Year: 1861

Kenen, the great War Eagle, as he
was called by his people, was an Indian
and the last living member of distin
guished family among the Delawares.
He was somewhat above the ordinary
run of the sons of the forest-he was so
Der, honest and truthful; and distin
guished brave, as his name indicates
He had sided with the colonists in the
Revolutionary war, and had rendered
them many good service as runner
but his days for such work were we'll nj oh
spent. Yet his aid was still sought when
service of that kind was required which
called for more than ordinary tact and
courage.
| had known and loved him from my
boyhood; indeed, he had taught me eve
rything [ knew OF woodcraft. | had
hunted and trapped with him for months,
and he had even permitted me to accom-
pany him on one or two dangerous ex-
petitions when carrying dispatches. 1t
WAS with him | had first seen blood
drawn in mortal strife, and many IA hot
brush did we pass through after that, and
Twas with him on his last war path, before
he passed over into the iand~ot spirits,
and Il Drawer or truer redskin never en-
tered into the happy hunting grounds
kenen and | tuartbed with General


-'s army into Canada, where you bet
ter believe VIC saw at length the Genera
seemed to have picked up some news,
which he thought would be Of impor-
tanre at home, and the great War Eagle
was to be the bearer Of the dispatch |
requested and obtained leave to accom-
pany him.


Some idea Of our position may be
formed when the reader remembers that
We were in an enemy country, and sur
rounded by crowds Of hostile Indians,
who would have desired nothing better
in life than to smoke-dry both our top
knots in their wigwam.


But somehow or other [ liked the job,
and as for the great War Eagle, it seemed
to give him new life We had to group
our way, as l may say, for the Indians
were as thick in the forest as mosquitoes
in the month of August, and about as
thirsty for human blood. We had been
out for two days, and were approaching
the lines, where more than usual precau-
ton was required, on account of scouts
At length we passed over, and were in
the United States once more.


Early in the afternoon lmissed Kenen
l had taken the lead, while he followed
in my tracks, but all at once he had dis
appeared This did not cause me any
uneasiness, as he had often done the same
thing before. pushed forward, and al
night l came to Il deep and rapid stream
with high, shelving banks, where [ re-
solved to camp for the night.


collected some dry wood, with which
lighted fire and cooked my supper
When it was about ready the great Wal
Eagle made his appearance, and sat dowr
at the fire without a word, the same as
if he had never been absent from my
side. l looked at his belt, and there
saw fresh scalp hanging. After sup
per [ ventured to remark:


Il think Kenen has been on the war
path. %


"Ugh, dog Of Mohawk"


AT the same time tossing the still We
skin and hair at my feet with the ut
most contempt.


| learned that he had seen the fresl
trail Of the savage, and had started IL
pursuit. having overtaken him, he killec
and scalped him, and returned in tim,
to have supper.


After he had let me know the particu
lars, he arose and scattered the fire Will
his foot, telling me it would not do t.
let it burn, or we might find ourselves
minus of our hair in the morning. w,
then rolled ourselves in our blankets ant
lay down to sleep.


Kenen never seemed to sleep will
both eyes shut, he seemed to chang
guard with them, the one doing dut,
the one half, and the other the othe
half of the night And it was we'll 70
me that it was so, for about midnight h
was startled from sleep by the snappin:
Of small twig. He listened for mo
ment, then turning, he awoke me say
ing


1.-The dogs are on cur trail"
4 We arose and sought cover in clum1
of trees Il few steps from where we slept
We were just in time, for not a minut
after we saw the forms of half a-dozeI
savages stealing up to the spot we hac
just left.


"We'll make their number less" h