The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-12-22
An Indian Village.

Indian village, unless he has been permit
ted to come across the prairie through
hot summers sun, and suddenly discov-
ers one nestled under the broad shade
trees, beside clear running stream, in a
green valley. How pleasant the grass
then looks; how refreshing the bright
waters and how cosy the tall lodges, with
their shaded verandahs of thickly inter
woven boughs.
All day long we had toiled over the
scorching plain, through clouds Of grass
hopppers that often struck us in the face
with sufficient force to make the skin
smart for several minutes. Once we had
seen a mirage of beautiful lake, fringed
with trees and surrounded by green pas
lures, which invited us to pursue its fleet
ing shadows, but we we'll knew all about
these deceptions by sad experience, and
pushed steadily on over the burning
sands.
These mirages often deceive the weary
traveller of the desert. Suddenly the
horseman sees river or lake, apparently
lust ahead of him, and he rides on and
on, hoping to come up to it. For hours
it lies before his eyes, and then in mo-
ment disappears leaving him miles and
miles out of his way, and in the midst of
desert sands.
Men have ridden all day striving to
reach the beautiful river just before them,
and then at night turn back to plod their
weary way to where they had started from
in the morning. These mirages often
| lead to death both man and horse.
The mirage we had seen was most de
| lightful representing a clear lake, with
| trees, meadows and villages nesting on
its shores, but it scarcely equalled the re-
ality Of the scene when, late in the after.
noon we assembled rise in the prairie,
! and saw below us wide stream lined
with green trees, and on its banks large
Indian encampment.
The ponies pricked up their ears and
neighed with pleasure as they smelt the
water, and our own delight was unbound
ed. We halted for q moment to admire
the beautiful prospect. Through the ma
iestic trees, slanting rays of the sun shiv
cred on the grass, Far away, winding
like huge silver-serpent, ran the river
while near by in shady grove, stood the
village-the children at play on the green
lawns, not made by hands. The white
sides of the teepees shone in the setting
sunlight, and the smoke curled lazily up
ward from their dingy tops. Bright rib
bons and red grass, looking like stream
ers on a ship, futtered from the lodge
poles, and gaudily-dressed sQuuaws and
warriors walked about, Or sat on the
green sod under the trees There were
maidens, as beautiful as Hiawatha, or a,
graceful as Minnehaha, wandering, hanC
in hand, along the stream, or listenin:
under the shade of some wide-spreadin,
free TO words of love, as soft and tendei
as ever were poured into womans ear
Near the village were hundreds of hor
ses and ponies, with bright feathers haun
ting in their names snd tails as they crop
ned the rich grass of the valley.
A group of noisy children were playin!
at game much resembling ten-pins
some boys were shooting at a mark Will
arrows, and up the stream several youth
were returning home with rod and line
and fine strings Of speckled trout,
Scores of men and women were swim
ming about in the river, now diving, ant
then dousing each other, amid screams o
laughter from the bystanders on tn
shore. Here and there young girl dar
ted about like a fish, her black hair strea
ming behind her in the water.
While we looked, the little children
suddenly ceased from play and ran int
the lodges; mounted men surrounded tn
herd. and the swimmers and promenader
fastened toward the village. We ha,
been perceived by the villagers, and tn
unexpected arrival of strange horsemel
at an Indian encampment always create
great excitement. They may be friends
but they are more often enemies, so tn
villagers are always prepared for SUI
prise.
Some men were seen running to an
fro with guns and bows, and in a few mir
utes, some mounted warriors left the eI
campment and rode toward us, going tirs
to the top of the highest mound to see
they could discover other horsemen /
the rear, or to the right or left of us.
No sooner did they ascertain theT
but three in the party, than they rod
. boldly up and asked us our business.
, told him who we were, and where "
, were from, upon which they cordially il
!. vited us to the village.
, AS we approached, men, women an
9 children poured out Of the encampmeI
to look at tho strangers, and having satl