Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-04-29

the mind, indicated otherwise
Walter was puzzled-hc became
distracted, save when in her pres
ence. Her rather winning way
and smile, her gentle nature and
afFectionate heart, pulled strongly
on his sensibilities. A dim vague
desire took possession of him to
return to civilization with the
maiden, and educate her to become
his wife.
The sachem, between whom and
the girl there existed strong at
tachment, remained with her. On
his departure with her and the few
attendants, he presented Walter
with belt of wampum to be worn
by him as badge Of goodfellow-
ship with the Senecas, and as o
token of bravery.
a year passed away. With q
foresight creditablc to his years,
Walter had purchased for n small
sum three hundred acres Of land
on the Genesee river. He was be-
coming wearied with his wild life
and pursuits, and strengthened and
invigorated, was about to return to
the center of civilization, and en-
bark in the business of life. But
an irresistible desire to see again
the Indian maiden, induced him to
change his purpose for awhile.
Accordingly, depending on his rife
for support, he made his way
through the tangled woods and
swamps, until at length at the close
of day, weary and footsore, he
found himself on the banks of
Buffalo creek, and but a few miles
south of the still smoking village
of Buffalo.
While reposing himself at the
foot of large tree, he was startled
by. the report of gun the next
moment an American panther lay
dead at his side. Starting to his
feet he gazed around-'twas but
for the moment-a cracking of the
bushes-and "Welcome, Wally |"
from the old sachem, greeted in his
ears.
Walter, fortunately, had come
upon the grounds and near the
wigwam of his Indian friend, and
had been saved from a terrible con-
flict, if not death, as the beast was
at the point of springing when the
bullet peirced his heart.
Great was the JOY and satisfac-
tion Of Fawn, which she was too
unsophisticated to conseal on the
arrival of Walter. The absence
from him had been the means of
manifesting to herself her attach
ment to him. Time, since their
parting, had developed innate feel
ings which convinced her that the
Indian character was not in SYM
pathy with hers, and that Walter
was her real hero. She, therefore,
in confident simplicity, told Walter
that young Indian, called Wild
Cat, so named on account of his
moro than ususal ferocious instincts,
sought her hand in marriage that
she despised him, and that her fa-
tber had forbade him the wigwam.
And, Furthermore, that Walters
association with her would arouse
his jealousy and wrath, and Wild |
Cat would surely seek his life.
The belt of wampum, designed as
a pass of safety, would be the mark
for the bullet.
Fawn's apprehensions were well
founded. A deadly animosity was
soon manifested by Wild Cat to-
ward Walter. Yet Walter took no
pains to avoid him. His heroic
nature spurned any betrayal
of fear. Several weeks elapsed
when the two abruptly met in the
forest. Instantly the Indians gun
was raised and aimed at Walter;
it missed fire /; and ere the Indian
could re-prime, he was in the tiger
grasp of Walter, thrown, disarmed,
md bound.
A council Of warriors was held,
and Wild Cat was condemned to
death by the hand of Walter. But
1T his intercession, the sentence
was commuted to running the
gauntlet punishment of the
deepest disgrace, the equivalent
with us, to being drummed out of
the regiment.
The punishment was Immediately ,
carried into effect. To the banks
Of the creek, near its mouth and .
junction with Lake Erie, two rows
IF men and squaws facing each