Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-04-20

ScCOUUcu HcT pTOpOSll Ou, anu alleT some
talk with several of his warriors, the
chief consented. The transition from
expected immediate death to the assul.
ancc OF safety created an everlasting
Impression Oh our little parry Yon
can rest assured that cur journey was
resumed with very different feelings
from those with which it was commcnc-
ed. | felt confident that the savages
knew but little about fire arms, for they
never offered to touch them, nor, in fact,
anything else we had
Con, you have frequently heard the
reported great size Of the Pa;agouians
denied but let me tell you they ure a
race Of gigantic men. | have rarely
seen Que unler I've feet eleven inches,
aud have mct@-many over six feet four
inches. They are wonderful riders,
and pass nearly the whole Of their lives,
while awake, on horseback, and are
generally weak in the LEGS, The chief
who had captured us was probably fifty
years of age, but very powerful aud well
built. lie was u Caziquc, Of absolute
sway, whose will was law, and he ruled
over several thousand souls. His name
was Washmotpotabah, which | If.
reverently dockcd down to plain Wash.
Among them was huge monster six
feet ten inches high, and large in pro-
portion, who called himself Eplespo-
bohtah, aad him named Epilepsy, for
short. Old Wash's daughter, who had
great influence with her father, was
named Maripotama, which changed to
Marie. | explained to them that |
could not pronounce their full names,
and my 'nicks' were accepted without
further talk. Marie rode close to my
side, aud | learued that her mother was
Of pure CastiIian blood, aud had been
taken a captive when about her aye.
She was woman of exquisite beauty,
aud was appropriated by the chief, then
IA young mac, over whom she soon man.
aged 10 exercise very great Influence.
She was rarely we'll educated for one
of her race, and by her Marie had been
instructed in as many accomplishments
as the nature Of their surroundings
would admit. She was the only child,
and the most glorious creature ever
bchcId, Tall, graceful, exquisitely
formed, with oval face, great expressive
black eyes, small, rosy mouth, straight
nose, thin, curved noslrils, delicate ears,
Il brilliant complexion. and wealth OF
raven trcsse'. Dressed 10 Spanish style
Marie would have been the center OF
admiration in any circle of society.
Tier mother died two years previous to
our meeting, and had often told her of
civilized lite, and described the manners
Of intelligent, refined people. Those
vivid relations had impressed Marie with
an Intense longing to escape from her
detesed surroundings, the more espec-
tally as she had been strictly brought up
in the Christian faith.
You may readily conceive my aston
ishment at meeting so glorious crea
tutc amid such associations. That we
were drawn 10 each other is not sur
prising. My conversation had at,rac-
tions for her which she could not expect
from her savage companions Tale, OF
travel in other lands relations of the
habits, manners, dress, mode of living,
and the different climates, with their
several productions, were listened to
with the keenest interest. Marie made
no secret Of her partiality, nor did old
Wash offer any objection. She always
rode at my side, aud during our hunt
ing operations, expressed great wonder
aud delight at the effectiveness If my
rife. shotgun, or pistols. The warriors
also wondered greatly at their reach
and deadly certainty, but never asked
to try my weapons. | observed, how
ever, that Marie's conduct had excited
the jealousy Of old Epilepsy, who, it
seems, had been quite sweet upon her
until rebuffed by scornful refusal. AL
though he had renounced his pretension,
yet it cut him sorcly TO see another, and
he stranger to the tribe, so decidedly
fyorcd.
AS | told you before, Epilepsy was a
perfect giant. His huge head lowered
lar above his fellows, tall as they were !;
and he must have weighed nearly three
hundred pounds, but had no appearance
Of obesity. His strength was enormous,
but was located almost entirely above
his knees, being rather weak and shaky
ou his pins. | paid little attention to
the brute, who had a wholesome regard
for my pistols, which never left my per-
sou, aud we logged along without open
strife Cor several months. Cd Wash
Lad changed our route, and struck off
four points more to the southwark
Days became weeks, and weeks lapscd
into mouths; but my attachment for
Marie had become so rooted, that time
passed without almost noticing its flight,
except when reminded Of it by Pedro
and Rodriguez, TO whom the thing had
become serious grievance. We fire.
queutly met other bands of Wash's tribe,
who were much edited at our appear
unce, aud asked all manner OF questions,
Some advised the chief to dispense with
our attendance by summary process,
but others treated us with much friend
illness. We, however, felt secure under
Merie's protection, and her father had
taken quite liking for our company.
After we had been five mouths on
those dreadful 'pIoins, wandering here