alarm; though low, mu.terred
growl came from his rigid and backward
crswn lips and his teeth glittered unmistak-
ably even in the obscuri.y of the room bu,
h moved not. His eyeballs glowed with a
transparent red-a sort of inner fire they
binked not, they wavered not they remain
"0SiHN''- AHctI wnAtuihB INC hS
dog was evidently in doubt whether the taw
ney body had moved FROM its first position !;
for Dacotah, by an art familiar to those willy
forest children. contrived to move like
q serpent, by imperceptible stages without
the slightest noise, or even an appearance OF
motion. Suddenly the hound felt grip of
iron laid upon its throat. There was ter
rible growl and bound into the air, shaking
the very house, and the spiteful, savage hiss
of cat proclaimed to the disturbed sleepe,
the natural feud between dog and cat. There
was no further noise; perfect stiffness reigned
again IN the chamber of Margold; but Daco
tab saw a little stream of blood run along
the floor and it seem to come from long
dark object that lay within q span of his
hand.
Aware that to move would have been te
invite instant attack from the animal, Da
cotan had determined to make one move
ment suffice, and to risk the success of his
whole undertaking upon one home.tbrust