Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-08-03
Continued from last week)
CHAPTER ~
In an Indian Village

In an Indian Village
e;a1eN THE morning the march was
SE resumed, and continued not only
929 that day and the next, but for
esas0 many more. During its continu-
ance more pioneer settlers were muir
dered, and their dwellings, plundered
and destroyed. At last they came to
an Indian village. On approaching it
the warriors began shouting their war
cries, which were soon answered by
those in the village, chiefly old men
and half-grown boys, besides the
,uuaws and small children, who came
out to meet the war-party, exalting
with them in their success.
When they arrived at the wigwams,
grouped in an irregular fashion around
the council-house, the Indians of the
village, with sticks in their hands,
formed two lines, short distance
apart, and the captives were ordered
to walk between them. AS they did
SO, they were saluted with blows more
OF less severe, and hastened to reach
the end of the gantlet. Then they
wero taken into a wigwam, and food
was placed before them, of which they
forced themselves to partake, for fear
of offending their savage hosts. Here
the whole party remained for several
days, and the captives were glad to
rest after their toilsome march. They
were allowed to walk short distance
in the surrounding forest, but were
always followed and watched by some
of the boys of the village.
"My poor Dannie," said his mother,
"God knows what will become of US
now"
81 hope they will let us go after a
while, mother" he replied.
81 think they WILL" added Marie.
eyes, but even if they do, what
them" continued the woman. 1f
they killed your folks, like they did
mine, what will you do?"
"They shot at my father" said
Marie, but l don't think they killed
him."
well, God help us all, for He knows
no one else can," affirmed the woman.
81 think He will help us, don't you "
asked Marie.
81 certainly hope so, dearie," replied
the woman, taking Marie's hand as
she walked beside her. "You may
live to see it, and hope you will, but
l hardly think l SHALL"
Don't say so, mother" said Dannie,
"we1l get free sometime, I'm sure"
"Ah, Dannie, you don't know the In
juns," she rejoined; "you can't ever
| tell what they will do"
81 think if we're good, and don't
make them angry, they'll be good to
us, and let us go sometime" said Ma
rie, trying to cheer up the poor woman
"That's all we can do, surely, my
1 dear, and"
Loud war-whoops interrupted their
conversation, and they soon saw that
another war-party was approaching
whose shouts were answered by those
in the village, just as when their own
party had arrived. Soon they appear
ed bringing more captives with them
an old man, two young girls and a
negro woman, who were also required
to run the gantlet, and were then TAX
en- to the wigwam in which Marie ano
Dannie and his mother had beer
placed.
In the evening all the braves repair
ed to the large wigwam which was
their council-house, in the center OF
which a fire was kindled, and all seat
ed themselves in a circle around the
sides of the wigwam. The captivee
were brought in, and given place a
one side. After short silence speeche:
were made by some of the warriors
whom the captives later learned t.
know as Ta-ou-chi, the war-captain
Helochweni, Alongessawak, and 9th
ers, recounting their exploits and glo
rying in their success. The medicine
man was consulted as to their furthe
movements, and he decided that the.
should continue their march to thei
own villages the next morning. The
the squaws brought in large kettl
of bears meat, and some cakes mad
of cornmeal, with other edibles, and
feast was held, of which the captive
were invited to partake. When al
the food had been disposed of, one @
the braves arose and began to wal
slowly around the fire. Soon anothe
joined him, and presently all wen
marching rapidly, and then began
dance, shaking the poles to which the
had affixed the scalps taken, and bral
'---~--~- -. ~ --