Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-03-08

the ioIeSt III SUMNER, IUr there dre
none sc brave as they, the sound of
whose name makes their enemies TO
tremble and be afraid"
Thus sang the helpless prisoner,
boasting in the presence Of his focs
of the prowess of his tribe. AS hss
song progressed, his body swayed to
the rhythm of his voice. Soon tn
moved in stately measure to and fra.
as he described the delights of his w
country, the pleasures of his own pe>-
pie. Then the theme was changed,
the steps were quickened, and tie
words flowed faster as the deeds IF
the mighty warriors were rehearseG
and his own achievements were boast
fully proclaimed.
But among them one place is
empty. 1t is that of Akiesko, the
greatest sachem of them all. Where
is Akiesko, II brotheIr g they ASH tx
n another. There is none so brave
or wise as he He is gone says one.
to the wilderness where live the igno-
rant %Iroquois. He has taken piry on
their blindness and will teach them
many things. They cannot hunt; they
cannot fish; they are but squaws fit
only to sit and pound the maiZe be-
tween two stones. He will show them
how to live. They have no courage.
At the barking OF a wolf they run; the
sound of an owl at night causes them
to tremble.'"
The movements of the singer became
rapid and he passed gradually
around the open space. One by one
the fires were lighted, and each of the
surrounding crowd armed himself with
a piece of bark; lighting one end of
this, they waited. The motion of his
dance gradually loosened the robe
around the prisoner, which he allowed
to slip off and he continued his steps
naked. AS he passed along, the wait
ing blazing bits of bark in the hands
of his tormentors were applied to his
back, his arms, and his legs, inficting
painful burns. The victim did not
vince, but went on faster and faster,
never stopping his song for an instant.
"Akiesko will show the poor Iroquois
how to live. He will also show them
how to die. They will drink of his
blood; and their own, which is only
water, will become thick and red.
They will eat his heart and it will
make them men; they will be squaws
and children no longer, but will be-
come warriors. My brothers, Akiesko
is going to die. Amuse yourselves
boldly around him. he fears neither
fortunes nor DEATH"
The dance became faster and more
furious. A growing excitement moved
the throng, a shout of delight went up
as one buck ran behind the prisoner.
and pressed against his back the red
hot head of an ak; the sight of the
smoke arising from the burning flesh
and the odor that was waited to their
nostrils served further to stimulate
the minds of the onlookers. Renee
shuddered and closed her eyes. Miron
noticed it, and, turning to Tonti. said
loud enough for her to hear, "Is your
seat comfortable, M. Tonti? If not.
l have provided another for your use
tomorrow. 1t is a pointed stake. I
e it would be tiresome standing out
there on your feet the whole time. as
your Mohegan friend is doing" Tonti
dlsdained to reply, but strove to con-
vey by a look to Akiesko his feelings
OF sympathy for his sufferings and
commentator for his bravery.
Gradually the lust for cruelty in the
breasts broke beyond restraint.
Now n PUSHES towards the dancing
figure and, Selling his hand, tears loose
~finger-nail; another coming from
behind cuts his flesh; still another
a pine splinter into his Shout
der and lights it. Cries of exultation
are heard on all sides. Above it all.
clear, but with waning strength, comes
the haunting voice:
THE ~Iroquois are squaws who shud- !
der at the sight of blood. They are
children at the torture. They can
not cause a Mohegan pain"
Wilder and wilder goes the dance.
louder and yet more loud rise the
noarse triumphing cries of the fiendish
prosecutors. At length the prisoners
vigor shows signs of exhaustion. He
'tumbles and falls, but is up again
with a louder tone to his voice and a
more agile movement than before.
HIS race Is now no longer recognizable.
long thorns have been thrust through
lis cheeks and forehead, and masses
II clotted blood hang from his eye
rows. The flesh of his body drops in
orn shreds. The surface is covered
With an oozing stream OF blood. At
ength he staggers and falls fainting.
His tormentors seize him and lay him
the hot ashes of one of the fires:
he pain revives him and he jumps up
md passes on. Again he falls. This
they pour fresh water over his
'urns and wounds and give it to him
o drink. The refreshing GOODNESS re-
alls him once more to life and mis-
ny. He is dragged up the steps of
he scaffold and made to stand erect.
lis arms stretched over and fastened
3 a cross-piece, thus suspending him
o as to throw his weight upon his
Pandemonium is let loose. The
rowd of yelping, screeching demons
urrounds the sc%affolding. He gazes at
hem and a smile breaks on his lips.
$ with eyes glaring with hatred he
eviles and mocks them.
Dogs of %Iroquois,, why do you not
me cry out with pain, like one
you would do If a bee stung him.?
! is because | am a Mohegan chief.
y,uvn ana vi+bo,,+ foorv I