The Death Of Wind-foot

Thrco hundred yoars ago - so I heard the tale, uot long mucc, from the tnouth of one cducated like a white man, but bom of the race of wboin Logan and Tecumseh sprang - threo hundred years ago, there livcd on IqiiJs now forming au eastern county of the most poworfui of the AraericiiQ States, a petty Indian tribc governcd by a brave aud wise chieftain. ïhis chieftain wa9 called by a name which in our langungo signifies ÜDrelcnüng. Ilis deeds of courage aud subtlety made Lim renowned through no , small portion of the northcrn continent. Thero were otily two dwellcrs in his lodge - himself and bis youthful eon ; for tvrenty moous had fillêd and waned sinco his wifo, following four of her offspring, was placed in the burial ground. As the Unrclenting sat alone oneeveniog in his rude hut, one cf Lis people caino to inform him that a tra veler from a distant tribe had entered the village, j and desired food and repose. Such a petition was never slighted by the red man ; aud the messenger was sent back , witb an iuvitation for the stranger to . abide in the lodge of' the chief himself. ! Ainong that simple raoe, no dutiea were ] considerad more honorable thau arranging the household comfortï of a guest ; these duties were now performed by the host's own baad, his sou not having yet returned from the htint on which ho had starled with a few young compauions at early dawn. In a litllo while, the wayfarcr was led iuto the dwelüng by hiiu who had given ihe first notice of his arrival. "You are welconie, my brother," said the Qurcli'utiug. The peraoo to whom this kind salutc was addrcpsed was an athletic Indian, of middle age, and habited in the scant attire of his species, lie had tho war tuft on his forehead, under which flashed a pair of brilliant eyes. His rejoin der was friendly and brief. "ïhe chieftain's teut is lonesomo - bis people are away '?" continucd tho stranger, aíter a pause, casting a glauce of inquiry around. 'My brother says truc that it is lonesome," the other auswered. ''Twelve seasous ago, the Unrclenting saw five children in the hndow of his wigwam, ar.d the ir motlier wal dear to him. He was strong, hkp a cord of uiany fibres. ïhen the breuth of Manito snapped the fibrea oue by one asuuder, lie looked with a pleasanfc eyo on my sous aud daughters, and wisbed f hem for himself'. lichold all that is left to brigbtiiu my heart!" Tiio Unrelenting turned as lie spoke, and pointed to an object just iusidu the opening of the tint, A moment or two beforf, the figure of a boy had glided noiseleraly in, and takon b:s station back of the chicf. - llardly tvelvo years seenied tlio a'o of the new corner. 11e was a noble obild ! II is HmbSi never distorted with the ligatures of civilizod lifo, wens graccful as the ash, and symmetrical and springy as the bounding stiig's. lt was the laat and lovliest of tlio obieftain's nous - the softlipped, niinblo Wind-Poot. With the youlh's a.s.-istance, the preparatious íor tlieir frugal mcal were soon completed. After iinishing it, as tlio stranger appcared to be weary, a beap of sk'rna were arrangcd for him in ono corner of the lodgy ;u;d ho luid himself down to sleep. It was a lovely slimmer eveuing. The moon shoue, the stars twiukled, aud the thousand voiees of aforest night souud'cd iu every directioo. Tho chicf aud his son reclined at the opening of tin tent, enjoying the cool breeze which blev freshly upon tbom, and ilapped the pieci of deer-hide tlifit served for their door BOmetimes flingiog it down sr as to dark on the apartmeut, tlien raif-iug it Bud deuly up agaio, as if to let iu the brigh niooubeaiiis. Wind-Foot spokc of Lis hunt that day lie liad met with no succes, nnd iu ; boy 's impatient spirit, wondered wby i was that others arrows should hit th( mark, and failure be reservud for hin alono. The cliief heard hun with a sac smilo, as he remembored his own youth ful traits; bc poothed the child witl: gcntle words, telling biin that brave war riors Bometimea went wholo days witL the samo perverse fortune. "Many yeara sinue," said tlie ohief. "when my chock was soft, and my umi feit the uuinbuess of but few winters, I myself vainly traversed our huntiny grounds as you have dono to-day. 'ïhc Dark iniluenco was around me, and not a single sbaft would do uiy bidding." 'And my fatber brought homo nothin:; to his lodge ?" aaked the boy. Tlie Unrelenting camo back without any fíame," tho other answered ; ''but he brought what was dearer to hiiïi and lus peoplo thuu the faltest doer or the sweetest bird-iueat - ho brought the scalp of an aocursod Kansi !" ïhc voico of the chief was deep and sharp in its tone of batred. "Will my father," said Wind-Foot, teil " Tho child startcd, and pauscd. An exclamatioD, a sudden gutturul noiso, cuuio from that part of the tent where he stranger was sleeping. Tho dry ekius which formed thö bed rustled, as if he who lay there was changini; his nosition, and then all contiuued sileut. Tho Uureleuling proceeded ÏD a lower tone,fearful that they had almost broken the slumber of thoir gue.t. "Listen !" faaid he; ''you know part, hut not all the causo of hatred tliere is between our natiou and the abhorred enwuies whoae natnes I mentioned. Longer back than i can reniemlicr, thoy did mortal wrong to your fathers. The sealps of two of your tiear kindred hang in Kausi lodges, and I havo sworn, my son, to bear thdon a oever ending hatred "Ou the moruing of which I epoke, I started with fresh limbs and a light heart to seareh for gamo, llour after hour I roamed the forest with uo suceess; aud at the setting of tho eun, I fouud my■:iry aiid nuiiiy miles from my father's lodge. I laid down at the foot of a tree, and sleep camc over mo. Iu the depth of the night, a voico seemed whispering in my eur ; it callud me to r'uo quickïy - to look aruuud. I started to noy feet, and found no one there but myself; then I knew that the DreamSpirit hud Leen with me. As I Gast uiy eyes about in the gloo:n, I saw a distan t brightness. Tre i.ly I approftchei. The üght was that of a íire, and by thu lite lay two slocping figures. O. 1 laughcd the quiet laugh of a deatlily mind, as I saw who they were - a Kanii warrior, and a child, like you, my sok, in age. I feit the edge of iny tomahawk - it was keeu as my bate. I crept toward thciii ts the snuke crawls through ihe grass, I bent over the slumbering boy ; I ruiseil my weapou to strike. Uut [ thought tbat werc tnoy+utu slain no ):ie would c irry the talo to the Kansi ;'ibe. My veugeancü would be tastcluss ;o tno if they knew it not - and I spar:d the ohild. Then I glided to the oth;r ; his faco was of the samo cast as the irst, which gladdened me, acd thea I jncw they were of closo kindred. I :aised my arm - I gathercd my strength - I strack, and cleft the warrior'a braiu n quivering halves !" The ebief had gradually wrought ïimself up to a pitch of loudnesá and ■age, and his hoarso tones at the last )art of' his narration, rang crcakingly .hrough the lodga. At that moment, the deer hide curain kept all within it in durkness ; the ïext , it was lif'cd up, and a flood of the noonlight filled tbo apartment. A s'arting Bight was back there then ! The itracge Indiaa was eittiüg ou his couch, lis distorted features gluring towards the inconscious ones in front, with a look ike that of Satan to bis antagouistic anTel. llis lips were parted, bis teeth ;lenched, h s ar:u raiscd, and bis hand loubled - every nerve and siuew in bold relief. Tuis speotaelo of t'ear lasted oniy for a moment ; tho Indian at once ank noiselessly back, and lay with the skins wrapped around biin as before. It was uow an advanced hour of the night. Wind-Foot feit exhausted by :iis day'a travel ; the father aud sou iroso from their ee::t at the door, and retired to rest. In a littje while all w;is sileuce iu the tent; but from the darkaess which surrounded the bed of the Btraoger, flashed two Crey orbs, rolling about incessanlly like tho cyes of an angry wild beast. The lids of tbose orbs closed uot iu slumber during the uight. A.mong the former iuhabitanta of this continent, it was considered rudenes, of the highest degreo, to annoy a Uavcjer or a guest witbqucstions abjut himself, his hut, abode, or his future destinatiun. Until he saw tit to go, he was made welcome to stay whether for a short time or a long one. Thus, on themorrow, when the strange Indian tihowed no eigns of departing, the chief expressed oot the least surprise, but feit, indeed, a compliment indircctly paid to his powers of entertainment, Early the succeediDg day, the Unrolouting ealled bis son to bim, while the stranger was Etiuidiu at the ttct door. LIe told Wiud-Foot ihat he was goiug on a short journey to perform which and return woQld probably t;ike bim till nigbtfall. He enjoined the boy to re111 i t Da dutiea of hospitality tuward hi.s gucHt, aud badc bim be reaáy ut eveuing with a weloome for bis father. Tho suu had marked the middte of the after noon - v.-hcn the chief, fioishiag what he bad to do sooner than he ezpeoted, caino back to his own dwelliog, and threw hiuiKclf 00 tho iloor to odtain rest - for the day, though pleasaut, had been a warm one. Wind-Foot was not there, and after a littlo interval the chief stepped to a louge ucar by to make inquiry lifter hira. "Tlia young brave, :' said a vvoman, who appeared to answer his uestions, "went aw:iy with the chicfb gtrange uest inany houra giucc.'1 9 The Unrelenting turned to go bacl r to his tent. q ''I cannot teil tho mcaning of it," ad , dnd the woman, "but ho of tbc firey eyi bilde me, sliould tho father of Wind Foot ask about him, suy to tha chie t theso words ; 'Unlcss your foe soes yoi drink his blood, that blood looses morí . than half its swectness." ' i Tho Unrulunling started as f a scor t pion had stuug hitu. IJis ip trembled 3 aod his hand iuvoluntarily moved to th( i handle of his tomahawk. Did his cara 1 perform their office tru'.y '.' Theso souncli - werc not new to him. Liko a lloatiiijs i mi.it. the gloom of past yeara rollec - away froni his meniory, and he rccollcct i cd that ihe words the woraan epake were tha very ones lie himsoli had uttered te , the Kansi child whü.-iO father ho s!ew long, long ago, ia the forest ! And tliia stranger r Ah, now be saw it. líe rej inembered the dark locks of hia guest- i and carrying his mind back agaiu, trae, cd tho features of tho Kansi ín their matured counterpart. And tho cliief feit too conscious for wtjat terrible purpose Wind-Foot wus iu the hands of tliis mau. He salüed forth, gathered togother a few of his war rio ra, aad starled swiftly to seek his child. About tho samo hour that tho Uuro-, lenting returned from his journcy, Wind-Foot, several miles l'roui homo was just coming up to his coinpauion, who had gouo on a few i ods ahead ol him, and was at that moment soated ou ihe body of a fallen tiee, a mifjlity giaut ol' tho woods, that some whirlwind had tumbled to the earth. The ciiild had roamed about with his new acciuaiutanco thruugh one path aud another with the hecdletsuuts of'his ae ; aud nuw, while the lattor sat in perfect silonce for several minutos, Wiud-foot idly sported ueaf him. It wa3 a solema spot ; in every direction around were towering patriarchs of tho wiideriiess growing aud decaying iu solitude. At lungth. tho stranger spoke : "Wind-Foot !" Tho child who was but a few yards off, approachod at ibe cali. As he carne near ho stopped iu alarm ; his coiupaniou's eyos had that dreudlul bright glitter agaiu - and whilo they looked at cach other, dreadful furebodings aróse iu, tho boy's soul. "Young chieftaiu," said the stranger, "you must diu !" "Tho bravo is iu play," was tho response, "Wind Foot is a lítele boy." "rierpeuts are email at liv.st, replied the savago, but iu a fow moous they have faugs and deadly poison. Harken, branch from an evil root, I am a Kansi The youth your pareat spared in the forest has now become a aan. Warriors of his tribo pcint to hiin aud say, 'hia father's sealp adorns the lodge of the Unrolenting, but the wigwam of the Kansi is bard.' Wiud-Foot, lt must ha b;iri uo longer I" The boy's heart beat quickly - but beat true to the stern courage of his aucestors, "I am the son of a chief," ho answered, "my cheek ein not be wet with tears." The Kansi lookcd at him a few seconds with admiration which soon gavo way to malignant scowlá. Theo producing from au inner part of his drcás a withe of somo tough bark, ho stepped to WiudFoot, and begau binding lii.s hands. It was useless to attempt resistance, for besides the disparity of thuir strength, the boy was unarmed, while the savage had at his walst a hatchet, and a rudo stoüc weapon resembliug a pouiard. lio po:nted to Wind-Foot the direction ho must take, gave a siguificaut touch at his girdle aud followed close on bohind. When tho Unrelentiug and his peoplo started to seek for tho child and that ïearful stranger, tbcy were lucky enough ïo find tbc truil which the absent onc-s aad made. None escept an Indian's eye could have tracked thern by so eltght aud duvious a guida. 13ut tho ohief's eyo wa3 sharp with paternal love ; thcy bllowed on - winding, aud on agaiu - ut ength coming to tho fallón tyee. The truil was now lesa irregular, aud they traversed it with jrcater rapidity. lts direction eeemed towaids the ahore of a long, narrow lake which lay adjaceut to their territory. Onward went they, and as the sun sank in the west, they saw his last flitting gleatus reüecting from the waters of tho lake. The grounds here wero almost clcar of trees ; aud as ihey carne out, the Unrelenting aud hÏ8 warriors swept tho range yith their keeu eyes. Was it so, indeed ? Thero, on the grass not tweuty rods from the shore, were tho porsons they BOUght - and fastened near by was a canoe. Thcy saw IVoni his posture Ihat the captivo was bound; ihey saw, too, tliat if the Kansi should oucü get him iu tlie boat, aud gaiu a start for tho opposite side, where very likely some of his tribe were waiting lor hi:u, reléate would bc a'most impossible. For a moment ouly they pausod. Theu the Unrelemiug sprang off, utteriug the battle cry of tiis tribc, aud tha rest joined in the terrible chorus uud followcd him. As the sudden sound was swept along by tho biecze to the Kausi's ears, he jumpcd tu bis feet, and with the wonderful self-posícssiou whioh dislinguislies his species, detennincd at once wh.it was safust and surest for hiiu. to do. He seizcd Wind-Foot by the shoulder, and ran towards tlie boat, holding tho boy's person as a shield i'roin ai;y wcapou the pursuers might attempt to lauuch aftcr him. He possessed sti'l the advantage. It was a fearful race ; and the Unrelenting telt hiá heart grow sick, as the liidian, dragging his child, npproachcd uearer to Üia water's cige. "Turn, whelp of a Kaosj ! " the chicf ericd madly. "Tura thou whoso oowrdly arrnu warrest against childrcu ! Turn ii' thou dure-t, and meet the eye of a full-grown brave !' A loud taunting laugh was ?3orne bar!: from his flying cueniy to the ears ot' the furious father. The saviigo did uot look round, but twisited bis left arm, ;u.d pointed with his fingir to I Koot's throat. At that moment he was uithin tfficc his length of tho cauoe The boy heard his fatlier's voic-o, and "athercd his euergies faint and bruised as he was, for a last struggle. Vain his efforts. For a moment only helóosened himsdf from the grip of his foe, aud fóH upon the ground. That moment, howevcr, was a fatal ono to tho i Kansi. With the speed of lightning the ohiefa bow was up to bis shoulder - - ihe cord twanged sharply, and a poiu son-tipped arrow sped thruugh tlie air. Kaithful to its mission, ik oleft the f Indian's Bidé, just as he was stoopiDg to i lift Wiod-Foot into the boat. He gave 3 a wild shiiek ; his blood spurted from the wouud, and bo staggerod down upon the and. lüa strength, however, was , ot yot gone. líate and measureless 3 reveuge - the stronger, thut they were i baiiled--raged within Lici, and shot s througb hia eyes - glassy as thcy wero l begiuniiig to bo with death damps. 1 Twisting his body, like a bruisod snako, he worked liimscif closo tip to lbo bandI Wiiid-Footr. He feit to bis waist buud, and drew forlli the weapao oí r stone He laugliod a laujh of triumpb i - he sboutcd aluud - he ruiaud ihe wcap . on u the air - ai.J just - the death rat t!e sounded ia bis tbroat, the instrument (the shuddering eyos oí' the obild saw it, . and sbut thöir lids in intense agony) , same down, driven too eureiy to the beurt i of tbo hapless boy. . When tbo Uurelcnting oamc up to his son, the last sigr.s of üie were lading in t!.e boy'a oonntenanoe. iis eyes opened aud turnud to the cbicf ; bis beautiful ipa par tod in a muile, tbo last elfort of expiriug fonduoss. Ou bis features üitted a lovoly loo!r, trausieut as the ripplo athwurt the wave, a slight tremor sliook htm, uud the nest iniuuto Windl('oot wus dead.