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advantage of their credulity. He taught them to believe that the very elements were obedient to his command; and it was a tradition among them, that at one time, when surrounded by his enemies, he had retreated to the top of a mountain-and, lo! the heavens were overspread with clouds, and Sagitto, in his terrible and vindictive wrath, grasping the hissing and angry lightnings, hurled them over the earth, scathing and destroying all within his reach. And, when the storm had passed away a thousand corses were scattered along the wilderSo much for the traditions of a simple, confiding,

ness.

and romantic race.

We were speaking of Sagitto's influence over his little tribe of Seminoles. At the waving of his hand, they were silent as death. A single whisper, and their battleaxes were gleaming in every direction; and then yells and whoops passed through the everlasting forest, like the loud blast of the equinox. Their retreat was in a narrow pass, between two mountains, that terminated abruptly on the Missouri river. They were continually at warfare with the white settlements; more, perhaps, for the sake of plunder, than a desire of shedding blood. But as they frequently met with opposition, a contest, of course, would ensue, which too often terminated in their complete success.

The Washpelong believed that there was little probability of their hiding place being discovered. In this they were mistaken. Some incidental circumstance led to their detection. It was ascertained that their resort could be approached from the river. Boats were got in readiness and a large body of veteran marksmen were prepared to commence the attack. They chose a tempestuous night, when, they believed, the Indians would

not be upon their guard. In landing, almost in breathless silence, an arrow whizzed by them. They stood, for a moment, unmoved. Another-another, and another!

Still they were silent. They could see no object through the darkness of midnight. At length an arrow struck one of the adventurers in the temple; he gave a loud scream, and fell dead upon the spot. A single gun was fired, and the supposed sentinel howled in the agonies of death. The whites were drawn up on the shore, prepared for battle. The breathing of the wounded Washpelong was now distinctly heard. From the sound, it appeared as though he might be unsuccessfully endea vouring to regain his feet. One of the men groped his way through the underwood, about fifty yards from the main body, and discharged his musket. This stratagem, though dangerous to the individual, had the desired effect. The Indians directed their attention to this quarter, and the noise occasioned by the movement, gave the whites a momentary advantage. Several volleys were instantly fired, and, as it was supposed, not entirely without effect. They were, however, too well acquainted with the subtle enemy with whom they had to contend, to remain any longer exposed, and consequently retreated immediately to their boats.

The hostility between Sagitto's tribe and the borderers (or hoosiers) was now of the most deadly character. The latter, who had been the aggressors, made active preparations to defend themselves from an attack which, they had every reason to apprehend, would soon be made. For this purpose, every house was plentifully supplied with arms and ammunition; but when they fancied their security the greatest, they became, in a brief hour, the victims of their enemies.

They were surprised during the night, and before they

could make any effectual resistance, the whole village was on fire. It is unnecessary to describe the conflagration, plunder, and havoc of that fearful night. The red men were determined to avenge the wrongs they had sustained; and the result can easily be imagined. But few, very few of the villagers escaped. Those who quit their dwellings were slaughtered upon the spot. House after house was burnt to the ground, until they were nearly all consumed. There was yet one, standing alone, to which the fire was just communicated. The roof was beginning to blaze. The infuriated Washpelong immediately assembled around it, prepared to cut off every possible retreat of its inmates. What a spectacle was here presented! the fiendish countenances of the assailants, each eager for his prey, looked not unlike so many statues of bronze, as they stood, gazing intently upon the conflagration, ready to glut the murderous tomahawk with the blood of those who might have the hardihood to fly. Suddenly the casement of a window flew open, and a female appeared, as if in the act of leaping to the earth. While she remained for a moment in this position, she was entirely enveloped in a sheet of flame. She sprang forward, and fell prostrate upon the ground. A dozen battleblades gleamed in the livid and sickly light, above her beautiful head.

"Hold" wildly exclaimed Sagitto, rushing among them. They all fell back without a murmur.

"The Great Spirit is angry! continued Sagitto, as he caught up the female in his arms. For a moment he looked intently upon her features, and a tear stole down his swarthy cheek. Her senses returned, and she was carried away a captive by the war chief. He gave her the name of Orania, and bestowed upon her every possible attention. It was a long time before she could be re

conciled to her lot, but at last she grew contented and even cheerful. Sagitto instructed her in his own language; and under his direction, she acquired the art of decorating her person according to the peculiar fashion of his tribe. Her habits were at length almost entirely assimilated with those of the Indians; and as the reader has, perhaps, already anticipated, she became the bride of Sagitto. Her young affections were entirely his-she loved him with all a woman's fondness. He, strange as it may appear, was the only object before whom she bowed in adoration. His image was shrined too deeply in her heart, ever to be obscured. If he was thoughtful or gloomy, she was never satisfied until she had inspired him with cheerfulness and good humour. She was as a ministering angel ever ready to soften his rugged sorFor hours she has sat in the pale light of the moon, pouring out her soul in all the fervour and eloquence of song to charm away the Manitou of evil from the bosom of her devoted lord.

rows.

Five months, only, had elapsed during their matrimonial existence, when Sagitto and his followers were drawn into another contest with the whites. Orania remained at home. After an absence of nearly a whole summer, the chief found himself obliged to fight a desperate battle. His enemies were very strong, and he had but little hope of success; still there was no alternative. The contest commenced; but it was of short duration. The whites, actuated by a revengeful spirit, pressed madly on their foes, and overpowered them in an instant. Sagitto was their prisoner. He and the remnant of his band were securely bound. That night, they encamped upon a hill. At sunset, the following day, the prisoners were to be shot. The next morning, Sagitto was upon his feet. He was leaning against a tree, to which he had

been fastened by his captors. He was silent and meditative. He communed entirely with his own thoughts For a long time he had been gazing towards the east. His abstraction was observed by Colonel N the principal officers, who approached him.

one of

"What do you see?" he asked with a tender solicitude peculiar to this excellent man.

"A mountain," significantly replied the chief. "A mountain? And why do you look upon earnestly ?"

it so

"It is my home. In the moon of flowers,* many years ago, I burnt one of your villages. We took many scalps. One of your daughters I carried away. She was beautiful as the magnolia, and her voice sweeter than the songsparrow. She is my wife."

"And you wish to see her ?"

"You say I am to die? Would a paleface see the wife of his bosom, before he goes to the Great Spirit?”

"We will send for her to the Camp," said Col. N

"No," cried the chief with emotion, She is your enemy. She wears the red paint.'t She is terrible as the hissing of the Great Serpent! Are you mad? would you take away her life? I would talk to her in my own

weegewam.

"The fox, if it once escapes, never returns," said the officer.

"The palefaces talk with their own hearts. A chief would not disgrace his tribe with a lie. The Great Spirit would be offended. Why do you doubt? Was I ever guilty of deceit ? Bid me go free. Tell me, without asking a pledge, that I am no longer your prisoner.

* May is called by the Indians the moon of flowers.

† An emblem of war.

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