New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-01-02
The Angel of el.Dakotas.

The sun radiant with crimson,
gradually sinks into golden glory,
and completes the pageantry of a
beautiful summer day in the pictur-
esque land Of the Dakotas The dis
tant hills slowly robe themselves in
regal purple; lingering shadows float
am ong the mists that brood over
the prairie and the star OF evening
wrinkles in the darkening armament.
The twilight is full OF farewell an
the1ns to the king of day. But amid
Natures mystic chorus is heard a
plaintive wall Of human woe, shrek
of bitterest agony.
''Wildbird, my weak heart grows
faintl''
Alas! SO does mine, dear sister;
but let us raise our souls to the
Great Spirit. The Black-gown told
us he could deliver us from every
ill: He is the Master oflife and death.
May He not save us from the Black
eet's enmity?''
Dread of the 1morrows awful sacri-
flee makes me shiyer, and my hope
waivers as | look around upon the
preparations. How father and moth
would have suffered had they heard
the wild shouts that our cruel foes
sent up when we were led into their
camp!"
Sister, repeat the story of Sebas-
tain, and will recount the martyr
dom of Eulalia; and, better yet, let
us think of the Sorrowing Mother
and the agony Of Him who died to
save u.s.
lis well, wise one,'' answered
Snowflake. Begin with the story OF
the virgin m artyr. It will begui lie
the time and inspire US with holy
courage
Thus conversed, in subdued tones,
two maidens captured from tribe
of the Dakotas by the. treacherous
Blackfeet, and bound hand and foot
with ropes Of buffalo hide to the
| trunk of a large pine-tree.
Throughout the day some women
of the hostile tribe had busted them
selves with preparations for the NOR
rows death feast. Having cleared
away the underground, they had di-
rected the braves to erect a pile of
resinous wood on which to burn their
innocent victims, while they gathered
nlnt, Wintergreen, and pennyroyal,
mingling them with twigs of birch,
spice-bush, and sassafas, to be
thrown from time to tinae into the
blazing logs.
AT a late hour, Mearied with their
task, the squaws withdrew, never
ldeigning to bestoW a word of pity or
look of compassion on their helpless
young victims Confding them to
the care of two old men their tribe,
they walked away, humming the re-
frain of one of their death-songs,
which was suggested By the feast
that awaited them-
The vigilant guardians smoked,
and chatted of their tcats in the chase
and on the battlefield, ever and anon
casting angry glances toward the
gentle captiVes. At length, thinking
the maitiens asleep, they gave them
selves up to profound repose. The
prisoners, after hours of feryent
prayer, and by recalling the lessons
of faith they had learned from the
Blackrobe, had succeeded in resign
ing themselves to their awful fate.
: Our death may convert our father, 2
suggested Snowflake.
And if Redfeather learns the Black
robes prayer and is baptized, our
whole nation viii embrace the Christ
ian Faith. The Afflicted Mot her stood
at the foot Of the Cross: we are her
children, and must try to initiate,
her, answered Wildbird.
With words like these the two.
prisoners encouraged each other, and
though often startled as q bat or an
evil cleft the midnight ali, or terrified