The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-07
FRONTIER szETOHEs.---NO 6.

Z Usage village. IL oCSufiSN thc AiSh'
bank of a small tributary Of what we
afterward ascertained to be the Arkan-
sas River, and consisted of about fifty
lodges not unlike those of the Waeoes.
But with the exception Of small band
of horses that were lazily feeding near,
the whole vicinity seemed as lifeless as
a cemetery. We were disappointed; for
while Tabeau had entertained US for
days with pictures Of the ovation he ex-
peeted to be the hero Of on reaching
home and family, had fiattered myself
that the gratitude of the tribe would
fluid expression in some appropriate
manner for my great sacrifice in saving
a half-dozen of their number from GER
tain death. AS we neared the village,
however, the MONDAY stiffness was
broken 10y score Of ill-mannered ours,
aud the human residents then began to
beautify the scene. Obese, sleepy-loOk-
ing men, haggard and untidy women
and nude, gaping children crept from
their hiding-places to gaze upo 8the ap-
partition that had caused such cOmmO-
tion among the dogs, and aroused them
from their blissful slumbers. Tabeau,
recognized at once, was assailed by an
avalanche Of questions by the pOpulace,
showing that the Indians that had
parted company with us six days before
had not yet reached home and spread
the news Of the disastrous termination
of the expedition led by their venerable
chieftain, Tabeau. But we pressed
through their ranks and soon drew up
at the latteris residence on the outskirts
OF the village, and were welcomed by a
numerous household. His wife was not
more handsome than her sisters Of the
tribe, nor were her children fairer than
Indian children generally are. One
thing, however, struck me favorably.
Both mother and children seemed to
have by some means discovered that the
bountiful application of water conduees
to comfort, il not to health Indeed, all
the appointments of the house, though
meager enough, eviuced that, while the
wife might have dragged the husband
down a long way below the plane in
which he was reared, that he had sue
ceeded in elevating her a step or two
above her normal sphere. Yet, with
the exception OF half-dozen well-wOrn
French books that occupied a rude
shelf, discovered nothing to indicate
that the master of the house was a man
Of letters, or had been reared in the lap
Of luxury. He gave US a formal intro
duction to each adult member Of the
family, and, although his worthy spouse
was incapable Of conversing in any but
the language Of her people, l was
pleased to find that the older children
were we'll at home in that of their pa
ternal ancestry. Indeed, l promised
myself not little pleasure in the soci-
ETY. Of these unsophisticated demoiselles
during the weeks that l had planned TO
remain their guest, for they seemed on
a short acquaintance to greatly enjoy
| the vivacity that infused in a language
that they had never heard employed ex-
cept in the slow and impassive manner
Of their honored parent. l determined
at once to accept Tabeau's invitation to
"be at home" while | remained, and
while he sat recounting the vicissitudes
Of his journey to two or three grunting
representatives of the tribe, was an in
terested spectator Of the deftness Of the
young bellies in the culinary art, while
as is characteristic of the sons ant
daughters Of La Belle France, al
talked audibly, il not wisely, at once
while anon the merry laugh rang ou
upon the air. But suddenly the digni.
fed head of the family came upon tn,
scene, and the sadness Of death took th'
place OF our hilarious mirth. He state,
that the Indians had Informed him tha
the ungrateful wretches whose WORTHLESS,
lives ] had saved, returning to the vii
lage an hour subsequent to us, ha,
charged me with completely with th,
Wacoes in the slaughter Of their com
rades, and that, so great was the excite
ment among the savages, l eOul'
not leave the lodge without danger o
being murdered outright "And now,
said he, "remain here with the family
and will proceed Immediately to tn
chiefs and see what can do to set yol
right, for l know you are entirely limo
cent"
But what sounds are those that com
trembling 10 the air from the villag
near? We listen, and the solemn wal
is caught up and repeated from ever,
lodge, and now the evening air is bur
dened with the soul-chilling cry. Ii /
the plaint Of sorrow-stricken hearts owe
the unhappy fate Of friends and rela
tives.
Tabeau returned to inform us tha
the case was even worse than h
had anticipated; that they declared ths
they must have a victim upon whom {
spend their fury, aud that they single,
me out as the most proper person /
wear that honor with surprising una
nimity. "And now" said he, "ther
are but two doors open to your escap
from their terrible rage, and either
: desperate enough, certainly. You ca
escape in the darkness tonight, or re
main in my lodge and trust to my infiu
Z ence to protect you; and" he continued
r "while tell you in all sincerity that
nnnsider the first next 10 imnnssihle.