The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1879-01-02

end Of the lake, where they found the
residue Of their party, who received
them with every demonstration of
savage Joy. Louisa was carried TO 4
lodge and left in the care of some old
woman, and the warriors assembled 10
exhibit their trophies and decide her
fate
CHATTER IL.
When day dawned on the RUNS Of
the little settlement, sad and melan-
choly was the spectacle. Heaps of
smoking ashes marked the sites of the
cabins, and many Z half-burned corpse
lay among the glowing Goals. Some
bodies were found 4 short distance
from the scene, where they had been
stricken down in attempting TO es-
cape,
Suspecting some stratagem Of the
Indians, the people Of the blOck-hOuse
waited several hours before they ven
tured 1Orth 10 gaze on the scene of
deSolatiOn and collect the mutilated
remains Of their friends for hurial.
Having discovered that their canoes
were rendered useless, messengers
were dispatched to the nearest settle
ments for aid. As the cabin OF Lou
isa's parents was burned, and few
charred bones were found among the
embers, it was supposed that all the
inmates had perished. With saddened
hearts, the survivors gaZed from the
walls OF their fort and eagerly awaited
the expected assistance, hoping then
to pursue their enemies and avenge
their slain friends.
In the meantime the SaVageS had as
sembled in council. The fires were
lighted. and the usual forms having
been observed, PauguS proceeded TO
give an account Of the expedition and
ask the opinion of the warriors rs to
the manner of dispOsing OF the prison.
er. As two Of their warriors had fall
Ell in the attack, he was in favor of
burning the victim al the stake. rs an
offering 10 the spirits of the slain: a
majority of the council cOncurring, her
fate was determined, and the setting
of the IN OOn fixed as the hour Of cXecu-
tiOn. Active preparations were now
commenced for this dreadful ceremony
so dear TO every savage heart, and
Louisa was informed of her doom.
The poor girl could scarcely realize her
situation; her faculties were chilled,
and when told of the intention Of her
captUrs she manifested but little emo
tiOn. The place selected for the tor
tuTe was Z smooth grassy knoll near
the lake shore. \ large post, painted
after the customary manner, with
stripes of red and black, was erected,
and bundles of dry wood, and pitch
knots, and cOmbustibles heaped around
it. The day passed away. and evening
drew her curtain round the Indian
camps.
The moon 1t that time set about
midnight, and the hour was anXiOuSly
awaited by the savage thrOng. At
length it drew nigh; the last moon
beams gilded the tree tops and glim-
mered on the still waters Of the lake
as the pale orb sank behind the sum-
nit of Red Hill. The hOOt Of the owl
sounded dismally in the recess of the
forest, and the plaintiYe cry of the
waterfowl quiyered on the night
breeze. The Young Indians prepared
their bows and tOmahawks, the oil
men gathered round ths camp fires,
while the fierce warriors, arrayed in
their hideOus fashion, were impatient
to Join in the war dance and songs of
death.
Among the band was young chief
named Metalleck, distinguished for his
bravery as a hunter; he was favOrite
with his tribe. Several wears preVi-
GUS, during the peace that existed, this
Youthful chieftain, while hunting in
the vicinity of Dover, was so seriously
injured by fall as to be unable to
move. In this condition he was dis
covered BY LOuisa's father, who, tax
ir10 him 70 hTg hnrHla fr-anFaA him vN-fff
great kindness until he was able to
join his tribe. As the Indian never
fOrgets an injury. so the remembrance
of an act of Kindness abides forever in
his breast, and when he recognized
Louisa as the daughter of his bene-
factor, he determined TO save her life
and restore her to her friends. Ac-
cOrdingly, in the council he made an
effort to obtain her release, but was
unsuccessful; then he resolved to
rescue her by force, and abide the iudg-
ment Of his people. As the hour ap-
preached, he had proceeded to the
margin Of the lake, where lay the
canoes, and with his tOmahawk de-
StrOyed all but one; this he brought
around TO a point near the camp, and
having placed his arms and robe of
deerskin within it, he returned to the
party and mingled with his friends.
He knew that if successful in reach
ing his canUe with the maiden, and
once getting clear from the shore he
would be almOst-safe, for the warriors
could not pursue him until the canoes
were repaired. when be hoped TO be far
away.
The moon had gone down. and the
darkness was only dispelled BY the
blazing fires. Louisa was led forth
as she approached the fatal post she
trembled with horror and fright; her
helpless situation was apparent. Be
fore her was a death of dreadful tor
ture. and the lurid light showed scores
of demOn-like forms whose eXulting
shouts were loud and frequent. She
SAW the Scalps of her parents hanging
at Paugus' belt as he bound her to the
/ stake, and il was only the hope of soon
/ being freed from her sufferings that
sustained her. Metalleck gaZed for a
I moment upon the fair form of the vic
/ tim-her hands We're clasped, her dark
! ewes were seemingly uplifted in PRAYER
and her raven hair hung wildly about
! her snowy shoulders. The thrOng fell
back. and Paugus lighted the death
| fire. The flames were kindling when
/ AIetalleck bounded forward, severed
the cord which bound her, caught her
in his arms, and before his comrades
/ could recover from their aStonishment
had reached his canoe, and with his
paddle urged the light bark rapidly
from the shore. Then with cries OF
rage and disappointment the sayages
rushed to the beach, Paugus whirling